| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09569763B2 |
Information gathering and decoding apparatus and method of use
An information gathering and decoding apparatus includes two information gathering devices that communicate with one another, preferably wirelessly. The two information gathering devices may be used substantially simultaneously to process one, or multiple, customer orders. Customer order information is sent from one information gathering device to the other, and only one of the information gathering devices communicates with a computer system to send information from both of the information gathering devices to the computer system as if the information originated from the one information gathering device. Communication between the two information gathering devices combined with a microprocessor in at least one of the information gathering devices may allow the information gathering and decoding apparatus to be used with existing computer systems, such as point of sale systems, preferably without modifying the computer system. One information gathering device may pre-qualify customers to purchase restricted items. The second information gathering device may access the pre-qualification from the first information gathering device to process sales of restricted items to customers. |
| US09569760B2 |
Rapid checkout after payment
A user's checkout information is stored for a certain amount of time, e.g., 10 minutes, after checkout, and the user is given the option of selecting a button to add one or more items for purchase and completing the purchase by adding the additional item(s) and approving the payment, without having to go through a complete checkout flow again. |
| US09569758B2 |
Automated banking machine that operates responsive to data bearing records
In an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein an automated banking machine that includes an instrument acceptor operable to receive financial instruments. The machine is operable to cause user data obtained from a user during a user session with the machine to be sent to a transaction authorizing host computer. The machine is operable to generate an electronic deposit slip that includes a data representative of a financial account associated with the user data, and a value of value of a financial instrument received by the instrument acceptor during the user session. The electronic deposit slip to be sent to a server that is remotely located from the automated banking machine and data representative of the value of the financial instrument is sent to the authorizing host terminal to cause the financial account to be credited an amount corresponding to the value of the financial instrument. |
| US09569752B2 |
Providing parameterized actionable communication messages via an electronic communication
A method, an apparatus and computer readable storage media facilitate initiating an actionable message at a computing device in response to input of a defined sequence of characters at the computing device, and executing an action associated with the initiated actionable message in accordance with information that is specific to the actionable message. |
| US09569751B2 |
Mechanism for creation and utilization of an attribute tree in a contact center
A graph database is described for use in connection with a contact center. The graph database includes a plurality of nodes and relationships that describe the operations, entities, personnel, and attributes in the contact center. Also included in the graph database is an attribute tree that enables a work assignment engine in the contact center to make proximity-based work assignment decisions. |
| US09569750B2 |
Utilizing a social network account to provide additional functionality to a gaming network account
A method to provide additional gaming network functionality links a user's gaming network identity with the user's social network identity. Linkage of the user's gaming network and social network identities establishes a two way communication link by which a gaming (social) network service can obtain information from, and send information to, a social (gaming) network service on behalf of the user. The gaming (social) network service may obtain information regarding the social (gaming) network relationships of the user's social (gaming) network identity and suggest gaming (social) network relationships to the user based on the social (gaming) network relationships. The gaming (social) network service additionally enables a user having linked identities to post gaming (social) network related messages as social (gaming) network messages via their social (gaming) network identity. |
| US09569745B1 |
Dynamic vehicle routing for regional clusters
Techniques described herein are directed towards dynamically adding new pickup orders to an existing route structure. In at least some embodiments, a service provider separates a number of vendors into separate clusters based on one or more attributes. For example, the vendors may be separated by geographic region. The service provider may then identify a set of routes that are associated with each of the vendor clusters and run optimization techniques on that set of routes. The set of routes may be filtered based on attributes of the route. In some embodiments, the service provider may make a route alteration that accommodates the new pickup order. |
| US09569742B2 |
Reducing costs related to use of networks based on pricing heterogeneity
A capability is provided for reducing the costs of data transfers for networks using pricing heterogeneity. For data to be transferred between an application of a first network and a user device, the data may be transferred directly without using a second network or indirectly using a second network including a transfer of the data between the first network and the second network. In a network-based file system, a first network is primarily used for write requests and a second network is primarily used for read requests, and a data block is transferred from the first network to the second network based on a determination that a threshold number of read requests for the data block have been received. The determination as to when to transfer data between networks may be determined based on various costs associated with the networks. |
| US09569739B2 |
Predicting and managing impacts from catastrophic events using weighted period event tables
A system stochastically models events related to potential perils (e.g., hurricanes, terrorist attacks) using a weighted period event table. Both rare and likely events are captured in modeling with minimal computational overhead, allowing appropriate allocation of resources. Applications include disaster response, municipal planning, financial risk modeling and allocation. |
| US09569736B1 |
Intelligent medical image landmark detection
Intelligent image parsing for anatomical landmarks and/or organs detection and/or segmentation is provided. A state space of an artificial agent is specified for discrete portions of a test image. A set of actions is determined, each specifying a possible change in a parametric space with respect to the test image. A reward system is established based on applying each action of the set of actions and based on at least one target state. The artificial agent learns an optimal action-value function approximator specifying the behavior of the artificial agent to maximize a cumulative future reward value of the reward system. The behavior of the artificial agent is a sequence of actions moving the agent towards at least one target state. The learned artificial agent is applied on a test image to automatically parse image content. |
| US09569734B2 |
Utilizing eye-tracking to estimate affective response to a token instance of interest
A user may be exposed to multiple token instances representing stimuli that may influence the affective state of the user. Described herein are embodiments of systems, method, and computer programs for estimating affective response to a token instance of interest, selected from among the token instances. The token instance of interest is selected based on attention levels derived from eye-tracking data. In one example embodiment, the token instance of interest is a token instance in which the attention of the user is higher than the attention level of the user in at least one other token instance to which the user is exposed at the same time. |
| US09569732B2 |
System and method of designing models in a feedback loop
A method and system for designing models is disclosed. The method includes selecting a plurality of models for modeling a common event of interest. The method further includes aggregating the results of the models and analyzing each model compared to the aggregate result to obtain comparative information. The method also includes providing the information back to the plurality of models to design more accurate models through a feedback loop. |
| US09569728B2 |
Deriving semantic relationships based on empirical organization of content by users
A computer-implemented content suggestion engine provides content suggestions to a requesting user based on information about content items that other users may have independently categorized or organized into folders within a content repository. Embodiments of the method comprise a content repository having a plurality of content items, where each content item is associated with one or more user-created folders. Embodiments further comprise receiving, via a network, a suggestion request for suggested content, where the suggestion request identifies a first content item for which suggestions are sought. Other content items in the content repository are then identified as potential suggestions based on the application of a formal relationship between the first content item and the potential suggested content items. One or more of the potential suggested content items may then be provided in response to the suggestion request via the network. |
| US09569727B2 |
Predicting computer model accuracy
A social networking system receives messages from users that include hashtags. The social networking system may use a natural language model to identify terms in the hashtag corresponding to words or phrases of the hashtag. The words or phrases may be used to modify a string of the hashtag. The social networking system may also generate computer models to determine likely membership of a message with various hashtags. Prior to generating the computer models, the social networking system may filter certain hashtags from eligibility for computer modeling, particularly hashtags that are not frequently used or that more typically appear as normal text in a message instead of as a hashtag. The social networking system may also calibrate the computer model outputs by comparing a test message output with outputs of a calibration group that includes positive and negative examples with respect to the computer model output. |
| US09569725B2 |
Techniques for extracting semantic data stores
Techniques for enforcing policies. A set of data is stored in one or more data stores. A plurality of semantic concepts for an ontology are defined and a map is constructed from the set of data to the concepts. The map is executed in order to transform data from the set of data to a second set of data. The second set of data is stored according to the ontology. The second set of data is reasoned in order to determine compliance with one or more policies. |
| US09569721B1 |
Computer-implemented method and system for automated infringement and non-infringement claim charts with context associations
A system correlates intellectual property analyses, for example, patent claim charts, with respect to analyzed intellectual property and a target product or other intellectual property. Analyses are stored to enable searching and/or creating reports over multiple analyses. Units of the analysis are associated with a context, inherited, e.g., from the intellectual property document's assignment to a relative role within organizational hierarchy; and associated with a context derived from the analysis itself. The analysis and respective documents and/or targets of the analysis can be searched/retrieved/analyzed from the hierarchical analysis, the context analysis, and/or the content of the analysis. This obviates the need to store each analysis as a separate document. The target or annotations may be visually represented by an item such as a thumbnail or hyperlink, and the system automatically associates the item with the appropriate application program. |
| US09569717B2 |
Memory card
According to one embodiment, a memory card includes a first case including a first surface, the first surface including a groove, and the first case including a recessed area, a second case including a second surface, the second case being bonded to the first case, a memory disposed between the first case and the second case, a write-protect switch disposed between the first case and the second case and disposed in the recessed area, and a first director disposed between the first case and the second case, the first director being provided along an edge portion of the first case or the second case excluding the recessed area. |
| US09569716B2 |
System and method for distributing audio-based data tags
The present invention relates to a system and method for distributing audio based data tags in the field of computer technologies. The system includes an audio processing device, an audio playing device, a user terminal, and a data tag server. In the disclosed method, the audio processing device associates a data tag in an audio to produce an associated audio. The audio playback device plays the associated audio as background music. The user terminal identified the associated audio in the background music and acquires associated data tag through a computer network. In the disclosed system and method, an audience can obtain product information from background music while enjoying music. The customers can thus quickly access to a large amount of product information. The disclosed audio based data tags distribution system has a simple structure and is widely applicable. The disclosed method can be easily implemented at low cost. |
| US09569710B1 |
Encoding and decoding data in two-dimensional symbology
Examples of techniques for encoding data in a 2D symbology are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method includes assigning a first data symbol representative of a 0-bit and a second data symbol representative of a 1-bit, each of the first data symbol and the second data symbol include a line segment. The method further includes designating a starting indicator and an ending indicator. The method also includes generating, by a processing device, the 2D symbology. The 2D symbology includes a series of data symbols representing a binary string. Each data symbol in the series of data symbols are positioned in an end-to-end orientation starting at the starting indicator and ending at the ending indicator. The series of data symbols include 0-bit symbols represented by the first data symbol and 1-bit symbols represented by the second data symbol. |
| US09569708B2 |
Writing device and method
A writing device comprises a carrying section configured to carry a plurality of tags written with information by way of wireless communication, a writing section configured to write the information into the tags which are carried to a set writing position by the carrying section by way of wireless communication, an accepting section configured to accept the input of the writing position where the writing section writes the information into the tags, when the information is written into the tags which are carried by the carrying section and a correcting section configured to correct the set writing position according to the writing position where the accepting section accepts the input. |
| US09569706B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method and program
An image processing apparatus includes a target value calculation unit configured to calculate a target value to be output in a predetermined region in input image data based on pixel values of pixels included in the region, a distribution order determination unit configured to determine a distribution order of output values for distributing output values corresponding to the target value in the region based on a pixel value of each pixel included in the region and a threshold value in the threshold matrix corresponding to the pixel, and an output value determination unit configured to determine an output value of each pixel included in the region by allocating the target value to at least one pixel included in the region in the distribution order. |
| US09569704B2 |
Print target data processing apparatus, print target data processing method, and storage medium, which control division into plural print media
An imaging apparatus includes: an image obtaining unit which obtains print target data to be printed; a second print size specifying unit which specifies a print size for printing the obtained print target image on one or more print media; a print medium size specifying unit which specifies a size of the print media on which the print target data is printed; and a division judging unit which judges whether or not the print target data is divided into the plural print media when being printed, on the basis of the specified print size and the specified size of the print media. |
| US09569697B1 |
Object oriented image editing
Implementations generally relate to object based image editing. In some implementations, a method includes segmenting an image into object data by identifying one or more object classifications in the image and storing at least one locator for one or more regions of the image corresponding to each instance of the object classification. The method further includes receiving a selection of a representative portion of the segmented image from a user, and matching the representative portion with the object data to determine at least one matched object classification associated with the representative portion. The method further includes presenting the user with one or more of the matched object classifications for the user to instruct one or more edit operations to be applied to at least one object represented by the matched object classification. |
| US09569691B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes an attention area detection unit, a luminance parallax conversion unit, and a parallax estimation unit. The attention area detection unit is configured to detect an attention area including a desired subject from a standard image. The luminance parallax conversion unit is configured to perform a luminance parallax conversion with respect to the attention area on the basis of a luminance parallax conversion characteristic estimated by using a past frame. The parallax estimation unit is configured to perform parallax estimation on the basis of the standard image and a reference image, a viewpoint position of which is different from that of the standard image, and perform, in the attention area, the parallax estimation by using a luminance parallax conversion result obtained by the luminance parallax conversion unit. |
| US09569690B2 |
Automated and scalable object and feature extraction from imagery
Feature extraction of image data using feature extraction modules. The feature extraction modules may be provided in an architecture that allows for modular, decoupled generation and/or operation of the feature extraction modules to generate feature data corresponding to image data. In this regard, the feature extraction modules may communicate with a file system storing image data and feature data by way of a common interface format. Accordingly, regardless of the nature of the execution of the feature extraction module, each feature extraction module may be communicative by way of the common interface format, thereby providing a modular approach that is highly scalable, flexible, and adaptive. |
| US09569689B2 |
Image processing for productivity applications
Image processing for productivity applications is provided. An image may be received by a computing device. The computing device may detect the edges comprising the received image and adjust the image based on a skew state of the detected edges. The computing device may then process the adjusted image to correct imbalances. The computing device may then assign an image classification to the processed image. The computing device may then adjust the processed image based on the assigned image classification. |
| US09569687B2 |
Image analysis device, imaging system and non-transitory recording medium generating an index indicating a cardiac status with respect to frame images
An image analysis device includes: an acquiring unit configured to acquire a moving image showing a variation of a respiratory status, the moving image being formed with frame images including an image of a heart; an image analyzing unit configured to generate a first index indicating a cardiac status with respect to each of the frame images; and an index analyzing unit configured to derive a second index indicating lung function from a change caused in the first indexes by the respiratory status. |
| US09569676B2 |
Computer implemented system and method for extracting and recognizing alphanumeric characters from traffic signs
A computer implemented system and method for extracting and recognizing alphanumeric characters from traffic signs is envisaged. A camera present in the system is adapted to be mounted on the vehicle for capturing images of traffic signs. The system then gives a region of interest (ROI) within the frame of the captured image, from where the alphanumeric characters are extracted and enhanced for recognition. For recognizing the enhanced alphanumeric characters, the image is converted to binary image and morphological thinning technique is applied on it. The space then obtained between two alphanumeric characters thus helps in extracting the characters and recognizing them independently from the captured image. For each extracted alphanumeric character is re-sized to a specified size and is recognized with the help of white pixels count. Once the alphanumeric characters are recognized they are displayed on a display. |
| US09569675B2 |
Three-dimensional object detection device, and three-dimensional object detection method
A three-dimensional object detection device has an image capturing unit, detection area setting unit, a three-dimensional object detection unit and a lens state assessment unit. The image capturing unit has a lens for capturing images behind a vehicle. The detection area setting unit sets a detection area behind the vehicle. The three-dimensional object detection unit detects a three-dimensional object that is present in the detection area based on the acquired images. The lens state assessment unit detects if the lens is in a wet state. When a determination is made by that the lens is in a wet state, the detection area setting unit changes a position of the detection area from a first detection area, which is first set as the detection area to a second detection area, in which a display area for a driving lane marker on a driving lane side of the vehicle is removed. |
| US09569670B2 |
Destination and duration of stay determination in a geographically bounded area
A method for destination and duration of stay determination in a geographically bounded area such as a smart home includes detecting movement by an identified individual in an origination location of a geographically bounded area and retrieving a contemporaneously generated pattern of movement for the individual. The method additionally includes comparing the pattern for the identified individual to a set of patterns in a pattern data store and predicting from a matching pattern both a destination location in the geographically bounded area and a duration of time at which the identified individual is to remain at the destination location. Finally, the method includes directing activation of a fixture at the destination location responsive to predicting the destination location, and directing deactivation of a fixture at the origination location responsive to predicting a duration of time that exceeds a threshold value. |
| US09569667B1 |
Cloud resilient algorithm for coastline registration
Image navigation of an input image by edge registration proceeds by generating a reference image kernel in which edges of a reference image are embraced by borders. Image intensities of the reference image kernel internal to the borders increase with decreasing distance from the edges. A registration score is computed by cross-correlating the image intensities of the reference image kernel with image intensities in the input image. A feature exists in the input image when the registration score meets a registration criterion. |
| US09569656B2 |
Local real-time facial recognition
A system and machine-implemented method for real-time facial recognition at an image capture device is provided. The method includes capturing an image at an image capture device, the image containing at least a first person, analyzing the image to identify one or more data points corresponding to the first person, determining if mapping information corresponding to the one or more data points is locally available at the image capture device, sending a request to a remote device for mapping information when it is determined that mapping information corresponding to the one or more data points is not locally available at the image capture device, receiving mapping information corresponding to the one or more data points in response to the request and locally storing the mapping information at the image capture device. |
| US09569655B2 |
Digital voting logic for manufacturable finger asperity wafer-scale solid state palm print scan devices
Techniques are disclosed herein for artificial intelligence machine learning to increase collection of digital livescan fingerprints. According to certain embodiments of the invention, processing parameters can be automatically machine-optimized for processing scan images of fingerprints (and other areas) to increase the amount of detected minutia. The processing parameters can alter and change over time to reflect historical successes and failures of particular optimizations. This allows a fingerprint collection device to learn over time and become more accurate (i.e., more successful at detecting minutia). Additionally, the techniques further include receiving input from a user regarding physical traits of a scanned subject, to further customize the processing parameter optimization. Various other features are provided herein. |
| US09569652B2 |
Code symbol reading system
A digital-imaging based system reads graphical indicia, including code symbols, on objects such as, but not limited to, code symbol menus by the user pointing his or her finger at the particular code symbol on the code symbol menu to be read, while digital images of the code symbol menu and the pointing finger are automatically captured, buffered and processed. |
| US09569650B2 |
Method and apparatus for fractal identification of an object
A method and system for applying and reading a fractal image to and from a plurality of objects to act as an identification label is provided. The system includes a printer for printing a fractal pattern to the plurality of objects and a reader for reading the printed fractal pattern. Such a fractal image is robust to printing and imaging difficulties and inconsistencies, and is difficult to copy, thus defending against counterfeiting. |
| US09569649B1 |
Embedded failure detection in composite material
A method for embedded failure detection includes embedding radio frequency identification (RFID) tags at varying depths within a composite material including a polymer, an epoxy or an aggregate bonded with a fluid. Each RFID tag is attached with an insulated wire loop and a sensor and configured to communicate tag identification and resistance on each insulated wire loop upon being energized by an RFID reader. The sensor may be for temperature, moisture, humidity, pressure, light, or acceleration. The RFID tags are read with an RFID reader after initial curing of the composite material for reference information. The RFID reader reads the RFID tags after a particular time period for current information. The current information is compared to the reference information. It is determined whether a change information has occurred for any of the RFID tags to detect a possible failure of the composite material. |
| US09569647B2 |
Remote control of powering of electrical appliances
A method is provided for remotely controlling a supply of power to a plurality of electrical appliances. In response to attaching a plug of a first electrical appliance of a plurality of electrical appliances to a first socket of the one or more sockets connected to a main power supply, a control system activates a transceiver at a first of the first socket and the plug; stimulates, via the transceiver, a tag at a second of the first socket and the plug to determine a unique identifier of the tag. The control system receives the unique identifier of the tag from the transceiver and uses the unique identifier to activate/deactivate the transceiver which connects/disconnects the main power supply from the first electrical appliance. |
| US09569646B2 |
Smart card reader
A smart card reader capable of transmitting a power signal to a smart card to determine a duration WT called Waiting Time in keeping with the standard ISO 7816 and sending commands to the smart card, the reader comprising a detector for detecting a malfunctioning condition of the smart card and being configured to cut the power signal when the malfunctioning condition is fulfilled. This reader is remarkable in that the malfunctioning condition is different to reaching, by a counter configured to be incremented with the time from the sending of a command to the smart card, of a value corresponding to the duration WT elapsed from the sending of the command or reinitialization of the counter in response to the receipt of a protocol message of the smart card. |
| US09569642B2 |
Always-available embedded theft reaction subsystem
A system comprising a platform protected by an always-on always-available security system is described. In one embodiment, the system includes a risk behavior logic to detect a potential problem, a core logic component to provide logic to analyze the potential problem and to move the platform to a suspecting mode when the potential problem indicates a theft suspicion, and the security action logic, to send periodic alerts to a security server when the platform is in the suspecting mode, the alert including movement related data, such that the security server can take an action to protect the platform. |
| US09569639B2 |
Remapping constant points in a white-box implementation
A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium encoded with instructions for execution by a keyed cryptographic operation by a cryptographic system mapping an input message to an output message, wherein the cryptographic operation includes at least one round including a non-linear mapping function configured to map input data to output data, including: instructions for determining that the input data has a diversification number less than a diversification level threshold number; instructions for remapping the input data to a remapped input data, wherein the remapped input data corresponds to an input data having a diversification number greater than or equal to the diversification threshold value, and instructions for inputting the remapped input data into the non-linear mapping function to obtain output data. |
| US09569636B2 |
Docking station for portable devices providing authorized power transfer and facility access
A docking station for docking portable electronic devices is disclosed. The docking station is configured to mechanically accept and operatively interface with the portable electronic device for non-contact charging and data transfer. The docking station can provide security features for providing and/or restricting access to computational facilities such as printers, databases, installed programs, etc. Such security features can include installing applications on such portable devices that limit access. |
| US09569635B2 |
Requesting modification rights to a linked file set
A computer implemented system and method of sharing files between a link sharer and a link recipient over a network. The method comprises generating, in response to a request by a link sharer, a file sharing link to a file set, where the link does not provide a link recipient the ability to modify the contents of the linked file set. In response to receiving an indication that the generated link has been activated by a link recipient, displaying a representation of the linked file set with a display element configured to send a request for modification rights to the linked file set when activated by the link recipient. In response to receiving the request for modification rights, either automatically granting modification rights to the linked file set or sending notice to the link sharer indicating that the link recipient is requesting modification rights to the linked file set. |
| US09569633B2 |
Device, system, and method for processor-based data protection
A device, system, and method for providing processor-based data protection on a mobile computing device includes accessing data stored in memory with a central processing unit of the mobile computing device and determining that the accessed data is encrypted data based on a data included in one or more control registers of the central processing unit. If the data is determined to be encrypted data, the central processing unit is to decrypt the encrypted data using a cryptographic key stored in the central processing unit. The encrypted data may also be stored on a drive of the mobile computing device. The encryption state of the data stored on the drive is maintained in a drive encryption table, which is used to update a memory page tables and the one or more control registers. |
| US09569630B2 |
Method and system for providing an encryption proxy
An encryption proxy is instantiated in a first computing environment and includes encryption proxy authentication data for identifying itself to a secrets distribution management system in a second computing environment as a trusted virtual asset to receive and cache encryption key data in a secure encryption key cache outside the second computing environment. The encryption proxy requests one or more encryption keys to be cached and is then provided encryption key data representing the requested encryption keys in the encryption key cache. The encryption proxy then receives application request data from a second virtual asset instantiated in the first computing environment requesting one or more encryption keys be applied to second virtual asset data. The encryption proxy then obtains the required encryption keys from the secure secrets cache and coordinates the application of the encryption keys to the second virtual asset data. |
| US09569628B2 |
Specialized circuitry for cryptographic authentication and other purposes
To prevent piracy, audiovisual content is encrypted prior to transmission to consumers. A low-cost, high-security cryptographic rights module (such as a smartcard) enables devices such as players/displays to decode such content. Security-critical functions may be performed by the cryptographic module in a manner that allows security compromises to be addressed by upgrading or replacing cryptographic modules, thereby avoiding the need to replace or modify other (typically much higher-cost) components. The security module contains cryptographic keys, which it uses to process rights enablement messages (REMs) and key derivation messages (KDMs). From a REM and KDM, the security module derives key data corresponding to content, uses public key and/or symmetric cryptography to re-encrypt the derived key data for another device, and provides the re-encrypted key data to the decoding device. The decoding device then uses cryptographic values derived from the re-encrypted key data to decrypt the content. |
| US09569626B1 |
Systems and methods of reporting content-exposure events
In one embodiment, a method is performed by a computer system. The method includes discovering content in a user environment. The method further includes generating one or more content fingerprints on a per-content basis. The method also includes providing information sufficient to identify the one or more content fingerprints to a central computer system. Further, the method includes receiving a user selection of particular content stored in the user environment. In addition, the method includes requesting, from the central computer system, information related to a level of exposure of the particular content across a plurality of platforms and a plurality of users. Moreover, the method includes receiving exposure information for the particular content in response to the request. Additionally, the method includes publishing the exposure information to a user associated with the user environment. |
| US09569623B2 |
Secure boot with resistance to differential power analysis and other external monitoring attacks
A computing device includes a secure storage hardware to store a secret value and processing hardware comprising at least one of a cache or a memory. During a secure boot process the processing hardware loads untrusted data into at least one of the cache or the memory of the processing hardware, the untrusted data comprising an encrypted data segment and a validator, retrieves the secret value from the secure storage hardware, derives an initial key based at least in part on an identifier associated with the encrypted data segment and the secret value, verifies, using the validator, whether the encrypted data segment has been modified, and decrypts the encrypted data segment using a first decryption key derived from the initial key to produce a decrypted data segment responsive to verifying that the encrypted data segment has not been modified. |
| US09569621B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing apparatus startup control method
An information processing apparatus includes a first processor that is connected to an input/output device and is configured to execute a program for controlling an apparatus including the input/output device, and a second processor that is connected to an external network and is configured to execute a program for establishing communication via the external network, wherein when starting the information processing apparatus, the second processor verifies an integrity of the program to be executed by the first processor and starts the first processor when the integrity of the program to be executed by the first processor is verified, and when the integrity of the program to be executed by the first processor is not verified, the second processor issues a problem notification without using a user interface of the first processor. |
| US09569616B2 |
Gate-level masking
A method of and system for gate-level masking of secret data during a cryptographic process is described. A mask share is determined, wherein a first portion of the mask share includes a first number of zero-values and a second number of one-values, and a second portion of the mask share includes the first number of one-values and the second number of zero-values. Masked data values and the first portion of the mask share are input into a first portion of masked gate logic, and the masked data values and the second portion of the mask share are input into a second portion of the masked gate logic. A first output from the first portion of the masked gate logic and a second output from the second portion of the masked gate logic are identified, wherein either the first output or the second output is a zero-value. |
| US09569612B2 |
Hard object: lightweight hardware enforcement of encapsulation, unforgeability, and transactionality
A hardware-implemented method to support three desirable software properties: encapsulation, referential integrity/capabilities, and transactions. These properties in turn may be used to support software correctness, specifically the enforcement of invariants, and computer security, specifically protecting parts of programs from each other within a single process. |
| US09569611B2 |
Electronic apparatus and screen unlock method thereof
An electronic apparatus and a screen unlock method thereof are provided in the invention. The method includes the following steps. First, when a screen of an electronic apparatus is locked, a password unlock option is displayed on the screen, where the password unlock option is configured to unlock the screen via a preset password. A password delete option is displayed on the screen, where the password delete option is configured to delete the preset password to unlock the screen. In response to a select operation on the password delete option performed by a user, a random code is generated and set to a preset account. Next, an input code input by the user is received, and whether the input code and the random code are identical is determined. When the input code and the random code are identical, the preset password would be deleted, and the screen would be unlocked. |
| US09569610B2 |
Managing a password
A computer implemented method for managing a password is disclosed. The method can include generating a first hash value corresponding to a first password. The method can also include determining whether the first hash value corresponds with a second hash value included in the set of hash values. Further, the method can include suppressing storage of the first password in the set of passwords in response to determining that the first hash value corresponds with a second hash value included in the set of hash values. |
| US09569608B2 |
System and method for component authentication of a secure client hosted virtualization in an information handling system
A client hosted virtualization system (CHVS) includes a processor to execute code, a security processor, a component that includes a certificate, and a non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory includes BIOS code for the CHVS and virtualization manager code to initialize the CHVS, launch a virtual machine on the CHVS, and authenticate the component with the security processor by determining that the certificate is valid. The CHVS is configurable to execute the first code and not the second code, or to execute the second code and not the first code. |
| US09569607B2 |
Security verification method and apparatus
A security verification method includes: starting a monitoring process and monitoring a third-party application in an active state in the monitoring process; obtaining identification information of a current interface of the third-party application; determining, according to the identification information, whether the current interface is included in a preset monitoring list; displaying a security verification interface if the current interface is included in the monitoring list, and performing security verification on a user according to interaction between the user and the security verification interface; and displaying the current interface if the security verification succeeds. In addition, the present disclosure further provides a security verification apparatus. |
| US09569606B2 |
Verification of a pattern based passcode
A method and system for verification of a pattern based passcode. A user input of a series of key inputs is received. A registered pattern for the user of a sequence of keyboard direction movements is retrieved. A first character input in the series of key inputs is identified. It is determined that the identified first character is not in an excluded group of characters, wherein the excluded group of characters are previously used first characters in a defined period or number of instances for the user. In response to having determined that the first character is not in the excluded group of characters, the series of key inputs after the first character input is compared with the registered pattern for the user. |
| US09569601B2 |
System and method for authenticating and enabling functioning of a manufactured electronic device
A system and method for authenticating and enabling functioning of a manufactured electronic device are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: an electronic device comprising: a protected device; and an embedded and active obfuscation unit including: an obfuscation code generator to produce an obfuscation code having a first portion representing manufacturing or physical characteristics of a particular paired system and a second portion representing one or more identifiers of the particular paired system; an authentication key retriever to use the obfuscation code to obtain an authentication key from an authorized representative using an external data communication; and an obfuscation state machine configured with a pre-defined quantity of state elements, a pre-defined quantity of the state elements being functional state elements, the obfuscation state machine being programmed with the authentication key to cause the obfuscation state machine to transition the protected device from an initial obfuscation state to a functional state. |
| US09569597B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method, program, and information processing system
There is provided an information processing apparatus, including a storage section which stores a first image, which is an image of a format requiring license information in reproduction, to which reproduction is performed by a reproduction apparatus after being acquired, a conversion section which converts the first image into a second image of a format not requiring license information in reproduction, which is an image with content the same as content of the first image, and a distribution section which distributes the second image to the reproduction apparatus to be reproduced, during acquisition of the first image. |
| US09569595B2 |
Dynamic mobile streaming application suppression
A method performed by a network device may include obtaining an Internet Protocol address and a user device identifier associated with a user device, determining that the obtained user device identifier does not match a previous user device identifier associated with the obtained Internet Protocol address, and monitoring packets destined for the obtained Internet Protocol address to determine whether the packets are associated with a streaming application, based on determining that the obtained user device identifier does not match the previous user device identifier. The method may further include detecting a packet destined for the obtained Internet Protocol address, where the packet is associated with a streaming application and where the packet is received from a particular network device and signaling the particular network device to stop sending packets associated with the streaming application and destined for the obtained Internet Protocol address. |
| US09569594B2 |
Methods and apparatus for generating clinical reports
Techniques for documenting a clinical procedure involve transcribing audio data comprising audio of one or more clinical personnel speaking while performing the clinical procedure. Examples of applicable clinical procedures include sterile procedures such as surgical procedures, as well as non-sterile procedures such as those conventionally involving a core code reporter. The transcribed audio data may be analyzed to identify relevant information for documenting the clinical procedure, and a text report including the relevant information documenting the clinical procedure may be automatically generated. |
| US09569593B2 |
Methods and apparatus for generating clinical reports
Techniques for documenting a clinical procedure involve transcribing audio data comprising audio of one or more clinical personnel speaking while performing the clinical procedure. Examples of applicable clinical procedures include sterile procedures such as surgical procedures, as well as non-sterile procedures such as those conventionally involving a core code reporter. The transcribed audio data may be analyzed to identify relevant information for documenting the clinical procedure, and a text report including the relevant information documenting the clinical procedure may be automatically generated. |
| US09569587B2 |
Multi-services application gateway and system employing the same
An intelligent gateway device provided at a premise (home or business) for providing and managing application services associated with use and support of a plurality of digital endpoint devices associated with the premises. The device includes a communications and processing infrastructure integrated with a peer and presence messaging based communications protocol for enabling communications between the device and an external support network and between the device and connected digital endpoint devices. A services framework at the gateway device implements the communications and processing infrastructure for enabling service management, service configuration, and authentication of user of services at the intelligent gateway. The framework provides a storage and execution environment for supporting and executing received service logic modules relating to use, management, and support of the digital endpoint devices. Thus, the gateway device provides a network-based services point of presence for a plurality of digital endpoint devices at the premises. |
| US09569585B2 |
Combining RNAi imaging data with genomic data for gene interaction network construction
Embodiments of the invention relate to a method for constructing a gene interaction network by combining two sources of genomic information, namely RNAi imaging data and gene expression data. Tools are provided to gather data, including gene expression data and gene image data, and to compute measurements and relationships, respectively. A graph is constructed with nodes representing genes and edges drawn between the nodes to form gene clusters. The graph is refined such that the shape captures a structural pattern of the cluster. |
| US09569582B2 |
Template matching for resilience and security characteristics of sub-component chip designs
A mechanism is provided for validating overall resilience and security characteristics of a sub-component chip design. For each instance of a resiliency template identified as appearing in a design netlist of the sub-component chip design thereby forming one or more identified resiliency sections, a determination is made as to whether an output of the design netlist where an error signal is output interconnects to the one or more identified resiliency sections of the design netlist. Responsive to the one or more identified resiliency sections interconnecting to the output of the design netlist where the error signal is output, one or more identified resiliency sections are marked as being protected by the error signal. An identification of the one or more identified resiliency sections and an identification of the error signal protecting the one or more identified resiliency sections are output to a design team. |
| US09569581B1 |
Logic structure aware circuit routing
A method, executed by a computer, for routing a circuit includes receiving a logic structure for a circuit, retrieving a logic template, determining whether the logic structure for the circuit matches the logic template, and routing the circuit using a routing recipe corresponding to the logic template in response to determining that the logic structure matches the logic template. A corresponding computer program product and computer system are also disclosed herein. |
| US09569576B2 |
Mask pattern generating method, storage medium, information processing apparatus for execution of the same, mask manufacturing method and device manufacturing method
A mask data generating method for generating data of a plurality of masks used in a plurality of exposures in which exposure light is irradiated onto a substrate using a mask, and then exposure light is irradiated onto the substrate using another mask. The method includes the steps of obtaining data for a pattern including a plurality of pattern elements, determining formulation of a disposition limitation condition for the pattern elements, analyzing the distance between the pattern elements, determining formulation of the distance limitation condition, and applying a first variable configured to express a number of pattern divisions and a second variable configured to express a distance related to all pattern elements in a cost function and thereby dividing the pattern. |
| US09569574B1 |
Method and apparatus for performing fast incremental physical design optimization
A method for designing a system on a target device includes generating a first netlist for a first version of the system after performing synthesis in a first compilation. Optimizations are performed on the first version of the system during placement and routing in the first compilation resulting in a second netlist. A third netlist is generated for a second version of the system after performing synthesis in a second compilation. A hybrid netlist is generated from the first, second, and third netlists. Incremental placement and routing are performed on portions of the hybrid netlist that are new to the first compilation. |
| US09569570B2 |
Configurable delay cell
A configurable delay cell for an integrated circuit includes a CMOS inverter and first through fourth transistors. A drain of the third transistor is connected to a drain of the fourth transistor for generating an output signal. A connection between an output terminal of the CMOS inverter and a source of the first transistor, a connection between the output terminal of the CMOS inverter and a drain of the second transistor, and a connection between the source of the first transistor and the drain of the second transistor are configurable, using an electronic design automation (EDA) tool, for achieving first, second, third, fourth, and fifth delay values. The resulting delay value can be programmed by making changes only in one or more of the metal layers of the integrated circuit. |
| US09569569B1 |
Data storage system modeling
A target data storage system is simulated. A source configuration is received. First activity data is received representing workload for the source configuration. A target data storage system configuration for one or more target data storage systems is created. The target data storage system configuration is modeled including determining a simulated workload for components of the target data storage system configuration based on the first activity data. A utilization map is displayed in a user interface indicating component level utilizations of components of the target data storage system configuration based on the simulated workload. A data movement optimization for the target data storage system configuration is simulated. A second utilization map is displayed indicating updated component level utilizations for the target data storage system configuration which have been revised to model the simulated data movement optimization for the target data storage system configuration. |
| US09569567B2 |
Simulation method and simulation device
A simulation device includes a deformation unit and a calculation unit. The deformation unit deforms a spherical potential region of each of a plurality of particles when a deformable continuum is represented by the plurality of particles into an ellipsoidal potential region based on the amount of deformation of each of the plurality of particles. The calculation unit calculates reaction force between the particles based on the potential region of each of the plurality of particles deformed into the ellipsoidal shape. |
| US09569565B2 |
Computer-implemented system and method for roof modeling and asset management
Embodiments of the invention provide a computer-implemented system and method for generating a three-dimensional rooftop model. In some embodiments, the system and method can process stereo aerial images to generate a stereoscopic image, and generate a point-cloud field from at least a portion of the stereoscopic image. Some embodiments of the computer-implemented system and method can generate three-dimensional rooftop models using polylines and polygons derived from the point-cloud field. In some embodiments, a rooftop solar energy potential can be determined using a rooftop area calculated using the system and method. In some further embodiments, a rainwater run-off potential can be calculated using a measured rooftop area calculated using the computer-implemented system and method. In some embodiments, the system and method can display at least one building including at least one rooftop including one or more rooftop portions including a display of a solar potential and/or a rainwater runoff potential. |
| US09569563B2 |
Method for prediction and control of harmonic components of tire uniformity parameters
Improved and more easily implemented methods for predicting high speed radial force variation and uneven mass distribution utilize other measurements such as radial nm out and other parameters. The prediction model for high speed radial force variation uses a speed-dependent calibration term for predicting higher harmonic components, while the same or other models can be used for the first harmonic. The uneven mass distribution prediction model accounts for deformation of the tire along multiple tracks, thus employing a more realistic model of crown deformation that accounts for changing tire stiffness levels across different harmonic components of the measured and predicted parameters. |
| US09569562B2 |
Disease therapy game technology
A video game in possession of and/or in the proximity of a patient. The patient computing system receives an indication that it is to begin a game, and executes the game using identified game parameters that are associated with the patient by a clinician as part of a disease therapy program. As the game executes, game state progresses in response to physical activity of the patient, causing the patient to exercise. The physical activity is received as input into the patient computing system. Such input causes game state to be progressed dependent on the identified game parameters that are associated with the game. Thus, the game is tailored for the patient by a clinician in order to motivate physical activity that is medically beneficial to the patient in order to advance through the disease therapy program. |
| US09569553B2 |
Personalized bookmarks for social networking system actions based on user activity
A social networking system provides a personalized set of bookmarks to a user based on the user's interactions with the bookmarks and/or the items associated with the bookmarks. The personalized set of bookmarks is grouped by category, and the categories are ordered in accordance with rankings for the categories. The rankings for the categories are determined based on the highest ranked item from each category of item, and the ranking of the items is determined based on the user's interactions with the bookmarks and/or associated items. |
| US09569552B2 |
Code based configuration of mobile devices
A processor implemented method of configuring an application on a mobile device comprising a code reading device is disclosed herein. The method comprises: reading a code with the code reading device, the code relating to an organization; and configuring at least one parameter of a first application of the mobile device based on the code. |
| US09569549B1 |
Location based recommendation and tagging of media content items
Content items, such as e-books, audio files, video files, and the like, may be tagged as associated with a location based on observing the locations at which users access the content items. A rich set of tag data may be gathered by additionally observing such things as the date and time when users access the content items as well as allowing the users to tag the content items with comments or ratings. A fine granularity of tagging may be achieved by associating the tags with specific portions of the content items. Content recommendations based on the tags may be provided to other users when those users are in approximately the same location. |
| US09569547B2 |
Generating a news timeline
Described embodiments enable the presentation to a user of news articles or other content that is of likely interest to a user and that is temporally and/or geographically relevant to the user's location or region of interest. A news delivery system includes an ingest module that assigns topics, locations and dates to available content, a profile engine that determines profile topics and geographic locations that a particular user finds relevant, and a news delivery module that selects content for the user based on the operation of the ingest module and the profile engine and the desired timeframe. In one embodiment, the profile engine performs decay processing to remove stale topics and locations from a user's profile. In related aspects, the profile engine maintains multiple profiles for the user. |
| US09569544B2 |
Framework to persist and retrieve previous searches based on the context
Embodiments of the invention provide for persisting and retrieving search results based on a context of the search results and an application providing those results. For example, one embodiment of the present invention allows a user to access previous search result from a current page of a user interface, e.g., by clicking on an icon in the interface page. Additionally, these previous results can be made available without requiring the user to leave a current page in order to view the saved results. For example, the previous results can be indicated and accessible through an icon on the breadcrumb menu that, upon the user clicking of otherwise selecting the icon, causes the user interface to render the previous search results in a pop up dialog without leaving the current page. |
| US09569543B2 |
Sharing of documents with semantic adaptation across mobile devices
A method for sharing documents includes initiating a sharing session with a first participant and a second participant, wherein the first participant is communicatively connected to the second participant via a server, receiving a control request having an action from the first participant, determining whether the control request includes a share page action, and retrieving components of the page with available component types and sending components associated with preferences of the first participant to the first participant and components associated with preferences of the second participant to the second participant responsive to determining that the control request includes the share page action. |
| US09569541B2 |
Evaluating preferences of content on a webpage
Systems, methods, and computer storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that facilitate evaluation of digital content preferences are provided. A user is presented with items of digital content and permitted to manipulate the arrangement of the digital content items in the context of a layout area. Based on the user's manipulation of the digital content items, a user preference regarding an arrangement of digital content, such as a location preference, a position preference, and/or a usage preference, is identified. In embodiments, such a user preference can be utilized to later display digital content to a user in accordance therewith. |
| US09569539B2 |
Unified communication audit tool
Providing for dynamic auditing of components of a communication network is provided herein. By way of example, network components can be queried by way of dynamic and intelligent application programming interface (APIs) queries to extract data for the network components. Such data can then be compared with best practice rules to identify potential enhancements to efficiency or scalability of such components. In some aspects, an audit report can be output summarizing identified enhancements. In other aspects, data can be written to an updated component according to protocols suited to such component. Accordingly, an audit can provide feedback in light of best practices or can be utilized to dynamically upgrade a legacy system to newer system software and/or hardware components. |
| US09569538B1 |
Generating content based on a work of authorship
Content of a work of authorship can be ingested using natural language processing (NLP). Content displayed on an Internet forum can be ingested using NLP. A relationship between the content of the work of authorship and the content displayed on the Internet forum can be identified based on the ingested content of the work of authorship and the ingested content displayed on the Internet forum. Information associated with the work of authorship can be caused, based on the identified relationship, to be displayed on the Internet forum such that the information is visually-associated with the displayed content. |
| US09569536B2 |
Identifying similar applications
Systems, methods, and media for proposing similar applications to a candidate application are provided. A similar results server may surface similar applications to a user of an application store. The applications can be selected based on similarity between features of the application. The features may be extracted from graphical user interface information rendered by a device that executes the applications. The applications that are identified as similar (e.g., based on the features) are displayed to the user. |
| US09569533B2 |
System and method for visual search in a video media player
There is provided a system and method for visual search in a video media player. There is provided a computing device for performing a visual search in video files comprising a display, a memory, a video media player application in the memory, and a processor configured to store into the memory search terms by allowing a user to visually select objects as search terms using a user interface on the display, initiate a search using the search terms, obtain search results comprising time offsets and play durations within the video files, each play duration containing at least one frame corresponding to the search terms, and display navigational controls in the user interface for presenting the search results, including selectable graphical thumbnail images or preview videos. A user can select objects via outlined, highlighted, or otherwise visually identified objects in a video frame, the selecting enabled by associated search metadata. |
| US09569529B2 |
Personalizing an online service based on data collected for a user of a computing device
An Internet or other online service is personalized or customized based on data collected for a user of a computing device. In one embodiment, a method includes: storing a plurality of person profiles for persons associated with communications received by a user of a computing device; receiving data associated with an online service; and filtering, using at least one processor, the data based on the plurality of person profiles, wherein the filtered data is for display to the user on the computing device. |
| US09569528B2 |
Detection of confidential information
Among other aspects disclosed are a method and system for detecting confidential information. The method includes reading stored data and identifying strings within the stored data, where each string includes a sequence of consecutive bytes which all have values that are in a predetermined subset of possible values. For each of at least some of the strings, determining if the string includes bytes representing one or more format matches, wherein a format match includes a set of values that match a predetermined format associated with confidential information. For each format match, testing the values that match the predetermined format with a set of rules associated with the confidential information to determine whether the format match is an invalid format match that includes one or more invalid values and calculating a score for the stored data, based at least in part upon the ratio of a count of invalid format matches to a count of other format matches. |
| US09569525B2 |
Techniques for entity-level technology recommendation
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for entity-level technology recommendation are provided herein. A method includes searching a first query against a first corpus of documents to determine a set of documents matching an entity of interest identified in the first query, generating a list of technologies that (i) appear within the content of the set of documents and (ii) are associated to the entity of interest, searching a second query against a second corpus of documents to determine a set of documents representing a technology recommendation for the entity of interest, wherein said second query is based on one or more selected technologies from the list of technologies, and outputting the set of documents representing a technology recommendation to a user and/or a display. |
| US09569524B1 |
Method and system for storing, retrieving, and sharing data using a field-accessed database system comprising a mobile unit
A method using a field-accessed database system identifies an object by a data identifier, and stores and/or retrieves object data using the associated data identifier. In one mode of operation, a field terminal uploads to a database object-based data and employs the associated data identifier to group the uploaded object data with object data relating to other objects having substantially similar data identifiers. In another mode of operation, the system identifies one or more data products stored in a database and previously grouped according to an identified object's data identifier, and a field terminal downloads from database one or more data products related to the identified object and processes downloaded data products for user access. In another mode of operation, called discover mode, field terminal selects data products in a database using a selection algorithm based on terminal location and downloads these data products from this database, prior to receiving user input used to select final data products of interest to access using field terminal. |
| US09569518B2 |
Efficiently storing and retrieving data and metadata
For efficiently storing and retrieving data and metadata in phases, in a first phase, metadata tokens, which are assigned to metadata-emitting entities, are used for storing the data and the metadata together in a single input/output operation while piggybacking the metadata of least active metadata-emitting entities onto one of the metadata-emitting entities having one of the metadata tokens. In a second phase, the metadata is re-written to a metadata delta journal for reclaiming the metadata tokens. In a third phase, the metadata journal is applied to a metadata structure containing the metadata of the storage system, the metadata delta journal is then cleared after successfully updating the main metadata structure with the metadata of the metadata journal. The metadata journal is swapped with an empty metadata journal for concurrently adding metadata while retaining the metadata journal until applying the metadata delta journal to the metadata structure. |
| US09569517B1 |
Fault tolerant distributed key-value storage
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for handling faults in a distributed key-value storage system. One of the methods includes receiving an indication that a machine storing a primary replica of a first replication chain is inactive, in response to receiving the indication, generating a concatenated replica comprising a first replica of the first replication chain and a second replica of a second replication chain, the second replication chain comprising replicas of a second key segment, the second key segment being adjacent to the first key segment in the multiple key segments of the plurality of keys, and providing, to another machine in the ordered sequence of machines, a notification of availability of the concatenated replica. |
| US09569516B2 |
Method and device for executing an enterprise process
The present subject matter relates to execution of an enterprise process through an electronic device. In one embodiment, an enterprise process execution method is disclosed, comprising: replicating data from a centralized database in a local database; creating a first set of data fields based on a first set of rules, wherein the first set of data fields is populated with a first set of data values retrieved from the local database based on a second set of rules; dynamically creating a second set of data fields populated with a second set of data values, wherein each data field of the second set of data fields is dynamically created based on a data value of a previous data field; validating the second set of data fields; and synchronizing the local database storing a report including information associated with execution of an enterprise process with the centralized database. |
| US09569514B2 |
Statement-level and procedural-level replication
Techniques for replicating data in database systems are described. In an example embodiment, a set of changes is received at a destination database, where the set of changes has been applied at a source database and is being replicated from the source database to the destination database. The set of changes is analyzed and it is determined that the set of changes includes two or more of: a subset of row-level changes, a subset of statement-level changes, and a subset of procedure-level changes. A set of dependencies is determined at least between the changes that are included in the subsets of changes. The changes, in the subsets of changes, are assigned to two or more processing elements. The set of changes is applied to the destination database by executing the two or more processing elements in parallel to each other and based on the set of dependencies. |
| US09569513B1 |
Conditional master election in distributed databases
Methods and apparatus for conditional master election in a distributed database are described. A plurality of replicas of a database object are stored by a distributed database service. Some types of operations corresponding to client requests directed at the database object are to be coordinated by a master replica. Client access to the database object is enabled prior to election of a master replica. In response to a triggering condition, a particular replica is elected master. The master coordinates implementation of operations with one or more other replicas in response to client requests. |
| US09569508B2 |
Business process visualization
A business process visualization is described. In one embodiment, process may include searching for documents stored in memory. The search identifies first documents, wherein the first documents comprise data of respective transactions of a first business process sequence implemented by an enterprise application. A user interface (UI) is then generated that includes components corresponding to the first documents, respectively, and components that visually identify relationships between the first documents. |
| US09569506B2 |
Uniform search, navigation and combination of heterogeneous data
A unified interface that abstracts the underlying differences among heterogeneous data sources and data formats to produce uniform search results. While the result of an initial search may be exactly what the user was seeking, it is likely that the result is in the neighborhood of what was sought. It may aid the end user to provide guided data navigation suggestions to locate related data during data exploration, by providing analysis to identify data similarities among disparate data sources, and by providing guided combination options. The guided data navigation suggestions may include suggestions based on schematic, semantic, and social information. Guided data navigation may aid the user in moving from the initial search landing point in the data to the precise result sought. |
| US09569500B2 |
Providing a customizable application search
One embodiment of a disclosed method and computer-readable storage medium provides customizable application search. Partner systems leverage search functionality of an application search system configured to perform searches for applications. In one embodiment, partner systems select filters to be applied to queries submitted to the application search system via the partners' websites, and specify particular attributes to be displayed with each search result returned by the application search system. When users submit queries to the application search system via a partner system, the users' queries are associated with the partner system's custom filters and attribute display preferences. In response to receiving the queries, the application search system returns search results filtered and formatted according to the partner system's custom preferences. |
| US09569495B2 |
Feedback mechanism providing row-level filtering earlier in a plan
Methods, systems, and computer readable media of executing a database query are provided. One or more predicates are generated based on implicit filtering present within the database query, wherein each predicate specifies a condition with respect to a predicate value. An access path is selected for the database query based on the one or more predicates and the one or more predicates are integrated within the selected access plan. The database query is executed in accordance with the selected access plan. At least one predicate value based on data accessed is updated, as the database query is being executed, to increase filtering of data during remaining execution of the database query. |
| US09569492B2 |
Coalescing operation for query processing
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for processing queries analyzes statistical information of input data records in relation to a first operation for a query. The system applies the first operation to a plurality of groups of input data records to produce corresponding groups of output data records, and coalesces the sets of output data records to form larger sets of data records for input to a subsequent second operation for the query based on the analysis. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and computer program product for processing queries in substantially the same manners described above. |
| US09569483B2 |
Personalized dynamic feedback control of body weight
The present subject matter relates to a personalized weight management program incorporating dynamic feedback control using a validated mathematical model of metabolism and weight change. In general, the subject matter provides a system for repeated monitoring of one or more parameters such as, for example, body weight, physical activity, diet, eating behavior, or various other physiological and behavioral measurements, and using the parameter(s) to calculate an objective and personalized measure of adherence to a prescribed intervention, iteratively update mathematical model parameters, and adjust the prescribed intervention based on revised model predictions. Such a dynamic feedback control methodology can improve adherence to weight management interventions and result in greater weight loss and improved weight maintenance. The present subject matter also relates to a novel, cost-effective, weight management tool that could be widely disseminated through the internet and mobile computing platforms. |
| US09569482B2 |
Transforming default values dynamically
When altering records in a repository of information to add an attribute that has a non-NULL default value and a corresponding constraint to the records, no update record is issued and instead, the existing records are essentially treated as having a NULL value for the attribute being added. To compute a query over the records to which the attribute has been added, a value is generated for rows that hold NULL values for the attribute in which the value in which the NULL values held therein are translated to the default value. |
| US09569481B1 |
Efficient locking of large data collections
The present disclosure provides systems and techniques for efficient locking of datasets in a database when updates to a dataset may be delayed. A method may include accumulating a plurality of updates to a first set of one or more values associated with one or more features. The first set of one or more values may be stored within a first database column. Next, it may be determined that a first database column update aggregation rule is satisfied. A lock assigned to at least a portion of at least a first database column may be acquired. Accordingly, one or more values in the first set within the first database column may be updated based on the plurality of updates. In an implementation, the first set of one or more values may be associated with the first lock. |
| US09569478B2 |
Following data records in an information feed
Disclosed are some examples of systems, apparatus, methods, and computer program products related to automatically causing a following relationship to be established in an enterprise social networking system between a user and one or more customer relationship management (CRM) records. In some implementations, a workflow is configurable at least in part by one or more selections defining one or more conditions. Responsive to determining that one or more properties associated with a first CRM record satisfies the one or more conditions, a user is caused to follow the first CRM record. The following enables or causes updates associated with the first CRM record to be shared in a feed of the enterprise social networking system, where the feed can be provided to the user's device. Information based on the following of the first CRM record by the user can be displayed at the device. |
| US09569477B1 |
Managing scanning of databases in data storage systems
A method, system, and program, product for managing scanning of databases in data storage system, the method comprising receiving a query request from an application server to a data storage system, scanning data stored in the data storage system and based on the query request, returning a set of data to the application server, wherein the set of data corresponds to the query request. |
| US09569474B2 |
Data compression algorithm selection and tiering
A data storage subsystem having a plurality of data compression engines configured to compress data, each having a different compression algorithm. A data handling system is configured to determine a present rate of access to data; select at least one sample of data; determine the greatest degree of compression of said data compression engines; determine the compression ratios of the operated data compression engines with respect to the selected sample(s); compressing said selected at least one sample with a plurality of said data compression engines at said selected tier; operate a selected data compression engines with respect to the selected sample and determine the greatest degree of compression of the data compression engines; compress the data from which the sample was selected with one of the operated data compression engines determined to have the greatest degree of compression; and store the compressed data in data storage repositories. |
| US09569471B2 |
Asset model import connector
An asset model import connector includes an interface to receive asset data from a data source and a normalize module. The normalize module determines an operation to be performed at a system based on the received asset data and determines code to perform the determined operation. The schema may be populated with attributes from the asset data, and sent to the system. |
| US09569467B1 |
Intelligent news management platform and social network
The present disclosure relates to computer-implemented methods, computer-readable media, and computer systems for providing an intelligent news management platform and social media platform services. One computer-implemented method includes collecting detection data, extracting event data from the collected detection data, prioritizing the extracted event data to created prioritized event data, scoring the prioritized collected event data against a newsworthiness threshold to create scored event data, associating the score with the scored event data, storing the scored event data into an event data store, determining that the scored event data is at least equal to the newsworthiness threshold, marking the scored event data as actionable, and reporting the scored event data. |
| US09569466B1 |
System and method for offline asynchronous user activity in a player versus player online game
A system and method for providing offline asynchronous user activity in a player versus player online game is disclosed. A client computing platform associated with a first user may maintain a connection to the game server that hosts a game space at which an online game takes place. The client computing platform may include a game state repository that stores a game space for the game state and a game logic repository that stores game logic for the online game. When the client computing platform disconnects from the game server, an expression of the game space is maintained at the client computing platform. While disconnected, the client computing platform may receive instructions for one or more actions to be taken in the game space and may execute the actions in the online game. When a connection is established with the game server, the executed actions may be verified. |
| US09569464B1 |
Element identification in database
This document describes, among other things, a computer-implemented method. The method includes obtaining a structured data object that having a plurality of nodes that represent elements in the data object. One or more tables that define a table representation of the data object can be generated. The one or more tables can include a plurality of table entries that correspond to the plurality of nodes, respectively. For each of one or more first nodes from among the plurality of nodes, the method can include identifying information about one or more second nodes that are determined to be adjacent or otherwise related to the first node by performing window functions along two or more coordinate systems in the one or more tables. The window function can be centered on a particular table entry that corresponds to the first node of the data object. |
| US09569463B1 |
Pre-fetching map data using variable map tile radius
A pre-fetching map data system and method identifies a subset of map data to corresponding to one or more points of interest to be displayed on the map. The map data is stored on a remote map database and in the form of map data tiles. The system identifies those map data tiles that correspond to the subset of map data corresponding to the one or more points of interest, where the identified pre-fetch map data tiles are sent from the remote database to a client device for cache storage. The pre-fetch map data tiles are identified using a variable map tile radius, which when extended from the points of interest defines the map tiles that qualify as pre-fetch map data tiles. The tile radius can be fixed or dynamically adjusted and changes across different map zoom levels. |
| US09569460B1 |
Mechanism for converting one type of mirror to another type of mirror on a storage system without transferring data
Embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanism for converting an existing mirror relationship between an original dataset at a source storage system and a copy of the original dataset at a destination system to a new mirror without discarding the existing copy of the original dataset and without transferring data to create a new dataset to replace the copy of the original dataset at the destination storage system. Rather, a directory structure (including file attributes) of the source storage system is transferred to the destination storage system and a comparison is made to identify file attributes at the destination system that match the transferred file attributes. If a match is found, a mapping between the matched file attributes is created. Subsequent updates to the destination storage system can be done using a technique other than the one that was used to create a copy of the source dataset. |
| US09569457B2 |
Data processing method and apparatus for distributed systems
A data processing method for a distributed system, the distributed system comprising a master storage node and multiple slave storage nodes, includes: storing, responsive to a request for writing a data file, multiple replications of the data file on the multiple slave storage nodes, each of the replications being segmented into data blocks of a same size, wherein the sizes of the segmented data blocks of at least two replications are different; and storing distribution information of the multiple replications. |
| US09569451B1 |
Folder creation application
The present disclosure is directed to a system and a method to facilitate the creation of folders that may include a variety of content based upon a check-in at an event. In one or more implementations, a server may be configured to create one or more folders automatically when a user checks into an event via a mobile electronic device. The server is also configured to cause at least one tag to be associated with the folder to define the event. The server can also receive content from the mobile electronic device. Upon receiving the content, the content is associated with the folder. |
| US09569448B2 |
Operating techniques for a storage network system
A technique for operating a storage network system includes storing, at one or more of a plurality of data collection storages arranged along a traveling path of a mobile body, data records received from the mobile body. An acknowledge (ACK) record including a storage identifier (ID) is transmitted, from the one or more of the plurality of data collection storages to the mobile body, in response to receiving the data records. Communication between a user storage and the one or more of the plurality of data collection storages is established via a communication network that is configured to receive the ACK record and receive and store at least one of the data records from the one or more of the data collection storages that is identified by the storage ID in the received ACK record. |
| US09569447B2 |
File access method and system thereof
Several systems and methods for accessing files stored in a storage device are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes accessing a file allocation table (FAT) in a computer file system associated with the storage device. The FAT includes a plurality of cluster addresses corresponding to a plurality of clusters allocated to a file stored in the storage device. A cluster address is read to identify a location of a next cluster. One or more bits in the cluster address are read to determine a presence of a signature value indicating allocation of a set of contiguous clusters from among the plurality of clusters. A number of contiguous clusters is computed based on a pre-determined number of consecutive cluster addresses succeeding the cluster address if the signature value is present. The set of contiguous clusters are read from the storage device based on the computed number of contiguous clusters. |
| US09569442B2 |
Geo-location video archive system and method
A system and method for recording, uploading, and archiving video recordings, including a front-end and a back-end application. The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a front-end application wherein video is recorded using a mobile device. The recorded video is embedded with date, time and GPS location data. The video is stored on an online back-end database which catalogs the video according to the embedded data elements. The video may be selectively reviewed by relevant experts or emergency personnel for immediate response to the uploaded video and/or distribution to the proper parties. The video may also be archived for later review and use by any number of end-users. |
| US09569439B2 |
Context-sensitive query enrichment
Structures and protocols are presented for facilitating a search partly based on a movement status of a search-capable device or on a position of a person's limb or on an association with another search-capable device. |
| US09569437B2 |
Computer implemented method and system for document annotation with split feature
A system, method, and medium supports analyzing intellectual property documents by linking and annotating patents, copyrights, trademarks, license agreements, and other intellectual property documents. It can be used by intellectual property professionals in memorializing thought processes, work products, and reasoning, in preliminary or final form, and can support development and use of a rich linked set representing complex relationships in an intellectual property portfolio. Optionally, marked up, linked documents are divided into data streams; one contains the original document for mark-up, and one contains annotation data. The marked-up document may be further revised and/or annotated even by multiple users. The same document such as a patent may be centrally stored but independently marked-up by different users (or groups of users). The system extracts from a marked-up document annotation data with any changes, and provides one or more data streams, containing the annotation data for storage and or later use. |
| US09569436B2 |
Computer implemented method and system for annotating a contract
A system, method, and medium supports analyzing intellectual property documents by linking and annotating patents, copyrights, trademarks, license agreements, and other intellectual property documents. It can be used by intellectual property professionals in memorializing thought processes, work products, and reasoning, in preliminary or final form, and can support development and use of a rich linked set representing complex relationships in an intellectual property portfolio. Optionally, marked up, linked documents are divided into data streams; one contains the original document for mark-up, and one contains annotation data. The marked-up document may be further revised and/or annotated even by multiple users. The same document such as a patent may be centrally stored but independently marked-up by different users (or groups of users). The system extracts from a marked-up document annotation data with any changes, and provides one or more data streams, containing the annotation data for storage and or later use. |
| US09569435B2 |
Minimize downtime with immediate upgrade of data in databases
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for updating data stored within the database. In some implementations, actions include providing a plurality of cut-off dates, for each cut-off date in the plurality of cut-off dates determining a total time based on respective times associated with a plurality of tasks to provide a plurality of total times, each total time corresponding to a respective cut-off date, selecting an actual cut-off date based on the plurality of total times, and updating data within the database using the actual cut-off date. |
| US09569434B2 |
Profiling data with source tracking
Profiling data includes accessing multiple collections of records to store quantitative information for each particular collection including, for at least one selected field of the records in the particular collection, a corresponding list of value count entries, each including a value appearing in the selected field and a count of the number of records in which the value appears. Processing the quantitative information of two or more collections includes: merging the value count entries of corresponding lists for at least one field from each of a first collection and a second collection to generate a combined list of value count entries, and aggregating value count entries of the combined list of value count entries to generate a list of distinct field value entries identifying a distinct value and including information quantifying a number of records in which the distinct value appears for each of the two or more collections. |
| US09569433B1 |
Mobile application analytics
Disclosed are various embodiments for taking measurements associated with the execution of an application on one or more client devices. A measurement policy and/or a transmission policy may be defined by a developer with associated with an application. The measurement policy and/or transmission policy may be used by the one or more client devices in taking measurements, aggregating measurements into measurement collections, and/or transmitting measurements. The measurements may be used in the derivation of statistical information. |
| US09569432B1 |
Evaluating content in a computer networked environment
Systems and methods of evaluating content in a computer networked environment are provided. The data processing system can provide a first link to content for display on a first web page and a second link to the content for display on a second web page. The first and second links have first and second snippets associated with the content, respectively. The system determines at least one of a first number of views and a first number of conversions of the first link and at least one of a second number of views and a second number of conversions of the second link. The system determines a quality metric of the first snippet and a quality metric of the second snippet. The system selects one of the first snippet and the second snippet based on the quality metric of the first snippet and the quality metric of the second snippet. |
| US09569423B2 |
Mobile based lexicon and forecasting
An approach is provided for ranking candidate answers to a natural language question. Candidate answers to a natural language question received from a mobile device are generated. First contextual information about a user of the mobile device is identified. A prioritization of definitions of terms is determined. Based on the prioritization, a lexicon of the terms is generated. Using mobile-based time series manipulation and pattern recognition and based on historical usage of the mobile device, a location of the user, an environment of the user, and a bodily function of the user, second contextual information is forecasted. Based on a word sense disambiguation of the terms in the lexicon and an adjustment of the prioritization, the candidate answers are modified and then ranked. The highest ranked candidate answer is more likely to be a correct answer to the natural language question than the other candidate answers. |
| US09569421B2 |
Method and system for improved language identification using language tags
Disclosed herein is an ability to identify a supported language. A current language tag including one or more subtags, each subtag providing language identification information. In response to determining that a language referenced by the current language tag is not a supported language, accessing a stored set of mappings including one or more mappings, each mapping associating a first language tag with a second language tag, determining whether or not a mapping in the set of mappings includes the current language tag as one of the first and second language tags and a new language tag as the other of the first and second language tags, and using the new language tag as the current language tag to identify the supported language. |
| US09569420B2 |
Image processing device, information processing method, and information processing program
An apparatus and method provide logic for processing information. In one implementation, an apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive a selection of displayed content from a user. An obtaining unit is configured to obtain data corresponding to the selection. The data includes text data. An identification unit is configured to identify a keyword within the text data, and a storage unit is configured to store the keyword in a keyword database. |
| US09569415B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method and a storage medium for original document editing
In the case where an original document is edited, tints may be different at the time of printing because the attributes of drawings are different although they resemble each other. A specifying unit configured to specify contents of editing for an original document and a determination unit configured to determine a form of representation of the specified contents of editing so as to conform with the form of representation of an object in the original document are provided. |
| US09569409B2 |
Document attribute-based citation system
Document citation apparatus and methods. In one embodiment, a citation system and methods of citation based on the non-arbitrary and/or constant attributes of a document (e.g., article or legal decision) itself are utilized. Such an improved citation system eliminates the problem of having to rely upon a temporary citation system until the volume and page numbers of the reporter are determined. |
| US09569408B2 |
Method and apparatus for 3D display and analysis of disparate data
The system provides a method and apparatus for sorting and displaying collections of communications. These communications can be a single type or multiple types of data and may come from email systems, bulletin boards, text messages, Facebook and Twitter postings and comments, financial transactions, travel itineraries or any other type of communications. The communications represented by the system can be electronic or physical as desired. The system can also present forwarded, copied, replied, or other types of communications. In one embodiment, the system provides a Universe View of a set of communications. The Universe View, in one embodiment, is a three dimensional representation of a plurality of cubes. Each cube represents a subset of a collection of communications. Each cube can be color coded or shaded to represent a dominant theme of the contents of the communications represented by the cube. |
| US09569407B2 |
Apparatus and a method for logically processing a composite graph in a formatted document
The present invention provides an apparatus for logically processing a composite graph in a formatted document, the apparatus comprising: a composite graph block extraction unit, used to extract a composite graph block in the formatted document; a document parsing unit, used to parse the formatted document to obtain a text element contained therein; a cutline element extraction unit, used to extract a cutline element from the text element; a correlativity detection unit, used to detect correlativity between the composite graph block and the cutline element; a correlativity storage unit, used to store the detected correlativity. The present invention also provides a method for logically processing a composite graph in a formatted document. According to the technical scheme disclosed in the present invention, it is easily achieve layout understanding of the composite graph in a graph-text mixed layout of the formatted document, so as to avoid a logical error. |
| US09569403B2 |
Methods and systems for authenticating one or more users of a vehicle communications and information system
A system includes a processor, configured to wirelessly communicate with at least a vehicle computing system, wherein the processor is further configured to receive input from a vehicle owner indicating that transfer of administrative rights to vehicle systems is desired. The processor is further configured to send a confirmation message to a new owner of the vehicle and send a confirmation request to the vehicle computing system, following receipt of a response to the first confirmation message. Also, the processor is configured to establish the new owner as having administrative rights upon receipt of a response to the confirmation request. |
| US09569401B2 |
Parallel training of a support vector machine (SVM) with distributed block minimization
A method to solve large scale linear SVM that is efficient in terms of computation, data storage and communication requirements. The approach works efficiently over very large datasets, and it does not require any master node to keep any examples in its memory. The algorithm assumes that the dataset is partitioned over several nodes on a cluster, and it performs “distributed block minimization” to achieve the desired results. Using the described approach, the communication complexity of the algorithm is independent of the number of training examples. |
| US09569390B2 |
Protocol for communication
Aspects of the disclosure relate to a protocol for communication of information. The protocol can be a non-standard universal serial bus (USB) protocol and can guarantee bandwidth and latency for information communication between a USB host and a single USB device. In one aspect, the non-standard USB protocol can employ a repeating message sequence that is fixed, or static, and preconfigured, the sequence comprising alternating transmission of messages between a first device (e.g., a host device) and a second device (e.g., a peripheral device). |
| US09569388B2 |
Combo ID detection
This document discusses, among other things, an identification (ID) detection module configured to identify a first ID code in a first detect period within a first attach period and to identify a second ID code in a second detect period within the first attach period. |
| US09569383B2 |
Method of handling network traffic through optimization of receive side scaling
An information handling system includes a plurality of processors that each includes a cache memory, and a receive side scaling (RSS) indirection table with a plurality of pointers that each points to one of the processors. A network data packet received by the information handling system determines a pointer to a first processor. In response to determining the pointer, information associated with the network data packet is transferred to the cache memory of the first processor. The information handling system also includes a process scheduler that moves a process associated with the network data packet from a second processor to the first processor, and an RSS module that directs the process scheduler to move the process and associates the first pointer with the processor in response to directing the process scheduler. |
| US09569382B2 |
Inhibition device, method for controlling inhibition device, device under control, electronic equipment, and computer readable storage medium
An inhibition device includes: a location information obtaining section that obtains, from a computing device, information on a touch location; a operation determining section that determines, in accordance with the information on the touch location, whether or not an operation of a user is an operation for causing the computing device to execute a predetermined process; and an inhibition information transmitting section that transmits inhibition information. |
| US09569375B2 |
Unifying class device interface with one host interface by using embedded controller
A system, device and method for communicating between a host device and a plurality of peripheral devices wherein the communications utilize a single interface that is supported by the host. The host includes a plurality of class drivers and miniport drivers. Each of the class drivers implements functionality associated with one or more of the plurality of peripheral devices. Each miniport driver provides an interface by which one or more of the class drivers communicate with one or more of the plurality peripheral devices using class protocols, wherein the miniport drivers communicate through a single host interface supported by the host. An embedded controller interfaces with the plurality of peripheral devices using the respective native bus protocols of the peripheral devices and wherein the embedded controller interfaces with the plurality of miniport drivers using the single host interface. |
| US09569372B2 |
Redirection communication
A method and system of communicating data to or from a remote computer. The remote computer is accessed by a CPU as though it were a local IDE controller attached to a local IDE device. A peripheral device distinct from the CPU provides a set of virtual IDE device registers and an IDE controller to the central processing unit. The peripheral device receives data written to the set of virtual IDE device registers, and transmits the data into a network, addressed for reception by the remote computer. The remote computer receives the data, interprets it, and performs operations upon a mirror set of device data. The remote computer then responds, and transmits its response across the network to the peripheral device. The peripheral device communicates the response to the CPU in a fashion identical to an physical IDE controller attached to a physical IDE device. |
| US09569370B2 |
Storing a system-absolute address (SAA) in a first level translation look-aside buffer (TLB)
Embodiments relate to a method, system and computer program product for storing a system-absolute address (SAA) in a first level look-aside buffer (TLB). In one embodiment, the system includes a central processor including the TLB and general purpose registers (GPRS). The TLB is configured for storing the SAA. The central processor is configured for issuing a load system-absolute address (LSAA) instruction. The system includes a translation unit that is in communication with the TLB of the central processor. The system is configured to perform a method including determining, based on the LSAA instruction being issued, whether the SAA is stored in the TLB. The method includes sending a translation request to the translation unit from the central processor based on the SAA not being stored in the TLB. The method includes determining the SAA by the translation unit based on receiving the translation request. |
| US09569369B2 |
Software translation lookaside buffer for persistent pointer management
Techniques are provided for performing OID-to-VMA translations during runtime. Vector registers are used to implement a “software TLB” to perform OID-to-VMA translations. Runtime dereferencing is performed using one or more vector registers to compare each OID that needs to be dereferenced against a set of cached OIDs. When a cached OID matches the OID being dereferenced, the VMA of the cached OID is retrieved from cache. Buffer cache items may be pinned during the period in which the software TLB stores entries for the items. The cache of OID translation information may be single or multi-leveled, and may be partially or completely stored in registers within a processor. When stored in registers, the translation information may be spilled out of the register, and reloaded into the register, as the register is needed for other purposes. |
| US09569366B2 |
System and method to provide non-coherent access to a coherent memory system
In one embodiment, a system comprises a memory and a memory controller that provides a cache access path to the memory and a bypass-cache access path to the memory, receives requests to read graph data from the memory on the bypass-cache access path and receives requests to read non-graph data from the memory on the cache access path. A method comprises receiving a request at a memory controller to read graph data from a memory on a bypass-cache access path, receiving a request at the memory controller to read non-graph data from the memory through a cache access path, and arbitrating, in the memory controller, among the requests using arbitration. |
| US09569365B2 |
Store-exclusive instruction conflict resolution
A data processing system includes a plurality of transaction masters, each with an associated local cache memory and coupled to coherent interconnect circuitry. Monitoring circuitry within the coherent interconnect circuitry maintains a state variable (flag) in respect of each of the transaction masters to monitor whether an exclusive store access state is pending for that transaction master. When a transaction master is to execute a store-exclusive instruction, then a current value of the subject state variable for that transaction master is compared with a previous value of that variable stored when the exclusive store access was setup. If there is a match, then store-exclusive instruction is allowed to proceed and the state variables of all other transaction masters for which there is a pending exclusive store access state are changed. If there is not a match, then the execution of the store-exclusive instruction is marked as failing. |
| US09569363B2 |
Selective prefetching of physically sequential cache line to cache line that includes loaded page table entry
A microprocessor includes a translation lookaside buffer and a first request to load into the microprocessor a page table entry in response to a miss of a virtual address in the translation lookaside buffer. The requested page table entry is included in a page table. The page table encompasses a plurality of cache lines including a first cache line that includes the requested page table entry. The microprocessor also includes hardware logic that makes a determination whether a second cache line physically sequential to the first cache line is outside the page table, and a second request to prefetch the second cache line into the microprocessor. The second request is selectively generated based at least on the determination made by the hardware logic. |
| US09569356B1 |
Methods for updating reference count and shared objects in a concurrent system
A method for referencing and updating objects in a shared resource environment. A reference counter counts is incremented for every use of an object subtype in a session and decremented for every release of an object subtype in a session. A session counter is incremented upon the first instance of fetching an object type into a session cache and decremented upon having no instances of the object type in use in the session. When both the reference counter and the session counter are zero, the object type may be removed from the cache. When the object type needs to be updated, it is cloned into a local cache, and changes are made on the local copy. The global cache is then locked to all other users, the original object type is detached, and the cloned object type is swapped into the global cache, after which the global cache in unlocked. |
| US09569351B2 |
Storing corresponding data units in a common storage unit
A storage device controller may segregate data units that are typically accessed together to a common storage unit. In one example, a storage device includes a control unit configured to receive a plurality of logical blocks to be stored in the storage device, wherein a first set of addresses comprises logical block addresses (LBAs) of the plurality of logical blocks, and a non-volatile memory configured to store logical blocks in a plurality of storage units, wherein one of the plurality of storage units includes logical blocks corresponding to a second set of addresses. The control unit may determine an intersection of the first set of addresses with the second set of addresses and to store each of the logical blocks having LBAs in the determined intersection of addresses in a common storage unit of the storage device, wherein the common storage unit comprises one of the plurality of storage units. |
| US09569349B2 |
Method and apparatus for reallocating memory content
Coherent memory copy logic is operative to copy data from a source memory location to a destination memory location and duplicate a write request to a source memory region to produce a duplicated write request. Coherent memory copy logic is also operative to execute the duplicated write request to copy content from the external memory region to the destination memory region. Power to the source memory can then be reduced to save power while the internal memory is being used. Accordingly, a type of “hardware memory mover” does not require the use of any complex software synchronization and does not result in any service interruption during a memory move. The coherent memory copy logic reallocates the application memory space from, for example, external memory to internal memory within a chip in a manner that is transparent to the application software and the user. Corresponding methods are also set forth. |
| US09569346B2 |
Asynchronous code testing
A method and system for asynchronous code testing. Test cases are generated from an input code that includes code blocks organized in a hierarchy of nesting levels characterized by respective nesting level numbers that increase with increasing separation of each respective nesting level from a reference level of the total input code. Each test case includes a respective launching priority that quantifies how strongly each test case is associated with at least one modified code block of the input code. Generating the test cases determines the respective launching priority for each test case by (i) determining an association strength of each modified code block as measured by the nesting level in the hierarchy of each modified code block and (ii) computing the launching priority as a sum of the association strengths of the modified code blocks. The test cases are run to produce a test result. |
| US09569344B2 |
Testing system for a mobile object in a navigation map
An example of the invention is a test support system for supporting testing of a function of a program that works depending on a position of a mobile object in map information. A storage device holds event generation requirements information defining requirements for generation of an event in the program. The requirements specify a position designated in the map information and requirements on movement of the mobile object with respect to the designated position. A processor creates a plurality of test cases to be referred to in creating test data to be input to the program for checking whether the event is generated in accordance with the requirements with reference to the map information and the requirements. Each of the plurality of test cases specifies the designated position in the map information and movement of the mobile object with respect to the designated position. |
| US09569339B1 |
Debugging in an actor-based system
Techniques for debugging of a collection of instructions executed by a computing system including a set of actors are described herein. A first sub-set of actors from the set of actors to be monitored for debugging and one or more error condition associated with the collection of instructions may be identified. A set of indications including indications of messages processed by the actors, indications of associated actor states prior to processing of the messages, and indications of associated actor states subsequent to processing of the messages may be received from the sub-set of actors. It may then be determined that a first actor of the sub-set of actors has satisfied the error condition. Based at least in part on the set of indications, one or more messages associated with satisfaction of the error condition may then be identified, for example for re-processing and debugging. |
| US09569338B1 |
Fingerprint-initiated trace extraction
Techniques relate to fingerprint-initiated trace extraction. A determination is made of whether a fingerprint is present in software that is currently executing on a processor of a computer system. The fingerprint comprises a representation of a sequence of behavior that occurs in the processor while the software is executing. In response to determining that the fingerprint is not present in the software currently executing on the processor, monitoring continues for the software executing on the processor to determine whether the fingerprint is present. In response to determining that the fingerprint is present in the software executing on the processor, a trace is triggered of a code segment of the software corresponding to when the fingerprint is recognized. The trace is for a record of instructions of the code segment of the software. |
| US09569337B2 |
System and method for managing traceability suspicion with suspect profiles
A method, computer program product, and computer system for generating, at a computing device, a first suspect profile of a plurality of suspect profiles that includes one or more characteristics, wherein the first suspect profile is associated with a traceability link between at least two artifacts. A change to a first characteristic associated with a first artifact of the at least two artifacts is determined. Which of the plurality of suspect profiles includes the first characteristic is determined. The first characteristic is matched to the first suspect profile of the plurality of suspect profiles based upon, at least in part, determining that the first suspect profile includes the first characteristic. The traceability link is marked as suspect based upon, at least in part, matching the first characteristic to the first suspect profile. |
| US09569334B2 |
Techniques for traversing representations of source code
Methods, apparatus, and systems for traversing a representation of an application source code, such as an abstract syntax tree (AST), are disclosed. Steps for traversing the AST include specifying a plurality of runtime binding rules which are associated with one or more locations within the AST, beginning to traverse the AST, monitoring a history of the traverse, continuing to traverse the AST based on the history of the traverse, and updating the history of the traverse. Continuing to traverse the AST may include identifying a plurality of concrete implementations of a method invocation and traversing less than all of the concrete implementations based at least in part on the runtime binding rules, the concrete implementations being traversed being selected based on the history of the traverse. |
| US09569331B2 |
System for automatic decommissioning of network participants based on pressure applied to compression element within the device
Disclosed is a memory device in which the state of the memory may be set by a mechanical action, with or without mains power present. The memory state may be detected by a microcontroller. The state for the memory device may be reset by a microcontroller. The microcontroller may be external to an apparatus containing the memory device, adjacent to or within the apparatus. |
| US09569324B2 |
System and method for reducing boot time of a workload configuration on a target server
An information handling system includes a communication device and a service processor. The communication device includes first terminal, and a second terminal to communicate with a network storage array. The service processor includes a first terminal to receive configuration settings for the communication device, and a second terminal to provide the configuration settings to the communication device. The service processor configures the communication device based on the configuration settings during a first boot sequence of the information handling system. A power-on self test of a basic input/output system of the information handling system is stalled while the service processor configures the communication device based on the configuration settings, and the information handling system is booted from a workload on a storage array identified in the configuration settings without using a second boot sequence of the information handling system. |
| US09569316B2 |
Managing VIOS failover in a single storage adapter environment
According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for VIOS failover in an environment with a physical storage adapter is provided. The method may include assigning the physical storage adapter to a first VIOS, wherein the physical storage adapter has I/O connectivity to at least one storage device. The method may include configuring a first I/O path between the first VIOS and a second VIOS. The method may include configuring a second I/O path from a client partition to the first VIOS, wherein the second I/O path is set as a primary I/O path. The method may include configuring a third I/O path from the client partition to the second VIOS. The method may include determining the first VIOS is inaccessible. The method may include unassigning the physical storage adapter from the first VIOS. The method may include assigning the physical storage adapter to the second VIOS. |
| US09569313B1 |
Method and apparatus for optimizing a backup chain using synthetic backups
A method and apparatus for optimizing a backup chain using synthetic backups is described. In one embodiment, a method for creating synthetic incremental backups to optimize a backup chain comprises accessing a backup chain, which further comprises a plurality of incremental backups and determining schedule information defining a number of incremental backups to use to create one or more synthetic incremental backups representing the plurality of incremental backups from the backup chain, wherein the number of backups is defined by a numerical progression. |
| US09569311B2 |
Computer system for backing up data
It is provided a computer system, comprising a server and first and second storage systems. The first storage system stores deduplicated data sharing at least a part of data with other data, shared data shared by a plurality of pieces of the deduplicated data, and first type data representing a type of the stored data including the deduplicated data and the shared data. The deduplicated data is associated with the shared data by a pointer to the shared data, and includes differential data indicating a difference from the shared data. The server creates second type data representing a type of the data stored in the second storage system from the first type data. The second storage system stores the shared data associated with the deduplicate data at a reading position before a position at which the deduplicated data is read in sequential reading and stores the second type data. |
| US09569307B2 |
Mitigating the impact of a single point of failure in an object store
Example apparatus and methods distribute ranges or erasure codes associated with ranges to reduce or minimize the impact of a single point of failure in an object store. Erasure codes associated with related ranges to be stored in an object store may be accessed and selectively distributed to different storage devices associated with the object store. The erasure codes may be distributed according to a distribution plan so that an unavailability of one storage device will cause less than all of the related ranges to become unavailable. Example apparatus and methods may also provide a partial GET operation that will retrieve erasure codes associated with less than an entire object or with less than all possible ranges for an object. The partial GET operation may facilitate reconstructing less than an entire object, which may be valuable in, for example, weblog analytics. |
| US09569304B2 |
Preprocessing kernel print commands
Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include replacing, in one or more initial source code files, each reference to a first function configured to convey system messages with a respective reference to a second function configured to convey the system messages, thereby producing respective corresponding preprocessed source code files for the one or more initial source code files. The respective corresponding preprocessed source code files are then compiled, thereby creating an executable file. Based on an identified name and a text string, a computed destination is determined for the text string. |
| US09569303B2 |
Information processing apparatus
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a host and a memory system. The memory system includes a nonvolatile memory. The host includes a volatile memory, a first host control unit, and a second host control unit. The volatile memory includes a first area to be used by the host and a second area as a cache memory to temporarily store data of the nonvolatile memory. The first host control unit computes a first code, and stores the first data and the first code in the second area. The first code is redundant information of the first data. The second host control unit reads second data and a second code from the second area, performs error detection on the second data based on the second code, and transfers the second data. The second code is redundant information of the second data. |
| US09569301B2 |
System and method for detecting a network virtualization using generic routing encapsulation (NVGRE) segment data path failure
Methods and apparatuses for determining an NVGRE data path failure are provided. In an embodiment, a first data packet comprising an echo request is generated at an originating tunnel end point device in a network. The echo request includes an NVGRE network identifier (VSID) associated with a selected NVGRE segment. A second data packet is generated comprising a header having a format associated with an NVGRE technology, the header comprising a network identifier portion including the NVGRE network identifier (VSID). The first data packet is encapsulated in the second data packet, and the second data packet is transmitted via the selected NVGRE segment. |
| US09569299B2 |
System and method for treating server errors
An error handling system as applied to a server, the server comprising a central processing unit, the central processing unit configured to send a warning signal when the central processing unit generates an error. The error handling system includes a programmable logic device, a baseboard management controller coupled to a southbridge chip, and a basic input-output system coupled to the baseboard management controller. The southbridge chip is configured to detect the warning signal and send a notification signal to the baseboard management controller upon detection. The basic input-output system is configured to identify the error and correct the error upon receiving the notification signal. |
| US09569297B2 |
Seamless method for booting from a degraded software raid volume on a UEFI system
An information handling system includes a processor and a configuration detection and error handling module operable to read a first tag data file from a first storage volume, read a second tag data file from a second storage volume, and determine that the first storage volume and the second storage volume are configured as mirrored storage volumes based upon the first tag data file and the second tag data file. |
| US09569295B2 |
Indicating states in a telematic system
A status management system includes a computer-implemented method for delivering status information to a requester, comprising providing status codes, clustering the status codes in a number of status codes clusters, hierarchically sorting the status codes clusters and transmitting at least one of the status codes to the requester depending on the hierarchy of the sorted status codes clusters. |
| US09569286B2 |
Method and system for improving startup performance and interoperability of a virtual application
A data structure including simple and complex objects. Each simple object includes a content type indicator, a size indicator, and one or more simple data types. Each complex object includes a content type indicator, a size indicator, and one or more child objects. The complex objects include a layer object having first and second child objects. The first child object is a collection of complex objects storing information for configuring a virtual filesystem of a virtual application at application startup. The second child object is a collection of complex objects storing information for configuring a virtual registry of the virtual application at application startup. Reading of selected simple and complex objects may be deferred at startup based on the content type indicator. Deferred objects may be read after startup when access to information stored by the deferred object is request by the virtual application. |
| US09569279B2 |
Heterogeneous multiprocessor design for power-efficient and area-efficient computing
A technique for managing processor cores within a multi-core central processing unit (CPU) provides efficient power and resource utilization over a wide workload range. The CPU comprises at least one core designed for low power operation and at least one core designed for high performance operation. For low workloads, the low power core executes the workload. For certain higher workloads, the high performance core executes the workload. For certain other workloads, the low power core and the high performance core both share execution of the workload. This technique advantageously enables efficient processing over a wider range of workloads than conventional systems. |
| US09569274B2 |
Distributed application optimization using service groups
Embodiments are directed to managing multiple different types of applications using service groups. In one scenario, a computer system receives an indication of one or more application dependencies and characteristics that are to be implemented when an application is provisioned on a distributed host computer system. The computer system creates an application manifest that declaratively defines application dependencies and characteristics for various different service groups. Each service group includes applications that match the declaratively defined application dependencies and characteristics. The computer system also sends the manifest to the distributed host computer system which loads those applications that fit the manifest criteria onto available nodes of the distributed host computer system according to the service groups specified in the manifest. |
| US09569273B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling execution of a single thread by multiple processors
An apparatus includes a plurality of processors and a holder unit. The plurality of processors execute a task as a unit of processing by dividing the task into multiple threads including single and parallel threads, where the single thread is executed by only one of the plurality of processors whose respective pieces of processing have reached the thread, and the parallel thread is executed in parallel with another parallel thread by the plurality of processors. The holder unit is configured to held information to be shared by the plurality of processors. Each processor executes one of the multiple threads at a time, and causes the holder unit to hold reaching-state information indicating an extent to which the multiple threads executed by the plurality of processors have reached the single thread. Each processor determines whether to execute the single thread, based on the reaching-state information held in the holder unit. |
| US09569271B2 |
Optimization of proprietary workloads
Methods and systems for optimization of proprietary workloads involve receiving workload simulation data indicative of a proprietary computing task using proprietary information. Workload attributes are generated based on the workload simulation data without using the proprietary information. The workload attributes are used to dynamically determine a workload policy for configuration of hardware resources at an information handling system executing the proprietary computing task. After dynamic configuration of the hardware resources according to the workload policy, the proprietary computing task is executed at the information handling system. |
| US09569267B2 |
Hardware-based inter-device resource sharing
The present disclosure is directed to hardware-based inter-device resource sharing. For example, a remote orchestrator (RO) may provide instructions to cause a device to make at least one hardware resource available to other devices. An RO module in the device may interact with the RO and may configure a configuration module in the device based on instructions received from the RO. The configuration module may set a device configuration when the device transitions from a power off state to a power on state. The device may also comprise a processing module to process data based on the device configuration, interface technology (IT) and at least one hardware resource. The interface technology may allow the processing module and the at least one hardware resource to interact. The RO module may configure the IT to allow the at least one hardware resource to operate locally or remotely based on the instructions. |
| US09569266B2 |
Apparatus, method, and computer program product for solution provisioning
In one embodiment, a method for solution provisioning includes establishing a provisioning task, and obtaining a provisioning image for the provisioning task from a hardware memory. A provisioning implementer is configured based on the obtained provisioning image. The provisioning image comprises configuration information used for executing installation, scripts for executing installation, and information for mapping the configuration information to the scripts. In another embodiment, an apparatus for solution provisioning includes a hardware processor, and a task manager running on the hardware processor. The task manager is configured to establish a provisioning task and obtain a provisioning image for the provisioning task. The task manager configures a provisioning implementer based on the provisioning image obtained. The provisioning image comprises configuration information used for executing installation, scripts for executing installation, and information for mapping the configuration information to the scripts. |
| US09569265B2 |
Optimization of data locks for improved write lock performance and CPU cache usage in multi core architectures
Data access optimization features the innovative use of a writer-present flag when acquiring read-locks and write-locks. Setting a writer-present flag indicates that a writer desires to modify a particular data. This serves as an indicator to readers and writers waiting to acquire read-locks or write-locks not to acquire a lock, but rather to continue waiting (i.e., spinning) until the write-present flag is cleared. As opposed to conventional techniques in which readers and writers are not locked out until the writer acquires the write-lock, the writer-present flag locks out other readers and writers once a writer begins waiting for a write-lock (that is, sets a writer-present flag). This feature allows a write-lock method to acquire a write-lock without having to contend with waiting readers and writers trying to obtain read-locks and write-locks, such as when using conventional spinlock implementations. |
| US09569264B2 |
Multi-core system for processing data packets
A data processing system includes a host processor, a co-processor, and a memory that includes multiple buffer descriptor (BD) rings. The host processor includes multiple cores that execute multiple threads to process data packets stored in the memory. The host processor generates a notification command based on multiple context switch events that occur in the cores. The notification command indicates a context switch event type and BD ring IDs associated with BD rings to be polled by the co-processor. The BD rings are referred to as active BD rings. The co-processor polls only the active BD rings based on the notification command and processes the data packets associated with the active BD rings. |
| US09569257B2 |
Method and system to perform time consuming follow-up processes
A computer system may receive an instruction to perform an action on an object. A schedule manager may identify a set of processes associated with the action that need to be performed by the computer system. A subset of primary process and a subset of secondary processes may be identified from the set of processes associated with the action. The schedule manager may schedule an asynchronous process to perform the subset of secondary processes on the object. The computer system may perform the subset of primary processes on the object. The subset of secondary process may be performed by the asynchronous process based upon the scheduling. |
| US09569256B2 |
Method for controlling schedule of executing application in terminal device and terminal device implementing the method
A method may include associating, with a timer-B, a second application in a terminal device; setting the terminal device in a standby mode; and executing the second application when a processor in the terminal device wakes up after the timer-B measures a second amount of elapsed time. The timer-B may not initiate wake-up of the processor. The method may further include determining whether the second application is associated with the timer-B or a timer-A when the terminal device receives a command of setting the terminal device in the standby mode; and when the second application is determined as being associated with the timer-A, unassociating the second application with the timer-A. The timer-A may initiate wake-up of the processor when the timer-A measures another second amount of elapsed time while the terminal device is the standby mode. A timer associated with a first application may initiate wakeup of the processor. |
| US09569255B1 |
Persistent state machine
A workflow for a work item may be executed using an on-device persistent state machine-based architecture. The on-device state machine-based architecture may include a state machine manager that executes the workflow in accordance with a state machine that includes multiple states corresponding to stages of execution in the workflow. Each state in the state machine is associated with one or more tasks to be executed in connection with that state. The state machine further specifies one or more state transitions for each state of the state machine. A state transition associated with a particular state indicates a next state to transition to from the particular state upon completion of the one or more tasks associated with the particular state. |
| US09569254B2 |
Automatic checkpointing and partial rollback in software transaction memory
While speculatively executing a given one of a plurality of transactions concurrently executing on a computer, carry out write operations in a local data block, and automatically create an entry in a checkpoint log when reading from a shared memory. Continuously conflict check during read and tentative commit operations, and carry out a partial rollback upon detection of a conflict. The partial rollback is based upon the checkpoint log. |
| US09569253B1 |
Ensuring globally consistent transactions
The present technology proposes techniques for ensuring globally consistent transactions. This technology may allow distributed systems to ensure the causal order of read and write transactions across different partitions of a distributed database. By assigning causally generated timestamps to the transactions based on one or more globally coherent time services, the timestamps can be used to preserve and represent the causal order of the transactions in the distributed system. In this regard, certain transactions may wait for a period of time after choosing a timestamp in order to delay the start of any second transaction that might depend on it. The wait may ensure that the effects of the first transaction are not made visible until its timestamp is guaranteed to be in the past. This may ensure that a consistent snapshot of the distributed database can be determined for any past timestamp. |
| US09569249B1 |
Pattern design for heterogeneous environments
A method is provided for designing and optimizing a pattern by considering heterogeneous cloud environments. Building blocks within the pattern can be deployed into different cloud environments and different cloud providers, depending on where the pattern fits users need best. Further, building block configuration within the pattern can be optimized by target environments, along with runtime bursting among multiple environments. |
| US09569248B2 |
Deploying virtual machine instances of a pattern to regions of a hierarchical tier using placement policies and constraints
A method, system and computer program product for deploying a pattern. A placement engine of a hierarchical tier selects the region(s) of a next lower tier based on placement policies and constraints at the next lower tier and availability of the artifacts required by the virtual machine instance(s) in the next lower tier utilizing the summarization of resource usage and availability at the next lower tier. The placement engine at the lowest tier selects the compute node(s) in the selected region(s) of the lowest tier to place the virtual machine instances of the pattern based on placement policies and constraints at the compute node level and availability of the artifacts required by the virtual machine instance(s) of the pattern in the compute node level. In this manner, the virtual machine instances of the pattern can be effectively deployed when the resources of the cloud environment are large and geographically dispersed. |
| US09569246B2 |
Method and system for migration of processes in heterogeneous computing environments
Migrating a process from a source system with a source operating system to a target system with a target operating system is provided, where the source and target systems or source and target operating system are incompatible. The migrating includes: employing an emulator at the target system to execute code associated with the process being migrated, the emulator performing: translating of system calls and runtime library calls for the source operating system to calls of the target operating system using a system call translator and runtime library translator; translating source application code associated with the process into binary target application code executable on the target system, using a compiler where the source application code has not been translated; and executing the translated binary target application code on the target system, and discontinuing emulation of the process at the target system once the executing begins. |
| US09569243B2 |
Offloading and parallelizing translation table operations
Embodiments disclosed herein generally include a computer-implemented method, computer program product, and system to facilitate offloaded and parallelized direct memory access (DMA) translation table operations. The method includes a hypervisor requesting a lease on an auxiliary parallel processing element assigned to a first virtual machine hosted by the hypervisor. The method further includes receiving a grant of the lease, whereby ownership of the auxiliary parallel processing element is transferred from the first virtual machine to the hypervisor. The method further includes, during the lease, providing a predefined program to execute on the auxiliary parallel processing element in order to perform a desired operation on the hypervisor DMA translation table and with parallelism. The method further includes, upon completion of the predefined program, terminating the lease by the hypervisor, whereby ownership of the auxiliary parallel processing element is returned to the first virtual machine. |
| US09569240B2 |
Method and system to provision and manage a computing application hosted by a virtual instance of a machine
A system and method are described for provisioning and managing virtual instances of a computing application running within a public virtualization space (referred to as a hosted service system). A hosted service system may be configured to provide automated administration of the computing application, replacing the administration tasks that would otherwise be performed by the customer when running in an on-premise production deployment and to provide encrypted networking and other services that are specific to the public virtualization environment and are designed to provide a secure integration fabric between a customer's own private data center and virtual instances of the computing application running within an insecure public virtualization service. |
| US09569238B2 |
Methods and systems for generating a dynamic workflow in a multi-tenant database environment
Techniques and systems for modifying a virtual machine functionality. Archive files each including at least a class files are received. The archive files are stored within the virtual machine. The virtual machine runs on a host system and neither the virtual machine nor the host system are restarted in response to the receiving or storing of the archive files. Files of the host system are scanned to find class files that are not included in a class path for the virtual machine. The class files are copied to a class path for the virtual machine. Neither the virtual machine nor the host system are restarted in response to the copying of the class files. The classes corresponding to the class files are registered in the virtual machine in response to the copying of the class files to the class path. Neither the virtual machine nor the host system are restarted in response to the registration of the classes. |
| US09569231B2 |
Device, system, and method for providing interactive guidance with execution of operations
Device, system, and method for providing interactive guidance with execution of operations. For example, a method of providing interactive guidance to a user of a computerized application includes: receiving a user request to obtain interactive guidance with respect to the computerized application; based on the user request, selectively retrieving an interactive guidance script from a repository of previously-recorded interactive guidance scripts; playing the interactive guidance script with respect to the computerized application; and automatically executing by the interactive guidance script at least one action on behalf of the user with regard to the computerized application. |
| US09569230B2 |
Network entity, terminal, computer-readable storage medium and method for providing widgets including advertisements for associated widgets
A network entity is provided and includes a processor that is configured to send a first widget to a mobile terminal. The first widget is associated with a second widget, and the mobile terminal is configured to present content of the first widget in a display of the mobile terminal and in a manner including a content item related to the second widget. The processor is therefore also configured to receive, from the mobile terminal, a request for the second widget based on the presentation of content of the first widget including the content item related to the second widget. Further, the processor is configured to send the second widget to the mobile terminal in response to the request, where the mobile terminal is configured to receive the second widget and present content of the second widget in the display. |
| US09569226B2 |
Baseboard management controller and method of loading firmware
Disclosed is a baseboard management controller (BMC) that may include a bootloader, and an interface to a removable storage device having a first firmware file. The bootloader may be configured to load the first firmware file from the removable storage device for the BMC to run a kernel. |
| US09569224B2 |
System and method for adaptively integrating a database state notification service with a distributed transactional middleware machine
A system and method can handle various database state notifications in a transactional middleware machine environment. The system can connect one or more transaction servers to a database service, wherein the database service is associated with a notification service. Furthermore, a notification service client that is associated with said one or more transaction servers can receive one or more events from the notification service, wherein said one or more events indicates one or more state changes in the database service. Then, one or more transaction servers operate to adaptively respond to the one or more state changes in the database service. |
| US09569222B2 |
Implementing out of order processor instruction issue queue
A method and apparatus are provided for implementing an enhanced out of order processor instruction issue queue in a computer system. Instructions are selectively accepted into an instruction issue queue and ages are assigned to the accepted queue entry instructions using a queue counter. The queue entry instructions are issued based upon resources being ready and ages of the instructions. Ages of the queue entry instructions and the queue counter are selectively decremented, responsive to issuing instructions. |
| US09569220B2 |
Processor branch cache with secondary branches
A processor uses a prediction unit to predict subsequent instructions of a program to be executed by the processor. Many implementations or combinations of implementations may be used to predict the subsequent instruction of the program. In one embodiment, a branch cache is used to store branch information. A prediction table is used to store prediction information based on the branch. A prediction logic module determines whether a branch is taken or not taken based on the branch information stored in the branch cache and the prediction information stored in the prediction table. |
| US09569217B2 |
Parsing-enhancement facility
An instruction for parsing a buffer to be utilized within a data processing system including: an operation code field, the operation code field identifies the instruction; a control field, the control field controls operation of the instruction; and one or more general registers, wherein a first general register stores an argument address, a second general register stores a function code, a third general register stores length of an argument-character buffer, and the fourth of which contains the address of the function-code data structure. |
| US09569215B1 |
Method of synchronizing independent functional unit
A system for synchronizing parallel processing of a plurality of functional processing units (FPU), a first FPU and a first program counter to control timing of a first stream of program instructions issued to the first FPU by advancement of the first program counter; a second FPU and a second program counter to control timing of a second stream of program instructions issued to the second FPU by advancement of the second program counter, the first FPU is in communication with a second FPU to synchronize the issuance of a first stream of program instructions to the second stream of program instructions and the second FPU is in communication with the first FPU to synchronize the issuance of the second stream program instructions to the first stream of program instructions. |
| US09569214B2 |
Execution pipeline data forwarding
In one embodiment, in an execution pipeline having a plurality of execution subunits, a method of using a bypass network to directly forward data from a producing execution subunit to a consuming execution subunit is provided. The method includes producing output data with the producing execution subunit, consuming input data with the consuming execution subunit, for one or more intervening operations whose input is the output data from the producing execution subunit and whose output is the input data to the consuming execution subunit, evaluating those one or more intervening operations to determine whether their execution would compose an identify function, and if the one or more intervening operations would compose such an identity function, controlling the bypass network to forward the producing execution subunit's output data directly to the consuming execution subunit. |
| US09569212B2 |
Instruction and logic for a memory ordering buffer
A processor includes an allocator with logic assigning alias hardware resources to instructions within an atomic region of instructions. The atomic region includes reordered instructions. The processor also includes a dispatcher with logic to dispatch instructions from the atomic region of instructions for execution. Furthermore, the processor includes a memory execution unit with logic to populate the memory execution unit with the instructions from the atomic region of instructions including reordered instructions, receive snoop requests and determine whether the snoop request matches memory address data of elements within the memory execution unit, and prevent reassignment of alias hardware resources for any load instructions that are eligible to match the snoop requests. |
| US09569210B2 |
Apparatus and method of execution unit for calculating multiple rounds of a skein hashing algorithm
An apparatus is described that includes an execution unit within an instruction pipeline. The execution unit has multiple stages of a circuit that includes a) and b) as follows: a) a first logic circuitry section having multiple mix logic sections each having: i) a first input to receive a first quad word and a second input to receive a second quad word; ii) an adder having a pair of inputs that are respectively coupled to the first and second inputs; iii) a rotator having a respective input coupled to the second input; iv) an XOR gate having a first input coupled to an output of the adder and a second input coupled to an output of the rotator. b) permute logic circuitry having inputs coupled to the respective adder and XOR gate outputs of the multiple mix logic sections. |
| US09569208B2 |
Compressed instruction format
A technique for decoding an instruction in a variable-length instruction set. In one embodiment, an instruction encoding is described, in which legacy, present, and future instruction set extensions are supported, and increased functionality is provided, without expanding the code size and, in some cases, reducing the code size. |
| US09569204B2 |
End-to-end continuous integration and verification of software
Systems and methods of end-to-end continuous integration and verification of software are described. A system comprises, for example, a provisioning service module configure to automatically retrieve source code from a source code management system. The provisioning service module further generates one or more environments. A propagation management module is configured to package the retrieved source code into a deliverable and to automatically propagate the deliverable through a pipeline comprising the one or more environments. |
| US09569201B1 |
Method for translating product banners
A method for automatically translating a banner information, the method may include receiving by a computer the banner information, wherein the banner information is included in at least one banner and describes an identity of a software product; and translating by the computer the banner information into a unique software product identifier using a content of knowledgebase that comprises an attributes schema and translation rules; wherein each software product is associated with a single unique software product identifier; wherein the unique software product identifier comprises a structured set of attributes; wherein at least one translation rule is a pattern based translation rule; wherein the attributes schema specifies a set of allowable attributes and of allowable values of the attributes. |
| US09569197B2 |
Method of disseminating updated drivers to mobile computing devices and a dissemination system therefor
Disclosed herein are mobile computing devices that employ compatible updated drivers. In one embodiment, the mobile computing device includes: (1) a processor, (2) a driver library configured to store original drivers and updated drivers for applications on the mobile computing device, and (3) a driver selector configured to determine at least one driver from the original drivers or the updated drivers to use for running one of the applications. |
| US09569196B2 |
App store update notification and warning system
A system for maintaining and upgrading hardware device functioning provides processes to select and install updates for software (e.g., applications or apps) on the hardware device. A notification system provides information for discretion and control over the selection of software updates to be applied to consumer mobile devices according to the particular characteristics of the device, e.g., the model of device, the specific operating system of the device, and software applications installed on the device. The notification system may be integral with app stores on mobile devices and tablets, and may also be applicable to the Internet of Things. A notification may take the form, for example, of a warning or recommendation associated with an update for an app on the user device and may enable the user to make an informed decision beforehand about whether or not to install a particular update on the user device. |
| US09569192B2 |
Configuring dependent services associated with a software package on a host system
A software package to be installed on a host system may be received. Services of the host system that are associated with the software package may be identified. Furthermore, a determination may be made if at least one service associated with the software package are currently used by at least one virtual machine associated with the host system. If at least one service is currently used by at least one virtual machine then a notification may be provided. |
| US09569191B2 |
Dynamic programming platform for implementing bulk data operators in a multithreaded environment
A system, method and program product for implementing a dynamic programming platform. An embodiment is disclosed having: a system for generating code for a multithreaded runtime environment, wherein the system includes an infrastructure for sharing bulk data between different threads without data-level synchronization; and a bulk data processing system having a set of bulk data operators that can operate on slices of the bulk data during runtime while different threads process the bulk data. |
| US09569190B1 |
Compiling source code to reduce run-time execution of vector element reverse operations
Compiling source code to reduce run-time execution of vector element reverse operations, includes: identifying, by a compiler, a first loop nested within a second loop in a computer program; identifying, by the compiler, a vector element reverse operation within the first loop; moving, by the compiler, the vector element reverse operation from the first loop to the second loop. |
| US09569189B2 |
Computer-aided parallelizing of computation graphs
An approach to automatically specifying, or assisting with the specification of, a parallel computation graph involves determining data processing characteristics of the linking elements that couple data processing elements of the graph. The characteristics of the linking elements are determined according to the characteristics of the upstream and/or downstream data processing elements associated with the linking element, for example, to enable computation by the parallel computation graph that is equivalent to computation of an associated serial graph. |
| US09569184B2 |
Generating native code from intermediate language code for an application
Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of tools and techniques for installing, executing, and/or updating managed applications through generation of native code from code in an intermediate language. According to one exemplary technique, a computing device receives machine dependent intermediate language code (MDIL code) generated by an online provider for an application. Additionally, the computing device installs the application on the computing device by generating a native image for the application, which includes binding a portion of the MDIL code with one or more libraries on the computing device. Also, the native image is stored on the computing device for use in loading the application for execution. |
| US09569178B1 |
Fusion recommendation for performance management in streams
Fusion hints can be generated in order to recommend streams application actors (like streams operators) for fusion or separation in a streams computing environment. Profiles can be made for the streams application actors, and fusion candidates can be determined from the profiles, based on fusion candidate rules. Based on the fusion candidate rule satisfied, a particular associated fusion recommendation can be identified and made to the user via a user interface. The recommendation can be displayed, along with the identities of the streams application actors identified as fusion candidates. |
| US09569176B2 |
Deriving entropy from multiple sources having different trust levels
Apparatus and method for generating random numbers. In accordance with some embodiments, a first multi-bit string of entropy values is derived from a first entropy source having a first trust level and a different, second multi-bit string of entropy values is derived from a second entropy source having a different, second trust level. The first and second multi-bit strings of entropy values are combined in relation to the associated first and second trust levels to generate a multi-bit random number. The multi-bit random number is used as an input to a cryptographic function. |
| US09569173B1 |
Audio capture and remote output
In a wireless content sharing system, audio may be captured at various levels of a source device, including at an application level. Audio may also be divided into components prior to packetization and transmission, allowing different channels of audio to be sent to different target devices. Audio may be sent with timing information to coordinate playback of content. Audio may be buffered to reduce user noticeable latency. |
| US09569170B2 |
Obtaining content from multiple remote sources for playback
A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices that have independent clocking arrangements. The system includes a task distribution device that distributes tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices that are to perform the tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to the members of the synchrony group over a network. Each task is associated with a time stamp that indicates a time, relative to a clock maintained by the task distribution device, at which the members of the synchrony group are to execute the task. Each member of the synchrony group periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of the current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines therefrom a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task. |
| US09569168B2 |
Automatic rate control based on user identities
Input media data with an input playing speed is received. One or more user identities are identified based at least in part on biometric data collected from one or more users who correspond to the one or more user identities and to whom audio utterance derived from the input media data is to be played. A preferred rate of audio utterance is determined based at least in part on the one or more user identities. A rate of audio utterance is determined for a portion of the input media data. Based at least in part on the preferred rate of audio utterance and the rate of audio utterance, a portion of audio output media data is generated with an output playing speed at which audio utterance in the portion of audio output media data is rendered with the preferred rate of audio utterance. |
| US09569163B2 |
Mobile device pairing
Systems and methods for pairing electronic devices are provided. In an example embodiment, first motion capture data corresponding to a physical user motion is received from a first device. Second motion capture data corresponding to the physical user motion is received from a second device. Features are extracted from the first motion capture data and the second motion capture data. An association between the first device and the second device is determined based on a comparison of the extracted features. In response to identifying the association between the first and second device, a communicative coupling between the device and the second device is initiated. |
| US09569155B2 |
Mediation server and image processing device
A mediation server supplies service selection screen information to a multifunction device. Service selection screens are screens for selecting a target service from a plurality of service-related information. The service selection screen information includes a plurality of target service object corresponding to a plurality of service objects so that the plurality of services are included in the service selection screens. The mediation server acquires selection information indicating the target service and then supplies first setting screen information to the multifunction device. The first setting screen information includes a target service-related information corresponding to the target service so that the target service corresponding to the target service is included in a first setting screen. Then, the mediation server executes mediation communication for mediating provision of the target service. |
| US09569145B2 |
Gateway apparatus
A gateway apparatus connected to an image processing apparatus in a communicable manner and connected to an external apparatus via a network, and performing communication control between the image processing apparatus and the external apparatus, includes: a main CPU; a sub CPU; a first detecting unit configured to detect a state of a primary power supply; a second detecting unit configured to detect a state of a secondary power supply; a generating unit configured to generate a transfer instruction message; an acquiring unit configured to acquire information about a change in a state of the gateway apparatus or an apparatus located in the vicinity of the gateway apparatus; an updating unit configured to repeatedly perform updating of the transfer instruction message; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit the last-generated or last-updated transfer instruction message to an external alternate apparatus. |
| US09569137B2 |
Method and system for cascaded flashcopy zoning and algorithm and/or computer program code and method implementing the same
A method for storage volumes in a cascade of storage volumes including starting a first data map relating a first storage volume to a second storage volume while a second data map relating the first storage volume and a third storage volume is active. Starting the first data map uses a zone map that relates the first storage volume to a zone within the cascade of storage volumes. |
| US09569136B2 |
Smart load balancing replication when adding or removing storage disks in a distributed storage system
A mechanism is provided for balancing workload to one or more storage disks in a plurality of storage disks during redistribution or replication associated with adding or removing a storage disk to the plurality of storage disks. Historical information in collected information from the plurality of storage disks is analyzed to identify I/O operation patterns on a per storage disk level. An average amount of I/O operations that occur within each storage disk for a given time period are identified. For each storage disk that is impacted, a disk on/off-hoarding plan is generated that identifies a subset of I/O operations from a set of I/O operations to execute in the given time period using the average amount of I/O operations that historically occur within the storage disk that is impacted during the given time period. The subset of I/O operations are then executed in the given time period. |
| US09569134B2 |
Sequential access storage and data de-duplication
An example method includes determining a configuration of two or more partitions for a sequential access medium. At least one partition stores data de-duplication data structures while at least one other partition stores a repository of unique data blocks associated with the data structures. The method also includes controlling a data de-duplication computer to configure the sequential access medium according to the configuration. The method includes producing an output sequence for writing the data structures and a set of unique data blocks associated with the set of data structures to the sequential access medium as configured with the two or more partitions. One embodiment includes controlling a data de-duplication computer to write the data de-duplication data structures and the set of unique data blocks to the sequential access medium according to the output sequence. |
| US09569131B2 |
Avoiding long access latencies in redundant storage systems
Avoiding long access latencies in redundant storage systems is disclosed, including: determining a first device associated with a request is in a slow access period; and reconstructing data associated with the request from one or more other devices comprising a redundant storage system in which the first device and the one or more other devices are included. |
| US09569129B2 |
Controller to manage NAND memories
Various embodiments disclose a controller to manage memory devices. In an exemplary method, signals are exchanged with a host processor to allow the host processor to communicate with a plurality of memory devices in a memory stack as a single device, regardless of an actual number of memory devices within the memory stack. Power is provided to a single one of the plurality of the memory devices in the memory stack at a time to reduce power consumption. Other methods, apparatuses, and devices are also disclosed. |
| US09569127B2 |
Computer instructions for limiting access violation reporting when accessing strings and similar data structures
Embodiments are directed to a method of accessing a data frame. The method includes, based at least in part on a determination that the data frame spans first and second memory blocks, and further based at least in part on a determination that the processor has access to the first and second memory blocks, accessing the data frame. The method includes, based at least in part on a determination that the data frame spans the first and second memory blocks, and based at least in part on a determination that the processor has access to the first memory block but does not have access to the second memory block, accessing a first portion of the data frame that is in the first memory block, and accessing at least one default character as a replacement for accessing a second portion of the data frame that is in the second memory block. |
| US09569122B2 |
System, method and a non-transitory computer readable medium for transaction aware snapshot
A method for generating transaction aware snapshots, the method may include: (a) starting a creation of a certain point in time snapshot for a consistency group that comprises at least one logical volume; (b) detecting that at the certain point in time there is an uncompleted transaction for writing multiple information units to the consistency group; the uncompleted transaction started at a transaction start point in time that precedes the certain point in time; (c) preventing an access to the certain point in time snapshot until a completion of the uncompleted transaction; and (d) associating the multiple information units with at least the certain point in time snapshot. |
| US09569121B1 |
Heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) utilization analysis and reporting system
Method and apparatus for managing a data storage system that utilizes heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR). In some embodiments, the method includes recording data to a storage medium using the HAMR system, accumulating a usage statistic indicative of actual elapsed operation of the HAMR system, and setting an indication value in a memory indicative of an estimate of remaining available elapsed operation of the HAMR system. The estimate of remaining available elapsed operation is determined in relation to the usage statistic and an estimated total elapsed operation value. |
| US09569120B2 |
Adaptive flash tuning
The present invention includes embodiments of systems and methods for increasing the operational efficiency and extending the estimated operational lifetime of a flash memory storage device (and its component flash memory chips, LUNs and blocks of flash memory) by monitoring the health of the device and its components and, in response, adaptively tuning the operating parameters of flash memory chips during their operational lifetime, as well as employing other less extreme preventive measures in the interim, via an interface that avoids the need for direct access to the test modes of the flash memory chips. In an offline characterization phase, “test chips” from a batch of recently manufactured flash memory chips are used to simulate various usage scenarios and measure the performance effects of writing and attempting to recover (read) test patterns written with different sets of operating parameters over time (simulating desired retention periods). |
| US09569118B2 |
Promoting consistent response times in a data storage system having multiple data retrieval mechanisms
A data storage system includes a higher level controller, a lower level controller, and a plurality of storage components including a particular storage component. Data is stored within the data storage system utilizing at least one level of striping across the plurality of storage components. Latencies of input/output operations (IOPs) requesting access to the data stored within the data storage system are monitored. In response to determining that a latency of a read IOP requesting read data stored in the particular storage component exceeds a latency threshold and in absence of a data error, the read IOP is serviced by reconstructing the read data from storage components among the plurality of storage components other than the particular storage component. The lower level controller also provides feedback to the higher level controller to cause the higher level controller to reduce IOPs directed to at least the particular storage component. |
| US09569111B2 |
Memory system
According to the embodiments, a memory system includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory and a writing-loop-count monitoring unit that monitors a loop count of an applied voltage to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory required for data writing of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory as a writing loop count. Moreover, the memory system includes a management table for managing the writing loop count in block unit that is a unit of data erasing and a life managing unit that determines a degraded state of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory based on the management table. |
| US09569106B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method and computer program
An information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a display unit for displaying thereon a plurality of input regions operated by an operating body, a detection unit for detecting an approach distance between the operating body and a surface of the display unit, and a region control unit for, when the operating body approaches one of the input regions within a predetermined distance, enlarging the input region which the operating body approaches, and moving at least one of the input regions such that the adjacent input regions do not overlap each other. The input region is enlarged and an overlap between the input regions is avoided so that a user can easily select a desired input region, thereby preventing erroneous selection of other input region. |
| US09569105B2 |
Method for managing virtual control interface of an electronic device, and associated apparatus and associated computer program product
A method for managing virtual control interface of an electronic device, and an associated apparatus and an associated computer program product are provided, where the method includes: utilizing a specific set of common user interfaces (UIs) as a common service for a plurality of applications, wherein the specific set of common UIs is a set of virtual control interfaces to be displayed on a screen, and the specific set of common UIs is provided by a system framework running on the electronic device, rather than being provided by any of the plurality of applications; and displaying the specific set of common UIs to allow a user to control the electronic device through the specific set of common UIs. The method may further include: selecting the specific set of common UIs from a plurality of sets of common UIs. |
| US09569104B2 |
Electronic device and scoring system and scoring method using same
A score system is applied to an electronic device. The electronic device includes a storage unit storing a mapping relationship between touch points and score values, and a touch screen generating input signals. The control system includes a number of processing units and a number of modules which are collections of instructions executed by the number of processing units. The number of modules includes a gesture recognition module recognizing a gesture in response to the input signals and determines all coordinate values of the gesture, a comparison module comparing the coordinate values of the gesture with coordinate values of the plurality of touch points and a calculation module obtaining a score value of each touch point of which the coordinate value is equal to the one of coordinate values of the gesture and calculate a total score of the score values. |
| US09569103B2 |
Remote control apparatus and method for performing virtual touch by using information displayed by a projector
Disclosed is a virtual touch remote control apparatus and method using user's movements (gestures) capable of control electronic devices remotely regardless of existence of a display on the device, by providing additional information display with a projector. The apparatus includes a 3D coordinates calculation unit, an electronic device detection unit, a user detection unit, an electronic device operation controller, and an electronic device information DB for storing device specific information. |
| US09569101B2 |
User interface apparatus in a user terminal and method for supporting the same
A handwriting-based User Interface (UI) apparatus and a method for executing an intended function menu using notes stored in a user terminal supporting a handwriting-based memo function are provided, in which upon user request, a note that has been written by the memo function and stored is retrieved and displayed on a screen. A whole or part of the contents of the displayed note are selected by a first input form. The contents of a note written on the screen by the memo function is designated as a command to execute for the selected whole or part of the contents by a second input form different from the first input form. The selected whole or part of the contents are processed according to the command. |
| US09569099B2 |
Method and apparatus for displaying keypad in terminal having touch screen
A method and an apparatus thereof display a key pad and solve the trouble and difficulty of a user in selecting the key pad displayed in a terminal having a touch screen. The method detects a touch gesture with respect to the touch screen; determines whether the detects touch gesture is zoom-out; displays thumbnails representing key pads, respectively, when the detected touch gesture is the zoom-out; and displays a key pad of a selected thumbnail when one of the displayed thumbnails is selected by a user. |
| US09569092B2 |
Radial control system and method
A method includes displaying, to a user via an electronic display, a radial control comprising a plurality of concentric arcs, the radial control including a first central section defined by a first arc of the plurality of concentric arcs, and a plurality of child sections collectively defined by the first arc and the other arcs of the plurality of concentric arcs, the plurality of child sections being delineated from one another by dividers extending between two or more arcs of the plurality of concentric arcs, wherein the first central section is associated with a parent activity and each of the plurality of child sections is associated with a child activity related to the parent activity. |
| US09569089B2 |
Portable electronic device with multi-touch input
A portable communication device with multi-touch input detects one or more multi-touch contacts and motions and performs one or more operations on an object based on the one or more multi-touch contacts and/or motions. The object has a resolution that is less than a pre-determined threshold when the operation is performed on the object, and the object has a resolution that is greater than the pre-determined threshold at other times. |
| US09569088B2 |
Scrolling method of mobile terminal
A mobile terminal having a touch screen or a touch pad is disclosed. In a user environment, when a displayed menu list is moved according to a flicking operation, a feedback indicating the reaching of the end (the last item) of the menu list is issued in a visible, audible or tactile manner to a user, thereby increasing the user convenience of menu searching and the durability of the mobile terminal. |
| US09569087B2 |
Fingerprint identifying method and electronic device thereof
A method of operating an electronic device is provided. The method includes detecting a plurality of fingerprint drags after a touch on a portion of the electronic device, wherein each of the plurality of fingerprint drags is a consecutive drag from a previous drag and each of the plurality of fingerprint drags has a different orientation from each other; and identifying a fingerprint based on a plurality of images acquired from the plurality of fingerprint drags, wherein each of the plurality of images is compared with corresponding portion of a reference image. |
| US09569077B2 |
Information processing apparatus, display processing method, program, and recording medium to display presence of off-screen objects using sub-window
Responsive to a user marking a region, identifying each object present in the region and storing an indication of the region and identified object(s), preserving a positional relationship in which the identified object(s) are displayed in the region; upon detecting that the identified each object is not displayed in the window, displaying the region as a sub-window located at the periphery, the displayed sub-window containing the identified each object in the preserved relationship; and upon detecting that the region subsequently shifts into the window, deleting the sub-window. Responsive to a user selecting a displayed object and marking a displayed region, storing an indication of the region and the object; while the object of the region is not displayed in the window, displaying a sub-window in a periphery of the window, the sub-window displaying the object in the region; and automatically closing the sub-window in response to the object being again displayed in the window. |
| US09569074B2 |
Method and system for using an intermediary server
Improved approaches to completing, submitting and updating on-line forms or registrations are disclosed. In one embodiment, an on-line form completion agent or an on-line registration agent intelligently guides an on-line form completion or registration process. In another embodiment, a registration is automatically monitored to determine whether and when the registration needs updated. |
| US09569071B2 |
Method and apparatus for operating graphic menu bar and recording medium using the same
A method and an apparatus for operating a graphic menu bar and a recording medium using the same, suitable for a portable electronic device having a touch screen, are provided. First, a graphic menu bar is provided, which includes M graphic items arranged in sequence, where M is a positive integer. Next, the touch screen is divided into N display blocks along a coordinate axis direction for displaying N connected graphic items in graphic menu bar, where N is a positive integer smaller than M. When the touch screen detects a touch signal in display blocks and the touch signal is moved toward the coordinate axis direction for a first displacement, the graphic menu bar displayed on the touch screen is moved toward a direction opposite to the coordinate axis direction for a second displacement, and the second displacement is equal to the product of the first displacement and (M−N)/N. |
| US09569069B2 |
System and method for adaptive communication user interface
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for implementing, via a communication device, a set of algorithms to learn about user's usage of the device and provide automated customization to the device's user interface to improve ease of use and productivity of the end-user. This approach does not require the user's involvement by manually customizing the user interface, such as by setting up a speed dial list or a screen layout. The system automates rendering decisions and the content that is rendered based on the usage information. For example, if a user consistently calls a number every Tuesday and Wednesday morning regardless of scheduled calendar information, the communication device can provide a dynamic widget in the user interface for easy access to that number every Tuesday and Wednesday morning. The user can dial the number easily via the widget without the dial pad or a contacts application. |
| US09569065B2 |
Electronic device including projector and method for controlling the electronic device
A method for controlling an electronic device that executes and displays an application is provided. The method includes displaying an execution screen of the application on a touch screen, projecting and displaying a projection image corresponding to the execution screen of the application, displaying a pointer on the projection image, and moving and displaying the pointer on the projection image to correspond to a gesture detected on the touch screen. |
| US09569060B2 |
Computer implemented methods and apparatus for composing and batch publishing feed items in a feed-based interaction context
Disclosed are methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable storage media for composing and batch publishing feed items in a user interface in a feed-based interaction context. In some implementations, a computing device provides a first prompt for display in a first user interface component, which is configured to display unpublished feed items. The computing device receives, at the first prompt, first feed item data for a first feed item. Responsive to a request to compose a second feed item, the computing device displays in the first user interface component a second prompt for second feed item data without publishing the first feed item. The computing device receives, at the second prompt, second feed item data for a second feed item of a first record, the first and second feed items being related to the first record. |
| US09569056B2 |
Touch panel
A touch panel includes: an upper transparent substrate having an upper transparent electrode film; a lower transparent substrate having a lower transparent electrode film; a first electric wiring formed on the upper transparent electrode film; a second electric wiring formed on the lower transparent electrode film; an insulator formed between the first electric wiring and the second electric wiring, the insulator being made of a material with a light shielding effect; and a decoration layer formed on the upper transparent substrate so as to cover the first electric wiring, the second electric wiring and the insulator. |
| US09569052B2 |
Sensing circuit and method for sensing touch action on capacitive touch-sensing panel
A sense signal is continuously received from a capacitive touch-sensing panel. A reference signal is set or adjusted to have a level of the sense signal be in a first relation to that of the reference signal in an initial state, and the sense signal is compared with the reference signal to generate a comparison signal in a sensing state. The comparison signal is outputted with a first logic level when a level of the sense signal is in the first relation to a level of the reference signal, and outputted with a second logic level when a level of the sense signal is in a second relation to a level of the reference signal. Whether a touch action is conducted is determined according to a compared result of occurrences of the first and second logic levels of the comparison signal generated within a preset time period. |
| US09569051B2 |
Method for detecting touch points on a touch panel
A method for determining touch point coordinates on capacitive type touch panel includes following steps. A touch panel having a conductive layer, a plurality of first electrodes, and a plurality of second electrodes is provided. A first signal curve As1 is obtained by driving and sensing each first electrode. A second signal curve As2 is obtained by driving and sensing each second electrode. A third signal curve Bs1 is obtained by driving and sensing each first electrode, wherein the second electrode opposite to the sensed first electrode is grounded. A fourth signal curve Bs2 is gotten by driving and sensing each second electrodes, wherein the first electrode opposite to the sensed second electrode is grounded. The coordinates of the touch points are obtained by comparing the first signal curve As1, the second signal curve As2, the third signal curve Bs1, and the fourth signal curve Bs2. |
| US09569050B2 |
Apparatus and/or method for sensing touch input
A capacitive sensor electrode for sensing a touch input. A material is configured to temporarily modify a capacitance of the capacitive sensor electrode during a period after a touch input has occurred. After the touch input has occurred, a material change in capacitance of the material is relatively slower than an electrode change in capacitance of the capacitive sensor electrode. |
| US09569049B2 |
Capacitive touch panel and display device with improved visual effect
A capacitive touch panel and a display device are provided. The touch panel includes a plurality of first electrodes disposed in a first electrode layer, and a plurality of second electrodes corresponding to the plurality of first electrodes and disposed in a second electrode layer; a first gap is formed between adjacent the first electrodes, and a second gap is formed between adjacent the second electrodes; and an orthographic projection of each second gap on the first electrode layer overlaps a part or all of the first gap to which the second gap corresponds and a part of at least one of the first electrodes. The touch panel can make it not easy for a user to observe electrode patterns and thereby improve the visual effect of the touch panel. |
| US09569046B2 |
Touch controller including a plurality of detectors to detect electrical change, electronic device and display device including touch controller, and touch sensing method
A touch sensing device includes a touch screen panel including a touch sensor configured to generate a first electrical change corresponding to a touch and a touch controller configured to detect touch position data with respect to an area on the touch screen panel associated with the touch, based on the first electrical change or the touch sensor. |
| US09569043B2 |
Method and device for reducing poor linearity in location detection
The changes of capacitances of a plurality of detecting locations on a touch screen are detected for determining a profile corresponding to each external object approaching or touching the touch screen. Then the location of each external object is generated separately by two or four values in the corresponding profile. |
| US09569040B2 |
Capacitive touch panel
An integrally-formed capacitive touch panel is disclosed including: a singular lens substrate, a mask layer, and a sensing circuit integrally coupled with said singular lens substrate. Said singular lens substrate, said mask layer, and said sensing circuit are integrally formed. |
| US09569034B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display panel including data lines, gate lines crossing the data lines, and pixels arranged in a matrix form, a touch screen which is embedded in the display panel or is installed on the display panel, a data driving circuit supplying a data voltage to the data lines, a gate driving circuit supplying a gate pulse to the gate lines, and a touch sensing circuit which supplies a driving signal to lines of the touch screen and senses a touch input. The gate driving circuit alternately drives pull-down transistors connected in parallel to one gate line. The gate driving circuit drives one of the pull-down transistors or simultaneously drives the pull-down transistors during a drive period of the touch screen. |
| US09569032B2 |
Capacitive touch sensor having code-divided and time-divided transmit waveforms
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for digital signal processing (DSP) techniques for generally improving a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of capacitive touch sensors. |
| US09569028B2 |
Optical touch system, method of touch detection, method of calibration, and computer program product
An optical touch system including a reflecting unit, at least one light emitting module, at least one image detecting module, and a processing unit is provided. The reflecting unit, the light emitting module, and the image detecting module are disposed beside a base plane. The light emitting module provides a first detecting light and a second detecting light with different intensities by turns. The first detecting light and the second detecting light are transmitted to the reflecting unit. The image detecting module generates a first signal and a second signal. When an object approaches or touches the base plane, at least a portion of the first detecting light and a portion of the second detecting light are obstructed by the object. The processing unit determines a position of the object. Additionally, a method of touch detection, a method of calibration, and a computer program product are also provided. |
| US09569027B2 |
Implementing a hidden touch surface
A system and method for implementing a hidden touch surface are provided. The system includes a touch detector to detect a touch applied to a finishing layer associated with the hidden touch surface; a touch sensor to sense an attribute associated with the touch; and a processor to associate the attribute with a predetermined command, wherein the finishing layer hides the hidden touch surface. |
| US09569020B2 |
Flexible touch screen panel
A flexible touch screen panel in which metal wire sensing patterns are formed as a touch sensor on a first surface of a flexible thin film is provided. The flexible touch screen panel includes a thin film divided into an active area and a non-active area adjacent to the active area, sensing patterns in the active area on a first surface of the thin film, and sensing lines in the non-active area on the first surface of the thin film and connected to the sensing patterns. The sensing patterns include nanowire. |
| US09569019B2 |
Adaptive touch panel display
An aspect of the invention includes a display device that operates controls on a display surface independent of a size of the display surface. A touch panel displays a screen on a display surface and inputs a user operation point on the display surface. An extracting part extracts controls that receive a touch operation of a user from content to be displayed on the display surface. A display controller displays auxiliary buttons for providing instructions for input of an extracted control, together with the content on the display surface. |
| US09569014B2 |
Computer mouse with adjustable top part
The invention refers to a computer mouse with an adjustable top part (2). The lock can be tilted around a joint (15) to a chosen rotational position. The computer mouse is equipped with a locking device (12, 13a-b, 16) which locks the top part in the chosen position and the computer mouse is equipped with an unlocking device (13a-b) which enables the locking organ to be released from the locked position. The unlocking device (13a-b) may be a pushbutton (13a) or a handle (13b). In one design of the invention the top part is kept in position by a fastener equipped with teeth (4-5), where the locking device (12, 13a) locks the teeth in a position where they are meshed to each other. In an additional design of the invention the top part is kept in position by a locking device (13b, 16) which grabs the joint so that this cannot be tilted. |
| US09569011B2 |
Optical sensor module utilizing optical designs to adjust gesture sensitive region, and related mobile apparatus
An optical sensor module is provided. The optical sensor module includes a light source, a first lens and a sensor device. The light source is arranged for generating a light signal. The first lens has a first optical center axis. The sensor device is disposed in correspondence with one side of the first lens. The sensor device includes a light sensitive area, and a center of the light sensitive area deviates from the first optical center axis. The sensor device is arranged for receiving a reflected signal reflected from an object in response to the light signal, and accordingly generating a sensing result. |
| US09569007B2 |
Touch pad using piezo effect
Disclosed is a touch pad using the piezo effect, including a touch pad equipped with touch keys; a piezo film that attaches to the bottom surface of the touch pad and radiates ultrasonic waves; and a control section that recognizes touches a user executes by analyzing the electric displacement of the piezo film and ultrasonic impedance reflected by the touch pad surface and a touch object that contacts to the surface. |
| US09569005B2 |
Method and system implementing user-centric gesture control
A user-centric method and system to identify user-made gestures to control a remote device images the user using a three-dimensional image system, and defines at least one user-centric three-dimensional detection zone dynamically sized appropriately for the user, who is free to move about. Images made within the detection zone are compared to a library of stored gestures, and the thus identified gesture is mapped to an appropriate control command signal coupleable to the remote device. The method and system also provides of a first user to hand off control of the remote device to a second user. |
| US09568999B2 |
Method for representing a tactile image and touch screen apparatus for performing the method
A method for representing a tactile image and providing a touch function and a haptic feedback function to a tactile touch panel includes: applying a touch driving voltage to the tactile touch panel; and applying a tactile voltage corresponding to an image to be displayed to the tactile touch panel in a blanking interval when the touch driving voltage may be not applied to a plurality of touch driving lines of the tactile touch panel, when a touch sensing voltage corresponding to a touch on the tactile touch panel may be received through a plurality of touch sensing lines of the tactile touch panel. |
| US09568996B2 |
Image display device and display control method for image display device
An image display device that is used by being mounted on the head of an observer, includes: an image forming unit that forms a virtual image as an image that is visually recognizable to the observer; a detection unit that detects movement of the head of the observer; and a control unit that controls the image forming unit on the basis of the movement detected by the detection unit, wherein when the movement that is detected by the detection unit is larger than a predetermined amount, the control unit changes a display position of the virtual image. |
| US09568995B1 |
Remote driving with a virtual reality system
A method and system for facilitating a user drive an automobile remotely in real-time through a virtual reality system is disclosed. The virtual reality environment may present real-time road conditions, weather condition, automobile information, and/or any other information regarding driving of the automobile in real time. |
| US09568994B2 |
Cadence and media content phase alignment
Systems, devices, apparatuses, components, methods, and techniques for cadence and media content phase alignment are provided. An example media-playback device includes a content output device that operates to output media content, a cadence-acquiring device, a phase-delay calibration engine, a cadence-based media content selection engine, and a phase-aligned media playback engine. The cadence-acquiring device includes a movement-determining device and a cadence-determination engine configured to determine a cadence based on movement data captured by the movement-determining device. The phase-delay calibration engine configured to determine phase delay values for at least one cadence value. The cadence-based media content selection engine configured to identify a media content item based on the cadence determined by the cadence-acquiring device. The phase-aligned media playback engine configured to align the identified media content item to the repetitive-motion activity and cause the media-output device to output the aligned media content item. |
| US09568993B2 |
Automated avatar mood effects in a virtual world
A method for automated avatar mood effects in a virtual world may include detecting occurrence of a mood changing condition relatable to a user's avatar. The method may also include determining an avatar mood effect from a plurality of predefined avatar mood effects to be applied to the user's avatar in the virtual world based on the detected mood changing condition. The method may further include automatically applying the avatar mood effect to the user's avatar in the virtual world in response to detecting occurrence of the mood changing condition and determining an applicable avatar mood effect based on the detected mood changing condition and presenting the automatically applied avatar mood effect in association with the user's avatar in the virtual world. |
| US09568992B2 |
Medical manipulator
A medical manipulator including a base section at which a support surface is formed, a movable part movably supported on the support surface, when a reference direction parallel to the support surface is defined, between a distal end position, which is a distal end side in the reference direction with respect to the base section, and a proximal end position, which is a proximal end side in the reference direction, a positioning mechanism configured to position the movable part at the distal end position with respect to the base section, a holding section movably supported in the reference direction with respect to the movable part and configured to detachably hold a proximal end portion of a treatment tool, and a driving unit configured to move the holding section in the reference direction with respect to the movable part. |
| US09568991B2 |
Audio data processing device
There is provided an audio data processing device. The device includes an IN terminal to which first audio data from outside are input, a THRU terminal from which the first audio data are output to the outside, an FPGA which signal-processes the first audio data from the IN terminal, an OUT terminal from which second audio data which are signal-processed are output to the outside, and a power supply switch. The FPGA outputs the first audio data from the IN terminal to the THRU terminal without any processing when the power supply switch is in an ON state and is also supplied with operational power and outputs the first audio data from the IN terminal to the THRU terminal without any processing when the power supply switch is in an OFF state. |
| US09568990B2 |
System and method for managing power consumption of an information handling system
An AC-to-DC power adapter provides DC power to an information handling system at a first higher DC voltage or a second lower DC voltage based upon a power state of the information handling system. For example, approximately 19 Volts DC power is provided if the information handling system is in an on state or if the information handling system is charging a battery. Approximately 13 Volts DC power is provided if the information handling system is in a reduced power state, such as an ACPI S3 state, with a battery having a substantially full charge. |
| US09568988B1 |
Efficient power allocation for redundant power supply with system priority
This disclosure describes a more efficient and configurable power allocation scheme for redundant power supply (RPS) systems used in network switches. This allocation scheme allows the system owner to assign power from a shared RPS unit to higher priority devices in any network switch in the system. This permits more granularity in assigning the RPS with backup power available to devices such as ports residing within individual switches in a multiple switch network. An efficient power allocation scheme for RPS allows the user to define the system priority of various devices for backup power according to the user's preferences. The user may assign the RPS to user-defined high priority devices in any piece of equipment. This makes RPS power allocation more flexible by offering the user more setup options for backup power. |
| US09568987B2 |
Memory system, method of controlling memory system having volatile memory and nonvolatile memory, and controller
According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, and a controller which is configured to turn off a power of the volatile memory after storing data of the volatile memory in the nonvolatile memory in a first mode, turn on the power of the volatile memory in the second mode, and change a first timing as a future timing switching to the first mode based on a second timing as a past timing switching to the second mode. |
| US09568986B2 |
System-wide power conservation using memory cache
A method, system, and computer program product for system-wide power conservation using memory cache are provided. A memory access request is received at a location in a memory architecture where processing the memory access request has to use a last level of cache before reaching a memory device holding a requested data. Using a memory controller, the memory access request is caused to wait, omitting adding the memory access request to a queue of existing memory access requests accepted for processing using the last level of cache. All the existing memory access requests in the queue are processed using the last level of cache. The last level of cache is purged to the memory device. The memory access request is processed using an alternative path to the memory device that avoids the last level of cache. A cache device used as the last level of cache is powered down. |
| US09568982B1 |
Management of core power state transition in a microprocessor
A system for adjusting a frequency of a processor is disclosed herein. The system includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores program code, which, when executed on the processor, performs an operation for adjusting a frequency of a processor. The operation includes inhibiting one or more processor cores from exiting an idle state. The operation further includes determining a number of processor cores requesting exit from the idle state and a number of non-idle processor cores. The operation also includes selecting a maximum frequency for the inhibited and non-idle processor cores based on the number of inhibited processor cores requesting exit from the idle state and the number of non-idle processor cores. The operation includes setting the maximum frequency for both the inhibited and the non-idle processor cores, and then uninhibiting the processor cores requesting exit from the idle state. |
| US09568980B2 |
Using dynamic bursts to support frequency-agile memory interfaces
The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that supports dynamic bursts to facilitate frequency-agile communication between a memory controller and a memory device. During operation, the system monitors a reference clock signal received at an interface between the memory device and the memory controller. Upon detecting a frequency change in the reference clock signal from a fullrate to a subrate, the interface operates in a burst mode, wherein data is communicated through bursts separated by intervening low-power intervals during which portions of the interface are powered down. |
| US09568973B2 |
Remote energy management using persistent smart grid network context
A device may include a memory to store control policies set for a network of smart grid devices connected to a power grid, the control policies including an energy consumption threshold associated with the network of smart grid devices; and a processor configured to obtain network content including energy consumption data associated with the network of smart grid devices, compare the energy consumption data to the energy consumption threshold associated with the network of smart grid devices, generate a first instruction with respect to energy consumption associated with network of smart grid devices, and generate a second instruction with respect to replenishment of unforced capacity associated with the network of smart grid devices. |
| US09568971B2 |
Solid state drive with self-refresh power saving mode
A storage device includes a non-volatile memory, a volatile memory and a controller. The volatile memory supports a normal mode and a self-refresh mode. The controller is configured to store data for a host in the non-volatile memory while using the volatile memory in the normal mode and, in response to receiving a power-down command from the host, to deactivate at least part of the storage device and to switch the volatile memory from the normal mode to the self-refresh mode. |
| US09568970B1 |
Hardware and software enabled implementation of power profile management instructions in system on chip
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method and system for hybrid and/or distributed implementation of generation and/or execution of power profile management instructions. An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a hardware element of a SoC/NoC that can be configured to generate and/or execute power profile management instructions using a hybrid combination of software and hardware, wherein the hardware element can be run in parallel with other hardware elements of the SoC/NoC to generate and execute power profile management instructions for different segments or regions of the SoC/NoC for efficient and safe working thereof. |
| US09568967B2 |
Data and digital control communication over power
A power supply system and method are disclosed. The power supply system is to generate a power signal for providing power to a device. The power supply system includes a transmitter to modulate a data signal onto the power signal that is demodulated at the device. The transmitter is further to transmit a separate binary control signal on the power signal to change a state of a digital control parameter associated with the device. |
| US09568966B2 |
Dynamic power budget allocation
A dynamic power budget allocation system includes a plurality of powered subsystems. A power system controller is coupled to the plurality of powered subsystems. The power system controller is operable, for each of a plurality of time intervals, to retrieve power usage data from each of the plurality of subsystems during a current time interval. The power system controller is then operable to project power requirements for the plurality of subsystems for a subsequent time interval using the power usage data. The power system controller is then operable to determine at least one power setting for at least one of the plurality of subsystems using the power requirements, and program the at least one of the plurality of subsystems with the at least one power setting. Each powered subsystem may include a voltage regulator that provides the power usage data and is programmed with the at least one power setting. |
| US09568965B2 |
Mobile terminal
Provided is a mobile terminal capable of allowing a heat generating component such as a CPU to make best use of its capabilities. The sheet-shaped heat pipe, according to the present invention, is provided either between the rear surface of the touch panel and motherboard, or between the one and the battery pack. In this case, since the sheet-shaped heat pipe is arranged opposite to the rear surface of the touch panel which is a part of the chassis of the mobile terminal, a favorable heat diffusion from the heat generating components such as the CPU to a large area on the chassis can be achieved through these sheet-shaped heat pipe, thus allowing the heat generating component such as the CPU to make best use of its capabilities. |
| US09568960B2 |
Supercomputer using wafer scale integration
A semiconductor structure includes a substrate with cooling layers, cooling channels, coolant inlets and outlets in fluid communication with the cooling channels, and a device layer on the cooling layers with one or more connection points and a device layer area. The device layer thermal coefficient of expansion is substantially equal to that of the cooling layers. A plurality of laminate substrates are disposed on, and electrically attached to, the device layer. The laminate substrate thermal coefficient of expansion differs from that of the device layer, each laminate substrate is smaller than the device layer portion to which it is attached, and each laminate substrate includes gaps between sides of adjacent laminate substrates. The laminate substrates are not electrically or mechanically connected to each other across the gaps therebetween and the laminate substrates are small enough to prevent warping of the device, interconnection and cooling layers due to thermal expansion. |
| US09568957B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device is provided, which includes a display module, a computer module, and a frame. The display module includes a first magnetic element. The computer module includes a second magnetic element. A magnetic attraction element is positioned corresponding to the first and the second magnetic elements and is movably disposed in the frame. A magnetic force produced between the magnetic attraction element and the second magnetic element is varied according to the positioning angle of the supporting frame relative to the computer module. When the positioning angle is greater than a threshold value, the magnetic force is large enough to attract the magnetic attraction element so as to release the display module to move relative to the frame. |
| US09568954B2 |
Cover for an electronic device
A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device. |
| US09568950B2 |
On-wall docking station for touch-panel devices
The present disclosure relates to systems for mounting touch-panel devices such as smartphones or tablets. An example embodiment of an on-wall docking station is provided wherein the docking station comprises a metallic pad, a gripping surface, mounting screws, a mounting plate, an external connection port, magnets, a near field communication device, and a magnet buffer. The docking station may allow for mounting a touch-panel device in a plurality of mounting orientations. |
| US09568946B2 |
Microchip with faraday cages and internal flexibility sipes
A microchip including an outer chamber, compartment, or bladder; an inner chamber, compartment, or bladder inside said outer chamber, compartment, or bladder; an internal sipe separating at least a part of said inner and outer chambers, compartments, or bladders, and a Faraday cage. The microchip is configured to connect to a network of computers and includes an internal hardware firewall configured to deny access a protected portion of the microchip from the network. The sipe is formed by at least a portion of both an inner surface of the outer chamber, compartment, or bladder and an outer surface of the inner chamber, compartment, or bladder. The surface portions forming the sipe oppose each other and can move relative to each other in a sliding motion. At least a portion of an outer surface of the outer chamber, compartment, or bladder is proximate to an outer surface of the microchip. |
| US09568943B1 |
Clock-based distributed data resolution
Techniques to generate a distributed data structure using monotonic clock times are described herein. A set of data events are received at a plurality of replica locations and, based on delivery times, creation times, and timeout times, the data events are stored within a convergent replicated data structure. The data events are then ordered within the convergent replicated data structure based on the corresponding timeout times being less than a time value obtained from a locally accessible clock associated with each replica locations. The distributed data structure is then generated from the ordered data events by recursively selecting data events from the replica locations. |
| US09568942B2 |
Drift adjustment in timing signal forwarded from memory controller to memory device based on a detected phase delay occurring on a second timing signal with a different frequency
A memory system in which a timing drift that would occur in distribution of a first timing signal for data transport in a memory device is determined by measuring the actual phase delays occurring in a second timing signal that has a frequency lower than that of the first timing signal and is distributed in one or more circuits mimicking the drift characteristics of at least a portion of distribution of the first timing signal. The actual phase delays are determined in the memory device and provided to a memory controller so that the phases of the timing signals used for data transport may be adjusted based on the determined timing drift. |
| US09568939B2 |
Tactile feedback for joystick position/speed controls
A joystick controller is disclosed for controlling movement of a boom lift platform, the controller having actuators or the like that provide one or more forms of tactile feedback that are intuitively interpreted and adjusted by the user of the joystick motion control, the joystick being neutrally-biased to effect a null movement when the joystick is positioned in a neutral position, but also being adapted with at least one form of tactile feedback by which the joystick controller conveys information about the boom lift's operation to the joystick operator, such as through resistive force or through vibrations or the like. |
| US09568933B2 |
Circuit and method for generating a bandgap reference voltage
A bandgap reference voltage generator includes a bipolar assembly having a first resistor, a first branch and a second branch that is in parallel with the first branch. The first branch includes a first bipolar transistor with a base coupled to a fixed voltage. The second branch includes a second bipolar transistor with a base coupled to the fixed voltage and a second resistor coupled in series with the second bipolar transistor. A differential module is coupled to the first and second bipolar transistors and configured to balance the currents in the first and the second branches. The bandgap reference voltage is output at a node to which the first resistor is connected. |
| US09568932B2 |
Electronic control device and method for reducing stand-by state energy consumption of an electric household appliance
A household appliance (1) is provided with an electronic command device (3) for reducing standby-state energy consumption of the electric household appliance (1). The electronic command device (3) includes an electronic control unit (20) and a switching mode low power supply unit (6) designed to supply a predetermined supply voltage (VB) to the electronic control unit (20). The switching mode low power supply unit (6) has at least a first control terminal (12) and at least an output terminal (9) supplying the main prefixed supply voltage (VB) to the electronic control unit (20). The switching mode low power supply unit (6) is further configured to switch from a operating state to a standby state, when the first control terminal (12) receives a command signal (Soff). The electronic control unit (20) has a sensing terminal (23) and is configured to generate the command signal (Soff) when it detects a predetermined voltage variation on the sensing terminal (23). The electronic command device (3) is configured to connect the sensing terminal (23) to the output terminal (9), at least temporarily, to cause the electronic control unit (20) to generate the command signal (Soff) so that the switching mode low power supply unit (6) switches from the operating state to the standby state. |
| US09568931B2 |
Multi-layer control framework for an energy storage system
A multilayer control framework for a power system includes a hybrid storage system (HSS) to store energy using a plurality of energy storage devices; a local controller coupled to the HSS to smooth output power of wind or photovoltaic energy sources while regulating a State of Charge (SoC) of the HSS; and a system-wide controller coupled to the HSS activated upon an occurrence of one or more energy disturbances with a control strategy designed to improve system dynamics to address the one or more energy disturbances. |
| US09568927B2 |
Current modulation circuit
A modulated digital input signal is passed through a conditioning circuit to generate a first input signal. An error amplifier circuit receives the first input signal and a second input signal, and controls the operation of a MOS transistor to generate an output signal that is current modulated. The output signal is sensed to generate a feedback signal. A switching circuit selectively applies the feedback signal as the second input signal in response to a transition of the modulated digital input signal from a first logic state to a second logic state. The switching circuit alternatively selectively applies a fixed reference signal as the second input signal to the error amplifier in response to a transition of the modulated digital input signal from the second logic state to the first logic state. |
| US09568925B2 |
Fuel cell system
In a fuel cell system which controls an operation of a converter on the basis of a duty command value including a feedforward term, the deterioration of a response of the converter at a time of a rapid increase (a rapid decrease) of a load is suppressed. There is disclosed a fuel cell system comprising a converter disposed between a fuel cell and a load device, and a controller for controlling the operation of the converter on the basis of the duty command value including the feedforward term, wherein the controller calculates the feedforward term by use of a command value of a physical amount concerning the converter in an operation range where a requested power from the load device is in excess of a predetermined threshold value. |
| US09568924B2 |
Methods and systems for coordinating the control of HVAC units
A control strategy for heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) units used to condition the environment in data centers and other commercial buildings such as retail stores with an open-plan design is provided to coordinate the operation of the actuators of the HVAC units. A supervisory controller receives feedback signals from a plurality of environmental sensors and uses a set of references values to determine control signals to the actuators of the HVAC units. A pseudoinverse of a transfer function matrix G may be used to determine the control signals from errors in the feedback signals relative to the reference signals. |
| US09568923B1 |
Determining a time for corrective action in a data center
Aspects include a method, system, and computer program product for determining a time to a threshold temperature of an electronic device in a data center. A method includes measuring parameters for an electronic device and the data center. A rate of change of temperature is determined for the device based on the parameters. The rate of change is compared to a rate of change threshold. It is determined that a cooling system is operating below a threshold when the rate of change is above the threshold. A first time is determined, where the first time is based the rate of change of temperature and a machine learning model. The first time and second time are compared, where the second time is a time to restore the cooling system to above the threshold. A signal is transmitted when the first time is less than the second time. |
| US09568915B1 |
System and method for controlling autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle
A method controls a motion of a vehicle using a model of the motion of the vehicle that includes an uncertainty. The method samples a control space of possible control inputs to the model of the motion of the vehicle to produce a set of sampled control inputs and determines a probability of each sampled control input to move the vehicle into state satisfying constraints on the motion of the vehicle. The method determines, using the probabilities of the sampled control inputs, a control input having the probability to move the vehicle in the state above a threshold. The control input is mapped to a control command to at least one actuator of the vehicle to control the motion of the vehicle. |
| US09568913B2 |
Radio controlled aircraft, remote controller and methods for use therewith
A radio controlled (RC) vehicle includes a receiver that is coupled to receive an RF signal from a remote control device, the RF signal containing command data in accordance with a first coordinate system, wherein the first coordinate system is from a perspective of the remote control device. A motion sensing module generates motion data based on the motion of the RC vehicle. A processing module transforms the command data into control data in accordance with a second coordinate system, wherein the second coordinate system is from a perspective of the RC vehicle. A plurality of control devices control the motion of the RC vehicle based on the control data. |
| US09568912B2 |
Aircraft prognostic systems and methods for determining adaptive time between overhaul for line replaceable units
Prognostic systems and methods for providing adaptive Time Between Overhaul (TBO) value for one or more Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) are provided. In one embodiment, the LRU prognostic system includes a first LRU, an aircraft position data source configured to monitor the position of an aircraft carrying the LRU prognostic system, and a controller coupled to the first LRU and to the aircraft position data source. The controller is configured to: (i) estimate the degradation of the first LRU based at least in part on the duration of time the aircraft position resides in any one of a plurality of different environmental zones while the aircraft is operational, and (ii) calculate an adaptive TBO value for the first LRU utilizing the estimated LRU degradation. |
| US09568910B2 |
Systems and methods for using rule-based fault detection in a building management system
A controller for a building management system includes a first data interface configured to receive data from the building management system and a processing circuit including a processor and a memory device storing a fault detection rule having an initial threshold value. The processing circuit is configured to detect a first fault in the building management system using the stored fault detection rule having the initial threshold value and to use the data from the building management system to determine whether an adjustment to the stored fault detection rule is needed. In response to a determination that an adjustment to the stored fault detection rule is needed, the processing circuit is configured to calculate a new threshold value for the stored fault detection rule and update the stored fault detection rule by replacing the initial threshold value with the new threshold value. |
| US09568906B2 |
Robotic object coating system
A method and apparatus for coating a group of objects may be provided. A three-dimensional model of the group of objects may be generated. Segments that represent each object in the group of objects in the three-dimensional model may be formed. Instructions for coating the group of objects may be generated based on the segments. The instructions may be configured to cause a robotic coating system to coat the group of objects. |
| US09568905B2 |
CPU of PLC, system program for PLC, and recording medium storing system program for PLC
A microprocessor controls at least one of a first communication circuit and a second communication circuit such that a first input/output process and a second input/output process are executed in parallel. The first input/output process includes a process outputting output data from a first transfer buffer, through the first communication circuit, to a first instrument in a PLC system bus, and a process inputting input data from the first instrument, through the first communication circuit, to the first transfer buffer. The second input/output process includes a process outputting output data from a second transfer buffer, through the second communication circuit, to a second instrument in a field network, and a process inputting input data from the second instrument, through the second communication circuit, to the second transfer buffer. |
| US09568900B2 |
Systems and methods for regulating an alternative energy source that is decoupled from a power grid
A method includes: determining a total power load from an electrical power consumption entity configured to receive all or a portion of the total power load from each of (i) an alternative energy source (“AES”), (ii) a power grid, and (iii) a rechargeable energy storage device. The AES and the power grid are connected using a reverse power relay. The method also includes: for a first time period, determining a first power supply from the AES. The first power supply is affected by natural events that are uncontrolled by a user. The method also includes in accordance with a determination that, during the first time period, the power supply from the AES exceeds the power load: storing an excess portion of the power supply in the energy storage device, without releasing electrical power from the AES to the power grid. The excess portion is less than the energy storage device's maximum capacity. |
| US09568899B2 |
Apparatus and method for automatically configuring sensor to configure building energy management system
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for automatically configuring a sensor to configure a building energy management system (BEMS). The apparatus may include an information input unit to receive input of information on a building in which a BEMS is to be built, information on a sensor used to build the BEMS, and information on a budget allocated to build the BEMS, a sensor disposition unit to calculate a position for the sensor to be disposed in the building based on the input information on the building, the sensor and the allocated budget, and a user interface unit to display the disposed position for the sensor. |
| US09568897B2 |
Controller system for variable parameter and related program product
A controller system includes at least one computing device operably connected to a process having a target value for a variable parameter. The computing device(s) is configured to control the variable parameter by performing actions including: computing an error between the target value and an actual value of the variable parameter. Based on the error, the computing device(s) may calculate a desired gain adjustment of the variable parameter, and a desired mean adjustment of the variable parameter. A correction signal may be created for modifying the process by: in response to the error being positive, creating the correction signal by adding the desired mean adjustment and the desired gain adjustment, and in response to the error being negative, creating the correction signal by differencing the desired mean adjustment and the desired gain adjustment. A related program product may carry out similar functions. |
| US09568892B2 |
Electronic timepiece
An electronic timepiece has a case made at least in part from a conductive material and including a main case member and back cover and; a drive module disposed inside the case for displaying the time; a GPS antenna disposed inside the case around the drive module; and a crystal made from a non-conductive material and disposed to the opposite side of the case as the back cover. The GPS antenna is superimposed with the crystal in plan view, and not superimposed with parts of the main case on the crystal side of the GPS antenna. |
| US09568888B2 |
Interface for actuating a device
Actuators for a device are described. In one aspect, an actuator for a device includes a boss member adapted to engage the device, the boss member having a cylindrical body portion and a handle portion, the body portion including at least one channel engageable with a guiding plate connected with the device, wherein upon manipulation of the handle portion, the boss member is movable from an initial position to an actuating position whereby an actuating member is adapted to actuate the device. |
| US09568887B2 |
Operation stabilizing mechanism, movement, and mechanical timepiece
To provide an operation stabilizing mechanism, a movement, and a mechanical timepiece allowing a reduction in size while achieving an enhancement in rate precision. An operation stabilizing mechanism includes: an outer carriage and an inner carriage provided so as to be mutually rotatable; a constant-force spring provided between the outer carriage and the inner carriage and configured to impart a rotational force to the inner carriage such that the inner carriage rotates with respect to the outer carriage; a stop wheel provided on the outer carriage; and a stopper configured to perform engaging and releasing operations on the stop wheel upon the rotation of the inner carriage, wherein the rotational axis of the outer carriage and the rotation axis of the inner carriage cross each other. |
| US09568885B2 |
Composite holographic optical diffuser structure with high frequency overlay and method of fabrication thereof
The optical diffuser mastering of the subject invention includes legacy microstructure surface relief patterns, along with smaller ones, overlaid on the larger ones. The characteristic features produced by the present invention will be found useful to eliminate visible structures in/on optical diffusers, such as those used in movie projection screens (utilizing either coherent (i.e., laser-generated) and non-coherent (e.g., lamp-generated) light), head-up displays (HUDs), laser projection viewing, etc., as the present invention produces much sharper images than those afforded by traditional holographic optical diffusers. |
| US09568883B2 |
Image forming apparatus with a structure for removing residual developer
An image forming apparatus having: an image supporting member; a developing device configured to supply a developer to the image supporting member to develop a latent image; a transfer member configured to transfer the developed image from the image supporting member to a transfer medium; a blade configured to remove the developer left on the image supporting member after transfer therefrom; a storing member located downstream from the transfer member and upstream from the blade, the storing member configured to temporarily store a part of the developer left after transfer therein; and a control unit. The storing member is controlled by the control unit to release the temporarily stored developer therefrom toward the image supporting member after a lapse of a predetermined time from when an image density of an image to be formed becomes lower than a predetermined value. |
| US09568882B2 |
Cleaning device and image forming apparatus
A cleaning device includes a plate-shaped scraping member that scrapes a liquid developer which remains on an outer circumferential surface of a holding member by contacting an edge portion with the outer circumferential surface, a first collecting member that collects the liquid developer scraped by the scraping member, and a second collecting member that collects the liquid developer which passes through the scraping member, is attached to an under surface of the scraping member, and falls. |
| US09568881B2 |
Recording apparatus with floating detection
A recording apparatus includes a transport section that transports a recording medium; and a floating detection section that detects floating of the recording medium. The floating detection section has a plurality of light emitting elements capable of emitting light to positions different from each other in the recording medium and one light receiving element capable of sequentially receiving reflected light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements. The floating in the different positions is capable of being detected from received light intensity of the reflected light. |
| US09568880B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus having binding processing function
A sheet processing apparatus includes a binding unit configured to perform binding processing by pressing a sheet bundle, a motor configured to drive the binding unit to press the sheet bundle, and a motor control unit configured to set a driving current of the motor and an upper limit value of the driving current, the motor control unit being configured to set the driving current when starting activating the motor in a state where the binding unit is not pressing the sheet bundle to a first value, and set the upper limit value of the driving current in a period in which the binding unit is pressing the sheet bundle to a second value less than or equal to the first value. |
| US09568879B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a sheet container, an image forming part to form an image, a sheet feeding rotary body to feed the recording medium, a sheet separating rotary body to contact the sheet feeding rotary body and rotate with the sheet feeding rotary body with a sheet separation nip region formed therebetween, a rotation adjusting unit to adjust rotation of the sheet separating rotary body, a sheet containing unit to contain the recording media therein, a sheet separating body storing unit disposed at one end of the sheet containing unit to store the sheet separating body therein, and a load resistance applying mechanism to apply a rotational load resistance different from a contact force generated by contacting of the sheet separating rotary body with the sheet feeding rotary body, to the sheet feeding rotary body with no rotation driving force applied thereto. |
| US09568878B2 |
Image forming apparatus and feeding device that detect sheets with a sensor that is chosen according to sheet spacing
An image forming apparatus according to the invention(s) has the following feature(s): When first and second recording materials have a first length and a sum of the first length and an interval is less than a distance from a regulation position, where an accommodation unit regulates a leading edge of a recording material, to a second position, a feeding unit feeds a second recording material in accordance with a timing in which a first detecting unit detects the first recording material. When the first and second recording materials have a second length that is longer than the first length and a sum of the second length and the interval is greater than or equal to the distance from the regulation position to the second position, the feeding unit feeds the second recording material in accordance with a timing in which the second detecting unit detects the first recording material. |
| US09568876B2 |
Damage amount determination device, image forming device, computer-readable recording medium storing damage amount determination program, and damage amount determination method
A damage amount determination device, which is used for an image forming device that forms an image on paper, includes an information acquisition unit that acquires information related to whiteness of the paper used for printing and a damage amount determination unit that determines an amount of damage, which is caused by the paper to a predetermined component of the image forming device when the paper passes through the predetermined component, based on the information related to the whiteness. |
| US09568875B2 |
Image forming apparatus having a replacement unit and a power supply switch that is turned off when detachment of the replaceable unit is necessary
An image forming apparatus includes a notifier, a power source, a first replaceable unit, a first body connector, a power supply switch, a detachment necessity determiner for determining whether the first replaceable unit needs to be detached, and a power supply controller. The first body connector includes a body power terminal and allows the first replaceable unit to be detachably connected thereto. The first replaceable unit includes a unit connector and an operation portion. The unit connector is connected to the body power terminal for supplying a power voltage to the operation portion. When the first replaceable unit is determined necessary to be detached, the power supply controller causes the power supply switch to turn off supply of the power source voltage from the power source to the body power terminal and causes the notifier to provide a notification recommending detachment of the first replaceable unit. |
| US09568872B2 |
Process control using non-zero order diffraction
A method of controlling a manufacturing process, the method including the steps of a) providing a testing area with a periodic structure, where the periodic structure includes a series of sets of patterned features, b) illuminating the periodic structure with a light, thereby producing a non-zero order diffraction signal, c) collecting the diffraction signal to produce a test signature, d) matching the test signature with a reference signature, where the reference signature was previously produced by performing steps a), b), and c) with respect to a reference structure that is at least similar to the periodic structure, and e) controlling a manufacturing process using a control setting set associated with the matching reference signature. |
| US09568870B2 |
Fuser unit
A fuser unit of this disclosure includes: an endless belt; a nip member; a belt guide; a stay; a first member; a second member; and a backup member, wherein the belt guide, which is configured to guide the endless belt, has: a first surface, which faces in a direction from a second end portion towards a first end portion of the endless belt; a second surface, which faces in a direction from the first end portion towards the second end portion of the endless belt; a third surface, which faces in a direction from the stay towards the nip member; a fourth surface, which faces in a direction from the nip member towards the stay; a fifth surface and a sixth surface, which face in the conveyance direction and is arranged to be in contact with the first member. |
| US09568868B2 |
Image forming apparatus
Heat-equalizing rotation of a fixing member and a pressing member for equalizing the distribution of the temperature of a surface of the fixing member in a width direction is performed after a recording medium having a size less than or equal to a predetermined size in the width direction passes a nip portion and before a recording medium having a size greater than the predetermined size in the width direction passes the nip portion. Further, a termination condition of the heat-equalizing rotation is selected from among a plurality of different kinds of termination conditions, based on image formation related information related to next image formation performed after the heat-equalizing rotation. |
| US09568864B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a fixing rotator, a pressing rotator, an oil applicator, a first adjuster, a surface modifier, a second adjuster, and a processor. The fixing rotator contacts a recording medium bearing a toner image. The pressing rotator forms a fixing nip with the fixing rotator. The oil applicator is pressed against at least one of applied members of the fixing rotator and pressing rotator. The first adjuster adjusts contact/separation of the oil applicator with respect to the applied member. The surface modifier contacts the fixing rotator to modify a surface thereof. The second adjuster adjusts contact/separation of the surface modifier with respect to the fixing rotator. The processor allows the surface modifier to modify the fixing rotator surface after the oil applicator contacts the applied member, and the oil applicator to separate from the applied member after the surface modifier is separated from the fixing rotator. |
| US09568860B2 |
Developer container, development device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A developer container includes a conductive member containing a resin configured to detect a developer amount using capacitance, and a frame member having the conductive member configured to store the developer. The conductive member is provided on a first side of the frame member contacting the developer and on a second side of the frame member, the second side is the back of the first side, and the conductive member provided on the first side and the conductive member provided on the second side are connected with each other within the frame member. |
| US09568859B2 |
Toner conveying member for reducing bending of same, developing device, and image forming apparatus
A toner conveying member is a member with a shaft and a screw around a longitudinal non-end portion (i.e., a central portion) of the shaft integrally molded with resin, and also includes a metal pipe. The metal pipe includes a surrounding portion provided around an end portion of the shaft where the screw is not provided, and a buried portion buried in at least a portion of the screw and extended from the surrounding portion. |
| US09568857B1 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus
A developing device that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on an image holding member with a developer, the device including a developer transporting chamber, a developer transporting member that transports a developer in the developer transporting chamber in a transport direction with stirring, an initial developer collection chamber that, before using of the developer, collects the developer to cause a developer damming member to prevent the developer from dropping into the developer transporting chamber, and removes the developer damming member and forms an integrated space with the developer transporting chamber when the developer is used, to allow the developer to drop into the developer transporting chamber, and a ceiling member that partially narrows a passage for the developer transported by the developer transporting member, up to a height at which interference with the developer is performed, in the transport direction. |
| US09568856B2 |
Developing cartridge
A developing cartridge may include a housing configured to hold toner. The cartridge may further include a developing roller including a developing roller shaft, a supply roller including a supply roller shaft, a developing electrode and a supply electrode. The developing electrode and supply electrode may be configured to guide an electrical contact of an image forming apparatus in one or more directions. In some examples, the developing electrode and supply electrode may have angled surfaces that extend toward one another. |
| US09568855B2 |
Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic method
A developing device including a containing unit configured to be arranged below a supply member and contain a developer and a developer bearing member configured to bear the developer and develop an electrostatic latent image, further includes a supply member which is configured to supply the developer to the developer bearing member, to be arranged to form a nip portion between the supply member and the developer bearing member, and to rotate in a direction in which its surface moves from an upper end to a lower end of the nip portion, and a conveyance member which is configured to convey the developer contained in the containing unit onto the supply member. |
| US09568853B2 |
Image forming apparatus including a plurality of driver IC configured to drive a plurality of light-emitting points
In APC, if light power control with different target light powers is continuously executed, the amplitude of an output signal from a light-receiving element after the light power control is changed is generated, and a long time is required for completion of the light power control after the change. To address the problem, light power control with the same target light power is continuously executed on at least two light-emitting points in APC. |
| US09568845B2 |
Mirror for use in a microlithography projection exposure apparatus
A mirror including a substrate and a reflective coating that includes a first group of layers and a second group of layers arranged between the substrate and the first group of layers. Both the first and second groups of layers include a plurality of alternating first material layers and second material layers, arranged one above another. The refractive index of the first material for radiation in the range of 5-30 nm is greater than the refractive index of the second material in that wavelength range. The first group of layers is configured to have a number of layers that is greater than 20, such that, upon irradiation with radiation having a wavelength in the range of 5-30 nm, less than 20% of the radiation reaches the second group of layers, which has a layer thickness variation for correcting the surface form of the mirror. |
| US09568843B2 |
Exposure method and exposure device
Embodiments of the disclosure provide an exposure method and an exposure device. The exposure method comprises: placing at least two transparent substrates coated with photoresist under one mask, wherein all of the at least two substrates are in parallel with the mask; irradiating the mask vertically with parallel exposure light to respectively expose the photoresist on the at least two substrates along a propagation direction of the exposure light. |
| US09568842B2 |
Overlay operation method and overlay control method
An overlay operation method and an overlay control method are disclosed. A first mark and a second mark are identified on a substrate, wherein the first mark and the second mark are formed by a process in combination with using a photomask. Next, a first measurement is performed to obtain an offset between the first mark and the second mark in a direction. Then, an operation is performed to judge whether the offset is in a range from a pre-determined offset minus a deviation to the pre-determined offset plus the deviation, wherein the pre-determined offset is determined by the photomask. |
| US09568841B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A lithographic apparatus is provided that has a sensor at substrate level, the sensor including a radiation receiver, a transmissive plate supporting the radiation receiver, and a radiation detector, wherein the sensor is arranged to avoid loss of radiation between the radiation receiver and a final element of the radiation detector. |
| US09568837B2 |
Arrangement for actuating an element in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus
The invention relates to arrangements for actuating an element in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus. In accordance with one aspect, an arrangement for actuating an element in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus comprises a first number (nR) of degrees of freedom, wherein an adjustable force can be transmitted to the optical element in each of the degrees of freedom, and a second number (nA) of actuators, which are coupled to the optical element in each case via a mechanical coupling for the purpose of transmitting force to the optical element, wherein the second number (nA) is greater than the first number (nR). In accordance with one aspect, at least one of the actuators is arranged in a node of at least one natural vibration mode of the optical element. |
| US09568836B2 |
Exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method using same
An exposure apparatus includes a light shielding plate that is arranged on a plane conjugate to a substrate plane and shields against light to prevent the light from entering an outer peripheral region outside the circular borderline on the substrate; a first driving unit that rotationally drives the light shielding plate about an axis parallel to an optical axis of the illumination system; a second driving unit that linearly drives the light shielding plate within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis; a detecting unit that detects a light-shielding position; and a control unit that stores a light-shielding position at reference time point and light-shielding positions prior to and after change of the light shielding plate when the light shielding plate is changed after the reference time point, and calculates a variation amount of the light-shielding position based on a light-shielding position detected by the detecting unit at any time point after the light shielding plate is changed, a light-shielding position at the reference time point, and the difference between light-shielding positions before and after the light shielding plate is changed. |
| US09568835B2 |
Exposure apparatus with irradiation device for irradiating optical element with pulsed light having infrared wavelength, and corresponding exposure method
The present invention provides an exposure apparatus for exposing a shot on a substrate to first pulsed light, the apparatus including an optical element for guiding the first pulsed light to the substrate, an irradiation device configured to irradiate the optical element with second pulsed light having an infrared wavelength which the first pulsed light has less than the second pulsed light has, and a controller configured to control the irradiation device in a process of exposing the shot to the first pulsed light plural times, such that the irradiation device irradiates the optical element with the second pulsed light during at least one period of non-irradiation periods in which the shot is not irradiated with the first pulsed light. |
| US09568833B2 |
Method of operating a patterning device and lithographic apparatus
A lithographic reticle is illuminated to transfer a pattern to a substrate, inducing distortions due to heating. The distortions are calculated using reference marks in a peripheral portion of the reticle and measuring changes in their relative positions over time. A plurality of cells are defined for which a system of equations can be solved to calculate a dilation of each cell. In an embodiment, each equation relates positions of pairs of marks to dilations of the cells along a line (s, s1, s2) connecting each pair. Local positional deviations can be calculated for a position by combining calculated dilations for cells between at least one measured peripheral mark and the position. Corrections can be applied in accordance with the result of the calculation. Energy may be applied to the patterning device (for example by thermal input or mechanical actuators) to modify a distribution of the local positional deviations. |
| US09568829B2 |
Developing method, developing apparatus and storage medium
A developing method includes: horizontally holding an exposed substrate by a substrate holder; forming a liquid puddle on a part of the substrate, by supplying a developer from a developer nozzle; rotating the substrate; spreading the liquid puddle on a whole surface of the substrate, by moving the developer nozzle such that a supply position of the developer on the rotating substrate is moved in a radial direction of the substrate; bringing, simultaneously with the spreading of the liquid puddle on the whole surface of the substrate, a contact part into contact with the liquid puddle, the contact part being configured to be moved together with the developer nozzle and having a surface opposed to the substrate which is smaller than the surface of the substrate. According to this method, an amount of liquid falling down to the outside of the substrate can be inhibited. In addition, since the rotating speed of the substrate can be decreased, spattering of the developer can be inhibited. Further, a throughput can be improved by stirring the developer. |
| US09568827B2 |
Fabrication method for pattern-formed structure
An object of the present invention is to provide a fabrication method for pattern-formed structure having a smooth three-dimensional structure through a fewer processes. To achieve the object, the present invention provides a fabrication method for pattern-formed structure comprising: a dot modulation pattern forming process of binarizing a shape of a targeted three-dimensional structure to form a dot modulation pattern, a writing process of using the dot modulation pattern to write directly by a writer on a photosensitive resin layer formed on a substrate, and a developing process of developing the photosensitive resin layer after the writing to form a resin layer with three-dimensional structure, wherein the writing process is performed by a writing energy supplying method in which writing energy is supplied to the photosensitive resin layer by an area larger than a minimum dot area in the dot modulation pattern. |
| US09568826B2 |
Mark formation method and device manufacturing method
A mark forming method includes: a step of forming, on a device layer of a wafer, an intermediate layer to which a polymer layer containing a block copolymer is adherable, the device layer including a shot area and a scribe line area; a step of removing a portion, of the intermediate layer, formed in the scribe line area; a step of exposing an image of a mark on the scribe line area and forming, based on the image of the mark, a mark including recessed portion; and a step of applying the polymer layer containing the block copolymer on the device layer of the wafer. When a circuit pattern is forced by using the self-assembly of the block copolymer, it is possible to form the mark simultaneously with the formation of the circuit pattern. |
| US09568824B2 |
Actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition, resist film therefrom and method of forming pattern therewith
Provided is an actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition, includes a resin (P) containing a repeating unit (A) that when exposed to actinic rays or radiation, is decomposed to thereby generate an acid and a repeating unit (B) with a structure that when acted on by an acid, is decomposed to thereby increase its solubility in an alkali developer, and a compound (U) structured so that when the composition is formed into a film, the compound is unevenly distributed in a surface of the film. |
| US09568823B2 |
Photosensitive resin composition for color filter and uses thereof
The present invention relates to a photosensitive resin composition for a color filter and uses thereof. The photosensitive resin composition includes an alkali-soluble resin (A), a compound (B) containing an ethylenically unsaturated group, a photoinitiator (C), a pigment (D) and an organic solvent (E). The photosensitive resin composition according to the present invention can improve linearity of pattern with high finesse and developing-resistance of the color filter. |
| US09568822B2 |
Lithographic printing plate precursor
A negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor includes a support and a coating containing a photopolymerizable layer including a polymerizable compound including: a free radical polymerizable group, and at least one moiety having a structure according to Formula (I): wherein n represents an integer equal to 0 or 1; L1 represents a divalent linking group; and * denotes the linking positions to the rest of the structure, with the proviso that the carbonyl groups in Formula (I) are bonded to a carbon atom. |
| US09568811B2 |
Projector and projection image control method
A projector includes a projection section adapted to project a projection image on a projection surface including a target part, a detection section adapted to detect a distance from a predetermined position to the target part, and a control section adapted to set an area to be projected on the projection surface other than the target part out of the projection image as a partial area based on the distance thus detected, and change a display state of the projection image so that the partial area set is masked. |
| US09568807B2 |
Method and apparatus for cleaning transparent enclosure for submersible camera
In a submersible camera housed within a spherical, transparent enclosure with instrumentation for driving the camera to different positions in photographing underwater activity, a cleaning arm is mounted on the external surface of the enclosure and is magnetically driven either by single or multiple drive magnets driven around an interior circular wall of the enclosure; and in the case of multiple drive magnets the cleaning arm has slave magnets in alignment with one or more drive magnets of opposite polarity to cause the cleaning arm to traverse the external surface of the enclosure at periodic intervals one or more cycles each time that the drive magnets are activated. |
| US09568806B2 |
Digital photographing system and method of operating digital photographing system
A digital photographing system includes a smart mount that includes lenses, a shutter, an image sensor, and an image processor, combined with a camera body or a mobile terminal device. A method of operating the digital photographing system is provided. The digital photographing system includes a lens; a smart mount that captures and processes an image of an object input via the lens; and a body that displays, modifies, stores, or deletes the image captured and processed by the smart mount. |
| US09568803B2 |
Cascaded optical harmonic generation
A cascaded harmonic generator, for cascaded optical harmonic generation from an optical beam provided by a laser source, may include a second harmonic generator to generate a second harmonic optical beam based on a residual beam associated with the optical beam. The cascaded harmonic generator may include a third harmonic generator to generate a third harmonic optical beam based on the second harmonic optical beam and the optical beam. The third harmonic generator may be positioned in an optical path upstream from the second harmonic generator. A harmonic generator delay time, associated with the optical path, may be approximately equal to, or may be an approximate integer multiple of, a laser source round-trip time. |
| US09568801B2 |
Optical modulator
An optical modulator includes a first coupler that branches an input light into two and outputs a first output light and a second output light; a first Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) that modulates the intensity of the first output light from the first coupler and outputs a third output light; a second MZI that modulates the intensity of the second output light from the first coupler and outputs a fourth output light; a second coupler that combines the third output light from the first MZI and the fourth output light from the second MZI, branches a combined light into two, and outputs a fifth output light and a sixth output light. The interaction length of a branch of the first coupler and that of the second coupler are set such that the wavelength dependence of the splitting ratio of the first coupler is inversely related to that of the second coupler. |
| US09568798B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes: a first substrate; a gate line on the first substrate; a gate insulating layer on the gate line; a semiconductor layer on the gate insulating layer; a data line and a drain electrode on the semiconductor layer; a passivation layer covering the data line and the drain electrode; a common electrode on the passivation layer; an interlayer insulating layer on the common electrode; a pixel electrode on the interlayer insulating layer; an additional insulating layer on the pixel electrode; a second substrate opposite to the first substrate; and a black matrix on the second substrate, and including a vertical portion covering the data line and a horizontal portion covering the gate line and the drain electrode, where an empty portion is defined through the additional insulating layer in a portion corresponding to the black matrix. |
| US09568797B2 |
Liquid crystal display and panel therefor
A flat panel display having an improved picture quality is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode are formed in each subpixel area. The electrodes enclose an open space (gap) such that their outer boundary has a substantially rectangular shape. The flat panel display may also include a capacitance electrode coupled to the second pixel electrode to form a coupling capacitor. In use, the coupling capacitor operates such that a magnitude of a voltage applied to the first pixel electrode is lower than an applied data voltage, and a magnitude of a voltage applied to the second pixel electrode is higher than an applied voltage. The different voltages operate such that a tilt direction of LC molecules disposed above the first pixel electrode differs from a tilt direction of LC molecules disposed above the second pixel electrode. |
| US09568794B2 |
Display device
To provide a display device in which parasitic capacitance between wirings can be reduced while preventing increase in wiring resistance. To provide a display device with improved display quality. To provide a display device with low power consumption. A pixel of the liquid crystal display device includes a signal line, a scan line intersecting with the signal line, a first electrode projected from the signal line, a second electrode facing the first electrode, and a pixel electrode connected to the second electrode. Part of the scan line has a loop shape, and part of the first electrode is located in a region overlapped with an opening of the scan line. In other words, part of the first electrode is not overlapped with the scan line. |
| US09568793B2 |
Array substrate and method of repairing broken lines for the array substrate
The present invention provides an array substrate and a method of repairing broken lines for the array substrate. By preserving the via on the organic layer corresponding to the cross point of the source-drain data line and the common electrode line, the aperture formed with the second passivation layer deposed in the via is employed to be the laser welding point as the source-drain data line is broken. After detecting the broken line position of the source-drain, the laser welding is implemented to the apertures at two ends of the broken line position to lap the source-drain data line with the closed ring of the common electrode line, and meanwhile, the connection lines at two sides of the closed ring of the common electrode line is cut with laser, and the closed ring of the common electrode line is employed to repair the broken line part of the source-drain data line. |
| US09568789B2 |
Panel carrier for a liquid crystal on silicon panel and method for electrically interconnecting same
A liquid-crystal-on-silicon (LCOS) panel includes a wafer having bond pads thereon, a liquid crystal layer, and a conductive layer. The panel carrier for the LCOS panel includes a conductive-layer electrode for electrically connecting the conductive layer to a printed circuit assembly (PCA), address electrodes for electrically connecting the bond pads to the PCA, and a cavity for holding the LCOS panel. The cavity includes a conductive pad for electrically connecting the conductive layer to the conductive-layer electrode, and bond-pad electrodes for electrically connecting each bond pad to a respective address electrode. A method for electrically connecting an LCOS panel to a panel carrier includes a step of electrically connecting each bond pad to a respective address electrode, and a step of electrically connecting the conductive layer to the conductive pad. |
| US09568784B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and driving method thereof
The embodiments of the present invention provide a liquid crystal display panel and driving method thereof. The liquid crystal display panel may comprise a substrate and a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes disposed on the substrate to generate a driving electrical field, wherein each of the first electrodes is disposed in two pixel units which are adjacent in a first direction, and each of the second electrodes is disposed in two pixel units which are adjacent in the first direction, the first electrodes and the second electrodes are disposed alternately by offsetting one pixel unit in the first direction, and the first direction is a row direction or a column direction. |
| US09568783B2 |
Liquid crystal display
Provided is a liquid crystal display including: a first insulation substrate; a thin film transistor positioned on the first insulation substrate; a first subpixel electrode positioned on the thin film transistor and to which a first voltage is applied; a second subpixel electrode positioned on the thin film transistor and to which a second voltage is applied; a second insulation substrate facing the first insulation substrate; a common electrode positioned on the second insulation substrate and receiving a common voltage; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first insulation substrate and the second insulation substrate, in which the first subpixel electrode includes a plate region and a minute branch region overlapping the plate region with a passivation layer between the plate region and the minute branch region, and the plate region and the second subpixel electrode are positioned on a same layer. |
| US09568782B2 |
Display panel and display device
A display panel having a plurality of pixel units arranged in an array includes an array substrate and a color filter substrate which are arranged opposite to each other. The array substrate includes a first electrode, and multiple second electrodes arranged corresponding to the respective pixel units, the first electrode and second electrodes are insulated from each other by an insulation layer; and the color filter substrate includes multiple black matrixes and multiple color resists arranged corresponding to the respective pixel units. The array substrate further includes multiple third electrodes arranged in boundary areas between two adjacent pixel units and opposite to the black matrixes. The third electrodes and the first electrode are disposed in different layers and have a same potential. |
| US09568780B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display includes: first and second display panels facing each other; and a liquid crystal layer between the first display panel and the second display panel and including an alignment assisting agent. The first display panel includes: a first substrate; a first gate line and a second gate line on the first substrate and spaced apart from each other; a data line crossing the first gate line and the second gate line; a shielding electrode on the data line and insulated from the data line; a first electrode electrically connected with the first gate line and the data line; a passivation layer on the first electrode; and a second electrode on the passivation layer and electrically connected with the second gate line and the shielding electrode. The second display panel includes a third electrode on a second substrate. The second electrode includes a branch portion. |
| US09568775B2 |
Display device and method of manufacturing the same
A display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate opposing each other. One of the first and second substrates includes a display surface. The display device further includes a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the display device. The display device includes a common voltage line formed in the non-display area and over the first substrate, at least one column spacer formed over the common voltage line, a conductive layer formed over the first substrate to cover the column spacer and electrically connected to the common voltage line, a common electrode formed over the second substrate and electrically connected to the conductive layer, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. |
| US09568768B2 |
Wavelength mixing optical component
The present disclosure includes an optical component including one or more microstructures configured to diffuse light incident thereto from within the optical component. The microstructures are provided at least on a light input surface of the optical component provided in a bottom cavity of its body. |
| US09568767B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus may include a backlight assembly configured to generate an emitted light and a display panel configured to receive the emitted light to display images. The display panel may include a display substrate, an opposite substrate facing the display substrate, a wire grid polarizer, and a reflection reducing layer. The wire grid polarizer may be disposed on at least one of the display substrate and the opposite substrate to polarize the emitted light. The reflection reducing layer may have a grid shape and may be disposed on the wire grid polarizer. The reflection reducing layer may reduce an amount of a light reflected by the wire grid polarizer. |
| US09568765B2 |
Color filter substrate and manufacturing method thereof, liquid crystal display panel and display device
A color filter substrate and manufacturing method thereof, a liquid crystal display panel and a display device are disclosed. The color filter substrate comprises a substrate, and a black matrix film layer and a color filter layer on the substrate. The black matrix film layer has a plurality of opening regions arranged in an array, the color filter layer is fed into the opening regions, and the color filter layer has an overlapping region with the black matrix film layer at a contact position. The present disclosure can eliminate the angle section difference of the color filter layer on the color filter substrate, improve the smoothness of the alignment layer surface located on the color filter layer, and avoid non-uniform rubbing alignment on the alignment layer surface caused by the un-smooth alignment layer surface, thereby avoid light leakage and the problem of the bad liquidity of the liquid crystal. |
| US09568763B2 |
Photosensitive resin composition and uses thereof
The invention relates to a photosensitive resin composition that has the advantages of high developability, good hardness, and good sputtered resistance. The invention also provides a method for manufacturing a color filter, color filter and a liquid crystal display device. The photosensitive resin composition comprises an alkali-soluble resin (A), a compound containing an ethylenically unsaturated group (B), a photoinitiator (C), an organic solvent (D), a pigment (E), and a compound (F). |
| US09568757B2 |
Display device having mold frame with elastic protective member
A display device includes: a display panel; a backlight unit disposed above the display panel and configured to provide light to the display panel; a mold frame disposed between the display panel and the backlight unit and including a sidewall portion, which is formed to define an opening, a support portion, which extends from the sidewall portion toward the opening and supports the display panel, and at least one coupling groove portion, which is formed on an inner side of the sidewall portion; and at least one protective member including a coupling protrusion portion, which is inserted into the coupling groove portion, and a contact portion, which is disposed between an inside of the sidewall portion and an outside of the display panel and is connected to the coupling protrusion portion. |
| US09568753B2 |
Turnover device, substrate cell-assembling apparatus and substrate cell-assembling method
A turnover device, a substrate cell-assembling apparatus and a substrate cell-assembling method are provided. The turnover device comprises: a fixed support and a turnover platform connected with the fixed support by a first rotary shaft, the turnover platform having a first suction surface and a second suction surface which are oppositely arranged and are configured to suction a substrate; a second rotary shaft and a third rotary shaft, configured to respectively drive the first suction surface and the second suction surface to rotate in an in-plane direction, axial directions of the second rotary shaft and the third rotary shaft being basically perpendicular to that of the first rotary shaft. The turnover platform is configured to turn over the first suction surface and the second suction surface by the first rotary shaft. |
| US09568752B2 |
Organic electro-optic modulators with transparent conducting electrodes and related device structures
Electro-optic (EO) modulator and related device structures which can be used in conjunction with high EO materials to lower switching voltage and improve related performance parameters. |
| US09568749B2 |
Forgery and falsification prevention device
A forgery and falsification prevention device includes: a variable material containing unit that contains a variable material in which reflected light or transmitted light is changed in response to an application of a display stimulus; and an operation unit that performs a function of changing a display state of the variable material when an external stimulus is applied, by changing light reflection characteristics or light transmission characteristics of the variable material or changing the display stimulus which is applied to the variable material. |
| US09568746B1 |
Responsive nose pad signaling mechanism
A set of responsive nose pad mechanisms is provided for notifying a user of an alert using one or more responsive nose pads coupled to a set of eyeglasses the user is wearing. Responsive to receiving a signal from a mobile device, each responsive nose pad signaling mechanism in the set of responsive nose pad mechanisms determines whether the signal is intended for the responsive nose pad signaling mechanism. Responsive to the signal being intended for the responsive nose pad signaling mechanism, the responsive nose pad signaling mechanism identifies one or more alerts to be implemented. The responsive nose pad mechanism then implements the one or more alerts such that the alert is generated by one or more devices within the associated responsive nose pad. |
| US09568741B2 |
Optical eigenmode imaging
A method of optimising at least one measure that is a quadratic function of a wavefunction, such as the spot size of a laser, the method comprising: superimposing a plurality of wavefunctions; determining a relationship between the superimposed wavefunctions and the quadratic measure, and using the determined relationship to identify the superimposed wavefunctions that provide a desired or optimised quadratic measure. |
| US09568738B2 |
Optical device having a light transmitting substrate with external light coupling means
An optical device, includes a light-transmitting substrate having an input aperture and first and second major surfaces parallel to each other and edges, one partially reflecting surface located in the substrate which is non-parallel to the major surfaces of the substrate and an external optical arrangement having an output aperture optically attached to the input aperture of the substrate with the part of the substrate located next to the substrate input aperture, being substantially transparent. |
| US09568724B2 |
Autofocus method for microscope and microscope comprising autofocus device
A microscope including an objective having a focal plane in a sample space, and an autofocus device comprising a light modulator for generating a luminous modulation object that is intensity-modulated periodically along one direction, an autofocus illumination optical unit that images the modulation object such that its image arises in the sample space, an autofocus camera, an autofocus imaging optical unit that images the image of the modulation object in the sample space onto the autofocus camera, a control device, which receives signals of the autofocus camera and determines an intensity distribution of the image of the modulation object and generates a focus control signal therefrom. The control device determines an intensity distribution of the image of a luminous comparison object imaged by the optical unit to correct the intensity distribution of the image of the modulation object with regard to reflectivity variations in the sample space. |
| US09568717B2 |
Off-axis three-mirror optical system with freeform surfaces
An off-axis three-mirror optical system with freeform surfaces includes a primary mirror, a secondary mirror, a tertiary mirror, and an image sensor. The primary mirror receives light rays first and the secondary mirror is located on a path of light reflected from the primary mirror. The tertiary mirror receives light reflected from the secondary mirror. The image sensor is located on a path of light reflected from the tertiary mirror. Each reflecting surface of the primary and tertiary mirrors is a sixth order xy polynomial freeform surface. The secondary mirror reflecting surface is a spherical surface. A field of view of the off-axis three-mirror optical system with freeform surfaces in Y-axis direction is greater or equal to 65°. A field of view of the off-axis three-mirror optical system with freeform surfaces in X-axis direction is greater or equal to 0.8°. |
| US09568716B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging apparatus
A zoom lens consists of a first lens group having positive refractive power, a second lens group having negative refractive power, a third lens group having positive refractive power, a fourth lens group having negative refractive power, and a fifth lens group having positive refractive power in this order from an object side. Distances between the lens groups change during magnification change, and the first lens group is positioned closer to the object side in a telephoto end state than its position in a wide angle end state. Further, the first lens group consists of three lenses of an 11th lens having negative refractive power, a 12th lens having positive refractive power and a 13th lens having positive refractive power in this order from the object side. Further, the following conditional expressions are satisfied: 1.75 |
| US09568711B2 |
Imaging lens and imaging apparatus equipped with the imaging lens
An imaging lens is essentially constituted by five lenses, including: a first lens of a biconvex shape; a second lens of a meniscus shape having a concave surface toward the image side; a third lens of a biconcave shape; a fourth lens of a meniscus shape having a convex surface toward the image side; and a fifth lens of a biconcave shape having at least one inflection point on the surface thereof toward the image side, provided in this order from the object side. |
| US09568709B2 |
Automatic focusing apparatus as well as lens apparatus and image pickup system including the automatic focusing apparatus
An automatic focusing apparatus includes: a first focus detector that detects a first focus evaluation value based on a phase difference; a second focus detector that detects a second focus evaluation value using a signal from an image pickup element; a focusing mechanism; a focus controller that controls the focusing mechanism based on the first focus evaluation value obtained by the first focus detector and the second focus evaluation value obtained by the second focus detector; and a speed setting unit that sets, in a process obtaining an in-focus state by using the focus controller, a driving speed for the focus controller to drive the focusing mechanism based on a first data detected by the first focus detector and the second focus evaluation value. |
| US09568701B2 |
Drop cable assembly
Drop cable assemblies suitable for an optical fiber distribution system are disclosed. For some embodiments, the drop cable assembly splits an input optical fiber to a plurality of optical fibers and provides optical connection to designated premises. For other embodiments, the drop cable assembly receives multi-fiber optical connection and provides the optical connections to designated premises. |
| US09568697B2 |
Demarcation device
A demarcation device is disclosed. The demarcation device mounts on top of a cable tray. When mounted on the to of a cable tray the demarcation device is above a length of the cable tray and the bottom edge of the demarcation device is parallel with a top edge of the cable tray and a cable path in the cable tray remains un-obstructed. |
| US09568696B2 |
Fiber optic connection box with cabling bridge for affixing fiber optic cable splice
A cabling bridge includes a planar platform section that is sized to be placed within a fiber optic termination box, an opening centrally located in the planar platform section, and separation features extending away from a bottom-side of the planar platform section. The separation features are configured to separate the planar platform section from a planar back section of the fiber optic termination box. The cabling bridge further includes a pair of protrusions extending from the planar platform section into the opening and towards one another so as to at least partially divide the opening into first and second wider regions, with a narrower region of the opening being arranged between the pair of protrusions. The opening's perimeter includes semi-circular boundaries transitioning between the protrusions and edge sides of the planar platform section that are opposite from the protrusions. |
| US09568694B2 |
Optical module
An optical module includes a first circuit board, an optical sub-assembly, a first flexible printed circuit and a second flexible printed circuit. At first electrical connection terminals and a first electrical connector are provided on the first circuit board. The optical sub-assembly includes a second circuit board that includes second electrical connection terminals and a second electrical connector. The first flexible printed circuit is connected to the first electrical connection terminals and the second electrical connection terminals. The second flexible printed circuit is connected to the first and second electrical connectors. A high-speed electrical signal of 1 GHz or higher is transmitted between both the circuit boards through the first flexible printed circuit, and a power source signal and a low-speed electrical signal of 1 MHz or lower are transmitted between both the circuit boards through the second flexible printed circuit. |
| US09568693B2 |
Optical engine
An optical engine includes a fiber joint, a fiber pad, and a photoelectric module. The fiber joint, has a fiber installation part and an optical signal output part. The fiber installation part is for accommodating a plurality of fibers, the optical signal output part includes a plurality of fiber positioning through holes running through the optical signal part. Each fiber plugs into one terminal of each positioning through hole and outputs an optical signal via the other terminal of the positioning through hole. The fiber pad is disposed on the fiber installation part and has a plurality of fiber guiding grooves for guiding the fibers to the corresponding fiber positioning through holes. The photoelectric module has a plurality of photoelectric components. Each photoelectric component is aligned with one of the positioning through holes for converting the optical signals coming from the fiber positioning through holes into electric signals. |
| US09568686B2 |
Optical connector and ferrule adhesion system including adhesive composition, and related methods
An optical connector for terminating an optical fiber includes a ferrule, an optical fiber, and an adhesive composition disposed within a fiber-receiving passage of the ferrule. The adhesive composition, which is in contact with the inner surface of the ferrule and the optical fiber, includes a partially cross-linked resin that is a polymer and a coupling agent that chemically bonds the partially cross-linked resin to an inorganic surface of at least one of the optical fiber and the ferrule. |
| US09568681B2 |
Connecting unit with latch mechanism
The present disclosure relates to a connecting unit for for connecting with other connectors and/or with components. The connecting unit comprises a connector and a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism engages into a retaining member of an external component. Upon application of sufficient pressure on a disengaging part, the latch mechanism allows detaching the connecting unit from the external component. |
| US09568678B2 |
Lens block for optical connection
Disclosed are lens blocks and methods for making the same. In one embodiment, the lens block includes at least one optical channel having an optical interface portion on a first side, and one or more magnetic materials attached to the lens block. In one embodiment, the lens block may include one or more opening for receiving the one or more magnetic materials. The one or more openings may be located on any suitable side of the lens block as desired. The magnetic materials provide attachment with a complimentary device having an optical interface. Consequently, the lens block allows for quick and easy assembly along with a robust structure for a large number of mating/unmating cycles. In other embodiments, the lens blocks disclosed may further include one or more electrical contacts for making a hybrid connection. |
| US09568676B2 |
Method for producing an integrated optical circuit
A method for producing an integrated optical circuit comprising an active device and a passive waveguide circuit includes: applying an active waveguide structure on a source wafer substrate; exposing a portion of the source wafer substrate by selectively removing the active waveguide structure; applying a passive waveguide structure on the exposed portion of the source wafer substrate, wherein an aggregation of the active waveguide structure and the passive waveguide structure forms the active device, the active device having a bottom surface facing the source wafer substrate; removing the source wafer substrate from the active device; and attaching the active device to a target substrate comprising the passive waveguide circuit such that the bottom surface of the active device faces the target substrate. |
| US09568666B2 |
Illumination apparatus
An illumination apparatus includes a first light-guide plate, a second light-guide plate and a base. Each of the first and second light-guide plates and the second light-guide plate includes a light-emitting surface, a side surface connecting the corresponding light-emitting surface, a micro-structure pattern, a circuit layer integrated with the corresponding side surface, and a color light source disposed on the corresponding side surface and electrically connecting the corresponding circuit layer. The region where the light from the color light source of first light-guide plate orthogonally emitting from is different from the region of where the light from the color light source of second light-guide plate orthogonally emitting from. The base includes a cavity for accommodating the side surfaces of the first and second light-guide plates and electrically connecting the corresponding circuit layers. |
| US09568646B2 |
Methods for reducing diffuse reflection of nanostructure-based transparent conductive films and touch panels made of the same
The present disclosure relates to optical stacks having nanostructure-based transparent conductive films and low diffuse reflection. Also described are display devices that incorporate the optical stacks. |
| US09568644B2 |
Polymerization catalyst for polythiourethanes, polymerizable liquid composition and process for the production of organic polythiourethane glass with a high refractive index
Polymerizable liquid compositions containing three components (A), (B) and (C) are provided, wherein component (A) contains at least one cycloaliphatic diisocyanate monomer wherein the weight percentage of free isocyanate groups in component (A) ranges from about 20% to about 50% by weight with respect to the total weight of component (A); component (B) contains at least one polythiol having a molecular weight ranging from 50 to 1,200 g/moles and a functionality ranging from 2 to 5, the components (A) and (B) being present in a weight ratio varying from 0.5:1 to 2:1; and component (C) being a defined polymerization catalyst. A process for the production of organic glass using the polymerizable liquid composition is further provided. |
| US09568642B1 |
Permeability and inflow performance determination for horizontal wells
A method for assessing an inflow performance relationship for a horizontal well in heterogeneous solution gas drives reservoirs. A commercial simulator Eclipse is utilized to develop IPRs for horizontal wells producing oil from solution gas drive reservoirs. Firstly, a simulation model is developed where a base case is considered with typical rock, fluid and reservoir properties using a black oil model. Dimensionless IPR curves are generated by obtaining a set of points relating to flowing bottom-hole pressures to oil production rates. The effects of several reservoir and fluid properties such as bubblepoint pressure, oil gravity, residual oil saturation, critical gas saturation, initial water saturation, porosity and absolute permeabilities on the calculated curves are investigated. A new single empirical IPR model is obtained for horizontal wells producing oil from heterogeneous solution gas drive reservoirs suitable for systems with different reservoir permeability. |
| US09568636B2 |
Systems and methods for investigating a formation surrounding a borehole
A method, a system, and an apparatus are described for the data acquisition in the well-logging of a borehole wall during the investigation of formation properties. Data acquisition is conducted by either an adaptive phase compensation processing or a modulus mode processing, both of which use in-phase and out-of-phase current components to obtain current values. Adaptive phase compensation employs a calculation of a phase shift compensation value, which may then be applied to subsequent acquisitions and can be further processed in the generation of an image of the borehole wall. |
| US09568632B2 |
Practical electromagnetic gradiometer
An electromagnetic gradiometer (EMG) survey kit includes a lightweight man-carry boom about ten feet long. Matched magnetic dipole antennas are attached at each end and connected to a differential EMG receiver able to make measurements in the picoTelsa range. A pair of staging tripods allow the man-carry boom to be prepared for field use and assist the user in positioning themselves under a shoulder sling. An air core transmitter loop antenna and a low frequency square wave generator are spotted nearby a survey on the ground surface. Its emissions will illuminate any underground conductive structures with primary electric field waves. These in turn will reradiate near field magnetic waves that can be detected by the EMG receiver while walking around in a search area on the ground surface. GPS navigation receivers are used to locate and log the changing positions of the EMG receiver and stationary loop transmitter. |
| US09568631B2 |
Capacitive sensor for a roller and method for recognizing objects at a roller track
A capacitive sensor (10) for a roller (12) of a roller track is provided which has a plurality of measuring electrodes (18) as well as a measurement unit (28) for determining capacitances between measuring electrodes (18) to recognize an object (42) located at the roller track with reference to capacitance changes. In this respect, at least some of the measuring electrodes (18) are arranged co-rotating with the roller (12, 16). |
| US09568626B2 |
Flexible printed circuits in marine geophysical streamers
Disclosed are flexible printed circuits incorporated into marine geophysical streamers. An embodiment discloses an apparatus comprising: a streamer; and a flexible printed circuit located in the streamer. Another embodiment discloses an apparatus comprising: a jacket; a strength member extending along a length of the jacket and disposed inside the jacket; geophysical sensors disposed inside the jacket; spacers disposed at spaced apart locations along the jacket; and a flexible printed circuit assembly extending along a length of the jacket. Another embodiment discloses a method comprising: towing at least one streamer in a body of water, wherein the at least one streamer comprises a flexible printed circuit. |
| US09568624B2 |
Method for predicting electromagnetic radiation characteristics, computer-readable recording medium and simulator
A method for predicting electromagnetic radiation characteristics, a computer-readable recording medium and a simulator are provided. The method includes the steps of obtaining a plurality of first radiation currents in an equivalent circuit model of an electronic component, calculating a radiation resistance according to the first radiation currents, inserting the radiation resistance into the equivalent circuit model, and then obtaining a plurality of second radiation currents in the equivalent circuit model, and predicting electromagnetic radiation characteristics of the electronic component according to the second radiation currents. |
| US09568622B2 |
Neutron detector using Gd-based scintillator and wide-bandgap semiconductor photovoltaic
An enhanced neutron sensing device, that couples a gadolinium based scintillator with at least two wide bandgap photodiodes to achieve a high sensitivity, low power, and portable neutron detector with high gamma discrimination. Once coupled with electrical signal processing and read-out electrons, the device will output the incident neutron flux in the environment and can be used in locations with known sources of neutrons or for identifying clandestine nuclear materials. |
| US09568621B2 |
Imaging system and methods of manufacturing and using the same
Some embodiments include an imaging system. The image sensor array includes multiple image sensor sheets configured in an array grid. Each image sensor sheet of the multiple image sensor sheets can include a flexible substrate layer, and the flexible substrate layer can include a first flexible substrate side and a second flexible substrate side opposite the first flexible substrate side. Meanwhile, each image sensor sheet of the multiple sensor sheets can include multiple image sensors over the first flexible substrate side, the multiple image sensors can include multiple flat panel image detectors configured in a sheet grid, and the image sensor array can include an approximately constant pixel pitch. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed. |
| US09568618B2 |
Semiconductor photodetector and radial ray detector
Provided is a radiation detector including a scintillator which generates, when a radial ray enters, scintillation light having light intensity according to energy of the radial ray, and then supplies a photon of the scintillation light to each of a plurality of pixels, a radial ray detection unit which detects whether or not the radial ray is made to enter based on a number of the photons supplied in an exposure period whenever the plurality of pixels are exposed by the scintillation light over the exposure period, and an exposure period adjusting unit which adjusts the exposure period based on an incident frequency of the detected radial ray. |
| US09568616B2 |
Array crystal module and fabrication method thereof
A crystal-array module includes a number of unit crystal strips. The three-dimensional shape of the crystal-array module is a frustum or a combination of a right quadrangular prism and the frustum. The frustrum includes a first bottom face coupled with a photoelectric device and a first top face opposed to the first bottom face. The area of the first bottom face is smaller than that of the first top face. A fabrication method of the crystal-array module includes joining cut unit crystal strips or cut unit crystal strip arrays together. |
| US09568615B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of driving the same
To provide a semiconductor device and a driving method of the same that is capable of enlarging a signal amplitude value as well as increasing a range in which a linear input/output relationship operates while preventing a signal writing-in time from becoming long. The semiconductor device having an amplifying transistor and a biasing transistor and the driving method thereof, wherein an electric discharging transistor is provided and pre-discharge is performed. |
| US09568614B2 |
Radiation detection apparatus, method of manufacturing the same, and imaging system
A radiation detection apparatus comprises a sensor panel including a plurality of sensor units which detect radiation and are arrayed, each of the plurality of sensor units comprising a pixel array including a plurality of pixels which detect light and are two-dimensionally arranged, a scintillator layer which converts radiation into light, and a first scintillator protective layer disposed to cover the scintillator layer, and the radiation detection apparatus further comprising a second scintillator protective layer disposed to cover the plurality of sensor units. |
| US09568612B1 |
3D image generation with position-sensing gamma probe
The 3D image generation with position-sensing gamma probe utilizes a gamma probe connected to a control unit. The control unit is also connected to a display unit. A probe contact surface feeds position information to the display unit. The gamma probe is moved across a region of interest over the probe contact surface, generating position-dependent gamma rates with the help of the control unit. The probe contact surface is utilized to determine the position of the probe head and provides position information, which, together with the gamma rate, enables generation of a rate map in the display unit. This allows producing 2D and 3D images of gamma activity concentrations and assures proper recording of scan data. The scanning area of interest is pre-defined by frames having shapes and contours optimized for intended applications. 2D and 3D images can be obtained in a single scanning cycle. |
| US09568610B2 |
Positioning method based on reliability and apparatus thereof
According to a positioning method of estimating a position of a terminal by being connected with a plurality of positioning, in the state in which a first reference position is calculated based on absolute coordinate positional information provided from one positioning resource, when a second reference position based on new absolute coordinate positional information from the positioning resource and reliability of the second reference position are calculated, an update of an reference position for user position estimation is optionally performed depending on whether the reliability of the second reference position satisfies a preset reference position update reference. |
| US09568602B1 |
Radar system and method of due regard/detect and avoid sensing and weather sensing
A radar system and a method can utilize a radar antenna, such as, an active electronically scanned array antenna. The radar system can include a processor configured to scan a volume of space via the radar antenna to detect aircraft threats and to detect weather threats. The processing system can utilize a first pattern to detect the aircraft threats or obstacles and a second pattern to detect the weather threats. |
| US09568598B2 |
Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and program
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises an ultrasonic probe configured to transmit ultrasound to a test body and receive an echo signal, an image generation unit configured to generate a plurality of tomograms with respect to the test body based on the echo signal, an image memory configured to record the generated tomograms, and a control processor. The control processor performs control such that image processing of extracting a microstructure is performed, using correlation between a tomogram stored in the image memory and a tomogram corresponding to a position of the ultrasonic probe at that point in time. The microstructure-extracted image is displayed on the display part in a predetermined form. |
| US09568590B1 |
Dynamic thinning of a phased array aperture
Methods and systems for thinning the output of an array antenna are disclosed. The thinning can be applied in response to determining that the performance of a multiple element antenna array with respect to a desired signal has been compromised by the presence of one or more interfering signals. The application of a thinning pattern has the effect of turning off selected antenna elements within the array. The effect of applying a particular thinning pattern on the realized performance of the antenna system can be determined. An alternate thinning pattern can be applied if the previous thinning pattern did not result in an improvement, or a sufficient improvement, in the performance of the antenna system. |
| US09568587B2 |
Tracking algorithm
A method of tracking an entity by monitoring a signal, the signal tending to vary spatially and be generally time-invariant, the entity moving from a first location within an area to a second location within the area, the method being suitable for use when the location of the source of the signal is unknown, the method comprising providing a plurality of particles for use with a particle filter, each particle being associated with a first particle location, a first particle location being an estimate of the first location of the entity, providing an estimate of the motion of the entity between the first location and the second location, using the estimate of the motion and using the particle filter, for each particle, updating the first particle location for that particle thereby producing an updated particle location, the updated particle location being an estimate of the second location of the entity, for each updated particle, estimating at least one expected signal parameter at the updated particle location, measuring a signal parameter at the second location of the entity, assigning a weight to each updated particle depending on the expected signal parameter estimated for that particle and the measured signal parameter, estimating the second location of the entity by determining a function of the weighted updated particles, and inputting the estimated location and measured signal parameter, as a location/parameter data set, to a database. |
| US09568586B2 |
Method for positioning a to-be-positioned device
A method for positioning a device includes the steps of: estimating an absolute distance between a reference point and the device at each of a current time point and a number (N) of consecutive previous time points, where N is a integer smaller than n, n is a non-negative integer indicating a total number of time points since the device starting to move, and the current time point is defined as the (n)th time point; estimating a unit vector of a movement direction of the device in each of (n−N+1)th to (n)th time periods; and estimating a coordinate of a location of the device at (n)th time point based on the absolute distance(s), the unit vector(s), and a coordinate of a location of the device at each of the number (N) of the consecutive previous time points. |
| US09568579B2 |
Magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) with echo splitting
Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) fingerprinting using echo splitting are described. One example apparatus includes an NMR logic configured to repetitively and variably sample a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals. Members of the set of NMR signals are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The varying parameters may include the number of echo splitting pulses, spacings between echo splitting pulses, flip angle of echo splitting pulses, echo time, RF amplitude, and other parameters. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic configured to produce an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals, and a characterization logic configured to characterize a resonant species in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals. |
| US09568576B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and magnetic resonance imaging method
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a collecting unit and an identifying unit. The collecting unit collects at least one frequency spectrum out of a plurality of frequency spectra by performing a pre-scan in which a first substance is frequency-selectively suppressed or enhanced. The identifying unit analyzes the frequency spectra and identifies a resonance frequency of a second substance on the basis of analysis results. |
| US09568573B2 |
Methods and systems for automated magnetic field shimming
A method for automated magnetic field shimming in a MR imaging system includes generating RF excitation pulses in anatomy, generating slice select magnetic field gradients on a static magnetic field and generating a plurality of shimming routines. The method also includes acquiring maps of the static magnetic field between each shimming routine and determining a base function for each of the plurality of shimming coils from: (i) intermediate magnitudes and directions of the static magnetic field produced by each of the plurality of shimming coils during each shimming routine; and (ii) intermediate currents supplied to each of the plurality of shimming coils during each shimming routine. The method further includes determining updated magnitudes and directions of the static magnetic field produced by each of the plurality of shimming coils by expanding the determined base function for each of the plurality of shimming coils into low order polynomials. |
| US09568570B2 |
Body coil for magnetic resonance imaging
A body coil includes a first end ring and a second end ring provided at two ends thereof. The first end ring and the second end ring are connected to each other with a plurality of legs. The first end ring or the second end ring has a structure with the current flow width in a direction parallel to the axis thereof being greater than that in a direction perpendicular to the axis thereof. Since the effective action width of the current is increased in the axial direction and the centralized flow of the current in the end ring is reduced, the local specific absorption rate of radio frequency induced by the magnetic field is therefore reduced. |
| US09568565B2 |
Vapor cell structure having cavities connected by channels for micro-fabricated atomic clocks, magnetometers, and other devices
A first apparatus includes a vapor cell having first and second cavities fluidly connected by multiple channels. The first cavity is configured to receive a material able to dissociate into one or more gases that are contained within the vapor cell. The second cavity is configured to receive the one or more gases. The vapor cell is configured to allow radiation to pass through the second cavity. A second apparatus includes a vapor cell having a first wafer with first and second cavities and a second wafer with one or more channels fluidly connecting the cavities. The first cavity is configured to receive a material able to dissociate into one or more gases that are contained within the vapor cell. The second cavity is configured to receive the one or more gases. The vapor cell is configured to allow radiation to pass through the second cavity. |
| US09568562B2 |
Method for determining the magnetisation of the hull of a ship, and associated device
A method of taking a plurality of measurements of the magnetic field using the plurality of sensors; includes assessing the inductive magnetic excitation; and determining the likely distribution of magnetic sources on the surface of the hull by resolving a system of equations derived from modeling the physical phenomena at play, on the basis of the plurality of measurements taken and the assessed inductive magnetic excitation. The model describes the induced magnetic sources as a distribution of dipolar sources and the remanent magnetic sources as a distribution of monopolar sources. A device (6) for determining the magnetization of the hull of a ship for implementing the method is also described. |
| US09568559B2 |
Distribution abnormality detecting device, power transmission and reception control device, power supply control device, and packet structure transmission control device
There is provided a distribution abnormality detecting device that detects a distribution abnormality of partitioned power with identification information, the distribution abnormality detecting device being configured to: determine that the distribution abnormality has occurred when an interval of the identification information detected during power distribution is different from an interval specified by the partitioned power. |
| US09568557B2 |
Battery monitoring device and battery system monitoring device
A battery monitoring device for monitoring a cell group made by connecting a plurality of single battery cells in series includes a reference voltage generation circuit configured to generate a variable reference voltage, a switching circuit configured to select, as a measurement target voltage, any one of a plurality of types of voltages including the cell voltages of the single battery cells in the cell group and the reference voltage, and an AD converter configured to measure the measurement target voltage which is selected by the switching circuit, and output a digital signal according to the measurement result. |
| US09568549B2 |
Managing redundancy repair using boundary scans
An IO structure, method, and apparatus are disclosed for using an IEEE™ 1149.1 boundary scan latch to reroute a functional path. The method for a chip using IEEE™ 1149.1 boundary scan latches may include using the IEEE™ 1149.1 boundary scan latches for testing IO on the chip in a test mode. The method may also include using information stored in the IEEE™ 1149.1 boundary scan latches to route signals around a failing path in a functional mode. |
| US09568546B2 |
Delay fault testing for chip I/O
An integrated circuit (IC) chip is provided. The IC chip includes a signal output via which an outgoing signal is transmitted, and a signal input via which an incoming data signal is received. Also included on the IC ship is a pass circuit to couple the signal output to the signal input during testing of the IC chip. Furthermore, a delay circuit produces a first timing signal and a second timing signal during testing of the IC chip. The second timing signal is delayed from the first timing signal according to a test parameter. The first timing signal triggers transmission of a test signal via the signal output, and the second timing signal triggers sampling of the received test signal via the signal input. |
| US09568542B2 |
Memory interface with integrated tester
In an embodiment, a memory interface includes integrated circuitry to verify the integrity of the memory interface. The circuitry propagates a test pattern through different paths of the memory interface, and checks the result against a reference value to determine whether the components of the paths are operating within an acceptable tolerance. The memory interface can also communicate with ATE to initiate such tests and return the results to the ATE. |
| US09568540B2 |
Method for the characterization and monitoring of integrated circuits
A method for characterizing an integrated circuit that includes ramping the supply voltage to an integrated circuit as a function of time for each of the transistors in the integrated circuit, and measuring a power supply current for the integrated circuit during the ramping of the power supply voltage. The measured peaks in the power supply current are a current pulse that identifies an operation state in which each of the transistors are in an on state. The peaks in the power supply current are compared to the reference peaks for the power supply current for a reference circuit having a same functionality as the integrated circuit to determine the integrated circuit's fitness. |
| US09568538B1 |
Matching of bipolar transistor pair through electrical stress
A method for matching a pair of matched bipolar transistors in an integrated circuit is disclosed. Within a device, it is determined which transistor is a correctable transistor of the pair of bipolar transistors. The correctable transistor is the transistor of the pair of bipolar transistors having a chosen characteristic which when electrically stressed will converge with a chosen characteristic of the other transistor of the pair of bipolar transistors. The pair of bipolar transistors are matched by electrically stressing the correctable transistor of the bipolar transistors. |
| US09568537B1 |
Apparatus and method for measuring and controlling the internal temperature of a semiconductor device
A method for controlling the temperature of a semiconductor device-under-test (DUT) by forming an apparatus (100) including a feedback loop between a Temperature Forcing Unit (TFU, 110) conductively tied to an Automated Test Equipment (ATE, 120) having a chamber encasing the DUT (122), and the ATE conductively connected to a Control Computer (CC, 130) conductively tied back to the TFU. The CC is calibrated with reference values of temperatures and measured voltages using a diode integral with a diode-isolated circuit protecting a pin of the DUT against electrostatic discharge. The thermal air stream to stabilize the temperature of the ATE chamber loaded with the DUT is reset by the CC until the DUT is stabilized at the goal temperature. |
| US09568536B2 |
Transition delay detector for interconnect test
A test circuitry is configured to test for transition delay defects in a first inter-die interconnect connecting a first die and a second die. A test data value is initially received and temporarily stored in a data storage element. The test data is subsequently looped between the storage element and the second die through a feedback loop including the first inter-die interconnect and a second inter-die interconnect. A data conditioner conditions the test data value received from the second die so as to make it distinguishable from the test data value sent to the second die. A clock pulse generator generates a delayed clock pulse. A selection logic applies the generated delayed clock pulse and the conditioned fed back test data value to the data storage element. A readout unit for reading out a test data value stored in the data storage element. |
| US09568534B2 |
Battery electronics system
A system and method for low-cost, fault tolerant, EMI robust data communications, particularly for an EV environment. |
| US09568532B2 |
Wind turbine fault detection circuit and method
A wind turbine fault detection circuit is designed to determine presence of a fault. In a described embodiment, the wind turbine fault detection circuit utilizes a magnetometer in the form of a hall-effect sensor coupled between a power converter and a ground element to measure a ground current from the power converter to obtain a real ground current. The wind turbine fault detection circuit utilizes a comparator to determine presence of a fault based on the real ground current. |
| US09568527B2 |
Proximity switch assembly and activation method having virtual button mode
A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The control circuitry controls the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation, monitors signals indicative of the activation field, and determines a first stable signal amplitude and a subsequent second signal amplitude, and generates an activation output when the second stable signal amplitude exceeds the first stable amplitude by a known amount. |
| US09568526B2 |
Noise detection and correction routines
A system for reducing noise in a sensor measurement system includes a noise detector for detecting noise in capacitive to digital conversion measurements; a noise correction module operably coupled to the noise detector and configured to dynamically modify one or more delays associated with a sampling waveform; and a noise filter for filtering the sampling waveform. |
| US09568523B2 |
Variable resistor arrangement, measurement bridge circuit and method for calibrating a measurement bridge circuit
A measurement bridge circuit includes a first branch and a second branch. The first branch contains a first resistor which is sensitive to measured variables and an invariable resistor connected in series. A first tap point is located between the first resistor and the invariable resistor. The second branch contains a second resistor which is sensitive to measured variables and a variable resistor arrangement connected in series. The variable resistor arrangement includes a first component having an invariable electrical resistance value and a second component having a variable electrical resistance value. The second component is connected in parallel with the first component in order to vary a total electrical resistance value for the variable resistor arrangement. A second tap point is located between the second resistor and the variable resistor arrangement. |
| US09568521B2 |
Distortion estimation apparatus and method
A distortion estimation apparatus for estimating distortion includes a feedback element, a nonlinearity determiner, and a distortion simulator. The feedback element provides a feedback signal derived from a distorted output signal of the distorting element. A signal processing quality of the feedback element is lower than an associated signal property of the distorted output signal. The nonlinearity determiner receives the feedback signal and an input signal to the distorting element or a signal derived from the input signal. The nonlinearity determiner determines an estimated transmission characteristic of the distorting element by relating signal properties of the feedback signal and the input signal or the signal derived from the input signal. The distortion simulator estimates the distortion caused by the distorting element based on the input signal or the signal derived from the input signal and the estimated transmission characteristic. |
| US09568520B2 |
Frequency detection circuits
A frequency monitoring circuit includes a monitoring lead, a D-type flip-flop, and a one-shot. The D-type flip-flop has a switchable logic state, a clear input, and a clock input. The one-shot has an input and an output connected to the D-type flip-flop clear input. The monitoring lead connects the one-shot input to the latch clock input for switching the logic state of the D-type flip-flop based on change in voltage applied to the monitoring lead. |
| US09568511B2 |
High frequency voltage supply monitor
Various aspects provide a high frequency voltage supply monitor capable of monitoring high frequency variations of the voltage supply inside a microelectronic circuit substantially in real time. The voltage supply monitor can comprise a differential amplifier circuit having a substantially constant gain over a wide bandwidth, allowing the supply voltage variations to be amplified according to a known gain under a wide range of conditions. The amplified signal can then be sent to an output port for monitoring and measurement by an external display device. |
| US09568509B2 |
Devices and methods for detecting USB devices attached to a USB charging port
Methods and devices for detecting USB devices attached to a USB charging port including a USB port having a first data line D+, a second data line D−, and a power line are disclosed. A USB device is attached to the USB port; applying power to the USB device by the power line; applying a first voltage to the line D+ at the USB port by a first impedance; applying a second voltage to the line D− at the USB port by a second impedance. The voltages on the line D+ and the line D− are then monitored at the USB port. If the voltage on the line D+ is approximately equal to a first predetermined value for a predetermined period and the voltage on the line D− is below a second predetermined value, then the USB device is determined to be of an alpha type device. |
| US09568507B2 |
Wireless voltage reference broadcast in a distributed energy metering system
A system and method of wireless voltage reference broadcast in a distributed energy metering system is provided. A voltage reference is determined at a distribution hub for wirelessly and transmitted in voltage reference data frames providing voltage samples and a clock synchronization from an alternating current (AC) line under measurement. Wireless metering units, each coupled to an AC load circuit, receive the voltage reference data frames wherein the current sampling clock of the wireless metering units are synchronized to a voltage sampling clock of the distribution hub for determining current samples from the respective AC load circuit to calculate energy data parameters. |
| US09568504B2 |
Digital multi-meter
A multi-meter including a current input, a common input, a display, a first current measurement circuit, a second current measurement circuit, and a controller. The controller includes a first input and a second input. The controller operable to receive a first voltage from the first current measurement circuit at the first input, receive a second voltage from the second current measurement circuit at the second input, determine a value for a current being measured based on the first voltage if the first voltage is below a predetermined threshold, determine a value for a current being measured based on the second voltage if the first voltage is above the predetermined threshold, generate an output signal related to the determined value for the current, and provide the output signal to the display. |
| US09568500B2 |
Electrical test probe
An electrical test probe according to an embodiment includes a probe main body portion having a connection end to a circuit of a probe base plate and made of a first metal material with resiliency, and a probe tip portion having a probe tip, made of a second metal material with higher hardness than that of the first metal material for the probe main body portion, and communicating with the probe main body portion, wherein the probe main body portion and the probe tip portion are provided with a current path made of an equal metal material extending from the probe tip to the connection end. |
| US09568497B2 |
Scratch resistant touch sensor
A method of manufacturing a scratch resistant, touch sensor comprising: (1) applying a non-polymer protective coating solution to a touch sensor; and (2) forming a cross-linked polymer structure by curing the protective coating solution. |
| US09568496B1 |
Scanning probe sensor with a ferromagnetic fluid
The invention is notably directed to a scanning probe sensor for a scanning probe microscope. The scanning probe sensor comprises a probe tip having a ferromagnetic fluid and a magnetic field generator adapted to generate a magnetic field acting on the ferromagnetic fluid. Furthermore, a sensor controller is provided and configured to control one or more parameters of the magnetic field generator, thereby controlling the shape of the fluid. The invention further concerns a related scanning probe sensor, a related method and a related computer program product. |
| US09568493B2 |
In situ accelerometer calibration
Disclosed are methods and systems for calibration of an accelerometer used in a geophysical sensor while deployed in the water. An embodiment may include towing a streamer behind a survey vessel in a body of water, wherein the streamer comprises an accelerometer; causing at least a portion of the streamer to twist; receiving data from the accelerometer at a selected plurality of times during the twist; and based at least in part on the data, determining at least one calibration parameter of the accelerometer. |
| US09568492B2 |
Fitness monitoring device with altimeter and gesture recognition
Biometric monitoring devices, including various technologies that may be implemented in such devices, are discussed herein. Additionally, techniques for utilizing altimeters in biometric monitoring devices are provided. Such techniques may, in some implementations, involve recalibrating a biometric monitoring device altimeter based on location data; using altimeter data as an aid to gesture recognition; and/or using altimeter data to manage an airplane mode of a biometric monitoring device. |
| US09568489B2 |
Three-dimensional flow velocity vector, energy and mass gauge
A three-dimensional flow velocity vector, energy and mass gauge is provided, wherein it comprises an elastic leather cover, both ends of which are mounted with a rigid sealing plug, separately, the elastic leather cover and the rigid sealing plug forming a cylindrical sealing cavity, in which a cable connecting line hole is installed on the upper rigid sealing plug, while an injection hole for injecting liquid into the cylindrical sealing cavity, on which a sealing plug is provided, is installed on the lower rigid sealing plug; and a measuring device for measuring the flow velocity vector and energy and a device for measuring the mass are installed in the cylindrical sealing cavity. The gauge has the advantages of a simple structure, convenient manufacturing and comprehensive detection. |
| US09568486B2 |
Methods and compositions for diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy
Methods and compositions are provided for diagnosing ectopic pregnancy in a mammalian subject by detecting changes in expression of ISM2, ADAM12, PST1, PSG7, PST11, PSG9, PSG2 and other genes identified therein, including combinations thereof. A selected gene, gene transcript or protein/peptide expression product, or profiles or signatures formed by combinations of same, detected in a biological fluid of a subject, enables comparison of the corresponding genes, proteins or profiles from that of a reference or control having a normal intrauterine pregnancy. Detection of characteristic changes in the gene profile or protein expression signature of the subject is correlated with a diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. Various compositions for use in such diagnosis include PCR primer-probe sets or ligands, labeled or immobilized, which are capable of detecting the changes in expression or translation of these targets. |
| US09568484B2 |
MECP2E1 gene
The invention is a novel MECP2E1 splice variant and its corresponding polypeptide. The invention also includes methods of using these nucleic acid sequences and proteins in medical diagnosis and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders or development disorders. |
| US09568477B2 |
System and method for analysis of bio-metabolites for-use in image-guided surgery
A system for identifying a bio-marker using mass spectroscopy is provided that includes a sample receptacle configured to receive a tissue sample, a mass spectrometry apparatus configured to receive the tissue sample and analyze the tissue sample using a mass spectrometry process to generate mass spectrometry data, and a computer system that includes a computer processor having access to a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions. The instructions cause the computer processor to: receive the mass spectrometry data from the mass spectrometry apparatus; analyze the mass spectrometry data to determine a presence of 2-Hydroxyglutarate (2-HG) in the tissue sample; and generate a report indicating a health of the tissue sample based on the presence of 2-HG in the tissue sample. |
| US09568475B2 |
System for detecting rare cells
This disclosure provides a system for detecting rare cells. The system includes a substrate, an extension coupled to the substrate and extending outwardly from the substrate, and a functionalized graphene oxide disposed on the extension. This disclosure also provides a method for detecting rare cells using the system of this disclosure. The method includes the steps of providing the system and introducing a sample of bodily fluid to the system such that the sample interacts with the functionalized graphene oxide. |
| US09568473B2 |
Methods for detecting Ehrlichia infection
The present invention provides an isolated and purified heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to a vaccine against Ehrlichia comprising a peptide homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to an antibody directed against a peptide homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to a method of determining whether a subject is infected with Ehrlichia, comprising the steps of: contacting a sample from a subject with the antibody described herein; and detecting a resulting antibody reaction, wherein a positive reaction indicates the subject is infected with Ehrlichia. |
| US09568471B2 |
Plasmodium diagnostic assay device
This invention relates to assays for a Plasmodium analyte in a liquid sample such as a body fluid. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for the detection of a ligand in a body fluid such as urine or blood, which can diagnose malarial infection. |
| US09568467B2 |
Inhibitors of micro-RNAs for use for preventing and/or attenuating skin ageing
Identification and use of compounds which inhibit the expression or activity of micro-RNAs for preventing and/or attenuating ageing. An in vitro method for screening for candidate compounds for preventing and/or attenuating ageing of the skin including (a) bringing at least one test compound in contact with a sample of fibroblasts, (b) measuring the expression or the activity of at least one microRNA chosen from miR-134 and miR-152 in said fibroblasts, and (c) selecting the compounds for which an inhibition of at least 20%, preferably at least 30%, preferably at least 40% of the expression or an inhibition of at least 20%, preferably at least 30%, preferably at least 40% of the activity of at least one microRNA is measured in the fibroblasts treated in (a) compared with the untreated fibroblasts. |
| US09568466B2 |
In vitro assay for predicting renal proximal tubular cell toxicity
There is provided an in vitro assay for screening a test compound for toxicity in renal proximal tubular cells. The method comprises contacting a test compound with a test population of renal proximal tubular cells; and examining one or more cell morphology features, examining one or more cytoskeleton features, and/or determining cell numbers of the renal proximal tubular cells in the test population and comparing such cell morphology, arrangement of cytoskeletal components and/or cell count with the respective features of a control population. A change in one or more cell morphology features, a change in arrangement of one or more cytoskeleton features or a decrease in cell numbers of the test population relative to the control population is indicative that the test compound is toxic for renal proximal tubular cells. |
| US09568465B2 |
Breath analyser and detection methods
A measurement device for measuring a concentration of a component of a gas mixture includes a chamber that contains the gas mixture, a light source that emits light into the chamber, the emitted light having a wavelength between 230 nm and 320 nm, and a light sensor that detects a portion of the light from the light source that has propagated through the gas mixture. A processor is configured to determine the concentration of the component of the gas mixture based on the portion of the light emitted from the light source that is detected by the light sensor. The light source may include one or more LEDs, each having a central wavelength of light emission between 270 nm and 320 nm and a linewidth of less than 50 nm. The device may be employed to determine acetone concentration in exhaled breath, which may be indicative of diabetes or other health conditions. |
| US09568464B2 |
Manufacturing method of an apparatus for the processing of single molecules
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an apparatus for the processing of single molecules. According to this method, a self-assembling resist (155) is deposited on a processing layer (110, PL) and allowed to self-assemble into a pattern of two phases (155a, 155b). One of these phases (155a) is then selectively removed, and at least one aperture is generated in the processing layer (110, PL) through the mask of the remaining resist (155b). Thus apertures of small size can readily be produced that allow for the processing of single molecules (M), for example in DNA sequencing. |
| US09568462B2 |
Methods and instrumentation for during-synthesis monitoring of polymer functional evolution
A method of monitoring the evolution of polymer and/or colloid stimuli responsiveness during synthesis of polymers and/or colloids, including postpolymerization modifications on natural and synthetic polymers, includes providing a reactor in which the polymers and/or colloids are synthesized; and providing a means of monitoring the stimuli responsiveness of the polymers and/or colloids during said synthesis. Preferably, the method also includes monitoring the evolution of the characteristics of the polymers and/or colloids during said synthesis. Preferably, evolution of polymer and/or colloid stimuli responsiveness is correlated to the evolution of the properties of the polymers and/or colloids themselves. Also, preferably the conditions of the fluid in the reactor in which the synthesis occurs is determined. The determination can be by detection, choice of materials and temperature conditions, for example, and combinations thereof. The method and instrumentation disclosed can lead to optimization and control of processes and synthetic and modification strategies leading to polymers and colloids with desired stimuli responsiveness. |
| US09568456B2 |
Peptide selectively binding to volatile organic compounds
Provided is a peptide selectively binding to a volatile organic compound, in which the peptide has excellent selectivity for the volatile organic compound and has stability at room temperature so as to effectively collect and detect or eliminate the volatile organic compound. |
| US09568453B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining the internal cleanliness of a tube
A system to measure the internal state of a bundle of tubes by injecting a signal into each tube of the bundle, receiving reflections from the tube due to anomalies within the tube, then analyzing the reflections to determine the type or characteristics about the anomalies. The analyzed information is stored in database to be used for statistical processing. Further, the device can be used in the performance of a cleaning process by conducting an initial assessment of the tubes in a bundle of tubes, comparing the stored data and estimating the number of cleaning cycles that will be required, and re-conducting the evaluation of the state of the tubes after every cleaning cycle or after every few cleaning cycles. |
| US09568451B2 |
Environment detecting apparatus employing an asymmetric waveform pulse generator
An environment detecting apparatus employing an asymmetric waveform pulse generator is disclosed. The asymmetric waveform pulse generator comprises a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) bridge circuit that comprises a plurality of MOSFETs for inverting high voltage DC voltage to asymmetric waveform pulses, a pulse-width modulating (PWM) circuit for generating PWM signals, and a plurality of isolation driving circuits corresponding to the plurality of MOSFETs, for controlling switching on/off of the plurality of MOSFETs in the MOSFET bridge circuit based on the PWM signals generated by the PWM circuit. Wherein each of the isolation driving circuits comprises an isolation transformer for isolating the MOSFET bridge circuit from the PWM circuit. |
| US09568449B2 |
Dielectric spectroscopy methods and apparatus
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for correcting measurements received by applying a frequency-varying signal with a measuring device (e.g., a permittivity probe) to a population of living cells (e.g., contained in a bioreactor) and correcting measurement divergences using data acquired using an alternate analytical method (e.g., trypan blue exclusion). In one example, a method comprises receiving electrical property data for a first population of cells, the data obtained by applying a first frequency-varying signal to the population with a measuring device, receiving biological property data obtained using an alternate analytical technique, generating at least one value representative of the frequency dependence of the electrical property data, and determining a relationship between the biological property data and the representative value. In some examples, measurements of apoptosis are predicted using the electrical property data. |
| US09568448B2 |
Gas sensors and methods of preparation thereof
Embodiments of the present disclosure include sensors, arrays of conductometric sensors, devices including conductometric sensors, methods of making conductometric sensors, methods of using conductometric gas sensors, methods of enhancing sensor response with light, and the like. |
| US09568445B2 |
Salt-based device and a circuit to monitor and log the times a data center air goes above a predefined limit
A salt-based device and a circuit to monitor and log the time periods a data center air's relative humidity goes above a predefined limit. The choice of the salt is such that its deliquescent relative humidity is equal to the desired limit, so that above the desired limit, the salt gets wet and therefore electrically conductive. An alarm can then give notice that relative humidity levels are above acceptable levels so that remedial action may be taken before problems such as electronic malfunction develop. |
| US09568443B2 |
Testing system for estimating thermal properties of a material
A testing system for use in measuring thermal properties of material is described herein. The testing system includes a testing apparatus and monitoring system coupled to the testing apparatus. The testing apparatus includes a housing assembly that is configured to receive a material. A heating assembly is coupled to the housing assembly to supply a heat to at least a portion of the material to increase the temperature of the material. A sensing assembly is coupled to the housing assembly and is configured to sense a temperature of the material. The monitoring system comprises a controller having a processor comprising computer-readable instructions for operating the heating assembly to apply a heat to the material volume, receiving signals from the sensing assembly indicative of a temperature of the material, and estimating at least one thermal property of the material utilizing the sensed temperature of the material volume. |
| US09568436B2 |
System and method for decoration inspection on transparent media
There is provided a system for inspecting an edge area of a transparent media, the transparent media having a decoration on a surface, the system includes: an illuminator to direct light to the transparent media for inspection, wherein the illuminator directs light to the transparent media at an oblique angle relative to a surface of the transparent media which is opposite the surface with the decoration; an optical element to capture light transmitted through the transparent media; and a sensor to obtain an image from the light captured by the optical element. There is also provided a method for inspecting an edge area of a transparent media, where the transparent media has a decoration on a surface. |
| US09568435B2 |
Simultaneous multi-spot inspection and imaging
A compact and versatile multi-spot inspection imaging system employs an objective for focusing an array of radiation beams to a surface and a second reflective or refractive objective having a large numerical aperture for collecting scattered radiation from the array of illuminated spots. The scattered radiation from each illuminated spot is focused to a corresponding optical fiber channel so that information about a scattering may be conveyed to a corresponding detector in a remote detector array for processing. In one embodiment, a one-dimensional array of illumination beams is directed at an oblique angle to the surface to illuminate a line of illuminated spots at an angle to the plane of incidence. Radiation scattered from the spots are collected along directions perpendicular to the line of spots or in a double dark field configuration. |
| US09568432B2 |
Sensor apparatus to determine a value of a chemical parameter based on a color shade and methods thereof
Apparatus and methods may provide for determining a value of chemical parameter. One or more light emitters may be positioned within a housing to emit light through an aperture of the housing. The emitted light may illuminate a color area of a structure that is separable from the housing, such as a test strip, a printed color reference, and so on. A color sensor may be positioned within the housing to capture reflected light and to convert the reflected light to an initial digitized color space that may be usable to determine a color shade of a color area. The reflected light may, for example, be captured independently at least of a dimension (e.g., predetermined size, shape, etc.) of the color area. |
| US09568429B1 |
Wavelength scanning apparatus and method of use thereof
A wavelength scanning apparatus that detects at least four different florescent emission wavelengths simultaneously or nearly simultaneously is described. The wavelength scanning apparatus includes a heating block having at least four sample wells, each sample well configured for receiving a sample, at least four excitation activation apertures, and at least four fluorescence emission discharge apertures. The wavelength scanning apparatus also includes an analysis scanner having at least four light sources, where the at least four light sources excite at least four fluorophores, at least four excitation light filters that filter out light except that of the desired excitation wavelength/s, at least four fluorescence emission light filters that filter out light except that of the desired florescent emission wavelengths, and at least four photodetectors to detect light of the desired florescent emission wavelengths. |
| US09568425B2 |
Multicoded analytical nanostrips
Analytical nanostrips for clinical analysis are improved by using multifunctional coding (“multicoding”) to allow simultaneous identification of the particular assay, the value of the assayed analyte, and a calibration of the analyte. The multicoding layout on the nanostrip minimizes the number of zones that are required for a given assay. Moreover, the nanostrip can be scanned in real time during flow of the nanostrip through a detection beam. This both simplifies the assay and allows for alternative means of coding. |
| US09568424B2 |
Cartridge, system and method for automated medical diagnostics
Cartridge and method for the detection of the presence, absence and/or amount of a target nucleotide sequence in a sample comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences. The cartridge comprises a one or more nucleic acid sequences, and the cartridge includes a generic part and one or more separate application-specific parts, which are connectable to the generic part. |
| US09568418B1 |
Spectroscopic chemical analysis methods and apparatus
Spectroscopic chemical analysis methods and apparatus are disclosed which employ deep ultraviolet (e.g. in the 200 nm to 300 nm spectral range) electron beam pumped wide bandgap semiconductor lasers, incoherent wide bandgap semiconductor light emitting devices, and hollow cathode metal ion lasers to perform non-contact, non-invasive detection of unknown chemical analytes. These deep ultraviolet sources enable dramatic size, weight and power consumption reductions of chemical analysis instruments. In some embodiments, Raman spectroscopic detection methods and apparatus use ultra-narrow-band angle tuning filters, acousto-optic tuning filters, and temperature tuned filters to enable ultra-miniature analyzers for chemical identification. In some embodiments Raman analysis is conducted along with photoluminescence spectroscopy (i.e. fluorescence and/or phosphorescence spectroscopy) to provide high levels of sensitivity and specificity in the same instrument. |
| US09568417B2 |
Super-resolution microscopy method and device
This invention discloses a super-resolution microscopy method and device, of which the method comprises the following steps: converting laser beam into linearly polarized light after collimation; linearly polarized light is deflected and phase modulated by a spatial light modulator; the deflected beam is focused, collimated and then converted into circularly polarized light for projection on the sample to collect signal light from various scanning points on the sample, and obtaining the first signal light intensity; switching over modulation function to project linearly polarized light modulated by the second phase modulation on the sample to collect signal light from various scanning points on the sample, and obtaining the second signal light intensity; calculating valid signal light intensity to obtain the super-resolution image. This device features in a simple structure and easy operation, which can obtain a super-resolution beyond diffraction limit at a lower luminous power; it is quick in image formation with the frame frequency over 15 frames when the number of scanning points in each image is 512×512. |
| US09568414B2 |
Microplate reader with lid lifter for microplates
Microplate reader has a housing, at least one optical measuring/detection device, a microplate support, a moving unit and an integrated lid holding apparatus. The lid holding apparatus moves the microplate in one respective, at least approximately vertical direction for moving the microplate lid away from the microplate. The lid holding apparatus is arranged inside the housing as a magnetic lifter and comprises a non-array arrangement of at least one permanent magnet, or at least three electro magnets, or at least one switchable permanent magnet. Each microplate lid to be moved away from the microplate comprises magnetizable material with a physical area. A projected area of the at least one permanent magnet, electro magnet, or switchable permanent magnet is smaller than the physical area of the magnetizable material of the microplate lid. |
| US09568413B1 |
Luminometer and chamber
An improved luminometer, chamber insert, and deactivator is shown and described. In one embodiment, the device comprises a luminometer for use with a test sample holder and is configured to determine the emitted light from the test sample holder. Typically, the luminometer includes a housing having a sample port, a photomultiplier assembly, and a chamber having a mirrored inner side face. In certain examples, an improved chamber for a luminometer comprises an insert portion, a photomultiplier portion, and a deactivator. |
| US09568410B2 |
Apparatus and methods of determining fluid viscosity
Various embodiments include apparatus and methods of determining the viscosity of a fluid downhole in a well. A parameter of a response signal, obtained from driving a tube containing a fluid with an excitation signal for vibrating the tube, can be collected while maintaining the tube in a vibrating mode. The parameter can be evaluated to measure the viscosity of the fluid. In various embodiments, the fluid viscosity may be measured in-situ downhole in the well. |
| US09568409B2 |
Vibrating wire viscometers
Vibrating wire viscometers are disclosed herein. An example viscometer includes a housing defining a chamber and a wire holder disposed in the chamber. The wire holder has an elongated, electrically insulating body and a channel extending along a length of the body. A wire is at least partially disposed in the channel and coupled to the wire holder at opposing ends of the wire holder to tension the wire and electrically isolate the wire from the housing. |
| US09568407B2 |
Apparatus, system and methods for determining the impact attenuation of a surface
The instant disclosure relates to an apparatus, system and methods for determining the impact attenuation or hardness of a surface for a playground or sports field in order to mitigate or reduce sports and playground related injuries. |
| US09568399B2 |
Sampling device
Sampling devices are used to obtain samples of fluids to be analyzed and to determine the composition of the fluid in the sampled environment. A sampling apparatus with an inflatable sample bag used to collect and store liquid, air, vapor, and or gas samples by drawing the sample into the bag through an inlet, a sorbent tube, cassette, and/or other collection media is described. The means for extracting the sample and moving it into the sample bag comprises means for expanding the volume of a sample bag and creating a vacuum or reduced pressure within the sample bag. The means for expanding the include separating walls of a sample bag by use of gravity, pneumatic pressure, a biasing force, hydraulic force, for example or increasing the volume of a sample bag retaining container by such forces. Such sampling apparatuses do not require use of a sampling pump. |
| US09568398B2 |
Test apparatus of fluidic sample and control method thereof
Disclosed herein are a test apparatus of a fluidic sample, which tests the fluidic sample, and a control method thereof. The test apparatus of the fluidic sample includes a housing, an installing member in which a cartridge receiving a fluid is inserted, a pressing member which is disposed in the housing to press the cartridge and perform an inspection of the fluid, a driving unit of which at least a part is coupled to the pressing member so as to movably drive the pressing member, and a sensing unit of which at least a part is opposite to the driving unit so as to sense a position of the driving unit. According to the present invention, since the sensing unit can recognize the position of the driving unit, the pressing member can apply uniform pressure to the cartridge. |
| US09568395B2 |
NOx sensor control device
For a predetermined period prior to detecting sensor output of a single-cell type NOx sensor, a state is induced in which a voltage is not applied between a pair of electrodes or a state in which a potential difference between the electrodes is less than a reference value. The “reference value” for the potential difference between the electrodes can be appropriately set within a range that is at least less than the aforementioned voltage for detecting the output, and is 0 V or a small potential difference in the vicinity of 0 V. Thus, a certain amount of NOx is caused to accumulate on the electrodes of the NOx sensor. After the predetermined period has elapsed, a voltage for sensor output detection is applied between the electrodes. The NOx concentration is detected according to the sensor output at a time that the voltage for sensor output detection is applied. |
| US09568394B2 |
Optical device
A device including an imaging optical unit (9) imaging an object field (5) in an image field (10), a structured mask (7), arranged in the region of the object field (5) via reticle holder (8) displaceable in a reticle scanning direction (21), and a sensor apparatus (25), arranged in the region of the image field (10) via a substrate holder (13) displaceable in a substrate scanning direction (22). The mask (7) has at least one measurement structure (27; 33) to be imaged on the sensor apparatus (25), wherein the sensor apparatus (25) includes at least one line sensor (28) with a multiplicity of sensor elements (29), and affords the possibility of testing the imaging optical unit (9) during the displacement of the substrate holder (13) for exposing a substrate (12) arranged on the substrate holder. |
| US09568393B2 |
Method and device for the early detection of crack formations in media-carrying workpieces
A device is provided for the early detection of crack formations in work pieces or in components that are subjected to mechanical loading. Wherein in the region of at least one surface at risk of cracking there is arranged at least one testing chamber that is formed by a generative process of manufacturing the work piece or a portion of a work piece and to which a testing medium under pressure is admitted. Either a pressure sensor for determining a drop in pressure resulting from a crack formation of the work piece is connected to the testing chamber or a gas sensor that can also react to a testing medium escaping from the testing chamber in the event of crack formation is arranged in the vicinity of the testing chamber. |
| US09568385B2 |
Semiconductor pressure sensor, pressure sensor apparatus, electronic equipment, and method of manufacturing semiconductor pressure sensor
A semiconductor pressure sensor (720) includes a thin film piezoelectric element (701) which applies strain to a portion of a semiconductor substrate that corresponds to a thin region (402). The thin film piezoelectric element (701) is formed at a distance away from diffusion resistors (406, 408, 410, and 412) functioning as strain gauges and is extended to the proximity of a bonding pad (716A) connected to an upper electrode layer of the thin film piezoelectric element and a bonding pad (716F) connected to a lower electrode thereof. The diffusion resistors (406, 408, 410, and 412) constitute a bridge circuit by metal wiring (722) and diffusion wiring (724). During self-diagnosis, a prescribed voltage is applied to a thin film piezoelectric element (701). If the output difference of the bridge circuit between before and after the voltage application falls outside a prescribed range, it is determined that a breakage occurs in the semiconductor pressure sensor (720). |
| US09568382B1 |
Force measurement assembly with damping and force measurement system including the same
A force measurement assembly with damping is disclosed herein. The force measurement assembly includes a force measurement surface for receiving at least one portion of a body of a subject; at least one force transducer, the at least one force transducer configured to sense one or more measured quantities and output one or more signals that are representative of forces and/or moments being applied to the force measurement surface of the force measurement assembly by the subject; at least one base member disposed underneath the at least one force transducer or forming a part of the at least one force transducer; and a damping member disposed between the at least one base member and a mounting surface on which the force measurement assembly is disposed. A force measurement system that includes the force measurement assembly with damping is also disclosed herein. |
| US09568379B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring tactile information
An apparatus and method for measuring a tactile information, using a material having variable pressure dependent properties is disclosed. The apparatus for measuring the tactile information may include a plurality of pressure measurement units to measure a magnitude of an external pressure using a material having variable properties, and a tactile information measurement unit to measure a three-dimensional (3D) tactile information based on the external pressure using a location of the plurality of pressure measurement units and a pressure measured by the plurality of pressure measurement units. |
| US09568377B1 |
Nanocomposite thin films for optical temperature sensing
The disclosure relates to an optical method for temperature sensing utilizing a temperature sensing material. In an embodiment the gas stream, liquid, or solid has a temperature greater than about 500° C. The temperature sensing material is comprised of metallic nanoparticles dispersed in a dielectric matrix. The metallic nanoparticles have an electronic conductivity greater than approximately 10−1 S/cm at the temperature of the temperature sensing material. The dielectric matrix has an electronic conductivity at least two orders of magnitude less than the dispersed metallic nanoparticles at the temperature of the temperature sensing material. In some embodiments, the chemical composition of a gas stream or liquid is simultaneously monitored by optical signal shifts through multiple or broadband wavelength interrogation approaches. In some embodiments, the dielectric matrix provides additional functionality due to a temperature dependent band-edge, an optimized chemical sensing response, or an optimized refractive index of the temperature sensing material for integration with optical waveguides. |
| US09568373B2 |
Cable-based sensor for detecting material level and temperature
A cable-base sensor can detect a material level and temperatures of a material stored in a silo. The cable-base sensor comprises an electronic box, a cable, a stopper, and a signal processing module. The electronic box comprises a base and a space for containing the signal processing module, and a hole is formed through a bottom of the electronic box. The base is mounted in the bottom, and a tapered hole is formed through the base. A first end of the cable extents into the tapered hole and the hole, and spreads to form a cable bud. The stopper is a tapered block and pressed into the tapered hole for enforcing the cable bud to be sandwiched between the stopper and the base. The cable bud strengthens a connection between the electronic box and the cable for preventing damages from solid materials. |
| US09568371B2 |
Infrared sensor
Provided is an infrared sensor which is capable of measuring a temperature of an object to be measured with high accuracy even when lead wires are connected to one side thereof. The infrared sensor includes an insulating film; a first and a second heat sensitive element which are provided on one face of the insulating film; a first and a second wiring film that are respectively connected to the first and the second heat sensitive element; an infrared reflecting film; a plurality of terminal electrodes; and a thermal resistance adjusting film which is provided on the other face of the insulating film, is in opposition to at least a portion of the longer one of the first or the second wiring film in wiring distance from the terminal electrodes, and is formed of a material with greater heat dissipation than the insulating film. |
| US09568369B2 |
IR temperature sensor for induction heating of food items
A system and method for measuring the temperature of cookware to be induction-heated, using an infrared temperature sensor. An induction heater countertop may include a viewing window between the infrared temperature sensor and the cookware. Various algorithms may be applied to the sensed temperature, to adjust it to account for the presence of the viewing window, as well as variations in the cookware material. |
| US09568366B2 |
Multidimensional spectrometer
A multidimensional spectrometer encodes frequency information into laser pulses so that a frequency insensitive detector may be used to collect data for a multi-dimensional spectrograph only from intensity information and knowledge of a modulation providing the encoding. In one embodiment the frequency encoding may be done by a conventional interferometer greatly simplifying construction of the spectrometer. |
| US09568360B2 |
Silicon photomultiplier with improved detection accuracy
One embodiment of the disclosure includes an A-D conversion circuit connected to a photodiode for providing a silicon photomultiplier that with enhanced detection accuracy and a time resolution. A current generated upon photon detection by the photodiode partially flows into another photodiode adjacent to the photodiode arranged in parallel via a resistor. At this time, the current is charged into a parasitic capacitance adjacent to the photodiode, and thereafter is discharged. However, the discharged current cannot flow toward an output terminal by the A-D conversion circuit, and also cannot switch the A-D conversion circuit. Consequently, the construction of the disclosure can detect light with no influence of the current discharged from the parasitic capacitance. As a result, the disclosure achieves a silicon photomultiplier with high detection accuracy and a satisfactory time resolution. |
| US09568358B2 |
Optical measurement device and vehicle
Disclosed is an optical measurement device including a first light source, an optical element that condenses a light beam emitted from the first light source, a light irradiator that irradiates the light beam onto an object; and a photo detector that detects reflected light or scattered light of the light beam from the object through an imaging system, the light beam being irradiated onto the object, wherein a first optical path length from the first light source to a first conjugate image of the first light source by the optical element is different from a second optical path length from the photo detector to a second conjugate image of the photo detector by the imaging system at least in a first direction. |
| US09568350B2 |
Gear flowmeter
A gear flow meter for measuring the flow of fluid has a gear chamber in which at least one measuring gear wheel is arranged, a bottom and a cover. A respective rotation shaft is provided centrally relative to each measuring gear wheel. Each measuring gear wheel is rotatably mounted and has a measuring unit to detect a gear rotation, and an evaluation means to determine a flow of the fluid through the gear chamber. A respective receiving area is provided between each measuring gear wheel and the bottom, and also between each measuring gear wheel and the cover, in which receiving area rolling elements are arranged. The rolling elements directly contact the respective measuring gear wheel, the respective rotation shaft and the bottom or cover. The rolling elements are movable as a whole relative to the rotation shaft, the measuring gear wheel and the bottom or cover which they contact. |
| US09568346B2 |
Magnetic-induction flow meter, particularly for high pressure applications
An assembly procedure for an electrode anchor, and a magnetic-induction flow meter, particularly for high pressure applications with medium pressures above 5.1 MPa (51 bar), having a measuring tube on which a multi-part electrode anchor for securing a measuring electrode is arranged. Included are: a) a coupling fitting, which is materially bonded to the measuring tube wherein the coupling fitting comprises a groove, or forms a groove together with the measuring tube; and b) a coupling insert for guiding and/or securing the measuring electrode the coupling insert being connected to the coupling fitting by way of a coupling. The coupling insert comprises anchoring wings which engage in the groove by a partial rotation and thereby effect the coupling. |
| US09568342B2 |
Sensor component housing
A sensor component housing includes at least one tube section with a tube wall, wherein the tube wall has an opening and the tube section has a diameter and a first and second end. The first and/or the second end has tilted areas such that the diameter tapers to an end diameter toward the first and/or the second end of the tube section. |
| US09568336B2 |
Electronic device
A mobile telephone device includes a control unit that determines that a state is a state of walking or a movement state different from the state of walking, based on acceleration. In a case in which the control unit determines that a state is the movement state different from the state of walking, if a state immediately before determining the movement state different from the state of walking is the state of walking, the control unit makes the determination valid. As an example, the movement state different from the state of walking is a state of moving on a bicycle or a state of moving by transportation other than the bicycle. |
| US09568335B2 |
Associating parking areas with destinations based on automatically identified associations between vehicle operating information and non-vehicle operating information
A method and apparatus for associating parking areas with destinations based on automatically identified associations between vehicle operating information and non-vehicle operating information may include a vehicle identifying vehicle transportation network information including a primary destination, such that the vehicle transportation network information includes parking area information, and such that the parking area information includes parking area association information describing an association between at least one parking area from the plurality of parking areas and the primary destination based at least in part on an automatically identified association between vehicle operating information and non-vehicle operating information. The vehicle may determine a target parking area from the plurality of parking areas for the primary destination based on the vehicle transportation network information, and identify a route from an origin to the target parking area in the vehicle transportation network using the vehicle transportation network information. |
| US09568333B2 |
Method and system for selectively blending buildings to improve route visibility in a 3D navigation system
The present invention relates to a method and system for selectively blending buildings to improve route visibility in a 3D navigation system. A method for displaying a 3D map may include: detecting whether or not an object to be displayed on a map screen intersects with a route guiding line on the map screen with the object intersecting the route guiding line being blended therewith. |
| US09568332B2 |
Navigation system for outputting a three-dimensional roof structure and generating a database
A navigation system has a database storing data for reconstructing three-dimensional roof structures. The data includes information on edges of at least one closed polygon and a type identifier respectively stored in the database for each one of the edges. Each one of the type identifiers is respectively selected from a finite set of type identifiers. Plural planar faces are generated to reconstruct the roof structure. The planar faces are respectively determined such that they pass through an edge of the polygon and have an orientation determined based on the type identifier stored for the edge. |
| US09568330B2 |
Method of generating a suggested navigation route using off-road trail data provided by user, and related navigation device
A method of generating a suggested navigation route with a navigation device includes storing in a memory of the navigation device a map database containing names and locations of roads in a road network and off-road trail data containing locations of at least one off-road trail provided by a user of the navigation device, and merging off-road segments of the off-road trail with the roads of the road network to create a combined map database containing off-road segments and road segments. The method further includes receiving a request from the user for generating navigation directions to a destination location input by the user, generating the suggested navigation route using data stored in the combined map database, the suggested navigation route containing a combination of off-road segments and road segments, and providing navigation assistance to the user for guiding the user along the suggested navigation route. |
| US09568328B1 |
Refine route destinations using targeted crowd sourcing
Technical solutions are described to for refining a travel route based on crowd sourcing. An example computer-implemented method includes receiving a first location as a travel destination of a first user. The method also includes identifying a set of users that indicated the first location as a travel destination. The method also includes determining a first subset of users from the set of users by comparing a first set of attributes associated with the first user and each user from the set of users. The method also includes determining a second subset of users from the first subset of users by comparing a second set of attributes associated with the first user and each user from the first subset of users. The method also includes identifying a second location to which the users from the second subset diverged to when traveling to the first location. The method also includes in response, selecting the second location as the travel destination of the first user. |
| US09568322B2 |
Mining machine management system and mining machine management method
A mining machine management system includes: a position information detection unit which is mounted in a mining machine loading a load in a mine and transporting the load and detects position information related to a position of the mining machine; and a region specification unit which corrects a representative position of a discharging station at which the load is removed, based on position information of a position at which the load is removed from the mining machine within a predetermined range centered around the representative position, from among the position information detected by the position information detection unit. |
| US09568321B2 |
Systems and methods for determining inertial navigation system faults
An inertial navigation system (INS) includes a primary inertial navigation system (INS) unit configured to receive accelerometer measurements from an accelerometer and angular velocity measurements from a gyroscope. The primary INS unit is further configured to receive global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals from a GNSS sensor and to determine a first set of kinematic state vectors based on the accelerometer measurements, the angular velocity measurements, and the GNSS signals. The INS further includes a secondary INS unit configured to receive the accelerometer measurements and the angular velocity measurements and to determine a second set of kinematic state vectors of the vehicle based on the accelerometer measurements and the angular velocity measurements. A health management system is configured to compare the first set of kinematic state vectors and the second set of kinematic state vectors to determine faults associated with the accelerometer or the gyroscope based on the comparison. |
| US09568312B2 |
Sensor device, manufacturing method of sensor device and electronic apparatus
A sensor device includes a first sensor element which detects an angular velocity around z axis and a second sensor element which detects an angular velocity around x axis, the relationship fd1>fd2 and fm1 |
| US09568305B2 |
Method and system for measuring the thickness of ice on a surface, notably of an aircraft, using a luminous pattern generated by diffusion in the ice
A system and method for providing an estimate of the thickness of the ice regardless of the shape of its surface at the level of the air/ice interface. To this end the system and method measure an intensity profile of a luminous pattern generated by diffusion in the ice, which enables the system to measure the thickness of the ice even when the air/ice surface is not plane. |
| US09568304B2 |
Image sequence and evaluation method and system for structured illumination microscopy
In a method and apparatus for determining the height of a plurality of spatial positions on a surface of a specimen, a light beam is projected on the surface. The surface is scanned along an optical axis in different scanning positions. The light reflected by the surface is detected in scanning positions with a spatial pattern having corresponding spatial pattern positions. From the detected light for each spatial position of the surface, an envelope curve of intensity values corresponding to scanning positions is determined. A maximum of the envelope curve and its corresponding scanning position being representative of the height of the spatial position of the surface is selected. The spatial pattern is moved in a sequence of 2n steps (n>2) in a first and a second spatial direction over a distance of ¼ and 1/n pattern wavelength, respectively. |
| US09568300B2 |
Induction type position measuring apparatus
An induction type position measuring apparatus includes a scale and a sensor. The scale includes a track having a plurality of control patterns provided at equal intervals along a measurement reference line to control flow of an induced current, and a first edge portion and a second edge portion located on both sides of the measurement reference line. The sensor is provided to be capable of moving relatively to the scale along the measurement reference line to detect an induced current. The scale includes regulation patterns at least between the track and the first edge portion or between the track and the second edge portion to regulate a flow of an induced current. |
| US09568296B2 |
Breast measuring device for determining bra size
This invention relates to a breast measuring device (1) for determining bra size. The breast measuring device comprises a band size measuring tape (3, 43) and a cup size measuring tape (5, 7) mounted on and extending substantially perpendicular to the band size measuring tape. The band size measuring tape comprises a flexible tape having indicia (19) printed thereon representative of band sizes and the cup size measuring tape comprises a flexible tape having indicia (23) printed thereon indicative of cup sizes. The breast measuring device (1) has a buckle (53) mounted on one end of the band size measuring tape through which the other end of the band size measuring tape (3, 43) may be led and there is provided means (17, 29, 57) to releasably secure the band size measuring tape in a looped configuration. When the device is secured in a looped configuration, the cup size measuring tape (5, 7) can be used to measure the cup size and both the band size and the cup size will be visible simultaneously. |
| US09568295B2 |
Method and related devices for carrying out TBM excavation and expansion blasting using a blast protector and a cart
The present invention relates to a method and related devices for carrying out TBM excavation and expansion blasting, which uses a blast protector and a cart to expand a pilot tunnel by blasting after the pilot tunnel has been formed; and which specifically includes: a step of forming a pilot tunnel; a step of forming a horizontal or vertical blast hole; a step of installing a blast protector within the pilot tunnel; a step of blasting the upper and lower halves of the pilot tunnel to expand the upper and lower halves; and a step of removing the debris formed during the blasting of the upper and lower halves, by dumping the debris into a cart. Accordingly, the rail and cable are protected from the debris formed during the blasting, and working efficiency is improved. |
| US09568292B2 |
Ammunition having specialized range
A round of ammunition including projectiles formed in a stack and having an offset center of mass. Upon discharge, the projectiles are subject to a complex flight path and increased drag, providing advantages in controlling pattern and depth of penetration at a distance. |
| US09568289B2 |
Firework launching stand
A firework launching stand includes a hub, a plurality of inlets about the periphery of the hub, each inlet having an open mouth at the periphery and tapering inwardly in width, and at least one securing member for temporarily securing to the hub a firework received within a respective inlet. The firework launching stand lends stability during the activation of fireworks such as consumer-grade fireworks for home and recreational use. |
| US09568283B2 |
Enclosure protecting system and method
Provided is an RPG disruption system (RDS) for protecting an enclosure against RPG's, the system including a casing fixed in close proximity to a wall of the enclosure facing an anticipated RPG threat. The casing includes an anvil accommodating a propelling mechanism for propelling the disrupting element, and an activating system for activating the propelling mechanism so as to propel the disrupting element towards an approaching RPG, to thereby neutralize it. |
| US09568282B1 |
Apparatus for securely mounting accessories to a camera or firearm
An apparatus, system, and method for mounting accessories on device, such as a camera, binoculars, firearm, weapon, and the like. The apparatus, system, and method may include a mounting device, which may be a bracket or rail. The apparatus, system, and method also include a safety mechanism that may be an integral part of the mounting device, or may be coupled or attached to the mounting device. The safety device allows accessories to be attached to the mounting device, but also prevents inadvertent detachment of the accessories from the mounting device. |
| US09568281B1 |
Quick locking system
A readily attachable and detachable firearm attachment for mounting firearm accessories to a firearm forearm rail is provided by an attachment having a pair of rail clamping and locking jaws. At least one of the jaws is a movable jaw actuated by a levered cam equipped with a locking system to lock and anchor the attachment to the firearm rail and a quick release for unlocking the cam to permit a release of the jaws from the rail. |
| US09568276B2 |
Tilt-activated laser aimed firearms ammunition
Sighting devices and cartridges for a firearm comprising an internal sighting and aiming system which incorporates and leverages electromagnetic radiation as the means for aiming the firearm. The sighting and aiming system must first be placed in the chamber of a firearm to be functional. It is activated and deactivated by the angle at which the firearm is held. |
| US09568275B2 |
Multi-material handgun holster
Disclosed is a holster for concealment inside a waistband of a lower garment of a user. The holster includes a support sheet having first and second surfaces and made of at least first and second layers of different material. The first layer comprises a pliable leather material and the second layer comprises a resilient elastomeric cushion material. The second layer is positioned inward toward the user relative to the first layer when the holster is in use. A rigid shell member is attached to the support sheet and forms, with the first side of the support sheet, a pocket configured to encase a portion of a handgun. At least one garment attachment member is provided on the support sheet and is configured to support the holster inside a waistband of a lower garment of a user. In one example, the resilient elastomeric cushion material may be neoprene. |
| US09568273B2 |
Sporterized firearm stocks and methods thereof
The present invention provides a sporterized firearms stock ensemble configured to be coupled to a long firearm having a pistol grip interface. The firearm stock ensemble includes a cheek-rest and a gunstock assembly. The cheek-rest is configured to be coupled to a recoil buffer tube of the long firearm. The gunstock assembly includes an inline grip portion, a butt-plate and an elongated support section configured to couple the grip portion to the butt-plate. |