| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09582697B2 |
Sequenced illumination in mark reading devices
A reader operable to read a mark on a substrate, the reader comprising a power source, operable to deliver a variable drive current or voltage, a light source operable to illuminate said mark with a sequence of illumination light pulses of different wavelength spectra, an intensity of said illumination light pulses varying according to the delivered drive current or voltage, a light sensor operable to measure an intensity of light received from said mark and to deliver a corresponding light intensity signal, and a control unit operable to control said power source and light sensor to control timings of said illumination light pulses according to a switching pattern and timings to acquire said light intensity signal for synchronizing acquisition of said light intensity signal with said sequence of illumination light pulses, said control unit being further operable to adjust a duty cycle of said switching pattern so as to maintain heat generation associated to each illumination light pulse below a given threshold value. |
| US09582696B2 |
Imaging apparatus having imaging assembly
There is described an imaging apparatus having an imaging assembly that includes an image sensor. The imaging apparatus can capture a frame of image data having image data corresponding to a first set of pixels of the image sensor. The imaging apparatus can capture a frame or image data having image data corresponding to a second set of pixels of the image sensor. |
| US09582694B2 |
Antenna
An antenna (18), in particular a patch antenna for an RFID reading apparatus (10), having a circuit board (24) which has at least one slot (26) and a contact (28) at the slot (26) for feeding and/or picking up an electromagnetic signal. In this respect, the slot (26) is folded into itself and so forms a two-dimensional pattern on the circuit board (24). |
| US09582687B2 |
Reconfigurable integrator/differentiator circuit using current follower based simulated inductor
A reconfigurable integrator/differentiator circuit includes: a first input terminal; a first output terminal; a first current follower having a second input terminal, a second inverting output terminal providing feedback to the first input terminal, a third non-inverting output terminal being connected to the first output terminal, and a fourth inverting output terminal; a second current follower having a third input terminal, a fifth inverting output terminal providing feedback to the first output terminal, and a sixth non-inverting output terminal being connected to the first input terminal; a single capacitor being connected between the fourth inverting output terminal and ground; a first resistor being connected between the first input terminal and the second input terminal; and a second resistor being connected between the fourth inverting output terminal and the third input terminal. |
| US09582685B2 |
Method to detect cloned software
Method to detect cloned software being used on a client user unit. An initialization phase comprises: defining a tag value as being equal to an initial random value, opening a new record storing the tag value and introducing the tag value into the client user unit. An operating phase comprises: preparing a client message comprising the request and a value depending on the tag value; sending the client message to the server; and checking if the tag value of the client message is correct with respect to the stored tag value. If they do not match, the requested service is denied. If they do match, the method sends a server message to the user unit; updates the tag value with a new tag value; and stores the new tag value on the server and user unit. |
| US09582683B2 |
Apparatus and method for managing health data
An apparatus and method for managing health data through a user terminal are provided. The method includes inputting a user terminal number for identifying the user terminal, and information of a medical instrument for measuring the health data to a management server interworked with the user terminal, receiving, by a receiver, a security type table mapped onto the user terminal number and comprising a security type code for instructing the health data which the medical instrument has measured to be stored in a first memory without security or in a second memory with security, from the management server, and storing the health data in the first memory or the second memory, which the security type code instructs, through determining the security type code of the security type table when the health data is received from the medical instrument. |
| US09582679B2 |
Terminal device, data management server, terminal program, data management program, and data management system
A terminal device that includes a processor configured to execute a procedure. The procedure includes: receiving an electronic text data request; attaching to the electronic text data request a token associated with a ticket, and attaching to the electronic text data request a changed status ticket out of the ticket; and holding sending of a new electronic text data request when the new electronic text data request is received during an interval between sending the electronic text data request to the data management server and receiving a token, and relaying any held electronic text data requests in sequence to the data management server, when it is after the interval and there are no changed status tickets of the terminal present. |
| US09582678B2 |
Method for secure storing of a data file via a computer communication network
A computer implemented method, server computer and computer program for securely storing a data file via a computer communication network. The method includes: providing a computer device of a user with code for providing a unique user name for the user; asking the user for a password; generating an asymmetric key pair for the user having one public key and one private key; encrypting the private key via the hash of the password; generating a file-specific symmetric key specific for the data file; encrypting the data file via the file-specific symmetric key; encrypting the file-specific symmetric key via the public key of the user; where the code is executed by a web browser on the computer device. The server is then receiving the encrypted data file, the encrypted file-specific symmetric key, the encrypted private key of the user and the public key of the user from the computer device. |
| US09582674B2 |
Risk adaptive information flow based access control
Systems and methods are provided to manage risk associated with access to information within a given organization. The overall risk tolerance for the organization is determined and allocated among a plurality of subjects within the organization. Allocation is accomplished using either a centralized, request/response or free market mechanism. As requested from subjects within the organization for access to objects, i.e. information and data, are received, the amount of risk or risk level associated with each requested is quantified. Risk quantification can be accomplished using, for example, fuzzy multi-level security. The quantified risk associated with the access request in combination with the identity of the object and the identity of the subject are used to determine whether or not the request should be granted, denied or granted with appropriated mitigation measures. |
| US09582668B2 |
Quantifying the risks of applications for mobile devices
Quantifying the risks of applications (“apps”) for mobile devices is disclosed. In some embodiments, quantifying the risks of apps for mobile devices includes receiving an application for a mobile device; performing an automated analysis of the application based on a risk profile; and generating a risk score based on the automated analysis of the application based on the risk profile. |
| US09582667B2 |
Detecting vulnerability to resource exhaustion
In an aspect of managing resource exhaustion, a method includes receiving a program code that is configured for generating a random number. The generating is identified as vulnerable to a resource exhaustion. The method also includes identifying a statement in the program code at which a value of a variable associated with the generating of the random number is affected, inserting a hooking code in the statement for monitoring the variable at the statement, and running the program code in a plurality of iterations. A consumption level of the resource is varied in the plurality of iterations. The method further includes monitoring a plurality of values of the variable in the plurality of iterations. The method also includes executing a regression analysis on the plurality of values and returning a root cause of the vulnerability. |
| US09582666B1 |
Computer system for improved security of server computers interacting with client computers
A computer system is configured to improve security of server computers interacting with client computers, and comprises: a memory, a processor coupled to the memory, and source code obfuscation logic coupled to the memory and the processor. The source code obfuscation logic is configured to read, from the memory, one or more original source code instructions that are configured to achieve an expected result when executed by a web browser on a client computer; to apply one or more obfuscation transformations, to the one or more original source code instructions, to produce one or more obfuscated source code instructions that are configured to achieve the same expected result when executed by the web browser but is expressed in an obfuscated format; to write the one or more obfuscated source code instructions to the memory. |
| US09582664B2 |
Detection of fault injections in a random number generator
A method for detecting a fault injection in a random number generation circuit, wherein a bit pattern is mixed to a bit stream originating from a noise source and the presence of this pattern is detected in a signal sampled downstream of the mix. |
| US09582662B1 |
Sensor based rules for responding to malicious activity
Systems and techniques are provided for creating sensor based rules for detecting and responding to malicious activity. Evidence corresponding to a malicious activity is received. The evidence corresponding to malicious activity is analyzed. Indicators are identified from the evidence. The indicators are extracted from the evidence. It is determined that an action to mitigate or detect a threat needs to be taken based on the indicators and evidence. A sensor to employ the prescribed action is identified. Whether a sensor based rule meets a threshold requirement is validated. A configuration file used to task the sensor based rule to the identified sensor is created. The number of sensor based rule triggers is tracked. |
| US09582653B2 |
Graphical user passwords
A method includes a computer device receiving a set of images for at least one user; the computer device receiving unique visual clue inputs from the at least one user for each image of the set of images; the computer device receiving drawing gesture inputs from the at least one user for each image of the set of images; and the computer device using the visual clue and drawing gesture inputs to create passwords to provide a locked access point for at least one device. |
| US09582651B2 |
Implementing extent granularity authorization processing in CAPI adapters
A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing block extent granularity authorization processing for a Coherent Accelerator Processor Interface (CAPI) adapter. An Application Client requests authorization to a File from a system processor file system. The file system validates the request, determines the location of each Extent that comprises the File, and requests authorization to each Extent from a System CAPI Authorization manager. The System CAPI Authorization manager requests the CAPI Client manager to assign a Child Client ID and CAPI Server Register range to the requesting Application Client and requests a previously authorized CAPI Parent Client to authorize the Child ID to the list of Extents. The CAPI Parent Client sends a Create Authorizations command to the CAPI Adapter via the Parent's CAPI Server Registers. The CAPI Adapter validates the Parent Authorization Handle and CPI Server Register range for the specific Extent/Command/Resource, and creates an Authorization List by assigning a new Child Authorization Handle for each requested, validated Extent/Command/Resource. The Authorization List and the Child Client ID are returned to the File System. |
| US09582650B2 |
Security of program executables and microprocessors based on compiler-architecture interaction
A method, for use in a processor context, wherein instructions in a program executable are encoded with plural instruction set encodings. A method wherein a control instruction encoded with an instruction set encoding contains information about decoding of an instruction that is encoded with another instruction set encoding scheme. A method wherein instruction set encodings are randomly generated at compile time. A processor framework wherein an instruction is decoded during execution with the help of information provided by a previously decoded control instruction. |
| US09582649B2 |
Processing data stored in external storage device
An external storage device connectable to an information processing apparatus is provided. The storage device includes: an input/output interface via which data is exchanged with an information processing apparatus; a first storage region where data associated with first and second validity periods is stored; and a second storage region where a control program is stored. While the first validity period is used when the external storage device is connected to one information processing apparatus, the second validity period is used when the external storage device is connected to another information processing apparatus. The control program causes a processor to execute the steps of: establishing connection of the external storage device to an information processing apparatus; identifying any one of the validity periods as a validity period to be used for the data; and executing predetermined security protection processing on the data in accordance with the identified validity period. |
| US09582647B2 |
Attribute combination discovery for predisposition determination
A method and system are presented in which a query attribute is used as the basis for accessing stored attribute combinations and their frequencies of occurrence for query-attribute-positive individuals and query-attribute-negative individuals and tabulating, based on frequencies of occurrence, those attribute combinations that are most likely to co-occur with the query attribute. |
| US09582643B2 |
Managing user information—source prioritization
Systems, methods, and computer-readable medium are provided for managing user information. For example, data of a particular data type may be received from a plurality of sources. In some examples, the data may include at least respective time stamps. The received data may be aggregated to form a data record for a period of time based at least in part on the respective time stamps. Additionally, in some cases, the data record may be provided to at least one application configured to present a user interface representing the aggregated data of the plurality of sources. |
| US09582640B2 |
Methods for obtaining a single molecule consensus sequence
Methods obtaining a single molecule consensus sequence for a single template molecule, and for obtaining a plurality of single molecule consensus sequences for a plurality of single template molecules is provided. Template molecules having two complementary regions connected with a linker are sequenced. A single read from each template molecule can be obtained, the read containing sequence information for each of the complementary regions. Single molecule consensus sequences can be determined from these reads by comparing the sequence information of the two complementary regions. |
| US09582635B2 |
Optimizing IC performance using sequential timing
A method of optimizing timing performance of an IC design is provided. The IC design is expressed as a graph that includes several nodes that represent IC components. The method identifies a path in the graph that starts from a timed source node and ends at a timed target node. The path has several clocked elements and several computational elements. The method optimizes the timing performance of the IC design by skewing clock signals to a set of clocked elements without changing the position of any clocked element relative to the position of the computational elements in the path. The clock signal of at least one clocked element is skewed by more than a period of the clock signal. The method implements the IC design by using the optimized IC design. |
| US09582633B2 |
3D device modeling for FinFET devices
Among other things, techniques and systems for 3D modeling of a FinFET device and for detecting a variation for a design layout based upon a 3D FinFET model are provided. For example, a fin height of a FinFET device is determined based upon imagery of the FinFET device. The fin height and a 2D FinFET model for the FinFET device are used to create a 3D FinFET model. The 3D FinFET model takes into account the fin height, which is evaluated to identify fin height variations amongst FinFET devices within the design layout. For example, a fin height variation is determined based upon a proximity pattern density, a fin pitch, a gate length, or other parameters/measurements. A voltage threshold variation is determined based upon the fin height variation. This allows the design layout to be modified to decrease the variation. |
| US09582630B2 |
System and method for creating hybrid resistance and capacitance (RC) netlist using three-dimensional RC extraction and 2.5 dimensional RC extraction
One or more systems and methods for a cell based hybrid resistance and capacitance (RC) extraction are provided. The method includes generating a layout for a semiconductor arrangement, performing a three-dimensional (3D) RC extraction on a target unit cell to obtain a 3D RC result including a coupling capacitance between unit cells, generating a 3D RC netlist based upon the 3D RC result, performing a 2.5 dimensional (2.5D) RC extraction on a peripheral cell to obtain a 2.5D RC netlist, and combining the 3D RC netlist with the 2.5D RC netlist to create a hybrid RC netlist for the layout. In some embodiments, the hybrid RC netlist is generated by stitching the coupling capacitance for at least one of the target unit cell, a repeating unit cell, or the peripheral cell together. In some embodiments, the 3D RC result for the target unit cell is stitched to the repeating unit cell. |
| US09582628B1 |
Method and apparatus for performing automatic decoupling capacitor selection for power distribution networks
A method for designing a power distribution network (PDN) for a system implementing a target device includes computing a target PDN impedance value for the PDN. For each switching frequency of the target device where an effective PDN impedance value for the PDN is greater than the target PDN impedance value, one or more decoupling capacitors for one or more capacitor types are identified to add to the PDN to drive the effective PDN impedance value below the target PDN value. A selection of decoupling capacitors identified is refined to reduce one or more of a cost of the PDN and space required for implementing the PDN. |
| US09582627B2 |
Enhanced parameter tuning for very-large-scale integration synthesis
A method and system are provided for tuning parameters of a synthesis program for a design description. The method includes (a) ranking individual parameter impact by evaluating a design-cost function of each of the parameters. The method further includes (b) creating a set of possible parameter combinations that is ordered by an estimated-cost function. The method additionally includes (c) selecting, from the set of possible parameter combinations, top-k scenarios having best estimated costs to form a potential set, and running at least some of the top-k scenarios in parallel through the synthesis program. The method also includes (d) repeating steps (b)-(c) for one or more iterations until at least one of a maximum iteration limit is reached and an exit criterion is satisfied. |
| US09582626B1 |
Using waveform propagation for accurate delay calculation
Accurate timing analysis during STA is performed using detailed waveform information in addition to the traditional slew information. A waveform memory system efficiently stores the detailed waveforms that are used in, calculated during, and propagated throughout timing analysis for a circuit design. During the STA process, for multiple modeled stages of circuit design, a waveform including information detailing the form of the waveform is compressed, stored in, decompressed, and retrieved from a memory system. The memory system provides for storage efficiencies including long-term and short-term storage areas, multi-level storage, and separate storage for each view evaluated during the STA. |
| US09582624B2 |
Circuit component migration method and apparatus
An circuit-component-migration-apparatus is a computer that performs migration of design data between different pieces of circuit design software. The circuit component migration apparatus may be a design apparatus in which circuit design software of a migration destination of design data operates. The circuit component migration apparatus includes a storage unit, an obtaining unit, and a control unit. |
| US09582623B2 |
Dynamically loaded system-level simulation
A system-level simulation includes generating netlist information including component library information, which describes instances of the hardware components, and component instance information, which describes component dynamic libraries that include models of hardware components. The simulation is generated at simulation run-time based on the netlist information. Component dynamic libraries corresponding to the component library information are loaded based on the component library information. A simulation dynamic library referenced by the component dynamic libraries is loaded. One or more interlibrary adapters corresponding to the component dynamic libraries are loaded to provide compatibility between the component dynamic libraries and an application binary interface of the simulation dynamic library. Instances of hardware components are instantiated based on the component instance information, and the instantiated instances of the hardware components are connected to form the simulation. The simulation is performed at simulation run-time responsive to the simulation being generated. |
| US09582622B1 |
Evaluating on-chip voltage regulation
A linear circuit simulator can be supplied with a linear power distribution model of an integrated circuit (IC) and two sets of voltage regulator equivalent resistances. The linear circuit simulator can then be used to calculate two voltages, at a sense point of the IC, corresponding to the two sets of voltage regulator equivalent resistances. The two sets of voltage regulator equivalent resistances and the two voltages at the IC sense point can be used to interpolate a slope of a resistance versus voltage curve of the linear power distribution model. The slope can be used to calculate an updated set of voltage regulator equivalent resistances, which can be used by the linear circuit simulator to calculate a set of performance metrics and an updated voltage at the sense point of the IC. |
| US09582621B2 |
Modeling localized temperature changes on an integrated circuit chip using thermal potential theory
A temperature change of a device on an integrated circuit chip due to self-heating and thermal coupling with other device(s) is modeled considering inefficient heat removal from the backside of the chip. To perform such modeling, ratios of an imaginary heat amount to an actual heat amount for different locations on the IC chip must be predetermined using a test integrated circuit (IC) chip. During testing, one test device at one specific location on the test IC chip is selected to function as a heat source, while at least two other test devices at other locations on the test IC chip function as temperature sensors. The heat source is biased and changes in temperature at the heat source and at the sensors are determined. These changes are used to calculate the value of the imaginary heat amount to actual heat amount ratio to be associated with the specific location. |
| US09582615B2 |
Modeling using thin plate spline technology
A method of modeling may include obtaining an input file defining a first geometry, establishing a control related to the first geometry, adjusting the control, and using a thin plate spline transform to adjust the first geometry to a second geometry based on the control. |
| US09582614B2 |
Method and system for site and built environment information modeling and management
System, methods, and apparatus, are described herein for modeling a site, such as a construction site. The site may include, for example, adding a new building to an existing city block, remodeling a building, re-developing an entire city/town, etc. Data may be gathered representing the site from a plurality of sources, and the data gathered may be used to determine how the new development affects the existing site. An interactive model may be generated that enables a user to walk through the site to visualize what the site will look like when completed. Hyperlinks to additional details about elements in the site may be provided. |
| US09582613B2 |
Massive model visualization with spatial retrieval
Systems and methods for massive model visualization in product data management (PDM) systems. A method includes storing a hierarchical product data structure by a product data management (PDM) system, including a plurality of occurrence nodes and component nodes. The method includes receiving a query that references an occurrence node and at least one cell index value and determining a query result corresponding to the query. The query result identifies at least one occurrence node that corresponds to the cell index value. The method includes forming a query result chain corresponding to the query result, the query result chain filtered by a structural criterion, and applying a configuration rule to the filtered query result chain to identify child nodes of the filtered query result chain that conform to the configuration rule, and thereby producing a configured spatial retrieval result. |
| US09582609B2 |
System and a method for generating challenges dynamically for assurance of human interaction
The invention provides a method, a system, and a computer program product checking for human interaction dynamically to enable access to a resource in a computing environment. The method comprises collecting a plurality of objects. For each object, a plurality of properties is defined. A set of objects is selected from the plurality of collected objects. Thereafter, queries are generated based on the properties of the selected objects. Queries which have a non-unique or ambiguous response are removed. One of the remaining queries is randomly selected. The answer to the query, based on properties of the selected objects, is stored. The selected set of objects and the selected query are presented to the user who is trying to gain access to the resource. The user is enabled access to the resource if the response received from the user is validated against the stored answer of the selected query. |
| US09582607B2 |
Block-based bounding volume hierarchy
A system, method, and computer program product for implementing a tree traversal operation for a tree data structure divided into compression blocks is disclosed. The method includes the steps of receiving at least a portion of a tree data structure that represents a tree having a plurality of nodes, pushing a root node of the tree data structure onto a traversal stack data structure associated with an outer loop of a tree traversal operation algorithm, and, for each iteration of an outer loop of a tree traversal operation algorithm, popping a top element from the traversal stack data structure and processing, via an inner loop of the tree traversal operation algorithm, the compression block data structure that corresponds with the top element. The tree data structure may be encoded as a plurality of compression block data structures that each include data associated with a subset of nodes of the tree. |
| US09582602B2 |
Systems and methods for improving access to syndication feeds in network browsing applications
A browsing application includes instructions for identifying and subscribing to a syndication feed delivered over a network. The instructions include code for analyzing a page of data that has been retrieved over the network by a browsing application to determine the availability of the syndication feed, code for causing a user interface element to be displayed on the browsing application, the user interface element indicating the availability of the syndication feed, and code for responding to a user's selection of the user interface element by causing the browsing application to display a page which permits the user to subscribe to the syndication feed. |
| US09582601B2 |
Combining server-side and client-side user interface elements
A method and apparatus are disclosed for combining server-supplied user interface elements with client-supplied user interface elements. The server-supplied user interface elements can be received by a client device and inserted into a client-supplied object model, such as a Document Object Model (DOM). The object model can then be used to render a page, such as a webpage. By injecting server-supplied user interface elements into a client object model, the client can intelligently combine UI elements from a server with UI elements from a client. In the situation where there are conflicting or overlapping UI elements, the client device can modify the object model to eliminate such conflicts or overlaps. |
| US09582597B2 |
System and method for creating user-specific directory
A system and method for generating user-centric directories including analyzing a plurality of relationships of a user. A contact directory for the user is defined based upon the plurality of relationships of the user. |
| US09582593B2 |
Pre-fetching of network page content in a browser application
Disclosed are various embodiments for pre-fetching resources referenced on a network page using a browser application executable on a client device. A network page predicted to be accessed by a user of a browser application may be identified that references resources, such as image, video, text, and multimedia resources. A prioritization of retrieval may be determined for the resources according to retrieval criteria. The browser application may retrieve at least a portion of the resources according to the prioritization of retrieval and store the retrieved sources in memory, thereby causing the network page predicted to be accessed to render more quickly, when accessed. |
| US09582592B2 |
Systems and methods for generating a recommended list of URLs by aggregating a plurality of enumerated lists of URLs, the recommended list of URLs identifying URLs accessed by users that also accessed a submitted URL
The present disclosure is directed to a method for providing a recommended list of uniform resource locators (URLs) responsive to a uniform resource locator (URL). The method may include identifying, by a server, a plurality of users that clicked on an encoded uniform resource locator (URL) link corresponding to a URL. The server may identify a plurality of encoded URL links clicked by each of the plurality of users. The server may determine a number of users who clicked on each encoded URL link of the plurality of encoded URL links and also clicked on the encoded URL link. The server may enumerate, responsive a request comprising the URL, a list of URLs and their corresponding score based on the determination, each URL of the list of URLs corresponding to one of the plurality of encoded URL links. |
| US09582590B2 |
Method and system for presenting a navigation path for enabling retrieval of content
An approach for enabling presentment of a navigation path as performed by a user over a network to facilitate rapid acquisition of content is described. A navigation path representing one or more sequences of resource identifiers that are related based on selection information provided by a user in navigating, via a browser application is presented. The navigation path is presented to permit direct selection of one of the resource identifiers of the one or more sequences for acquiring content associated with the selected resource identifier. |
| US09582589B2 |
Social filtering of user interface
In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a content object for display based at least in part on one or more filtering criteria. The filtering criteria is a measure of suitability of each content object for presentation based at least in part on social-graph information between a first user and one or more second users or a current geo-location of the first user. The method also includes applying the filtering criteria to the content object; and providing for display on a user interface (UI) the content object based on whether the content object is suitable for presentation based at least in part on the filtering criteria. |
| US09582588B2 |
Methods and systems for providing custom crawl-time metadata
A method for providing metadata to a search engine for a document that is not in a mark-up language includes sending a request for data about the document and receiving a response to the request that has a Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP or HTTPS) header that includes metadata associated with the document in a name-value pair and the document's content. The method also includes extracting the name-value pair from the HTTP-header and creating a mark-up language tag for the name-value pair and providing the make-up language tag and the contents of the document in a mark-up language format to a search index creation component. |
| US09582585B2 |
Discovering fields to filter data returned in response to a search
Fields may be discovered in events that are returned in response to an initial search. The events may comprise portions of raw data. Furthermore, the fields may be defined by extraction rules for extracting values from corresponding portions of raw data. The displaying of a graphical user interface (GUI) may be caused where the GUI enables a user to select or enter criteria for a subset of the discovered fields without entering a search query in a search bar. At least one criterion for at least one field from the subset of the discovered fields may be received through a portion of the GUI that does not include a search bar for entering a search query. The events returned in response to the initial search query may be caused to be filtered based on the received criterion. |
| US09582580B2 |
System, methods and applications for embedded internet searching and result display
Systems and methods allow a user of a text or graphics editor to quickly create multiple robust internet search queries by selecting and ranking groups or individual key words from a document. A user who is composing or reading a document can identify and link multiple sets of key words into separate search queries by highlighting and assigning either unique search numbers, colors or other readily ascertained indicators of their logical relation. Each individual search query is routed to selected internet search engines, and the results are returned to the user in the same viewed document. The user may select the form in which the results are displayed. For example, results may be listed within the document by way footnotes, endnotes, or separate hover or pull-down windows accessible from the search terms. In addition, the user can browse, sort, rank, edit or eliminate portions of the results. |
| US09582577B2 |
Graphical diagram having elements that correspond to objects and that have locations in correspondence with appearance relationships of objects
A video is divided into portions and has objects. Each object appears in one or more portions. A graphical diagram is generated and displayed that has graphical elements corresponding to the objects. Each graphical element has a size corresponding to a number and/or size of the portions in which the object to which the graphical element corresponds appears. The graphical elements have locations within the graphical diagram in correspondence with relationships of appearance of the objects within the portions. Selection of a point or area within the graphical diagram is received. Which of the graphical elements include the point or area are determined as one or more selected graphical elements corresponding to one or more selected objects. Which of the portions include all the selected objects are determined and output as one or more selected portions. |
| US09582576B2 |
Cloud hosted audio rendering based upon device and environment profiles
Systems and method for requesting audio content that is stored in a cloud network and accessed by many different audio devices where each of the audio devices may have an optimal type of audio encoding, format, and characteristic in addition to being located in different types of listening environment that are considered by a cloud audio server when preparing audio content for transmission to a requesting audio device. |
| US09582571B2 |
Targeted message response
A tool for targeting a message response. The tool monitors reactions of a user to message subject lines, message content, and social networks. The tool analyzes user interest data and calculates a user interest rating per keyword. Rated keywords are stored in association with the user. When a user drafts a message addressed to a recipient, the tool compares rated keywords within the recipient's log with the subject line and message content. The tool suggests an alternative subject line likely to elicit a faster and more detailed response from the recipient. |
| US09582570B2 |
Multilingual mixed search method and system
Embodiments of the present application relate to a multilingual mixed search method, a system for multilingual mixed searching, and a computer program product for multilingual mixed searching. A multilingual mixed searching method is provided. The method includes receiving a query word entered by a user and identifying source language of the query word, translating the query word from the source language to query words of a plurality of target languages, the plurality of target languages being different than the source language, using the query word in a corresponding target language as a basis for searching an index of web page information corresponding to the corresponding target language and obtaining web page information in the corresponding target language, from the web page information obtained from the index corresponding to the corresponding target language, and translating the obtained web page information from the corresponding target language to the source language. |
| US09582567B2 |
Controlling access to resources based on affinity planes and sectors
A first person (which may be a natural person, organization, brand, or other entity) has one or more affinity planes. Each affinity plane represents a distinct closeness of relationship with the first person. The first person also has one or more sectors, each of which may be associated with a domain. Each of the other people may be associated with zero or more of the first person's affinity planes and zero or more of the first person's sectors. Each of the first person's resources may be associated with zero or more of the first person's affinity planes and zero or more of the first person's sectors. A request by one of the other people to access one of the first person's resources is granted based on the overlap between the affinity planes and sectors associated with the requestor and the affinity planes and sectors associated with the requested resource. |
| US09582566B2 |
Condensing hierarchical data
A computing device includes at least one processor, and at least one module operable by the at least one processor to receive data representing a hierarchy, wherein the hierarchy comprises at least one set of sibling nodes and a respective parent node, generate a condensed hierarchy by determining a grouping for the at least one set of sibling nodes, determine whether the at least one set of sibling nodes can be represented by the respective parent node, based at least in part on the grouping for the at least one set of sibling nodes, and responsive to determining that the at least one set of sibling nodes can be represented by the respective parent node, remove the at least one set of sibling nodes from the condensed hierarchy. The at least one module may further be operable by the at least one processor to output the condensed hierarchy for display. |
| US09582561B2 |
Size-based data synchronization
Data synchronization techniques are provided that effectively isolate data transfer over the network from actual interpretation of data. The data synchronization techniques include a protocol designed to work based on a “size” (amount) of data transferred over the network, irrespective of the content represented by the data that is transferred. The size itself may be determined, for example, by the client, backend system, an agreed-upon configuration that is maintained for a predetermined period of time, etc. In certain embodiments, a client transmits a request to the server that indicates a “requested payload size.” Using the requested payload size, the server generates a response (i.e., one or more messages) that provides the client with data, referred to herein as synchronization data, for storage at the client device. |
| US09582557B2 |
Sampling events for rule creation with process selection
Embodiments are directed towards generating a representative sampling as a subset from a larger dataset that includes unstructured data. A graphical user interface enables a user to provide various data selection parameters, including specifying a data source and one or more subset types desired, including one or more of latest records, earliest records, diverse records, outlier records, and/or random records. Diverse and/or outlier subset types may be obtained by generating clusters from an initial selection of records obtained from the larger dataset. An iteration analysis is performed to determine whether a sufficient number of clusters and/or cluster types have been generated that exceed at least one threshold and when not exceeded, additional clustering is performed on additional records. From the resultant clusters, and/or other subtype results, a subset of records is obtained as the representative sampling subset. |
| US09582556B2 |
Automatic generation of an extract, transform, load (ETL) job
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method automatically generates one or more Extract, Transform and Load (ETL) jobs. Input data in a source format and output data in a target format is received. The input data and output data is analyzed to determine properties and relationships thereof. One or more mapping models are automatically generated using the properties and relationships, wherein the mapping models describe the mapping and transformation of the input data to the output data. One or more ETL jobs are generated using the mapping models. Embodiments further include a system and program product apparatus for automatically generating one or more ETL jobs. |
| US09582549B2 |
Computer application data in search results
A computer-implemented search method includes receiving a registration request from each of one or more computer applications installed on a computing device and registering the applications in response to the request, wherein the registration request indicates an intent by the application to receive search query information from a search application associated with the device. The method also includes receiving user input on the device in the form of a query, providing the query to the one or more registered applications, receiving responses from the one or more registered applications that include data that is managed by the one or more registered applications; integrating the responses into a result set; and presenting the result set with the computing device. |
| US09582545B2 |
Systems and methods for optimizing file display for users
A system for optimizing the manner in which a listing of files is displayed to a user. In various embodiments, the system is configured to display the files based at least in part on a number of times the user has shared the files with other users of the system. In other embodiments, the system is configured to display the files based at least in part on the number of times the user has accessed the files or the number of times users with whom the files have been shared have accessed the files. In particular embodiments, the system displays files based at least in part on an amount of time that the user has accessed the files, that any user of the system has accessed the files, or that other users with whom that user has shared the files have accessed the files. |
| US09582542B2 |
Device and content searching method using the same
A device and method for searching for content, the device including: a display; a storage configured to store a plurality of contents; an inputter configured to receive a user answer to a question displayed on the display for searching for content stored in the storage; and a controller configured to determine, based on the plurality of contents, the question, output, through the display, the determined question, determine, based on the user answer to the output question, a criterion for searching for content, and output, through the display, a search result searched based on the criterion. |
| US09582541B2 |
Systems, methods, and computer program products to ingest, process, and output large data
A method for ingesting data, the method comprising receiving a file including a plurality of portions, each of the portions corresponding to a respective characteristic of a hardware or software component in a deployed system; breaking the file into a plurality of sections, each of the sections corresponding to a respective portion of the file; for each section, adding first metadata to uniquely identify the file and provide a name for the section; and distributing the sections to a plurality of container files. |
| US09582539B1 |
Optimizing database queries using reusable subqueries
A database system optimizes database queries that comprise subqueries. The database system factors out computation from two or more subqueries to a reusable subquery. The reusable subquery returns a result set. The subqueries are rewritten to use the result set and the database query modified to use the rewritten subqueries. The modified database query performs efficiently since the result set is computed only once for each subquery that uses the reusable query. The database system also composes nested subqueries that compute aggregate values. The database system identifies an inner subquery nested within an outer subquery, each subquery computing an aggregate value. The database system determines a new aggregate function corresponding to a composition of aggregate functions of the inner and the outer queries. The database system determines a composed query using the inner query with the outer query. The composed query uses the new aggregate function. |
| US09582538B1 |
Trend based distribution parameter suggestion
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for distributing content are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes accessing data specifying a plurality of search queries. Content distribution campaigns (“campaigns”) in which distribution of at least one content item is conditioned on a distribution parameter matching one of the search queries are identified. Two or more similar campaigns are identified, and a search query that matches a distribution parameter in at least one of the similar campaigns is identified as a candidate content distribution parameter. A trend score for the candidate content distribution parameter is determined based on a change in a submission rate of search queries that match the candidate distribution parameter. Suggestion data suggesting the candidate content distribution parameter as an additional content distribution parameter for at least one of the similar campaigns is provided based on the trend score. |
| US09582537B1 |
Structured search query generation and use in a computer network environment
Systems and methods of evaluating search query terms in a computer network environment are provided. A data processing system can obtain, from a computing device via a computer network, a first search query and a second search query, and can determine a relationship between the first search query and the second search query. The data processing system can generate a structured search query representative of the first search query and the second search query, and can select, based on the structured search query, a content item for display by the computing device. The data processing system can receive an indication of a click on the content item, and can provide, to a content publisher computing device, a representation of the structured search query and the indication of the click on the content item. |
| US09582529B2 |
Method and system for sorting data in a cloud-computing environment and other distributed computing environments
The current document is directed to a method and system for data processing in cloud-computing environments and other distributed-computing environments. Implementations of a merge sort suitable for the sorting of data within cloud-computing environments and other distributed-computing environments are disclosed. These implementations takes advantage of the massive parallelism available in cloud-computing environments as well as take into consideration numerous constraints regarding data-storage and data-retrieval operations in a cloud-computing environment. The implementations provide a type of data-sorting method and system that iteratively carries out highly parallel merge-sort operations that can be effectively applied over a range of data-set sizes up to extremely large data sets. |
| US09582514B2 |
Performing multidimensional search and content-associative retrieval on data that has been losslessly reduced using a prime data sieve
This disclosure relates to multidimensional search and retrieval on losslessly reduced data by organizing prime data elements using components of a structure of an input dataset so that searches can be performed on the losslessly reduced data based on the one or more components of the structure. Some embodiments can retrieve, from the data structure that organizes the prime data elements, either references to metadata for prime data elements, or metadata for prime data elements, or prime data elements in a content associative manner, based upon the value of certain fields or dimensions in an input query presented to the data structure (said data structure being called the prime data sieve). For every prime data element, the prime data sieve can retain a reverse reference to the losslessly reduced representation of each chunk that refers to the prime data element. |
| US09582513B2 |
Accessing data in a compressed container through dynamic redirection
Embodiments of the disclosure provide access to data in a compressed container through dynamic redirection, without storing decompressed data in persistent memory. The compressed container is stored in a first portion of memory. User data and reference files, with redirect pointers, for accessing corresponding files in the compressed container are stored in a second portion of memory. A command to access data is detected by a computing device. The redirect pointer in the reference file associated with the command redirects access to the corresponding compressed version of data stored in the compressed container. The corresponding accessed compressed version of data is decompressed on the fly and provided in response to the command without storing the decompressed data in persistent memory. Some embodiments provide integrity protection to validate the data coming from the compressed container. |
| US09582510B2 |
Live Upgrade
A method and corresponding system upgrades a live computer system. The method begins with migrating a copy of data from a first system to a communicatively coupled second system at a first time. Next, at one or more subsequent times, a copy of changed data is migrated from the first system to the second system until a threshold is reached. Finally, in response to reaching the threshold, a copy of the remaining changed data is migrated from the first system to the second system. A further embodiment of the method comprises: disabling access to the first system during the migration of data at the first time, enabling and maintaining access to the first system at the one or more subsequent times during the migration of the copy of changed data, and disabling access to the first system during the migration of the copy of the remaining changed data. In this manner, the system being upgraded is still highly available throughout the upgrade process. |
| US09582506B2 |
Conversion of declarative statements into a rich interactive narrative
Technologies pertaining to conversion of declarative statements written in a domain-specific language to data that is playable by a rich interactive narrative (RIN) player are described herein. A web browser can be configured to support a RIN player. Source code of a web page includes an indication that the RIN player is to be invoked, declarative statements written in the domain-specific language, and data that identifies a network-accessible location of a converter. The converter is configured to convert declarative statements in the domain-specific language to RIN data that is playable by the RIN player. Thus, a developer of a web page can utilize declarative statements in the domain-specific language to cause a RIN to be included in a web page. |
| US09582505B2 |
Handling user-specific information for content during content-altering operations
A content player receives user-specific information from different users and associates the information with content. Subsequently, the player receives a request to perform a content-altering operation. In response, the player performs the operation such that the information for the requesting user is affected, but not the information for other users. The information may include a placeholder, an indication as to whether the content and/or the entire content has been accessed, a protection status indicating whether or not the content can be deleted, and so on. The information may be added to and/or configured to accompany and/or otherwise be associated with the content. The player may identify the user so that different information for different users can be associated with the content for the respective user, such as by prompting the user to select an identifier from a list or perform a “log in.” |
| US09582500B2 |
Run-time SQL language translation
A method, system, and computer program product for database application migration. The method commences upon executing a foreign application, the foreign application emits SQL statements of a foreign SQL dialect that is incompatible with the SQL dialect of a native database system. The system configures a communication session to intercept the foreign SQL statements before the foreign SQL statements are received by the SQL parser of the native database system; and, while the foreign application is waiting for query results, the system translates the foreign dialect query statements into native SQL compatible with the native database system. The method further performs translating a return code from the native database system into a return code compatible with the foreign application. Configuring the database session connection comprises establishing a translation profile to translate foreign dialect SQL into native SQL, and to translate native SQL query return codes into foreign dialect return codes. |
| US09582498B2 |
Actions on digital document elements from voice
A set of one or more terms can be derived from the voiced user input. It can be determined that the set of one or more terms corresponds to a specific digital document in a computer system, and that the set of one or more terms corresponds to at least one computer-executable command. The determination that the set of one or more terms corresponds to the at least one command can include analyzing the set of one or more terms using a document-specific natural language translation data structure. The translation data structure can be a computer-readable data structure that is identified in the computer system with the specific digital document in the computer system. It can be determined that the set of one or more terms corresponds to an element in the document, and the at least one command can be executed on the element in the document. |
| US09582484B2 |
Methods and systems for filling forms
A system for facilitating filling at least one unfilled form including at least one data field is disclosed. The system includes a display module configured to display the at least one unfilled form. Further, the system includes a scanning module configured to scan at least one supporting document, a classifier module configured to classify the at least one supporting document into at least one document class, an extracting module configured to extract the information from the at least one supporting document based on the at least one document class, a questionnaire module configured to provide an adaptive questionnaire to obtain additional information, and a form-filling module configured to fill out the at least one unfilled form to obtain at least one filled form. Finally, the system includes a communication module configured to send the at least one filled form over a communication network. |
| US09582482B1 |
Providing an annotation linking related entities in onscreen content
Systems and methods are provided for providing insight for entities in mobile onscreen content. For example, a method includes receiving, from a mobile device, an indication of selection of a first entity represented by a visual cue in first annotation data for a screen capture image of a screen of the mobile device and determining entities related to the first entity in a graph-based data store. The method may also include identifying a second entity in the screen capture image that is one of the entities related to the first entity, generating second annotation data, the second annotation data including a visual element linking the first entity and the second entity, and providing the second annotation data for display with the screen on the mobile device. |
| US09582481B2 |
Mechanism for partial document restore
Method and apparatus for managing versions of a portion of a document on a computing system are described. Multiple versions of an object in the document are maintained on the computing system. A graphical representation of at least two versions of the object is displayed on a display to a user of the computing system. A previous version of the object is selected from the at least two versions of the object through an input device, and the object in the document is restored to the selected previous version. The object is a portion of the document less than the entirety of the document. |
| US09582480B1 |
Intelligent rendering of webpages
An indication to render a webpage is received. The webpage includes two or more frames and the two or more frames are rendered in a first order. A second order from a user is received. The webpage is rendered. The two or more frames of the webpage are rendered in the second order. |
| US09582478B2 |
Embedded document within an application
Data structures, methods, program products and systems for creating and executing an executable file for the Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless (BREW) where the file is capable of causing presentation of a document embedded in the file on a BREW system. |
| US09582474B2 |
Method and apparatus for performing a FFT computation
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for performing an FFT computation. The method includes: providing first and second input data elements in multiple memory areas of a memory unit; in each of a number of consecutive computation stages, performing multiple butterfly operations based on a first and second input data element to obtain two output data elements, wherein first and second input data elements for a plurality of multiple butterfly operations are simultaneously retrieved from predetermined memory locations of a first and second of memory areas; for each stage, storing two output data elements in the memory unit as input data elements for a next stage according to a mapping scheme configured to store output data elements at memory locations in first and second memory areas so that they are simultaneously retrievable as input data elements for a plurality of butterfly operations of subsequent computation stage. |
| US09582469B1 |
System and methods for determining attributes for arithmetic operations with fixed-point numbers
The present application is directed to determining attributes for results of arithmetic operations with fixed-point numbers. An indication is received of possible word lengths to store digits representing a result of an arithmetic operation with fixed-point numbers. An indication is received of how a placement of a radix point will be determined in the digits representing the result of the arithmetic operation with fixed-point numbers. When calculating the fixed-point arithmetic operation, one of the possible word lengths is employed for storing the digits representing the result of the fixed-point arithmetic operation. A placement of a radix point in the digits is based on the received indication of how the radix point is to be determined. Growth rate for a number of digits in a result of a series of arithmetic calculations is less than N, where N is equal to the number of arithmetic operations performed. |
| US09582467B2 |
Normalizing data for fast superscalar processing
A data normalization system is described herein that represents multiple data types that are common within database systems in a normalized form that can be processed uniformly to achieve faster processing of data on superscalar CPU architectures. The data normalization system includes changes to internal data representations of a database system as well as functional processing changes that leverage normalized internal data representations for a high density of independently executable CPU instructions. Because most data in a database is small, a majority of data can be represented by the normalized format. Thus, the data normalization system allows for fast superscalar processing in a database system in a variety of common cases, while maintaining compatibility with existing data sets. |
| US09582466B2 |
Vector register file
An aspect includes accessing a vector register in a vector register file. The vector register file includes a plurality of vector registers and each vector register includes a plurality of elements. A read command is received at a read port of the vector register file. The read command specifies a vector register address. The vector register address is decoded by an address decoder to determine a selected vector register of the vector register file. An element address is determined for one of the plurality of elements associated with the selected vector register based on a read element counter of the selected vector register. A word is selected in a memory array of the selected vector register as read data based on the element address. The read data is output from the selected vector register based on the decoding of the vector register address by the address decoder. |
| US09582459B2 |
List digest operation dispersed storage network frame
A method begins generating a plurality of list digest request frames. Each list digest request frames includes a payload section and a protocol header. The payload section includes a start slice name field, an end slice name, and a response count field. The protocol header includes a payload length field and an operation code field to indicate the list digest request operation. The method continues by outputting the list digest request frames to storage units of a dispersed storage network. |
| US09582458B2 |
Generation of a random sub-space of the space of assignments for a set of generative attributes for verification coverage closure
System, method and computer readable medium are described. The method may include obtaining user defined distribution traits characterizing a random sub-space of a space of assignments for a set of generative variables. The method may further include applying the user defined distribution traits on the space of assignments for a set of generative variables to generate the random sub-space of the space of assignments for a set of generative variables. The method may also include testing a device under test using the generated random sub-space of the space of assignments for a set of generative variables. |
| US09582456B2 |
Virtual GPIO
A finite state machine is provided that both serializes virtual GPIO signals and deserializes virtual GPIO signals. The finite state machine frames the serialized virtual GPIO signals into frames each demarcated by a start bit and an end bit. |
| US09582455B2 |
System and method for abstracting SATA and/or SAS storage media devices via a full duplex queued command interface to increase performance, lower host overhead, and simplify scaling storage media devices and systems
A simplified host accesses SATA and SAS storage media devices by abstracting the SATA and SAS protocols with one full duplex protocol that supports full command queuing to each storage media device, whether SATA or SAS, where the abstraction protocol is performance-centric and supports common high-level read and write access to a pool of storage media devices, each of which may have a SATA or SAS interface. The abstraction protocol is link-agnostic and may be carried via a multiplicity of direct attach or networked interfaces, including but not limited to PCIe, Ethernet (e.g., 1 GbE, 10 GbE, 40 GbE, or 100 GbE), Infiniband, ThunderBolt, Firewire, USB, and/or custom interfaces. The abstraction protocol also supports communicating with port expanders and port multipliers. |
| US09582446B2 |
Device for distributing data about a vehicle
A device for distributing data about a vehicle, has a first sensor data reception interface for receiving first sensor data from a first sensor, a second sensor data reception interface for receiving second sensor data from a second sensor, and a transmission interface for transmitting the data about the vehicle on the basis of the first sensor data and the second sensor data to a receiver. A vehicle and an on-board system which incorporate the devise are also encompassed herein. |
| US09582442B2 |
Intercomponent data communication between different processors
A request to send a message from a first component, located on a first processor, to a second component, located on a second processor, is received. It is determined that the second processor can be communicated with via a first bidirectional communication path. It is determined that bandwidth is available on the first bidirectional communication path. It is determined that bandwidth is available on a second bidirectional communication path. In response to a determination that bandwidth is available on the second bidirectional communication path, a data path is created between the first component and the second bidirectional communication path and the request to send the message to the second component is granted. In response to a determination that bandwidth is not available on the first bidirectional communication path or on the second bidirectional communication path, the grant of the request to send the message to the second component is delayed. |
| US09582441B2 |
Clockless serial slave device
Various methods and devices involving a slave device are discussed. The slave device, which may be without a clock input, receives a clock message and generates a clock based on the received clock message. In some embodiments, the slave device receives a further clock message and transmits a confirmation message simultaneously with receiving the further clock message. In other embodiments, determining a clock may comprise sampling the clock message with an internal system clock and providing the clock based on located edges. Other techniques are also discussed. |
| US09582440B2 |
Credit based low-latency arbitration with data transfer
An apparatus includes multiple data sources and arbitration circuitry. The data sources are configured to send to a common destination data items and respective arbitration requests, such that the data items are sent to the destination regardless of receiving any indication that the data items were served to the destination in response to the respective arbitration requests. The arbitration circuitry is configured to receive and buffer the data items, to perform arbitration on the buffered data items responsively to the arbitration requests, and to serve the buffered data items to the destination in accordance with the arbitration. |
| US09582436B2 |
Apparatus and method for copying rules between devices
Devices, systems, and methods are described for allowing rules that are applied to one device to be applied to another device based on a user's interaction with only the devices. A rule-copy action, such as simultaneous shaking of the two devices, proximity of the two devices to each other, and/or the relative positions of the two devices, may be detected at one of the devices (e.g., a first device to which the user desires the rules or a copy of the rules to apply). In response to the rule-copy action, another device (e.g., a second device configured to operate according to the at least one rule) may be identified. The at least one rule may then be caused to be applied to the first device in response to detection of the rule-copy action, so as to configure the first device to operate according to the at least one rule. |
| US09582435B2 |
Memory system and method for efficient padding of memory pages
In one embodiment, a memory system is provided comprising a memory die and a controller. The memory die comprises a non-volatile memory, a data latch, and an on-chip randomizer. The controller is configured to send a command to the memory die to cause the on-chip randomizer to store random data in the data latch and send data to the memory die to overwrite some, but not all, of the random data in the data latch, wherein the memory die is configured to transfer the data and random data stored in the data latch to the non-volatile memory. Other embodiments are provided. |
| US09582431B2 |
Storage address space to NVM address, span, and length mapping/converting
Storage address space to NVM address, span, and length mapping/converting is performed by a controller for a solid-state storage system that includes a mapping function to convert a logical block address from a host to an address of a smallest read unit of the NVM. The mapping function provides span and length information corresponding to the logical block address. The span information specifies a number of contiguous smallest read units to read to provide data (corresponding to the logical block address) to the host. The length information specifies how much of the contiguous smallest read units relate to the data provided to the host. The converted address and the length information are usable to improve recycling of no longer needed (e.g. released) portions of the NVM, and usable to facilitate recovery from outages and/or unintended interruptions of service. |
| US09582429B2 |
Multi-core data array power gating cache restoral programming mechanism
An apparatus including a device programmer, a stores, and a plurality of cores. The device programmer programs a semiconductor fuse array with compressed configuration data for a plurality of cores disposed on a die. The stores has a plurality of sub-stores that each correspond to each of the plurality of cores, where one of the plurality of cores is configured to access the semiconductor fuse array upon power-up/reset to read and decompress the configuration data, and to store a plurality of decompressed configuration data sets for one or more cache memories within the each of the plurality of cores in the plurality of sub-stores. The plurality of cores each has sleep logic that is configured to subsequently access a corresponding one of the each of the plurality of sub-stores to retrieve and employ the decompressed configuration data sets to initialize the one or more caches following a power gating event. |
| US09582427B2 |
Implementing selective cache injection
A method, system and memory controller for implementing memory hierarchy placement decisions in a memory system including direct routing of arriving data into a main memory system and selective injection of the data or computed results into a processor cache in a computer system. A memory controller, or a processing element in a memory system, selectively drives placement of data into other levels of the memory hierarchy. The decision to inject into the hierarchy can be triggered by the arrival of data from an input output (IO) device, from computation, or from a directive of an in-memory processing element. |
| US09582426B2 |
Hardware managed compressed cache
A computing element, system, and method for implementing control structures for a compressed cache in hardware. Embodiments provide a first engine configured to allocate and deallocate virtual memory pages and physical memory pages from pools of available pages to store received data to the compressed cache, a second engine configured to compress received data and store the compressed data. Embodiments also provide for embedding data within the virtual and physical memory pages to indicate page size, type, and data compression. |
| US09582425B2 |
Set selection of a set-associative storage container
A computer-implemented method includes generating a vector that is a random number. Two or more residue functions are applied to the vector to produce a state signal including a different number of states. A set status of a set-associative storage container in a computer system is determined. The set status identifies whether each set of the set-associative storage container is enabled or disabled. One of the state signals is selected that has a same number of states as a number of the sets that are enabled. The selected state signal is mapped to the sets that are enabled to assign each of the states of the selected state signal to a corresponding one of the sets that are enabled. A set selection of the set-associative storage container is output based on the mapping to randomly select one of the sets that are enabled from the set-associative storage container. |
| US09582424B2 |
Counter-based wide fetch management
Embodiments relate to counter-based wide fetch management. An aspect includes assigning a counter to a first memory region in a main memory that is allocated to a first application that is executed by a processor of a computer. Another aspect includes maintaining, by the counter, a count of a number of times adjacent cache lines in the cache memory that correspond to the first memory region are touched by the processor. Another aspect includes determining an update to a data fetch width indicator corresponding to the first memory region based on the counter. Another aspect includes sending a hardware notification from a counter management module to supervisory software of the computer of the update to the data fetch width indicator. Yet another aspect includes updating, by the supervisory software, the data fetch width indicator of the first memory region in the main memory based on the hardware notification. |
| US09582423B2 |
Counter-based wide fetch management
Embodiments relate to counter-based wide fetch management. An aspect includes assigning a counter to a first memory region in a main memory that is allocated to a first application that is executed by a processor of a computer. Another aspect includes maintaining, by the counter, a count of a number of times adjacent cache lines in the cache memory that correspond to the first memory region are touched by the processor. Another aspect includes determining an update to a data fetch width indicator corresponding to the first memory region based on the counter. Another aspect includes sending a hardware notification from a counter management module to supervisory software of the computer of the update to the data fetch width indicator. Yet another aspect includes updating, by the supervisory software, the data fetch width indicator of the first memory region in the main memory based on the hardware notification. |
| US09582420B2 |
Programmable memory mapping scheme with interleave properties
Mapping an address for memory access in a memory system into a combination address that includes a memory bank identifier and a memory bank internal address. The address is partitioned into a first portion, and a second portion. The memory bank identifier is determined by performing a look-up operation in a look-up matrix, in which a look-up matrix row is determined by the value of the first portion, and a look-up matrix column is determined by the value of a binary number with two or more bits formed by applying a parity function to two or more respective sub-portions of the second portion. The memory bank internal address is derived based on the second portion of the address. |
| US09582414B2 |
Semiconductor storage device and control method thereof
A memory includes a cell array including memory cells storing data, and a write driver writing data to the cells. A write driver performs or does not perform writing of write data according to write mask data input along with the write data. A multiplexer selectively outputs a write protect signal or the write mask data. The write protect signal is fixed to a command prohibiting the write data from being written. The command is included in the write mask data. A write protect controller controls the multiplexer to output the write protect signal when an address of a write protect area in the cell array matches an address of the write data. The write protect controller controls the multiplexer to output the write mask data as it is when the address of the write protect area in the cell array does not match the address of the write data. |
| US09582409B2 |
Regression testing of SQL execution plans for SQL statements
A first execution plan for a first version of a structured query language statement can be requested from a database management system. The first execution plan for the first version of the structured query language statement can be loaded into a first directed graph tree structure comprising a plurality of nodes. The first directed graph tree structure can be scanned to determine whether a full table scan for accessing requested data is represented by at least a one of the plurality of nodes of the directed graph tree structure. Responsive to determining that the full table scan for accessing the requested data is represented by the at least one of the plurality of nodes of the directed graph tree structure, a first indicator that indicates a fault condition can be output. |
| US09582407B2 |
Security role testing using an embeddable container and properties object
Mechanisms are provided for performing security role definition testing. An application is received in a container of a runtime environment of the data processing system. The application has methods and security role definitions associated with the methods. A properties object, which specifies a user identifier to security role mapping, is received in the container. A test application is executed, in the container, by the processor, on an execution of the methods of the application based on the user identifier to security role mapping and the security role definitions. The test application tests an operation of the application with regard to the security role definitions. A result of the execution of the test application on the execution of the methods of the application is then output. |
| US09582405B2 |
System for testing a browser-based application
A system for testing multiple language versions of a browser-based application. A host language Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) request issued by a host language browser is received. The host language HTTP request is configured to be sent to a host server address. The host language HTTP request comprises parameter strings in a host language. A target language HTTP request is generated by replacing each host parameter string of at least one host parameter string of the parameter strings in the received HTTP request with a respective target parameter string associated with a target language that differs from the host language. The generated target language HTTP request is configured to be sent to a target server address associated with and different from the host server address. |
| US09582400B1 |
Determining when to evaluate program code and provide results in a live evaluation programming environment
A device may provide a user interface that includes a first section for displaying multiple portions of program code and a second section for displaying multiple results of evaluating the multiple portions of program code. The device may detect an evaluation trigger associated with an unevaluated portion of program code of the multiple portions of program code. The device may determine one or more portions of program code to be evaluated based on detecting the evaluation trigger. The one or more portions of program code may be less than the multiple portions of program code. The device may cause the one or more portions of program code to be evaluated to generate one or more corresponding results. The device may provide the one or more corresponding results for display via the second section of the user interface. |
| US09582393B2 |
Method to facilitate rapid deployment and rapid redeployment of an information handling system
An information handling system includes a processor, a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) boot volume, and a memory including UEFI code and a setup module. The UEFI code is executable by the processor to boot the information handling system, determine if the UEFI boot volume includes a setup data file, and launch the setup module in response to determining that the UEFI boot volume includes the setup data file. The setup module is executable by the processor to read first information from the setup data file, and set a first configuration setting of the information handling system based upon the first information. |
| US09582392B2 |
Add-on performance advisor
Various embodiments provide an add-on advisor that is designed to assist users in managing add-ons for a browser and/or other application programs. In at least some embodiments, the add-on advisor can be implemented to detect newly installed add-ons and provide notifications to a user of the detected add-ons. The notifications regarding new add-ons can be configured with options to permit the user to enable or disable the add-ons. Add-ons that are not explicitly enabled by a user can be prevented from operating by the add-on advisor. Further, in at least some embodiments, the add-on advisor can be implemented to monitor performance impact of add-ons and provide notifications to a user when add-ons adversely affect performance. The user can then interact with the add-on advisor to improve performance by selectively enabling and disabling add-ons. |
| US09582388B2 |
Dynamic multi-purpose external access points connected to core interfaces within a system on chip (SOC)
An integrated circuit device comprises multiple cores each comprising one or more separate input and output interfaces, the multiple cores integrated within the integrated circuit device to function as a single computer system. Internal inter-chip connection links are disposed on the integrated circuit device for connecting one or more cores with at least one other core via the one or more separate input and output interfaces. One or more bidirectional access ports are communicatively connected in each path of the inter-chip connection links to enable a separate external access point to each of the one or more separate input and output interfaces of the cores, wherein each of the one or more bidirectional access ports is dynamically selectable as each of an external input interface of the integrated circuit device and an external output interface of the integrated circuit device. |
| US09582382B1 |
Snapshot hardening
A method, system, and computer product for hardening a snapshot in a journal based replication environment comprising a production and replication site, the replicated environment running in production side protection mode, the method comprising sending notification of a start of the check from the production site to the replication site, receiving the notification at the replication site, and recording the start of the check, running a check on the replication environment, associating the check with one or more snapshots, upon completion of the check, and storing the results of the check on the replication site. |
| US09582381B2 |
Multi-threaded server control automation for disaster recovery
Systems and methods for multi-threaded server control automation for disaster recovery are described. A method may include initiating a disaster recovery sequence on two or more processors, wherein the disaster recovery sequence comprises a plurality of subsequences. The method may also include implementing the disaster recovery sequence on the two or more processors in parallel, wherein one or more subsequences of the disaster recovery sequence are implemented on the two or more processors in parallel. Upon completion of the disaster recovery sequence, at least one server partition is repurposed from a first configuration, such as a test configuration, to a second configuration, such as a production configuration. |
| US09582380B2 |
Secure fallback network device
A network device and method may provide secure fallback operations. The device includes a port allowing the device to communicate with a network and a processor to generate a security credential, provide the security credential to a call manager during initialization, and provide the security credential to a secondary device during fallback operations. The network device may include a memory to store the security credential and routing information for fallback operations. |
| US09582377B1 |
Dynamic sizing of storage capacity for a remirror buffer
A remirror buffer can be used in failover situations so as to backup storage volumes in a service provider. The remirror buffer is dynamically resized to meet current usage metrics captured from a data center. A risk boundary can be defined through which resource hosts are grouped together so as to determine the usage metrics. The risk boundary can be based on a topology of the data center, such as a room/rack/sharing of power supplies, or other characteristics of the resource hosts. |
| US09582376B2 |
Unified communications module (UCM)
A fault tolerant control system delivers an embedded functional safety core and a distributed control engine with an onboard communication link in an industrial process control environment. The fault tolerant control system includes a process control workstation connected to a first network and a fault tolerant safety controller connected to a second network, wherein a process controller module, a safety controller module and a field device system integration module are co-located on a power interface board. |
| US09582371B1 |
Balancing latency and consistency requirements during data replication
In an approach for balancing latency and consistency requirements during data replication, a processor defines a set of strategies representative of different types of inconsistencies between a first database and a second database, wherein the different types of inconsistencies vary with respect to details of a particular replication technology. A processor specifies a latency threshold at which a first type of inconsistency is allowed, based on user input of business information to enhance business value, wherein the type of inconsistency is selected from the set of strategies. A processor determines that a requested replication crosses the latency threshold. A processor pushes data into a target database, wherein latency is dynamically balanced with data consistency, based on the latency threshold. |
| US09582370B2 |
Memory system storing management information and method of controlling same
A memory system includes a management-information restoring unit. The management-information restoring unit determines whether a short break has occurred referring to a pre-log or a post-log in a NAND memory. The management-information restoring unit determines that a short break has occurred when the pre-log or the post-log is present in the NAND memory. In that case, the management-information restoring unit determines timing of occurrence of the short break, and, after selecting a pre-log or a post-log used for restoration, performs restoration of the management information reflecting these logs on a snapshot. Thereafter, the management-information restoring unit applies recovery processing to all write-once blocks in the NAND memory, takes the snapshot again, and opens the snapshot and the logs in the past. |
| US09582362B2 |
Setting a default read signal based on error correction
The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to setting a default read signal based on error correction. A number of methods can include reading a page of data from a group of memory cells with a first discrete read signal and error correcting at least one codeword of the page of data as read with the first discrete read signal. Methods can include reading a page of data from the group of memory cells with a second discrete read signal different than the first discrete read signal and error correcting at least one codeword of the page of data as read with the second discrete read signal. One of the first and the second discrete read signals can be set as a default read signal based at least in part on the respective error corrections. |
| US09582359B2 |
Write mapping to mitigate hard errors via soft-decision decoding
An apparatus having mapping and interface circuits. The mapping circuit (i) generates a coded item by mapping write unit bits using a modulation or recursion of past-seen bits, and (ii) calculates a particular state to program into a nonvolatile memory cell. The interface circuit programs the cell at the particular state. Two normal cell states are treated as at least four refined states. The particular state is one of the refined states. A mapping to the refined states mitigates programming write misplacement that shifts an analog voltage of the cell from the particular state to an erroneous state. The erroneous state corresponds to a readily observable illegal or atypical write sequence, and results in a modified soft decision from that calculated based on the normal states only. A voltage swing between the particular state and the erroneous state is less than between the normal states. |
| US09582358B2 |
Initialization scheme during dual programming of a memory system
A memory system or flash memory device may include mechanism for handling power loss with a dual programming architecture. The state of primary and secondary blocks may be reconstructed to a state immediately preceding a power loss. The reconstruction may include comparing error correction code (ECC) headers of blocks to recreate a block exchange with fewer control updates. The comparison can be used to identify a primary and secondary block. The header may identify a particular stream, identify a free block, identify a release block, and other information. |
| US09582357B2 |
Method and apparatus for treatment of state confidence data retrieved from a non-volatile memory array
Various embodiments are generally directed to an apparatus, method and other techniques to retrieve data from a non-volatile memory, and to read a memory cell of the non-volatile memory at a first set of sense conditions comprising a multiplicity of sense conditions. Embodiments also include an apparatus, method and other techniques to set a first set of bits in an encoded output, the first set of bits comprising a logical state bit to indicate a logical state of the memory cell and one or more additional bits in the encoded output to indicate accuracy of the logical state bit based upon results of the read at the first set of sense conditions, the first set of sense conditions comprising a greater number than that of the first set of bits. |
| US09582351B2 |
Device driver error isolation on devices wired via FSI chained interface
Fault isolation for a computer system having multiple FRUs in an FSI chain uses logic embedded in a device driver to determine first failure data and a logical error identifier. The logical error identifier represents a hardware logical area of the fault. The fault is then mapped to a segment of the system based on a self-describing system model which includes FRU boundary relationships for the devices. Operation of the device driver is carried out by a flexible service processor. The device driver uses the first failure data to identify a link at a failure point corresponding to the fault and determine a failure type at the link, then maps the link and the failure type to the logical error identifier. After identifying the segment, the device driver can generate a list of callouts of the field replaceable units associated with the segment which require replacement. |
| US09582348B2 |
Correcting overlapping data sets in a volume
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for correcting overlapping data sets in a volume. A determination is made of overlapping data sets in a first volume that are assigned a same data unit. The data sets in the first volume that are not assigned a same data unit are copied to a second volume. The same data unit is processed to determine one of the overlapping data sets for which the same data unit is intended and copied to the determined overlapping data set in the second volume. |
| US09582346B2 |
Selecting I/O interrupt target for multi-core server systems
Implementations of the present disclosure involve a system and/or method for handling errors in a multi-node commercial computing system running a number of guest applications simultaneously. In particular, the system and/or method provides the ability to program on a per-error basis the destination within the system for an interrupt based on an I/O error, the ability to provision for multiple/redundant error reporting paths for a class of more severe errors and/or distributed set of error status and log registers to aid software in narrowing down the source of an error that triggered the interrupt. In addition, the system provides for dynamically altering the destination of the error handling in response to one or more operating conditions of the system. Such flexibility in the system provides for a more robust error handling without impacting the performance of the multi-node computing system. |
| US09582344B2 |
Predicting anomalies and incidents in a computer application
A method for predicting anomalies in a computer application includes during runtime of the computer application, detecting traffic metrics and incident tickets associated with the computer application, the incident ticket indicating an incident might occur in the computer application; calculating a threshold based on absolute values of second order differences associated with the traffic metrics, wherein the threshold is such that when the absolute value of the second order difference associated with the traffic metrics exceeds the threshold, a recall rate Rrecall that the computer application is recalled is maximized; obtaining predicted metrics of the computer application in a next time period based on the traffic metrics; and in response to an absolute value of a second order difference associated with the predicted metrics exceeding the threshold, predicting potential anomalies of the computer application in the next time period. |
| US09582343B2 |
Key input processing in virtualized computing environment
An example method is provided to process an input in a virtualized computing environment. The virtualized computing environment may include a physical machine running a host operating system and a virtualization software with one or more virtual machines. The example method may include detecting activation of at least one key input that causes a first message to be generated, the first message associated with the key input, comparing the first message with a set of stored messages, wherein any of the set of stored messages can be properly executed by targets in both the host operating system and the virtual machine but with different responses, and determining, based on the comparing, whether the first message is intended for a target in the host operating system or in the virtual machine. |
| US09582342B2 |
API constraint language for a communication device
A communication device and associated method which is configured to utilize an API constraint language for communication of resource constraints between different layers of a communication stack. A first layer of the communication stack executing in a first communication device may receive application programming interface (API) messages from a second layer of the communication stack also executing in the first communication device. In addition, the first layer may receive resource constraints with the one or more API messages. These one or more resource constraints may be generated by the second layer, or other software executing in the communication device. The first layer may then execute communication functions based on the API messages and subject to the resource constraints. The resource constraints may affect usage of hardware and/or software resources of the first communication device during execution of the communication functions. |
| US09582339B2 |
Operation of software modules in parallel
Embodiments of computer-implemented methods, systems, computing devices, and computer-readable media (transitory and non-transitory) are described herein for accelerating a task that includes operation of a plurality of software modules among a plurality of parallel processing threads. In various embodiments, operation of the software modules may include postponement of operation of a first of the plurality of software modules in a first of the processing threads until a determination that the first software module is not deemed in operation. In various embodiments, the first software module may be deemed in operation while itself in operation or while awaiting completion of operation of any other software module called by the first software module. |
| US09582330B2 |
Methods and system for distributing data to technical computing workers
A method and system is disclosed for providing a distributed technical computing environment for distributing technical computing tasks from a technical computing client to technical computing workers for execution of the tasks on one or more computers systems. Tasks can be defined on a technical computing client, and the tasks organized into jobs. The technical computing client can directly distribute tasks to one or more technical computing workers. Furthermore, the technical computing client can submit tasks, or jobs comprising tasks, to an automatic task distribution mechanism that distributes the tasks automatically to one or more technical computing workers providing technical computing services. The technical computing worker performs technical computing of tasks and the results of the execution of tasks may be provided to the technical computing client. Data associated with the tasks is managed by a programmable interface associated with a data storage repository. The interface allows the various entities of the distributed technical computing environment to access data services performable by the interface or by a file system or a database and database management system associated with the data. |
| US09582328B1 |
Allocation of resources in computing environments
A specification of resource requirements is received. One or more resource configurations for a computing environment that satisfy the specification of resource requirements are generated utilizing a description of available resources in the computing environment. A model is utilized to estimate a level of service for each of the resource configurations, wherein the model predicts behavioral dependencies between attributes of the resources in the computing environment. A given one of the resource configurations is selected based at least in part on the estimated levels of service, and resources in the computing environment are assigned according to the selected configuration of resources. |
| US09582327B2 |
Compute-centric object stores and methods of use
Systems and methods for providing a compute-centric object store. An exemplary method may include receiving a request to perform a compute operation on at least a portion of an object store from a first user, the request identifying parameters of the compute operation, assigning virtual operating system containers to the objects of the object store from a pool of virtual operating system containers. The virtual operating system containers may perform the compute operation on the objects according to the identified parameters of the request. The method may also include clearing the virtual operating system containers and returning the virtual operating system containers to the pool. |
| US09582326B2 |
Quality of service classes
In one embodiment, tasks executing on a data processing system can be associated with a Quality of Service (QoS) classification that is used to determine the priority values for multiple subsystems of the data processing system. The QoS classifications are propagated when tasks interact and the QoS classes are interpreted a multiple levels of the system to determine the priority values to set for the tasks. In one embodiment, one or more sensors coupled with the data processing system monitor a set of system conditions that are used in part to determine the priority values to set for a QoS class. |
| US09582325B2 |
Method for scheduling with deadline constraints, in particular in Linux, carried out in user space
A method for scheduling tasks with deadline constraints, based on a model of independent periodic tasks and carried out in the user space by means of API POSIX is provided. |
| US09582323B2 |
Honoring hardware entitlement of a hardware thread
A method for scheduling the execution of a computer instruction, receive an entitlement processor resource percentage for a logical partition on a computer system. The logical partition is associated with a hardware thread of a processor of the computer system. The entitlement processor resource percentage for the logical partition is stored in a register of the hardware thread associated with the logical partition. An instruction is received from the logical partition of the computer system and the processor dispatches the instruction based on the entitlement processor resource percentage stored in the register of the hardware thread associated with the logical partition. |
| US09582322B2 |
Method and apparatus to avoid deadlock during instruction scheduling using dynamic port remapping
A method for performing dynamic port remapping during instruction scheduling in an out of order microprocessor is disclosed. The method comprises selecting and dispatching a plurality of instructions from a plurality of select ports in a scheduler module in first clock cycle. Next, it comprises determining if a first physical register file unit has capacity to support instructions dispatched in the first clock cycle. Further, it comprises supplying a response back to logic circuitry between the plurality of select ports and a plurality of execution ports, wherein the logic circuitry is operable to re-map select ports in the scheduler module to execution ports based on the response. Finally, responsive to a determination that the first physical register file unit is full, the method comprises re-mapping at least one select port connecting with an execution unit in the first physical register file unit to a second physical register file unit. |
| US09582318B2 |
Method, computer program product and system for switching application programs
In a processor-controlled multimedia terminal connected to a processor-controlled multimedia docking device, a group of application programs is stored and made available for execution. The application programs can run on the multimedia terminal in the foreground or background. Only one application program of the group is executed in the foreground at one time. An application program can output data via a graphical user interface while running in the foreground. While running in the background, however, an application program cannot output data via the graphical user interface. In the multimedia terminal, a memory area is also provided, to which the application programs have read and write access during execution thereof. An application-specific data set is stored in the memory area for each application program, the data set remaining in the memory area even after the respective application program has ended. A first application program, during execution thereof in the multimedia terminal, reads the application-specific data sets of the other application programs of the group and stores them in a list. The list is also transmitted to the multimedia docking device. Data for the application programs contained in the list is displayed on the multimedia docking device. An application program is selected from the list as the second application program. A switchover is then made in the multimedia terminal from the execution of the first application program to an execution of the second application program by the multimedia docking device, wherein the execution of the first application program in the foreground on the multimedia terminal is ended and the second application program is brought to run in the foreground. |
| US09582317B2 |
Method of using use log of portable terminal and apparatus using the same
A method of determining a second application related to a first application being executed by using a use log of a portable terminal and executing the second application according to a user input and an apparatus for supporting the same are provided. The portable terminal may determine the second application related to the first application being executed, based on a use log collected in a previous context state identical or similar to a current context state of a user. At this time, in order to determine the current context state of the user, the portable terminal may use information related to a location of the portable terminal and information related to a current time. |
| US09582316B2 |
One-time initialization
Aspects of the present invention are directed at providing safe and efficient ways for a program to perform a one-time initialization of a data item in a multi-threaded environment. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided that allows a program to perform a synchronized initialization of a data item that may be accessed by multiple threads. More specifically, the method includes receiving a request to initialize the data item from a current thread. In response to receiving the request, the method determines whether the current thread is the first thread to attempt to initialize the data item. If the current thread is the first thread to attempt to initialize the data item, the method enforces mutual exclusion and blocks other attempts to initialize the data item made by concurrent threads. Then, the current thread is allowed to execute program code provided by the program to initialize the data item. |
| US09582310B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining the identity of a virtual machine
A hypervisor preferably provides VM (virtual machine) identification, priority and LUN/LBA range information to the HBA (host bus adapter) when a VM is created. Alternatively, the HBA can determine that a LUN/LBA range is new and request VM identity, priority and LUN/LBA range from the hypervisor. The HBA creates a table containing the VM identification, priority and LUN/LBA range. The HBA then detects operations directed to the LUN/LBA range and does a lookup to determine VM identification and priority. VM identification and priority are then mapped into a field in a frame using a unique identifier. The unique identifier can be placed using reserved bits on the existing Fiber Channel (FC) header or can use bits in an additional header, such as a modified IFR header or an optional device header. The VM identification aware HBAs register with the NS. |
| US09582306B2 |
Method and system to dynamically instantiate virtual repository for any services
A virtual machine/function of repository is used to collect information for use in providing a particular service to a particular user in a network. The virtual machine/function of repository is dynamically instantiating in a front end of the network upon receiving a request to provision the particular service for the particular user. The collected information pertains only to providing the particular service to the particular user. The virtual machine/function of repository is synchronized with one or more consolidated databases in a back end of the network. The virtual machine/function of repository is deleted upon discontinuation of the particular service for the particular user. |
| US09582305B2 |
Virtualization congestion control framework for modifying execution of applications on virtual machine based on mass congestion indicator in host computing system
Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing a virtualization congestion control framework. In one aspect, a method might include a hypervisor assigning application resources of a virtual machine (“VM”), which operates on a host computing system, with maximum allowable settings to each software application to be executed on the VM. The hypervisor or an orchestrator might determine a running mode of the host computing system, and might execute the software application(s) using running mode attributes of the determined running mode. The hypervisor or the orchestrator might monitor application resource utilization, and, based on a determination that application resource utilization has changed, might modify allocation of application resources to each of the software application(s). In some cases, the hypervisor or the orchestrator might monitor for mass congestion indicators, and, based on a determination that a mass congestion indicator is present, might modify the running mode of the host computing system. |
| US09582304B2 |
Remote management of virtual machines hosted in a private network
Management of virtual machines within a private network may be provided from a server application, such as a web application, on a machine remote from a private network. The server application receives management commands and communications the management commands in a vendor independent format to a client application within the private network. The client application receives the management commands, instantiates the management commands into a vendor specific definition and redirects the management commands to the virtual machine host for appropriate execution. |
| US09582300B2 |
Dynamic determination of local and remote API calls
Some embodiments provide a system and method for dynamically determining whether to execute a function locally or remotely for an application operating on a first device. The method, while the application is operating, identifies a set of conditions the evaluation of which dynamically determines whether to (i) direct a second device to remotely process a function or (ii) locally process the function on the first device. The method evaluates the identified set of conditions on the first device. When the evaluation of the set of conditions corresponds to remote processing of the function, the method directs the second device to process the function and return a response to the first device. When the evaluation of the set of conditions corresponds to local processing of the function, the method processes the function on the first device. |
| US09582296B2 |
Dynamic multi-user computer configuration settings
In an approach for managing user profiles, a computer identifies a first user profile and one or more additional user profiles, wherein the first user profile is active on a computing device. The computer receives streaming data. The computer receives a trigger wherein the received trigger includes biometric data. The computer identifies a second user profile from the identified one or more additional user profiles that is associated with the received trigger. The computer compares biometric data from the second user profile with the biometric data in the received trigger. The computer determines whether the biometric data matches, within a defined tolerance level, the biometric data in the second user profile. |
| US09582289B2 |
Communication interface selection on multi-homed devices
Configurable selection of communication interfaces on a multi-homed computing device. Application programs executing on the computing device define preferences, policies, and/or restrictions for use of the various communication interfaces. Responsive to a request from one of the application programs to communicate with a destination computing device, a list of the communication interfaces is created based on the preferences defined by the application program. The application program iteratively attempts to establish a connection to the destination computing device using each of the communication interfaces on the list. |
| US09582285B2 |
Speculative history forwarding in overriding branch predictors, and related circuits, methods, and computer-readable media
Speculative history forwarding in overriding branch predictors, and related circuits, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed. In one embodiment, a branch prediction circuit including a first branch predictor and a second branch predictor is provided. The first branch predictor generates a first branch prediction for a conditional branch instruction, and the first branch prediction is stored in a first branch prediction history. The first branch prediction is also speculatively forwarded to a second branch prediction history. The second branch predictor subsequently generates a second branch prediction based on the second branch prediction history, including the speculatively forwarded first branch prediction. By enabling the second branch predictor to base its branch prediction on the speculatively forwarded first branch prediction, an accuracy of the second branch predictor may be improved. |
| US09582282B2 |
Prefetching using a prefetch lookup table identifying previously accessed cache lines
A data processing apparatus has prefetch circuitry for prefetching cache lines of instructions into an instruction cache. A prefetch lookup table is provided for storing prefetch entries, with each entry corresponding to a region of a memory address space and identifying at least one block of one or more cache lines within the corresponding region from which processing circuitry accessed an instruction on a previous occasion. When the processing circuitry executes an instruction from a new region, the prefetch circuitry looks up the table, and if it stores a prefetch entry for the new region, then the at least one block identified by the corresponding entry is prefetched into the cache. |
| US09582276B2 |
Processor and method for implementing barrier operation using speculative and architectural color values
Methods and processors for enforcing an order of memory access requests in the presence of barriers in an out-of-order processor pipeline. A speculative color is assigned to instruction operations in the front-end of the processor pipeline, while the instruction operations are still in order. The instruction operations are placed in any of multiple reservation stations and then issued out-of-order from the reservation stations. When a barrier is encountered in the front-end, the speculative color is changed, and instruction operations are assigned the new speculative color. A core interface unit maintains an architectural color, and the architectural color is changed when a barrier retires. The core interface unit stalls instruction operations with a speculative color that does match the architectural color. |
| US09582268B2 |
Automatic communications graphing for a source application
A communications mapping system to generate a relational communications graph for a source application is provided. The deployment system includes at least one processor and a memory. The at least one processor configured to receive one or more source elements associated with the source application, the source application including a first sub-application and a second sub-application. The processor is also configured to identify a dependency relationship between the first sub-application and the second sub-application based at least in part on an inspection of the one or more source elements. The processor is further configured to generate the relational communications graph including the first sub-application, the second sub-application, and the dependency relationship and provide the relational communications graph for use in executing the source application in an execution environment. |
| US09582266B2 |
Apparatus and methods for in-application programming of flash-based programable logic devices
An architecture disposed in an integrated circuit for in-application programming of flash-based programmable logic devices includes a processor coupled to a processor system bus. An I/O peripheral is coupled to the processor over the system bus and is also coupled to an off-chip data source. A programmable logic device fabric includes flash-based programmable devices. A program controller is coupled to the flash-based programmable devices. An in-application programming controller is coupled to the program controller and is coupled to the processor over the system bus. |
| US09582264B1 |
Application rating prediction for defect resolution to optimize functionality of a computing device
A computer-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product improves a functionality of a computing device by optimizing improvements to an application running on the computing device. Defects in an application identified by user reviews are prioritized by one or more processors to create a representational model of user reviews. A rating improvement to the application caused by changing the application to resolve complaints represented by top-k negative review representations that are clustered within the predetermined distance from the defect representation is predicted by the processor(s). Based on the predicted rating improvement, the processor(s) apply defect solutions that correct problems described in the top-k negative review representations that are clustered within the predetermined distance from the defect representation to generate an improved version of the application, and then install the improved version of the application on the computing device to improve the functionality of the computing device. |
| US09582263B2 |
Computer update scheduling based on biometrics
Embodiments of the present invention relate to scheduling updates on a personal electronic device based on biometric data gathered from a user. The personal electronic device, or another computing device, may receive a pending software update. The personal electronic device, or another computing device, may receive biometric data of the user from one or more biometric sensors. The biometric data may provide sufficient information to determine a sleep status of the user. The personal electronic device, or another computing device, may determine a sleep status of the user. The personal electronic device, or another computing device, may install the pending software update in response to determining that the user is sleeping. The personal electronic device, or another computing device, may delay the pending software update in response to determining that the user is not sleeping. |
| US09582262B2 |
Systems and methods for installing upgraded software on electronic devices
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for upgrading electronic devices are provided. An exemplary method executed by a hardware processor may comprise providing a management agent on an electronic device for communicating with one or more device drivers associated with the electronic device. The management agent may be installed, for example, using a downloaded upgrade package. The method may further comprise upgrading the one or more device drivers to enable a direct connection between the management agent and the one or more device drivers. This direct connection, in some embodiments, may enable the management agent to access, using the one or more device drivers, persistent storage associated with the electronic device. The method may further comprise providing a new boot loader to the management agent, and overwriting, by the management agent, an existing boot loader in the persistent storage with the received new boot loader, using the one or more device drivers. |
| US09582261B2 |
Methods and apparatus to update application deployments in cloud computing environments
Methods, apparatus and systems are disclosed to update application deployments in cloud computing environments. An example method disclosed herein includes identifying an update profile to promote across the plurality of deployment environments, the update profile to update a component of the application, in response to a notification of promotion of the update profile received at a first deployment environment. The example method also includes displaying a user-selectable control in a user interface, the user-selectable control to specify whether to apply the update profile to the component of the application deployed in the first deployment environment, based on selection of the user-selectable control, performing a compatibility check of the first deployment environment and the update profile, and based on an outcome of the compatibility check, applying the update profile to the component of the application deployed in the first deployment environment. |
| US09582260B2 |
Method and apparatus for remote purchase, installation, and licensing of software
A method and apparatus for remote purchase, installation, and licensing of software is disclosed. The method comprising receiving, from a mobile device, a request for a software application; determining compatibility between at least one registered device and the software application; providing, to the mobile device, a list comprising compatible registered devices; placing the software application on an installation queue for the selected registered device in response to an input; and downloading the queued software application to the registered device. |
| US09582258B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing 64-bit registry keys using a 32-bit installer
A computer implemented method and apparatus for creating 64-bit registry keys using a 32-bit installer comprising creating a feature tree for a plurality of 64-bit features, receiving a plurality of features selected for installation, creating 32-bit registry keys for the plurality of selected features, storing the 32-bit registry keys in a 32-bit hive of a memory, synchronizing the selected features in the feature tree to a 64-bit hive and storing a feature list registry of the plurality of features selected for installation. |
| US09582256B2 |
Automated cooperative concurrency with minimal syntax
Various embodiments are generally directed to techniques for reducing syntax requirements in application code to cause concurrent execution of multiple iterations of at least a portion of a loop thereof to reduce overall execution time in solving a large scale problem. At least one non-transitory machine-readable storage medium includes instructions that when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to parse an application code to identify a loop instruction indicative of an instruction block that includes instructions that define a loop of which multiple iterations are capable of concurrent execution, the instructions including at least one call instruction to an executable routine capable of concurrent execution; and insert at least one coordinating instruction into an instruction sub-block of the instruction block to cause sequential execution of instructions of the instruction sub-block across the multiple iterations based on identification of the loop instruction. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09582253B2 |
Expression editor system
An expression editor system allows a user to build an expression specifying an action that may occur during execution of a target application. The expression editor system includes an expression editor tool used to create, manage, and store action point definitions that include an action point identifier that specifies an action point located in target application program code. The expression editor system determines from the action point definition a dataset that is in-context at the action point in the application program code, obtains data field selections from the dataset that is in-context at the action point in the application program code, graphically builds an expression, and an outcome that executes depending the expression, links the outcome and the expression to form an action point rule for the action point, and saves the action point rule in the database for execution when the application program code reaches the action point. |
| US09582242B2 |
Method and apparatus for creating a multi-device media presentation
An approach is provided for multi-device media presentation. One or more neighboring devices are detected based, at least in part, on a request to present one or more media files at at least one device. One or more media presentation capabilities of the one or more neighboring devices are determined. At least one subgroup of the at least one device, the one or more neighboring devices, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on the one or more media presentation capabilities is formed. A layout comprising the at least one subgroup for a multi-device presentation of the one or more media files is determined. |
| US09582239B2 |
User input back channel for wireless displays
As part of a communication session, a wireless source device can transmit audio and video data to a wireless sink device, and the wireless sink device can transmit user input data received at the wireless sink device back to the wireless source device. In this manner, a user of the wireless sink device can control the wireless source device and control the content that is being transmitted from the wireless source device to the wireless sink device. The input data received at the wireless sink device can have associated coordinate information that is scaled or normalized by either the wireless sink device or the wireless source device. |
| US09582238B2 |
Decomposed multi-stream (DMS) techniques for video display systems
This disclosure describes techniques that can improve the generation of a decomposed multi-stream (DMS) by a host device of a video display system and the display of a DMS by a client device of the video display system. The techniques may apply different frame rates to different streams within a DMS, and the frame rates may depend on the content. For example, one stream within a DMS may comprise a sequence of full-motion video information, which may be rendered at a relatively high frame rate. However, another stream within the DMS may be associated with a background of the display, various graphic user interface control windows or elements, or a display window that includes non-video content (such as e-mail or a document). The second stream in the DMS may be rendered at a much slower frame rate than that used for the sequence of full-motion video information. |
| US09582237B2 |
Modular display panels with different pitches
An embodiment method of manufacturing modular panels includes manufacturing a group of modular display panels, including a first and second modular display panel that have the same size and shape. The first modular display panel includes a first pixel array arranged at a first pitch, and the second modular display panel includes a second pixel array that is arranged at a second pitch that is different than the first pitch. Any two modular display panels in the group are capable of being attached to each other in an integrated display system. |
| US09582236B2 |
User interface
An apparatus comprising: a first display area; a second display area; and an interface separating the first display area from the second display area; and a display controller configured to control display of a user interface element in a first configuration when the user interface element is movable across the interface from the first display area to the second display area and a first criteria dependent upon a distance of the user interface element from the interface is satisfied and is configured to control display of the user interface element in a second configuration, different to the first configuration, when the user interface element is movable across the interface from the first display area to the second display area and the first criteria concerning a distance of the user interface element from the interface is not satisfied. |
| US09582235B2 |
Handset states and state diagrams: open, closed transitional and easel
A multi-display device is adapted to turn on and off certain device functionality based on one or more of device state and triggers. These triggers include a transition trigger, an open trigger and a closed trigger. Furthermore, and based on one or more of these triggers and device state, the device can provide feedback to a user, such as visual feedback, audio feedback and vibration feedback to assist a user with determining when the device is changing state. The operation of the primary screen, secondary screen, system and feedback options are also described relative to the beginning and endpoint of the device transition. Furthermore, the trigger corresponding to a transitional trigger where primary and secondary screens have a certain angle orientation and the trigger corresponding to a trigger point where the primary and secondary screens have a second angle orientation relative to one another are described. |
| US09582234B2 |
System and method for the automatic aggregation of industrial automation displays
A data aggregation system comprises an aggregation server. The aggregation server receives from a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) graphics data comprising a graphical representation of a portion of an industrial automation environment over an enterprise network, receives operation data associated with an operation of the industrial automation environment over the enterprise network, and receives a request for a viewing session from a plurality of communication devices over a communication network. In response to the request, the aggregation server transfers the graphics data over the communication network to the plurality of communication devices. In response to the request, the aggregation server transfers the operation data over the communication network to the plurality of communication devices. |
| US09582232B2 |
Information processing apparatus, processing method, and storage medium for building a print application using a hybrid application
An embodiment of this invention solves a problem that when a print application is built using the configuration of a hybrid application, and print content is described in SVG, pixel values as a rendering result cannot be obtained. According to the embodiment, a processor of an information processing apparatus executes a program including a first program layer with an instruction set to be interpreted and executed by the processor and a second program layer with an instruction set interpreted in advance by a unit other than the processor in the following way. That is, content described in a first description language is converted into content in a second description language in the first program layer. The content is drawn by interpreting the second description language, and data of the interpreted and drawn content is obtained. |
| US09582229B2 |
Image forming apparatus configured for efficient shipping thereof, method for same, and method and kitting system for efficient installation thereof
Control processing reads out a serial number of an image forming apparatus from a serial number storage area, and reads out order information corresponding to the serial number from a shipping table written in a shipping table storage area before shipping. In addition, the control processing reads out, from an order table in a USB memory, preset setting information associated with the order information, and writes the read information in a non-volatile storage area. Then, by the system being restarted, a network, printing conditions, and the like are set according to the preset setting information written in the non-volatile storage area. |
| US09582228B2 |
Document administration system and document administration method
A document administration system includes an administration unit, a discrimination information image discriminating unit, and an image forming apparatus which, forms an image on a recording medium in case that the discrimination information image discriminating unit discriminates that the recording medium has the discrimination information image before the image is formed on the recording medium, and forms the image and the discrimination information image based on the discrimination information connected to the image on the recording medium in case that the discrimination information image discriminating unit discriminates that the recording medium does not have the discrimination information image before the image is formed on the recording medium. |
| US09582227B2 |
Printer control apparatus, printing control method, and printing control system for transmitting a reception request signal and adjusting a transmission interval of a transmission request signal
A printing control system, including a printer control apparatus and a host control apparatus, the printer control apparatus including: a first communication unit configured to transmit to the host control apparatus a reception request signal, which is for prompting the host control apparatus to transmit a transmission request signal; and a second communication unit configured to transmit data to the host control apparatus when receiving the transmission request signal, the host control apparatus including: a third communication unit configured to receive the reception request signal; and a fourth communication unit configured to, when receiving the reception request signal, transmit the transmission request signal, which is for prompting the printer control apparatus to transmit the data. |
| US09582224B2 |
Memory control circuit unit, memory storage apparatus and data accessing method
A memory control circuit unit including a plurality of data randomizer circuits and a data selection circuit is provided. When a first data stream is received from a host system, the first data stream is input into the data randomizer circuits to respectively output a plurality of second data streams. The data selection circuit selects one of the second data streams as a third data stream according to contents of the second data streams, and the third data stream is programmed into a rewritable non-volatile memory module. Accordingly, data written into the rewritable non-volatile memory module can be effectively disarranged. |
| US09582219B2 |
Technique for rapidly converting between storage representations in a virtualized computing environment
Embodiments described herein provide a storage conversion technique for rapidly converting between storage representations served by a storage system and presented to a host computer of a virtualized computing environment. The storage representations may include physical storage represented by a sequential set of blocks on disks of the storage system that are presented to the host computer in the form of a logical unit number (LUN) and virtual storage represented by a virtual storage device of the storage system that is presented to a hypervisor of the virtualized computing environment in the form of a virtual disk file. Illustratively, the LUN and virtual disk file may be storage objects (e.g., files) having different (file) types and formats in a volume of the storage system; yet each storage object may be organized as a buffer tree having indirect blocks that contain pointers configured to reference data blocks used to store data. |
| US09582218B2 |
Serial attached storage drive virtualization
Techniques are provided for an access device, such as a Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) expander, that is in communication with a storage device to subdivide the storage space of the storage device into a plurality of logical storage spaces, where the access device mediates storage and retrieval of data to and from the storage device. The access device maintains a unique identifier assigned to each of the logical storage spaces. Storage and retrieval of data to and from at least one of the logical storage spaces by way of the access device is based on the assigned unique identifier. The storage space may be subdivided using logical block addresses (LBAs) of the storage device without physically partitioning the available storage on the storage device. |
| US09582217B2 |
Electronic device and communication method
A communication method of an application processor includes generating a plurality of files; generating a file set channel by transmitting a first pattern of input/output (I/O) requests to a storage device, the I/O requests being I/O requests corresponding to files from among the plurality of files; and transmitting first bit data to the storage device via the file set channel, the first bit data being transmitted using file set signaling, the file set signaling including a second pattern of I/O requests corresponding to first files from among the plurality of files such that each file in the plurality of files represents a bit of the first bit data. |
| US09582215B2 |
Packet processing system, method and device utilizing memory sharing
A packet processing system having a control path memory of a control path subsystem and a datapath memory of a datapath subsystem. The datapath subsystem stores packet data of incoming packets and the control path subsystem performs matches of a subset of packet data, or a hash of the packet data, against the contents of a the control path memory in order to process the packets. The packet processing system enabling a portion of the datapath memory to be used by the control subsystem if needed or a portion of the control path memory to be used by the datapath subsystem if needed. |
| US09582214B2 |
Data access method and data access apparatus for managing initialization of storage areas
A storage system manages initialization status of a storage area block by block. The storage system allows reception of an access request indicating data write to Storage Area #1, which is a part of an uninitialized block. Upon receiving the access request, the storage system writes data to the designated Storage Area #1 without initializing Storage Area #1, and initializes, of the uninitialized block, Storage Area #2 not designated by the access request. The storage system determines that initialization of the uninitialized block has been completed with the data write to Storage Area #1 and the initialization of Storage Area #2. |
| US09582209B2 |
Efficient data deployment for a parallel data processing system
This document describes techniques for efficient data deployment for a parallel data processing system. In one embodiment, a virtualization platform running a parallel processing application that includes one or more virtual data nodes receives a first command to write a data block to a storage device. The platform then determines whether the first command was sent by a first virtual data node. If the first command was sent by a first virtual data node, the platform then 1) writes, the data block to a first location in the storage device; 2) returns the first location to the first virtual data node and 3) determines whether the data should be replicated. If the data should be replicated, the platform instructs the storage device to make a copy of the data block to a second location in the storage device and storing the second location in a tracking structure. |
| US09582201B2 |
Multi-tier scheme for logical storage management
A storage device may include a controller and a memory array including a plurality of dies arranged into a plurality of channels. In some examples, the controller may be configured to define, from the memory array, a plurality of die-sets based on respective chip enable lines associated with the plurality of dies, wherein each die-set of the plurality of die-sets includes at least one die from each of the plurality of channels; define, from a selected die-set of the plurality of die-sets, a plurality of blocksets, wherein each blockset includes a block from each die of the selected die-set; receive a unit of data to be stored; and issue commands that cause the unit of data to be stored in blocks of a selected blockset of the plurality of blocksets. |
| US09582199B2 |
Method and an apparatus for analyzing data to facilitate data allocation in a storage device
A method for data allocation in a storage device includes performing an analysis on current and past Input/Output (I/O) requests to access data in the storage device, the analysis yielding an output comprising a hotness of data and an access pattern of data associated with a file in the storage device, wherein the hotness and the access pattern are obtained by monitoring a working set of files in the storage device with respect to the I/O requests, and updating an allocation of data in the storage device based on the output of the analysis. |
| US09582196B2 |
Memory system
A memory system includes a plurality of memory devices; and a controller suitable for: dividing a plurality of commands applied from a host into first and second group commands according to a preset division reference, storing first and second group commands in first and second storage spaces, respectively, and alternately providing the first and second group commands to the plurality of memory devices according to a preset change reference. |
| US09582192B2 |
Geometry aware block reclamation
A storage device may include a plurality of memory devices, and a controller. The controller may be configured to perform garbage collection to reclaim one or more blocks included in a particular memory device of the plurality of memory devices by at least: removing the particular memory device from the set of write-eligible memory devices; reading data from the one or more blocks included in the particular memory device; and returning the particular memory device to the set of write-eligible memory devices. |
| US09582185B2 |
Method for scale adjustment of touch-based measurement equipment
A method for scale adjustment of touch-based measurement equipment has steps of providing a touch-based screen with a waveform area; determining if a first-direction gesture or a second-direction gesture is present on the waveform area; when the first-direction gesture is present, determining if an object touches one of two portions of the waveform area divided along a second direction of the waveform area and incrementing or decrementing a first scale when positive; and when the second-direction gesture is present, determining if an object touches one of two portions of the waveform area divided along a first direction of the waveform area and incrementing or decrementing a second scale. Scale adjustment on touch-based measurement equipment using one finger can be implemented with the foregoing method. |
| US09582181B2 |
Method and apparatus for unlocking lock screen in electronic device
A method and apparatus for unlocking a lock screen in an electronic device are provided. A method for unlocking a lock screen in an electronic device includes displaying a lock screen in which objects of the On and Off state have been randomly disposed, detecting a gesture for unlocking the lock screen, determining whether or not a first unlocking value generated in response to the gesture is identical with a predetermined second unlocking value, and unlocking the lock screen if the first unlocking value is identical with the second unlocking value. |
| US09582177B2 |
Method and apparatus for sending, retrieving, and planning location relevant information
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for sending and retrieving location relevant information to a user by selecting and designating a point of interest that is displayed on a graphical user interface and sending the location information associated with that point of interest to a receiver that is also selected using the graphical user interface. The location relevant information may also include mapped routes, waypoints, geo-fenced areas, moving vehicles etc. Updated location relevant information may also be continuously sent to the user while generating updated mapping information on the graphical user interface. The present invention may be practiced by using communication devices such as a personal computer, a personal digital assistance, in-vehicle navigation systems, or a mobile telephone. |
| US09582176B2 |
Moving a drag object on a screen
Moving a drag object on a screen in accordance with an operation of a pointer includes moving, using a processor, the drag object by a movement amount larger than a movement amount of a pointer, wherein a display position of the pointer is moved in accordance with an operation performed by a user, and displaying the drag object. |
| US09582165B2 |
Context-specific user interfaces
Context-specific user interfaces for use with a portable multifunction device are disclosed. The methods described herein for context-specific user interfaces provide indications of time and, optionally, a variety of additional information. Further disclosed are non-transitory computer-readable storage media, systems, and devices configured to perform the methods described herein. |
| US09582159B2 |
Keyword-based user interface in electronic device
A method for providing a user interface (UI) in an electronic device includes determining at least a starting keyword from a given target database, and associating each said starting keyword with a function of the electronic device; determining at least a linking keyword from a user profile database; creating a keyword tree from the at least a starting keyword and the at least a linking keyword, wherein the keyword tree has at least two layers, and the at least a linking keyword is placed in an upper layer relative to the at least a starting keyword; and providing the keyword tree on the electronic device for a user to browse and thereby select at least a said starting keyword by at least a said linking keyword on the keyword tree, thus starting the function. |
| US09582157B1 |
User interface and program guide for a multi-program video viewing apparatus
A user interface for display and navigation of multiple video programs displays a graphical user interface including a plurality of available video programs. A user is allowed to generate a custom list of video programs by selecting at least one video program from the plurality of video programs. The videos programs from the custom list are simultaneously displayed while displaying the graphical user interface to the user. |
| US09582156B2 |
Electronic publishing mechanisms
A content publisher can use a publisher tool to tag various content elements, which enables a user viewing content from the publisher to view related advertising. In at least some embodiments, the tool is a toolbar that the publisher can use to tag content elements such as images and text, whereby the toolbar can recommend related items to be linked to those content elements. The items can be associated with an entity, such as an advertiser or electronic retailer, that will provide some level of compensation to the publisher in return for the linking. Such an approach enables the publisher to monetize the content in a way that is minimally intrusive for the end user. |
| US09582155B2 |
Electronic apparatus, document display method and computer-readable recording medium having program recorded thereon
A touch panel acquires position information indicating the position of contact with or approach to an operation surface in every period divided by predetermined intervals. An action judging unit judges whether or not an action by contact with or approach to the operation surface of the touch panel is a first predetermined action. An operation determining unit determines a start page of automatic page-turning in which display pages of a document to be displayed are changed from one page to another in sequence on the basis of the position information and the information indicating the history of the position information when the action judging unit judges that action by the contact with or the approach to the operation surface of the touch panel is the first predetermined action. |
| US09582151B2 |
Method and apparatus for sharing user information in browsers of a mobile terminal
A method for sharing user information in browsers of a mobile terminal is disclosed in the present invention and comprises steps of: receiving a second operating command for importing the user information to a second browser; executing a first operating command for exporting the user information from the first browser in accordance with the second operating command for importing the user information to the second browser, and the first operating command is a command for exporting the user information from the first browser. |
| US09582149B2 |
Selective data downloading and presentation based on user interaction
Some embodiments of the invention are directed to, among other things, systems, computer readable media, methods and any other means for using a handheld device to present information to a user. The handheld device and server(s) can be configured to differentiate among inexpensive and expensive information. For example, the handheld device can be configured to present media listings that represent media stored on the server(s). Each media listing can include text (inexpensive information) and thumbnails (expensive information). While the user scrolls through the media listings, the new listings can only include text. Once the scrolling stops, the missing thumbnails can be downloaded and integrated into their corresponding listings. In response to a listing being selected, the corresponding media file can be downloaded and/or played back to the user by the handheld device. |
| US09582148B2 |
Computing system with presentation mechanism and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a computing system includes: receiving a content program including a free program, a subscriber based program, or a combination thereof; determining a populating location based on the content program with a control unit for presenting the content program on a plurality of an interface subsection of a device; and updating the populating location based on a content status for changing from one instance of the interface subsection to another instance of the interface subsection to present the content program. |
| US09582139B1 |
Multi-level mobile device profiles
A method of configuring a mobile device includes providing for a mobile computing device a plurality of device profiles that each define a manner in which the mobile computing device interacts with a user, operating the mobile computing device using a first profile of the plurality of device profiles, automatically, and without user input, identifying by the mobile computing device that the mobile computing device has changed states, in response to the determining, presenting a user of the mobile computing device with a list of device profiles available to the mobile computing device and a selectable control for selecting one of the profiles in the list, receiving, from the user, an instruction to switch to a second profile of the device profiles in the list that is separate and distinct form the first profile, and configuring the mobile computing device to operate according to the second profile. |
| US09582137B2 |
Intelligent embedded experience gadget selection
A method for selecting an embedded experience gadget may include displaying an activity stream of a user on a social network, the activity stream comprising a plurality of events and detecting selection of an event from the plurality of events by the user. The method may also include determining a level of intersection between the selected event and each of a plurality of known gadgets and finding an optimal embedded experience gadget from the plurality of known gadgets based on the level of intersection between the selected event and each known gadget. The method may additionally include associating the optimal embedded experience gadget with the selected event and displaying the optimal embedded experience gadget in association with the selected event. |
| US09582133B2 |
File position shortcut and window arrangement
In response to an identification of a displayed position in a file, a shortcut to the identified position in the file may be created on a desktop environment. In response to an activation of the shortcut, the identified position in the file may be indicated. In response to the activation, the file may be opened. Identification of the position in the file may include dragging a cursor from the position in the file to a location on the desktop environment. Identification of the position in the file may include dragging a cursor from the position in the file to a toolbar and dragging the cursor from the toolbar to a location on the desktop environment. |
| US09582129B2 |
Touch screen panel
A touch screen panel may include a first sensing electrode that has a recess. The touch screen panel may further include a second sensing electrode that immediately neighbors the first sensing electrode. The touch screen panel may further include a dummy member that is disposed in the recess and is electrically insulated from the first sensing electrode. The touch screen panel may further include a static electricity induction member that is electrically connected to the second sensing electrode. A portion of the static electricity induction member may overlap the dummy member and may be electrically insulated from the dummy member. |
| US09582128B2 |
Resonator circuit for a modulated power supply
Examples of the present disclosure generally provide a processing system for a display device including an integrated capacitive sensing device. The processing system includes a sensor module configured to be coupled to a plurality of sensor electrodes. Each sensor electrode includes at least one display electrode. The sensor module drives the plurality of sensor electrodes for capacitive sensing during a first period. The processing system further includes a display driver configured to drive display signals onto the display electrodes during a second period. The display signals are based on a reference voltage, and the first period and the second period are at least partially overlapping. The processing system further includes a power supply configured to provide the reference voltage to the display driver. The power supply includes a resonator circuit having an inductor connected in parallel with a capacitor and configured to modulate the reference voltage. |
| US09582127B2 |
Large feature biometrics using capacitive touchscreens
An input device including: a display device including a first display region; a plurality of sensor electrodes configured for capacitive sensing, where the plurality of sensor electrodes overlap at least a portion of the first display region; and a processing system operatively connected to the plurality of sensor electrodes and configured to: output a placement guide graphic on the first display region, where the placement guide provides alignment indication for a feature of an input object; generate a pressure-gauge graphic based on pressure exerted on the input device by the input object; send the pressure-gauge graphic for display while the input object is still in contact with the input device; obtain, based on resulting signals received with at least one sensor electrode of the plurality of sensor electrodes, a first capacitive image including the input object; and authenticate a user based on at least the first capacitive image. |
| US09582124B2 |
Touch screen panel, flat panel display apparatus integrated with the touch screen panel, and method of manufacturing the same
A touch screen panel, a flat panel display apparatus integrated touch screen panel, and a method of manufacturing the same. The touch screen panel includes: first touch detection patterns extending in a first direction and spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and second touch detection patterns extending in the second direction and spaced apart from each other in the first direction. Each of the first touch detection patterns includes a first transparent conductive pattern and a first edge conductive pattern surrounding an edge of the first transparent conductive pattern, and each of the second touch detection patterns includes a second transparent conductive pattern and a second edge conductive pattern surrounding an edge of the second transparent conductive pattern. |
| US09582123B2 |
Dual-mode capacitance sensing in a touch panel sensor
A touch panel sensor system configured to measure mutual-capacitance and self-capacitance is disclosed. The touch panel sensor system includes a sensor configured to detect a change in capacitance associated with a touch event upon a touch panel and a measuring component. The measuring component is configured to detect mutual-capacitance during the first mode of operation and to detect self-capacitance during the second mode of operation. The system also includes a selection component that is configured to receive a selection signal to cause selection of the mode of operation. The system also includes a driver component coupled to the selection component and configured to generate a drive signal, which is furnished to the sensor during the first mode of operation and furnished to the measuring module during the second mode of operation. The amplitude characteristic of the drive signal may have differing values for the first and second modes of operation. |
| US09582115B2 |
Interaction arrangement for interaction between a screen and a pointer object
An interaction arrangement for interaction between at least one screen arranged behind a transparent pane and at least one pointer object located in front of the pane, comprising at least two cameras arranged behind the pane, wherein there is associated with each of the cameras a deflection unit by means of which at least one optical path from an interaction area in the vicinity of and in front of the pane can be directed into the camera, and comprising a computing unit connected to all of the cameras for determining a position of the pointer object which is guided so as to be visible for at least two of the cameras, wherein at least the interaction area can be stroboscopically illuminated with infrared light, and the cameras are sensitive to infrared light and can be synchronized with the stroboscopic illumination. |
| US09582111B2 |
Method and device for improved accuracy of proximity and touch detection in mobile devices
A mobile device has a proximity sensor. A compensation value of the proximity sensor is determined. The compensation value is compared to a reference compensation value to determine validity of the compensation value. A capacitance of the proximity sensor is measured. A value of the capacitance of the proximity sensor is adjusted based on the compensation value. A coefficient defining a relationship between a capacitance of the proximity sensor and a temperature of the mobile device is calculated. A temperature sensor is coupled to the proximity sensor. The temperature of the mobile device is measured. A value of the capacitance of the proximity sensor is adjusted based on the coefficient and the temperature of the mobile device. The adjusted capacitance value is compared to a threshold capacitance value to determine proximity of an object to the mobile device. A radio frequency signal is adjusted by detecting proximity. |
| US09582110B2 |
Display panel and method of repairing the same
A display panel and a method of repairing the same are disclosed. The display panel includes a pixel array substrate, a signal processor and a touch-sensing layer. The touch-sensing layer is connected to the signal processor and includes touch-sensing electrodes, primary leads and spare leads. Each primary lead is used to receive a touch-sensing signal and transmit the touch-sensing signal to the signal processor; and each spare lead is used to replace the corresponding primary lead when a disconnection defect occurs in the corresponding primary lead as so to receive the touch-sensing signal instead. Defect rate of the display panel can be lowered. |
| US09582105B2 |
Input device for touch sensitive devices
A method for receiving data from an input device to a computing device through a touch interface. The method includes detecting an input device, synchronizing with the input device by receiving a position signal and activating an input device scan of the touch interface, receiving a data signal from the input device through at least one of a sense line or a drive line of the touch interface, and scanning the touch interface for a touch input by applying a stimulation signal to the at least one drive line and analyzing the at least one sense line. |
| US09582104B2 |
Scan sequence generator
A sensor panel device that can generate and use a stimulus signal having multiple different waveforms for detecting events on or near the sensor panel is disclosed. Among other things, such a stimulus signal can be used to reject environmental noise present in the device. In some embodiments, the stimulus signal has multiple waveforms having different frequencies. Logic circuitry can generate representative values from output of the different waveforms applied to one or more sensing nodes in the sensor panel device. From the representative values, a final value can be generated that represents whether an event occurred at or near the one or more sensing nodes. |
| US09582102B2 |
Electronic device including finger biometric sensor carried by a touch display and related methods
An electronic device may include a touch display that includes at least one display layer, and at least one transparent conductive layer thereon defining touch sensing pixels. The electronic device may also include a finger biometric sensor carried by the touch display and that may include an interconnect layer that includes transparent conductive traces, and a finger biometric sensing layer adjacent the interconnect layer and that includes an array of transparent conductive finger biometric sensing pixels capacitively coupled to the at least one transparent conductive layer of the touch display. The finger biometric sensor may also include a transparent dielectric layer between the interconnect layer and the finger biometric sensing layer, and transparent conductive vias extending through the transparent dielectric layer and coupling the array of transparent conductive finger biometric sensing pixels to respective ones of the transparent conductive traces. |
| US09582100B2 |
Generating device input using vibrations from surface features
A method, system, and computer program product for generating device input using vibrations from surface features are provided in the illustrative embodiments. In an electronic device (device), using a processor, a characteristic of a vibration is determined, the vibration being caused by motion of an object across the surface feature, the surface feature being a feature formed on an user-accessible surface of the device, the object makes a physical contact with the feature during the motion. A determination is made whether the characteristic is mapped to a command in the device. Responsive to the characteristic being mapped to the command, an instruction is generated to execute the command in the device. the instruction is sent to cause a function to be performed in the device. |
| US09582097B2 |
Touch display device
A touch display comprises a display panel and a touch layer. The display panel includes a plurality of pixel areas. The touch layer is disposed over the display panel, and includes a plurality of conducting-wire portions and slits. The pixel area has a pixel pitch, and each of the conducting-wire portions and its adjacent slit have a predetermined pitch. A moiré ratio is defined as (the predetermined pitch/the pixel pitch)×100%. The moiré effect of the touch display is decreased, when the moiré ratio complies with the formula, 25%+(50%×N)−A%≦the moiré ratio≦25%+(50%×N)+A%, wherein N is 0 or a positive integer, and A is an adjustment value in a range from 0 to 20. |
| US09582096B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
Provided is an information processing apparatus including an operating body direction detection section configured to detect a longitudinal direction of an operating body, and an operating direction determination section configured to allocate a command to a direction with reference to the longitudinal direction of the operating body. |
| US09582092B2 |
System and method for using passive pen with ground mass state switch
A processing system includes a sensor module and a determination module. The sensor module includes sensor circuitry coupled to transmitter electrodes and receiver electrodes. The sensor module is configured to transmit transmitter signals with the transmitter electrodes and receive resulting signals with the receiver electrodes. The determination module is configured to determine a presence of a passive pen in a sensing region using the resulting signals, determine a current ground mass state of the passive pen based on the resulting signals, and report, based on the current ground mass state, ground mass state information of the passive pen. |
| US09582091B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing user interface for medical diagnostic apparatus
A user interface (UI) providing method and apparatus that increase the usability of a control panel and quickly and conveniently provide a desired UI to a user. The UI providing method includes detecting a gesture of a hand of a user, determining a touch input UI that corresponds to the detected gesture and is displayed on a screen, and adjusting and displaying the touch input UI on a basis of a distance from the screen to the hand. |
| US09582089B2 |
Input device, touch screen, and user device
In an embodiment of the present invention, there provides an input device, a touch screen, and a user device, in order to increase the sensitivity of signal detection. The present invention relates to the field of signal detection. The input device comprises: a detection unit, a controller, and at least two sensors, wherein the detection unit corresponds to the at least two sensors, the at least two sensors are connected to the controller, and the at least two sensors correspond to at least two input types of the input device. The detection unit is configured to detect an input signal. The sensors are configured to determine the corresponding input type of the input signal after receiving the input signal detected by the detection unit. The controller is configured to control connections and disconnections between the at least two sensors and the detection unit. The embodiment of the present invention is used for signal detection. |
| US09582087B2 |
Flexible touch screen panel and method of manufacturing the same
There is provided a flexible touch screen panel capable of being bent or folded. The flexible touch screen panel includes a film substrate and sensing electrodes formed in an active area of at least one surface of the film substrate. The film substrate is divided into a plurality regions so that elongation ratios differ between regions of the film substrate. Also provided is a method of manufacturing a flexible touch screen panel including providing a supporting substrate including a plurality of distinct regions, coating a plurality of film materials onto the supporting substrate, the distinct regions of the supporting substrate being coated with different film materials, hardening the film materials to form a film substrate, forming touch sensing patterns including sensing electrodes on the film substrate, and separating the supporting substrate and the film substrate from each other. |
| US09582086B2 |
Computer user interface support apparatus
A user interface support apparatus for securing wireless computer peripherals (WCP) such as a keyboard and a pointing device is disclosed. The user interface support apparatus comprises a board comprising (i) a keyboard area on a top surface of the board and configured to secure a keyboard and (ii) a pointing device area on a top surface of the board. The user interface support apparatus also comprises a pointing device support structure secured to the pointing device area of the board and operable in a first mode or a second mode. In the first mode, the pointing device support structure in conjunction with the pointing device area of the board stores the pointing device. In the second mode, the pointing device support structure provides a planar surface on which to operate the pointing device. |
| US09582083B2 |
Directional light sensors
A directional light sensor may be provided having an array of beam steering elements and an array of corresponding light sensors. Each beam steering element may be configured to direct light from a given angle onto a particular light sensor so that the angular distribution of light may be mapped onto a planar grid of light sensors. Each beam steering element may be formed using holographic, refractive, diffusive or other structures for redirecting a beam of light. An electronic device may be provided having a directional light sensor. The directional light sensor in the electronic device may provide ambient light data or user input data to the electronic device. A test system may be provided having a directional light sensor for gathering ambient light data during testing and manufacturing of an electronic device. |
| US09582081B1 |
User interface
Methods and systems for triggering functions on a head-mountable device are provided. A head-mountable device may receive an indication of a gesture associated with the device. In response to an indication that the gesture is a forward gesture, the head-mountable device may activate visual type functions, and in response to an indication that the gesture is a rearward gesture, the head-mountable device may activate audio type functions. |
| US09582080B1 |
Methods and apparatus for learning sensor data patterns for gesture-based input
Methods and systems for learning, recognition, classification and analysis of real-world cyclic patterns using a model having n oscillators, with primary frequency ω1, ω2, . . . , ωn. The state of the oscillators is evolved over time using sensor observations, which are also used to determine the sensor characteristics, or the sensor observation functions. Once trained, a set of activity detection filters may be used to classify sensor data as being associated with an activity. |
| US09582079B2 |
Manually operated robot control system and method for controlling a robot system
The invention relates to a device (2, 6) for manually controlling a robot system, comprising an input device (2), which can be operated by means of at least two hands and has a sensor system (7, 10) for detecting control specifications of a first hand (12) and control specifications of a second hand (13). According to the invention, the control device (2, 6) comprises a first control unit (19), which performs a position control function in dependence on the control specifications of the first hand (12), and a second control unit (20), which performs a velocity control function or a position control function in dependence on the control specifications of the second hand (13). |
| US09582078B1 |
Integrated touchless joystick-type controller
Techniques are described to furnish a touchless joystick-type controller in a portable electronic device. The techniques may be implemented within an electronic device that comprises one or more sensors configured to detect a target at a distance from the sensor and provide a signal in response thereto. The signal is received in response to the sensor detecting a target within a field of view of the sensor. A position of the target relative to a point of reference is then determined based on the signal. Movement of the target may be tracked based on changes in the determined position relative to the point of reference. In embodiments, the target comprises a thumb or a finger of a hand of a user of the electronic device and the determined position to furnish a joystick-type control input. |
| US09582077B2 |
Providing force feedback to a user of an interface device based on interactions of a user-controlled complaint paddle with a simulated object in a graphical environment
A method and apparatus for providing force feedback to a user operating a human/computer interface device in conjunction with a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed by a host computer system. A physical object, such as a joystick or a mouse, controls a graphical object, such as a cursor, within the GUI. The GUI allows the user to interface with operating system functions implemented by the computer system. A signal is output from the host computer to the interface device to apply a force sensation to the physical object using one or more actuators. This desired force sensation is associated with at least one of the graphical objects and operating system functions of the graphical user interface and is determined by a location of the cursor in the GUI with respect to targets that are associated with the graphical objects. The graphical objects include icons, windows, pull-down menus and menu items, scroll bars (“sliders”), and buttons. The force sensation assists the user to select a desired operating system function or physically informs the user of the graphical objects encountered by the cursor within the GUI. A microprocessor local to the interface apparatus and separate from the host computer can be used to control forces on the physical object. |
| US09582076B2 |
Smart ring
The description relates to a smart ring. In one example, the smart ring can be configured to be worn on a first segment of a finger of a user. The example smart ring can include at least one flexion sensor secured to the smart ring in a manner that can detect a distance between the at least one flexion sensor and a second segment of the finger. The example smart ring can also include an input component configured to analyze signals from the at least one flexion sensor to detect a pose of the finger. |
| US09582075B2 |
Gaze-tracking eye illumination from display
A method to drive a pixelated display of an electronic device arranged in sight of a user of the device. The method includes receiving a signal that encodes a display image, and controlling the pixelated display based on the signal to form the display image in addition to a latent image, the latent image being configured to illuminate an eye of the user with light of such characteristics as to be unnoticed by the user, but to reveal an orientation of the eye on reflection into a machine-vision system. |
| US09582073B2 |
Image processing device and image processing method, display device and display method, computer program, and image display system
An image processing device includes an orientation information acquisition unit which acquires orientation information of a head portion of a user that observes a display image of a display device; an angle of view switching unit which switches an angle of view of the display image; a rendering process unit which generates the display image based on the orientation information and the angle of view; and a transmission unit which transmits the generated image to the display device. |
| US09582070B2 |
Detecting user input provided to a projected user interface
Apparatuses and methods are provided for determining whether a user intends to provide an input using an image of a control appearing on a surface. An apparatus may include first and second cameras to capture set and second sets of two or more images of the surface, and a unit to determine whether various conditions are true. A first condition is that a particular number of skin-color pixels are present within one cell of the two or more images. A cell location substantially coincides with the image of the control. A second condition is that the skin-color pixels persist for at least a particular time period. A third condition is that a region of skin-color pixels has a substantially rectangular shape. A fourth condition is that corresponding edges of skin-color pixels in the first and second sets of images are within a predefined offset distance. Additional conditions are disclosed. |
| US09582066B2 |
Stand-by power control device, liquid crystal display device including the same, and method of controlling stand-by power
A stand-by power control device includes a power block unit that receives a driving power voltage and a non-driving power voltage from a power supply unit and that selectively provides the driving power voltage or the non-driving power voltage as a supply voltage, a stand-by power generation unit that receives the supply voltage and that outputs a stand-by voltage generated by reducing the supply voltage, a power selection unit that receives the supply voltage and the stand-by voltage and that selectively outputs the supply voltage or the stand-by voltage as an operating voltage, and a state detection unit that receives a state detection voltage from the power supply unit and that controls the power block unit, the stand-by power generation unit, and the power selection unit based on the state detection voltage. |
| US09582065B2 |
Dynamic adjustment of display content for power optimization of a continuous scan display
Various embodiments relating to reducing memory bandwidth consumed by a continuous scan display screen are provided. In one embodiment, an indication of a static image period of a continuous scan display screen is determined. A reference image of a first image format having a first bit depth is converted into a modified image of a second image format having a second bit depth that is less than the first bit depth. During the static image period, the modified image is scanned onto the continuous scan display screen. |
| US09582064B2 |
Information processing apparatus capable of being instructed to power off by a command from external apparatus, method of controlling the same, and storage medium
An image processing apparatus that is capable of being instructed to power off, by a power switch or a command from an external apparatus, and is capable of executing the restart thereof under appropriate conditions. When power-off is instructed, shutdown is started. Upon completion of the shutdown, if the power switch is on, and at the same time the power-off has been instructed by the power switch of the apparatus, the restart of the apparatus is executed, whereas upon completion of the shutdown, if the power-off has been instructed by a command from the external apparatus, the restart of the apparatus is not executed. |
| US09582063B2 |
Electronic apparatus and method that controls component power gating during battery discharge-off mode
According to one embodiment, the first path is configured to continuously supply power from a battery to a first component to which power needs to be continuously supplied. A second path is configured to supply the power from the battery to a second component other than the first component. A setting module is configured to set an operation mode of the battery to a discharge-off mode. A determination module is configured to determine whether a state of the battery satisfies a predetermined condition when the operation mode of the battery is set to the discharge-off mode. A controller is configured to shut off the second path when the determination module determines that the condition is satisfied. |
| US09582059B2 |
USB interface power supply method and power supply device for time division multiple access load system
A USB interface power supply method and power supply device for a time division multiple access load system reduce costs of using the capacitance while guaranteeing the performance. The USB interface power supply device includes: a USB interface, a soft-start circuit and a DC-DC direct current conversion circuit that are connected in sequence, wherein, an output of the DC-DC direct current conversion circuit supplies power to the time division multiple access load system. The power supply device also includes a capacitor, wherein: a first end of the capacitor is connected between the soft-start circuit and the DC-DC direct current conversion circuit, a second end of the capacitor is set to be grounded, and the capacitor is used for limiting an input current of the DC-DC direct current conversion circuit. |
| US09582058B2 |
Power inrush management of storage devices
The various embodiments described herein include systems, methods and/or devices used to enable power inrush management of storage devices (e.g., DIMM devices). In one aspect, the method includes, for at least one storage device populated in a slot of a plurality of storage device slots, the plurality of storage device slots configured to be populated by two or more storage devices: (1) detecting a unique location associated with the storage device, (2) determining a time delay for the storage device in accordance with the unique location associated with the storage device, and (3) delaying at least one power-on operation of the storage device by the time delay for the storage device. |
| US09582057B2 |
Server chassis with dual purpose bay for storage module or power supply module
An information handling system (IHS) includes a chassis that has an accessory bay which is accessible from an exterior of the IHS. The accessory bay supports insertion of one of the PSU and the storage module. A midplane apparatus attached to the chassis at an interior end of the accessory bay has a first electrical connector for electrically connecting to a power supply unit (PSU) connector and a second electrical connector for electrically communicating with a storage module connector when a storage module is inserted into the accessory bay. The IHS detects via the first electrical connector when a PSU is inserted in the accessory bay, and a power controller configures the IHS to receive electrical power from the PSU. The IHS also detects via the second electrical connector when a storage module is inserted in the accessory bay and configures the storage module for access and data storage. |
| US09582052B2 |
Thermal mitigation of multi-core processor
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product are provided. The apparatus may be a UE. The UE has a processor including a plurality of cores. The plurality of cores includes a first core and remaining cores. The UE determines a temperature of the first core of the plurality of cores. The first core processes a load. The UE determines that the temperature of the first core is greater than a first threshold. The UE determines that the temperature of the first core is not greater than a second threshold. The second threshold is greater than the first threshold. The UE transfers at least a portion of the load of the first core to a second core of the remaining cores in response to determining that the temperature of the first core is greater than the first threshold. |
| US09582051B2 |
Mobile communication terminal having radiant-heat sheet
A mobile communication terminal with a radiant-heat function is provided. The mobile communication terminal includes: a display module; a rear cover; an inner support structure positioned between the display module and the rear cover and including a first surface facing the display module and a second surface facing an opposite side to the display module; a first radiant-heat sheet positioned between the first surface of the support structure and the display module; a printed circuit board positioned between the first radiant-heat sheet and the first surface of the support structure; and a second radiant-heat sheet positioned between the second surface of the support structure and the rear cover. |
| US09582048B2 |
Hinge assembly
The disclosure relates to a hinge assembly (70) and a tablet-notebook hybrid computer (10). The hinge assembly (70) comprises a hinge (40) for pivotably connecting a base member (20) of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer (10) to a tablet member (30) of the tablet-notebook hybrid computer (10); an actuator (51) fixed to the hinge (40); and a support member (50) pivotably connected to the tablet member (30) via a pivot shaft (52). When the tablet member (30) rotates towards an open position with respect to the base member (20), the support member (50) is actuated by the actuator (51), rotates away from the tablet member (30), and provides addition support for the tablet member (30). |
| US09582046B2 |
Locking hinge assembly for electronic device
In one embodiment an electronic device comprises a housing having a first section and a second section comprising a display coupled to the first section by a hinge assembly, a rotation control assembly to control rotation of the hinge assembly, and a controller to activate the rotation control assembly in response to detection of a force condition at a second section of the housing of an electronic device. Other embodiments may be described. |
| US09582042B2 |
Dam member and display apparatus including the same
A dam member and display apparatus including the same. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a dam member includes an interception block having a long side and a short side, and a cover sheet attached to an upper surface or a lower surface of the interception block, wherein the cover sheet includes a surface extending in a direction of the long side of the interception block. |
| US09582040B2 |
Touch screen protector
The invention relates to a method for protecting a touch screen of a hand held electronic device having a front face that includes a touch screen portion and a non-functional band. The method of the invention comprises providing a touch screen protector comprising a film having front and back sides, an outer perimeter that corresponds to that of the device, and a transparent window; and an exposed adhesive along the outer perimeter of the film surrounding the transparent window; and removably attaching the protector upon the outer perimeter of the front face of the device via the exposed adhesive to form an enclosed air space between the transparent window of the film, the adhesive and the touch screen portion of the device. |
| US09582036B2 |
Display module and system applications
A display module and system applications including a display module are described. The display module may include a display substrate including a front surface, a back surface, and a display area on the front surface. A plurality of interconnects extend through the display substrate from the front surface to the back surface. An array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are in the display area and electrically connected with the plurality of interconnects, and one or more driver circuits are on the back surface of the display substrate. Exemplary system applications include wearable, rollable, and foldable displays. |
| US09582035B2 |
Wearable computing devices and methods for the wrist and/or forearm
This invention comprises wearable computing devices and methods for the wrist and/or forearm including a bifurcating attachment member and/or proximal and distal display members. These wearable devices can provide relatively-large display areas without looking too clunky or being uncomfortable to wear. This invention also comprises methods for conserving energy and for modifying the communication interface between a human and a computer based on data from environmental sensors and/or body sensors. |
| US09582032B2 |
Device arrangement, in particular for use in an explosion-prone area
A device arrangement may include an electronic device at least partially enclosed in a device casing. A casing may at least partially delimit a casing interior. The device casing may be disposed in the casing interior. A pressure reduction device may be arranged in the device casing and be configured to reduce a gas pressure of an ignitable gas mixture disposed in at least one of the casing and the device casing. The pressure reduction device may include at least one damping element and a stabilizing device at least partially encasing the at least one damping element. |
| US09582023B2 |
Operation handle mechanism and load support mechanism
Provided is an operation handle mechanism with which a handle can be conveniently operated to move a movable section, thereby ensuring smooth operation and movement at any time regardless of an operation position of the handle. An operation handle section 121 includes a handle lever 67, which is used to operate movement of a support frame section 23 capable of moving up and down, and left and right transmission rods 123a and 123b, which are joined to the handle lever. The transmission rods can only move a predetermined distance in a movement direction thereof relative to the support frame section, and start to move together with the support frame section after going beyond that distance. The left and right transmission rods are connected via rack sections 140a and 140b of the transmission rods and a gear train 134a, 134b, 135a, and 135b meshing with the rack sections in such a way as to enable transmission of part of an operation force coming from the handle lever from one transmission rod to the other and thereby allow the two transmission rods to simultaneously move only the same distance. |
| US09582022B2 |
Device and method for generating a corrective magnetic field for ferrite-based circuits
A demagnetizing device includes, in one embodiment, a demagnetizer. The demagnetizer is operable to generate a corrective magnetic field. The corrective magnetic field is operable to act upon a ferrite-based core to maintain suitable performance of a network-connected device which includes such core. |
| US09582018B1 |
Automatic gain compression detection and gain control for analog front-end with nonlinear distortion
An analog front-end (AFE) circuit has at least one AFE stage to generate a conditioned analog signal, and a gain control block to set a gain of the AFE stages. A finite state machine (FSM) block sets the gain to a baseline set gain without gain compression, or a current set gain with gain compression. An amplitude block determines amplitudes of the inner and outer eyes of a signal eye of the conditioned analog signal at the baseline set gain and the current set gain. A compression calculation block determines a gain compression of the conditioned analog signal at the current signal gain based on the relative changes in the respective amplitudes of the inner and outer signal eyes between the baseline and current set gains. The FSM block increases the current set gain until the gain compression ratio reaches a predefined limit. |
| US09582011B2 |
Integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning and heating system electronic controller and system and method for use of same
An integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning and heating system electronic controller, with a system and method for use of the same, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the integrated electronic controller includes a housing configured to be secured within an attic space in a building structure having a living area. A temperature input and humidity input receive ambient temperature and humidity readings, respectively. The ambient measurements are compared to pre-determined temperature and humidity thresholds. If a threshold is exceeded, signals are send to actuate, in a coordinated fashion, a powered air intake and powered attic exhaust assembly. The powered air intake and powered attic exhaust assembly are operated intermittently, in coordination with the HVAC system, initially at a first set of extreme thresholds and operated constantly at a second set of more extreme thresholds. |
| US09582009B2 |
System and method for optimizing and reducing the energy usage of an automatically controlled HVAC system
System and method for optimizing and reducing the energy usage of an automatically controlled heating, ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”) System. The system and method comprise receiving, from a server, a plurality of parameters, the parameters comprising an internal temperature of a structure, an external temperature, a utility pricing structure, and/or a user preference. The system and method may receive, by the server, a plurality of historical data related to the HVAC system and may generate a model. The model may be configured to determine a change to an operational state of the HVAC system needed to obtain an internal temperature set point. The model may be generated using a plurality of parameters received. The model may be revised iteratively. The system and method may receive, by the server, a plurality of additional parameters to revise the model. A signal may be set, by a server, to the HVAC system. |
| US09582005B2 |
Robot confinement
A method of confining a robot in a work space includes providing a portable barrier signal transmitting device including a primary emitter emitting a confinement beam primarily along an axis defining a directed barrier. A mobile robot including a detector, a drive motor and a control unit controlling the drive motor is caused to avoid the directed barrier upon detection by the detector on the robot. The detector on the robot has an omnidirectional field of view parallel to the plane of movement of the robot. The detector receives confinement light beams substantially in a plane at the height of the field of view while blocking or rejecting confinement light beams substantially above or substantially below the plane at the height of the field of view. |
| US09582003B1 |
Method for maintaining active control of an autonomous vehicle
Method for maintaining active control of an autonomous vehicle can involve confirming the active presence of a human in a semi-autonomous vehicle. The human's active physical control and monitoring of the semi-autonomous vehicle can be verified by detecting that a throttle pedal on the semi-autonomous vehicle is depressed relative to a non-actuated position. The vehicle can then continue semi-autonomously as long as the active physical control and monitoring by the human is confirmed. Once the throttle pedal is found to no longer be depressed, the vehicle can be returned to normal human control. |
| US09581998B2 |
System and method for vehicle communication, vehicle control, and/or route inspection
In a system and method for communicating data in a locomotive consist or other vehicle consist (comprising at least first and second linked vehicles), a first electronic component in the first vehicle of the vehicle consist is monitored to determine if the component is in (or enters) a failure state. In the failure state, the first electronic component is unable to perform a designated function. Upon determining the failure state, data is transmitted from the first vehicle to a second electronic component on the second vehicle, over a communication channel linking the first vehicle and the second vehicle. The second electronic component is operated based on the transmitted data, with the second electronic component performing the designated function that the first electronic component is unable to perform. |
| US09581997B1 |
Method and system for cloud-based communication for automatic driverless movement
Methods, computer systems, and servers are provided for navigating a vehicle automatically from a current location to a destination location with or without a human operator controlling primary navigation of the vehicle. One example method includes identifying a vehicle location and determining if the vehicle location is near a self-park location. The method accesses mapping data for the self-park location and receiving a request to initiate a self-park process for the vehicle. The method includes forwarding instructions to the vehicle to proceed with the self-park process. The self-park process acting to control the vehicle to automatically move from a current location to a destination location in the self-park location, and the current location and the destination location are updated dynamically as the current location of the vehicle changes and based on conditions of the destination location. Vehicles can be dropped off, registered for self-parking via a smartphone, and the vehicle moves to an available parking location. |
| US09581994B2 |
Methods and apparatus to manage process control resources
Example methods and apparatus to manage process control resources are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving a selection of a first process control resource within a process control system to be associated with a logical container, the logical container including other process control resources that have a same user defined characteristic in common with the first process control resource, creating an entry within the logical container for the first process control resource by storing an identifier of the first process control resource in the logical container, and assigning the first process control resource to the logical container so that the identifier of the first process control resource links to process control information associated with the first process control resource. |
| US09581993B2 |
Ambient display for industrial operator consoles
A system includes at least one graphical display configured to display information associated with an industrial process and with a control system associated with the industrial process. The system also includes at least one processing device configured to identify a current state of the industrial process or the control system. The system further includes an ambient display configured to generate ambient lighting having one or more characteristics based on the current state. The one or more characteristics could include a color, an intensity, and/or a speed of transitions in the ambient lighting. The color could be based on whether the industrial process is operating normally and whether the control system has generated any warnings or alarms associated with the industrial process. The ambient display can be configured to transition the ambient lighting from a first color to a second color based on a change in the current state. |
| US09581988B2 |
Method and system for battery state of charge estimation
A powertrain having a Lithium-ion (Li-ion) traction battery including solid active particles is operated according to a state of charge of the battery based on an estimated Li-ion concentration profile of a representative solid active particle of a reduced-order model of the battery. The concentration profile is estimated according to the reduced-order model from the measured voltage and current of the battery. |
| US09581986B2 |
Input device providing control information to host device
An input device provides control information to a host device and including a plurality of keys, a division module and a control module is disclosed. When an object presses a specific key, the specific key generates a resistance value according to a force applied by the object. The division module receives the resistance value and generates a voltage level according to the resistance value and a first level. The control module generates the control information according to the voltage level. The host device executes a function corresponding to the specific key according to the control information. |
| US09581985B2 |
Systems and methods for auto-commissioning and self-diagnostics
Systems and methods for auto-commissioning and self-diagnostics of equipment in a building management system are provided. A self-testing module is implemented in a control unit of the building management system. The self-testing module exercises equipment of the building management system using a state-based testing procedure that differs from normal operation of the equipment and monitors feedback received from a sensor of the building management system in response to exercising the equipment. The self-testing module uses the feedback from the sensor to evaluate a state transition condition of the state-based testing procedure and to transition between states of the state-based testing procedure using a result of the evaluation. |
| US09581983B2 |
Methods for using an automated guided cart
An automated guided cart (AGC) that is configured to travel along a cart path according to generally non-precision movements is implemented to support a build process requiring precise positioning of vehicle build devices. In an example of a method of use, a vehicle build device for the build process is engaged with the AGC. When the AGC travels proximate a build operation area, the AGC can be secured in a dimensionally fixed position, with the result that both the AGC and a vehicle build device engaged with the AGC are located in precise positions. Based on the precise location of the vehicle build device, the vehicle build device can be interfaced with robots or other automated equipment according to preprogrammed and/or precise movements to carry out a build process. |
| US09581982B2 |
Method of operation of a control device for automation systems equipment
Method of operation of a control device for automation systems equipment of a building, the device comprising a display screen, assigned to the display, at a first level, of equipments icons and, at a second level, of grouping icons, a group of home automation equipment being associated with a grouping icon, and means of selection of at least one grouping icon and/or of at least one equipment icon, characterized in that an action on a control key has the standard effect of controlling the equipment associated with several selected icons of the same level as long as no icon of another level is selected. |
| US09581980B2 |
Method and system for updating a model in a model predictive controller
Exemplary embodiments relate to a method and system for updating a model in a model predictive controller. The system executing a method that includes assessing the deviation of the operating performance level from the desired performance level of the process plant, and diagnosing the model predictive control for the model plant mismatch by updating the model in a model predictive controller. The step of diagnosing the model predictive controller includes determining the model prediction error in relation to model plant mismatch, quantifying the model plant mismatch, and updating the model in the model predictive controller. |
| US09581976B2 |
Recording of operating parameters of an intelligent electronic device
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for recording operating parameters of an intelligent electronic device (IED). A system may include a parameter acquisition module, a parameter storage module, and a memory management module. The parameter acquisition module may be configured to periodically obtain operating parameters of an IED at a first interval. The first interval may have a first time length to provide a first resolution of operation of the IED. The parameter storage module may be configured to store the operating parameters. The memory management module may be configured to delete, outside a first resolution period, a first portion of the operating parameters while maintaining a second portion of the operating parameters. The second portion may include operating parameters for each of a second interval. The second interval may have a second time length to provide a reduced second resolution of the operation of the IED. |
| US09581972B1 |
Flexible unitary charging band system
A band system for a wearable device, or alternately, a flexible smart strap, worn as an article of apparel, for providing reserve power and enhanced functionality to a portable digital device. The band system or smart strap provides both a stylish fashion accessory and a functional rechargeable secondary power source to address an increasing demand for additional battery life due to greater digital demands and functionality of digital smart devices and optionally includes an interchangeable detachable strap with integrated rechargeable batteries, a charging circuit that integrates with a digital device, an interface for recharging the smart strap batteries or a connected portable digital device battery in combination with the smart strap batteries. An additional interface is also described, capable of providing further functionality for various types of data transfer. |
| US09581965B2 |
Analytic method for computing video holograms in real time
An analytical method for computing a video hologram for a holographic reproduction device having at least one light modulation means is disclosed, wherein a scene split into object points is encoded as a whole hologram and can be seen as a reconstruction from a visibility region, located within a periodicity interval of the reconstruction. The visibility region, together with each object point of the scene to be reconstructed, defines a sub-hologram and the whole hologram is generated from a superposition of sub-holograms, wherein the complex hologram values of a sub-hologram are determined from the wave front of the respective object point to be reconstructed in a modulator region of the light modulation means, by calculating and evaluating the transmission or modulation functions of an imaging element formed in the modulator region. The object point to be reconstructed is located in the focal point of the imaging element. |
| US09581963B2 |
Method for encoding a hologram in a light modulation device
A hologram is constructed from individual subholograms assigned to corresponding encoding regions in a light modulation device and respectively assigned to an object point of the object to be reconstructed with the hologram. With a virtual observer window, a defined viewing region is provided through which a reconstructed scene in a reconstruction space is observed by an observer. A complex value of a wavefront for each individual object point is calculated in the virtual observer window. Each individual amplitude of a complex value of a wavefront in the virtual observer window is subsequently multiplied by a correction value with which a correction of the angle selectivity of at least one volume grating arranged downstream in the beam path of the light modulation device is carried out. The corrected complex values determined in this way for all object points are summed and transformed into the hologram plane of the light modulation device. |
| US09581960B2 |
Cartridge provided with coil-shaped electrode member
A cartridge includes: a rotation body; and an electrode member. The electrode member is configured to supply the rotation body with electric power from an external electrode provided outside of the cartridge. The electrode member includes: a contact portion; and an urging portion. The contact portion is configured to be contacted by the external electrode. The urging portion is in a shape of a coil formed by winding a wire rod and configured to urge the contact portion toward the external electrode such that the contact portion is pivotally moved about the urging portion. |
| US09581958B2 |
Process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A process cartridge comprises a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. A coupling member is provided adjacent to one axial end of the developing roller. The coupling member includes a driven portion, and an intermediary portion configured and positioned to engage with the driven portion. The intermediary portion is also configured to be movable relative to the driven portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the driven portion. The coupling member further includes a driving portion configured and positioned to receive a driving force for rotating the developing roller. The driving portion is also configured to engage with the intermediary portion, and to be movable relative to the intermediary portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the intermediary portion. |
| US09581956B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section configured to form an image on a recording paper sheet and a housing accommodating the image forming section. The housing includes: an enclosed and bottomed housing body having an enclosed sidewall and a bottom formed continuously and integrally with the sidewall; and a lid removably attached to the housing body to cover an opening of the housing body. The image forming section is separate from the housing body and is placed on top of the bottom in the housing body. When the lid is removed from the image forming apparatus and the image forming section is lifted above the opening, the image forming section is taken out of the housing body through the opening and the housing body is removed from the image forming apparatus. |
| US09581953B2 |
Rotary drive device and image forming apparatus
A rotary drive device includes a drive motor and drive transmission portion, which transmits a rotational drive force of the motor to a driven rotor and includes three or more drive transmission members. A high stiffness member is attached to a low-stiffness drive transmission member, which is one, lower in stiffness, of two of the drive transmission members, to increase stiffness of the low-stiffness drive transmission member. The two form a drive transmission point corresponding to a resonant point of a lowest resonance frequency among frequencies at a plurality of resonance points in frequency response characteristics derived from rotation information. One drive transmission point, which is on either a drive-transmission input side or output side, other than the drive transmission point corresponding to the resonant point of the lowest resonance frequency, of the low-stiffness drive transmission member is configured to transmit the rotational drive force through the high stiffness member. |
| US09581949B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device includes a belt member that performs a circular motion by rotating in a predetermined belt rotation direction; a pressure-applying member that is pressed against an outer peripheral surface of the belt member and applies a pressure to a recording medium on which an image is formed; and a pressing member that extends in a belt width direction, which is a direction that crosses the belt rotation direction, inside the belt member and that is arranged so as to be deformed such that a central portion thereof in the belt width direction is convex toward an upstream side in the belt rotation direction, the pressing member pressing the pressure-applying member with the belt member interposed therebetween. |
| US09581947B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus for transmitting heat to belt
A fixing device includes a heater and a presser. The heater includes an endless heating belt that rotates while heating a recording medium carrying an unfixed toner image. The presser presses against the recording medium in cooperation with the heater to fix the unfixed toner image onto the recording medium. The heater further includes a first plate body extending to form a contact region in contact with an inner surface of the belt, a heat source nipping the first plate body in cooperation with the belt in the contact region, and a second plate body disposed opposite the first plate body with the heat source interposed therebetween and extending at a distance from the heat source. The first plate body has relatively higher heat absorptivity than the second plate body. The second plate body has relatively higher heat reflectivity than the first plate body and is in contact therewith. |
| US09581944B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus
A fixing device 23 according to the present invention includes: a fixing roller 25 for fixing a toner image onto a sheet of paper; a plurality of separation claws 40 in contact with the fixing roller 25 to separate the sheet of paper, onto which the toner image is fixed, from the fixing roller 25; a holder 28 for supporting the plurality of separation claws 40; and a slide mechanism 30 for sliding the holder 28 along a longitudinal direction of the fixing roller 25. |
| US09581937B2 |
Powder container and image forming apparatus
A powder conveying device includes: a conveying nozzle, provided with a powder receiving opening; an open/close member to open/close the powder receiving opening; a flange provided to the open/close member; a biasing member to bias the open/close member; and a container setting section to which a part of a powder container is to be fit. The powder container includes: a conveyor to convey the powder from a second end of the powder container to a first end; a container opening protruding from the first end; a nozzle receiving opening into which the conveying nozzle is to be inserted; and a butting portion provided in the container opening, to butt against the flange. When the powder container is attached to the powder conveying device, the container opening is fitted to the container setting section, and the flange and the biasing member are housed in an inner space of the container opening. |
| US09581935B2 |
Crum chip, image forming device for verifying consumable unit comprising the crum chip, and methods thereof
Provided herein is an image forming device including a main body; a consumable unit detachable from and attachable to the main body, and including a CRUM chip; a storage which stores a detection list including information on counterfeit CRUM chips and a conversion serial information list including a plurality of conversion serial information each of which is converted from serial information stored in the CRUM chip according to a plurality of different predetermined rules; and a controller to limit use of the consumable unit, when verifying the consumable unit based on at least one of the detection list and the conversion serial information list fails. |
| US09581930B2 |
LED print bar imaging apparatus and systems useful for electrophotographic printing
A print head apparatus is provided for use with a xerographic printing device having a rotating photoreceptor with a curved conductive surface. The apparatus includes an LED bar print head configured for locating adjacent the photoreceptor; a first distance sensor located on the print head at a first location, the first distance sensor being configured for measuring a first gap between the print head and the photoreceptor at the first location; and a second distance sensor located on the print head at a second location, the second location being different from the first location, the second distance sensor being configured for measuring a second gap between the print head and the photoreceptor at the second location. The print head is configured such that the sensors are arranged on the print head such that the sensors are configured to enable a measurement of angular position of the print head relative to the surface of the photoreceptor. |
| US09581929B2 |
Optical scanning apparatus, image forming apparatus, and support member for an optical scanning apparatus
Provided is an optical scanning apparatus, including: an optical deflector having a polygon mirror reflecting a light flux emitted from a light source to carry out scanning, a drive unit rotating the polygon mirror about a rotation shaft, and a board supporting the drive unit; an optical box to which the board is fixed; two holes provided in the optical box, through which two screws fixing the board are inserted, respectively; two bearing surfaces provided on the optical box at positions around the two holes, respectively, the two bearing surfaces supporting the board; and an abutment portion provided on the optical box and abutting against a portion that is prevented from being pressed by the two screws in the board which is sandwiched between the two screws and the two bearing surfaces so as to be fixed to the optical box. |
| US09581927B2 |
Image forming apparatus having detection of separation failure jams
An image forming apparatus includes a primary transfer unit, a secondary transfer unit, a registration roller pair placed upstream of the secondary transfer unit in a sheet transport direction, and a drive unit driving the registration roller pair. In addition, a detection sensor unit is placed on a sheet transport path downstream of the secondary transfer unit and detects a sheet transported after a toner image is secondary transferred by the secondary transfer unit, and a transport unit transports the sheet after the secondary transfer. A control unit stops the drive unit when it determines absence of the sheet on the sheet transport path based on a signal from the detection sensor unit when a predetermined time based on an interval of time, which is from when the control unit controls the drive unit and starts to transport the sheet by the registration roller pair to when a leading edge of the sheet reaches the detection sensor unit, has elapsed, or when an interval of time, which is taken from when the control unit controls the drive unit and starts to transport the sheet by the registration roller pair to when the leading edge of the sheet reaches the transport unit, has elapsed. |
| US09581925B2 |
Liquid developer and method for manufacturing the same
Toner particles have a core-shell structure that first resin particles containing a first resin are attached to or cover surfaces of second resin particles containing a second resin. Heat of fusion with differential scanning calorimetry of the second resin satisfies Equations (1) to (2) below. In Equations (1) to (2) below, H1 and H2 represent heats of fusion (J/g) at initial temperature increase and second temperature increase with differential scanning calorimetry of the second resin, respectively. 5≦H1≦70 Equation (1) 0.2≦H2/H1≦1.0 Equation (2) |
| US09581916B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A substrate handling system for an apparatus, the substrate handling system including a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate, a surrounding structure configured to surround the substrate, a sensor configured to determine a thickness of the substrate, and a control system configured to configure the apparatus responsive to a determination that the determined thickness is outside a thickness range associated with the surrounding structure. |
| US09581915B2 |
Photolithographic method
A method for performing photolithography using a photo-resist is disclosed. The photo-resist comprises a first component and a second component. The method includes providing a substrate having a surface coated with the photo-resist and selectively illuminating a region of the surface of the photo-resist using light in a first wavelength band. The method further includes illuminating the entire surface of the photo-resist using light in a second wavelength band. The first and second wavelength bands are different and may not overlap. The method also includes performing a development process for the photo-resist upon illumination with the light of the first and second wavelength bands. |
| US09581907B2 |
Developing apparatus
A method for developing a substrate includes spinning the substrate with a spin holder and discharging a developer to the substrate from a plurality of exhaust ports arranged in a row on a developer feeder. The method also includes causing a moving mechanism to move said developer feeder in one direction extending to a center of the substrate in plan view while maintaining a direction of arrangement of said exhaust ports in said one direction, thereby to move said developer feeder between substantially the center and an edge of the substrate. The method further includes causing the developer discharged from said exhaust ports to impinge in separate streams on the substrate, and causing each of the separate streams to impinge spirally on the substrate, thereby to develop the substrate. At least two of loci of positions of impingement of the developer corresponding to said exhaust ports overlap each other. |
| US09581904B2 |
Photoresist overcoat compositions
Photoresist overcoat compositions are provided. The compositions comprise: a matrix polymer, an additive polymer a basic quencher and an organic solvent. The additive polymer has a lower surface energy than a surface energy of the matrix polymer, and the additive polymer is present in the overcoat composition in an amount of from 1 to 20 wt % based on total solids of the overcoat composition. The compositions have particular applicability in the semiconductor manufacturing industry for use in negative tone development processes. |
| US09581903B2 |
Polymer dye and method for preparing the same, photoresist composition and display device
The disclosure relates to display technology field, especially relates to a polymer dye and a method for preparing the same, a photoresist composition, a color photoresist, and a display device. The polymer dye is formed by the copolymerization of an acrylated dye represented by General Formula I and an acrylic acid or acrylate represented by General Formula II, in General Formula I, Dye represents a residue of a dye containing an aromatic hydroxyl group or an aromatic amino group, R1, R2, and R3 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; in General Formula II, R4, R5, R6, and R7 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; the mole numbers of the acrylated dye represented by General Formula I and the acrylic acid or acrylate represented by General Formula II are x and y, respectively, and x:y=1:0.05-10; and the weight average molecular weight of the polymer dye is 2000-50000. The color photoresist produced employing the technical solution of the present disclosure avoids flooding, and improves the display quality of the display. |
| US09581900B2 |
Self aligned patterning with multiple resist layers
A method for using self aligned multiple patterning with multiple resist layers includes forming a first patterned resist layer onto a substrate, forming a spacer layer on top of the first patterned resist layer such that spacer forms on side walls of features of the first resist layer, and forming a second patterned resist layer over the spacer layer and depositing a masking layer. The method further includes performing a planarizing process to expose the first patterned resist layer, removing the first resist layer, removing the second resist layer, and exposing the substrate. |
| US09581898B2 |
Manufacturing method of pattern transfer mask
A manufacturing method of a pattern transfer mask includes the following steps. A basic mask is provided. The basic mask includes a plurality of patterns formed by a patterned absorber layer on a substrate according to a first writing layout. A photolithographic process is then performed by the basic mask to obtain individual depth of focus (iDoF) ranges of each of the patterns and a usable depth of focus (UDoF) range of the patterns. At least one constrain pattern dominating the UDoF range is selected from the patterns in the basic mask. The rest of the patterns except the constrain pattern are non-dominating patterns. A second writing layout is then generated for reducing a thickness of the patterned absorber layer in the constrain pattern or in the non-dominating patterns. |
| US09581893B2 |
Mask manufacturing method, mask substrate, and charged beam drawing method
A manufacturing method of a phase shift mask in an embodiment includes: forming a metal layer on a substrate, the metal layer having a first region and a second region, the first region being configured to emit secondary electrons by irradiation with electrons, the second region being configured to emit secondary electrons higher in density than the first region, by the irradiation with electrons; patterning the metal layer to form a main pattern in the first region and an alignment mark in the second region; forming a resist layer on the patterned metal layer; and aligning the substrate using a secondary electron image of the alignment mark. |
| US09581892B2 |
Method of manufacturing photomask blank and photomask blank
In a chamber (50), a quartz substrate (10) having a main surface on which an optical film (20) is formed is put on a susceptor (30). A flash lamp (60) is housed in a lamp house (90), and the optical film (20) is irradiated with flash light through two quartz plates (70a and 70b). A transmittance adjustment region (80) is formed on a surface of the quartz plate (70b) of the two quartz plates (70a and 70b), and the amount of light with which the optical film (20) is irradiated has in-plane distribution. If the optical film (20) is irradiated with the flash light, optical characteristics of the optical film (20) change depending on the received irradiation energy. Hence, for example, the characteristics of the optical film are not uniform, the optical film is irradiated with flash light having such irradiation energy distribution that cancels the in-plane distribution. |
| US09581890B2 |
Extreme ultraviolet reflective element with multilayer stack and method of manufacturing thereof
An apparatus and method of manufacture of an extreme ultraviolet reflective element includes: a substrate; a multilayer stack on the substrate, the multilayer stack includes a plurality of reflective layer pairs having a first reflective layer formed from silicon and a second reflective layer formed from niobium or niobium carbide for forming a Bragg reflector; and a capping layer on and over the multilayer stack for protecting the multilayer stack by reducing oxidation and mechanical erosion. |
| US09581888B2 |
Projection apparatus
A projection apparatus includes an image-producing element and projection optics. The image-producing element produces at least one image, and the projection optics has free-form areas for magnifying and reflecting the image toward an viewer for observation. The projection optics includes at least a first mirror and a second mirror, the image is reflected by the first mirror and the second mirror in succession, no deflection mirror is disposed between the viewer and the second mirror, and the first mirror and the second mirror are in the form of a non-rotationally symmetrical system. |
| US09581887B2 |
Light source device and display device
There is provided a light source device including at least one light source configured to emit light, a diffusion plate configured to diffuse and reflect the light emitted from the light source, and a partial transmission member which is provided between the light source and the diffusion plate and has a transmission region which allows the light to pass through and a reflection region which reflects the light and is except the transmission region. |
| US09581885B2 |
Light source apparatus and projector
A light source apparatus comprises a beam flux conversion optical system for making all the light emitting areas conjugate to one geometrical-optical output image, all the solid light emitting elements being in series connected to each other and fixed to a heat sink to be insulated to one another, circuits on the input and output sides of an electric supply circuit being not insulated, the electric supply circuit including an interface circuit for receiving a modulation amount specifying signal from a host circuit, wherein a ratio of ON time to a switching cycle of the switch element is controlled in a feedback manner so that a difference between current values indicated by the output current signal and a target current signal may become small, and the interface circuit generating analog quantity correlated to the amount of modulation specified by a modulation amount specifying signal through a data insulation transmission unit. |
| US09581884B2 |
Cooling system for a projector
An air duct is secured in a projector. The air duct is configured to help a fan module to cool a light emitting module. The fan module defines an air vent. Each side of the light emitting module defines an opening. The air duct defines a hollow cavity. Two ends of the cavity respectively define an air inlet and an air outlet. The air inlet is aligned with the air vent and the air outlet is aligned with the opening. The airflow passes through the air vent and the air inlet to enter into the cavity. Then, the airflow passes through the air outlet and the opening to enter into the light emitting module. Finally, the airflow goes out from another opening to dissipate the heat of the light emitting module. |
| US09581882B2 |
Image capturing device and auto-focus method thereof
An image capturing device and an auto-focus method thereof are provided, where the method includes the following steps. An exposure time is calculated by using an optical sensing element of the first lens. Whether the exposure time exceeds a time threshold is determined. If so, a global maximum search is concurrently performed by the first lens with a first resolution and a first step size as well as by the second lens with a second resolution and a second step size, where the first resolution is higher than the second resolution, and the first step size is less than the second step size. When a focus region in which a focus position is located is obtained by using the second lens, the focus position would be searched out from the focus region by using the first lens so as to obtain a new focus image. |
| US09581880B2 |
Shutter device and image pickup apparatus including shutter device
When a stepping motor is used as a driving source for a shutter device, if the stepping motor loses synchronization because of variations in load during driving or the like, it becomes unable to rotate a driving ring at that time, and this disables an exposure operation. In a first zone where a driven member is driven, but a light shielding member remains in a closed state or an open state, the motor drives the driven member in open-loop driving mode. In a second zone where the driven member is driven, and thus the light shielding member moves to the closed state or the open state, the motor drives the driven member in feed-back driving mode. |
| US09581878B2 |
Wavelength selective switch device, wavelength switching method for the same and communication apparatus
There are provided a wavelength selective switch device, a communication apparatus and a wavelength switching method. The wavelength selective switch device includes an incidence unit; an exit unit; a wavelength diversifying-synthesizing unit for diversifying and multiplexing the respective incident lights in a first axis direction; a light adjustment unit for making the lights of respective wavelengths be not diversified in the second axis direction; a liquid crystal beam deflection unit having a plurality of pixels divided into sub-regions, for deflecting the lights of the respective wavelengths by changing phase-shift characteristics of the pixels in the sub-regions; a reflection unit, disposed in parallel with the liquid crystal beam deflection unit; a deflection driving unit for driving electrodes of the pixels to generate required phase-shift characteristics. |
| US09581870B2 |
Conducting film or electrode with improved optical and electrical performance for display and lighting devices and solar cells
A conducting film or device multilayer electrode includes a substrate and two transparent or semitransparent conductive layers separated by a transparent or semitransparent intervening layer. The intervening layer includes electrically conductive pathways between the first and second conductive layers to help reduce interfacial reflections occurring between particular layers in devices incorporating the conducting film or electrode. |
| US09581869B2 |
In-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device and fabrication method thereof
There are provided an in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device and a fabrication method of the in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device which has a low pretilt angle by applying a three-electrode structure to an in-plane switching display and mixing a photocurable polymer into an alignment film by a rubbing process, and includes: an upper substrate having an upper plate conductive electrode; a lower substrate having a lower plate conductive electrode and a pattern electrode formed on the lower plate conductive electrode with an insulating layer therebetween; the liquid crystal layer disposed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate; and an alignment film formed on the upper substrate having the upper plate conductive electrode and the lower substrate having the pattern electrode and configured to align liquid crystals in an in-plane manner. |
| US09581867B2 |
Display panel having a plurality of pixel electrode bars with different spacing
A display panel including first and second pixel structures and a light shielding pattern layer is provided. The first pixel structure includes a first pixel electrode including first pixel electrode bars, wherein a first maximum spacing is formed between any two adjacent first pixel electrode bars of the first pixel structure. The second pixel structure includes a second pixel electrode including second pixel electrode bars, wherein a second maximum spacing which is larger than the first maximum spacing is formed between two adjacent second pixel electrode bars of the second pixel structure. The light shielding pattern layer has first and second light shielding portions. The area of the second light shielding portion is larger than the area of the first light shielding portion. The first pixel electrode is close to the second light shielding portion and the second pixel electrode is away from the second light shielding portion. |
| US09581863B2 |
Polarized light irradiating apparatus and method of irradiating polarized light for photo alignment
An apparatus capable of performing a photo alignment process on a plate-shaped member and realizing high productivity is provided. An irradiating unit irradiates an irradiated area with polarized light, and a stage movement mechanism transports first and second stages on which substrates are mounted alternately to the irradiated area and returns the same. A space larger than a length by which the substrate on the second stage passes through the irradiated area is secured between the first stage positioned at a first substrate mounting-and-collecting position and the irradiated area, and a space larger than a length by which the substrate on the first stage passes through the irradiated area is secured between the second stage positioned at a second substrate mounting-and-collecting position and the irradiated area. |
| US09581862B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof
A liquid crystal display according to the present inventive concept includes: a substrate; a gate line and a data line crossing each other formed on the substrate; a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line; a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor and having a slit at a center; a liquid crystal layer filling a plurality of microcavities positioned on the pixel electrode; a common electrode positioned on the liquid crystal layer; and a roof layer formed on the common electrode and having an oblique portion formed to be inclined at both outer sides of the microcavities. |
| US09581861B2 |
Phase difference film, polarizing plate, and liquid crystal display device
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a cellulose acetate film having excellent adhesion to a polarizer, and in which there is minimal change in retardation with respect to residual solvent during film stretching. This phase difference film contains cellulose acetate α having a degree of acetyl substitution of 2.1 or less, cellulose acetate β having a degree of acetyl substitution of 2.3-2.5, and a compound having a van der Waals volume of 500 Å3 to 1000 Å3 in the amount of 5-10 mass % with respect to the total amount of the cellulose acetate α and the cellulose acetate β, and the phase difference film is stretched. |
| US09581859B2 |
Optical deflector, optical deflection apparatus, and liquid crystal display apparatus using the optical deflector and the optical deflection apparatus
An optical deflector which deflects incident light, includes an optical deflection element which deflects the incident light when a distribution of internal refraction indexes of the optical deflection element is modulated. The light incident on the optical deflection element is emitted from the optical deflection element after passing through the optical deflection element a plurality of times. |
| US09581858B2 |
Mirror display device
A display device is provided. The display device includes: a display panel; and a polarization conversion panel disposed on the display panel, wherein the polarization conversion panel includes: a reflective polarizer disposed on the display panel, an absorptive polarizer facing and spaced apart from the reflective polarizer, a lower electrode disposed on the reflective polarizer, an upper electrode disposed on the absorptive polarizer, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the upper and lower electrodes; and wherein the polarization conversion panel is configured to emit light having a fixed wavelength range depending on a voltage difference generated between the upper and lower electrodes. |
| US09581853B2 |
Curved liquid crystal display panel and curved liquid crystal display apparatus
A curved LCD panel is provided. The curved LCD panel comprises a curved color filter substrate and a cured array substrate. A plurality of regions are formed along a longitudinal direction of the color filter substrate. In each of the regions of the color filter substrate, according to a greatest shifted distance between the color filter and the array substrate, a width of the black matrix within the region is predetermined. The black matrix can have different widths in the different regions to prevent the color shifting phenomenon. |
| US09581851B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
In order to avoid a phenomenon that a liquid crystal display panel peeling off from a mold caused by expansion of the air inside the mold when attaching a touch panel to the liquid crystal display panel in a decompressed atmosphere, there is provided a liquid crystal display device in which a liquid crystal display panel is attached to a mold accommodating a backlight by a light shielding tape and a touch panel is attached to the liquid crystal display panel, wherein the light shielding tape includes adhesives on the both sides of a black base, and the light shielding tape has a portion without the adhesive on one side of the tape for a predetermined length of the light shielding tape in a circumferential direction. |
| US09581850B2 |
Display panel
A display panel includes a first substrate structure, a second substrate structure and a non-self-luminous display medium layer. The first substrate structure includes a first substrate, a first common electrode, a pixel electrode and a first alignment film. The second substrate structure is disposed opposite to the first substrate structure. The second substrate structure includes a second substrate, a second common electrode and a second alignment film. The non-self-luminous display medium layer is interposed between the first alignment film and the second alignment film. A first capacitance is formed between the first common electrode and the pixel electrode, a second capacitance is formed between the pixel electrode and the second common electrode, and a ratio of the second capacitance to the first capacitance is substantially between 0.7 and 1.3. |
| US09581849B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device that is not influenced by a noise in obtaining positional information can be provided. The liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate provided with a pixel electrode and a common electrode with a first insulating film interposed therebetween. The pixel electrode and the common electrode partly overlap with each other. The liquid crystal display device further includes a second substrate provided with a pair of electrodes, a resin film covering the pair of electrodes, and a conductive film on the resin film. The pair of electrodes partly overlap with each other with a second insulating film interposed therebetween. The liquid crystal display device further includes a liquid crystal layer between the conductive film on the second substrate side and the pixel electrode and the common electrode on the first substrate side. A predetermined potential is supplied to the conductive film. |
| US09581848B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes: a substrate including a major surface; a thin film transistor disposed over the substrate; a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor and disposed over the thin film transistor; a common electrode facing the pixel electrode; a roof layer disposed over the common electrode; a microcavity disposed between the pixel electrode and the common electrode; and a liquid crystal material contained in the microcavity, in which a side wall of the microcavity has an angle of 80° to 90° with respect to the major surface. |
| US09581843B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method for driving the same
At the time of partial drive, the levels of voltages applied to data lines SL1 to SLn are switched according to a rewrite frequency set for each region of a display screen. For example, in a still-image display region with a relatively low rewrite frequency, the levels of the voltages applied to the data lines SL1 to SLn are set to be higher than those for a moving-image display region with a relatively high rewrite frequency. By this, the same effect as that obtained when a counter voltage is switched according to the rewrite frequency can be obtained. Thus, flicker occurring in each region of the display screen can be suppressed. |
| US09581842B2 |
Liquid crystal modulator for detecting a defective substrate and inspection apparatus having the same
An inspection apparatus for detecting a defect of a substrate is provided. The inspection apparatus includes a liquid crystal modulator, a light emitting unit, a beam splitter, and a measurement unit. The liquid crystal modulator includes a reflection layer, a liquid crystal layer, an electrode, and a polarizer. The reflection layer reflects a light. The sensor layer includes a hybrid aligned nematic liquid crystal. The electrode is provided on the liquid crystal layer. The polarizer is provided on the electrode. |
| US09581839B2 |
Method of manufacturing display device and manufacturing apparatus for the same
The described technology generally relates to a method of manufacturing a display device and a manufacturing apparatus for the same. In one aspect, the method includes placing a carrier, in which a display panel is formed, into a film attachment portion such that the carrier is pulled onto a carrier adsorption surface of a first stage. The method also includes attaching a first protection film onto a first surface of the display panel in the film attachment portion, wherein the first surface is located opposite to a second surface of the display panel that faces the carrier. The method also includes first transferring the first stage to a carrier separation portion, separating the display panel from the carrier, and second transferring the display panel to a second stage such that the attached protection film is pulled onto a second film adsorption surface of the second stage. |
| US09581830B2 |
Collapsible eyeglass apparatus
An eyeglass apparatus comprises left and right eyeglass portions and a link. The link is configured to permit the eyeglass apparatus to transition between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration. In the extended configuration, the eyeglass apparatus is adapted to be worn by a user in a conventional eyeglass wearing orientation. In the collapsed configuration: an inwardly facing lens face of one of left and right lenses faces an outwardly facing lens face of the other of the left and right lenses; a medial edge portion of the left lens is closer to a medial edge portion of the right lens than to a lateral edge portion of the right lens; and the lateral edge portion of the left lens is closer to the lateral edge portion of the right lens than to the medial edge portion of the right lens. |
| US09581826B2 |
3D display device
A 3D display device comprises a display panel (1) with a plurality of pixel units formed by the cross of gate lines and data lines and distributed in matrix, and a photorefractive crystal mechanism (2) disposed at the light emitting side of the display panel (1); the photorefractive crystal mechanism (2) comprises an electrode structure (21) and a plurality of photo refractive crystals (22) arranged along the row directions of the pixel units; the electrode structure (21) produces a plurality of electric field range (A) in one-to-one correspondence with the photorefractive crystals (22); each of the photorefractive crystals (22) is corresponding to one electric field range (A) and is located in the corresponding electric field range (A); the photorefractive crystals (22) in adjacent columns respectively emits left eye image light or right eye image light, and right eye image light or left eye image light. |
| US09581825B2 |
Three-dimensional image display device
A three-dimensional image display device includes a display panel including M×N pixels arranged in M rows by N columns, displaying kn viewpoint images, and configured to display a color image using L primary colors. The display panel also includes a viewpoint forming unit including L viewpoint forming devices arranged in a row direction and configured to separate the kn viewpoint images at different angles to project the kn viewpoint images on corresponding viewing zones. |
| US09581820B2 |
Multiple waveguide imaging structure
In embodiments of a multiple waveguide imaging structure, a wearable display device includes left and right imaging units of respective display lens systems to generate an augmented reality image that includes a virtual image. Each of the left and right imaging units include a first waveguide for see-through viewing at a first field of view, where the first waveguide includes a first polarizing beam splitter to reflect light that enters at a first polarization orientation angle and pass through the light that enters at a second polarization orientation angle. Each of the left and right imaging units also include at least a second waveguide for see-through viewing at a second field of view, where the second waveguide includes a second polarizing beam splitter to reflect the light that enters at the first polarization orientation angle and pass through the light that enters at the second polarization orientation angle. |
| US09581818B2 |
Head-mounted display optical system and head-mounted display
Provided is a head-mounted display optical system (LS) having: an optical deflection element (M1); a first lens group (G1); a second lens group (G2); and an optical reflection element (M2). The head-mounted display optical system is configured such that light from a light source, which is reflected on a reflection surface (M2r) of the optical reflection element (M2) and reaches a drawing surface (I) assumed to be located on a retina when a user wears the head-mounted display, moves on the drawing surface (I) according to the change of a travelling direction of the light caused by the optical deflection element (M1), and an image is drawn on the drawing surface (I). The first lens group (G1) includes a free-shaped surface lens having a free-shaped surface which is rotationally asymmetrical with respect to a reference axis, and the reflection surface (M2r) of the optical reflection element (M2) is formed to be rotationally asymmetrical with respect to a reference axis. |
| US09581817B2 |
Head-mounted display apparatus employing one or more fresnel lenses
Head-mounted displays (100) are disclosed which include a frame (107), an image display system (110) supported by the frame (107), and a Fresnel lens system (115) supported by the frame (107). The HMD (100) can employ a reflective optical surface, e.g., a free-space, ultra-wide angle, reflective optical surface (a FS/UWA/RO surface) (120), supported by the frame (107), with the Fresnel lens system (115) being located between the image display system (110) and the reflective optical surface (120). The Fresnel lens system (115) can include at least one curved Fresnel lens element (820). Fresnel lens elements (30) for use in HMDs are also disclosed which have facets (31) separated by edges (32) which lie along radial lines (33) which during use of the HMD pass through a center of rotation (34) of a nominal user's eye (35) or through the center of the eye's lens (36) or are normal to the surface of the eye's cornea. |
| US09581814B2 |
Transparent display for mobile device
A projection-type display device is connectively coupled to a mobile device (such as a smartphone) where the light generated by a small projection device is directed at a relatively transparent holographic optical element (HOE) to provide a display to an operator of the mobile device or a viewer. The projector and HOE may be configured to produce and magnify a virtual image that is perceived as being displayed at a large distance from the operator who views the image through the HOE. The HOE may comprise a volume grating effective at only the narrow wavelengths of the projection device to maximize transparency while also maximizing the light reflected from the display projector to the eyes of the operator. |
| US09581810B2 |
Piezoelectric actuator and optical scanning apparatus having a plurality of piezoelectric layers
A piezoelectric actuator includes a plurality of piezoelectric layers, a plurality of electrodes between which each of the piezoelectric layers is placed so that the electrodes and the piezoelectric layers alternate with each other, and a substrate on which the plurality of piezoelectric layers and the plurality of electrodes are formed. |
| US09581805B2 |
Illumination device and image display apparatus
An illumination device includes: an excitation light source that emits excitation light having a first wavelength; and a fluorescent member that includes a fluorescent substance that, when it is irradiated with the excitation light, emits light having a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength, transmits a part of the excitation light and reflects another part of the excitation light, and a first reflective film provided at a side of the fluorescent substance, which is opposite to an excitation light incidence side, the fluorescent member emitting multiplexed light including an excitation light component reflected from the fluorescent substance and the first reflective film and a light component emitted from the fluorescent substance. |
| US09581804B1 |
Liquid dispensing method for manufacturing an electrowetting device
A method of manufacturing an electrowetting device includes dispensing a first liquid on a surface of a support plate and dispensing a second liquid to adjoin the first liquid. The first liquid is a solution. A first portion of the first liquid transfers into the second liquid to form a first layer of liquid and a second layer of liquid substantially immiscible with the first layer. The first layer comprises a second portion of the first liquid and the second layer comprises the second liquid and the first portion. |
| US09581803B2 |
Observation apparatus
An observation apparatus including: a light source unit that generates illumination light by using a plurality of solid-state illumination devices; an image-acquisition device that acquires an image of an object illuminated with the illumination light; an image processing unit that processes acquired image signals; and a control unit that controls the light source unit and/or the image processing unit. One of the illumination devices has a peak in a G channel, another one of the illumination devices has a peak in an R channel, and, when increasing and reducing the amount of the illumination light, the control unit performs control so as to satisfy ΔSr/ΔSg>1 and ΔSr/ΔSg<1, respectively, where ΔSr and ΔSg are rates of change of system gains applied to the R and G channels, respectively. |
| US09581802B2 |
Endoscope device, and measurement method
Provided with an endoscope device configured to measure a specimen using a pattern projection image of the specimen on which a light and shade pattern of light is projected, includes: an imaging unit configured to acquire an image of the specimen; an illumination unit having a first light source configured to emit illumination light to illuminate an observation field of vision of the imaging unit; a pattern projection unit having a second light source configured to emit projection light to project the light and shade pattern on the specimen; a display unit configured to display the image acquired by the imaging unit; and a control unit configured to control the imaging unit, the illumination unit, the pattern projection unit, and the display unit. |
| US09581800B2 |
Slide holder for detection of slide placement on microscope
The invention provides a slide holder that utilizes edge detection algorithms to determine the location of various edges of a slide. From these edges, and integrating characteristic slide dimension, both linear offset of the edge of the slide in the holder and any rotation of the slide relative to the microscope stage axis are determined. The process of using the slide holder of the invention ensures precise and accurate placement of a slide during a first round of imaging and for reload in subsequent rounds. |
| US09581798B2 |
Light sheet-based imaging device with extended depth of field
Light sheet microscope for recording 3D images of a specimen, comprising a light sheet generator, an objective lens, an image detector and a wavefront encoder element or system positioned between the objective lens and the image detector for extending the depth of field of the objective lens. By doing so, the restriction on the distance between the collecting objective and the light sheet is relaxed, allowing the use of a light sheet scanning unit. The resulting light sheet microscope allows for a robust, aberration insensitive, fast 3D imaging without the need to move or perturb the specimen. |
| US09581796B2 |
Imaging device and method
The resolution of conventional imaging devices is restricted by the diffraction limit. ‘Perfect’ imaging devices which can achieve a resolution beyond the diffraction limit have been considered impossible to implement. However, the present disclosure provides an imaging device which can achieve improved resolution beyond the diffraction limit and which can be implemented in practice. Said imaging device comprises: a. a lens having a refractive index that varies according to a predetermined refractive index profile; b. a source; c. an outlet for decoupling waves from the device; and d. a reflector provided around the lens, the source and the outlet, wherein the reflector and the refractive index profile of the lens are together arranged to direct waves transmitted in any of a plurality of directions from the source to the outlet. |
| US09581794B2 |
Zoom lens system
A zoom lens system includes a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, a positive third lens group and a positive fourth lens group, in that order from the object side. Upon zooming from the short to long focal length extremities, each of the first through fourth lens groups move along the optical axis thereof. The following conditions (1) and (2) are satisfied: 1.05 |
| US09581789B2 |
Image capturing lens assembly, image capturing device and electronic device
An image capturing lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface. The second lens element has refractive power. The third lens element has refractive power, and an object-side surface and an image-side surface thereof being aspheric. The fourth lens element has negative refractive power, and an object-side surface and an image-side surface thereof are aspheric. The fifth lens element with negative refractive power has a concave object-side surface, and the object-side surface and an image-side surface thereof are aspheric. |
| US09581787B2 |
Method of using a light-field camera to generate a three-dimensional image, and light field camera implementing the method
A method is provided to generate a 3D image using a light-field camera that includes a main lens, a micro-lens array, a light sensing component, and an image processing module. The micro-lens array forms a plurality of adjacent micro-images at different positions of the light sensing component. Each micro-image includes multiple image zones corresponding to different viewing angles. For each micro-image, the image processing module obtains image pixel values from the image zones, so as to generate camera images corresponding to different viewing angles. The image processing module combines the camera images to generate the 3D image. |
| US09581779B2 |
Optical fiber cable
A rugged optical micromodule cable is provided. The cable includes a composite cable jacket including a first cable jacket layer formed from a first material and a second cable jacket layer formed from a second material. The first cable jacket layer provides at least 10% of the thickness of the cable jacket and the second cable jacket layer provides at least 10% of the thickness of the cable jacket. The first material is different than the second material, and each material provides different physical properties to the cable jacket. |
| US09581774B2 |
Optical-electro circuit board
An optical component including a multi-layer substrate, an optical waveguide element, and two optical-electro assemblies is provided. The multi-layer substrate includes a dielectric layer, two circuit layers, and two through holes passing through the dielectric layer. The optical waveguide element is located on the multi-layer substrate and between the through holes. The optical-electro assemblies are respectively inserted into the corresponding through holes and correspondingly located at two opposite ends of the optical waveguide element. One of the optical-electro assemblies transforms an electrical signal into a light beam and provides the light beam to the optical waveguide element, and the other one of the optical-electro assemblies receives the light beam transmitted from the optical waveguide element and transforms the light beam into another electrical signal. A manufacturing method of the optical component and an optical-electro circuit board having the optical component are also provided. |
| US09581773B2 |
Cage, communication device, communication module and connecting method
A cage that a communication module having a module-side connector arranged two-dimensionally with connecting terminals is insertable to/removable from, the cage includes: a movable cage rotatable about a rotation axis, the movable cage having an insertion opening to which the communication module is inserted and a window provided in a position of the module-side connector during inserting of the communication module, the movable cage switching between a first position and a second position by rotating, in the first position, an insertion direction of the communication module to the movable cage being slanted, with respect to a board arranged with a fixed-side connector having connecting terminals arranged two-dimensionally, the communication module being insertable to/removable from the movable cage, in the case that the movable cage is made to be from the first position to the second position in a state where the communication module is inserted, the module-side connector and the fixed-side connector being connected through the window. |
| US09581769B2 |
Adapter for a multicontact connector with housing and associated multicontact connector
The present invention relates to an adapter (3) for a connector (1), notably for a multicontact connector, of the type comprising at least one insert (2) and one housing (6) comprising, within it, the insert (2). According to the invention, the adapter (3) comprises at least one means for removably fastening, inside the housing (6), a connector in its configuration bearing by its front face (30) against the front face (20) of the insert (2). |
| US09581767B2 |
Optical blind-mate connector and adapter
Described are examples of optical blind-mate connector adaptors, optical blind-mate connectors to blind-mate to the adaptors, and optical blind-mate systems. In various implementations, an optical blind-mate connector adapter may include a sleeve, a shutter mounted on a pivot at an opening of the sleeve to move between a closed position and an open position extending into the sleeve, and a cantilever spring anchored to a wall of the sleeve and including a free end extending toward the opening of the sleeve to urge the shutter to the closed position. |
| US09581766B2 |
Snap-fit structure and optical fiber splice employing the snap-fit structure
Disclosed are a snap-fit structure and an optical fiber splicer using the snap-fit structure. The snap-fit structure comprises a cable retainer and a base, the base being provided with a snap-fit hole, the cable retainer being provided with an ear clip, during assembling, the clip being fitted into the snap-fit hole, wherein a second outer lateral surface is arranged in a rising direction of the ear clip, the second outer lateral surface in the rising direction of the ear clip and a wall surface of the cable retainer forming a wedge smaller at the top and larger at the bottom. |
| US09581763B2 |
Method for fabricating an optical device using a treated surface
A method and apparatus for forming an optical device on a substrate. A surface of the substrate may be treated to form a treated surface having a number of modified properties. A plurality of drops of material may be deposited onto the treated surface of the substrate to form the optical device. An adhesion between the plurality of drops and the treated surface of the substrate may be reduced by the number of modified properties of the treated surface such that the plurality of drops form an optical device having a lateral resolution below a selected threshold. |
| US09581761B2 |
Controlling temperatures in optical circuits
Controlling temperatures in optical circuits includes using a device with a waveguide located between a base cladding and an over cladding. The base cladding is deposited over a substrate and the over cladding is made of a thermally conductive dielectric material. |
| US09581755B2 |
Reflective display apparatus and manufacturing method of reflective display apparatus
A reflective display apparatus including at least one front-light module, a first frame, a first liquid, and a display unit is provided. The at least one front-light module includes a light source and a light guide plate. The light source is adapted for providing an illumination beam. The first frame connects with the light guide plate of the at least one front-light module. The display unit, the first frame, the at least one front-light module form a first containing space and the first liquid is injected into the first containing space. Besides, a manufacturing method of the reflective display apparatus is also provided. |
| US09581753B2 |
Optical waveguide sheet, edge-lit backlight unit and laptop computer
The optical waveguide sheet of the present invention is an optical waveguide sheet for use in an edge-lit backlight unit of a liquid crystal display unit of laptop computers having a housing thickness of no greater than 21 mm, and includes an optical waveguide layer containing a polycarbonate-based resin as a principal component; and a protective layer laminated on the back face of the optical waveguide layer, the protective layer containing an acrylic resin as a principal component, wherein an average thickness of the optical waveguide sheet is no lower than 250 μm and no greater than 600 μm. An average thickness of the protective layer is preferably no less than 10 μm and no greater than 100 μm, and a relative refractive index of the protective layer with respect to the optical waveguide layer is preferably no greater than 0.95. |
| US09581752B2 |
Display device comprising a light-guide film having a plurality of waveguide parts that have a refractive index
A display device includes a display panel. A light-guide film is attached to a light-incident surface of the display panel. The light-guide film includes a light reflecting layer, a light exiting layer between the light reflecting layer and the display panel, and waveguide parts situated between the light reflecting layer and the light exiting layer. The light exiting layer has exit openings at positions facing each waveguide part, with each exit opening also facing a sub-pixel unit in the display panel. The display device also includes a light source. An end of each waveguide part is in communication with the light source. The light-guide film replaces a conventional backlight unit such that a thinner design for the display device is possible. |
| US09581748B2 |
Optical member and display device including the same
Disclosed are an optical member and a display device including the same. The optical member includes a receiving member; a host in the receiving member; and a plurality of wavelength conversion particles distributed in the host. The receiving member includes a light incident part having a first refractive index; and a light exit part having a second refractive index different from the first refractive index. The optical member improves the optical characteristics by adjusting the refractive indexes of the light incident part and the light exit part. |
| US09581740B2 |
Optically active materials and articles and systems in which they may be used
The inventors of the present application developed novel optically active materials, methods, and articles. One embodiment of the present application is an optically active article, comprising: an infrared-reflecting material positioned adjacent to an optically active substrate such that the infrared-reflecting material forms a pattern that can be read by an infrared sensor when the optically active substrate is illuminated by an infrared light source. Another embodiment of the present application relates to a method of manufacturing an optically active article, comprising: obtaining an optically active sheeting; and positioning an infrared-reflecting material on the optically active sheeting to form a pattern. The optically active article may be, for example, a license plate. |
| US09581732B2 |
Optical component and timepiece
An optical component includes a base material and an antireflection film containing silica particles, wherein the porosity of the antireflection film is 15% by volume or more and 36% by volume or less. The number-based average particle diameter of the silica particles is preferably 0.5 nm or more and 4.0 nm or less. The antireflection film is preferably formed by using a composition containing the silica particles and a dispersion medium for dispersing the silica particles. The thickness of the antireflection film is preferably 50 nm or more and 120 nm or less. |
| US09581730B2 |
Substrate film
There are provided a substrate film, a laminate, and method of manufacturing a polarizing film. The present application provides a substrate film capable of effectively manufacturing a polarizing film having a thickness of about 10 μm or less, about 8 μm or less, about 7 μm or less, about 6 μm or less, or about 5 μm or less and having an excellent function such as polarization performance, a laminate, and a method of manufacturing the same. According to the invention, it is possible to prevent tearing, curling, or the like from occurring in the elongation process and manufacture a polarizing film by easily elongating a polarization material such as a PVA-based resin. |
| US09581727B1 |
Severe weather situational awareness system and related methods
A severe weather detection and warning method may include collecting atmospheric sounding data from at least one satellite atmospheric sounding device corresponding to a grid of localized regions, with the atmospheric sounding data including geospatial location and elevation components. The method may further include collecting weather radar data for the grid of localized regions from at least one radar station, determining a location and direction of travel of at least one moisture system based upon the weather radar data, and determining respective atmospheric instability levels for the localized regions based upon the atmospheric sounding data. The method may also include determining when the direction of travel of the at least one moisture system is approaching a given localized region having an atmospheric instability level above an instability threshold, and generating a severe weather warning indication based thereon. |
| US09581726B2 |
Attribute importance determination
A system and method for determination of importance of attributes among a plurality of attribute importance models incorporating a segmented attribute kerneling (SAK) method of attribute importance determination. The method permits operation of multiple attribute importance algorithms simultaneously, finds the intersecting subset of important attributes across the multiple techniques, and then outputs a consolidated ranked set. In addition, the method identifies and presents a ranked subset of the attributes excluded from the union. |
| US09581723B2 |
Method for characterizing a geological formation traversed by a borehole
Methods for characterizing a geological formation, the methods include retrieving measured data provided by a measuring tool along one or more logged borehole length for a borehole, another borehole or both in order to produce a borehole imaging log. Selecting depth-defined intervals of the borehole imaging log as training images for inputting in a multi-point geostatistical model. Determining pattern based simulations for each training image using a pixel-based template of the multi-point geostatistical model so as to obtain training image patterns. Using the pattern based simulation of each training image to assign to each of the training image a corresponding training image pattern. Constructing from the training image patterns one or more fullbore image log of a borehole wall of the borehole. Repeat the second to fourth steps through the one or more logged borehole length in order to construct fullbore images from successive, adjacent training images. |
| US09581719B2 |
Apparatus and method for oil-based mud formation imaging using resonators
An oil-based mud formation imaging tool for measuring electrical properties of surrounding formation includes at least one base plate, a first port and a second port deployed on the base plate, surface conductors covering both sides of the base plate, and inside conductors deployed in the first port and the second ports and with gaps from the edges of the first and second ports. The first port is fed with electromagnetic signals by a waveguide and a coupling is formed between the imaging tool and the surrounding formation accordingly. Resonance signals are induced at the second port to be used to compute corresponding formation resistivity and dielectric constant. A corresponding imaging method is also provided. |
| US09581718B2 |
Systems and methods for ranging while drilling
An improved system and method for ranging while drilling, in effect, induces a dynamic hot spot on the casing of a nearby well. The induced hot spot acts as a magnetic source that can be reliably detected from within the drillstring and in such a manner as to infer the relative position and orientation of the casing to the drillstring. At least some disclosed method embodiments employ one or more rotating magnets in the drillstring, an array of at least two magnetometers in the drillstring and one or more phase-locked loops that are used to enhance the signal to noise ratio of the magnetic signal scattered off of the casing from the rotating magnetic field. The rotating magnet or magnets may be magnetic dipoles or magnetic multipoles, and may be modulated to enable the use of multiple magnetic field sources. |
| US09581715B1 |
Acoustic hyperlens for thru-casing ultrasonic sensor
An apparatus for investigating a subsurface volume may include an acoustic transducer disposed in an enclosure and generating acoustical signals, an electronics assembly disposed in the enclosure and controlling the acoustic transducer, and a lens assembly. The lens assembly may be disposed in the enclosure and next to the acoustic transducer. The lens assembly may be formed of a plurality of cells. Each cell may be formed as a column oriented transverse to a direction of travel of the acoustical signals. Each cell may have a hub, a plurality of spokes radiating from the hub, and a plurality of fingers circumferentially distributed around the hub. The hub, spokes, and fingers may be oriented to cause the acoustic waves to travel at a different speed in each of three orthogonal directions. A related method uses the apparatus in a wellbore. |
| US09581713B2 |
Method and device for controlling source array geometry
Methods related to controlling a source array while performing a seismic survey to achieve an intended source signature. A current three dimensional arrangement of the individual seismic sources is compared with a target 3D arrangement. In view of the comparison, position of at least one of the individual seismic sources is adjusted so that the adjusted 3D arrangement of the individual seismic sources to substantially match the target 3D arrangement. |
| US09581710B2 |
Three-dimensional rock properties using cross well seismic
Various implementations directed to determining three-dimensional (3D) rock properties using cross well seismic are provided. In one implementation, a method may include receiving 3D seismic data acquired in a seismic survey of a region of interest. The method may also include receiving cross well seismic data acquired in a cross well seismic survey of the region of interest. The method may further include determining a first set of rock properties of the region of interest based on the cross well seismic data. The method may additionally include determining one or more variograms based on the first set of rock properties. The method may also include determining one or more 3D rock properties of the region of interest based on the one or more variograms and the 3D seismic data. |
| US09581707B2 |
System for automated identification of surfaces for building of geologic hydrodynamic model of oil and gas deposit by seismic data
Systems for modeling and building models of oil and gas deposits. In particular, the utility model relates to systems designed for automated identification of surfaces for building a geologic-hydrodynamic model of an oil and gas deposit based on seismic data. A technical result is the improvement of the accuracy in building a geological-hydrodynamic model of an oil-and-gas deposit. The objective of this utility model is to provide a system designed for building a geological-hydrodynamic model, in particular, automated (that is, requiring the user to participate only in the stage of initial data input) construction of a set of surfaces based on input seismic data. The output surfaces can be used, without additional processing, to construct a geological-hydrodynamic grid. The input data for the system are volumes of seismic data attributes P, Q; and seismic volume (optional). |
| US09581706B2 |
Geophone with tunable resonance frequency
An illustrative geophone with tunable resonance frequency includes a first inductive assembly including an inductive coil having a first magnet arranged therein, wherein the first magnet and the first inductive coil move relative to each other, and a second inductive assembly including a second inductive coil having a second magnet arranged therein, wherein the second magnet and the second inductive coil move relative to each other. A coupling element couples a movable element of the first inductive assembly with a moveable element of the second inductive assembly. The first inductive assembly employs tunable damping to modify a resonant frequency of the second inductive assembly. |
| US09581705B2 |
System and method for producing high quality seismic records within bore holes
A sound source for geophysical studies of the earth for oil, gas and other natural resource exploration and more specifically a streamlined design of a hydraulically controlled impulsive sound source that may be inserted into oil wells and bore holes and a system and method for obtaining high quality seismic records from the impulsive sound source by adjusting and maintaining pressures within the well or bore hole. |
| US09581702B2 |
Moisture seal for radiological image sensor
A radiation imaging device having a moisture impermeable metal layer compressed against a scintillator layer by compressible layer that is mechanically compressed against the scintillator layer. The metal layer is attached to the scintillator substrate by an adhesive ring surrounding the perimeter of the scintillator substrate. The adhesive can further include moisture getter particles. Preferably the metal layer is comprised of aluminum with a thickness between 25 μm and 100 μm to allow the layer to be flexible as free of pinholes to prevent ingress of moisture. The compressible layer can be compressed by the housing to maintain the metal layer in contact with the scintillator layer. The metal layer not only provides moisture protection for the scintillator but also increases the output of the scintillator by reflecting photons generated by the scintillator layer toward the photodetector array of the radiation imaging device. |
| US09581701B2 |
Impact protection for wireless digital detector glass panel
A digital radiography detector has a glass panel that is encased within a housing and that has, formed on a first surface, circuitry that provides image data of a subject in response to ionizing radiation passed through the subject, wherein at least a second glass panel surface on the exterior of the detector has a flexible cover sheet that is configured to absorb impact force against the detector. |
| US09581700B2 |
Method and apparatus tracking global navigation satellite system (GNSS)
Provided are a method and apparatus tracking a global navigation satellite system signal. The method includes generating respective replica codes including an E code, P code, L code, first code and second code, calculating correlation values for a received satellite signal and the replica codes, discriminating between gradients of a plurality of slopes derived from correlation points respectively corresponding to the replica codes, and detecting a time delay due to multipath signal components according to a discrimination result. |
| US09581698B2 |
Systems and methods to monitor for false alarms from ionosphere gradient monitors
Systems and methods to monitor for false alarms from ionosphere gradient monitors are provided. In one embodiment, a method for mitigating false gradient alarms in a satellite navigation Ground Based Augmentation System (GBAS) ground station comprising a plurality of satellite navigation system reference receivers comprises: generating an alarm signal with an ionosphere gradient monitor (IGM) at the GBAS ground station; determining whether the alarm signal is a false alarm based on data derived from carrier phase measurements received from the plurality of satellite navigation system reference receivers; and blocking the alarm signal for at least a first duration of time based on the determining. |
| US09581692B2 |
Collision-avoidance system for ground crew using sensors
A ground obstacle collision-avoidance system includes a plurality of radar sensor modules that each receive at a radar detector radar return signals corresponding to reflections of the emitted signal from a ground obstacle, and transmits radar information associated with the received radar signal reflections reflected from the ground obstacle, wherein each of the plurality of radar sensor modules are uniquely located on a surface of an aircraft that is at risk for collision with a ground obstacle if the aircraft is moving; a gateway unit that receives the radar information transmitted from the radar sensor module and transmits information associated with the received radar information; a processing system configured to determine a distance from the installation aircraft to a detected ground object detected; and a display configured to present a plan view indicating an aircraft icon and a graphical ground obstacle icon that is associated with the detected ground obstacle. |
| US09581690B2 |
Almost real-time sampling for ground-penetrating radar impulses
A ground-penetrating RADAR-based system can include a transmitter configured to transmit multiple RADAR impulses and a receiver configured to receive a signal comprising return waves generated responsive to the transmitted RADAR impulses. The signal can include a direct wave portion and a reflected wave portion. The system can also include a processing unit configured to analyze the return waves by determining the direct wave portion, fitting the direct wave portion to determine parametric information corresponding to the return waves, determining the reflected wave portion, determining characteristics of the reflected wave portion based on the parametric information, and comparing the determined characteristics against known characteristics. |
| US09581689B2 |
Reader/writer and article sorting system
A system that reads and writes information from and onto a non-contact information recording medium using an electric wave includes a reader/writer and a measuring unit. The reader/writer includes an antenna configured to transmit an electric wave onto the non-contact information recording medium, a demodulator configured to demodulate a reflected wave obtained by the non-contact information recording medium modulating a part of the electric wave, and a calculator configured to obtain a delay time of the reflected wave. The measuring unit measures a difference in delay times calculated by the calculator, and obtains a change in a distance between the antenna mediating transmission/reception of the electric wave and the non-contact information recording medium. |
| US09581683B2 |
Delay device for checking frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar
The present disclosure relates to a delay device for checking a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar, measuring a distance of a target and a relative velocity using microwaves and millimeter waves of a frequency modulated continuous waveform, and may include an input/output unit that is configured to input or output a control setting value, a controller that is configured to output a control signal corresponding to the control setting value input by an operator through the input/output unit, and a transceiver that is configured to delay an FMCW radar signal, for output, by a time delay corresponding to a distance of a target through a programmable single chip delay line according to the control signal of the controller, and configured to shift a frequency of the time-delayed FMCW radar signal by a Doppler frequency, and attenuate the frequency-shifted FMCW radar signal for output. |
| US09581680B2 |
Positioning method and device for drive test
Provided is a positioning method for a drive test, and the method includes: fixed parking sampling points of a testing vehicle in drive test data are determined; location information of the fixed parking sampling points of the testing vehicle is determined according to serving cell identification information of the fixed parking sampling points of the testing vehicle in the drive test data and information of a route matching the drive test data; and location information of a moving sampling point between the fixed parking sampling points of the testing vehicle in the drive test data is determined according to the information of the route. Further provided is a positioning device for a drive test, and by means of the embodiments of the present disclosure, positioning of sampling points in drive test data can be implemented efficiently and accurately, thus having low cost for implementation. |
| US09581674B2 |
Dynamic calibrating current sensor
A dynamic calibrating current sensor control system includes an input power supply that generates an input current and a current sensor interposed between the input power supply and the load. The current sensor is configured to output at least one current signal indicating a level of current delivered to the load. The dynamic calibrating current sensor control system also comprises an electronic switching control circuit that generates at least one control signal to selectively connect the input power supply to the load, and an electronic drift suppression circuit in signal communication with the current sensor and the switching control circuit. The drift suppression circuit is configured to generate a corrected current signal in response to applying an offset value to the current signal. The offset value cancels the drift current from the current signal in response to connecting the input power supply to the load. |
| US09581673B2 |
Alignment phantom for MR/PET system
A phantom for co-registering a magnetic resonance image and a nuclear medical image is disclosed. The phantom includes a longitudinal member having a first end cap and a second end cap and a chamber contained within the longitudinal member. The chamber contains a fluid for producing a first image using a first imaging modality. The phantom further includes a first rod disposed within the chamber of the longitudinal member. The first rod contains a radioactive substance for producing a second image using a second imaging modality. |
| US09581671B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging with consistent geometries
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, method and/or computer readable medium is configured to effect MR imaging with reduced artifact by generating one or more image reconstruction maps from one or more prescans, acquiring a main scan dataset from a main MRI scan of an object, warping one or more image reconstruction maps to have geometric distortions substantially corresponding to geometric distortions in the main scan dataset, and forming a diagnostic MR image of the object using the main scan dataset and the warped one or more image reconstruction maps. |
| US09581668B2 |
Multiple resonance NMR spectroscopy using a single transmitter
An NMR imaging system comprising a transceiver module configured to couple with a magnetic resonance transmitter coil, where the transceiver module includes a first transmitter channel and a pulse programmer configured to control the transceiver module, the transceiver module generating a precession and nutation for observing rotation at multiple intervals about the carrier (“PANORAMIC”) waveform, the PANORAMIC waveform configured to produce nuclear polarization. The PANORAMIC waveform may a single-banded PANORAMIC waveform or a multiple-banded PANORAMIC waveform. A method of NMR spectroscopy or imaging, the method comprising: determining for a nuclear spin rotation at least one frequency interval and at least one corresponding phase; creating a PANORAMIC waveform for the at least one frequency interval and the at least one corresponding phase; and applying the PANORAMIC waveform from an amplifier output to a probe input. The PANORAMIC waveform may be a single-banded PANORAMIC waveform or a multiple-banded PANORAMIC waveform. |
| US09581667B2 |
Method and magnetic resonance system to implement a multi-echo measurement sequence
In a multi-echo measurement sequence with the goal of optimizing the spatial resolution given predetermined time difference between successive gradient echoes, gradient pulse parameters are set depending on a defined ratio between a predetermined time difference between echo times and a quotient of a predetermined maximum gradient pulse amplitude and a predetermined maximum gradient pulse rate-of-change. |
| US09581666B2 |
Arrangement to generate the basic magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field of a magnetic resonance tomography system, and method to operate a magnetic resonance tomography system
An arrangement to generate a basic magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field in a magnetic resonance tomography system include at least one basic electromagnet without an iron core that generates the basic magnetic field, at least three gradient field electromagnets that generate the gradient magnetic field, with the basic field electromagnet situated within the gradient field electromagnets such that during acquisition of magnetic resonance data from a subject, the basic field electromagnet is closer to the subject than the gradient field electromagnets. Because the basic electromagnet is situated within the gradient field electromagnets, an active shielding of the gradient field electromagnets can be foregone, and since the basic field electromagnet is situated near the subject, it can be a water-cooled air coil. |
| US09581662B2 |
Cylindrical magnetic resonance device having a circular arc shaped housing shell when mounted that becomes bar-shaped when demounted
A magnetic resonance device is proposed. The device has a magnet unit having a cylindrical radio frequency coil unit, a cylindrical accommodation area for accommodating a patient, and a housing unit surrounding the magnet unit with at least one housing shell unit. The radio frequency coil unit cylindrically surrounds the accommodation area. The housing shell unit is disposed between the accommodation area and the radio frequency coil unit. The at least one housing shell unit is constituted at least partially by a flexible spring/mass unit. |
| US09581659B2 |
Position detector with magnetic flux transmission parts enclosed between two other magnetic flux transmission parts
A position detector includes a magnet disposed between first ends of first and second magnetic flux transmission parts and a magnet disposed between second ends of the first and second magnetic flux transmission parts. The position detector also includes a Hall IC that moves within a gap and relative to a rotating body. The Hall IC detects a density of the magnetic flux from the first and second magnetic flux transmission parts and outputs a signal according to the density of the magnetic flux passing therethrough in order to detect a position of a detection object. The position detector has third and fourth magnetic flux transmission parts disposed at ends of the first and second magnetic flux transmission parts in a non-contacting manner. As a result, the position detection accuracy of the position detector is improved. |
| US09581658B2 |
Hall effect sensor device
A hall effect sensor device implemented on a semiconductor body, having a first Hall effect sensor and a second Hall effect sensor, each of the two Hall effect sensors has at least four individual Hall effect elements and the four Hall effect elements are connected in series, and each Hall effect element has three contact terminals arranged in a row, and the series connection is implemented through a coupling or interconnection of the two outer contact terminals. Semiconductor well regions of the individual Hall effect elements are separated from one another, and the first Hall effect sensor and the second Hall effect sensor are connected in parallel, whereby a middle contact terminal of a Hall effect element of the first Hall effect sensor is connected in each case with a middle contact terminal of a Hall effect element of the second Hall effect sensor. |
| US09581656B2 |
Inverter and method for detecting a phase failure in an energy supply grid
An inverter and a method for detecting a phase failure in an energy supply grid during operation of an inverter, which is connected to the energy supply grid for feeding electrical energy via a YNd transformer is disclosed. The method includes transforming the values of the output currents into a symmetrical positive-sequence current value and into a symmetrical negative-sequence current value of a coordinate system rotating at a fundamental frequency of the energy supply grid. The method further includes determining a ratio of the negative-sequence current value to the positive-sequence current value, and signalling a phase failure in the energy supply grid if the determined ratio is greater than a preset threshold value for longer than a preset time period. The disclosure furthermore relates to an inverter designed for implementing the method. |
| US09581654B2 |
Vehicle battery monitoring system
A battery includes a battery monitoring system for performing a battery self test. The battery monitoring system is integrated into the battery and configured to monitor a first health of the battery. The battery monitoring system is configured to receive an input signal from a wired interface or a wireless interface. The input signal is configured to instruct the battery monitoring system to provide feedback regarding the first health of the battery and/or a second health of the battery monitoring system. The wired interface consists of a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the battery. |
| US09581652B2 |
Battery insulation resistance measurement methods, insulation resistance measurement methods, insulation resistance determination apparatuses, and articles of manufacture
Battery insulation resistance measurement methods, insulation resistance measurement methods, insulation resistance determination apparatuses, and articles of manufacture are described. According to one aspect, a battery insulation resistance measurement method includes determining a voltage of a battery, determining a voltage of a first terminal of the battery with respect to a ground reference, determining a voltage of a second terminal of the battery with respect to the ground reference, and using the voltages of the battery, the first terminal and the second terminal, determining an insulation resistance of the battery with respect to the ground reference. |
| US09581650B2 |
Method of estimating state of charge of secondary cell, state-of-charge estimation device, cell pack, electronic apparatus, and electric vehicle
A method of estimating a state of charge of a secondary cell includes: calculating a value of (∂Eemf/∂T) in advance on the assumption that Eemf is an electromotive force of the secondary cell and T is a temperature of the secondary cell; and calculating the state of charge based on at least a value of (∂Eemf/∂T) for which a value of the state of charge is set as a variable, a temperature measurement value of the secondary cell, and a current measurement value of the secondary cell. |
| US09581648B2 |
Relay welding detector, relay equipment incorporating the same, and relay welding detecting method
A relay welding detector is adapted for detecting welding fault of a relay. The relay has a first electrical contact coupled to a neutral terminal of an alternating current (AC) power source through a first power line, and a second electrical contact coupled to a load through a second power line. The relay welding detector includes a signal generator generating a test signal, a current transformer wound with a portion of one of the power lines and generating an induced signal based on the test signal, and a determining unit determining, based on the induced signal, whether the electrical contacts of the relay are welded to each other. |
| US09581645B2 |
Test circuit providing different levels of concurrency among radio cores
A testable integrated circuit chip (80, 100) includes a functional circuit (80) having modules (IP.i), a storage circuit (110) operable to hold a table representing sets of compatible tests that are compatible for concurrence, and an on-chip test controller (140, 150) coupled with the storage circuit (110) and with the functional circuit modules (IP.i. The test controller (140, 150) is operable to dynamically schedule and trigger the tests in those sets, which promotes concurrent execution of tests in the functional circuit modules (IP.i). Other circuits, wireless chips, systems, and processes of operation and processes of manufacture are disclosed. |
| US09581642B2 |
Method and system for quickly identifying circuit components in an emission image
A system and method for localization and resolvability of an integrated circuit includes selecting one or more electrical stimuli to be applied to a device under test such that the electrical stimuli are chosen to provide a baseline image and a distinguishing image effect as a result of the chosen stimuli when applied to the device under test. The one or more electrical stimuli are applied to the device under test. Emissions from the device under test are measured to provide a measurement data set from the one or more electrical stimuli using one or more measurement tools for collecting the baseline image and the distinguishing image effect. The measurement data set is analyzed to localize and evaluate circuit structures by comparing the baseline image and the distinguishing image effect. |
| US09581641B2 |
Wafer inspection apparatus
A wafer inspection apparatus includes a probe card, a chuck top, and a vacuum mechanism for evacuating a surrounding space surrounded by the chuck top and the probe card to a set pressure. The vacuum mechanism includes an electropneumatic regulator having a proportional control valve, a pressure sensor, and a valve control unit to control the proportional control valve such that a pressure measured by the pressure sensor becomes close to or equal to a set pressure; and a gas channel network switched between first mode in which a second port of the proportional control valve is connected to the surrounding space via the pressure sensor and second mode in which the second port of the proportional control valve is connected to the surrounding space and the pressure sensor is connected to the surrounding space in parallel with the proportional control valve. |
| US09581639B2 |
Organic space transformer attachment and assembly
Electronic device assemblies and methods including an organic substrate based space transformer are described. One assembly includes a space transformer comprising an organic substrate. The assembly also includes a carrier on which the space transformer is positioned, and a clamp positioned to couple the space transformer to the carrier. The assembly also includes a probe array positioned on the space transformer, wherein the space transformer is positioned between the probe array and the carrier. The assembly also includes a printed circuit board, wherein the carrier is positioned between the printed circuit board and the space transformer. The assembly also includes electrical connections to electrically couple the space transformer to the printed circuit board. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09581637B2 |
Apparatus and method for testing winding resistances of transformers based on an inductive voltage drop
An apparatus for measuring winding resistances of windings in a delta-connected transformer includes at least a first and a second DC current source connected each between the phase ends of a first and a second leg respectively of the primary side of the transformer and at least a third DC current source connected between two nodes of the secondary side of the transformer. Furthermore, a method for measuring a winding resistance of windings in delta-connected transformers includes the steps of applying a first and a second measuring current to each one of two corresponding legs, applying a third measuring current between two nodes of a pair of windings on the secondary side and measuring at least a winding resistance of the winding between said nodes on the secondary side of the transformer and/or the winding resistance of a leg of the primary side as soon as an inductive voltage drop in the windings substantially equals zero. |
| US09581636B2 |
Cabling system and method for monitoring and managing physically connected devices over a data network
The present disclosure relates to a method and system configured to monitor devices that are physically connected over a data network, said system comprising at least one scanner configured to monitor said data network and to determine devices that are physically connected over said data network, said at least one scanner being connected to at least one panel over said data network, wherein at least one terminal of each panel is connected to an electronic circuitry, which comprises one or more electronic components, for enabling said at least one scanner to determine changes in one of voltage or current level over at least one of said one or more electronic components, said changes occurring due to connecting or disconnecting devices over said data network, thereby enabling said at least one scanner to monitor devices that are physically connected over said data network. |
| US09581635B2 |
System and method for high voltage cable detection in hybrid vehicles
A system and method described herein detects the presence of an unconnected condition in high voltage component cables in an electric or hybrid-electric vehicle having a high voltage battery or energy storage system. The system includes a DC-DC converter which is capable of operating in either a step-down mode (e.g., as a buck converter) or a boost mode. The system uses the DC-DC converter operating in boost mode to create a sufficient, yet safe, measuring voltage on the main high voltage cabling of the vehicle before allowing the energy storage system to begin supplying high voltage power to the system components. The measurements are taken at various points near the individual components to determine if the cable has become disconnected. |
| US09581633B2 |
Relative angle detection apparatus and electric power steering apparatus
A relative angle detection apparatus includes a first magnetometric sensor and a first voltage amplifier that output a signal corresponding to a relative rotation angle between a first rotation shaft and a second rotation shaft; a first amplifier circuit that amplifies the output signal of the first voltage amplifier; a second magnetometric sensor and a second voltage amplifier that output a signal that corresponds to the relative rotation angle; a second amplifier circuit that amplifies the output signal of the second voltage amplifier; a first resistor that is provided between the first amplifier circuit and a power supply terminal, or between the first amplifier circuit and a GND terminal; and a second resistor that is provided between the second amplifier circuit and the power supply terminal, or between the second amplifier circuit and the GND terminal. |
| US09581631B2 |
Determining the current return path integrity in an electric device connected or connectable to a further device
A method for determining current return path integrity in an electric device with a plurality of signal lines and supply lines. A library with at least one reference signal pattern of a near end crosstalk signal on a defined signal line arising from an input signal on another defined signal line is provided, a predetermined signal to a selected signal line of the electric device is applied, the near end crosstalk signal on at least one further signal line of the electric device is detected, said near end crosstalk signal is compared with the corresponding reference signal pattern from the library, and if there is a deviation between the near end crosstalk signal and the corresponding reference signal pattern, an information that there is any defect in the electric device is displayed. |
| US09581628B2 |
Electronic device including device ground coupled finger coupling electrode and array shielding electrode and related methods
An electronic device may include a housing and circuitry carried by the housing and having a device ground associated therewith. The electronic device may also include an array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes and an array shielding electrode outside the array of biometric finger sensing pixels. A finger coupling electrode may be outside the array shielding electrode and coupled to the device ground. The electronic device may also include drive circuitry capable of generating a drive signal for the array of biometric finger sensing pixel electrodes and a compensating drive signal for the array shielding electrode. |
| US09581625B2 |
Analysis of stimulus by RFID
The present invention is directed to an RFID device. The RFID device includes a brace affixed to an inductor or capacitor. The brace is constructed from a material structurally responsive to a predetermined stimulus, such that stimulus-responsive structural alterations to the brace structurally alters the inductor, capacitor, or other RFID subcomponent of the RFID circuit capable of generating a current alteration, which in turn alters the signal frequency of the RFID. |
| US09581623B2 |
Band power computation device and band power computation method
A band power computation device with which the amount of calculation required to compute channel power is reduced, and with which it is possible to obtain channel power with the same precision as when the channel power is obtained from the entire input signal. With this device, a subspace extraction unit (101) extracts a portion of the input signal. An FFT unit (104) performs a Fourier transformation on the extracted signal, generating a spectrum signal. A power computation unit (105) computes the channel power for each frequency from the spectrum signal. A power generation unit (150) expands the channel power to the same channel power as the channel power computed from the input signal, and smoothes the expanded channel power by performing a calculation sequentially from the highest frequency to the lowest frequency, said calculation using the expanded channel power and a prescribed constant. |
| US09581622B2 |
Temperature compensated fiber-optic current sensor
In a fiber-optic current sensor, a 22.5° Faraday rotator, which is part of the sensing fiber coil, determines the working point of the sensor. The coil is operated with substantially linearly polarized light or incoherent substantially left and right circularly polarized light waves. In one arrangement, a polarization beam splitter generates two optical signals that vary in anti-phase with changing current. A signal processor determines the current from the two anti-phase signals. Appropriately detuned and oriented fiber-optic half-wave or quarter-wave retarders before the fiber coil are used to reduce or cancel the adverse effects of temperature and bend-induced birefringence on the measurement signal. Moreover, the temperature may be derived from the difference in the bias of the anti-phase signals and may be used to cancel temperature effects in the signal processor. |
| US09581620B2 |
Integrated semiconductor device comprising a hall effect current sensor
The semiconductor integrated device has a conductive region, for example, an external contact pad, configured to be traversed by a current to be measured. A concentrator of magnetic material partially surrounds the conductive region and has an annular shape open at a point defining an air gap area where a sensitive region is arranged, which is electrically conductive and is typically of doped semiconductor material, such as polycrystalline silicon. The device is integrated in a chip formed by a substrate and by an insulating layer, the sensitive region and the concentrator being formed in the insulating layer. |
| US09581616B2 |
Modular atomic force microscope with environmental controls
A modular Atomic Force Microscope that allows ultra-high resolution imaging and measurements in a wide variety of environmental conditions is described. The instrument permits such imaging and measurements in environments ranging from ambient to liquid or gas or extremely high or extremely low temperatures. |
| US09581615B2 |
Method of correcting the orientation of a freely installed accelerometer in a vehicle
A vehicle monitoring system includes an accelerometer installed in the vehicle in an unknown orientation. The system infers the orientation of the accelerometer in the vehicle from the acceleration signals. The proposed method detects and corrects the orientation in two steps. In the first step, the gravity vector is used to estimate the orientation in the vertical plane. Then, based on the acceleration data collected during the vehicle movement, the heading of the vehicle is estimated and the orientation within the horizontal plane is corrected. |
| US09581608B2 |
Sample analyzer and method for controlling sample analyzer
A sample analyzer transports a first rack and a second rack, the first rack including a first number of supporters for supporting containers that contain biological samples of subjects, and the second rack including a second number of supporters for supporting containers that contain standard samples. The sample analyzer determines whether a transport object is the first rack or the second rack. When it has been determined that the transport object is the second rack, the sample analyzer performs a transporting operation according to the second rack and measure the standard samples in the containers supported by the second rack in a predetermined order, and prepares a calibration curve used for analyzing a measurement result of a biological sample, based on a plurality of measurement results of the standard samples. |
| US09581604B2 |
Biomarker for alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment
Desmosterol alone, the combination of desmosterol and amyloid beta, the combination of desmosterol and gelsolin and the combination of desmosterol, amyloid beta and gelsolin can be used as in-blood biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment. A method for evaluating the effect of a candidate for a therapeutic agent to treat Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment, a method for aiding the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment, and a method for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment are provided in which the biomarkers are used. |
| US09581602B2 |
Method of selecting a monoclonal cell colony
A method of selecting a monoclonal cell colony that secretes a product of interest providing a plurality of cell culture spaces; each cell culture space has a respective assessment surface with a first binding agent immobilized on the assessment surface. The cells are incubated in a growth medium in the cell culture spaces for replication of the cells. At least some of the cells secrete a product of interest. A second binding agent is provided in the cell culture spaces. Initially, the second binding agent is not immobilized. Each of the first and second binding agents binds to the product of interest so that secretion of the product of interest by cells in any one of the cell culture spaces leads to a complex with the first binding agent, the product of interest and the second binding agent forming at the corresponding assessment surface of the cell culture space. |
| US09581596B2 |
Detection of HIV-related proteins in urine
A method for detecting HIV infection in a mammal is disclosed. The method contains the steps of isolating exosomes from a urine sample of a mammal and detecting the presence of HIV-specific biomarker in said isolated exosomes. A method for diagnosing a mammal with an HIV-associated disease, in particular, HIV-associated nephropathy is also disclosed. |
| US09581588B2 |
Modular point-of-care devices, systems, and uses thereof
The present invention provides devices and systems for use at the point of care. The methods devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device are modular to allow for flexibility and robustness of use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical applications. |
| US09581586B2 |
Approach to asthma inhaler compliance using breath measurement of tetrafluoroethane
The invention relates to measuring the effectiveness and an compliance of inhaler medication, such as for asthma treatment. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of determining the effectiveness of an inhaler medication, comprising taking a measurement of HFA-134(a) from an exhaled breath of an individual after the individual has inhaled a medication, and determining an effective administration of the medication based on the presence of a high level of HFA-134(a). |
| US09581583B2 |
Blood analysis apparatus
A blood analysis apparatus configured such that a nozzle sucks a predetermined amount of a blood specimen in a specimen container, and dispenses the specimen to each blood cell counting part which obtains count data, and a control part processes the count data to perform blood analysis. In this apparatus, two or more blood cell counting parts (basophil counting part, LMNE counting part, red blood cell counting part, white blood cell counting part) are constituted to obtain the count data of the same particular blood cell type (white blood cells), and the control part calculates the ratio or number of the existing blood cell from each count data, and judges whether the amount of the blood specimen sucked in the nozzle is normal or insufficient by comparing respective calculation results to determine whether they are within the predetermined allowable ranges. |
| US09581582B2 |
Tracers for detecting the presence of solid admixtures
In some variations, this disclosure provides a method of verifying the presence of an admixture in association with a solid base material, by combining the admixture with a stable inorganic tracer. A sample of the solid base material may be analyzed, using suitable analytical techniques, to detect the presence of the inorganic tracer in excess of any native inorganic tracer. When the inorganic tracer is positively detected, it is confirmed that the traceable admixture has been properly dosed within the base material. The inorganic tracer may comprise a rare earth metal, such as selenium, molybdenum, bismuth, and combinations, alloys, or oxides thereof, for example. The solid base material may be a cementitious material, in some embodiments. The traceable admixture may be a water-repellent admixture, in some embodiments. The principles of the invention, however, are widely applicable. |
| US09581565B2 |
Gas sensor
Disclosed is a gas sensor having a metal shell, a holder placed in the metal shell and a sensor element inserted through an axial insertion hole of the holder. The holder has a recessed portion recessed toward the rear from a front end face of the holder. The sensor element has, at a front end part thereof, a detection portion covered with a porous protection layer such that a rear end of the porous protection layer is situated within the recessed portion of the holder and is located at the rear side with respect to the front end face of the holder while maintaining a space between an inner circumferential surface of the recessed portion and an outer circumferential surface of the porous protection layer. |
| US09581559B2 |
Corrosion detection sensor embedded within a concrete structure with a diffusion layer placed over the sacrificial transducer
A corrosion detection sensor embedded within a concrete structure. The sensor includes a hermetically sealed resonant circuit that is a resistor-inductor-capacitor (RLC) circuit. The sensor further includes a sacrificial transducer that is inductively or capacitively coupled to the resonant circuit, where the sacrificial transducer is exposed to an environment outside the sensor to monitor corrosion of steel reinforcement in the concrete structure. Additionally, the sensor includes a protective cementitious housing surrounding the resonant circuit and the sacrificial transducer. The sensor further includes a diffusion layer placed over the sacrificial transducer, where the diffusion layer enables a dispersion of a chemical species over the sacrificial transducer. In this manner, a more uniform distribution of the chemical species over the surface of the sacrificial transducer mitigating the localized corrosion is ensured. Furthermore, such a design is less susceptible to false positives. |
| US09581555B2 |
Egg candling device
An egg candling device according to the present invention includes at least an egg input and alignment unit for installing trays with eggs to be tested taken out from an incubator on a transporting means. An egg candling unit determines goodness or badness of eggs to be tested in the tray transported from the egg input and alignment unit, and specifies defective eggs. A disposal unit picks up the eggs determined as defective eggs in the egg candling unit. The egg candling unit includes light sources arranged above, a lift unit for lifting up the eggs to be tested installed below the tray and causing the eggs under test to contact the light source. A determining unit determines the goodness or badness of the eggs illuminated by the light source. A notification means specifies the position of the egg determined as a defective egg by the determining unit, and notifies the position to a disposal unit. The lift unit includes an egg holding base having a smaller diameter than diameters of eggs to be tested, a moving means for moving the egg holding base up and down, a tested egg holding unit has plate-like elastic members provided around the egg holding base at specific intervals and extending at a specific length above from the egg holding base. |
| US09581552B2 |
Spectroscopic analyser
An analyzer 10 for identifying or verifying or otherwise characterizing a liquid based drug sample 16 comprising: an electromagnetic radiation source 11 for emitting electromagnetic radiation 14a in at least one beam at a sample 16, the electromagnetic radiation comprising at least two different wavelengths, a sample detector 17 that detects affected electromagnetic radiation resulting from the emitted electromagnetic radiation affected by the sample, and a processor 18 for identifying or verifying the sample from the detected affected electromagnetic radiation, wherein each wavelength or at least two of the wavelengths is between substantially 1300 nm and 2000 nm, and each wavelength or at least two of the wavelengths is in the vicinity of the wavelength(s) of (or within a region spanning) a spectral characteristic in the liquid spectrum between substantially 1300 nm and 2000 nm. |
| US09581551B2 |
Color-change sensor using film for detecting harmful material
The following description relates to a composite for a harmful material-detecting sensor, which includes a dye having a color-change function by reaction with acid or base and a polymer material, a method for producing the composite for the harmful material-detecting sensor, and a low-cost film-type color change harmful material sensor, which includes the composite for the harmful material-detecting sensor so as to quickly detect a harmful material and can be carried by an individual. |
| US09581549B2 |
Nucleic acid target detection using a detector, a probe and an inhibitor
The present invention generally pertains to methods for detecting the presence or absence of a particular nucleic acid sequence. The present invention generally relates to incorporating a detector into a target nucleic acid, adding an oligonucleotide probe, polymerase enzyme and an inhibitor to the reaction, and detecting interference of the oligonucleotide probe with the inhibitor as an indication of the presence of a particular target nucleic acid sequence as well as kits encompassing the same. |
| US09581548B2 |
Methods for resolving positions in fluorescence stochastic microscopy using three-dimensional structured illumination
Methods and systems to resolve positions of sample components in fluorescence stochastic microscopy using three-dimensional structured illumination microscopy (“3D-SIM”) are disclosed. In one aspect, components of a sample specimen are labeled with fluorophores and weakly illuminated with a frequency of light to stochastically convert a subset of the fluorophores into an active state. The sample is then illuminated with a three-dimensional structured illumination pattern (“3D-SIP”) of excitation light that causes the activated fluorophores to fluoresce. As the 3D-SIP is incrementally moved within the volume of the sample and images are recorded, computational methods are used to process the images to locate and refine the locations of the activated fluorophores thereby generating a super-resolution image of sample components. |
| US09581546B2 |
Apparatus and method of investigating coatings with effect pigments
Radiation is irradiated by an irradiation device at a pre-set angle of incidence with respect to the surface onto the surface to be investigated, and the radiation scattered and/or reflected by this surface arrives at a radiation detector device arranged at a pre-set detection angle with respect to the surface and having an image-recording unit which records black-and-white images, wherein this radiation detector device permits a spatially resolved detection of the radiation reaching it. The irradiation device directs radiation in a first wavelength range onto the surface and the image-recording unit records a first spatially resolved image of this radiation scattered and/or reflected from the surface and the irradiation device directs radiation in a second wavelength range onto the surface and the image-recording unit records a second spatially resolved image of this radiation scattered and/or reflected from the surface. |
| US09581544B2 |
Apparatus for analyzing phases of multiphase mixtures
The invention relates to an apparatus comprising: a measuring head (10) having a slot (18) for receiving a measurement cell (26) and means (28) for emitting electromagnetic radiation, and means (32, 36) for detecting radiation from said emission means (28) after it has passed through the measurement cell (26); means (16) for translatably driving and means (12, 14) for translatably guiding, allowing the substantially vertical longitudinal movement of the measurement head (10); at least two recesses (44) each intended for receiving a measurement cell (26) and arranged one above the other in a longitudinal direction, the recesses (44) as well as the driving means (16) and the guiding means (12, 14) being configured such that during the translational movement of the measurement head (10) along the nominal travel thereof each recess is placed inside the slot (18) of the measurement head (10). |
| US09581540B2 |
Spectral luminescence standard for the near infrared region
A spectral luminescence standard has bismuth in a light-transmissive inorganic matrix material and emits light in the near infrared region upon irradiation with excitation light. The bismuth acts as a luminescence emitter in the near infrared region. A method includes manufacturing such a spectral luminescence standard and a calibration medium which has the spectral luminescence standard in or on a carrier material. |
| US09581538B2 |
Method and apparatus for assessment of adhesion of labels
An apparatus and method for assessing adhesion of labels applied to a bottle. A label adhered to the outer surface of the bottle is split vertically to form a leading end and trailing end of the label. The bottle may be secured to a support structure and the trailing end of the bottle may be secured to a weighted structure. The bottle is suspended in a heated chamber via the support structure until the adhesive fails, causing the weighted clamp to fall within the chamber. An elapsed time to failure is determined for the bottle and compared to a benchmark time and/or metric as an indicator of how the adhesive is likely to perform during shipping and/or storing the bottle. |
| US09581537B2 |
Testbench device, in particular tribometer, for piston ring/cylinder runway systems
A testbench device for the analysis and/or optimization of tribological properties in a piston ring/cylinder runway system, includes a cylinder segment-holding device for holding a cylinder runway segment as a testpiece, and a piston ring-holding device holding at least one piston ring element and capable of bringing the at least one piston ring element into bearing contact with the cylinder runway segment. An actuation device actuates the cylinder runway segment and/or the piston ring element such that relative displacement with respect to one another takes place in at least one defined direction of space, in particular in the form of an oscillating movement. The piston ring-holding device has a piston having a ring-shaped outer contour and with at least one circumferentially continuous piston ring groove, in which a piston ring is held as a piston ring element. |
| US09581536B2 |
Analytical micro-devices for mental health treatment monitoring
A lab on a chip device includes a whole blood inlet port and microchannels to transport a whole blood sample or plasma skimmed from the whole blood sample into a detection chamber that includes at least one 3-electrode set of a counter electrode, a working electrode and a reference electrode. The counter electrode, the working electrode and the reference electrode may present bare, unmodified surfaces that are disposed so that clozapine present in the whole blood sample is detected via a reduction-oxidation reaction. Alternatively, the working electrode surface may include catechol grafted to chitosan. A method of detecting analytes and biomarkers includes collecting a whole blood sample, loading the sample into a point-of-care testing (POCT) device that includes at least one working electrode; testing the sample for the occurrence of a redox reaction; and calculating the total oxidative charge when the working electrode is bare or modified as before. |
| US09581525B2 |
Method of applying particulate material along a tire footprint during tire testing on a tire testing surface
The present invention includes a method for testing a tire on a tire testing surface, the method comprising the steps of: providing a tire testing surface arranged along a tire testing device; providing a tire having a radially outer annular side comprising a road-engaging surface; engaging forcefully the tire against the tire testing surface, whereby the forceful engagement generates a tire footprint comprising an area of contact between the road-engaging surface of the tire and the tire testing surface; rotating the tire and along the tire testing surface while engaged according to the prior step; and, applying a particulate material along the footprint, the particulate material comprising kaolinite. In other embodiments, particulate material similar to kaolin or kaolinite is employed by such methods in lieu of kaolin or kaolinite. |
| US09581524B2 |
Single-point clamp of four-wheel aligner for vehicles and a using method thereof
A single-point clamp of four-wheel aligner for vehicles connected to a fixing hub nut on the wheel comprises a sleeve, a single-point variable hexagonal grip, a fastening nut, a connecting board, and a target board with magnets. The single-point variable hexagonal grip and the fastening nut are respectively disposed at two ends of the sleeve. The single-point variable hexagonal grip is firmly lodged in the fixing hub nut. Two ends of the connecting board are respectively connected to the sleeve and the target board. A using method includes: (1) loosening the fastening nut of the single-point clamp; (2) inserting the single-point variable hexagonal grip into the fixing hub nut of the wheel; and (3) rotationally fastening the fastening nut for clamping the fixing hub nut firmly. |
| US09581523B2 |
Methods and apparatus for estimating useful life of a seal
Methods and apparatus for estimating useful life of a seal in a process control device are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a processor to: determine a plurality of operational cycles of a stem or shaft of a process control device; determine a first value corresponding to a stress experienced by the seal for each of the operational cycles; and estimate a total amount of useful life of the seal consumed based on each of the first values; and a database to store data associated with the total amount of useful life of the seal consumed. |
| US09581522B2 |
Distributed sensing optical fiber multi-objective multi-degree-of-freedom static and dynamic test device and method
The present invention relates to a distributed sensing optical fiber performance multi-objective multi-degree-of-freedom static and dynamic test integrated platform and a test method. Wherein an optical fiber multi-degree-of-freedom fixing system is sequentially connected with an artificial loading and unloading device and an oil pressure control loading and unloading device, and an optical fiber under test is connected with the optical fiber multi-degree-of-freedom fixing system and a distributed optical fiber Brillouin frequency shift acquisition system; and test on performance of optical fiber is achieved by controlling devices in the optical fiber multi-degree-of-freedom fixing system. The device of the present invention has a large number of advantages such as a simple structure, a low cost, convenient operation, less disturbance, many test classes, strong adaptability, stable performance and convenient loading and unloading. |
| US09581520B2 |
System to screen for longitudinal-seam anomalies
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems to detect crack-like features in pipeline welds using magnetic flux leakage data and pattern recognition. A screening process, for example, does not affect or change how survey data is recorded in survey tools; only how it is analyzed after the survey data is completed. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to screen for very narrow axial anomalies in the pipeline welds, and may also be used to predict the length of such anomalies. Embodiments of the present invention also produce a listing of the anomalies based on their relative signal characteristics. |
| US09581515B2 |
Optical fiber pressure sensor and pressure measuring method using the same
Disclosed is an optical fiber pressure sensor including: a polarization beam splitter that splits input light from a broadband light source into two beams; a polarization controller through which vertically and horizontally polarized light coming out of the polarization beam splitter pass; a pressure chamber in which the polarization beam splitter and the polarization controller may be placed; and an optical spectrum analyzer into which vertically and horizontally polarized light passing through the polarization controller and getting out of the polarization beam splitter is introduced, wherein the pressure chamber includes a polarization-maintaining fiber and an optical fiber Bragg grating. |
| US09581514B2 |
Optical pressure sensor
An optical pressure sensor is disclosed having a pressure sensing optical cavity. A temperature sensing optical cavity at the sensor head is used by an interrogator to correct a pressure signal for effects of temperature. The optical cavities may be, for example, Fabry Perot cavities in the sensor head. |
| US09581512B2 |
Pressure sensor with deformable membrane and method of manufacture
A pressure sensor comprises a first substrate and a cap attached to the first substrate. The cap includes a processing circuit, a cavity and a deformable membrane separating the cavity and a port open to an outside of the pressure sensor. Sensing means are provided for converting a response of the deformable membrane to pressure at the port into a signal capable of being processed by the processing circuit. The cap is attached to the first substrate such that the deformable membrane faces the first substrate and such that a gap is provided between the deformable membrane and the first substrate which gap contributes to the port. The first substrate comprises a support portion the cap is attached to, a contact portion for electrically connecting the pressure sensor to an external device, and one or more suspension elements for suspending the support portion from the contact portion. |
| US09581504B2 |
Freeze, thaw and refreeze indicators based on rapid reactions in the solid state
A freeze indicator, which is preferably a self-activating freeze indicator. The freeze indicator has a substrate with a freeze indicator composition coated thereon wherein the freeze indicator has a liquid diacetylene; and a catalyst or catalyst precursor and a protective cover. |
| US09581501B2 |
Temperature control material
A sensitive and practicable temperature control material which precisely or determinably detects whether the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature by electrical change from a conductive state to an insulated or lower-conductive state has excellent time stability, chemical stability, durability, and weather resistance. The temperature control material includes a heat-melt substance which melts by heat at a melting point according to temperature being detected, and a conductive paste which includes conductive powder. The temperature control material is in a conductive state by the conductive paste. The heat-melt substance is kept away from the conductive paste through a porous material and the temperature control material changes to be in an insulated or lower-conductive states. The heat-melt substance penetrates the porous material to irreversibly permeate and/or disperse into the conductive paste on a heat-melt state thereof. |
| US09581499B2 |
System and method for optical measurement of a target
The invention relates to a system and a method for optical measurement of a target, wherein the target is illuminated, either actively illuminated, reflecting ambient light, or self illuminating, and a measurement light beam received from the target or through it is detected. The prior art optical measurement systems generally include mechanical filter wheels and photomultiplier tubes, which cause the equipment to be expensive, large-sized and often not sufficiently accurate and stable. The objective of the invention is achieved with a solution, in which the illuminating light beam and/or measurement light beam is led through a Fabry-Perot interferometeror a set of two or more Fabry-Perot Interferometers, and the Fabry-Perot interferometer or a set of two or more Fabry-Perot Interferometersis controlled into different modes during the measurement of a single target. The invention can be applied inoptical measurements where, for example, reflectance, absorption of fluorescence of the target is measured. |
| US09581495B2 |
Spectral analysis device based on Brillouin dynamic grating and analysis method thereof
A spectroscopic analysis device based on Brillouin dynamic grating and its analysis method, which provides high resolution and large measuring range at the same time. The device includes a laser device (1), a fiber optic coupler device (2), a first fiber amplifier device (3), a first isolator (4), a first polarization controller (5), a second polarization controller (6), a single-sideband modulation modulator (7), a second fiber amplifier device (8), a second isolator (9), a third polarization controller (10), a single-mode fiber (11), a polarization beam splitter (12), a circulator (13), a photodetector (14), a data acquisition card (15), a fourth polarization controller (16) and a microwave source (17). The method utilizes the Brillouin scattering of two beams of pump light in optical fiber forming Brillouin dynamic gratings as the spectral element and achieve a sub-MHz resolution. |
| US09581492B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling the optical path length between a laser and an optical cavity
Systems and methods for controlling the optical path length between a feedback enabled laser and a cavity, and hence the optical feedback phase. A phasor element, positioned along an optical path between the laser and the cavity coupling mirror, includes a gas medium within a volume defined by the phasor element. The phasor element is configured to adjust or control an optical path length of the laser light between the laser and the cavity coupling mirror by adjusting or controlling a density of the gas medium within the phasor volume. |
| US09581486B2 |
Method and apparatus for a bidirectional meter proving system
During a water draw test, horizontal type bidirectional sphere provers with a straight calibrated section of pipe between the detector switches sometimes suffer from sphere launch failure which typically results in a failed water draw test. These types of provers, especially in larger pipe diameters will benefit from an elongate concentric fabricated reducer attached to the outlet of each launch tube. These elongate concentric fabricated reducers result in a successful sphere launch on the first attempt. Assuming all the other components of the prover are properly designed and assembled, a successful sphere launch will result in a successful water draw test on the first attempt saving time, money and reputation. |
| US09581484B2 |
Calibration- and/or monitoring method for FMCW radar fill level measuring devices
A method is based on measuring a distance to a reference reflector arranged at a known distance, in order to calibrate and/or monitor a coherent frequency modulation, continuous wave radar, fill-level measuring device, wherein the reference reflector can be reliably identified. To this end, a reference reflector executing oscillations toward the fill-level measuring device with an oscillation frequency is used, which is inserted in the beam path of periodically linearly frequency modulated transmission signals transmitted from the fill-level measuring device. The fill-level measuring device receives fractions of the transmission signals reflected back on reflectors in the container and records based on these received signals and their time correlation relative to the respectively associated transmission signal for each received signal an echo function, which shows the amplitudes of the received signal as a function of the associated position of the associated reflector. Based on the time change of a plurality of sequentially recorded echo functions and the oscillation frequency of the reference reflector, the position of the reference reflector in the echo functions is identified and its reference reflector position determined. |
| US09581483B2 |
Tank overflow protection system and method
A tank overflow protection system and method for measuring process temperature and pressure utilizing one or more piezoresistive pressure transmitters. The piezoresistive pressure transmitter includes a differential pressure sensor and a temperature sensor. Data from the piezoresistive pressure transmitters can be digitally communicated via a cable. The pressure transmitters convert signals indicative of temperature and pressure to a digital value and transmit the signals to a main processor printed wire assembly for final compensation, diagnostics, and transmission to a distributed control system. A differential pressure can be calculated by subtracting two digital pressure measurement values. The temperature measurement can be employed to calculate any changes in density for a user-defined reference value. |
| US09581482B2 |
Fluid flow testing for comparing container pour profiles
A fluid flow testing apparatus for measuring the pour profile of a container has a rotatable container carrier and an assembly for rotating the container between a first position allowing fluid to be retained within the container and a second position causing fluid to be poured from the container. Sensors for sensing the weight of the container as liquid is poured from the container are provided in order to determine the pour profile of the container. A controller receives input signals from the sensors in order to record the weight of the container over time as liquid is poured from the container as the container is rotated. The change of weight of the container over time establishes a pour profile for the container. |
| US09581480B2 |
Micro flow sensor
A micro flow sensor includes: a flow path through which a fluid to be measured flows; a detection unit having a heater configured to heat the fluid to be measured in the flow path and temperature sensors configured to measure temperature of a fluid to be measured in the flow path; an arithmetic unit configured to measure a flow rate of the fluid to be measured flowing through the flow path based on the temperature of the fluid to be measured, measured by the temperature sensors; and a narrowed portion disposed on an upstream side of the detection unit in the flow path for narrowing the flow path. |
| US09581471B2 |
Gauge with multiple color pointer tip
A gauge assembly having a pointer and gauge surface area with a scale representing operating parameters. The pointer has a first half and second half that are illuminated by light sources. The second half selectively changes color according to the portion of the scale that the pointer is indicating. This is accomplished by light isolation between the first and second halves as well as a prism to direct light from the midpoint of the pointer to the tip of the second half of the pointer. As the pointer moves about an axis, the prism for second half illumination aligns with respective chambers formed in a reflector to direct illumination from the different color lights. The second half color changes whenever the light source color under the prism is different. When the pointer is within predetermined ranges on the scale, the second half illumination changes color to represent that respective range. |
| US09581461B1 |
Data processing system communicating with a map data processing system to generate a display of one or more segments of one or more vehicle routes
Systems and methods are disclosed for generating a display of a navigation map. The system may comprise a historical data source device having, for example, a historical data source computer and a database storing historical data associated with one or more of vehicle accident data, traffic data, vehicle volume data, vehicle density data, road characteristic data, or weather data. The system may comprise a map data processing device having a map data processing computer and memory storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the map data processing computer, cause the map data processing device to, for example, determine, based on a location determining device, a location of a vehicle. The map data processing system may determine one or more historical factors based on the location of the vehicle. The map data processing system may receive, from the historical data source device and for the location, historical data associated with the one or more historical factors. Based on the location of the vehicle, one or more real time factors and real time data associated with the one or more real time factors may be calculated. The map data processing system may calculate, using the one or more historical factors and the one or more real time factors, a navigation score for each segment of a route from the location to a destination location. The map data processing system may determine one or more colors for each navigation score and/or generate a display of a navigation map comprising the one or more colors. |
| US09581459B2 |
Method for displaying a position on a map
There is disclosed a method executable by an electronic device for displaying a position on a map. The method comprises appreciating coordinates of position; appreciating coordinates of a map object having a curve near position; identifying a point of curve nearest to position comprising identifying a first segment of curve bounded by a first region and a second segment of curve bounded by a second region, determining that a distance from position to a point of first segment is not greater than a distance from position to a known nearest point of second region, and calculating a shortest distance from position to first segment as a shortest distance from position to either of first segment and second segment without calculating a distance from position to at least one point of second segment other than known nearest point of second region; and causing displaying, on map, of an indication of point of curve nearest to position. |
| US09581453B2 |
Method for making available at least one position information item about a parked motor vehicle and motor vehicle
A method for making available at least one position information item about a parked motor vehicle is disclosed, wherein a detector device of the motor vehicle detects the motor vehicle driving into a multi-level parking garage, and as a result of the detection of the driving in, transmission of at least one current first position information item by the motor vehicle to a vehicle-external central data-processing device is triggered. Furthermore, in the case of reception of the first position information item by the central data-processing device of the at least one first position information item, this information item is stored by the central data processing device. |
| US09581443B2 |
Surveying system
A surveying system having a total station integrated into an unmanned aerial vehicle communicates with a plurality of mobile communication stations that are located on known site coordinates. By locating the mobile communication stations on known coordinates, the location of the aerial vehicle is precisely triangulated and controlled. Construction drawings are loaded into the system, thereby allowing the vehicle to locate itself at specific points designated in the drawings for the marking of on-site construction grid lines. |
| US09581442B2 |
Surveying instrument
The invention provides a surveying instrument capable of performing a non-prism measurement comprising a laser pointer for projecting a laser pointer beam, a measuring unit for emitting a distance measuring light via a telescope unit, for performing distance measurement on a measuring point by receiving a reflected light and for measuring an angle of the measuring point, an image pickup unit for acquiring an image including a target via the telescope unit, a tracking unit for emitting a tracking light via the telescope unit and for tracking the target by receiving a reflection light from the target, a driving unit for rotating the telescope unit in horizontal direction and in vertical direction and a control device for controlling the driving unit so that the reflection light of the tracking light from the target will be positioned at a predetermined position on an image pickup element of the image pickup unit, wherein an optical axis of the distance measuring light and an optical axis of the tracking light are in a known relationship and an optical axis of the laser pointer beam is offset from an optical axis of the tracking light by a predetermined angle. |
| US09581439B1 |
Image capture device with a calibration function and calibration method of an image capture device
An image capture device includes at least one image capture unit and a calibration unit. A calibration method of the image capture device includes an image capture unit of the at least one image capture unit capturing a first image, the calibration unit executing a global calibration operation on original coordinates of all image points of the first image to generate first rectification coordinates of the all image points, the calibration unit finding a geometric graph including each image point of at least one image point of the all image points according to first rectification coordinates of the each image point of the at least one image point of the all image points, and the calibration unit rectifying the first rectification coordinates of the each image point to second rectification coordinates of the each image point according to a rectification equation corresponding to the geometric graph. |
| US09581434B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring pattern of a grating device
An apparatus for measuring pattern of a grating device is provided. In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a light source unit, an image unit, a processing unit, and a movement unit. The light source unit irradiates to a surface of the grating device. The image unit acquires a plurality of first digital images including an image on the surface of the grating device and images due to Talbot effect between the surface and a first position with respect to the grating device. The image unit acquires a plurality of second digital images due to Talbot effect at a second position determined based on the first digital images when the movement unit produces a relative movement between the image unit and grating device. Based on the acquired digital images, analysis, inspection on the grating device, or comparison of the grating device with a reference grating scale, can be implemented optionally. |
| US09581433B2 |
Caliper sensor and method using mid-infrared interferometry
Non-contacting caliper measurements of free standing sheets such as porous polymer and paper detect mid-IR interferometric fringes created by the reflection of light from the top and bottom surfaces of the sheet. The technique includes directing a laser beam at a selected angle of incidence onto a single spot on the exposed outer surface wherein the laser beam comprises radiation having a wavelength in the 3-50 micron range and scanning the laser beam through a selected angle range as the laser beam is directed onto the exposed outer surface and measuring the intensity of an interference pattern that forms from the superposition of radiation that is reflected From the exposed outer surface and from the inner surface. Thickness can be extracted from the fringe separation in the interference pattern. Rotating and focusing elements ensure that the spot position on the sheet remains the same while varying the incident angle. |
| US09581432B2 |
Object dimensioning system and related methods
A method and apparatus for dimensioning and, optionally, weighing an object. A platform with a surface is used for supporting an object. A user selects between two different dimensioning devices of the apparatus. The first device employs three distance sensors to determine a distance between each of the distance sensors and a side of an object. The second device includes a movable gate that is passed over and about an object or objects on the platform. Sensor arrays, such as paired, aligned light emitter and receiver arrays, are used in combination with a plurality of sensed gate positions to determine the dimensions of the objects(s) as the gate passes around the object(s) based on whether or not light from an emitter on one side of the gate reaches a light receiver on another, opposing side of the gate. |
| US09581428B2 |
Time-multiplexed spectrally controlled interferometry
A tunable light source having a temporal coherence length such that interference fringes are detected within the optical path difference of the interferometer is spectrally controlled to produce multiple wavelengths during sequential fractions of the integration time of the detector of the interferometer. The wavelengths are selected so as to produce a visible correlogram at each integration time according to spectrally controlled interferometry (SCI) principles. Such different wavelengths may be produced by stepwise or continuous modulation. The modulation step is repeated sequentially while changing the period of modulation to produce a succession of predetermined spatial patterns of interference fringes, as required for interferometric measurements. The approach enables the practice of SCI with common-path apparatus used for conventional phase shifting, thereby combining the advantages of high-coherence and white-light interferometry. |
| US09581424B2 |
Roundness measuring apparatus
A roundness measuring apparatus, which has a small space required for installation and of which measurement error due to a temperature change is small, is disclosed. The roundness measuring apparatus includes: a base; a turn-table which is fixed to the base and rotates a work placed on the turn-table; a two-dimensional moving mechanism provided at the base so as to move a holder holding part in parallel to a measurement plane including a rotation axis of the turn-table and a measuring point of the work; a detector holder attached to the holder holding part; and a detector attached to the detector holder so that a probe can be displaced on the measurement plane. |
| US09581422B2 |
Perforating gun and detonator assembly
According to an aspect, a perforating gun assembly and a detonator assembly are provided. The detonator assembly includes at least a shell, and more than one electrically contactable component that is configured for being electrically contactably received by the perforating gun assembly without using a wired electrical connection, but rather forms the electrical connection merely by contact with at least one of the more than one electrically contactable components. According to an aspect, the detonator assembly includes a selective detonator assembly. A method of assembling the perforating gun assembly including the detonator assembly is also provided. |
| US09581417B2 |
Concealed net throwing device
A net throwing device is disguised as a security camera and includes a casing including a front chamber, inclined tubes around the front chamber, a rear inner tube having an aperture member, and a rear outer tube having an aperture element; an air canister fastened in the inner tube; a spring biased piercing member slidably disposed between the front chamber and the air canister; a spring biased lock pin in the piercing member and having an end disposed in the aperture member to lock the piercing member in a locked position; a spring biased rod member through the aperture element; a cam member engaging the rod member; an external antenna; a receiver; a processor electrically connected to the receiver; an electric motor electrically connected to the processor; and a net received in the front chamber and including edge weights in the tubes respectively. |
| US09581415B2 |
Ballistic effect compensating reticle and aim compensation method
A ballistic effect compensating reticle (e.g., 200 or 300) and aim compensation method for rifle sights or projectile weapon aiming systems includes a multiple point elevation and windage aim point field (e.g., 150 or 350) including a primary aiming mark (e.g., 158 or 358) indicating a primary aiming point adapted to be sighted-in at a first selected range and a plurality of secondary aiming points arrayed beneath the primary aiming mark. The method for compensating for a projectile's ballistic behavior while developing a field expedient firing solution permits the shooter to express the field expedient firing solution in units of distance, (e.g., yards or meters, when describing or estimating range and nominal air density ballistic characteristics), and velocity (e.g., mph or kph, for windage hold points). |
| US09581413B2 |
Gun holster with infinite holster position adjustment
In accordance with an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein a holster that provides for infinite adjustment and positioning of a gun and gun grip in a concealed or unconcealed location on a person. Accordingly the same holster can be used by a right-handed or left-handed shooter, and by either in a strong side or cross-draw position. |
| US09581411B2 |
Stock and detachable accessory housing for a small arms weapon
The present invention relates to a stock for a small arms weapon and a modular detachable accessory housing (DAH) for the stock. The DAH may be used to hold a tactical accessory (e.g., a magazine) or provide a closed container. The stock may define a profile which comprises a forward facing segment and a bottom facing segment. The forward facing segment and the bottom facing segment may intersect to form a step. The intersection of the forward facing segment and the bottom facing segment may define an oblique angle. The oblique angle may be an obtuse angle. The forward facing segment may include an accessory mounting rail. Also, the body of the stock may include a cylindrical cavity for receiving a receiver extension, a nested lever receiving cavity, as well as a bore that intersects the lever receiving cavity and the cylindrical cavity. |
| US09581404B2 |
Protective covering for a rifle
A protective covering system includes a plurality of precut protective coverings configured from a waterproof material. Each of the precut protective coverings are configured to accommodate actuation of functional features and proper operation of the firearm. The protective covering system includes two precut protective coverings configured to substantially cover the upper receiver, two precut protective coverings configured to substantially cover the lower receiver, two precut protective coverings configured to substantially cover the pistol grip, two precut protective coverings configured to substantially cover the magazine well, two precut protective coverings configured to substantially cover the magazine, a precut protective covering configured to cover the ejection port cover, a precut protective covering configured to cover the forward assist, and a precut protective covering configured to cover the Picatinny rail such that the installation and removal of additional firearm accessories from the Picatinny rail is not impaired. |
| US09581402B2 |
Projectile for use with a tapered bore gun
A projectile for use with a tapered gun bore having a tapered bore section between the breech and the muzzle. The projectile includes an elongated body having a cylindrical bulkhead with a diameter substantially equal to the large caliber section of the gun bore. A tapered ogive extends from the bulkhead to a front end of the projectile while a tapered tail extends from a rear end of the projectile to the cylindrical bulkhead. A plurality of circumferentially spaced forward grooves extend forwardly from the bulkhead and to a point short of the front end while a plurality of circumferentially spaced rearward grooves extend rearwardly from said midsection and to a point short of a rear end of the body. |
| US09581399B2 |
Heat exchanger washing device and air conditioner having the same
A heat exchanger washing device includes a wash water storage chamber to store wash water in a case, a wash water injection chamber to jet the wash water stored in the wash water storage chamber to a heat exchanger, and a bypass path unit to guide the wash water jetted from the wash water injection chamber to a side surface of the heat exchanger after bypassing an upper surface of the heat exchanger. |
| US09581398B2 |
Heat exchanger
Heat exchange tubes of a heat exchanger are formed of an alloy containing Mn (0.2 to 0.3 mass %), Cu (0.1 mass % or less), and Fe (0.2 mass % or less), the balance being Al and unavoidable impurities. A Zn diffused layer is formed in an outer surface layer portion of the peripheral wall of each heat exchange tube. T≦200, 0.57≦A≦1.5, D/T≦0.55, and 0.0055≦A/D≦0.025 are satisfied, where T is the thickness [μm] of the peripheral wall of the heat exchange tube, A is the Zn concentration [mass %] at the outermost surface of the outer surface layer portion, and D is the maximum depth [μm] of the Zn diffused layer. The spontaneous potential of the Zn diffused layer is lower than that of a portion of the peripheral wall located on the inner side of the Zn diffused layer. |
| US09581395B2 |
Multi-segmented tube sheet
A heat exchanger that is constructed with a heat exchanger shell having inlet and outlet plenums and fluid inlet and outlet ports, and a tube sheet construction disposed in the heat exchanger shell. The tube sheet construction includes at least two separate tube sheets and a plurality of tubes that extend between the separate tube sheets. Each tube sheet includes at least two planar tube sheet segments and a interstitial layer disposed between the at least two tube sheet segments, and at least one sensor element supported by each of the interstitial layers. A control monitor controls flow through the shell by a feedback control from the sensor to an inlet control valve and/or a stimulus device excites the media layer. In an alternate embodiment opposed position sensor elements may be provided at opposite sides of the tube sheet construction. |
| US09581394B2 |
Ammonia heat exchanger unit and system
A heat exchange unit for a heat exchanger system includes a heat exchange tube. The heat exchange tube including a heat exchange tube inlet and one or more heat exchange fins coupled along the heat exchange tube. The heat exchange tube extends from the heat exchange tube inlet to a refrigerant return. A heat exchange jacket is interposed between the heat exchange tube and a unit housing. The heat exchange jacket includes a jacket passage in communication with the refrigerant return. A first product passage extends from the product inlet to a product return. The heat exchange fins turbulate agricultural product in the first product passage while heat is transferred from the agricultural product to refrigerant in one or more of the heat exchange tube or the heat exchange jacket. Heat is transferred from the agricultural product to the refrigerant through the heat exchange jacket in the second product passage. |
| US09581393B2 |
Phase-change heat dissipation device and lamp
A phase-change heat dissipating device includes a heat absorbing body, a heat dissipation body and two tubes. The heat absorbing body is filled with a working fluid. A light source and the heat dissipation body are disposed on a same side of the heat absorbing body. The heat dissipation body has a light transmitting space which is corresponding to the light source. The tubes connect the heat absorbing body and the heat dissipation body. When the heat dissipation body is located higher than the heat absorbing body and the working fluid absorbs the heat energy generated from the light source, the working fluid is evaporated from liquid phase to gas phase and flows into the heat dissipation body through the tubes. The working fluid locating in the heat dissipation body is condensed from gas phase into liquid phase and flows to the heat absorbing body through the tubes. |
| US09581392B2 |
Arrangement for cooling a plasma-based radiation source with a metal cooling liquid and method for starting up a cooling arrangement of this type
An arrangement for cooling a plasma-based radiation source with a metal cooling liquid and a method for starting up a cooling arrangement of this type has a pump unit for conveying the metal cooling liquid from a reservoir to an immersion bath in a pipe portion that is connected to the reservoir in the conveying direction of the cooling circuit has at least one pump for conveying the metal cooling liquid through an external field effect of the at least one pump. A control unit for controlling the at least one pump controls the at least one pump at least temporarily in a pumping direction opposite to the conveying direction of the cooling circuit in order to generate a heating effect through external field effect on metal cooling liquid located in the pipe portion. |
| US09581390B2 |
Biphasic heat exchange radiator with optimisation of the boiling transient
A radiator of the thermosiphon type comprising a collector situated in the lowest part of the radiator, and adapted to contain an intermediate vector fluid, an external heat source, placed within the collector, wherein the intermediate vector fluid is adapted to evaporate on contact with a hot surface of the external heat source, at least one vertical tube containing therein one or more channels (4) connected to the collector and communicating with the same, characterized in that said collector and said channels are dimensioned so that each section thereof crossed by the intermediate vector fluid, excluding the thickness of the liquid film of moisture, has the smallest linear direction which is twice bigger than the diameter db of an intermediate fluid vapor bubble which, during operation, detaches itself from the hot surface of the external source during boiling of the intermediate fluid. |
| US09581384B1 |
Portable temperature regulation devices using heat transfer devices
A temperature regulator may include a housing extending longitudinally from a first, open end to a second, closed end. The housing may include an outer wall, an inner wall disposed radially inward from the outer wall, and an insulating medium disposed between the outer wall and the inner wall, wherein the insulating medium is a vacuum-sealed chamber having air substantially removed therefrom. |
| US09581373B2 |
Ice maker with self-regulating ice mold and method of operating same
An ice maker of a domestic refrigerator that includes an ice mold having an electrically-conductive polymeric body and a plurality of cavities defined in the polymeric body. Each cavity is sized to receive a quantity of fluid corresponding to a single ice cube. A pair of electrodes is engaged with a bottom surface of the polymeric body. The polymeric body has a first electrical conductivity at a first operating temperature and a second electrical conductivity that is less than the first electrical conductivity at a second operating temperature. The second operating temperature is greater than the first operating temperature. |
| US09581372B2 |
Ice maker
An ice maker includes an upper tray that includes a plurality of upper cells that each have a hemispherical shape and an ice making tube disposed at outer circumferential surfaces of the upper cells and configured to cool each of the upper cells. The ice maker also includes a lower tray that includes a plurality of lower cells that each have a hemispherical shape. The lower tray is rotatably connected to the upper tray. The ice maker further includes a rotation shaft connected to a rear end of the lower tray and a rear end of the upper tray, and configured to rotate the lower tray with respect to the upper tray. |
| US09581371B2 |
System for operating an HVAC system having tandem compressors
The present invention provides for a system for operating a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. A controller operates compressors in tandem connected to an evaporator. In response to detection of a pre-freezing condition of in the coils of the evaporator, the controller adjusts an operating condition of the HVAC system. |
| US09581364B2 |
Refrigeration system with free-cooling
A system for cooling air for use with a liquid cooling fluid loop. The system includes a first refrigerant circuit with an air-cooled condenser, a second refrigerant circuit with a liquid-cooled condenser, and a free-cooling loop. A control device is provided for controlling the operation of the system between a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode. When operating in the first mode, only the free-cooling loop cooperates directly with liquid cooling fluid in the liquid cooling fluid loop to cool the liquid cooling fluid, when operating in the second mode, the second refrigerant circuit is not engaged, and when operating in the third mode, the free-cooling loop interacts with the second refrigerant circuit to reject heat of the second refrigerant circuit through the free-cooling loop. |
| US09581363B2 |
Cooling system for ice maker
An ice maker having an ice tray horizontally suspended within a housing and a drive body rotatably coupled to a transverse axis of the ice tray and configured to oscillate the ice tray about the transverse axis. The cold side of a thermoelectric device is thermally coupled with a bottom surface of the ice tray, and a hot side opposes the cold side. A barrier extends around the periphery of the ice tray within the housing, and separates the housing into a first chamber and a second air chamber. A heat sink is thermally coupled with the hot side of the thermoelectric device and extends into the second air chamber. An intake duct member is coupled with the housing proximate the second air chamber, and is configured to dispense a cold air flow over the heat sink. The barrier restricts the cold air flow from entering the first chamber. |
| US09581360B2 |
Gas balanced cryogenic expansion engine
An expansion engine operating on a Brayton cycle which is part of a system for producing refrigeration at cryogenic temperatures that includes a compressor, a counter-flow heat exchanger, and a load that may be remote, which is cooled by gas circulating from the engine. The engine has a piston in a cylinder which has nearly the same pressure above and below the piston while it is moving. Low pressure on a piston drive stem provides a force imbalance to move the piston towards the warm end. |
| US09581354B2 |
Relief valve
A relief valve for relieving pressure in a fluid conduit that includes a cradle positioned in the relief valve conduit and having a ball support surface and a ball mounted on the ball support surface and adapted for sealing against the valve seat of the pressure relief port. A spring support surface and a spring positioned in the pressure relief conduit urges the cradle and the ball into sealing position against the valve seat of the pressure relief port. |
| US09581353B2 |
HVAC system including a noise-reducing feature
A HVAC system includes a housing including at least one wall, an air flow path defined at least partially by the at least one wall, and a door disposed in the air flow path, where the door is configured to i) block a flow of air through the air flow path when the door is in at least one closed position, and ii) allow the flow of air through the air flow path when the door is in a position other than the at least one closed position. A gap is formed between the door and the at least one wall when the door is in the position other than the at least one closed position. The HVAC system further includes a noise-reducing feature defined on at least a portion of the at least one wall. The noise-reducing feature configured to break up, into several smaller structures, an air flow structure formed when air flowing through the gap contacts an end of the door, thereby reducing air vibration in the gap and reducing noise of the HVAC system during operation thereof. |
| US09581350B2 |
Mixed air temperature sensor bypass
In an embodiment, a circuit for providing a mixed air temperature signal is provided. The circuit has a temperature input to an economizer controller, an air temperature sensor, a false air temperature device, and a switching device. The switching device has a switch and a switch actuating device. The switch connects the temperature input to the air temperature sensor when the switch is in a first state. The switch connects the temperature input to the false air temperature device when the switch is in a second state. The switch actuating device places the switch in the first state when a mechanical cooling signal is not sent. The switch actuating device places the switch in the second state when the mechanical cooling signal is sent. |
| US09581349B2 |
Indoor unit and air conditioning system using the same
An indoor unit and an air conditioning system using the same include a first communication module to communicate with a wired remote controller, a power switch connected to a power terminal of one or the other side of the first communication module, a ground switch connected to a ground terminal of one or the other side of the first communication module to constitute a pair with the power switch, and an indoor unit controller to turn on the power switch and the ground switch when an indoor unit supplies power to the wired remote controller, and to turn off the power switch and the ground switch when another indoor unit supplies power to the wired remote controller. |
| US09581347B2 |
Clean room control system and method
In a system and method of controlling particulate count in a clean room having a number of compartments/zones in series, in response to a first level of energy consumption by speed adjustable fans supplying a first volume of air per unit of time to the clean room, differential air pressures are established in the clean room compartment/zone-by-compartment/zone in series from a first compartment/zone which has a requirement for the highest air pressure to a last compartment/zone which has a requirement for the lowest air pressure. In response to a second level of energy consumption by the speed adjustable fans supplying a second volume of air per unit of time to the clean room, the same differential air pressures are substantially maintained in the clean room. |
| US09581345B2 |
Vapor compression dehumidifier
An apparatus comprises an air inlet configured to receive an inlet airflow. The inlet airflow comprises a process airflow and a bypass airflow. An evaporator unit receives a flow of refrigerant and is cools the process airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the process airflow to the flow of refrigerant. A condenser unit receives the flow of refrigerant and (1) reheats the process airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the flow of refrigerant to the process airflow, and (2) heats the bypass airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the flow of refrigerant to the bypass airflow. The process airflow is discharged via a process airflow outlet and the bypass airflow is discharged via a bypass airflow outlet. |
| US09581344B2 |
Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier including an evaporator, a condenser, and a fan arranged in a main body. The fan includes a first blowing part to blow air having passed through both the evaporator and the condenser, and a second blowing part to selectively blow any one of air having passed through both the condenser and the evaporator and air having passed through only the evaporator. The dehumidifier may additionally function to supply cold air. |
| US09581340B2 |
Domestic hot water delivery system
A preheat tank to which a heat exchanger is operatively coupled receives water from a distribution subsystem. A water distribution subsystem and tempered fluid distribution subsystem provide domestic water and tempered fluid, respectively, to a plurality of spaces. Air handlers transfer heat between the tempered fluid and the spaces for heating and cooling. A controller coupled to the tempered fluid subsystem, the heat exchanger and a refrigerator has: (i) a first mode, wherein the fluid is routed through the heat exchanger, to pass heat to the preheat tank; and (ii) a second mode, wherein the fluid is routed through an evaporator of the refrigerator, to pass heat to the refrigerant. A storage tank is coupled to the preheat tank to receive water therefrom and is coupled to the condenser of the refrigerator such that heat rejected by the condenser is passed to the contents of the storage tank. |
| US09581339B2 |
Cooking apparatus
A cooking apparatus is provided. The cooking apparatus includes a main body provided with a cooking chamber, and a steam supply device generating steam to supply the steam to the cooking chamber. The steam supply device includes a water storage unit to store water, a steam generator that is supplied with water from the water storage unit to generate steam, a water supply tube to transfer water in the water storage unit to the steam generator, and a water collection tube to transfer residual water in the steam generator to the water storage unit. Accordingly, a period to put water may be increased since the residual water in the steam generator is collected. |
| US09581332B2 |
Burner combustion method
A burner combustion method is employed in which at least two burners (2) are disposed opposite each other in a furnace (1) so as to cause combustion, the method comprising:cyclically changing at least one of a flow rate of a fuel fluid and a flow rate of an oxidant fluid supplied to the respective burners (2) while cyclically changing a concentration of oxygen in the oxidant fluid thereby cyclically changing an oxygen ratio obtained by dividing a supply oxygen amount by a theoretically required oxygen amount, whereby, the burners (2) are made to cause combustion in a cyclical oscillation state, whereinwith respect to the cyclical change in an oscillation state of the burners (2), a phase difference is provided between a cyclical change in an oscillation state of at least one burner (2) and cyclical changes in oscillation states of other burners (2). |
| US09581328B2 |
High efficiency feedwater heater
A feedwater heater (10) for a steam generator communicating feedwater through an external heat exchanger (12), a deaerator (14) that allows the use of carbon steel feedwater tubes, a first heater (16), an evaporator section (18) and steam drum (17) for communicating a portion of the feedwater in the form of steam to the deaerator (14), and a second heater (20). |
| US09581326B2 |
Power boiler having vertically mounted cylindrical combustion chamber
A ground supported power boiler is described combining a refractory lined and insulated conical floor; an insulated cylindrical combustion chamber; a cylindrical furnace with water tube wall; a rectangular convective section; a single vertical steam drum; tangential injection of the fuel and combustion air; means for fluidizing the fuel bed; means for selectively stripping particulates from the flue gases; multi-stage particulate stripping and filtering from flue gases, means for using the walls of steam drum as steam/water droplet separator, means for recirculating and capturing heat from the flue gases; means for pressurizing the interior of the boiler above atmospheric pressure; means for heating and drying fuel prior to feeding the fuel to the boiler; means for creating hydrogen shift reaction; means for eliminating any need for sootblowing; and designed to not require the use of an induced draft fan. |
| US09581319B2 |
LED bulb using heat dissipating LED driver
The present invention provides an LED bulb using heat dissipating LED driver capable of reducing heat influence by disposing an electrolytic capacitor in an output part at a low temperature region through disposing a section receiving an external power close to a light generating module and disposing a section controlling a light emitting diode dose to a power source base. |
| US09581313B2 |
Lighting apparatus
A lighting apparatus has a light source emitting primary light; a reflector device with first and second focal points; a rotatable light wheel with two functional regions; a primary light device irradiated by the light source and having functionally assigned to it one of the functional regions as a primary light functional region, the first focal point being located at the primary light device; a utility light device to which is functionally assigned another of the functional regions as a utility light functional region, the second focal point being located at the utility light device; a primary light functional region having in a first rotational position of the light wheel at least one phosphor sensitive to the primary light; and a utility light functional region being transmissive to the light whose wavelength is converted by the primary light functional region. |
| US09581311B2 |
Backlight display using photoluminescent material tuned to improve NVIS compatibility
An NVIS-compatible backlight assembly for an LCD display comprising a short-wavelength (blue) light source positioned in a first layer and a photoluminescent layer positioned adjacent the first layer for transforming blue monochrome emission from the blue light source into tri-color light for use as a full-color light source, while minimizing radiance in NVIS-sensitive regions. |
| US09581310B2 |
Light-emitting module
A light-emitting module has better white light color rendering index to provide white rendering effect in accordance with the requirements of various application sites. The light-emitting module includes a (circuit) substrate board and at least one ultraviolet ray emitter and at least one blue light emitter disposed on the substrate board. The light wavelength of the ultraviolet ray emitter ranges from 380 nm to 420 nm. The light wavelength of the blue light emitter ranges from 440 nm to 470 nm. A wavelength conversion layer is laid on the substrate board. The wavelength conversion layer includes a first wavelength conversion material and a second wavelength conversion material for receiving and converting the light emitted from the ultraviolet ray emitter into visible light and the light emitted from the blue light emitter into white light. After the lights are mixed, a white general output optical spectrum is achieved. |
| US09581308B2 |
Lens for LED traffic lights
A lens for preventing the build-up of snow and ice on LED traffic lights. The lens is hollow and fits over the LED signal beacon of the traffic light. The lens has a sidewall defined by a right circular conical frustum between a circular base and a plane spaced apart from the base and oriented at an oblique angle to the base. A convex face portion of the lens extends from the sidewall and closes the hollow space within the lens. |
| US09581303B2 |
Compact and adjustable LED lighting apparatus, and method and system for operating such long-term
A lighting system is provided whereby long operating life can be reasonably ensured by taking into account requirements of the application, characteristics of the LEDs, characteristics of the fixture containing said LEDs, the desired number of operating hours, and—via developed relationships—taking an iterative approach to supplying power to the LEDs. Through the envisioned compensation methodology and effective luminaire design, a relatively constant light level can be assured for a predetermined number of operating hours (possibly longer); this is true even if operating conditions change, known behavior of LEDs proves untrue over untested period of time, or some other condition occurs which would otherwise cause end-of-life prematurely and prevent the system from meeting the desired number of operating hours. |
| US09581301B2 |
Illumination assembly
The present invention relates to an illumination assembly comprising a specific combination of one or more white LEDs and one or more red-orange LEDs with improved spectral characteristics (e.g., specific color performance characteristics, such as a desirable color rendering index and color temperature). |
| US09581296B2 |
System for supplying liquefied natural gas fuel and method of operating the same
A system for supplying LNG fuel includes a fuel supplying line connected from an LNG storage tank to an engine, a boosting pump provided on the fuel supplying line and configured to pressurize LNG outputted from the LNG storage tank and cool down in a standby mode, a high pressure pump configured to pressurize the LNG outputted from the boosting pump to high pressure, and a return line connected between the LNG storage tank and the high pressure pump, in which the LNG is returned through the return line. |
| US09581294B2 |
Replaceable sleeves used in distribution blocks
The invention is a distribution block assembly that contains replaceable sleeves and pistons that are suitable for use at high fluid pressures. The conventional distribution block assembly can be altered to include end plugs and these replaceable sleeves having designated precise quantity of lubricant distribution so that the user can alter the distribution levels by changing the replaceable piston/sleeves and allowing for users to fix excessively worn pistons without having to dissemble the entire distribution block. The use of these piston/sleeve assemblies transforming conventional distribution blocks making them more versatile and reducing the costly expense of manually replacing of the entire distribution block. |
| US09581284B2 |
Display apparatus
The display apparatus is provided. The display apparatus includes a display panel for outputting an image, a panel cover for covering a rear surface of the display panel, a first part fixed to the rear surface of the display unit, a second part rotatably coupled to the first part, the second part being closely attached to the first part or being disposed on an installation surface, a hinge connecting a lower end of the first part to a front end of the second part, a wall-mounting plate separably coupled to a bottom surface of the second part, and a fall-down prevention member separably coupled to a lower end of the display unit. |
| US09581282B1 |
Heat management and thermal shielding techniques using compressed carbon nanotube aerogel materials
Compressed carbon nanotube aerogel materials can be used in heat management and thermal shielding applications. Methods for heat management and thermal shielding of an object can include placing a compressed carbon nanotube aerogel material between an object and its surrounding environment, and establishing a thermal gradient within the compressed carbon nanotube aerogel material by exposing the compressed carbon nanotube aerogel material to the object or to the surrounding environment. When the object and the surrounding environment are in thermal communication with one another, the compressed carbon nanotube aerogel material can reduce an amount of heat transferred between the object and the surrounding environment. As a result of establishing the thermal gradient within the compressed carbon nanotube aerogel material, an electric current may be generated in some instances. |
| US09581281B2 |
Device for inserting a new pipe into an old pipe by means of a self-driven impact device
The invention relates to an apparatus for inserting a new pipe into an old pipe by means of a self-driven impact device, which simplifies the insertion of a new pipe into an old pipe, and wherein blocking elements of an apparatus according to the invention engage with the inside wall of an old pipe in order to prevent any movement of the self-driven impact device in a direction opposite the direction of advance, as well as a method for using the device. The apparatus according to the invention has blocking elements, which are disposed on at least one base body, but preferably four base bodies, which are in turn releasably mounted on the self-driven impact device. This method is characterized in that the base bodies together with the blocking elements and the self-driven impact device are salvaged by the new pipe. |
| US09581280B2 |
Means for the rehabilitation of a connecting portion between a main pipeline and a branch pipeline, method for the rehabilitation of a connecting portion and rehabilitation system for the rehabilitation of a connecting portion
A means for the rehabilitation of a connecting portion between a main pipeline and a branch pipeline with a main pipe section and a branch pipe section, wherein the main pipe section has a connecting region, wherein the branch pipe section is connected at its first end portion to the connecting region of the main pipe section, wherein the branch pipe section is closed at its second end portion and wherein at least one contactless sensor is disposed within the means. |
| US09581278B2 |
In-line water hammer arrester
An in-line water hammer arrester comprises a housing connectable at each end to a piping system, a fluid channel disposed within the housing to permit fluid to flow from the piping system through the housing and back into the piping system, a piston and a pressurized chamber. When a pressure spike occurs, the piston is pushed against the pressurized chamber allowing an expanded area for water flow until the pressure spike is dissipated and the piston returns to its resting position. When used with flexible hoses and tubing typically found with household appliance water supply lines, the in-line arrester is easily installed by a crimping or clamping type connector and takes up little space. |
| US09581276B2 |
Loading arm counterbalance adjustment mechanism
A fluid system includes a loading arm connected to a swivel joint. A counterbalance mechanism is connected between the loading arm and the swivel joint. An adjustment mechanism adjusts the counterbalance force applied by the counterbalance mechanism to the loading arm. The adjustment mechanism includes a guide plate connected to the swivel joint and includes a guide slot and a straight bore guide. A bracket is movably connected to the guide plate and has one or more apertures and a threaded bore guide. Fasteners extend through the guide slot and the one or more apertures to selectively secure the bracket to the guide plate. A lead screw is disposed at least partially within the straight bore guide and the threaded bore guide. Rotation of the lead screw causes the bracket to move along a length of the lead screw and thereby adjust the counterbalance force. |
| US09581274B2 |
Pipe fitting installation device
A portable assembly for securing a plastic fitting to a plastic pipe by employing fusion or thermal sealing is disclosed. The assembly is secured to the outer circumference of a plastic pipe at a desired location. The assembly can be secured at any longitudinal and lateral position along a plastic pipe. A heater heats both the pipe and the fitting to the point where they begin to melt. The heater is then removed and the fitting is pressed onto the surface of the pipe, thus fusing the fitting to the pipe. After cooling, the assembly is removed and the surface of the pipe within the interior of the fitting is drilled or removed. This now enables fluid within the pipe to be sent to the fitting and onto distribution lines which are connected to the fitting. |
| US09581266B2 |
Device for a spring return valve actuator and method of operating a valve
A device for a valve actuator is described, the valve actuator being provided with a spindle nut surrounding a portion of an actuator spindle and engaging an external threaded portion arranged on the actuator spindle, the spindle nut being axially fixed relative to the actuator spindle, and the actuator spindle being in rotation-preventing engagement with an end cap or an actuator housing, and the spindle nut being connected via transmission means to a first driving motor. |
| US09581264B1 |
Hose tap timer device and method
A hose tap timer is disclosed comprising structure for shutting off the hose tap timer valves when a control member is separated from or attached to a dock for a manifold member of the hose tap timer. |
| US09581263B2 |
Pneumatic valve and valve unit
A pneumatic valve comprises a valve housing in which at least two passage channels are formed which are associated with respective pneumatic connections; a movable closing element for a selective closing and releasing of the passage channels; and a piezoelectric drive for the controlled movement of the closing element. The piezoelectric drive comprises two separately controllable individual drives as well as closing elements which are associated therewith and which are movable independently of one another, with each of the closing elements being provided for a selective closing and releasing of one of the passage channels. |
| US09581246B2 |
Seal member and front fork provided with seal member
A seal member includes an annular fitting part and an annular dust lip. The fitting part fits on an inner circumference of a tubular member. The dust lip extends from the fitting part toward a side opposite from the tubular member such that a diameter of an inner circumference of the dust lip gradually decreases, and a distal end portion of the dust lip slides on an outer circumferential surface of a shaft member. A metal insert includes a reinforcing ring and a reinforcing extension piece. The reinforcing ring stands along the inner circumference of the tubular member. The reinforcing extension piece extends from the reinforcing ring toward a side opposite from the tubular member, and inclines such that a distal end of the reinforcing extension piece approaches the shaft member. The reinforcing ring is arranged in the fitting part, whereas the reinforcing extension piece is arranged in the dust lip. |
| US09581243B2 |
Emergency sacrificial sealing method in filters, equipment, or systems
A system seals a filter or equipment component to abase and will continue to seal the filter or equipment component to the base in the event of hot air or fire. The system includes a first sealing material between the filter or equipment component and the base; and a second sealing material between the filter or equipment component and the base and proximate the first sealing material. The first sealing material and the second seal material are positioned relative to each other and relative to the filter or equipment component and the base to seal the filter or equipment component to the base and upon the event of fire the second sealing material will be activated and expand to continue to seal the filter or equipment component to the base in the event of hot air or fire. |
| US09581240B2 |
Control apparatus of automatic transmission and automatic transmission of vehicle
A control apparatus of an automatic transmission includes a first anomaly determination device and an energization interrupting device. The first anomaly determination device is configured to determine whether high-pressure anomaly has occurred in a first pressure regulating device. The high-pressure anomaly is to cause the first pressure regulating device to perform regulation to high pressure only. The energization interrupting device is configured to interrupt energization to a first switching device in a case where the first anomaly determination device determines that the high-pressure anomaly has occurred in the first pressure regulating device and in a state where a first switching valve is located at a first position connected to a first oil passage so as to supply hydraulic pressure of a hydraulic oil regulated by the first pressure regulating device to a second clutch. |
| US09581239B2 |
Vehicular hydraulics supply device
A variable capacity type oil pump, which is driven by an engine, supplies hydraulic pressure to a hydraulic control circuit of an automatic transmission. A range switch mechanism, which includes a motor as a motive power source, switches a shift range of the automatic transmission. Further, a switch operation mechanism, which switches a discharge amount of the oil pump, is driven by the motor of the range switch mechanism. In this case, an operative position of the switch operation mechanism is switched by the motor according to an input rotation speed of the oil pump, thereby switching the discharge amount of the oil pump. Accordingly, the motor of the range switch mechanism is used to drive the switch operation mechanism to switch the discharge amount of the oil pump, and thus a motive power source dedicated to changing the discharge amount of the oil pump is not needed. |
| US09581237B2 |
Transmission fluid expansion reservoir
An active fluid reservoir for transmission fluid of an automatic transmission, in a first embodiment, comprehends an elongate reservoir disposed adjacent fluid lines from the automatic transmission to the transmission fluid cooler. The reservoir may be associated with either the supply or return line or include two smaller reservoirs associated with both lines. Thermally actuated valves at each end of the reservoir(s) open to allow fluid flow through the reservoir as fluid temperature increases and a diverter valve in the cooler line(s) closes to divert flow into the reservoir. In a second embodiment, the fluid reservoir comprehends a container, tank or similar storage device in fluid communication with a transmission oil cooler line. Again, the device includes three thermally actuated valves. |
| US09581235B2 |
Heat exchanging device of lubrication oil
A cooling device for cooling lubrication oil which circulates in a vehicle transmission is provided with a first oil circulating circuit through which a clutch oil for lubricating a first and second clutch of the transmission circulates, a second oil circulating circuit through which a gear oil circulates to lubricate mechanisms other than the first and the second clutches, and a cooling water circulating circuit through which a cooling water circulates to cool an engine and a motor. Also provided is a first heat exchanger exchanging heat between the first lubrication oil and the second lubrication oil, and a second heat exchanger exchanging heat between the first lubrication oil and the cooling water. |
| US09581228B2 |
Cam apparatus for use with valves
Cam apparatus for use with valves are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a cam having a cam surface to engage a valve stem, a first portion of the cam surface to engage the valve stem in a closed position, a second portion of the cam surface to engage the valve stem in an open position, and a third portion of the cam surface adjacent the first portion and defining a curved profile. The third portion is to engage the valve stem when the cam is rotated to a first intermediate position between the closed position and the open position. The example apparatus also includes a fourth portion of the cam surface between the second portion and the third portion and defining a linear profile. The fourth portion is to engage the valve stem surface as the cam rotates between the first intermediate position and the open position. |
| US09581225B2 |
Continuously variable transmission
A continuously variable transmission includes: first to third power transmission components; a rolling component; a support shaft for the rolling component; a first guide member that includes a first guide portion for guiding a first protrusion portion of the inserted support shaft; a gear shift member that includes a gear change portion; a first actuator which tilts each rolling component by moving each second protrusion portion along the gear change portion with rotation of the gear shift member at a time an input-output gear ratio is changed; a second guide member that includes a second guide portion for guiding a second protrusion portion of the inserted support shaft; and a second actuator which prohibits rotation of the second guide member during reverse rotation of the first and second power transmission components and allows rotation of the second guide member during normal rotation of the first and second power transmission components. |
| US09581223B2 |
Multi-speed transmission in planetary design
A planetary multi-speed transmission with a housing is proposed for a vehicle. A first shaft is provided as a drive and a second shaft is provided as an output, axially parallel to the drive. Three planetary gear sets and additional shafts, along with six shifting elements, are provided, through which the actuation of several gears can be realized. Machine elements are provided for the transfer of torque between the drive and the output. The first shaft is connectable, as the drive, to the sun gear of the second planetary gear set, to the sun gear of the first planetary gear set, to the planetary gear carrier of the second planetary gear set, to the planetary gear carrier of the first planetary gear set, and to the first machine element. The second shaft is connected or connectable, as a drive, to the first machine element and to the second machine element. |
| US09581221B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and a brake actuatable in combinations of four to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and at least one reverse gear ratio. |
| US09581204B2 |
Magnetic-scale-equipped motion guide apparatus
A magnetic-scale-equipped motion guide apparatus is provided which can scrape iron powder adhered to a magnetic scale by a scraper or seal of a movable member without inviting adverse effects such as wearing away and deformation of the magnetic scale. The magnetic-scale-equipped motion guide apparatus of the present invention comprises a track member 1 having a rolling element rolling portion 1b and also an upper surface where through holes 18 into which fastening members are inserted open, a movable member 2 movably assembled to the track member 1 via a plurality of rolling elements 3, a groove 1a formed in the track member 1 and extended in a longitudinal direction, a magnetic scale 7 accommodated in the groove 1a and having north and south poles alternately formed in the longitudinal direction, and a cover member 8 that covers the magnetic scale 7 and also the through holes 18 of the track member 1. |
| US09581203B2 |
Shunt bearing with insulating coating
A rolling bearing including a conductive shield and an insulation coating is provided. The rolling bearing assembly includes a fixable bearing ring including a first raceway and a rotatable bearing ring including a second raceway. A roller assembly includes a cage and a plurality of rolling elements are located in the cage and supported to roll on the first raceway of the fixable bearing ring and the second raceway of the rotatable bearing ring. A shield extends between the fixable bearing ring and the rotatable bearing ring. The shield includes a first end connected to the fixable bearing ring, and at least one electrically conductive element extends from a second end of the shield and contacts the rotatable bearing ring. A conductive extension on the first end of the shield is connectable to ground. The insulation coating covers surfaces of the fixable bearing ring outside of the first raceway. |