| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09589268B2 |
Integration of payment capability into secure elements of computers
Methods, secure elements, validation entities, and computer program products for effecting secure communication of payment information to merchants for Internet-based purchases. Payment information for a user's real payment information is installed in a secure element of a computer, the payment information may comprise a pseudo PAN number for the portable consumer device provided by a validation entity. The secure element is shielded from the computer's operating system to thwart hacker attacks. The user accesses the secure element to make a purchase. In response, the secure element contacts the validation entity with the pseudo account number, and in response obtains dynamic payment information that the secure element can used to effect the payment. The dynamic payment information comprises an account number that is different from the pseudo PAN, and which has at least one difference which respect to the user's real payment information. |
| US09589267B2 |
Method and apparatus for staging send transactions
A method comprises receiving registration information and transaction specifications, and storing the transaction specifications in a distribution profile. Based on an initiation instruction and associated user authentication data, one of the transaction specifications in the distribution profile is identified. Payment source status is verified and a send transaction is initiated, based on the payment source status. |
| US09589265B2 |
Mobile payment method
A mobile payment method is to be implemented by a transaction device, and includes: receiving payment information, transmitting the payment information to a payment institution server, providing the payment information to a payment device, and receiving a payment result. The payment device is enabled to generate a payment request when the payment institution server determines that the payment information received from the payment device conforms to the payment information received from the transaction device, and to transmit the payment request to the payment institution server for subsequent processing of the payment according to the payment information included in the payment request. |
| US09589264B2 |
System and method for pre-provisioned wearable contactless payments
Systems and methods may comprise RFID data acquisition technology which may be embedded in a fob or tag for use in completing financial transactions. This fob may a self-contained device which includes a transponder and which may be contained on any portable form factor. For instance, the tag may be housed in a wearable transaction instrument, such as an activity tracker. The tag is configured to be used in concert with an RFID reader device. |
| US09589262B2 |
Mobile checkout systems and methods
A mobile checkout system and method for completing a purchase transaction to purchase items from an internet merchant. A user browses and selects items for purchase from the merchant through a shopping application or browser (mobile or PC). During the processing of the transaction, a checkout application installed on a mobile communication device is launched. The checkout application receives a checkout token created by a checkout server that identifies the purchase transaction. After user authentication, the system uses this token and communicates with the checkout server to cause the checkout server to complete the purchase transaction, in which payment data is securely transmitted and wherein a one-time-use cryptogram can be part of the payment information. |
| US09589257B2 |
Electronic authorization system and method
An electronic authorization system comprising a data source system configured to transmit transaction data. A secure data system is coupled to the data source system over an open network, the secure data system is configured to receive the transaction data from the data source system, generate a unique encrypted identifier for the transaction data and to transmit the unique encrypted identifier to the data source system. The data source system is configured to receive the unique encrypted identifier and replace payment card data associated with the transaction data in a database with the unique encrypted identifier. |
| US09589256B1 |
Smart chaining
Identification information is received from a transaction card at a transaction machine. The transaction card is associated with an account holder using the transaction machine. Using the identification information, activity profile information is accessed for the account holder. The account holder's transaction machine usage is monitored and activity profile information related to the account holder's transaction machine usage is stored. A custom sequence of user interfaces to be displayed to the account holder is generated based on the activity profile information and based on the type of transaction the account holder initiates. |
| US09589254B2 |
Using e-mail message characteristics for prioritization
Message prioritization may be provided. First, a message may be received and a priority level may be calculated for the message. If the message is not rejected for having a priority lower than a predetermined threshold, the message may be placed in a first priority queue. Next, the message may be de-queued from the first priority queue based upon the calculated priority level for the message. Distribution group recipients corresponding to the message may then be expanded and the priority level for the message may be re-calculated based upon the expanded distribution group recipients. Next, the message may be placed in a second priority queue. The message may then be de-queued from the second priority queue based upon the re-calculated priority level for the message and delivered. |
| US09589252B2 |
Rule-based archival maintenance
The invention relates to systems, methods, and computer program products for rule-based maintenance of an archive. A system is provided that includes: a computing platform including a processor and a storage device, a database comprising rules relating to maintenance of information stored in an archive, a software module stored in the storage device comprising executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to: (a) receive information related to at least one event; (b) compare the information related to the at least one event to the rules relating to maintenance of information stored in the archive; and (c) determine whether to update information stored in an archive based at least partially on the comparison of the information related to the at least one event and the rules relating to maintenance of information stored in the archive. |
| US09589247B2 |
Systems and methods for supply chain management
Systems and methods are directed to supply chain management. In particular, the tracking, tracing, authenticating, and reporting of supply chain events for products, is disclosed. Various embodiments can store, analyze, and track supply chain events and help to coordinate and maintain trading partner connections. Various embodiments also help to enhance patient safety, secure the supply chains for pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other healthcare products, and help users to follow regulatory requirements. |
| US09589245B2 |
Insider threat prediction
A method for predicting insider threat includes mining electronic data of an organization corresponding to activity of an entity, determining features of the electronic data corresponding to the activity of the entity, classifying the features corresponding to the activity of the entity, determining sequences of classified features matching one or more patterns of insider threat, scoring the entity according to matches of the classified features to the one or more patterns of insider threat, and predicting an insider threat corresponding to the entity according to the score. |
| US09589241B2 |
Electrical resource controller
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an electrical system is provided. The system comprises a controller including a plurality of machine implemented processing sequences. The electrical system also includes a plurality of sensors configured to receive input related to the environmental conditions of the environment surrounding the plurality of sensors and transmit the input to the controller, at least one power source in electrical communication with the controller. The electrical system further includes at least one storage device in electrical communication with the controller, and at least one device sensor in communication with an end user. The at least one device sensor includes memory, and the memory includes priority information regarding the priority of a device associated with the at least one device sensor. The at least one device sensor is operable to transmit information to the controller. |
| US09589238B2 |
Methods for performing anti-hebbian and hebbian (AHAH) based feature extraction of surface manifolds for compression
Methods and systems for feature extraction of LIDAR surface manifolds. LIDAR point data with respect to one or more LIDAR surface manifolds can be generated. An AHAH-based feature extraction operation can be automatically performed on the point data for compression and processing thereof. The results of the AHAH-based feature extraction operation can be output as a compressed binary label representative of the at least one surface manifold rather than the point data to afford a high-degree of compression for transmission or further processing thereof. Additionally, one or more voxels of a LIDAR point cloud composed of the point data can be scanned in order to recover the compressed binary label, which represents prototypical surface patches with respect to the LIDAR surface manifold(s). |
| US09589231B2 |
Social medical network for diagnosis assistance
A method for diagnosis assistance exploits similarity between a new medical case and existing medical cases and experts when embedded in a common embedding space. Different types of queries are provided for, including a query-by-cases and a query-by-experts. These may be associated with different cost structures that encourage the requester to use the query-by-cases first and seek expert assistance if this proves unsuccessful. Depending on whether the query-by-cases or query-by-experts is requested, a subset of the existing cases or experts is identified based on the similarity of their representations, in the embedding space, with a representation of the new case in the embedding space. There may then be provision for communicating the new case to a selected one or more of the subset of experts for the expert to attempt to provide a diagnosis. |
| US09589229B2 |
Dynamic model-based analysis of data centers
Techniques for model-based analysis of a data center. A method includes creating a metamodel based on domain knowledge to represent a type of object and/or relationship of a data center, using static and dynamic configuration and data analysis techniques to discover topology of elements of the data center and represent the topology as a model that is an instance of the metamodel, extending the metamodel, using the model to perform analysis of the data center in connection with a specified task, leveraging domain knowledge represented in nodes of the extended metamodel to guide the analysis in terms of determining guidelines to apply to each node and determining relationships to traverse to continue the analysis, extending the domain knowledge by updating the extended metamodel upon discovery of additional knowledge for use in improving analysis tasks, and extending the model on-demand using dynamic analysis techniques upon detection of multiple analysis failures. |
| US09589222B2 |
Non-transitory storage medium encoded with computer readable information processing program, information processing apparatus, information processing system, and information processing method
A non-transitory storage medium encoded with a computer readable information processing program executed by a computer with a near field wireless communication function is provided. The information processing program causes the computer to perform the steps of exchanging data with any proximate information storage medium and proceeding with game processing in accordance with a time difference between predetermined timing and one of timing at which exchange of data with the information storage medium is enabled and timing at which exchange of data with the information storage medium is disabled. |
| US09589214B2 |
Apparatus and methods for dispensing at least one segment of a printed media sheet with a plurality of segments
There is provided an apparatus and a method for dispensing printed labels from a printer. The printed labels may be prepared on a need basis, such that each printed label is either held in the apparatus or ejected from the apparatus. Some advantages of the apparatus and method include prolonging a lifespan for a print head, and minimization of transition error on a media used for printing. |
| US09589210B1 |
Broad area geospatial object detection using autogenerated deep learning models
A system for automated geospatial image analysis comprising a deep learning model module and a convolutional neural network serving as an automated image analysis software module. The deep learning module receives a plurality of orthorectified geospatial images, pre-labeled to demarcate objects of interest, and optimized for the purpose of training the neural network of the image analysis software module. The module presents marked geospatial images and a second set of unmarked, optimized, training geospatial images to the convolutional neural network. This process may be repeated so that an image analysis software module can detect multiple object types or categories. The image analysis software module receives a plurality of orthorectified geospatial images from one or more geospatial image caches. Using multi-scale sliding window submodule, image analysis modules scan geospatial images, detect objects present and locate them on the geographical latitude-longitude system. The system reports the results in the requestor's preferred format. |
| US09589209B2 |
Training image adjustment preferences
Some embodiments include a method of operating a computing device to learn user preferences of how to process digital images. The computing device can record a user image selection, associated with a user account, of at least one of digital image versions of a base digital image. The computing device can determine a context attribute to associate with the user image selection. The computing device can compute an image processing rule associated with the user account by applying machine learning or statistical analysis on multiple user image selections associated with the context attribute, the multiple user image selections including the user image selection. |
| US09589201B1 |
Method and apparatus for recovering a vehicle value from an image
Some aspects of the invention relate to a mobile apparatus including an image sensor configured to convert an optical image into an electrical signal. The optical image includes an image of a vehicle license plate. The mobile apparatus includes a license plate detector configured to process the electrical signal to recover information from the vehicle license plate image. The mobile apparatus includes an interface configured to transmit the vehicle license plate information to a remote apparatus and receive an estimated value for a vehicle corresponding to the vehicle license plate in response to the transmission. |
| US09589199B2 |
Methods and apparatus for one-dimensional signal extraction
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for extracting a one-dimensional digital signal from a two-dimensional digital image along a projection line. In some embodiments a repeating sequence of pixel weight templates, and a sequence of relative positions, are selected in response to the orientation of a projection line and used to compute a sequence of weighted sums. The sequence can be selected to achieve desirable properties, for example photometric accuracy, geometric accuracy, resolution, and/or noise reduction. In some embodiments registers and multiply-accumulators are arranged and controlled so as to compute the 1D signal. |
| US09589196B2 |
Multicolor biometric scanning user interface
A mobile computing device may include a biometric sensor in proximity with a color-controlled layer. Where the color of the color-controlled layer may be changed, a processor of the mobile computing device may control the color of the color-controlled layer responsive to sensing various conditions. For example, the color of the color-controlled layer may be controlled, by default, to match the housing of the mobile computing device. Responsive to sensing an approaching user finger, the color-controlled layer may be controlled to change color. The color-controlled layer may be controlled to change color again upon contact of the finger, upon removal of the finger and upon determining authentication success. The color-controlled layer may be structured as a mix of heating elements and thermochromic polymer elements. |
| US09589195B2 |
Polarization-based mapping and perception method and system
A method using Long Wave Infrared Imaging Polarimetry for improved mapping and perception of a roadway or path and for perceiving or detecting obstacles comprises recording raw image data using a polarimeter to obtain polarized images of the roadway or area. The images are then corrected for non-uniformity, optical distortion, and registration. IR and polarization data products are computed, and the resultant data products are converted to a multi-dimensional data set for exploitation. Contrast enhancement algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced object images. The enhanced object images may then be displayed to a user, and/or an annunciator may announce the presence of an object. Further, the vehicle may take evasive action based upon the presence of an object in the roadway. |
| US09589193B2 |
Three-dimensional object detection device and three-dimensional object detection method
A three-dimensional object detection device has an image capturing unit, a first object detection unit, a light source detection unit, a second object detection unit, a degree-of-clouding calculation unit and a controller. The image capturing unit captures images rearward of a vehicle. The first object detection unit detects a presence of a three-dimensional object from the captured images. The second object detection unit detects a presence of a three-dimensional object from a detection result of the light source detection unit. The degree-of-clouding calculation unit calculates a degree of lens clouding from the captured images. The controller assess the object as an adjacent vehicle in an adjacent lane from the degree of lens clouding when the degree of lens clouding is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and from the presence of the object in the captured images when the degree of lens clouding is less than the value. |
| US09589192B2 |
Information processing system, information processing method, and program
Provided are an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program capable of favorably estimating the association between persons appearing in pictures. This information processing system includes: a correspondence relationship estimation unit for determining a scale indicating a possibility that one or more persons appearing in pictures captured respectively at a first time by a plurality of video cameras, and one or more persons appearing in pictures captured respectively at a second time, which is later than the first time, by the plurality of video cameras, are respectively associated with each other, and estimating a correspondence relationship between the person appearing at the first time and the person appearing at the second time in consideration of all scales relating to at least one person appearing at one of the first time and the second time, and all persons appearing at the other time; and a person-to-be-tracked registration unit for receiving an input of correspondence information to the effect that at least a part of one or more persons captured at the first time corresponds, or does not correspond, with at least a part of one or more persons captured at the second time. |
| US09589187B1 |
Method for locating center of pupil and electronic apparatus
A method and an electronic apparatus for locating the center of a pupil are provided. The method includes: obtaining a glint-free image including a pupil; generating a gradient magnitude graph and a gradient orientation graph based on the glint-free image; sifting a plurality of first pixels from the gradient magnitude graph, and finding a plurality of second pixels corresponding to the plurality of first pixels in the gradient orientation graph; taking a negative gradient orientation to each of the second pixels to generate a gradient emission graph including a plurality of emissions; defining a center of the pupil in the glint-free image based on the plurality of emissions in the gradient emission graph. |
| US09589177B2 |
Enhanced face detection using depth information
A method for face detection includes capturing a depth map and an image of a scene and selecting one or more locations in the image to test for presence of human faces. At each selected location, a respective face detection window is defined, having a size that is scaled according to a depth coordinate of the location that is indicated by the depth map. Apart of the image that is contained within each face detection window is processed to determine whether the face detection window contains a human face. Similar methods may also be applied in identifying other object types. |
| US09589175B1 |
Analyzing integral images with respect to Haar features
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to arrangements and techniques that provide for identifying objects within an image such as the face position of a user of a portable electronic device. An application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is configured to locate objects within images. The ASIC includes an image node configured to process an image and a search node configured to search the image for an object in the image. The search node includes an integral image generation unit configured to generate an integral image of the image and a Haar feature evaluation unit configured to evaluate search windows of the integral image with respect to Haar-like features. The ASIC also includes an ensemble node configured to confirm the presence of the object in the image. |
| US09589174B2 |
Imaging mass spectrometer and mass spectrometry data processing method
Specific-site extraction unit 24 extracts specific sites from microscopy images that are obtained by staining or fluorescence labeling of specific sites in a specimen 4. Based on the similarity between MS imaging data and the spatial distribution of the specific sites, cluster analysis unit 25 and division count determination processing unit 26 evaluate the similarity with the spatial distribution of all pixels that belong to one cluster when each of the pixels are categorized into a plurality of clusters. Since the specific sites are sites that include the same characteristic substance, clustering is judged to be appropriate if the similarity in spatial distribution is high. Hence, based on the correlation between spatial distributions, an appropriate division count for the cluster analysis is determined, and the result of the cluster analysis using the division count is output on a display unit 31. |
| US09589173B2 |
Systems and methods for volumetric tissue scanning microscopy
In accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, a method for imaging tissue, for example, includes the steps of mounting the tissue on a computer controlled stage of a microscope, determining volumetric imaging parameters, directing at least two photons into a region of interest, scanning the region of interest across a portion of the tissue, imaging a plurality of layers of the tissue in a plurality of volumes of the tissue in the region of interest, sectioning the portion of the tissue and imaging a second plurality of layers of the tissue in a second plurality of volumes of the tissue in the region of interest, detecting a fluorescence image of the tissue due to said excitation light; and processing three-dimensional data that is collected to create a three-dimensional image of the region of interest. |
| US09589168B2 |
Automatic storage scheme by simultaneous ID recognition
A code input device is used to simultaneously read a first code and a second code. The code input device includes at least one of a camera or a field reader. A determination is then made as to whether the first code and the second code are in accordance with a set of rules. When the view of the first code and the second code are in accordance with the set of rules, an assignment function that is associated with at least the first code is performed. |
| US09589167B2 |
Graphical code processing method and apparatus
A graphical code processing method and apparatus are disclosed. The method includes: acquiring a predetermined graphical code, wherein the predetermined graphical code carries: an identification of a predetermined application program corresponding to the predetermined graphical code, a call address of the predetermined application program, and content data; parsing the identification of the predetermined application program, the call address of the predetermined application program and the content data from the predetermined graphical code; and detecting whether the identification of the predetermined application program matches an identification of a current application program. If the detection shows that the identification a the predetermined application program does not match the identification of the current application program, calling the predetermined application program according to the call address of the predetermined application program to perform corresponding, operations on the content data in the predetermined graphical code. |
| US09589166B2 |
Laser scanning system employing an optics module capable of forming a laser beam having an extended depth of focus (DOF) over the laser scanning field
A laser scanning system having a laser scanning field, and a laser beam optics module with an optical axis and including: an aperture stop disposed after a laser source for shaping the laser beam to a predetermined beam diameter; a collimating lens for collimating the laser beam produced from the aperture stop; an apodization element having a first and second optical surfaces for extending the depth of focus of the laser beam from the collimating lens; and a negative bi-prism, disposed after the apodization element, along the optical axis, to transform the energy distribution of the laser beam and cause the laser beam to converge to substantially a single beam spot along the far-field portion of the laser scanning field, and extend the depth of focus of the laser beam along the far-field portion of the laser scanning field. |
| US09589165B2 |
Dimensioning and barcode reading system
A system and method for calibrating a barcode scanning tunnel comprises providing a scanning tunnel having a moveable surface, a camera, and a dimensioning device. Orientations of the dimensioning device and camera are estimated. Instances of a calibration object on the moveable surface are acquired by the dimensioning device and the camera, and a relationship is defined between the two devices. A calibration object is moved along the moveable surface through the devices' fields of view, controlling the camera's focal distance according to the relationship, so that the dimensioning device and the camera acquire instances of the calibration object, and the relationship is revised. |
| US09589162B1 |
Automatic drawer state detection
An inventory system can include radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and RFID tuners that can be brought into interacting proximity with one another to provide input or other information about the location or other condition of movable elements within the inventory system. For example, a closed or at least partially open state of a drawer can be determined based on signals from an RFID tag when the RFID tag and a corresponding RFID tuner are mounted on opposing faces of the drawer and a compartment that receives the drawer. |
| US09589161B1 |
Substrate with electrically conductive patterns that are readable
One embodiment is a flat card that includes an electrically non-conductive substrate and a plurality of electrical conductors disposed on a surface of the non-conductive substrate. The conductors are connected together to form patterns of conductive lines connected to conductive geometric shapes located at ends of the conductive lines. A switch is positioned between two of the conductive geometric shapes and switchable between an open state and a closed state. |
| US09589151B2 |
Techniques and architecture for anonymizing user data
An apparatus may include an interface to receive a multiplicity of user information samples at a respective multiplicity of instances; a processor circuit, and an entropy multiplexer for execution on the processor circuit to generate a pseudo random number based upon a pseudo random number seed and pseudo random number algorithm for each user information sample of the multiplicity of user information samples. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09589146B2 |
Method and system for hiding sensitive data in log files
An approach for hiding sensitive data in log files is provided. The approach uses a background program embedded within an operating system. The background program intercepts a write operation of an application and, in response to determining that the write operation is for a log file, gets content of the write operation. The background program checks a knowledge base that comprises information for the sensitive data and identifies the sensitive data in the content of the write operation. The background program masks the sensitive data in the content of the write operation, in response to determining that the content of the write operation has the sensitive data to be masked. In the log file, the background program writes modified content in which the sensitive data is masked. |
| US09589139B2 |
Method and device for altering a unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) secure boot process in a computing device
Firmware in a computing device is used to administer and alter a Secure Boot process for the computing device while continuing to provide protection from unauthorized third-party code. |
| US09589137B2 |
Method for detecting unfair use and device for detecting unfair use
An object is to improve detection accuracy of unfair use when a task system is used by using a mobile terminal.There is provided a method for detecting unfair use including: recording a plurality of operation feature quantities which are calculated from an operation log of a user and weights for the plurality of operation feature quantities of the user which are calculated by using a plurality of operation feature quantities of other users, obtaining an operation log of the user of a terminal device, calculating a plurality of operation feature quantities from the operation log, calculating similarity between the calculated plurality of operation feature quantities and the recorded plurality of operation feature quantities of the user in advance, by using the weights for the plurality of operation feature quantities, and detecting unfair use of the terminal device. |
| US09589134B2 |
Remediation of security vulnerabilities in computer software
Processing a downgrader specification by constructing a set of candidate downgrader placement locations found within a computer software application, where each of the candidate downgrader placement locations corresponds to a transition between a different pair of instructions within the computer software application, and where each of the transitions participates in any of a plurality of data flows in a set of security-sensitive data flows within the computer software application, applying a downgrader specification to the set of candidate downgrader placement locations, and determining that the downgrader specification provides full coverage of the set of security-sensitive data flows within the computer software application if at least one candidate downgrader placement location within each of the security-sensitive data flows is a member of the set of candidate downgrader placement locations. |
| US09589132B2 |
Method and apparatus for hypervisor based monitoring of system interactions
A security system and method efficiently monitors and secures a computer to defend against malicious intrusions, and includes an in-band software monitor disposed within a kernel in communication with an operating system (OS) of the computer. The monitor intercepts system calls made from an MSR (Model Specific Register), to execute monitoring operations, and subsequently returns execution to the OS. An out-of-band hypervisor communicably coupled to the OS, has read shadow means for trapping read requests to the MSR, and write mask means for trapping write requests to the MSR. The hypervisor includes means for responding to the trapped read and write requests so that presence of the monitor is obscured. |
| US09589130B2 |
Application trust-listing security service
Provided are techniques for controlling access to computing resources comprising generating a first fingerprint corresponding to a first executable file; storing the fingerprint in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium; receiving a request to execute a second executable file on a computing system; generating a second fingerprint corresponding to the second executable file; determining whether or not the first fingerprint matches the second fingerprint; and, in response to determining that the first and second fingerprints match, executing the executable file on the computing system; and, in response to determining that the first and second fingerprints do not match, preventing the executable file from executing on the computing system. |
| US09589129B2 |
Determining source of side-loaded software
A source of side-loaded software is determined. An action may be performed in response to the determination of the source. In one case, the handling of an application on a mobile device may be based on whether the source of the application is trusted or untrusted. If a software application being newly-installed on a mobile device of a user is determined to be untrusted, installation or execution is blocked. In one approach, the determination of the source includes: determining whether a first source identifier of a first application matches a white list of source identifiers or a black list of source identifiers; and sending the first source identifier and a first application identifier for the first application to a different computing device. |
| US09589128B2 |
User trusted device for detecting a virtualized environment
The present invention is notably directed to a method for enabling a computer (101) to boot from a user trusted device (10), the user trusted device (10) comprising a connection interface (12) enabling connection (S2) with said computer (101), the method comprising: enabling (S3) said computer (101) to start booting from the user trusted device (10) upon connection (S2) of the user trusted device with said computer (101) via said connection interface (12); instructing a processor (105) of the computer (101) to execute (S7) virtualization sensitive code and issue (S8) completion data upon completion of execution, which completion data depends on the virtualization sensitive code and its execution by the processor (105); determining (S9-S14), based on said completion data, whether the execution was not performed in a virtualized environment; and enabling (S15) said computer (101) to complete booting from the user trusted device (10) upon determining that the execution was not performed in a virtualized environment. The invention is further directed to a user trusted device enabling this method and to related systems. |
| US09589127B2 |
System and method for collaborative authentication
Systems and methods are disclosed for collaborative authentication of a person based on an interaction with another person. A request for collaborative authentication is sent to the computing device of a person wanting to access a system, including an authentication ID unique to the request. The person collaborates with another person associated with the system and provides the second person with the authentication ID. The second person sends the authentication ID to the system such that the system associates the second person with the first person. Data is sent to the second person in order to challenge the first person. The first person responds to the challenge using the computing device and the system receives the response. The system compares the response to an expected answer and can either allow or deny the first person access to the system based on the comparison. Co-location may also be verified. |
| US09589126B2 |
Lock control method and electronic device thereof
An electronic device having a lockscreen and a method implementing said lockscreen are disclosed herein, the electronic device including a display, a memory, and one or more processors configured to execute the method, the method including displaying a lockscreen pattern on the display including movable points repositionable in response to a drag input, and fixed points that are stationary, detecting drag inputs moving the movable points within the lockscreen pattern, and unlocking the electronic device if the detected drag inputs moving the movable points matches a pre-specified unlock condition stored in the memory. |
| US09589124B2 |
Steganographic access controls
Various features described herein may allow an authorized user to provide a guest with access to a secured location through use of an encoded image containing steganographically encoded access information. The encoded access information may be recognizable by a security system, and the security system may grant access to the secured location when the encoded image is presented to the security system. The authorized user may request the generation of the encoded image on an authorized computing device, and the encoded image may be provided to the guest on a guest computing device. When a monitoring device associated with the security system captures the encoded access information, the security system may, for example, open a door at the secured location. |
| US09589123B2 |
Mobile authentication using a wearable device
A method of providing a user with an option to access a protected system by satisfying a reduced security measure is disclosed. An attempt by the user to access the protected system is detected. It is detected that a first security token system is within a first proximity to the protected system. Based on the detecting of the attempt by the user to access the protected system and the detecting that the first security token system is within the first proximity, the user is provided with the option to access the protected system by satisfying the reduced security measure. |
| US09589122B2 |
Operation processing method and device
A method and a device are provided in the field of network technology. In the method, a first server receives an operation request including a second server identifier and second account information. According to the second server identifier and the second account information, the first server determines whether associated account information is available in a predetermined three-party associating relationship. Upon determining that the associated account information is available, the first server obtains the associated account information for use as first account information. Based on the first account information, the first server responds to the operation request. During the process of providing services for a terminal by the second server, the first server obtains the first account information according to the second server identifier, the second account information, and the predetermined three-party associating relationship. The first server responds to the operations of the terminal based on the first account information. |
| US09589120B2 |
Behavior based authentication for touch screen devices
A method, system, and one or more computer-readable storage media for behavior based authentication for touch screen devices are provided herein. The method includes acquiring a number of training samples corresponding to a first action performed on a touch screen of a touch screen device, wherein the first action includes an input of a signature or a gesture by a legitimate user. The method also includes generating a user behavior model based on the training samples and acquiring a test sample corresponding to a second action performed on the touch screen, wherein the second action includes an input of the signature or the gesture by a user. The method further includes classifying the test sample based on the user behavior model, wherein classifying the test sample includes determining whether the user is the legitimate user or an imposter. |
| US09589118B2 |
Context-based authentication mode selection
A system and method for configuring authentication of a mobile communications device entail detecting user context and device context factors and determining whether a current authentication mode is impractical or unfeasible in view of such factors. User context information of interest includes any indication that the user is driving or in a meeting for example. Context factors of interest include for example such factors as light, noise, or user activities such as driving. Based on this user context and device context, if the currently set authentication mode is impractical or unfeasible, then the device may select an available alternative authentication mode and reconfigure the device for that mode. |
| US09589115B2 |
Obfuscation assisting apparatus
An obfuscation assisting apparatus assists in the obfuscation of a program. The obfuscation assisting apparatus includes an analyzer which identifies corresponding respective blocks in the source code and in the transformed code generated through the obfuscation of the source code. A browser obtains obfuscation information relating to obfuscation of the respective blocks of the source code and the transformed code, and causes an output device to display the respective parts of the source code and the transformed code, and the obfuscation information in association with each other. |
| US09589114B2 |
Policy for digital rights management
This document describes policies for digital rights management that enable distribution of full-function versions of applications that, while fully functional, have functions limited by an associated policy. A policy may be replaced or updated, thereby enabling use of previously limited functions without distribution of another version of the application. |
| US09589112B2 |
Method, device, and system for downloading contents on the basis of a rights verification
The present invention relates to a method, device, and system for downloading contents on the basis of a rights verification. The content download method is performed by a first device, which obtains digital rights management (DRM) information on an asset from asset metadata associated with the asset, obtains DRM capabilities on a second device, performs a rights verification for using the asset through the second device on the basis of the DRM information and the DRM capabilities that are obtained, and transmits a queuing request for staging the asset through the second device on the basis of the results of the rights verification. Thus, to enable the consumption of contents, the rights verification may be performed on the basis of device capabilities and content information, and contents may be stably and effectively downloaded using a target device on the basis of the verified results. |
| US09589108B2 |
Method and apparatus for tracking and disseminating health information via mobile channels
An approach is provided for tracking and disseminating health information. Health information corresponding to a geographic location is caused, at least in part, to be received. Location information associated with a user equipment configured to receive a message specifying content is determined. Whether the location information is encompassed by the geographic location is determined. The message is modified to present a health alert indicator by appending supplemental content to the message or by amending the content. Initiation of delivery of the modified message to the user equipment when the user equipment is in or within a predetermined range of the geographic location is caused, at least in part. |
| US09589107B2 |
Monitoring treatment compliance using speech patterns passively captured from a patient environment
Methods and systems are described for monitoring patient speech to determine compliance of the patient with a prescribed regimen for treating for a brain-related disorder. Patient speech is detected with an audio sensor at the patient location, and speech data is transmitted to a monitoring location. Patient speech is processed at the patient location and/or monitoring location to identify speech parameters and/or patterns that indicate whether the patient has complied with the prescribed treatment regimen. Patient identity may be determined through biometric identification or other authentication techniques. The system may provide a report to an interested party, for example a medical care provider, based on whether (and/or the extent to which) the patient has complied with the prescribed treatment regimen. The monitoring system may transmit a report to a wireless device such as a pager or cell phone, generate an alarm or notification, and/or store information for later use. |
| US09589105B2 |
Securing protected health information based on software designation
Systems, methods, and computer program products to perform an operation comprising receiving, from a first process, a request to access content stored in a memory, determining that the content comprises protected health information (PHI), determining, from a secure table, a set of processes permitted to access the PHI, upon determining the first process is not a member of the set of processes, restricting access to the PHI by the first process, and upon determining the first process is a member of the set of processes, permitting access to the PHI by the first process. |
| US09589104B2 |
Self-improving method of using online communities to predict health-related outcomes
The invention is directed, in part, to method of using self-reported health data in online communities to predict significant health events in life-changing illnesses to improve the lives of individuals and to improve patient self-management. The invention provides a method for providing real-time personalized medical predictions for an individual patient. The method includes: providing a database containing patient information for a plurality of other patients including one or more attributes for each patient in the database; constructing a model of a disease based on disease progressions for the plurality of patients; receiving a request from the individual patient, the patient associated with one or more attributes; and making a real-time prediction for the individual patient based on the mode and the individual patient's attributes. |
| US09589097B2 |
Motion-based design of mechanical objects
There is provided a motion-based design system and a method for use in producing a motion-based design of a mechanical object. In one implementation, such a method includes identifying a motion curve associated with a movement by an articulated structure corresponding to the mechanical object, and mapping the motion curve to a mechanical sub-assembly. The mapping is performed based on a previously characterized trajectory of the mechanical sub-assembly and the similarity of that trajectory to the motion curve. The method also includes utilizing the first mechanical sub-assembly to substantially replicate the motion curve. |
| US09589095B2 |
Method of converting between non-volatile memory technologies and system for implementing the method
A method of designing a charge trapping memory array includes designing a memory array layout. The memory array layout includes a first type of transistors; electrical connections between memory cells of the memory array layout; a first input/output (I/O) interface; and a charge pump. The method further includes modifying the memory array layout, using a processor, to replace the first type of transistors with a second type of transistors different than the first type of transistors. The method further includes modifying the memory array layout, using the processor, to modify the charge pump based on an operating voltage of the second type of transistors. |
| US09589094B2 |
Semiconductor device and layout method thereof
In some embodiments, a semiconductor device includes a cell array, a first region and a second region. The first region surrounds the cell array and has a first pattern density. The second region is between the cell array and the first region. The second region surrounds the cell array and has a second pattern density smaller than a third pattern density of the cell array, which in turn is smaller than the first pattern density. |
| US09589091B2 |
Scalable meta-data objects
A method is disclosed for defining an integrated circuit. The method includes generating a digital data file that includes both electrical connection information and physical topology information for a number of circuit components. The method also includes operating a computer to execute a layout generation program. The layout generation program reads the electrical connection and physical topology information for each of the number of circuit components from the digital data file and automatically creates one or more layout structures necessary to form each of the number of circuit components in a semiconductor device fabrication process, such that the one or more layout structures comply with the physical topology information read from the digital data file. The computer is also operated to store the one or more layout structures necessary to form each of the number of circuit components in a digital format on a computer readable medium. |
| US09589090B1 |
Method and apparatus for performing multiple stage physical synthesis
A method for designing a system on a target device includes entering the system. The system is synthesized. The system is mapped. The system is placed on the target device. The system is routed. Physical synthesis is performed on the system immediately after more than one of the entering, synthesizing, mapping, placing and routing procedures. |
| US09589086B2 |
Method for measuring and analyzing surface structure of chip or wafer
A method for measuring a surface structure of a chip or a wafer is provided that includes obtaining an image of the surface structure of the chip, and then performing an image extraction on the image to convert the extracted image into a first circuit design file. A standard image is selected to convert into a second circuit design file, and then the standard image and at least one target in the image are compared to obtain a difference therebetween. According to the difference, at least one data of the surface structure may be made, wherein the data is selected from one of line edge roughness (LER), line width roughness (LWR), contact edge roughness (CER), critical dimension (CD), bias, 3 sigma, maximum, minimum, etc. and repeating defect. |
| US09589068B2 |
Graph representation of property lookups
An embodiment of an object property management system using a dataflow architecture that expresses an application data as a directed acyclic graph and propagates data through the graph in an ordered, predictable way based on connections between the graph nodes. In one embodiment, the object property management system uses proxy nodes to arrange a dynamic graph for property data propagation for nested properties to allow property relationships to automatically adjust based on changes to a property value within the hierarchy of the property path. |
| US09589066B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for generating a representative view for a multipage compilation of information
A method according to one embodiment includes outputting one page of a multipage compilation of information; receiving a request to show portions of multiple pages of the multipage compilation of information, the request originating from a user input device; selecting the portions of the multiple pages of the multipage compilation of information; generating a view having the selected portions; and outputting the view to a graphical display device. |
| US09589064B2 |
Method, device and system for recommending access IP address of server, server and storage medium
A method, device and system for recommending an access IP address of a server, a server and a storage medium are provided, wherein the method includes: receiving a request for recommending a server from a client, wherein the request for recommending a server includes an IP address of the client and account information of a user of the client; designating the recommended server according to the IP address and the account information; ranking a plurality of IP addresses associated with the recommended server according to ranking parameters so as to generate an IP address list composed of the ranked IP addresses, wherein the IP addresses associated with the recommended server include a local IP address of the recommended server and IP addresses of transit servers which have accessed the recommended server; and sending the IP address list to the client. |
| US09589063B2 |
Two-dimensional code processing method and terminal
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to the field of computer technologies, and disclose a two-dimensional code processing method and a terminal, which can reduce time for a user to learn content indicated by a two-dimensional code, thereby improving a user experience effect. The method provided by the embodiments of the present invention includes: scanning a two-dimensional code using a camera to obtain two-dimensional code information; sending a first request message including the two-dimensional code information to a server, where the first request message is used to enable the server to determine description information corresponding to the two-dimensional code information; receiving the description information sent by the server; and outputting the description information, so that the user determines, according to the description information, whether to acquire detailed information corresponding to the two-dimensional code information. |
| US09589061B2 |
Collecting learning materials for informal learning
A method of collecting learning materials for informal learning may include detecting an addition of an item to a curation. The method may include extracting one or more links in a page referenced by the item. The method may include downloading pages corresponding to the one or more links. The method may include filtering the downloaded pages to generate candidate index pages. The method may also include identifying an appropriate index page from the candidate index pages. The method may further include locating a primary information block in the appropriate index page. The method may also include generating an automated extraction rule configured to direct a system to the primary information block of the appropriate index page. |
| US09589058B2 |
Methods and systems for social matching
Methods and systems are provided for triggering a social match analysis. A user device such as a network connected device scans for one or more entity identifiers via camera, microphone, or wireless signal receiver and initiates a request to a social matching system. The social matching system retrieves attribute information for each of the identified entities and performs a match analysis, scoring the potential matches and noting common attributes. A match analysis report is generated and returned to the originating requesting user device. |
| US09589056B2 |
User information needs based data selection
Techniques for determining user information needs and selecting data based on user information needs are described herein. The present disclosure describes extracting topics of interests to users from multiple sources including search log data and social network website, and assigns a budget to each topic to stipulate the quota of data to be selected for each topic. The present disclosure also describes calculating similarities between gathered data and the topics, and selecting top related data with each topic subject to limit of the budget. A search engine may use the techniques described here to select data for its index. |
| US09589055B2 |
System and method for a modular user controlled search engine
Method and system for delivery of personal search services and advertising. The method includes collecting information from the user about the user's personal search engine, including, but not limited to digital content data sources, link crawl depth of those digital content data sources, and time interval to refresh the index of the digital content data sources created. In one embodiment of the present invention users do not pay a fee in return for allowing the provider to present advertising to the user as the user uses the invention. In another embodiment, advertisers purchase advertising display services from the provider to be displayed to specific users. |
| US09589053B1 |
Method and apparatus for constructing a query based upon concepts associated with one or more search terms
A method and apparatus are provided to efficiently generate a fulsome query in order to increase the recall and/or precision provided by the search. A method may construct a query by receiving the one or more initial search terms and then defining a concept for each search term. In order to define a concept, the method may determine if a concept associated with a respective search term has been previously defined. In an instance in which a concept associated with a respective search term has been previously defined, the method at least initially utilizes the previously defined concept. However, in an instance in which a concept associated with a respective search term has not been previously defined, the method constructs the concept based on terms related to the respective search term. The method may then combine the concepts defined for the one or more search terms to generate the query. |
| US09589050B2 |
Semantic context based keyword search techniques
Provided are semantic context based keyword search techniques. A query with one or more keywords, one or more relevant words, and one or more selected services is received. A general relevance indicator for services in a category is calculated based on keyword relevance indicators of the one or more keywords in the query for each service among services in the category and relevant word relevance indicators of the one or more relevant words in the query for the services in the category. The services in the category are ranked based on the general relevance indicator for each service. In response to determining that at least one of the selected services is not ranked high with reference to the ranked services in the category, at least one of: one or more additional keywords, one or more additional relevant words, and one or more additional services to provide as recommendations are identified. |
| US09589046B2 |
Anomaly, association and clustering detection
Techniques are provided for anomaly, association and clustering detection. At least one code table is built for each attribute in a set of data. A first code table corresponding to a first attribute and a second code table corresponding to a second attribute are selected. The first code table and the second code table are merged into a merged code table, and a determination is made to accept or reject the merged code table. An anomaly is detected when a total compression cost for a data point is greater than a threshold compression cost inferred from one or more code tables. An association in a data table is detected by merging attribute groups, splitting data groups, and assigning data points to data groups. A cluster is inferred from a matrix of data and code words for each of the one or more code tables. |
| US09589041B2 |
Client and server integration for replicating data
Techniques are provided for client and server integration for scalable replication. A replication client transmits change records to a database server over a stream. The database server determines at least one batch comprising change records for at least one transaction. The database server generates dependency data for at least one change record in a batch based on at least one constraint identifier for at least one column. The database server determines an ordered grouping of the change records based on an operation type of each change record and the dependency data of each change record, wherein change records sharing operation types are grouped together unless a division based on the dependency data is determined. The database server generates a reordered transaction comprising a plurality of reordered operations based on the ordered grouping of the change records of the particular batch. |
| US09589034B2 |
Method and apparatus providing omnibus view of online and offline content of various file types and sources
An online service provider (OSP) operates online data centers to store members' data objects relating to various online member services of the OSP. An aggregated catalog lists members' data objects residing in the online data centers and also those residing in member computers' local storage. An aggregator monitors contents of the online storage facilities to detect new storage of prescribed types of data objects owned by the members, and also communicates with member computers to identify prescribed types of data objects newly stored in the respective local storage. The aggregator updates the aggregated catalog to list the newly stored data objects. Responsive to a request by a member, a finder searches the aggregated catalog and utilizes results of the search to provide, for display at the requesting member's computer, a consolidated listing of online data objects and locally stored data objects owned by the requesting member. |
| US09589031B2 |
System for storage, querying, and analysis of time series data
A system for storing time series data includes an ingester that prepares metadata indices associated with blocks of incoming time series data and stores the blocks of data in a time series database and the indices in a separate index database. The time series database distributes storage of the data blocks among multiple data nodes. A query layer receives queries and uses the index database to determine which data blocks are needed to process the query, and then requests only those data blocks from the time series database. Processing of the query is performed within the time series database only on those data nodes that contain relevant data, and partial results are passed to an output layer for formation into a final query result. |
| US09589030B1 |
Query plan generation for common table expressions
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for generating query plans for queries that include common table expressions. One of the methods includes receiving a query that includes a common table expression (CTE), wherein the CTE signifies that a system can compute a result for the query using a query plan that includes a CTE producer operator and a corresponding CTE consumer operator. A first query plan that includes a CTE producer operator and a corresponding CTE consumer operator and a second query plan that inlines an instance of the CTE consumer operator are generated. Respective costs are computed for the first query plan and the second query plan, and a result for the query is computed using the second query plan if the second query plan has a lower cost. |
| US09589027B2 |
Using cross-matching between users and matching against reference data to facilitate content identification
Techniques for identifying video and/or audio content are presented. An identification management component (IMC) groups users determined to be at least potentially be watching the same content based on first content fingerprints associated with respective content viewed by the users on communication devices, and a defined matching criterion. IMC facilitates identifying the content associated with the group of users based on first content fingerprints associated with the group of users and first reference content fingerprints. IMC receives a second content fingerprint associated with a communication device of a user in the group, sends the second content fingerprint to a third-party identification component for comparison with second reference content fingerprints, and receives content identification information in response. IMC identifies the content for the group of users based on the content identification information and/or the content identification made based on the first content fingerprints associated with the group. |
| US09589024B2 |
Mechanism for facilitating dynamic and proactive data management for computing devices
A mechanism is described for facilitating dynamic data management for computing devices according to one embodiment. A method of embodiments, as described herein, includes tracking one or more factors relating to a plurality of data sets, evaluating the plurality of data sets based on the one or more factors. The evaluating may include speculating at least one of relevancy and accessibility of each of the plurality of data sets. The method may further include generating data scores, the data scores being associated with the plurality of data sets based on the evaluation of the plurality of data sets, performing a first comparison of the data scores of the plurality of data sets with a criteria score, and classifying each data set based on the first comparison. The classifying may include setting caching order for each data set of the plurality of data sets. |
| US09589022B2 |
Traversing a SPARQL query and translation to a semantic equivalent SQL
In an approach for semantically translating data. Aspects of an embodiment of the present invention include an approach for semantically translating data, wherein the approach includes a processor selecting a first node. A processor identifies a parent node of the first node. A processor determines that a value of the first node is unknown. A processor responsive to determining that the value of the first node is unknown, annotates the first node to indicate that the first node is at least partially unknown. A processor identifies a common table expression of the first node. A processor determines that the common table expression of the first node matches, within a predetermined threshold, a common table expression of the second node. A processor merges information from the common table expression of the second node with the common table expression of the first node. |
| US09589016B2 |
Materialized query tables with shared data
A computer system can generate a materialized query table (MQT) for data from a base table that has a plurality of rows and columns that each contain stored data. The computer system can receive a query to data stored in a row from the base table. The system can identify a column in the row and determine that data from a cell in the row and the column is above a threshold memory size. The system can generate, in response to determining that the data being above the threshold memory size, an MQT that includes data for the row and that includes a reference pointer that points to a location shared with another table. |
| US09589015B1 |
Enhancing queries for data tables with nested fields
Systems and methods for enabling querying of nested or repeated structures with simple, non-nested group by queries derived from a template. In particular, non-flat tables (e.g., tables with repeated or nested structures) can be queried from a frontend interface as though the tables flat, exposing data associated with the nested structures by way of the non-nest queries. |
| US09589010B2 |
Systems and methods for host detection of USB asynchronous notification capability
Systems and methods for detecting legacy storage devices that may falsely and/or incorrectly report to host systems that they have removable media. Such false or incorrect reporting may cause the host system to periodically poll the storage device as to whether the device is ready for I/O processing. Such polling would be unnecessary and represent a waste of power expended by the host system. In one embodiment, the present system may implement processes that periodically poll storage media and update a database. The database would be a listing of storage devices indicating whether they truly have removable media or falsely report that they have removable media. In another embodiment, the present system may apply some heuristically testing to determine whether a storage device so falsely indicates removable media. In another embodiment, telemetry service may be used by a group of hosts to share data regarding such storage devices. |
| US09589009B2 |
Long-lived data transactions
In one embodiment, a method includes accessing a mapping that represents a correspondence between a column in a source database and a column in a temporary storage table, in response to receiving a data operation request to execute a data operation on a column of the source database. The method further includes changing the temporary storage table by executing the data operation on the temporary storage table and performing a reconstruction operation using data from the temporary storage table and the source database. |
| US09589003B2 |
Sparse datatable data structure
A sparse dataset structure is created by creating column vectors for one or more columns in a dataset that have at least one significant value. Each column vector includes data values for columns of the dataset. Each column vector that is a sparse column vector includes a look-up index array and a value array. Entries in the look-up index array represent columns. The value array includes values for a row in a column. Each entry in the value array points to a row entry in the look-up index array. A side structure includes a row index and a column index. The row index includes a location for an entry for each row where entries point to a location in the column index that identifies a column that has a first significant entry for a row. Alternatively a sparse dataset could be constructed with sparse rows. |
| US09589002B2 |
Content selection for storage tiering
A method, of managing storage of content of a system (400) in storage units (430) including run units which do not allow spin-down functionality and spin-down units which allow spin-down functionality, comprises: establishing a storage tiering rule (702) which sets a policy indicating what content is eligible to be stored on a run unit and what content is eligible to be stored on a spin-down unit, the storage tiering rule being applicable to at least a group of the contents in the content system to determine stored content eligibility thereof for storage in the storage units and migration between the storage units; and identifying candidates of contents to migrate between the storage units (706), based on the storage tiering rule, state of the content system, and the stored content eligibility of the at least a group of the contents. |
| US09588998B2 |
Protecting storage data during system migration
Provided are techniques for determining whether a character code point value of a first plurality of character code point values corresponds to a second character code point value from a second plurality of character code point values, first value associated with a first encoding version and the second value associated with a second encoding. In response to the first value does not corresponding to any of the second character code point values, a determination is made as to whether the value corresponds to a third character code point value of a third plurality of code point values stored in a character value record table (CVRT). In response the value corresponding to the third value, an entry in the CVRT that associates the character with the third value is made; and the character is stored in conjunction with an application associated with the second encoding using the third value. |
| US09588995B2 |
Point in time recovery support for pending schema definition changes
Recovering data to a point in time before pending definition changes are materialized in a relational database management system. One or more definition changes to a database schema are received. Original data base schema attributes are saved as point in time metadata in a catalog table until the one or more definition changes have been materialized. During recovery processing, it is determined for each object being recovered whether the object is being recovered to a point in time prior to which the one or more definition changes were materialized. In response to determining that an object is being recovered to a point in time prior to which the one or more definition changes were materialized, the saved point in time metadata is used for the object in the recovery process. |
| US09588993B2 |
Image display apparatus and control method thereof
An image display apparatus which displays a list of image data, comprises a selection unit configured to select a classification condition of image data; a designation unit configured to designate a sort condition associated with a sorting order of image data; a grouping unit configured to execute grouping of image data according to the classification condition selected by the selection unit; a determination unit configured to determine whether or not to execute the grouping according to the classification condition selected by the selection unit and the sort condition designated by the designation unit; and a control unit configured to control whether or not image data are grouped and displayed in accordance with a determination result of the determination unit. |
| US09588992B2 |
Displaying images interesting to a user
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for displaying images in a user's online page, such as to provide an engaging and interesting user experience. A subset of one or more images is identified from a set that comprises user accessible images. Images for the subset are identified selecting one or more images from the set of user accessible images that meet a desired user interest threshold. The subset of selected images is then loaded onto the user's online page, such as an online service landing page, in an arrangement (e.g., slide show) of the images. |
| US09588990B1 |
Performing image similarity operations using semantic classification
Image similarity operations are performed in which a seed image is analyzed, and a set of semantic classifications are determined from analyzing the seed image. The set of semantic classifications can include multiple positive semantic classifications. A distance measure is determined that is specific to the set of semantic classifications. The seed image is compared to a collection of images using the distance measure. A set of similar images is determined from comparing the seed image to the collection of images. |
| US09588989B2 |
Search systems and computer-implemented search methods
Search systems and computer-implemented search methods are described. In one aspect, a search system includes a communications interface configured to access a plurality of data items of a collection, wherein the data items include a plurality of image objects individually comprising image data utilized to generate an image of the respective data item. The search system may include processing circuitry coupled with the communications interface and configured to process the image data of the data items of the collection to identify a plurality of image content facets which are indicative of image content contained within the images and to associate the image objects with the image content facets and a display coupled with the processing circuitry and configured to depict the image objects associated with the image content facets. |
| US09588987B2 |
Method and system for navigating a map
Method and computer program product for navigating a map in a browser window of a user device via the Internet are disclosed. The method includes providing a first map for showing geographic context of a general area, providing a second map for showing geographic context of a portion of the general area, superimposing the second map onto the first map, wherein the second map is represented by a highlighted area in the first map, and navigating the first map using the highlighted area. The method further includes displaying points of interest inside the highlighted area of the first map and in the second map for assisting a user in navigating to the points of interest, and displaying additional points of interest outside the shaded area of the first map for assisting a user in navigating to the additional points of interest. |
| US09588982B2 |
Method and system for sharing documents between on-demand services
A method for sharing documents between on-demand services is provided. In an embodiment, a user of a first on-demand service may be able to view a list of content that includes content stored at the first on-demand service and content stored at a second on-demand service. The content of the second on-demand service may be associated with information about the content, allowing the content to be shared among multiple users of the first on-demand service. The user wanting to view the content, select or click on an indicator identifying the content, a connection to the second on-demand service is established, and images of the content are sent from the second on-demand service to the first on-demand service. |
| US09588979B2 |
UI techniques for navigating a file manager of an electronic computing device
Techniques are disclosed for a swipe based file manager navigation mode in electronic computing devices, such as a touch screen device. Digital files may be organized in a hierarchical or treelike file manager capable of having multiple directory or folder levels. Folders (or directories) may allow a user to group files into separate collections, and folders may be organized within other folders. In some embodiments, the navigation mode may allow a user to navigate through or access the directory levels of the file manager using vertical swipe gestures. In some such embodiments, a vertical gesture performed to access a child (lower) directory level may have to be performed over the directory or folder to be accessed. As the user navigates through the directory levels, the navigation mode may be configured, in some embodiments, to provide animations. |
| US09588968B2 |
Method and apparatus for acquiring event information on demand
An approach for enabling mobile device users to acquire information regarding events in their proximity on demand is described. An activity processing platform causes, at least in part, an aggregation of activity information associated with at least one device into at least one activity pool. The activity processing platform further processes and/or facilitates a processing of the at least one activity pool against one or more advancement criteria associated with one or more applications, one or more services, or a combination thereof to determine one or more recommendations with respect to the one or more applications, the one or more services, or a combination thereof. |
| US09588963B2 |
System and method of grouping and extracting information from data corpora
A system for annotating words of a data corpus based upon their particular concept and their corresponding grammatical sense with Conceptual Numerical Identifiers (CNIs) from a Conceptual Dictionary, pairing the words based on conceptual inter-relating network (CIRN) rules, and determining if a selected plurality of paired words are grammatically, syntactically, and linguistically correct by matching CNIs from each pair of words. |
| US09588962B2 |
System and method for generating and using user ontological models for natural language processing of user-provided text
A method, system, and computer program product for generating and using a user ontological model for natural language processing of user-provided text, including receiving definitions of user ontological objects and generating user ontological models. A semantic-syntactic tree generated from user-provided text is analyzed. Information objects based on the user ontological objects are generated by the analysis. |
| US09588960B2 |
Automatic extraction of named entities from texts
Disclosed are systems, computer-readable mediums, and methods for extracting named entities from an untagged corpus of texts. Generating a set of attributes for each of the tokens based at least on a deep semantic-syntactic analysis. The set of attributes include lexical, syntactic, and semantic attributes. Selecting a subset of the attributes for each of the tokens. Retrieving classifier attributes and categories based on a trained model, wherein the classifier attributes are related to one or more categories. Comparing the subset of the attributes for each of the tokens with the classifier attributes. Classifying each of tokens to at least one of the categories based on the comparing. Generating tagged text based on the categorized tokens. |
| US09588956B2 |
Parser generation
Generating a data parser for parsing an input stream of data objects includes receiving information representative of a hierarchical data format defining a plurality of objects organized in a hierarchy. The objects include one or more schema objects representing data objects, and one or more container objects each associated with one or more schema objects. The generating also includes processing the received information to form the data parser. The processing includes determining permissible transitions between successive data objects in the input stream, based at least in part on the information representative of the hierarchical data format. The processing also includes associating one or more data operations with each of the determined permissible transitions. The processing also includes storing a specification for configuring a processor to execute the data parser to: (1) recognize a transition between a first data object and a second data object in the input stream, and (2) perform a data operation associated with the recognized transition on a data value within the second data object based at least in part on a context associated with one or more previously recognized transitions. |
| US09588955B2 |
Systems, methods, and software for manuscript recommendations and submissions
A multi-component software system facility matches unpublished academic manuscripts with a list or set of recommended potential “best fit” publications, e.g., journals, e.g., those publications determined most likely to accept the manuscript for publication. Upon selecting from a set of recommended publications a user may electronically upload or submit or transmit the unpublished article or work or manuscript to a target publication review and editing system. The present invention provides a client or web-based interface to effectively integrate word processor and bibliographic management software and other resources, including third-party authority databases. |
| US09588953B2 |
Drag and drop always sum formulas
Inserting a formula at a location on a content surface in a user interface is provided. A user interface showing a status bar which includes one or more predetermined calculations may be displayed on a computer. The computer may receive a selection of a predetermined calculation from the status bar in the user interface. The selected predetermined calculation may then be dragged from the status bar and inserted at a drop location on the content surface in the user interface. The computer may then automatically generate a formula corresponding to the selected predetermined calculation in the user interface. |
| US09588947B1 |
Integrated administrative interface for open network programming applications
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes compiling a schema definition file associated with a non-native application into a command file, the non-native application being executable in connection with a network element; creating at least one parse chain for the non-native application; storing the at least one parse chain in a database; and receiving a first command associated with the non-native application from a network administrator. The method further includes parsing the received first command as specified by the at least one parse chain to extract data therefrom; and presenting the extracted data to the non-native application, in which the extracted data is formatted as specified in the associated schema definition file prior to the presenting. |
| US09588943B2 |
Real-time shared web browsing among social network contacts
A determination is made that each of at least two social network contacts involved in a social messaging interaction initiate a separate web search associated with the social messaging interaction. A separate set of web search results returned to each of the at least two social network contacts is captured in association with each initiated separate web search. A combined live search results view that includes each captured separate set of web search results is provided to each of the at least two social network contacts. The combined live search results view provides navigation to web content returned to other social network contacts. |
| US09588942B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
An image processing apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive specification of a plurality of material electronic documents and an instruction on generation of an integrated electronic document based on the plurality of material electronic documents, a display unit configured to, when the reception unit receives the instruction, display on a display unit a setting screen for receiving setting on the generation of the integrated electronic document from the plurality of material electronic documents before the integrated electronic document is generated, and a generation unit configured to, based on the setting received via the setting screen, generate the integrated electronic document from the plurality of material electronic documents. |
| US09588932B2 |
Storage control devices and invoking method thereof
A storage control device comprises a storage control module and a memory module. The storage control module is coupled between a central processing unit and a plurality of hard disk drives. The memory module is coupled with the storage control module and keeps a plurality of configuration files and a firmware for being executed by the storage control module. In one embodiment, the storage control module comprises at least one general-purpose input/output (GPIO) port and selects, according to whether the GPIO port is at a logical high or low electric potential, one of the configuration files to configure the firmware. The selected configuration file is invoked from a memory area of the memory module. In one embodiment, the storage control device further comprises at least one jumper point and selects, according to an open/close status of the jumper point, one of the configuration files to configure the firmware. |
| US09588930B2 |
Method for the data exchange between a terminal and a chip card
A method includes exchanging data between a chip card and a terminal in a contact-based manner via a contact field. The method comprises the steps of: activating a first contact assignment in response to a first communication protocol present on the contact field and occupying a first part of contact surfaces of the contact field; recognizing a change of the communication protocol from a first communication protocol to a second communication protocol with a protocol recognition unit in the chip card; and activating a second contact assignment in response to the recognized second communication protocol occupying a second part of contact surfaces of the contact field. The first and the second part of contact surfaces of the contact field are selected from an ISO-7816-2 contact field having a maximum of six contact surfaces and the second communication protocol requires at least two data lines. |
| US09588928B1 |
Unique packet multicast packet ready command
A method of performing an unique packet multicast packet ready command (unique packet multicast mode operation) is described herein. A packet ready command is received from a memory system via a bus and onto a network interface circuit. The packet ready command includes a multicast value. A communication mode is determined as a function of the multicast value. The multicast value indicates a plurality of packets are to be communicated to a plurality of destinations by the network interface circuit, and each of the plurality of packets are unique. A free packet command is output from the network interface circuit onto the bus. The free packet command includes a Free On Last Transfer (FOLT) value that indicates that the packets are to be freed from the memory system by the network interface circuit after the packets are communicated to the network interface circuit. |
| US09588924B2 |
Hybrid request/response and polling messaging model
A hybrid messaging model including a method that sends a first request message from a control process executing on a computer to a plurality of subordinate processes. The first request message directs the subordinate processes to enter a first state. An expected state is set equal to the first state in response to sending the first request message. A status message, including the expected state, is periodically broadcast from the control process to the plurality of subordinate processes. At least one confirmation message is received from each of the subordinate processes confirming that the subordinate process is in the expected state. Each of the confirmation messages is responsive to either the first request message or to the status message. A second request message is sent from the control process to the plurality of subordinate processes in response to receiving at least one confirmation message from each of the subordinate processes. |
| US09588923B2 |
Flow pinning in a server on a chip
Various embodiments provide for a system on a chip or a server on a chip that performs flow pinning, where packets or streams of packets are enqueued to specific queues, wherein each queue is associated with a respective core in a multiprocessor/multi-core system or server on a chip. With each stream of packets, or flow, assigned to a particular processor, the server on a chip can process and intake packets from multiple queues from multiple streams from the same single Ethernet interface in parallel. Each of the queues can issue interrupts to their assigned processors, allowing each of the processors to receive packets from their respective queues at the same time. Packet processing speed is therefore increased by receiving and processing packets in parallel for different streams. |
| US09588920B1 |
Method and system for port trunking
Methods and systems for sending and receiving information in a network are provided. The method includes configuring a port trunk as a PCI-Express function by an adapter, where the port trunk includes a plurality of network links that couple an adapter port to a port of another device; configuring the port of the other device for using the port trunk for sending and receiving information to and from the adapter port; transferring data by the adapter port on a same link for a write operation belonging to a same transaction for writing the data at a storage location; and receiving a confirmation for completing the write operation from the port of the other device after the data is written at the storage location, where the port of the other devices also uses a same link for sending information to the adapter port for the same transaction. |
| US09588918B2 |
Storage control devices and method therefor to invoke address thereof
A storage control device comprises storage control and memory modules coupled with each other. The memory module keeps a first Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) address. In one embodiment the memory module further keeps a firmware which the storage control module executes to invoke the first SAS address to facilitate data communication. To invoke the first SAS address, in one embodiment the storage control module fetches a bit string from the memory module. The bit string is written into a data structure that is returned to the storage control module when it is determined that the bit string is a SAS address. In one embodiment the memory module further keeps a configuration file which the storage control module invokes to operate. The configuration file comprises a second SAS address, which is not invoked by the storage control module unless the bit string is not a SAS address. |
| US09588906B2 |
Removing cached data
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for removing cached data. The method comprises determining activeness of a plurality of divided lists; ranking the plurality of divided lists according to the determined activeness of the plurality of divided lists. The method comprises removing a predetermined amount of cached data from the plurality of divided lists according to the ranking result when the used capacity in the cache area reaches a predetermined threshold. Through embodiments of the present invention, the activeness of each divided list may be used to wholly measure the heat of access to the cached data included by each divided list, and upon removal, the cached data with lower heat of access in the whole system can be removed and the cached data with higher heat of access in the whole system can be retained so as to improve the read/write rate of the system. |
| US09588899B2 |
Sending packets using optimized PIO write sequences without sfences
Method and apparatus for sending packets using optimized PIO write sequences without sfences. Sequences of Programmed Input/Output (PIO) write instructions to write packet data to a PIO send memory are received at a processor supporting out of order execution. The PIO write instructions are received in an original order and executed out of order, with each PIO write instruction writing a store unit of data to a store buffer or a store block of data to the store buffer. Logic is provided for the store buffer to detect when store blocks are filled, resulting in the data in those store blocks being drained via PCIe posted writes that are written to send blocks in the PIO send memory at addresses defined by the PIO write instructions. Logic is employed for detecting the fill size of packets and when a packet's send blocks have been filled, enabling the packet data to be eligible for egress. |
| US09588894B2 |
Store cache for transactional memory
A method to merge one or more non-transactional stores and one or more thread-specific transactional stores into one or more cache line templates in a store buffer in a store cache. The method receives a thread-specific non-transactional store address and a first data, maps the store address to a first cache line template, and merges the first data into the first cache line template, according to a store policy. The method further receives a thread-specific transactional store address and a second data, maps the thread-specific store address into a second cache line template, according to a store policy. The method further writes back a copy of a cache line template to a cache and invalidates a third cache line template, which frees the third cache line template from a store address mapping. |
| US09588893B2 |
Store cache for transactional memory
A method to merge one or more non-transactional stores and one or more thread-specific transactional stores into one or more cache line templates in a store buffer in a store cache. The method receives a thread-specific non-transactional store address and a first data, maps the store address to a first cache line template, and merges the first data into the first cache line template, according to a store policy. The method further receives a thread-specific transactional store address and a second data, maps the thread-specific store address into a second cache line template, according to a store policy. The method further writes back a copy of a cache line template to a cache and invalidates a third cache line template, which frees the third cache line template from a store address mapping. |
| US09588892B2 |
Data access method in a storage architecture
A method for generating a virtual volume (VV) in a storage system architecture. The architecture comprises a host and one or more disk array subsystems. Each subsystem comprises a storage controller. One or more of the subsystems comprises a physical storage device (PSD) array. The method comprises the following steps: mapping the PSD array into a plurality of media extents (MEs), each of the MEs comprises a plurality of sections; providing a virtual pool (VP) to implement a section cross-referencing function, wherein a section index (SI) of each of the sections contained in the VP is defined by the VP to cross-reference VP sections to physical ME locations; providing a conversion method or procedure or function for mapping VP capacity into to a VV; and presenting the VV to the host. A storage subsystem and a storage system architecture performing the method are also provided. |
| US09588890B2 |
Electronic device including a semiconductor memory and method for fabricating the same
The disclosed technology provides an electronic device includes a semiconductor memory that includes a first contact plug over a substrate; an interlayer dielectric layer located over the first contact plug and having a hole which exposes at least a portion of the first contact plug; a first electrode layer formed along a sidewall and a bottom surface of the hole to be in contact with the first contact plug; a variable resistance layer over the first electrode layer and structured to include (1) a first portion that extends along the sidewall of the hole in a direction perpendicular to the substrate and exhibits a variable resistance and (2) a second portion that is parallel to the bottom surface of the hole and does not exhibit a variable resistance, and a second electrode layer formed over the variable resistance layer. |
| US09588883B2 |
Flash memory system
A method and system for controlling an MBC configured flash memory device to store data in an SBC storage mode, or a partial MBC storage mode. In a full MBC storage mode, pages of data are programmed sequentially from a first page to an Nth page for each physical row of memory cells. Up to N virtual page addresses per row of memory cells accompany each page to be programmed for designating the virtual position of the page in the row. For SBC or partial MBC data storage, a flash memory controller issues program command(s) to the MBC memory device using less than the maximum N virtual page addresses for each row. The MBC memory device sequentially executes programming operations up to the last received virtual page address for the row. |
| US09588879B2 |
Usability testing
Methods, computer-readable media, and systems are provided for usability testing. Usability testing can include recording, via a testing toot, actions of a user of an application and interactions of the user with the application. Usability testing can also include comparing, via the testing tool, the actions and interactions of the user with a baseline flow of actions for the application. Usability testing can include identifying, via the testing tool, a usability problem with the application based on the comparison. |
| US09588876B2 |
Estimating likelihood of code changes introducing defects
Information about a failed build of a computer software project under development can be accessed, where the information describes symptoms of the failed build. Committed change collections can be identified as collections that were committed since a previous successful build of the computer software project. Also, respective scores for the committed change collections can be produced. Each score can represent an estimate of a likelihood that an associated one of the committed change collections is at least a partial cause of the build failure. |
| US09588871B1 |
Method and system for dynamic business rule extraction
The invention relates to a method and system for discovering and documenting the business knowledge contained in the functions of each program of existing software applications as expressed in the source code of each program using a novel method of dynamic business rule extraction that overcomes the inherent limitations of previous methods. The novelty of the method results from the deterministic relationship between program functions and the program code executed to perform each function as revealed by empirical analysis of the actual code execution, hence “dynamic” business rule extraction. This compares to previous methods which utilized a manual process, a fully automated process, and/or a process of analysis against the non-executing source code of each programs in which the analyst must infer the execution path, hence “static” business rule extraction. Furthermore, dynamic business rule extraction can deliver results without errors or omissions and document forensically that it has done so. |
| US09588870B2 |
Time travel debugging for browser components
Various technologies described herein pertain to performing time travel debugging. A computer-executable program can be executed. The computer-executable program can be executable under control of a virtual machine. The virtual machine can interact with a browser system during execution of the computer-executable program. Moreover, nondeterministic events can be logged via an interrogative virtual machine interface (VMI) during the execution of the computer-executable program. The nondeterministic events can be logged as part of event logs. Moreover, the interrogative VMI is between the virtual machine and the browser system. Further, snapshots of the virtual machine can be captured during the execution of the computer-executable program. The snapshots can be captured via the interrogative VMI. At least a portion of the execution of the computer-executable program can be replayed based at least in part on a snapshot and at least a portion of the event logs. |
| US09588869B2 |
Computer implemented system and method of instrumentation for software applications
A method(s) and system(s) of monitoring and logging of various identified events of the operating system or the software application hosted on the operating system is disclosed. The method includes configuring the events associated with at least one event handler for monitoring. The method further includes assigning the at least one event handler to active processes of an operating system for handling of the events. Further, the method includes capturing of events by a different daemons and collecting the captured events. To this end, the captured similar events are grouped in one or more groups. The method further includes filtering of collected events based on a definable filter configuration and generating a dashboard representation of the filtered events. The dashboard representations of filtered events are then reported to the user. |
| US09588860B2 |
Systems and methods for random number generation using a fractional rate clock
Systems and methods are provided for generating a pseudo-random bit sequence at an output frequency using a clock signal operating at a first frequency that is lower than the output frequency. A first bit sequence of a particular type is generated using a clock signal operating at a first frequency. A second bit sequence is generated using the clock signal operating at the first frequency, where the second bit sequence is a delayed version of the first bit sequence. A delayed version of the first bit sequence is generated using the second bit sequence and another bit sequence, wherein the delayed version is delayed based on the particular type and a difference between the output frequency and the first frequency. The first bit sequence and the delayed version are combined to generate a pseudo-random bit sequence at the output frequency. |
| US09588859B2 |
Detecting circuit and related circuit detecting method
A detecting circuit includes: a testing signal generator, arranged to selectively generate a testing signal having a first signal edge or a second signal edge to a connecting port; and a detector, arranged to detect a first detect signal on the connecting port after the testing signal having the first signal edge is coupled to the connecting port, and to detect a second detect signal on the connecting port after the testing signal having the second signal edge is coupled to the connecting port; wherein the detector is further arranged to determine if an external circuit element is coupled between the connecting port and a reference voltage according to the first detect signal and the second detect signal. |
| US09588858B2 |
Periodic data replication
Systems and methods for replicating data from a production server to a backup server include recording at least one operation on one or more data items stored in a volume of a production server. The operation may be recorded as at least one journal event in a memory. A determination may then be made regarding whether a system malfunction incident has occurred in the production server and if so, a first set of journal events may be transferred from the memory to an auxiliary storage at a first time instant. At a second time instant, a second set of journal events recorded in the memory between the first and second time instants may be transferred to the auxiliary storage. At one journal event stored in the auxiliary storage unit may then be sent for replication to a backup server. |
| US09588856B2 |
Restoring redundancy in a storage group when a storage device in the storage group fails
Provided are a system, computer program, and method for restoring redundancy in a storage group when a storage device in the storage group fails. In response to detecting a failure of a first storage device in a storage group, wherein the storage group stores each of a plurality of extents in the first storage device and a second storage device to provide redundancy, a determination is made whether a spare storage device that has a storage capacity less than that of the storage group. One of the extents in a storage location in the second storage device that is beyond an upper limit of positions in the spare storage device is moved to a new storage location. The spare drive is incorporated into the storage group to provide redundant storage for the storage group, wherein the extents in the storage group are copied to the spare drive. |
| US09588854B2 |
Systems and methods for a secondary website with mirrored content for automatic failover
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a secondary website with content mirrored from a primary website. One method includes accessing a generated primary website provided by one or more primary servers; generating a secondary website based on the generated primary website; storing the secondary website on a secondary server; and providing the secondary website from the secondary server when primary website is unavailable. |
| US09588849B2 |
Synchronizing selected portions of data in a storage management system
Disclosed methods and systems leverage resources in a storage management system to partially synchronize primary data files based on synchronizing selected portions thereof without regard to changes that may be occurring in other non-synchronized portions. Accordingly, a number of primary data files may be partially synchronized by synchronizing designated portions thereof via auto-restore operations from backup data. This approach relies on storage management resources to designate portions of source data that is to be kept synchronized across any number of targets; detect changes to the designated portions; back up changes to secondary storage; and distribute the changes from secondary storage to the associated targets, with minimal impact to the primary data environment. The approach may be mutually applied, so that changes in any one of an associated group of source data files may be likewise detected, backed up, and distributed to the other members of the group. |
| US09588845B2 |
Processor that recovers from excessive approximate computing error
A processor includes a storage configured to receive a snapshot of a state of the processor prior to performing a set of computations in an approximating manner. The processor also includes an indicator that indicates an amount of error accumulated while the set of computations is performed in the approximating manner. When the processor detects that the amount of error accumulated has exceeded an error bound, the processor is configured to restore the state of the processor to the snapshot from the storage. |
| US09588844B2 |
Checkpointing systems and methods using data forwarding
In one aspect, the invention relates to a fault tolerant computing system. The system includes a primary virtual machine and a secondary virtual machine, wherein the primary and secondary virtual machines are in communication, wherein the primary virtual machine comprises a first checkpointing engine and a first network interface, wherein the secondary virtual machine comprises a second network interface, wherein the first checkpointing engine forwards a page of memory of the primary virtual machine to the second virtual machine such that the first checkpointing engine can checkpoint the page of memory without pausing the primary virtual machine. |
| US09588842B1 |
Drive rebuild
A system and method for efficiently distributing data among multiple storage devices. A data storage array receives read and write requests from multiple client computers. The data storage array includes multiple storage devices, each with multiple allocation units (AUs). A storage controller within the data storage array determines a RAID layout for use in storing data. In response to determining a failure of a first AU, the storage controller begins reconstructing in a second AU the data stored in the first AU. For read and write requests targeting data in the first AU, the request is serviced by the first AU responsive to determining no error occurs when accessing the first AU. |
| US09588837B2 |
Generating a fault tree
A method, computer program product, and system that discards unneeded elements when generating a fault tree of an object to be analyzed. Configuration information identifies a plurality of functional blocks comprised by the object and a plurality of signal lines that connect the functional blocks in logical relationships. Exclusion target information identifies a signal line that may be excluded from the plurality of signal lines without loss of information or a functional block that may be excluded from the plurality of functional blocks without loss of information. Exclusion of a block or signal line may be determined by detecting a redundant functional block or by detecting a circular signal path traversed by two or more signal lines. The generated fault tree omits the excluded block or signal line and identifies the existence of a redundant block or of a circular signal path. |
| US09588836B2 |
Component-level fault detection in virtualized information handling systems
Methods and systems for modular system awareness in virtualized information handling systems (IHSs) include generating, by a chassis management controller (CMC), dependency information indicating which ones of modular IHSs included in a chassis are dependent on individual shared components in the chassis. When a fault occurs at one of the shared components, the CMC may determine, using the dependency information, which particular ones of the modular IHSs are operationally dependent on the fault. The CMC may send information indicative of the fault and of the dependent modular IHSs to a virtual machine manager, which may generate a ranking of virtual machines. The virtual machine manager may use the rankings to make migration decisions for virtual machines among modular IHSs. |
| US09588835B2 |
Enterprise level data element review systems and methodologies
An enterprise level data element review system including a data access event collection subsystem operative to collect data access event notifications relating to ones of a multiplicity of data elements, a data element metadata modification subassembly receiving an output from the data access event collection subsystem and providing a script indicating which data elements have had a metadata modification over a given period of time, and a data element dancer operative to collect at least one of metadata and access permissions for a plurality of data elements which is substantially less than the multiplicity of data elements and is selected on the basis of the script. |
| US09588833B2 |
Information processing system monitoring apparatus, monitoring method, and monitoring program
Provided is a method of detecting a warning sign indicating the occurrence of a system failure targeting a plurality of varied information processing systems. A system for monitoring a plurality of monitored systems receives measured values regarding a plurality of indexes, designates, from a plurality of prediction models, a prediction model for predicting a future measured value from the measured value that was received regarding a reference index, predicts a predicted value of the reference index based on the designated prediction model, generates or updates a Bayesian network targeting the reference index and a target index, and calculates a probability that a measured value of the target index will become a predetermined value or fall within a predetermined value range. |
| US09588825B2 |
System and methods of communicating events between multiple applications
A system and methods of communicating events includes detecting, on a code space of an application, an event at the application; transmitting the detected event from the application to an embedded application, the embedded application being embedded in the application; and triggering the detected event on an event aggregator of the embedded application based upon data associated with the detected event. |
| US09588822B1 |
Scheduler for data pipeline
Methods and systems for using a scheduler in a data pipeline are disclosed. A plurality of objects in a first layer are created, each representing a respective regularly scheduled task. A plurality of objects in a second layer are created, each representing a respective scheduled instance of a regularly scheduled task. It is determined whether each object in the second layer is ready to execute. For at least one object in the second layer, it is determined if the object has received notifications from any objects on which it depends. For each object that is ready to execute, the regularly scheduled task associated with the object is performed. For each object that is not ready to execute, the object is put to sleep. |
| US09588820B2 |
Cloud architecture recommender system using automated workload instrumentation
A method, system, and computer program product for of configuring cloud computing platforms. One such method serves for recommending alternative computing architectures for a selected application using automated instrumentation of the application under an abstracted workload. The method commences by measuring workload characteristics of the selected application using pre-determined performance parameters. Additional performance parameters to be measured are selected based on previous measurements, and further analysis includes instrumenting the application to provide measurement instruments corresponding to the respective selected additional performance parameters. Such hardware- or software-based instruments are used for determining a baseline set of performance metrics by measuring the performance of the selected application on a first (e.g., currently-in-use) computing architecture, then, measuring the performance of the application on other proposed computing architectures. Charts and reports are used for comparing the performance of the selected application on the currently-in-use architecture to any of the other proposed computing architectures. |
| US09588819B2 |
System and method of assigning requests to resources using constraint programming
A data model for application to a constraint programming solver is generated. The data model includes a set of data model elements. A particular data model element corresponds to a particular request. The particular data model element also corresponds to one or more resources that may be assigned to the request. The data model also includes a set of constraints. One or more sort/search algorithms may be applied with the data model to the constraint programming solver. The sort/search algorithms may direct the constraint programming solver to output certain preferred assignments of resources to requests. |
| US09588818B2 |
Parallel computer system and method for allocating jobs to calculation nodes
A parallel computer system includes a plurality of calculation nodes and a job management apparatus to allocate jobs to the plurality of calculation nodes. The job management apparatus includes a controller to execute a process including searching a vacant resource generated as a result of job allocation, the vacant resource including one or more of the plurality of calculation nodes each having a vacant state in a range between current time and a scheduled start time point of a certain allocated job, retrieving the job allocatable to the vacant resource, from the unallocated jobs when the vacant resource is found, and allocating the retrieved job to the vacant resource. |
| US09588807B2 |
Live logical partition migration with stateful offload connections using context extraction and insertion
An approach is provided in which a migration agent receives a message to migrate a virtual machine from a first system to a second system. The first system extracts hardware state data stored in a native format from a memory area located on first system's network adapter. The hardware state data is utilized by the first system's network adapter to process data packets generated by the virtual machine. Next, the virtual machine is migrated to the second system, which includes copying the extracted hardware state data from the first system to the second system. In turn, the second system configures a corresponding second network adapter by writing the copied hardware state data to a memory located on the second network adapter. |
| US09588804B2 |
System and method for synchronous task dispatch in a portable device
A portable computing device synchronously offloads tasks from a first processing resource to an alternative processing resource. Offload requests are centralized and communicated to a dispatch controller. The request defines the alternative processing resource and the location of items in a common or shared memory related to a thread that is desired to be transferred or dispatched from the primary processing resource to the identified alternative processing resource. The dispatch controller, in response to the request, creates a task dispatch packet that provides the information required to switch the context of the thread that was previously executing on the primary processing resource to the alternative processing resource. The common or shared memory space is leveraged to provide desired performance. Results generated by the alternative processing resource are available in the shared memory space upon return to the primary processing resource. |
| US09588798B2 |
Software safe shutdown system, software safe shutdown method, and program to prevent a problem caused by a system failure
Provided is a software safe shutdown system, comprising: an OS anomalous shutdown detection unit, which detects that an operating system of a virtual machine which is executed by a computer system has had an anomalous shutdown due to a memory leak; a memory resource securing unit which secures, from among a usable memory resource within the computer system, a memory resource which is necessary to recover a console function of the anomalously shutdown virtual machine; and a console acquisition unit which allocates the secured memory resource to the anomalously shutdown virtual machine, and which, after recovering the console function, normally shuts down the virtual machine using the console function. |
| US09588793B2 |
Creating new virtual machines based on post-boot virtual machine snapshots
Systems and methods for creating new virtual machines based on post-boot virtual machine snapshots. An example method may include: receiving a request to create a new virtual machine, identifying, in view of the request, a virtual machine snapshot, the virtual machine snapshot including one or more elements of an initialized virtual machine, determining an update efficiency metric with respect to the virtual machine snapshot, and in response to a determination that the update efficiency metric reflects that updating the virtual machine snapshot is relatively more efficient than creating a new virtual machine in lieu of the virtual machine snapshot, creating the new virtual machine in view of the virtual machine snapshot. |
| US09588792B2 |
Method and system for sorting and bucketizing alerts in a virtualization environment
An architecture for sorts and bucketizes alerts in a virtualization environment. A plurality of alerts associated with virtual machines in the virtualization environment is received. A plurality of attributes is identified for the virtual machines, and a plurality of buckets defined for each attribute, into which the received alerts are assigned. The buckets for each attribute are then sorted. The attributes may also be sorted based upon the distribution of alerts in the buckets of the attribute, allowing a system administrator or other personnel to more easily determine which attributes of the virtual machines are correlated with the received alerts, in order to identify potential causes and solutions for the alerts in the virtualization environment. |
| US09588788B1 |
Optimized communication between program components executing in virtual machines
Communication between program components executing in different virtual machines on the same physical computer may be optimized utilizing various mechanisms. A virtual machine manager may be configured to route network communications between virtual machines on the same physical host through a memory buffer. The virtual machine manager might also be configured to provide a shared memory and/or a shared data structure for enabling data communication between program components executing in different virtual machines on the same physical computing device. Mechanisms might also be implemented in order to prevent inconsistent read and/or write operations from being performed on the shared memory and/or the shared data structure. Mechanisms might also be implemented to minimize copying of a memory buffer, shared memory, and/or shared data structure. |
| US09588787B2 |
Runtime virtual process creation for load sharing
Methods and systems for managing execution of processes in virtual environments are disclosed. One method includes creating a virtual process from a process executing on a first virtual machine, and transferring the virtual process from the first virtual machine to a second virtual machine. The method also includes executing the virtual process on the second virtual machine, and, after the virtual process completes, removing the virtual process from the second virtual machine. |
| US09588783B1 |
Method and apparatus for referencing between three dimensional computer-generated virtual environments
References between three dimensional computer-generated virtual environments may be used to enable objects, activities, and Avatars to move between and within multiple virtual environments hosted by multiple different virtual environment servers/server systems. Links may be used to reference particular locations and orientations within target virtual environments. Vistas may also be created to allow a view into a target virtual environment to be presented to a user in a resident virtual environment. Links and vistas may be combined to create portals, whereby a user may be presented with a view of a target virtual environment in the resident virtual environment. The view of the target virtual environment may be caused to change as the user approaches the vista or moves relative to the vista to make it appear like the user is seeing into the target virtual environment. If the user goes through the vista the link may transport the user into the target virtual environment. |
| US09588781B2 |
Associating command surfaces with multiple active components
The same command surface on a page may be associated with unrelated components and applications. Each of the components registers the commands associated with a shared command surface that they will be utilizing. Each component may utilize an arbitrary number of commands that are associated with the command surface. The command manager acts as a message broker between the components on the page and the command surfaces. When a command that is associated with a command surface is received, the command manager dispatches the command message to the appropriate components. |
| US09588780B2 |
Maintaining state information in a multi-component, event-driven state machine
A method, apparatus and computer program product that allows for maintaining correct states of all sub-components in a state machine, even as sub-components leave the state machine and later rejoin in some previous state. Preferably, this is achieved without requiring the system to remember the states of all sub-components or a log of every event that was fed into the state machine. Thus, the technique does not require any knowledge of the previous state of the sub-components nor the need to preserve a complete log of events that were fed into the state machine. The state machine may be used to enhance the operation of a technological process, such as a workload management environment. |
| US09588779B2 |
Maintaining state information in a multi-component, event-driven state machine
A method, apparatus and computer program product that allows for maintaining correct states of all sub-components in a state machine, even as sub-components leave the state machine and later rejoin in some previous state. Preferably, this is achieved without requiring the system to remember the states of all sub-components or a log of every event that was fed into the state machine. Thus, the technique does not require any knowledge of the previous state of the sub-components nor the need to preserve a complete log of events that were fed into the state machine. The state machine may be used to enhance the operation of a technological process, such as a workload management environment. |
| US09588776B2 |
Processing device
Disclosed herein is a processing device comprising a secured execution environment comprising means for bringing the processing device into a predetermined operational state; and a timer; a communication interface for data communication between the processing device and a remote device management system external to the processing device; wherein the secured execution environment is configured, responsive to an expiry of the timer, to bring the processing device into said predetermined operational state; and responsive to a receipt, from the remote device management system via said communications interface, of a predetermined signal, to restart the timer. |
| US09588774B2 |
Common boot sequence for control utility able to be initialized in multiple architectures
A common boot sequence facility is provided that enables a control utility (e.g., operating system, control program, or other standalone tool, as examples) to be booted in a plurality of configurations without changing the boot sequence. An operating system or other control utility uses the common boot sequence to be able to be booted in either a first architecture configuration that initializes in one architecture, e.g., ESA/390 and then switches to, for instance, another architecture, e.g., z/Architecture, for processing; or in a second architectural configuration that initializes and processes in the another architecture, e.g., z/Architecture. |
| US09588771B2 |
Instruction set architecture-based inter-sequencer communications with a heterogeneous resource
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for directly communicating between an accelerator and an instruction sequencer coupled thereto, where the accelerator is a heterogeneous resource with respect to the instruction sequencer. An interface may be used to provide the communication between these resources. Via such a communication mechanism a user-level application may directly communicate with the accelerator without operating system support. Further, the instruction sequencer and the accelerator may perform operations in parallel. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09588768B2 |
Silent store detection and recording in memory storage
An aspect includes receiving a write request that includes a memory address and write data. Stored data is read from a memory location at the memory address. Based on determining that the memory location was not previously modified, the stored data is compared to the write data. Based on the stored data matching the write data, the write request is completed without writing the write data to the memory and a corresponding silent store bit, in a silent store bitmap is set. Based on the stored data not matching the write data, the write data is written to the memory location, the silent store bit is reset and a corresponding modified bit is set. At least one of an application and an operating system is provided access to the silent store bitmap. |
| US09588767B2 |
Silent store detection and recording in memory storage
An aspect includes receiving a write request that includes a memory address and write data. Stored data is read from a memory location at the memory address. Based on determining that the memory location was not previously modified, the stored data is compared to the write data. Based on the stored data matching the write data, the write request is completed without writing the write data to the memory and a corresponding silent store bit, in a silent store bitmap is set. Based on the stored data not matching the write data, the write data is written to the memory location, the silent store bit is reset and a corresponding modified bit is set. At least one of an application and an operating system is provided access to the silent store bitmap. |
| US09588765B2 |
Instruction and logic for multiplier selectors for merging math functions
A processor includes a front end with logic to identify a multiplier, multiplicand, and mathematical mode based upon an instruction. The processor also includes a multiplier circuit to apply Booth encoding to multiply the multiplier and multiplicand. The multiplier circuit includes circuitry to determine leftmost and rightmost partial products of multiplying the multiplier and multiplicand using Booth encoding. The circuitry includes a most significant bit (MSB) array and least significant bit (LSB) array corresponding to the multiplier. The multiplier circuit also includes logic to selectively enable selectors of the circuitry to find partial products based upon the mathematical mode of the instruction. |
| US09588764B2 |
Apparatus and method of improved extract instructions
An apparatus is described that includes instruction execution circuitry to execute first, second, third, and fourth instructions, the first and second instructions select a first group of input vector elements from one of multiple first non-overlapping sections of respective first and second input vectors. Each of the multiple first non-overlapping sections have a same bit width as the first group. Both the third and fourth instructions select a second group of input vector elements from one of multiple second non overlapping sections of respective third and fourth input vectors. The second group has a second bit width that is larger than the first bit width. Each of multiple second non overlapping sections have a same bit width as the second group. The apparatus includes masking layer circuitry to mask the first and second groups at a first granularity and second granularity. |
| US09588759B1 |
System and method for providing supplemental functionalities to a computer program via an ontology instance
Supplemental functionalities may be provided for an executable program via an ontology instance. In some embodiments, a computer program (e.g., an executable program or other computer program) associated with an ontology may be caused to be run. The ontology may include information indicating attributes for a set of applications. An instance of the ontology may be obtained, which may correspond to an application of the set of applications. Based on the ontology instance, supplemental information may be generated for the computer program. The supplemental information may be related to one or more functionalities of the application to be added to the executable program. The supplemental information may be provided as input to the computer program. The supplemental information, at least in part, may cause the one or more functionalities of the application to be made available via the executable program. |
| US09588758B1 |
Identifying user managed software modules
A method for identifying user managed software modules includes: receiving a request for a directed load of a software module into memory, wherein the request includes an address for storing the software module; storing the software module at the address in the received request; adding a name and an address range of the stored software module to a data structure identifying software modules that have been loaded into memory via directed loads; receiving a query that includes an input module name or an input address range; and responsive to determining that the input module name or input address range of the received query is not stored in one or more data structures identifying one or more software modules that have been loaded into memory without directed loads, searching the data structure identifying software modules that have been loaded into memory via directed loads for the respective query. |
| US09588749B2 |
Configuration transform for application deployment
Creating a deployment package for deploying an application. The method includes identifying a configuration dataset. The method further includes identifying a plurality of target environments. The method further includes transforming the configuration dataset, during build time, for each of the target environments to create a plurality of different configuration datasets corresponding to the different target environments. The method further includes packaging the plurality of configuration datasets with a deployable application entity to create a package that can be deployed to a plurality of different targets to make application deployment across multiple targets more efficient. |
| US09588746B2 |
Compiler method for generating instructions for vector operations on a multi-endian processor
A compiler includes a vector instruction processing mechanism that generates instructions for vector instructions in a way that assures correct operation in a bi-endian environment, wherein the processor architecture contains instructions with an inherent endian bias. The compiler uses a code generation endian preference that is specified by the user, and that determines a natural element order. When the compiler processes a computer program, it generates instructions for vector operations by determining whether the vector instruction has an endian bias that matches the specified endian preference (i.e., the inherent element order of the vector instruction matches the natural element order). When the vector instruction has no endian bias, or when the endian bias of the vector instruction matches the specified endian preference, the compiler generates one or more instructions for the vector instruction as it normally does. When the endian bias of the vector instruction does not match the specified endian preference, the compiler generates instructions to fix the mismatch. |
| US09588743B2 |
Semantic-based, service-oriented system and method of developing, programming and managing software modules and software solutions
Methods, systems, frameworks, and software products for building well-defined software modules through aggregation of other similar modules at any depth. The system can provide visual methods of aggregation and nesting of software interfaces within composite software services with an automated runtime platform. Other aspects can include innovative methods for routing the flow of invocation, inter-service communication, and exception handling. Industry standards are leveraged to integrate the methods to any computer system, programming language or software platform. The semantic-based and visual nature of the methods can significantly reduce the complexity of building, maintaining and deploying computer systems and software products. |
| US09588735B1 |
In vehicle feedback device
The disclosure relates generally to an in-vehicle feedback system, and more particularly, to an in-vehicle device with a display or graphical interface that collects driving data and provides feedback based on the driving data. The system may comprise an in-vehicle device that includes a graphical user interface and a processor and a data collection device wirelessly connected to the in-vehicle device. The in-vehicle device may be configured to receive vehicle telematics data from the data collection device and the processor may process the telematics data in real time and cause the telematics data to be displayed on the graphical user interface. The graphical user interface may include a speed display and an acceleration display. |
| US09588727B2 |
Copying apparatus, copying system, control method thereof, and control program thereof
A PC registers in advance PC-assistant copying functions which can be provided by the printer driver for a MFP. The MFP presents, to the user, copying functions including the registered functions. Upon reception of a copy instruction, the MFP determines whether selected functions include a PC-assisted copying function. If the selected functions include a PC-assisted copying function, the MFP transmits, to the PC, scanned image data and a job ticket containing information representing the selected functions. Upon reception of the job ticket, the PC generates a print job for printing the image data on the basis of the job ticket, and transmits the print job to the MFP. |
| US09588726B2 |
Three-dimensional object storage, customization, and distribution system
A method for routing object data that defines a 3-dimensional (3D) object to a 3D printer includes receiving the object data at a server and determining, by the server, object attributes associated with the object defined by the object data. The server searches a database that stores 3D printer attributes for one or more 3D printers capable of printing objects that possess the determined object attributes. If one or more capable printers are identified, the server communicates a list that identifies the one or more capable printers to a user. |
| US09588719B2 |
Communication apparatus, communication method and computer-readable storage medium
Different destination information are assigned to a plurality of services which use a common communication protocol in an application layer, as services provided to a communication partner apparatus with which to communicate via a network. The communication partner apparatus is notified of the assigned destination information and their corresponding services. |
| US09588712B2 |
Systems and methods for migrating data
Various embodiments provide computer program products for migrating data. One embodiment comprises an executable portion that receives, from a first processor, data that is unprotected; an executable portion that utilizes, by a second processor, a peer-to-peer remote copy (PPRC) application to add protection to the data to generate protected data; an executable portion that checks a CRC for the protected data when a request to migrate the protected data is received; and an executable portion that stores the protected data in the protected SCSI LUN. |
| US09588710B2 |
Partial release management
A method, system, and computer program product for managing a partial release for a unit of storage space in a storage facility is disclosed. The method, system, and computer program product include establishing an invocation threshold for initiating a partial release for a unit of storage space. The method, system, and computer program product include establishing a preservation threshold for releasing a fractional amount of the unit of storage space. The method, system, and computer program product include initiating the partial release in response to reaching the invocation threshold. The method, system, and computer program product include releasing the fractional amount based on the preservation threshold. |
| US09588707B2 |
Object storage power consumption optimization
An approach for object storage power consumption optimization in a networked storage environment is provided. In a typical embodiment, a plurality of memory devices are organized into pods having a predetermined number of memory devices and to which redundantly replicated objects are intelligently placed. At least one pod is activated in a read-write configuration, such that data written to the networked storage environment is written to this pod. At least one other pod is a deactivated pod, which has at least one designated memory device in a read-only configuration and a remainder of devices in a deactivated state. Requests for data contained in this deactivated pod are serviced by the designated memory device in the read-only configuration. In some embodiments, the activated and deactivated pods are rotated based on an event. |
| US09588706B2 |
Selective memory dump using usertokens
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for selectively dumping memory by using usertokens to specify an address range from 64-bit storage to be included or excluded from a memory dump. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to reduce the requirement for programs to manage lists of address ranges which represent pertinent data for applications. |
| US09588694B1 |
Storage device optimization
A method and apparatus for implementing a storage optimization process is provided. The method includes identifying a file for storage on a storage device. The storage device determines that the file comprises a file size that exceeds multiple physical disk blocks of the storage device by a fractional value. The file is divided into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion comprises a file size such that the first portion fits entirely within a first single block of the storage device. The second portion comprises a size such that the second portion exceeds a size of a second single block of the storage device by the fractional value. The first portion is stored within the first single block. The second portion is compressed such that a resulting compressed file fits entirely within the second single block. |
| US09588691B2 |
Dynamically managing control information in a storage device
Dynamically managing control information in a storage device, including: querying, by an array management module executing on a storage array controller, the storage device for a location of control information for the storage device, the control information describing the state of one or more memory blocks in the storage device; and issuing, by the array management module in dependence upon the location of the control information for the storage device, a request to retrieve the control information for the storage device. |
| US09588685B1 |
Distributed workflow manager
A method for orchestrating a workflow, including one or more steps, for provisioning a data service on a data storage system, the data storage system including one or more sub-systems, the method comprising orchestrating the execution of the workflow on the data storage system by analyzing the workflow to determine a dependency of each of the one or more steps for provisioning the data service; and based on the dependency of each of the one or more steps, scheduling the one or more steps for execution on the one or more sub-systems of the data storage system, wherein a first step of the one or more steps scheduled on a first sub-system of the one or more sub-systems is scheduled in parallel with a second step of the one or more steps scheduled on a second sub-system of the one or more sub-systems. |
| US09588680B2 |
Touch-sensitive display method and apparatus
An example method includes displaying a first control and a second control, wherein a touch associated with the controls results in moving an indicator through information in a first direction and in a second direction, in response to the detecting a first touch associated with the first control, moving the indicator in the first direction, and in response to detecting a second touch associated with the second control, moving the indicator in the first direction. |
| US09588675B2 |
Document scale and position optimization
Methods for optimizing a scale and position of a document in response to a user input is provided are provided. In one aspect, a method includes receiving an initial input request to scroll a document to a target position of the document, and identifying at least one relevant portion of content at or near the target position of the document. The method also includes adjusting a position and scale of the document while receiving the initial input request to an optimal position and an optimal scale for viewing the at least one relevant portion. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided. |
| US09588674B2 |
Methods and systems for providing an automated split-screen user interface on a device
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a split-screen user interface for a computer device. According to one embodiment, a primary application is displayed on a display associated with the computing device in a first viewing mode. Upon receiving a request from the user to launch to a split-screen operating mode for enabling simultaneous display of multiple applications, the first viewing mode is transitioned to a split-screen view such that the primary application is shown within a first display area and a plurality of applications are shown within a second display area adjacent to the first display area. |
| US09588673B2 |
Method for manipulating a graphical object and an interactive input system employing the same
A method comprises receiving an input event generated when at least one contact is made on an interactive surface at a location corresponding to a graphical object; determining the number of contacts associated with the input event; tracking movement of the at least one contact on the interactive surface; identifying a graphical object manipulation based on the number of contacts, the movement of the at least one contact, and the graphical object type; and performing the graphical object manipulation. |
| US09588671B2 |
Portable apparatus comprising touch screens for browsing information displayed on screen of external apparatus and method for browsing information thereof
A portable apparatus comprising a touch screen for browsing information displayed on a screen of an external apparatus and a method for browsing information thereof are provided. The method includes displaying a link area included in the web page displayed on the screen of the external apparatus on the touch screen of the portable apparatus, in response to a first gesture of a user on the touch screen, magnifying the link area displayed on the touch screen, and in response to a second gesture of the user on the magnified link area transmitting information regarding displaying another web page related to the link area on the screen of the external apparatus from the portable apparatus to the external apparatus. Accordingly, users may browse information displayed on a screen of an external apparatus using a portable apparatus having a touch screen swiftly and conveniently. |
| US09588669B2 |
Sticky messages
Described herein are techniques related to sticky messaging, which enable the use of the content of text and/or multimedia messages outside the context of the messaging inbox of a telecommunications device, such as a mobile phone. An implementation described herein includes posting of the content (e.g., text, image, audio, and video) of a message onto a home screen of the telecommunications device. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US09588663B2 |
System and method for integrating interactive call-to-action, contextual applications with videos
A system and method of delivering an interactive video application includes identifying a hotspot in a portion of a video content. A hypercode object is overlaid on the hotspot at a spatial point. The hypercode object is displayed at a temporal point during playback of the video content. An interactive application is provided to a viewer of the video in response to activation of the hypercode object. |
| US09588661B1 |
Graphical user interface widget to select multiple items from a fixed domain
Disclosed is a method for operating a graphical user interface (GUI). In an edit state, the GUI allows a user to select multiple items from a fixed domain of items that represents a total set from which selections may be made. In a rest state, the GUI allows the user to easily recognize which of the items from the fixed domain are currently selected. In the rest state, the items currently selected are displayed in a read only mode such that user input relative to the items displayed is ignored. |
| US09588658B2 |
Display information controlling apparatus and method
A display information controlling apparatus and method are provided. The display information controlling apparatus may select at least one object from one or more objects based on a location of each of the one or more objects on a display and a location on the display corresponding to a user input signal. The display information controlling apparatus may perform a predetermined operation corresponding to the selected at least one object. |
| US09588656B2 |
Method for automatic display of possible connections and automatic connection of model components of a model of a technical system
A method for automatic connection of model components of a model of a technical system on a computer with a display, wherein the model has a first model component and a second model component. The first model component and the second model component each have at least one hierarchy element, wherein a hierarchy element contains no hierarchy element, or one hierarchy element, or multiple hierarchy elements. A hierarchy element has no port, or one port, or multiple ports, wherein a hierarchy element and a port have an identifier. A connection between two ports represents an assignment in the technical system. A first set of hierarchy elements and/or ports and a second set of hierarchy elements and/or ports is selected through a graphical user action, wherein a possible assignment is tested for a first port of the first set and a second port of the second set. A possible assignment is present if, for the first port and the second port, and ascending from the first port and the second port in accordance with the hierarchy, the identifiers of the hierarchy elements that are at a higher level than the first port and the second port each correspond at equal hierarchy levels up to a predefinable number of hierarchy levels starting from the port, or are evaluated as corresponding in accordance with a predefined rule. If a possible assignment is present, the possible assignment is displayed and/or the first port of the first set is automatically connected to the second port of the second set. |
| US09588654B2 |
Integrated learning using multiple devices
An access code can be generated by a primary device and interpreted by a secondary device for the purpose of presenting, on the secondary device, additional content related to an application running on the primary device. The access code can be a two dimensional graphic or QR code that can be easily captured by a camera unit of the secondary device. Once captured, additional content related to the running application can be identified and displayed on the secondary device. |
| US09588653B2 |
GUI document management system
This invention, a system for managing GUI documents, uses a set of graphical elements provided with computers having a graphical user interface operating system as presentation elements out of which can be made in a truly wysiwyg (what-you-wee-is-what-you-get) interface, multiple single page multimedia documents for presenting digital images, video, animations, graphics, audio, and text in different font faces, styles, and colors and implements functional equivalents of the HTML href (hyperlink) elements. A GUI document management system can be the centerpiece around which a wide variety of computer software applications can be made including collaborative document development systems, training and learning management systems, and document webs comparable to the World Wide Web. When used to develop document webs on the internet, the webs developed are fully read-write, a long sought but never achieved goal of the World Wide Web. GUI documents are also easier and faster to develop than HTML documents. |
| US09588652B2 |
Providing feedback for screen sharing
A method, data processing system and computer program product for sharing displayed content. A content displayed on a source computer system is shared with a set of target computer systems, wherein the content is displayed on a target display on each target computer system in the set of target computer systems. In response to a change in the content displayed on the source computer system, a progress in displaying the change in the content on the target display on the each target computer system in the set of target computer systems is identified. An indication of the progress in displaying the change in the content on the target display on the each target computer system in the set of target computer systems is generated at the source computer system. |
| US09588649B2 |
Data processing device and program thereof
A signal processing unit (11) displays a menu included in AV data on a display (4), when a button included in the menu is selected through a user operation to a touch panel (5), the signal processing unit (11) executes the operation process of the button, and returns a state of the menu to a state before the button is selected if a state where the button is selected continues after the execution. By this means, it is possible to improve usability when a dummy button is selected through operation to the touch panel. |
| US09588648B2 |
Providing history-based data processing
Providing data processing methods is disclosed, including: receiving a request to provide a plurality of data processing methods to a user; obtaining historical data associated with a plurality of historical user selections associated with the plurality of data processing methods, wherein the plurality of historical user selections is associated with the user; determining a plurality of data processing fingerprint aggregate scores corresponding to respective ones of the plurality of data processing methods based at least in part on the historical data; and providing the plurality of data processing methods based at least in part on the plurality of data processing fingerprint aggregate scores. |
| US09588644B2 |
Time-based organization of desktop items
A method and system for time-based organization of desktop items is described. |
| US09588640B1 |
User interface for video summaries
In one embodiment, the User Interface (UI) provides a live stream from the webcam, with markers on the side indicating the stored, detected important events (such as by using a series of bubbles indicating how long ago an event occurred). The indicators are marked to indicate the relative importance, such as with color coding. Upon selection of an indicator by the user, the time-lapse summary is displayed, along with a time of day indication. Alternately, the user can select to have a time-lapse display of all the events in sequence, using a more condensed time lapse, with less important events having less time or being left out. |
| US09588635B2 |
Multi-modal content consumption model
Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided that enable users to interact with displayed content. An extensible user interface (UI) model framework is provided that enables a user device to provide multiple content feedback mechanisms at the same time, such as touch, non-touch, motion, gestures, voice, etc. A user is enabled to choose a most comfortable way for the user to interact with the displayed content using the user device, and an indication of the interaction may be sent to a content provider. The content provider may provide next content for display based on the received feedback. The user device may enable the user to use one or more feedback mechanisms at any time, including a combination of feedback mechanisms. Additional interaction modules can be plugged in to enable any number of additional ways of interacting with displayed content on the user device. |
| US09588634B1 |
Software solution framework system, method, and computer program for allowing interaction with business and technical aspects of a software application
A software solution framework system, method, and computer program product are provided for allowing interaction with business and technical aspects of a software application. In use, an interface is provided to a software solution framework accessible to a plurality of users for interacting with information relating to a plurality of different business and technical aspects of a software application. Input is received from at least one of the users relating to at least one of the business and technical aspects of the software application, utilizing the interface to the software solution framework. Further, in response to the input, output relating to the at least one of the business and technical aspects of the software application is provided, utilizing the interface to the software solution framework. |
| US09588633B2 |
Preventing the inclusion of a reference to a host cell in a formula
Preventing the inclusion of a reference to a host cell in a formula to avoid a circular reference in the formula is disclosed. In some embodiments, an indication of an attempted user gesture for inserting into a formula being entered into a host cell a reference to the host cell is received, and the attempted user gesture for inserting a reference to the host cell is disallowed to prevent a circular reference from being inserted into the formula being entered into the host cell. |
| US09588629B2 |
Classifying input objects interacting with a capacitive button
Embodiments of the invention generally provide an input device that includes a zero-dimensional button that detects whether an input object is proximate to a sensing region. However, different input objects may provide similar responses which may prevent the input device from accurately determining whether the user actually intended to activate the button. In one embodiment, the input device drives a capacitive sensing signal onto a sensor electrode in the capacitive button and measures at least two resulting signals. The input device then derives capacitance values based on the two resulting signals and uses a ratio between the capacitance values to classifying the interaction with the input object. This ratio enables the input device to distinguish between events that have similar capacitive responses and would otherwise be indistinguishable if only one resulting signal were measured. |
| US09588627B2 |
Display device with touch detection function and electronic apparatus
According to an aspect, a display device with a touch detection function includes: a first substrate; a plurality of pixel electrodes in a first region; a display functional layer; a plurality of first drive electrodes facing the pixel electrodes in a perpendicular direction with respect to a surface of the first substrate; and a plurality of touch detection electrodes facing the first drive electrodes and extending in a direction different from a direction in which the first drive electrodes are extended. At least one touch detection electrode of the plurality of touch detection electrodes extends from the first region to a second region adjacent to the first region. A second drive electrode capacitively-coupled to the at least one touch detection electrode is further provided in the second region. |
| US09588617B2 |
Display device having touch sensors
A display device and method are discussed. The display device can include a display panel having a pixel array with touch sensors embedded therein; a display driving circuit that time-divides 1 frame period into a plurality of pixel driving periods and a plurality of touch sensing periods and writes input image data to the pixels block by block during the pixel driving periods; and a touch sensing circuit that drives the touch sensors during the touch sensing periods. The display driving circuit includes a gate driver formed on the display panel. A shift register of the gate driver includes a transistor that supplies a high-potential voltage to a Q node of the shift register in response to a compensation pulse generated during the touch sensing periods. |
| US09588615B2 |
Touch and gesture sensing system and driving method thereof
A touch and gesture sensing system and a driving method thereof are provided. The touch and gesture sensing system comprises: a display panel comprising a pixel array, sensors, and sensor lines connected to the sensors; a display driving circuit that writes a data voltage to the pixels of the pixel array during a display driving period; and a sensor driving circuit that applies a touch sensor driving signal to the sensors to sense touch input during a touch sensing period and applies a gesture sensor driving signal to the sensors to sense gesture input during a gesture sensing period. |
| US09588614B2 |
Touch sensors and touch sensing methods
A touch-sensitive position sensor is disclosed. The sensor comprises an array of first electrodes and an array of second electrodes arranged in a pattern to provide a sensing surface, wherein at least some of the first electrodes and the second electrodes are arranged to follow paths which are non-linear within the sensing surface such that there are ends of the first electrodes and ends of the second electrodes which meet a common edge of the sensing surface. A controller is coupled to respective ones of the first electrodes and the second electrodes and arranged to determine a reported position for an object adjacent the sensing surface by measuring changes in an electrical parameter e.g. capacitance or resistance, associated with the first electrodes and the second electrodes which is caused by the presence of the object. The controller is further operable to provide an indication of the reported position in a first coordinate system defined relative to the first electrodes and the second electrodes, the sensor further comprises a processor arranged to receive the indication of reported position from the controller in the first coordinate system and to transform the reported position to an output position in a second coordinate system, wherein the transform is based on the non-linear pattern of electrodes. Thus, a sensor having electrodes which are distorted so as to meet a common edge may be provided for ease of connectability, with the distortion been accounted for through the transform performed by the processor. |
| US09588612B2 |
Display drive circuit
Provided is a display drive circuit which is connected to a display panel including a gate drive circuit that scans gate electrodes, a source driver that drives source electrodes of the display panel, and a gate control driver that supplies a clock signal to the gate drive circuit. The display drive circuit performs an intermittent operation which is alternately provided with a display period in which the source electrodes are driven and an interruption period during which the display panel is not updated. During a start of the display period following the interruption period, the gate control driver extends a pulse width of the clock signal which is supplied to the gate drive circuit, or preliminarily outputs the clock signal before the start of the display period. |
| US09588601B2 |
Information display apparatus
Information display apparatus has a display panel comprising a display area where pixels of EL element are arranged in matrix, a source signal line supplying an image signal to the pixel, and a gate signal line supplying a signal controlling selection or non-selection of luminescence of the pixel. The display panel has a polarizing plate for polarizing an incident light. The display panel comprises a coordinate detection mark having the characteristics of changing the direction of incident light. |
| US09588600B2 |
Ergonomic computer mouse
Computer mouse for operation of functions when using a computer, comprising a housing (10), and three control means in the form of a primary mouse button (12), a secondary mouse button (14) and a scroll means (16). The primary (12) and secondary mouse button (14) and scroll means (16) is being so arranged interrelated that the primary mouse button (12) is located between the scroll means (16) and the secondary mouse button (14). The secondary mouse button is preferably substantially vertically placed and made of a material or coated with a coating that gives increased friction. |
| US09588597B2 |
Optical pointing device and method for detecting an optical pointing
An optical pointing device for detecting the direction of the user's finger is provided. The optical pointing device comprises a cover, a light source and a sensor. The cover comprises a press portion with a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, as well as a side wall extending downwards from the periphery of the second surface. The light source projects a main beam onto the press portion of the cover. The main beam then forms a first beam passing through the press portion and a second beam reflected by the second surface. The sensor is adapted to receive the second beam reflected by the second surface, and detect the second beam by an algorithm to output the first displacement position. In addition, the light source and the sensor are covered by the cover, while the side wall is a flexible side wall. |
| US09588596B2 |
Handheld electronic device with text disambiguation
Systems, methods, and software can be used to disambiguate an input into a handheld electronic device. In some aspect, one computer-implemented method includes detecting an ambiguous input including one or more selections of one or more input keys; generating one or more prefix objects corresponding with the ambiguous input; generating an output set including at least some of the one or more prefix objects, wherein each of the at least some of the one or more prefix objects is associated with an identified corresponding word object; determining, using a processor, a quantity of prefix objects in the output set is fewer than a predetermined quantity, and, based on the determination, adding as an orphan prefix object to the output set an additional prefix object of the one or more of prefix objects for which a corresponding word object was not identified; and outputting the output set. |
| US09588587B2 |
Systems and methods for generating customized haptic boundaries
A method for generating a customized haptic boundary based on a patient-specific anatomy includes identifying a standard haptic boundary based on a geometry of a virtual implant model to be implanted on the anatomy. The method also includes identifying a reference feature associated with a virtual implant model and determining an intersection between the identified reference feature and a virtual model associated with an anatomy of the patient. An anatomic perimeter at the intersection between the identified reference feature and the virtual model of the anatomy is identified and an one anatomic feature is determined on the virtual model of the anatomy. The standard haptic boundary is modified based on the anatomic feature to generate a customized haptic boundary. |
| US09588584B2 |
System and method for processing touch input
A system and method for processing a touch input. The system includes a touch screen configured to detect a touch on a touch screen panel, an outputter configured to output at least one of a vibration and a sound, a press sensor configured to detect user's pressing the touch screen panel by more than a predetermined strength, and a controller configured to, when the touch is detected where a user interface icon is displayed, control the outputter to output at least one of the vibration and the sound corresponding to the user interface icon, and, when a press on the touch screen panel is detected within a predetermined time after the touch is detected, perform a job corresponding to the user interface icon of location where the touch is detected. |
| US09588583B2 |
System and method for providing substantially stable haptics
A system for providing substantially stable haptics includes at least one computer configured to identify a first subset and a second subset of haptic interaction geometric primitives for a virtual tool. The computer is configured to determine based on the first subset, haptic forces in a first subspace. The computer is also configured to determine based on the second subset, haptic forces in a second subspace different from the first subspace. |
| US09588581B2 |
Composable thin computing device
This disclosure is directed to a composable thin computing device. An example device may comprise at least a device interface module, a communication module, a processing module, a memory module, a composable computing module and a power module. The device interface module may couple the device to an operational environment via at least one of a physical connector or a wireless connection. The communication module may at least one of transmit or receive data via the device interface module. The processing module may process the data. The memory module may store at least a portion of the data. The composable computing module may cause at least one of the above modules to perform certain functionality related to the operational environment. The power module may power at least one of the above modules. |
| US09588579B2 |
Electronic control unit
An electronic control unit includes a microcomputer, a monitoring unit, a clock-generating oscillator circuit, a first power circuit supplying power to the microcomputer, and a second power circuit supplying power to the monitor microcomputer. The first power circuit includes a first switching power source including a first transistor and a first series power source including a second transistor. The second power circuit includes a second switching power source including a third transistor and a second series power source including a fourth transistor. Further, the ECU includes a power control circuit controlling each of the transistors and an oscillation stop detection circuit. When a stop of oscillation is detected, the power control circuit switches ON the second transistor, and switches OFF the fourth transistor, thereby diminishing a no-monitoring period of the microcontroller during a stop of the clock output. |
| US09588576B2 |
Managing processes within suspend states and execution states
One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for suspending logically related processes associated with an application, determining whether to resume a suspended process based upon one or more wake policies, and/or managing an application state of an application, such as timer and/or system message data. That is, logically related processes associated with an application, such as child processes, may be identified and suspended based upon logical relationships between the processes (e.g., a logical container hierarchy may be traversed to identify logically related processes). A suspended process may be resumed based upon a set of wake policies. For example, a suspended process may be resumed based upon an inter-process communication call policy that may be triggered by an application attempting to communicate with the suspended process. Application data may be managed while an application is suspended so that the application may be resumed in a current and/or relevant state. |
| US09588574B2 |
Power saving mode fallback during concurrency scenarios
Embodiments include systems and methods for managing radio power consumption in a mobile communication device. A processor of a mobile communication device may monitor a processing demand of a modem processor in the mobile communication device, and the device processor may compare the processing demand of the modem processor to a demand threshold. The device processor may select a power-saving mode for a radio of the mobile communication device based on the comparing, and the device processor may apply power to the radio based on the selected power-saving mode. |
| US09588568B2 |
Monitoring and managing processor activity in power save mode of portable electronic device
An electronic device and a method operative therein monitor automatic wakeup events that occur during a power save mode. Wakeup events are monitored for respective applications executable within the electronic device. Applications with processing activity during the power save mode are then listed, on the basis of at least the monitored wakeup events. An indication of which apps are consuming battery power during the power save mode can then be obtained. |
| US09588567B2 |
Control apparatus, computer-readable storage medium, and information processing apparatus
A control apparatus that causes data in a first storage unit to be written in a second storage unit, with power supplied from a sub power supply, when supply of power from a main power supply is discontinued, the control apparatus includes a remaining feed duration obtaining unit that obtains remaining feed duration during which the sub power supply can supply the power; and a retry count setting unit that sets a maximum retry count for writing the data from the first storage unit to the second storage unit, based on the remaining feed duration obtained by the remaining feed duration obtaining unit, when an error occurs while the data is being written. |
| US09588566B2 |
Programmable time delay and signal polarity improving transceiver signal-to-noise metric
Suppression of interference across transceivers integrated on a single semiconductor chip. An example of a method of reducing noise in a transceiver includes introducing an adjustable time delay into a signal between a first section of a signal path into which noise may be introduced and a second section of the signal path into which noise may be introduced. The method also includes selectively adjusting the time delay and signal polarity to improve a signal-to-noise metric of the transceiver. An example of the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver also includes an adjustable time delay between a first section of a transceiver signal path into which noise may be introduced and a second section of the transceiver signal path into which noise may be introduced and circuitry for reducing noise by adjusting a value of the time delay. |
| US09588561B2 |
Communication module and terminal for implementing hot plug
A communication module and a terminal include a new-generation mini-peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) interface, a power switch, a charging unit, a delay unit and an ON/OFF control unit. The charging unit, the power switch, the delay unit and the ON/OFF control unit are separately connected to the new-generation mini-PCIe interface. The power switch is connected to the charging unit, and the charging unit is connected to a power source end of the communication module. A universal serial bus (USB) data pin is shorter than a power source pin. Thereby, the communication module and the terminal have stability and reliability. |
| US09588552B2 |
Attaching electrical components using non-conductive adhesive
A touch input device is disclosed. The touch input device includes a touch input medium configured to receive a touch input. The touch input device includes a conductive trace coupled to the touch input medium. The touch input device also includes a transducer electrically coupled to the conductive trace and coupled to the touch input medium via a non-conductive adhesive. |
| US09588543B2 |
Media peripheral interface, electronic device with media peripheral interface, and communication method between processor and peripheral device
A media peripheral interface for communication between a processor and a peripheral device includes a clock port, a plurality of data I/Os, and a data strobe port. The clock port is operative to transfer a clock signal to the peripheral device. The data I/Os are provided for command transfer to the peripheral device and for data transfer to and from the peripheral device. The data strobe port is operative to transfer a data strobe signal to or from the peripheral device according to an instruction that the processor issues to the peripheral device. According to the clock signal, command information transferred via the data I/Os is captured. According to rising edges and falling edges of the data strobe signal, data transferred via the data I/Os are captured. |
| US09588541B1 |
Dual loop regulator circuit
The embodiments described herein relate to an improved regulator circuit technique having a dual-loop configuration with a current regulation loop to provide the transient response and a voltage regulation loop to provide accurate DC voltage regulation. The current regulation loop comprises a pass transistor, a current sensing transistor, a current summation circuit, and a series of current mirrors to provide a fast load transient response current. The voltage regulation loop includes an output voltage feedback network, an error amplifier, a compensation capacitor, and the current sensing transistor and is configured to provide accurate DC offset regulation to diminish output voltage errors introduced by the transient load currents. |
| US09588534B2 |
Communications protocol for intelligent outlets
A control system (300) allows recognized standard premise electrical outlets, for example NEMA, CEE and BS, among others to be remotely monitored and/or controlled, for example, to intelligently execute blackouts or brownouts or to otherwise remotely control electrical devices. The system (300) includes a number of smart receptacles (302) that communicate with a local controller (304), e.g., via power lines using the TCP/IP protocol. The local controller (304), in turn, communicates with a remote controller (308) via the internet. |
| US09588533B2 |
High unity gain bandwidth voltage regulation for integrated circuits
An integrated circuit voltage regulator uses a simple CMOS structure to implement a High Unity Gain BandWidth voltage regulator providing for low voltage ripple at the output of the regulator up to high frequencies in the hundreds of MHz range. A transconductor first stage is followed by an impedance cancellation second stage allowing DC gain to be set completely independently of the bandwidth. |
| US09588531B2 |
Voltage regulator with extended minimum to maximum load current ratio
Voltage regulator with extended minimum to maximum current ratio. In some embodiments, a low-dropout (LDO) voltage regulator disposed within a semiconductor package may include an inner loop; and an outer loop coupled to the inner loop, wherein: the inner loop is configured to control a load response of the LDO voltage regulator and to reduce at least one of: a printed circuit board (PCB) effect on the outer loop, a packaging effect on the outer loop, or a parasitic effect on the outer loop; the outer loop is configured to control a voltage at an output of the LDO voltage regulator; the output of the LDO voltage regulator is coupled to an integrated circuit within the semiconductor package; and the PCB, package, and parasitic effects comprise inductive or resistive effects caused by elements disposed outside of the semiconductor package. |
| US09588522B2 |
Motor controller and motor control method
A motor controller receiving as input an encoder signal changing in response to a driving position of a motor, outputting a motor driving command in response to the encoder signal to control at least one of the driving position or a driving velocity of the motor, includes an interrupt processing section to execute interrupt operations every prescribed interrupt cycle, a low-frequency processing section to selectively execute a subset of the interrupt operations every prescribed number of the interrupt cycles, and a high-frequency processing section to execute another subset of the interrupt operations every prescribed interrupt cycle, wherein the high-frequency processing section executes at least an operation to detect the driving position indicated by the encoder signal, wherein the low-frequency processing section executes at least an operation to generate the motor driving command. |
| US09588521B2 |
Method and device for guiding an aircraft during a low level flight
The guidance device of the aircraft includes a unit for constructing a flight trajectory of the aircraft, which adapts the height of the flight trajectory to a downstream relief so as to allow the aircraft to clear this downstream relief by implementing a rectilinear climb at maximum rate of climb of the aircraft, along a rectilinear lateral direction corresponding to the direction of the aircraft at the moment of the triggering of the maneuver. |
| US09588520B2 |
Positioning navigation method and electronic apparatus thereof
A positioning navigation method and an electronic apparatus thereof are provided. The positioning navigation method is adapted to the electronic apparatus for positioning an indoor environment and includes the following. A movement process is executed from a start position. In the movement process, distance detection is continuously performed by first sensors, orientation detection is continuously performed by a second sensor, and a position coordinate is recorded every first time period. When sensing that a distance between the electronic apparatus and an obstacle falls in a predetermined distance range, a direction changing process is executed. In the direction changing process, the electronic apparatus rotates by a rotation angle, and an intermediate position coordinate is recorded every second time period. After the direction changing process, a position coordinate corresponding to the direction changing process is determined, and the movement process is re-executed. |
| US09588519B2 |
Systems and methods to facilitate human/robot interaction
Short range transmissions are used to identify potential interactions between warehouse workers and warehouse robots in automated warehouses. The robot can be equipped with one or more short range transmission tags, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, while the warehouse worker can be equipped with a short range transmission reader, such as an RFID reader. The robot can detect a warehouse worker that is within range when the RFID tags on the robot are written to by the RFID reader. The warehouse robots and warehouse workers can also be equipped with one or more cameras to identify fiducials in the automated warehouse and to report their positions. A central control or interaction server can ensure that warehouse robots and warehouse workers are routed appropriately to avoid incidents. |
| US09588513B2 |
Remote monitoring system for distant location robot
A robot remote monitoring system (6) which monitors at least one robot (10) at a distant location including at least one robot control device (11), a data server (20), and a mobile terminal (30), wherein a robot control device includes a memory part (14) which stores monitoring information which includes an operating state of the robot and alarm information and attribute information which is linked with the monitoring information and a transmitting part (15) which transmits the monitoring information and the attribute information to the data server together, the data server includes a transmitting part (21) which transmits the monitoring information and the attribute information to the mobile terminal together, and the mobile terminal includes a memory part (33) which stores the monitoring information and the attribute information and a display part (34) which uses the attribute information as the basis to display the monitoring information all together. |
| US09588512B2 |
Setting method of revolutions per minute on real time of spinning cutting tool, and control device
Disclosed is a setting method of revolutions per minute on a real time of a rotating cutting tool, and a control device, and more particularly, a vibration characteristic is consistently evaluated and analyzed when a cutting process is in progress to suppress and avoid suppression. |
| US09588509B2 |
Correction method at time of feed axis reversal
A stick motion correction method which corrects stick motion which occurs at time of reversal of a feed axis of a numerical control machine tool stores a position command to be commanded to a servo motor from an NC program of a numerical control machine tool for each predetermined control period from a current position command to a later position command, calculates a reversal correction command based on the stored position commands, calculates an advancement time for advancing timing of addition of the reversal correction command to a speed or torque command of the motor from reversal timing of the servo motor, based on information obtained from operation of the motor and adds the reversal correction command to the speed or torque command of the servo motor to precisely correct stick motion at a timing advanced from the reversal timing of the servo motor by an exact time. |
| US09588503B2 |
Routing of enterprise resource planning messages
An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) gateway is provided for routing of ERP messages to Manufacturing Execution System (MES) applications. The gateway can receive a message from an ERP system via a manufacturing services bus specifying a business objective requiring action at a control level of an enterprise. The received message can be routed to a selected MES application capable of carrying out the business objective based on attributes within the message. Message routing can be based on location tags contained in the message. The message can also be routed to a selected subset of MES applications based on an analysis of respective capabilities and control contexts of the MES applications. Messages can be routed between the ERP system and the MES applications via the manufacturing services bus, which can manage protocol transformations for a heterogeneous set of applications. |
| US09588502B2 |
Machine tool control device
Provided is a machine tool control device which does not require an operator to enter the execution order of machining programs before testing a machine tool, enabling easy debugging of the machining programs.A machine tool control device (100) sequentially executes a plurality of machining programs (S1, S2) in a unit of machining program block (S1-1, S1-2, S2-1, S2-2) to a wait command (da1-1, da1-2, da2-1, da2-2) in ascending order of the system number (1, 2) of the machining programs (S1, S2) without executing machining program blocks (S1-1, S1-2, S2-1, S2-2) in parallel between the machining programs (S1, S2). |
| US09588501B2 |
Servomotor control device
The servomotor control device includes: an inverter circuit that drives a servomotor; a PWM circuit that outputs a PWM signal to the inverter circuit; a cutoff circuit that receives a safety signal and the PWM signal, outputs the PWM signal to the inverter circuit when the safely signal is turned on, and does not output the PWM signal when the safely signal is turned off; and a servomotor control circuit that outputs the safety signal to the cutoff circuit and receives a monitor signal output from the cutoff circuit, the servomotor control circuit turning off, within one cycle time of the PWM signal, the safety signal input to the cutoff circuit where the PWM signal is turned off during servomotor drive and detecting an abnormality when an off state is not detected using the monitor signal. |
| US09588496B2 |
Device for assisting user in consumption of a substance at a correct time interval
The present invention provides a lid in combination with a hollow container for receiving a substance through an open end thereof. The lid comprises a body, a device for assisting a user in consumption of a substance at a correct time interval, and an arrangement for securing the body on the open side of the container in a semi-permanent manner. The body defines a substantially planar exterior surface disposed normal to a length of the container when the body is attached to the open end of the container. Additionally, the body defines a peripheral flange depending from the exterior surface. The peripheral flange defines a generally hollow interior of the body. The device for assisting the user in consumption of the substance at a correct time interval is operable and viewable from the exterior surface. |
| US09588495B2 |
Method for manufacturing a selectively conductive ceramic coated with metallic material
A method of manufacturing a ceramic element for a timepiece is provided, including forming a body made of oxide-based ceramic; exposing at least one portion of the external surface of the body to a reduction reaction, to remove oxygen atoms to a predetermined depth in order to make the at least one portion electrically conductive; depositing a metallic material starting from the at least one electrically conductive portion; and machining the body and/or the metallic material in order to provide the element with an aesthetic finish. |
| US09588493B2 |
Set of luminous display hands for a portable object such as a watch or a measuring instrument
A set of luminous display hands is for a portable object including a frame housing an electrical energy supply source that includes a first and a second terminal. The set includes at least first and second luminous display hands made of an electrically non-conductive material. A drive arbor of the second display hand is arranged concentrically inside a drive arbor of the first display hand. Each of the first and second display hands carries a first, respectively a second light source which emits light. The first and second light sources each include a first and a second pole. Depending on whether the light sources are mounted in parallel or in series, the first pole or the second pole of the second light source is connected to the first pole of the first light source by contact between the first and second hands. |
| US09588488B2 |
Method of operating a laser and laser apparatus using intra-cavity digital holograms
Laser apparatus includes an output coupler, a gain medium for generating laser light, a rear optical element, and an input coupler. The input coupler is arranged to direct a pump beam to the gain medium and to define an optical path between the output coupler and the rear optical element. The rear optical element is a spatial light modulator arranged to act as an intra-cavity digital holographic mirror which can be digitally addressed. The spatial light modulator displays selectively a gray-scale image of a hologram thereby to phase-modulate laser light in the cavity, thus making it possible to generate an output laser beam having a desired characteristic. The apparatus includes a computer arranged to generate at least one hologram corresponding to a desired output beam characteristic, and a driver circuit responsive to an output from the computer to generate a corresponding gray-scale image of the hologram on the spatial light modulator. |
| US09588483B2 |
Image forming apparatus having photosensitive drum moving mechanism
An image forming apparatus includes a main casing, a plurality of photosensitive drums, a retaining unit, and an endless belt. The retaining unit retains the plurality of photosensitive drums, and is movable between an internal position within the main casing and an external position outside of the main casing. The endless belt is configured to contact the plurality of the photosensitive drums, when the retaining unit is in the internal position and retains the plurality of the photosensitive drums therein. The retaining unit includes a plurality of pressing portions configured to exert pressure on the plurality of photosensitive drums toward the endless belt, when the retaining unit is in the internal position and retains the plurality of the photosensitive drums therein. |
| US09588478B1 |
Drive coupling and transmitting assembly for photosensitive drum and toner cartridges
A drive coupling and transmitting assembly for photosensitive drum and toner cartridges is disclosed. The assembly includes a drive shaft configured in a printer to transmit a rotational driving force and a coupling member. The coupling member includes a main drum body and a bushing member. Main drum body has a flexible shaft subassembly including a receiver, an adapter, and a flexible shaft member extended between adapter and receiver such that a first end of flexible shaft member is secured to a receiver post and a second end of flexible shaft member is secured to an upper end of adapter. The bushing member is slidably disposed between main drum body and flexible shaft subassembly. Adapter is slidably disposed in bushing member and configured with at least one rotational force transmitting pin to engage with a spiral groove disposed on bushing member such that bushing member is moved longitudinally inward or outward while rotational force transmitting pin is rotated by drive shaft or a compression and torsion spring in the spiral groove in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Receiver is configured to receive the rotational driving force from drive shaft and transmit the rotational driving force through flexible shaft member to adapter such that main drum body, bushing member and flexible shaft subassembly are rotated about an axis. |
| US09588471B2 |
Member for electrophotography, image heating apparatus, image forming apparatus, and method for manufacturing member for electrophotography
Provided is a member for electrophotography, where an elastic layer including a silicone rubber and a release layer including a fluorine resin are bonded sufficiently without any adhesive layer interposed therebetween. The member for electrophotography includes a substrate; an elastic layer including a silicone rubber, on the substrate; and a release layer provided in direct contact with the surface of the elastic layer, where the release layer includes a fluorine resin selected from the group consisting of PFA, FEP, PTFE, ETFE, PCTFE, ECTFE, and PVDF, and the elastic layer undergoes a cohesive failure when the release layer is peeled from the elastic layer in accordance with “Determination of peel strength of bonded assemblies. Part 1: 90 degree peel” specified by the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) K 6854-1:1999. |
| US09588467B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus which can prevent deformation of a sheet due to heat generated at a fixing section as much as possible, and can reduce the amount of waste paper even when the sheet is partially deformed, in which: an upper fixing section and a lower fixing section form a fixing nip for conveying a continuous sheet in a tightly sandwiching manner in a state where the upper fixing section and the lower fixing section are in pressure contact with each other; the upper fixing section and the lower fixing section are separated from each other when image formation is not performed; and a detection section detects deformation of the continuous sheet at a closest part between the upper fixing section and the lower fixing section. |
| US09588461B2 |
Developer supply container and developer supplying system
A developer supply container is detachably mountable to a developer supplying apparatus and includes a pump portion provided to act at least on a developer discharging chamber. The pump portion has a volume changeable with expansion and contraction with reciprocation. A cam groove is provided for converting a rotational force received by a gear into a force for decreasing the volume of pump portion, a cam groove is provided for converting the received force into a force for increasing the volume of the pump portion, and a cam groove is provided for not converting the received force for operation of the pump portion. The supplying apparatus includes a phase detecting portion for stopping the rotation of a feeding portion of the developer supply container using one of the cam grooves. |
| US09588458B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus
A developing device includes a developer holding body, a container, a contact member, and a restriction member. The developer holding body supplies a developer to an image holding body. The container accommodates the developer holding body and is formed with an opening portion facing the image holding body. The deformable contact member is fixed in the container and on a downstream side of the opening portion body in a rotation direction of the developer holding body and includes a tip end which extends toward an inner side of the container and which contacts with the developer holding body. The restriction member is disposed on an image holding body side of the contact member and restricts the tip end of the contact member from deforming so as to be in a state where the contact member is directed toward an outer side of the container. |
| US09588457B2 |
Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus
An image forming lens is fixed to a protruding seat part, which protrudes from a bottom wall part of a casing, by using an adhesive. A concave portion is formed at an end surface of a protruding side of the protruding seat part to receive a temperature sensor. The adhesive is filled in the concave portion to fix the temperature sensor and is interposed between the end surface of the protruding side of the protruding seat part and the image forming lens to fix the image forming lens to the protruding seat part. |
| US09588453B2 |
Resin-filled ferrite carrier for electrophotographic developer and electrophotographic developer using the ferrite carrier
There is provided a resin-filled ferrite carrier for an electrophotographic developer, in which a void of a porous ferrite particle used as a ferrite carrier core material is filled with silicone resin, wherein a true specific gravity (Y) of the porous ferrite particle filled with the silicone resin and a Si/Fe value (X) measured by fluorescent X-ray elemental analysis satisfy the following inequality (1): −350X≦Y−4.83≦−100X (1). |
| US09588450B2 |
Magnetic toner
Provided is a magnetic toner in which enhancement of initial transfer efficiency and transfer efficiency that is stable during a long-term use are achieved by simultaneously suppressing the friction force between the toner and a drum and the cohesion between toners, and further the degradation in chargeability and fluidity caused by the deterioration of the toner. The magnetic toner includes: a magnetic toner particle; a first external additive; and a second external additive. The first external additive includes an organic-inorganic composite fine particle, a plurality of convexes derived from an inorganic fine particle being present on a surface of the organic-inorganic composite fine particle, and has a number-average particle diameter of 50 nm or more and 500 nm or less. The second external additive includes a silica fine particle and has a number-average particle diameter of 5 nm or more and 30 nm or less. A shear load calculated from a rotation torque is 0.50 kPa or more and 2.00 kPa or less when a disc-shaped disc is pressed against a surface of a magnetic toner powder layer, the magnetic toner powder layer being produced by applying a vertical load of 9.0 kPa to the magnetic toner, under a vertical load of 5.0 kPa, and the disc which is being pressed is rotated, and an absolute value |ζ(T)−ζ(A1)| of a difference between a zeta potential ζ(T) of the magnetic toner particle dispersed in water and a zeta potential ζ(A1) of the first external additive dispersed in water is 50 mV or less. |
| US09588446B2 |
Calibration apparatus and an adjustment method for a lithography apparatus
A calibration apparatus is provided. The calibration apparatus includes a wafer carrier configured to support a substrate with a patterned layer. The patterned layer includes a first exposure area and remaining exposure areas, and each of the first and the remaining exposure areas includes a first checking mark. The calibration apparatus also includes a measurement device configured to obtain a first exposure value of the first checking mark of the first exposure area by measuring the first checking mark of the first exposure area. The calibration apparatus also includes a processing module configured to calculate first calculated values of the first checking marks of the remaining exposure areas according to the first exposure value and a standard file. The illumination device is adjusted by an adjustment device of the lithography apparatus according to the first calculated values during a lithography process. |
| US09588443B2 |
Object exchange method, exposure method, carrier system, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
A carrier apparatus positions a chuck member above a wafer mounted on a fine movement stage, relatively moves the chuck member and the fine movement stage in a vertical direction, makes the chuck member approach a position which is a predetermined distance away from the upper surface of the wafer, makes the chuck member hold the wafer from above in a non-contact manner, and makes the chuck member holding the wafer and the fine movement stage move apart within a predetermined plane after making the chuck member holding the wafer and the fine movement stage move apart in the vertical direction. Further, the carrier apparatus loads the wafer held in a non-contact manner from above by the chuck member on the fine movement stage. |
| US09588439B1 |
Information matrix creation and calibration test pattern selection based on computational lithography model parameters
Embodiments of the present invention describe methods of selecting a subset of test patterns from an initial larger set of test patterns for calibrating a computational lithography model. An example method comprises: generating an information matrix for the initial larger set of test patterns, wherein the terms of the information matrix comprise one or more identified model parameters that represent a lithographic process response; and, executing a selection algorithm using terms of the information matrix to select the subset of test patterns that effectively determines values of the identified model parameters that contribute significantly in the lithographic process response, wherein the subset of test patterns characteristically represents the initial larger set of test patterns. The selection algorithm explores coverage relationships existing in the initial larger set of test patterns. |
| US09588424B2 |
Photosensitive resin composition for screen printing, photosensitive film, and screen plate
A photosensitive resin composition is prepared by dispersing at least one of a hydrophobic polymer and a mixture of an oil-soluble photopolymerization initiator and a water-insoluble or sparingly water-soluble compound having at least one photoactive, ethylenically unsaturated group in an aqueous solution that contains both a water-soluble polymer and a diazo resin is obtained by condensing a water-soluble salt of an optionally substituted 4-diazodiphenylamine with formaldehyde in the presence of sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid. This photosensitive resin composition gives a photosensitive film having excellent stability over time and a wide exposure latitude. By adding a specific fluorine compound to the photosensitive resin composition, a screen plate has an excellent discharge performance. |
| US09588420B2 |
Apparatus and method for indirect surface cleaning
A photomask includes at least one feature disposed thereon. The at least one feature has an associated design location, where a distance between a location of the at least one feature and the associated design location defines a positional error of the at least one feature. A method for improving a performance characteristic of the photomask includes directing electromagnetic radiation toward the photomask, the electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength that substantially coincides with a high absorption coefficient of the photomask; generating a thermal energy increase in the photomask through incidence of the electromagnetic radiation thereon; and decreasing the positional error as a result of the generating the thermal energy increase in the photomask. |
| US09588419B2 |
Extreme ultraviolet light (EUV) photomasks and fabrication methods thereof
Embodiments of EUV photomasks and methods for forming a EUV photomask are provided. The method comprises providing a substrate, a reflective layer, a capping layer, a hard mask layer, and forming an opening therein. An absorber layer is then filled in the opening and over the top surface of the hard mask layer. A removing process is provided to form an absorber with a top surface lower than a top surface of the capping layer. |
| US09588416B2 |
Methods and apparatus for nanofabrication using a pliable membrane mask
Apparatus for nanofabrication on an unconventional substrate including a patterned pliable membrane mechanically coupled to a membrane support structure, a substrate support structure to receive a substrate for processing, and an actuator to adjust the distance between the pliable membrane and the substrate. Nanofabrication on conventional and unconventional substrates can be achieved by transferring a pre-formed patterned pliable membrane onto the substrate using a transfer probe or non-stick sheet, followed by irradiating the substrate through the patterned pliable membrane so as to transfer the pattern on the pliable membrane into or out of the substrate. The apparatus and methods allow fabrication of diamond photonic crystals, fiber-integrated photonic devices and Nitrogen Vacancy (NV) centers in diamonds. |
| US09588407B1 |
Invertible timer mount for camera
A timer mount system is configured for use with a camera and a camera mount to capture panoramic videos or photographs in multiple rotational directions. The timer mount system comprises a housing, a drive shaft, a panning mechanism, a first mount component, and a second mount component. Within the housing, the drive shaft is coupled to the panning mechanism, which stores rotational energy when wound in a rotational direction and then causes the drive shaft to rotate in a reverse rotational direction when released. The first mount component is configured to secure to and rotate with the drive shaft, while the second mount component is configured to remain stationary while allowing the drive shaft to rotate freely. A first configuration allows the first mount component to rotate in a first rotational direction, and a second configuration allows the first mount component to rotate in a second rotational direction. |
| US09588406B1 |
Multi-directional rotational mount
A multidirectional camera mount allows quick, easy and safe rotational adjustment of camera orientation and/or position. An upper side of the multidirectional camera mount can include upper mounting tabs attached to a camera, camera housing or other device. A lower side of the multidirectional camera mount can include lower mounting tabs which can be affixed to various objects, while static or during numerous physical activities. The multidirectional camera mount can allow the upper mounting tabs to rotate relative to the lower mounting tabs. |
| US09588405B2 |
Frame and insert for mounting a mobile device to a tripod
An apparatus for mounting a mobile device on a tripod includes a frame with a rigid peripheral member defining an opening therethrough. The peripheral member includes a mount configured to releasably couple the frame to the tripod. An insert is sized and shaped to be placed into the opening of the frame and releasably engage at least a portion of the peripheral member in an assembled configuration. The insert has a membrane in the form of a cavity configured to releasably receive and support the mobile device. The membrane extends over at least a portion of the opening of the frame in the assembled configuration and includes at least one camera hole extending therethrough that is aligned with a camera lens of the mobile device when the mobile device is mounted in the cavity. |
| US09588401B2 |
Fiber-reinforced laminate, shutter device and camera
There is provided with a fiber-reinforced laminate. The fiber-reinforced laminate has a first fiber-reinforced layer and a second fiber-reinforced layer. The fiber-reinforced laminate also has a metal layer provided between the first fiber-reinforced layer and the second fiber-reinforced layer. |
| US09588395B2 |
Optical waveguide modulator with an output MMI tap
A planar optical waveguide circuit includes an optical modulator, such as that based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, that is followed by an in-line optical tap in the form of a 2×2 multi-mode interference coupler that is characterized a reduced tracking error as compared to Y-junction couplers. |
| US09588392B2 |
Thin-film transistor
Disclosed is a thin-film transistor, which includes a gate terminal, a source terminal, and a drain terminal. The source terminal and the drain terminal are arranged side-by-aide above the gate terminal. The source terminal includes a first edge. The drain terminal includes a second edge. The first edge and the second edge face each other. The first edge and the second edge form therebetween a channel. The first edge and the second edge are both in a nonlinear form. A dimension of the channel in an extension of the first edge and the second edge is a width of the channel. The channel is narrowed from a middle thereof toward two ends in the widthwise direction of the channel. Light transmittance in each portion of the channel of the thin-film transistor is made consistent and the quality of the thin-film transistor is enhanced. |
| US09588388B2 |
Apparatus and method of preventing signal delay in display device
An apparatus and method of preventing signal delay in a display device according to the present invention includes a first substrate, a driving portion formed on the first substrate, a plurality of signal lines formed on the first substrate to transmit signals to the driving portion, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a conductive member formed on the second substrate, wherein the driving portion overlaps with the conductive member, and the signal lines and the conductive member do not overlap. Accordingly, the capacitances between the signal lines may be substantially the same. |
| US09588386B2 |
Z-inversion type display device with ‘T’-shaped electrode and method of manufacturing the same
The present invention provides a Z-inversion type display device comprising a gate line and a data line that intersect with each other to define a pixel area on a substrate, a thin film transistor that includes a gate electrode, a semiconductor layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode, and a pixel electrode that is formed in the pixel area, and is electrically connected to the drain electrode of the thin film transistor, wherein the drain electrode completely overlaps the gate line such that a drain electrode area is wholly included in a gate line area on a plan view. |
| US09588385B2 |
Liquid crystal display and manufacturing method thereof
A liquid crystal display, including: a first substrate and a second substrate; a liquid crystal layer; a first data line disposed on the first substrate; a pixel electrode disposed on the first substrate; and a common electrode disposed on the first substrate and overlapping at least a portion of the pixel electrode and the first data line. One of the pixel electrode and the common electrode includes a plurality of branch electrodes spaced apart from each other and the other of has an at least approximately planar shape that is substantially parallel to a surface of at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate. The display can also include a passivation layer having a dielectric constant of about 3.5 or less, and including a first portion disposed between the common electrode and the first data line. |
| US09588383B2 |
Curved liquid crystal display device
A display device includes a transistor, a data line, a pixel electrode, a common electrode, and a liquid crystal layer. The data line is connected to a source electrode of the transistor. A geometric radius of curvature associated with the display device is perpendicular to the data line. The pixel electrode is connected to a drain electrode of the transistor and includes a plate electrode. Sides of the plate electrode are oriented at acute angles with respect to the data line in a plan view associated with the display device. The common electrode overlaps the pixel electrode and has a slit. The slit has a first edge and a second edge. The first edge is perpendicular to the data line in the plan view and is longer than the second edge. The liquid crystal layer is positioned between the pixel electrode and the common electrode. |
| US09588382B2 |
Pixel structure, manufacturing method of pixel structure, array substrate, display panel, and display device
The present disclosure provides a pixel structure, a manufacturing method of a pixel structure, an array substrate, a display panel, and a display device. The pixel structure includes a plurality of data lines, a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of pixel units and a pixel electrode in each pixel unit including a plurality of slits. An end of the slit includes at least one corner. The white pixel unit includes a first TFT and a second TFT. In a row of pixel units, a first TFT of each white pixel unit is electrically connected to a pixel electrode of the white pixel unit, and a second TFT of each white pixel unit is electrically connected to a pixel electrode of a pixel unit adjacent to the white pixel unit. The corner of the slit in the pixel electrode electrically connected with the second TFT extends toward the second TFT. |
| US09588375B2 |
Display device and method of manufacturing the same
A display device and a method of manufacturing a display device are capable of preventing an alignment layer from being lumped in a microcavity. The display device includes: a substrate; a thin film transistor formed on the substrate; a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor; a roof layer formed on the pixel electrode; microcavities interposed between the pixel electrode and the roof layer; an injection hole formed in the roof layer, the injection hole configured to expose at least a portion of the microcavities; a first valley extended in one direction between the microcavities; an alignment layer formed on the pixel electrode, under the roof layer, and in the first valley; a liquid crystal layer filled in the microcavities; and an encapsulation layer formed on the roof layer, the encapsulation layer configured to cover the injection hole and to seal the microcavities. |
| US09588371B2 |
Flipped panel displays with black column spacers
A liquid crystal display may have a thin-film transistor layer with an array of pixel electrode structures for applying electric fields to a liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal display may also have a color filter layer with an array of color filter elements. The color filter elements may allow the display to display color images. The color filter layer may be interposed between the thin-film transistor layer and a backlight. The liquid crystal layer may be sandwiched between the thin-film transistor layer and the color filter layer. The color filter layer may have a transparent substrate on which the color filter elements are formed. Black masking structures may be formed on a transparent overcoat layer that covers the color filter elements. Black column spacers may be formed from the same layer of material that forms the black masking structures. |
| US09588367B2 |
Liquid crystal display and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display includes: a substrate including a plurality of pixel areas; a thin film transistor disposed on the substrate; a pixel electrode connected with the thin film transistor; and a roof layer disposed facing the pixel electrode, wherein a plurality of microcavities are disposed between the pixel electrode and the roof layer, and a liquid crystal layer including liquid crystal molecules is disposed in the plurality of microcavities, and wherein each microcavity includes a first area and a second area partitioned by a liquid crystal injection hole formation area, and a first alignment layer in the first area and a second alignment layer in the second area are formed of different materials. |
| US09588366B2 |
Liquid crystal display device comprising a capacitance insulating film having a thickness and a dielectric constant
There is provided a high-definition liquid crystal display device that can prevent flicker due to a reduction in the pixel potential in a low-frequency drive of about 10 Hz to reduce power consumption. The pixel has a TFT formed of Poly-Si as a switching element. In the pixel, a capacitance insulating film is formed on a planar first electrode on which a comb-shaped second electrode is formed. When the film thickness of the insulating film is d and the dielectric constant at 10 Hz frequency is ∈, it is given that ∈d≧5×10−6 m at 10 Hz frequency. The capacitance insulating film does not have a hysteresis characteristic. The refractive index of the capacitance insulating film with respect to a light of a wavelength of 632.8 nm is 1.7 to 2.0. |
| US09588364B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display panel, a rear face housing, and a slender support member. The display panel is configured to display image. The rear face housing is disposed on a rear side of the display device with respect to the display panel. The support member is disposed between a peripheral edge portion of the display panel and a peripheral edge portion of the rear face housing. The support member supports the peripheral edge portion of the display panel from the rear side. The support member has a protruding portion that protrudes in a direction intersecting a lengthwise direction of the support member. The rear face housing includes an insertion component at the peripheral edge portion of the rear face housing, with the protruding portion of the support member being engaged with the insertion component of the rear frame housing. |
| US09588361B2 |
Optical isolator
The present disclosure provides an optical isolator which includes a planar lightwave circuit, a magneto-optic thin film and a metal thin film with a magnetic field. A channel for transmitting an optical signal is configured in the planar lightwave circuit. The magneto-optic thin film is disposed on the planar lightwave circuit, and a plane on which the magneto-optic thin film is located is parallel to the channel. The metal thin film is disposed on the magneto-optic thin film. |
| US09588360B2 |
Temperature control of components on an optical device
The optical device includes a waveguide positioned on a base and a modulator positioned on the base. The modulator includes an electro-absorption medium. The waveguide is configured to guide a light signal through the modulator such that the light signal is guided through the electro-absorption medium. A heater is positioned on the electro-absorption medium such that the electro-absorption medium is between the base and the heater. |
| US09588354B2 |
Flexible temple for spectacles
A flexible temple for spectacles which separate at the bridge area, which has a narrow, elongate part, the ends of which are coupled to the frame, and which is closed at the rear of the head, and made up of a flexible structure with three specific, differentiated areas, at the ends and central portion, including: respective semi-rigid sections which correspond to straight sections of the temple at the ends thereof, corresponding to the portion at the temples of the wearer; and a flexible central area corresponding to the remainder that surrounds the head at the rear, with a higher degree of flexibility than that of the semi-rigid sections which allows the temple to be bent until the spectacles can be inserted in a case such as not to project from the space taken up by the frame. |
| US09588353B2 |
Nosepiece for eyeglass frames
Nosepiece for eyeglass frames which comprises: a plate intended to abut against the nose of a user; a support arm for connecting the plate to the frame of eyeglasses; a cup which is extended as a prolongation of the support arm; an appendage which is projectingly extended from the rear face of the plate and is housed within the cup with two lateral faces thereof facing two lateral walls of the cup; coupling means for retaining the appendage housed within the cup. The appendage comprises a convex portion which is susceptible of rotating with respect to the cup with the surface of the convex portion in contact and in sliding-with-friction relation with the internal surface of the cup, in order to maintain the plate in the reached angular position. |
| US09588345B2 |
Head-mounted display device and control method for the head-mounted display device
A head-mounted display device includes: an image display unit including an image-light generating unit that generates image light representing an image and emits the image light and a light guide unit that guides the emitted image light to the eye of a user, the image display unit being for causing the user to visually recognize a virtual image; and a control unit that includes an operation surface, is connected to the image display unit, and controls image display by the image display unit. When it is assumed that the user shifts the user's attention from the virtual image, the control unit adjusts the luminance of the image-light generating unit or adjusts the image light generated by the image-light generating unit to reduce the visibility of the virtual image. |
| US09588338B2 |
Reflective optical element for a dynamic deflection of a laser beam and method for manufacture thereof
The invention relates to reflective optical elements for a dynamic deflection of a laser beam and to a manufacturing method for these reflective elements. It is the object of the invention to provide reflective optical elements for a dynamic deflection of laser beams which can be manufactured less expensively and which are flexible in their geometrical design so that they achieve improved properties in dynamic operation. In the reflective optical element in accordance with the invention, a surface of a base body and a plate-shaped reflective element are connected to one another in a planar manner and with material continuity by means of a solder connection. |
| US09588335B2 |
Electrowetting display device including a strengthened hydrophobic layer
An electrowetting display device includes a base substrate, a hydrophobic layer disposed on the base substrate and including at least about 49 atomic percent (at %) of fluorine atoms in a surface thereof, a wall disposed on the base substrate which partitions a pixel area, and an electrowetting layer that includes a first fluid and a second fluid, which are disposed in the pixel area and are immiscible with each other. The second fluid has an electrical conductivity or a polarity. The electrowetting display device further includes an electronic device is configured to apply an electric field to the electrowetting layer to control the electrowetting layer. |
| US09588334B2 |
Fabry-perot interferometer and a method for producing the same with decreased bending
The invention relates to a Fabry-Perot interferometer and a method for producing the same. More specifically, the invention relates to Fabry-Perot interferometers which are controllable with one or several actuators, such as piezoelectric, electrostrictive or flexoelectric actuators. In prior art technology there is a problem to achieve a sufficiently small and uniform gap between mirrors. In the present invention an intermediate structure (85a, 85b, 95a, 95b, 81a, 81b, 91a, 91b, 98a, 98b) is used between a mirror and an actuator or between two mirrors. The method of production also includes measuring the width distribution of the gap in several phases, and providing pre-actuation of actuators. |
| US09588332B2 |
Photography system
A photography system includes an observation scope inserted into a hole of a case in which a plurality of subjects, which are cyclically disposed around a rotary shaft and rotate around the rotary shaft, are housed along with the rotary shaft and the hole is formed to penetrate through the case, the observation scope being configured to sequentially acquire light from the plurality of subjects. The photograph system includes an imaging section configured to generate an image by continuously imaging light acquired by the observation scope; a sensor configured to continuously detect states of the plurality of subjects which rotate and sequentially output detection values; and an image acquisition section configured to detect a position of the subject based on cyclic variation of the detection value and acquire the image including the subject at the detected position which is a predetermined position. |
| US09588331B2 |
Apochromatic optical design
An apochromatic imaging system has an object-side lens group having at least an object-side lens element with positive refractive power and formed from a flint glass material with deviation of relative dispersion −0.013<ΔPg,F<+0.013 and an Abbe number less than 50. A middle lens group has at least a second lens element and a third lens element, wherein, one of the second and third lens elements has deviation of relative dispersion −0.013<ΔPg,F<0.013 and the other of the second and third lens elements has deviation of relative dispersion 0.013<ΔPg,F<0.04. An image-side lens group has at least a fourth lens element. |
| US09588330B2 |
Tomographic bright field imaging (TBFI)
Disclosed herein is a method of tomographic bright field imaging (TBFI): an optical imaging technique that enables the measurement of cellular refractive index and dry mass density using a standard transillumination optical microscope and software embodying said method. |
| US09588328B2 |
Wide-field microscope and method for wide-field microscopy
A method for high-resolution PAL microscopy, wherein a sample field is imaged on a detector surface of a detector, the sample field is imaged into an image field which is smaller than the detector surface, and the image field on the detector surface is shifted, so that the same sample field is imaged in different positions located adjacent to one another on the image field in order to determine information about changes in the sample field. |
| US09588327B2 |
Nanoindenter multimodal microscope objective for mechanobiology
Methods and apparatus for characterizing a sample in situ as to both its mechanical and optical characteristics. The apparatus comprises a reflective microscope with a concave primary mirror and a convex secondary mirror sharing a common optical axis, and an actuator vignetted by the convex secondary mirror for applying a force to a nanoprobe in a direction having a component along the common optical axis. The apparatus may addition include a source for generating an illuminating beam, a detector, and a processor for forming an image based on a signal provided by the detector. |
| US09588325B2 |
Optical imaging processing system
The present invention provides an optical imaging processing system. The system includes a screen, an incident light source, and at least one optical transmission medium, where the optical transmission medium is disposed in an optical imaging path in which the incident light source is emergent and is projected to the screen; an light incident face of the optical transmission medium faces the incident light source, and an light exiting face of the optical transmission medium faces the screen, where at least one cavity is included between the light incident face and the light exiting face of the optical transmission medium, and a cross-section shape of the cavity is an isosceles trapezoid; and the cavity includes a light transmission area and a light blanking area used for object accommodation, and the optical imaging path bypasses the light blanking area and penetrates through the optical transmission medium through the light transmission area. |
| US09588323B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus having the same
The zoom lens according to the present invention includes in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens unit; a second lens unit; a third lens unit; an aperture stop; and a fourth lens unit; wherein a partial dispersion ratio θLm of a material of a positive lens Lm formed of a material having a highest partial dispersion ratio, which is contained in a rear group, a distance d from the aperture stop to an image plane, a distance dLm from the aperture stop to a positive lens Lm, an average value νRfp of Abbe constants of materials of positive lenses contained in a front group, an average value θRfp of partial dispersion ratios thereof, an average value νRfn of Abbe constants of materials of negative lenses contained in the front group, and an average value θRfn of partial dispersion ratios thereof are each appropriately set. |
| US09588322B2 |
Zoom lens, optical apparatus and manufacturing method for the zoom lens
Provided is a zoom lens (ZL) including, in order from an object along an optical axis: a first lens group (G1) having negative refractive power; a second lens group (G2) having positive refractive power, and a third lens group (G3) having a positive refractive power. At least the first lens group (G1) and the second lens group (G2) are moved along the optical axis upon zooming from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, so that the distance between the first lens group (G1) and the second lens group (G2) decreases, and the distance between the second lens group (G2) and the third lens group (G3) increases, the first lens (G2) includes one positive lens, and the second lens (G2) includes one negative lens. |
| US09588318B2 |
Image capturing optical system, image capturing device and portable device
The present invention provides an image capturing optical system comprising: a positive first lens element having a convex object-side surface in a paraxial region; a second lens element with refractive power; a third lens element; a fourth lens element having a concave image-side surface in a paraxial region; a plastic fifth lens element having a concave image-side surface in a paraxial region, and the image-side surface has at least one convex shape in an off-axis region thereof; and a plastic sixth lens element w having a concave image-side surface in a paraxial region, and the image-side surface has at least one convex shape in an off-axis region thereof. |
| US09588317B2 |
Fiber management tray with restricted access region
A fiber management tray (20) is disclosed. The fiber management tray (20) includes a tray body (22) defining a fiber storage region (24) for storing excess optical fiber length (26). The tray body (22) also includes a splice mount (28) for mounting at least one optical splice (30). The fiber management tray (20) includes a restricted access region (32) and an unrestricted access region (34) on the tray body (22). The splice mount (28) and the fiber storage region (24) are provided at the unrestricted access region (34), and an optical splitter component (36) is provided at the restricted access region (32). |
| US09588316B2 |
Fiber tray organizer systems and methods
A self supporting apparatus (10) for trays (40) includes a groove plate (20), and a plurality of pivotally mounted trays (40) wherein each tray (40) is pivotally moveable relative to the groove plate (20) between a first position (46) and a second position (48). The groove plate (20) includes a plurality of flexible tabs (70) facing the plurality of trays (40). An edge (50) of each tray (40) includes a rounded surface (52) and a rib (56), wherein each one of the ribs (56) engages one of the flexible tabs (70) to hold the trays (40) in one of the first or second positions (46, 48). The rib (56) flexes the tab (70) as each tray (40) is pivoted between the first and second positions. The tab (70) and rib (56) maintain the trays (40) in the selected positions until the trays (40) are moved. |
| US09588314B2 |
Optical transducer with integrated feedthrough
An optical transducer is provided. A “measuring” portion of the transducer may be exposed to a high pressure and fluids when the optical transducer is deployed (e.g., in a wellbore or other industrial setting). The transducer may include an optical waveguide with a first portion that forms a first seal that isolates an “instrumentation” portion of the transducer from exposure to the high pressure and fluids to which the measuring portion may be exposed. The transducer may also include a second seal with a “stack” of material elements that contact a second portion of the optical waveguide to also isolate the instrumentation portion of the transducer from exposure to the high pressure and fluids to which the measuring portion may be exposed. |
| US09588313B2 |
Optical device package and optical device apparatus
An optical device package includes a metal base body including a cutout portion formed from an outer circumferential surface of the metal base body toward the center portion thereof, and a wiring board connected on a side surface of the cutout portion of the metal base body. The wiring board includes an optical device mounting region provided on a portion of the wiring board located inside the cutout portion of the metal base body, and a pad arranged on a portion of the wiring board located outside the optical device mounting region. |
| US09588312B2 |
Optical module assembly with improved printed circuit board
An optoelectronic assembly includes a printed circuit board (PCB) defining opposite upper and lower surfaces, and equipped, on the upper surface, with an active component and an Integrated Circuit (IC) linked to each other via the flip chip technology, a lens module located on the side of the lower surface and communicating with the active component through via holes in the PCB, and a fiber assembly located in the lens module to be optically coupled to the active component via said lens module. |
| US09588311B2 |
Optical-assembly manufacturing method, optical assembly, and optical connector unit
A method for manufacturing an optical-assembly includes the steps of preparing an optical connector including a base having an optical waveguide and a first support block holding a first optical fiber, the base having first and second end surfaces; aligning the optical connector to the optical device, the first end surface of the base facing to the optical device, the first support block being fixed to the base in a removable manner; after aligning the optical connector, fixing the base to the optical device; after fixing the base, removing the first support block from the base; after removing the first support block, re-fixing a second support block to the base, the second end surface of the base facing to the second support block. The second support block has an optical fiber and a through hole. The base has a guide pin inserted to the through hole in the re-fixing step. |
| US09588309B2 |
Optical fibre feedthrough assembly
Aligning an optical fiber with an optical device, component or package such as an optical transducer or sensor is disclosed, A housing for an optical device is provided having a tapered surface to receive a correspondingly tapered portion of a ferrule in which a fiber is mounted. The tapered surfaces, which may for example be frusta-conical or conical, enable the optical device and ferrule to be quickly and precisely aligned. An optical device may be provided in a cavity which may be sealed by the mating tapered surfaces. The optical device may also be provided on a mounting bracket with flexible supports connected to the housing to accommodate thermal expansion of the housing and maintain alignment. |
| US09588307B2 |
Parallel optical transceiver with top and bottom lenses
A parallel optical communications module includes a top lens and a bottom lens that are spaced from one another to inhibit mechanical forces acting upon the top lens from being transferred to the bottom lens, which is optically aligned with an opto-electronic light source or light detector. The top lens has a reflector portion configured to redirect the optical signals between the bottom lens and one or more optical fibers. |
| US09588305B2 |
Optical connector plug
An optical connector plug includes a front housing, configured to hold a ferrule and to be fitted with a fitting portion of a coupling counterpart member, and a rear housing, mounted to the front housing to be allowed to slide toward front and rear directions at a rear side of the front housing. The front housing includes a latching piece with elasticity. The latching piece includes a locking portion, engageable with an engaging portion for fitting of the coupling counterpart member, and a releasing portion, configured to release the locking portion from an engaging state with the engaging portion. The rear housing includes a releasing lever. The releasing lever includes a hook portion, formed at a front part and configured to engage with the releasing portion at a time of retreat of the rear housing, so as to activate a release, and a knob portion for retreat. |
| US09588303B2 |
Optical connector with adhesive material
An optical fiber connector preloaded with an adhesive is provided. The optical connector includes a body having a passage with a first section extending inwardly from a first face of the body, a second section extending inwardly from a second face from the body, and a transition section located between the first section and the second section. The first section of the passage has a first width and the second section of the passage has a second width that is less than the first width. An adhesive composition is located within the transition section of the passage and is configured to bind an optical fiber to an inner surface of the second section following melting and solidification of the adhesive composition. |
| US09588301B2 |
Transceiver interface having staggered cleave positions
The disclosure generally relates to sets of optical waveguides such as optical fiber ribbons, and fiber optic connectors useful for connecting multiple optical fibers such as in optical fiber ribbon cables. In particular, the disclosure provides an efficient, compact, and reliable optical fiber connector that incorporates an optically transmissive substrate combining the features of optical fiber alignment, along with redirecting and shaping of the optical beam. |
| US09588299B2 |
2×2 wavelength selective switch array
Methods, systems, and apparatus for optical wavelength selective switching. One 2×2 wavelength selective switch array includes a plurality of optical input ports configured to receive one or more optical input beams, and a plurality of optical output ports configured to receive one or more one or more optical output beams wherein the plurality of optical input ports and optical output ports form an array of 2×2 optical port pairs; one or more optical conditioning and wavelength dispersion elements; a polarization modulator array having a plurality of polarizing modulation cells, each cell configured to independently change a polarization orientation of an optical beam passing through the cell and associated with a particular wavelength channel; and a polarization-selective beam-routing optical element configured to route each particular input beam to either a first output port or a second output port according to polarization orientation. |
| US09588298B2 |
Edge coupler
A composite optical waveguide is constructed using an array of waveguide cores, in which one core is tapered to a larger dimension, so that all the cores are used as a composite input port, and the one larger core is used as an output port. In addition, transverse couplers can be fabricated in a similar fashion. The waveguide cores are preferably made of SiN. In some cases, a layer of SiN which is provided as an etch stop is used as at least one of the waveguide cores. The waveguide cores can be spaced away from a semiconductor layer so as to minimize loses. |
| US09588297B2 |
Wavelength selective switch, variable dispersion compensator, optical transmission apparatus, and optical transmission system
A wavelength selective switch is configured to demultiplex WDM light input from an input side for each wavelength, to supply the demultiplexed signal lights to deflectors corresponding to the demultiplexed wavelength, and to control the deflector to selectively output the demultiplexed signal lights to an output side, in which monitor light having at least a wavelength included in the WDM light is input to the wavelength selective switch from the output side of the wavelength selective switch, and the monitor light input from the output side of the wavelength selective switch is monitored, the monitor light being propagated in a direction opposite to a propagation direction of the signal lights each having the demultiplexed wavelength in the wavelength selective switch and being output to the input side of the wavelength selective switch. |
| US09588294B2 |
Controlling the composition of electro-absorption media in optical devices
Forming an optical device includes growing an electro-absorption medium in a variety of different regions on a base of a device precursor. The regions include a component region and the regions are selected so as to achieve a particular chemical composition for the electro-absorption medium included in the component region. An optical component is formed on the device precursor such that the optical component includes at least a portion of the electro-absorption medium from the component region. Light signals are guided through the electro-absorption medium from the component region during operation of the component. |
| US09588280B2 |
Backlight assembly and display apparatus including the same
A backlight assembly includes a plurality of first light sources configured to emit a first color, and a plurality of second light sources configured to emit a second color different from the first color, where the backlight assembly is divided in a first boundary area, a second boundary area spaced apart from the first boundary area in a first direction, and a middle area between the first boundary area and the second boundary area, and an arrangement direction of first and second light sources of the plurality of first and second light sources in the first and second boundary areas is different from an arrangement direction of first and second light sources of the plurality of first and second light sources in the middle area. |
| US09588274B2 |
Light bar and backlight module using same
The present invention provides a light bar and a backlight module using the light bar. The light bar includes: a circuit board (2), a quantum dot rail (4) mounted and fixed to the circuit board (2), and a light source (6) mounted to the circuit board (2) and located between the circuit board (2) and the quantum dot rail (4). The light source (6) is electrically connected to the circuit board (2). In the light bar and the backlight module using the light bar according to the present invention, the retention members are mounted to the circuit board of the light bar to allow the quantum dot rail to be directly mounted to the circuit board through snap engagement so as to enhance color saturation and at the same time simplifying the mounting structure and effectively reducing the manufacturing cost. Further, the retention members are made elastic components that can effectively protect the quantum dot rail from being damaged by external forces acting on the quantum dot rail and can simplifying the process of mounting thereby further reducing the manufacturing cost. |
| US09588272B2 |
Lighting device and display device
A backlight device includes LEDs, a light guide plate, an LED board, and a light blocking portion. The light guide plate includes a side surface configured as a light entrance surface through which light from the LEDs enters and a plate surface configured as a light exit surface through which light exits the light guide plate. The LED board on which the LEDs are mounted and at least a portion of which is a light guide plate overlapping portion is on a light exit surface side. The light guide plate overlapping portion overlaps a light entering edge portion that is an edge portion of the light guide plate close to the light entrance surface. The light blocking portion is at the light guide plate overlapping portion of the LED board and between the light guide plate overlapping portion and the light entering edge portion of the light guide plate. |
| US09588270B2 |
Post-formable multilayer optical films and methods of forming
Articles including post-formed multilayer optical films with layers of at least one strain-induced birefringent material, methods of manufacturing such articles by post-forming multilayer optical films, and multilayer optical films that are particularly well-suited to post-forming operations are disclosed. The articles, methods and multilayer optical films of the present invention allow for post-forming of multilayer optical films including strain-induced index of refraction differentials while retaining the desired optical properties of the multilayer optical films. |
| US09588260B2 |
Microlens substrate and imaging apparatus
A microlens substrate includes a light receiving section that includes a light receiving surface configured to receive light, a supporting member that fixes the light receiving section, a microlens array that includes a plurality of microlenses configured to guide the light to the light receiving section, a lens holding member that holds the microlens array, and a fixing member that fixes the supporting member and the lens holding member. The fixing member includes a first fixing part that fixes the lens holding member and a second fixing member that fixes the supporting member. The lens holding member includes a lens holding part that holds the microlens array. The lens holding part is disposed at a position between the first fixing part and the second fixing part in a direction orthogonal to the light receiving surface. |
| US09588257B2 |
Photochromic curable composition
A photochromic curable composition comprising, as radically polymerizable component (A), a silsesquioxane component (A1) having a radically polymerizable group and a bifunctional radically polymerizable monomer (A2) represented by the following general formula (1), wherein a is a number of 0 to 30, and b is a number of 0 to 30 on condition that an average value of a+b is 2 to 30, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and A is a divalent organic group on condition that the number of carbon atoms is 1 to 20, and a photochromic compound (B). |
| US09588256B2 |
Color material dispersion liquid, color resin composition for color filters, color filter, liquid crystal display device and organic light-emitting display device
A color material dispersion liquid comprising a color material represented by the following general formula (I), a dispersant, and a solvent having a solubility of the color material of 0.1 (mg/10 g solvent) or less at 23° C., having excellent solvent resistance and excellent electrical reliability; a color resin composition for color filters, which can form a color layer that has high contrast, excellent solvent resistance and excellent electrical reliability; a color filter formed with the color resin composition for color filters; a liquid crystal display device having the color filter; and an organic light-emitting display device having the color filter. |
| US09588254B2 |
Optical fibers functionalized with photonic crystal resonant optical structures
A photonic crystal (PC) device including one or more resonant optical structures defined by the photonic crystal structure is affixed to the end face of an optical fiber. The PC device is fabricated on a separate substrate, and then affixed to the fiber end face. This transfer can be facilitated by device templates which are laterally supported by tabs after an undercut etch. The tabs can be designed to break during transfer to the fiber, thereby facilitating transfer. Registration marks and/or the use of device templates having the same diameter as the fiber can be used to provide lateral alignment of the fiber to the resonant optical structures. Such alignment may be needed to provide optical coupling between the fiber and the resonant optical structures. |
| US09588249B2 |
Downhole well-operation system
The present invention relates to a downhole well-operation system for operating a driving unit and a logging tool downhole and transmitting well-logging data from at least one logging tool to a surface data acquisition system by means of a wireline. The system comprises a surface transceiver, a wireline, a downhole transceiver, a logging tool, and a driving unit, wherein the downhole transceiver is coupled to the surface transceiver via the wireline and communicates to the surface transceiver using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing to transmit data via the wireline by modulating a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) signal to the wireline by means of a transistor bridge, while the driving unit and at least one logging tool is powered by the wireline. Furthermore, the invention relates to a downhole tool. |
| US09588247B2 |
System for detecting a location of a subsurface channel
A system for detecting a location of a subsurface channel may include a portable frame and a plurality of magnetic coils supported by the frame. The magnetic coils may be spaced apart from one another and ends of each of the magnetic coil are unobstructed by other of the magnetic coils. |
| US09588246B2 |
Data collection system, marine seismic survey system and method of estimating a corrected sound speed
A data collection system 100 for estimating a corrected sound speed between a first point and a second point comprises a subsea acoustic transponder beacon (106) disposed at a fixed position relative to a seabed (108), and an acoustic transceiver (214) immersed below a sea surface (104) and above the acoustic beacon (106). A processing resource (200) is also operably coupled to the acoustic transponder (214), the acoustic transceiver (214) being arranged to traverse a path above the acoustic beacon (106) and communicate with the acoustic beacon (106). The processing resource (200) is also arranged to collect time-of-flight data associated with the communication between the acoustic transceiver (214) and the acoustic beacon (106). |
| US09588242B2 |
Compliance chambers for marine vibrators
A marine vibrator may include a containment housing, a sound radiating surface, and a compliance chamber. The compliance chamber may include a compliance chamber housing, a non-linear linkage assembly, and a low pressure chamber. The compliance chamber housing may define at least a portion of a compliance chamber internal volume having a compliance chamber internal gas pressure. The low pressure chamber may comprise a low pressure piston and a low pressure chamber housing. The low pressure chamber housing may define at least a portion of a low pressure chamber internal volume having a low pressure chamber internal gas pressure. The low pressure piston may be configured to move in response to a pressure differential across the low pressure piston such that a resonance frequency of the marine vibrator may be changed. |
| US09588240B1 |
Digital readout architecture for four side buttable digital X-ray detector
An imager tile including four-side buttable sub-imager pixel arrays with on-chip digitizing electronic readout circuit. Pixel groupings formed from among the plurality of imagers. Readout electronics including a buffer amplifier for each of the pixel groupings are connected to respective outputs of buttable imagers. Shared analog front ends connect to respective buffer amplifiers of pixel groupings. An analog-to-digital converter at a common centroid location relative to the shared analog front ends includes three data lines—selection input/output line to individually select an output, a clock input line, and a shared digital output line. A pixel output from a respective buffer amplifier is addressable by data provided on the selection input/output line, and the pixel output is provided on the shared digital output line. The I/O lines connected to a programmable logic device where the imager serial data input is output as a massively parallel data stream. |
| US09588235B2 |
X-ray imager with CMOS sensor embedded in TFT flat panel
An x-ray imaging device include a scintillator layer configured to generate light from x-rays, a TFT detector array at the first surface of the scintillator layer to detect light generated in the scintillator, and a CMOS sensor at the second surface of the scintillator layer to detect light generated in the scintillator. |
| US09588230B2 |
Systems and methods for calibrating a silicon photomultiplier-based positron emission tomography system
A representative positron emission tomography (PET) system includes a positron emission tomography detector having one or more silicon photomultipliers that output silicon photomultipliers signals. The PET system further includes a calibration system that is electrically coupled to the silicon photomultipliers. The calibration system determines a single photoelectron response of the silicon photomultipliers signals and adjusts a gain of the silicon photomultipliers based on the single photoelectron response. |
| US09588227B2 |
Method for determining a confidence indicator relating to the trajectory followed by a moving object
A method includes estimating the position of the moving object on the basis of the reception of navigation signals emitted by a constellation of satellites, the navigation signals being modulated by a code and the receiver comprising a local replica of the code. The determination of the confidence indicator consists in estimating a speed of displacement of the receiver over an identified trajectory segment, deducing therefrom a Doppler delay function corresponding to the motion of the receiver, in correcting the auto-correlation function of the GNSS navigation signal received from each satellite of the constellation by means of the delay function, in comparing the corrected auto-correlation function with a theoretical auto-correlation function by applying a quadratic criterion corresponding to the confidence indicator. |
| US09588223B2 |
Phase center alignment for fixed repetition rate synthetic aperture systems
A system for adjusting phase centers of a receiving array in real time. In one embodiment, a transmitter transmits a sequence of pings. Receiving elements are grouped into staves and summed prior to subsequent processing, and the groups are selected so that the phase center on a ping is substantially in the same location as another phase center on a previous ping. |
| US09588207B2 |
System for reconstructing MRI images acquired in parallel
A system for parallel image processing in MR imaging comprises multiple MR imaging RF coils for individually receiving MR imaging data representing a slice of patient anatomy. An MR imaging system uses the multiple RF coils for acquiring corresponding multiple image data sets of the slice. An image data processor comprises at least one processing device conditioned for, deriving a first set of weights for generating a calibration data set comprising a subset of k-space data of composite image data representing the multiple image data sets. The at least one processing device uses the calibration data set in generating a first MR image data set, deriving a second set of weights using the calibration data set and the generated first MR image data set and uses the second set of weights in generating a second MR image data set representing a single image having a reduced set of data components relative to the first composite MR image data set. |
| US09588205B2 |
Simultaneous and dynamic determination of longitudinal and transversal relaxation times of a nuclear spin system
The invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging method for simultaneous and dynamic determination of a longitudinal relaxation time T1 and a transversal relaxation time T2 of the nuclear spin system of an object, in the context of DCE or DSE MRI. In this respect, the invention makes use of a steady-state gradient echo pulse sequence comprising an EPI readout module. |
| US09588202B2 |
Longevity of hyperpolarized enhanced signals for 1H NMR spectroscopy
A method and system for providing an article of manufacture with increased longevity of hyperpolarized 1H signals (and other species) for NMR spectroscopy and MRI. The method involves providing a material including a molecular species susceptible of NMR spectroscopy, by providing parahydrogen (and other appropriate species) to disperse within the material/solvent to establish increased longevity of the NMR signals. The material can be in a solution with a surfactant and catalysts added to enhance the persistence of parahydrogen (or other species) in the form of enhanced solubility, microbubbles or micelles and resultant hydrogenation (or other species) of the material. |
| US09588195B2 |
Apparatus for insertion of a medical device during a medical imaging process
The end-effector includes a sheath and a medical device or needle carrier that is disposed within the interior compartment of the sheath. An aperture is located in a portion of the sheath proximal a distal end of the sheath that is inserted into a natural or artificial cavity. This device is guided by a real-time imager. |
| US09588192B2 |
Magnetic sensor chip and magnetic sensor
Disclosed are a magnetic sensor chip and a magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor chip comprises a magnetic sensitive film (2, 21), and in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic sensitive film (2, 21) are provided a number n of suppression units (4) capable of achieving the sectionalized suppression of a demagnetizing field, where the number n is an integer equal to or greater than 2. By means of the suppression units (4) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic sensitive film (2, 21), the magnetic sensitive film (2, 21) to achieve a suppression of a demagnetizing field, so as to reduce or even eliminate the hysteresis of the magnetic sensitive film (2, 21), thus improving the sensitivity of the magnetic sensor chip. |
| US09588186B2 |
Mechanical measurement of state of health and state of charge for intercalation batteries
A battery management system for use with a battery under test is disclosed. The system includes a container configured to hold the battery. The system also includes a stress/strain sensor. The container is configured to hold the battery in fixed relationship with respect to the stress/strain sensor. A processor is coupled to the stress/strain sensor, the processor being configured to measure the stress/strain on the battery and determine the state of health (SOH) of the battery based on the measured stress/strain and previously stored SOH relationship data for the battery. The processor may be configured to determine a state of charge (SOC) of the battery based on the measured stress/strain, the SOH of the battery and previously stored SOC relationship data for the battery. |
| US09588184B2 |
Battery state-of-charge aggregation method
Embodiments of the disclosure may include a method of managing a state of charge of a battery having a plurality of battery cells. The method may include calculating an individual state of charge for each battery cell, calculating an average state of charge for the battery cells, defining a minimum and a maximum average state of charge threshold, and calculating an overall state of charge for the battery such that when the average state of charge is below the minimum threshold, the overall state of charge is calculated based on the state of charge of a subset of battery cells having the lowest state of charge, and when the average state of charge is above the maximum threshold, the overall state of charge is calculated based on the state of charge of a subset of battery cells having the highest state of charge. |
| US09588182B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices for capacitance estimation of power capacitors
Systems, methods, and devices are provided for estimating when preventive maintenance of power capacitors is called for. Such a system may include, for example, a voltage sensor, a current sensor, and data processing circuitry. The voltage sensor may measure a voltage difference across a phase of a power capacitor. The current sensor may measure a current across the phase of the power capacitor. The data processing circuitry to determine a first instantaneous indication of a difference between a nominal capacitance of the power capacitor and an actual value of the power capacitor based at least in part on the measured first voltage difference and first current. |
| US09588178B2 |
Parallel and serial data with controller, delay, and register circuits
The present disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus of using the JTAG TAP's TMS and TCK terminals as a general purpose serial Input/Output (I/O) bus. According to the present disclosure, the TAP's TMS terminal is used as a clock signal and the TCK terminal is used as a bidirectional data signal to allow serial communication to occur between; (1) an IC and an external controller, (2) between a first and second IC, or (3) between a first and second core circuit within an IC. |
| US09588173B2 |
Waveguides for capturing close-proximity electromagnetic radiation transmitted by wireless chips during testing on automated test equipment (ATE)
A test fixture has a flexible plastic cable that acts as a waveguide. The Device-Under-Test (DUT) is a small transceiver and antenna that operate in the Extremely High-Frequency (EHF) band of 30-300 GHz. The size of the DUT transceiver is very small, limiting the power of emitted electromagnetic radiation so that close-proximity communication is used. The envelope for reception may only extend for about a centimeter from the DUT transceiver, about the same size as the test socket. A slot is formed in the test socket very near to the antenna. The slot receives one end of the plastic waveguide. The slot extends into the envelope by the DUT transceiver so that close-proximity radiation is captured by the plastic waveguide. The waveguide has a high relative permittivity and reflective metalized walls so that the radiation may be carried to a receiver that is outside the envelope. |
| US09588170B2 |
Systems and methods for test circuitry for insulated-gate bipolar transistors
A saturation edge detection circuit for testing a saturation level in an insulated gate bipolar transistor (“IGBT”) includes a first input operable to receive an on signal, a second input coupled to an IGBT driver circuit, and an output coupled to a control electrode of the IGBT. The output indicates a change in a state of a saturation voltage associated with the IGBT during operation of the IGBT. |
| US09588169B1 |
Live circuit monitoring
There are disclosed apparatus and methods for testing a live circuit powered from an alternating current (AC) voltage. A zero crossing detector detects zero crossings of the AC voltage. A spread spectrum time domain reflectometer (SSTDR) coupled to the zero crossing detector performs measurements of the live circuit, each measurement synchronized with a zero crossings of the AC voltage. A processor coupled to the SSTDR detects faults in the live circuit based on correlation data provided by the SSTDR. |
| US09588165B2 |
Stun device testing apparatus and methods
A method of testing an electric discharge stun device includes the steps of identifying a stun device to be tested and absorbing a discharge from the stun device into a tester. The discharge is characterized by a discharge characteristic that is then compared automatically to information such as (a) a previous corresponding characteristic associated with a previous discharge of the stun device or (b) a corresponding characteristic associated with a prior discharge of at least one other stun device. The characteristic can be a waveform, a peak voltage, duration, current, joule, and temperature. |
| US09588163B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting foreign object in wireless power transmitting system
The present invention is related to an apparatus and method for detecting a foreign object in a wireless power transmitting system. Specifically, a wireless power transmitting apparatus includes a primary core block which transmits wireless power to a wireless power receiving apparatus through magnetic induction or magnetic resonance; an electric driving unit applying an AC (Alternating Current) signal required for the primary core block to transmit the wireless power; a control unit being connected to the electric driving unit and generating a control signal for controlling the AC signal; and a current measurement unit measuring a current flowing into the primary core block and obtaining a current measurement value converted to a numeric value relevant for the control unit to analyze the current. |
| US09588160B2 |
Wire manager with current and voltage sensing
A wire manager including current sensing features provides input for power measurement and management systems. The wire manager may be a single wire or single bundle retaining device with a current sensor such as a hall effect sensor integrated therein, or may be a multi-wire management housing with multiple current sensing devices disposed inside for measuring the current through multiple wires. The wires may be multiple branch circuits in a power distribution panel or raceway, and the wire manager may be adapted for mounting in such a panel or raceway. Voltage sensing may also be incorporated within the sensors by providing an electrically conductive plate, wire or other element that capacitively couples to the corresponding wire. |
| US09588157B2 |
Integrated circuit, current sense circuit for a pulse width modulation driver and method therefor
A current sense circuit for a PWM driver comprises: a PWM control circuit comprising: a first switching device arranged to receive a PWM signal from the PWM driver whose current is to be sensed; and a second switching device whose supply current is arranged to track the sensed current of the PWM driver. An ADC is operably coupled to the first and second switching device. The ADC comprises: a DAC arranged to provide a current sense to the second switching device that tracks the current passing through the PWM driver; a first comparator arranged to receive and compare an output current from the DAC and an output current from the first switching device; and a first successive approximation register arranged to receive an output from the comparator and provide: a first output to the ADC; and a second output that provides a representation of the sensed current. |
| US09588156B2 |
Monitoring voltage stability of a transmission corridor
A voltage stability monitoring apparatus monitors the voltage stability of a transmission corridor through which power flows between different parts of a power system. The apparatus monitors an equivalent load impedance at an interface between the transmission corridor and a part of the power system designated as generating the power. This equivalent load impedance at the interface comprises a ratio of a voltage phasor at the interface to a current phasor at the interface. The apparatus tracks a Thevenin equivalent voltage and impedance of the designated part by separately updating that voltage and impedance. Notably, the apparatus updates the imaginary part of the Thevenin equivalent voltage to reflect the magnitude of any changes in the voltage phasor that are associated with large variations in the magnitude of the equivalent load impedance at the interface. The apparatus computes an index indicating the voltage stability as a function of this tracked Thevenin equivalent voltage and impedance. |
| US09588151B2 |
Voltage and/or current sensing device for low-, medium- or high voltage switching devices
A voltage and/or current sensing device for low-, medium- or high voltage switching devices is disclosed as a constructively enhanced measuring device with high performance for use in switching devices. The sensing device can include a first voltage sensing part, a second voltage sensing part and a current sensing part all arranged in a same common single housing separated, from the switching device, in a way that an output wire from the first voltage sensing part, for sensing voltage at an upper terminal of the switching device, is located close to the current sensing part, the output wire being applied with an insulating cover, and mechanically fixed to the current sensor part, and/or the output wire being implemented in an isolation body, and only located near to the current sensing part. |
| US09588148B2 |
Input circuit for current transformer
A transformer for monitoring current in a power cable is magnetically linked with the power cable connected to the electrical device, where the transformer produces a changing transformer signal in response to the presence of a changing current within the power cable. An input circuit located proximate to the transformer and having an output terminal and being electrically connected to the transformer so as to receive the changing transformer signal. The input circuit produces, in response to receiving the changing transformer signal, one of a first signal representative of the changing current, and a first circuit condition at the output terminal of the input circuit representative of the changing current in the power cable. The input circuit includes an impedance set having an effective impedance that comprises a plurality of elements, wherein at least one of the elements is not electrically connected to the remaining the plurality of elements. |
| US09588147B2 |
Electronic integrator for Rogowski coil sensors
An integrator circuit for a current sensor such as a Rogowski coil. The integrator circuit includes an integrator having an input for receiving a signal from a current sensor and having an output providing a voltage signal. A high-pass filter has an input coupled to the output of the integrator and substantially removes the DC content from the voltage signal. A feedback loop has an input coupled to the output of the integrator and to the high-pass filter, and has an output providing the DC content of the voltage signal back to the input of the integrator. The integrator circuit can detect large current steps in the line conductor being monitored and can be used for line fault detection. |
| US09588146B2 |
Electrode for measuring biosignal and biosignal measurement device
Disclosed are a biosignal measurement device and a capacitively-coupled active electrode. The capacitively-coupled active electrode includes an electrode face configured to form capacitive coupling with a subject in a non-contact manner to detect a biosignal, and a pre-amplifier disposed on a rear side of the electrode face and embedded in a porous insulator. |
| US09588143B2 |
Resistor for detecting current
Provided is a resistor for detecting current, which includes a voltage terminal member capable of removing an influence of error voltage, formed by tiny amount of self inductance existing in the resistor. The voltage terminal member includes a resistance body (11); a pair of electrodes (12) fixed to each end of the resistance body; and a pair of voltage terminal members (3) for detecting voltage generated in the resistance body and that are connected to each electrode; wherein the voltage terminal member (3) includes a connecting portion (3b) for connecting to the electrode (12), an extending portion (3c1,3c2) extending from the connecting portion toward the other electrode side; and wherein each end of the extending portion reaches to same plane (X) perpendicular to current path between the electrodes. |
| US09588139B2 |
Probe card assembly for testing electronic devices
A probe card assembly can comprise a guide plate comprising probe guides for holding probes in predetermined positions. The probe card assembly can also comprise a wiring structure attached to the guide plate so that connection tips of the probes are positioned against and attached to contacts on the wiring structure. The attachment of the guide plate to the wiring structure can allow the wiring structure to expand or contract at a greater rate than the guide plate. The probes can include compliant elements that fail upon high electrical current and thermal stresses located away from the contact tips. |
| US09588137B2 |
Method for determining local resistivity and carrier concentration using scanning spreading resistance measurement set-up
The disclosure is related to an SSRM method for measuring the local resistivity and carrier concentration of a conductive sample. The method includes contacting the conductive sample at one side with an AFM probe and at another side with a contact electrode, modulating, at a modulation frequency, the force applied to maintain physical contact between the AFM probe and the sample while preserving the physical contact between the AFM probe and the sample, thereby modulating at the modulation frequency the spreading resistance of the sample; measuring the current flowing through the sample between the AFM probe and the contact electrode; and deriving from the measured current the modulated spreading resistance. Deriving the modulated spreading resistance includes measuring the spreading current using a current-to-voltage amplifier, converting the voltage signal into a resistance signal, and filtering out from the resistance signal, the resistance amplitude at the modulation frequency. |
| US09588129B2 |
Methods for analyzing blood to detect diseases associated with abnormal protein aggregation
A method of detecting a disease associated with abnormal protein aggregation in a subject is provided, the method comprising (a) contacting leukocytes from the subject with a probe that binds to pathogenic protein aggregates, and (b) detecting the probe bound to the pathogenic protein aggregates, wherein the presence of pathogenic protein aggregates in the leukocytes is indicative that the subject has a disease associated with abnormal protein aggregation. In one embodiment, the disease is Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment. |
| US09588126B2 |
Multipurpose mass spectrometric assay panels for peptides
Methods are provided for estimating the relative amounts of identifiable compartments, such as different types of cells or cell components, within a biological sample. The methods use mass spectrometric analysis in quantitate compartment-specific molecules and thereby allow calculation of the amount of each compartment that is present in a biological sample. The methods can, for example, provide a measurement of hematocrit from a dried blood sample. |
| US09588122B2 |
Methods of treating cancer sensitive to anti-EGFR therapy and modifying treatment using peroxiredoxin 6 biomarker
The present disclosure provides methods of treating cancer and modifying a cancer treatment for a cancer with an anti-EGFR drug by creating PRDX6 expression profiles and using the profiles to evaluate and optionally modify treatment. The present disclosure also provides assays and systems for assessing sensitivity of a cancer to an anti-EGFR therapy. |
| US09588120B2 |
Methods of subclassification of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast
Provided herein are methods of determining the aggressiveness or indolence of a ductal carcinoma in situ lesion. Also provided are methods of development treatment plans for subjects with a ductal carcinoma in situ lesion based on the aggressiveness of the lesion. |
| US09588115B2 |
Method for the diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica
The present invention relates to a method for the diagnosis and/or risk stratification of neuromyelitis optica (abbreviated NMO), wherein a determination from a body sample of a patient/test subject is performed by means of artificial aquaporin-4 peptides. The invention further relates to a kit and to new artificial aquaporin-4 peptides as such. |
| US09588113B2 |
Methods for electronic analyte assaying
An improved qualitative or semi-quantitative diagnostic test for low levels of any analyte, such as hCG, in a biological sample, such as urine. The test comprises of a test device containing reagents for the detection of the monitored analyte and an electronic reader that measures color development at a detection area of the device. The color development is converted to an electronic or digital signal. Improvements were made to the detection process to optimize the detection of a valid fluid front, increase the detection limit without compromising the reliability and accuracy of the test system, and improve the determination of test result validity. |
| US09588110B2 |
Multi component antibody based detection technology
The disclosure provides methods for detecting the concurrent presence of at least two targets within a biological sample. The method includes contacting said biological sample with a first binding agent, said first binding agent operably linked to a first sortase molecule, wherein said first binding agent specifically binds to a first target; contacting said biological sample with a second binding agent, said second binding agent operably linked to a first sortase recognition sequence peptide, wherein said second binding agent specifically binds to a second target; adding a sortase substrate under conditions where a first sortase-mediated ligation of the sortase substrate to the first sortase recognition sequence will produce a ligation product, and detecting the ligation product, wherein detection of said ligation product indicates the concurrent presence of the first target and the second target in the biological sample. Also disclosed are kits comprising reagents for performing the methods as claimed. |
| US09588103B2 |
Biological particle analyzer and method of analyzing biological particles
A method of analyzing biological particles for a biological particle analyzer includes outputting a first detection result when at least one particle has arrived at the first detection area, outputting a second detection result to the control module when the particles have arrived at the second detection area, and determining when to turn on or off the light emission source and outputting a control signal to turn on or off the light emission source according to the first detection result, wherein a control module is configured to calculate a turn-on time according to different particle characteristics and an average velocity of the at least one particle, and the light emission source is turned on only when the at least one particle is being tested during the turn-on time. |
| US09588101B2 |
Apparatus for diagnostic meter strip control and identification
A system for measuring a property of a sample in a liquid which includes a test strip and a meter is provided. Some embodiments relate to a diagnostic test strip for collecting a sample, the strip having a plurality of electrodes for measuring a property of the sample, and the strip having a control circuit at a distal region of the strip, the control circuit configured to communicate with a controller of a meter, the control circuit including an embedded temperature sensor, a memory for lot coding and authentication of the test strip, and an inhibit logic for inhibiting the test from being used more than once; and a diagnostic meter for receiving the test strip, the meter having a controller programmed to communicate with the control circuit. |
| US09588097B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining an ageing state of a lubricant
In a method for determining an ageing state of lubricant which comes into contact with a metallic surface in a machine to be lubricated, a metal ion content or a change over time of a metal ion content in the lubricant is determined. The metal ion content can be determined by a measuring sensor which is disposed in the machine or disposed in a lubricant line connected to the machine. |
| US09588096B2 |
Measuring unit for determining the composition of the liquid phase in a multi-phase mixture
Measuring device (1; 15) for determining the composition of the liquid phase of a liquid-gas mixture includes a duct (2) defining a flow direction (X) of the mixture parallel to the longitudinal development axis (Y) of the duct (2) and a measuring element (4) arranged in the duct (2) and suited to determine the composition of a liquid layer that flows in contact with the internal surface (3) of the duct (2). The internal surface (3) of the duct (2) includes an intercepting surface (5, 5′) suited to convey part of the liquid layer towards the measuring element (4), arranged so that it is incident on the flow direction (X) and developed according to a conveyance trajectory that has a helical section and whose tangent to the outlet end (7, 7′) intersects the measuring element (4). |
| US09588094B2 |
Water monitoring system
An Anti-Terrorism water quality monitoring system for continuously monitoring a potable water treatment system and related potable water distribution network that provides potable water to a municipality, city, housing development or other potable water consumer. The system includes the collection of data from the water distribution system and from the water treatment facility and from advanced separation processes which are integrated into analytical instruments. The data collected are stored in a remote database on a remote server computer or bank of computers and accessible by Homeland Security or its designated agency. Preferred parameters of monitoring include the turbidity and disinfectant such as chlorine, hypochlorous acid, sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, ozone, chlorine dioxide, chloramines, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid. |
| US09588088B2 |
Gas sample introduction device
In a gas sample analysis device including a metering tube, sample gas supply channel, carrier gas supply channel, evacuation channel and collection tube, there is provided a first channel switching valve which switches between a load state in which the metering tube is interposed between said sample gas supply channel and the evacuation channel and an injection state in which the metering tube is interposed between the sample gas supply channel and gas analysis device; and a second channel switching valve which, in the load state or injection state, switches between a collection tube interposition state in which the collection tube is interposed between the sample gas supply channel and the metering tube or between the metering tube and the gas analysis device, and a collection tube shunt state in which the collection tube is not interposed. |
| US09588087B2 |
Continuous measurement chromatography and method of continuous stochastic perturbation chromatography
A method and system for continuous measurement chromatograph involves stochastically modulating a system variable. The sample can be introduced into a chromatography column. The sample introduction can be modulated stochastically. The sample output from the column can be detected and processed with the stochastic input to provide a sample analysis. |
| US09588085B2 |
Device and system for ultrasonic inspection
This disclosure describes embodiments of a probe assembly and an inspection system for ultrasonic inspection. Designs for the probe assembly package components to fit into a bore of a hollow target. These designs may incorporate electronics to generate waves and to detect a wide selection of anomalies (e.g., transversal crack, longitudinal crack, and volumetric flaws) that can form in the hollow target. The probe assembly provides support structure to manipulate and operate these electronics in the bore. This support structure facilitates communication of signals, e.g., from transducer elements that operate as a phased array. The probe assembly also includes a fluid circulating system and coupling system that permits the probe device to detach and reattach to match the probe device (and other parts of the probe assembly) to the size of the bore. These systems allow for fluid and electrical signals to circulate through the probe assembly. |
| US09588082B2 |
Steam generator tube probe and method of inspection
A steam generator tube probe includes a probe head comprising an electronic probe coupled between a proximal portion of the head that is configured for entry into a steam generator tube and a distal portion of the head; and a probe shaft coupled to the distal portion of the shaft and comprising a flexible metallic conduit that comprises a plurality of interlocking portions, each interlocking portion moveably affixed to at least one adjacent interlocking portion. |
| US09588078B2 |
Gas sensor
In a gas sensor 10, a powder compact 45a seals a void space between an inner peripheral surface 42c of metal-made main hardware 42 and a sensor element 20, and the inner peripheral surface 42c has arithmetic average roughness Ra of 0.5 to 5 μm. The gas sensor 10 includes supporters 44a and 44b, which are arranged in a penetration hole of the main hardware 42, which allow the sensor element 20 to penetrate therethrough, and which press the powder compact 45a in sandwiching relation from both sides in an axial direction. A surface of at least one of the supporters 44a and 44b has the arithmetic average roughness Ra of not more than 0.5 μm. |
| US09588076B2 |
Biosensor and method for manufacturing biosensor
The present invention relates to a biosensor, and it is an object thereof to suppress degradation by light. A biosensor (2) comprises a blood component measurement working electrode (5), a blood component measurement counter electrode (6), and a reagent component (9). The reagent component (9) is provided near the blood component measurement working electrode (5) and the blood component measurement counter electrode (6). The reagent component (9) includes a mediator, an oxidoreductase, and a substance that absorbs light with a wavelength of 400 to 500 nm. An insulated substrate (4) is provided, on the surface of which is disposed the blood component measurement working electrode (5) and/or the blood component measurement counter electrode (6). The reagent component (9) is disposed on the one or more electrodes on the insulated substrate (4). |
| US09588074B2 |
Method for monitoring the integrity of a flexible line extending through a fluid exploitation facility, and associated flexible line, kit and production process
A method including the provision of at least one wire sensor (54A) including a polymeric matrix and having greater electric conductivity than that of the tubular body (52). The method includes the measurement of an electric quantity representative of the integrity of the flexible line, in at least one measurement point (60A, 60B) located on the sensor (54A). |
| US09588071B2 |
Multiphase meter
A multiphase meter system including: transmitting and receiving antennas in the flow pipe, wherein the receiving antennas are at different distances from the transmitting antenna, and a control system configured to: apply an electromagnetic field to the transmitting antenna and receive signals from the receiving antenna induced in the fluid or the pipe by the transmission of the electromagnetic field; calculate a resonance quality of the signals received by at least one of the first and second receiver antennas; calculate composition or salinity of the fluid based on the resonance quality if the resonance quality is greater than a threshold value, and calculate composition or salinity of the fluid based on a transmission time difference of the signals received from the first receiver antenna and the signals received by the second receiver antenna if the resonance quality is below the threshold value. |
| US09588070B2 |
Combustion calorimeter with a decomposition vessel
A combustion calorimeter (1) has a housing (6) and therein a detachably mounted decomposition vessel (2) with sample holder (11) and ignition apparatus (12) in its reaction chamber (3). The wall (4) of the decomposition vessel (2) and also the upper decomposition wall (5) here have in the vertical use position a wall thickness that increases from the bottom to the top in order to conduct the heat generated in a combustion process if possible into the upper region of the decomposition vessel (2), where also at least one temperature sensor (7) can be arranged. Owing to the increase in thickness of the delimitation of the internal or reaction space (3), the heat can be distributed therein more favorably. |
| US09588069B2 |
Methods for performing thermal melt analysis
The present disclosure provides apparatus, systems, and methods for conducting rapid, accurate, and consistent heated amplifications and/or thermal melt analyses. |
| US09588066B2 |
Methods and systems for measuring periodic structures using multi-angle X-ray reflectance scatterometry (XRS)
Methods and systems for measuring periodic structures using multi-angle X-ray reflectance scatterometry (XRS) are disclosed. For example, a method of measuring a sample by X-ray reflectance scatterometry involves impinging an incident X-ray beam on a sample having a periodic structure to generate a scattered X-ray beam, the incident X-ray beam simultaneously providing a plurality of incident angles and a plurality of azimuthal angles. The method also involves collecting at least a portion of the scattered X-ray beam. |
| US09588065B2 |
Method and apparatus for measurement of concentration of a specific analyte in a biological material
A method and apparatus for determining the concentration of a specific analyte in a sample of biological material are disclosed. The sample is placed in a sample container (10) which provides at least two radiation paths (14) with different lengths through the sample container (10), and is sequentially irradiated with electromagnetic radiation, e.g. X-rays. The amount of radiation penetrating the sample is detected, and absorbance is determined based on the detected radiation. During irradiation, the sample container (10) is moved in relation to the radiation source (1) and detector (5) so that absorbance measurements at different path-lengths are acquired. A regression line from the absorbance values and path lengths is determined, such that a slope of the regression line is obtained, and based on this slope, the concentration of the specific analyte is determined. |
| US09588063B2 |
Sensor, measuring device, and measuring method
A sensor measures a sample in a measuring cell including a helix conductor. The shell structure of the measuring cell is made of an electrically non-conductive material. The measuring cell and at least part of the helix conductor are placeable inside a chamber. A radio-frequency signal input element couples a radio-frequency signal to the chamber to form a helix resonance. A radio-frequency signal output element is responsive to a helix resonance of the helix conductor and transmits a radio-frequency signal for measurement. A device for measuring a sample in a measuring cell includes the sensor, a radio-frequency signal source, and a measuring and control part. The radio-frequency signal source produces a radio-frequency signal to the input element. The measuring and control part measures a property of a sample on the basis of a resonance frequency. |
| US09588062B2 |
Waste water assessment
Waste water assessment apparatus, a method and a computer program are provided. The waste water assessment apparatus comprises: transceiver circuitry configured to transmit a microwave signal and to receive one or more reflections of the microwave signal; and processing circuitry configured to process the one or more reflections of the microwave signal to determine one or more characteristics of waste water flowing through a conduit. |
| US09588061B2 |
Measuring whispering-gallery-mode resonator
A measuring whispering-gallery-mode resonator includes: a dielectric resonating body with a rotation axis, a superconducting sample under test mounted to the resonating body and a coupling unit for coupling a measuring waveguide with the resonating body. One side of the resonating body connected with the coupling unit has a first endplate, in which m coupling holes penetrate through the first endplate, and centers of the m coupling holes are arranged to be evenly spaced along a circle whose center is on the rotation axis. The coupling unit has a feeder line which is a coaxial waveguide, and an axis of the coaxial waveguide coincides with the rotation axis. One end surface of the coaxial waveguide, which is perpendicular to the rotation axis, abuts the first endplate; and the azimuth index of operated whispering gallery mode in the resonator is an integer multiple of the number m of the coupling holes. |
| US09588060B2 |
Non-destructive inspection system for display panel and method, and non-destructive inspection apparatus thereof
A non-destructive inspection apparatus includes a light source generating light, an optical coupler which divides the light, irradiates the divided light to a reference part and a sample part, generates coherent light, and transmits the coherent light to a detecting part, the reference part which phase-scans the irradiated light and reflects the light, the sample part which irradiates the light incident from the optical coupler to a display panel, and scans and reflects the light reflected from the display panel, the detecting part which obtains an image signal of the display panel from the coherent light, a transferring part which moves a position of the sample part, and the control part which generates an image of the display panel based on the image signal of the display panel transmitted from the detecting part and detects a foreign substance, and controls movement of the transferring part. |
| US09588059B2 |
Method for analyzing the quality of a glazing
A method for analyzing quality of a glazing including: generating at least one digital image of a test chart produced in reflection by an external surface of the glazing on an outside of the glazing; computation by at least one processing unit of quantities representative of the quality of the glazing based on the at least one image generated; and comparing values computed for the representative quantities with respect to reference values. The test chart exhibits a pattern including elements of closed contours arranged periodically. The representative quantities are representative of a deformation of the image of the test chart produced in reflection by the external surface of the glazing on the outside of the glazing, and the computation of a representative quantity includes the computation of a density of the elements. |
| US09588058B1 |
Non-destructive evaluation of water ingress in photovoltaic modules
Systems and techniques for non-destructive evaluation of water ingress in photovoltaic modules include and/or are configured to illuminate a photovoltaic module comprising a photovoltaic cell and an encapsulant with at least one beam of light having a wavelength in a range from about 1400 nm to about 2700 nm; capture one or more images of the illuminated photovoltaic module, each image relating to a water content of the photovoltaic module; and determine a water content of the photovoltaic module based on the one or more images. Systems preferably include one or more of a light source, a moving mirror, a focusing lens, a beam splitter, a stationary mirror, an objective lens and an imaging module. |
| US09588056B2 |
Method for particle detection on flexible substrates
Methods for detection of particulate on thin, flexible substrates wherein the substrate is positioned in a bend comprising an apex line. The apex line is illuminated by grazing angle illumination, and light from the illumination scattered by the particulate is captured by a detection apparatus. |
| US09588053B2 |
Replacement indicator, elastomeric articles and methods
A replacement indicator can be operatively associated with an elastomeric article such that the replacement indicator is visually observable. In some cases, the replacement indicator can be secured on or along the elastomeric article. Gas spring assemblies and pneumatic tires including a replacement indicator, as well as methods of manufacture are also included. |
| US09588052B2 |
Water-based organic bismuth, elemental sulfur and lithium carbonate sterilization indicator composition
Water-based formulations comprising an indicating composition dispersed in water are described. The water-based indicating compositions include an organic Bi(III) compound, a sulfur source, and a carbonate salt. Formulations further including a resin and/or an acidic additive are also described. |
| US09588051B2 |
Apparatus and method for performing nucleic acid analysis
The present invention relates to optical confinements, methods of preparing and methods of using them for analyzing molecules and/or monitoring chemical reactions. The apparatus and methods embodied in the present invention are particularly useful for high-throughput and low-cost single-molecular analysis. |
| US09588049B2 |
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering unit, and method for using same
A SERS unit comprises a substrate; an optical function part formed on the substrate, for generating surface-enhanced Raman scattering; and a package containing the optical function part in an inert space and configured to irreversibly expose the space. |
| US09588047B2 |
Multi-cell apparatus and method for single ion addressing
A multi-cell apparatus and method for single ion addressing are described herein. One apparatus includes a first cell configured to set a frequency, intensity, and a polarization of a laser and shutter the laser, a second cell configured to align the shuttered laser to an ion in an ion trap such that the ion fluoresces light and/or performs a quantum operation, and a third cell configured to detect the light fluoresced from the ion. |
| US09588043B2 |
Measurement apparatus and measurement method
A sensor unit photoelectrically converts received light to output image data. A lens unit condenses light reflected by an object surface to be measured on the sensor unit. A lens control unit controls a geometric condition of rays passing through the lens unit. The sensor unit and the lens control unit are controlled to acquire a multi-angular reflectance property in a neighborhood of a specular reflection direction of the object surface. |
| US09588042B2 |
Multilayered tissue phantoms, fabrication methods, and use
A method for producing a multilayer tissue phantom involves successively forming at least two layers, each layer formed by depositing a viscous flowable material over a supporting element or over a previously formed layer of the phantom supported by the supporting element, selectively redistributing the material while material is solidifying to control a thickness distribution of the layer, and allowing the material to solidify sufficiently to apply a next layer. The supporting element supports the material in 2 or 3 directions and effectively molds a lumen of the tissue. The neighboring layers are of different composition and of chosen thickness to provide desired optical properties and mechanical properties of the phantom. The phantom may have selected attenuation and backscattering properties to mimic tissues for optical coherence tomography imaging. |
| US09588037B2 |
High throughput lens-free three-dimensional tracking of sperm
A system for three dimensional imaging of motile objects includes an image sensor and a sample holder disposed adjacent to the image sensor. A first illumination source is provided and has a first wavelength and positioned relative to the sample holder at a first location to illuminate the sample. A second illumination source is also provided having a second wavelength, different from the first wavelength, and positioned relative to the sample holder at a second location, different from the first location, to illuminate the sample. The first and second illumination sources are configured to simultaneously, or alternatively, sequentially illuminate the sample contained within the sample holder. Three dimensional positions of the motile objects in each frame are obtained based on digitally reconstructed projection images of the mobile objects obtained from the first and second illumination sources. This positional data is connected for each frame to obtain 3D trajectories of motile objects. |
| US09588032B2 |
Method for examining samples of frozen rocks
A sample of frozen rocks is placed into contact with a frozen solution of an X-ray contrast agent at subzero temperature. Upon the end of saturation of the sample, a computed X-ray microtomography of the sample is conducted at a subzero temperature. The obtained microtomographic image is analyzed and spatial distribution and concentration of ice and/or gas hydrate inclusions, as well as open and closed porosity are determined. |
| US09588028B2 |
Machine for testing cushioning material for packaging
The invention relates to a machine for testing cushioning material for packaging, which improves the test method and performs a more precise characterization of cushioning for packaging. The machine is formed by: a load arm (1); a lift motor (2) on the upper part thereof; several guides that connect (i) a rigid platform (6) for positioning the sample to be tested, replaceable by a load cell (6′), and (ii) an impact platform comprising sensors (7) for monitoring the position thereof and measuring acceleration during impact; a spindle (4) for moving the load arm; and, on the lower part thereof, a seismic mass (5) for reducing the transmission of the impact. |
| US09588027B2 |
Mixing of fluids in fluidic systems
Fluidic devices and methods associated with mixing of fluids in fluidic devices are provided. In some embodiments, a method may involve the mixing of two or more fluids in a channel segment of a fluidic device. The fluids may be in the form of, for example, at least first, second and third fluid plugs, composed of first, second, and third fluids, respectively. The second fluid may be immiscible with the first and third fluids. In certain embodiments, the fluid plugs may be flowed in series in the channel segment, e.g., in linear order, causing the first and third fluids to mix without the use of active to components such as mixers. The mixing of fluids in a channel segment as described herein may allow for improved performance and simplification in the design and operations of fluidic devices that rely on mixing of fluids. |
| US09588023B2 |
Sampling container for collection of fluids
A method and apparatus for the collection, transportation and analysis of gas samples which may be required in various scientific, environmental and natural resource contexts is provided. The apparatus comprises a sampling container assembly for sampling a fluid. The container assembly comprises a body defining a sampling chamber having a first end and a second end, a first valve assembly fluidly coupled with the first end and a reactant material positioned within the sampling chamber for reacting with the fluid. After collection of the sample in the sampling container assembly, hazardous fluids are converted to non-hazardous materials that can be transported without additional hazardous material restraints. Further, the flow through design of the sampling container assembly allows for the collection of gases such as H2S at low concentrations by flowing the gas over the reactant materials for longer periods of time. |
| US09588009B2 |
Ultrasonic fatigue testing machine and ultrasonic fatigue testing method
This ultrasonic fatigue testing machine is one that resonates a test piece by an ultrasonic wave to perform a fatigue test, and configured to include an ultrasonic wave generation part 10, a displacement measurement part 20, and a control part 30 that controls the overall operation of the ultrasonic fatigue testing machine. The control part 30 is configured to have a computer that includes storage devices capable of store programs and various types of data, such as an RAM and an ROM, and an arithmetic unit such as a CPU, and includes an internal temperature estimation part 31, an allowable range setting part 32, and a determination part 33 as a main functional configuration. |
| US09588007B2 |
Method and apparatus for turbine engine rotor automatic self balancing
An online real time steam or gas turbine engine rotor balancing system is incorporated in a rotor balance plane. A selectively displaceable balancing weight is coupled to the rotor and is selectively displaced by a motor that is coupled to the balancing weight. The motor selectively displaces the balancing weight along a displacement path that is in the balance plane. A turbine engine rotor vibration monitoring system monitors rotor vibration in real-time. A control system is coupled to rotor vibration monitoring system and the motor, for determining in real time a desired balance weight displacement position to counteract the monitored rotor vibration. The controller selectively causes the motor to displace the balancing weight to the desired displacement position. The motor power source is an inductive power source or a permanent magnet generator. |
| US09588003B2 |
Isolator system for a pressure transmitter
An isolator system for a pressure transmitter includes a port internal to the transmitter, a sensor tube, and a fill tube. The sensor tube is connected to the port to fluidly connect a passageway through a transmitter body to a pressure sensor. The sensor tube includes a first end disposed in the port. The first end has a first cross-sectional area. The fill tube is internal to the transmitter and connected to the port to fluidly connect to the passageway. The fill tube includes a second end disposed in the port. The second end of the fill tube has a second cross-sectional area that is less than the first cross-sectional area of the sensor tube. |
| US09587993B2 |
Probe assembly for a fluid bed reactor
Embodiments of a probe assembly for a fluid bed reactor are disclosed. The probe assembly includes a fluid bed reactor (FBR) member, and a pressure tap comprising a wall defining a passageway within which the FBR member is located. Exemplary FBR members include, but are not limited to, a thermocouple, a seed pipe, a particle sampling line, a gas sampling line, a gas feed line, a heater, a second pressure tap, or a combination thereof. Disclosed embodiments of the probe assembly reduce or eliminate the need for support rods and rings within the fluid bed reactor, reduce component fouling within the reactor, and/or reduce product contamination. |
| US09587992B1 |
Voltage and temperature sensor for a serializer/deserializer communication application
The present invention relates to integrated circuits. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for determining temperatures of an integrated circuit using an one-point calibration technique, where temperature is determined by a single temperature measurement and calculation using known electrical characteristics of the integrated circuit. |
| US09587984B2 |
Gonio-spectroradiometer and measuring method thereof
A gonio-spectroradiometer and a measuring method thereof. The gonio-spectroradiometer includes a light source rotating on a light source axis, a first integrating sphere revolving around the light source with respect to a revolving axis perpendicular to the light source axis with a fixed radius and including an entrance formed in a direction to see the light source, a light intensity modulator adapted to modulate light intensity of light received through the first integrating sphere according to the rotation amount of the revolving axis, and a detector adapted to measure output light of the light intensity modulator at each wavelength. |
| US09587979B2 |
Electronic device with infrared sensor-based user input controls
An electronic device uses one or more infrared sensors to detect infrared light from a person's body (e.g., a user's finger) to initiate a function of the electronic device. According to an implementation, the housing of the electronic device includes a flexible portion that opens an aperture in response to external pressure (e.g., a user pressing down on the flexible portion) to allow infrared light from the person's body to reach an infrared sensor. When the infrared sensor detects the infrared light, it generates a signal in response. A processor of the electronic device receives the signal and, in response, initiates a function of the electronic device. The function may be any function that the electronic device is capable of performing, such as a power-on function, a camera function, changing the speaker volume, and launching an application. |
| US09587974B2 |
Weighing scale diagnostics method
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to weighing scale diagnostic methods employing a comparison of like component operating parameters. In certain embodiments, the difference between any two current operating parameter values may be compared against a maximum allowable difference, and/or the deviation of current operating parameters from a calculated measure of central tendency may be determined and compared against a maximum allowable deviation. Alternatively or additionally, a standard statistical test for outliers may be employed. An outlying difference or deviation may be indicative of a problem with the associated component. In other embodiments, the current operating parameters of like components may be compared against calibrated parameters and any deviation of the current parameter for a given component may be compared against the total deviation to determine the percentage of deviation attributable to that component. |
| US09587973B2 |
Fluid reservoir level detection system
A fluid level detection device comprising an elongated shaft having a plurality of sensors and associated switches on a distal end thereof. The distal end of the shaft extends into a liquid reservoir with the switches configured to detect multiple predetermined fluid levels. The first fluid level detected is a warning level indicating that the level of fluid in the reservoir is low and results in a warning indication. The second fluid level detected is for a shutoff threshold that results in shutdown of the device using the fluid in the reservoir and a shutdown indicator. |
| US09587971B2 |
Dual E-shaped high frequency exciter
An exciter associated with a mass flow primary comprises a rigid plate comprising a base, two outer struts, and an inner strut; at least one electromagnet formed over the inner strut; a protection circuit associated with the electromagnet; and an exciter circuit configured to induce a current in said electromagnet in order to cause vibration of said exciter. |
| US09587969B2 |
Automatic identification of sensors
Disclosed is a method for mapping network identifiers to a set of sensor modules that measure a three-dimensional action vector and that are sensitive to orientation in three-dimensional space. Each sensor module is mounted at a different position on a machine such that the orientation of each sensor module is different. The method includes one or two stages. In the first stage, the machine is placed in a stationary state, and measurements of a static action vector from a sensor module identified by a network identifier are correlated with expected measurements from a sensor module having a corresponding orientation and corresponding position. In the second stage, the machine is placed in a dynamic state, and measurements of a dynamic action vector from a sensor module identified by a network identifier are correlated with expected measurements from a sensor module having a corresponding orientation and corresponding position. |
| US09587968B2 |
Sensor device and method for producing a sensor device
A sensor device includes a sensor element configured to detect a measurement value based at least in part upon a physical variable, and a support element configured to support the sensor element. The support element has at least one connection region which is located in a section of the support element, and which is configured to connect the section of the support element to a section of the sensor element such that the sensor element is mounted so as to be movable with respect to the support element. |
| US09587967B1 |
Vehicle container illumination
An engine compartment illumination system is provided that includes a first container including a first cap including a light source operable to emit an excitation emission, a window, and an optics system configured to direct a portion of the excitation emission through the window. A second container is positioned proximate the first container and includes a second cap and an indicia positioned proximate the second cap. The excitation emission is configured to excite the indicia. |
| US09587965B2 |
Optical encoder and reference signal generation method for optical encoder
First and second output signals are generated based on amounts of light received by first and second light-receiving elements, respectively, when a detection head is moved along a scale; a first amplitude adjustment is performed to adjust an amplitude of the first or second output signal such that levels of first and second output signals become equal at a first reference phase; a second amplitude adjustment is performed to adjust an amplitude of the first or second output signal such that levels of the first and second output signals become equal at a second reference phase; and a reference signal that starts at a timing when levels of the second output signal and the first output signal subjected to the first amplitude adjustment become equal and ends at a timing when levels of the second output signal and the first output signal subjected to the second amplitude adjustment become equal. |
| US09587962B2 |
Method of and apparatus for ascertaining the fine position value of a movable body
A position sensor for ascertaining the fine position value z of a movable body includes an exciter unit moving therewith and a stationary sensor unit (7) which simultaneously delivers a plurality of output signals jointly describing the fine position value. In a calibration mode there is established a defined relationship between the exciter unit and a calibration unit (31) such that groups of amplitude values can be taken off from said output signals and groups of average values are formed therefrom, which are fed to the calibration unit (31) which converts them into reference values using the calibration fine position values μ(z) and stores same with the associated fine position as an associated values multiplet in a comparative value memory (14). In each measuring mode groups of amplitude are taken off from the output signals from which groups of measuring values are produced by averaging and are fed to a computing unit (10), which forms differences of cross products from the reference values of varying groups of reference values and the current measuring value group and causes said differences to go towards zero to ascertain the current fine position value. |
| US09587961B2 |
Aircraft display management system for flight envelope protection
A display management system is provided for displaying a graphical representation of flight envelope information of an aircraft. Included in the display management system is a control module being coupled to the display management system and programmed to control the graphical representation including at least one flight envelope protection attribute. A signal detection module receives signals from a plurality of sensors of the aircraft, and the received signals include associated parameter values for the at least one flight envelope protection attribute. A protection selection module selects the at least one flight envelope protection attribute based on the received signals and parameter values. A display module displays the at least one flight envelope protection attribute on a display screen in relation to a flight control law state stored in a database using a display model of the aircraft from an elevational view based on the received signals and parameter values. |
| US09587959B2 |
Step counter device with energy-scavenging functionality, and step-counting method
A step-counter device detects and counts user steps. The device includes a transducer configured to generate an electrical transduction signal in response to user stepping. An energy-scavenging system is coupled to the transducer to generate a power supply voltage in response to the electrical transduction signal. A processing unit is powered by the power supply voltage. The processing unit is further configured to sense the electrical transduction signal and determine whether a user step has occurred and in response to that determination increment a step counter. |
| US09587958B2 |
Mobile device gateway systems and methods
A control system (106) for mounting to a vehicle (100) and for providing information to an occupant of the vehicle from a first source device (116) is provided. The vehicle includes an audio system (130) and/or a display system (100). The control system includes a first interface (120) for communicating with the first source device (116). The control system further includes a second interface for providing a signal to the audio system and/or the display system. The control system yet further includes a processor (122). A memory unit (122) is communicably connected to the processor and includes a first transport (2112) configured to send a control signal to the interface. The memory unit (132) further includes a first manager (2304) configured to receive a command from an application (2104) and to translate the command from the application (2104) into a command for the transport (2112). |
| US09587956B2 |
Route stabilization scrolling mode
An approach for a route stabilization scrolling mode is provided. The approach displays a map window, wherein the map window includes a visible region of a map, the map including a plotted route originating at a source location and ending at a destination location. The approach receives one or more swipe gestures within the map window. The approach determines whether the one or more swipe gestures exceeds an escape velocity threshold. Responsive to a determination that the one or more swipe gestures exceeds the level of intensity to progress the map window into an area of the map away from the plotted route, the approach generates one or more custom pegs, wherein the one or more custom pegs is a compressed snapshot of a last position on the plotted route prior to exceeding the escape velocity threshold. |
| US09587949B2 |
Position-based tags, reminders, and messaging
A method performed by a user device may include determining a geographical position of the device, receiving a description of the geographical position, receiving a selection of one or more individuals to share the geographical position and the description, and saving the geographical position and the description, on another device, to permit access to the geographical position and the description, on the other device, according to the selection of the one or more individuals. Another method performed by a user device may include determining a geographical position of the user device, receiving reminder information that is tied with the geographical position, receiving a selection of a user in which the reminder information and the geographical position pertains, and notifying the user of the reminder information a next time that the user device is at or within a specified distance from the geographical position. A further method performed by a user device may include determining a geographical position of the user device, creating a text message that integrates the geographical position in an attachment that causes a recipient user device to perform an automatic wake-up call of a position-based application for locating the geographical position of the user device, and transmitting the text message that integrates the geographical position to the recipient user device. |
| US09587948B2 |
Method for determining the absolute position of a mobile unit, and mobile unit
The present disclosure discloses a method for determining the absolute position of a mobile unit, which has at least one optical surroundings sensor that captures a detection area of the environs of the mobile unit, in a predefined navigation environment, wherein optical, distinguishable markers which can be detected by the surroundings sensor are used in the navigation environment, wherein, for position determination, at least one marker is detected and identified, by means of an image processing algorithm, in sensor data recorded by at least one of the at least one surroundings sensors, and a relative position between the mobile unit and the marker is determined taking account of the position of the marker in the sensor data, and an absolute position of the mobile unit is determined as a function of the relative position and the absolute position of the marker. |
| US09587944B2 |
Angular velocity sensor, electronic apparatus, and moving object
An angular velocity sensor includes fixing units, a base portion, beam portions that support the base portion with respect to the fixing units, driving vibrating arms connected to the base portion, and detection vibrating arms connected to the base portion. When a width of a detection frequency band is set to f1 [Hz], a resonance frequency in a rotational vibration mode in which the base portion rotates and vibrates around a detection axis with respect to the fixing units in association with the deformation of the beam portions is set to f2 [Hz], and a detuning frequency is set to f3 [Hz], the relation of f1 |
| US09587941B2 |
Method of enhancing the detectability of a height change with an air pressure sensor and a sensor unit for determining a height change
A sensor unit (2) comprising a pressure sensor (9) is worn by a person. A fall of the person causes a height change as well an orientation change of the pressure sensor. To enlarge the detectability of the fall the air pressure is positioned such that in a pre-fall condition the contribution of an error to the sensor's measurement is maximal. This error is caused by gravity acting on the membrane of the sensor. |
| US09587938B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining a characteristic of a construction material
An apparatus is provided. The apparatus is provided for interacting with a cylindrically-shaped construction material sample that defines a longitudinal axis extending from a central point of an end of the construction material sample. The apparatus includes a translation mechanism configured for rotating the construction material sample about the longitudinal axis and at least one material-interacting device spaced-apart from the translation mechanism and configured for interacting with the construction material sample. |
| US09587933B2 |
System and method for inspecting an object
A method involves receiving a test image of at least a portion of a test object which includes a test moiré pattern generated by superposing one or more reference gratings on one or more subject gratings. The method further involves analyzing one or more test beat lines in the test moiré pattern and calculating one or more test values based on the analysis of the one or more test beat lines. The one or more test values are a function of one or more rotational angles corresponding to the one or more subject gratings and a shape of at least the portion of the test object. The method also involves calculating one or more angular errors of the one or more subject gratings based on the one or more test values and one or more template values and sending a notification based on the one or more angular errors. |
| US09587929B2 |
Focus metrology method and photolithography method and system
The present disclosure provides a focus metrology method and photolithography method and system. The focus metrology method includes recognizing at least one relevant region and at least one irrelevant region on a workpiece surface, measuring a height of the relevant region and determining a focal length for an exposure process based on the measured height of the relevant region. |
| US09587927B2 |
High speed high resolution heterodyne interferometric method and system
A high speed high resolution heterodyne interferometric method and system are provided. The invention uses two spatially separated beams with slightly different frequencies and has two measurement signals with opposite Doppler shift. The switching circuit selects one of the two measurement signals for displacement measurement according to the direction and speed of the target movement. In this invention, the measurement is insensitive to the thermal variation; the periodic nonlinearity is essentially eliminated by using two spatially separated beams; the measurable target speed of the interferometer is no longer limited by the beat frequency of the laser source. |
| US09587925B2 |
Rock blasting method and system for adjusting a blasting plan in real time
A rock blasting method and a system of rock blasting sensors and charges which form a network for use in the mining industry. The method and the system being able to self-adjust in order to maximize the extraction of raw material from a rock mass while minimizing the costs of operation and diminishing the environmental impact of the mining process. |
| US09587922B2 |
Attack capability enhancing ballistic sabot
A ballistic sabot for adapting a payload to a launch device is disclosed. The ballistic sabot can include a support structure configured to be releasably coupled to a payload and to operably interface with a launch device. The launch device can be operable to launch the payload and the support structure on a ballistic trajectory. The support structure can be configured to retain and travel with the payload along the ballistic trajectory substantially beyond the launch device prior to release and separation from the payload. |
| US09587912B2 |
Eye alignment assembly
A bow sight with at least one sight pin mounted to a frame assembly. At least one optical fiber is attached to the sight pin. The optical fiber is exposed to gather ambient light and to transmit light to a sight point located within the frame assembly. The eye alignment assembly includes an optical structure mounted to the frame assembly including a sight point of an optical fiber located near a proximal end of the optical structure and a lens with alignment indicia located at a distal end of the optical structure. An adjustment system permits the optical structure to be reoriented relative to the frame assembly. The eye alignment assembly provides an indication of orientation of the shooter relative to the bow in at least two degrees of freedom. |
| US09587910B1 |
Fiber optic weapon sight
The embodiments of the disclosed invention relate to fiber optic weapon sights that use a reflector to direct ambient light to a fiber optic rod and thus provide weapon sights that are bright in any lighting condition. In one instance, the reflector can have a concave shape, such as a spherical or parabolic shape, that can focus ambient light on the fiber optic rod and thereby significantly increase the brightness of the weapon sight. The embodiments of the present invention can accordingly provide enhanced fiber optic front and/or rear sights for weapons including rifles, pistols, and shotguns. |
| US09587907B2 |
Scope guard apparatus and system
An apparatus for protecting weapons and weapon accessories. The apparatus has one or more fittings located on a lower portion of a mounting area on the apparatus. The one or more fittings are attached to corresponding mounting sites on an upper portion of a mounting area on a weapon. A frame is affixed to one or more fittings to provide protection for the weapon and weapon accessory in the event of a collision or trauma. |
| US09587899B2 |
Shooting support
In accordance with an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein a shooting support for use with a bow or a firearm. The shooting support comprises a shaft having a plurality of telescoping segments, an upper end fitting pivotally mounted to the shaft, the upper end fitting having a plate, a lower end fitting pivotally mounted to the shaft, and a fixture coupled with the lower end fitting. The fixture is sized to receive a shoe of a user operating the shooting support. |
| US09587898B1 |
Trigger mechanism guard assembly and method of use
A trigger mechanism guard assembly includes two arms, each having a first end with a trigger guarding surface and a second end and a housing with substantially parallel side surfaces configured to at least partially enclose the second ends of the arms. The housing is configured to be movable relative to the arms such that the housing has a first position and a second position, the second position being closer to the first ends of the arms compared to the first position. Movement of the housing from the first position to the second position causes movement of the first ends of the arms away from each other. |
| US09587896B1 |
Ambidextrous charging handle
An ambidextrous charging handle having a body that includes a handle recess; a lever element having a lever recess formed in a forward portion of the lever element, wherein an elongate lever channel is formed through a portion of the lever element, and wherein a portion of the lever element is slidable within a portion of a handle recess such that a portion of a slide protrusion is positioned within the elongate lever channel; a latch element having a claw formed proximate a first portion of the latch element and a latch protrusion formed proximate a second portion of the latch element, wherein the latch protrusion is formed so as to interact with the lever recess such that movement of the lever element produces lateral movement of the latch element; and a spring biasing element that bias the lever element in a forward position. |
| US09587895B1 |
Rotatable firearm bolt
A bolt for a firearm having a rotatable head and carrier body has a twisted polygonal keyed interface between the head and carrier body. A neck extending rearward from the head presents the keyed interface with a corresponding bore within the carrier body. This construction reduces torque moments between the head and carrier body as compared to prior art bolts. Camming loads on the neck may be constructed with inverses to create space for tolerance and lubricant. |
| US09587892B2 |
Heat exchanger
This heat exchanger includes a core and a header tank. The entire peripheral edge of an opening of the header tank welded to the core has a bevel inclined from the internal surface of the header tank toward the external surface thereof at a predetermined bevel angle. At least a portion of the peripheral edge of the opening of the header tank has a second inclined portion inclined from the external surface of the header tank toward the internal surface thereof at an angle larger than the predetermined bevel angle. |
| US09587891B2 |
Heat sink and mounting bracket arrangement
A heat sink and mounting bracket arrangement includes a radiation fin module including a stack of radiation fins and an insertion hole located in one end of the stack of radiation fins, and a mounting bracket made from a metal plate sheet by stamping and including a bottom panel clamped on a bottom wall of the stack of radiation fins, an angled mounting panel rearwardly extending from one end of the bottom panel, a mounting slot cut through opposing top and bottom surfaces of the mounting panel for the mounting of a fastening member to affix the mounting bracket to an external substrate, and an angled plug plate forwardly extending from the bottom panel and tightly press-fitted into the insertion hole of the radiation fin module. |
| US09587890B2 |
Vertical fluid heat exchanger installed within natural thermal energy body
The present invention relates to a vertical relay fluid storage barrel installed with fluid inlet and fluid outlet for whole or in part placement into natural thermal energy body in vertical or downward oblique manner, wherein a thermal energy exchanger is installed inside the relay fluid storage barrel temporarily storing thermal conductive fluid for external flow, the thermal energy exchanger is installed with fluid piping for the thermal conductive fluid passing through, to perform heat exchange with the fluid in the relay fluid storage barrel, and the fluid in the relay fluid storage barrel performs heat exchange with the natural thermal energy body. |
| US09587889B2 |
Multichamber heat exchanger
A heat exchanger includes: a housing; a working fluid inlet and a working fluid outlet in the housing through which a working fluid enters and exits the housing, respectively, wherein a working fluid flow path connects the working fluid inlet and the working fluid outlet; and a heat transfer medium inlet and a heat transfer medium outlet in the housing through which a heat transfer medium enters and exits the housing, respectively; wherein a heat transfer medium flow path connects the heat transfer medium inlet and the heat transfer medium outlet; further wherein the heat transfer medium flow path includes at least two distinct zones of operation including a radiation dominant zone and a conduction dominant zone. |
| US09587888B2 |
Internal heat exchanger assembly
An internal heat exchanger assembly for an air conditioning system, having a housing defining a cylindrical with opposing ends. The ends are sealed with end caps having inlets/outlets. A helical coil tube is coaxially disposed within the cylindrical cavity, in which the helical coil includes two tube ends extending in opposing directions and exiting the cylindrical cavity through tube ports provided in the end caps. A twisted elongated strip is coaxially disposed within the cylindrical cavity extending from the first end to the second end. The twisted elongated strip includes a plurality of radially extending fingers adapted to engage the helical coil to maintain the helical coil in a predetermined position. |
| US09587884B2 |
Insulation structure and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A heat insulation structure, which has a cylindrical side wall part formed in a multilayer structure, includes: a cooling gas supply port provided in an upper portion of a side wall outer layer disposed in an outer side of the side wall part; a cooling gas passage provided between a side wall inner layer disposed in an inner side of the side wall part and the side wall outer layer; a space provided in an inner side of the side wall inner layer; a plurality of blowout holes provided in the side wall inner layer for distributing cooling gas from the cooling gas passage to the space; a buffer area continuously provided in the cooling gas supply port and the cooling gas passage; and a throttle part configured to reduce a cross-sectional area of a boundary surface between the buffer area and the cooling gas passage. |
| US09587883B2 |
Ladle with transfer conduit
Disclosed is a transportable vessel for use in a factory for processing molten metal. The vessel is not connected to a reverbatory furnace and can be moved to different locations in the factory. The vessel includes a transfer conduit in communication with a cavity of the vessel. A molten metal pump can be positioned in the transfer conduit to move molten metal out of an outlet in communication with the transfer conduit and into another vessel without the need to tip or tilt the transportable vessel. |
| US09587880B2 |
Apparatus and method for drying substrate
Provided is an apparatus and method for drying a substrate. The apparatus includes a housing, a substrate support member, a fluid supply member, and a discharge member. The housing provides a space in which a drying process is performed. The substrate support member is provided in the housing to support the substrate. The fluid supply member includes a supply line for supplying a process fluid of a supercritical state to the housing. The discharge member includes a discharge line for discharging the process fluid from the housing. Here, the supply line includes a first supply line provided to supply the process fluid to the housing at a first supply flow rate, and a second supply line provided to supply the process fluid to the housing at a second supply flow rate. |
| US09587879B1 |
Plastic bag drying device
A plastic bag drying device uses a body member that has a base with upwardly and inwardly tapering side faces and end faces and a wedge shaped body wedge extending upwardly from a top of the base. The base and the body wedge may be monolithic in construction and are made from an appropriate moisture absorbent material, such as sponge or foam. Baggies are placed atop the body wedge and held open by the device and allowed to air dry any moisture within the baggie not already absorbed by the body itself. An optional slot allows two smaller baggies to be fitted over the body wedge. An expander wedge can be placed onto the body wedge in order to accommodate relatively large baggies. |
| US09587872B2 |
Refrigerator with thermoelectric device control process for an icemaker
A refrigerator that has a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment, and a door that provides access to the fresh food compartment is disclosed. An icemaker is mounted remotely from the freezer compartment. The icemaker includes an ice mold with an icemaking cycle having a liquid to ice phase change. A thermoelectric device has a cold side and a warm side. A controller is in operable communication with an input to the thermoelectric device. A sensor is in operable communication with the input to the thermoelectric device and the controller. A feedback response from the input to the thermoelectric device monitors the liquid to ice phase change of the icemaking cycle. |
| US09587869B2 |
Low load capacity protection
A generator set for a transport refrigeration unit that is operable at a first frequency and a second frequency. The generator set includes a controller, a generator and a prime mover coupled to the generator. The prime mover selectively drives the generator in least at a first non-zero speed and a second non-zero speed. The controller can determine whether a transport refrigeration unit has sufficient capacity to maintain a desired temperature within a transport unit by detecting a generator load, a generator load slope condition, and a speed of the prime mover. |
| US09587862B2 |
Condenser
A condenser includes a first header tank, a second header tank, a third header tank, a plurality of first heat exchange tubes, a plurality of second heat exchange tubes, a refrigerant passable tubular body, and a desiccant container. The first header tank is provided on one side of the condenser and has a gas-liquid separation function. The plurality of first heat exchange tubes extend in an extending direction between the first header tank and the third header tank to connect the first header tank and the third header tank. The refrigerant passable tubular body is provided in the first header tank. An upper end of the refrigerant passable tubular body is located above an upper end of the plurality of first heat exchange tubes. The desiccant container is provided above the refrigerant passable tubular body in the first header tank. |
| US09587855B2 |
Method for operating a water heater appliance
A method for operating a water heater appliance is provided. The method includes establishing a temperature drop of water within a tank of the water heater appliance during a time interval. A volume of heated water within the tank is estimated based at least in part on the temperature drop of water within the tank of the water heater appliance during the time interval and a set temperature of the water heater appliance. A related water heater appliance is also provided. |
| US09587850B2 |
HVAC temperature stratification improvement technique
An air distribution door for use in a ventilation system with anti-stratification feature is provided. The door includes a tab extending from the main body of the door. The tab partially disrupts air flow going into the heat exchanger. This disruption slows high velocity airflow going across the heat exchanger and causes a more uniform thermal transfer distribution to the air from the heat exchanger, which provides preferred comfort by the user. |
| US09587847B2 |
Staging climate control system controller functions based on available power
Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of climate control system controllers and methods for staging controller functions. In an exemplary embodiment, a climate control system controller generally includes power stealing circuitry, charge storage device(s) for storing charge provided by the power stealing circuitry and for providing power for controller functions, and a processor. For each controller function, the processor predefines a maximum wait time corresponding to the controller function. Before performance of one of the controller functions, the processor compares at least once the current level of charge on the charge storage device(s) to a predefined voltage level. Based on the comparing, the processor delays performance of the controller function until the corresponding predefined maximum wait time has passed and/or the current level of charge on the charge storage device(s) has reached the predefined voltage level. |
| US09587845B2 |
Extraction fan assembly including a damper that closes firmly when the fan is not running and reduces the pressure drop when the fan is running at full speed
An extraction fan has a housing mounted in a wall with an outlet duct extending through the wall to an outlet opening outside the wall. A damper flap is mounted on the fan suspended by a hinge at an upper edge so as to extend in a closed position across the opening and is movable to an open position under forward air flow from the fan, and tightly closes against a resilient deformable seal when the fan is shut off. A spring biasing cam applies inwards force to the damper flap to bias the damper flap into the closed position, and an outwards force also to bias the damper flap into the fully open position. The mounting plate includes a hood having a top wall extending over the top of the damper flap and a down-turned front flange extending parallel to the damper flap to a bottom edge. |
| US09587834B2 |
Flashback detection in gas turbine engines using distributed sensing
A distributed sensing system for detecting a flashback condition in a combustor for a gas turbine engine The distributed sensing system includes one or more strategically positioned fiber optic cables provided upstream of the combustion area in the combustor. The distributed sensing system employs Rayleigh backscattering and swept-wavelength interferometry to measure temperature and reliably identify the location of the flashback condition The fiber optic cable is specially fabricated to have a high temperature resistance suitable for those temperatures existing during flashback conditions. The fiber optic cable can be wrapped on an inside of a combustion basket or on an outside of the combustion basket, and in a serpentine manner or otherwise. |
| US09587832B2 |
Structures with adaptive cooling
Disclosed are exemplary structures with adaptive cooling and methods of adaptively cooling structures. A liner is affixed to a support and the liner deflects away from the support when exposed to a localized hot spot in a hot fluid stream. The liner deflection creates a chamber between the liner and support, allowing cooling air to impinge against the liner, thus mitigating the effects of the hot spot. By providing impingement cooling only where needed, the amount of air needed for cooling is reduced. |
| US09587830B2 |
Control valves for heaters and fireplace devices
A heating apparatus may include a control valve assembly. A control valve assembly can have a housing and a valve body positioned within the housing. The housing can define an inlet and first and second outlets. The control valve assembly can also include an igniter having a sensor for firing an electrode. An extension can be used to activate the sensor and to thereby activate the igniter. |
| US09587824B2 |
Catalyst cooler for regenerated catalyst
A catalyst cooler for cooling regenerated catalyst in a regenerator associated with a fluid catalytic cracking unit. The catalyst cooler includes a first passage for transporting hot regenerated catalyst away from the regenerator and a second passage for returning cooled regenerated catalyst to the regenerator. The catalyst cooler also includes at least one heat exchanger. The second passage may be disposed within the first passage, or the first and second passage may each occupy a portion of a horizontal cross section of the catalyst cooler. |
| US09587823B2 |
Laminar flow jets
A laminar flow jet for a surface mix gas burner that provides increased stability, adjustability, and control over flame chemistries and characteristics. The present invention utilizes a novel shape, typically created by a tube having a cross-sectional shape and inserting it into a faceplate cutout, or conduit, having another cross-sectional shape. This nesting of one shape inside another promotes laminar gas flow and produces desired effects. Tubes may also be placed under the faceplate provided they maintain fluid communication with the conduits.Further, a burner is constructed with adjacent gas delivery tubes of different cross-sectional shapes which are mechanically held in place radially. The tubes touch in a longitudinal direction at points along their respective inner and outer dimensions, achieving axial alignment and preserving the necessary laminar gas flow. This configuration greatly speeds manufacturing time which allows production of economical burners even when a greater number of jets is desired. |
| US09587821B2 |
Lighting harness for illuminating animal skull
An animal skull having a nasal cavity, a brain cavity, and a pair of eye sockets, and a lighting harness including at least four lighting elements, wherein at least one lighting element is operatively arranged within each one of the nasal and brain cavities, and the eye sockets. |
| US09587820B2 |
Active cooling device
An active cooling device in the form of a torsional, oscillating synthetic jet is provided. Fins are oscillated in a manner that creates a flow of air that can be used to cool an electronic device such as a lamp. Embodiments of the active cooling device can be compact and readily incorporated within heat sinks of different sizes and configurations. The flow of air can be provided as jets of air distributed over multiple directions as may be desirable with certain electronics such as an omnidirectional lamp. |
| US09587819B2 |
Luminaire having heat transfer device adaptable to different luminaire housing shapes and method of assembling the luminaire
A heat transfer device for transferring heat to a housing, comprising a heat spreader, at least one heat transfer plate mechanically connected to the heat spreader so as to be resiliently compressible towards the heat spreader when brought into contact with the housing, and at least one heat pipe thermally connected to each heat transfer plate and to the heat spreader. The resilient compressibility of the heat transfer plates makes the heat transfer device flexible, such that it may adapt to a different shape of housing. In contrast to known thermal interfaces, the thermal interface of the heat transfer device of the invention is not mechanically connected to the housing in which it is used, but connected to the heat spreader, and may instead be pressed into contact with the housing, without mechanical fixation. |
| US09587818B2 |
LED lighting apparatus with improved heat radiation property
Provided is an LED lighting apparatus with an improved heat radiation property, which is capable of effectively radiating heat generated therein. The LED lighting apparatus may include: a light source unit comprising a plurality of LED groups each having one or more LEDs; and a driving unit configured to provide a current path corresponding to light emission of the light source unit. The light source unit and the driving unit may be arranged on the same substrate so as to be separated from each other. Among the plurality of LED groups, the LED group having the largest heat value may be arranged farthest away from the driving unit, compared to the other LED groups. Through the above-described arrangement, the heat radiation property of the LED lighting apparatus can be improved. |
| US09587816B2 |
Modular lighting assembly adapter part
The invention describes an adapter part (2, 9) for a modular lighting assembly (1) comprising a number of light-emitting diodes (4) mounted on a separate base part (3), which adapter part (2, 9) comprises a number of first electrical connectors (21) arranged to connect the light-emitting diodes (4) to an external power supply; at least one electrical component (5) arranged in a body of the adapter part (2, 9); and a number of second electrical connectors (22) arranged to connect external circuitry to an electrical component (5) arranged in the body of the adapter part (2, 9). The invention further describes a modular lighting assembly (1) comprising a base part (3) upon which a number of light-emitting diodes (4) is mounted; and an adapter part (2, 9) according to the invention. The invention also describes a method of assembling such a modular lighting arrangement (1), comprising the steps of connecting a first adapter part (2, 9) according to the invention to a separate base part (3); choosing a number of electrical components (5, 6) on the basis of an application requirement of the modular lighting arrangement (1); and arranging an electrical component (5, 6) in the adapter part (2, 9) such that an electrical connection is formed between a contact surface of the electrical component (5, 6) and a second electrical connector (22) of the adapter part (2, 9). |
| US09587808B2 |
Fixture design for flexible LED circuit boards
Techniques are disclosed for designing light fixtures for flexible LED circuit boards. The flexible LED circuit boards include an array of LED packages and the surface of the flexible circuit boards is highly reflective. A flexible LED circuit board may be shaped to conform to a rigid preform and the preform may be concave, convex, corrugated, or have any other custom shape. The shape of the preform, as well as the location of the LEDs within the flexible LED circuit may determine the light distribution of the light fixture. Alternatively, the lighting fixture may have multiple rods held in place with side plates and a flexible LED circuit board may be woven between the rods. A set of hole patterns in the side plates determine the location of the rods and the rods will determine the shape of the flexible LED circuit. |
| US09587806B2 |
Christmas rotating ornament
A festive atmosphere decorative lighting device which includes a lamp base, an LED bulb set inside the lamp base and an electrical switch for the bulb. A spinning assembly housed in the lamp base has an output shaft which is connected to an inner cover for spinning the inner cover. The inner cover fits over the LED bulb and has a cutout pattern of holes. The lamp base is also fitted with a transparent lamp shade which is superimposed above the inner cover. When the LED bulb is switched on and the spinning configuration spins the inner cover, light emitted by the LED bulb passes through the holes in the inner cover and presents a flowing vivid silhouette, as observed by a viewer. |
| US09587787B2 |
Support structure of ship tank, and liquefied gas carrier
A support structure of a ship tank includes: a curved surface facing an outer peripheral surface of a horizontal type cylindrical tank; and a pair of support units supporting the tank on the curved surface. Each of the support units includes: a plurality of cylindrical elements arranged in a circumferential direction of the tank such that an axial direction of each of the cylindrical elements coincides with a radial direction of the tank; a plurality of inner members each holding an end portion of a corresponding one of the cylindrical elements at the tank side; and a plurality of outer members each holding an end portion of a corresponding one of the cylindrical elements at an opposite side to the tank. The inner members are fixed to the tank. The outer members of one of the support units are configured such that displacement of the outer members in an axial direction of the tank relative to the curved surface is restricted. The outer members of the other one of the support units are configured to be slidable on the curved surface in the axial direction of the tank. |
| US09587786B2 |
Engine valvetrain oil control valve
An oil control valve assembly includes a valve body and a controller coupled to an exterior end of the valve body. The controller includes a solenoid housing attached to the exterior end of the valve body, and defines an interior region. An encapsulated coil assembly is disposed within the interior region of the solenoid housing. A housing seal is disposed within the interior region of the solenoid housing, in sealing engagement with the solenoid housing, the valve body, and the encapsulated coil assembly. The housing seal is operable to seal the interior region of the solenoid housing to prevent fluid communication between the solenoid housing and the valve body. An adapter assembly is coupled to the valve body to reposition a discharge location of a supply port, a control port, and an exhaust port of the valve body along a longitudinal axis of the valve body. |
| US09587784B2 |
Oil injector for a vehicle
An oil injector for a vehicle is provided. The oil injector includes a transparent body having a flowing hole formed on a front end of the body. A flexible tube member is connected to the body and corresponds to the flowing hole. A storing space is formed in an internal portion of the body. One end of a piston member is entered into the storing space, and the piston member is movable relative to the body. Therefore, the piston member provides a pushing function in the storing space so that a fluid flows into or out form the body via the tube member, and the transparent body is provided for observing a storing amount of the fluid in the body. |
| US09587783B2 |
Holding apparatus for a multimedia device
Holding apparatus for connecting a multimedia device in an articulated and detachable manner to a rod-like object, having two belt sections together with loop sections, connected by a middle section which forms a support. The first belt section can be passed through a passage opening which is arranged in the second belt section or in the middle section, wherein the belt-like holding apparatus surrounds a space which adjoins the lower face of the middle section substantially in the form of a twisted cycloid, and the two loop sections can be moved under prestress to an assembly position which faces the support. At least one of the loop sections has in each case at least three elastically stretchable holding strands which laterally delimit at least two holding openings which are arranged next to one another in a direction which runs transverse to the longitudinal extent of the belt-like holding apparatus. |
| US09587782B2 |
Display device holder
In one example, an apparatus for holding a display device includes a back plate and a plurality of engaging members disposed around a periphery of the back plate. The back plate includes a rear face and a front face opposite the rear face. The plurality of engaging members extend from the back plate in a direction from the rear face to the front face to define an outer boundary of a retention space configured to accept the display device. The plurality of engaging members includes a rotatable engaging member configured to rotate between an engagement position and a disengagement position. The engagement position is configured to secure the display device within the retention space. The disengagement position is configured to allow removal of the display device from the retention space. |
| US09587781B1 |
Device for repairing drainage pipes
A device for repairing drainage pipes includes a flexible tube with a first open end, a second open end, and a hollow interior extending between the first and second ends. A cover member is attached to the first end of the tube and a ball is releasably attached to the second end. The cover member has a central opening that is aligned with the hollow interior. The cover member can be disposed on the pipe rim, outside of the pipe, and the ball can be inserted into the pipe opening. As the ball travels through the pipe, the tube unfolds to cover the peripheral wall of the pipe. Thus, the tube of the device can cover an interior surface of the pipe. |
| US09587780B2 |
Pipeline leak sealing system and method
A system for sealing a leak within a pipeline for transporting fluid includes a sealing device that is deployable to seal the leak. The sealing device includes a flexible wall formed into a substantially tubular shape defining an opening, and an internal frame coupled to the flexible wall and configured to control a movement of the flexible wall by applying a force to the flexible wall, wherein the movement of the flexible wall moves the sealing device through the pipeline. The system also includes a sensor assembly configured to monitor a pipeline condition and send a signal representing the pipeline condition, and a control module configured to receive the signal and control the force applied by the internal frame based on the signal. |
| US09587779B2 |
Pulsation damper suitable for hygienic processing lines
A pulsation damper configured to reduce pressure variations in a pipe system. The pulsation damper comprises a first pipe section and a second pipe section. The first pipe section is at least partly placed inside the second pipe section such that a product flow can flow through the first pipe section and then through a space formed between the first pipe section and the second pipe section. Due to the increased cross sectional area of the second pipe section pressure variations can be damped efficiently. |
| US09587778B2 |
Clamp and spike for flexible conduit
A clamp and spike combination for use in conjunction with a flexible conduit, comprising a spike including an inlet rod with a sharpened tip for penetration into the conduit, an outlet rod connected to the inlet rod, the outlet rod having a barbed tip for attachment to a tube. The bore extends through the rods from the sharpened tip to the barbed tip, whereby the spike provides a channel for the passage of fluid. Further included, a clamp including two legs extending substantially parallel with each other and spaced apart from each other by a distance, an apex portion connecting the two legs to each other so that the clamp is shaped substantially in the form of an inverted “U”; and an opening in the apex portion, the opening being sized to receive the inlet rod of the spike. |
| US09587774B2 |
Connector for fluid pressure devices
An adapter includes a base body including a pair of coupling members and a connecting plug inserted through a hole in the base body and screw-engaged with a port of the two-way valve. In addition, upon threaded engagement of the connecting plug, the base body is mounted with respect to an attachment surface of the two-way valve. Further, a seal member is installed on an end surface of the base body, such that a sealing function is performed by abutment of the seal member against the attachment surface. Moreover, first and second connecting flanges of a connecting apparatus are engaged with respect to the coupling members of the adapter. |
| US09587769B2 |
Connecting structure for refrigerant pipe and inverter including connecting structure
A connecting structure includes a housing, a cooler, an inner refrigerant pipe, an outer refrigerant pipe, and a joint pipe. The joint pipe is attached to a through hole of the housing. The inner refrigerant pipe is fitted to the joint pipe from a housing inner side. The outer refrigerant pipe is fitted to the joint pipe from a housing outer side. A tip of the inner refrigerant pipe and a tip of the outer refrigerant pipe define a gap inside the joint pipe. An end surface of a flange or a rib of the outer refrigerant pipe in a refrigerant-pipe axis direction abuts with an end surface of a flange or a rib of the joint pipe in the refrigerant-pipe axis direction. |
| US09587768B1 |
Transportable natural gas pipeline
A transportable, recyclable natural gas pipeline is provided. The pipeline has a conduit storage rack. The storage rack has a base plate with a lower surface connected to a I-beam formed skid frame. The skid frame has rows of pipe support rack trestles. The trestles include tiers of upwardly angular lateral pipe support arms. The trestle defines a central pipe line corridor which extends the entirety of the rack. A bulkhead stacking frame is connected to the skid frame at each of the opposite ends and has a central void so that at least one line pipe section is secured to the corridor. A crossing ramp has a pair of generally I-shaped longitudinal rail members. The rail members are capable of being in stacked support, at opposite ends thereof, on the top of the bulk head stacking frame allowing for easy storage, transportation and assembly of a continuous pipeline with a crossing ramp. |
| US09587757B2 |
Double action direction fluid flow valve
A double action directional fluid flow valve includes a stepped piston connected with a poppet valve and moveable by a controller between open and closed positions by applying a continuous pressure to a small diameter piston face and selectively applying and removing pressure from a large diameter piston face to move the poppet valve between an open position and a closed position. |
| US09587755B2 |
Friction welding drive apparatus for repair of pipes and valves
In some implementations, an injection system that injects sealant into a pipe, pressure component or valve while containing the pipe, pressure component or valve repair that significantly reduces or eliminates release of hazardous material from inside the pipe, pressure component valve or injection system and thus significantly reduces emission of the hazardous material from inside the pipe, pressure component or valve into the environment and protecting the repair technicians. |
| US09587753B2 |
Air valve connecting device having automatic gripping structure
An air valve connecting device includes a housing, a sliding member slidably engaged in the housing and having a pathway selectively aligning with a passage of the housing, and the sliding member includes a mouth for engaging with an inflation valve, a gasket is attached to the sliding member and includes a bore for engaging with the inflation valve, and a number of pawls are engaged with the gasket and each include a lower portion extendible out of the housing for engaging with the peripheral rib of the housing, and the peripheral rib of the housing is engaged with the lower portions of the pawls for forcing the pawls to force the gasket to grasp the inflation valve to the sliding member. |
| US09587751B2 |
Flow control valves
An embodiment of a flow control valve includes a housing and a valve member. The valve member is movable in an axial direction within the housing, so that a flow rate of a fluid flowing within the housing changes in response to a position of the valve member within a control range in the axial direction. A spring device biases the valve member in the axial direction, so that the valve member moves in the axial direction against a biasing force of the spring device according to a difference in pressure on an upstream side and a downstream side of the valve member. The spring device includes a spring constant that changes according to the position of the valve member in the axial direction within the control range. |
| US09587745B2 |
Sliding component
Even when a fluid discharge for discharging high-pressure fluid (sealed fluid) to a high-pressure side of a sealing face is provided, the disclosed sliding component prevents precipitation, adhesion and accumulation of a deposition-causing substance through a dehydration condensation reaction between the high-pressure fluid and low-pressure fluid on the sealing face, and also prevents occurrence of cavitation which would otherwise take place in association with a sudden pressure drop due to a discharge of fluid. Disclosed is a pair of sliding components provided, on a high-pressure side of one of relatively sliding sealing faces thereof, with a fluid discharge for discharging fluid to a high-pressure fluid side, wherein a buffer groove for reducing penetration of low-pressure fluid toward the high-pressure fluid side is provided in the sealing face S on a low-pressure side of the fluid discharge. |
| US09587744B2 |
Sealing material
The sealing material is configured to be installed in a dovetail groove. The sealing material has a seal cross-section including a main body arranged on a bottom surface of the dovetail groove, and a lip portion which is bent from an end of the main body and extends toward an outside of the dovetail groove. The seal cross-section has such a V shape that each of the main body and the lip portion extends linearly from a bending position between the main body and the lip portion. A width B1 of the main body in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the main body extends linearly is not more than a width B2 of the lip portion in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the lip portion extends linearly. This configuration provides the sealing material which can be used under an extremely low load. |
| US09587742B2 |
Wear ring for die-casting piston, die-casting piston incorporating same, and method of forming same
A wear ring for a piston of a die-casting apparatus comprises an annular body having a gap extending therethrough. The gap is configured to define at least two circumferentially offset pairs of circumferentially spaced apart facing surfaces. The facing surfaces of each pair are angled and configured to contact each other in a flush manner when the wear ring is circumferentially compressed. |
| US09587741B2 |
Piston with out of phase mode
A brake piston comprising: (a) a rear wall, (b) a cylindrical side wall connected to the rear wall, (c) a recess located within the brake piston, (d) an insert located within the recess of the brake piston; and (e) an adhesive connecting the insert to the recess of the brake piston; wherein the insert is made of metal. |
| US09587739B2 |
Interlock mechanism
An interlock mechanism includes a shift-and-select shaft a first fork, a second fork, a first inner lever, a second inner lever, an interlock member coaxially arranged around an outer circumference of the shift-and-select shaft while being allowed to rotate together with the shift-and-select shaft in the rotation direction as a unit and not allowed to be displaced in the axial direction, a first engagement portion formed on the first fork, a second engagement portion formed to project from the second fork, a first engaged portion formed to project from the inter lock member and engaged with the first engagement portion while the interlock member is positioned at a second rotation position and a second engaged portion formed on the interlock member and engaged with the second engagement portion while the interlock member is positioned at a first rotation position. |
| US09587736B2 |
Shift-by-wire selector control system for a motor vehicle transmission
A method for operating a multi-stable shift-by wire selector control system of a motor vehicle transmission. The multi-stable shift-by wire selector control system includes a multi-stable selector which is operable by the driver of the vehicle to select a respective one of the operating modes of the transmission, an arrangement of illuminated labels indicating the selector mode and an indexing mechanism for maintaining the immobilization of the selector in its different positions. |
| US09587733B2 |
Multi-piece gear shift knobs and gear shift lever assemblies comprising the same
A multi-piece gear shift knob and a gear shift lever assembly including the same are disclosed. The multi-piece gear shift knob includes a grip portion and a lock portion. The grip portion includes an installation opening that extends through at least one face of the grip portion, and a partial thread form. The lock portion includes a partial thread form. The grip portion and the lock portion include corresponding attachment features such that when the lock portion is installed into the installation opening, the attachment features of the grip portion and the lock portion couple the lock portion to the grip portion. |
| US09587731B2 |
Lubricating apparatus for rotating shaft
A lubricating apparatus includes a rotating shaft disposed horizontally; a supporting wall supporting the rotating shaft with a bearing; an oil chamber surrounded by the supporting wall and the rotating shaft; an oil passage extending within the rotating shaft and communicating with lubricating portions; an oil intake portion for receiving and supplying the oil to the oil chamber; and a plurality of guide ribs formed in the supporting wall. The guide ribs are adapted to form at least two oil flow paths from a radially-outer portion of the oil chamber toward a center portion of the chamber. |
| US09587728B2 |
Torque management unit with integrated hydraulic actuator
The present disclosure provides an improved, integrated electronically controlled hydraulic-based torque distribution system and related method. The torque distribution system of the present disclosure includes an electric motor that drives a pump that generates hydraulic pressure used to selectively activate a clutch pack to transfer torque to the wheels of a motor vehicle. |
| US09587725B2 |
Ball screw actuator including a compliant ball screw stop
An actuator includes a ball nut, a ball screw, and a ball screw stop. The ball nut is adapted to receive an input torque and in response rotates and supplies a drive force. The ball screw extends through the ball nut and has a first end and a second end. The ball screw receives the drive force from the ball nut and in response selectively translates between a retract position and a extend position. The ball screw stop is mounted on the ball screw proximate the first end to translate therewith. The ball screw stop engages the ball nut when the ball screw is in the extend position, translates, with compliance, a predetermined distance toward the first end upon engaging the ball nut, and prevents further rotation of the ball screw upon translating the predetermined distance. |
| US09587723B2 |
Device for pressing a transmission element
A device for pressing a first transmission element onto a second transmission element engaging in the first transmission element for a rack-and-pinion steering system of a motor vehicle. A pressure piece that can be loaded in the direction of the first transmission element by at least one spring element is displaceably guided in a housing. The spring element is produced from at least one dilatant elastomer. |
| US09587721B2 |
Infinitely variable traction drive employing alternate steerable rollers
The invention relates to a method for achieving a continuously variable transmission. A power transmission is realized by a drive and driven members creating at least one point of a contact between each other. Each of members may be at least one roller pressed against an opposite members surfaces with virtual surfaces. The method consists in adjustment of movement directions between the surfaces and the roller defined by a first movement vector of the surface relative to contact point, a second movement vector of the roller and a third movement vector of rolling direction of the roller, a steering angle and a correction angle. The steering angle is varied in accordance with a desired transmission ratio and lateral/thrust load on the roller while respecting the deformability of the contact points. |
| US09587720B2 |
Chain tensioner and chain transmission device
A chain guide is provided which reduces moving resistance of a camshaft-driving, torque-transmitting timing chain. The chain guide includes a guide base provided on one side of the timing chain to face the timing chain and having an opposed pair of side plates. The side plates support respective ends of roller shafts each rotatably supporting a chain-guiding needle roller bearing. Each needle roller bearing includes a retainer guided by needle roller elements. |
| US09587719B2 |
Internal combustion engine and motorcycle equipped with the engine
An internal combustion engine includes a cam chain chamber accommodating a cam chain and a chain guide guiding the cam chain. The engine also includes a chain tensioner including a case main body, a plunger sliding in the case main body, a coil spring biasing the chain guide against the cam chain via the plunger, interlocking teeth located on a surface of the plunger, and an engaging portion engaged with the interlocking teeth and configured to inhibit the plunger from moving in a direction away from the chain guide. The engine also includes oil supply passages in an inner wall of the cylinder head and an inner wall of the cylinder body and configured to supply oil to the chain tensioner. |
| US09587713B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicle
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft receiving power from an engine, an output shaft outputting power changed in speed, a first planetary gear set including first, second, and third rotating elements, a second planetary gear set including fourth, fifth, and sixth rotating elements, a third planetary gear set including seventh, eighth, and ninth rotating elements, a fourth planetary gear set including tenth, eleventh, and twelfth rotating elements, and six control elements disposed between the rotating elements, and disposed at positions where the rotating elements are selectively connected with a transmission housing. |
| US09587712B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicles
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for vehicles may include an input shaft receiving power of an engine, an output shaft outputting shifted power of the engine, a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, a third planetary gear set, a fourth planetary gear set, a first rotational shaft, a second rotational shaft, a third rotational shaft, a fourth rotational shaft selectively connected to the first rotational shaft and selectively connected to a transmission housing simultaneously, a fifth rotational shaft selectively connected to the first rotational shaft and directly connected to the input shaft simultaneously, a sixth rotational selectively connected to the transmission housing, a seventh rotational shaft selectively connected to the first and third rotational shafts, an eighth rotational shaft directly connected to the output shaft, and six frictional elements. |
| US09587711B2 |
Anti-backlash gear
A stiff anti-backlash gear unit comprising two or more high ratio reducer assemblies provides an energy efficient, low backlash, speed reducer. The gear unit is assembled in such a way as to eliminate backlash without any preloading and may be configured as a conventional, planetary or star gear with co-axial, spaced, angled or multiple output shafts. |
| US09587709B2 |
Link for inverted tooth chain with optimized shape for increased strength
An inverted tooth chain assembly configured to mesh with a sprocket is provided including a link with an improved shape for increased strength. The link includes two teeth, a pair of outer flanks, first and second inner flanks, and a crotch located between the first and second inner flanks. A first transition point is arranged between the first inner flank and a first end region of the crotch, and a second transition point is arranged between the second inner flank and a second end region of the crotch. A crotch surface is defined between the first transition point and the second transition point and has a profile with a varying radius of curvature. The profile of the crotch surface has a smaller radius of curvature at the first and second end regions and a larger radius of curvature at a medial region between the first and second end regions. |
| US09587708B2 |
Automatic heat treatment method for metal ring
In an alignment stocker having an opening and plural shelf members, metal rings are pushed between the plural shelf members. The meta rings are deformed into an approximately polygonal shape to pass through the opening, in an arranged State of the metal rings, by pressing and holding from insides thereof, and are extracted from the opening. Using a heat treatment jig, which has the same opening as that of the shelf member and enables the metal rings to be mounted parallel to each other in a vertical direction and to be spaced the predetermined interval from each other, the metal rings held from the insides thereof in the arranged state, are inserted from the opening of the heat treatment jig into the heat treatment jig, are mounted in the heat treatment jig by releasing the inside holding, and then are heated and extracted from the shelf members. |
| US09587707B2 |
Drive force transmission apparatus
A coupling unit includes an output gear, a coupling and a rubber cushion. A second rotatable shaft portion of the coupling includes a resilient projection that projects outwardly in a radial direction from an outer peripheral surface of the second rotatable shaft portion. The resilient projection is resiliently inwardly deformed in the radial direction during movement of the resilient projection along a deep side of a recessed groove of a through-hole formed in a first rotatable shaft portion of the output gear at a time of fitting the second rotatable shaft portion into the through-hole. When the resilient projection projects from the through-hole, the resilient projection is resiliently outwardly restored and is engaged to an engaging portion of the first rotatable shaft portion to limit removal of the second rotatable shaft portion from the through-hole. |
| US09587698B2 |
Base element
A base element for fastening a component to fastening holes which are made in a metallic base body is coated with an elastomer. The base element may be provided with an anti-corrosion coating, but can nevertheless be adapted individually for different installation situations and can be produced economically. Fastening holes may form at least two holes patterns and at least one of the hole patterns is rendered unusable by way of the formation of the elastomer on the base body. |
| US09587694B2 |
Method of operating a brake
A method of operating a mechanically operated brake having an electric motor for operating an adjuster mechanism that may include the steps of: a) providing a brake rotor and friction material for selective engagement with the brake rotor, b) providing a target running clearance between the brake rotor and the friction material, c) applying the brake by forcing the friction material into engagement with the brake rotor, d) determining that the friction material is set in a compressed condition, e) releasing the brake, f) operating the electric motor to operate the adjuster mechanism to adjust the instantaneous running clearance towards the target running clearance, g) then applying the brake. |
| US09587688B2 |
Brake rotor retaining tool
A brake rotor retaining tool includes a main body having a first end, a second end with a bore extending from the first end and a grip portion. The bore has a non-threaded surface portion and a threaded surface portion. The non-threaded surface portion of the bore extends from the first end of the main body between the first end of the main body to the threaded surface portion. The non-threaded surface portion also has a first overall length measured in an axial direction of the bore. The threaded surface portion of the bore extends from the non-threaded surface portion toward the second end of the main body and has a second overall length measured in the axial direction of the bore. The first overall length is greater than the second overall length. |
| US09587686B2 |
Guide pin for disc brake assembly and disc brake assembly including such a guide pin
A disc brake assembly comprises: an anchor bracket having at least one bore formed therein, the bore defining a first axis; a brake caliper slidably secured to the anchor bracket; a pair of brake pads carried by the disc brake assembly; and at least one guide pin adapted to be disposed in the bore of the anchor bracket, the at least one guide pin defining a second axis; wherein when the at least one guide pin is disposed in the at least one bore of the anchor bracket, the second axis of the at least one guide pin is configured to be offset relative to the first axis of the at least one bore such that there is provided at least one defined point of contact between only a portion of a shank portion of the at least one guide pin and a portion of an inner surface of the at least one bore. |
| US09587684B2 |
Compensation for a drag force generated by a rotating clutch piston seal
A method of regulating a clutch assembly that has a set of clutch plates and a clutch piston with a fluid seal in an automatic transmission that includes a hydraulic circuit is disclosed. The method includes commanding the hydraulic circuit via the controller to apply a first hydraulic force to the clutch piston to displace the clutch piston relative to the set of clutch plates in order to affect a shift between speed-ratios in the transmission. The method also includes determining a drag force of the fluid seal. The method also includes determining a velocity of the displaced clutch piston that results from the drag force of the fluid seal acting counter to the displacement of the clutch piston. The method additionally includes regulating the clutch assembly to compensate for the determined drag force of the fluid seal acting counter to the displacement of the clutch piston. |
| US09587681B2 |
Plate carrier
A plate carrier for a multi-plate clutch comprises: an annular member with a first circumferential face and a second circumferential face; a toothing in the first circumferential face of the annular member, having circumferentially distributed teeth and gaps; at least one groove in the second circumferential face of the annular member, wherein the groove extends over a circumferential portion of the annular member, wherein the groove and the toothing intersect one another, so that radial apertures are formed in the regions of intersection between the groove and the tooth gaps. A multi-plate clutch can be provided with such a plate carrier. |
| US09587673B2 |
Hydrostatic profiled rail guide
A hydrostatic profiled rail guide, having a guide carriage (2) which is arranged on a guide rail (1) so as to be longitudinally slidable and is hydrostatically mounted on said guide rail, wherein the guide carriage has pressure pockets and pocket surfaces arranged around the pressure pockets, and wherein the guide rail on the faces thereof facing towards the pressure pockets has rail running surfaces (7) for hydrostatic mounting of the guide carriage on the guide rail, wherein the pocket surfaces formed on the guide carriage have a first coating formed of a Cu/Sn alloy. |
| US09587669B2 |
Terminal for a motion transmitting remote control assembly
A terminal (10) for a motion transmitting remote control assembly (12) securable to a control member (14) in a vehicle includes a housing (44) for connection to a core element (20) of the motion transmitting remote control assembly (12) with the housing (44) defining an aperture (48) forming at least one open end (50). The terminal (10) also includes a connecting member (60) having a body (62) disposed in the aperture (48) with the body (62) having a cavity (66) for receiving the control member (14) and a groove (84) in communication with the cavity (66). The terminal (10) further includes a retainer (90) mounted to the connecting member (60) and disposed in the groove (84) of the body (62) with the retainer (90) disposed in the aperture (48) when the connecting member (60) is in the housing (44) and the retainer (90) extending into the cavity (66) for engaging the control member (14) to retain the terminal (10) to the control member (14) and to prevent non-destructive removal of the terminal (10) from the control member (14). |
| US09587667B2 |
Systems and methods for preloading a bearing and aligning a lock nut
A lock nut system includes a nut, a keeper engagement with the nut to inhibit movement of the keeper relative to the nut, and a keeper retaining member. The keeper has a radially inner side configured to engage a shaft to inhibit rotational movement of the nut relative to the shaft when the keeper engages the nut and a radially inner side engages the shaft. The keeper retaining member is secured to the keeper and is engageable with the nut to hold a keeper axially such that keeper is engaged with the nut. A cover member is located on an opposite side of the keeper retaining member relative to the nut and engaged to the keeper retaining member to inhibit a separation of the cover member from the keeper retaining member in such that that the separation of the cover member from the keeper retaining member provides a visual indication to a user. |
| US09587662B2 |
Threaded fastener hole repair apparatus
A threaded fastener hole repair apparatus for repairing a stripped target screw hole so that the desired screw can once again be secured therein comprises an elongated, conical fastener sleeve having a threaded exterior surface and a substantially hollow, conical interior. The elongated fastener sleeve is made up of ten discrete breakaway portions, defined as a single proximal end section and nine sleeve sections, with each separated by a circumferential score in the fastener sleeve, thereby allowing the fastener sleeve to be resized by snapping off breakaway portions a desired point. The substantially hollow, conical interior of the fastener sleeve includes four elongated flaps which run in a narrowing manner along the wall of the conical interior in the fastener sleeve, providing an additional surface inside the conical interior of the fastener sleeve to mesh with the threads of the screw being inserted into the fastener sleeve. |
| US09587661B2 |
Anchor assembly with toggle for hollow walls
An anchor assembly (A) for hollow walls comprises an anchor body (400) and a toggle member (231) that is displaceable between a first position wherein the toggle member (231) is substantially aligned with the anchor body (400) such that the anchor assembly (A) can be inserted in the wall (W) via a cutting distal end (325) of the toggle member (231), and a second position wherein the toggle member (231) extends behind the wall (W) at an angle relative to the anchor body (400) which extends through the wall (W). The toggle member (231) is held captive in the first position but is released and then rotated to the second position by a fastener (218) introduced in the anchor body (400). The fastener (218) threadably engages the toggle member (231) thereby drawing the toggle member (231) against a hidden side of the wall (W). |
| US09587660B2 |
Connector
A connector includes at least two cavities or receptacles extending from a base to receive adjacent tubes of a wall or panel. The receptacles are closed at one end. At least two walls extend from the base in the same direction as the receptacles. The walls are positioned on the base and outside the receptacles such that the panels are secured to a specific angular orientation with respect to each other. A top connector and a bottom connector are used to secure rods or tubes of adjacent panels. A series of top and bottom connectors can be used to secure multiple panels to form an enclosure, such as a kennel or gazebo. |