| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09633253B2 |
Moving body appearance prediction information processing system, and method
An information processing system may include a memory storing instructions and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions to receive inputs of pictures imaged by a plurality of imaging apparatuses. The system may detect a moving body appearing in an inputted picture imaged by a first imaging apparatus among the plurality of imaging apparatuses. The system may predict a time period in which the moving body will appear in a picture imaged by a second imaging apparatus among the plurality of imaging apparatuses, based on a calculated probability that the moving body will appear in the picture imaged by the second imaging apparatus and an elapsed time after the moving body leaves an imaging range. The system may notify the predicted time period in which the moving body is predicted to appear in the picture imaged by the second imaging apparatus. |
| US09633250B2 |
Method for estimating locations of facial landmarks in an image of a face using globally aligned regression
A method for face alignment operates on a face image and a set of intitial landmark locations by first aligning globally the initial locations to a set of landmark locations of a face with a prototype shape to obtain global alignment parameters, and then warping the initial locations and the image from a coordinate frame of the image to a coordinate frame of the prototype shape according to the global alignment parameters to obtain warped landmark locations and a warped face image. Features are extracted from the warped face image at the warped landmark locations, and a regression function is applied to the features to obtain updated landmark locations in the coordinate frame of the prototype shape. Finally, the updated landmark locations in the coordinate frame of the prototype shape are warped to the coordinate frame of the image, to obtain updated landmark locations. |
| US09633246B2 |
Integrated auto-level and electronic rod reader
An integrated auto-level and electronic rod reader is disclosed. In one embodiment, the integrated auto-level and electronic rod reader comprises a telescope and an image delivery device integrated with the auto-level which is configured for capturing an image of a standard grade rod visible through the telescope and a crosshair. Logic implemented by a processor automatically recognizes the crosshair, automatically compares the crosshair against a scale of the standard grade rod, and automatically determines an elevation of the standard grade rod based upon the comparing. |
| US09633245B2 |
Optical information reading device
In an optical information reading device configured to read a code symbol on a subject to be read by acquiring an image of the subject to be read with an image pickup portion and analyzing the image, a laser light source and an irradiation optical system is provided as an irradiator configured to irradiate the subject to be read to form a guide mark indicating an image pickup resolution of the image pickup portion. It is preferable that the irradiator is configured to emit a plurality of radially diffused light beams so as to form the guide mark at equal intervals on the subject to be read. |
| US09633242B2 |
Combined multifunctional RFID communication device
There is described a device (100) for communicating with RFID-tags, the device (100) comprising (a) an antenna unit comprising a first antenna (110; 200) and a second antenna (120; 200), and (b) a controller (130) connected to the antenna unit. The controller (130) is adapted to sequentially feed different polling signals to the antenna unit such that corresponding signals are individually and simultaneously radiated by each of the first antenna (110; 200) and second antenna (120; 200). There is also described a home appliance comprising the aforementioned device (100). Furthermore, there is described a method for communicating with RFID-tags by an antenna unit comprising a first antenna (110; 200) and a second antenna (120; 200). The described method comprises sequentially feeding different polling signals to the antenna unit such that corresponding signals are individually radiated by each of the first antenna (110; 200) and second antenna (120; 200). |
| US09633241B2 |
Method and apparatus for battery operated radio tags
An apparatus, method and computer program are disclosed in which a radio unit (110) of a mobile station (100) is caused to periodically communicate with a radio tag (200) with a first period between subsequent communications and to perform pairing with the radio tag (200). Storing of pairing information relating to the paired radio tag (200) is caused. A first profile associated with the mobile station (100) is maintained. A second profile associated with the paired radio tag (200) is maintained. Adapting of the first period is performed based on at least one of: the first profile and the second profile. |
| US09633240B2 |
RFID reader/writer device
A radio frequency electronic tag reader/writer device including a housing, an antenna, a processing unit connected to the antenna and intended to exchange data with a radio frequency electronic tag presented within the range of the reader/writer device, at least one communication interface intended to be connected to a programmable logic controller and controlled by the processing unit for exchanging data with the programmable logic controller, a signalling unit for indicating one or more operating statuses, the signalling unit being connected to the processing unit, the processing unit being arranged for controlling the signalling unit on the basis of a control frame received from the programmable logic controller. |
| US09633239B2 |
System and method for selective access to RFID functionality
A device (100) comprising a Radio Frequency Identification transponder and means for selectively controlling the Radio Frequency Identification communication, the device (100) comprising: a first, internal, electromagnetic shield fixed on one side of the Radio Frequency Identification transponder's antenna and a second, internal, electromagnetic, movable shield (180) on the other side of the Radio Frequency Identification transponder's antenna wherein the device (100) comprises an internal actuator (170) configured to operate a movable mechanism (150), influencing the position of the movable shield, such that when the internal actuator is in a first position, the movable shield is in a first position allowing communication with the Radio Frequency Identification transponder and when the internal actuator is in a second position, the movable shield is in a second position, in which it blocks all contactless communication with the Radio Frequency Identification transponder. |
| US09633238B2 |
RFID system with time slot interleaving
A method for interleaving time slots in a multi-antenna system for communication with RFID tags is disclosed. An example is shown for an eight antenna system. A first four antennas arranged side-by-side are sequentially energized to interrogate RFID transponders. A second set of four antennas arranged side-by-side, the first of which is adjacent to the last of the first set of antennas. A four-antenna sequence is performed for the first four antennas and a second four antenna sequence is performed for the second set of antennas. The first and second four antenna sequences are offset by only a marginal amount, sufficient to ensure that a transponder signal received four antennas away from an active antenna is not acknowledged because the receive window for the non-active antenna is delayed. |
| US09633236B1 |
Power harvesting in reader devices
Aspects of the subject disclosure provide a reader device for processing payment cards. The reader device is configured to harvest power from received audio signals, for example, from analog signals received on an audio bus, such as a standard 3.5 mm audio channel. In some implementations, a reader of the current technology includes a microcontroller configured to perform operations including receiving an audio signal from the host via the audio bus, analyzing the audio signal to determine when a voltage of the audio signal is negative and providing a reference signal to the power module, wherein the reference signal indicates time periods in which synchronous rectification is to be performed by the power module. |
| US09633235B2 |
Device for sampling and locating asset information and method for managing the same
A device for sampling and locating asset information includes a tag and a locator. The tag includes an attaching terminal that comprises an attaching element, a RFID responder, a magnetic element. The tag further includes a fixing end and a flexible connection element. The locator includes an attached element, a RFID reader, a hall switch, a multiplexer and a microprocessor. When a distance between the attaching terminal and the attached element reaches a preset distance, the magnetic element triggers the hall switch to send a trigger signal to the microprocessor. Based on the trigger signal the microprocessor turns on the RFID reader and controls the multiplexer to be connected to the corresponding RFID antenna to read the information. By using the device above, a real time monitoring and an automatic location are realized and the monitoring and the location can be accurate to every unit on the rack. |
| US09633234B2 |
System and method for a secure display module
A system for a secure display module includes a display element array, a driver controller, a communication interface, a host controller and a cryptographic engine. The display element array includes one or more segments, and the driver outputs are configured to drive the one or more segments, respectively. The host controller is configured to send commands and data to the driver controller via the communication interface and the cryptographic engine is configured to encrypt communication data between the display element array and the host controller. |
| US09633230B2 |
Hardware assist for privilege access violation checks
Techniques are disclosed for processing rendering engine workload of a graphics system in a secure fashion, wherein at least some security processing of the workload is offloaded from software-based security parsing to hardware-based security parsing. In some embodiments, commands from a given application are received by a user-mode driver (UMD), which is configured to generate a command buffer delineated into privileged and/or non-privileged command sections. The delineated command buffer can then be passed by the UMD to a kernel-mode driver (KMD), which is configured to parse and validate only privileged buffer sections, but to issue all other batch buffers with a privilege indicator set to non-privileged. A graphics processing unit (GPU) can receive the privilege-designated batch buffers from the KMD, and is configured to disallow execution of any privileged command from a non-privileged batch buffer, while any privileged commands from privileged batch buffers are unrestricted by the GPU. |
| US09633221B2 |
Authentication method and devices for accessing a user account of a service on a data network
An authentication method for accessing a user account of a service (28) on a data network (26), includes the following steps:reception (E20) by the service (28) of a request from a consulting device (10) for the service (28), the request including a first authentication information element,reception (E60) by the service (28) of an information element sent by an authentication security device manager (34), the information received by the service (28) being based on a second authentication information element originating from a security device (16; 18) associated with the user account, andauthentication by the service (28), based on the first authentication information element and the information received from the authentication security device manager (34). |
| US09633219B2 |
Providing secure indexes for searching encrypted data
Providing an encrypted search index for performing searches on encrypted documents, the method comprising: (i) providing a set of documents, the documents comprising a plurality of unencrypted phrases; (ii) providing a master key; (iii) providing, based on the master key, for each phrase a set of encryption keys comprising one or more encryption keys; (iv) selecting, for each phrase, one encryption key of the set of encryption keys; (v) encrypting each phrase with the selected encryption key; and (vi) building an index based on the encrypted phrases, the index comprising information regarding which encrypted phrase is comprised within a certain document. |
| US09633218B2 |
Identities and permissions
Techniques for identity management for permissions are described. According to various embodiments, a user establishes a communication relationship with another user, referred to herein as a “contact.” According to various embodiments, the contact is associated with multiple identities. Accordingly, embodiments discussed herein enable a primary identity to be specified such that permissions for the primary identity are enforced for interactions with the contact. Further, techniques discussed herein enable a primary identity to be updated based on a change in identity state of a contact. |
| US09633216B2 |
Application of information management policies based on operation with a geographic entity
Techniques for providing data retention services based on a geographic region are disclosed. In one aspect, a location of a computing device is determined. A geographic entity corresponding to the location of the computing device is then determined. A data retention policy is applied to production data of the computing device based on regulations of the geographic entity. Other aspects are also disclosed. |
| US09633214B2 |
Self-removal of enterprise app data
Self-removal of enterprise application data (e.g., managed application data) is disclosed. It may be determined that a data removal condition has been satisfied. Based at least in part on the determination, data removal information may be generated for a plurality of applications including a managed set of mobile applications. The data removal information may be provided to at least a first application included in the plurality of applications. The first application may provide the data removal information to a data storage location accessible to at least a second application upon a data removal-related event. |
| US09633208B2 |
Apparatus and method for displaying computer health index
The disclosure discloses an apparatus for displaying a computer health index comprising: a health index calculator configured to calculate one or more health sub-indices, and calculate a computer health index based on the one or more health sub-indices, wherein each health sub-index is associated with one of one or more computer states, and reflects the health degree of the associated computer state; and a simple index display configured to receive the computer health index from the health index calculator, and displaying a small icon reflecting a value of said computer health index. |
| US09633207B2 |
Method for downloading at least one software component onto a computing device, and associated computer program product, computing device and computer system
A method for downloading at least one software component onto a computing device, and associated computer program product, computing device and computer system are disclosed. In one aspect, the method is implemented by the computer device including an information processing unit having a memory. The downloading method includes downloading to the memory of a first application from a first distribution capability and connection to a second distribution capability via the first application. The connection to the second distribution capability is performed in a secure manner using an authentication code. The downloading method further includes downloading to the memory of a second application from the second distribution capability, secure connection to a third distribution capability via the second application, and downloading to the memory of each software component from the third distribution capability. |
| US09633203B2 |
Spam notification device
A device is configured to receive triggering information including a set of conditions associated with spam. The device is configured to receive a message from a sending device, and to determine that the message is spam based on determining that the message satisfies a threshold quantity of conditions of the set of conditions. The device is configured to provide a notification indicating that the message may be spam, and receive response information, based on the notification, indicating that the sending device is to be blacklisted. The device is configured to cause, based on the response information, a future message from the sending device to be blocked prior to being presented to a user. |
| US09633202B2 |
Managing a DDoS attack
A method, system, and/or computer program product manages a distributed denial of service attack in a multiprocessor environment. A determination is made of (a) a first upper threshold for a normal number of packets from the multiprocessor environment to multiple destination addresses, (b) a second upper threshold for a normal ratio of the packets from the multiprocessor environment to a single destination address compared to the packets from the multiprocessor environment to the multiple destination addresses, and (c) a third upper threshold for a normal ratio of packets from the multiprocessor environment to a single port at a single destination address compared to packets from the multiprocessor environment to the multiple destination addresses. In response to the first and second thresholds being exceeded, a specific port is monitored to determine if the third upper threshold is being exceeded at that port, thus indicating an apparent distributed denial of service attack. |
| US09633200B2 |
Multidimensional sandboxing for financial planning
A computer-implemented method can include creating a sandbox responsive to a sandbox creation request from a user, wherein the sandbox represents an alternate version of a base version and is accessible only by the user. The method can also include visually presenting to the user information pertaining to the sandbox and information pertaining to the base version, saving changes to the information pertaining to the sandbox, and publishing the sandbox responsive to a publish request from the user. |
| US09633196B2 |
Electronic system, electronic apparatus and access authentication method thereof
An electronic system, an electronic apparatus, and an access authentication method thereof are provided. The electronic system includes a master apparatus and a slave apparatus. The slave apparatus is coupled to the master apparatus through a serial transmission interface. The slave apparatus includes a data storage unit protected by the slave apparatus with a predetermined key. The master apparatus sends an access request to the data storage unit through the serial transmission interface. The slave apparatus determines whether the master apparatus is allowed to access the data storage unit according to the predetermined key and a key inputted by the master apparatus for authentication. |
| US09633195B2 |
Authentication apparatus and methods
A method of and an apparatus for verifying authenticity of a target authentication device comprising a reference pattern having a characteristic frequency and a security pattern, the security pattern comprises an embedded security device that is coded with phase modulation information. The method comprises extracting frequency domain data from an image of the target authentication device to facilitate verification of authenticity of the target authentication device. The method provides a very effective end expedient mechanism for verifying authenticity of a moiré or moiré like authentication device to combat counterfeiting. |
| US09633193B2 |
Server, user apparatus and terminal device
A server, a user apparatus and a terminal device are provided. The server includes a transmission interface, a database and a processor. The transmission interface receives an identification verification request from the user apparatus. The processor captures a plurality of selected patterns from a plurality of database patterns stored in the database according to the identification verification request, selects at least one target pattern from the plurality of selected patterns, and enables the user apparatus to display the plurality of selected patterns and the at least one target pattern in a match object area and a target object area of a user interface displayed by the user apparatus, respectively. An identification verification procedure is finished while the processor determines that one of the plurality of selected patterns that corresponds to the at least one target pattern is selected to conform to the at least one target pattern. |
| US09633186B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling output of content based on human recognition data detection
Systems and methods for controlling output of content based on human recognition data captured by one or more sensors of an electronic device are provided. The control of the output of particular content may be based on an action of a rule defined for the particular content, and may be performed when at least one human feature detection related condition of the rule is satisfied. In some embodiments, the action may include granting access to requested content when detected human feature data satisfies at least one human feature detection related condition of a rule defined for the requested content. In other embodiments the action may include altering a presentation of content, during the presentation of the content, when detected human feature data satisfies at least one human feature detection related condition of a rule defined for the presented content. |
| US09633185B2 |
Device having secure JTAG and debugging method for the same
A method of debugging a device which includes a plurality of processors is provided. The method includes verifying a request to initiate authentication that is provided to the device to a user; performing a challenge-response authentication operation between the user and the device in response to the request to initiate authentication being a request from a non-malicious user; activating or deactivating an access to a Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) port of each of the processors, based on access control information from the user; and permitting a debugging operation via an access that is activated. |
| US09633181B2 |
Processing copyright notice of media file
A system and method for processing the copyright notice of a media file stored in digital format in an electronic device are provided. The copyright notice of the media file is checked prior and/or during transmission between two devices and if the copyright notice is not found, action is taken to insert the copyright notice. The copyright notice is presented when the media file is presented. |
| US09633179B2 |
Centralized licensing services
Methods and devices are provided for central management of licenses, particularly those relating to wagering games. A license proxy deployed in and/or dedicated to a gaming establishment may operate under the control of a central licensing manager controlled by another entity, e.g., by a game provider. The license proxy may receive requests to enable features of an electronic gaming machine of the gaming establishment (e.g., game themes, player tracking features and/or peripheral device features) and determine, based on information provided by the central licensing manager, whether to grant such requests. The license proxy may also process requests to enable features of other devices in a gaming establishment, such as server-based features. |
| US09633178B2 |
Code signing system and method
A code signing system and method is provided. The code signing system operates in conjunction with a signed software application having a digital signature and includes an application platform, an application programming interface (API), and a virtual machine. The API is configured to link the software application with the application platform. The virtual machine verifies the authenticity of the digital signature in order to control access to the API by the software application. |
| US09633177B2 |
Blood collection tube management system
At the time of blood sampling, blood collection tube information of a blood collection tube concerned is read by blood-collection-tube information reading means, and blood collection subject information 20 on an identification belt as an information recording medium carried by the blood collection subject is read by information-recording-medium reading means. The respectively-read blood collection tube information of the blood collection tube concerned and blood collection subject information of the blood collection subject concerned are correlated with each other and stored in a storage unit by information management means. |
| US09633176B2 |
Method for tracking and imaging biological samples
Systems, methods, and apparatus are described for the handling of biological specimens for analysis. The systems, methods and apparatus are designed to reduce errors in misidentification, incorrect processing, and recordkeeping and reporting. The systems, methods, and apparatus can also provide real time tracking of samples at any stage, from collection to processing to analyzing to storage. |
| US09633174B2 |
System, method and computer program product for providing a healthcare user interface and incentives
Actively engaging members in managing their own healthcare, improving their health, and reducing healthcare costs to the payer involves providing a unified interface for member engagement. The interface may be communicatively coupled with a healthcare system, may be personalized to the member, and may offer multiple possible rewards to the member to encourage member behavior to effectively reduce healthcare costs and improve the quality of healthcare plans. The interface may provide the member with a pathway guiding the member to engage in activities to achieve short-term, intermediate and long-term goals for which actions are presented. Goals or actions may be predefined and may additionally be selected by the member. When member-engagement in the actions is verified, rewards may be granted to the member's account. In connection with such member engagement, the healthcare system collects member information, applies rules to that information, and generates alerts from those rules. |
| US09633172B2 |
Pharmacy automation optimization system and method
A method of assessing the productivity of a pharmacy includes: (a) recording information regarding the identity and quantity of each pharmaceutical being automatically dispensed with an automated prescription monitoring unit; (b) with an overall pharmacy prescription monitoring unit, recording information regarding (i) dispensing of pharmaceuticals dispensed from the automated pharmacy machine and (ii) manual dispensing of pharmaceuticals; (c) identifying in step (a) low performing pharmaceuticals; (d) identifying in step (b) high performing pharmaceuticals dispensed manually as candidates for automated dispensing; (e) comparing low performing pharmaceuticals of step (c) with high performing pharmaceuticals of step (d) to determine whether replacement is recommended; (f) confirming whether high performing pharmaceuticals identified in step (d) are capable of automated dispensing; and (g) replacing in the automated pharmacy machine a low performing pharmaceutical identified in step (c) with a high performing pharmaceutical identified in step (d). |
| US09633168B2 |
Biometric identity validation for use with unattended tests for medical conditions
An initial signature may be generated from an initial set of biometric data. A subsequent set of biometric data may be received along with diagnostic data, and a subsequent signature may be generated from the subsequent set of biometric data. The initial signature and the subsequent signature maybe compared to determine if there is an acceptable degree of matching between the signatures. If the signatures match, such as for example within a threshold percentage, the second set of biometric data is determined to be from the same a subject as the initial set of biometric data, and the diagnostic data is processed for that subject. If the signatures do not match, the initial and subsequent sets of biometric data are determined to be from different people and the diagnostic data is not processed. |
| US09633162B2 |
Method and system for the modular design and layout of integrated circuits
An integrated circuit (IC) and fabrication method thereof is provided that include the steps of specifying a plurality of required tile modules suitable for a particular end application, each of the modular tiles being configured to perform a predetermined function and constructed to have approximately the same length and width dimensions. The modular tiles are used to form the IC in a standard IC fabrication process. In many implementations, physical layout of the IC does not include the step of routing. Capabilities also include configuring the modular tiles to have programmable performance parameters and configuring the modular tiles to cooperate usefully with one another based on a programmable parameter. |
| US09633161B2 |
Layout design system, method, and semiconductor device employing termination-free unit designs
A layout design system includes a processor; a storage unit configured to store a first unit design having a first area, wherein in the first unit design, a termination is not placed on a border thereof; and a design module configured to generate a second unit design having a second area larger than the first area by placing the termination on a border of the first unit. |
| US09633157B2 |
Energy-efficient pipeline circuit templates for high-performance asynchronous circuits
Asynchronous circuits and techniques are described for asynchronous processing without synchronization to a common clock. Two specific energy-efficient pipeline templates for high throughput asynchronous circuits are provided as examples based on single-track handshake protocol. Each pipeline contains multiple stages of logic. The handshake overhead is minimized by eliminating validity and neutrality detection logic gates for all input tokens as well as for all intermediate logic nodes. Both of these templates can pack significant amount of logic within each pipeline block, while still maintaining a fast cycle time. |
| US09633153B1 |
Method, system, and computer program product for verifying an electronic design using stall prevention requirements of electronic circuit design models of the electronic design
Various mechanisms and approaches identify multiple cells in an electronic design and multiple sets of stall prevention requirements or multiple sets of transactions for the multiple cells and determine dependencies between stall prevention requirements. A graph is constructed to represent the dependencies and the stall prevention requirements or the transactions involved in the dependencies by using the stall prevention requirements or the transactions as the nodes and the dependencies as the arcs connecting the nodes in the graph. One or more loop analyses are performed on the graph to identify one or more loops as one or more potential deadlocks. False deadlocks may be eliminated from further processing. The analyses and deadlock detection may be independently performed for each cell in sequence or in parallel to divide and conquer a complex electronic system design. |
| US09633150B2 |
Experiments approach to design variation mitigation and optimization
A non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: store a design metric and a design metric variation from the simulation of the design metric for a subset of a plurality of conditions in an inner loop and an outer loop, wherein in the outer loop is a sample set of design dimensions and their respective values, while the inner loop varies a plurality of variation conditions of the subset; model the design metric and design metric variation using a response surface; and optimize the design metric or the design metric variation for the subset of a plurality of design dimensions using the response surface to generate an optimized design. In other aspects, a system and a method for design variation and optimization are provided. |
| US09633149B2 |
System and method for modeling through silicon via
A computer implemented system comprises a processor programmed to analyze a circuit to determine a response of the circuit to an input radio frequency (RF) signal, for at least one of designing, manufacturing, and testing the circuit. An interposer model is tangibly embodied in a non-transitory machine readable storage medium to be accessed by the processor. The interposer model is processed by the computer to output data representing a response of a though substrate via (TSV) to the radio frequency (RF) signal. The interposer model comprises a plurality of TSV models. Each TSV model has a respective three-port network. One of the ports of each three-port network is a floating node. The floating nodes of each of the three-port networks are connected to each other. |
| US09633147B1 |
Power state coverage metric and method for estimating the same
In some embodiments, in a method performed by at least one processor for estimating an overall power state coverage of an electronic system level (ESL) model comprising a plurality of blocks for a module, a first value and a second value are set for each block of said plurality of blocks. At least one verification case is selected for each block in the ESL model. For each verification case of said at least one verification case: (a) a target coverage value is set, (b) a register transfer level (RTL) simulation is performed, (c) an actual coverage value is received, and (d) the first value or the second value is updated based on whether the actual coverage value is less than the target coverage value or not. A power state coverage is calculated for said each block. The overall power state coverage is calculated for the ESL model comprising said plurality of blocks for said module. |
| US09633146B2 |
Systems and methods for assessing property damage
A damage assessment module operating on a computer system automatically evaluates a property, estimating damage to the property by analyzing a point cloud of a property. The damage assessment module identifies individual point clusters or segments from the point cloud and detects potentially damaged areas of the property surface by identifying outlier points in the point clusters. The damage assessment module may be used to determine the financial cost of the damage and/or determine whether the property should be replaced or repaired. In addition to eliminating the need for an estimator to visit the property in person, the damage assessment module improves the consistency and accuracy associated with estimating damage to a property. |
| US09633140B2 |
Automated contextual information retrieval based on multi-tiered user modeling and dynamic retrieval strategy
Automated contextual information retrieval techniques are provided based on multi-tiered user modeling and a dynamic retrieval strategy. Content relevant to a current message is presented by initially obtaining a multi-tiered user model containing a multi-tiered representation of interactions of a first user with each contact, wherein the multi-tiered representation includes a plurality of topic models each corresponding to interactions between the first user and one contact. The topic models contain a set of topics, each containing topic keywords. Context information is extracted based on content of the current message, a sender and/or a recipient of the current message, and the multi-tiered user model. A retrieval strategy is determined based on the extracted context information. Contextual queries are generated to search the information repositories selected based on the determined retrieval strategy. Content relevant to the current message is presented based on search results from the selected information repositories. |
| US09633138B2 |
Managing questioning in a question and answer system
A system, a method, and a computer program product for managing questioning in a Question and Answering (QA) system are disclosed. An input question received by the QA system is analyzed to determine the set of answer-types. A set of answer-types is determined. Prompting for clarifying data associated with the input question happens. A set of candidate answers of the answer-type is determined. The clarifying data is used to determine the set of candidate answers. At least one candidate answer of the set of candidate answers of the answer-type is provided. |
| US09633135B2 |
Method and system for extending the capabilities of embedded devices through network clients
A method and system for extending the capabilities of resource-constrained embedded devices by leveraging the memory and processing resources of clients such as web browsers (‘clients’) installed on host computational devices (‘host computers’). The embedded device delegates computational tasks such as generation of content (e.g., user interfaces, reports, configuration files, etc.) to clients and acts as a simple file and data server. The embedded device provides static resource files to each client, including static template files and a client processing engine. The client processing engine: interprets processing instructions contained in static template files; utilizes managed communication channels to exchange dynamic data sets with the embedded device in real-time; generates various forms of content by processing, transforming, manipulating, and aggregating dynamic data sets and static resource files; and reads and writes arbitrarily large files from and to the host computer, overcoming resource limitations of the embedded device. |
| US09633132B2 |
Electronic device and web information providing method thereof
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device has a web browser that requests web information from a web server, for caching. The electronic device includes: a first controller to initialize the electronic device, when the electronic device is powered on; and a second controller to execute the browser, to store the web information received from the web server, and to control the display a web page using the stored web information. |
| US09633129B2 |
Personal web display and interaction experience system
Embodiments of the present invention may be directed to an interactive system. The interactive system may include a browser application allowing a user to access a website using a communication pathway. The website provides website information in a standardized interchange protocol and also in webpages. The browser application is configured to allow user access to the webpages. The interactive system may also include a module of the browser application compatible with the standardized interchange protocol and configured to store and implement user personalized commands and to store recorded user history information. The module implements a graphical user interface with the website information that is personalized to the user. The graphical user interface includes a personalized display experience and a personalized interaction experience that are both custom designed for the user. |
| US09633124B2 |
Managing access rights to content using social media
Provided are methods and systems related to communications between a social media service or provider (e.g., Twitter®, Facebook®) or other resource (e.g., web page) and one or more content providers. In an aspect, provided are methods comprising receiving a request for content, wherein the request comprises a user agnostic identifier, determining user information associated with the request, determining time information associated with the request, determining media content associated with the user agnostic identifier based on the time information, determining one or more access rights to the media content based on the user information, and providing access to the media content based on the one or more access rights. |
| US09633123B2 |
Data federation query suggestion
Systems and methods are provided for data federation query suggestion. An example system includes a query constraint database including at least one query constraint and a query constraint resolving module that receives from a user a query to search a federated database using a federated database search engine and determines if the query satisfies at least one query constraints. The system further includes a query suggestion module that determines a query suggestion if the query does not satisfy at least one query constraints. |
| US09633121B2 |
Personalizing default search queries on online social networks
In one embodiment, a method includes accessing a social graph that includes a plurality of nodes and edges. A first node corresponds to a first user associated with an online social network and second nodes correspond to a concept or a second user. The method further comprises scoring a first set of nodes of the second nodes based on user-engagement factors. The method further comprises identifying common nodes that are connected by edges to nodes of the first set of nodes that have a score greater than a threshold score. The method further comprises generating structured queries and sending the structured queries to the user, the sent structured queries being a personalized query. |
| US09633120B2 |
Continuously blocking query result data for a remote query
Continuously blocking query result data for a remote query is provided. Included is: creating a first connection, using a communications network, between a database server and a client. At least one secondary connection is created, using the communications network, between the database server and the client, based on the database server supporting a continuous block fetch protocol. Using the at least one secondary connection, the database server receives at least one cursor-based fetch query. The database server generates continuous blocks of result data, based on the received at least one cursor-based fetch query and sends to the client, using the at least one secondary connection, the continuous blocks of result data. |
| US09633118B2 |
Editorial service supporting contrasting content
An editorial service analyzes the web behavior of a group of users in order to classify users into user types and contrasting types. A user type is a classification that is based on the type of web-accessed content that a user typically views. A contrasting type represents a classification that is based on web-accessed content that a user rarely views. A content provider may utilize a user's contrasting type to present divergent or contrasting content to a user thereby engaging the user to stay on and interact with the content provider's web site or application longer. |
| US09633116B2 |
Endorsing local search results
Methods and systems for improving user search experience with a search engine by providing a way for associated users to create and share personalized lists of local search results and/or advertisements through endorsements of such local search results and/or ads. Local search endorsements can be used to personalize the search engine's ranking of local search results by offering a way for users to re-rank the results for themselves and for those who trust them. |
| US09633110B2 |
Enrichment of data using a semantic auto-discovery of reference and visual data
Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for automatically enriching data in tables of report documents. A table of data contained in a document is received. A category of data stored in a column of the table of data is determined Enhancement information associated with the determined category is retrieved. The enhancement information may include visual enhancements (e.g., symbols, images, etc.) and/or may include reference data that is related to the determined category of column data. A user is enabled to select enhancement information of the retrieved enhancement information. The selected enhancement information is displayed in the document. The user is enabled to accept the selected enhancement information to be stored in the document. |
| US09633107B2 |
Mobile metadata model repository
A system includes creation of a first data structure defining a generic business object model in a storage medium of a first device, creation of a second data structure defining a specific business object model in the storage medium of the first device, where the specific business object model being an instance of the generic business object model, reception of the second data structure defining the specific business object model at a mobile device, and storage of the second data structure in a storage medium of the mobile device. |
| US09633106B1 |
Log data analysis
Analyzing log data, such as security log data and event data, is disclosed. Log data is obtained. Portions of the log data are clustered into clusters of similar data portions. A signature for each cluster is generated. Comparison of subsequent log data with the signature indicates whether the subsequent log data belongs in the cluster. |
| US09633104B2 |
Methods and systems to operate on group-by sets with high cardinality
This disclosure describes methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for efficiently calculating group-by statistics. A data set that includes multiple entries is accessed. The multiple entries are grouped into group-by subsets which are formed on two or more group-by variables and which are subsets are subsets of the data set. Cardinality data is determined for each of the group-by subsets, wherein cardinality data represents a number of entries in a group-by subset. At least one summary of data in each of the group-by subsets is generated, wherein each of the summaries includes the cardinality data determined for the group-by subset. Objects for the group-by subsets are initialized such that the objects store the summaries. The objects may then be used to generate multiple statistical summaries of the data set. |
| US09633099B2 |
Core data synchronization systems and methods
To synchronize data between a remote database and a local object-graph-and-persistence-framework, a synchronization framework receives messages from the local object-graph-and-persistence-framework indicating that a locally-managed object has been retrieved from a local datastore and instantiated or that the locally-managed object has been created, modified, or deleted. When the synchronization framework determines that the message was instigated by a local user's activity (as opposed to a background synchronization process), the synchronization framework synchronizes the locally-managed object with the remote database. |
| US09633095B2 |
Extract, transform and load (ETL) system and method
An ETL system for extracting transactional data from a plurality of source machines is provided. The ETL system includes a data query module configured to provide an interface to enable a data analyst to define an input query to extract transactional data, which is present on a plurality of source machines. The source machines form a multi-tenant system and each source machine is identified by a unique tenant identifier. The system also includes a query parsing module coupled to the data query module and configured to deconstruct the input query to create a tree structure. The tree structure comprises a plurality of distinct queries. The system further includes a data extraction module coupled to the query parsing module and configured to extract transactional data based on the distinct queries and copy the transactional data to a destination system wherein the transactional data comprises a plurality of data types. |
| US09633088B1 |
Event log versioning, synchronization, and consolidation
Systems and methods can support log synchronization associated with a complex event handler. An event log can support storing prior event indicators. A new event indicator may be received. Temporal indicators associated with the new event indicator may be analyzed to establish consistent relative ordering with respect to prior event indicators. A synchronized timestamp may be generated in response to analyzing the temporal indicators. The new event indicator may be translated into a canonical form. The translated event indicator may be stored into the event log according to the synchronized timestamp. A rule associated with the complex event handler may be evaluated to identify a stored event dependency within a rule condition of the rule. The event log may be searched to match the translated event indicator against the stored event dependency. The rule may be triggered, and its action executed, in response to satisfying the rule condition. |
| US09633086B2 |
Goal-oriented user matching among social networking environments
Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for goal-based user matching among social networking environments. In a typical embodiment, a querying user is asked to respond to a series of questions related to goals, criteria, and criteria priorities (and, optionally, a desired “degree” of separation among other users). The querying user will submit his/her responses, which are then parsed and prioritized accordingly. Based on the responses, social networking sites are then searched to identify a set (e.g., at least one) of candidate users that are potential collaboration partners with the querying user. This set of candidate users may be arranged in a list and sorted according to a best match to the querying user's responses. The list can then be provided to the querying user. In addition, invites can be sent to the set of candidate users to invite such users to connect/collaborate with the querying user. |
| US09633085B2 |
Method for calculating relevancy scores of search results
A method including the steps of: receiving, using one or more processors, a search query containing search terms from a user device; executing, using one or more processors, a query on a database based in response to the received search query; generating, using or more processors, search results based on the executed query; calculating, using one or more processors, a relevancy score for each of the generated search results, wherein the relevancy score is determined based on match properties of the search terms and field terms of a matching field; assigning, using one or more processors, a calculated relevancy score to each of the generated search results; and transmitting, using or more processors, the scored search results for display as a ranked list on the user device. |
| US09633082B2 |
Search result ranking method and system
Search result ranking includes recording user action information on displayed objects in search results obtained using one or more query words, upon receiving a switch-page request or switch-screen request, determining a commonality level of one or more attribute characteristics in a set of objects subjected to user actions, the determining of the commonality level being based on the user action information on the displayed objects, selecting attribute characteristics that comply with predetermined requirements to serve as reference norms for ranking objects that are to be displayed or ranked, the selecting of the attribute characteristics being based on the commonality level, and adjusting rank of objects that are to be displayed or to be ranked and whose attribute characteristics comply with the reference norms. |
| US09633081B1 |
Systems and methods for determining application installation likelihood based on user network characteristics
A method for providing a scored list of applications for use in recommending applications to a user includes storing an application signature for each user of a cloud computing service, where the application signature for a first user stores a usage total for the first user for each application in a set of available applications, and storing a user similarity matrix across all users, where a first similarity value in the user similarity matrix measures the similarity between the first user's application signature and a second user's application signature. The cloud computing service receives a request to provide a scored list of applications for the first user, constructs the scored list, where a score of each application is a function of the usage totals for the application in the application signatures for each user and each user's similarity value to the first user, and outputs the scored list of applications. |
| US09633079B2 |
Generating and using temporal metadata partitions
Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for generating and using temporal metadata partitions. Metadata can be stored in temporal metadata partitions based upon a time range included in the metadata. Furthermore, metadata can be stored in multiple temporal metadata partitions to which the metadata is relevant. As such, metadata can be stored in manner that allows event data to be understood in the context of temporally accurate and/or relevant metadata. Functionality for executing queries of event data and providing results in view of metadata, as well as the merging of multiple temporal metadata partitions also are disclosed. |
| US09633074B1 |
Querying data set tables in a non-transactional database
A method and apparatus for facilitating data set query is disclosed. In the method and apparatus one or more tables may be created for the data set, whereby each table of the one or more tables may enable searching the data set using one or more records that are associated with one or more indices of the data set. Upon receiving a request to search the data set, a table of the one or more table is identified based at least in part on the one or more bases for query and is searched to provide a yielded record. |
| US09633063B2 |
Methods and apparatus for automated redaction of content in a document
A redaction process obtains redaction data indicating content to be redacted in a document. In addition, the redaction process obtains non-redaction data indicating content not to be redacted in the document. Furthermore, the redaction process obtains proximity data indicating proximate expressions to be matched against the document. In this manner, the redaction process processes the redaction data, non-redaction data and proximity data against the document to produce a redact list and a potential list. Upon receiving user selections from both the redact and the potential lists, the redaction process applies a redaction function to the document to produce a redacted version of the document. |
| US09633060B2 |
Computer data distribution architecture with table data cache proxy
The disclosed subject matter includes systems, methods, and computer readable medium for reliable implementation of a table data cache proxy (TDCP). An electronic message requesting table data can be received at TDCP-server that can be coupled to data servers having a table data service accessible via an electronic messaging protocol. The TDCP-server can cache data from and aggregate subscriptions to the data servers. When TDCP-server contains a cached copy of the requested table data, an electronic message providing the cached copy can be transmitted from the cache in response to the first electronic message. The data received from at least one of the data servers and stored in the cache is authoritative due to a data model of the data servers. When TDCP-server does not contain a cached copy, the requested table data can be requested from a server determined to be appropriate and a received response can be filtered. |
| US09633059B2 |
Data table performance optimization
A computer program product to optimize a database is provided. A processor determines a frequency of search for a plurality of columns in a table. A processor determines a length of the plurality of columns. A processor determines a rank for the plurality of columns based, at least in part, on both the frequency of search and the length of the plurality of columns. A processor generates a first set of combinations of the plurality of columns. A processor determines an optimization of the first set of combinations of the plurality of columns. A processor selects an optimal combination of the first set of combinations, wherein the optimization of the optimal combination is greater than the optimization for all other combinations in the first set of combinations. A processor moves the plurality of columns excluded from the optimal combination. |
| US09633057B2 |
Method and system for collecting, searching and determining the strength of contacts from a mobile contact list
The method allows users of mobile devices or desktop/laptops in an organization to perform a search on a collated list of contacts for a particular contact and determine who, within the system/organization, may have that contact in their list. Contact lists from individual mobile devices are collated and stored and are searchable. A rating for the strength of each contact in a user's mobile contact list is made by determining the type of contact that the user uses to communicate with the contact and by the frequency with which the user communicates with the contact. This can be done across the contacts for the entire organization. The organization can also determine the strength of the contact list of someone in the organization or the relative strength of each contact. |
| US09633056B2 |
Maintaining a deduplication database
An information management system can modify working copies of database entries residing in a local database of a secondary storage computing device in response to instructions to modify the database entries residing in a deduplication database. If the working copy does not already reside in the local database, a copy of the database entry, or portion thereof, from the deduplication database can be used to generate the working copy. Based on a desired policy, the working copies in the local database can be merged with the actual database entries in the deduplication database. |
| US09633055B2 |
Database migration
A migration framework includes a migration status data store that stores the migration status of a variety of different databases that are being migrated. A migration manager monitors the migration status of the different databases and invokes migration scripts to perform migration steps on the various databases, based upon their migration status. As the migration steps are completed, a status update component updates the migration status of the various databases that are being migrated. |
| US09633052B2 |
System and method for decomposition of code generation into separate physical units though execution units
In various embodiments, a data integration system is disclosed which enables users to create a logical design which is platform and technology independent. The user can create a logical design that defines, at a high level, how a user wants data to flow between sources and targets. The tool can analyze the logical design, in view of the user's infrastructure, and create a physical design. The logical design can include a plurality of components corresponding to each source and target in the design, as well as operations such as joins or filters, and access points. Each component when transferred to the physical design generates code to perform operations on the data. Depending on the underlying technology (e.g., SQL Server, Oracle, Hadoop, etc.) and the language used (SQL, pig, etc.) the code generated by each component may be different. |
| US09633049B2 |
Searching apparatus, searching method, and searching system
A searching apparatus comprising: a storage unit that stores therein indexes for searching for an object included in an image and cooperative information indicating a function of cooperating with the object in association with each other; a receiving unit that receives a captured image; an extracting unit that extracts an object included in the captured image; a calculating unit that calculates a degree of similarity between the object searched for by an index stored in the storage unit and the object extracted from the captured image by the extracting unit; a searching unit that searches for one or more objects based on the degree of similarity from the storage unit; and a presenting unit that presents the cooperative information associated with the index corresponding to the object as a search result of the searching unit to a source of the captured image. |
| US09633041B2 |
File block placement in a distributed file system network
A method for file block placement in a distributed file system network that includes a plurality of data storage nodes, the method comprising the steps of generating a plurality of file block placement options for a file block, each block placement option being associated with at least one of the data storage nodes, the file block placement options being based on a set of network parameters associated with the distributed file system, determining a cost valuation parameter associated with each of the plurality of file block placement options, and selecting one of the plurality of file block placement options based at least in part on the cost valuation parameter associated with each file block placement option. |
| US09633029B2 |
Method, server, and user terminal for providing and acquiring media content
A method, a server, and a user terminal for providing and acquiring media content are provided. The providing method includes: receiving a file segment acquiring request sent by a user terminal, where the file segment acquiring request is generated and sent by the user terminal according to an identifier of the user terminal, and the media segment description file includes a storage address and an embedded identifier of each media file segment that is divided from media content; and providing the user terminal with a media file segment that is embedded with the identifier of the user terminal. In the technical solution of the present invention, a server no longer processes media content in real time and responds to an acquiring request of a user terminal, thereby reducing concurrent load of the server and reducing concurrent bandwidth occupied by media content distribution. |
| US09633026B2 |
Systems and methods for protecting email data
Aspects of this disclosure relate to protecting email data. For example, email protection rules can instruct an email server to route an email to an email protection module. The one or more email rules can identify a group of one or more email addresses. The email protection module can receive an email from the email server that has an email address of the group as an intended receipt. The email protection module can route the email to secondary storage and store the email in secondary storage to create a secondary copy of the email. The secondary copy can be stored inline to persistent memory of secondary storage, according to certain embodiments. Access to the backup copy of the email stored to the persistent memory can be controlled, for example, based on whether a user had permission to access to the email when the email was sent. |
| US09633022B2 |
Backup and restoration for a deduplicated file system
The disclosed techniques that can use deduplication information on a source computer platform to improve the process of performing data backups or restoration from/to the computer platform. In one example aspect, a data backup operation can re-use some of the work already done by a source computer's deduplication system. For example, a storage operation could read a deduplication database on the source computer platform to determine the duplicativeness of a given data chunk being transferred to a backup storage system, without having to perform computations such as data chunk hashing and comparison with previously generated hashes. The technique may additionally or alternatively reuse hashes generated by the source computer during deduplication of the data file on the source computer's file system during deduplication at the external backup storage system. |
| US09633018B2 |
Generation of related content for social media posts
Architecture presents in a display related content in association with (an annotation) a social media post, as derived from post information of the social media post itself. The related content can be presented in the user interface proximate the social media post or elsewhere in the user interface. The related content can be presented as search engine queries, images, videos, and/or links to related websites. More specifically, the disclosed architecture facilitates the automated annotation of a social media post with related content derived from: post information such as a URL (uniform resource locator) referred to in the social media post, post information such as the text, image(s), and/or video content in a social media post itself, and post information such as content linked-to by a URL referred to in a social media post. |
| US09633017B2 |
Dwell-time based generation of a user interest profile
A method is provided for building a user interest profile. According to the method, features of each of a plurality of articles are identified. For a given user, views of one or more of the plurality of articles are logged. For each view, a corresponding dwell time for the view by the given user is measured. A weight is applied to each view based on the corresponding measured dwell time. User interest scores for features of the articles are determined based on the weighted views, and the user interest profile is generated for the given user based on the user interest scores. |
| US09633016B2 |
Integrated social network and stream playback
A system and method for searching and playing multimedia content on a social network portal is disclosed. The system and method includes hosting a social network portal of a user, wherein the social network portal displays information of the user. The method further includes integrating, on the social network portal of the user, a multimedia controller. A selection or mouse-over of the multimedia controller initiates and controls the playback and selection of a multimedia item on an integrated multimedia player. The method also includes enabling a user to simultaneously navigate the social network portal and stream content via the integrated multimedia player. A user can also search for or request multimedia content via the multimedia controller and player. |
| US09633012B1 |
Construction permit processing system and method
A system comprises a data storage system, data analysis logic, and user interface logic. The data analysis logic is configured to analyze the documents and to identify documents that satisfy search criteria received from a user. The user interface logic is configured to generate a user interface. The user interface logic is also configured to generate a plurality of charts for display to the user. The user can interact with the charts to specify modified search criteria. The user interface logic is configured to receive modified search criteria from the user via one of the charts and update the remaining charts to reflect the modified search criteria. |
| US09633009B2 |
Knowledge-rich automatic term disambiguation
Embodiments of the invention relate to ambiguity detection. In one embodiment, an object and a topical domain associated with the object are obtained. In this embodiment, the object includes at least one term. At least one of a plurality of information sources is analyzed based on the at least one term and the topical domain. A determination is made that object is one of ambiguous and unambiguous based on analyzing at least one of the plurality of information sources. |
| US09633002B1 |
Systems and methods for coreference resolution using selective feature activation
In some aspects, systems, methods, and computer-readable media for selective feature activation for coreference resolution are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving text data comprising a plurality of mentions corresponding to entities, and determining a plurality of data features, comprising semantic features and syntactic features, for comparing a particular pair of mentions from the plurality of mentions. The method also includes selectively activating a subset of features from the plurality of data features based on semantic and syntactic context of the particular pair of mentions within the text data, and determining, using weights associated with the activated subset of features and at least one machine learning function, whether a first mention of the pair of mentions and second mention of the pair of mentions refer to a same entity. |
| US09632999B2 |
Techniques for understanding the aboutness of text based on semantic analysis
In one embodiment of the present invention, a semantic analyzer translates a text segment into a structured representation that conveys the meaning of the text segment. Notably, the semantic analyzer leverages a semantic network to perform word sense disambiguation operations that map text words included in the text segment into concepts—word senses with a single, specific meaning—that are interconnected with relevance ratings. A topic generator then creates topics on-the-fly that includes one or more mapped concepts that are related within the context of the text segment. In this fashion, the topic generator tailors the semantic network to the text segment. A topic analyzer processes this tailored semantic network, generating a relevance-ranked list of topics as a meaningful proxy for the text segment. Advantageously, operating at the level of concepts and topics reduces the misinterpretations attributable to key word and statistical analysis methods. |
| US09632995B2 |
Method and apparatus for navigating through a task on a computer
Assisting a user to navigate through a performance of a task, the task including a plurality of sub-tasks. Two or more of the sub-tasks are serially presented on a graphical user interface. Each of the two or more sub-tasks is displayed in a respective area of the graphical user interface. For each of the two or more sub-tasks, the user is enabled to perform the sub-task by entering information into the respective area of the sub-task as the sub-task is presented. While the two or more sub-tasks are being presented, a sub-task list of items is displayed to the user on the graphical user interface. Each item represents a respective one of the plurality of sub-tasks. Displaying the sub-task list includes displaying, within at least one of the items, information corresponding to the sub-task represented by the at least one item. |
| US09632994B2 |
Graphical user interface that supports document annotation
A graphical user interface that facilitates annotating documents is described herein. The graphical user interface includes a first field that displays a document to a user. The graphical user interface includes a second field that displays an annotation that has been assigned to a portion of the document, wherein the annotation includes a defined structure. The annotation is in the form of a tuple, wherein the tuple includes a first word or phrase, a second word or phrase, and a third word or phrase that relates the first word or phrase to the second word or phrase. The graphical user interface also includes a third field that facilitates user-editing of annotations. |
| US09632993B2 |
Combining and displaying multiple document areas
A method includes storing, in response to marking by a user of an area of a displayed document, information on the marked area; displaying an icon representing the marked area; conducting the storing operation and the displaying operation for a different area; and creating, in response to an operation by the user for arranging two or more icons to be in contact with each other, a joined icon by joining the icons together; and combining marked areas represented by the two or more respective icons, according to a state of contact. A corresponding computer program product and computer system are also disclosed herein. |
| US09632992B2 |
Transcription editing
A computer program product for use with text transcribed from audio information, the computer program product residing on a computer-readable medium, includes computer-readable instructions for causing a computer to: enable defined keystroke combinations for use in editing the text transcribed from audio, the defined keystroke combinations corresponding to formatting functions identified as frequently-used functions during editing of a transcribed text; and respond to an activated keystroke combination by replacing a first format in the text document with a second format corresponding to the chosen keystroke combination. |
| US09632988B2 |
Autonomous gadget management system
Techniques are described for outputting web page components, or gadgets, on a web page or other graphical user interface. A gadget automatically conforms to particular styles based on the styles of the other gadgets and of controlling relationships to the other gadgets that are determined from page analysis and other policies. |
| US09632982B2 |
Orthogonal transform apparatus, orthogonal transform method, orthogonal transform computer program, and audio decoding apparatus
An orthogonal transform apparatus includes: an interchanging unit which interchanges MDCT coefficients contained in a first half of a prescribed interval with MDCT coefficients contained in a second half thereof; an inverting unit which inverts the sign of the MDCT coefficients contained in the second half of the prescribed interval after the interchange; an inverse cosine transform unit which computes the real components of QMF coefficients by applying an IMDCT using FFT to the MDCT coefficients contained in the first half and the sign-inverted MDCT coefficients contained in the second half; an inverse sine transform unit which computes the imaginary components of the QMF coefficients by applying an IMDST using FFT to the MDCT coefficients contained in the first half and the sign-inverted MDCT coefficients contained in the second half; and a coefficient adjusting unit which computes the QMF coefficients by combining the real components with the imaginary components. |
| US09632977B2 |
System and method for ordering packet transfers in a data processor
A data processor includes a packet selector. The packet selector creates an ordered list of packets, each packet corresponding to a respective communication flow, determines whether each packet in the ordered list of packets is eligible for transfer to a prefetch unit based on whether a preceding packet in the same communication flow has been transferred to the prefetch unit, and sets a selection priority for each packet based on start time constraints for the respective communication flow, and based on a processing status of a preceding packet in the communication flow. |
| US09632976B2 |
Lazy runahead operation for a microprocessor
Embodiments related to managing lazy runahead operations at a microprocessor are disclosed. For example, an embodiment of a method for operating a microprocessor described herein includes identifying a primary condition that triggers an unresolved state of the microprocessor. The example method also includes identifying a forcing condition that compels resolution of the unresolved state. The example method also includes, in response to identification of the forcing condition, causing the microprocessor to enter a runahead mode. |
| US09632969B2 |
Systems and methods for managing a wireless connection between a computing device and a peripheral module
Systems and methods for managing a wireless connection between a computing device and a peripheral module are provided. In some aspects, a computer-implemented method includes detecting a mechanical coupling between the peripheral module and the computing device. The method also includes identifying a first function of the mechanically coupled peripheral module, and comparing the first function to a preapproved function. The method also includes managing the wireless connection between the peripheral module and the computing device based on the comparison of the first function to the preapproved function. |
| US09632967B2 |
Control method for a door drive and door drive
The invention relates to a method of controlling a door drive having a plurality of components which are communicatively connected to one another via a digital bus system, wherein at least one component is a safety component which reports the occurrence of a safety-relevant event over the data bus, and wherein the bus protocol reserves a cyclic safety phase for reporting a safety-relevant event and at least one component recognizes an undefined data transmission during the safety phase as a report of a safety-relevant event. |
| US09632966B2 |
Portable USB mass storage device
A new type of portable USB mass storage gadget is disclosed which provides the user with upgradeable high speed mass storage and processing for use with portable computer appliances such as smart phones and tablets as well as standard desk top computers and laptops. Various modifications to the embodiment referred to as a UDRIVE are disclosed including a battery option, wireless connectivity, security, and additional internal electronics and external interfaces that allow processing of the data stored or sent to the portable gadget. |
| US09632964B2 |
Communications control system with a serial communications interface and a parallel communications interface
A communications control system is disclosed that includes a serial communications interface and a parallel communications interface for coupling a plurality of input/output modules with a control module. The serial communications interface is configured for connecting the plurality of input/output modules to the control module in parallel to transmit information between the plurality of input/output modules and the control module, and the parallel communications interface is configured for separately connecting the plurality of input/output modules to the control module to transmit information between the plurality of input/output modules and the control module, and to transmit information between individual ones of the plurality of input/output modules. The serial communications interface may comprise a multidrop bus, and the parallel communications interface may comprise a cross switch. |
| US09632962B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method for generating coupling information
A processing apparatus includes a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to acquire first data that indicates correspondence relationship between a first address given to a first adapter of a first device and a first bus number given to a first bus coupled to the first adapter, acquire second data that indicates correspondence relationship between a second address given to a second adapter of a first device and a second bus number given to a second bus coupled to the second adapter, acquire third data that indicates correspondence relationship between the first address and a port number given to a port of a second device, the port being coupled to the first adapter with the first bus, and when the second bus number is identical to the first bus number, generate fourth data that indicates that the second adapter is coupled to the port. |
| US09632961B2 |
Crosstalk aware decoding for a data bus
Techniques for decoding encoded data are described herein. An example of a device in accordance with the present techniques includes a receiving signaling module coupled to a plurality of signal lines. The signaling module includes a receiver to receive a plurality of encoded line voltages or currents on the plurality of signal lines of a bus, wherein each one of the plurality of encoded line voltages corresponds to a weighted sum of data. The signaling module includes a comparator to determine the voltage level of each line at a unit interval and convert the voltage level to a digital value. The signaling module includes a lookup table correlating the digital value with a digital bit stream. |
| US09632960B2 |
I2C bus priority alert system
An inter-integrated circuit (I2C) bus priority alert system includes sender device with a sender I2C connector. The sender device detects a first priority event and, in response, sends a first priority event alert signal through the sender I2C connector. A receiver device includes a receiver I2C connector that is connected to the sender I2C connector on the sender device over an I2C bus. The receiver device receives the first priority event alert signal from the sender device over the I2C bus and, in response, pauses a current data transmission operation that is being performed over the I2C bus. The receiver device then performs a first priority event action associated with the first priority event alert signal that addresses the first priority event such that no further actions are performed by the receiver device to address the first priority event. The receiver device may then resume the current data transmission operation. |
| US09632954B2 |
Memory queue handling techniques for reducing impact of high-latency memory operations
Techniques for handling queuing of memory accesses prevent passing excessive requests that implicate a region of memory subject to a high latency memory operation, such as a memory refresh operation, memory scrubbing or an internal bus calibration event, to a re-order queue of a memory controller. The memory controller includes a queue for storing pending memory access requests, a re-order queue for receiving the requests, and a control logic implementing a queue controller that determines if there is a collision between a received request and an ongoing high-latency memory operation. If there is a collision, then transfer of the request to the re-order queue may be rejected outright, or a count of existing queued operations that collide with the high latency operation may be used to determine if queuing the new request will exceed a threshold number of such operations. |
| US09632951B2 |
Cache memory
A cache memory includes a tag memory array and a data memory array. A control register records a reconfiguration status of at least one cache way, a start address of the tag memory array, and a start address of the data memory array. A memory controller is electrically connected to the tag memory array, the data memory array, and the control register. The memory controller controls a data access state of the tag memory array according to the mode byte and the tag base address. The memory controller controls a data access state of the data memory array according to the mode byte and the data base address. A selection module is electrically connected between the tag memory array, the data memory array, and the memory controller. The cache memory solves the problem of idle tag memory of the tag memory array. |
| US09632950B2 |
Storage control device controlling access to a storage device and access controlling method of a storage device
An apparatus includes a first cache memory, a second cache memory, and a processor coupled to the first cache memory and the second cache memory, and configured to store data in the second cache memory, the data being deleted from the first cache memory, store first data stored in a first address of the storage device, in the second cache memory, in case where the first address is included in first management information and is not included in second management information, according to a request for access to the first address of the storage device, the first management information including an address in the storage device of specific data stored in the storage device, and the second management information including an address in the storage device of data stored in both of the second cache memory and the storage device, and register the first address in the second management information. |
| US09632949B2 |
Storage management method, storage management system, computer system, and program
A storage management method and the like for managing a hierarchical storage are provided. A storage management method is provided for managing a hierarchical storage including a lower storage tier, and a higher storage tier having higher speed than the lower storage tier, on a computer system including at least one computer. This storage management method includes a step of causing the computer system to copy a target data item from the higher storage tier to the lower storage tier, and a step of causing the system to determine whether or not to delete the entity of the data item on the higher storage tier having been subjected to the copying based on a time required for reading the copy of the data item. |
| US09632936B1 |
Two-tier distributed memory
Described herein are systems and methods to redirect data read requests from the first tier to the second tier of a two-tier distributed memory. The first tier includes memory modules with data sets. Data interfaces associated with the first tier memory modules, receive from a second tier including compute elements and associated cache memories, requests to fetch data from the first tier. If a data set has not recently been fetched by the second tier, then the data interface will send the data set from the first tier to the cache memory associated with the requesting compute element. If a data set has recently been fetched by the second tier, the data interface will redirect the requesting compute element to fetch the data set from the cache memory in which the data set is currently located. |
| US09632935B2 |
Systems and methods for non-volatile cache control
In some embodiments, a method for controlling a cache having a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory during a power up sequence is provided. The method includes receiving, at a controller configured to control the cache and a storage device associated with the cache, a signal indicating whether the non-volatile memory includes dirty data copied from the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory during a power down sequence, the dirty data including data that has not been stored in the storage device. In response to the received signal, the dirty data is restored from the non-volatile memory to the volatile memory, and flushed from the volatile memory to the storage device. |
| US09632926B1 |
Memory unit assignment and selection for internal memory operations in data storage systems
Disclosed embodiments are directed to systems and methods for assigning and selecting memory units for internal memory operations in data storage systems. The embodiments can improve the efficiency of garbage collection operations by directing dynamic data into memory units with a relatively lower P/E count, directing static and system data into memory units with a relatively higher P/E count, and not mixing static and dynamic data by packing static data into separate memory units from dynamic data. In one embodiment, after completion of garbage collection of blocks, the blocks are each assigned to one of a cool down list and an available memory unit list based on a size limit of the cool down list and a number of program-erase (P/E) operations performed on each block. The blocks are subsequently selected from the lists for write operations according to whether write data includes static or dynamic data. |
| US09632924B2 |
Using memory compression to reduce memory commit charge
A memory manager in a computing device allocates memory to programs running on the computing device, the amount of memory allocated to a program being a memory commit for the program. When a program is in a state where the program can be terminated, the content of the memory pages allocated to the program is compressed, and an amount of the memory commit for the program that can be released is determined. This amount of memory commit is the amount that was committed to the program less any amount still storing (in compressed format) information (e.g., data or instructions) for the program. The determined amount of memory commit is released, allowing that amount of memory to be consumed by other programs as appropriate. |
| US09632920B2 |
System and method for a diagnostic software service
Systems and methods for a diagnostic software service that utilizes a subscription model to distribute diagnostic software to diagnostic tools. A diagnostic application is installed on a mobile device. The mobile device communicates with an adapter which can be coupled to a vehicle. An application server provides software modules that are available to be subscribed to by a technician and, once subscribed, can be utilized via the diagnostic application. Subscription to software modules enable the technician to add and utilize specific diagnostic functionality in an a la carte manner. |
| US09632918B1 |
Creating expected test results using previous test results
One or more previous actual results are retrieved from a software test. The longest common subsequence of data of the one or more previous actual results is determined. The longest common subsequence of data is removed to create remaining common data. The remaining common data is classified resulting in a matched portion of data and an unmatched portion of data. Classification is done by dynamic programming. Matched portions of data are identical. Unmatched portions of data are different. If an existing class exists, unmatched portions of the remaining common data are applied to the existing class. A new class of data is created. The unmatched portions of the remaining common data not applied to an existing class is applied to the new class. An expected test result is created using the longest common subsequence of data, the matched portions of the common data, and the classified common data. |
| US09632917B2 |
Software testing
Software testing uses a plurality of test cases, where each of the test cases includes a plurality of test tasks. The test cases are analyzed to obtain at least one reusable test task sequence between at least two test cases. The reusable test task sequence includes at least one identical test task. The test cases are divided into at least one test case group according to the reusable test task sequence, where the test cases in each of the test case groups has at least one reusable test task sequence. For each of the test cases of the at least one test case group, an execution script of each test case is generated by using an execution script of a reusable test task, where the execution script of each test case includes at least one of backup or restore for the reusable test task sequence. |
| US09632915B2 |
Historical control flow visualization in production diagnostics
A diagnostic tool can dynamically instrument an application to collect program control flow information using one or more non-stopping production breakpoints. Analyzed program control flow information can be displayed. Dynamic code rewriting techniques can be used to change the production software without deploying new source code. The information collected at the non-stopping breakpoint can include the actual control flow that an instance of the production application took to reach the breakpoint in addition to information about the data. The analyzed control flow information can be visualized in a diagnostic tool allowing a user to see the path an execution of the program took to arrive at a particular breakpoint. |
| US09632914B2 |
Error diagnostic in a production environment
Troubleshooting data can be collected to debug a computer appliance running in a production environment. A computer system can record inbound and outbound transactions and monitor for the occurrence of an error. Upon detection of an error, transactional data associated with the error can be copied to a container. The relevant transactions and user sessions can be run in the container on debug firmware and rich troubleshooting data can be collected from the execution. If the same error occurs again during this simulated execution, then the troubleshooting data that was collected, as well a product key, can be encrypted and included in an error report. The container can then be deleted from the appliance. |
| US09632912B1 |
Method and system for debugging a program
A system and method of debugging a program may include obtaining a selection of a portion of the program which is between trackable inputs and outputs. The method may also include simulating an execution on the portion of the program, by providing input data via the inputs that was input through said inputs during a recorded execution of the program. The method may further include presenting information relating to the simulated execution on an output device. |
| US09632907B2 |
Tracking deferred data packets in a debug trace architecture
A processing device implementing tracking of deferred data packets in a debug trace architecture is disclosed. The processing device is to determine an order number corresponding to an order in which an instruction was executed relative to other executed instructions that correspond to an instruction type within a sequence of executed instructions, identify a first data packet corresponding to a first packet type and sequentially ordered, according to the order number, with respect to data packets of the first packet type within a data trace log, identify a second data packet corresponding to a second packet type and sequentially ordered, according to the order number, with respect to data packets of the second packet type within the data trace log, and map the identified first and second data packets to the instruction, wherein at least one of the first or second data packets was generated post-retirement of the instruction. |
| US09632900B1 |
Active workstation
An active workstation is provided and includes a first support element, a computing device to which peripheral devices, which are movably disposed on the first support element, are coupled and a second support element movably disposed proximate to the first support element. The computing device includes a processing unit and a memory having executable instructions stored thereon. When executed, the executable instructions cause the processing unit to facilitate respective operations and movements of the peripheral devices and the second support element in accordance with a user profile. |
| US09632893B2 |
Unobtrusive failover in clustered network-attached storage
A mechanism is provided in a data processing system for unobtrusive failover in a clustered file system. A node in the clustered file system periodically monitors publicized resource events from a cluster manager in the clustered file system for a triggering event that triggers a grace period. Responsive to detecting a triggering event, the node enters a grace period without restarting. During the grace period, the node processes a state request from a first client. |
| US09632890B2 |
Facilitating N-way high availability storage services
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus that monitors with a passive storage controller a plurality of active storage controllers. A determination is made with the passive storage controller when a failure of one of the active storage controllers has occurred based on the monitoring. Storage device(s) previously assigned to the one of the active storage controllers are remapped to the passive storage controller. A transaction log associated with the one of the active storage controllers is retrieved with the passive storage controller from a transaction log database. Transaction(s) in the transaction log are replayed with the passive storage controller, when the failure of the one of the active storage controllers is determined to have occurred. |
| US09632889B2 |
Method for the optimization of performance, capacity and redundancy in digital data storage systems
A method and system of optimizing the performance, capacity and data redundancy in a storage system by defining the LBA range on each storage element managing that corresponding range (slice) on each device using a data protection method optimized for the performance and level of data protection required. The creation of such a storage array along with the replacement of failed elements and the expansion of the capacity through the addition of additional elements is managed is an automatic and transparent manner. |
| US09632886B2 |
Systems and methods for implementing an automated parallel deployment solution
Systems and methods are provided for implementing an automated parallel deployment solution. Embodiments of the invention described herein prevent defects from being introduced in a production environment, or those that could be introduced in a production environment, by parallel log monitoring of existing and new state systems. One or more systems may be created in parallel to the production system to detect and fix defects. In embodiments of the invention, as existing defects are captured and resolved by the automatic defect resolution system and method, these defects will not impact production any further. Thus, the automatic defect resolution system drives out all production defects over a window of time, requiring less and less maintenance over time. Once a given defect is fixed, the corresponding change is applied to the production environment to avoid future similar defects. |
| US09632883B2 |
Digital encoding of parallel busses to suppress simultaneous switching output noise
An apparatus and method for encoding data are disclosed that may allow for different encoding levels of transmitted data. The apparatus may include an encoder unit and a plurality of transceiver units. The encoder unit may be configured to receive a plurality of data words, where each data word includes N data bits, wherein N is a positive integer greater than one, and encode a first data word of the plurality of data words. The encoded first data word may include M data bits, where M is a positive integer greater than N. Each transceiver unit may transmit a respective data bit of the encoded first data word. The encoder unit may be further configured to receive information indicative of a quality of transmission of the encoded first data word, and encode a second data word of the plurality of data words dependent upon the quality. |
| US09632876B1 |
Backup appliance replication to provide virtual machine recovery at a remote site
Techniques to protect data are disclosed. A backup appliance configuration data associated with a first backup appliance associated with a first virtual machine environment is received at a host site. The backup appliance configuration data is replicated to a remote replication site. The backup appliance configuration data includes data usable at the remote replication site to provide at the remote replication site a replicated backup appliance that is associated with a second virtual machine environment at the remote replication site and is configured to access backup data stored by the first backup appliance and to use said backup data stored by the first backup appliance to recover to hosts at the replication site one or more virtual machines associated with the first virtual machine environment. |
| US09632873B1 |
Storage management system and method
A method, computer program product, and computing system for generating a first file system for use within a data storage array. A first temporary storage space is defined within the data storage array for use during a file system recovery event. The size of the first temporary storage space is defined based, at least in part, upon the actual utilization of the first file system. |
| US09632872B2 |
Reprioritizing pending dispersed storage network requests
A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module monitoring processing status of a plurality of pending dispersed storage network (DSN) access requests, where less than a desired number of DS units have favorably responded to a set of access requests. The method continues with the DS processing module interpreting the processing status of the plurality of pending DSN access requests to detect a processing anomaly. The method continues with the DS processing module reprioritizing further processing of at least one of the plurality of pending DSN access requests having the processing anomaly and another one or more of the plurality of pending DSN access requests. The method continues with the DS processing module sending notice of the reprioritized further processing to one or more DS units. |
| US09632870B2 |
Memory system with multiple striping of raid groups and method for performing the same
A data memory system is described, where there may be an asymmetry in the time needed to write or erase data and the time needed to read data. The data may be stored using a RAID data storage arrangement and the reading, writing and erasing operations on the modules arranged such that the erasing and writing operations may be performed without significant latency for performing a read operation. Where a failure of a memory module in the memory system occurs, methods for recovering the data of the failed module are disclosed which may selected in accordance with policies that may relate to the minimizing the possibility of irretrievable data loss, or degradation of latency performance. |
| US09632868B2 |
Storage device including nonvolatile memory and memory controller and operating method of storage device
An operating method of a storage device includes reading data from a nonvolatile memory using first read parameters and second read parameters and collecting read histories associated with a plurality of read operations. First histories and second histories are determined from the collected read histories. The second read parameters are adjusted according to the first histories, and the first read parameters are adjusted according to the second histories. The read histories include information on read voltages used to perform the read operations, and the first histories and the second histories are determined from the collected read histories according to the number of read voltages having the same level. |
| US09632867B2 |
Methods, circuits, devices, systems and machine executable code for reading from a non-volatile memory array
Disclosed is a method for reading from a non-volatile memory (NVM) device including: retrieving a set of data from an NVM array according to a read sequence for a requested set of logical memory locations received from a host device, detecting errors in the set of data, preparing an error indicator to be output to a host device substantially upon detection of the errors and outputting the error indication in response to a command being received from the host device. |
| US09632859B2 |
Generating problem signatures from snapshots of time series data
Software that generates statistical models of events impacting computer systems and uses those models to detect similar events in the future. The software performs the following operations: (i) receiving a snapshot of a first event impacting a computer system, where the snapshot includes a first set of values for a plurality of metrics occurring over a first time period corresponding to the first event; (ii) extracting a first set of feature vectors from the first set of values; (iii) generating a first statistical model representing the first event based, at least in part, on the extracted first set of feature vectors; and (iv) determining that a second event is similar to the first event by comparing the first statistical model to a second set of values for the plurality of metrics occurring over a second time period corresponding to the second event. |
| US09632858B2 |
Organizing network performance metrics into historical anomaly dependency data
The technology disclosed relates to organizing network performance metrics into historical anomaly dependency data. In particular, it relates to calculating cascading failure relationships between correlated anomalies detected in a network. It also relates to illustrating to a network administrator causes of system failure by laying out the graph to show a progression over time of the cascading failures and identify root causes of the cascading failures. It also relates to ranking anomalies and anomaly clusters in the network based on attributes of the resources exhibiting anomalous performances and attributes of the anomalous performances. It further relates to depicting evolution of resource failures across a network by visually coding impacted resources and adjusting the visual coding over time and allowing replay over time to visualize propagation of anomalous performances among the impacted resource. |
| US09632854B2 |
Electronic system configuration management
A method for managing a configuration of an electronic system having a plurality of locations configured to receive hardware units is disclosed. The method may include receiving hardware unit parameters corresponding to hardware units currently installed and pending installation in the electronic system and retrieving configuration data for the electronic system. The method may also include generating a plurality of hardware unit times to failure (TTFs) for the plurality of locations by applying, to a failure prediction model, the hardware parameters for hardware units currently installed and pending installation and the configuration data for the electronic system. The method may also include using a selection criteria to select the plurality of hardware unit predicted TTFs corresponding to the plurality of locations and reporting at least one recommended hardware unit installation location from the plurality of locations within the electronic system. |
| US09632852B2 |
Detecting and managing flooding of multi-tenant message queues
A messaging system implements messaging among application servers and databases, utilizing other servers that implement messaging brokers. A large flood of incoming messages can bring down messaging brokers by overflowing the message queues, negatively impacting performance of the overall system. This disclosure in some embodiments detects and identifies “flooders” in a timely manner and isolates their message traffic to dedicated queues to avoid impacting other system users. Subsequently, a preferred system de-allocates the queues and returns the messaging system to normal operation when flooding conditions subside, and “sweeps” up any remaining orphan messages. |
| US09632849B2 |
System having in-memory buffer service, temporary events file storage system and events file uploader service
Computer-implemented methods and systems are provided for writing events to a data store. An application server generates events, the data store that stores the events, and a temporary events file storage system (TEFSS) temporarily stores groups of events as events files. When events are unable to be written directly to the data store, an indirect events writer is invoked that includes event capture threads each being configured to generate a particular events file, and write it to the TEFSS. Each events file includes a plurality of events flushed from an in-memory buffer service. An events file uploader service reads the events file(s) from the TEFSS, and then writes the events from each of the events files to the data store. |
| US09632846B2 |
Complex event processor for historic/live/replayed data
A complex event processor is described which has a communications interface configured to retrieve event data by pulling it from one or more sources and to receive at least one live event stream pushed to the interface. An event processing pipeline connected to the communications interface comprises a plurality of operator nodes connected between the communications interface and a combiner node which is a node configured to combine event data from the source and from the live event stream. The communications interface is configured to retrieve events from the source and to push the events retrieved from the source along the event processing pipeline towards the combiner node. The communications interface is configured to retrieve and push the retrieved events only in response to request messages passed in an upstream direction from the combiner node to the communications interface along the pipeline. |
| US09632845B2 |
Non-preemption of a group of interchangeable tasks in a computing device
A method for non-preemption of interchangeable tasks is disclosed. The method for non-preemption of interchangeable tasks includes identifying a first task assigned to a first time slice, identifying a second task assigned to a subsequent time slice, comparing the first task to the second task, identifying whether the first task and the second task are interchangeable tasks, and executing the first task during the subsequent time slice in response to the first task and the second task being interchangeable. The first task may be currently executing on a processor or may be scheduled to execute on the processor. |
| US09632844B2 |
Non-preemption of a group of interchangeable tasks in a computing device
A non-preemption task group apparatus comprises a scheduling module that identifies a first task that is one of executing and scheduled to execute on a processor during a first time slice and a second task to be executed on a processor during a subsequent time slice, the first slice occurring before the subsequent slice, a relationship module that compares the first task to the second task, and an examining module that identifies whether the first task and the second task are interchangeable tasks based on the comparison, wherein the first task executes during the subsequent time slice in response to the first task and the second task being identified as interchangeable. |
| US09632843B1 |
Memory allocation for RAID systems
A method and system for allocating memory in a RAID system. A RAID system requires the use of shared memory to store processed data related to operations of different mass storage devices. Certain RAID algorithms require different sizes of memory regions of the memory, and multiple requests to lock the required memory regions are therefore required. As multiple requests are made in parallel for different operations, the multiple requests for each operation are sorted in a predetermined order. This ensures that all memory regions for one operation can be locked. Requests for memory regions locked by a second operation are held in a pending state to wait for release of those memory regions by a first operation, at which point they are locked again by the second operation. |
| US09632838B2 |
Cloud based media processing workflows and module updating
Embodiments are directed to providing an extensible platform that allows users to select from and implement different types of media processors and to providing a management portal that allows users to manage their media processors. In one scenario, a computer system receives from a user a workflow with various tasks that are to be processed using a user-specified media processor. The computer system schedules computer system resources including a virtual machine on which the user-specified media processor is to be installed. The user-specified media processor includes a corresponding media processor installer. The computer system instantiates the scheduled virtual machine on the computer system, initiates the media processor installer to install the user-specified media processor on the instantiated virtual machine, and implements the installed media processor on the instantiated virtual machine to process the workflow tasks. |
| US09632836B2 |
Scheduling applications in a clustered computer system
Disclosed is a method for scheduling applications for a clustered computer system having a plurality of computers and at least one resource, the clustered computer system executing one or more applications. A method includes: monitoring hardware counters in at least one of the resources and the plurality of computers of the clustered computer system for each of the applications; responsive to said monitoring, determining the utilization of at least one of the resources and the plurality of computers of the clustered computer system by each of the applications; for each of the applications, storing said utilization of at least one of the resource and plurality of computers of the clustered computer system; and upon receiving a request to schedule an application on one of said computers, scheduling a computer to execute the application based on stored utilization for the application and stored utilizations of other applications executing on the computers. |
| US09632831B2 |
Distributed real-time computing framework using in-storage processing
According to one general aspect, a scheduler computing device may include a computing task memory configured to store at least one computing task. The computing task may be executed by a data node of a distributed computing system, wherein the distributed computing system includes at least one data node, each data node having a central processor and an intelligent storage medium, wherein the intelligent storage medium comprises a controller processor and a memory. The scheduler computing device may include a processor configured to assign the computing task to be executed by either the central processor of a data node or the intelligent storage medium of the data node, based, at least in part, upon an amount of data associated with the computing task. |
| US09632824B2 |
System and method for application inactivity control
A system includes multiple applications executing on a device. One or more user-interfaces connect with the device. The one or more user-interfaces interact with the applications as user-interface activities. A processor sends or receives an indication of the user-interface activities for the multiple applications. The multiple applications are closed or locked, or the device logged out, based on the indication of the user-interface activities for the multiple applications. |
| US09632823B1 |
Multithreaded application thread schedule selection
A method and apparatus for multithreaded application thread schedule selection are disclosed. In the method and apparatus a thread execution schedule for executing an application is selected from a plurality of thread execution schedules, whereby the selection is based at least in part on an identity associated with the application and an identity associated with one or more inputs to the application. The application is then executed in accordance with the thread execution schedule and execution status information is stored as a result of execution of the application. |
| US09632821B2 |
Information processing apparatus with external update and restore processes
An information processing apparatus is provided for preventing an operator from erroneously rewriting data, by which a process can be performed only by connecting an external storage device to a CPU unit without checking whether a user program in the CPU unit is newer or older than that in the external storage device.For carrying out the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, setting parameters selected from a plurality of setting parameters are set to the external storage device and the CPU unit, and the setting parameters set in the external storage device and the CPU unit are compared. If the parameters are matched with each other, whether the user program stored in the CPU unit is newer or older than that stored in the external storage device is determined by the comparison of the stored times, and then an update process, a backup process, or a restore process is performed according to the matched setting parameter of the CPU unit and that of the external storage device. |
| US09632816B2 |
Scaling past the Java virtual machine thread limit
Embodiments of the present invention provide efficient systems and methods for scaling past the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) thread limit in a Java Virtual Machine. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to ensure that a received workload is executed, even if the workload is greater than a JVM thread limit of the system, by spawning a reduced number of threads from a main process, in order to provide enough resources for the effective execution of a received workload. |
| US09632815B2 |
Managing virtual machines according to network bandwidth
A processor-implemented method manages virtual machines that execute on physical servers in a server cloud. One or more processors establish a maximum network bandwidth percentage for a physical server in the server cloud. The maximum network bandwidth percentage is a percentage of a total network bandwidth capability designed for the first physical server. Response time for operational requests to one or more virtual machines on the first physical server changes beyond a predefined differential in response to the maximum network bandwidth percentage being reached. In response to the NIC controller device on the first physical server determining that the maximum network bandwidth percentage for the first physical server is exceeded, a cloud service hypervisor device moves one or more virtual machines on the first physical server to a second physical server in the server cloud. |
| US09632814B2 |
Replacing virtual machine disks
At least one target virtual disk descriptor that describes at least one virtual disk associated with an existing target virtual machine in a target virtualized environment is merged with at least one source virtual disk descriptor that describes at least one virtual disk associated with a source. The merging is carried out to obtain at least one merged virtual disk descriptor compatible with the target virtualized environment. The at least one virtual disk associated with the existing target virtual machine in the target virtualized environment is replaced with the at least one virtual disk associated with the source, in accordance with the at least one merged virtual disk descriptor. |
| US09632813B2 |
High availability for virtual machines in nested hypervisors
Techniques for providing high availability to virtual machines executing in a nested hypervisor. A high availability agent executing within a slave computer in a cluster detects when a master server becomes unavailable and restarts virtual machines from the master server in response. The high availability agent detects whether any of the virtual machines were executing a nested hypervisor within the master server and starts a high availability agent within such hypervisors. The high availability agent within the nested hypervisor is a modified high availability agent with respect to the high availability agent executing in physical servers. The modified high availability agent does not participate in master election and also cannot elect the virtual machine on which it runs as master. |
| US09632810B2 |
Managing virtual machines according to network bandwidth
A server cloud contains multiple physical servers. A NIC controller device is on a first physical server in the server cloud. The NIC controller device establishes a maximum network bandwidth percentage for the first physical server in the server cloud. The maximum network bandwidth percentage is a percentage of a total network bandwidth capability designed for the first physical server. Response time for operational requests to one or more virtual machines on the first physical server changes beyond a predefined differential in response to the maximum network bandwidth percentage being reached. In response to the NIC controller device on the first physical server determining that the maximum network bandwidth percentage for the first physical server is exceeded, a cloud service hypervisor device moves one or more virtual machines on the first physical server to a second physical server in the server cloud. |
| US09632806B1 |
Remote platform configuration
Technologies are disclosed that allow the firmware of a remotely located target device to be configured. The target device can receive a command to reboot into a special remote setup mode for remote configuration. Once in the remote setup mode, the firmware listens for and can respond to HTTP requests for information on configurable data and instructions to update the configurable data. |
| US09632803B2 |
Managing configuration states in an application server
A mechanism for managing configuration states in an application server. The method includes saving a plurality of configuration states of an application server. The method also includes selecting a configuration state from the plurality of configuration states in view of a a match of one of a file tuple or a database tuple between the selected configuration state and the plurality of configuration states and data quantity associated with the plurality of configuration states. |
| US09632801B2 |
Banked memory access efficiency by a graphics processor
Conversion of an array of structures (AOS) to a structure of arrays (SOA) improves the efficiency of transfer from the AOS to the SOA. A similar technique can be used to convert efficiently from an SOA to an AOS. The controller performing the conversion computes a partition size as the highest common factor between the structure size of structures in AOS and the number of banks in a first memory device, and transfers data based on the partition size, rather than on the structure size. The controller can read a partition size number of elements from multiple different structures to ensure that full data transfer bandwidth is used for each transfer. |
| US09632799B2 |
Remote power down control of a device
In remote power down control of a device configured for externally initiated remote power down, such as over a network, all externally connected sources of valid power down requests for the device is monitored; and the device is powered down in response to a combination of one of a received power down request and a time out with respect to each of the sources of valid power down requests for the device. |
| US09632791B2 |
Cache for patterns of instructions with multiple forward control transfers
Techniques are disclosed relating to a cache for patterns of instructions. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an instruction cache and is configured to detect a pattern of execution of instructions by an instruction processing pipeline. The pattern of execution may involve execution of only instructions in a particular group of instructions. The instructions may include multiple backward control transfers and/or a control transfer instruction that is taken in one iteration of the pattern and not taken in another iteration of the pattern. The apparatus may be configured to store the instructions in the instruction cache and fetch and execute the instructions from the instruction cache. The apparatus may include a branch predictor dedicated to predicting the direction of control transfer instructions for the instruction cache. Various embodiments may reduce power consumption associated with instruction processing. |
| US09632787B2 |
Data processing system with data characteristic based identification of corresponding instructions
Some methods, computer program products, and data processing nodes identify a data unit in a data memory that is to be operated upon by a processor circuit, and uses a characteristic of the data unit to identify what instruction(s) within an instruction memory is be executed by the processor circuit to perform an operation upon the data unit. The data memory may be local to the processor circuit, and the instruction memory may be remotely accessible to the processor circuit through a data network. |
| US09632781B2 |
Vector register addressing and functions based on a scalar register data value
Techniques are provided for executing a vector alignment instruction. A scalar register file in a first processor is configured to share one or more register values with a second processor, the one or more register values accessed from the scalar register file according to an Rt address specified in a vector alignment instruction, wherein a start location is determined from one of the shared register values. An alignment circuit in the second processor is configured to align data identified between the start location within a beginning Vu register of a vector register file (VRF) and an end location of a last Vu register of the VRF according to the vector alignment instruction. A store circuit is configured to select the aligned data from the alignment circuit and store the aligned data in the vector register file according to an alignment store address specified by the vector alignment instruction. |
| US09632775B2 |
Completion time prediction for vector instructions
In an embodiment, a processor may include a completion time prediction circuit. The completion time prediction circuit may be configured to track one or more aspects of previous instances of a vector memory operation, and may be configured to predict a completion time for a current instance of the vector memory operation. The prediction may be used by the issue circuit to schedule operations dependent on the vector memory operation, if any. |
| US09632773B2 |
System, method for cleaning memory space and terminal device with memory space cleaning function
A method for cleaning memory space includes marking an application of a terminal device when that application is launched in response to a launching operation, loading each marked application to an application resource pool of the terminal device, counting a total number of marked times of each application in the application resource pool, determining if the total number of marked times of each application in the application resource pool is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of times, determining the applications, which have a total number of marked times greater than or equal to the predetermined number of times, in the application resource pool, as non-removable applications and determining other applications of the terminal device as removable applications, and cleaning the memory space occupied by the removable applications when available memory space of the terminal device is not enough. |
| US09632771B2 |
Association of metadata with source code and applications and services premised thereon
Systems and methods are described that enable metadata to be associated with source code at various levels of granularity (e.g., at the level of files, classes, functions, lines, statements and expressions) and that enable such metadata to be accessed independently of the source code with which it is associated. Such metadata may be used to track provenance and history of source code within and across source code repositories, associate ratings or other indicia of quality or reliability with source code, wherein such ratings may be exposed to developers and wherein such ratings may be used to better manage the automated check-in, testing and analysis of source code, and facilitate a process by which a component that manages a source code entity is notified about updates made to a related source code entity and by which like changes may be to the source code entity in a manual or automated fashion. |
| US09632768B2 |
Exchanging project-related data in a client-server architecture
Techniques are described for exchanging data between software applications, such as project-related data between a project management software application (“PMSA”) and an unaffiliated organizational project tracking software application (“OPTSA”). A computing architecture with multiple interacting computer systems, such as a client-server architecture, can be used to allow users of remote computing systems to access project-related data and/or functionality from other computing systems, such as a thin client computing system with limited or no local capabilities to execute software applications and/or store associated application data accessing a remote central server computing system in order to interact with a PMSA executing on the server, to interact with an OPTSA executing on the server, and/or to invoke data exchange functionality available at the server for exchanging project-related data between the PMSA and OPTSA. |
| US09632767B2 |
Method and apparatus to develop an application of an image forming apparatus
A solution providing tools for developing an application of an image forming apparatus is stored in the image forming apparatus, and functions of the image forming apparatus are displayed according to execution of the solution. An application corresponding to input information of a user is generated by combining functions of the image forming apparatus based on the input information of the user and is stored in the image forming apparatus. |
| US09632766B2 |
Information processing device and deployment method
An objective of the present invention is to carry out a decentralized deployment of components even for construction of a decentralized system that has dependencies among the components in different processing devices.A script generating unit (130) of a deployment device (100) generates a script for each of a plurality of processing devices (200) on the basis of logical configuration information (111) and physical configuration information (121). The logical configuration information (111) indicates dependencies among software components composing a system. The physical configuration information (121) indicates a processing device (200) to which each of the software components composing the system is deployed. In the script (131), a process to deploy each software component deployed to the processing device (200) and a process to deploy a synchronization module are described together with an execution sequence. The synchronization module synchronizes processing of the script (131) with a synchronization module deployed to another processing device (200). |
| US09632765B1 |
Customized application package with context specific token
A system and method including: receiving an initial application package including at least one binary file of an application; generating an application token, wherein the application token is operable to identify a context; and assembling a customized application package including the initial application package and the application token, wherein: the customized application package and the initial application package share a common hash value according to a predefined hashing algorithm, and the application can be configured based on the application token. |
| US09632763B2 |
Sharing of flows in a stream processing system
Techniques for generating code for a flow are provided. The techniques include receiving a flow for an application to be deployed, wherein the flow comprises one or more sub-flows, identifying sub-flows of the flow that match existing sub-flows that are already running in separate flows by querying a run-time flow information repository, generating code for the flow, wherein the code comprises newly generated code for each of the sub-flows that do not match existing sub-flows that are already running in separate flows, and wherein the code also comprises one or more connectors to matching sub-flows that are already running in separate flows in lieu of generating new code for the sub-flows that match existing sub-flows that are already running in separate flows, and deploying the generated code for the flow and updating the run-time flow information repository with information pertaining to the flow. |
| US09632761B2 |
Distribute workload of an application to a graphics processing unit
Systems, methods, and techniques of distributing a workload of an application to a GPU are provided. An example method includes obtaining an intermediate representation of a source code portion of an application and compiling the intermediate representation into a set of instructions that is native to the GPU. The set of instructions includes a binary representation of the source code portion executable on the GPU, and execution of the set of instructions on the GPU includes processing a workload of the application. The method also includes transforming data associated with the source code portion into one or more data types native to the GPU and sending to the GPU a communication including the set of instructions executable on the GPU and the one or more data types native to the GPU. |
| US09632760B2 |
Tiered arrays
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for using tiered arrays to represent aggregated software dependencies. One of the methods includes receiving a request to generate a range of contiguous indexes having non-default values represented by a tiered array, wherein each non-default element of each tier is a reference to a catalog at a lower tier except for a bottom-most tier of the tiered array that stores non-default values. After descending one or more tiers to identify a first index that (i) is greater than or equal to the start index and (ii) has a non-default value, a system ascends one or more tiers in the tiered array and subsequently descends again to identify a second index that is a last index in a contiguous sequence of indexes having non-default values from the first index up to and including the second index. |
| US09632759B1 |
Generation of an interface for interaction between a modeling environment and an external system
A device may receive model information that describes a model and external system information that describes an external system that is different than the model. The model information may identify a first set of signals, associated with the model, that are incompatible with the external system. The external system information may identify a second set of signals, associated with the external system, that are incompatible with the model. The device may generate interface code based on the model information and the external system information. The interface code, when executed, may permit the model and the external system to interact using the first set of signals and the second set of signals. The device may execute the interface code to transform the first set of signals to the second set of signals and to transform the second set of signals to the first set of signals. |
| US09632757B2 |
Custom class library generation method and apparatus
Apparatuses, methods and storage media associated with generating a custom class library are disclosed herein. In embodiments, an apparatus may include an analyzer configured to receive a workload for a device and a class library used by the workload, analyze the workload and class library, identify one or more workload full API call chains, and generate information about the one or more workload full API call chains. Further, the apparatus may include a generator to generate from the class library, a custom class library for the workload that is smaller than the class library, based at least in part on the one or more workload full API call chains. Other embodiments may be disclosed or claimed. |
| US09632752B2 |
System and method for implementing a multiplication
The present system and method relate to a system for performing a multiplication. The system is arranged for receiving a first data value, and comprises means for calculating at run time a set of instructions for performing a multiplication using the first data value, storage means for storing the set of instructions calculated at run time, multiplication means arranged for receiving a second data value and at least one instruction from the stored set of instructions and arranged for performing multiplication of the first and the second data values using the at least one instruction. |
| US09632750B2 |
Direct digital synthesis of signals using maximum likelihood bit-stream encoding
Maximum likelihood bit-stream generation and detection techniques are provided using the M-algorithm and Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filtering. The M-Algorithm is applied to a target input signal X to perform Maximum Likelihood Sequence Estimation on the target input signal X to produce a digital bit stream B, such that after filtering by an IIR filter, the produced digital stream Y produces an error signal satisfying one or more predefined requirements. The predefined requirements comprise, for example, a substantially minimum error. In an exemplary bit detection implementation, the target input signal X comprises an observed analog signal and the produced digital stream Y comprises a digitized output of a receive channel corresponding to a transmitted bit stream. In an exemplary bit stream generation implementation, the target input signal X comprises a desired transmit signal and the produced digital stream Y comprises an estimate of the desired transmit signal. |
| US09632749B2 |
Audio recording and playback device, and power feed method for audio recording and playback device
An audio recording and playback device, of the present invention, capable of recording and playing back audio, comprises an audio input section for converting audio input during an audio recording operation into an electrical audio signal, a power feed section for carrying out power feeds to the audio input section by means of a balanced transmission line, an amplifier section for amplifying the audio signal, a boost section for generating a power feed voltage to be applied to the balanced transmission line and outputting to the power feed section, a output voltage changing section for carrying out control to vary the output voltage of the boost section, and a control section for controlling the power feed voltage of the power feed section by controlling the power feed section and the output voltage changing section. |
| US09632741B1 |
Wireless electronic retail price tag system
The wireless electronic retail price tag system is a display system for retail shelves. The wireless electronic retail price tag system is a wireless electronic display that attaches readily on shelves and that is used for displaying product, price, and marketing information items on the shelves. The wireless electronic retail price tag system is adapted to communicate with and to be updated by a master computer located in a secure location. The wireless electronic retail price tag system comprises an LCD, a microcontroller, a remote wireless interface, and a housing. |
| US09632740B2 |
System and method for an input-driven, switching-enabled, display device for an automation controller
Present embodiments include a system and method for providing an input-driven, switching-enabled display device for an automation controller. The display device may include a communication interface port, such as a universal serial bus (USB) port, which is installed in the display device so that it may be easily accessible by a user. The port may increase a user's productivity and efficiency by reducing the time it takes to connect a PC to the automation controller. The display device may also include an interface switch that performs display functionality or port adapter functionality based upon whether a port connection and/or port communication traffic are detected. Thus, embodiments may enable the display device to act as both a text display and a gateway to configure the automation controller with a personal computer (PC) through the use of the easy access port. |
| US09632739B2 |
Function executing device with two types of wireless communication interfaces
In a case where a first information including an execution request of a specific function via a first type of interface is received, a function executing device may execute a change process for changing an interface for communicating with a terminal device from the first type of interface to a second type of interface in a case where a state of the function executing device is determined as a non-error state. The function executing device may not execute the change process in a case where the state of the function executing device is determined as an error state. The specific function may include a communication process for communicating object data with the terminal device. The function executing device may execute the specific function including the communication process via the second type of interface in a case where the change process is being executed. |
| US09632736B1 |
Image conversion methods
Methods and apparatus for image conversion are provided. A computing device can receive image data having line(s) of pixels encoded using a first format. The first format can specify a repeat count for a corresponding line of pixels. The computing device can convert the image data from the first format to a second format. The conversion can include: for a designated input line, determining whether the repeat count for the designated input line is greater than one; and after determining that the repeat count is greater than one: decompressing the designated input line into a decompressed line, duplicating the decompressed line a number of times based on the repeat count, and generating designated output line(s) of image data encoded in the second format that correspond to the duplicated decompressed lines of image data. The computing device can provide an output comprising the image data encoded in the second format. |
| US09632734B2 |
Spindle supported near field communication device
Systems, devices, and related methods for shaping near field interrogation signals are discussed herein. Some embodiments may provide for a spindle supported near field communication (NFC) device including a spindle configured to mount to a mounting surface, and a beam shaping NFC device. The beam shaping NFC device may include: a ferromagnetic component including a core portion, wherein the core portion defines a core cavity and the spindle is inserted within the core cavity; and a wire coil disposed around the core portion. The ferromagnetic component may be configured to concentrate near field interrogation signals generated by the wire coil toward a near field interrogation region and away from the mounting surface, or other components capable of causing interference or degradation of the near field interrogation signals. |
| US09632733B2 |
Personal print server
A mobile device has a user interface, a processor, a storage, a network communication interface, a local communication interface, instructions stored in the storage that, when executed by the processor, allow the device to receive and store digital content through one of the communication interfaces, identify the digital content for queueing for printing, based upon an input received through the user interface, queueing the digital content for printing with associated printing parameters, and broadcasting a request for a printer. |
| US09632729B2 |
Storage compute device with tiered memory processing
A data object is received at a storage compute device in response to a request from a host. A requirement of the data object is determined based on a computation to be performed on the data object. The requirement related to at least speed and capacity of media used to store the data object. A tier is selected from the storage compute device based on speed and capacity characteristics of the selected tier corresponding to the requirement of the data object. The data object is stored in the selected tier. |
| US09632722B2 |
Balancing storage unit utilization within a dispersed storage network
A method begins by a processing module determining to move a range of encoded data slices from a first storage unit to a second storage unit of a plurality of storage units, where data objects are dispersed storage error encoded to produce pluralities of sets of encoded data slices, and where the pluralities of sets of encoded data slices are stored in the plurality of storage units. The method continues with the processing module transferring the range of encoded data slices from the first storage unit to the second storage unit. In response to the transferring the range of encoded data slices from the first storage unit to the second storage unit, the method continues with the processing module transferring a corresponding range of second encoded data slices from a third storage unit to a fourth storage unit. |
| US09632720B2 |
Data de-duplication
A method and device for data de-duplication, comprising: performing data chunk partition on a current data object by using a different standard in each of a plurality of logical passes; searching one or more first redundant data chunks of the current data object in each logic pass based on the data chunks partitioned on the current data object in the logical pass, respectively, and performing data de-duplication on the current data object based on all of the found first redundant data chunks of the current data object. Other embodiments of the present invention may also relate to a data de-duplication system and a corresponding computer program product. |
| US09632719B2 |
Storage device with firmware synchronization function
A storage device includes a primary storage extension chip, a plurality of secondary storage extension chips, and a plurality of resistors. Each of the storage extension chips includes two data pins, a plurality of general purpose input/output (GPIO) pins, and a firmware. Each of the GPIO pins is connected to a power terminal through one resistor, and is grounded through a resistor, for setting a firmware version number of storage extension chips. The primary storage extension chip determines whether the version number of each secondary storage extension chip is same as that of the primary storage extension chip. If the version number is different from that of the primary storage extension chip, the firmware version number of the primary storage extension chip is applied to the secondary storage extension chip. |
| US09632718B2 |
Converged system and storage system migration method
A converged system and migration method capable of preventing system performance degradation with respect to data transfer is proposed. A first calculation node continues executing I/O processing in response to an I/O request from an application; and, upon execution of the I/O processing, the first calculation node issues an I/O processing event notice indicating a transfer status of data on which the I/O processing has been executed. When receiving a migration command from a migration management unit, a second calculation node judges whether or not data stored in a first I/O node is data which should be transferred, based on the I/O processing event notice; and then transfers the data, which should be transferred, to a third calculation node. |
| US09632716B1 |
Method, system, and computer program product for consistent asynchronous replication of local backup
A first asynchronous mirroring session is initiated to asynchronously copy first primary volumes to first secondary volumes. Point in time copy operations generate a local backup copy from the first primary volumes. Second primary volumes are generated from the local backup copy. A second asynchronous mirroring session is initiated to asynchronously copy the second primary volumes to second secondary volumes. |
| US09632712B2 |
System and method of updating metablocks associated with multiple memory dies
A method includes, in a data storage device that includes a non-volatile memory having multiple memory dies, determining whether one or more metablocks are metablock update candidates based on relinking metrics corresponding to the one or more metablocks. Each memory die includes multiple blocks of storage elements, and metablocks are formed through linking of blocks from the multiple memory dies. The method also includes comparing a number of the metablock update candidates to a relinking pool threshold. The method further includes, in response to the number of the metablock update candidates satisfying the relinking pool threshold, updating the linking of the blocks of the metablock update candidates to form updated metablocks. Linking of blocks may be updated by changing fields of a metablock data table, and blocks may be grouped based on block health values to extend an average useful life of the updated metablocks. |
| US09632710B2 |
Efficient use of Flashcopy resources and target volumes for dynamic target volume allocation
Dynamically manages a creation and a destruction of a plurality of Flashcopy resources and the target volumes using configurable high-water marks and maximum values. |
| US09632708B2 |
Method, apparatus, and system for reading and writing data
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, an apparatus, and a system for reading and writing data, which relate to the computer field, can resolve a problem in the prior art that different algorithms need to be configured for write operations on storage devices of different optimization granularities. The method includes: acquiring first data to be written into a storage device and an address for the first data; acquiring, second data from the address of the storage device; acquiring configuration information; generating, according to the configuration information, a candidate data set; comparing data in the candidate data set with the second data, so as to acquire third data that is in the candidate data set and meets a preset rule; and writing the third data into the storage device according to the address. |
| US09632705B2 |
System and method for adaptive memory layers in a memory device
Systems and methods for implementing adaptive memory layers in a storage system are disclosed. A storage system may include a non-volatile memory with memory cells configurable to each of a plurality of bit-per-cell capacities and divided into dynamically re-sizable memory layers defined by memory cells of a particular capacity. A memory layer adjustment module associated with a controller of the storage system is configured to, upon detection of a maintenance trigger, compare the amount of valid data and overprovisioning in each layer to a target amount and to redistribute valid data and physical capacity among the memory layers according to a predetermined table or algorithm in order to optimize performance of each memory layer. |
| US09632704B2 |
Management of physical extents for space efficient storage volumes
A storage controller maintains extent space efficient storage volumes in a primary allocation space and a secondary allocation space. An indicator is used to indicate that extents of the secondary allocation space are available for an extent pool, without releasing the extents from the secondary allocation space. |
| US09632703B2 |
Peer to peer volume merge and delete in a shared storage environment
A processing device receives a request to delete a snapshot of a virtual machine. The processing device identifies a volume chain of a virtual disk in a shared storage that includes a destination storage volume and a source storage volume. The snapshot is associated with the destination storage volume. The processing device instructs a host machine to merge data of the source storage volume with data of the destination storage volume. The processing device receives an indication from the host machine that the data of the source storage volume has been merged into the data of the destination storage volume. The processing device instructs a storage server to remove the source storage volume from the shared storage. |
| US09632698B2 |
Operation control device, operation control method and computer program
There is provided an operation control device including a pressure detecting portion that is provided in a display portion that displays an input area in which character information is input, the pressure detecting portion detecting pressure with which an operation body depresses a display surface of the display portion, and an operation control portion that switches an input mode of the character information based on a change in the pressure detected. The operation control portion determines an input of the character information, when it is detected that the pressure detected has decreased by greater than or equal to a predetermined percentage within a predetermined time period, and subsequently, the operation control portion switches the input mode of the character information based on the change in the pressure detected and on the character information that is determined to be input. |
| US09632697B2 |
Information processing apparatus and control method thereof, and non-transitory computer-readable medium
An information processing apparatus comprises: a status change unit configured to change, if a drag operation required to drag an object is made by bringing an instruction member into contact with a screen which is configured to accept a multi-touch instruction, an object, for which the drag operation is made, of a first page to a drag state; a determination unit configured to determine whether or not an instruction requested by bringing the instruction member into contact with the screen during dragging of the object is a page change instruction; a page change unit configured to change, if it is determined that the instruction is the page change instruction, a display target page from the first page to a second page during dragging of the object; and an arrangement unit configured to arrange the dragged object on the second page. |
| US09632693B2 |
Translation of touch input into local input based on a translation profile for an application
Examples disclosed herein relate to translation of touch input into local input based on a translation profile for an application. Examples include translating touch input into local input based on a translation profile for an application in focus, if the translation profile is accessible. Examples further include providing the touch input to an operating system if no translation profile for the application in focus is accessible and the operating system is able to utilize touch input. |
| US09632690B2 |
Method for operating user interface and electronic device thereof
A method for operating a user interface and an electronic device using the method are provided. The electronic device has a touch screen that displays the user interface, and the user interface includes at least one operable object. The method includes: detecting a first touch through a sensor located on a side of the touch screen to obtain a first touch signal corresponding to the first touch; if the first touch signal continuously exists, detecting a second touch through the touch screen to obtain a second touch signal corresponding to the second touch; determining a target region on the user interface according to the first touch signal and the second touch signal; moving the at least one operable object in the target region to a specific region on the user interface at a specific speed. |
| US09632688B2 |
Enhanced user interface to transfer media content
A method and apparatus are provided for sharing a media content displayed in a window of the touch input interface of a first electronic device with at least one second electronic device. The first electronic device includes a processor controlling the touch input interface. The method is carried out by the processor and includes the acts of enabling displacement of the window in response to capturing a first touch input indicative of an initiation of a transfer, capturing a continuous touch input across the interface from an initial position in the window, displacing the window with each additional touch input of the continuous touch input, sending an activation message that the media content is to be played on the second device when determining that the window is within a given distance of a virtual representation of the second electronic device on the interface. |
| US09632685B2 |
Method of navigating through a media program displayed on a portable electronic device in a magnified time scale
A media program is displayed on a touch-sensitive screen of an electronic device. On the touch-sensitive screen, a scroll bar and an indicator are displayed. The indicator is configured to be moved along the scroll bar in a first direction or a second direction. A movement of the indicator in the first direction along the scroll bar causes the media program to be navigated forward in time, and a movement of the indicator in the second direction along the scroll bar causes the media program to be navigated backward in time. The indicator is moved along the scroll bar in one of the first and second directions in response to a user engagement of the touch-sensitive screen. The moving of the indicator comprises snapping the indicator to a predefined location on the scroll bar. |
| US09632684B2 |
Method, device and terminal for generating logic service for embedded terminal
Disclosed are a method, device and terminal for generating a logical service for an embedded terminal, and the method includes: application logic information of an application is configured to form a configuration file; a logic management module identifies a visual interface code input by a user, queries corresponding application logic information in the configuration file according to an identification result and generates window logic messages of a visual interface, and generates automatically a corresponding family of manipulation functions by the window logic messages so as to form a logic management framework interacting with the interface. For different applications or an upgrade of a same application, the method, device and terminal for generating a logical service for an embedded terminal provided by the present disclosure can rapidly generate a corresponding logical service. |
| US09632682B2 |
Method and device for executing object on display
A method and device for executing an object on a display. The method of executing an object includes receiving a user input to an object displayed on a display; gradually enlarging and displaying the object; and executing the application corresponding to the object as the object is enlarged. |
| US09632676B1 |
Systems and methods for navigating a set of data objects
There is provided a method for dynamically updating a set of data objects, comprising: managing an object dataset defining attribute values for attribute parameters for each object; receiving a query including search term(s); applying the query to the object dataset to select a first set of objects including attribute parameter(s) associated with the search term(s); instructing rendering of the first set of objects within a graphical user interface (GUI); receiving a selection of object(s) of the first set of objects; identifying attribute parameter(s) according to the selected object(s); excluding a second set of objects from the first set of objects based on different attribute values of the identified attribute parameter(s), to identify a third set of objects; and instructing dynamic rendering to update the GUI to present the third set of objects, wherein the third set of objects includes fewer members than the first set of objects. |
| US09632668B2 |
Reverse coverage heat map
A non-transitory computer readable medium for storing instructions is disclosed. The instructions, when executed by one or more hardware processors, causes performance of operations including (i) for a plurality of wireless signals received by a first access point located in a physical environment, determining (a) a corresponding plurality of received signal strength values and (b) a corresponding plurality of locations from where the plurality of wireless signals were transmitted, and (ii) generating a reverse heat map for the physical environment such that a plurality of zones in the reverse heat map are defined based on (a) the corresponding plurality of received signal strength values and (b) the corresponding plurality of locations determined for the plurality of wireless signals. |
| US09632667B2 |
Map lens in a user interface
A map lens may take the form of a shape that may be superimposed on a map displayed in the user interface, moved around the map by the user, and activated by the user to select a region of the map bounded by the map lens. Activation of the map lens may cause the user interface to display only those markers that are within the region bounded by the map lens. In situations where the user moves the map lens over unselected regions of the map, the user interface may dynamically show or hide markers on the map. This may have the effect of presenting to the user a visually uncluttered map in which markers are only shown in the region in which the user has expressed some interest, as indicated by the user moving the map lens to that region of the map. |
| US09632660B2 |
Direct digital drive audio system and method
A direct digital drive audio system and method system and method are presented. The direct digital drive system and method utilizes a digital signal to directly drive the speakers. In one exemplary implementation, an audio system includes a sample register, an convergence adjustment component, an accumulated error register, a digital driver and a speaker. The sample register is coupled to the convergence adjustment component which is coupled to the accumulated error register and the digital driver which in turn is coupled to the speaker. The sample register holds an audio sample. The convergence adjustment component calculates the error for each sample. The accumulated error register stores an accumulated error. The digital driver determines whether to drive on a positive digital value, drive on a negative digital value or not drive. The speaker creates audio sounds based upon a signal from the digital driver. |
| US09632658B2 |
Dynamic user interactions for display control and scaling responsiveness of display objects
The technology disclosed relates to distinguishing meaningful gestures from proximate non-meaningful gestures in a three-dimensional (3D) sensory space. In particular, it relates to calculating spatial trajectories of different gestures and determining a dominant gesture based on magnitudes of the spatial trajectories. The technology disclosed also relates to uniformly responding to gestural inputs from a user irrespective of a position of the user. In particular, it relates to automatically adapting a responsiveness scale between gestures in a physical space and resulting responses in a gestural interface by automatically proportioning on-screen responsiveness to scaled movement distances of gestures in the physical space, user spacing with the 3D sensory space, or virtual object density in the gestural interface. The technology disclosed further relates to detecting if a user has intended to interact with a virtual object based on measuring a degree of completion of gestures and creating interface elements in the 3D space. |
| US09632657B2 |
Auxiliary input device
Disclosed herein are technologies for providing an auxiliary input device. The auxiliary input device may provide data to a mobile host device. In some implementations, the auxiliary input device includes a photoelectric sensor that tracks movement and provides spatial data that manipulates a cursor displayed on a user interface of the mobile host device. |
| US09632656B2 |
Methods and systems for displaying vehicle data parameters with a uniform cursor movement
Methods and system pertaining to displaying vehicle data parameters (VDP) are described. A vehicle service tool (VST) with a display can receive vehicle data messages or signals from a vehicle to receive the VDP. Some of the VDP can be associated with a PID. The VST can display VDP thresholds and indicators when a received VDP has breached a VDP threshold. The VST can determine being changed from a landscape orientation to a portrait orientation or vice versa and responsively change the presentation of VDP graphs displayed by the display. The display can receive various inputs such as a drag-and-drop or pinch-and-expand input to alternatively change the presentation of the VDP graphs being displayed. Changing a VDP presentation of graphs can include resizing or repositioning one or more VDP graph windows including a VDP graph. |
| US09632651B2 |
Mobile terminal and control method thereof
A mobile terminal using a plurality of message services and a control method thereof are provided. The mobile terminal includes: a display unit configured to display list information including a plurality of identification items corresponding to a plurality of message windows, respectively, when the plurality of message windows are open for message communication between or among a plurality of conversation participants; and a controller configured to invite at least some of conversation participants of a first message window corresponding to a first identification item to a second message window corresponding to a second identification item when the first identification item, among the plurality of identification items, partially overlaps with the second identification item according to a touch input applied to the display unit. |
| US09632649B2 |
Methods and devices to allow common user interface mode based on orientation
A method and electronic devices to allow a common user interface mode on a first electronic device and a second electronic device are described. In one aspect, the method comprises: receiving first orientation data from an orientation sensor associated with the first electronic device; receiving, at the first electronic device, second orientation data from the second electronic device; determining, from the first orientation data and the second orientation data, if the orientation of the first electronic device and the second electronic device satisfy at least one predetermined orientation criterion; and if the orientation of the first electronic device and the second electronic device satisfy the at least one predetermined orientation criterion, allowing the first electronic device and the second electronic device to enter a common user interface mode. |
| US09632637B2 |
Sensor device, input device, and electronic apparatus
A sensor device includes: a first sensor including a first electrode board including a plurality of first capacitive elements arranged in a matrix, a first conductor layer facing the first electrode board, a first support layer arranged between the first electrode board and the first conductor layer, the first support layer being deformable, and a first operation input surface provided on the first electrode board or the first conductor layer, the first electrode board and/or the first conductor layer being flexible; and a second sensor layered on the first sensor, the second sensor including a second electrode board including a plurality of second capacitive elements, a second conductor layer facing the second electrode board, and a second support layer arranged between the second electrode board and the second conductor layer, the second support layer being deformable, the second electrode board and/or the second conductor layer being flexible. |
| US09632635B2 |
Touch panel and touch panel-equipped display device
An arrangement of a touch panel is provided that prevents corrosion of the lines and improves reliability. A touch panel includes: a substrate (10); a sensor electrode located on the substrate (10) and formed of an oxide conductive film; a line (161) electrically connected with the sensor electrode; and a protection film (14) provided over the line (161). The protection film (14) includes: a first protection sub-film (141) formed of silicon nitride; a second protection sub-film (142) located on the first protection sub-film (141), formed of silicon nitride and having a lower refractive index than the first protection sub-film (141); and a third protection sub-film (143) located on the second protection sub-film (142), formed of silicon nitride and having a higher refractive index than the second protection sub-film (142), wherein the second protection sub-film (142) has a thickness that is no smaller than the total thickness of the first protection sub-film (141) and the third protection sub-film (143). |
| US09632631B2 |
Signal detecting method of touch panel, touch panel and display device
A signal detecting method for a touch panel, a touch panel, and a display device are disclosed. The touch panel includes: several driving lines, several sensing lines, several driving electrodes, and several sensing electrodes; and also includes: a driving module configured to provide driving signals to the respective driving electrodes to drive the respective driving electrodes; a first detection module configured to detect a first signal representing a capacitance between a particular driven driving electrode and each of the sensing electrodes; a reusing module configured to, when one of the driving electrode is driven, reuse at least one driving electrode other than the driven driving electrode to additionally function as a sensing electrode; and a second detection module configured to detect a second signal representing a capacitance between the driven driving electrode and the at least one reused driving electrode which additionally functions as a sensing electrode. |
| US09632629B2 |
Sensor patterns with reduced noise coupling
A capacitive sense array configured to improve noise immunity in detecting a presence of a conductive object is described. In one embodiment, a capacitive sense array includes at least a first set of sense elements disposed in straight parallel lines along a first axis of the capacitive sense array. A second set of sense elements is disposed in crooked paths about a second axis of the capacitive sense array. The first and second sets form a capacitive sense array that includes crooked sense paths in at least one of the axes of the sense array. |
| US09632623B2 |
Processing method for touch operation and terminal
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a processing method for a touch operation and a terminal. The method in the embodiments of the present invention includes: receiving a touch operation of a user, and determining coordinates of a touch point; calculating, when the coordinates of the touch point do not locate in the touch region of touch objects, a distance between the touch point and a touch region of each of the touch objects according to the coordinates of the touch point; and selecting the touch object corresponding to the minimum value among the distances as a touch operation object. By implementing the solutions of the present invention, ineffective touch operations may be prevented, a touch success rate may be increased, and accordingly touch operation experience of the user is improved. |
| US09632620B2 |
Touch panel, method for determining touch point and display device
A touch panel, a method for determining a touch point and a display device are provided in the present disclosure, to solve low sensitivity of an existing touch panel. The touch panel includes a first transparent conductive layer and a second transparent conductive layer opposite to and away from each other. A first voltage signal terminal and a second voltage signal terminal opposite to the first voltage signal terminal are arranged on the first transparent conductive layer, a third voltage signal terminal and a fourth voltage signal terminal opposite to the third voltage signal terminal are arranged on the second transparent conductive layer, and an extension direction of the first voltage signal terminal is perpendicular to an extension direction of the third voltage signal terminal. The second voltage signal terminal and the fourth voltage signal terminal are short-circuited. The touch display panel further includes a voltage output unit, a read unit and a calculation unit. |
| US09632619B2 |
Recording method, apparatus, system, and computer-readable media of touch information timing
The present invention provides a recording method of touch information timing. The method comprises receiving a first touch point information, determining whether the first touch point is the beginning point of a trace; and recording a first timing with respect to the receiving of the first touch point information if the first touch point is the beginning point of the trace. |
| US09632618B2 |
Expanding touch zones of graphical user interface widgets displayed on a screen of a device without programming changes
A method, system and computer program product for expanding the touch zones of graphical user interface (GUI) widgets. The coordinates of the screen location of the device (e.g., mobile device) where a GUI widget is displayed on the screen is captured in response to detecting the GUI widget being displayed on the screen. A list of objects, including GUI widgets, that are currently being displayed on the screen and corresponding screen location coordinates are obtained. A GUI widget is then identified from the list of objects by matching its screen location coordinates with the captured location coordinates. An algorithm to expand the touch zone (e.g., in a right-to-left alternation) of the GUI widget is then identified based on the type of widget (e.g., list) is the identified GUI widget. In this manner, the user is able to expand the touch zones of GUI widgets in an easy manner. |
| US09632617B2 |
Transmitter and transmitting method thereof
The present invention provides a transmitter which is configured to transmit an electrical signal to a touch sensitive device according to a transmitter status. After analyzing the electrical signal, the touch sensitive device is able to find out the transmitter status and a relative position of the transmitter with respect to the touch sensitive device. The electrical signal is mixed from a plurality of signals having different frequencies. |
| US09632613B2 |
Display control apparatus and control method of display control apparatus for reducing a number of touch times in a case where a guidance is not displayed as compared with a case where the guidance is displayed
When an item is selected with a touch from an item list, if display of a guidance is set to ON, the item is selected by a first touch and the guidance is displayed to view another item. A determination operation is performed by a second touch to the same item. If the display of the guidance is set to OFF, a determination operation of an touched item is performed by the first touch without displaying the guidance. Thus, when it is set that the guidance is not displayed, inconvenience that a user needs to touch the same option twice even the guidance display is not required to shift a screen to a sub-screen can be eliminated, and increase of troublesomeness for a shift operation to the sub-screen can be prevented. |
| US09632605B2 |
Input classification for multi-touch systems
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for input classification for multi-touch systems. In one aspect, a method includes maintaining a history of prior state information related to a touch sensitive display. The method further includes detecting that a previous contact with the touch sensitive display was incorrectly classified. The method further includes updating a classification of the previous contact based on the detection that the previous contact was incorrectly classified. The method further includes rewinding a state of the touch sensitive display to reflect a state that would have resulted had the previous contact been correctly classified based on the history of prior state information and the updated classification of the previous contact. |
| US09632603B2 |
Discrete password entry using keyboard with character and position carriers
A method and apparatus for password entry, the method comprising: displaying a password inputting keyboard on a display, the keyboard including a character carrier and a position carrier, the character carrier and the position carrier are capable of relative movement between each other so that when the position of a character in the character carrier is corresponding to a position mark on the position carrier, the position of at least one other character in the character carrier is corresponding to at least one other position mark in the position carrier; in response to a user causing relative movement between the character carrier and the position carrier, aligning a character in the character carrier with a position mark in the position carrier; and in response to a lapse of a predetermined time, recording the character and its input order and changing the layout of the password inputting keyboard. |
| US09632602B2 |
Fabric laminated touch input device
Techniques for fabric laminated touch input device are described. In at least some embodiments, a touch input device is mounted to a chassis of an apparatus. The touch input device and the chassis are laminated with a fabric layer, such as by adhering a portion of fabric over the chassis and the touch input device to enclose the touch input device beneath the fabric layer. According to one or more embodiments, a touch input device laminated with fabric can support different types of touch input, such click input for object selection, touch input for object movement, and so forth. |
| US09632601B2 |
Touch pen having ball member contained in conductive elastic casing
Disclosed is a touch pen which comprises a pen head, an encasing member, and a shaft. The pen head comprises a conductive elastic casing, a ball member, a fixing device, and an elastic device. The conductive elastic casing comprises a first sealing end and a first receiving portion, wherein the ball member is deposited in the first receiving portion. The fixing device comprises a second sealing end and a second receiving portion. The second receiving portion is connected to the first receiving portion. The elastic device is deposited in the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion and contacts the ball member and presses against the second sealing end. The encasing member encases the conductive elastic casing and is connected with the fixing device. The shaft is connected with the encasing member. The friction can be dispersed by the ball member of the present invention. |
| US09632598B1 |
Stylus devices with configurable frequency
A stylus device is disclosed that is adapted to change its operating frequency to accommodate for a changing noise environment. In an aspect, the stylus may communicate with a computing device using a first frequency. However, when a different frequency having a better signal to noise ration than the first frequency is available, the computing device may send a message to the stylus device to switch to a second frequency. For example, the stylus device may receive a message from the computing device including an indication to communicate with the computing device on the second frequency. The stylus device may configure itself to operate at the second frequency and communicate with the computing device using the second frequency. |
| US09632596B2 |
Micro touch pen structure having a pen core unit with a stop portion
A micro touch pen structure includes a casing unit, a circuit unit, a first electromagnetic unit, a pen core unit, a second electromagnetic unit and an elastic unit. The circuit unit is disposed inside the pen-shaped casing structure. The first electromagnetic unit includes a first hollow electromagnetic body inside the pen-shaped casing structure and an electromagnetic coil wound around the first hollow electromagnetic body and electrically connected to the circuit unit. The pen core unit includes a first movable portion passing through the first hollow electromagnetic body, a second movable portion partially exposed from the pen-shaped casing structure, and a stop portion connected between the first and the second movable portions. The second electromagnetic unit includes a second hollowing electromagnetic body fixed inside the pen-shaped casing structure and disposed around the first movable portion. The elastic unit is disposed between the first movable portion and a fixed structure. |
| US09632589B2 |
Speech recognition candidate selection based on non-acoustic input
A method includes the following steps. A speech input is received. At least two speech recognition candidates are generated from the speech input. A scene related to the speech input is observed using one or more non-acoustic sensors. The observed scene is segmented into one or more regions. One or more properties for the one or more regions are computed. One of the speech recognition candidates is selected based on the one or more computed properties of the one or more regions. |
| US09632585B2 |
Moving object detecting apparatus, moving object detecting method, pointing device, and storage medium
Even when a user is gazing at one point intentionally but the eyeball of the user is actually moving slightly, the slight movement is not reproduced as it is as the position of a cursor but a determination is made that the user is gazing at one point intentionally, that is, the eyeball is stopping. Thus, when a determination is made that the eyeball is stopping, the cursor is displayed still even when the gazing point is moving slightly depending on the slight movement. Furthermore, when a determination is made that the cursor is stopped, selection of an object such as other icon displayed at a position where the cursor is displayed is identified. |
| US09632581B2 |
Systems and methods for pressure-based haptic effects
One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a sensor configured to detect a user interaction with a touch surface and transmit a sensor signal including data associated with a pressure of the user interaction. The illustrative system also includes a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal; determine, based on the sensor signal, a pressure level; determine a user interface level based at least in part on the pressure level; perform a function associated with the user interface level and the user interaction; determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the user interface level and the user interaction; generate a haptic signal based at least in part on the haptic effect; and transmit the haptic signal. The illustrative system further includes a haptic output device in configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect. |
| US09632563B2 |
Methods and systems for time keeping in a data processing system
Data processing systems with interrupts and methods for operating such data processing systems and machine readable media for causing such methods and containing executable program instructions. In one embodiment, an exemplary data processing system includes a processing system, an interrupt controller coupled to the processing system and a timer circuit which is coupled to the interrupt controller. The interrupt controller is configured to provide a first interrupt signal and a second interrupt signal to the processing system. The processing system is configured to maintain a data structure (such as, e.g., a list) of time-related events for a plurality of processes, and the processing system is configured to calise the entry of a value, representing a period of time, into the timer circuit. The timer circuit is configured to cause an assertion of the first interrupt signal in response to an expiration of the time period. |
| US09632557B2 |
Active state power management (ASPM) to reduce power consumption by PCI express components
Methods and apparatus relating to Active State Power Management (ASPM) to reduce power consumption by PCI express components are described. In one embodiment, a special packet with embedded information triggers entry into a lower power consumption state. The embedded information may include flow control credit information outstanding between two agents and the target power consumption state. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed. |
| US09632551B2 |
Circuitry and methods for switching power
Circuitry and methods related to switching power are provided. One of a plurality of current-limited power distribution switches is enabled in accordance with a hierarchical scheme depending upon the respective states of plural power sources. The power source having the greatest available load carrying capacity is thus coupled to a power node for provision to load entities. Servers, computing devices, printers, and other apparatus can include such selective power provisioning. |
| US09632550B2 |
Controlling the operating temperature of a portable device by decreasing the temperature threshold of a component upon detecting an event
A portable computing device detects if a user is touching the portable computing device. The portable computing device increases a temperature threshold for a component or of the portable computing device if the user is not touching the portable computing device. Based on the temperature threshold, the portable computing device modifies a parameter of a component for an operating temperature of the portable computing device to increase. |
| US09632549B2 |
Electronic apparatus, method of controlling electronic apparatus and control device for controlling electronic apparatus based on calculated flow rate
An electronic apparatus includes: a flowpath through which a liquid flows; a heat-generating body that is cooled by the liquid; a liquid temperature measuring device that measures a temperature of the liquid; a temperature measuring device that measures a temperature of the heat-generating body; a heat generation amount measuring device that measures a heat generation amount of the heat-generating body; a storage apparatus that stores information representing a relationship between a temperature of the liquid, a temperature of the heat-generating body, a heat generation amount of the heat-generating body, and a flow rate of the liquid; and a processing apparatus that calculates the flow rate of liquid from the temperature of the liquid measured by the liquid temperature measuring device, the temperature of the heat-generating body measured by the temperature measuring device, and the heat generation amount of the heat-generating body based on information inside the storage apparatus. |
| US09632542B2 |
Touch screens comprising graphene layers
In one aspect, touch screens are described herein. In some implementations, a touch screen comprises an electrically conductive layer and one or more electrodes electrically connected to the electrically conductive layer, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises a graphene layer. In some implementations, the electrically conductive layer comprises an electrically conductive coating disposed on an electrically insulating substrate. |
| US09632534B1 |
Covers for wrist-worn devices
A cover for a wrist-worn electronic device is provided. The cover includes a housing, a first and a second wrist strap aperture and a display window. The housing is comprised of an elastic material and defines a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the electronic device and includes a first end and a second end opposite of the first end. The first and second wrist strap apertures are disposed at the respective first and second ends of the housing and are each configured to receive a wrist strap of the electronic device. The display window is disposed on a side of the housing between the first and second ends and is configured to allow visibility of a display of the electronic device when the cover is placed on the electronic device. |
| US09632532B2 |
Configuring wearable devices
For configuring wearable device, a method is disclosed that includes detecting a current wearable state for a wearable device, wherein the current wearable state is selected from the group consisting of on a person and off a person, and modifying a setting for the wearable device based on the detected wearable state. |
| US09632530B2 |
Display panel responsive key retraction
A deck supports depressable keys. The keys can be resiliently biased to a raised state. A display panel can be pivotally coupled to the deck for movement between a deployed position and a closed position. A retraction mechanism comprises a retraction frame and a retraction drive. The retraction frame is translatable between a releasing position along the depressable keys to actuate the depressable keys to the raised state and a retracting position moving to move the depressable keys to the retracted state. The retraction drive translates the retraction frame towards the retracting position in response to pivoting of the display panel towards the closed position. |
| US09632527B2 |
Shift register
A shift register is configured by connecting unit circuits 1 in multiple stages. An output transistor Tr1 switches between whether or not to output a clock signal CKA in accordance with a gate potential. A drain terminal of an initialization transistor Tra is connected to a gate terminal of the Tr1, and a source terminal thereof is connected to an output terminal OUT or a clock terminal CKA. The source terminal of the Tra is connected to a node which has a low-level potential at the time of initialization and has a potential at the same level as the clock signal when the clock signal having a high-level potential is outputted. Thus, at the time of outputting the clock signal having the high-level potential, application of a high voltage between the source and the drain of the Tra is prevented, and degradation and breakdown of the initialization transistor are prevented. |
| US09632524B2 |
Vehicle pedal bracket and vehicle operation pedal device
A vehicle pedal bracket, including a pair of bracket halves disposed on right and left sides of an operation pedal and joined by placing joint portions thereof parallel and on top of each other so that the joint portions surface contact each other, and the vehicle pedal bracket being fixed to a vehicle body via attachment portions of the pair of bracket halves, the joint portions protruding from the bracket halves formed by a sheet material and at least one of the joint portions bent into a crank shape and placed on top of each other so as to surface contact each other, the joint portions being provided at least at two positions located on both sides of the attachment portions in a vertical direction of a vehicle, and the joint portion which is located below the attachment portions being provided to protrude toward the front of the vehicle. |
| US09632523B2 |
Peak detector for amplifier
Aspects of the disclosure provide a circuit for peak voltage detection. The circuit includes a diode-based peak detector and a compensation circuit. The diode-based peak detector has a first diode, and is configured to receive a signal for peak voltage detection and generate a first voltage of a stable level indicative of a peak voltage of the signal based on the first diode. The compensation circuit has a second diode. The compensation circuit is configured to receive the first voltage and generate a second voltage of a stable level that is independent of the first diode. |
| US09632521B2 |
Voltage generator, a method of generating a voltage and a power-up reset circuit
A voltage generator is provided which is reliable, self starting and only requires a few components. The voltage generator comprises a first stage that provides a current to a second stage. The first stage has a temperature coefficient of one sign, such as positive, and the second stage has an opposing temperature coefficient, e.g. negative. The responses are summed such that the overall temperature coefficient is reduced. |
| US09632519B2 |
Class AB inverting driver for PNP bipolar transistor LDO regulator
A driver circuit for a PNP power transistor in an LDO regulator uses a Class AB (push-pull) buffer to supply the necessary base current to an NPN driver transistor, where the NPN driver transistor has its collector connected to the base of the PNP power transistor. A front end circuit of the driver, coupled to drive the Class AB buffer, uses a current diverting transistor, where a first portion of the current is used to control the pull-up transistor in the Class AB buffer, and the remainder of the current is used to control the pull-down transistor in the Class AB buffer, so the driver is very efficient. The portion of the driver circuit between the input of the driver circuit and the base of the NPN driver transistor is an inverting circuit. The driver can properly operate with an input voltage within two diode drops of ground. |
| US09632516B2 |
Gas-supply system and method
A gas-supply system includes a gas container filled with gas, a gas flow controller coupled to the gas container, and an operation device electrically connected to the gas flow controller. The gas-supply system further includes a buffer tank coupled to the gas flow controller and configured to receive the gas from the gas container via the gas flow controller. Furthermore, a pressure transducer disposed on the buffer tank and configured to generate a pressure signal to the operation device according to the pressure of the gas in the buffer tank. The operation device is configured to generate a control signal to the gas flow controller according the pressure signal, and the gas flow controller is configured to adjust the flow rate of the gas according to the control signal to keep the pressure of the gas in the buffer tank in a predetermined pressure range. |
| US09632514B2 |
Electronic shower system
An electronic shower system including a mixing valve operably coupled to a mixing valve drive, and a diverter valve operably coupled to a diverter valve drive and in fluid communication with the mixing valve. A controller is in communication with the mixing valve drive and the diverter valve drive. A user interface includes a removable module in communication with the controller. |
| US09632513B2 |
Tank monitor control device
A tank monitor control device is disclosed which comprises a monitoring device for insertion into a day tank to monitor a level of fluid stored in the day tank, a shutoff valve connected between a main storage tank and a diaphragm pump, a solenoid valve connected between an air supply and the diaphragm pump, and a control device connected to the monitoring device for receiving a signal indicative of the level of fluid in the day tank, the control device connected to the shutoff valve and the solenoid valve. |
| US09632510B2 |
Actuating device for adjusting a movable vehicle part and method for operating same
In order to be able to precisely approach a target position of a movable vehicle part by way of a motorized actuator using simple features, an actuating motor of the actuator is stopped by a predetermined advancing lead before the target position is reached. The advancing lead is varied here depending on the rotational speed of the motor or an actuating speed measurement variable correlated therewith and depending on a temperature measurement variable characteristic of the ambient temperature of the actuator. |
| US09632509B1 |
Operating a UAV with a narrow obstacle-sensor field-of-view
A method for autonomously operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes one or more imaging devices is provided. The imaging devices are pointed away from a direction in which the UAV is flying, and subsequently, an upcoming portion of a current flight path of the UAV is imaged, using the imaging devices. In response to the imaging, an obstacle on the current flight path is detected, and an alternate flight path is planned in response thereto. The UAV is then flown along the alternate flight path, instead of the current flight path. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US09632507B1 |
System and method for adjusting vehicle platoon distances based on predicted external perturbations
A control system is provided for platooning a plurality of vehicles, each of which equipped with vehicle braking control systems and V2V communication system components. The system determines nominal following distances for each of said following vehicles relative to an immediately preceding vehicle, based in part on brake performance capabilities. Vehicle sensors throughout the platoon are implemented to monitor target vehicles positioned relative to the platoon, and some or all of the nominal following distances are dynamically adjusted to account for braking event risks associated with the target vehicles. Adjustment to following distances for trailing vehicles may be proactively applied even before braking reaction is determined or applied for a lead vehicle, and control signals are simultaneously generated implementing vehicle movement adjustments based on the following distance adjustments. Adjustments may be based on threshold violations associated with target vehicles in front, laterally merging into, or tailgating behind the platoon. |
| US09632506B2 |
Fleet management system
Materials handling vehicles are integrated with enterprise computing systems by providing a transceiver on a vehicle, where the transceiver is configured for wireless data communication across a wireless computing environment. More particularly, integration is implemented by configuring a processor on the materials handling vehicle to: communicate with the transceiver for wireless communication to a corresponding server computer, to communicate with at least one electronics component of the materials handling vehicle across a vehicle network bus and to receive logon information to identify an operator logging onto the materials handling vehicle. Integration also comprises configuring the processor to implement at least one customization function on the materials handling vehicle based upon the received logon information by: wirelessly communicating information between the server computer and the materials handling vehicle via the transceiver and interacting with at least one component of the materials handling vehicle across the materials handling vehicle network bus. |
| US09632497B2 |
Machining-program generating apparatus, machining-program generating method, and recording medium
A CAM apparatus includes: an input receiving unit that receives designation of a part where core fixing machining is performed in a machining shape forming a core and divides the machining shape into a first machining shape element for which the core fixing machining is performed and a second machining shape element, which is connected to the first machining element and for which the core fixing machining is not performed, a machining-condition setting unit that allocates a first electric condition for the core fixing machining to the first machining shape element and allocates a second electric condition to the second machining shape element, and a machining-program generating unit that generates a machining program for machining the second machining shape element under the second electric condition and continuously machining the first machining shape element under the first electric condition after the machining of the second machining shape element. |
| US09632494B2 |
Method for generating and handling applications for components of a distributed control system and engineering system for implementing the process
A method and an engineering system for generating and handling component applications (CA1 . . . CAn) for physical components (C1 . . . Cn) such as a programmable control (Programmable Logic Control (PLC)), Human Machine Interface (HMI) and/or a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Unit (SCADA) of a control system (CA), in which instances (ICF1 . . . ICFn) of component functions (CF1 . . . CFn) for the components (C1 . . . Cn) are produced and from which the component applications (CA1 . . . CAn) are generated, the generated component applications (CA1 . . . CAn) being loaded to the physical components (C1 . . . Cn). |
| US09632492B2 |
Redundant watchdog method and system utilizing safety partner controller
This disclosure provides an automation controller method, system and apparatus including a redundant watchdog utilizing a safety partner controller. According to an exemplary controller, the controller includes a first processing unit, a second processing unit, and an integrated circuit configured to receive as inputs fault indicator signals from the first and second processing units, and the integrated circuit configured to disable I/O communications for a fault condition detected by the first or second processing units. |
| US09632490B2 |
System and method for zoning a distributed architecture heating, ventilation and air conditioning network
The disclosure provides an HVAC data processing and communication network. In an embodiment, the network includes a user interface, a first subnet controller and a second subnet controller. The first subnet controller is configured to operate with a first zone of the network with a first program schedule. The second subnet controller is configured to operate with a second zone of the network with a second program schedule. The second subnet controller is further configured to override the first and second schedules to operate the first and the second zones according to hold settings received from the user interface. |
| US09632489B2 |
Autonomous working device for generating and working dynamic partial surfaces
An autonomous working device, in particular an autonomous lawn mower, is configured to travel across a surface that is to be worked. The working device includes a processing unit configured to divide the surface that is to be worked into at least two dynamic partial surfaces to be traveled across separately by the working device. |
| US09632487B2 |
Organic light emitting display device
Discussed is an organic light emitting display device including a substrate having a display area in which a plurality of plurality pixels are disposed, a non-display area outside of the display area, and at least one open hole area defined between the plurality of pixels, and a stacked layer structure disposed on the substrate and defining the plurality of pixels in the display area, the stacked layer structure including at least one organic layer, wherein the at least one open hole area includes at least one open hole penetrating through the substrate and at least one partition disposed along a circumference of the at least one open hole between the at least one open hole and the plurality of pixels adjacent thereto to separate the at least one organic layer from a corresponding layer that extends to the at least one open hole. |
| US09632485B2 |
Timing system and device and method for making the same
A timing device for indicating the passage of a duration of time is disclosed. The timing device and system, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention, comprise an electrochemical component which generates a visual and/or audio indication of the passage of time. The timing device further comprises a compensating element, such as a varistor, a thermistor and/or combinations thereof. The compensating element regulates the response of the device with respect to changes in temperature. The timing device is configured to indicate the passage of a single duration of time or comprises zones that are activated in a range of prescribed times and individually or collectively indicate the passage of time or the passage of a range of times. |
| US09632481B2 |
Image forming apparatus
The image forming apparatus includes a cooling device for cooling a plurality of cartridges, and a plurality of shielding members for shielding the plurality of openings, respectively. Each developing member is movable between a first position at which the developing member is brought into contact with a photosensitive member and a second position at which the developing member is caused to separate from the photosensitive member. Each of the plurality of shielding members is caused to move in association with a position of the developing member of the cartridge opposed to the opening to be shielded by the each of the shielding members. A gap between the opening and the shielding member the second position of the developing member is smaller than a gap therebetween at the first position of the developing member is. |
| US09632479B2 |
Process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A process cartridge for an image forming apparatus includes a drum unit supporting a photosensitive drum; a developing roller; a driving roller for driving the roller; a drive receiving portion; a developing unit supporting the developing roller and the driving roller; and a connecting portion connecting the drum unit and the developing unit, the connecting portion being disposed below the driving roller. The developing unit is movable relative to the drum unit by rotating about the connecting portion between a contacting position in which the drum and the developing roller contact each other and a spacing position in which the drum and the developing roller are spaced from each other. A direction of the receiving portion is opposite to that of the developing roller, and is the same as the developing unit rotation from the spacing position toward the contacting position. |
| US09632478B2 |
Image forming apparatus having a supporting frame supporting an exposure unit having a grounded wire
An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductive member and an exposure unit. The exposure unit has a supporting frame made of resin, a holding case attached to the supporting frame, a plurality of emitting elements and a lens array held by the holding case, and a grounded metal wire. The holding case is made of resin and elongated in a longitudinal direction. The photoconductive member is configured to be exposed to light emitted by the plurality of light emitting elements and converged by the lens array. The supporting flame holds the metal wire such that the metal wire extends in the longitudinal direction and faces the holding case. |
| US09632476B2 |
Chassis structure, optical scanning device, and image forming apparatus
A chassis structure includes: a chassis that houses a component used for an image forming apparatus inside and that includes an opening; a cover member that covers the opening of the chassis; and a seal member that is provided between the cover member and the chassis and that, when the cover member is attached to the chassis, is compressed and deformed so as to seal a gap between the cover member and the chassis. An attached section of the cover member to which the seal member is attached is provided with a hole. |
| US09632474B2 |
Cleaning blade, process cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus
A cleaning blade having a good followability of a contact portion to a surface to be cleaned, and being unlikely to cause turn-up, is provided. A cleaning blade includes an elastic member and a supporting member, and the elastic member has a hardened region at at least a part of a portion exposed to a surface thereof, and the hardened region includes a material containing a polyether structure and a nurated isocyanate structure. |
| US09632471B2 |
Sheet conveyance apparatus and image forming apparatus
A sheet conveyance apparatus is equipped with a first rotator, a second rotator conveying a sheet together with the first rotator, a cam member changing a position of the second rotator with respect to the first rotator, a drive unit rotating the cam member, and a load portion applying load on a rotation of the cam member. The load portion includes a contact member having a cam surface formed on a side surface in an axial direction of the cam member, an abutment member capable of abutting against the cam surface, and a biasing member biasing one of the contact member and the abutment member toward the other, a biasing force of the biasing member converted into a force, applying load to the rotating cam member, by the cam surface opposing to a rotating direction in which the cam member is driven by the drive unit. |
| US09632468B2 |
Image forming apparatus including a main power switch
An arrangement structure of a main power switch includes an apparatus body, the main power switch, and a movable member. The apparatus body has a dead space on a front side. The main power switch is disposed in the dead space. The movable member is disposed in the apparatus body to cover the main power switch. The movable member is drawable from the apparatus body in a horizontal direction. The movable member includes an opening opposed to the main power switch, to expose the main power switch to outside. |
| US09632467B2 |
Fixing device
A fixing device includes a fixing roller; a heating unit, a pressing unit, a force imparting mechanism, a first pressure releasing mechanism including a first cam portion actable on the force imparting mechanism and a first gear portion for driving the first cam portion; and a second pressure releasing mechanism including a second cam portion actable on the force imparting mechanism and a second gear portion for driving the second cam portion. The first gear portion and the second gear portion engage with each other, and a driving force is transmitted from one gear portion of the first and second gear portions to the other gear portion. |
| US09632465B2 |
Fixing device
A fixing device includes an endless belt, a nip member elongated in a longitudinal direction and having a first surface contactable to an inner peripheral surface of the endless belt and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a backup member configured to nip the endless belt with the nip member and form a nip portion between the backup member and the endless belt, a heater disposed inside the endless belt and elongated in the longitudinal direction, a reflection member disposed between the nip member and the heater and configured to reflect radiation heat from the heater, and a heat sensitive element configured to detect a temperature, the heat sensitive element being disposed between the reflection member and the nip member and facing the second surface of the nip member. |
| US09632464B2 |
Image forming apparatus
In an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when an image forming operation is started from a standby state, electric power is supplied to a heater by switching to a first fixing control to turn on and off the heater to heat a heating roller with a fixed duty ratio based on the detected temperature of the heating roller, and thereafter, when detecting a state that the falling detected temperature reaches a lower limit value at which the detected temperature turns to rising, electric power is supplied to the heater by switching to a second fixing control which changes a duty ratio in accordance with a temperature difference between the detected temperature and a target control temperature. |
| US09632462B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus including the same
An electricity removing unit 50 includes a rotating roller part 51, a brush part 52, a driving part, and a restraint member. The brush part 52 includes a plurality of conductive fiber bristles 52a having base end portions connected to a peripheral surface of the rotating roller part 51. The driving part rotationally drives the rotating roller part 51. The restraint member abuts the brush part 52 from a rotation downstream side, thereby inclining the plurality of conductive fiber bristles 52a to an upstream side from a downstream side of a rotational direction toward a radial outside and thus reforming them. In this way, the restraint member restrains a distance between a front end of each conductive fiber bristle 52a and the peripheral surface of the rotating roller part 51 to a setting distance set in advance. |
| US09632458B2 |
Developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A developing device includes a developer agitation portion including a plurality of trap agitation blades arranged in an axis direction of the developer agitation portion. A plurality of agitation blade portions is arranged with being shifted from one another in a circumferential direction and a longitudinal direction of the developer agitation portion. Two adjacent trap agitation blades constituting the agitation blade portion are arranged at an angle so as to make a space between the two adjacent trap agitation blades gradually wider upstream with respect to a rotation direction of the developer agitation portion. |
| US09632457B2 |
Image forming apparatus
In an image forming apparatus that includes a collection container for collected toner, the collection container is not easily pushed back by a reaction force against a closing force of a shutter provided in a feeding portion for the collected toner. A spiral rib guides a contact rib to move the sealing shutter in a direction of opening a transfer opening against an urging force of a twisted coil spring in the process of connecting a collected toner box to a feeding pipe. A low reaction force area guides the contact rib after the spiral rib in the process of connecting the collected toner box to the feeding pipe. An inclination angle of the low reaction force area relative to the direction of connecting the collected toner box is less than an inclination angle of the spiral rib relative to the direction of connection of the collected toner box. |
| US09632456B2 |
Developing cartridge
A developing cartridge may include a housing configured to hold toner. The cartridge may further include a developing roller including a developing roller shaft, a supply roller including a supply roller shaft, a developing electrode and a supply electrode. The developing electrode and supply electrode may be configured to guide an electrical contact of an image forming apparatus in one or more directions. In some examples, the developing electrode and supply electrode may have angled surfaces that extend toward one another. |
| US09632449B2 |
Image forming apparatus having controlled light emission using current adjustment
An adjustment includes a first current adjustment for adjusting a first current Idrv by supplying a superimposed current of the first current Idrv and a second current Ib to an LD 101a, and a second current adjustment for adjusting the second current Ib by supplying the second current Ib to the LD 101a without supplying the first current Idrv thereto. Upon reception of an image forming instruction, a control unit performs adjustment in order of the second current adjustment for the first time, the first current adjustment for the first time, the second current adjustment for the second time, and the first current adjustment for the second time. An execution period of the second current adjustment for the first time is longer than an execution period of the second current adjustment for the second time. |
| US09632447B2 |
Image forming apparatus having variable developing roller voltage change
An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive member rotated in a predetermined direction; a charging unit configured to charge a circumferential surface of the photosensitive member; a developing unit carrying a developer including toner and carriers, and including a developer bearing member configured to apply toner charged in a first polarity to the circumferential surface of the photosensitive member; a first voltage applying unit configured to apply a first voltage of the first polarity to the charging unit; a second voltage applying unit configured to apply a second voltage of the first polarity to the developer bearing member; a first voltage detecting unit configured to detect the first voltage; a second voltage detecting unit configured to detect the second voltage; and a controller, wherein the controller determines whether or not to make a second rate lower than a first rate according to the second voltage at a first timing. |
| US09632442B2 |
Electrostatic latent image developing toner
An electrostatic latent image developing toner includes toner particles that each include a toner core containing a binder resin and a shell layer disposed over a surface of the toner core. The binder resin includes a crystalline polyester resin and an amorphous polyester resin. The crystalline polyester resin has a melting point of at least 80° C. and no greater than 120° C. When the electrostatic latent image developing toner is measured using a differential scanning calorimeter, a glass transition point is observed in a first run but is not observed in a second run. The shell layer contains a resin including a thermosetting component and a thermoplastic component. |
| US09632437B2 |
Lithography apparatus, method for lithography and stage system
Provided are a lithography apparatus, a method for lithography and a stage system. The lithography apparatus includes a reticle stage having a reticle, at least one nozzle on at least one surface of the reticle stage and configured to allow shielding gas to flow to a surface of the reticle to form an air curtain, and a gas supply unit configured to supply the nozzle with the shielding gas. |
| US09632435B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and method
A lithographic apparatus is disclosed that includes a substrate table configured to support a substrate on a substrate supporting area and a heater and/or temperature sensor on a surface adjacent the substrate supporting area. |
| US09632431B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and method having substrate and sensor tables
A lithographic apparatus includes a substrate table capable of holding a substrate, a projection system that projects a patterned beam of radiation onto the substrate held by the substrate table, and a sensor table that is not capable of holding a substrate but that includes a sensor capable of sensing a property of the patterned beam of radiation. In addition, a first positioning system is connected to the substrate table and displaces the substrate table into and out of a path of the patterned beam of radiation, and a second positioning system is capable of positioning the sensor table into the path of the patterned beam of radiation when the substrate table is displaced out of the path of the patterned beam of radiation. |
| US09632428B2 |
Method of determining device type and device properties and system of performing the same
A method of determining a device type and device properties includes receiving an input file including information related to a device, and identifying at least one layer set within the input file. The method further includes identifying at least one feature present in layer set. The method further includes analyzing a relationship between the at least one feature formed by the first layer and at least one feature formed by the second layer to determine at least one layer set relationship. The method further includes comparing the layer set relationship with at least one template layer set relationship. The method further includes determining the device type of the device based on the comparison between the layer set relationship and the template layer set relationship. The method further includes determining the device properties of the device based on the layer set relationship, the device type or the at least one feature. |
| US09632424B2 |
Illumination source for use in inspection methods and/or lithography; inspection and lithographic apparatus and inspection method
An illumination system for a lithographic or inspection apparatus. A plurality of optical waveguides transmit radiation from the illumination source to an output. A switching system enables selective control of one or more subsets of the optical waveguides. An inspection method uses an illumination system and inspection and lithographic apparatuses comprise an illumination system. In one example, the optical waveguides and switching system are replaced by a plurality of parallel optical bandpass filter elements. The optical bandpass filter elements each only transmit a predetermined wavelength or a band of wavelengths of radiation. At least two of the parallel optical bandpass filter elements each being operable to transmit a different wavelength or band of wavelengths. |
| US09632422B2 |
Illumination optical unit
An illumination optical unit for an EUV projection exposure apparatus has a diaphragm comprising a radiation-transmissive region having a discrete symmetry group. The form of the diaphragm is adapted to the form of the facets of a pupil facet mirror or to the form of the radiation source. The diaphragm is preferably arranged in the region of an intermediate focal plane. |
| US09632417B2 |
Shrink material and pattern forming process
A shrink material is provided comprising a polymer comprising recurring units of formula (1) and a solvent containing an anti-vanishing solvent. A pattern is formed by applying a resist composition comprising a base resin and an acid generator onto a substrate to form a resist film, exposing, developing in an organic solvent developer to form a negative resist pattern, applying the shrink material onto the pattern, and removing the excessive shrink material with an organic solvent for thereby shrinking the size of holes and/or slits in the pattern. |
| US09632416B2 |
Rinse solution for pattern formation and pattern forming process
In a resist pattern forming process, a rinse solution comprising (A) a heat/acid-decomposable polymer and (B) water is effective. The pattern forming process using the rinse solution is successful in forming fine feature size patterns while minimizing the occurrence of pattern collapse. High-throughput processing is possible. |
| US09632406B2 |
Three-dimension light field construction apparatus
A three-dimension light field construction apparatus is applied to constrict a light field on a viewing plane. The three-dimension light field construction includes a plurality of projectors and a rear-displaying unit. The projectors are arranged along a first axis, and each projector projects an imaging beam along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The rear-displaying unit comprises a linear Fresnel lens and a vertical diffuser, the linear Fresnel lens is close to the projectors. The rear-displaying unit makes each of the imaging beams converge on a virtual surface between the rear-displaying unit and the viewing plane for forming at least one intersection, so as to construct at least one light field on the viewing plane. |
| US09632402B2 |
Light source apparatus including rotatable handle and electrical connector and projector including light source apparatus
The disclosure includes a light source apparatus that emits a light. In one example, the light source apparatus includes a connector that electrically connects the light source apparatus to a light source driver in a projector and a light source apparatus housing that houses the light source apparatus. The light source apparatus housing includes a rotatable handle having two positions, a standing position used to grasp and remove the light source apparatus in a pulling-out direction, and a housed position used to house the rotatable handle. The handle includes two shaft portions that are inserted into the light source apparatus housing. The tips of the shaft portions face each other. The positions of the medial axes of the shaft portions are mutually offset from each other. |
| US09632393B2 |
Exposure controller, exposure control method, and image pickup apparatus
An image processing apparatus, including circuitry configured to cause an aperture diaphragm to move from a first diaphragm position to a second diaphragm position within a first exposure period. The circuitry is further configured to cause the aperture diaphragm to then move from the second diaphragm position to the first diaphragm position within the first exposure period or a second exposure period. The first and second exposure periods are used to capture different images. |
| US09632390B1 |
Balanced Mach-Zehnder modulator
An apparatus for modulating a beam of light with balanced push-pull mechanism. The apparatus includes a first waveguide comprising a first PN junction on a silicon-on-insulator substrate and a second waveguide comprising a second PN junction on the silicon-on-insulator substrate. The second PN junction is a replica of the first PN junction shifted with a distance. The apparatus further includes a first source electrode and a first ground electrode coupled respectively with the first PN junction and a second source electrode and a second ground electrode coupled respectively with the second PN junction. The apparatus additionally includes a third ground electrode disposed near the second PN junction at the distance away from the second ground electrode, wherein the first ground electrode, the second ground electrode, and the third ground electrode are commonly grounded to have both PN junctions subjected to a substantially same electric field varied in ground-source-ground pattern. |
| US09632387B2 |
Display unit and electronic apparatus
A display unit includes: a display layer including a plurality of pixels each including an electrophoretic device; and a color filter provided on a display side of the display layer and including filter layers each having one of a plurality of colors, the filter layers facing the respective pixels, in which a distance between the display layer and the color filter is not more than 25 percent of a pixel pitch in the display layer. |
| US09632384B2 |
Electrically activated lens component with interlock feature
A mobile device lens assembly having an electrically activated lens component with an electro-optic portion is disclosed. More particularly, embodiments of the mobile device lens assembly include the electro-optic portion and an interlock feature to engage a second lens element. The second lens element may have an interlock surface, which when engaged or mated with the interlock feature of the electrically activated lens component, may maintain alignment of the lens components along an optical axis. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US09632383B2 |
Fringe field switching (FFS) type TFT-LCD structure and manufacturing method
In a method for manufacturing a fringe field switching (FFS) display type thin-film transistor array substrate: a common electrode, a gate electrode and a first pixel electrode are formed on a substrate by a first mask process; an active layer and a second pixel electrode are formed by a second mask process; a gate insulator is disposed between the active layer, the second pixel electrode and the common electrode, the gate electrode, the first pixel electrode; and a drain electrode and a source electrode are formed by a third mask process. Moreover, an FFS display type thin film transistor array substrate fabricated by the above method also is provided. |
| US09632379B2 |
Display device
A display device includes: a first substrate; a plurality of pixel electrodes disposed on the first substrate; a common electrode including a plurality of common electrode plates disposed on the first substrate, where the common electrode plates cover the pixel electrodes and are arranged substantially in a matrix form; and a plurality of common electrode line groups which applies a common voltage to the common electrode plates, in which laterally adjacent common electrode plates of the common electrode plates are connected to different common electrode line groups. |
| US09632377B2 |
Array substrate and method of repairing broken lines therefor
The present invention provides an array substrate and method of repairing broken lines therefor, by forming a via on the organic layer corresponding to each intersection of the gate scan lines and the source-drain data lines, and deposing the second passivation layer in the via to form an aperture, with the vias, a U shape long line can be directly laser welded between the apertures at two ends of a broken line position to recover a connection of the broken gate scan line or the source-drain data line as the gate scan line or the source-drain data line on the substrate of the present invention is broken. The method of repairing saves the process of removing the organic layer with laser and effectively reduces the machine laser loss as removing the organic layer to raise the repair efficiency and the repair success rate. Thus, the display quality of the liquid crystal panel product is promoted. |
| US09632374B2 |
Overvoltage protection circuit, power supply device, liquid crystal display device, electronic device and television set
An overvoltage protection portion (14) includes a transistor (P1) that achieves continuity with an input voltage (VIN) used as an output voltage (VOUT) to an internal circuit when the input voltage (VIN) applied to an external terminal (T1) is not in an overvoltage state. The overvoltage protection portion (14) also includes: a transistor (P2) operating as a short circuit that short-circuits the source and the gate of the transistor (P1) and that interrupts the input voltage (VIN) when the input voltage (VIN) is in the overvoltage state; a resistor (R2); and a Zener diode (ZD1). The overvoltage protection portion (14) also includes: a transistor (NTr1) operating as a bypass circuit that supplies a constant output voltage (VOUT) from the external terminal (T1) to the internal circuit when the input voltage (VIN) is brought into the overvoltage state; a resistor (R3); and a Zener diode (ZD2). |
| US09632371B2 |
Display panel and display apparatus
The present invention discloses a display panel comprising: a cholesteric liquid crystal cell in which a cholesteric liquid crystal exhibiting a planar texture state distribution is filled; a first light modulator provided at a light output side of the cholesteric liquid crystal cell, configured to generate a phase retardation in a polarized light passing therethrough so as to modulate a polarization of the polarized light, and comprising a liquid crystal layer and a drive electrode for driving liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer to deflect so as to regulate an amount of the phase retardation of the polarized light passing through the liquid crystal layer; and a first linear polarizer provided at a side of the first light modulator opposite from the cholesteric liquid crystal cell and configured to selectively permit the polarized light modulated by the first light modulator to pass therethrough. The present invention also discloses a display apparatus. |
| US09632370B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate and a second substrate opposed to each other with a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate has a plurality of drain signal lines and a plurality of gate signal lines, and a plurality of pixel regions are defined by the drain signal lines and the gate signal lines. Each of the pixel regions includes a first electrode having a plurality of strip-like portions extending in an extension direction of the drain signal lines, the strip-like portions having at least one bent portion so that extension directions of each two parts of the strip-like portions separated by the at least one bent portion are different from each other, and a second electrode formed between the first substrate and the first electrode, and being overlapped with the strip-like portions in plan view. |
| US09632366B2 |
Mask and method of manufacturing photoresist spacers with the mask
A mask and a method of manufacturing photoresist spacers with the mask are provided. The method includes: using the mask to expose and develop to a coated negative resist material, so as to form at least one sub photoresist spacer with at least one predetermined height, wherein an area of the shading portion of the first penetration region is determined according to the predetermined height of the sub photoresist spacer. Using the mask and the method of manufacturing photoresist spacers with the mask, different heights of the sub photoresist spacers can be obtained. |
| US09632363B2 |
Method for rubbing alignment layer and liquid crystal display panel
The present disclosure provides a method for rubbing an alignment layer and a liquid crystal display panel. The method includes: performing a first rubbing on the alignment layer of a liquid crystal display panel in a first rubbing direction; and performing a second rubbing on the alignment layer of the liquid crystal display panel in a second rubbing direction. The second rubbing direction is an arrangement direction of liquid crystal molecules when the liquid crystal molecules are arranged correctly on the alignment layer. The second rubbing direction is different from the first rubbing direction. |
| US09632361B2 |
Alignment device and manufacturing method for polymer stabilized vertical alignment liquid crystal panel
The present invention discloses an alignment device and a manufacturing method for polymer stabilized vertical alignment (PS-VA) liquid crystal panel. The method includes: forming a first substrate of PS-VA liquid crystal panel, the first substrate including a common electrode; forming a second substrate of the PS-VA liquid crystal panel, the second substrate including a pixel electrode; forming a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates, the liquid crystal layer containing negative liquid crystal molecules and ultraviolet-curable resin; applying an electrical voltage that exceeds a rotation threshold of the liquid crystal layer to the common electrode and the pixel electrode; and reciprocally moving an ultraviolet light source, which is composed of at least two ultraviolet light sources that are distributed parallel to each other in a first direction and respectively extend in a second direction, in such a direction as to have accumulation of ultraviolet light received by the ultraviolet-curable resin of the liquid crystal layer homogenized. Through the above operation, the present invention can make the accumulation of ultraviolet light received by the ultraviolet-curable resin of the liquid crystal layer homogenized so as to avoid the occurrence of displaying defects. |
| US09632356B2 |
Reflection plate, backlight unit, and liquid crystal display including the same
Reflection plate, backlight unit and liquid crystal display are provided. In one aspect, there is provided a reflection plate comprising a bottom portion and a side wall portion that extends from circumferences of the bottom portion, wherein an upper surface of the bottom portion includes a diffusion reflection surface and an inner surface of the side wall portion includes a mirror reflection surface. |
| US09632354B2 |
Backlight module and light source assembly of the backlight module
A backlight module includes a light-guiding assembly and a light source assembly. The light-guiding assembly includes a back cover, a reflector, a light-guiding plate (LGP), a number of optical correcting elements, and a frame. The light source assembly includes a main body and a light source. The back cover defines a light input area. The main body includes two reflection sides. The two reflection sides curve over the light source. The main body defines a main body opening between the two reflection sides. The light source assembly further includes a lens received in the main body opening. The light emitted from the light source and reflected by the two reflection sides are transmitted to outside of the main body through the lens. |
| US09632353B2 |
Backlight light guide
A backlight light guide comprises a generally planar structure having a light guide layer having a surface that includes a spaced array of extractors, a backside reflective layer, a low refractive index coupling layer disposed on an opposite major surface of the light guide layer, and a reflective polarizer to provide recycling of unused light. |
| US09632350B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a backlight assembly including a light source that generates a light and an optical sheet that transmits the light, and a display panel disposed on the backlight assembly. The optical sheet includes a light-transmitting portion and an extending portion that are formed as a unitary single unit, and further includes a side light-blocking portion that is combined with the extending portion. The light-transmitting portion extends in a first direction, and the extending portion extends continuously from an end of the light-transmitting portion in a second direction that is different from the first direction. |
| US09632343B2 |
Liquid crystal display module for portable terminal
A portable terminal including a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) module is provided. The LCD module includes a reinforcement plate having a bottom surface and a side surface bent to extend from the bottom surface, wherein the reinforcement plate comprises a plurality of molding holes provided in a boundary portion between the bottom surface and the side surface of the reinforcement plate, a backlight unit coupled to an upper part of the reinforcement plate, a frame molded to the reinforcement plate, and an LCD panel coupled to an upper part of the backlight unit, wherein each of the plurality of molding holes extends into both the bottom surface and the side surface from the boundary portion between the bottom surface and the side surface. |
| US09632341B2 |
Liquid crystal panel fixing assembly and display device
A liquid crystal panel fixing assembly and a display device are disclosed. The assembly includes a frame structure having a rectangular shape and multiple position-limiting blocks. The frame structure is used for supporting a liquid crystal panel. Two adjacent edges of the frame structure respectively provide with multiple fixing portions having different distances relative to an inner side surface of the frame structure. The multiple position-limiting blocks are selectively fixed at a group of the fixing portions in order to form a placement region for different display panels. Using the frame structure to support the liquid crystal panel, and through adjusting locations of the position-limiting blocks in order to fix liquid crystal panels having different sizes, the cost for developing different backlight modules for different liquid crystal panels is reduced, and the compatibility of a backlight module is increased. |
| US09632336B2 |
Methods of making and repairing resized flat panel displays
Electronic flat panel displays (FPDs) including liquid crystal displays (LCDs) may be resized to meet custom size requirements for applications in aerospace and elsewhere. During the resizing process, pixel line defects may occur in the image due to electrical short circuits at the resized cut edge. Methods for repairing such short circuits are described, including use of mechanical, electrical, chemical, thermal, and/or other methods, and any combination thereof, to open the short circuits. The methods may be applied to the sealed cut edge to ruggedize the seal, even if image defects are not exhibited initially. The repaired short circuits may be stress tested to ensure the defects will not recur during the life of the display, and the repaired areas may be resealed. |
| US09632335B2 |
Electro-optical modulator with a vertical capacitor structure
An optical modulator may include a leftmost waveguide, a rightmost waveguide, and a dielectric layer disposed therebetween. In one embodiment, the waveguides may be disposed on the same plane. When a voltage potential is created between the rightmost and leftmost waveguides, these layers form a silicon-insulator-silicon capacitor (also referred to as SISCAP) structure that provides efficient, high-speed optical modulation of an optical signal passing through the modulator. As opposed to a horizontal SISCAP structure where the dielectric layer is disposed between upper and lower waveguides, arranging the dielectric layer between waveguides disposed on the same plane results in a vertical SISCAP structure. In one embodiment, the leftmost and rightmost waveguide are both made from crystalline silicon. |
| US09632328B2 |
Accessory for glasses
The present invention provides an accessory for eyeglasses or sun glasses which fit over the arms of the sunglasses and allows the user to add flotation pieces, lights or lighting elements, or embellishments. The accessory can be quickly installed and allows the user to customize the color and design of their accessory. |
| US09632323B2 |
Laser pen, portable electronic device and laser indicating system
A laser pen includes a laser diode and a plug. The plug is received in an earphone jack of a portable electronic device. The laser pen obtains power from the portable electronic device to turn on the laser diode. |
| US09632322B2 |
Display apparatus
A display device is provided with: a display module that is provided with a first display region and a second display region; an optical member that faces the second display region, and that has a transmissive mirror portion; and a positioning member. The display module and the optical member respectively have end faces in contact with the positioning member, and end faces as free ends. |
| US09632321B2 |
Illumination device and projector
An illumination device includes: a light source that emits first light at a first wavelength; an integrator optical system that the first light enters; a wavelength conversion element that converts the first light transmitting through the integrator optical system into second light at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength; a wavelength separation element provided on an optical path of the first light between the integrator optical system and the wavelength conversion element; a pickup optical system that is provided between the wavelength conversion element and the wavelength separation element and receives the first light and the second light; and a chromatic aberration-correcting optical element provided at least one of between the integrator optical system and the wavelength separation element on the optical path of the first light and at downstream of the wavelength separation element on an optical path of the second light. |
| US09632316B2 |
Display system
A display system comprises an optical waveguide, an actuator and a light engine. The light engine generates multiple input beams which form a virtual image. An incoupling grating of the optical waveguide couples each beam into an intermediate grating of the waveguide, in which that beam is guided onto multiple splitting regions. The intermediate grating splits that beam at the splitting regions to provide multiple substantially parallel versions of that beam. Those multiple versions are coupled into an exit grating of the waveguide, in which the multiple versions are guided onto multiple exit regions. The exit grating diffracts the multiple versions of that beam outwardly. The multiple input beams thus cause multiple exit beams to exit the waveguide which form a version of the virtual image. The actuator is coupled to the waveguide and is arranged to generate acoustic waves, which are incident on, and propagate through, the optical waveguide. |
| US09632307B2 |
MEMS shutter assemblies for high-resolution displays
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing compact shutter assemblies. Shutter assemblies can be formed in a more compact fashion, allowing for higher pixel-per-inch displays, by incorporating shutters that during actuation pass over or under portions of the actuators that control those shutters. |
| US09632302B2 |
Adjustable collimator for coupling a light guide to a microscope
A solid state illumination system is provided as a replacement for conventional arc light, metal halide and Xenon white-light sources for applications in life sciences including, microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and endoscopy. The solid state illumination system generates high quality white light output from LED light sources. In an embodiment, the solid state illumination system is coupled to a microscope using a liquid light guide. The liquid light guide is coupled to a microscope using an adjustable collimator which optimizes the light output for input to the optical train of the microscope. |
| US09632301B2 |
Slide scanner with a tilted image
An instrument and method for scanning a large microscope specimen uses a light source and at least one lens to focus light from the specimen onto a detector array. The specimen holder is located on a scanning stage and the detector array is dynamically tilted about a scan direction during the scan to maintain focus across the width of the scan strip as the scan proceeds. A degree of tilt varies during the scan as is required to maintain lateral focus relative to the detector array. |
| US09632299B2 |
Digital holographic microscope
A digital holographic microscope is provided. The digital holographic microscope includes a light source, a grating, an image sensing device, and an optical module. The light source is configured for providing a light beam. The grating is disposed between the light source and a sample. The grating is configured for splitting the light beam into a reference light beam and an object light beam. The image sensing device is configured for collecting the reference light beam, and collecting the object light beam reflected from the sample. The optical module is disposed between the light source and the sample, and is configured for guiding the reference light beam to the image sensing device, and guiding the object light beam to the sample. |
| US09632295B2 |
Flood optic
An optical member includes a refractive portion adapted to refract light, a first total internal reflection surface adjacent to and disposed about at least a portion of the refractive portion, and a second total internal reflection surface displaced from the first total internal reflection surface distal to the refractive portion and disposed about at least a portion of the first total internal reflection surface. |
| US09632288B2 |
Imaging lens and imaging apparatus
An imaging lens consists of a negative first lens, a positive second lens, a negative third lens, a positive fourth lens, a positive fifth lens, and a negative sixth lens in order from the object side. The Abbe number of the material of the sixth lens with respect to the d-line is less than or equal to 30. When the radius of curvature of the object side surface of the third lens is taken as R3F, the radius of curvature of the image side surface of the third lens is taken as R3R, and the Abbe number of the material of the third lens with respect to the d-line is taken as νd3, the following conditional expressions are satisfied: 1.35<(R3F+R3R)/(R3F−R3R)<6.0 (1) νd3<30.0 (2). |
| US09632287B2 |
Lens module
A lens module may include a first lens having positive refractive power; a second lens having positive refractive power; a third lens having negative refractive power; a fourth lens having refractive power; a fifth lens having refractive power; a sixth lens having negative refractive power; and a seventh lens having refractive power and one or more inflection points formed in locations thereof not crossing an optical axis, wherein the first lens, the second lens, the third lens, the fourth lens, the fifth lens, the sixth lens and the seventh lens are disposed in a sequential order from the first lens to the seventh lens. |
| US09632285B2 |
Optical imaging lens and electronic device comprising the same
An optical imaging lens set includes an aperture stop, a first lens element to a fourth lens element from an object side toward an image side along an optical axis. The first lens element has an image-side surface with a convex portion in a vicinity of its periphery. The second lens element has an object-side surface with a concave portion in a vicinity of its periphery and an image-side surface with a convex portion in a vicinity of its periphery. The third lens element has an image-side surface with a convex portion in a vicinity of the optical axis and a concave portion in a vicinity of its periphery. The fourth lens element is made of plastic and has an object-side surface with a concave portion in a vicinity of its periphery. |
| US09632284B2 |
Mobile device and optical imaging lens thereof
Present embodiments provide for a mobile device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens comprises an aperture stop and five lens elements positioned sequentially from an object side to an image side. By controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces of the lens elements and designing parameters satisfying at least one inequality, the optical imaging lens may exhibit better optical characteristics and the total length of the optical imaging lens may be shortened. |
| US09632282B2 |
Secondary mirror positioning mechanism
Systems that provide an active adjustment of mirrors and specifically of secondary mirrors, and that provide active adjustment of secondary mirrors in six degrees of freedom, and that can carry the additional load during launch. |
| US09632279B2 |
Voice coil motor array module
A voice coil motor array module includes a carrier frame defining a plurality of receiving spaces and a plurality of magnet-mounting spaces disposed in pairs and in symmetry around the receiving spaces. Any two adjacent receiving spaces have only one magnet-mounting space therebetween. A plurality of magnetic components are respectively disposed in the magnet-mounting spaces. Each magnet-mounting space receives only one magnetic component. The magnetic components surrounding a corresponding receiving space have same magnetic poles facing each other. A plurality of displacement components are respectively disposed in the receiving spaces. Each displacement component includes a lens carrier and a coil. |
| US09632274B2 |
Overhead cable termination arrangement
A method of terminating a cable includes: a) providing an overhead cable pathway structure that defines a cable-carrying region; b) mounting adapters to the overhead cable pathway structure outside of the cable-carrying region; c) routing a cable from the cable-carrying region of the overhead cable pathway structure to the adapter mounted to the cable pathway structure; and d) terminating the cable to the adapter. |
| US09632272B2 |
Switch rack system
In one embodiment, the system comprises: (a) a chassis; (b) one or more cards mounted in the chassis, each card having a plurality of switch ports, the plurality of switch ports being aligned in one or more columns; (c) an aggregator mounted adjacent the chassis, the aggregator having a plurality of bays, each bay being aligned with a card in the chassis, at least one of the bays having a faceplate comprising at least first and second aggregator ports aligned in a column; (d) at least first and second hydras, wherein each hydra comprises at least (i) a first connector; (ii) a plurality of second connectors; (iii) a plurality of conductors, each conductor connecting the first connector to one of the second connectors, the plurality of conductors being bundled together to form a trunk portion from the first connector to a breakout point, the plurality of conductors being separated into breakout portions from the breakout point to the second connectors; (iv) wherein the trunk portion of the first cable is longer than that of the second cable; and (e) wherein the first connector of the first hydra is connected to the first aggregator port and the second connectors of the first hydra are connected to a first set of switch ports, and the first connector of the second hydra is connected to the second aggregator port and the second connectors of the second hydra are connected to a second set of switch ports, wherein the first set of switch ports are further away from the aggregator than the second set of switch ports. |
| US09632267B1 |
Compact point-of-entry fiber storage module
A compact point-of-entry fiber storage module includes a base, and a cover arranged to be fastened to the base for enclosing optical fibers when routed inside the module for storage. The base is constructed and arranged to mount a connector adapter at a selected one of multiple positions with respect to the base. The adapter has an axis, and first and second ports at opposite axial ends of the adapter. When the adapter is mounted at a selected position, optical fibers of various lengths that are routed and retained over the base for storage can connect to corresponding ports at the ends of the adapter without bending the fibers beyond a specified critical limit. |
| US09632266B2 |
Monolithic polymer optical fiber ribbon
The present disclosure includes an optical fiber ribbon, using polymer optical fibers and an extremely thin adhesive coating to provide adhesion between the fibers. The external surfaces of the optical fiber ribbons are precisely placed with respect to the optical cores of the constituent fibers, and the optical cores of the fibers are precisely placed with respect to each other. Therefore, the external surface of the ribbon is used as a reference surface for aligning the array of optical fiber cores to arrays of optical emitters or detectors at the ends of the ribbon. Thus, the optical fiber ribbon of the present disclosure is cut, either by a sharp blade or other tool as suitable to expose a cross-section of the ribbon, and inserted as a single unit into a receptacle that aligns the outer surface of the ribbon with respect to the array of optical emitters or detectors. |
| US09632262B2 |
Optical module
An optical module is formed of a first optical block and a second optical block each equipped with a lens the optical axis of which needs to be aligned, the blocks being positioned and secured to each other, and has stepwise positioning means. A positioning means includes spring pieces each having an abutting slope, and edges. Four spring pieces are formed in the second optical block such that their abutting slopes are disposed at four corners of the second optical block. Positioning is implemented when the abutting slopes meet the edges of the first optical block. Another positioning means includes a depressed part and a guide slope formed in one of the two optical blocks and a raised part formed in the other optical block. The raised part is fitted into the depressed part. |
| US09632258B2 |
Optical connector ferrule
Disclosed is an optical connector ferrule including a main body portion having inside a plurality of optical paths that are parallel that are to each other; and a reinforcing member having a face parallel to an alignment direction of the plurality of the optical paths and having a linear expansion coefficient that is smaller than the linear expansion coefficient of the main body portion, wherein the reinforcing member has on a face of the optical path side thereof at least two limiting portions each having a face that limits an expansion and a contraction of the main body portion in the arrangement direction, the limiting portions being spaced apart in the arrangement direction. |
| US09632255B2 |
Managed fiber connectivity systems
A communications connection system includes an adapter module defining at least first and second ports and at least one media reading interface mounted at one of the ports. The first adapter module is configured to receive a fiber optic connector at each port. Some type of connectors may be formed as duplex connector arrangements. Some types of adapters may include ports without media reading interfaces. Some types of media reading interfaces include contact members having three contact sections. |
| US09632251B2 |
Integration of photonic, electronic, and sensor devices with SOI VLSI microprocessor technology
According to an aspect of the present principles, methods are provided for fabricating an integrated structure. A method includes forming a very large scale integration (VLSI) structure including a semiconductor layer at a top of the VLSI structure. The method further includes mounting the VLSI structure to a support structure. The method additionally includes removing at least a portion of the semiconductor layer from the VLSI structure. The method also includes attaching an upper layer to the top of the VLSI structure. The upper layer is primarily composed of a material that has at least one of a higher resistivity or a higher transparency than the semiconductor layer. The upper layer includes at least one hole for at least one of a photonic device or an electronic device. The method further includes releasing said VLSI structure from the support structure. |
| US09632248B2 |
Integrated photonic coupler
The present invention relates to an integrated photonic device comprising a photonic substrate, and an integrated waveguide provided in or on this substrate. The waveguide is adapted for conducting radiation of a predetermined wavelength. The device further comprises a sub-wavelength grating optically connected to the waveguide, which provides a first periodic variation of the refractive index in at least one first spatial direction. The device also comprises a diffracting grating arranged over the sub-wavelength grating for coupling radiation of the predetermined wavelength in and/or out of the integrated waveguide via the sub-wavelength grating. The diffracting grating provides a second periodic variation of the refractive index in at least one second spatial direction. The first periodic variation has a first pitch that is less than half of the predetermined wavelength, while the second periodic variation has a second pitch that is at least half of the predetermined wavelength. |
| US09632247B2 |
Terahertz-wave device and terahetz-wave integrated circuits
The THz-wave device comprises: a 2D-PC slab; lattice points periodically arranged in the 2D-PC slab, the lattice points for diffracting the THz waves in PBG frequencies of photonic band structure of the 2D-PC slab in order to prohibit existence in a plane of the 2D-PC; a 2D-PC waveguide disposed in the 2D-PC slab and formed with a line defect of the lattice points; and an RTD device disposed on the 2D-PC waveguide. |
| US09632240B2 |
Lighting apparatus and automobile including the same
A lighting apparatus includes a ring-shaped light guide including ring-shaped light entry and light exit faces; and light-emitting devices arranged in a ring at predetermined intervals, at positions opposite the light entry face. The light guide includes collimating portions that collimate light emitted from the light-emitting devices. Each of the collimating portions includes light-reflecting faces for collimating, in the direction of the optical axis of the collimating portion, light emitted from the corresponding light-emitting device. The light-reflecting faces include: an outer reflecting face; an inner reflecting face; a lateral reflecting face; and a large radius reflecting face. A distance from the optical axis to an optical axis-side end portion of at least one of the outer reflecting face, the inner reflecting face, and the lateral reflecting face is less than a distance from the optical axis to an optical axis-side end portion of the large radius reflecting face. |
| US09632238B2 |
Backlight module and liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a backlight module that includes a waveguide, a backboard, and a light source. The waveguide is disposed onto the backboard. The light source is arranged adjacent to a light incident surface of the waveguide. The backlight module includes a limiter securely attached to the backboard and abuts the light source so as to ensure a preset distance between the light source and the incident surface of the waveguide. With the limiter of the backlight module arranged to abut the light source, the coupling distance between the light source and the incident surface of the waveguide can be effectively kept constant without being compromised to zero (0) as resulting from expansion under heat or moisture or the accuracy during installation. |
| US09632236B2 |
Backlight module and display device using the same
The invention provides a backlight module including: a light guiding plate having a first side surface and a second side surface; a plurality of light sources arranged along the second side surface of the light guiding plate; a quantum dot enhancement film (QDEF) disposed above the light guiding plate, wherein the QDEF includes a first edge adjacent to the first side surface and a second edge adjacent to the second side surface; and a frame disposed outside the light guiding plate, the frame having a first extension portion covering the first edge of the QDEF and a second extension portion covering the second edge of the QDEF, wherein a distance between an end of the first extending portion and the first edge of the QDEF is greater than a distance between an end of the second extension portion and the second edge of the QDEF. |
| US09632235B2 |
Light guide plate support structure for display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a display panel, a light source unit including a light source configured to generate light and a light source supporting unit on which the light source is disposed, and a light guide plate disposed at a rear portion of the display panel and transmitting the light generated by the light source toward the display panel. The light source supporting unit is disposed to support at least one portion the front surface of the light guide plate. |
| US09632233B2 |
Display device and television device
A display device includes a light source, a light guide plate, a chassis, a display panel, a flexible circuit board, a signal transmission circuit board, and a first heat dissipation member. The chassis includes a bottom plate that includes a light source supporting portion and a light guide plate supporting portion. The bottom plate includes a surface on which the light source and the light guide plate are arranged. The flexible circuit board is bent and a portion thereof is opposed to another surface of the light source supporting portion. The signal transmission circuit board is arranged over the other surface. The first heat dissipation member is sandwiched between the light guide plate supporting portion and the flexible circuit board and in contact with the other surface and with the flexible circuit board. |
| US09632230B2 |
Light guide assembly for display illumination
A light guide assembly for an instrument display includes a light housing, a light source and a light guide. The light guide directs light from the light source through an opening in the light housing, and includes at least a first branch and a second branch. A diffuser is disposed above an opening in the light housing. The diffuser includes a bottom surface facing an interior of the light housing and a top surface facing opposite the bottom surface. A dimming feature is disposed on a portion of the top surface of the diffuser, such that the dimming feature reduces a brightness of the portion of the top surface thereby maintaining at least approximately a constant brightness across the diffuser. |
| US09632221B2 |
Optical resin composition and use thereof
The present disclosure provides an optical resin composition and use thereof. The optical resin composition of the present disclosure comprises unsaturated phenol formaldehyde epoxy acrylate oligomer: 40%-50%, episulfide oligomer: 20%-30%, methacrylate resin: 20%-50%, and multifunctional active acrylate monomer: 2%-5%, which achieves an optimal match with the refractive index of the liquid crystal lens layer, so as to improve the visual effect of the naked-eye 3D/2D switchable birefringent grating under 2D conditions. |
| US09632220B2 |
Decal for manufacturing multi-colored retroreflective sticker
A decal for manufacturing a multi-colored retroreflective sticker having a variety of colorful letters or patterns includes: a glass bead layer including a printing layer having the colorful letters or patterns made of dye-based ink, on one side of the glass bead layer; a transparent reflective layer formed on the other side of the glass bead layer and having a polarization element and a diffused reflection element sequentially deposited; an opaque bonding layer including a mixture of polyurethane and a white pigment and applied on the reflective layer to hold the glass bead layer; a thermal adhesive layer applied on the bonding layer; and a carrier sheet removably attached on the thermal adhesive layer by an adhesive remover layer, thereby obtaining uniform luminance under an artificial light source and high brightness and saturation under a natural light source. |
| US09632219B2 |
Spherically mounted retroreflector that includes a replicated cube corner
A spherically mounted retroreflector (SMR) includes a replicated optic, a substrate, and an adhesive. The replicated optic, which includes a cube-corner retroreflector, has a base area smaller than the retroreflector area. The substrate has a partially spherical outer surface and a cavity sized to accept the replicated optic. An adhesive attaches the optic to the substrate. |
| US09632216B2 |
Optical modulating device having gate structure
An optical modulation device includes a plasmonic nano-antenna layer, a metal layer that faces the plasmonic nano-antenna layer, and a permittivity variation layer and a dielectric material layer between the plasmonic nano-antenna layer and the metal layer. An active area formed in the permittivity variation layer according to an external signal may function as a gate that controls optical modulation performance. |
| US09632215B2 |
Lens module
There is provided a lens module including: a first lens having positive refractive power; a second lens having positive refractive power; a third lens having negative refractive power; a fourth lens having refractive power; a fifth lens having positive refractive power; and a sixth lens having refractive power and a shape in which an image side surface thereof is concave toward an image side. |
| US09632214B2 |
Optical element and radiation-emitting device comprising such an optical element
An optical element has an optical body and a number of microstructures. The optical body takes the form of a half-shell and has an inner face and an outer face. The microstructures form the inner and/or outer face of the optical body at least in places and are light-scattering refractive structures. The invention further relates to a radiation-emitting device having at least one semiconductor component and one such optical element. |
| US09632213B2 |
Optical compensation film
A copolymer for optical compensation film showing a negative orientation birefringence, having excellent transparency, heat resistance, film strength, and optical properties, and is capable of obtaining a beautiful film suitable for an optical compensation film is provided. A copolymer for optical compensation film, containing: 45 to 80 mass % of an aromatic vinyl monomer unit; 5 to 45 mass % of a (meth)acrylic acid ester monomer unit; and 5 to 20 mass % of an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydride monomer unit; wherein the copolymer has an average number molecular weight (Mn) of 5.5×104 to 9×104 and a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 14×104 to 20×104; and the copolymer has a haze of 1% or less, the haze being measured with a 2 mm thick sample in accordance with ASTM D1003, is provided. |
| US09632212B2 |
Medical device and method for producing the same
To provide a medical device which is excellent in wettability and lubricity and is also scarcely broken since it is soft, by a medical device in which a layer made of an acidic polymer and a basic polymer is formed on at least a part of a surface of a low water content soft base material, the low water content soft base material containing, as a main component, a copolymer containing a monofunctional monomer component M having one polymerizable functional group and one silicone moiety per molecule. |
| US09632205B2 |
Covert surveillance using multi-modality sensing
The present specification discloses a covert mobile inspection vehicle with a backscatter X-ray scanning system that has an X-ray source and detectors for obtaining a radiographic image of an object outside the vehicle. The systems preferably include at least one sensor for determining a distance from at least one of the detectors to points on the surface of the object being scanned, a processor for processing the obtained radiographic image by using the determined distance of the object to obtain an atomic number of each material contained in the object, and one or more sensors to obtain surveillance data from a predefined area surrounding the vehicle. |
| US09632199B2 |
Inductive clamp devices, systems, and methods
Inductive clamps for use in utility locate operations are disclosed. In one embodiment, an inductive clamp includes a head assembly including a base element and a plurality of arm elements coupled to the base element, a handle assembly including a utility selector element coupled to the head assembly, and a magnetic core subassembly for generating a magnetic field for coupling to a targeted utility, the magnetic core subassembly including a plurality of ferrite elements and wire winding wrapped about one or more of the ferrite elements. |
| US09632196B2 |
Method and device for estimating a relative position between towed acoustic linear antennas
A method for estimating a position of a first acoustic linear antenna relative to a second acoustic linear antenna belonging to a network of towed acoustic linear antennas on which are arranged a plurality of nodes. The method includes: setting a first plurality of nodes arranged on the first antenna to act as sender nodes and a second plurality of nodes arranged on the second antenna to act as receiver nodes; forming a first group of sender nodes each sending a same first acoustic signature; for each receiver node: obtaining a propagation duration and establishing a geometrical figure representative of potential positions of a sender node, based on the propagation duration and the first acoustic signature; determining a set of common points between the geometrical figures; estimating the position of the first antenna relative to the second antenna based on the set of common points. |
| US09632194B2 |
Estimating and using slowness vector attributes in connection with a multi-component seismic gather
A technique includes determining at least one attribute of a slowness vector associated with a seismic gather based on pressure data and an indication of particle motion that is measured by at least one seismic sensor while in tow. |
| US09632192B2 |
Method of processing seismic data by providing surface offset common image gathers
The method processes input including, for each of a plurality of shots at respective source locations, seismic traces recorded at a plurality of receiver locations. Offset-modulated data are also computed by multiplying the seismic data in each seismic trace by a horizontal offset between the source and receiver locations for said seismic trace. A depth migration process is applied to the seismic data to obtain a first set of migrated data, and to the offset-modulated data to obtain a second set of migrated data. For each shot, offset values are estimated and associated with respective subsurface positions, by a division process applied to the first and second sets of migrated data. |
| US09632190B2 |
Neutron imaging systems utilizing lithium-containing semiconductor crystals
A neutron imaging system, including: a plurality of Li-III-VI2 semiconductor crystals arranged in an array, wherein III represents a Group III element and VI represents a Group VI element; and electronics operable for detecting and a charge in each of the plurality of crystals in the presence of neutrons and for imaging the neutrons. Each of the crystals is formed by: melting the Group III element; adding the Li to the melted Group III element at a rate that allows the Li and Group III element to react, thereby providing a single phase Li-III compound; and adding the Group VI element to the single phase Li-III compound and heating. Optionally, each of the crystals is also formed by doping with a Group IV element activator. |
| US09632188B2 |
Noble gas detector for fissile content determination
A method and a system for fissile content measurement that utilizes a detector configured to detect fast neutrons. An external radiation source may be used to induce fission in a sample to allow the measurement of a fissile material of the sample with a low spontaneous fission probability. Analyzing the sample may be based on the energy spectrum of emitted neutrons. That is, the energy information regarding the energy of the fast neutrons is obtained, and the fast neutrons as having a high likelihood of originating in a nuclear fission process as opposed to originating in an (alpha,n) reaction by utilizing the obtained energy information are classified to analyze the sample. Alternatively, a position of interaction in the detector of neutron emitted by the sample is measured, and this position is retraced back through intervening material(s) between the detector and the sample to determine the spacial geometry of the sample. |
| US09632186B2 |
Systems and methods for sub-pixel location determination
A radiation detector system is provided including a semiconductor detector, plural pixelated anodes, and at least one processor. The plural pixelated anodes are disposed on a surface of the detector. At least one of the pixelated anodes is configured to generate a collected charge signal corresponding to a charge collected by the pixelated anode and to generate a non-collected charge signal corresponding to a charge collected by an adjacent anode to the pixelated anode. The at least one processor is configured to determine a collected value for the collected charge signal in the pixelated anode; determine a non-collected value for the non-collected charge signal in the pixelated anode corresponding to the charge collected by the adjacent anode; use the non-collected value for the non-collected charge signal to determine a sub-pixel location for the adjacent anode; and use the collected value to count a single event in the pixelated anode. |
| US09632184B2 |
Systems and methods for managing the coexistence of a GNSS receiver and a RAT transceiver
Various arrangements are presented for managing coexistence of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver with a radio access technology (RAT) transceiver. A coexistence manager may receive an indication of a characteristic of a RAT transceiver for a scheduled operating event. Based on the characteristic of the RAT transceiver for the operating event, the coexistence manager may select a space vehicle of a GNSS to use for a location determination by the GNSS receiver. The GNSS receiver may then receive a signal from the space vehicle of the GNSS during the operating event of the RAT transceiver. Location determination using the signal received from the space vehicle received during the operating event of the RAT transceiver may then occur. |
| US09632182B2 |
Vehicle positioning apparatus and method
A vehicle positioning apparatus and method are provided that are capable of more accurately measuring the position of a traveling vehicle without interoperating with a DGPS. The method includes calculating a position of the traveling vehicle based on coordinates of the respective GPS satellites shared by a surrounding vehicle and the traveling vehicle. In addition, a position coordinate is calculated of the surrounding vehicle measured by the reference of the traveling vehicle. |
| US09632179B2 |
Estimating a baseline of a proximity sensor
Described are methods and systems for estimating a baseline of a proximity sensor on an electronic device comprising: collecting proximity sensor data at the electronic device using the proximity sensor; collecting second data using a second source at the electronic device; obtaining a sample of the proximity sensor data at the electronic device when it is determined that no object is proximal to a first face of the electronic device based on the proximity sensor data and based on the second data; and approximating the baseline of the proximity sensor using the obtained sample. |
| US09632176B2 |
Driver assistance apparatus and method
A driver assistance method includes: sensing whether a vehicle enters a slope road; detecting information of the slope road using sensors which are equipped in the vehicle; confirming whether the slope road is a curved road based on the information of the slope road; measuring a curvature of the slope road when the slope road is confirmed to be a curved road; and assisting a driving operation of the vehicle based on the curvature of the slope road. |
| US09632175B2 |
Target object detection device and method of displaying echo data in the target object detection device
A target object detection device is provided. The device includes a signal processor, a display unit, and a controller. The signal processor receives a reception signal generated based on an echo of an ultrasonic wave from a target object and generates echo data corresponding to a distance from a transmission source of the ultrasonic wave to the target object every time the ultrasonic wave is transmitted. The display unit has a display screen with a first side and a second side that is turnable in an axial direction perpendicular to the display screen, and displays an image on the display screen based on the echo data. The controller sets a range with respect to time at which the ultrasonic wave is transmitted, and outputs the echo data corresponding to the ultrasonic wave within the time range according to turning of the display screen. |
| US09632171B1 |
Acoustic aircraft tracker and warning system
A system and method for tracking aircraft, helicopters and/or other objects at an airfield using acoustics of the aircraft, helicopters and/or other objects. A method receives first acoustical data at a first sensor and second acoustical data is also received at a second sensor. The first and second sensors may be carried by a first structurally supportive body member. Based at least in part on the first acoustical data and the second acoustical data a range and a bearing of the aircraft is determined from a predetermined location at the airfield. The range and bearing can be determined by using a beam forming algorithm. Based on the range and the bearing, the method displays the location the aircraft on a display. |
| US09632170B2 |
Evaluating the position of an aerial vehicle
A method for evaluating the position of an aerial vehicle involves receiving a radio signal from the aerial vehicle with an antenna array, determining the direction of arrival of the received radio signal, forming a reception beam of the antenna array depending on the determined direction of arrival for receiving one or more further radio signals from the aerial vehicle, calculating the ranging between the aerial vehicle and the antenna array based on a radio signal provided for ranging and received from the aerial vehicle, and evaluating the position of the aerial vehicle based on the calculated ranging, the determined direction of arrival, and the known position of the antenna array. |
| US09632167B2 |
Solar tracker device and system
A solar tracker device continuously captures sun rays to be redirected towards a target The device includes a mirror defining a center point and fixedly mounted to a heliostat, an imaging device having an optical axis passing through the mirror center point, an electronic board, and a partly transparent dome extending between the imaging device and the target When sun rays penetrate said dome, the mirror reflects rays toward the dome and a portion are reflected back by the dome to the imaging device to form an image of the mirror center point An image of the fixed target is formed on the imaging device through the dome and defines an image of the target Whenever the images of the mirror and the target center are not in coincidence, the electronic board is activated to rotate the heliostat reflecting surface toward an orientation for which coincidence is obtained. |
| US09632154B2 |
Small magnet and RF coil for magnetic resonance relaxometry
Small and inexpensive probeheads for use in nuclear magnetic resonance systems, in particular, magnetic resonance relaxometry systems are provided. The design of the magnet-radiofrequency coil configurations within the probeheads is guided by an excitation bandwidth associated with radiofrequency pulses to be applied to a sample. |
| US09632151B2 |
Magnetic resonance measuring equipment
A magnetic resonance measuring equipment capable of detecting a nuclear magnetic resonance signal with a higher sensitivity and a higher resolution in comparison with related magnetic resonance measuring equipment. The magnetic resonance measuring equipment modulates a nuclear magnetic resonance signal by applying a vibration (sonic wave) of a known frequency, which is higher than the frequency of the nuclear magnetic resonance signal, to an examination object, and detects the modulated signal by performing lock-in detection, which makes it possible that the magnetic resonance measuring equipment detects the nuclear magnetic resonance signal with a high sensitivity. In addition, after irradiating a local area of the object with an ultrasonic wave, and modulating the nuclear magnetic resonance signal derived from the irradiated local area, the magnetic resonance measuring equipment can detect the nuclear magnetic resonance signal with a high resolution. |
| US09632150B2 |
Magnetic field sensor with increased field range
In one embodiment, a TMR field sensor utilizes existing one or more self-test current lines in a configuration to extend magnetic field measurement range without sacrificing measurement sensitivity. The self-test current lines are energized to facilitate magnetic field measurement when the measured magnetic field reaches a threshold. The magnetic field created by self-test coil opposes an external magnetic field being measured to keep the net magnetic field within a desired range where the magnetic field sensor has linear output and desired sensitivity. |
| US09632145B2 |
Equipment for logging and transmitting measured values of physical quantities, and measurement sensor for such equipment
Logging and transmission equipment comprising at least one autonomous measurement sensor, supplied by an electric cell, comprising an emitter able to transmit at various instants at least one value measured by the sensor, and a receiver for gathering the values transmitted by the emitter; the sensor comprises a means of measuring the temperature in the vicinity of the cell; a link is provided for supplying the emitter with the temperature values measured, which emitter is provided so as to transmit, in addition the values of at least one physical quantity, these temperature values measured, at determined intervals, and the receiver is provided so as to store the temperature values measured, estimates the lifetime of the cell by taking account of these measured values, and determine a date for replacing this cell. |
| US09632142B2 |
Solenoid transient variable resistance feedback for effecter position detection
Feedback from a solenoid is achieved by adding at least one variable resistance in parallel with the solenoid current feedback circuit for position detection. The resistance has current flowing therethrough when a switching device actuated by the solenoid is in one position or transitions from one position to at least one other position. A feedback current may be measured in the current feedback circuit and the position of the switching device in response to actuation thereof by the solenoid may be determined from the measured feedback current. |
| US09632141B2 |
Simultaneous transition testing of different clock domains in a digital integrated circuit
Implementations of the present disclosure involve an apparatus and/or method for conducting simultaneous transition testing of different clock domains of a microprocessor design at different frequencies through a controlled order of clock pulses in each domain. In general, a microelectronic design utilizes test control circuitry associated with each clock domain of the design to conduct simultaneous transition testing of the clock domains. The testing control circuitry associated with each clock domain of the microelectronic design further allows for the testing device to delay testing within a particular clock domain. By delaying the testing within a particular clock domain, the testing of the various clock domains can be synchronized. Through these testing procedures, the amount of time required to perform the ATPG testing of a microelectronic design may be greatly reduced. |
| US09632139B2 |
IO pad circuitry with safety monitoring and control for integrated circuits
An input/output (IO) pad circuitry for integrated circuits (ICs) that is equipped with safety monitoring and control circuits to ensure that signals provided to/from the IO pad behave correctly. The IO pad circuitry allows monitoring of the IO pad signals, the detection of an undesired behavior, e.g., a wrong signal level or a wrong waveform. Furthermore, depending on a selected safety mode, a correction of the IO pad signals by overriding the monitored signal is further achieved. When in full safe mode, signals are provided as required, while in a partial safe mode only certain signals are provided depending on the status. A grouped safe mode allows providing a safe status to a group of IO pads using a single control. A monitoring circuitry between a plurality of input signals to an IC pad is also provided. |
| US09632133B2 |
Circuit board testing system
A circuit board testing system includes a testing fixture and a computer system. The testing fixture includes a contact element, a switching circuit, and a data acquisition unit. The contact element is connected with a circuit board. The switching circuit is connected with the contact element. By enabling the switching circuit, the data acquisition unit acquires a real voltage value corresponding to the electronic component. The computer system is connected with the testing fixture for converting the real voltage value into a real resistance value corresponding to the electronic component. According to the real resistance value, the computer system judges whether the electronic component passes the test. |
| US09632132B2 |
Test device for testing a flat module
A test device for testing a flat module includes a test station and a cover movable relative to the test station between a test position and a removal position. At least two holding devices are arranged and formed on the cover in such a way that, when the cover moves from its removal position into the test position, they releasably connect to the flat module arranged in the test station in such a way that, when the cover moves from its test position into the removal position, the flat module is held by the at least two holding devices. |
| US09632131B2 |
Method for monitoring and measuring an insulation resistance with interference-resistant measuring signal
A method for monitoring and measuring an insulation resistance in ungrounded and grounded power supply systems includes the method steps of generating a periodic measuring signal, coupling in the measuring signal between active conductors of the power supply system to be monitored and ground, and detecting and evaluating measured values of the measuring signal. In one embodiment of the invention, the generated measuring signal is formed as a multi-frequency signal by the superposition of a finite number of harmonic oscillations with at least three harmonics. Alternatively, the multi-frequency signal can also be realized by means of a targeted, portioned construction of the signal shape in the time domain on the basis of a binary sequence optimization or by generating the measuring signal by means of the time-division multiplexing method. |
| US09632120B2 |
System and method for measuring power in a power factor converter
A method of measuring an input power of a power factor converter (PFC) includes determining an average of a rectified voltage signal from an input of the PFC, determining an average of an inductor current of the PFC, and determining the input power by multiplying the average of the rectified voltage signal by the average of the inductor current. |
| US09632119B2 |
Sensor device having inductors for detecting power flowing through a power line
A sensor device includes a printed circuit board, a power line, a first semiconductor device, and a second semiconductor device. The first semiconductor device includes a first inductor, and the second semiconductor device includes a second inductor. Each inductor is formed using an interconnect layer. The power line extends between the two inductors without overlapping the first and second inductor, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the printed circuit board. |
| US09632116B2 |
DC reverse polarity detection
For inspecting polarities of poles of DC voltage sources, each pole being individually connected to one of separate input terminals of a combiner circuit, an inspection apparatus includes electric contacts each provided for one of the input terminals such that one of the poles of each DC voltage sources is each connected to one of the electric contacts, respectively. A signaling element when subjected to an electric signal emits a matching signal. One switching element per each of the at least two electric contacts forwards the electric signal if a polarity of a voltage present at the respective electric contact matches a polarity pre-set for the respective electric contact with regard to a reference potential, and blocks the electric signal if the polarity of the voltage does not match the pre-set polarity. The switching elements are electrically connected in series. |
| US09632115B2 |
Method for deriving characteristic values of MOS transistor
A method for deriving characteristic values of a MOS transistor is described. A set of ηk values is provided. A set of VBi values (i=1 to M, M≧3) is provided. A set of RSDi,j (i=1 to M−1, j=i+1 to M) values each under a pair of VBi and VBj, or a set of Vtq_q,j (q is one of 1 to M, j is 1 to M excluding q) values under VBq is derived for each ηk, with an iteration method. The ηk value making the set of RSDi,j values or Vtq_q,j values closest to each other is determined as an accurate ηk value. The mean value of RSDi,j at the accurate ηk value is calculated as an accurate RSD value. |
| US09632112B2 |
Power meter configured for rear and side expansion
An intelligent electronic device (100) for metering a characteristic of electricity that has a rear opening (214) and a side opening (216) in a housing of the device for accepting a connector of an expansion module through one or the other opening. The device can be configured with an integrated display module (120) that protrudes through a panel of an enclosure, and in this configuration, the expansion module connects to the device through the rear opening of the housing. The device can also be configured to be mounted on a DIN rail, and in this configuration, the expansion module connects through the side opening of the housing. The same module can be used in either configuration, without requiring that different versions of the module be made for the different configurations and without having to mount the device in an awkward orientation that makes it difficult to access external connections around the housing. |
| US09632110B2 |
Semiconductor element inspection device and inspection method
A semiconductor inspection device (1) equipped with a contacting unit (7) having a contacting side surface (7a) electrically contacting a semiconductor element (3), and which inspects the semiconductor element (3) by making the contacting unit (7) electrically contact the semiconductor element (3). The contacting side surface (7a) is provided with a plurality of projecting units (13), and the semiconductor element inspection device (1) is equipped with a hitting mark detecting unit (11) configured to detect hitting marks of the projecting unit (13) transferred to the semiconductor element (3) when the contacting side surface (7a) contacts the semiconductor element (3), and a control unit (17) configured to determine whether or not an inspection of the semiconductor element (3) is performed appropriately, on the basis of the hitting marks detected by the hitting mark detecting unit (11). |
| US09632108B2 |
Method for verifying a test substrate in a prober under defined thermal conditions
A method and an apparatus for verifying or testing test substrates, i.e. wafers and other electronic semiconductor components, in a prober under defined thermal conditions. Such a verifying apparatus, known to the person skilled in the art as a prober, has a housing having at least two housing sections, in one housing section of which, designated hereinafter as test chamber, the test substrate to be verified is held by a chuck and is set to a defined temperature, and in the other housing section of which, designated hereinafter as probe chamber, probes are held. For verification purposes, the test substrate and the probes are positioned relative to one another by means of at least one positioning device and the probes subsequently make contact with the test substrate. |
| US09632097B2 |
Determining pathological cartilage turnover
The present embodiments relate to methods for determining or detecting pathological cartilage turnover by detection of Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP) neoepitopes, both released into body fluids and present in the tissue. Furthermore the embodiments relate to antibodies against COMP neoepitopes and to fragments and peptides containing COMP neoepitopes for generation of such antibody. |
| US09632096B2 |
Methods of assessing the immunomodulatory potential of a multipotent stromal cell (MSC) population, and systems and kits for practicing the same
Methods of assessing the immunomodulatory potential of a multipotent stromal cell (MSC) population are provided. Aspects of the methods include evaluating the amount of CD54/IL-6 associated with an MSC in a sample of the MSC population to obtain a CD54/IL-6 result and providing an assessment of the immunomodulatory potential of the MSC population based on the obtained CD54/IL-6 result. Also provided are systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. |
| US09632095B2 |
Device and method for determining reaction kinetics
A method of determining the activation energy Ea for degradation of a chemical species includes in sequence the steps of a) simultaneously incubating a plurality of samples of the chemical species in a single unitary device at a plurality of constant temperatures T, in each case for an incubation time t selected to result in loss of at most 20 mol % of the amount originally present; b) quenching each of the samples to stop degradation; c) determining the mole fraction m of the chemical species remaining in each of the quenched samples, relative to the amount present before incubating; d) determining for each sample a reaction rate coefficient kobs according to the equation k obs ( T ) = 1 - m ( T ) t ; and e) performing numerical regression of the kobs values obtained in step d) and the corresponding temperatures T in ° K to derive the activation energy Ea according to the following equation k obs = k 0 exp ( E a R ( 1 T - 1 T 0 ) ) , or to derive a temperature-dependent activation energy if that is more appropriate for the chemical species of interest. |
| US09632094B2 |
Transcutaneous organ function measurement
A sensor plaster (116) for the transcutaneous measurement of an organ function, more particularly of a kidney function, is proposed. The sensor plaster (116) comprises at least one flexible carrier element (134) having at least one adhesive surface (138) which can be stuck onto a body surface. Furthermore, the sensor plaster (116) comprises at least one radiation source, more particularly a light source (142), wherein the radiation source is designed to irradiate the body surface with at least one interrogation light (162). Furthermore, the sensor plaster (116) comprises at least one detector (146) designed to detect at least one response light (176) incident from the direction of the body surface. |
| US09632092B2 |
Reagent for diagnosing tumor, pharmaceutical composition, and screening method
The present invention provides antibodies useful for diagnosing and treating tumors as well as methods of screening for antitumor agents. More specifically, tumors can be diagnosed and treated using an anti-phosphorylated p62 antibody that recognizes phosphorylation of serine at position 351 of an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 1 or at a position corresponding thereto. An antitumor agent can be obtained by screening for a substance that inhibits the phosphorylation or that dephosphorylates the phosphorylated serine. |
| US09632088B2 |
Methods and compositions for gamma-secretase assay
Presented herein are polypeptide substrates based on Notch polypeptides, assay methods based on the use of these substrates, and screening methods directed toward identifying inhibitors of γ-secretase activity. The assay methods and the screening methods are adapted for use in high throughput multi-well plate assay apparatuses. In many embodiments the substrate polypeptides are labeled for ease of detection, and/or may bind specific ligands that themselves are labeled. Generally the labels promote high specificity as well as high sensitivity of detection. These features render the assay and screening methods that employ the labeled substrates especially suited for use in high throughput assay formats. |
| US09632086B2 |
Method and kit for determining-antibody sensitivity and clone cell strain
A method and kit for determining antibody sensitivity and quality of a clone cell stain. The method comprises: obtaining a solid-phase carrier, cells and an antibody; adsorbing the antibody on the solid-phase carrier; incubating the cells and the antibody; preserving cells bound with the antibody; and dyeing and counting the cells bound with the antibody, so as to determine the antibody sensitivity or the quality of the clone cell stain based on the cell count. The kit comprises components used in the method. |
| US09632083B1 |
Rapid diagnostic test device by driven flow technology
A rapid diagnostic test device uses driven flow technology to significantly expedite the testing time of a sample. The rapid diagnostic test device can be used to analyze liquids, such as some body fluids, by using labeled molecular affinity binding, such as immunochromatography. The test device can detect an analyte, such as an antibody or antigen, which may indicate a particular condition, the presence of a particular drug, or the like. The device includes a top and bottom that combine to form a fluid channel through which a fluid is forced from a fluid collector. A press pad in the device may press against a press pad on a test strip to accelerate chemical mixtures to flow from the conjugate color pad of the test strip toward fixed sites along the strip from which readings are taken. |
| US09632080B2 |
Diagnostic multi-layer dry phase test strip with integrated biosensors (“electrostrip”)
A diagnostic multi-layer dry phase test strip with integrated biosensors for use in measuring more than one analyte in a fluid sample includes a body having a port for introducing a fluid sample. Within the body is a spreader layer configured to evenly spread the fluid sample received through the port. The test strip further includes at least one enzyme reaction layer in fluidic communication with the spreader layer. The test strip also includes a first electrode layer in fluidic communication with the at least one enzyme reaction layer. The first electrode layer includes a set of electrodes for each of the at least one enzyme reaction layer. Each set of electrodes is capable of electrically interacting with the fluid sample. |
| US09632078B2 |
Detection of antigens
The invention discloses a method for detecting at least one antigen, comprising the following steps: providing magnetic beads, which are coated with antibodies specific for at least one antigen to be detected; bringing the magnetic beads in contact with a washing buffer that comprises at least 8% BSA and incubating the mixture with a sample; isolating the magnetic beads by means of magnetic separator; and detecting the antigens bound to the magnetic beads by the antibodies. Washing buffers, primers, kits and devices that can be used for said methods are also disclosed. |
| US09632074B2 |
Compositions and methods for treating cancer and diseases and conditions responsive to cell growth inhibition
In alternative embodiments, the invention provides compositions and methods for overcoming or diminishing or preventing Growth Factor Inhibitor resistance in a cell, or, a method for increasing the growth-inhibiting effectiveness of a Growth Factor inhibitor on a cell, or, a method for re-sensitizing a cell to a Growth Factor Inhibitor, comprising for example, administration of a combination of a TBK1 inhibitor and an RTK inhibitor. In alternative embodiments, the cell is a tumor cell, a cancer cell or a dysfunctional cell. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides compositions and methods for determining: whether an individual or a patient would benefit from or respond to administration of a Growth Factor Inhibitor, or, which individuals or patients would benefit from a combinatorial approach comprising administration of a combination of: at least one growth factor and at least one compound, composition or formulation used to practice a method of the invention, such as an NFKB inhibitor, such as a lenalidomide or a REVLIMID™, or IKK inhibitor; or an inhibitor of Galectin-3. |
| US09632072B1 |
Lubrication condition monitoring pod for pressurized applications
A machine fluid testing probe is disclosed having a handle, a shaft connected to the handle, and a plurality of indicators supported by the shaft. The shaft has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first portion extending from the first end toward the second end, a second portion extending from the first portion toward the second end, and a shoulder defined by the second portion. The second portion has a continuous arcuate external surface having a second cross-sectional axis greater than a first cross-sectional axis of the first portion. The shaft is configured to contact a machine fluid. The plurality of indicators are supported by the first portion of the shaft between the first end and the second end. Each of the plurality of indicators is configured to test for one or more contaminants in the machine fluid. |
| US09632069B2 |
Integrated systems and methods of evaluating cannabis and cannabinoid products for public safety, quality control and quality assurance purposes
Embodiments of the invention include integrated systems and methods of evaluating cannabis and cannabinoid products for public safety, quality control and quality assurance purposes for research and public use purposes. Embodiments of the invention facilitate suppliers and consumers of a cannabis and/or cannabinoid product to evaluate the origin, efficacy, potency, and quality of the product. Embodiments of the invention also include cannabis processing center where samples of the products are analyzed for research studies to test and set parameters for third parties. Embodiments of the invention include, for example, analyzing cannabis products to determine quality and quantity of desired components and undesired components, determining concentrations of cannabinoids in the product, and comparing measures of components in the product against regulations. Embodiments of the invention further include, for example, an online testing facility for determine whether cannabis products meet a plurality of regulations or guidelines. |
| US09632066B2 |
Open port sampling interface
A system for sampling a sample material includes a probe which can have an outer probe housing with an open end. A liquid supply conduit within the housing has an outlet positioned to deliver liquid to the open end of the housing. The liquid supply conduit can be connectable to a liquid supply for delivering liquid at a first volumetric flow rate to the open end of the housing. A liquid exhaust conduit within the housing is provided for removing liquid from the open end of the housing. A liquid exhaust system can be provided for removing liquid from the liquid exhaust conduit at a second volumetric flow rate, the first volumetric flow rate exceeding the second volumetric flow rate, wherein liquid at the open end will receive sample, liquid containing sample material will be drawn into and through the liquid exhaust conduit, and liquid will overflow from the open end. |
| US09632064B2 |
Gas chromatograph system employing hydrogen carrier gas
An injection port for a gas chromatograph (GC) is operated such that, during an injection sequence, an inert gas is used for sample transfer to the analytical column while hydrogen is subsequently utilized for the majority of the analytical separation. This allows for a high degree of chromatographic efficiency, while also reducing unwanted chemical reactions involving hydrogen and/or reactive solvents in a hot injection port. Certain embodiments also provide an increased margin of safety when using hydrogen, since the total flow may be limited such that the concentration of hydrogen in the GC oven never exceeds a safety limit, such as the lower explosive limit. |
| US09632063B2 |
Non-destructive ultrasound testing of structures made of composite material
The invention relates to a diagnostic apparatus 1 for detecting delamination in the thickness of a panel of laminated composite. The diagnostic apparatus can be used to inspect a panel having a non-constant thickness along its length.The diagnostic apparatus comprises an ultrasonic probe 30 intended to be brought into contact with the front face of the panel to be inspected, an electronic device 40 for controlling the emission and reception of ultrasonic pulses 51 by the ultrasonic probe 30, and a display device 41 having, notably, indicators showing the presence or absence of delamination in the panel. |
| US09632059B2 |
Potentiostat/galvanostat with digital interface
A potentiostat/galvanostat employs a controller for providing digital control signals to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that generates an analog output signal in response to digital control signals. A high current driver produces a high current output in response to the analog output signal from the DAC. A high current monitor monitors the output from the high current driver to produce a feedback signal for the high current driver to control the current produced by the high current driver and to produce an output dependent on the current supplied from the high current driver for monitoring by the controller. A counter electrode contact for a counter electrode is connected with the output of the high current monitor. A working electrode contact for a working electrode is electrically connected with a fixed stable voltage potential to enable electrochemical analysis of material between the counter electrode and the working electrode. A low current driver produces a low current range output in response to an analog output signal from the DAC. A low current monitor monitors the working electrode contact to detect current at the working electrode contact to supply an output dependent on the current detected for monitoring by the controller and for providing a feedback signal to the low current driver in order to control the output of the low current driver to control current between the counter electrode contact and the working electrode contact. |
| US09632055B2 |
Auto-coded analyte sensors and apparatus, systems, and methods for detecting same
In some aspects, an analyte sensor is provided. The analyte sensor has a plurality of fuse members associated therewith. The fuse members may be burned in sequence and the burn values (related to current, voltage, or time) may be used to extract/decode information. The decoded information may include calibration constant, expiration or manufacture date, counterfeiting codes, warnings, etc. Systems and methods for burning and detecting such burn values of the plurality of fuse members and decoding the coded information related to the sensor are provided, as are numerous other aspects. |
| US09632052B2 |
Modular measuring device with distributed data and algorithms
A sensor module includes a sensor element with a transducer for emitting an electric analog primary signal, which depends on a measured value; and a circuit assembly for conditioning the primary signal and for unidirectional data communication of a digital signal, which depends on the primary signal, to a superordinated unit. The circuit assembly has the following components: a signal input for receiving the primary signal, which depends on the measured value; a secondary side, inductively coupling, plug connector element for connection to a primary side, inductively coupling, plug connector element of the superordinated unit for receiving an energy signal and for transferring a measurement signal; an energy supply circuit, which rectifies the energy signal and provides at least one direct voltage for supplying the sensor module components; an analog signal conditioning circuit for conditioning the primary signal to a secondary signal; an analog-digital converter for converting the secondary signal to a digital measurement signal; a modulator for modulating the received energy signal for transferring the measurement signal to a superordinated unit by means of load modulation; and a microcontroller for controlling the components of the circuit assembly. |
| US09632049B2 |
Integrated circuit and manufacturing method therefor
Disclosed is an integrated circuit comprising an electrode arrangement for detecting the presence of a liquid, said electrode arrangement comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein, prior to exposure of the electrode arrangement to said liquid, a surface of at least one of the first electrode and second electrode is at least partially covered by a compound that is soluble in the liquid; the electrical properties of the electrode arrangement being dependent on the amount of the compound covering said surface. An package and electronic device comprising such an IC and a method of manufacturing such an IC are also disclosed. |
| US09632048B2 |
Sheet resistance measuring method
The present disclosure relates to a sheet resistance measuring method, comprising the following steps: connecting at least one to-be-measured thin film having a predetermined shape to two separate electrodes in at least one pair of electrodes; measuring the resistance between the two electrodes in each pair of electrodes; and determining the sheet resistance of the to-be-measured thin film based on the measured resistance and the shape of the corresponding to-be-measured thin film. |
| US09632043B2 |
Method for accurately determining the thickness and/or elemental composition of small features on thin-substrates using micro-XRF
A method for X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis includes directing an X-ray beam onto a sample and measuring an XRF signal excited from the sample, in a reference measurement in which the sample includes one or more first layers formed on a substrate, and in a target measurement after one or more second layers are formed on the substrate in addition to the first layers, so as to produce a reference XRF spectrum and a target XRF spectrum, respectively. A contribution of the first layers to the target XRF spectrum is reduced using the reference XRF spectrum. A parameter of at least one of the second layers is estimated using the target XRF spectrum in which the contribution of the first layers has been reduced. |
| US09632032B2 |
Method for manufacturing a substrate for surface-enhanced Raman spectography
A method for manufacturing a substrate for surface-enhanced Raman spectography, includes creating a supporting structure including microstructured pattern including a top and sidewalls; depositing a multilayer on the supporting structure with the multilayer including two metal layers and an intermediate layer arranged between the two metal layers, with the intermediate layer being carried out in a material that can be selectively etched with respect to the metal layers; etching a portion of the multilayer deposited on the top of the microstructured pattern in such a way as to expose ends each layer of the multilayer; selective etching of the ends of the intermediate layers in such a way as to form cavities between the ends of two successive metal layers. |
| US09632026B2 |
Optical biosensor referencing method
A referencing method for an optical biosensor system using a single sensing region is provided. The method involves limiting the ligand immobilized in a single sensing region to only a portion thereof. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by selectively deactivating a portion of the sensing surface to prevent immobilization of ligand to that portion. As a result, a reference response can be recorded in the same sensing region as a molecular interaction response. Thus, the bulk refractive index can be accurately accounted for in measuring the kinetics of a molecular interaction. |
| US09632025B2 |
Method and measuring device for continuously measuring the abbe number
Method and device for measuring the Abbe number in a process liquid. Light generates successively at wavelengths of 486.1 nm, 589.3 nm and 656.3 nm and different light wavelengths are directed successively through a measuring window in the process liquid so total reflection occurs at each wavelength on the measuring window surface and process liquid. Partial light reflected at each wavelength is directed to a sensor, whereby an image forms on the sensor surface; between light and dark boundary region corresponding to each wavelength critical angle, in which total reflection occurs. At each wavelength between light and dark boundary region detection by image analysis. At each wavelength, dependency between light and dark boundary region and refractive-index of process liquid measurement is detected, the Abbe number by refractive-index values obtained from: V D = n D - 1 n F - n C ; nD=refractive-index of process liquid to measure at 589.3 nm; nF=refractive-index at 486.1 nm; and nC=refractive-index at 656.3 nm. |
| US09632024B2 |
Optical sensor apparatus to detect light based on the refractive index of a sample
An optical sensor apparatus includes an optically transmissive structure (e.g., a prism) having two planar faces and a third planar face that connects the two planar faces, two or more light sources located outside the structure, and a photodetector array located outside the prism. The structure, light sources, and photodetector array are configured such that light from the light sources that is totally internally reflected at an optical interface between the prism and a sample outside the structure proximate one of the two planar faces is incident on a portion of the photodetector array that depends on a refractive index of the sample. The light sources are positioned with respect to the structure and photodetector array such that the totally internally reflected light from each light source corresponds to a different range of refractive index of the sample and maps to a corresponding portion of the photodetector array. |
| US09632023B2 |
V-block refractometer
A V-block refractometer capable of enhancing measurement accuracy is provided. An incident angle of measurement light incident on a V-block prism 1 from a collimator lens 48 is changed through the rotation of a motor 7, and the measurement light from the V-block prism 1 at each incident angle is detected by a detector 2. This configuration eliminates the need to provide the detector 2 near the motor 7 as in the conventional art, whereby deterioration in measurement accuracy caused by an increase in load to the motor 7 can be prevented, and the measurement accuracy can be enhanced. |
| US09632022B2 |
Enhanced Surface Plasmon Resonance method
The disclosure relates to processing SPR signals, in particular signals obtained by illuminating a conductive surface with light at two wavelengths. Processing SPR signals can involve processing a first and second signal indicative of an intensity of light, received from a conductive layer at which SPR has occurred, as a function of angle of incidence, reflection or diffraction at the layer. The first and second signals each have two dips corresponding to a respective wavelength of the light at a respective angle at which surface plasmon resonance occurs for the respective wavelength and a peak between the two dips. The processing includes deriving a first and second value of a quantity indicative of signal magnitudes in the region of the peak. The first and second values can be compared to detect a change in refractive index at the layer after the first signal and before the second signal was captured. |
| US09632020B2 |
Non-linear optical ellipsometry for surface monitoring and characterization
The present disclosure relates to monitoring, evaluating and interrogating material surfaces using second-order nonlinear optical ellipsometry for surface monitoring and characterization. |
| US09632019B2 |
Apparatus and method for cleaning deposits and accretions from an end plate of a sensor body
An apparatus and method for cleaning deposits and accretions from an end plate of a sensor body, for accommodating a measuring apparatus for determining one or more physical and/or chemical, process variables. The sensor body is sealed against penetration by liquid and a wiper is provided having a wiper blade for cleaning the end plate. The wiper is arranged as a subcomponent on a peripheral, appended module, wherein geometries of the wiper and the peripheral, appended module are so embodied that the wiper in the case of rotary movement from a rest position into a cleaning position, with the lower edge of the wiper blade being flush with the upper edge of the end plate, in the cleaning position, and in order that the wiper cleans the end plate by contact of the wiper blade with the end plate, and the wiper then returns to the rest position. |
| US09632014B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting degradation of resin film
A method for detecting degradation of resin film detects whether a resin coated rope having a circumferential portion coated with resin film has the resin film degraded. The method for detecting degradation of resin film includes: winding a wire on a circumferential portion of the resin coated rope; applying tension to the wire to compress the resin film in a radial direction of the resin coated rope; and comparing a first relationship with a second relationship to determine how the resin film is degraded, the first relationship indicating a relationship between the tension of the wire and how much amount the resin film has compressed, as obtained in the applying, the second relationship indicating a relationship between the tension of the wire and how much amount the resin film has compressed, as predetermined as a reference. |
| US09632013B2 |
Fluid injection and safety system
Various medical systems and methods are described, including a medical monitoring system. The medical monitoring system can have a fluid system configured to receive bodily fluid and optically analyze said fluid to determine analyte concentration. The fluid system can have a removable portion. The removable portion can have an opening with a port. The system can also have a container configured to contain anticoagulant. The container can have a portion configured to mate with the port of the removable portion. The container can be further configured to not fit into a conventional luer fitting. An anti-coagulant insertion apparatus is also described. The apparatus can have a syringe, a dock with a port, and an adapter configured to connect the syringe to the port. The dock can also have a tab configured to move with the port. |
| US09632011B2 |
System and method for testing a gas turbine
A method of testing a gas turbine is provided. The gas turbine includes a first compressor and an expansion turbine coupled by a drive shaft. The method includes operating the gas turbine and a second compressor at a first steady load and a first steady drive shaft speed. The second compressor is rigidly coupled to the drive shaft. The method also includes changing a load of the second compressor by a known amount, and measuring a time required for the gas turbine to stabilize at a second steady load and a second steady drive shaft speed in response to the changed load of the second compressor. |
| US09632006B2 |
Distributed fiber bend and stress measurement for determining optical fiber reliability by multi-wavelength optical reflectometry
The disclosed technology in this patent document includes, among others, methods apparatus for distributed measuring at least one fiber bend or stress related characteristics along an optical path of fiber under test (FUT) uses both a light input unit and a light output unit connected to the FUT at one single end. |
| US09632003B1 |
Systems and methods for leak detection in roofing and waterproofing membranes
The present invention is systems and methods for detecting and locating leaks in roofing membranes and roof flashing. The systems include a conductive mesh underneath the roofing membrane and/or a conductive medium behind the roof flashing; attractor cables; and a reversible power supply attached to the conductive mesh/medium and attractor cables. The roofing membrane system also includes sensors, which may be wireless. The systems are controlled by a computer. |
| US09632001B2 |
Testing device having a test gas container
A testing device includes a test gas container, which is provided with a test leak for producing a test gas flow at a predefined leakage rate. The test leak includes at least one capillary tube, which connects the interior of the test gas container to the outer surroundings of the test gas container in a gas-conducting manner. The test gas container is at least partially made of a flexible material. |
| US09632000B1 |
Track measurement by phase-based signal extraction
An embodiment of a tracker system for determining the distance of a moving object from a predefined reference point is disclosed. The system uses a phase-based signal extraction technique for determining the traversal time of the object through a predefined angular region. The first embodiment of the system includes a weather-resistant enclosure (12), two photodiodes (21) with narrow fields of view, four light-emitting diodes pulsed at high frequencies (20), collimating optics (15) for use with the light-emitting diodes, focusing optics (14) for use with the photodiodes, and an analog circuit for signal extraction (FIG. 7). FIG. 2 shows each component in the first embodiment. Phase-based signal processing identifies time intervals over which the object is within the angular region, from which the distance to the object is calculated (FIG. 1). Alternative embodiments are also discussed. |
| US09631998B2 |
Apparatus and method for assisting with fluid pressure measurement
An apparatus for assisting with measurement of a fluid pressure includes a cover layer having a leading cover edge and upper and lower cover surfaces. A cover aperture fluidly connects the upper and lower cover surfaces. A spacer layer has oppositely facing upper and lower spacer surfaces. A cavity has an upper cavity surface, defined by the lower cover surface, which includes the leading cover edge and the cover aperture. A measuring tube is located adjacent to the upper cover surface. The measuring tube includes a tube lumen. When the lower spacer surface is connected to the substrate, the substrate defines a lower cavity surface and extant fluid is present within the cavity. Variable fluid flowing toward the cavity exerts pressure on the extant fluid to generate an extant fluid pressure level which is physically transmitted through the apparatus and made available for measurement as an extant fluid pressure level. |
| US09631995B2 |
Ceramic product and method for its manufacture
A ceramic product includes a first ceramic part and a second ceramic part, wherein the first ceramic part is connected with the second ceramic part via a joint, wherein the joint comprises an active hard solder, or braze, characterized in that the joint has an inhomogeneous distribution of the components of the active hard solder, or braze, wherein at least at an interface between the active hard solder, or braze, and the ceramic, the at least one active component of the active hard solder, or braze, is enriched. For manufacture of the product, the active hard solder, or braze, material is provided in such a manner, that at least one surface section of at least one of the ceramic parts is first coated with at least one active component of the active hard solder, or braze, and that on the coated section, an alloy is provided, which, by melting of the alloy during the heating, alloys with the coating and forms a metal joint between the two ceramic parts. |
| US09631992B2 |
Physical quantity sensor, pressure sensor, altimeter, electronic apparatus and moving object
A physical quantity sensor includes a plurality of diaphragm portions which are bent and deformed due to pressure reception, and a plurality of piezoresistive elements which are disposed in the diaphragm portions at different locations from each other and are electrically connected to each other in series. The plurality of piezoresistive elements constitute a bridge circuit. |
| US09631991B2 |
Strain-gauge physical quantity measuring device with an electronic component provided on a flat surface of a cylindrical portion radially distanced from a diaphragm
A device includes: a sensor module; a housing that houses the sensor module; a connector provided to the housing; a terminal provided to the connector; and an elastic electrically conductive member provided in a space between the sensor module and the connector and interposed between the terminal and a pad. The sensor module includes: a ceramic module body including a diaphragm and a cylindrical portion integral with a periphery of the diaphragm; a detector provided on a flat surface of the diaphragm; and the pad and an electronic component provided on a flat surface of the cylindrical portion radially outwardly adjacent to the flat surface of the diaphragm. The pad is electrically connected to the electrically conductive member. |
| US09631989B1 |
Method of making flexible elastic conductive material and use of the same
The method of making a flexible elastic conductive material for strain sensor and resistance applications using rubbing-in technology is shown. The thin rubber or any conductive material (substrates) is fixed at strained condition on the solid plate, by rubbing-in technology. Nanopowder of nanomaterials (organic semiconductors, carbon nanotubes, copper doped tin oxide, manganese doped tin oxide) at room temperature are embedded into the rubber conductive material to make built-in structure of conductive flexible elastic substrates that can be used for strain sensors, gages and resistance applications. The resultant product showed good sensitivity, stability and reliability during and after the rubbing-in operation. |
| US09631987B1 |
Force-sensitive occupancy sensing technology
A force-sensitive capacitive sensor that includes a first conductive plate, a second conductive plate that is spaced apart from the first conductive plate, and a compressible dielectric insulator positioned between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate. The sensor also includes a first protective insulator, a second protective insulator sealed to the first protective insulator to encase the first conductive plate, the second conductive plate, and the compressible dielectric insulator, and a circuit attached via wires to the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate. The sensor may also include electromagnetic shielding. The circuit is configured to sense a change in capacitance between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate caused by compression of the compressible dielectric insulator resulting from a person occupying the sensor or a support surface positioned above the sensor, and transmit output based on the sensed change in capacitance. |
| US09631984B2 |
Methods for determining the angle of insertion of a core temperature sensor
Methods for determining the insertion angle of a core temperature probe having a plurality of temperature measuring points in food to be cooked for controlling a cooking process, in which, starting at a time after insertion of the core temperature probe into the food to be cooked, the insertion angle of the core temperature probe into the food to be cooked is determined based on a measured increase in temperature of at least two temperature measuring points over time. The invention further relates to a control unit for a cooking appliance for carrying out such a method, and to a cooking appliance comprising such a control unit and at least one core temperature probe. |
| US09631981B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring thermoelectric device
Provided is an apparatus for measuring a thermoelectric device. The apparatus includes a high temperature heater controlling a temperature of a first side of a sample, a low temperature heater controlling a temperature of a second side of the sample, a fine control heater controlling the temperature of the first side of the sample by a smaller unit than the high temperature heater, a temperature control and voltage measuring unit controlling the high temperature heater, the low temperature heater, and the fine control heater and measuring voltages of the first and second sides of the sample, and a thermal conductivity measuring unit measuring thermal conductivity of the sample by using a high temperature output voltage generated in the first side of the sample and a low temperature output voltage generated in the second side of the sample. |
| US09631974B2 |
Photoarray, particularly for combining sampled brightness sensing with asynchronous detection of time-dependent image data
The invention relates to a photoarray (1), comprising: a plurality of cells (10), wherein each of said cells (10) comprises a means (20)that is configured to generate a photocurrent (I) being proportional to the intensity (L) of the light impinging on the respective cell (10), and wherein each of said cells (10) comprises a change detection circuit (100) connected to the respective means (20) for generating the photocurrent (I), which change detection circuit (100) is configured to generate an output signal merely in case a change event occurs at which said intensity (L) changes by a threshold amount (T, T′) since the preceding change event from the respective cell (10). According to the invention said means (20) for generating said photocurrent (I) is additionally also used to estimate the magnitude of the said photocurrent (I) being a measure of the brightness of the light at the respective cell (10). |
| US09631972B2 |
Distributed fibre optic sensing
Techniques for determining lateral offset of the source of an acoustic disturbance in a distributed acoustic fiber optic sensor are described. The sensor comprises an optical source (112) for interrogating an optical fiber (104) and a detector (116) and processor (108) arranged to detect any backscattered radiation and determine a measurement signal for a plurality of discrete longitudinal sensing portions of the optical fiber. The processor is also arranged to analyse the measurement signals to identify signals corresponding to the same acoustic wave arriving at different parts of the fiber and determine from the time of arrival of said acoustic wave the direction and/or distance of the origin of said acoustic wave from the optical fiber. The geometry of the fiber may be arranged to ensure that any positional ambiguity can be resolved and the use of multiple fibers (501, 502) is disclosed. |
| US09631970B2 |
High precision belt weighing device and method
Various embodiments provide a high precision belt weighing device and a high precision belt weighing method. An exemplary high precision belt weighing device includes a set of buffer carrier rollers provided between a first and second belt weighing scale frames. A volume scale hopper is provided above the set of buffer carrier rollers. A transfer conveyor is provided above the volume scale hopper. The first and second belt weighing scale frames, the volume scale hopper, an initial point detector, and a speedometer are connected with a weighing control instrument by cables. Cumulative weights of bulk materials handled by each of the first and second belt weighing scale frames, the corrected weight of bulk materials in the volume scale hopper, and a zero point in the length of a conveying belt detected by the initial point detector are displayed on the weighing control instrument. |
| US09631966B2 |
Fill level monitoring system and flow measuring device
A fill level monitoring system comprising at least one electrode for monitoring the fill level of a medium flowing in a pipe or tube, wherein the electrode has an integrated temperature sensor, wherein the fill level monitoring system further comprises an evaluation unit, which is embodied for monitoring the degree of filling of the pipe or tube and transmits a warning signal when the degree of filling subceeds a limit value, preferably a degree of filling of less than 80% of the tube diameter; and a flow measuring device having this fill level monitoring system. |
| US09631960B2 |
Ice resistant pitot tube
A pitot tube includes a substantially cylindrical body portion having an interior defining a flow passage, and a tip portion extending along a pitot tube axis from the body portion. The tip portion includes an inlet opening, a radially tapered outer surface extending from the body portion toward the inlet opening, one or more bulkheads disposed at the interior to limit travel of particles ingested into the interior, at least one drain opening disposed directly adjacent to one of the one or more bulkheads, and one or more electrical coils comprising one or more coil wraps disposed at an interior of the pitot tube. The one or more coil wraps establish a variable watt density along the interior of the pitot tube. The one or more coil wraps also establish a variable watt density downstream of one or more of the one or more bulkheads. |
| US09631959B1 |
Throttling block for flow meter
A dam-shaped throttling block for use in a pipe, for the measurement of the flow rates of fluids. The shapes of four successive flat surfaces on the throttling block angularly-displaced relative one another in the flow direction, together with an aperture in the one of the flat surfaces extending parallel to the pipe longitudinal axis, create reduction of a cross-sectional area in one step from one that is unthrottled to one that is throttled, extending for a limited distance in the pipe, and then expansion of the cross-sectional area in two steps from the throttled one back to the unthrottled one so to provide for accurate measurements and an improved lifetime. Flow rates of highly viscous fluids and fluids that contain solid particles can be measured. Other benefits include reduced head loss, wide measurement range and reduced installation space. |
| US09631952B2 |
Capacitive microelectronic and/or nanoelectronic device with increased compactness
A device with a mobile element extending along a given plane comprising at least one first, one second and one third layers extending in planes parallel to the given plane, with the first layer forming a support, the second layer comprising all or a portion of the mobile element and means for suspending the mobile element with respect to the support and the third layer comprising all or a portion of the capacitive means of which the capacitance varies according to the relative position of the mobile element with respect to the support, said capacitive means comprising at least one mobile electrode integral with one of the faces of the mobile element parallel to the given plane, and at least one fixed electrode with respect to the support, with the fixed and mobile electrodes being arranged at least partially in the same plane parallel to the given plane and at least partially above and/or below the mobile element. |
| US09631950B2 |
Method and apparatus for aligning a vehicle with an inductive charging system
A method and apparatus for aligning a vehicle with an inductive charging system is characterized by the addition of alignment coils to a secondary coil on the vehicle. For efficient inductive charging, it is necessary that the vehicle mounted secondary coil be aligned with a stationary primary coil of a transformer of the inductive charging system. When the primary coil is energized, it produces a magnetic field which induces a voltage in the alignment coils as a function of the proximity of the alignment coils to the central axis of the primary coil. The voltage differential between opposed pairs of alignment coils is determined by a comparator which then generates a directional signal which can be used by the operator of the vehicle to position the vehicle for closer alignment of the vehicle secondary coil with the primary coil and more efficient charging. |
| US09631945B2 |
Navigation peek ahead and behind in a navigation application
A method of providing a sequence of turn-by-turn navigation instructions on a device traversing a route is provided. Each turn-by-turn navigation instruction is associated with a location on the route. As the device traverses along the route, the method displays a turn-by-turn navigation instruction associated with a current location of the device. The method receives a touch input through a touch input interface of the device while displaying a first turn-by-turn navigation instruction and a first map region that displays the current location and a first location associated with the first turn-by-turn navigation instruction. In response to receiving the touch input, the method displays a second turn-by-turn navigation instruction and a second map region that displays a second location associated with the second turn-by-turn navigation instruction. Without receiving additional input, the method automatically returns to the display of the first turn-by-turn navigation instruction and the first map region. |
| US09631944B2 |
System for providing personalized information and method of providing the personalized information
A system and method for providing location-based personalized information by using user location history information, whereby battery consumption of a computing device is reduced. The computing device includes: a location finder configured to obtain user location information of a user of the computing device; a display configured to display information indicating a route of the user of the computing device; and a controller configured to track a location of the user by controlling the location finder as the controller senses a change in the location of the user based on the obtained user location information, obtain information corresponding to an initial route of the user based on the tracked location of the user, detect a predicted route of the user from user location history information based on the information corresponding to the initial route of the user, and display on the display unit the predicted route. |
| US09631942B2 |
Providing maneuver indicators on a map
For a device that runs a mapping application, a method for providing maneuver indicators along a route of a map. The maneuver indicators are arrows that identify the direction and orientation of a maneuver. A maneuver arrow may be selected and displayed differently from unselected maneuver arrows. Maneuver arrows may be selected automatically based on a user's current location. The mapping application transitions between maneuver arrows and provides an animation for the transition. Complex maneuvers may be indicated by multiple arrows, providing a more detailed guidance for a user of the mapping application. |
| US09631941B2 |
Information providing system and information providing method
An information providing system includes an obtaining portion that obtains image information captured by a moving object traveling on a road, and an information providing portion that provides the obtained image information, and additional information related to the image information. |
| US09631938B2 |
Route planning system and method
A computerized method for calculating a route via a plurality of addresses, each address associated with a geocode. The method relates to calculating an efficient route travelling through a large number of addresses (over 10, over 50, over 100 and more). The efficient route calculated may probably not be the absolute best route possible, but it will be a good route calculated quickly online in an interactive application, and thus produce a good result, typically under one, three or five minutes. |
| US09631936B2 |
Forward navigation based on rearward facing camera
A system for autonomously navigating a vehicle is disclosed. The system may include at least one processor and the at least one processor may be programmed to receive from a rearward facing camera, at least one image representing an area at a rear of the vehicle and analyze the at least one rearward facing image to locate in the image a representation of at least one landmark. The at least one processor may be further programmed to determine at least one indicator of position of the landmark relative to the vehicle and determine a forward trajectory for the vehicle based, at least in part, upon the indicator of position of the landmark relative to the vehicle. Additionally, the at least one processor may be programmed to cause the vehicle to navigate along the determined forward trajectory. |
| US09631930B2 |
Warning for frequently traveled trips based on traffic
Some embodiments of the invention provide a novel prediction engine that (1) can formulate predictions about current or future destinations and/or routes to such destinations for a user, and (2) can relay information to the user about these predictions. In some embodiments, this engine includes a machine-learning engine that facilitates the formulation of predicted future destinations and/or future routes to destinations based on stored, user-specific data. The user-specific data is different in different embodiments. In some embodiments, the stored, user-specific data includes data about any combination of the following: (1) previous destinations traveled to by the user, (2) previous routes taken by the user, (3) locations of calendared events in the user's calendar, (4) locations of events for which the user has electronic tickets, and (5) addresses parsed from recent e-mails and/or messages sent to the user. In some embodiments, the prediction engine only relies on user-specific data stored on the device on which this engine executes. Alternatively, in other embodiments, it relies only on user-specific data stored outside of the device by external devices/servers. In still other embodiments, the prediction engine relies on user-specific data stored both by the device and by other devices/servers. |
| US09631920B2 |
Sensing system for verifying deadbolt engagement
A door lock detection system is disclosed. The system includes a magnet flexibly attached to a strike plate. The strike plate includes an opening. The magnet extends across the opening of the strike plate in a first orientation when a bolt does not extend into the opening of the strike plate. The magnet is configured to be deflected from the first orientation to a second orientation, distinct from the first orientation, in response to the bolt being extended into the opening of the strike plate. The system includes a magnetometer configured to detect one or more magnetic fields of the magnet that is flexibly attached to the strike plate in the first orientation and in the second orientation. |
| US09631919B2 |
Non-contact sheet resistance measurement of barrier and/or seed layers prior to electroplating
A measurement tool for measuring an electrical parameter of a metal film deposited on a front side of a workpiece includes an electrical sensor connected to a workpiece contact point, an energy beam source with a beam impact location on the front side, a holder and a translation mechanism capable of translating the holder relative to the workpiece support, the beam source supported on the holder, and a computer programmed to sense a behavior of an electrical parameter sensed by the sensor. |
| US09631918B2 |
Sensor device for a pedal, and a method for providing information regarding an operation of a pedal
A sensor device for a pedal which is set up to determine at least one actuating variable regarding an operation of the pedal by a user of a device which is actuable by means of the pedal, and to output information corresponding to the at least one determined actuating variable, the sensor device additionally being set up to determine as the at least one actuating variable, at least one variable regarding a position and/or a change in position of an input rod disposed on the pedal, which is able to be set into at least a rotary motion by operating the pedal, in relation to a specified spatial direction. Furthermore, a method for providing information regarding an operation of a pedal is described. |
| US09631913B2 |
Calibration control device for metrology tools
A calibration control device for being coupled to a measuring device such as a caliper, micrometer, or gauge is provided. The calibration control device includes a circuit portion and couples to a coupling feature on the measuring device. A calibration limit portion defines a parameter limit as related to a usage limit for which the measuring device is certified as calibrated. A controller operates a host-side data connection portion of the calibration control device to output measuring data in a first mode when the usage limit is not exceeded, and operates the calibration control device to perform a calibration limit function when the usage limit is exceeded. The calibration limit function may include stopping the output of the measuring data through the host-side data connection or providing an out-of-calibration warning to the host, or the like. |
| US09631910B2 |
Expanding subsonic projectile and cartridge utilizing same
An expanding subsonic projectile has a body having an ogive of greater than about 8 calibers. The body at least partially defines a hollow bore and a hydrostatic ram disposed proximate a first end of the bore. |
| US09631909B2 |
Wide-body arrow having tapered tail
A cylindrical carbon fiber arrow shaft formed with an increased external diameter of 0.380 inches. This arrow shaft is formed with an axial bore which has a first internal diameter throughout a substantial portion of the shaft length, and a second, smaller, internal diameter throughout the fletching end of the arrow. The second internal diameter corresponds to the internal diameter of standard arrows having external diameters of 0.295 inches. Using this standard internal diameter at the fletching-end of the arrow, standard nooks may be used without the need for any spacer or insert, thereby decreasing fletching-end weight significantly and providing for the proper and more desired location of the center of gravity forward on the arrow. |
| US09631908B2 |
Arrow
Provided is an arrow, wherein by forming a diameter of a shaft, at a fore end of which a point is combined and at a rear end of which a nock is combined, in such a way that the diameter is reduced going from the fore end to the rear end, a center of weight is shifted toward the fore end so as to increase a hitting ratio of the arrow and a deflection deformation is reduced. |
| US09631906B2 |
Electronically scored target array
Implementations of an electronically scored target array are provided. In some implementations, the electronically scored target array may be used for training individuals in the use of rifles, hand guns, and similar weapons. In some implementations, the electronically scored target array may be used to facilitate competition between participating individuals. In some implementations, the electronically scored target array may be configured to record the performance (e.g., the number of target plates shot, number of target plates not shot (e.g., missed), overall time, etc.) of a shooter during a course of fire. In some implementations, the electronically scored target array comprises a base, a base guard, a cover plate, a first trunk tube, a second trunk tube, and nine target plates. In some implementations, the electronically scored target array may further comprise gaming software, a target controller, nine lasers mounted to the base, and an accelerometer secured to each target plate. |
| US09631903B2 |
Explosive matrix assembly
The present disclosure is an explosive matrix assembly that has a first single detonating cord formed into a first grid, and the first grid has a first plurality of detonating cord portions lying in a first plane and a second plurality of detonating cord portions lying in a second plane and the first plurality of detonating cord portions perpendicularly overlay the second plurality of detonating portions. Additionally, the matrix assembly has a second single detonating cord formed into a second grid, and the second grid has a third plurality of detonating cord portions lying in a third plane and a fourth plurality of detonating cord portions lying in a fourth plane and the third plurality of detonating cord portions perpendicularly overlay the fourth plurality of detonating portions. Further, the matrix assembly has a third single detonating cord formed into a third grid, and the third grid has a fifth plurality of detonating cord portions lying in a fifth plane and a sixth plurality of detonating cord portions lying in a sixth plane and the fifth plurality of detonating cord portions perpendicularly overlay the sixth plurality of detonating portions. The matrix assembly also has a first fastener coupling the first grid perpendicular to the second grid, a second fastener coupling the first grid perpendicular to the third grid, and a third fastener coupling the second grid perpendicular to the third grid thereby forming a partial cube. |
| US09631901B2 |
Ballistic shield support system
The invention features a support system which can be attached to a ballistic shield. The system features at least one telescoping or retractable leg which is mounted to the shield to create a standalone shield. The shield is positioned between plates which receive pins that hold the shield in position in the system. The system features a resting platform which provides an area for resting a gun or rifle, for example. A bullet proof screen extends from the bottom area of the shield towards the base of the system and provides additional security to the user when the shield is in the system. |
| US09631891B2 |
Airsoft kit to convert to a paintball gun
Improvements in an airsoft kit to convert an airsoft gun to fire paintballs is disclosed. The airsoft kit to convert an airsoft gun to fire paintballs to fire paintballs. The firing of paintballs can be with firing individual paintballs, a burst of about three paintballs successive paintballs rapid fire as paintballs are sprayed in a general area of an opponent. The kit converts an airsoft gun to fire paintballs to handle feeding either airsoft projectiles or paintball projectiles depending upon the installed kit. The kit allows for a user to purchase a single reliable gun that can be used for either activity and then install or remove a fit that allows the gun to be used in either of the two activities. The conversion requires little or no tools and can be performed in the field as the user prepares for their next combat. |
| US09631885B2 |
Rifle stock assembly for different barreled receivers
A rifle stock assembly adapted to receive and support a bolt action rifle barreled receiver is disclosed. The assembly includes a rifle stock/chassis having an elongated recess and a cage removably fastened to the chassis in the recess to receive a bolt action rifle receiver therein. The assembly may also have a pair of magazine collets fastened to the bottom of the forward portion of the chassis defining a magazine well beneath the cage. Cages having different internal surface shapes may be utilized to accommodate different barreled receivers in the same rifle stock/chassis. Different magazine collets may also be utilized to accommodate different caliber magazines used with the different barreled receivers. |
| US09631878B2 |
Process for producing aluminum alloy tube having sacrificial anticorrosion layer and joining layer
Provided is an aluminum alloy tube with superior corrosion resistance and a joining layer for brazing. In addition, a heat exchanger using a fin which utilizes a bare material of low cost and higher availability, rather than a clad material, is provided. A manufacturing method of an aluminum alloy tube, including the steps of forming a sacrificial anticorrosion layer comprising Zn, by ark spraying Zn with purity of 95% or more, onto a surface of aluminum alloy tube with a spraying amount of 3 to 10 g/m2 and a spraying speed of 150×103 to 350×103 mm/sec; and forming a joining layer for brazing by applying a joining material for brazing comprising a mixture obtained by mixing Si powder with purity of 95% or more and flux, onto a surface of the sacrificial anticorrosion layer, so that the amount of the Si powder is 1.2 to 3.0 g/m2, is provided. |
| US09631873B2 |
Process for transferring heat or modifying a tube in a heat exchanger
One exemplary embodiment can be a process for transferring heat to a first stream from a second stream in a hydrocarbon process. The process can include passing the first stream through at least one generally vertically-orientated tube in an exchanger. An interior surface of the at least one generally vertically-orientated tube may form one or more curved irregularities where the first stream, prior to entering the at least one generally vertically-orientated tube, may include a mixture of a gas including hydrogen and at least one or more C1-C3 hydrocarbons, and a liquid including one or more C4-C13 hydrocarbons. |
| US09631872B2 |
Multi-circuited vehicular thermal management system and method
A thermal management system having a first heating device, such as a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS), and a second heating device, such as an internal combustion engine (ICE), for a vehicle is provided. The system may allow waste heat within an ICE to be stored in a RESS, and may cool the RESS by depositing heat in the ICE. The RESS and the ICE are located in a first coolant circuit and a second coolant circuit, respectively. The system also includes a third coolant circuit interconnected with the first coolant circuit, and in thermal communication with the second coolant circuit via a first heat exchanger. The first and third coolant circuits are configured to circulate a first coolant, and the second coolant circuit is configured to circulate a second coolant. The RESS and the ICE are each configured to selectively operate as a heat source or a heat sink. |
| US09631870B2 |
Cure control for curable materials
A method and apparatus comprising a cure of a curable material. A cure of a curable material is initiated by using cure parameters. The cure parameters are based on material data related to curing the curable material. Temperature values are obtained based on temperatures measured periodically during the cure by a plurality of sensors. A cure setting is adjusted during the cure based on at least one cure parameter of the cure parameters and at least one temperature value of the temperature values to substantially maintain a desired effect. The cure parameters comprise a hot threshold, a cold threshold, a hot alarm, and cold alarm. |
| US09631868B2 |
Dental furnace having a combined display and operating device
A dental furnace having a display device and an operating device (10) for the dental furnace, is provided, the operating device being integrated in particular in the display device by forming a touch screen (12), and the operating device (10) facilitating the selection of programs for the firing of dental restoration parts in the dental furnace. The operating device (10) allows in particular the input of further parameters for a firing cycle. An operating element (30, 32, 34) facilitates the control of a final firing program of the dental furnace, namely with different values for the temperature as well as for the duration of the final firing, the operating element (30, 32, 34) making possible the simultaneous adjusting of temperature and duration parameters of the final firing. |
| US09631857B2 |
Refrigerator
Provided is a refrigerator which allows a pivoting bar to pivot to seal a gap between a pair of doors regardless of whether the door at which the pivoting bar is not installed between the pair of doors is open or closed. The refrigerator includes a guide device which induces the pivoting bar to pivot. Here, the guide device includes a rack that is moved forward and backward linearly depending on opening and closing of the second door and includes a second magnet built therein, a pinion gear engaged with the rack and pivoting when the rack is moved linearly, and a guide unit which includes a guide groove guiding a guide protrusion and is engaged with the pinion gear to move linearly in a direction opposite to that of the rack to allow the pivoting bar to pivot when the pinion gear pivots. |
| US09631854B2 |
Ice maker for refrigerator
An ice maker for a refrigerator is provided that may accurately and simply supply a predetermined amount of water to an ice tray. The ice maker may include an ice tray for receiving water for freezing into ice, a water container including a body for storing and supplying a predetermined amount of water to the ice tray and a lid coupled to the body and having holes for discharging water from the water container, and a housing for installing the water container in a case of the ice maker. |
| US09631853B2 |
Method for controlling icemaker for refrigerator
The present invention relates to a method of controlling an icemaker for a refrigerator, and more particularly to a method of controlling an icemaker for a refrigerator which can automatically determine a water shortage situation during water supplying, ice making, and ice separating processes of the icemaker, can prevent production of imperfect ice pieces, and can solve an ice separating defect, thereby smoothly performing an operation of the icemaker. |
| US09631851B2 |
Vacuum container for removing foreign gases from an adsorption refrigeration machine
Disclosed is a vacuum container for an adsorption refrigeration machine, the vacuum container being connected to a condenser unit of the adsorption refrigeration machine via a connection that permits the passage of vapor. The container has a discharge arrangement and at least one cooling element. The connection means are provided with at least one component for shutting off or regulating the flow of fluids. |
| US09631849B2 |
Heat medium relay unit and air-conditioning apparatus equipped with same
Obtained is a heat medium relay unit capable of having improved serviceability and an air-conditioning apparatus equipped with the heat medium relay unit.Heat medium flow control devices are each disposed below a corresponding one of the first heat medium flow switching devices. The heat medium flow control devices are similarly disposed in a zigzag manner along with the zigzag arrangement of the first heat medium flow switching devices. |
| US09631848B2 |
Desiccant air conditioning systems with conditioner and regenerator heat transfer fluid loops
A desiccant air conditioning system for treating an air stream entering a building space, including a conditioner configured to expose the air stream to a liquid desiccant such that the liquid desiccant dehumidifies the air stream in the warm weather operation mode and humidifies the air stream in the cold weather operation mode. The conditioner includes multiple plate structures arranged in a vertical orientation and spaced apart to permit the air stream to flow between the plate structures. Each plate structure includes a passage through which a heat transfer fluid can flow. Each plate structure also has at least one surface across which the liquid desiccant can flow. The system includes a regenerator connected to the conditioner for causing the liquid desiccant to desorb water in the warm weather operation mode and to absorb water in the cold weather operation mode from a return air stream. |
| US09631845B2 |
Heat pump system using waste heat and heat engine-driven vapor compression heat pump system
A heat pump system using waste heat has a compression heat pump circuit that uses the shaft output of a power engine as a power source for a compressor for compressing refrigerant, and an absorption heat pump circuit using waste heat of the power engine as a heat source for a regenerator for heating absorbing liquid, refrigerant vaporized in the compression heat pump circuit is circulated to an absorber of the absorption heat pump circuit, the refrigerant is separated after regenerated by the regenerator, and the separated refrigerant is circulated in the compression heats pump circuit. The absorption heat pump circuit has a reverse pump R in a return pipe for absorbing liquid from the regenerator to the absorber, and the rotation energy of the reverse pump R can be withdrawn by a circulation pump P for the absorbing liquid. |
| US09631839B2 |
Heat transfer fluid heating system and method for a parabolic trough solar concentrator
Methods and systems for providing an impedance heat transfer fluid heating system in association with a parabolic trough solar concentrator are provided. The system includes an intermediate terminal connector that electrically interconnects a receiver tube of the parabolic trough solar concentrator to a power supply. The intermediate terminal connector can include a pair of plates running parallel to the receiver tube. The system additionally includes a pair of end terminal connectors. Each end terminal connector features a receiver tube plate having an aperture that completely surrounds the receiver tube assembly pipe. The end terminal connectors can additionally include a terminal connector extension that is at an angle to the receiver tube plate. A current return conductor extends between an end terminal connector and the power supply. The current return conductor is supported by the collector frame or structure and/or a receiver tube support structure. |
| US09631837B2 |
Hot water supply device
A hot water supply device 1 includes a fin-and-tube type heat exchanger (21) that applies heat to fresh water with combustion gases, and a heat exchanger casing (22) for housing the heat exchanger (21), and in order to be able reliably to determine by a simple method whether the hot water supply device is clogged by lime scale, there are provided a temperature detector (31) for detecting the surface temperature of the heat exchanger casing (22) and a control unit (7) that determines that scale has built up in the heat exchange tubing (27) of the heat exchanger (21) when the temperature detected by this temperature detector (31) is greater than a set temperature. |
| US09631835B2 |
Electric heating device for the production of hot water and/or steam
A heating device (1) which includes: an assembly (2-4) made of a heat-conducting material and has a heating resistor (5) and has a defined passage (7a, 7b) close to the resistor (5), for a flow of water to be heated. The assembly (2-4) includes a central body (2) having two main opposite surfaces (2a, 2b) to which respective closing shells (3, 4) are connected in a liquid-tight manner. Between each main surface (2a, 2b) and the associated shell (3, 4) there is defined a passage following a serpentine path (7a, 7b). The serpentine passages (7a, 7b) communicate with each other by a through-hole (10) provided between the main surfaces (2a, 2b) of the central body (2). The heating resistor (5) is provided in the central body (2), between the main surfaces or faces (2a, 2b) such that it is in a heat-exchanging relationship with both the serpentine passages (7a, 7b). |
| US09631833B2 |
Climate control systems, and methods relating thereto
A climate control system includes a conditioning system for controlling air conditions of a space and a drain fitting coupling a condensate drain line to an air circulation unit of the conditioning system. The drain fitting includes multiple sensors configured to detect a water level in the air circulation unit relative to the drain fitting, and to output a signal to a controller indicative of contact with water. The controller is then configured to output a signal to a thermostat of the conditioning system upon determining that the water level is indicative of the drain line being plugged or blocked. The climate control system may also include a remote service provider system that allows remote interaction with the conditioning system. |
| US09631827B2 |
Laminar air flow cage changing cabin made of plastic material
The present invention relates to a cage changing cabin (1) for replacing cages in which laboratory animals are housed, of the type comprising a supporting surface (21) supported by a lower box-like portion (20) and surmounted by a plenum or upper box-like portion (30), said lower box-like portion (20) and said upper plenum (30) comprising means for forced air circulation in laminar flow substantially tangent to the periphery of said supporting surface (21), characterized in that said lower box-like portion (20) and said upper plenum (30) are made of plastic material. |
| US09631824B1 |
Liquid desiccant HVAC system
A method and system for conditioning air utilizing a liquid desiccant and the ability to use low grade and clean renewable heat sources for heating, cooling, dehumidifying and humidifying air as well as regenerating desiccant, with a low temperature differential for inlet and outlet air. Said system provides some filtering, purifying and sterilization of air. Said system may have low resistance through the system to lower fan energy. Said system may have low resistance through system pipework to lower pump energy. |
| US09631819B2 |
Home cooking appliance with a side swing oven door having a friction hinge
A home cooking appliance with a side swing door is provided. The home cooking appliance includes a housing having a cooking cavity, and a side swing door movable about at least one hinge between a closed position and an open position to provide access to the cooking cavity. The at least one hinge includes a friction hinge configured to impede rotational motion of the side swing door. |
| US09631815B2 |
System and method for a turbine combustor
A system includes a turbine combustor that includes a head end portion having a head end chamber, a combustion portion having a combustion chamber disposed downstream from the head end chamber, a cap disposed between the head end chamber and the combustion chamber, and a flow distributor configured to distribute at least one of an exhaust flow, an oxidant flow, an oxidant-exhaust mixture, or any combination thereof circumferentially around the head end chamber. |
| US09631812B2 |
Support frame and method for assembly of a combustion module of a gas turbine
A support frame for assembling a combustion module for a gas turbine includes a base plate disposed at a bottom end of the support frame and a support plate that is vertically separated from the base plate by one or more vertical support members. The support plate defines an opening that is sized to allow a portion of the combustion module to pass therethrough. A support block extends vertically from the base plate towards the support plate where the support block defines one or more fastener holes for connecting an aft end of a combustion liner of the combustion module to the support block. A central support column extends vertically from the base plate towards the support plate. A horizontal support extends radially outward from the central support column to align the combustion liner with the opening in the support plate. |
| US09631811B2 |
Draft inducer for low power multistage furnaces utilizing an electronically commutated motor system and an associated method of use
A furnace assembly comprising a non-condensing furnace with a draft inducer. The draft inducer includes a permanent magnet electrically commutated motor and a draft inducer blower fan. The motor includes a stator, a rotor, a motor cooling fan, and a controller. The rotor being rotatable relative to the stator, the fan being operatively coupled to the rotor such that rotation of the rotor causes rotation of the fan, the controller being configured to selectively operate the motor in first and second different torque ranges of the rotor, with the first and second torque range operating within a fixed percentage and within a fixed percentage of each other. The controller being configured such during normal operation, the motor is not operable at any torques between the first torque range and the second torque range except during transitionary periods. |
| US09631807B2 |
Continuous ultrapure steam generator
A generator of ultrapure steam and a corresponding steam generating method uses a heated, fritted refractory glass plate as a water-to-steam interface dividing a first chamber, with water on one side of the plate and steam on the other. Water is continuously injected into interstices of the plate, held fixed in the chamber, where the water evaporates and migrates upwardly to where a steam cloud is formed that exits the chamber and into a second chamber that is a saturation housing where an air stream removes steam from the exit, preventing steam condensation, and delivering a steam jet out of the housing through a port. |
| US09631804B1 |
Combination fan and light attachable to a hat
A light and fan assembly has a generally tubular housing that has a turbine fan located on one end, the fan discharging a stream of air therefrom, and a light located on the opposing end, the light discharging a light beam therefrom in opposite direction to the direction of the air stream. A clip clips the housing to an appropriate surface such as a hat brim. A monocular is attached to the housing. Alternately, the fan can be held within an assembly that is pivotally attached to a lower surface of the housing. |
| US09631802B2 |
Direct-type LED backlight module
A direct-type LED backlight module includes a back bezel having opposite first and second surfaces, a daughterboard having opposite third and fourth surfaces, LED lightbars disposed on the first surface, and a local dimming control board disposed on the second surface. The first surface has a groove disposed thereon. The second surface has a through hole disposed thereon and communicating with the groove. The daughterboard is disposed in the groove. The third surface has first connectors disposed thereon and protruding out the groove. The fourth surface has a second connector disposed thereon and protruding out the second surface through the through hole. The first and second connectors are electrically connected. Each LED lightbar has a third connector disposed thereon and connected to the corresponding first connector. The local dimming control board has a fourth connector disposed thereon and connected to the second connector. It reduces wiring cost and assembly time. |
| US09631800B2 |
Compressible decorative structure
A compressible decorative structure can be easily converted from a non-compressed configuration to a compressed configuration. The structure includes an inner support that is attached to a base. A movable ring slides along the inner support and is held in the compressed configuration by retaining clips. Naturally biased connectors, formed of a flexible material, return the structure to its non-compressed configuration when the retaining clips are disengaged. Alternatively, the structure includes a rope and a top cover that engages the rope. Springs hold the structure in the desired configuration. |
| US09631798B2 |
Adjustable two bulb lamp adapter
This adjustable two bulb lamp adapter is an electrical device with a male threaded light bulb type base to permit use of two low energy CFL bulbs in place of and function as a three-way incandescent light bulb in existing shade lamps. The adapter embodies two bulb holders with limited and independent rotational adjustment in a plane parallel to the axis of the threaded base. An integral thumb wheel permits rotating and securing the adapter base into the receiving socket while the two bulbs are held in a fixed position. An included adjuster allows utilization as a two bulb adapter for a single filament bulb type socket. These adjustments provide means to optimize fit and light distribution in existing lamp shades and other applications. The concept of using the adapter's adjustable two bulb sockets greatly enhances selecting lower energy CFL bulbs to achieve higher levels of illumination in more applications than available in fixed adapters. |
| US09631795B2 |
Apparatus, method, and system for independent aiming and cutoff steps in illuminating a target area
Presented is a design of modular LED lighting fixture whereby the steps of light directing and light redirecting are independent, but cooperative, so to promote a compact fixture design with low effective projected area (EPA), good thermal properties, and a selectable degree of glare control. A lighting system employing a plurality of said fixtures is highly customizable yet has the potential to be pre-aimed and pre-assembled prior to shipping, which reduces the potential for installation error while preserving the customized nature of the fixtures. |
| US09631794B2 |
Lighting apparatus
A wavelength converting unit includes: an incident portion configured to be connected to an excited-light emitting end of a excited-light source, and on which excited light emitted from the excited-light source is made incident; a wavelength converting member configured to convert the excited light into wavelength-converted light of a desired wavelength; a light transmitting member configured to transmit the excited light and the wavelength-converted light; a reflector configured to reflect at least part of the wavelength-converted light; and an emitting portion configured to emit at least part of the at least part of the wavelength-converted light reflected by the reflector to outside. At least part of the light transmitting member is continuously formed to extend from the incident portion to the emitting portion, and part of an external surface of the light transmitting member has the reflector. |
| US09631792B2 |
Light source system employing wavelength conversion materials and color filters
Provided is a projection system, a light source system, and a light source assembly. The light source system (100) comprises an excitation light source (101), a wavelength conversion device (106), a color filtering device (107), a drive device (108), and a first optical assembly. The wavelength conversion device (106) comprises at least one wavelength conversion region. The optical filtering device (107) is fixed face-to-face with the wavelength conversion device (106), and comprises at least a first optical filtering region. The drive device (108) drives the wavelength conversion device (106) and the optical filtering device (107), allowing the wavelength conversion region and the first optical filtering region to act synchronously, and the wavelength conversion region is periodically set on the propagation path of the excitation light, thereby converting the excitation light wavelength into converted light. The first optical assembly allows the converted light to be incident on the first optical filtering region. The first optical filtering region filters the converted light, so as to enhance the color purity of the converted light. The light source system is simple in structure, easy to implement, and highly synchronous. |
| US09631791B2 |
Integrated interconnect and reflector
A reflector interconnect having a front surface and a back surface is disclosed. The reflector interconnect comprises at least two segments of a reflector valve metal and at least one segment of an oxide of the reflector valve metal, wherein the at least two segments of the reflector valve metal are electrically isolated from each other by the at least one segment of the oxide of the reflector valve metal. The reflector interconnect is configured to support one or more electric components attached on the front surface in direct thermal contact with the reflector interconnect. The reflector interconnect is curved so that electromagnetic radiation radiated by at least one of the one or more electric components is reflected from the front surface and focused to a beam. |
| US09631787B2 |
Cover module for host and electronic device
An electronic device includes a cover module and a host having a lighting unit. The cover module has a light permeable cover, a system signal indicator, and a transmission unit. The cover has an outer surface, an opposite inner surface, and a fixing structure extended from the inner surface. The system signal indicator has a transparent portion having a plurality of indicating icons and an opaque portion. The transmission unit is fixed on the fixing structure, and the system signal indicator is sandwiched between the transmission unit and the inner surface. The cover module is installed on the host, and the transmission unit is aligned with the lighting unit. Thus, the transmission unit is used for transmitting light, emitted from the lighting unit, to the outer surface via the system signal indicator and the inner surface in turn, for showing the indicating icons on the outer surface. |
| US09631783B2 |
Lighting structure
A lighting structure for mounting a strip of LED's comprising a base member (10) having a channel (15) formed therein for receiving the strip (54) of LED's, a first member (22) of an attachment system extending along a portion of the base member (10), and a cover (34) having a second portion (42, 46) of an attachment system, said second portion (42, 46) of said attachment system mating with the first portion (22) of the attachment system to retain the cover (34) and base member (10) together and at least partially overlapping the channel to permit retention of the strip of LED's therein. |
| US09631778B2 |
Endpoint determination for capillary-assisted flow control
Apparatus and method for determining endpoint of a fluid supply vessel in which fluid flow is controlled through a flow passage disposed in an interior volume of the fluid supply vessel with a static flow restricting device and a selectively actuatable valve element upon establishing fluid flow. The endpoint determination can be employed to terminate fluid supply from the fluid supply vessel and/or to switch from a fluid-depleted supply vessel to a fresh vessel for continuity or renewal of fluid supply operation. The apparatus and method are suitable for use with fluid-utilizing apparatus such as ion implanters. |
| US09631773B2 |
Shipping container having a flame retardant layer and a thermal blocking layer
A shipping container for shipping thermally active materials includes a plurality of structural panels that define a container interior, and are configured for receiving the thermally active materials. The container also includes an exterior disposed adjacent to an environment in which the shipping container is disposed. A thermal barrier member is placeable between the thermally active materials and the environment in which the container is placed. The thermal barrier includes a thermal barrier interior panel and a thermal barrier external panel defining a heat absorbing material receiving cavity. A flowable polymer based heat absorbing material is disposed within the heat absorbing material receiving cavity. The thermal barrier is configured to substantially surround the thermally active materials to reduce the passage of thermal energy between the thermally active materials and the environment in which the shipping container is disposed. |
| US09631772B1 |
Ready-to-stop elevation carrier platform
A ready-to-stop elevation carrier platform includes an inner frame, an outer frame, and a support correction mechanism. The inner frame includes two cam plates and two primary support springs. The outer frame is arranged outside the inner frame and is vertically movable in a linear way. The outer frame and the support correction mechanism are rotatably coupled to each other and the support correction mechanism is arranged, in a rotatable manner, between the two cam plates of the inner frame. The support correction mechanism includes a four bar linkage that is rotatably coupled to the two cam plates of the inner frame. The support correction mechanism includes two secondary support springs. The outer frame is movable in unison with the support correction mechanism for ascending and descending. Due to the spring forces of the primary and secondary support springs, a display device mounted to the outer frame can be supported. |
| US09631768B1 |
Vertical post or pole assembly
A vertically disposed post or pole which is comprised of a lower tube having upper and lower ends and an upper tube having upper and lower ends. The lower tube has a swaged upper end portion which is configured to receive the lower end of the upper tube. A novel connection structure is provided which ensures that the upper and lower tubes will be perfectly aligned when connected together. A plurality of the upper and lower tubes may be joined together if so desired. |
| US09631767B2 |
Camera stand having a magnetically coupleable base
This application discloses a camera including a holding element and a base assembly. The holding element further includes a camera portion for holding a camera sensor, an extended portion that extends from the camera portion, and a fastener structure coupled to an end of the extended portion located opposite another end of the extended portion where the camera module is located. The base assembly further includes a base shaped to rest against a supporting surface, a joint structure configured to mate with the fastener structure, and a magnet configured to magnetically couple the camera to the supporting surface. In some implementations, the camera further includes a mounting structure that is configured to be attached and fixed onto the supporting surface. The camera is mounted onto the supporting surface when the base of the base assembly magnetically adheres onto the mounting structure. |
| US09631765B2 |
Systems and methods for duct protection of a vehicle
Methods and systems for duct protection of a vehicle are provided. The methods and systems provided include an apparatus for directing flow discharged from a facture in a duct. The apparatus includes a ballistic containment layer, an air containment layer substantially surrounding the ballistic containment layer, and a vent defined in the ballistic containment layer and the air containment layer. The vent is configured to direct a flow discharged from the duct fracture. |
| US09631761B1 |
Toilet drain line cap
A drain line cap (1) used after a toilet is removed from the sewer drain to prevent gas and odor from escaping from the sewer drain and into a bathroom. |
| US09631758B2 |
Connecting piece for multilayered conduits, method of connecting, and assembly obtained by the method
A coupling piece for an outer end of a multilayered conduit, includes a coupling pipe which is provided on the outer side with a radially upright wall, wherein the wall is widened in an axial direction at a radial distance from the outer side of the body. The outer side of the coupling pipe, the upright wall and the widened portion enclose an annular insertion space into which the outer end of the conduit can be directly inserted, wherein the inner wall of the coupling pipe is reinforced with an adjacent reinforcing layer which has a greater strength than the material of the coupling pipe. The reinforcing layer is provided with axial engaging elements, while the inner wall is provided with axial connecting elements which correspond with and connect to the engaging elements. |
| US09631756B2 |
Connector
A connector comprising a body (1) having a throughway (5) which is open at one end (4). A shoulder (8) in the throughway faces the open end and supports an O-ring (9). A collet (3) in the open end of the throughway has a plurality of legs (18) extending away from the open end, each engaging with the body and having an inwardly facing tooth to grip, in use, a tube in the throughway. The body has a plurality of fingers (11) extending to the open end. The connector further comprises a cap (2) fitting over the open end of the body and extending from the open end towards the opposite end. The cap has a plurality of recesses (23) in a wall at the open end into each of which a finger is retained by a snap fit. |
| US09631751B2 |
Flexible tube for exhaust pipe of automobile
A flexible tube for an exhaust pipe of an automobile is disclosed, of which the bellows member has protrusion portions, a center portion and both end portions such that the protrusion portions have a uniform outer diameter, and the center portion has a maximum depression inner diameter which is larger than a minimum depression inner diameter of the both end portions, and the outer cover member is formed of an outer net with a network structure, wherein a depression inner diameter in the center of a bellows is larger than a depression inner diameter at the both ends such that a gap from an interlocking member increases so as to prevent the interference between the bellows and the interlocking member. |
| US09631747B2 |
Partially carbonitriding heat treated stainless steel ferrule and manufacturing method thereof
This invention relates to a partially carbonitriding heat treated stainless steel ferrule, having a first region with a first hardness and a second region with a second hardness, wherein the first region includes a nitrogen layer having a nitrogen concentration higher than a carbon concentration, and a carbon layer formed under the nitrogen layer and having a carbon concentration higher than a nitrogen concentration, so that the first hardness is greater than the second hardness. Thereby, partial heat treatment is effective at preventing rotational torque of the region, except for the portion to be heat treated, from increasing due to the total hardening. |
| US09631745B2 |
Processing apparatus for guiding workpiece using bellows with floating means
A processing apparatus including an expansible and contractable bellows unit mounted on a workpiece holding unit for covering an area of movement of the workpiece holding unit in a feeding direction and a guide unit for guiding the expansion and contraction of the bellows unit in the feeding direction. The guide unit has an opening for allowing the movement of the workpiece holding unit in the feeding direction and a gutter extending in the feeding direction adjacent to the opening. The bellows unit has a bellows member having one end connected to the workpiece holding unit and the other end connected to the guide unit. The processing apparatus further includes a floating unit for floating the bellows member along the gutter of the guide unit in a noncontact manner. |
| US09631740B2 |
Faucet handle with valve cartridge parallel to mounting surface
A faucet handle includes a fluid supply line, fluid return line, and valve cartridge. A first portion of the valve cartridge provides a connecting passage between fluid supply line and fluid return line and allows fluid flow when the valve cartridge is open. A valve body having first and second openings houses the first portion of the valve cartridge. A second portion of the valve cartridge extends through first opening and extends from first portion to second portion in a direction that is substantially parallel to a mounting surface. A control handle contacts second portion of the valve cartridge. When control handle is rotated in a first direction around an axis along which the valve cartridge extends the valve cartridge is opened allowing flow from supply line to return line, and when the valve cartridge is rotated around the axis in an opposing direction the valve cartridge is closed. |
| US09631739B2 |
Valve and seat assembly for a high pressure pump
An apparatus can include a housing, a plunger configured to reciprocate along an axis within the housing, and an internal fluid chamber disposed in the housing. A valve, having a valve base and a deformable seal, can also be included in the apparatus. The apparatus can further include a seat having an aperture therein. The valve is configured to move into and out of contact with the seat when the plunger reciprocates within the housing, based upon a fluid pressure in the internal flow chamber. In addition, an outer diameter of the deformable seal of the valve is less than an outer diameter of the seat. |
| US09631738B2 |
Guiding deformation in seated hydraulic metering devices
A hydraulic valve arrangement includes a manifold and a poppet. The manifold defines a bleed ring that surrounds a bore and has an angled surface. The manifold also defines an annular recess around the bleed ring that provides a relief region. The poppet is slidably disposed within the bore and is structured to close a main flow path between the first and second ports when the poppet is in a first position and the poppet being structured to at least partially open the main flow path when the poppet slides away from the first position. The poppet defines an angled contact surface that is configured to engage the angled contact surface of the bleed ring when the poppet is in the first position. |
| US09631737B2 |
Solenoid valve, battery of solenoid valves, method of manufacturing a solenoid valve, and mold
In a solenoid valve having a magnetic drive including a housing which is at least partly formed from an injection molding compound, the magnetic drive includes a magnet coil having a winding, a magnet yoke, and a movably mounted magnet armature which is arranged outside the magnet coil. The housing has a first section which encloses the magnet coil having the winding and the magnet yoke, and the housing has a second section which encloses at least most of the movably mounted magnet armature. Further proposed are a battery having a plurality of solenoid valves, a method of manufacturing a solenoid valve, and a mold. |
| US09631735B2 |
Integration of magnet in solenoid vent path
Electrohydraulic solenoids with improved filtering of venting fluid are provided herein. In some embodiments, an electrohydraulic solenoid comprises a hollow cylindrical bobbin having a flange at a first end with a core having a cavity open at one end disposed in the hollow of the bobbin. An armature is disposed within the cavity and supported for axial movement within the cavity. A portion of a pole piece is disposed in the hollow of the bobbin at the first end with an axial face of the portion abutting the open end of the cavity and a shoulder axially spaced from the flange forming a gap. A vent path is formed between the cavity and an outer environment, the vent path comprising at least a portion of the gap, with a magnet disposed in a portion of the vent path. |
| US09631734B2 |
Fluid control device manifold, manifold assembling method, and connection tool
A fluid control device manifold includes a first body, a second body, and a connection part configured to interpose a seal member between the first and second bodies and allow a connecting tool to engage with engagement surfaces of the bodies. When a load is applied to the engagement surfaces to draw the first and second bodies close to each other, the seal member is press-fitted into the bodies. This press-fitted state is held by a clamp. One or both of the first and second bodies are internally provided with a plurality of the engagement surfaces extending in a nearly perpendicular direction to a drawing direction. |
| US09631733B2 |
Plunger type safety valve
A plunger type safety valve includes a valve body, a valve rod, and a tube piece. The valve body is provided with a first water inlet port and a first water outlet port, the first water inlet port is connected to a water pipe of a local water supply plant, while the first water outlet port is connected to a water input end of a filtering device. The valve rod is disposed vertically in an inner chamber of the valve body, to switch between connection and disconnection of the first water inlet port and the first water outlet port. And the tube piece is connected fixedly with a lower end of the valve body, to form into a chamber body, and is provided with a second water inlet port and a second water outlet port. |
| US09631727B1 |
Mechanical seal
A mechanical seal (100) is configured such that an annular sealed space (S1) is formed by a first bellows (141), a second bellows (151), and members respectively provided on both end sides of the first bellows (141) and the second bellows (151), and that the first bellows (141) and the second bellows (151) expand and contract in a central axial direction of a rotating shaft (200) in accordance with fluid pressure inside the sealed space (S1). The first bellows (141) and the second bellows (151) are arranged at positions distant to each other in the central axial direction, and are arranged such that a part of the first bellows (141) on a radially inward side and a part of the second bellows (151) on a radially outward side overlap when viewed in the central axial direction. |
| US09631720B2 |
Method for reducing the reaction time of an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle
A method is provided for reducing the reaction time of an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, the vehicle having a hydraulic control unit with a pressure regulator, from an engine stop of an automatic start-stop mechanism. The oil volume that is still present in the hydraulic control unit (HCU) of the transmission prior to the stopping of the internal combustion engine is used for the supply of oil for the actuation of the shifting elements of the transmission upon an engine start. |