| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09678923B2 |
Particle dispensing apparatus and method
Particles are dispensed under controlled conditions to achieve an accurate number of particles by passing a suspension of the particles through a particle detecting device, obtaining a cumulative particle count, comparing the cumulative particle count with a target value, and shutting off the suspension flow once the particle count reaches the target value, all performed by automated means. |
| US09678919B2 |
Collision detection in EIA-485 bus systems
A communication module is disclosed for Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) which can implement the EIA-485 standard, including an intelligent hardware support that can allow a known software-based collision detection function to detect collisions independently of the location of the message sources on the transmission line. The hardware support can enable both a “strong signal driving” mode as well as a “weak signal driving” mode. In the weak mode, a biasing, or attenuating, or voltage-dividing resistor can be temporarily inserted between a transmitter, or voltage source, and the transmission line. |
| US09678916B2 |
Method and apparatus for simplifying communication between a host system and a display subsystem
A method for simplifying the host-to-display subsystem communications and consolidating the non-volatile memory requirements into a PMIC (power management integrated circuit) is disclosed. Hardware and software resource reduction in both the client devices (located in the display subsystem) and the host System on a Chip (SOC) can be realized with a novel PMIC design. The novel PMIC design achieves the resource reduction by providing for the following features: (1) Single-point communication, (2) Single-point notification, (3) Client device status storage, (4) Client device initialization from PMIC non-volatile memory, and (5) Subsystem calibration retrieval from PMIC non-volatile memory. |
| US09678913B2 |
Control apparatus, electronic device, and control method
A control apparatus that controls one or more first communication apparatuses and one or more second communication apparatuses configured to identify a logic level of a signal, the control apparatus includes a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to: acquire, from one of the one or more second communication apparatuses, a length of an undefined time period during which a level of the signal is undefined; determine, based on the length of the undefined time period, a length of a protection time period indicating a time period during which a logic level of the signal received by the second communication apparatus is maintained at a same level; and determine, based on the length of the protection time period, a rate of a signal transmitted to one of the one or more second communication apparatuses by one of the one or more first communication apparatuses. |
| US09678911B2 |
System for distributed computing and storage
A distributed computing and storage system, comprising a switch fabric, an input/output interface connected to the switch fabric and a plurality of nodes connected to the switch fabric, each node of the plurality of nodes having a node physical address, each node of the plurality of nodes having a node communication address, which is assigned by the processor inside the node based on the node physical address, each node further comprising at least one processor, at least one memory controller connected to the at least one processor and a plurality of memory devices connected to the at least one memory control. |
| US09678903B1 |
Systems and methods for managing inter-CPU interrupts between multiple CPUs
Methods for managing inter-CPU interrupts between sending and receiving CPUs are disclosed. As a part of a method, a target CPU identifier and an interrupt number is written in an interrupt send register of an interrupt sending CPU, the interrupt number is written into one of a plurality of locations of an interrupt receive register corresponding to the target CPU, an identifier of the location of the highest priority interrupt of a plurality of interrupts received by the interrupt receive register is written in an interrupt pick register, the interrupt pick register is read to determine the highest priority interrupt and a matrix associated with the target CPU is read to determine the sender of the highest priority interrupt. The highest priority interrupt is processed. |
| US09678901B2 |
Techniques for indicating a preferred virtual processor thread to service an interrupt in a data processing system
A technique for handling interrupts includes receiving an event notification message (ENM) that specifies an event target number (ETN) and a number of bits to ignore (NBI). The ETN identifies a specific virtual processor thread (VPT) and the NBI identifies the number of lower-order bits of the specific VPT to ignore when determining a group of VPTs that may be potentially interrupted. In response to two or more VPTs within the group of VPTs being dispatched and operating on an associated physical processor, whether multiple of the two or more VPTs do not have a pending interrupt is determined. In response to determining that multiple of the two or more VPTs do not have a pending interrupt, one of the two or more VPTs is selected to service an interrupt associated with the ENM based, at least in part, on respective preferred bits for the two or more VPTs. |
| US09678899B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing memory protection
A method for providing memory protection within a signal processing system comprises receiving a memory access signal comprising at least one instruction memory region (IMR) indication. The IMR indication comprises an indication of a region of memory from which a memory access instruction was fetched, execution of said memory access instruction having resulted in the generation of the received memory access signal. The method further comprises comparing the IMR indication for the received memory access signal to at least one permitted memory region (PMR) indication for a target address of the received memory access signal, and determining whether a memory access being attempted by the memory access signal is permitted based at least partly on the comparison of the IMR indication for the received memory access signal to the PMR indication for the target address of the received memory access signal. |
| US09678897B2 |
Approach for context switching of lock-bit protected memory
A streaming multiprocessor in a parallel processing subsystem processes atomic operations for multiple threads in a multi-threaded architecture. The streaming multiprocessor receives a request from a thread in a thread group to acquire access to a memory location in a lock-protected shared memory, and determines whether a address lock in a plurality of address locks is asserted, where the address lock is associated the memory location. If the address lock is asserted, then the streaming multiprocessor refuses the request. Otherwise, the streaming multiprocessor asserts the address lock, asserts a thread group lock in a plurality of thread group locks, where the thread group lock is associated with the thread group, and grants the request. One advantage of the disclosed techniques is that acquired locks are released when a thread is preempted. As a result, a preempted thread that has previously acquired a lock does not retain the lock indefinitely. |
| US09678895B2 |
Roots-of-trust for measurement of virtual machines
Embodiments of techniques and systems associated with roots-of-trust (RTMs) for measurement of virtual machines (VMs) are disclosed. In some embodiments, a computing platform may provide a virtual machine RTM (vRTM) in a first secure enclave of the computing platform. The computing platform may be configured to perform an integrity measurement of the first secure enclave. The computing platform may provide a virtual machine trusted platform module (vTPM), for a guest VM, outside the first secure enclave of the computing platform. The computing platform may initiate a chain of integrity measurements between the vRTM and a resource of the guest VM. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US09678892B2 |
Flexible I/O DMA address allocation in virtualized systems
An I/O DMA address may be translated for a flexible number of entries in a translation validation table (TVT) for a partitionable endpoint number, when a particular entry in the TVT is accessed based on the partitionable endpoint number. A presence of an extended mode bit can be detected in a particular TVT entry. Based on the presence of the extended mode bit, an entry in the extended TVT can be accessed and used to translate the I/O DMA address to a physical address. |
| US09678891B2 |
Efficient search key controller with standard bus interface, external memory interface, and interlaken lookaside interface
A device includes a Standard Bus Interface Circuit (SBIC), a memory interface circuit, a Direct Memory Access (DMA) controller, and an Interlaken Look-Aside (ILA) interface circuit. A search key data set including multiple search keys is received via the SBIC and is written to an external memory via the memory interface circuit. The DMA controller receives a descriptor via the SBIC, generates a search key data request, receives the search key data set, and selects a single search key from the set. The ILA interface circuit receives the search key from the DMA controller, generates and ILA packet including the search key, and sends the ILA packet to an external transactional memory device that generates a result data value. The DMA controller receives the result data value via the ILA interface circuit, writes the result data value to the external memory, and sends a DMA completion notification. |
| US09678888B2 |
Page compression strategy for improved page out process
A page compression strategy classifies uncompressed pages selected for compression. Similarly classified pages are compressed and bound into a single logical page. For logical pages having pages with more than one classification, a weighting factor is determined for the logical page. |
| US09678887B2 |
Flexible I/O DMA address allocation in virtualized systems
An I/O DMA address may be translated for a flexible number of entries in a translation validation table (TVT) for a partitionable endpoint number, when a particular entry in the TVT is accessed based on the partitionable endpoint number. A presence of an extended mode bit can be detected in a particular TVT entry. Based on the presence of the extended mode bit, an entry in the extended TVT can be accessed and used to translate the I/O DMA address to a physical address. |
| US09678884B1 |
System and method for warming cache
A method, computer program product, and computing system for receiving an indication of a cold cache event within a storage system. The storage system includes a multi-tiered data array including at least a faster data tier and a slower data tier. A data list that identifies at least a portion of the data included within the faster data tier of the multi-tiered data array is obtained from the multi-tiered data array. At least a portion of the data identified within the data list is requested from the multi-tiered data array, thus defining the requested data. The requested data is received from the multi-tiered data array. |
| US09678883B2 |
System and method for detecting false sharing
In one embodiment, a method for detecting false sharing includes running code on a plurality of cores, where the code includes instrumentation and tracking cache invalidations in the code while running the code to produce tracked invalidations in accordance with the instrumentation, where tracking the cache invalidations includes tracking cache accesses to a plurality of cache lines by a plurality of tasks. The method also includes reporting false sharing in accordance with the tracked invalidations to produce a false sharing report. |
| US09678882B2 |
Systems and methods for non-blocking implementation of cache flush instructions
Systems and methods for non-blocking implementation of cache flush instructions are disclosed. As a part of a method, data is accessed that is received in a write-back data holding buffer from a cache flushing operation, the data is flagged with a processor identifier and a serialization flag, and responsive to the flagging, the cache is notified that the cache flush is completed. Subsequent to the notifying, access is provided to data then present in the write-back data holding buffer to determine if data then present in the write-back data holding buffer is flagged. |
| US09678879B2 |
Set partitioning for encoding file system allocation metadata
Methods for encoding file system metadata are described herein. According to one embodiment, a file system cache is maintained including information representing relationships between inodes and disk blocks of a disk having disk sections. Each disk section includes a data segment and a header encoding metadata for describing the data section of each disk section. The metadata is encoded using a set partitioning algorithm and each set represents a set of disk blocks. In response to a file system request for reading a disk section, metadata associated with the disk section is retrieved and decoded to extract information representing a relationship between inodes and disk blocks associated with the requested disk section. The file system request is then serviced using the decoded metadata and the associated data segment and one or more entries of the file system cache are updated using the decoded metadata. |
| US09678877B2 |
Flash controller cache architecture
A buffer cache interposed between a non-volatile memory and a host may be partitioned into segments that may operate with different policies. Cache policies include write-through, write and read-look-ahead. Write-through and write back policies may improve speed. Read-look-ahead cache allows more efficient use of the bus between the buffer cache and non-volatile memory. A session command allows data to be maintained in volatile memory by guaranteeing against power loss. |
| US09678875B2 |
Providing shared cache memory allocation control in shared cache memory systems
Providing shared cache memory allocation control in shared cached memory systems is disclosed. In one aspect, a cache controller of a shared cache memory system comprising a plurality of cache lines is provided. The cache controller comprises a cache allocation circuit providing a minimum mapping bitmask for mapping a Quality of Service (QoS) class to a minimum partition of the cache lines, and a maximum mapping bitmask for mapping the QoS class to a maximum partition of the cache lines. The cache allocation circuit receives a memory access request comprising a QoS identifier (QoSID) of the QoS class, and is configured to determine whether the memory access request corresponds to a cache line of the plurality of cache lines. If not, the cache allocation circuit selects, as a target partition, the minimum partition mapped to the QoS class or the maximum partition mapped to the QoS class. |
| US09678874B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for managing eviction of data
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for managing eviction of data. A cache write module stores data on a non-volatile storage device sequentially using a log-based storage structure having a head region and a tail region. A direct cache module caches data on the non-volatile storage device using the log-based storage structure. The data is associated with storage operations between a host and a backing store storage device. An eviction module evicts data of at least one region in succession from the log-based storage structure starting with the tail region and progressing toward the head region. |
| US09678871B2 |
Data flush of group table
A group table includes one or more groups. A synch command including a synch address range is received. An order data of the one or more groups is flushed is determined by whether the synch address range is included in the one or more groups. |
| US09678868B2 |
Method and device for optimizing memory
A method for a device to optimize memory includes: when a newly created process needs to be added into a control group, detecting whether a total resource value of memory resources occupied by all processes in the control group at a current moment reaches a critical resource value; if it is detected that the total resource value of memory resources occupied by all processes in the control group at the current moment reaches the critical resource value, cancelling restriction of the predetermined resource threshold on the control group and adding the newly created process into the control group that is not restricted by the predetermined resource threshold; and performing a swap-out operation on memory resources occupied by an idle process in the control group, so that the total resource value of memory resources occupied by all processes in the control group is less than the predetermined resource threshold. |
| US09678867B2 |
Method for changing the software in the memory of an electronic control unit
A method for changing software in a memory of an electronic control unit, wherein each memory address from the overlay memory can be assigned to a memory address in the read-only memory by an assignment information item. During a run time of the control unit, at least a functional part of a bypass routine that is to at least partially replace an original program routine is stored in an address range in the overlay memory, or a jump instruction is stored in the overlay memory as the first part of a bypass routine that refers to a second part of the bypass routine that is stored in an address range accessible to the processor. To activate an overlay functionality the address and/or the address range of the overlay memory are assigned to an address or address range of the program routine to be replaced. |
| US09678862B2 |
Computer system, memory management method and program thereof
A computer system, having a non-volatile storage unit (152), a main storage unit (151), and a data processor (102) including a memory management unit (102A) for managing a program stored in the non-volatile storage unit and the main storage unit to transfer a program stored in the non-volatile storage unit to the main storage unit, wherein the memory management unit (102A) includes a program storage control function of storing a program subjected to predetermined data conversion and a program yet to be subjected to predetermined data conversion in the non-volatile storage unit, and a function of combining programs subjected to predetermined data conversion so as not to bridge over a boundary between blocks at the execution of the program storage control function, as well as, at a first access to a certain block, expanding all the data included in the block to a corresponding block of the main storage unit. |
| US09678861B2 |
Techniques for efficient mass storage layout optimization
A data storage system can automatically improve the layout of data blocks on a mass storage subsystem by collecting optimization information during both read and write activities, then processing the optimization information to limit the impact of optimization activities on the system's response to client requests. Processing read-path optimization information and write-path optimization information through shared rate-limiting logic simplifies system administration and promotes phased implementation, which can reduce the difficulty of developing a self-optimizing storage server. |
| US09678859B2 |
Detecting error states when interacting with web applications
Detecting error states when interacting with web applications is performed by accessing a first web page of a web application, determining that the first web page includes an input validation operation, configuring an input to cause the input validation operation to effect an error state, providing the input to the first web page, thereby effecting the error state, identifying a feature that is absent from the first web page before the input is provided to the first web page and present in the first web page after the input is provided to the first web page, and detecting that a second web page of the web application is in an error state if the feature is present in the second web page. |
| US09678858B2 |
Test coverage analysis
A test coverage analysis method and corresponding apparatus are disclosed, wherein, by executing the program under test using one or more test cases, generating one or more heapdump files containing the call stack information of the program under test, and analyzing the call stack information in the one or more heapdump files, the coverage information of the one or more test cases in terms of functions in the program under test is obtained. |
| US09678857B1 |
Listing optimal machine instances
A method for listing optimal machine instances in a computing environment based on user context is provided. The method includes receiving a task request based on a first task to be performed within the computing environment, identifying one or more similar tasks by comparing metadata for the first task to metadata for a plurality of other tasks based on a classification analysis, selecting the one or more similar tasks based on a result from the classification analysis exceeding a predetermined confidence level, and generating a list of one or more previous machine instances corresponding to the one or more similar tasks. The list of previous machine instances is associated with instructions to commence the previous machine instances. The plurality of other tasks include previous tasks performed within the computing environment on corresponding previous machine instances. The machine instances may include a virtual machine (VM) instance or a physical machine instance. |
| US09678855B2 |
Managing assertions while compiling and debugging source code
The present disclosure relates to maintaining assertions in an integrated development environment (IDE) tool. According to one embodiment, while the IDE tool is compiling the source code of a development project, the IDE tool generates at least a first compiler warning. The first compiler warning generally corresponds to at least one line of source code in a first source code component of the development project. A first set of assertions to add to the source code of the development project is determined based on the line of source code that resulted in the first compiler warning. The IDE tool adds the first set of assertions to the source code of the development project. The first set of assertions are compiled as part of the source code of the development project. |
| US09678852B2 |
Tracing the operations of a data processing apparatus using trace data source identifiers to respond to flush requests
An apparatus for processing data is disclosed in which the operations of data processing circuitry are monitored by one or more trace data sources which generate items of trace data indicative of the data processing operations performed by the data processing circuitry. Trace data source identifiers in a resulting trace stream indicate the source of items of trace data and a selected trace data source identifier is included in the trace stream in response to a received flush request signal. All items of trace data generated before the apparatus received the flush request signal are included in the trace stream before the selected trace data source identifier, such that the conclusion of the response of the apparatus to the flush request signal can be identified. |
| US09678851B2 |
Continuous monitoring and analysis of software events
A set of entry blocks is allocated. An entry block is configured with a set of monitoring attributes to store monitoring data corresponding to a monitoring request. The entry block is updated with an identifier supplied in the monitoring request. The entry block is used to store the monitoring data responsive to the monitoring request. The monitoring data comprises a continuous record of data changes at a requested location in memory from a beginning to an end a of an event corresponding to the monitoring request. A size of the monitoring data is distinct from another size of another monitoring data stored in another entry block in the set of entry blocks responsive to another monitoring request. An operation specified in the monitoring request is performed on a part of the monitoring data accessible from a monitoring attribute in the set of monitoring attributes of the entry block. |
| US09678850B1 |
Data pipeline monitoring
A method and system for data pipeline monitoring receives an event data object and a current status data object from one or more subsystems of a pipeline. The system analyzes the event data object and the current status data object to determine a first and second validation value. The system, in response to determining that either the first or second validation value is not valid, sends a notification. |
| US09678846B2 |
Service data record system, data record method and electronic equipment using the same
A service data record system (SDR) and a data record method used to record data of an electronic device, such as a point of sale or service (POS) device. The electronic device includes a plurality of electronic units and a control unit. The control unit is used to receive and sift electronic data set of the electronic units. The service data record system includes a storage unit and a micro processing unit, and the micro processing unit is connected with the storage unit and the control unit. The micro processing unit is used to receive the sifted electronic data and transmit all the received electronic data to the storage unit. |
| US09678845B2 |
Abnormality diagnostic system and industrial machinery
An object of the present invention is to provide an abnormality diagnostic system that can enhance diagnostic precision even if a computer arranged on the machine side does not have sufficient throughput in diagnosing a condition of a machine or equipment based upon time series data generated by a sensor and can reduce communication capacity because communication data volume decreases and industrial machinery provided with the abnormality diagnostic system. A diagnostic device on the machine side 2 diagnoses time series data generated by a sensor, acquires a primary diagnostic result, extracts time series data related to the primary diagnostic result and outputs it to a diagnostic device on the server side 3 together with the primary diagnostic result, the diagnostic device on the server side 3 diagnoses the time series data, acquires a secondary diagnostic result, and displays the secondary diagnostic result together with the primary diagnostic result. Besides, the diagnostic device on the server side compares the diagnostic results and updates a diagnostic process of the diagnostic device on the machine side 2 when the diagnostic results are different as a result of the comparison. |
| US09678844B1 |
State-tracked testing across network boundaries
Remote computing resource service providers, including online retailer, provide externally facing computer systems that allow users to interact with the service provider. Furthermore, the service provider may maintain computer systems and service inside an isolated network not exposed to users. Occasionally, service providers may test these externally facing computer systems using one or more external hosts operating on a public network. A coordinator may archive aggregated testing resources located on the isolated network and deploy the testing resources to the one or more external hosts. A database may be used to track the deployment state of the one or more external hosts in order to allow the coordinator to manage the testing process. |
| US09678832B2 |
Storage module and method for on-chip copy gather
A storage module and method for on-chip copy gather are provided. In one embodiment, a storage module is provided with a memory comprising a plurality of word lines and a plurality of data latches. The memory copies data from a first word line into a first data latch and copies data from a second word line into a second data latch. The memory then copies only some of the data from the first data latch and only some of the data from the second data latch into a third data latch. After that, the memory copies the data from the third data latch to a third word line. In another embodiment, a storage module is provided comprising a memory and an on-chip copy gather module. Other embodiments are provided. |
| US09678827B2 |
Access counts for performing data inspection operations in data storage device
A data storage device includes a controller configured to update an access request count and an access count corresponding to a target region based on an access request for the target region, and initialize the access count each time the access request count reaches a first threshold, and a nonvolatile memory apparatus including the target region, and configured to access the target region based on a control of the controller. |
| US09678825B2 |
Autonomous reconfiguration of a failed user action
A processor determines that a requested action is a failed action. The processor determines that the failed action is a valid action. The processor determines that the failed action is not properly configured. The processor generates a reconfigured action by reconfiguring the failed action. The reconfiguration of the failed action includes one or both of a) changing the preconditions of the failed action, or b) creating a recovery path in addition to the failed action. |
| US09678819B2 |
Communication apparatus, method of controlling the same and storage medium
A history of transmission/reception via a line is stored in association with the line, and it is detected whether or not a communication apparatus is physically connected to the line. Then if the line is detected to be disconnected, it is determined whether or not a history of transmission/reception regarding the disconnected line is stored. If it is determined that the history of transmission/reception regarding the disconnected line is stored, notification is given to a user that the line is disconnected. |
| US09678818B2 |
Direct IO access from a CPU's instruction stream
A method for network access of remote memory directly from a local instruction stream using conventional loads and stores. In cases where network IO access (a network phase) cannot overlap a compute phase, a direct network access from the instruction stream greatly decreases latency in CPU processing. The network is treated as yet another memory that can be directly read from, or written to, by the CPU. Network access can be done directly from the instruction stream using regular loads and stores. Example scenarios where synchronous network access can be beneficial are SHMEM (symmetric hierarchical memory access) usages (where the program directly reads/writes remote memory), and scenarios where part of system memory (for example DDR) can reside over a network and made accessible by demand to different CPUs. |
| US09678814B2 |
Implementing a java method
A process and system for implementing a Java method by a second computer for a first computer to which the second computer is connected via a communication line. The second computer receives from the first computer a first message instructing the second computer to execute a Java method that is included in the first message. The Java method includes source code. After receiving the first message, the second computer executes the Java method that is in the first message. After said executing the Java method, the second computer transmits to the first computer a second message that includes the Java method and a result of executing the Java method. |
| US09678812B2 |
Addressing for inter-thread push communication
In a data processing system, a switch includes a receive data structure including receive entries each uniquely corresponding to a receive window, where each receive entry includes addressing information for one or more mailboxes into which messages can be injected, a send data structure including send entries each uniquely corresponding to a send window, where each send entry includes a receive window field that identifies one or more receive windows, and switch logic. The switch logic, responsive to a request to push a message to one or more receiving threads, accesses a send entry that corresponds to a send window of the sending thread, utilizes contents of the receive window field of the send entry to access one or more of the receive entries, and pushes the message to one or more mailboxes of one or more receiving threads utilizing the addressing information of the receive entry or entries. |
| US09678811B2 |
Apparatus, method and computer program for processing out-of-order events
Embodiments relate to a concept for ordering events of an event stream, comprising out-of-order events, for an event detector, wherein the events have associated thereto individual event occurrence times (ei·ts) and individual event propagation delays up to a maximum delay of K time units. Event received from the event stream are provided to an event buffer. Received events in the event buffer are ordered according their respective occurrence times to obtain ordered events. An ordered event (ei) having an event occurrence time ei·ts is speculatively forwarded from the event buffer to the event detector at an earliest time instant clk, such that ei·ts+α*K≦clk, wherein α denotes a speculation quantity with 0<α<1. |
| US09678807B2 |
Hybrid threading
Hybrid threading in a processor is described. An integrated circuit that implements hybrid threading includes a power control unit (PCU), a first functional hardware unit coupled to the PCU, and a second functional hardware unit coupled to the PCU. The first functional hardware unit and the second functional hardware unit are heterogeneous functional hardware units. The PCU is configured to monitor at least one power attribute of the first and second functional hardware units. The PCU is further configured to calculate an aggregate power value based on the monitored at least one power attribute. Upon determining that the aggregate power value is below a power threshold, the PCU is also configured to calculate a first frequency for the first functional hardware unit and a second frequency for the second functional hardware unit that results in an updated aggregate power value that is closer to the power threshold. |
| US09678806B2 |
Method and apparatus for distributing processing core workloads among processing cores
Briefly, methods and apparatus to rebalance workloads among processing cores utilizing a hybrid work donation and work stealing technique are disclosed that improve workload imbalances within processing devices such as, for example, GPUs. In one example, the methods and apparatus allow for workload distribution between a first processing core and a second processing core by providing queue elements from one or more workgroup queues associated with workgroups executing on the first processing core to a first donation queue that may also be associated with the workgroups executing on the first processing core. The method and apparatus also determine if a queue level of the first donation queue is beyond a threshold, and if so, steal one or more queue elements from a second donation queue associated with workgroups executing on the second processing core. |
| US09678804B1 |
Dynamic load balancing of backup server interfaces based on timeout response, job counter, and speed of a plurality of interfaces
A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for processing data. In some embodiments, this includes detecting a job event on an interface, adjusting a counter associated with the interface based on the detected job event, and redistributing a job based on the counter adjustment. In some embodiments, the job event may include a job start. In some embodiments, the job event may include a job completion. In some embodiments, adjusting the counter may include incrementing the counter. In some embodiments, adjusting the counter may include decrementing the counter. |
| US09678801B2 |
Service management modes of operation in distributed node service management
A distributed node service management system utilizes multiple existing processor nodes of a distributed computing system, in support of the primary data processing functions of the distributed computing system. The distributed node service management system coordinates and manages service functions on behalf of processor nodes of the distributed computing system. Other features and aspects may be realized, depending upon the particular application. |
| US09678800B2 |
Optimum design method for configuration of servers in a data center environment
A method, system and product for automatic systems configuration. The method comprising: obtaining utilization of workloads of processing units, wherein at least a portion of the workloads include transferring of data to other processing units; and automatically determining, by a processor, a system configuration, wherein the system configuration comprises assigning to plurality of physical locations the processing units, wherein in at least one physical location the system configuration assigns two or more processing units, wherein the system configuration indicates throughput requirement between the plurality of physical locations. |
| US09678796B2 |
Methods and systems for determining computational resource requirement
A method and system to determine a computational resource requirement is described. The method and system rank one or more computational resources for each of the plurality of tasks in an ascending order, based on a cost associated with the plurality of tasks for each of the computational resource. Based on the ranked one or more computational resources and a fairness metric, the method and system allocates the one or more capacity units associated with the computational resource to perform the plurality of tasks. The method and system determines the computational resource requirement to perform the plurality of tasks based on the allocated one or more capacity units. The fairness metric ensures that allocation of the one or more capacity units to the plurality of tasks is performed in a manner to maximize the fairness. |
| US09678793B2 |
Resource-based job scheduling
Resource-based optimization is used to resolve some abnormal job terminations. An abnormal job termination is analyzed to determine if a resource shortage caused the termination. For a resource-dependent termination, the job is rescheduled for a time when sufficient resources are available. |
| US09678791B2 |
Shared resources in a docked mobile environment
A first and second data handling systems provides for shared resources in a docked mobile environment. The first data handling system maintains a set of execution tasks within the first data handling system having a system dock interface to physically couple to the second data handling system. The first data handling system assigns a task to be executed by the second data handling system while the two systems are physically coupled. |
| US09678790B2 |
Devices and methods implementing operations for selective enforcement of task dependencies
A method and computing device, for enabling selective enforcement of complex task dependencies. The method and allows a computing device to determine whether to enforce task-dependencies based on programmer or end-user goals concerning efficiency and quality of runtime experience. A computing device may be configured to schedule executing a first task, identify an operation (e.g., a “+>” operation) of the first task as being selectively dependent on a second task finishing execution, and determining whether to enforce the dependency of the first task on the second task based on an evaluation of one or more enforcement conditions. If the enforcement conditions are not met, enforcing the dependency, executing the second task, and withholding execution of the first task until execution of the second task has finished. If the enforcement conditions are met, commencing execution of the first task prior to, or parallel to the second task finishing execution. |
| US09678789B2 |
Methods and systems for prioritizing events using time and availability
This disclosure relates to methods and systems for queuing events. In one aspect, a method is disclosed that receives or creates an event and inserts the event into a queue. The method determines at least one property of the event and associates a priority with the event based on the property. The method then processes the event in accordance with its priority. |
| US09678787B2 |
Framework for authoring data loaders and data savers
Implementing static loaders and savers for the transfer of local and distributed data containers to and from storage systems can be difficult because there are so many different configurations of output formats, data containers and storage systems. Described herein is an extensible componentized data transfer framework for performant and scalable authoring of data loaders and data savers. Abstracted local and distributed workflows drive selection of plug-ins that can be composed by the framework into particular local or distributed scenario loaders and savers. Reusability and code sparsity are maximized. |
| US09678786B2 |
Management of a virtual machine in a virtualized computing environment based on a concurrency limit
One or more concurrency limits may be checked in connection with the performance of a virtual machine management operation such as a virtual machine deploy, resize or migration operation to enable the virtual machine management operation to be scheduled on a host for which no concurrency limits have been met. |
| US09678784B2 |
Temporal dynamic virtual machine policies
Temporal dynamic policies may be used to effectively alter the management of a virtual machine in a virtualized computing environment based upon some temporal condition such as how long a virtual machine has been active or idle, how long it has been since the virtual machine was created or deployed, etc. The altered management may be used, for example, to activate various performance and/or reliability-related technologies such as high availability and failover functionality for longer-running virtual machines. |
| US09678780B2 |
Redirection of information from secure virtual machines to unsecure virtual machines
The present invention is directed towards methods and systems for redirecting an access request to an unsecure virtual machine. A computing device may execute a hypervisor hosting a secure virtual machine and an unsecure virtual machine. A control virtual machine, hosted by a hypervisor executing on the computing device, may intercept a request to access an unsecure resource. The unsecure resource may include one of: a file, an application and an uniform resource locator (URL). The control virtual machine may further determine that the request originates from a secure virtual machine executing on the computing device. The control virtual machine may redirect, responsive to the determination, the request to an unsecure virtual machine executing on the computing device, whereupon the unsecure virtual machine may provide access to the requested unsecure resource. |
| US09678778B1 |
Virtual cluster as a service (VCIaaS)
Provided are methods and systems for providing users with a cluster of virtual machines (VMs) on-demand, whereby a group of VMs are provisioned together. Virtual Cluster as a Service (VClaaS) relaxes many restrictions on virtualizing VMs and provides performance benefits at the same or similar encapsulations and security measures that Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) typically provides. The VClaaS system enables users to provision an entire cluster of VMs at a time, and also allows for relaxing the isolation barrier between the machines while maintaining the encapsulation barrier for the cluster as a whole, thereby providing users with improved networking, caching, and scheduling experiences. |
| US09678775B1 |
Allocating memory for local variables of a multi-threaded program for execution in a single-threaded environment
Computer code written to execute on a multi-threaded computing environment is transformed into code designed to execute on a single-threaded computing environment and simulate concurrent executing threads. Optimization techniques during the transformation process are utilized to identify local variables for scalar expansion. A first set of local variables is defined that includes those local variables in the code identified as “Downward exposed Defined” (DD). A second set of local variables is defined that includes those local variables in the code identified as “Upward exposed Use” (UU). The intersection of the first set and the second set identifies local variables for scalar expansion. |
| US09678774B2 |
Secure migration of virtual machines
Technologies are generally described for the secure live migration of virtual machines. The migration may take place in the context of, for example, public clouds. In various embodiments, by using a hidden process incorporated in a virtual machine's kernel and a trusted wireless and/or wired positioning service, a cloud provider and/or cloud user may be alerted about possible virtual machine hijacking/theft. The provider or user may also be provided with an approximate physical location of the platform running the compromised virtual machine for further investigation and enforcement measures. |
| US09678773B1 |
Low latency computational capacity provisioning
A system for providing low latency computational capacity is provided. The system may be configured to maintain a pool of virtual machine instances, which may be assigned to users to service the requests associated with the users. The system may further be configured to receive a request to acquire compute capacity for executing a program code associated with a particular user, determine whether the pool of virtual machine instances includes a container that may be used to execute the program code therein, and cause the program code of the particular user to be executed in the container. |
| US09678772B2 |
System, method, and computer-readable medium
A system includes circuitry configured to receive a request to diagnose a first virtual machine coupled to a first network, the first virtual machine being identified in the first network based on a first address and identified in a second network based on a second address; transmit, to a to a router coupled between the first network and the second network, a request that an association be made between a third address and the first address based on the first request; and diagnose the first virtual machine via the router based on the third address, the third address being translated into the first address by the router based on the association. |
| US09678769B1 |
Offline volume modifications
A host computing device can include a host domain that includes an agent for configuring the operation and/or functionality of virtual machine instances and/or operating systems associated with the instances, which may be heterogeneous (i.e., running different operating systems than each other). One or more data volumes associated with the host machine can include an image of an operating system. In an embodiment the agent can access the image of the operating system and configure operating system settings, add data, and/or remove data. |
| US09678768B2 |
Management system, management apparatus, and management method
A system includes a physical machine that controls a virtual machine to execute a processing by using hardware resources of the physical machine, and a management apparatus includes a processor configured to execute: detect a first quantity of the hardware resources used by the virtual machine larger than a specific quantity set based on a second quantity of the hardware resources assigned to the virtual machine in accordance with a first usage fee corresponding to the virtual machine, calculate a second usage fee of the virtual machine based on a third quantity larger than the second quantity, and modify the second quantity to meet with the third quantity when the second usage fee is lower than the first usage fee. |
| US09678767B2 |
Unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) driver and protocol
An example apparatus may comprise a processor and a memory device including computer program code. The memory device and the computer program code, with the processor, may cause the apparatus to execute a client application, the client application to consume a first protocol, the protocol having been produced by a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) wrapper driver; invoke, with the client application, the UEFI wrapper driver to perform at least one operation of the protocol; load a binary image of a worker application with the wrapper driver to invoke the at least one operation. The worker application calls at least one function of a software library to perform the at least one operation. |
| US09678764B2 |
Classifying application protocol interfaces (APIS) as affecting user experience
Example embodiments relate to classifying application protocol interfaces (APIs) in terms of their relation to user experience. Example embodiments may determine that a user action occurred and monitor a first thread separate from a user interface (UI) thread of the computing device. The first thread may process a first API in response to the occurrence of the user action. A determination may be made as to whether the first API being processed on the first thread is related to the user action. Responsive to the first API being related to the user action, a determination may be made as to whether the first API causes the first thread to update the UI thread of the computing device. Responsive to the UI thread being updated, the first API may be tagged as affecting user experience. |
| US09678761B2 |
Technology for selectively updating memory-resident images
A memory medium includes one or more binary images and an update logic image. The memory medium selectively updates binary images having contiguous memory sectors erased before being rewritten. The update logic image includes instructions for determining whether an updating operation is to be performed and determining memory addresses of the memory medium at which a corresponding replacement image can be recorded. The instructions are also for erasing the determined memory addresses and writing the replacement image to the determined memory addresses. |
| US09678759B2 |
Multisystem and method of booting the same
A method of booting a multisystem including a first core and a second core, the method includes: executing a boot loader of the first core; setting a network interface of the first core to be in an enable state; detecting the second core that is connected to the network interface of the first core; mapping a first memory of the first core to a second memory of the second core; loading a booting image of the first core and a booting image of the second core on the first memory; and transferring the booting image of the second core loaded on the first memory to the second core via a network. |
| US09678755B2 |
Instruction sequence buffer to enhance branch prediction efficiency
A method for outputting alternative instruction sequences. The method includes tracking repetitive hits to determine a set of frequently hit instruction sequences for a microprocessor. A frequently miss-predicted branch instruction is identified, wherein the predicted outcome of the branch instruction is frequently wrong. An alternative instruction sequence for the branch instruction target is stored into a buffer. On a subsequent hit to the branch instruction where the predicted outcome of the branch instruction was wrong, the alternative instruction sequence is output from the buffer. |
| US09678752B2 |
Scheduling apparatus and method of dynamically setting the size of a rotating register
A scheduling apparatus for dynamically setting a size of a rotating register of a local register file during runtime ids provided. The scheduling apparatus may include a determiner configured to determine whether a non-rotating register of a central register file is sufficient to schedule a program loop; a selector configured to select at least one local register file to which a needed non-rotating register is allocated in response to a determination that the non-rotating register of a central register file has a size which is sufficient to loop a program loop; a scheduler configured to schedule a non-rotating register of the at least one selected local register file. |
| US09678749B2 |
Instruction and logic for shift-sum multiplier
A processor includes a front end including a decoder, an execution unit including a shift-sum multiplier (SSM), and a retirement unit. The decoder includes logic identify a multiplication instruction to multiply a first number and a second number. The execution unit includes logic to, based on the instruction, access a look-up table based on the second number to determine a plurality of shift parameters and one or more flag parameters. The SSM includes logic to use the shift parameters to shift the first number to determine a plurality of partial products, and the flag parameters to determine signs of the partial products. The SSM also includes logic to sum the partial products to yield a result of the multiplication instruction. |
| US09678744B2 |
Automated code parser for reviewing automation scripts
Automation scripts may be examined and compared to a set of new or changed operating system messages to identify potential issues with the automation script that occur with updates to the operating system. When the issue is identified, the reference in the automation script may be updated to refer to the changed operating system message. Further, the reference in the automation script may be modified to address other changes in the system messages, such as changes in information and/or parameters reported in the message. |
| US09678743B2 |
Method and system for monitoring a software artifact
A computer system is provided, comprising: a transceiver; and a processor configured to facilitate: collecting and storing information related to a software project having one or more software artifacts, the information including: a project identifier, artifact identifiers for the artifacts used by the project, information about the temporal version for the artifacts, and contact information for a project user; collecting, from a repository, artifact metadata associated with the software artifacts, the artifact metadata including: information identifying the artifact, information about security risks associated with the artifact, information about a license associated with the artifact, or information indicative of a level of use or user rating of the artifact; periodically monitoring the metadata to determine whether there has been any actionable change in the artifact metadata; and notifying the project user using the contact information if it is determined that there has been an actionable change in the artifact metadata. |
| US09678742B2 |
Information processing apparatus
An information processing apparatus stores update firmware for updating the firmware of an option unit. When the option unit is connected to the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus updates the firmware of the option unit by using the stored update firmware. |
| US09678741B2 |
Multiple system images for over-the-air updates
In one embodiment, a computing device may execute software from a first portion of memory of the computing device. The computing device may download from a server a new version of the software. The client computing device may receive instructions from the server to request an over-the-air (OTA) download of the new version of the software. The instructions may be an out-of-band message. The new version of the software may be installed into a second portion of memory of the computing device, and the new version of the software is executed from the second portion of memory. The download of the new version of software may be pursuant to a manifest for the download to determine whether the computing device may download the new version of software. |
| US09678737B2 |
Method for distributing large-sized Linux software packages
A method for distributing large-sized Linux software packages, in a field of a Linux software distribution, includes steps of: installing a Linux minimal system; obtaining a log file of the installing, and setting a cache of a local download rpm; building an environment for creating iso, and creating a working directory; testing an environment dependency of a developed software and packaging into rpm packages, copying the downloaded rpm packages within the cache into the working directory, and registering; installing tools of createrpo and mkisofs for generating a disc; editing a kickstart file, ks.cfg; generating and modifying a comps.xml to designating the rpm packages and dependencies thereof which are required within a software archive of the system; generating an iso file of gcloud, and verifying with MD5 value. The method is applicable to a large-sized software package distribution by overcoming version verification and vulnerability to network. |
| US09678736B2 |
Method and system for updating a software image at a client device
A system and method for communicating software images includes a server device that stores a software image therein and a client device that communicates a client device identifier to the server device through a network. The server communicates the software image to the client device through the network. The client device operates based on the software image. |
| US09678733B2 |
Method, non-transitory computer-readable medium, and software providing system to distribute and install application program downloads to user terminal in distributed environment
Web content, an initial installer, and a common installer set (a set of a common installer execution file, a common installer settings file, and a common installer character string file) are stored in a software providing system. The Web content causes a display of a user terminal to display a Web page which receives operations on a user terminal side in order to download the initial installer to the user terminal. As a result of an operation on the Web page, the initial installer is downloaded from the software providing system to the user terminal, and operates on the user terminal. The initial installer downloads the common installer set from the software providing system to the user terminal. The common installer set downloads and installs a plurality of application programs on the user terminal, from the software providing system. |
| US09678725B1 |
Method and system for specifying and processing telephony sessions
A method of processing telephony sessions for telephony clients, the method comprising the steps of providing a platform server operated by a service provider, the platform server programmed to perform the steps of storing at least one telephony application for each of a plurality of telephony clients of the service provider, receiving a call from a customer at the platform server to one of the telephony clients, identifying a telephony client associated with the received call, identifying an interactive telephony application associated with the telephony client and the received call and performing the identified interactive telephony application on the platform server on behalf of the identified telephony client and independent of any instructions from the telephony client. |
| US09678712B2 |
Remote command learning
Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to learn and share remote commands are disclosed. An example method to configure a playback device to be controlled by a remote control includes receiving by the playback device a first code for a first command from the remote control. The example method includes identifying by the playback device a second code for a second command based on the received first code. The example method includes receiving by the playback device the second code from the remote control. The example method includes executing the second command by the playback device. |
| US09678708B2 |
Volume limit
An example playback device may store an active volume state variable in memory, where the active volume state variable corresponds to a current playback volume. The playback device may also store a volume limit state variable in memory, where the volume limit state variable corresponds to a playback volume limit of the playback device. The playback device may detect a command to begin playback of media from a given source and then select a startup playback volume to be one of the current playback volume and the playback volume limit based on the given source of the command to begin playback. The playback device may then play back media at the startup playback volume. |
| US09678705B2 |
Displaying information on wearable devices
A method in an electronic device is provided including establishing a communication with a wearable device and transmitting a first data item from the electronic device to the wearable device based on (i) a distance between the electronic device and the wearable device and (ii) a position of the wearable device relative to the electronic device. |
| US09678701B2 |
Handheld measuring device comprising a user interface responsive to changes in a displacement sensed by a displacement sensor
A measuring device is provided including a user interface responsive to changes in a displacement sensed by a displacement sensor. The measuring device (e.g., a handheld caliper or micrometer) includes a displacement sensor, a display, a signal processing and control portion, and a user interface. The displacement sensor includes a readhead and a scale displaceable relative to one another along a measuring axis under the manual control of a user, with the display being connected to the readhead. In a first user interface mode, displacement measurement values are displayed and are responsive to changes in the displacement of the displacement sensor. In a second user interface mode, operation control elements are displayed in the user interface and an operation control element action visible in the user interface (e.g., movement of a selection indicator) is responsive to changes in the displacement of the displacement sensor. |
| US09678700B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium storing program for requesting communication and communicating with a printing apparatus supporting a plurality of communication protocols
When communicating with a printing apparatus used for the print function of an application, communication with the printing apparatus is requested of a second layer constituted by an instruction set which is translated in advance to be able to execute the instruction set by a processor, in a first layer constituted by a script instruction set which is translated to be able to execute the script instruction set by the processor when executing the application and is executed. In the second layer, communication with the printing apparatus is performed in accordance with the request. |
| US09678696B2 |
Distributed printing system set via printer driver
Example systems and related methods may relate to distributed printing. A client device associated with a plurality of candidate print devices can receive a request for distributed printing. The client device can determine a plurality of print devices from among the plurality of candidate print devices. Each print device in the plurality of print devices can be configured to service at least part of the request for distributed printing. The client device can determine a plurality of print job portions that collectively satisfy the request for distributed printing. Then, for each designated print device of the plurality of print devices, the client device can: allocate one or more print job portions to the designated print device and provide the allocated one or more print job portions to the designated print device. |
| US09678695B2 |
Printing management system and image forming apparatus that determine whether template paper is to be printed on the basis of total number of printed copies and total number of read copies in association with user identification information
A printing management system includes an image forming apparatus and a server apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes an acceptance section, a printing section, a reading section, a first transmission section, a first reception section, and a determination section. The determination section, when the acceptance section accepts a print request or a read request, determines whether or not template paper is to be printed, on the basis of the total number of printed copies and the total number of read copies received by the first reception section. The server apparatus includes a second reception section, a storage section, a counting section, and a second transmission section. The counting section obtains the total number of printed copies on the basis of the number of printed copies and user identification information, obtains the total number of read copies on the basis of the number of read copies and the user identification information. |
| US09678690B2 |
Big data algorithm and platform solution for 3D visualization services
A method for generating a 3D object for visualizing multivariate data includes gathering subscriber information about subscribers of a network, receiving a user request to generate the 3D object, and generating object-data specifying a three-dimensional contour that models a relationship between at least two variables of the subscriber information and a measure. The three-dimensional contour is based on the received request and on the subscriber information, and the object data is generated in a format that is printable by a 3D printer. The object data is transmitted to the user. |
| US09678688B2 |
System and method for data deduplication for disk storage subsystems
A method for data deduplication includes the following steps. First, segmenting an original data set into a plurality of data segments. Next, transforming the data in each data segment into a transformed data representation that has a band-type structure for each data segment. The band-type structure includes a plurality of bands. Next, selecting a first set of bands, grouping them together and storing them with the original data set. The first set of bands includes non-identical transformed data for each data segment. Next, selecting a second set of bands and grouping them together. The second set of bands includes identical transformed data for each data segment. Next, applying a hash function onto the transformed data of the second set of bands and thereby generating transformed data segments indexed by hash function indices. Finally, storing the hash function indices and the transformed data representation of one representative data segment in a deduplication database. |
| US09678685B1 |
Live updating of a changed block tracking driver
Live updating of a changed block tracking (CBT) driver. In one example embodiment, a method for live updating of a CBT driver may include loading a CBT driver into a running operating system and then performing various acts without rebooting the running operating system. These acts may include tracking, using the CBT driver, writes to blocks of a source storage between a first snapshot time and a second snapshot time, loading an updated CBT driver into the running operating system with the updated CBT driver having a different name than the CBT driver, handing over the tracking of writes to blocks of the source storage from the CBT driver to the updated CBT driver at a handover time, and tracking, using the updated CBT driver, writes to blocks of the source storage between the handover time and the second snapshot time. |
| US09678684B2 |
Systems and methods for performing an adaptive sustain write in a memory system
Systems and methods for performing an adaptive sustain write are disclosed. In one implementation, a controller of a non-volatile memory that is coupled with a host system monitors a rate at which the host system sends user data to the non-volatile memory system for storage and determines that the rate at which the host system sends user data to the non-volatile memory system for storage exceeds a threshold. The controller stores a first portion of the user data in one or more user capacity memory blocks of the non-volatile memory system. Additionally, the controller stores a second portion of the user data in one or more over-provisioning memory blocks of the non-volatile memory system after determining that the rate at which the host system sends data to the non-volatile memory system for storage exceeds the threshold. |
| US09678682B2 |
Backup storage of vital debug information
A system includes non-volatile memory storing firmware and an embedded baseboard management controller (BMC). The BMC includes a BMC volatile memory and a BMC processor coupled to the BMC volatile memory and the non-volatile memory. The BMC processor performs a first method wherein the firmware is obtained from the non-volatile memory, instrumented, and stored on a host computer volatile memory. Also in the first method, separate copies of vital debug information about the instrumented firmware are stored on the BMC volatile memory and the host computer volatile memory. The system further includes a host computer housing the embedded BMC, the host computer volatile memory, and a host computer processor coupled to the host computer volatile memory. The host computer processor performs a second method wherein the instrumented firmware is obtained from the host computer volatile memory and executed. |
| US09678668B2 |
System and method for unbalanced RAID management
A method for dynamically balancing the allocation of data among a plurality of physical data storage devices having a plurality of RAID devices defined thereon, wherein at least one of the plurality of RAID devices is comprised of at least one of a different type of physical storage device or a different number of physical data storage devices than at least one other of the plurality of RAID devices, includes determining a usage factor unique to each RAID device and balancing data I/O based at least in part on the usage factor. |
| US09678666B2 |
Techniques to configure a solid state drive to operate in a storage mode or a memory mode
Examples are disclosed for configuring a solid state drive (SSD) to operate in a storage mode or a memory mode. In some examples, one or more configuration commands may be received at a controller for an SSD having one or more non-volatile memory arrays. The SSD may be configured to operate in at least one of a storage mode, a memory mode or a combination of the storage mode or the memory mode based on the one or more configuration commands. Other examples are described and claimed. |
| US09678662B2 |
Method for detecting user gestures from alternative touchpads of a handheld computerized device
A method for controlling a control region on a display screen of a computerized system is presented. The method includes obtaining data from a touchpad. The data is associated with a position of a portion of the hand of a user when the user operates the touchpad. The method includes transmitting the data from the touchpad to the computerized device and analyzing the data in accordance with a model of a human hand. In certain embodiments, the method includes detecting an interaction of at least the portion of the hand of the user on the first touchpad with at least one object displayed on the display screen causing at least one property of the object to be controlled in accordance with the interaction of the portion of the hand of the user on the first touchpad. |
| US09678661B2 |
Retrieval device for retrieving data specific information used for identifying data of a data group
A retrieval device includes: a touch panel that displays a list that arranges a data specific information piece, a retrieval character reception section that receives one or more characters of the data specific information piece for identifying data of a data group via an handwritten input to the list on the touch panel, an information retrieval section that retrieves the data specific information piece with the one or more retrieval characters, and a retrieval result display section that displays a retrieval result of the information retrieval section on the touch panel. |
| US09678656B2 |
Preventing accidental selection events on a touch screen
Inadvertent touch selection events from a touch screen are avoided. A threshold physical distance between a touch start and a touch end for a touch screen is set. A touch input from the touch screen is received. A determination is made as to whether or not the touch input traverses a distance that is less than or greater than the threshold physical distance. In response to determining that the touch input traverses a distance that is less or equal to the threshold physical distance, a processor activates a selection event for an item. In response to determining that the touch input traverses a distance that is greater than the threshold physical distance, the processor scrolls the plurality of scrollable items. |
| US09678655B2 |
Information processing apparatus, stereoscopic display method, and program
A method is provided for displaying content to a user. The method comprises displaying content in a first position. The method further comprises detecting an operating member; and determining a distance between the member and a device. The method still further comprises displaying, if the distance between the member and the device is less than a predefined distance, the content in a second position appearing to be behind the first position, with respect to the user. |
| US09678651B2 |
Mapping application with interactive compass
Some embodiments provide a mapping application that includes a novel compass control that can be used to navigate a presentation of a map. The mapping application displays one of a two-dimensional (2D) presentation of the map and a three-dimensional (3D) presentation of the map at a given time. The compass control may be used to rotate a view of the map based on a first type of input to the compass control and transition between the 2D presentation and the 3D presentation based on a second type of input to the compass control. In addition to causing the application to perform the various operations, the compass control in some embodiments serves as (1) an indicator as to whether the mapping application is currently in a 2D mode or a 3D mode and (2) an indicator that continuously points to north. |
| US09678650B2 |
Method and device for controlling streaming of media data
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of controlling streaming media data using a streaming control device includes accessing, via the streaming control device, a plurality of media data stored in a media server, displaying, via a touchscreen of the streaming control device, a first object including the plurality of media data, receiving a first command selecting a particular media data among the plurality of media data from the first object, searching for media playback devices to reproduce the particular media data based on a position of the streaming control device, displaying, via the touchscreen, a third object for representing the searched media playback devices, receiving a second command selecting a particular media playback device among the searched media playback devices from the third object, and controlling the particular media playback device to reproduce the particular media data. |
| US09678649B2 |
Method for displaying photos and electronic device for using the same
The invention provides a method for displaying photos. The method of the present invention comprises displaying a photo marked with a burst shooting icon, wherein the displayed photo corresponds to a photo group having a plurality of photos successively taken in a burst mode. A selection signal is received through the burst shooting icon. Upon the received selection signal, one of the photos in the photo group is displayed accompanying with a tool bar, wherein the tool bar at least includes a seek bar and a play key. An operating signal is received through the tool bar and upon the received operating signal, the photos in the photo group are displayed. |
| US09678647B2 |
Tooltip feedback for zoom using scroll wheel
Tooltip generation for zoom feedback is described. In response to the initiation of a zoom operation, a tooltip is generated. The tooltip shows an established potential zoom level that will be used to execute the zoom operation if no other zoom level is established or selected. Multiple potential zoom levels may be shown within the tooltip before the zoom operation is executed. |
| US09678642B2 |
Methods of content-based image area selection
A system and methods for selecting a region of pixels in an image displayed on a touch-sensitive interface is disclosed. The method for selecting the region of pixels is based on determined connectivity of pixels in the image indicating content of the image and includes determining connected pixels on the image representing the content without performing character recognition, detecting a text selection gesture indicative of selecting the region in the image, determining coordinates of the text selection gesture performed on the touch-sensitive interface and selecting the region in the image by bounding a first set of pixels located at a proximity from the coordinates of the text selection gesture. |
| US09678635B2 |
Visual presentation of multi-dimensional data sets
Computer systems and methods may display multi-dimensional data sets in a dynamically-generated ocular view, which may show the relationship between data points in the different dimensions. For example, such a data set may include in one dimension results of one or more laboratory tests and, in another dimension, body systems or functions that the respective tests may relate to. The ocular view may depict the relationships between the tests and the systems. By being generated dynamically, moreover, the ocular view may be able to present this information for arbitrary sets of test results, without a template having been generated in advance to specify the layout of some particular combination of results. |
| US09678632B2 |
Data processing method and apparatus
A data processing method includes obtaining a path setting parameter and a display window setting parameter of a desktop child window, where the path setting parameter includes a save path of one or more objects inside the desktop child window in a non-system partition, and the display window setting parameter includes a display window size, a display position, and a display manner; creating a desktop child window operation thread; generating, by using the desktop child window operation thread, a desktop child window corresponding to the display window setting parameter, and pointing an object operation pointer of the desktop child window to a storage area corresponding to the path setting parameter in the non-system partition; and injecting the desktop child window operation thread into a system desktop operation thread that is currently running on an operating system, so as to display the desktop child window on a system desktop. |
| US09678629B2 |
Focusing on multiple selected rows within a data table
Techniques are described for scrolling through a data table containing a list of items. A portion of a list of items can be presented in a container. During scrolling, selected items can become locked to a boundary of the container. When an item becomes locked, the item remains at a fixed position within the container, even during scrolling. A second container configured to present locked items can be generated once a predefined number of selected items have become locked within the container. The locked item can be moved from the container to the second container, thus freeing up available space within the container for the scrolling of items within the data table. |
| US09678627B2 |
Event wizard server and methods for use therewith
An event wizard server includes at least one processor that executes the event wizard server application that bidirectionally communicates event planning data with a user of a client device via a network interface. The event planning data includes: event type menu data, event type selection data, event size selection data, location data received from the client device, event budget menu data, event budget selection data, event budget data, event option menu data, event option selection data, event invitee menu data, and event invitee selection data. |
| US09678623B2 |
User interface for media playback
A graphical user interface made up of icons representing individual files and collectively forming the shape of a “v” is described along with methods of using and creating the graphical user interface. The v-shaped interface is useful to display detailed information about many of the items in a list and facilitates manipulation of list order and selection of the active file in the list. The interface further permits the use of a representative icon associated with the list as a whole. Manipulation of the representative icon can cause modification or replacement of the entire playlist represented by the icon. |
| US09678622B2 |
Terminal for supporting icon operation and icon operation method
Methods and apparatus are provided for an icon operation. A signal for designating a preset non-use period is received. An icon is output in a display format according to a non-use history of the icon and based on the preset non-use period. |
| US09678621B2 |
Constraining display motion in display navigation
Navigating on a display includes tracking motion of an input tool on a display, comparing a motion of the input tool to a threshold, and changing a position of the visible portion of a page of information on the display if the input tool motion exceeds the threshold. The position of the visible portion of the page of information on the display is constrained if the motion does not exceed the threshold. |
| US09678620B2 |
Workflow for ambiguity guided interactive segmentation of lung lobes
An apparatus and a method for post processing 2D image slices (110a-c) defining a 3D image volume. The apparatus comprises a graphical user interface controller (160), a 2D segmenter (170) and a 3D segmenter (180). The apparatus allows a user to effect calculation and display of a 2D segmentation of a cross section of an object shown in a slice (110a) and calculation and display of a 3D segmentation of the object across the 3D image volume, the 3D segmentation based on the object's previously calculated 2D segmentation. |
| US09678618B1 |
Using an expanded view to display links related to a topic
Documents relating to a topic may be presented to users using visually expandable views. In one implementation, a web page may include a number of topics each presented in a visual area that is presented to a user as one of two views, the two views including, for each of the particular topics: a first view in which a link to a document relating to the topic is presented to a user, and a second view, expanded visually relative to the first view, in which links, to a number of different types of documents and associated with a number of different domains, relating to the particular topic, are presented to the user. |
| US09678617B2 |
Shared real-time content editing activated by an image
Systems and methods for instantiating collaboration interfaces via object recognition are disclosed. An object recognition engine communicatively coupled to a database and an electronic device receives sensor data related to an object and identifies an object characteristic. A component is selected having criteria satisfied by the object characteristic and a collaboration interface is instantiated on the electronic device. This can allow a user to edit content related to an object. A substantially identical collaboration interface can be instantiated on a second electronic device to allow collaboration among user with respect to content related to the object. |
| US09678616B2 |
Graphics command management tool and methods for analyzing performance for command changed before application modification
Methods, systems, graphical computer interfaces, and computer readable media are disclosed to enable optimizing video frame rendering characteristics for an application. The method includes rendering a video frame and capturing push buffer settings representing the rendering of the video frame. The method also includes modifying an aspect of the push buffer settings while bypassing the application, and re-rendering the frame with the modified aspect. The method further enables comparing the rendering with the re-rendering, and presenting comparison results. Graphical user interfaces are provided to enable the functionality, without having to modify code of the application to appreciate what potential changes to the application can present in terms of performance rendering and processing efficiencies. |
| US09678615B2 |
Information processing apparatus
Provided is an information processing apparatus capable of, even during a period in which an application program is not executed, presenting, to a user, information on an execution content of the application program. The information processing apparatus acquires display element information output by the application program during an execution of the application program, stores the display element information in a storage unit, generates an image including a display element represented by the display element information stored in the storage unit as a program-related image presenting information relating to the application program, and controls a display unit to display the generated image during the period in which the application program is not executed. |
| US09678613B2 |
Input device and display
An input device (2a) includes: a position/angle determining section (505) for determining an adjacent region (F1) and defining, in the adjacent region (F1), an input coordinate system that is in common with a counterpart device; a detection position control section (701) for determining first detection coordinates indicating a user operation performed in the adjacent region (F1) in the input coordinate system; and a data transmitting and receiving section (506) for transmitting the first detection coordinates to the counterpart device. |
| US09678607B2 |
Touch panel and a manufacturing method thereof
The present disclosure relates to a touch technology, and more particularly, to a touch panel and a manufacturing method the same. A touch panel is provided, comprising an inductive electrode layer and a patterned protective layer covering the inductive electrode layer; wherein formative pattern of the patterned protective layer is identical to that of the inductive electrode layer. The present disclosure also provides a manufacturing method for touch panels. A touch panel and a manufacturing method the same are provided in the present disclosure, in which the patterned protective layer is used for covering the inductive electrode layer to isolate the inductive electrode layer from oxygen and overcome the influence of oxygen on the diamond resistance changes of conductive materials under the condition of high-temperature baking, thereby enhancing the accuracy of touch positions recognized by touch panel. |
| US09678606B2 |
Method and device for determining a touch gesture
The invention relates to a device, in particular, a touch sensitive device, and more in particular, a single-touch sensitive device configured to recognize gestures, such as zoom, rotate, flick, using specific characteristics based on a single-touch localization system. The invention also relates to a method for recognizing/identifying gestures, such as zoom, rotate, flick, in a low-end device equipped with such as a single-touch sensitive device which is able to recognize one single point at a time. |
| US09678597B2 |
Signal processing circuit, signal processing method, position detector, and electronic device for position detection sensor including sensor self-capacitance correction
A signal processing circuit is connected to one of a plurality of conductors of a position detection sensor having a self-capacitance and configured to generate a signal indicative of the self-capacitance for use in correcting a pointer position detection signal. The circuit includes a capacitor circuit and detects a change in capacitance between the conductor and a pointer (e.g., a finger) as a change in voltage in the capacitor circuit. The signal processing circuit further includes: a gate circuit which controls the connection between the capacitor circuit and the conductor; and a voltage supply control circuit which temporarily sets, to a defined voltage level, a first end of the gate circuit to which the conductor is connected and sets a defined potential difference between the first end and another (second) end of the gate circuit to which the capacitor circuit is connected. |
| US09678596B2 |
Non-transitory storage medium storing instructions executable by communication terminal, communication terminal, and processing apparatus
A non-transitory storage medium stores instructions executable by a communication terminal. The communication terminal includes: a display; an input device for detecting an instructed point where an instruction is provided with an input object; and a communication device for communicating with a processing apparatus. When executed by the computer, the instructions cause the communication terminal to: receive, from the processing apparatus, instruction image data for displaying an instruction image for instructing a processing to be executed by the processing apparatus; display the instruction image on the display based on the received instruction image data; and transmit, to the processing apparatus, an input event on the input device and coordinate information about the instructed point on the display which is detected by the input device in a state in which the instruction image is displayed. |
| US09678595B2 |
Touch sensor, display device, and electronic apparatus
A touch sensor includes a sensor electrode having an electrostatic capacitance for touch detection, and a touch detection circuit detecting a contact or proximity position of an object on the basis of a detection signal obtained from the sensor electrode by applying a touch sensor drive signal to the sensor electrode. The sensor electrode is split into plural stripe-like electrode patterns. Applying the touch sensor drive signal to part of the electrode patterns forms a drive line at that time. The touch detection circuit performs a detection on the basis of a first detection signal obtained from a first drive line formed in a first period, and a second detection signal obtained from a second drive line formed in a second period. |
| US09678593B2 |
Gate on array circuit applied to liquid crystal display device
A GOA (Gate On Array) circuit applied to a liquid crystal display device is disclosed. The liquid crystal display device has a plurality of scan lines. The GOA circuit has a plurality of cascaded GOA units. An (N)th level GOA unit is controlled to charge an (N)th level scanning line accordingly. The (N)th level GOA unit includes a signal transfer circuit, an inverting amplifier circuit, a signal reset circuit, and an inverting logistic circuit. Processing a first screen scanning procedure, the GOA circuit will forward scan from the 1st level GOA unit to the (N)th level GOA unit, while the GOA circuit receives a touch signal, the GOA circuit enters into a touch point scanning procedure, then entering into a second screen scanning procedure. This improves the format of touch scanning and increases the report rate of the touch panel to improve the sensitivity of the touch panel. |
| US09678590B2 |
Portable electronic device
A display unit (13) displays objects. A contact detection unit (11) detects contact at positions corresponding to the objects displayed on the display unit (13). A pressure detection unit (12) detects pressure due to contact on the contact detection unit (11). A control unit (10) executes processing associated with an object displayed on the display unit (13) when the contact detection unit (11) detects contact at a position corresponding to the object and data based on the pressure detected by the pressure detection unit (12) satisfies a predetermined standard. The control unit (10) executes control so that the predetermined standard differs among display areas of the display unit (13) on which the objects are displayed. |
| US09678587B2 |
Terminal, controlling method thereof and recordable medium for the same
A mobile terminal is provided including a touchscreen and a controller. The controller is configured to display, on the touchscreen, a moving picture and a subset of a plurality of key frame pictures for the moving picture. |
| US09678586B2 |
Touch and display device having an integrated sensor controller
Embodiments of the invention generally provide an input device having a smaller overall physical size and a lower production cost, and is minimally affected by electrical interference versus conventional input devices. Embodiments discussed herein include an input device that has a sensor controller disposed in close proximity to a plurality of sensing elements that are used to sense and acquire positional information of an input object. In one embodiment, the sensor controller and at least portions of the sensor electrodes are disposed between two transparent substrates that are positioned near a display device. In some embodiments, the sensor controller is disposed in an edge region of a substrate which has a sensing region through which the adjacently positioned sensor electrodes are configured to sense the presence of an input object. |
| US09678582B2 |
Flexible display apparatus and controlling method thereof
A flexible display apparatus is provided. The flexible display apparatus includes a display configured to display content on a screen, a sensor configured to detect bending of the display from a first form to a second form, and a controller configured to reconstruct the content based on the bending and to display the reconstructed content in a first screen generated in one region of the display when it is determined that the display is restored to the first form. |
| US09678579B2 |
Mobile cast receivers for computing and entertainment devices
In one general aspect, a computing system includes a cast terminal including a keyboard component and a display component physically coupled to the keyboard component, and a central computing device. The keyboard component includes a first communication module configured to transmit keystroke data over a first wireless network to the central computing device using a first wireless communication protocol. The display component includes a second communication module configured to receive multimedia data over a second wireless network from the central computing device using a second wireless communication protocol. The central computing device includes a third communication module configured to receive the keystroke data from the first wireless network, and a fourth communication module configured to transmit the multimedia data over the second wireless network. |
| US09678578B2 |
Device having touch panel, display control program and display control method
A touch panel device includes a hardware key, a display unit, a detector, and a controller. The display unit displays an image on a display screen. The detector detects a position of a touch operation performed on the display screen. The controller performs setting-value change processing of changing a setting value of an object displayed at the touched position, when the hardware key is operated while the touch operation on the display screen is detected. |
| US09678573B2 |
Interaction with devices based on user state
A device identifies users who is trying to interact with it and monitors their state. Using this user state information, the device dynamically adjusts a user interface, speech grammars, screen flow, input options, and the like to tailor interaction with the device to the user. The user interface and device interaction may also be influenced by user-specific settings or profiles. The device may prevent or allow user interaction with the device based on the user's state, such as a position relative to the device. For example, the device may prevent or allow the user from using a set of speech or gesture commands or other interaction sets based on the user's position or relative location. |
| US09678571B1 |
Devices, methods, and graphical user interfaces for generating tactile outputs
An electronic device receives, at an application-independent module, from an application-specific module that is associated with a first application, information about an input directed to the user interface of the first application. An operation performed in the user interface of the first application in response to detecting the input is associated with a tactile output pattern specified by the application-specific module. The information about the input includes information indicating a magnitude of the operation performed in the user interface in response to detecting the input. The device generates a tactile output that corresponds to the operation performed in the user interface of the first application. The tactile output has the tactile output pattern specified by the application-specific module. The tactile output has an amplitude determined in accordance with the magnitude of the operation performed in the user interface of the first application in response to detecting the input. |
| US09678570B2 |
Haptic transmission method and mobile terminal for same
The present invention relates to a haptic transmission method. The haptic transmission method includes the steps of: a mobile terminal at a transmitting side displaying a screen capable of receiving an input for a receiver; when an input of selection for the receiver is completed, displaying a screen capable of receiving content to be transmitted; and when an impact or a touch input is detected after the screen display, generating a vibration pattern signal on the basis of the detected impact or the detected touch input and transmitting a message including the vibration pattern signal. |
| US09678569B2 |
Systems and methods for providing haptic effects
Systems and methods for providing haptic effects are disclosed. For example, one disclosed system includes a computer-readable medium having program code, the program code including program code defining a haptic widget. The haptic widget includes program code defining a haptic effect; program code defining an interface for the haptic widget; program code for receiving, via the interface, a configuration of at least one parameter of the haptic widget; program code for receiving, via the interface, a play command for the haptic effect; and program code for outputting, via the interface, a signal configured to cause the haptic effect, the signal based on the at least one parameter and in response to the play command. |
| US09678566B2 |
Hand-held controllers for virtual reality system
There is provided a handheld controller for a virtual reality system. The hand-held controller includes a user-input surface and a grip coupled to the user-input surface. The user-input surface has a first user-input key. The hand-held controller further includes a cage coupled to the user-input surface. The cage includes a plurality of illumination sources on an outer surface of the cage, which provide light to be detected by a camera for sensing a position of the controller based on a user motion. |
| US09678565B2 |
Projector and image drawing method
A projector includes a recognition section adapted to recognize an image to be drawn and a drawing area in which the image is drawn based on a trajectory of a symbol written to a projection surface, an acquisition section adapted to acquire image data representing the image recognized by the recognition section, and a drawing control section adapted to perform control so that the image represented by the image data acquired by the acquisition section is drawn in the drawing area of the projection surface recognized by the recognition section. |
| US09678560B2 |
Methods and apparatuses to wake computer systems from sleep states
Embodiments of the invention describe apparatuses, systems and methods to detect, during a host platform sleep state, a peripheral device audio jack plug being coupled to (e.g., inserted into) an audio jack connection socket. A specific sleep state of the host platform may be determined, and a system wake event may be generated so that the host platform wakes from the sleep state in response to the peripheral device being coupled to the audio jack connection socket. Thus, embodiments of the invention incorporated in handheld mobile computing devices such as smartphones and tablet computers with limited input/output (I/O) provide a user with alternative means for waking the device from a sleep state. |
| US09678557B2 |
Electricity saving method for USB data transmission system and host device
An electricity saving method and apparatus for a USB data transmission system are provided, wherein the USB data transmission system includes a USB device and a host device which performs data transmission by using a mass storage protocol with the USB device. The above-mentioned method includes: a host device detecting a detection instruction sent by the host device to a USB device, wherein the detection instruction is used for detecting whether the USB device has already been connected to the host device; in a situation that the detection instruction is detected and there is no specified data transmission between the host device and USB device, the host device replacing the USB device to analyze and respond to the detection instruction; when a duration during which there is no data transmission between the host device and USB device exceeds a predetermined duration, the host device notifying the USB device to suspend. |
| US09678556B2 |
Dynamic clock and voltage scaling with low-latency switching
Systems and methods for dynamic clock and voltage scaling can switch integrated circuits between frequency-voltage modes with low latency. These systems include a resource power manager that can control a power management integrated circuit (PMIC), phase locked loops (PLLs), and clock dividers. The resource power manager controls transitions between frequency-voltage modes. The systems and methods provide dynamic clock and voltage scaling where the transitions between frequency-voltage modes are an atomic operation. Additionally, the resource power manager can control many modules, for example, clock dividers, in parallel. The invention can, due to lower latency between frequency-voltage modes, can provide improved system performance and reduced system power. |
| US09678554B2 |
Low power mode operation when charging a device
A power management circuit is provided. The power management circuit includes a power switch, a current/voltage detector, a current setting unit, and a control unit. The power switch is coupled to a power supply of the computer system. When the power switch is turned on, it supplies an output current and an output voltage of the power supply to an external device. The current/voltage detector detects the magnitudes of the output current and the output voltage. The current setting unit sets a plurality of current thresholds. When the computer system is in a power-saving state and when the output current is greater than a first current threshold and smaller than a second current threshold or the output voltage is smaller than a first voltage threshold and larger than a second voltage threshold, the control unit issues a notification signal to execute a predetermined operation on the power supply. |
| US09678552B2 |
System and method for powering a wireless end point in a server rack of a data center
An information handling system includes a host processing complex to instantiate a hosted processing environment, a management controller to manage the host processing complex out of band from the hosted processing environment, and a wireless management module coupled to the management controller. The wireless management module includes a first Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface that is coupled to a second USB interface of the management controller when the management controller is powered up, and is coupled to a USB connector when the management controller is powered down, wherein the wireless management module receives power from a USB device coupled to the USB connector. |
| US09678550B2 |
Dynamic router power control in multi-core processors
Technologies are generally described for systems, devices, and methods effective to dynamically select at least one power supply rail for a router. In some examples, a power control unit may be configured to determine a buffer occupancy level of one or more buffers of the router. In some further examples, the buffer occupancy level may be compared to a threshold value. In various other examples, the at least one power supply rail of the router may be switched from a first power rail to a second power rail based on the results of the comparison. |
| US09678549B2 |
Selectively uploading applications to a mobile device based on power consumption
A computer-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product controls downloading of an application to a mobile device based on power consumption of the application. A server receives a first power nameplate for a first application and a second power nameplate for a second application, a first priority rating of the first application and a second priority rating of the second application, a power descriptor that identifies an amount of power available to a mobile device, and a set of application downloading rules. The set of application downloading rules includes a soft rule, a hard rule, and a medium rule. The server then selectively uploads, to the mobile device, the first application or the second application based on a selected rule. |
| US09678548B1 |
Powering security devices
A method is used in powering security devices. Power is derived from ambient energy in the vicinity of a mobile security device. The power is caused to be used for security based computing tasks within the mobile security device. |
| US09678546B2 |
Enclosure with multiple heat dissipating surfaces
A fanless industrial computer enclosure dissipates heat generated by the hottest components on heat sinks dedicated to respective heat zones within the enclosure. Heat generated by the component that operates at the highest temperature in each heat zone is conducted to a heat sink on the exterior of the enclosure. Using a heat sink dedicated to each heat zone, heat generated by components such as an industrial computer, storage devices, power supply, or other electrical components, is dissipated on the outer surface of the enclosure to the surrounding ambient environment. Providing a low resistance heat conductive path from the hottest components to respective heat sinks to dissipate heat outside the enclosure from each heat zone creates an environment within the enclosure where disk drives do not exceed the specified upper operating temperature rating without regard to the operating temperature of other electrical components in the enclosure. |
| US09678543B2 |
Information processing device, information processing method, and computer program product with display inclination features
An information processing apparatus, method and computer program product cooperate to provide a device that changes the way content is displayed depending on an inclination angle of the device. The device includes an inclination acquisition device that acquires inclination information of a display housing that houses a display with a displayed image thereon. A first controller causes a first change to the displayed image according to the inclination information. A second controller causes a second change to the displayed image when a predetermined condition is met with respect to the inclination information. By including subcomponents that cooperate in this manner, the device allows a user to perceive a displayed image at various viewing angles and easily recognize whether certain displayed features are able to be actuated when the device is positioned in a certain inclination angle. |
| US09678542B2 |
Multiple position input device cover
Flexible hinge spine techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a flexible hinge is configured to communicatively and physically couple an input device to a computing device and may implement functionality such as a support layer and minimum bend radius. The input device may also include functionality to promote a secure physical connection between the input device and the computing device. One example of this includes use of one or more protrusions that are configured to be removed from respective cavities of the computing device along a particular axis but mechanically bind along other axes. Other techniques include use of a laminate structure to form a connection portion of the input device. |
| US09678541B2 |
Pivot shaft transmission device
A pivot shaft transmission device provides a security system and is easy to assemble. The pivot shaft transmission device includes at least one rotary shaft, a drive section movable with the rotation of the rotary shaft, a driver (transversely) movable along a rail between a first position and a second position, a turning unit having a first end connected with the driver and a second end, and a transmission unit assembled with the second end of the turning unit. The transmission unit includes a first section, a second section and at least one elastic body assembled with each other. When the turning unit is swung, the transmission unit is driven to (longitudinally) move to drive a connection section and a carrier body for lifting or lowering a substrate body or a frame in accordance with the operation mode of an electronic apparatus. |
| US09678540B2 |
Electronic component embedded in ceramic material
A ceramic material having an electronic component embedded therein, and more particularly to a sapphire surface having an electrically energized component embedded within. In some embodiments, the sapphire surface may take the form of a portion of a housing for an electronic device. Since sapphire may be substantially transparent, it may form a cover glass for a display within or forming part of the electronic device, as one example. The cover glass may be bonded, affixed, or otherwise attached to a remainder of the housing, thereby forming an enclosure for the electronic device. |
| US09678531B2 |
Methods and apparatus for adaptive time keeping for multiple timers
A timer distribution module supports multiple timers and comprises: a command decoder arranged to determine expiration times of a plurality of timers; and a timer link list distribution adapter, LLDA, operably coupled to the command decoder. The LLDA is arranged to: receive a time reference from a master clock; receive timer data from the command decoder wherein the timer data comprises at least one timer expiration link list; construct a plurality of timer link lists based on at least one of: the timer expiration link list, at least one configurable timing barrier; dynamically split the link list timer data into a plurality of granularities based on the timer expiration link list; and output the dynamically split link list timer data. |
| US09678528B2 |
Voltage supply system with boost converter and charge pump
Voltage supply system with boost converter and charge pump. A voltage supply system can include a boost converter controllable to receive an input voltage at an input node and generate an output voltage when the output voltage is greater than or equal to the input voltage. The voltage supply system can include a charge pump controllable to receive the input voltage at the input node and generate the output voltage when the output voltage is less than the input voltage. The voltage supply system can further include a controller configured to receive a control signal and control the boost converter or the charge pump to generate the output voltage at an output node based on the control signal. |
| US09678527B2 |
Method and apparatus in an electricity distribution network
There is provided a network element in an electricity distribution network, the network element arranged to: identify a plurality of controllable devices connected to the electricity distribution network; determine the capabilities of the plurality of controllable devices; receive an indication of a target power consumption value; calculate which, if any, of the plurality of controllable devices connected to the electricity distribution network should be activated and which, if any, should be inactivated to meet the target power consumption value; and send instructions towards each controllable device that should be activated and each controllable device that should be inactivated to meet the target power consumption value. |
| US09678526B2 |
Current generation circuit, and bandgap reference circuit and semiconductor device including the same
A current generation circuit including a first and a second bipolar transistors, a current distribution circuit that makes a first current and a second current flow through the first and second bipolar transistors, respectively, the first current and the second current corresponding to a first control voltage, a first NMOS transistor disposed between the first bipolar transistor and the first current distribution circuit, a second NMOS transistor disposed between the second bipolar transistor and the first current distribution circuit, a first resistive element, a first operational amplifier that outputs the second control voltage to the gates of the first and the second NMOS transistors according to a drain voltage of the first NMOS transistor and a reference bias voltage, and a second operational amplifier that generates the first control voltage according to a drain voltage of the second NMOS transistor and the reference bias voltage. |
| US09678525B2 |
Method for smoothing a current consumed by an integrated circuit and corresponding device
A method for smoothing current consumed by an electronic device is based on a series of current copying operations and on a current source delivering a reference current. The reference current is delivered in such a manner that current consumed as seen from the power supply depends on the reference current. |
| US09678517B2 |
Device and method for improving the response time of a temperature control device
A system comprising a temperature controlled device, a primary energy source, and either or both of an electronic device and an electro-mechanical device. One or both of the electronic device and an electro-mechanical device include a secondary energy source, a switching device, a measuring device, and optionally a controller. The temperature controlled device is connected to the secondary energy source when the temperature controlled device is turned on. The measuring device measures a predetermined condition, and the switching device switches from the secondary energy source to the primary energy source when the temperature controlled device achieves the predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is achieved in about 60 seconds or less. |
| US09678516B2 |
Balanced regulator having a balanced trim including a variable pressure sense area
A balanced pressure regulator includes a valve body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet connected by a fluid passageway. A valve seat is disposed within the fluid passageway. A balanced plug assembly is disposed within the fluid passageway, the balanced plug assembly including a valve plug that cooperates with the valve seat to selectively open or close the fluid passageway, a retainer operatively connecting the valve plug to a valve stem, a diaphragm separating a chamber from the fluid passageway, a central balancing passage that fluidly connects the fluid passageway with the chamber, and a peripheral balancing passage that fluidly connects the fluid passageway with the chamber, the peripheral balancing passage being located between the retainer and the valve plug. |
| US09678515B2 |
Lightweight gas pressure regulator
The present disclosure provides a lightweight two-stage pressure regulator for controlling the flow of gas from a high pressure source. The two stage pressure regulator comprises a gas inlet, a first piston pressure regulator stage, a second piston pressure regulator stage and a gas outlet. The first piston pressure regulator stage and the second piston pressure regulator stage are arranged to be coaxial such that the gas flow path is substantially along the axis of the first and second piston regulator stages. |
| US09678512B2 |
System and method for injecting a fluid additive into a fluid dispensation system
A method for operating a fluid additive control system to inject a fluid additive into a fluid dispensation system is provided. The method includes receiving a first control signal indicating that a fluid dispensation device within the fluid dispensation system is active, and determining a fluid additive quantity based upon the identity of the fluid dispensation device. The method also includes activating a fluid additive injection system, where the fluid additive dispensation system injects the fluid additive into the fluid dispensation system in response to the activation. The method further includes receiving a second control signal from the fluid additive injection system when the fluid additive quantity for the zone has been injected into the fluid dispensation system, and deactivating the fluid additive dispensation system in response to the second control signal. |
| US09678511B2 |
Method of determining pump flow in rotary positive displacement pumps
Techniques are provided for tuning a rotary positive displacement pump. The techniques include apparatus featuring a signal processor configured to the present invention may take the form of apparatus comprising a signal processor that may be configured to receive signaling containing information about actual pump performance data related to the operation of a rotary positive displacement pump; and determine corrected published pump performance data to operate the rotary positive displacement pump by compensating published pump performance data based at least partly on the actual pump performance data. The corrected published pump performance data may include a corrected published rated power, flow and slip factor, and the actual pump performance data contains information about actual power, specific gravity and viscosity related to the operation of the rotary positive displacement pump and received from a pump controller or controlling device, including a variable frequency drive. |
| US09678501B2 |
Serialization of fuel cell components
Systems and methods for fuel cell stack part serialization and tracking. In an embodiment, a barcode may be applied to a fuel cell stack part which may identify the fuel cell stack part. In an embodiment, the barcode may be applied as ink on a green fuel cell stack part prior to sintering. In an embodiment, a portion of a fuel cell stack part may be imaged and pattern recognition techniques may be utilized to identify the fuel cell stack part based on the unique features of fuel cell stack part. In an embodiment, portion of a fuel cell stack part may be measured to generate one or more series of unique volume/area values and one or more series of unique volume/area values may be utilized to identify the fuel cell stack part. |
| US09678499B2 |
Method for controlling redundantly actuated machines for cutting a pattern of disconnected contours
A method controls a machine with redundant actuators according to pattern of disconnected contours, wherein the machine includes redundant actuators by first generating a set of initial trajectories from the pattern. Each initial trajectory corresponds to one of the disconnected contours, or a path from an exit point of one contour and an entry point of a next contour. A set of costs for the set of initial trajectories is determined. A sequence of final trajectories is determined based on the set of costs. Then, a set of commands is generated for controlling the machine according to the sequence of final trajectories. |
| US09678495B2 |
Control apparatus for plug-in hybrid vehicle, and control method for the same
A control apparatus for a plug-in hybrid vehicle having a secondary battery that can be charged with external power includes a stoppage period acquisition unit and a battery control unit. The stoppage period acquisition unit obtains an engine stoppage period in which an internal combustion engine is stopped. The battery control unit controls charging/discharging of the secondary battery. The battery control unit sets an upper limit value of a storage amount of the secondary battery to be lower when the engine stoppage period equals or exceeds a predetermined period than when the engine stoppage period is shorter than the predetermined period. |
| US09678494B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling lighting based on a display
The present disclosure provides systems and methods associated with controlling lighting based on a presentation display, such as a television, mobile device, white board, etc. The disclosed embodiments can involve a lighting system, a presentation display, a monitoring system, and a controller. The lighting system provides light to an area and may include a light source and an adjustment mechanism to adjust the light source. The lighting system can include natural light sources and/or artificial light sources. The adjustment mechanism may adjust, for example, one or more of an intensity, orientation, polarization, color, flicker rate, polarization, and other characteristics of the light source. The presentation display can be monitored by a monitoring system to monitor a status of the presentation display. The controller processes the status of the presentation display and signal the adjustment mechanism to adjust the light source, based on the status of the presentation display. |
| US09678493B2 |
Position detection apparatus and position control apparatus
The invention provides a position detection apparatus comprising: a base part, a moving part movable relatively with respect to the base part, a position detection part that detects a position of the moving part relative to the base part on the basis of a magnetic flux change to produce position data, a temperature detection part that detects an ambient temperature, a position correction part that calculates a correction value on the basis of a difference between the position data and a given reference value and the ambient temperature, and corrects the position data on the basis of the calculated correction value to produce a first corrected position data, and a linearity correction part that corrects the first corrected position data on the basis of the correction value for nonlinearity of the position detection part to produce a second corrected position data, wherein: the position detection part is capable of detecting position value as far as a position area where, within a position range of relative movement of the moving part to the base part, the magnetic flux change in association with a change in an amount of the relative movement is nonlinear. |
| US09678489B1 |
Wearable mobile computer cases
A device includes a case for holding a mobile computer against a user's body so that a camera of the mobile computer faces away from the user's body. The device includes a wedge assembly, including a hinge and a wedge piece for contacting the user's body. The mobile computer can cause the wedge piece to rotate about the hinge, thereby positioning the case to an angle with respect to the user's body. |
| US09678482B2 |
Biological information processing system and method of controlling the same
A biological information processing system includes a pulse wave information acquisition unit that acquires pulse wave information of a user, and a processing unit that determines a sleep state of the user on the basis of the pulse wave information and instructs an alarm control unit to perform an alarm notification based on a notification mode according to the sleep state. |
| US09678480B2 |
Clock device with automatic simulation of sunrise or sunset
A clock comprises an alarm clock housing having a front face, a clock display occupying at least a portion of the front face, a control on the housing for activating a shade positioning function, and a processor within the housing. The processor is responsive to the control for generating at least one shade positioning command to be transmitted to at least one motorized window shade, so as to cause the motorized window shade to move to one or more position at one or more corresponding predetermined interval relative to an alarm time. |
| US09678478B2 |
Facetted jewel bearings
The invention provides bearing systems characterized by single point contact with each jewel segment and a spring-loaded assembly with protection from radial and thrust forces. An important feature of jewel bearings of the invention is that they are self-lubricating, i.e., no oil or grease lubricants are needed. This can be a major advantage in medical and precision equipment. A secondary important feature is the reduced friction and effective heat-dissipation due to the unique design of the invention with significant reduction in contact surfaces and friction, which significantly prolong the lifespan of the bearings. Another advantage of the present invention is the substantial reduction in audible noise due to the unique design. Furthermore, the invention allows the use of relatively low cost synthetic jewel segments in bearings. |
| US09678477B2 |
Mechanical component, mechanical component manufacturing method, movement, and timepiece
A mechanical component configured to rotate with a shaft member includes a component main body having a through-hole through which the shaft member is passed, and one or more shaft support portions formed on the inner surface of the through-hole to fix the shaft member to the component main body. The one or more shaft support portions protrude from the inner surface of the through-hole and are capable of retaining the shaft member due to an elastic force. The one or more shaft support portions are made of material having a larger elongation percentage than that of the material of the component main body thereby preventing breakage of the mechanical component due to stress created when the shaft member is forced through the through-hole in the component main body. |
| US09678474B2 |
Method, apparatus and system providing holographic layer as micro-lens and color filter array in an imager
A method, apparatus, and system that provides a holographic layer as a micro-lens array and/or a color filter array in an imager. The method of writing the holographic layer results in overlapping areas in the hologram for corresponding adjacent pixels in the imager which increases collection of light at the pixels, thereby increasing quantum efficiency. |
| US09678473B2 |
Apparatus for producing a hologram
An apparatus for producing a hologram includes a collimation lens configured to receive incoherent light emitted from an object; a spatial light modulator (SLM) that includes at least one diffractive lens which is configured to receive the incoherent light from the collimation lens and split the incoherent light into two beams that interfere with each other; and a camera configured to record the interference pattern of the two beams to create a hologram, wherein a ratio between a distance from the SLM to the camera and a focal length of the diffractive lens is greater than 1. |
| US09678469B2 |
Collected toner container
A collected toner container includes a container with a collecting port receiving a collected toner on one end in a longitudinal direction and a conveying member convey the toner collected from the collecting port from the one end toward the other end. The conveying member includes a plurality of forward conveyance sections and a plurality of reverse conveyance sections configured to convey the toner in a direction opposite to the forward conveyance section. The reverse conveyance sections are arranged alternately with the forward conveyance sections in an axial direction and a length of a downstreammost reverse conveyance section, in the direction of conveyance of the forward conveyance sections, is formed to be longest among the plurality of reverse conveyance sections. |
| US09678463B2 |
Image forming apparatus that adjusts maximum density
An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive member; a charging unit configured to charge the photosensitive member; an exposure unit configured to expose the photosensitive member charged by the charging unit with a laser beam in order to form an electrostatic latent image; a development unit configured to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member to form an image; an obtaining unit configured to obtain information related to the photosensitive member; a measuring unit configured to measure a measurement image formed by the charging unit, the exposure unit, and the development unit; and a determination unit configured to determine an image forming condition for adjusting a maximum density of the image to be formed, based on a measurement result of the measuring unit and the information obtained by the obtaining unit. |
| US09678458B2 |
Remanufacturing method of developer accommodating unit
Provided is a remanufacturing method of a developer accommodating unit including a frame member configured to accommodate a flexible container for accommodating developer. The remanufacturing method includes taking out the flexible container from the inside of the frame member, and refilling the developer into the flexible container. |
| US09678456B1 |
Image forming unit and image forming apparatus
An image forming unit includes an image carrier; a first roller that is in contact with and charges the image carrier; a second roller that is in contact with the first roller and obtains toner from or supplies toner to the first roller; an exposure section that irradiates the charged image carrier with light to form an electrostatic latent image; a development section that develops the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image; a transfer section that transfers the toner image to a transfer member; a control section that performs control such that the toner moves from the image carrier to the first roller and to the second roller or such that the toner to moves from the second roller to the first roller and to the image carrier; and a collecting member that collects the toner that has moved from the first roller to the image carrier. |
| US09678455B2 |
Optical scanning device and image forming apparatus including the same
The optical scanning device includes a polygon mirror, one or more planar mirrors for reflecting the beam light so as to be led to a photosensitive drum, and a pressing member for pressing a back surface of a final planar mirror. The final planar mirror has a glass plate for allowing the beam light to pass therethrough and a reflection layer arranged on an opposite surface of the glass plate. The beam light passes through the glass plate and is reflected at the opposite surface side, so that a scanning line is curved on a surface to be scanned in a convex shape to one side in a sub-scanning direction. The final planar mirror is pressed by the pressing member so as to be curved, so that the scanning line on the surface to be scanned is adjustable to a flat shape. |
| US09678452B2 |
Roller for electrophotography, process cartridge, and image-forming apparatus
A roller for electrophotography including a mandrel and an elastic layer on the mandrel is provided. The elastic layer contains a hollow particle in a region from the surface of the elastic layer to a depth of 100 μm. A cross-section of the hollow particle intersected by a first plane and a cross-section of the hollow particle intersected by a second plane each have a ratio of the length of the long axis to the length of the short axis of 1.2 or more and 1.9 or less. |
| US09678451B2 |
Emulsion aggregation toner for sensor and antibacterial applications
Provided is a toner that has a plurality of toner particles. Each toner particle can include a binder resin core and a shell disposed about the binder resin core. The binder resin core can include at least one binder resin. The shell can include a plurality of metal nanoparticles. The binder resin core can be prepared by forming an aggregate of the binder resin in which metallic nanoparticles are not present. |
| US09678450B2 |
Toner and two-component developer
Provided is [i] a toner including at least a colorant, a resin, and a releasing agent, wherein a spin-spin relaxation time (t2) of the toner at 90° C. obtained by Hahn Echo method of pulse NMR analysis is from 1.80 msec to 7.00 msec. Also provided is [ii] a toner according to [i], wherein the spin-spin relaxation time (t2) of the toner at 90° C. obtained by Hahn Echo method of pulse NMR analysis is from 3.80 msec to 5.90 msec. |
| US09678447B2 |
Toner for developing electrostatic images and method for producing the toner
The present invention is to provide a toner which is able to prevent an odor generated from the toner upon fixing and which has excellent fixability. The present invention is also to provide a method for producing the toner. Disclosed is a method for producing a toner for developing electrostatic images, wherein a content of diethylbenzene in colored resin particles after a polymerization step and before a stripping step, is set to 100 to 400 ppm by the polymerization step; and wherein the diethylbenzene content in the colored resin particles after the stripping step is set to 30 to 250 ppm by the stripping step, and a content of the monovinyl monomer in the colored resin particles after the stripping step is set to 30 ppm or less by the stripping step. |
| US09678445B2 |
Substrate holder, lithographic apparatus, device manufacturing method, and method of manufacturing a substrate holder
A substrate holder for a lithographic apparatus has a planarization layer provided on a surface thereof. The planarization layer provides a smooth surface for the formation of an electronic component such as a thin film electronic component. The planarization layer may be provided in multiple sub layers. The planarization layer may smooth over roughness caused by removal of material from a blank to form burls on the substrate holder. |
| US09678439B2 |
Mirror
Mirror having a fragmented total surface area, wherein the fragmentation forms an aperiodic arrangement. |
| US09678437B2 |
Illumination optical apparatus having distribution changing member to change light amount and polarization member to set polarization in circumference direction
An illumination optical apparatus illuminates a pattern on a mask with illumination light. The illumination optical apparatus includes an optical integrator, a polarization member arranged in an optical path of the illumination light on an incidence side of the optical integrator, which changes a polarization state of the illumination light, and a distribution changing member arranged in the optical path between the polarization member and the optical integrator, which can change a light amount distribution of the illumination light on a pupil plane of the illumination optical apparatus. The polarization member changes the polarization state of the illumination light so that a polarization direction of the illumination light, which is distributed away from an optical axis of the illumination optical apparatus on the pupil plane, is substantially coincident with a circumferential direction about the optical axis on the pupil plane. |
| US09678429B2 |
Method of creating hybrid printing dots in a flexographic printing plate
A method of producing a relief image printing element from a photocurable printing blank. The method includes the steps of a) providing a photocurable printing blank, the photocurable printing blank comprising (i) a backing or support layer; and (ii) one or more photocurable layers disposed on the backing or support layer. The one or more photocurable layers are selectively imaged by exposing the layers to actinic radiation to selectively crosslink and cure portions of the one or more photocurable layers, and then developed to remove uncured portions of the one or more photocurable layers and reveal the relief image therein. The relief image comprises a plurality of relief printing dots, including relief printing dots that have a rounded top and relief printing dots that have a flat top. |
| US09678426B2 |
Polymerizable fluoromonomer, fluoropolymer, resist material, and method of pattern formation
Disclosed is a polymerizable fluoromonomer represented by the following general formula (1). In the formula, R1 represents a hydrogen atom, methyl group, fluorine atom, or trifluoromethyl group. n is an integer of 0 or 1, and m is that of from 1 to (3+n). R2 and R3 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a protective group. A resist containing a fluoropolymer obtained by polymerizing or copolymerizing the monomer is suitable for use in microfabrication by immersion exposure or by a double patterning process based on immersion exposure. |
| US09678425B2 |
Polymerizable fluoromonomer, fluoropolymer, resist material, and method of pattern formation
Disclosed is a polymerizable fluoromonomer represented by the following general formula (1). In the formula, R1 represents a hydrogen atom, methyl group, fluorine atom, or trifluoromethyl group. n is an integer of 0 or 1, and m is that of from 1 to (3+n). R2 and R3 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a protective group. A resist containing a fluoropolymer obtained by polymerizing or copolymerizing the monomer is suitable for use in microfabrication by immersion exposure or by a double patterning process based on immersion exposure. |
| US09678422B2 |
Photoacid generator bound to floating additive polymer
Methods and materials for making a semiconductor device are described. The method includes providing a substrate, forming a middle layer comprising a floating additive polymer (FAP) at an upper surface of the middle layer, the FAP chemically bound to a photoacid generator (PAG) and including a fluorine-containing material over the substrate, forming a photoresist layer over the middle layer, exposing the photoresist layer and the middle layer to an exposure energy to produce acid bound to the middle layer in the exposed areas of the middle layer, and developing the photoresist layer. |
| US09678419B2 |
Multifunctional panoramic head and panoramic image capture system
The invention provides a multifunctional panoramic head, including a horizontal rotating device, a vertical rotating device, a transverse arm and a vertical arm, the vertical rotating device includes a rotary disc, a vertical indexing disc and a locating component, the rotary disc and the vertical indexing disc are set on the upper part of the vertical arm, the locating component is set within the vertical arm, and the locating component includes a locating component body, a plurality of locating pins which are assembled together with the locating component body and a locating switch handle which can control the locating pins to stretch out and draw back. The invention also provides a panoramic image capture system. The invention can achieve precise angular positioning of a camera and lens, enhancing the stability of the head, reducing image blurring and hence improving success rate of panoramic image creation and stitching efficiency. |
| US09678414B2 |
Projecting type image display apparatus including light source control unit and cooling control unit
An image display apparatus including a light source; a light source control unit configured to control electric power to be supplied to the light source; a light source cooling unit configured to cool the light source; a cooling control unit configured to control the light source cooling unit; an image display device; an illumination optical system configured to introduce light from the light source to the image display device, and a projecting optical system configured to project light modulated by the image display device. When the light source control unit receives a turn-off command, the light source control unit first lowers electric power to be supplied to the light source to a predetermined electric power lower than normal electric power to be supplied when the lamp is on, and then blocks the supply of the electric power to the light source, thereby turning the light source off. |
| US09678409B2 |
Camera module and method for auto focusing the same
An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes an actuator moving a mover including at least one lens receiving an optical image of an object; andan actuator driving unit controlling the actuator to drive the mover to a forward direction or to a reverse direction, wherein a separate direction bit is to drive a first search section and a second search section, in a case a search section driving the mover to the forward direction is defined as the first search section, and a search section driving the mover to the reverse direction is defined as the second search section. |
| US09678407B2 |
Focal-plane shutter for camera and digital camera equipped therewith
A focal plane shutter is provided with a switching mechanism having an electromagnet and a stopping member. The stopping member is provided with an engaging portion able to lock an engagement portion provided in a first driving member for a leading edge, and an operating portion wherein a direction of a force, in relation to the electromagnet, switches, in accordance with switching between an application and removal of an electric current in a single direction to the electromagnet, so as to move the engaging portion to a position wherein it is able to release locking of the engagement portion when the electric current is applied, and to move the engaging portion to a position wherein it is able to lock the engagement portion when the electric current is removed. |
| US09678402B2 |
Electrochromic apparatus, optical filter, imaging apparatus, lens unit, window member, and method of driving an electrochromic apparatus
An electrochromic apparatus includes an electrochromic element comprising a pair of electrodes and an electrochromic layer disposed between the pair of electrodes; and drive circuits connected to the electrochromic element, the drive circuits including a drive circuit A and a drive circuit B, in which, when no voltage is applied in a pulse width modulation (PWM) drive of the drive circuit A, a resistance value of the drive circuit A is larger than a resistance value of the electrochromic element, and in which when no voltage is applied in a PWM drive of the drive circuit B, the pair of electrodes is short-circuited. |
| US09678401B2 |
Optical device
In a method of operating a liquid crystal device having a liquid crystal composition with smectic-A properties, a first waveform is applied to optically clear the device so that it is substantially transparent to visible light and a second waveform is applied to disorder the material of the liquid crystal composition to afford a strongly light-scattering state. The first waveform has a higher frequency than the second, waveform, and the method comprises applying a modified waveform to partially clear at least a portion of the device from the light-scattering state. |
| US09678397B2 |
Display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a TFT substrate and a counter substrate with liquid crystal sandwiched therebetween. The TFT substrate has scanning lines 10 extending in a first direction and arrayed in a second direction and video signal lines 20 extending in the second direction and arrayed in the first direction. The TFT substrate has a display area 500 in which TFT pixels are arrayed in a matrix pattern, and a frame area 600 surrounding the display area. In the frame area 600, common bus wires 521 are formed in the same layer and with the same material as the video signal lines 20 and are impressed with a common voltage. Dummy TFTs are formed in a layer under the common bus wires 521. The scanning lines 10, extending over the frame area 600, are divided outside the display area and are interconnected by bridging wires 170. |
| US09678379B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
The viewing angle of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) apparatus is expanded by means of a sampled light redirecting layer, In one embodiment, the sampled light redirecting layer is formed as a compensation layer disposed between a top polarizing plate and the rest of a liquid crystal display panel having a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. The compensation layer includes at least two optical path changing patterns disposed in interleaved manner. The two optical path changing patterns have different refractive indexes. As a result of the different refractive indices and shapes of the at least two different optical path changing patterns some of the light rays sampled out of the output of the rest of a liquid crystal display panel are directed in a first direction by means of reflection or refraction and some are directed in a different second direction, thereby improving a side visibility of the display apparatus. |
| US09678378B2 |
Display device
A display device includes: a substrate including a display area composed of a plurality of pixels disposed in a matrix; lower electrodes each formed in each of the plurality of pixels on the substrate and composed of a conductor; an organic layer formed on the lower electrodes and including a light-emitting layer; an upper electrode formed on the organic layer and composed of a conductor; and a pixel separation film at least a portion of which includes polymer dispersed liquid crystal, the pixel separation film being in contact with edges of the lower electrodes to insulate between the lower electrodes of the pixels adjacent to each other. |
| US09678376B2 |
Liquid crystal display comprising a liquid crystal layer positioned in a microcavity having a column portion in contact with a tapered side wall of the microcavity
A liquid crystal display includes a microcavity formed on an insulation substrate that has a tapered side wall; a liquid crystal layer positioned in the microcavity; and a column portion in contact with the tapered side wall of the microcavity and between microcavities. The column portion includes a second column organic layer and a first column insulating layer formed outside the second column organic layer, and a side surface of first column insulating layer coincides with the side wall of the microcavity. |
| US09678369B2 |
Terminating impedance circuit for an electroabsorption modulator
A terminating impedance circuit, which is thermally decoupled from a substrate, for an electroabsorption modulator, having a modulator capacitance includes a series resistance-emphasized RF delay line exhibiting an impedance distributed over its length, wherein the spatially distributed impedance has at least a predominant resistance per unit length, an inductance per unit length tuned to the modulator capacitance, and a parasitic capacitance per unit length, wherein the resistance per unit length takes the function of a terminating resistor, wherein furthermore the inductance per unit length, together with the modulator capacitance, forms a strongly damped resonant circuit which provides, together with the terminating impedance circuit, for a controlled increase in the frequency response of the electroabsorption modulator within an operating frequency range, and wherein, at least for radio-frequency signals, the parasitic capacitance per unit length is negligible relative to the modulator capacitance. |
| US09678365B2 |
Rear lens
A rearview mirror that is attached to the front surface; left or right side, of any type of eyewear where rear viewing is needed, but especially designed with sportswear in mind. This design is unique because of how and it is attached; to the surface of the eyewear by so-called socketed suction cup; truly held on by atmospheric pressure. The cup being about ¼″ inch in diameter can hold on with about 4 lbs of force with a gentle touch because it is made of pliable rubber. The interior of the suction cup has a ball socket housing; both socket and suction cup is all one piece. The stem and ball, is a part of the plastic housing, which encases the mirror, which is all one piece, with smooth rounded edges for safety. The plastic housing exterior acts as an airfoil plate, designed and shaped in such a way to give way to the wind, and cause less turbulence. The ball and socket allows the mirror to swivel in all directions from 0-45 degrees of adjustment in angle, which is adjusted by hand. The mirror can be placed laterally across the eyewear lens also for adjustment without obscuring the frontal view. Facing straight ahead with a slight glance of the eye to the left (right if placed on the right side) as you would do when driving an automobile, you will get 40 to 70 degree rearward view while looking straight ahead; approximately ⅞ by 1½ inch wide mirror. The mirror will enable the user to complete a 365-degree viewing area with only a 45-degree turn of the head to a left then right direction. The mirror is placed in a strategic position on the lens of the eyewear in close proximity to the eye, but not an off-to-the side angle that can strain the eye. This slight 20-degree glance, affords the eye a wide field of view. |
| US09678361B2 |
Power delivery for accommodation by an eye-mountable device
Techniques and mechanisms to power automatic accommodation by an eye-mountable device. In an embodiment, the eye-mountable device includes an accommodation actuator to change an optical strength of the eye-mountable device. Control logic of the eye-mountable device is to transition a supply voltage between different levels to drive operation of the accommodation actuator, including the control logic to perform a step-wise transition of the supply voltage from a first voltage level to a second voltage level. In another embodiment, the control logic includes a bidirectional direct current to direct current (DC-DC) converter. During the step-wise transition of the supply voltage, the bidirectional DC-DC converter is configured to aid in recharging a battery of the eye-mountable device with charge from the accommodation actuator. |
| US09678357B2 |
Image stabilization apparatus and method of controlling the same, and storage medium
An image stabilization apparatus comprises first optical correction unit configured to optically correct an image blur, second optical correction unit configured to optically correct the image blur, first restriction unit configured to set a first restriction which restricts a driving range of the first optical correction unit, subtraction unit configured to obtain a result of subtraction by subtracting the shake signal to which the first restriction has been set from the shake signal detected by the shake detection unit, second restriction unit configured to set a second restriction which restricts a driving range of the second optical correction unit to the result of subtraction, change unit configured to change a restriction values, and control unit configured to control the first and second optical correction units. |
| US09678356B2 |
Projection screen apparatus, projection apparatus, and projection method
A projection screen apparatus has: a display panel having an external panel surface and an internal panel surface; an actuator device by way of which an oscillating motion is impartable to at least a part of the projection screen apparatus; a diffuser screen, disposed adjacently to the internal panel surface, to which the oscillating motion with respect to the display panel is imparted by way of the actuator device; and a gap between the internal panel surface of the display panel and an inner surface of the diffuser screen directed toward the internal panel surface being filled at least in part with at least one viscoelastic filler material. |
| US09678352B2 |
Liquid crystal grating and display device
The liquid crystal grating includes a first substrate and a second substrate arranged opposite to each other, and a liquid crystal layer arranged therebetween. The liquid crystal grating further includes: a plurality of first electrodes having a first extension direction and arranged parallel to each other and on the first substrate; and a plurality of second electrodes having a second extension direction and arranged parallel to each other and on the second substrate. The first electrodes and the second electrodes cross each other and are configured to enable, under control of a first driving signal, the liquid crystal layer to form a first grating for the 3D display together with the display panel in a first direction, and to enable, under control of a second driving signal, the liquid crystal layer to form a second grating for the 3D display together with the display panel in a second direction. |
| US09678351B2 |
Stereoscopic display device and dashboard using the same
Provided is a stereoscopic display device, including: a base substrate transmitting an incident beam; and a three-dimensional effect forming part on a first surface of the base substrate, wherein the three-dimensional effect forming part has a pattern, the pattern having multiple pattern units arranged in a concentric circular, elliptical or polygonal radial form, each of the pattern units having an inclined surface having an inclination angle with respect to the first surface, and wherein when an incident beam is incident to a central portion of the pattern, the pattern guides the incident beam in a first surface direction toward which the first surface looks or a second surface direction toward which a second surface opposite to the first surface looks, thereby displaying a line-shaped beam having a three-dimensional effect in a first path resulting a pattern arrangement direction. |
| US09678349B2 |
Transparent type near-eye display device
The present invention relates to a transparent near-eye display device. The near-eye display device includes a main case providing a containing space to include an electronic component assemble; a see-through display unit mechanically connected with the main case and electrically connected with the electronic component assemble; and an attaching unit configured on the main case and attachable to a spectacle-based frame. |
| US09678348B2 |
Optical module and head mounted display
An optical module includes an optical waveguide, at least one beam splitter and a light source. The optical waveguide has a first surface, a second surface and a light incidence surface. An interior angle between the light incidence surface and the first surface is θ. A distance between the first and the second surfaces is T. A refractive index of the optical waveguide is n. Each beam splitter and the first surface have a first intersection point on a reference plane perpendicular to the first surface, and the light incidence surface and the second surface have a second intersection point having a first orthogonal projection on the first surface. A distance between the first orthogonal projection and the first intersection point closest to the light incidence surface is H. An incidence angle of a beam at the light incidence surface is a, and a ≤ sin - 1 { n × sin - 1 [ 90 ° - θ - tan - 1 ( H T ) ] } . |
| US09678343B2 |
Method for operating virtual reality glasses and system with virtual reality glasses
A method for operating virtual reality glasses involves displaying at least one virtual object from a first virtual viewing position by the virtual reality glasses and displaying the virtual object and a first position symbol at a point corresponding to the first virtual viewing position and at least one further position symbol at a point corresponding to a further virtual viewing position by an external display unit. If a predetermined confirmation action in relation to the further position symbol displayed on the display unit has been detected, a virtual position change is performed by the virtual reality glasses from the first virtual viewing position to the further virtual viewing position, whereupon the virtual object is displayed from the further virtual viewing position by the virtual reality glasses. |
| US09678338B1 |
Systems and methods for reducing boot time and power consumption in wearable display systems
Systems and methods for communications with wearable devices having displays with low boot time are provided. In one example embodiment, a display command is received at a low-power processor, and the low-power processor boots a video processor. The video processor then boots a high-speed processor as part of managing display of content. In certain embodiments, a low-power wireless connection from a camera to a client device is established. Based on this connection, the low-power processor initiates boot-up of a high-speed processor and wireless communication circuitry, which is used to receive content for display on the wearable device. |
| US09678337B2 |
Viewer with multifocal lens and method for changing focal length of viewer
A viewer includes a multifocal lens capable of setting one of a plurality of focal lengths. When a measuring section detects a change in gazing point distance, a selection section selects a focal length to be set among the plurality of focal lengths, and a determiner determines a time duration before a focal length of the multifocal lens is changed. A controller changes the focal length of the multifocal lens when a detector detects a blink or saccadic eye movement of the user before the determined time duration elapses. |
| US09678332B2 |
Illumination apparatus, illumination method, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method
To optionally forming a multilevel light intensity distribution on an illumination pupil plane, the illumination apparatus implements Köhler illumination on an illumination target surface, using as a light source the light intensity distribution formed on the illumination pupil plane on the basis of light from a light source. The illumination apparatus has a spatial light modulator, a condensing optical system, and a controller. The spatial light modulator has reflecting surfaces which are two-dimensionally arranged and postures of which can be controlled independently of each other. The condensing optical system condenses light from the reflecting surfaces to form a predetermined light intensity distribution on the illumination pupil plane. The controller controls the number of reflecting surfaces contributing to arriving light, for each of points on the illumination pupil plane forming the light intensity distribution, according to a light intensity distribution to be formed on the illumination pupil plane. |
| US09678330B1 |
Electrowetting display device including a top internal diffuser
A display device including a top support plate having a first refractive index. A diffusion layer on a first surface of the top support plate includes a plurality of features. Each feature of the plurality of features has a second refractive index greater than the first refractive index. A transparent conductive polymer layer is applied over the diffusion layer. The transparent conductive polymer layer has a third refractive index equal to the first refractive index, and provides a common electrode. |
| US09678327B2 |
Endoscope objective lens and endoscope
An endoscope objective lens consists essentially of, in order from the object side, a negative first lens group, a stop, and a positive second lens group. At least one of the first lens group and the second lens includes only one cemented lens which is formed by a positive lens and a negative lens cemented together. The entire system includes a positive single lens. The endoscope objective lens satisfies given condition expressions relating to the focal length of the entire system, the center thickness of the positive single lens, the center thickness of the cemented lens, the distance from the most object-side lens surface to the stop, and the distance from the stop to the most image-side lens surface. |
| US09678325B2 |
Analysis apparatus, analysis program, and analysis system
An analysis apparatus includes a two-dimensional coordinate detecting unit and a three-dimensional coordinate determining unit. The two-dimensional coordinate detecting unit is configured to detect, with respect to a captured image group obtained by capturing an analysis specimen including an analysis target object at a plurality of focal depths, a two-dimensional coordinate candidate being a candidate of a plane coordinate of the analysis target object in each captured image. The three-dimensional coordinate determining unit is configured to determine, based on a position relationship of the plane coordinate candidates between the captured images, a three-dimensional coordinate candidate being a candidate of a three-dimensional coordinate of the analysis target object. |
| US09678321B2 |
Light trapping optical structure
A light trapping optical cover employing an optically transparent layer with a plurality of light deflecting elements. The transparent layer is configured for an unimpeded light passage through its body and has a broad light input surface and an opposing broad light output surface. The light deflecting elements deflect light incident into the transparent layer at a sufficiently high bend angle with respect to a surface normal and direct the deflected light toward a light harvesting device adjacent to the light output surface. The deflected light is retained by means of at least TIR in the system formed by the optical cover and the light harvesting device which allows for longer light propagation paths through the photoabsorptive layer of the device and for an improved light absorption. The optical cover may further employ a focusing array of light collectors being pairwise associated with the respective light deflecting elements. |
| US09678314B2 |
Imaging lens assembly
An imaging lens assembly is provided in the present disclosure. The imaging lens assembly includes a first lens with positive refractive power, a second lens with negative refractive power, a third lens with negative refractive power, a forth lens with positive refractive power, a fifth lens with positive refractive power and a sixth lens with negative refractive power. The first lens, the second lens, the third lens, the forth lens, the fifth lens and the sixth lens are arranged in sequence from the object side to the image side and satisfy conditions provided in the present disclosure. |
| US09678313B2 |
Imaging lens
A compact low-cost imaging lens which provides brightness with an F-value of 2.5 or less and a wide field of view and corrects aberrations properly, meeting the demand for low-profileness. The imaging lens elements are arranged in the following order from an object side to an image side: a first lens with positive refractive power having a convex surface on the object side; a second lens with negative refractive power; a third lens with positive or negative refractive power having at least one aspheric surface; a fourth lens with positive refractive power; a fifth lens as a meniscus double-sided aspheric lens having a concave surface near an optical axis on the image side; and a sixth lens as a meniscus lens having a concave surface near the optical axis on the object side. The both surfaces of the fifth lens have pole-change points off the optical axis. |
| US09678312B2 |
Imaging lens and imaging apparatus
An imaging lens includes, in order from the object side to the image side: a negative first lens; a positive second lens; a positive third lens; a negative fourth lens; a positive fifth lens; a positive sixth lens; and a negative seventh lens. In the imaging lens, Conditional Formula (1) related to the radius of curvature R2 of the surface of the first lens toward the image side and the focal length f of the entire lens system and Conditional Formula (2) related to the radius of curvature R3 of the surface of the second lens toward the object side and the focal length f of the entire lens system are satisfied. 1 |
| US09678310B2 |
Imaging lens and imaging apparatus equipped with the imaging lens
An imaging lens is constituted essentially by four or more lenses, including, in order from the object side to the image side: a first lens having a positive refractive power; a second lens having a negative refractive power; and a plurality of other lenses. The conditional formulae below are satisfied. 0.8 |
| US09678307B2 |
Lens module
There is provided a lens module including: a first lens having positive refractive power; a second lens having negative refractive power; a third lens having positive refractive power; a fourth lens having negative refractive power and having a convex image-side surface; a fifth lens having negative refractive power; and a sixth lens having negative refractive power and having one or more inflection point on an image-side surface thereof. |
| US09678306B2 |
Imaging lens composed of six optical elements
A compact, low-profile, low-cost imaging lens with an F-value of 2.5 or less and a wide field of view which corrects aberrations properly. Its elements are arranged from an object side to an image side: a first positive optical element group including a first positive lens having a convex object-side surface, a second negative lens having a concave image-side surface, and a third positive lens having a convex object-side surface; a second positive optical element group including a fourth positive lens having a convex image-side surface; and a third negative optical element group including a fifth negative double-sided aspheric lens having a concave image-side surface. The fifth lens image-side surface has at least one pole-change point off an optical axis. A double-sided aspheric aberration correction optical element with virtually no refractive power is located in an air gap nearer to the image plane than the first optical element group. |
| US09678304B2 |
Optical image capturing system
A five-piece optical lens for capturing image and a five-piece optical module for capturing image, along the optical axis in order from an object side to an image side, include a first lens with refractive power having an object-side surface which can be convex; a second lens with negative refractive power; a third lens with positive refractive power; a fourth lens with positive refractive power; and a fifth lens which can have negative refractive power, wherein an image-side surface thereof can be concave, and at least one surface of the fifth lens has an inflection point; both surfaces of each of the five lenses are aspheric. The optical lens can increase aperture value and improve the imaging quality for use in compact cameras. |
| US09678302B2 |
Adjustment apparatus for an optical element
An adjustment apparatus (20) for an optical element (12) of an optoelectronic sensor (10) is provided comprising a drive (32), a cam disk (22) rotatable by the drive (32) and a transmission element (26) which is in contact with a periphery of the cam disk (22) and is connected to the optical element (12) in order thus to convert a rotary movement of the cam disk (22) into an adjustment movement of the optical element (12). In this respect, the cam disk (22) is manufactured from metal in an etching technology. |
| US09678301B2 |
Lens assembly, lens barrel and image capturing apparatus
A lens assembly includes a first lens holder that holds a first lens, a first guiding shaft that guides the first lens holder in a parallel direction to an optical axis of the first lens, a first driver that drives the first lens holder in an axial direction of the first guiding shaft, a second lens holder that holds a second lens that is different from the first lens, and a second driver that drives the second lens holder in a direction of the optical axis. Here, the first guiding shaft, the second driver, and the first driver are arranged in the stated order in a circumferential direction of a circle that is centered on the optical axis. |
| US09678296B2 |
Telecommunications assembly
A telecommunications assembly includes a chassis defining an interior region and a tray assembly disposed in the interior region. The tray assembly includes a tray and a cable spool assembly. The cable spool assembly is engaged to a base panel of the tray. The cable spool assembly is adapted to rotate relative to the tray. The cable spool assembly includes a hub, a flange engaged to the hub and an adapter module. The flange defines a termination area. The adapter module is engaged to the termination module of the flange. The adapter module is adapted to slide relative to the flange in a direction that is generally parallel to the flange between an extended position and a retracted position. |
| US09678294B2 |
Optical fiber connection apparatus
An optical fiber distribution apparatus includes a panel extending along a first direction and formed with a first mounting hole and at least two second mounting holes spaced apart from the first mounting hole along the first direction. A plurality of rows of optical fiber connector adapters are arranged in a stack in a direction transverse to the first direction and are inserted into the first mounting hole. At least two multi-fiber push on (MPO) connector adapters are respectively inserted into the at least two second mounting holes. |
| US09678292B2 |
Termination module with termination leg and management leg
The present disclosure relates to a telecommunications distribution hub having a cabinet that defines a primary compartment. The cabinet also includes one or more main doors for accessing the primary compartment. Telecommunications equipment is mounted within the primary compartment. The distribution hub further includes a secondary compartment that can be accessed from an exterior of the cabinet without accessing the primary compartment. A grounding interface is accessible from within the secondary compartment. |
| US09678290B2 |
Fiber optic cable assembly including a connector assembly
A fiber optic cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable and a connector assembly. The fiber optic cable includes an optical fiber, having a core surrounded by a cladding, and a jacket, which surrounds the optical fiber. The jacket includes a plurality of reinforcement members integrated into a matrix material of the jacket. The connector assembly includes a rear housing having a connector end that is directly engaged with an end portion of the jacket. A fiber optic cable includes an optical fiber with a core surrounded by a cladding. The fiber optic cable also includes a jacket that surrounds the optical fiber. The jacket includes about 40% to about 70% by weight of a plurality of reinforcement members integrated into a matrix material of the jacket. |
| US09678289B1 |
Thermal management of optical coupling systems
An optical coupling system includes a substrate, an electronic die comprising a plurality of coupling holes for passing light, an optical element die attached to a bottom surface of the electronic die, the electronic die attached to the substrate such that the electronic die covers a cavity in the substrate and the optical element die resides within the cavity of the substrate. The system may also include a thermally conductive lid that covers and contacts the electronic die and the substrate and has a coupling aperture that enables light that passes through the coupling holes to pass through the thermally conductive lid. The system may also include an optical cable coupler comprising a coupling section that laterally fits within the coupling aperture and a body section disposed above the coupling section that is laterally larger than the coupling section. A method for providing the above system is also disclosed herein. |
| US09678287B2 |
Overboot assembly having unlatching and strain relief features for fiber optic cable terminus
To improve the termination of a fiber optic cable, disclosed is an overboot assembly for a fiber optic terminus that retains a terminal end of the fiber optic cable in a receptacle. The overboot assembly provides strain relief to the fiber optic cable. Also, the overboot includes a removal member that is not separable from a fiber optic assembly of the fiber optic cable, the terminus and the overboot. The removal member may be advanced longitudinally relative to the terminus to manipulate a retaining member in the receptacle that latches the terminus in a connected state with the receptacle. Manipulation of the retaining member unlatches the terminus so that the terminus may be removed from the receptacle. |
| US09678285B2 |
Optical fiber connector
An optical fiber connector and method for assembly and use are disclosed. The optical fiber connector is configured to have a small footprint so that the connector may be pushable or pullable through a conduit if use of a conduit may be needed. The connector may include a first number of connector components configured to fit through a conduit, and a second number of connector components that are configured to be installed to the first components, for example, after the connector is pushed or pulled through a conduit. |
| US09678282B2 |
Fiber optic adapters and connector devices with mounting features and mounting systems and methods including same
A fiber optic adapter system includes a fiber optic adapter and a mounting bracket. The fiber optic adapter includes a first interlock feature. The mounting bracket defines a channel having a longitudinal channel axis and a longitudinally extending lateral side opening. The mounting bracket includes a second interlock feature. The fiber optic adapter and the mounting bracket are relatively configured to enable a user to interlock the first and second interlock features to secure the fiber optic adapter to the mounting bracket by inserting the fiber optic adapter into the channel through the lateral side opening in an insertion direction transverse to the channel axis. |
| US09678273B2 |
Device for propagating light and method for fabricating a device
A device for propagating light is described, comprising: a substrate having a semiconductor material, an insulating layer, wherein the insulating layer is arranged on the substrate, a recess reaching through the insulating layer and into the substrate, wherein the recess is at least partially filled with a filler material, and a waveguide arranged in or on the filler material. |
| US09678270B2 |
Multimode optical fiber with high bandwidth over an extended wavelength range, and corresponding multimode optical system
The invention concerns a multimode optical fiber, with a graded-index core co-doped with at least fluorine F and germanium GeO2 and a refractive index profile with at least two α-values. According to the invention, the concentration of fluorine F at the core center ([F]r=0) is between 0 and 3 wt % and the concentration of fluorine F at the core outer radius ([F]r=a) is between 0.5 wt % and 5.5 wt %, with [F]r=a−[F]r=>0.4 wt %. For wavelengths comprised between 850 nm and 1100 nm, said multimode optical fiber has an overfilled launch bandwidth (OFL-BW) greater than 3500 MHz·km and a calculated effective modal bandwidth (EMBc) greater than 4700 MHz·km over a continuous operating wavelength range greater than 150 nm. |
| US09678267B2 |
Wide angle imaging directional backlights
An imaging directional backlight apparatus including a waveguide, a light source array, for providing large area directed illumination from localized light sources. The waveguide may include a stepped structure, in which the steps may further include extraction features optically hidden to guided light, propagating in a first forward direction. Returning light propagating in a second backward direction may be refracted, diffracted, or reflected by the features to provide discrete illumination beams exiting from the top surface of the waveguide. Viewing windows are formed through imaging individual light sources and hence defines the relative positions of system elements and ray paths. The uncorrected system creates non-illuminated void portions when viewed off-axis preventing uniform wide angle 2D illumination modes. The system may be corrected to remove this non uniformity at wide angles through the introduction of additional sources away from the system's object plane, additional imaging surfaces, and/or by altering ray paths. |
| US09678266B2 |
Display module
A display module is provided. A light source is configured to provide an illumination beam. A light guide plate has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and an incident surface connecting the first surface and the second surface. The illumination beam enters the light guide plate through the incident surface. An optical structure is connected to the light guide plate and configured to change a propagation direction of the illumination beam. A reflective display unit is capable of modulating a polarization state of the illumination beam to form a modulated beam. The second surface is disposed between the reflective display unit and the first surface. The first surface is disposed between the second surface and a reflective polarizer, and the reflective polarizer filters the modulated beam into an image beam. |
| US09678263B2 |
Scanning type backlight module and display device
The embodiments of the invention disclose a scanning type backlight module and a display device. Since a laser light source with good collimation is applied, during a display time of a frame, with the modulation of the optical path regulator, the laser emitted from the laser light source performs a progressive scanning for a region corresponding to at least one row of pixel units in a light guide plate or a display panel. Therefore, the problem of dynamic picture ghosting can be solved effectively; moreover, since the progressive scanning for the entire light guide plate can be realized by changing the light propagation path of the laser emitted from the laser light source with the optical path regulator, the number of the laser light sources can be reduced and the production cost can be decreased. |
| US09678257B2 |
Photoresist composition for green color filter
The present disclosure relates to a photosensitive composition for a green color filter. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a dye for a green color filter which has a high light transmittance; a photosensitive composition including the dye; and a green color filter manufactured using the photosensitive composition. |
| US09678255B2 |
Light-transmissive display apparatus
A display apparatus with improved light-transmitting property in transparent mode is presented. The apparatus includes a substrate, a plurality of display devices disposed on the substrate, and color filters, wherein the plurality of display devices are interposed between the color filters and the substrate, the color filters transmitting visible rays of a predefined wavelength band only when ultraviolet (UV) rays are received, and transmitting visible rays when no UV rays are received. |
| US09678254B2 |
Red pixel, green pixel and color filter and display device
A red pixel has a chromaticity coordinate in the CIE colorimetric system in use by a light emitting element containing quantum dots as a light source, satisfying 0.670≦x≦0.680, and a film thickness of 3.0 μm or less. A green pixel has a chromaticity coordinate in the CIE colorimetric system in use by the light emitting element as a light source, satisfying 0.690≦x≦0.710, and a film thickness of 3.0 μm or less. The color filter has at least one of the red pixel and the green pixel. A display device comprises a color filter having at least one of the red pixel and the green pixel, and the light emitting element containing quantum dots. |
| US09678253B2 |
Manufacturing method of diffraction grating
A manufacturing method of a Blazed diffraction grating configured to diffract incident light and made of a CdTe or CdZnTe crystal material includes the step of forming a plurality of grating grooves in a processed surface of a work through machining using a processing machine for the Blazed diffraction grating. The forming step forms the grating grooves so that among surfaces of gratings formed by the forming step, a surface that receives the incident light most is set to a (110) plane as a crystal orientation of the crystal material. |
| US09678251B2 |
Optical head for receiving light and optical system using the same
An optical head for receiving incident light is provided. The optical head comprises a transmissive cosine corrector and a reflector disposed to face the transmissive cosine corrector. The transmissive cosine corrector is disposed in an optical path of the incident light and shields the reflector from the incident light. The transmissive cosine corrector converts the incident light to scattered light having a Lambertian pattern. The reflector has an optical output section that transmits the scattered light and a reflective section that reflects the scattered light to the transmissive cosine corrector and/or the other portions of the reflective sections. An optical system using the optical head is also provided. |
| US09678249B2 |
Polarizing plate protective film, polarizing plate and display device
A polarizing plate protective film contains a compound represented by general formula (II-1) or (II-2). In general formulas (II-1) and (II-2), X represents a 6-membered cyclic acetal group; n represents an integer of 2 or more; and a plurality of Xs may be identical or different. In general formula (II-1), Z2 represents a linking group having a valence of n; R1 represents a substituent, when there are a plurality of R1s, at least two of the plurality of R1s may be taken together to form a ring, R1s in different benzene rings may be taken together to form a single bond; m represents an integer of 0-4; and the plurality of R1s may be identical or different. In general formula (II-2), Z3 represents an alkylene group having a valence of n, provided that Z3 does not have a ring structure. |
| US09678248B2 |
Antireflective article, image display device, production mold for antireflective article and production method for antireflective article production mold
In order to improve the scratch resistance of an antireflective article having a moth-eye structure, an antireflective article is provided that has fine protrusions densely arranged therein, and has the interval between adjacent fine protrusions being no more than the shortest wavelength in the wavelength band for antireflection. At least some of the fine protrusions are fine protrusions having a plurality of apexes. |
| US09678246B2 |
Polymerizable composition for optical material
A polymerizable composition for an optical material includes: (A) one or more isocyanates having two or more isocyanato groups that contains an aromatic isocyanate; (B) one or more alcohols having two or more hydroxyl groups; and (C) an acid phosphate represented by the following formula (1), in which a ratio of the molar number of a secondary hydroxyl group to the total molar number of primary and secondary hydroxyl groups contained in the alcohol (B) is 50% or higher. |
| US09678245B2 |
Polycarbonate resin film, and transparent film and process for producing the same
A polycarbonate resin film of the present invention is formed from a polycarbonate resin which contains at least a constitutional unit derived from a dihydroxy compound having a bonded structure represented by the following structural formula (1) and satisfies the following expression (2) when subjected to a tensile test at a standard stretching temperature for the polycarbonate resin and at a pulling speed (strain rate) of 1,000%/min. [Chem. 1] CH2—O (1) (No hydrogen atom is bonded to the oxygen atom contained in the structural formula (1).) 0.9≦[(lower yield stress in tension)/(upper yield stress in tension)]≦1 (2). |
| US09678237B2 |
Method and apparatus for optimizing deep resistivity measurements with multi-component antennas
According to aspects of the present disclosure, systems and methods for optimizing deep resistivity measurements are described herein. The method may include obtaining one or more first multi-component measurements from a downhole tool disposed in a borehole. The downhole tool may comprise multi-component antennae. A relative structural dip angle, Φ, of the downhole tool relative to formations may be determined, for example, through the use of an additional downhole tool, or computationally using the one or more first multi-component measurements. A tilt angle of at least one of the multi-component antenna may be adjusted, with the adjusted tilt angle being based on the dip angle. The method may further include obtaining one or more second multi-component measurements associated with the adjusted tilt angle, and determining a formation characteristic based, at least in part, on the one or more second multi-component measurements, without including or considering formation anisotropy effects. |
| US09678235B2 |
Variable depth multicomponent sensor streamer
Variable depth multicomponent sensor streamer. At least some of example embodiments are methods including designing a depth profile for first portion of a sensor streamer by determining a first target depth for a first hydrophone-geophone pair, the first hydrophone-geophone pair at a first offset along the sensor streamer, the determining based on a first projected geophone noise floor at the first offset and a first expected spectral notch of a hydrophone of the first hydrophone-geophone pair; and determining a second target depth for a second hydrophone-geophone pair, the second hydrophone-geophone pair at a second offset along the sensor streamer, the second offset greater than the first offset, and determining the second target depth based on a second projected geophone noise floor in the sensor streamer at the second offset and a second expected spectral notch of a hydrophone of the second hydrophone-geophone pair; wherein the second target depth is greater than the first target depth. |
| US09678232B2 |
System, method and computer program product for stacking seismic noise data to analyze seismic events
Disclosed is a method for determining seismic event data from indications of seismic noise, the method including receiving seismic trace data from a plurality of locations, and providing a virtual trace value (ERvirtual) as seismic event data for a virtual trace location from the seismic trace data. A system and computer program product for determining seismic event data is also disclosed. |
| US09678230B2 |
Method and device for marine seismic acquisition
Method and system for improving azimuth distribution. The system includes plural streamers towed by a streamer vessel; a central source towed by the streamer vessel; first and second front sources located in front of the plural streamers along a traveling direction of the streamer vessel; and first and second large offset front sources located in front of the first and second front sources along the traveling direction. The offset distance between the first and second large offset front sources, along a cross-line direction, is larger than an offset distance between the first and second front sources. |
| US09678222B2 |
Reducing trap effects in a scintillator by application of secondary radiation
A radiation detector device for detecting a primary radiation includes a scintillator which generates a converted primary radiation in response to incoming primary radiation and a photo detector for detecting the converted primary radiation. The radiation detector device further includes a secondary radiation source for irradiating the scintillator with a secondary radiation which has a wavelength different from a wavelength of the first radiation and which is capable of producing a spatially more uniform response of the scintillator to primary radiation. |
| US09678221B2 |
Radiation detecting element, radiation detecting apparatus and manufacturing method of radiation detecting element
When a scintillator and a reinforcing member are bonded by using an adhesive, scattering and reflection occur at interfaces between the scintillator and the adhesive and between the adhesive and the reinforcing member. Due to this, a blurred image is formed on a sensor, and the resolution deteriorates. A radiation detecting element comprises: a substrate transparent to visible light; and a fluorescent screen that emits fluorescence in response to radiation by a dopant added to a material that is the same as a material of the substrate, wherein the fluorescent screen is thinner than the substrate, and the substrate and the fluorescent screen are bonded while maintaining continuity of a refractive index. |
| US09678220B2 |
X-ray detector with saturated sensor element estimated photon counting
The present invention relates to an x-ray detector comprising a sensor unit for detecting incident x-ray radiation comprising a number of sensor elements, a counting channel per sensor element for obtaining a count signal by counting photons or charge pulses generated in response to the incident x-ray radiation since a beginning of a measurement interval, an integrating channel per sensor element for obtaining an integration signal representing the total energy of radiation detected since the beginning of the measurement interval, and a processing unit for estimating, from the integration signals of the sensor elements, count signals of sensor elements whose counting channel has been saturated during the measurement interval. |
| US09678217B2 |
Methods and apparatus for optically encoded position multiple-point scintillation detector using a single collecting light guide
Various embodiments are described herein for a radiation dosimetry apparatus and associated methods for measuring radiation dose. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes multiple scintillating elements for detecting amounts of radiation dose at multiple points within a detection region. Each of the scintillating elements generates light in response to radiation interacting within their volume. A light guide combines the light generated by all of the scintillating elements as well as radiation-induced contaminated optical energy and transmits the combined light to a spectral analysis setup. Multi or hyper-spectral calibration technique allows calculating the dose or dose rate at the positions of the different scintillating elements. The calibration technique isolates the light produced by a given scintillating element from the other scintillating elements as well as any other source of radiation-induced contaminating light. |
| US09678215B2 |
Correlated GPS pseudorange error estimation method
A method for predicting a GPS pseudorange error includes receiving a first plurality of pseudorange errors at a plurality of different times for a plurality of global positioning system (GPS) satellites. The method also includes creating, using a processor, a first matrix. Each element of the first matrix is determined using a portion of the first plurality of pseudorange errors. The method yet further includes creating, using the processor, a second matrix that includes at least a portion of the first plurality of pseudorange errors. A size of the second matrix is determined by comparing each element of the first matrix to a predetermined threshold. The method still further includes predicting, using the processor, a second plurality of pseudorange errors for the plurality of GPS satellites using the first plurality of pseudorange errors and the second matrix. |
| US09678214B2 |
Determination of GPS compliance malfunctions
Systems and methods for the determination and recording of positioning system compliance malfunctions for commercial motor vehicles (CMV). One method includes detecting and accumulating the fault time when positioning system information is invalid or unavailable. Additionally, when positioning system information is invalid or unavailable, the processor estimates an uncertainty distance that the vehicle has travelled since the last valid location. The system then determines and records positioning system malfunction based on positioning system fault events, the accumulated fault time, and the uncertainty distance. The system stores valid location information and data relating to the positioning system fault event on the base unit until the base unit is coupled to the portable device. |
| US09678207B2 |
Object detection device and object detection method
An object detection device includes a controller, a first sensor, and a second sensor. The first sensor transmits a first energy wave, and the second sensor transmits a second energy wave. The first sensor receives a reflected wave of the first energy wave to convert the reflected wave into a first self-signal, and receives a reflected wave of the second energy wave to convert the reflected wave into a first correspondence signal. The second sensor receives the reflected wave of the second energy wave to convert the reflected wave into a second self-signal, and receives the reflected wave of the first energy wave to convert the reflected wave into a second correspondence signal. |
| US09678206B2 |
Systems and methods for inferring localized hail intensity
The present invention is directed to system and method of processing meteorological data. The process comprises receiving a meteorological data corresponding to a geographic region from at least one meteorological data source for a selected time slice, with the meteorological data including radar reflectivity data. The system processes the meteorological data to derive probability of severe hail for points within the geographic region, processes the meteorological data to derive vertically integrated liquid for the points within the geographic region, and processes the meteorological data to derive enhanced echo tops for the points within the geographic region. The system processes the vertically integrated liquid and the enhanced echo tops to derive vertically integrated liquid density for the points within the geographic region and processes the probability of severe hail and the vertically integrated liquid density to derive derived hail index numbers for the points within the geographic region. The system generate data packets of the derived hail index numbers, with each of the derived hail index numbers corresponding to a local geographic point. |
| US09678203B2 |
Method for determining at least one parameter for the purpose of correlating two objects
A method for determining at least one parameter for the purpose of correlating two objects (10, 20), particularly the distance (r) and/or the relative speed (v) of the two objects (10, 20). A plurality of transmission pulse sequences following one after the after, each with at least one transmission pulse of an electromagnetic signal, forms a series of transmission pulse sequences. The duration of transmission of the individual transmission pulses is varied from transmission pulse sequence to transmission pulse sequence in order to reduce the susceptibility to interference in the determination of the at least one parameter. |
| US09678200B2 |
Scattered light reference pixel
The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining an intensity and/or a phase of intensity modulation of an intensity-modulated electromagnetic radiation signal, having a detector and imaging optics for imaging an intensity-modulated radiation signal onto the detector. In comparison with this, the present invention addresses the problem of providing an apparatus for reducing scattered light influences on an intensity and/or phase determination of the intensity modulation of an intensity-modulated electromagnetic radiation signal. In order to solve this problem, the invention proposes configuring the apparatus of the type mentioned at the outset in such a manner that said apparatus has at least one scattered light reference pixel, which is arranged outside an imaging section of the imaging optics and is set up in such a manner that said pixel records measured values for an intensity-modulated scattered light signal during operation, and a determination device which is set up in such a manner that said determination device processes measured values from at least one pixel in a pixel matrix of the detector inside the imaging section as a first data input and measured values from at least one scattered light reference pixel as a second data input during operation in such a manner that said determination device determines a corrected intensity of the intensity-modulated radiation signal and/or a corrected relative phase between the intensity modulation of the intensity-modulated radiation signal and a reference signal at least for the pixel inside the imaging section and provides said intensity and/or phase as a data output. |
| US09678199B2 |
Propulsion device lidar system and method
Remote sensing systems and methods for using the same are disclosed. The remote sensing systems may include mirrors coupled to propulsion portions of a vehicle with which the remote sensing systems are integrated. The remote sensing systems may further include light transmitters and light receivers coupled to fixed portions of the vehicle. |
| US09678195B2 |
Method of processing positioning signals in positioning systems to accurately determine a true arrival time of each signal
A method of determining of a true time of arrival of an energy pulse in a positioning system using arrivals times of such pulses at a device after emission of the pulses from respective transmitters. A sampled signal is cross-correlated with the expected form of the energy pulse from the transmitter, and a highest peak in the correlated signal is located and selected to represent a possible time of arrival of the energy pulse. A sequentially preceding peak in the correlated signal is then selected has its magnitude compared with a threshold. This step is repeated until the magnitude of the currently selected peak is less than the threshold, at which point the last-selected peak whose magnitude exceeded the threshold marks the true time of arrival. This process avoids false time of arrival readings caused by reflected pulses. |
| US09678190B2 |
System and method for generating MR phase contrast images near metal
A system and method for generating MR phase contrast images near metal include an MRI apparatus that includes an MRI system having a plurality of gradient coils and an RF transceiver system and an RF switch controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly. The MRI apparatus also includes a computer programmed to acquire a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) MR data sets and to generate a plurality of frequency images based on the plurality of 3D MR data sets. Each 3D MR data set is acquired using a central transmit frequency and a central receive frequency set to an offset frequency value that is distinct for each 3D MR data set. The computer is also programmed to convert the plurality of frequency images to a plurality of time domain images and to generate a phase image based on the plurality of time domain images. |
| US09678188B2 |
Magnetic resonance system and method to acquire at least two measurement data sets from an examination subject
In a magnetic resonance data acquisition of at least two measurement data sets of an examination subject, each of the at least two measurement data sets is acquired in at least three partial measurements. Each partial measurement covers a partial region of k-space corresponding to the examination subject to be examined, and the partial measurements are executed in series in an order such that two successive partial measurements are associated with different data sets of the at least two measurement data sets, and such that two successive partial measurements respectively do not measure the same partial region. A reduced movement sensitivity is achieved by the acquisition of the interleaved partial measurements associated with different measurement data sets. Unwanted refocusings (and therefore echo signals of residual magnetization) are also avoided by avoiding successive partial measurements that measure the same partial region. |
| US09678186B2 |
Probe for magnetic resonance force microscopy and method thereof
A probe for use in Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy (MRFM) to provide an image of a sample comprising: a magnetic field source adapted to orient the spin of the nuclei in a sample; a detector capable of detecting a magnetic field comprising an oscillator; at least one conductor substantially surrounding the oscillator for forming a RF antenna for transmitting a radio frequency electromagnetic field; whereby the at least one conductor transmits a radio frequency electromagnetic field that influences the nuclei in the sample, and whereby the detector detects how the nuclei are influenced through the oscillations of the oscillator to provide identification information concerning the content of the sample. Also included is a method for magnetic resonance force microscopy of a sample. |
| US09678185B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring physico-chemical properties using a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer
Methods for measuring physico-chemical properties using a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer are disclosed, including methods to determine an initial amount of a substance, usually a liquid, contained inside a porous material and an initial amount of the substance, usually a liquid, present outside the porous material, methods to measure the release kinetics of a substance, such as a liquid, from a porous material, and methods for performing chemical reactions and other physico-chemical operations in situ inside a nuclear magnetic resonance probe after a sample is loaded into a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer. The apparatuses for performing these methods are also disclosed. |
| US09678184B2 |
Method for increment of RF-phase based on static magnetic field inhomogeneity in MRI apparatus
In order to reduce image quality deterioration due to static magnetic field inhomogeneity according to imaging conditions without increasing an operator workload, shimming current where static magnetic field inhomogeneity of a selected region is reduced is calculated, shimming is performed for the selected region using the calculated local Bo shimming current, and then an increment (RF-Phase) in an irradiation phase of an RF pulse that excites the selected region in a state where static magnetic field inhomogeneity of the selected region is reduced or a post-adjustment excitation frequency (f0′) that is an excitation frequency is calculated. These increments (RF-Phase) in an irradiation phase and post-adjustment excitation frequency (f0′) that is an excitation frequency correspond with each other in amount. |
| US09678183B2 |
Wireless actuator circuit for wireless actuation of micro electromechanical system switch for magnetic resonance imaging
A wireless actuator circuit configured to actuate a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch is provided. The wireless actuator circuit includes a transmitter portion and a receiver portion operatively coupled to the transmitter portion. The transmitter portion includes an oscillator device configured to generate a signal at a determined frequency and a first antenna operatively coupled to the oscillator device to receive a modulated signal. Further, the receiver portion includes a second antenna configured to receive the modulated signal from the transmitter portion, a radio frequency power detector configured to detect the modulated signal and a comparator configured to produce a control signal in response to the modulated signal detected by the radio frequency power detector to toggle the MEMS switch. |
| US09678181B2 |
Automatic positioning and adaptation in an adjustment for a shim field map
A method for shimming a magnetic field in a magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) device includes determining a field of view region for an object under examination. Determining the field of view region includes adapting the field of view region automatically to a region of the object under examination to be examined by the MRT device. Before the MRT device records an image, an adjustment measurement of the magnetic field is performed. A field map of the magnetic field of the field of view region is defined based on the adjustment measurement. A shimming of the magnetic field is implemented based on the field map. |
| US09678178B2 |
Magnetoresistive magnetic field gradient sensor
Disclosed is a magnetoresistive magnetic field gradient sensor, comprising a substrate, a magnetoresistive bridge and a permanent magnet respectively disposed on the substrate; the magnetoresistive bridge comprises two or more magnetoresistive arms; each magnetoresistive arm consists of one or more magnetoresistive elements; each magnetoresistive element is provided with a magnetic pinning layer; the magnetic pinning layers of all the magnetoresistive elements have the same magnetic moment direction; the permanent magnet is disposed adjacent to each magnetoresistive arm to provide a bias field, and to zero the offset of the response curve of the magnetoresistive element; the magnetoresistive gradiometer includes wire bonding pads that can be electrically interconnected using wire bonding to an ASIC or to the lead frame of a semiconductor chip package. |
| US09678172B2 |
Current difference sensors, systems and methods
Embodiments relate to current difference sensors, systems and methods. In an embodiment, a current difference sensor includes first and second conductors arranged relative to one another such that when a first current flows through the first conductor and a second current, equal to the first current, flows through the second conductor, a first magnetic field induced in the first conductor and a second magnetic field induced in the second conductor cancel each other at a first position and a second position; and first and second magnetic field sensing elements arranged at the first and second positions, respectively. |
| US09678170B2 |
Bias field generation for a magneto sensor
Embodiments related to the generation of magnetic bias fields for magnetic sensing are described and depicted. In one embodiment, a sensor includes at least one magnetosensitive element, and a magnetic body with an opening, the magnetic body comprising magnetic material magnetized mainly in a vertical direction, the magnetic body having inclined surface sections shaped by the opening, wherein the sensor is arranged atop the opening. |
| US09678166B2 |
Voltage detection device
A first part circuit and an operational amplifier form a level shift circuit, which selects either one of battery cells forming an assembled battery and extracts and holds a voltage representing an inter-terminal voltage of a selected battery cell. A second part circuit and the operational amplifier form a residual voltage generation circuit, which generates a residual voltage by amplifying a differential voltage between a conversion subject voltage and an analog voltage corresponding to a conversion result of an A/D conversion circuit and applies the residual voltage to the A/D conversion circuit as a conversion subject voltage. A switchover circuit operates the operational amplifier as either one of the level shift circuit and the residual voltage generation circuit and switches over a connection-state to apply a voltage held by the level shift circuit to the A/D conversion circuit and the residual voltage generation circuit as a conversion subject voltage. |
| US09678165B2 |
Apparatus for estimating depth of discharge (DOD) of secondary battery
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for estimating a parameter of a secondary battery. The apparatus includes a sensor unit configured to repeatedly measure a voltage of a secondary battery including a blended cathode material containing at least first and second cathode materials at time intervals when the secondary battery is in an operation state or in an idle state, and a control unit configured to receive the repeatedly measured plurality of voltages from the sensor unit, identify an inflection point in a voltage change profile corresponding to the plurality of voltages, and estimate a depth of discharge (DOD) of the secondary battery by using a voltage measured after the inflection point is identified as a reference voltage. |
| US09678164B2 |
Battery internal state estimating apparatus and battery internal state estimating method
To learn a parameter of a simulation model of a battery efficiently. A battery internal state estimating apparatus, estimating an internal state of a battery based on a simulation model of the battery, includes a storing section (RAM10c) that stores a plurality of parameters of the simulation model, a detecting section (I/F10d) that detects a discharge current flowing from the battery to a load, a selecting section (CPU 10a) that selects a parameter to be subjected to adaptive learning based on a value of the discharge current detected by the detecting section, and an adaptive learning section (CPU 10a) that performs adapting learning on a parameter selected by the selecting section. |
| US09678156B2 |
Multiple-capture DFT method for detecting or locating crossing clock-domain faults during self-test or scan-test
A method for providing ordered capture clocks to detect or locate faults within N clock domains and faults crossing any two clock domains in an integrated circuit or circuit assembly in scan-test or self-test mode, where N>1, each clock domain having one capture clock and a plurality of scan cells, each capture clock comprising a plurality of capture clock pulses; said method comprising: (a) generating and shifting-in N test stimuli to all said scan cells within said N clock domains in said integrated circuit or circuit assembly during a shift-in operation; (b) applying an ordered sequence of capture clocks to all said scan cells within said N clock domains, the ordered sequence of capture clocks comprising at least a plurality of capture clock pulses from two or more selected capture clocks placed in a sequential order such that all clock domains are never triggered simultaneously during a capture operation; and (c) analyzing output responses of all said scan cells to locate any faults therein. |
| US09678150B2 |
Methods and circuits for debugging circuit designs
Various example implementations are directed to circuits and methods for debugging circuit designs. According to an example implementation, waveform data is captured, for a set of signals produced by a circuit design during operation. Data structures are generated for the set of signals and waveform data for the signals is stored in the data structures. Communication channels associated with the set of signals are identified. Waveform data stored in the data structures is analyzed to locate transaction-level events in the set of signal for one or more communication channels. Data indicating locations of the set of transaction-level events is output by the computer system. |
| US09678149B2 |
Test apparatus having a probe core with a twist lock mechanism
A probe core includes a frame, a wire guide connected to the frame, a probe tile, and a plurality of probe wires supported by the wire guide and probe tile. Each probe wire includes an end configured to probe a device, such as a semiconductor wafer. Each probe wire includes a signal transmitting portion and a guard portion. The probe core further includes a lock mechanism supported by the frame. The lock mechanism is configured to allow the probe core to be connected and disconnected to another test equipment or component, such as a circuit board. As one example, the probe core is configured to connect and disconnect from the test equipment or component in a rotatable lock and unlock operation or twist lock/unlock operation, where the frame is rotated relative to remainder of the core to lock/unlock the probe core. |
| US09678146B2 |
Temperature insensitive testing device and method
The present invention discloses a temperature insensitive testing device comprising: a transmission-end test sequence generating circuit to generate a test sequence; a transmission circuit to process the test sequence according to a transmission clock and thereby generate a test signal; a reception circuit to process an echo of the test signal and generate a digital echo signal; a correlation-value generating circuit to generate correlation values including a maximum correlation value according to the test sequence and the digital echo signal; and a decision circuit to determine whether a relation between the maximum correlation value and at least one threshold satisfies a predetermined condition and thereby generate a decision result, wherein the frequency of the transmission clock is lower than a predetermined frequency which confines the variation of the maximum correlation value to a predetermined range provided that the temperature variation of the transmission cable is within a temperature variation range. |
| US09678145B2 |
Systems and methods to test and/or recover magnetic sensors with ESD or other damage
A system for testing a magnetic sensor according to one embodiment includes a discharge circuit to cause a discharge event on a magnetic sensor; a bias generation circuit to apply at least one first bias current to the sensor and at least one second bias current to the sensor, the second bias current being different than the first bias current; a resistance determination circuit to determine a resistance of the magnetic sensor at each of the applied bias currents; and a damage determination circuit to determine whether the magnetic sensor is damaged and/or was fixed by a discharge event based on the resistances. |
| US09678142B2 |
Two-step interconnect testing of semiconductor dies
The present invention relates generally to testing of interconnects in a semiconductor die, and more particularly to testing of semiconductor chips that are three-dimensionally stacked via an interposer. In one aspect, a method for testing an interconnect in a semiconductor die comprises providing the semiconductor die, which includes a plurality of electrical contact elements formed at one or more surfaces of the semiconductor die, at least one interconnect-under-test disposed between a first electrical contact element and a second electrical contact element, and an electrical component electrically coupled between the interconnect-under-test and at least one third electrical contact element. |
| US09678141B2 |
Measurement for transistor output characteristics with and without self heating
A method of measuring semiconductor output characteristics is provided that includes connecting a pulse generator to the gate structure of a semiconductor device, and applying a plurality of voltage pulses at least some of which having a different pulse width to the gate structure of the semiconductor device. The average current is measured from the drain structure of the device for a duration of each pulse of the plurality of pulses. From the measured values for the average current, a self-heating curve of the average current divided by the pulse width is plotted as a function of the pulse width. The self-heating curve is then extrapolated to a pulse width substantially equal to zero to provide a value of drain current measurements without self-heating effects. |
| US09678140B2 |
Ultra fast transistor threshold voltage extraction
A method for performing a semiconductor parametric test comprising performing a full voltage sweep for a first component on a first semiconductor wafer to determine a first value of an electrical characterization parameter for the first component, wherein the full voltage sweep comprises a range between about a minimum input voltage level of the first component and about a maximum input voltage level of the first component, determining a smart sensing window (SSW) for a plurality of subsequent components on the first semiconductor wafer according to the first value, wherein the SSW comprises a range comprising a portion of the full voltage sweep range, performing a partial voltage sweep in the SSW for each of the subsequent components to determine a second value of the electrical characterization parameter for each of the subsequent semiconductor components, and adapting the SSW for at least some of the subsequent components. |
| US09678127B2 |
Flexible shielded antenna array for radiated wireless test
Systems and methods are disclosed herein to provide shielding and radio frequency (RF) antenna coupling for communication test systems for the testing of wireless data communication devices and systems, including Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) devices and systems. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a shielding and coupling system containing an array of RF antennas is disclosed that includes a flexible jacket integrated with RF shielding material that simultaneously isolates a device under test (DUT) and couples signals from the antennas of the DUT. Such a system may offer improved capabilities such as a faster and more efficient method of isolating the DUT from external interference, a more repeatable and simplified method of transmitting and receiving MIMO RF signals from DUTs having built-in antennas, and a more portable and lower cost RF test setup. |
| US09678117B2 |
Integral safety display for a test switch
An electrical test switch has an integral energized circuit indicator. The energized circuit indicator is integrated into the front and/or rear covers of the test switch. The energized circuit indicator is passive and senses properties of the at least one conductor of the device being tested by being placed in proximity of the device. The voltage display provides personnel a visual indication of whether the electrical device being tested is energized without requiring a physical test or direct connection to the at least one conductor of the device being measured. |
| US09678115B2 |
Contactless voltage sensing devices
A contactless voltage sensing device configured to measure a voltage value of a conductor is provided. The contactless voltage sensing device includes a first impedance element having a first impedance, where the first impedance element is configured to be operatively coupled to the conductor. Further, the contactless voltage sensing device includes an antenna operatively coupled to the first impedance element, a second impedance element having a second impedance, where the second impedance element is formed in part by the antenna and a parasitic impedance element, and where the parasitic impedance element includes a parasitic impedance, and measurement and communication circuitry coupled to the first impedance element to measure the voltage value of the conductor. |
| US09678112B2 |
Method and device for measuring electric currents by means of a current transformer
A method and a device for measuring electrical differential currents, which in addition to the alternating current component also contain a direct current component, by means of an inductive differential current transformer.The known methods for measuring mixed currents require special current transformer designs with respect to the coil winding and magnetic core material and core number. The new method copes with the same current transformers that are common for measuring pure differential alternating currents.According to the invention, the secondary coil (3) of the current transformer is controlled such that the magnetic flux (φ) linked with the secondary coil (3) inside the core remains constant, irrespective of the differential current and the secondary current (Is) required for this is measured. For this, on the one hand, the ohmic resistor (Rcu) of the secondary coil (3) is compensated in the secondary circuit (4) by an electronically produced, negative resistor (Rz), and on the other hand a defined magnetic flux is periodically restored, in that the saturation flux (φs) of the core is used as a reference point. |
| US09678110B2 |
Probe card
A probe card includes a circuit board, a plurality of probes, and at least one deviation-compensating member. An end of each of the probes is connected to the circuit board. The deviation-compensating member is fixed to the circuit board and connected to the probes. The probes have a first thermal expansion characteristic, the deviation-compensating member has a second thermal expansion characteristic, and the first thermal expansion characteristic and the second thermal expansion characteristic are different. |
| US09678108B1 |
Methods to manufacture semiconductor probe tips
The method for forming a semiconductor probe tip comprises depositing a first copper layer onto exposed electrically conductive areas of a wafer. The first copper layer surrounds a non-conductive polymer structure on the wafer. The non-conductive polymer structure is removed to form a primary cavity in the first copper layer. The wafer and the primary cavity are coated with a polymer layer. Regions of the polymer layer are removed to form a secondary cavity within and alongside the primary cavity. A metal layer is deposited on exposed electrically conductive areas of the wafer and within bounds of the secondary cavity. |
| US09678107B2 |
Substrate inspection apparatus
There is provided a substrate inspection apparatus in which a contact between a probe and a semiconductor device is checked without using an IC tester. Further, when an abnormal state is detected in the contact check, a cause of the abnormal state can be determined. A prober includes a probe card having a plurality of probes to be contacted with respective electrode pads of the semiconductor device formed on a wafer W. The probe card includes a card-side inspection circuit configured to reproduce a circuit configuration of DRAM in which the semiconductor device cut from the wafer W is to be mounted, and a comparator configured to measure a potential of a line between the probe and the card-side inspection circuit. |
| US09678106B2 |
Electrically conductive pins for microcircuit tester
The terminals of a device under test (DUT) are temporarily electrically connected to corresponding contact pads on a load board by a series of electrically conductive pin pairs. The pin pairs are held in place by an interposer membrane with a top facing the device under test, a bottom facing the load board, and a vertically resilient, non-conductive member between the top and bottom contact plates. Each pin pair includes a top and bottom pin, which extend beyond the top and bottom contact plates, respectively, toward the device under test and the load board, respectively. The bottom pins has a lower contact surface which includes an arcuate portion or ridge which increases contact pressure and ablates oxides by the rocking action of ridge when the DUT in inserted. |
| US09678103B2 |
Automatic tuning of atomic force microscope
An atomic force microscope (AFM) comprises a physical system and a controller comprising a plurality of digital filters and configured to control the physical system. The AFM is tuned by performing automatic loop shaping on a loop response defined by a frequency response of the physical system and a frequency response of the controller, and adjusting a gain of the controller according to a peak in a magnitude of the loop response. |
| US09678102B2 |
Calibrating intertial sensors using an image sensor
A method is provided for calibrating an inertial sensing unit of a device utilizing a vision sensing unit integral to the device. The method includes receiving inertial sensing input data from the inertial sensing unit, receiving vision sensing input data from the vision unit, and determining when the received vision sensing input data represents a predetermined input state of the vision sensing unit. The method includes estimating an error value in the inertial sensing input data received from the inertial sensing unit based on the received vision sensing input data upon determination that the received vision sensing input data represents the predetermined vision sensing input state. The method further includes adjusting first subsequent received inertial sensing input data from the inertial sensing unit based on the estimated error value, thereby calibrating the inertial sensing unit. |
| US09678100B2 |
Functional device, method of manufacturing the functional device, physical quantity sensor, and electronic apparatus
A functional device according to an embodiment of the invention includes: an insulating substrate; a movable section; movable electrode fingers provided in the movable section; and fixed electrode fingers provided on the insulating substrate and arranged to be opposed to the movable electrode fingers. The fixed electrode fingers include: first fixed electrode fingers arranged on one side of the movable electrode fingers; and second fixed electrode fingers arranged on the other side of the movable electrode fingers. The first fixed electrode fingers and the second fixed electrode fingers are arranged to be spaced apart from each other. |
| US09678095B2 |
Pipetting device
The invention relates to a pipetting device (1) for an automatic analysis appliance, wherein the pipetting device (1) comprises a pipetting needle (2) with a longitudinal axis (3), and a device (4) for moving the pipetting needle (2). The pipetting device (1) further comprises a holder (5) for the pipetting needle (2), which holder (5) is mounted on the movable device (4) and to which holder the pipetting needle (2) is releasably connected, and a vibration generator which can set at least the tip of the pipetting needle (2) in vibration, wherein the vibration generator is mounted on the movable device (4). |
| US09678094B2 |
Apparatus and method for determining the position of an automatically displaceable gauge
The invention relates to apparatus for determining the position of an automatically displaceable gauge. The apparatus comprises the gauge, a first device for displacing the gauge in the spatial X-direction, a second device for displacing the gauge in a spatial Z-direction, a sensor for identifying the abutment of the gauge on, or the approach thereof to, an article, an at least partly bordered receptacle position, into which the gauge is at least partly insertable by displacing the gauge in the spatial X- and/or Z-direction, and a movable assembly, wherein the receptacle position for the gauge is arranged on the movable assembly. |
| US09678091B2 |
In situ monitoring for wastewater treatment systems and the like
Aspects of the invention provide a system comprising a data processor, a gas conducting device, and a sensor. The gas conducting device is submerged and transports a gas. The sensor is connected to the gas conducting device, is also submerged, and is operative to determine a characteristic of the gas conducting device or the gas. The sensor is further operative to transmit data representing the characteristic to the data processor. In one or more non-limiting embodiments, the system comprises a wastewater treatment system, and the gas conducting device comprises a pipe or a diffuser. |
| US09678089B2 |
Methods and kits for measuring von Willebrand factor
Methods and kits for measuring levels of von Willebrand factor function in a sample without using a platelet aggregation agonist, such as ristocetin, comprising recombinant glycoprotein Ibα having a combination of G233V, D235Y and M239V mutations and an agent to detect a complex between the recombinant glycoprotein Ibα and von Willebrand factor. |
| US09678088B2 |
Multiphase systems for diagnosis of sickle cell disease
An aqueous multi-phase system for diagnosis of sickle cell disease is described, including two or more phase-separated phases including: a first aqueous phase including a first phase component and having a first density between about 1.025 g/cm3 and about 1.095 g/cm3; and a second aqueous phase including a second phase component and having a second density between about 1.100 g/cm3 and about 1.140 g/cm3; wherein the first density is lower than the second density; and each of the first and second phase components include at least one polymer. |
| US09678087B2 |
Methods for detecting estrone by mass spectrometry
Provided are methods for determining the amount of estrone in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally involve ionizing estrone in a sample and detecting and quantifying the amount of the ion to determine the amount of estrone in the sample. |
| US09678084B2 |
Compositions and methods related to S100A12
Compositions and methods related to diagnosis of ear infections and acute otitis media. |
| US09678079B2 |
Microfluidic LAL-reactive substances testing method and apparatus
A microfluidic testing cartridge for testing LAL-reactive substances in fluid samples is provided. The cartridge may include at least two (2) testing modules, wherein each testing module includes at least one inlet port for receiving one of the fluid samples, and at least four (4) testing channels in fluid communication with the inlet port. Each of the testing channels may include a metering portion for metering an aliquot of the fluid sample, an analyzing portion, and a mixing portion, wherein a valve is positioned between the metering portion and the analyzing portion to selectively fluidly separate the metering portion from the analyzing portion. The cartridge is insertable into an optical reader which performs optical measurements of the fluid sample within each testing channel during a testing process. |
| US09678076B2 |
Methods and devices for determining a disease state
The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to methods and devices for determining a disease state in a patient. In some embodiments, human serum albumin may be analyzed for associated molecules, wherein the associated molecules are related to a disease such as cancer. Certain aspects of the invention are generally directed to devices and methods for determining a disease state as a function of the three-dimensional structure of a blood protein, human serum albumin (HSA) or its complex with other ligands, e.g., due to binding to disease-specific ligands. HSA interacts with biomolecules associated with a disease presence, and liganded HSA may differentially partition between aqueous phases of a predetermined partitioning system, wherein the partitioning behavior differs between HSA from healthy individuals and HSA from people harboring the predetermined disease, such as breast cancer. |
| US09678072B2 |
Synthetic ligands for the differentiation of closely related toxins and pathogens
Synthetic ligand compounds and methods of differentiating between Shiga toxin 1 and Shiga toxin 2 are disclosed herein. Another embodiment includes a kit for differentiating between Shiga toxin 1 and Shiga toxin 2. Assay systems and methods for providing an assay are also provided for herein. |
| US09678071B2 |
Detecting latent tuberculosis infections
This document provides methods and materials related to identifying mammals having a LTBI. For example, methods and materials for using ELISpot assays to identify mammals (e.g., humans) having a LTBI are provided. |
| US09678070B2 |
Method and apparatus for electrochemical detection
The invention provides an apparatus and methods for the electrochemical detection and/or quantitation of an analyte in a sample, wherein the device comprises a substrate and a detector, wherein the substrate comprises a labeled binding agent, wherein the label is an enteric material particle that encapsulates a ferrocene methanol redox species. |
| US09678063B2 |
Method of evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of bacteriophages
The subject of the present invention is a novel use of a nematode in the evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of bacteriophage preparations used in, or capable of being used in the treatment of infections caused by pathogenic bacteria in humans or animals. |
| US09678057B2 |
Dispensing mechanism for test strips
A dispensing mechanism for dispensing measurement strips is presented having a strip cartridge with an enclosure for retaining a plurality of measurement strips and a dispensing slot for dispensing one measurement strip at a time, a spring rotatably arranged with respect to the strip cartridge, the spring comprising at least one engagement section adapted to engage one of the measurement strips at a time and move it out of the dispensing slot when the spring is rotated, and a guide slot arranged in the strip cartridge for guiding the engagement section of the spring as the spring is rotated. |
| US09678055B2 |
Methods for forming a nanopore in a lipid bilayer
A method of forming a nanopore in a lipid bilayer is disclosed. A nanopore forming solution is deposited over a lipid bilayer. The nanopore forming solution has a concentration level and a corresponding activity level of pore molecules such that nanopores are substantially not formed un-stimulated in the lipid bilayer. Formation of a nanopore in the lipid bilayer is initiated by applying an agitation stimulus level to the lipid bilayer. In some embodiments, the concentration level and the corresponding activity level of pore molecules are at levels such that less than 30 percent of a plurality of available lipid bilayers have nanopores formed un-stimulated therein. |
| US09678052B2 |
Method and system for tracking material
Methods and systems are described for tracking material through a production chain or operational process chain in which the material is transferred via a plurality of spatially distinct lumped masses of material (12, 14, 16, 18). A dynamic state space (430) is maintained descriptive of the plurality of spatially distinct lumped masses of material, wherein a quantity of entries in the dynamic state space is augmented or diminished dependent on a quantity of spatially distinct lumped masses being tracked. Measurements relating to an observed lumped mass of material are fused into the dynamic state space and a dynamic covariance matrix to provide an updated estimate of material in the plurality of spatially distinct lumped masses of material. |
| US09678050B2 |
Multi-functional piezo actuated flow controller
Multi-functional piezo-actuated flow control systems and methods for use in gas exchange analysis systems such as photosynthesis measurement systems. A fluid valve assembly module includes a housing structure including a plurality of ports and a plurality of fluid passageways interconnecting the ports, and a plurality of piezo-actuated valves in fluid communication with the fluid passageways, each valve including a piezo element that controls flow along a passageway, wherein the passageways and valves are arranged within the housing structure so as to define a fluid control module, which includes a flow swapping component, a flow splitting component and a flow pressurization component. The flow swapping component has first and second inlets and first and second output ports and is configured to receive a first fluid flow at the first inlet and a second fluid flow at the second inlet and in a first operational mode to direct the first fluid flow to the first output port and the second fluid flow to the second output port, and in a second operational mode to direct the first fluid flow to the second output port and the second fluid flow to the first output port. The flow splitting component has an input port, a third output port and a first outlet and is configured to receive an input fluid flow at the input port and to control an amount of the input fluid flow provided to the third output port and to the first outlet in a continuously adjustable manner, wherein the first outlet is fluidly connected to the first inlet of the flow swapping component and the third output port is adapted to be fluidly coupled with an external reservoir. The flow pressurization component has an entry port in fluid communication with a second outlet and is configured to receive a third fluid flow at the entry port and to control the pressure of the third fluid flow at the second outlet, wherein the second outlet is fluidly connected to the second inlet of the flow swapping component and the entry port is adapted to be fluidly coupled with the external reservoir. |
| US09678048B2 |
Method of evaluating final equilibrium pH of contaminated soil on site by using paste pH
Disclosed is a method of evaluating a final equilibrium pH of a contaminated soil on site by using a paste pH. The method includes measuring the paste pH by adding a solution to the contaminated soil, and evaluating the final equilibrium pH according to an initial pH by applying the paste pH to Final equilibrium pH = ( paste pH + 1 ) × exp ( - 1 initial pH ) - exp ( - 1 ( paste pH + 1 ) initital pH ) , Equation 1 in which the initial pH is a predetermined integer in a range of 1 to 10. |
| US09678047B2 |
Dye compositions
Dye compositions comprising rhodizonate dye particles encapsulated within a shearable hydrophobic organic encapsulant composition. |
| US09678042B2 |
Surface acoustic wave sensor
A surface acoustic wave sensor of the invention includes: a piezo element that propagates a surface acoustic wave; an electrode that carries out conversion of an electrical signal and a surface acoustic wave; and a porous base member into which liquid infiltrates and which comes into contact with the piezo element. |
| US09678031B2 |
Biochip and biodevice using same
A biochip including a plate-like diaphragm part provided with a through-hole, a wall part provided at an outer periphery of the diaphragm part, and a reinforcing part formed in a portion other than the through-hole in the diaphragm part. |
| US09678025B1 |
Guarded flat plate cryogenic test apparatus and calorimeter
A test apparatus for thermal energy measurement of disk-shaped test specimens has a cold mass assembly locatable within a sealable chamber with a guard vessel having a guard chamber to receive a liquid fluid and a bottom surface to contact a cold side of a test specimen, and a test vessel having a test chamber to receive a liquid fluid and encompassed on one side by a center portion of the bottom surface shared with the guard vessel. A lateral wall assembly of the test vessel is closed by a vessel top, the lateral wall assembly comprising an outer wall and an inner wall having opposing surfaces that define a thermal break including a condensable vapor pocket to inhibit heat transfer through the lateral wall from the guard vessel to the test vessel. A warm boundary temperature surface is in thermal communication with a lower surface of the test specimen. |
| US09678024B1 |
Methods and systems for non-intrusive chemical assaying of hydrogenous materials and mixtures using combined neutron activation and nuclear resonance fluorescence
Methods and systems are disclosed wherein neutrons are produced by a photon induced process 2D(γ,n) and the ensuing neutrons are thermalized and captured by hydrogen producing a 2.223 MeV gamma that is used to identify and quantify the presence of hydrogen and which, when combined with NRF signals from certain isotopes, can be used to establish the nature of a hydrogenous compound or a mixture of hydrogenous materials or a mixture of hydrogenous materials with other non-hydrogenous materials. The method is useful to establish, e.g., the presence and quantification of explosives, toxic substances and general contraband as well as the flow of materials in a production line or shipping venue. |
| US09678020B2 |
Apparatus and method for inspection of substrate defect
Example embodiments relate to an apparatus and method for inspecting a substrate defect. The substrate defect inspecting apparatus includes a substrate, a light source emitting an infrared beam to the substrate, a detector detecting the infrared beam reflected from the substrate, and a defect analyzer receiving first information and second information from the detector and analyzing defects existing in the substrate. According to at least one example embodiment, the second information is acquired during a later process than the first information. |
| US09678018B2 |
Apparatus and method for assessing optical quality of gemstones
Provided herein is an apparatus for assessing a color characteristic of a gemstone. The apparatus comprises an optically opaque platform for supporting a sample gemstone to be assessed, a daylight-approximating light source to provide uniform illumination to the gemstone, an image capturing component, and a telecentric lens positioned to provide an image of the illuminated gemstone to the image capturing component. Also provided are methods of color analysis based on images collected using such an apparatus. |
| US09678017B2 |
System for evaluating a gemstone
A computer-implemented method teaches a user to evaluate a gemstone, such as a cut diamond. The method includes providing a computer system connected to an apparatus capable of capturing an image of a gemstone. The computer system is arranged to process a received image of a gemstone to determine one or more optical properties of the gemstone. In one aspect, the method presents on a display of the computer system a series of pre-stored screens comprising a graphical representation how the cut of a gemstone affects its light handling ability, and a user interface screen. The user interface screen allows the user to control the operation of the apparatus to measure the one or more optical properties of a particular gemstone provided to the apparatus, to view an image of the gemstone measured, and to view representations of the measured one or more optical properties. |
| US09678016B2 |
Flow analyzer for harsh environments
A flow analyzer includes a flow body having a single-piece construction. The flow body includes a flow path extending through the flow body along a flow direction between opposing inlet and outlet ports and an enclosed wiring conduit extending substantially transverse to the flow direction between a first side of the flow body and a second side of the flow body. The enclosed wiring conduit is isolated from the flow path. An illumination unit is disposed on the first side of the flow body and configured to illuminate fluid within the flow path. An observation unit is disposed on the second side of the flow body and configured to visually observe the fluid within the flow path. |
| US09678014B2 |
Capillary flow plasmonic sensor
In a first aspect, a micro-fluidic device is presented, comprising: a micro-fluidic channel having an inner surface; a sensing region inside the micro-fluidic channel configured for adsorbing at least one analyte, the sensing region comprising a plurality of pillars positioned along the length of the inner surface of the micro-fluidic channel wherein the plurality of pillars are configured for creating an electromagnetic field localization thereby making the sensing region suitable for sensing plasmonic or surface enhanced Raman signals when irradiated; characterized in that: the plurality of pillars are further configured for creating a capillary action in the micro-fluidic channel when a fluid sample is present in the micro-fluidic channel. In a second aspect, a multiplexed plasmonic microchip for detecting at least one analyte in a fluid sample is presented, comprising: a plurality of micro-fluidic devices as presented in the first aspect; a supply system for providing the fluid sample to the plurality of micro-fluidic devices. Further, a method for detecting analytes is presented using a device according the first or second aspect. |
| US09678011B2 |
Fluorescent contact imaging for in-process print sensing
System for visualization of conformal contact. The system visualizes conformal contact between a patterned stamp and a transparent impression surface. A patterned stamp is provided that includes a fluorescent structure for contact with the impression surface. A source of UV light is provided for transmission through the transparent impression surface to interact with the fluorescent structure to generate visible light re-emitted by the fluorescent structure. An imaging system captures the visible light to form a high-contrast image of an area of conformal contact between the patterned stamp and the impression surface. The high-contrast image comprises bright and dark regions representing contact and no contact respectively. |
| US09678010B2 |
Infrared sensor with multiple sources for gas measurement
A closed path infrared sensor includes an enclosure, a first energy source within the enclosure, at least a second energy source within the enclosure, at least one detector system within the enclosure and a mirror system external to the enclosure and spaced from the enclosure. The mirror system reflects energy from the first energy source to the at least one detector system via a first analytical path and reflects energy from the second energy source to the at least one detector system via a second analytical path. Each of the first analytical path and the second analytical path are less than two feet in length. |
| US09678009B2 |
Method for localized surface plasmon resonance sensing system
A method for a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensing system is disclosed. The LSPR sensing system has an optical detection system and a test specimen with metal nanoparticles arranged in an anisotropic periodic manner that generates a phase signal of the LSPR sensing system. The method includes: emitting an incident light toward the test specimen to excite the metal nanoparticles, thereby generating an emergent light; using the optical detection system to detect phases of a first polarization state and a second polarization state of the emergent light, where the first polarization state is perpendicular to the second polarization state; and obtaining a phase difference spectrum between the phases of the first and second polarization states, thereby determining a half maximum (FWHM) of the phase difference spectrum. |
| US09678002B2 |
Method and system for NIR spectroscopy of mixtures to evaluate composition of components of the mixtures
A method of estimating the relative concentration of at least two components contained in a mixture of the components is disclosed. At least two mixtures are produced by combining the at least two components, each of the at least two mixtures having different concentrations of the at least two components. NIR mixture spectra are acquired from each of the at least two mixtures. The NIR component spectra and the NIR mixture spectra are input into a computer utilizing chemometrics software and the spectra are analyzed to produce a calibration model for each component and each of the mixture NIR spectra. NIR monitored spectra for a monitored mixture of the components having an unknown concentration of the components is acquired. The calibration models are applied to the NIR monitored spectra to thereby estimate the concentration of at least one of the components in the monitored mixture. |
| US09677997B2 |
Apparatus and methods for concentration determination using polarized light
Methods and apparatus for concentration determination using polarized light. The apparatus includes a first polarized light source having a first light source polarization axis and a second polarized light source having a second light source polarization axis generally perpendicular to the first light source polarization axis. Also, a first polarized light receiver having a first polarized light receiver polarization axis and configured to measure an intensity of light transmitted from the first light receiver polarizer and a second polarized light receiver having a second polarized light receiver polarization axis substantially perpendicular to the first light receiver polarization axis and configured to measure an intensity of light transmitted from the second light receiver polarizer, wherein the first and second light receiver polarization axes are generally +/−45 degrees relative to the first and second light source polarization axes. |
| US09677995B2 |
Sample cell filling device for use remotely from a polarimeter and method of using the same
A sample cell filling device for filling a sample cell to be used remotely from a polarimeter is provided. The filling device includes a liquid-sealed housing, light source and a diffuser viewing screen. The housing has a recess for receiving the sample cell, the sample cell having first and second optical windows at the respective ends. A light source transmits light from one optical window to the other optical window. A diffuser viewing screen receives light exiting from the sample cell such that light from the viewing screen can be observed by a user to determine the quality of the sample fill. |
| US09677984B2 |
Pulsed-field differential mobility analyzer system and method for separating particles and measuring shape parameters for non-spherical particles
A method for extracting shape information for particles with similar shape and corresponding system of a tandem differential mobility analyzer (DMA) and pulse field differential mobility analyzer (PFDMA) system, that executes at least generating a steady state aerosol concentration; passing aerosol flow from the aerosol concentration thru a bipolar charger to produce a known charge distribution; passing aerosol thru a DMA with set sheath and aerosol flows and a set voltage to generate a mono-mobility aerosol; passing mono-mobility aerosol thru a PFDMA system; and measuring mobility as a function of electric field by varying the duty cycle of the pulse in the PFDMA system. Alternatively, the method and system relate to separating particles with different shapes by adjusting the duty cycle of the pulse to reach a higher or lower electric field than in the DMA in which the mono-mobility aerosol was generated; and separating particles based on shape. |
| US09677982B2 |
Jig mounting device for material testing machine
When mounting a grip 10 on a cross head 73, a pin 62 and an adapter 50 are removed from a joint 40. Then, a boss 13 of the grip 10 is inserted into a hollow part 45 of the joint 40, and the pin 62 is inserted into a through-hole 14 formed in the boss 13 of the grip 10 and a hole part 42 formed in a tubular body 41 of the joint 40. When mounting a platen 30 on the cross head 73, the adapter 50 is mounted on the joint 40. In addition, the platen 30 is mounted on the adapter 50. Further, a set screw is inserted into a hole part 52 of the adapter 50. |
| US09677971B2 |
Tire testing machine
A tire testing machine includes a test station in which spindles to attach a tire on which a barcode is installed are provided, and first and second belt conveyors that feed the tire into a center position of the spindles. In order to stably grasp a position of identifying information of the tire and stop rotation of the tire at an arbitrary desired angle, before applying a lubricant to a bead portion on an inner periphery of the tire conveyed to the first belt conveyors by means of the lubricator and feeding the tire into the test station, a controller grasps a position of the barcode on the tire based on a rotation angle relative to the direction connecting a position where the barcode is detected by a barcode scanner and the center of the tire. |
| US09677969B2 |
Method for diagnosing the malfunctioning of a device for adding an additive into a fuel for a vehicle, and system for implementing said method
The invention relates to a method for diagnosing the malfunctioning of a device for adding an additive into a fuel for a vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, said method including: a step of analyzing the fuel in order to determine a variation in the amount of additive in the fuel; a step of comparing the variation in the amount of additive, measured during the previous step, with a theoretical variation in said amount; a step of sending information when the difference between the measured variation and the theoretical variation exceeds a set value. The invention also relates to a system for adding an additive into fuel and for diagnosis for a vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, which is intended for implementing said method. |
| US09677964B2 |
Apparatus and method for automatic detection of diaphragm coating or surface contamination for capacitance diaphragm gauges
A system and a method detect contamination of a diaphragm in a capacitance diaphragm gauge wherein a contaminated diaphragm deflects less in the presence of pressure than an uncontaminated diaphragm. The system and method measure a base pressure. A DC voltage is applied between the diaphragm and a fixed electrode to cause the diaphragm to deflect to simulate an effective pressure. The system and method measure a combined pressure caused by the base pressure and the effective pressure. The system and method subtract the base pressure to determine the effective pressure caused by the static diaphragm deflection. If the measured effective pressure is less than an acceptable effective pressure, the system and method determine that the diaphragm is contaminated. |
| US09677958B2 |
Preload device of a force measurement device
A preload device has a receiving pocket for receiving a force sensor. A tool engagement section is spaced apart from the receiving pocket in the direction of the longitudinal axis. At least one elastically flexible section is non-detachably arranged between the receiving pocket and at least one of at least two force introduction plates. Elastic bending of the at least one elastically flexible section through the application of forces to at least one of the force introduction plates and to the tool engagement section effects a reduction in the height of a relaxed state of the preload device to facilitate insertion of the preload device in a recess in a machine part or between multiple machine parts or in a drum. |
| US09677948B1 |
MEMS device with micromachined thermistor
A micromachined apparatus includes micromachined thermistor having first and second ends physically and thermally coupled to a substrate via first and second anchor structures to enable a temperature-dependent resistance of the micromachined thermistor to vary according to a time-varying temperature of the substrate. The micromachined thermistor has a length, from the first end to the second end, greater than a linear distance between the first and second anchor structures. |
| US09677945B2 |
Projection system with safety detection
A projection system is disclosed including a safety detection system for a protected space, said projection system including a projection light source, a projection imaging system, a projection lens system, a detection source comprising at least of a detection light source and a detection camera comprising at least of a detection sensor, characterized by the fact that the optical axis of the projection source is identical to the optical axis of the detection source and the detection camera at least in the protected space. |
| US09677944B2 |
Temperature control for GaN based materials
A method of in-situ temperature measurement for a wafer treatment reactor such as a chemical vapor deposition reactor desirably includes the steps of heating the reactor until the reactor reaches a wafer treatment temperature and rotating a wafer support element within the reactor about a rotational axis. The method desirably further includes, while the wafer support element is rotating about the rotational axis, obtaining first operating temperature measurements using a first operating pyrometer that receives radiation from a first portion of the wafer support element, and obtaining first wafer temperature measurements using a wafer temperature measurement device that receives radiation from at least one wafer, the wafer temperature measurement device located at a first position. |
| US09677943B2 |
Polarization velocity vector measuring apparatus and polarization velocity vector measuring method
A PV vector measuring apparatus includes: a light source 101configured to output probe light; a polarization switch 102 that can freely set a state of polarization of input light; a polarimeter 104; a PV-vector calculating device 105; and a rectangular wave generator 106. The polarization switch alternately switches between two orthogonal states of polarization in accordance with a rectangular wave modulation signal output from the rectangular wave generator. Output light from the polarization switch is input to a measurement object 103. The polarimeter 104 measures time dependency of an SOP vector of output light output from the measurement object. The PV-vector calculating device calculates a characteristic vector, which expresses a rate of polarization change in the measurement object, from the time dependency of the SOP vector. |
| US09677940B2 |
Apparatus for analyzing elements in liquid with controlled amount of gas supply for plasma generation
An elemental analysis apparatus 101 includes a treatment vessel 108 of which at least a part is optically transparent, a first electrode 104 covered by insulator 103, a second electrode 102, a bubble-generating part which generates a bubble 106, a gas-supplying apparatus 105 which supplies gas to the bubble-generating part in an amount necessary for generating the bubble 106, a power supply 101 which applies voltage between the first electrode 104 and the second electrode 102, and an optical detection device 110 which determines an emission spectrum of plasma that is generated by application of the voltage, and the apparatus conducts qualitatively or quantitatively analysis of a component contained in the liquid 109 based on the emission spectrum determined by the optical detection device 110. |
| US09677939B2 |
Electric field generating apparatus for performing spectroscopy
According to an example, an apparatus for performing spectroscopy includes a substrate on which a plurality of surface-enhanced spectroscopy (SES) elements are positioned substantially along a first plane. The apparatus also includes a first electrode positioned adjacent to the plurality of SES elements substantially along the first plane and a second electrode positioned adjacent to the plurality of SES elements substantially along the first plane and on a side of the plurality of SES elements that is opposite the first electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are to generate an electric field around the plurality of SES elements when voltages are applied through the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US09677935B2 |
Fabry-perot spectral image measurement
A system for wide-range spectral measurement includes one or more broadband sources, an adjustable Fabry-Perot etalon, and a detector. The one or more broadband sources is to illuminate a sample, wherein the one or more broadband sources have a short broadband source coherence length. The adjustable Fabry-Perot etalon is to optically process the reflected light to extract spectral information with fine spectral resolution. The detector is to detect reflected light from the sample, wherein the reflected light is comprised of multiple narrow-band subsets of the illumination light having long coherence lengths and is optically processed using a plurality of settings for the adjustable Fabry-Perot etalon, and wherein the plurality of settings includes a separation of the Fabry-Perot etalon plates that is greater than the broadband source coherence length but that is less than the long coherence lengths. |
| US09677934B2 |
Background correction in emission spectra
A method for deriving a background-corrected portion of a measured optical emission spectrum comprising the steps of identifying two or more background correction points from the portion of the measured emission spectrum; deriving a background correction function fitted to the identified background correction points, and applying the background correction function to the portion of the measured emission spectrum so as to produce a background-corrected portion of the emission spectrum, wherein the background correction points are identified from the measured data points by consideration of the gradients between the measured data points. |
| US09677931B2 |
Detection of radiation quanta using an optical detector pixel array and pixel cell trigger state sensing circuits
A radiation detection device integrates the number of optical photons in a light pulse. The radiation detection device includes an optical detector pixel array which has a plurality of pixel cells that are triggered by optical photons, a plurality of pixel cell trigger state sensing circuits, and a summing unit. Each pixel cell trigger state sensing circuit generates a digital signal having either a first predetermined amplitude indicative of a triggered pixel cell, or a second predetermined amplitude indicative of a non-triggered pixel cell. The summing unit generates an analog signal whose amplitude corresponds to the number of triggered pixel cells and thereby performs the integration. The analog signal may further cause a timing unit to generate a timestamp when a predetermined accumulated optical photon count condition is met. |
| US09677930B2 |
Method of interrupt control and electronic system using the same
A method of interrupt control for a control unit of an electronic system includes receiving digital data; determining a value of the digital data; and sending interrupt signals to a host by the following methods according to the value: when the control unit is in a second signal sending status and after the value of the digital data increases to be greater than a first threshold and remains greater than the first threshold for a first period of time, switching the control unit to a first signal sending status; and when the control unit is in the first signal sending status and after the value of the digital data decreases to be smaller than a second threshold and remains smaller than the second threshold for a second period of time, switching the control unit to the second signal sending status. The second threshold is smaller than the first threshold. |
| US09677929B2 |
Method and apparatus for adjusting an aperture in an optical system
An aperture adjusting apparatus is provided. The aperture adjusting apparatus includes: a variable part of which an aperture size varies; an optical sensor configured to sense light incident to the variable device part and light output from the variable device part; an aperture calculator configured to calculate a size of an aperture formed in the variable part from light intensity sensed by the optical sensor; and a driving controller configured to control driving of the variable device part by receiving a calculation result fed back from the aperture calculator. |
| US09677922B2 |
Universal measurement data acquisition in water
In order to determine a level and the flow speed of a medium, FMCW transmission signals and CW transmission signals are emitted alternately. Using the Doppler effect, the flow speed of the medium can be determined from the reflected CW signal. The level is determined from the reflected FMCW signal. |
| US09677916B2 |
Energy system monitoring
An optical coupler includes at least one input waveguide and a plurality of output waveguides. The optical coupler spatially disperses optical signals carried on the input waveguide according to wavelength to the output waveguides. The input waveguides and the output waveguides are arranged to provide crosstalk between optical signals carried on the output waveguides. |
| US09677915B2 |
System for automated detection in beverage dispensing machines
Means are provided for the support of the automated process of supplying beverages. More particularly, the detection of the presence and the contents of exchangeable supply packs in beverage dispensing machines is automated. A pack-in-place detection is provided by emitting light and measuring the presence of the emitted light on one light detector, the system determines the absence or the correct/incorrect placement of the supply pack. A product availability detection is provided by detecting the intensity of light coming through a transparent element in the supply pack by another light detector, the system identifies the degree of product presence in the supply pack. |
| US09677914B2 |
Optoelectronic sensor for recognizing object edges
An optoelectronic sensor for recognizing object edges of objects comprises at least three light transmitters which are arranged such that at least two different spacings result between two respective light transmitters. For recognizing an object edge, an evaluation unit is configured to carry out a common evaluation of an image taken by a light receiver of a light spot generated by the transmitted light beams of a first light transmitter and of an image taken by a light receiver of a light spot generated by the transmitted light beams of another light transmitter. The pair of light transmitters to be used for the common evaluation can be selected in dependence on a selection criterion from at least two differently spaced apart pairs of light transmitters. |
| US09677913B2 |
Inductive displacement sensor
Inductive displacement sensors and methods of using them may be useful in a variety of contexts. For example, systems for precisely measuring linear or angular motion may use inductive displacement sensors to measure changes in position. An apparatus, such as a sensor, can include a primary inductor. The apparatus can also include a first secondary inductor that is field-coupled to the primary inductor. The apparatus can further include a second secondary inductor that is field-coupled to the primary inductor. The first secondary inductor and the second secondary inductor can be configured as coordinated inductors to detect motion of a coupler. The coordinated inductors can be configured to provide a reference signal and a measurement signal, wherein the reference signal has a constant amplitude across a range of motion of the coupler. |
| US09677912B2 |
Rotation angle detection device
A rotation angle detection device includes: a magnetic field generation portion that generates a magnetic field; and a first magnetism detection element and a second magnetism detection element disposed to have an angle of 90° therebetween in a rotation direction of the detection target and to rotate relative to the magnetism generation portion. The first magnetism detection element outputs a first output signal, and the second magnetism detection element outputs a second output signal. An amplitude shift correction circuit matches amplitudes of the first output signal and the second output signal which differ in phase by 90° from each other. A rotation angle computation circuit connected to the amplitude shift correction circuit computes and outputs a rotation angle of a detection target based on the first output signal and the second output signal having matched amplitudes. |
| US09677910B1 |
Advanced metering infrastructure system
Disclosed is an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system, used in a power system that comprises a high-voltage power supplying switch, at least one transformer and at least one smart meter. Each transformer has one end connected to at least one smart meter and has another end connected to the high-voltage power supplying switch or at least another transformer. The AMI system comprises a plurality of power line bridges and at least one data concentrator unit (DCU). Each power line bridge is connected to the transformer in parallel. The DCU has one end electrically connected to the power line bridge. The power line bridge has one end electrically connected to the smart meter, and another end electrically connected to the DCU. The power line bridge communicates with the smart meter via the narrowband power line communication (NPLC), and communicates with the DCU via the broadband over power line communication (BPLC). |
| US09677907B2 |
Intelligent receptacle
An intelligent receptacle (or receptacle device) enables individually monitoring and/or controlling consumption of utility service by one or more loads through a supply outlet that is associated with the receptacle device. A client device may enable a user to remotely control a provision of the utility service from the supply outlet through the receptacle device. Furthermore, a utility metering device may include a virtual metering device instance that is configured to collect utility consumption data associated with the supply outlet from the receptacle device and help calibration or synchronization of utility consumption readings of the receptacle device. |
| US09677904B2 |
Generating travel time data
The generation of travel time data is disclosed in which coordinates are received for a starting location (1901). A maximum travel time is received (1903) and processed graph data is read that includes nodes representing pre-filtered map features and edges representing travel times between nodes. A temporary graph is built (1907) of selected nodes that can be reached via selected edges within the maximum travel time. Candidate destinations are received (1908) and the travel time to these candidate destinations is tested (1909) with reference to the temporary graph. |
| US09677903B2 |
Selected driver notification of transitory roadtrip events
An event search area for searching for events of interest to the user, including a maximum off-route crow-fly distance from a user in-route travel path is established. One or more events of interest to the user is determined based on the established event search area. Each of the off-route travel paths that connect each event to the user in-route travel path is also determined. An off-route driving time and a total in-route and off-route driving time from the user in-route travel path to the applicable determined event and back are computed. The one determined off-route travel path that has a minimum computed off-route driving time and the one or more of the determined off-route travel paths that has a minimum computed total in-route and off-route driving time are identified and notified to the user. |
| US09677902B2 |
Range marker for a navigation system
Devices, methods and systems are disclosed herein to describe a range marker for a navigation system. The range marker may delineate a bounded area within a navigation map that a vehicle may travel based on the amount of fuel remaining. As the fuel continues to decrease during operation of the vehicle, the range marker may become smaller and smaller indicating a shrinking range since the fuel remaining decreases, thereby allowing the driver to easily identify which gas stations may be within a range of the vehicle (based on a current vehicle fuel level) and which gas stations might not be within the range of the vehicle. |
| US09677901B2 |
System and method for providing navigation instructions at optimal times
A wearable smart device for alerting a user of an upcoming turn or object. The wearable smart device includes a camera configured to detect image data. The wearable smart device also includes a processor coupled to the camera and configured to determine a current speed of the wearable smart device based on the image data. The processor is also configured to determine when a navigation instruction is to be output based on the current speed. The wearable smart device also includes an output unit coupled to the processor and configured to output the navigation instruction. |
| US09677900B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing route guidance using reference points
Disclosed is a method and device for providing a route guidance. Information on a plurality of user inputted route points may be obtained. One or more reference points, such as landmarks, may be determined based at least on the obtained information. Route guidance may be provided, which includes information on the reference points, thereby providing users with a more intuitive route guidance. |
| US09677899B2 |
Electronic apparatus, control method thereof, computer program, and computer-readable recording medium
Disclosed herein is a control method of an electronic apparatus. The control method of an electronic apparatus includes: determining a position of a vehicle that is being operated; determining a terrain height in a region positioned within a predetermined distance from the determined position of the vehicle; comparing a terrain height at the position of the vehicle and the terrain height in the region with each other to calculate a terrain height difference; and generating an information object including guidance information of the vehicle and displaying the generated information object through augmented reality by reflecting the terrain height difference. |
| US09677896B2 |
Preventive fuel saving-aimed motor vehicle driver assistance
A fuel saving-aimed motor vehicle driver assistance system configured to receive and process motor vehicle-related data and motor vehicle position-related data to identify recurrent routes of a motor vehicle and to provide a motor vehicle driver, via an automotive human-machine interface, with motor vehicle driving assistance recommendations for fuel saving along the routes. The motor vehicle driver assistance system is configured to identify recurrent routes of the motor vehicle by determining a succession of geographic points, referred to as Waypoints, along a route of the motor vehicle, at which values of a series of physical quantities are determined and recorded, which define the attributes of the Waypoints. The Waypoint attributes are then updated when the vehicle travels through them. For each current motor vehicle position, a search is made for the Waypoint spatially closest to the current motor vehicle position and having certain characteristics, such that if such a Waypoint is not found, then a new Waypoint is defined, or else, if such a Waypoint is found, then variable Waypoint attributes are updated. The so-defined Waypoints are then concatenated so as to form an ordered list of Waypoints belonging to the same recurrent route. The characteristic points of the routes, such as bends, roundabouts and traffic lights, are identified and optimal speed profiles and primary controls for the motor vehicle at the characteristic points are computed. Based on the computed optimal speed profiles and primary controls and by means of the automotive human-machine interface, the motor vehicle driver is then provided with motor vehicle driving recommendations for fuel saving along the routes. |
| US09677888B2 |
Determining sensor orientation in indoor navigation
A method and system are provided for improved pedestrian dead reckoning. In an embodiment, the crab angle of a device, i.e., the angle by which the device direction of travel differs from the device orientation, is determined via the processing of measurements from a vector accelerometer. The measured acceleration vector is rotated so that one component is vertical, and the crab angle is then found by determining a horizontal direction having the greatest energy. Correlations between the two horizontal acceleration components and the vertical acceleration component may be computed to determine the user's gait, further improving dead reckoning, e.g., for improving indoor position resolution. |
| US09677879B2 |
Tire appearance inspection apparatus and method
A tire appearance inspection apparatus and method employing image processing is capable of performing tire appearance inspection with great accuracy. The tire appearance inspection apparatus includes a sectional shape acquiring device for acquiring cross-sectional shapes of a tire in the radial direction along the circumference of the tire, an arc fitting device for fitting an arc to each of the cross-sectional shapes, an arc center position calculating device for calculating the center positions of the arcs, and a sectional shape aligning device for aligning the cross-sectional shapes using the center positions of the arcs for the cross-sectional shapes. |
| US09677877B2 |
Dual-projector three-dimensional scanner
A current problem with 3D scanners using structured light patterns is choosing a single light pattern to accommodate all possible object/range conditions. Objects far from the 3D scanner often require different patterns than objects that located close to the 3D scanner. In addition, large objects often require different patterns than small objects. To automatically sense and adapt to a wide variety of size/range conditions, the present invention embraces a 3D scanner for dimensioning that has two projectors for projecting two different light patterns. Based on the scanning requirements for a particular object, one of the two projected patterns may be used to obtain information regarding the shape of an object. In one possible embodiment, this shape information is used to obtain the object's dimensions. |
| US09677876B2 |
Non-destructive and optical measurement automation system for web thickness of microdrills and method thereof
A non-destructive and optical measurement automation system for web thickness of microdrills and method thereof can obtain the measuring data corresponding to a certain section to be measured of a microdrill by means of automated optical measurement. Specifically speaking, the said system and method measure the section to be measured via an optical measuring plane formed by a measuring light beam, and the included angle between the optical measuring plane and the central axis of the microdrill is practically consistent with the helix angle of the microdrill. The said system and method then analyze the measuring data via a computer device to obtain the outer diameter and the depths of helical flutes corresponding to the section to be measured. Finally, the said system and method calculate the web thickness of the said section to be measured according to the outer diameter and the depths of helical flutes. |
| US09677874B2 |
Position-measuring device
A position-measuring device includes a first scale and a second scale, which are arranged end-to-end to extend across a measurement range, as well as a scanning unit having a light source configured to emit a light beam. The first scale includes a reflective phase grating having first periodic marks which diffract an incident light beam into a predetermined diffraction order with a first diffraction efficiency. The second scale includes a reflective phase grating having second periodic marks that differ in shape from the first periodic marks. A reflectivity of the phase grating of the second scale is reduced compared to a reflectivity of the phase grating of the first scale to such an extent that the phase grating of the second scale diffracts the incident light beam into the predetermined diffraction order with the first diffraction efficiency. |
| US09677873B2 |
Apparatus, method and computer program for determining a distance to an object using a determined peak width of a self-mixing interference (SMI) signal
An apparatus, method and computer program for measuring a distance using a self-mixing interference (SMI) unit that generates an SMI signal. The SMI unit comprises a laser emitting a first laser beam directed to an object and wherein the SMI signal depends on an interference of the first laser beam and a second laser beam reflected by the object. A peak width determination unit determines a peak width of the SMI signal, and a distance determination unit determines a distance between the object and the SMI unit depending on the determined peak width of the SMI signal. Since the distance is determined depending on the peak width of the SMI signal, without requiring a laser driving current modulation, advanced electronics for modulating the driving current of the laser are not needed. This reduces the technical efforts needed for determining the distance. |
| US09677871B2 |
Optical measuring method and measuring device having a measuring head for capturing a surface topography by calibrating the orientation of the measuring head
The invention relates to an optical measuring process for acquiring a surface topography of a measurement object. To this end, a measuring device with a measuring head in a measuring head guide device is provided for chromatic confocal acquisition of the surface topography or for spectral interferometric OCT acquisition of the distance to the surface topography. Firstly, spectrally broadband light of a light source from a fiber array with i fibers of i measurement spots is directed onto the measurement object via a common measuring head optic, with formation of a spot array of i measurement spots. i reflection spectra of the i measurement channels are then acquired and digitized. Finally, the digitized reflection spectra are evaluated with removal of time variations of systematic measurement errors and time-related deviation movements of the measuring head guide device. |
| US09677870B2 |
Interferometric distance measuring method for measuring surfaces, and such a measuring arrangement
A distance measuring method for measuring surfaces uses a laser source having a frequency that can be modulated to tune a wavelength of a laser beam in a wavelength range. The laser beam is generated with a coherence length to provide a measuring beam and is emitted at the surface, located within a specified distance range, as a measuring beam. The measuring beam is back-scattered by the surface and is received again and used to interferometrically measure the distance from a reference point to the surface. The specified distance range lies at least partly outside of the coherence length. One portion of the laser beam is temporally delayed with respect to another portion, such that the one optical path difference caused by the delay matches the optical path difference that corresponds to a distance in the specified distance range plus or minus the coherence length of the laser. |
| US09677868B2 |
Tip clearance measurement system
A tip clearance measurement system (TCMS) includes a probe and sensing circuitry. The probe directs microwave signals toward a turbine blade and receives microwave signals reflected by the turbine blade. The sensing circuitry includes a switch having a first state in which a main frequency is provided at an output of the switch and a second state in which a reference frequency is provided at an output of the switch. The sensing circuitry further includes a first conditioning circuit that receives a frequency provided at the output of the switch and provides a conditioned frequency to the probe and a second conditioning circuit that receives both the conditioned frequency provided by the first conditioning circuit and a reflected frequency received by the probe, and provides a conditioned output based on the conditioned frequency and reflected frequency. |
| US09677864B1 |
Closed, self-contained ballistic apogee detection module and method
A closed, self-contained ballistic apogee detection module for use in a projectile, such as a rocket, mortar round, or artillery round, fuses data from multiple built-in sensors, such as an accelerometer, a magnetometer, and a gyroscope, and processes the data using a microprocessor through a custom quaternion extended Kalman filter to provide accurate state and orientation information about the projectile so as to accurately predict apogee. The module outputs a signal indicating apogee detection or prediction which they projectile uses to initiate fuze arming, targeting control, airbody transformation, maneuvering, flow effector deployment or activation, payload exposure or deployment, and/or other mission activity. Because the system and method of the invention does not rely on external environmental data to detect apogee, it need not use a pressure sensor and can be completely sealed in and closed without requiring access to air from outside the projectile for barometric readings. |
| US09677861B2 |
Flechette weapon system and method employing minimal energetic material
A projectile having a leading section and a trailing section coupled together to define a structure for delivering a plurality of flechettes. The trailing section includes aerodynamic control surfaces that are deployable to apply an aerodynamic braking force to the trailing section to separate the trailing section from the leading section. The flechettes surround an explosive charge in the leading section such that initiation of the explosive charge outwardly disperses the flechettes after the leading section and the trailing section have separated. The control surfaces optionally also may impart spin to the projectile to assist in dispersing the flechettes. Thus, aerodynamic force is employed to assist in removing the flechettes from their confining structure in the projectile before dispersing them. |
| US09677858B1 |
Method for wrapping of ceramic tiles for armor applications, a wrapped ceramic tile for armor applications and an armor system constructed with a wrapped ceramic tile for armor applications
A method of making an armor component that includes wrapping a ceramic tile with a plurality of wrappers that are impregnated with a curable polymer, and isostatically pressing the wrapped ceramic tile while curing the curable polymer to obtain an armor component that includes the ceramic tile integrated with the wrappers. |
| US09677857B2 |
Impulse and momentum transfer devise
This invention concerns a device for the transmission of impulse and momentum, e.g. from a shock wave from an explosion or momentum from objects impacting the device, from one location to another, and is primarily used to protect vehicles, ships, aircrafts and buildings against impulse and/or momentum, for instance in regards to attacks on those with grenades, bombs, mines and the like.The governing physical principles are those of conservation of momentum and energy, and Newton's 3rd Law, claiming that for every action there is an equal but opposite reaction.When the receiver 1 is accelerated by the incoming shock wave 9 it collides with the transmitter 2, connected to an emitter 3, momentum is transferred to the emitter 3. If the transfer is in itself not sufficient to bring the receiver's 1 velocity to an acceptable level, additional energy and momentum is added through the transmitter 2. |
| US09677856B2 |
Electromagnetic cloaking method
A method of constructing a concealing volume comprises constructing a plurality of concealing volume elements around a concealable volume. Each concealing volume element has a material parameter arranged to direct a propagating wave around the concealable volume. The material parameter can be refractive index, electrical permittivity and magnetic permittivity. The concealing volume can be a metamaterial. The concealing volume diverts incoming propagating waves such that outgoing propagating waves appear to be unperturbed to an observer. |
| US09677853B2 |
Mount for a telescopic sight
The present invention relates to a device for mounting and adjustment of a telescopic sight on a firearm, where the device comprises a front telescopic sight ring and a rear telescopic sight ring and where the front and rear telescopic sight ring further comprises an upper half-ring and a lower half-ring, where the lower half-ring of each telescope sight ring is connected to an intermediate piece, where each intermediate piece is further connected to a telescopic sight ring base, and where it between one of the telescopic sight ring bases and the intermediate pieces is arranged an adjustment device, allowing for adjustment of the telescopic sight. |
| US09677844B2 |
Telescoping baton with improved stopping and shock absorbing assembly
An expandable or telescoping police baton embodies a cylindrical sleeve within which is slidably disposed cylindrical shaft. The sleeve and shaft are aligned with a slot and a pin to prevent rotation of the shaft within the sleeve. The baton also includes a shock absorbing assembly positioned on the shaft. |
| US09677836B2 |
Reset assist mechanism
A reset apparatus for use in a firearm, comprising: a compression spring; a biasing member has a first end and a distal end wherein the compression spring is attached proximate to the first end of the biasing member; a notch disposed on the biasing member for cooperation with a trigger bar, wherein the trigger bar comprises a longitudinal axis defined by a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the front portion is mechanically cooperated with a firearm trigger; and wherein the compression spring communicates a force through the biasing member and onto the trigger bar in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the trigger bar. |
| US09677834B2 |
Extractor for a firearm
An extractor for a firearm and method of using the same are provided. The extractor comprises a bullet casing edge including a substantially straight portion and a tab portion situated below and extending from the substantially straight portion. The substantially straight portion is configured to engage the casing and enable it to travel vertically along the substantially straight portion while maintaining engagement therewith. The tab portion is configured to engage the casing and to inhibit it from traveling downward along the casing engagement edge below the tab portion. |
| US09677828B2 |
Engineered packing for heat exchange and systems and methods constructing the same
An apparatus includes an inlet, an outlet, and a sheet disposed proximate a heat transfer surface, wherein the sheet is oriented in a sheet plane that is displaced from a plane of the heat transfer surface by an angle of at least 10 degrees. The apparatus also includes a plurality of tabs attached to the sheet, the tabs lying in respective tab planes, wherein the tab planes and the sheet plane intersect forming respective intersections. The intersections of the tab planes and the sheet plane are substantially parallel. The intersections of the tab planes and the sheet plane are at an angle of less than 88° to the heat transfer surface, and the plurality of tabs collectively form channels directing a fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet to impinge the heat transfer surface. |
| US09677827B2 |
Heat exchanger
The present invention proposes a new design in the configuration of the attachment between the battery of tubes and the shell of a heat exchanger, improving the manufacturing costs and efficiency with respect to the exchangers of the state of the art. The present invention describes a heat exchanger and a process for manufacturing it, which combines the thermal fatigue strength of floating core exchangers with the compact, simple and more economical design of monoblock exchangers, resulting from, among others, a smaller number of necessary manufacturing steps. |
| US09677822B2 |
Efficient temperature forcing of semiconductor devices under test
A temperature-forcing system, for controlling the temperature of an electronic device under test, comprising— a temperature-forcing head, including a face configured to be put in thermal contact with the device and an evaporator, in direct or indirect thermal contact with the face; and a refrigerant circulation subsystem, including a compressor, a condenser and a metering device; wherein the subsystem is configured to circulate a bi-phase refrigerant, in closed loop fashion, through the evaporator so that, during circulation, the refrigerant is maintained at high pressure between the compressor and the metering device and at low pressure while flowing through the evaporator. More specifically, in the disclosed system the refrigerant, while flowing through the evaporator at a low pressure, is operative to dissipate heat therefrom by evaporation and the evaporator or any part thereof is formed as a heat exchanger. |
| US09677821B2 |
Air conditioner
To increase a heat exchange capacity of an indoor heat exchanger without increasing a pressure loss inside tubes of an outdoor heat exchanger. A heat exchanger is constituted by an indoor machine equipped with an indoor heat exchanger 10 constituted by a plurality of heat transfer tubes 12A, which have a spiral grooves 13A formed with a predetermined lead angle Ra on inner faces of the tubes and are made to pierce a plurality of fins 11, and an outdoor machine equipped with an outdoor heat exchanger 20 constituted by a plurality of heat transfer tubes 22A which have a lead angle Rb of spiral grooves 23A smaller than that of a heat transfer tubes 10A used for the indoor heat exchanger 10 and are made to pierce a plurality of fins 11. |
| US09677820B2 |
Electronic device and liquid cooling heat dissipation structure thereof
A liquid cooling heat dissipation structure includes a heat-conducting substrate, a fluid-splitting board, a fluid-conducting board, and a liquid supply module. The heat-conducting substrate has a heat-conducting body contacting a heat generation source and a plurality of heat-dissipating fins disposed on the heat-conducting body. The fluid-splitting board is disposed on the heat-dissipating fins. The fluid-conducting board is disposed on the fluid-splitting board. The liquid supply module includes an external cover body detachably disposed on the heat-conducting body and at least two pumps detachably disposed on the external cover body. The external cover body has at least one liquid inlet and at least one liquid outlet, and cooling liquid flows into the external cover body through the at least one liquid inlet and flows out of the external cover body through the at least one liquid outlet by driving one or all of the at least two pumps. |
| US09677817B1 |
Method for thermal management through use of ammonium carbamate
Ammonium carbamate-based methods and systems for management of thermal loads, particularly low-quality, high-flux thermal loads. The increase in temperature in heat sensitive devices is mitigated by the endothermic decomposition of ammonium carbamate into carbon dioxide and ammonia gases. This process has an energy density an order of magnitude greater than conventional thermal management materials and is particularly useful for temperatures between 20° C. and 100° C. Systems incorporating ammonium carbamate may be controlled by regulating the fluid flow, overhead pressure, temperature, or combinations thereof. |
| US09677813B2 |
Method for drying laundry and dryer
A method for providing fresh air fed through a fan to a burner of a dryer, thereby charging the burner, when the dryer is operated with recirculating air. In commercial dryers in which the drying air is heated by a burner, it is customary to reuse the moist air leaving a drum containing the laundry to be dried as recirculating air. The recirculating air component is increased with increasing drying of the laundry. At the end of the drying operation, when the moist air no longer contains as much moisture as at the start, the moist air is used as recirculating air. The burner then no longer gets enough combustion air, which leads to an incomplete combustion. The dryer can be operated with a higher recirculating air component, an optimal combustion being guaranteed through the charging of the burner with fresh air. The invention permits more economical drying. |
| US09677810B2 |
Method for improving quality and functionality of filter paper suitable for collecting biological samples
A method for diminishing variation between and/or within individual sheets of filter papers which are suitable for collecting samples of biological material, e.g. blood, is described. The method includes at least one of the following: subjecting the sheets of filter paper to gaseous substance containing at least 30 grams water per cubic meter and/or wetting the sheets of filter paper with water and subsequently drying the sheets of filter paper. According to tests, the above-described treatment significantly reduces the undesirable variation between results analyzed from sheets of filter paper and impregnated with same biological material for test purposes. |
| US09677809B1 |
Plural heat pump and thermal storage system for facilitating power shaping services on the electrical power grid at consumer premises
A system and method for storing energy from an electrical grid utilizes a system heat pump at a premises for transferring energy from the grid to a thermal storage reservoir and a premises heat pump that can use the stored energy to provide, for example, heat to the premises. The system heat pump and premises heat pump desirably operate independently of one another so that energy can be transferred to the thermal storage reservoir regardless of whether energy is being withdrawn by the premises heat pump. Plural energy storage systems utilizing respective system and premises heat pumps and thermal storage reservoirs can form a part of the utility customer system with the system heat pumps being operable to shape the load on the electrical grid. A system heat pump can be operated to minimize a customer's bill, or the utility's cost and alternatively to achieve other purposes, depending upon the mode of operation of the system. |
| US09677808B2 |
Apparatus for making, storing and minimizing melting of spherical pieces of ice
An ice support and storage tray includes one or more cavities having upwardly facing spherical surface portions that support spherical pieces of ice. The tray is preferably made of a material having a low thermal conductivity to reduce melting of the spherical pieces of ice. The spherical support surfaces minimize melting points that could otherwise cause the spherical pieces of ice to melt and develop irregular surface shapes. The ice tray may be used in a freezer having an ice maker that transports spheres of ice to the ice support cavities. The ice storage tray may be configured to permit removal of spheres of ice without tipping the tray upside down and/or twisting/deforming the tray. |
| US09677806B2 |
Refrigeration device with a vegetable drawer
A refrigeration device includes a housing which surrounds a storage compartment; and a container mounted in the storage compartment and including a drawer and a cover, with the cover being height-adjustable between a closed position of the drawer and an open position. The cover is guided on an obliquely sloping path between the closed position and the open position by ramps adjacent to corners of the cover. |
| US09677804B2 |
Refrigerating furniture, in particular refrigerating shelf
The invention relates to a refrigerating shelving unit, particularly a refrigerating shelf (KR1) for cooling and displaying products to be refrigerated in a cooling chamber (KR1M), including an access region via which the products to be refrigerated are accessible, and a refrigerating device (KR1KE) which includes a condenser (VF) and a compressor (KOM). According to the invention, it is provided that the condenser (VF) is arranged at least partially within the refrigerating shelf (KR1) and in the upper region (HR1) thereof and that the compressor (KOM) is arranged within the refrigerating shelf (KRI) in the lower region (VR) thereof. As a result, interfering noise emissions are reduced and, simultaneously, the packaging of the refrigerating shelving unit at the manufacturing site and the transport to the site of use are simplified. |
| US09677800B2 |
Refrigerator with an ice transfer flow duct
A refrigerator includes an ice bank installed on a refrigerating compartment door, a dispenser provided below the ice bank, and an ice maker provided in a freezing compartment. The refrigerator also includes a transfer element connected to a side of the ice maker and configured to transfer ice made by the ice maker to the ice bank. The refrigerator further includes a first duct connecting an outlet of the transfer element and the ice bank and a second duct connecting the ice bank and the freezing compartment. One of the first duct and the second duct is a cold air supplying duct that supplies cold air to the ice bank and another of the first duct and the second duct is a cold air return duct that returns cold air of the ice bank to the freezing compartment. |
| US09677797B2 |
Inverter controller, method of operation thereof and field-installable retrofit kit incorporating the same
An inverter controller, a method of operating a controller and a field-installable kit. In one embodiment, the controller includes: (1) a thermostat interface configured to receive conventional thermostat signals providing for a ventilation mode, first- and second-stage cooling modes and at least one heating mode and provide relay control signals for an inverter forward start relay, first- and second-stage cooling speed select relays and at least one heating relay and (2) an inverter controller coupled to the thermostat interface and configured to receive the relay control signals and provide an inverter forward start signal, an inverter high speed set, an inverter medium speed set and an inverter ventilation speed set. |
| US09677794B2 |
Heat pump with electromechanically-actuated displacers
A Vuilleumier heat pump is disclosed in which hot and cold displacers are controlled by first and second electromagnetic actuators, respectively. The first actuator is capable of moving the hot displacer between the first and second ends of travel while the cold displacer remains stationary and the second actuator is capable of moving the cold displacer while the hot displacer remains stationary. Prior art crank arrangements are unable to provide dwell in one displacer while moving the other displacer. Actuation of the displacers according to embodiments of the present disclosure provides a higher coefficient of performance than crank arrangements. |
| US09677787B2 |
Liquid-based adjusting device for a solar system
Liquid-based adjusting device (100) for a solar system comprising at least one holding element (1) for attaching at least one solar element, a swivel device (2), designed and intended for swiveling the holding element (1) around at least one swivel axis (S) and/or along a guiding curve (F) of the holding element (1), wherein one floating body (1A) of the holding element (1) is at least partially arranged below a filling level (30A) of the liquid tank (3A) and only by the buoyancy thereof the holding element (1) is swivel-mounted relative to one longitudinal axis (L) of the liquid tank (3A) around the swivel axis (S) and/or along the guiding curve (F) and mounted above the filling level (30A) directly on the rim (31A) of the liquid tank (3A), wherein the filling level (30A) of the liquid tank (3A) can be varied by means of a piping system (4) of the swivel device (1). |
| US09677774B2 |
Multi-zone oven with variable cavity sizes
A convection oven is disclosed. The convection oven comprises a housing having an oven cavity and an oven door for access to the oven cavity, at least one air blower for generating heated air, one or more air channels for directing the heated air from the air blower toward the oven cavity, and one or more removable air plenums, wherein each removable air plenum is connected to one of the one or more air channels, comprises an air intake edge for receiving the heated air from the air channel, defines the top or the bottom of a cooking chamber within the oven cavity, and comprises a plurality of air vents for directing the heated air into the cooking chamber. The convection oven may further comprise a control panel for separately and independently controlling each of the cooking chambers defined by the removable air plenums. |
| US09677769B2 |
Flexible sequence control and method for automated cleaning system of a cooking device
Disclosed is a cooking device having a flexible sequence control for automatic cleaning of an oven cavity. A customizing aspect allows for the inputting of values for a combination of parameters of a cleaning system. These parameters may include degree of soiling, cleaning time, energy consumption, water consumption, cleaner consumption, rinse agent consumption, and/or overall cost of cleaning. The sets of parameters can be entered, saved and recalled, or deleted. While setting values of the parameters, any undefined parameter(s) are automatically changed accordingly to achieve an optimal result. Unreasonable or impossible combinations of parameters are blocked. The parameters may be visualized as user friendly touch-activated bars. Selection can be made from several optimizing options, such as cost optimization, time optimization, resource optimization, and ecological optimization that reduce the consumption of resources. |
| US09677768B2 |
Multi-ring gas burner
A multi-ring gas burner includes an outer burner ring that extends around an inner burner. The outer burner ring has a cross-lighting duct with a fuel delivery aperture positioned at a bottom portion of the cross-lighting duct. The fuel delivery aperture is configured for directing gaseous fuel from a fuel chamber of the outer burner ring into the cross-lighting duct. |
| US09677766B2 |
Fuel nozzle for use in a turbine engine and method of assembly
A fuel nozzle for use in a turbine engine is provided. The fuel nozzle includes a fuel injector configured to discharge a flow of fuel therefrom and a premixer tube coupled in flow communication with the fuel injector. The premixer tube is configured to receive the fuel flow and a flow of air at an upstream end of the premixer tube, wherein the fuel and air are progressively mixed as the fuel and air are channeled through the length of the premixer tube. |
| US09677764B2 |
Method for adjusting a natural gas temperature for a fuel supply line of a gas turbine engine
The method for adjusting a natural gas temperature for a fuel supply line of a gas turbine engine includes measuring by infrared analysis the natural gas percentage content of methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), butane (C4H10), carbon dioxide (CO2), calculating the nitrogen (N2) percentage content as the complement to 100 of the measured percentage content of methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), butane (C4H10), carbon dioxide (CO2), calculating an index indicative of the natural gas energy content and adjusting the natural gas temperature on the basis of the index. |
| US09677760B2 |
Furnace heating combustion apparatus
A furnace-heating combustion apparatus that allows adjustment of a ratio between the amount of primary air and the amount of secondary air. A double-tube elongate burner extends through a rear wall portion of an air box disposed away from a furnace wall. The leading end portion of the burner is disposed inside a tube section such that a secondary air conduit is formed between an outer circumferential face of the leading end portion and an inner circumferential face of the tube section. A primary air conduit is provided at the leading end portion of the burner to introduce the air inside the air box from the rear end portion and cause it to flow toward the leading end portion. A burner supporting means is provided for to allow adjustment of the position of the burner in the longitudinal direction relative to the rear wall of the air box. |
| US09677758B2 |
Gaseous fuel-oxygen burner
A gaseous fuel-oxygen burner is described herein. One device includes a flame zone in which combustion of gaseous fuel and oxygen occurs to form a flame, a coaxial gaseous fuel jet configured to provide the flame zone with gaseous fuel, and a coaxial oxygen jet configured to provide the flame zone with oxygen, wherein the coaxial gaseous fuel jet and the coaxial oxygen jet are separate such that the gaseous fuel from the coaxial gaseous fuel jet and the oxygen from the coaxial oxygen jet do not mix before entering the flame zone. |
| US09677757B2 |
Automatic water-adding vaporization pot
An automatic water-adding vaporization including a pot body main body, a heat-generating component installed on the pot body main body, a water pump connected to the pot body main body, a control circuit for controlling the water pump, a temperature acquisition board and a water-depletion-and temperature-sensing element installed on the temperature acquisition board. One end of the temperature acquisition board is either connected to the heat-generating component or to a position of the pot body main body in proximity to the heat-generating component. The remaining parts of the temperature acquisition board are away from the pot body main body. The water-depletion- and temperature-sensing element is installed at a position on the temperature acquisition board away from the pot body main body. The water-depletion- and temperature-sensing element is connected to the control circuit. |
| US09677751B2 |
Multi-functional heat sink
A multi-functional heat sink includes a top portion and a skirt portion extending down from the top portion. When a light source is attached to the top portion on an underside of the multi-functional heat sink, the skirt portion reduces risk of rain water from reaching the light source and prevents light emitted by the light source from exiting the multi-functional heat sink in an upward direction. The multi-functional heat sink is made from sheet metal. |
| US09677750B2 |
Electrical lamp for holding and displaying a collector's round or oval item
Disclosed is an electrical lamp for holding and displaying a collector's round (or oval) item. The lamp comprises a base assembly comprising a base and a bottom plate secured to a top surface of the base, a top assembly comprising a top plate, a lamp assembly comprising an electrical light bulb connected to the top plate, and a lamp shade encircling the light bulb, and a connecting means for connecting the top and base assemblies such that, the top and bottom plates are vertically aligned. The round item is adapted to be snugly and removably received between the top and bottom plates. |
| US09677746B2 |
Power delivery system for HID, LED, or fluorescent track lighting
A system according to an embodiment of the invention may include a track and a power supply substantially contained within the track. One or more lamps may be electrically connected to the power supply. The lamp may be an HID lamp, an LED lamp, or a fluorescent lamp. The power supply may be a ballast or a transformer, and may comprise a printed circuit board with electrical power handling components on one side. The system may also include a housing which may surround the power supply. |
| US09677745B2 |
LED lamp structure and illuminating module thereof
In a LED lamp structure and an illuminating module thereof, the illuminating module includes a circuit board, a flat plate LED, an electrical pin and a packaging colloid. The circuit board has a length, a first and a second side formed at two sides of the length. The flat plate LED is fixed and electrically connected with the circuit board, bulges at the first side, and includes a substrate and at least one LED grain assembled on the substrate. The flat plate LED can emit omnidirectional light because the substrate is made of transparent material. The electrical pin is fixed and electrically connected with the circuit board and bulges at the second side. The packaging colloid covers the circuit board and the flat plate LED and has a rectangular plastic block. Thereby, the LED lamp structure can remain traditional appearance of a halogen lamp, for collecting and focusing light. |
| US09677742B2 |
Flexible display device and method of manufacturing cover window of the same
A flexible display device includes a flexible display panel, a cover window disposed on an outer side of the flexible display panel, and a polarizing plate disposed between the flexible display panel and the cover window. The cover window includes a protrusion and depression portion having protrusions and depressions formed in an inner surface thereof. |
| US09677738B2 |
Optical device and system for solid-state lighting
An optical device for transforming an input light distribution from an LED light source to provide an omni-directional output light distribution for solid-state lighting is disclosed. The optical device has a conical form, comprising first and second coaxial cones of different refractive index, defined by coaxial inner and outer cone surfaces, which converge from a cone base to a rounded tip at the apex. Preferably, each of the inner and outer cone surfaces comprises a plurality of conical facets defining a grating structure. The inner cone, i.e. air cavity, is directly coupled to an LED emitter area. Cone angles and spacings of conical facets, defining inner and outer gratings, are tailored to reshape a predetermined input light distribution. Apertures assist in heat dissipation. A lightweight, compact device with high transmission efficiency can be manufactured at low cost by one-step injection molding from an optical-grade polymer, such as PMMA. |
| US09677737B1 |
Dual lens structure for light fixtures
A dual lens structure includes an outer elongated lens segment that has a substantially dome-shaped cross-section. The outer elongated lens segment includes a first optical pattern. The dual lens structure also includes inner elongated lens segment that has a substantially bell-shaped cross-section. The inner elongated lens segment includes a second optical pattern and is at least partially positioned within the outer elongated lens segment. The dual lens structure further includes a first segment coupled to a first longitudinal side of the outer elongated lens segment and to a first longitudinal side of the inner elongated lens segment. The dual lens structure also includes a second segment coupled to a second longitudinal side of the outer elongated lens segment and to a second longitudinal side of the inner elongated lens segment. |
| US09677733B2 |
Light guiding element for a laser vehicle headlight
The invention relates to a light guiding element (1) for a laser vehicle headlight (2), wherein the laser vehicle headlight (2) comprises at least one laser light source (3) and at least one luminous element (4) which can be irradiated by the laser light source (3) and can thus be excited to emit visible light. The light guiding element (1) has a first side (10), which is designed at least partly as a light entrance surface (5), and a second side (20) arranged opposite the first side (10), said second side being designed at least partly as a light exit surface (6) and being assigned at least one receptacle (7) for at least one luminous element (4), wherein the light entrance surface (5) is assigned at least one first reflection region (50) which is oriented in the direction of the interior of the light guiding element (1) and reflects light from the light entrance surface (5) in the direction of the receptacle (7) for the luminous element (4), and wherein the light exit surface (6) is assigned at least one second reflection region (60) which is oriented in the direction of the interior of the light guiding element (1) and reflects light from the luminous element (4) in the direction of the light exit surface (6). The invention furthermore relates to a vehicle headlight (2) comprising at least one light guiding element of this type. |
| US09677732B2 |
Headlight lens for a vehicle headlight
A headlight lens for a vehicle headlight, the headlight lens having a body of transparent material. The monolithic body includes a light passage section having at least one optically operative light exit face and a light tunnel having at least one optically operative light entry face. The light tunnel transits into the light passage section via a bend being curved in its longitudinal extension, wherein the light passage section is configured for imaging the bend as a bright-dark-boundary. |
| US09677729B2 |
Fluttering-flame simulation device
A fluttering-flame simulation device having a shell, a flame body, an external force generating device mounted in the shell, and at least one light-emitting device; the flame body is provided with a flame sheet imitating the shape of flame; the flame sheet extends out of the shell through a through hole in the shell; light of the light-emitting device is projected upon the flame sheet; a lower portion of the flame body is provided with a hollow cone; the shell is provided inside with a support member, which extends into the cone at the lower portion of the flame body to support the flame body, making the flame body still able to return to the initial vertical state after shaking around a support point under the force from the external force generating device, thus forming a tumbler-type flame body. |
| US09677725B2 |
Light string unit
The present application provides a light string unit, including: a plurality of light-emitting bodies; and a conducting wire, configured to electrically connect the light-emitting bodies in series, opposite ends of the conducting wire being connected to positive polarity and negative polarity of an external power supply circuit or an external power source, respectively. Wherein, the conducting wire is a high-tensile conducting wire which includes: a conductive core wire; an insulated coating, configured to encapsulate the conductive core wire; and a tensile resistant cord, set inside the insulated coating and set parallelly or twisted with the conductive core wire to enhance the tensile strength of the conducting wire. In the present application, the tensile resistant cord enhances the tensile strength of the conducting wire, and completely reaches or even exceeds the requirement on tensile strength of a conducting wire in the UL 588 criterion and has a simplified structure. |
| US09677722B2 |
Flat optical fiber lighting assembly with integrated electrical circuitry
Lighting assembly comprises an optical fiber light guide panel member having a light conducting core cladded on opposite sides by cladding made of optically transparent material having a lower index of refraction than the light conducting core to cause total internal reflection of conducted light within the light conducting core at the core-cladding interface. Disruptions at one or more areas of the cladding cause conducted light within the light conducting core to be emitted from one or more areas of the panel member. Electrical circuitry is bonded to one or both sides of the cladding. One or more LEDs embedded in the panel member are in electrical conduct with the electrical circuitry and optically coupled to the light conducting core. |
| US09677714B2 |
Cryogenic injection compositions, systems and methods for cryogenically modulating flow in a conduit
Provided are cryogenic injection compositions, methods and systems to introduce a cryogenic injection composition into a fluid within a conduit such that at least a portion of the temperature of the fluid is reduced to a temperature below which at least a portion of the fluid becomes a solid thereby reversibly plugging the conduit. Also provided are methods and systems for cooling or freezing a conduit and a fluid therein using a pressurized fluid cryogen as a thermal transfer fluid for controlled removal of thermal energy from a thermal conducting metal conduit and a fluid contained therein. |
| US09677713B1 |
Compact insert design for cryogenic pressure vessels
A pressure vessel apparatus for cryogenic capable storage of hydrogen or other cryogenic gases at high pressure includes an insert with a parallel inlet duct, a perpendicular inlet duct connected to the parallel inlet. The perpendicular inlet duct and the parallel inlet duct connect the interior cavity with the external components. The insert also includes a parallel outlet duct and a perpendicular outlet duct connected to the parallel outlet duct. The perpendicular outlet duct and the parallel outlet duct connect the interior cavity with the external components. |
| US09677712B2 |
Compressed natural gas fueling station
A compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station module is provided. The module includes a vault for below grade installation, the vault comprising a compressor for compressing natural gas, a storage tank for holding compressed natural gas, a dispenser for dispensing compressed natural gas, each of the compressor, the storage tank and the dispenser in fluid communication with each other. Secured to the vault is a canopy for above grade orientation, the canopy comprising a CNG fuel nozzle in fluid communication with the dispenser and an interface for allowance purchase of the CNG. |
| US09677708B2 |
Disposable oil change kit
A tool for liquid disposal is provided for collecting liquids and for changing engine oil or other hydrocarbon containing products, whereby the liquid, spent oil, or hydrocarbon is encapsulated in a non-biodegradable substance rendering the kit safe for disposal in a non-hazard or controlled substance landfill. A disposable container with a diffuser may be composed of rows of apertures that are used to channel the liquid to all levels of the container so that liquids can be exposed to the maximum surface area of the non-biodegradable substance contained in layered pouches containing the absorbent for total encapsulation. |
| US09677707B2 |
Lubrication systems for bearing assemblies
A lubrication system is disclosed for a bearing assembly, the bearing assembly having at least one bearing. The lubrication system may comprise a pump circuit, an injection circuit, an extraction circuit and at least one three-way valve. The pump circuit may comprise at least a pump. The injection circuit may provide lubricant to the bearing during an injection mode of operation. The extraction circuit may extract lubricant from the bearing during an extraction mode of operation. A flow combination topology of the first three-way valve may allow operation of the lubrication system in the injection mode or in the extraction mode or in both modes simultaneously. |
| US09677705B2 |
Wall hanging fixing device and wall hanging bathroom articles
A wall hanging fixing device includes a decoration cover which is provided with a hanging member in its inner side. The hanging member is fixed on a supporting seat in the inner side of the decoration cover with screws. The hanging member is provided with a hanging connection groove which is fit with a supporting member. The fixing device is also provided with a movable member that can move towards or away from the hanging connection groove. It is easy and quick to install the wall hanging fixing device. After an expansion bolt is fixed, the hanging member of the fixing device is hung on the expansion bolt without any disassembly, so as to protect the bathroom articles, and the hanging member can be fixed. This design effectively prevents loosening. |
| US09677704B1 |
Mobile telephone holder and display
A device adapted to hold and display a mobile telephone or digital device and formed into an operative shape comprising a front face set upon a first plane oriented at an acute first angle from horizontal, a back face set upon a second plane oriented at an acute second angle from horizontal, a sill disposed horizontally and joined to the front face, and a reveal disposed at an upward acute angle from horizontal and operatively joined to the sill, such that the front face, sill and reveal form a trough and that a mobile device lays against and is supported upon the front face, and the reveal retains the mobile device in the trough. |
| US09677701B2 |
Adaptable equipment mounting system for a vehicle
An adaptable equipment mounting platform in a vehicle application wherein a fixed equipment configuration is to be secured therein to provide a mobile use configuration. A universal mounting frame having multiple fixed vehicle mounting points that conform to the vehicle's required safe drill access areas provides correspondingly adjustable equipment attachment fasteners. The mounting frame therefore allows for a variety of different equipment configurations to be installed in a commercial vehicle that heretofore were unavailable due to their structural design that limited the areas in which safe mounting could occur. |
| US09677700B2 |
Pipe heating apparatus and methods for uniform end heating and controlled heating length
Induction heating apparatus and methods are presented for pipe end heating using a solenoid coil to heat a controlled length of a pipe workpiece by adjusting the relative positions of the solenoid coil with a flux diverter positioned relative to the pipe end to divert flux from the coil to control inductive heating of the pipe workpiece end. |
| US09677697B2 |
Breakaway coupling
A breakaway coupling with system-tight end flanges on the first and second coupling halves is provided. The end flanges have oblique or conical surfaces and are embraced there by ring segments, which in turn are pressed against the oblique or conical surfaces by a pre-stressing element. With an excessive pull or tension on the coupling halves, the latter can separate counter to the force of the pre-stressing element. |
| US09677695B2 |
Telescopic hose
The present invention relates to a hose for collecting rain water or draining water, and a telescopic hose is described. The pipe wall of the telescopic hose is formed by a plurality of wrinkling parts coiled in a stretching direction of the telescopic hose. The telescopic hose has the advantages as follows: the problem that the hose is difficult to be kept in a folded or extended state is solved; the telescopic hose not only can be extended or contracted relatively conveniently, but also can keep the shape in either folded or extended state, so that the underground wiring design can be facilitated. Meanwhile, the telescopic hose is not influenced by the aging of a material, and has a relatively good application value. |
| US09677691B2 |
Sprinkler fitting bracket
In one example embodiment, a bracket for a sprinkler fitting is provided having a first flange, a second flange connected to the first flange, and a mounting flange connected to at least one of the first and second flanges. The mounting flange may for example be substantially orthogonal to the first and second flanges. One of the first and second flanges has a preferably circular hole formed therethrough, and the other has a polygonal opening formed therethrough and aligned with the circular hole. An adapter having a polygonal end is inserted in the bracket such that the polygonal end aligns with the polygonal opening so as to limit rotation of the adapter with respect to the bracket, the adapter disposing a sprinkler coupled thereto with respect to a finished ceiling surface of a structure. |
| US09677688B1 |
Fairing having an offset opening
A fairing having a fairing body having a nose dimensioned to partially encircle an underlying tubular and having a fairing body axis; a stand-off region extending radially outward from the nose, wherein the stand-off region comprises a first side wall extending from one side of the nose and a second side wall extending from another side of the nose and toward the first side wall; a tail flange extending radially outward from the stand-off region, the tail flange having a substantially planar member comprising a first portion adjacent the stand-off region and a second portion radially outward to the first portion; and an opening formed within one of the nose or the stand-off region, wherein the opening is parallel to the fairing body axis and the opening is modifiable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. |
| US09677686B2 |
Control process for operation of valves of a gas supply device of the gas turbine
A gas supply system of a gas turbine and a method for controlling an operation of the gas supply system. A gas supply system includes a first valve connected in series to a set of second valves that are in parallel with each other. At least one second valve from the set of second valves is connected to a combustion chamber of the gas turbine. A degree of opening of the first valve and the at least one second valve is changed to in a manner that controls a total mass flow of gas output by the set of second valves during the change in the degree of opening. |
| US09677682B2 |
Servo valve with double mobile assembly
Hydraulic servo valve (1) comprising: a power stage (3) comprising a power distribution member able to move between two extreme positions in order to place one or more service portions (C1, C2) in communication with a feed port (P) supplying hydraulic fluid and with a return port (R); a control stage (4) for controlling the position of the power distribution member, the control stage (4) comprising a torque motor (MC) that can be operated in such a way as to actuate a fluid ejection member secured to an elastically deformable element and designed to cause a control pressure of the power distribution member to vary; characterized in that the fluid ejection member comprises a first and a second fluid injector (60, 63) which are fed by fluid feed means able to feed either just one of the first and second fluid injectors (60, 63) or both injectors simultaneously. |
| US09677681B1 |
Shape memory actuated normally open permanent isolation valve
A valve assembly for an in-space propulsion system includes an inlet tube, an outlet tube, a valve body coupling the inlet tube to the outlet tube and defining a propellant flow path, a valve stem assembly disposed within the valve body, an actuator body coupled to the valve body, the valve stem assembly extending from an interior of the valve body to an interior of the actuator body, and an actuator assembly disposed within the actuator body and coupled to the valve stem assembly, the actuator assembly including a shape memory actuator member that when heated to a transition temperature is configured to enable the valve stem assembly to engage the outlet tube and seal the propellant flow path. |
| US09677679B2 |
Valve with force generating element
Embodiments of a force generating element that can broaden the application of valves and, in particular, pilot-operated valves to include applications that have extreme operating temperatures. These improvements forgo use of o-rings (and like elastomeric devices) in lieu of more durable and robust seals (e.g., metal-to-metal contact). Rather, as discussed more below, the valves incorporate a force generating element that ensures contact between components to form appropriate seals that allow the cylinder to maintain pressure, despite dimensional changes in the structure of the valve. |
| US09677671B2 |
Armature assembly for a solenoid valve
An armature assembly for a solenoid valve allows for a valve member to be retained in the closed position through a biasing force being applied therein. A moveably supported armature bolt is movable between a first position and a second position. A valve member is coupled to the armature bolt and is configured to close with the armature bolt at the second position. An armature body is coupled to the armature bolt. A resilient member adapted to hold the armature bolt at the second position so as to retain the valve member in the closed position. |
| US09677669B2 |
Shaft seal device and rotary machine
Disclosed is a shaft seal device comprising: a seal body made by layering a plurality of thin-plate seal pieces in the circumferential direction of the rotor, and a housing that is fixed to the stator, holds the seal body so as to surround the same from radially outside, and includes a first facing surface that faces the high-pressure-side edge of the seal body and a second facing surface that faces the low-pressure-side edge of the seal body. The high-pressure-side clearance between the seal body and the first facing surface is smaller than the low-pressure-side clearance between the seal body and the second facing surface, and a slope part that slopes gradually toward the high-pressure side toward the tip end, which is on the rotor side, is formed in the low-pressure-side edge of each thin-plate seal piece of the seal body. |
| US09677667B2 |
Hybrid transmission for vehicle
A hybrid transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft configured to receive a power of an engine transferred thereto, an input clutch configured to connect the input shaft to the engine or to intercept connection of the input shaft to the engine, a motor directly connected to the input shaft, a first output shaft and a second output shaft provided with a plurality of driven gears that are tooth-engaged with a plurality of drive gears installed on the input shaft to form a plurality of gear shift stages, and a power control device provided to switch the power of the engine that is transferred to the first output shaft or the second output shaft. |
| US09677658B2 |
Bicycle chain rings
Embodiments of the present invention include bicycle chain rings for bicycles having specially shaped ramps, tapers and profiled teeth for improved shifting performance. The embodiments of bicycle chain rings of the present invention may be configured for large chain rings on double cranksets and large and middle chain rings on triple cranksets. The embodiments of bicycle chain rings of the present invention may also be retrofitted to existing bicycle cranksets by replacing original chain rings. The embodiments of bicycle chain rings of the present invention may further be configured for any standard crankset mounting bolt configuration and for any suitable number of teeth. |
| US09677649B2 |
Hydraulic auto-tensioner
A hydraulic auto-tensioner includes a plunger fitted to a bottom end portion of a rod so as to be slidable along a radially inner surface of a valve sleeve and a radially outer surface of the rod. The plunger has a bottom plate formed with a valve hole. A first leakage gap is defined between sliding surfaces of the plunger and the valve sleeve, and a second leakage gap of which the flow resistance is lower is defined between sliding surfaces of the plunger and the rod such that while the engine is running normally, oil in a pressure chamber leaks into a reservoir chamber through the second leakage gap, and when starting the engine by actuating a starter/generator, the plunger rises until the valve hole is closed so that oil in the pressure chamber leaks into the reservoir chamber through the first leakage gap. |
| US09677648B2 |
Walk-behind power equipment unit having all-wheel drive control system
A control system for controlling engagement of a first and second transmission of an all-wheel drive (AWD) walk-behind power equipment unit such as a lawn mower. The control system may include a mechanical load balancer to split an input drive force vector into two output force vectors. These two forces act upon associated first and second connection elements coupled to the first and second transmissions, respectively. One transmission may include a resistance element selected to sequence engagement of the first and second transmissions so that both transmissions begin driving their respective wheels at or near the same time even when the wheels associated with one transmission are more heavily-loaded than the wheels associated with the other transmission. |
| US09677645B2 |
Power transmission system
A power transmission system that includes a torque converter; a transmission having a planetary gear; a case configured to accommodate the torque converter and the transmission; a support having a wall that is fixed to the case between the torque converter and the transmission and a tube that extends in an axial direction from an inner circumferential portion of the wall; a stator shaft that is connected to a stator of the torque converter via a one-way clutch; and a tubular connector that connects the support and a stationary element of the planetary gear together. |
| US09677643B2 |
Notched transmission belt
A notched transmission belt has a plurality of notches whose bottom in a cross-section taken along a plane orthogonal to the width direction of the belt includes a linear portion at a center, and recessed curved portions continuously formed at both sides of the linear portion. |
| US09677639B2 |
Bi-directional shock absorbing device
A bidirectional shock absorber includes a cylinder housing including a liquid chamber, a shock-absorbing mechanism located inside the liquid chamber and supported by a rod sticking out of the cylinder housing. The shock-absorbing mechanism includes a pair of pistons located in the liquid chamber and attached to the rod on the respective sides of a liquid storage chamber constituting an accumulator, resistance paths formed between an outer circumferential surface of the pistons and an inner circumferential surface of a piston chamber, to apply flow resistance to the liquid, and unidirectional flow paths formed along the respective pistons and configured to block the liquid flow toward the liquid storage chamber when the corresponding piston is pressed toward the piston chamber, but to permit the liquid to flow in the opposite direction. |
| US09677638B2 |
Machine suspension system having link oscillation limiter
A suspension system is disclosed for use with a mobile machine. The suspension system may have a link with a first eye formed at a first end and a second eye formed at a second end, and a bearing disposed within each of the first eye and the second eye. The suspension system may also have a pin configured to pass through the first eye and the first hearing, and an oscillation limiter disposed on the pin adjacent the link. The oscillation limiter may he ring-shaped and split at a first side, and have a flex portion at a second side that allows the oscillation limiter to flex open and be installed on the pin from an annular side of the pin. |
| US09677633B2 |
Braking and indexing assembly for rotating members
An assembly is described for braking and indexing rotating components, including guide rollers of balers. A wheel is attached to a rotating component and is surrounded, at least in part, by a traction device. A tensioning assembly with a lost motion linkage is attached to the traction device and to a frame. A counterforce assembly is also attached to the traction device and to the frame. When a portion of the tensioning assembly is moved in a braking direction, the stop prevents further movement of the lost motion linkage to apply a tensioning force to the traction device. The tensioning force is resisted by the counterforce assembly to impose a braking force on the wheel and thereby brake the rotating component. Moving the portion of the tensioning assembly in a release direction moves the lost motion linkage away from the stop, thereby reducing the braking force on the wheel. |
| US09677627B2 |
Braking device, system and method
A braking system for safely collecting brake dust produced by operation of a braking mechanism. The braking system comprises a collector apparatus coupled with a braking mechanism. The collector apparatus is able to include a shroud that surrounds the braking mechanism and a catch element coupled with the shroud for collecting brake dust exiting the shroud. As a result, when coupled with the braking mechanism, the collector apparatus is able to ensure that most or all brake dust, such as copper or other particles from the braking mechanism that break off from the breaking mechanism during operation of the braking mechanism, are removed from the braking mechanism and collected by the filter/catch of the collector mechanism. |
| US09677618B2 |
Bearing assembly having labyrinth seal with pumping action
A bearing assembly includes a housing having an interior cavity, an opening, and an inward facing seal mounting surface. The assembly includes a bearing and a shaft mounted in the bearing for rotation about a central axis. The assembly includes a seal positioned axially between the interior cavity and the exterior of the housing to inhibit contaminants from entering the housing and damaging the bearing. The seal has a bearing side, an opening side, and a gap surface facing a corresponding surface that is either an outward facing surface of the shaft or thee inward facing seal mounting surface of the housing. The gap surface is spaced from the corresponding surface by a clearance gap. The width of the clearance gap increases from the bearing side to the opening side to direct fluid in the clearance gap away from the interior cavity as the shaft rotates. |
| US09677617B2 |
Bearing cage and rolling element bearing
A bearing cage for retaining rolling elements of a rolling element bearing, the bearing cage having at least one first ring structure to which at least one first cage bar is connected. The bearing cage also comprises a second ring structure to which at least one second cage bar is connected, whereby the at least one second ring structure is arranged to be located radially inwards of the at least one first ring structure. |
| US09677609B2 |
Thrust bearing
A thrust bearing disposed facing a thrust collar provided on a rotary shaft includes: a top foil disposed facing the thrust collar; a back foil supporting the top foil; and an annular shaped base plate supporting the back foil. The back foil includes back foil pieces, and the top foil includes top foil pieces. An area on the leading side of a top foil piece in the rotation direction of the rotary shaft is provided with a fixed part fixed to the base plate. A fixed edge positioned on the trailing side of the fixed part in the rotation direction linearly extends such that the separation between a straight line extending in the radial direction of the base plate and the fixed edge positioned on the trailing side of the straight line in the rotation direction gradually increases outward from inside in the radial direction. |
| US09677602B1 |
Caging mechanism for a single- or multi-axis positioning mechanism
Single or multi-axis positioning mechanisms are provided that include a caging mechanism that may be actuated without requiring axial displacement of rotational components of the positioning mechanisms. In some multi-axis positioning mechanism implementations, each rotational axis may have an associated caging mechanism that is transitioned between a caged and uncaged state using a common release device. In some implementations, the release device may be a single-use device. In other implementations, the release device may be capable of re-caging the positioning mechanism after uncaging the positioning mechanism. |
| US09677600B2 |
Connecting rod system for an engine
An internal combustion engine includes a piston, a crankshaft having a journal, and a connecting rod. The connecting rod includes a first end coupled to the piston and a second end coupled to the journal of the crankshaft. The second end of the connecting rod includes a bearing surface configured to interface with the journal, and further includes an open portion extending through the second end from the bearing surface to the exterior of the second end. |
| US09677598B2 |
Pad structure of sucking disc
A pad structure includes a main body made of soft material. The main body has an axial surface, a suction surface, and a peripheral surface. The axial surface is provided for being pressed by a pressing member of the sucking disc. The suction surface is provided for sucking on a target object. The axial surface includes a lifting portion and a pressure bearing block. The pressure bearing block is hard and circular shaped. The portion of the main body between the lifting portion and the pressure bearing block is defined as a deformable portion. The portion of the main body below the pressure bearing block is defined as an undeformable portion. The undeformable portion is located at the outer periphery of the main body. The deformable portion is located between the lifting portion and the undeformable portion. |
| US09677596B2 |
Compression molding fastener
A method for forming an elevated surface feature for compression molded assemblies includes the placement of an afore-mentioned insert onto an actuated fixture pin with the pin initially in a retracted position. An upper portion of a mold configured with said retracted actuated fixture pin over a preform of pre-preg plies placed on the bottom portion of the mold is then closed. The fixture pin is actuated towards the pre-preg plies when a flowable material fills a molding cavity in the upper portion of the mold. The cavity is configured to form the elevated surface feature with the advancing action of the insert packs out the surface feature under the pressure of the pin to eliminate porosity in the elevated surface feature in the molding cavity. |
| US09677591B2 |
Screw, building envelope, and insulating method
The invention relates to a screw, comprising a drive, a drilling tip for producing a bore, said bore having a bore axis and a bore diameter, which drilling tip is spaced apart from the drive in a drive-in direction, and a shaft, which extends from the drive to the drilling tip, wherein the shaft has a stop section, which can be fed through the bore when the drive-in direction of the screw is tilted in relation to the bore axis and which has a stop surface for blocking the feeding of the stop section through the bore when the drive-in direction of the screw is oriented parallel to the bore axis. |
| US09677587B2 |
Multi-latching mechanisms and related methods
Dual directional latch devices or connectors are described wherein a first connector component and a second connector component have a first latched position and a second latched position when moving in a first direction and wherein movement in a second direction is also possible depending on a stop feature. As described, a combination key and key way, a movable sleeve, a stop flange, and a threaded sleeve may be provided to stop movement in the second direction. The dual direction latch devices may be used with articles of manufacture such as with implantable medical devices, door panels, airplane panels, and drilling devices, to name a few. |
| US09677586B2 |
Anchor
The invention relates to an anchor (1) that can be secured in a drilled hole (2), with an expansion sleeve (10) for anchoring onto a wall (3) of the drilled hole, and with an anchor bolt (20) that passes through the expansion sleeve and that has an expansion section (38) for widening the expansion sleeve, and it also has a stop (22) that limits axial movement of the expansion sleeve away from the expansion section. According to the invention, at least one rotary catch (24) is provided which non-rotatably couples the expansion sleeve to the anchor bolt, and the expansion sleeve has at least one cutting projection (14) for creating an undercut in the wall of the drilled hole. |
| US09677585B2 |
Beam clamp
A beam clamp for securing a first beam to a second beam where the first and second beams are arranged in crossing fashion and define one or more quadrants, the beam clamp including a first clamping portion having a first clamping surface configured to engage a beam flange, a second clamping portion having a second clamping surface configured to engage a beam flange and being arranged in opposing relation to the first clamping surface defining a mouth, a base portion extending between the first and second clamping surfaces and having a wedge shape for engaging a corner defined by flanges of the crossing beams, and a securing mechanism configured for extending from one of the first and second clamping surfaces, into the mouth, to engage a surface a beam flange thereby pinching the flanges of the crossing beams together. |
| US09677584B2 |
Fixing screw structure for adjusting a fixing procedure
A fixing screw structure for adjusting a fixing procedure used for fixing a panel to a casing, including a screw, an elastomer and a fixing frame. The screw includes a threaded portion and a tapered portion, and passes through the panel, and the threaded portion is screwed on the casing. The elastomer is annular and disposed around the screw, and has a taper hole corresponding to the tapered portion. The fixing frame is a hollow tube, and is fixed on the panel and positioned around the elastomer. When the screw is screwed, the tapered portion abuts the inner wall of the taper hole and the elastomer is expanded outwardly to fitly abut the inner wall of the fixing frame. The instant disclosure transforms the longitudinal screwing force into a transverse expanding force to fix the panel, thereby eliminating the cumulative tolerance of the casing and the panel. |
| US09677579B2 |
Actuator unit
An actuator according to the present invention includes a cylinder, a piston inserted into the cylinder to be free to slide, a rod that is inserted into the cylinder and connected to the piston, a rod side chamber and a piston side chamber defined by the piston within the cylinder, a tank, a first opening/closing valve provided in a first passage that connects the rod side chamber to the piston side chamber, a second opening/closing valve provided in a second passage that connects the piston side chamber to the tank, a pump that supplies a working fluid to the rod side chamber, a motor that drives the pump, an exhaust passage that connects the rod side chamber to the tank, and a passive valve that is provided in the exhaust passage and has a predetermined pressure/flow rate characteristic. |
| US09677578B2 |
Volume booster with stabilized trim
A fluid flow control device includes a body having an inlet connection, an outlet connection, and a discharge port. A supply path extends between the inlet connection and the outlet connection and a booster module is disposed within the body. The booster module includes a control element and an actuator element and defines an exhaust path extending between the outlet connection and the discharge port. A supply port is disposed within the booster module along the supply path between the inlet connection and the outlet connection. |
| US09677577B1 |
Dredge having modular hydraulic manifolds
A hydraulic manifold may be used with a dredge. The hydraulic manifold may have a body with a mounting surface, a front surface located opposite the mounting surface, a top surface located between the mounting and front surfaces, a bottom surface located opposite the top surface, and end surfaces located opposite each other and connecting the mounting, front, top, and bottom surfaces. The manifold may also have at least one drain port and at least one supply port in at least one of the end surfaces, at least one valve port in the top surface, at least one consumer port in the top surface, and at least one transponder port in the bottom surface. |
| US09677575B2 |
Valve for valve assembly
A valve (18), for a valve assembly (10) for regulating the pressure of a fluid guided in a hydraulic system for supplying pressure to at least one hydraulic consumer (12a, 12b), includes a pilot control stage (48) and a main control stage (38) for at least partially clearing or blocking a fluid path from a supply connection (P) to an outflow connection (T). A relief stage (54) for pressure relief of a fluid chamber is arranged between the pilot control stage (48) and the main control stage (38). The relief stage (54) compares the existing load pressure at load terminal (LS) dedicated to the hydraulic consumer (12a, 12b) with the outflow pressure at the outflow connection (T), clearing the pressure relief if both pressures are approximately the same. The relief stage (54) can be directly connected to the load connection (LS) and can be charged with load pressure. |
| US09677573B2 |
Measurement system
A system for determining the location of a piston within an accumulator is provided in which a short circuit is created between elements in the accumulator and the piston which is movable within the accumulator. As the piston moves along the longitudinal axis of the accumulator, the circuit's electrical characteristics (e.g., voltage, resistance, current) vary in accordance with the length of the circuit. Measurement of these electrical characteristics allows for precise determination of the piston location relative to the accumulator. In a commercial embodiment, the invention can be utilized to determine fluid volumes in an accumulator by monitoring the location of the piston. This invention overcomes prior art systems because, inter alia, it does not require electrical sensory equipment, enables remote monitoring, maintains system integrity and functions irrespective of container wall thickness. |
| US09677569B2 |
Bi-directional hydrostatic thrust bearing for a rotating machine
A fluid machine in communication with a thrust bearing fluid source includes a housing having a bearing portion receiving fluid from the fluid source. A bearing chamber is formed in the bearing portion. An extension of a rotor is positioned within the bearing chamber so that a first pocket is disposed adjacent to a first side of the extension and a second pocket is disposed adjacent to a second side of the extension. An extension lateral side is adjacent to the bearing chamber lateral side. The extension comprises a first channel extending from a first half of the extension lateral side to the first pocket. The extension comprises a second channel extending from a second half of the extension lateral side opposite the first channel to the second pocket. The bearing chamber receives fluid from the bearing channel which is communicated to the first and second channels and the pockets. |
| US09677568B2 |
Turbocharger housing having a valve device, and method for manufacturing a turbocharger housing of said type
A turbocharger housing has a valve device. The valve device is formed with at least one first duct section and a second duct section. The two duct sections are arranged with their longitudinal axes parallel to one another and they are formed without any undercuts. |
| US09677567B2 |
Method for controlling rotation speed and electronic device having a vibrating fan module
A method for controlling rotation speed is suitable for an electronic device having a vibrating fan module. The vibrating fan module can generate vibration and output airflow simultaneously. The method for controlling rotation speed includes the following steps. Whether a vibration signal transmitted by the electronic device is received is determined. When the vibration signal is received, a rotation speed of the vibrating fan module is adjusted to a vibration rotation speed. A temperature of the electronic device is sensed. Whether the temperature of the electronic device is greater than or equal to a first preset temperature is determined. When the temperature of the electronic device is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature, the rotation speed of the vibrating fan module is adjusted to a first rotation speed according to the temperature of the electronic device. The first rotation speed is less than the vibration rotation speed. |
| US09677563B2 |
Compact low noise efficient blower for CPAP devices
A blower includes an electric motor case, a housing having a housing inlet and a housing outlet between which is defined a flow path for gas, a first impeller adapted to accelerate gas tangentially and to direct it radially outward, and a stationary portion. The stationary portion includes an annular gas flow path of sufficient width to allow a flow of gas therethrough without introducing excessive pressure drop. The stationary portion includes a first stator vane structure defining a plurality of stator vane leading edges, the first stator vane structure located on the second side of the motor and arranged to smoothly direct gas flow along a curved path. The motor case provides a shielding function for the stator vane leading edges from an impeller blade pressure pulse. |
| US09677561B2 |
Side channel machine arrangement
A side channel machine arrangement comprises a side channel machine (1) and a fluid connection device (2). The side channel machine (1) has a housing (5), side channels arranged in the housing (5) and fluid inlet openings (11) provided in said housing, which have a flow connection to the side channels to introduce a fluid to be conveyed into the side channels, at least one fluid outlet, which is provided on the housing (5) and has a flow connection to the side channels to discharge the fluid from the side channels, and an impeller that is mounted so that it can be rotatably driven in the housing (5). The fluid connection device (2) is used to connect the side channel machine (1) to a fluid supply line. It comprises a first fluid connection mechanism (3), which is provided on the housing (5) and has a flow connection to the fluid inlet openings (11), and a second fluid connection mechanism (4), which has a fluid inlet piece (29) for connection to the fluid supply line. |
| US09677559B2 |
Bearing face geometry for gear pump
A bearing includes a bridge land geometry having a finger cut that defines a width ISW, a center of the width ISW displaced from a shaft axis a radial distance ISR, a ratio of ISW/ISR between 0.074-0.293, to reduce cavitation and pressure ripple. |
| US09677556B2 |
System and method for a compressor
Systems and methods of the invention relate to diagnosing a compressor. A method may include operating a compressor to compress air from a first stage compressor into an intermediate stage reservoir, to deliver air from the intermediate stage reservoir to a second stage compressor, and to further compress the air in the second stage compressor into a primary reservoir, monitoring an intermediate stage pressure of the intermediate stage reservoir, and identifying a condition of the compressor through recognition of a change in the monitored intermediate stage pressure during a time period in which the compressor is operated. A vehicle system is also provided including an engine, a compressor operatively connected to the engine, and a controller that is operable to identify a condition of the compressor. |
| US09677555B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for infusing fluid
A peristaltic pump, and related system method are provided. The peristaltic pump includes a cam shaft, first and second pinch-valve cams, first and second pinch-valve cam followers, a plunger cam, a plunger-cam follower, a tube receiver, and a spring-biased plunger. The first and second pinch-valve cams are coupled to the cam shaft. The first and second pinch-valve cam followers each engage the first and second pinch-valve cams, respectively. The plunger cam is coupled to the cam shaft. The plunger-cam follower engages the plunger cam. The tube receiver is configured to receive a tube. The spring-biased plunger is coupled to the plunger-cam follower such that the expansion of the plunger cam along a radial angle intersecting the plunger-cam follower as the cam shaft rotates pushes the plunger cam follower towards the plunger and thereby disengages the spring-biased plunger from the tube. A spring coupled to the spring-biased plunger biases the spring-biased plunger to apply the crushing force to the tube. |
| US09677552B2 |
Double-headed piston type swash plate compressor
A double-headed piston type swash plate compressor includes first and second cylinder blocks, a rotation shaft, a double-headed piston, a crank chamber, a drive force transmission member, a swash plate, a movable body, a control pressure chamber, and a support. The control pressure chamber is defined by the movable body in the housing. The control pressure chamber moves the movable body in the axial direction of the rotation shaft. The support is located on the swash plate and supported by the rotation shaft. The drive force transmission member and the movable body are located at a first side of the swash plate in the axial direction of the rotation shaft, and the support is located at a second side of the swash plate. The drive force transmission member, the movable body, and the support set the inclination angle of the swash plate relative to the rotation shaft. |
| US09677550B2 |
Reciprocating pump with electronically monitored air valve and piston
An air operated pump 10 uses a magnet 14 mounted in the valve cup 16 of the air motor 18 and two reed sensors 20 mounted in the valve cover 22 to monitor the speed and position of the valve 16. A solenoid 24 is mounted on the valve cover 22 and can be commanded to extend a plunger 26 into the valve cup 16 to stop valve movement and therefore the pump from running away A magnetoresistive sensor 34 is located in the center of the air motor 18 to precisely monitor the piston 36 position and with air valve sensors 20 provides the input necessary for precise control and diagnostics of the pump 10 and makes it suitable for metering and plural component application. |
| US09677538B2 |
Wind turbine rotor blade assembly with root extension panel and method of assembly
A wind turbine rotor blade assembly and associated method include a rotor blade having a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge extending in a generally span-wise direction between a tip and a root. An edge extension panel is attached along either of the leading edge or trailing edge (or along both edges) in a generally span-wise direction from adjacent the root towards the tip. The edge extension panels include a cured and hardened viscous material continuous core formed onto the leading or trailing edge with a contoured generally aerodynamic outer surface. |
| US09677536B2 |
Water gravity loop power plant (WGLPP)
The WGLPP is a non-fluvial/dam, complete micro Hydroelectric Power Plant that can be an attached/integrated installation, a non-attached installation, or a portable installation (vehicle) that will continuously (24/7) power any residential, commercial, or military building. The WGLPP is driven by a water gravity energy loop (potential energy to kinetic energy to potential energy . . . ), which is clean (zero emissions and zero environmental impact) and renewable energy. |
| US09677534B2 |
Internal combustion engine
To reduce the amount of exhausted unburned fuel and further improve fuel efficiency of an internal combustion engine 10 provided with an ignition device 12 that ignites fuel air mixture more forcefully than a spark discharge in a combustion chamber 20. The internal combustion engine 10 includes an internal combustion engine main body 11 formed with the combustion chamber 20 and the ignition device 12 that ignites the fuel air mixture more forcefully than the spark discharge in the combustion chamber 20. In addition, the internal combustion engine 10 includes an electromagnetic wave emission device 13 that emits an electromagnetic wave supplied from an electromagnetic wave oscillator 32 from an antenna 41. The electromagnetic wave emission device 13 emits the electromagnetic wave from the antenna 41, thereby creating an electric field for accelerating a propagation speed of a flame. |
| US09677530B2 |
Assisted direct start engine control for enhanced launch performance
A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine include anticipating vehicle launch in response to vehicle position relative to a traffic stream and controlling automatic restart and shut down in response to an anticipated vehicle launch to prevent an automatic engine shut down or to initiate an automatic engine restart. Embodiments include determining vehicle position and traffic position using GPS coordinates. Automatic restart may be initiated in response to movement of a forward vehicle away from the vehicle or in response to a signal from a traffic control device, for example. Automatic shutdown may be inhibited in response to movement of a forward vehicle in cross traffic, in response to a turn indicator being active, or in response to wheel angle, for example. |
| US09677525B2 |
Method of determining the injection pattern in the compression stroke of the combustion cycle of the cylinders of a direct-injection internal combustion engine
A method to determine the injection pattern in the compression stroke of the combustion cycle of the cylinders of a direct-injection internal combustion engine, comprising the steps of determining the initial quantity of fuel and an objective quantity of fuel to be injected for each partial injection of a maximum number of partial injections; determining an effective quantity of fuel to be injected for each partial injection as a function of the respective initial quantity of fuel and of the respective objective quantity of fuel; and determining an objective pattern of partial injections to be performed in the compression stroke as a function of the value of the end of injection angle and of the effective quantity of fuel to be injected for each partial injection of a maximum number of partial injections to be performed in the compression stroke. |
| US09677523B2 |
Fuel injector including an injection control valve having an improved stator core
A fuel injector includes an injection control valve having a stator core that is electrically isolated from surrounding parts such as a stator housing. The stator core includes a first annulated wall having an inner surface, a second annulated wall having an outer surface, a radially extending wall connecting the first and second annulated wall, and a radially extending slot extending through the first annulated wall, the radially extending wall, and the second annulated wall. The stator core may include a limited number of contact points with the stator housing. Alternatively or additionally, an electrically insulating material may be placed between the stator core and the stator housing. |
| US09677518B2 |
Saddled vehicle
An engine (E) of a saddle-riding type vehicle has an engine case that is substantially L-shaped by a cylinder block (42) being protruded upward from an upper face of a front portion of a crank case (40). An air cleaner (55) is disposed rearwardly of the cylinder block (42) and above the crank case (40). An outlet (72) through which blow-by gas (G) in the engine (E) is discharged is formed in the rear portion of the cylinder block (42). A case body (84) of the air cleaner (55) has a blow-by gas introduction port (86) through which the blow-by gas (G) is introduced into the air cleaner (55). The outlet (72) of the cylinder block (42) and the blow-by gas introduction port (86) of the case body (84) are connected by a connecting pipe (90). The blow-by gas introduction port (86) is disposed close to the cylinder block (42). |
| US09677517B2 |
Dual path cool air inlet system
An air intake assembly configured to direct air into a throttle body of an engine of an automotive vehicle includes an air cleaner enclosure, primary and secondary air intake ducts and a downstream air intake duct. In a first operating condition, inlet air is directed into the air cleaner enclosure unit from the secondary air intake duct and routed (i) through the downstream air intake duct and into the throttle body and (ii) through the primary air intake duct and out of a primary air inlet. In a second operating condition, inlet air is directed into the air cleaner enclosure unit from the primary air intake duct and routed (iii) through the downstream air intake duct and into the throttle body and (iv) through the secondary air intake duct and out of the secondary air inlet. A method of directing the intake air into the throttle body is also provided. |
| US09677516B2 |
Saddle-ridden vehicle engine
A combustion engine of a motorcycle has an engine rotary shaft extending in a vehicle widthwise direction. Incoming wind taken in from a front of a steering handle that is positioned in front of the combustion engine, is introduced through an air intake duct to the combustion engine. The air intake duct extends from the front of the steering handle to a rearward of a cylinder block so as to pass above a radiator and pass laterally of one side of the cylinder block. |
| US09677510B2 |
Systems and methods for transient control
Methods and systems are provided for reducing torque transients experienced when a dedicated EGR cylinder is transitioned in to or out of dedicated EGR mode. During a transition, each of an intake throttle and a wastegate is adjusted in opposing directions. Throttle and wastegate adjustments are coordinated with adjustments to spark timing and intake cam timing to provide sufficient torque reserve for the transition. |
| US09677508B2 |
Fuel optimization system
A system includes an emulsification device, a processed fuel tank, an emulsification recirculation line, and a control module. The emulsification device is configured to selectively receive a liquid mixture of water and hydrocarbon fuel and produce batches of emulsified fuel. The processed fuel tank is configured to selectively receive and store the emulsified fuel. The control module is configured to monitor one or more operating parameters and execute one or more operating modes. The operating modes include a bypass mode configured to provide the engine with the hydrocarbon fuel, an emulsification recirculation mode configured to continually recirculate emulsified fuel through the emulsification device and the processed fuel tank via the emulsification recirculation line, a run mode configured to operate the engine with emulsified fuel, and a suck back mode configured to return semi-stable emulsified fuel back to the processed fuel tank. |
| US09677507B2 |
Oil separator
A purpose of the present invention is to improve the oil removal rate in an oil separator that separates and removes oil from gas including the oil as an impurity. The oil separator according to the present invention is characterized by including a first filter member (42) in a cylindrical shape made with a cylindrical filter material having an air permeability, and positioned such that the target gas flows in from a hollow part as well as a central axis is in an up-down direction, and a second filter member (43) made with a filter material having air permeability and wrapped around the first filter member (42) along an outer surface thereof with a predetermined spacing from the outer surface of the first filter member (42). |
| US09677504B2 |
Rockets, methods of rocket control and methods of rocket evaluation utilizing pressure compensation
Rockets, rocket motors, methods of controlling a rocket and methods of evaluating a rocket design are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of controlling a rocket may include measuring a combustion chamber pressure, calculating a logarithm of the measured combustion chamber pressure, and computing the difference between the logarithm of the measured combustion chamber pressure and the logarithm of a reference combustion chamber pressure value to generate an error signal. The method may further include filtering the error signal to generate a compensated signal in the logarithm domain, and exponentiating of the compensated signal in the logarithm domain to provide a compensated signal in the physical domain. |
| US09677496B2 |
System and method of injector control for multipulse fuel injection
A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed for controlling a fuel injector using multipulse fuel injection. According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, the system includes a fuel sequence controller configured for use with a fuel injector having an injector configuration modeled by a body pressure characteristic that includes a rail pressure and an injection rate shape, where the fuel sequence controller is structured to determine an estimate of the injected fuel quantity delivered from the fuel injector at the determined body pressure characteristic. |
| US09677495B2 |
Fuel rail pressure control systems and methods
A fuel control system includes a target rail pressure module. The target rail pressure module determines a target fuel rail pressure of a fuel rail of a direct injection engine. An offset module determines an offset value based on an engine speed of the direct injection engine and at least one of an engine load and an air per cylinder. A modifier module determines a modifier value based on a temperature of the direct injection engine. A rail pressure control module adjusts a current fuel rail pressure of the fuel rail based on the target fuel rail pressure, the offset value and the modifier value. |
| US09677492B2 |
System and method for controlling a vehicle powertrain
A system and method for controlling a vehicle powertrain includes a controller that is operative to automatically control at least one powertrain function other than engine torque based on a measured torque and a predetermined torque range. The predetermined torque range is based on a first engine torque estimate. The measured torque is related to actual engine torque, and can be measured directly at the engine crankshaft, or in another location in the powertrain and then transferred to the engine space. |
| US09677491B2 |
Exhaust gas sensor diagnosis and controls adaptation
Methods and systems are provided reusing processed sensor data to identify multiple types of sensor degradation. In one example, a central peak of a distribution, such as a generalized extreme value distribution, of sensor readings is re-used to identify asymmetric sensor degradation and stuck in-range sensor degradation. |
| US09677487B2 |
Method and system for selecting fuel octane
Methods and systems are presented for providing information to a vehicle driver allows the driver to make an informed decision regarding selecting higher or lower octane fuel to operate the vehicle. In one example, the driver is presented fuel cost per unit distance traveled based on operating the vehicle on higher octane fuel and lower octane fuel. |
| US09677485B2 |
Exhaust gas recirculation apparatus for engine
An EGR apparatus includes an EGR passage to allow part of exhaust gas discharged from a combustion chamber to flow in an intake passage and recirculate back to the combustion chamber and an EGR valve to regulate EGR gas in the EGR passage. The EGR valve includes a valve seat, a valve element, and a step motor. An ECU calculates a target correction value corresponding to an operating condition of an engine, cuts off energization to the step motor in order to hold the EGR valve at a predetermined opening degree during operation thereof, and then restarts energization to the step motor, calculates an energization cutoff correction value corresponding to an elapsed time from energization cutoff, and corrects the target correction value by the calculated energization cutoff correction value in order to control the EGR valve to the target opening degree. |
| US09677484B2 |
Fuel reformer for internal-combustion engine
A fuel reformer includes a reforming-fuel injection valve and a fuel reformer catalyst disposed in an EGR pipe and performs a catalyst recovery control when a preset fuel cut execution condition is satisfied. In the catalyst recovery control, a fuel reforming capacity of the fuel reformer catalyst is recovered by stopping an injection of a main fuel and an injection of a reforming-fuel, while supplying additional air to the catalyst by maintaining both of an EGR valve and a throttle valve in a valve open state. Further, in the catalyst recovery control, temperature and a carbon deposit amount of the fuel reformer catalyst are estimated or detected based on which of an opening of the EGR valve and an opening of the throttle valve are adjusted. As a result, fuel reforming capacity is recovered without decreasing a fuel consumption rate improvement effect and a worsening of exhaust emission or drivability. |
| US09677483B2 |
Method for identifying fuel mixtures
In a method for identifying a fuel type or a fuel mixture for a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine having (i) a first intake opening connected to a first intake manifold inside which a first fuel injector is located, and (ii) a second intake opening connected to a second intake manifold inside which a second fuel injector is located, in a first method step, the first fuel injector remains closed, and in a second method step the first fuel injector is opened again and a first test fuel quantity is injected into the combustion chamber in the second method step via the first intake opening, and a second test fuel quantity is injected via the second intake opening, the first test fuel quantity and the second test fuel quantity being made up to form a predefined fuel quantity. |
| US09677476B2 |
Model-based feed forward approach to coordinated air-fuel control on a gas turbine
Presented herein are turbine machines, turbine control systems, methods, and computer-readable storage devices for controlling turbines including a compressor, a combustion system, and a turbine section comprising a turbine operating at an initial turbine output while using initial parameter values for the respective control parameters of the turbine. The techniques involve, for respective selected control parameters, selecting an adjustment of the initial parameter value of the selected control parameter, and predicting a predicted turbine output of the turbine operated using the adjustment of the selected control parameter and the initial parameter values for other control parameters; comparing the predicted turbine outputs for the adjustments of the respective control parameters to select, from the control parameters, a target control parameter having a target adjustment that results in the target turbine output; and operating the turbine with the target adjustment of the target control parameter. |
| US09677475B2 |
Gas turbine engine with high speed and temperature spool cooling system
A gas turbine engine includes a turbine section that includes a turbine rotor arranged in a plenum. A compressor section includes a compressor rotor assembly that has spaced apart inner and outer portions that provide an axially extending cooling channel. Compressor blades extend radially outward from the outer portion which provides an inner core flow path. A rotor spoke is configured to receive a first cooling flow and fluidly connect the outer portion to the cooling channel. The compressor rotor assembly has a coolant exit that is in fluid communication with the cooling channel. The compressor rotor assembly is configured to communicate the first cooling flow to the turbine rotor. A bleed source is configured to provide a second cooling flow. A combustor section includes an injector in fluid communication with the bleed source. The tangential onboard injector is configured to communicate the second cooling flow to the turbine rotor. |
| US09677472B2 |
Bleed air slot
A disclosed gas turbine engine includes a case for a case for a compressor section including a bleed air slot. The bleed air slot includes an inlet having a first area radially inward of an outlet having a second area with the second area being greater than the first area. The bleed air slot further includes a center portion disposed along a radial line extending from an axis of the engine and an elongated portion extending from the opening at an angle relative to a line normal to the radial line. |
| US09677469B2 |
Hydraulic freewheel for an internal combustion engine with variable compression ratio
A reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine having a hydraulic adjustment mechanism which is assigned to a connecting rod and which comprises at least one eccentric, for adjusting at least one variable compression ratio in at least one cylinder of the reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine by means of a change in an effective length of a connecting rod. Also proposed is a method for changing the effective length of a connecting rod. |
| US09677467B2 |
Vertical engine
Even in the case where a crankshaft extends in a substantially vertical direction, it is possible to reduce a situation that sprays of fuel injected from injectors may adhere to inner wall surfaces of intake passages, and it is possible to make the fuel supply to combustion chambers stable. Provided is a vertical engine including: a pair of intake passages (911a and 911b) which are arranged in an up and down direction with the interposition of a central axis of a cylinder (241) therebetween; a pair of intake valves (41L1 and 41L2) which open and close the pair of intake passages; and fuel injectors (70L1 and 70L2) which inject fuel to the pair of intake passages; wherein: the fuel injectors are arranged so that fuel injection directions by the fuel injectors can go not toward valve stems (411) of the intake valves provided in the upper and lower intake passages respectively but toward the backs of valve heads of the intake valves on a central axis (C1) side of the cylinder and the fuel injectors are disposed so that a central axis (FC2) of injection of the fuel injector into the lower intake passage can be closer to the central axis side of the cylinder than a central axis (CF1) of injection of the fuel injector into the upper intake passage. |
| US09677464B2 |
Single-shaft dual expansion internal combustion engine
A single-shaft dual expansion internal combustion engine includes an engine block, a cylinder head, a single crankshaft, a control shaft and first, second and third multi-link connecting rod assemblies. First and second power cylinders and an expander cylinder are formed in the engine block. First and second power pistons are moveable in the first and second power cylinders and are connected to respective first and second crankpins of the crankshaft. An expander piston is moveable in the expander cylinder and is connected to a third crankpin of the crankshaft. First and second multi-link connecting rod assemblies are coupled to first and second swing arms of the control shaft. A third multi-link connecting rod assembly is coupled to a third swing arm of the control shaft. |
| US09677463B2 |
Axial-flow turbine for turbocharger
An object is to provide an axial-flow turbine for a turbocharger in which low-temperature outside air or lubricant oil does not flow backward into a gas flow path from a gap between an upstream end face of a hub part and a housing end face. An axial-flow turbine for a turbocharger includes a bearing, a rotational shaft supported rotatably by the bearing, a hub part disposed on an axial end of the rotational shaft, a turbine wheel having a plurality of rotor blades protruding outwardly in a radial direction from a circumferential face of the hub part; and a housing which houses the turbine wheel and which at least includes a rotational shaft housing section accommodating the rotational shaft, a scroll part which swirls gas having been introduced into the housing around the rotational shaft, and a bend section which is formed around the rotational shaft housing section and configured to direct gas having flowed out from an outlet of the scroll part in an axial direction. The housing includes a bypass flow path disposed at an upstream side with respect to a housing end face facing an upstream end face of the hub part of the turbine wheel and through which the bend section and the rotational shaft housing section are in communication with each other. |
| US09677462B2 |
Valve device for a turbine of an exhaust gas turbocharger
In a valve device for a turbine of an exhaust gas turbocharger having a valve element for adjusting the pressure of the charge air supplied to, and pressurized by, the exhaust gas turbocharger, wherein the valve element is mounted on a shaft which is rotatably supported at a first bearing point on a housing element so that the valve element can be pivoted about an axis of rotation relative to the housing element by an actuating element connected to the shaft adjacent the housing element, the shaft is further supported at a second bearing point which is spaced from the first bearing point and disposed at the side of the actuating element remote from the housing element. |
| US09677458B2 |
Temperature control device for internal combustion engine
A temperature control device for an internal combustion engine includes a determining drive processor and an abnormality determining processor. The determining drive processor drives an electric pump when the difference between the water temperature and the ambient temperature is greater than or equal to a predetermined value while the electric pump is stopped. The abnormality determining processor determines that at least one of the water temperature sensor and the ambient temperature sensor is abnormal on a condition that the decrease amount of the water temperature. The determining drive processor includes a stopping processor, which stops driving of the electric pump when the cumulative amount of coolant discharged from the electric pump reaches the predetermined cumulative amount with driving of the electric pump. The predetermined cumulative amount is set according to the volume of the engine passage between the inlet of the engine passage and the water temperature sensor. |
| US09677457B2 |
Vehicle having a component cooled by means of a cooling air mass flow
A vehicle has at least one component which is cooled by a cooling air mass flow delivered from a conveying device such as a fan or a spoiler. A nominal value is predetermined for the cooling air mass flow which, for an assumed maximum thermal loading of the component, cools adequately for operation of the component. A control device controls an intensity of the cooling air mass flow and dimensions it, taking into consideration thermal demands of the component at least in an upper driving speed range, such that a sum of a power consumption of the component, of the conveying device and of a portion of a traction power of the vehicle that is allotted to the delivery of the cooling air mass flow is smaller than a sum of the power consumption of the component, the conveying device and the portion that is allotted to the delivery of the cooling air mass flow at the predetermined nominal value thereof, of a traction power of the vehicle. |
| US09677456B2 |
Vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine and provided with a liquid cooling system
A vehicle having: an internal combustion engine provided with a plurality of cylinders, at least one cylinder block, in which the cylinders are located, and at least one head, which is fixed to the cylinder block, and a liquid cooling system, comprising a hydraulic circuit, inside of which a coolant flows, which is circulated by a circulation pump. The hydraulic circuit has an initial section, which is located inside the head of the internal combustion engine, and a final section, which is obtained inside the cylinder block of the internal combustion engine. In the hydraulic circuit, the delivery of the circulation pump is directly connected to the inlet of the initial section, and the outlet of the initial section is directly connected to the inlet of the final section. |
| US09677455B2 |
Stackable muffler shell
An exhaust system component includes stacking features that prevents binding among adjacent components in a stack. The stacking features are arranged along a shell of the exhaust system component, such as along a sidewall extending from a panel of the shell. The stacking features can be arranged to define a gap between opposing surfaces of stacked shells. The stacking features can be in the form of indentations and can be formed in curved portions of the sidewall to conserve material thickness, which can be critical in exhaust system applications. The stacking features can result in a stack of components with uniform spacing among the components of the stack. |