| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09697428B2 |
System and method for managing a surveillance system
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network device including a controller programmed to receive security video content associated with a premises where the security video content has been captured by one or more cameras located within or in proximity to the premises and where the premises have one or more digital video recorders, and transmit the security video content to the digital video recorders for forwarding to a communication device that is remote from the premises, where the security video content is wirelessly transmitted over a wireless television channel dynamically selected from available wireless television channels associated with the premises. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09697427B2 |
System for automatically tracking a target
A method for tracking a cinematography target that has been associated with an emitter can comprise receiving an indication to track a particular identifier. The particular identifier can be associated with an object of interest. The method can further comprise identifying, using at least one tracker component, a direction associated with the particular identifier. The method can also include calculating a motor actuation sequence necessary to actuate a control component to track the object of interest with an audiovisual device. The method can further comprise actuating at least one motor to track the object of interest. |
| US09697426B2 |
Efficient location referencing method
A method of encoding a continuous path within a road network is described, the path being completely represented within a digital map and expressible as a path list of lines and/or segments existing in said digital map and consecutively ordered, wherein said lines and/or segments have one or more attributes associated therewith. The method involves storing a start position in a route search list, and determining a path from the start node of the start position and including said start position to an end node of the last line or segment in the path list within said digital map. The path is determined according to an algorithm utilizing an attribute of said lines or segments. The attribute may be a lowest functional road class (LFRC) of the path to be encoded or a part thereof. |
| US09697423B1 |
Identifying the lines of a table
A method for image processing, including: obtaining an image including a table; identifying a first plurality of geometric lines in the image; grouping the first plurality of geometric lines into a plurality of clusters; determining a plurality of hand-drawn lines in the image corresponding to the table from the plurality of clusters; calculating a plurality of points for the plurality of hand-drawn lines; and determining a geometry of the table based on the plurality of points. |
| US09697419B2 |
Information processing apparatus, non-transitory storage medium encoded with computer readable information processing program, information processing system, and information processing method
A portable information processing apparatus according to one embodiment includes at least an image pick-up portion, a recognition module recognizing a detection target which includes a part of a user within an image obtained by the image pick-up portion and outputting change over time in position of recognition of the detection target, a processing module performing processing in accordance with change over time in position of recognition of the detection target, and a correction module correcting change over time in position of the detection target output by the recognition means in accordance with change in posture of the information processing apparatus. |
| US09697414B2 |
User authentication through image analysis
A user of a computing device can be authenticated using image information captured by at least one camera of the computing device. In addition to analyzing the image information using a facial recognition algorithm, for example, variations in color of a portion of the captured image information corresponding to a user's face can be monitored over a period of time. The variations can be analyzed to determine whether the captured image information likely corresponds to an actual human user instead of a representation (e.g., photo) of a human user, such as where the chroma variations in at least a red channel occur with an oscillation frequency and amplitude consistent with changes due to a pulse or heartbeat. |
| US09697411B2 |
Biometric object sensor and method
A biometric image sensor system and method is disclosed which may comprise a first light source having a first wavelength λ1, a second light source having a second wavelength λ2, a photodetector configured and positioned to receive light of the first wavelength λ1 and light of the second wavelength λ2 reflecting from a biometric object being imaged and to produce a first output indicative of the amount of reflectance of the light of the first wavelength λ1 and a second output indicative of the amount of reflectance of the light of the second wavelength λ2, and a computing device configured to compare the difference between the first output and the second output with an authenticity threshold. |
| US09697408B2 |
System and method for real-time address correction
A system and method by which mail sorting equipment can correct postal addresses utilizing cloud technology. The real-time address correction system for correcting addresses of mail articles in real-time, comprises sorters, vision systems, controllers, processors, printers, local and remote computers, databases, bins, and a cloud system to tie together the local and remote computers in addition to the sorters and controllers. Corrected postal addresses are stored remotely and locally to the sorter and provided to the sorter as needed by a cloud based system. The system and method accommodates delays in providing the corrected postal addresses to the sorter. |
| US09697407B1 |
Encoding and decoding data in two-dimensional symbology
Examples of techniques for encoding data in a 2D symbology are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method for encoding data in a 2D symbology is provided. The method includes assigning a first color representative of a 0-bit and a second color representative of a 1-bit. The method further includes designating a starting indicator and an ending indicator. The method also includes generating, by a processor, the 2D symbology, the 2D symbology includes a series of data segments and null segments representing a binary string. The series of data segments and null segments starts with the starting indicator and ends with the ending indicator. The data segments include 0-bit segments of the first color and 1-bit segments of the second color. The null segments are positioned between each of the data segments and are of a third color. |
| US09697398B2 |
Methods, systems, and products for tracking objects
Tags are used to recover lost objects. Each tag transmits identification information to passing communications devices, such as a cellular phone. The cellular phone then uploads the tag's identification information, along with a location, to a central network database. The central network database thus stores a central repository identifying locations associated with tags discovered by passing communications devices. |
| US09697392B2 |
Reader and method for reading data
A reader (112) for reading data, the data being associated with a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tag (16) and carried by a data signal originating from the RFID tag, the reader (112) comprising processing means (118) and storage means, the storage means having instructions stored thereon, whereby the processing means (118) is operable, under control of the instructions, to periodically switch the reader (112) from a first state to a second state; wherein, when the reader (112) is in the second state, the reader (112) is operable to determine an occurrence of a tag present event corresponding to the presence of an RFID tag within a field generated to activate an RFID tag to transmit a respective data signal carrying data associated with the RFID tag, and one or more other events; following determination of the one or more other events, return the reader to the first state; and following determination of the tag present event, receive and store in the storage means a representation of the data signal originating from the RFID tag, process the RFID tag signal representation to determine the data signal, and read the data of the determined data signal. |
| US09697390B2 |
Card reader
A card reader may include a plurality of IC contact points to communicate data with a card; an IC contact block holding the plurality of the IC contact points; a cable including a first end side connected with the plurality of the IC contact points; a control circuit board with which a second end side of the cable is connected; a front face cover which including an insertion port for the card; a main body frame which is fixed to the front face cover; and a sealing member which is formed in a ring shape and is disposed between the front face cover and the main body frame. |
| US09697389B2 |
Portable smart card reader having secure wireless communications capability
A reader device includes a housing for receiving a smart card, a processor in electronic communication with an integrated circuit chip of the smart card when the smart card is received in the housing, a wireless communications device in electronic communication with the processor for enabling the reader device to transmit first encrypted information wirelessly and to receive second encrypted information wirelessly, and a memory in electronic communication with the processor that includes one or more routines executable by the processor. The one or more routines include a cryptographic module adapted to encrypt first information to create the first encrypted information and decrypt the second encrypted information to obtain second information. In addition, a communication system that includes the reader device and a computing device, wherein the reader device and computing device are able to wirelessly exchange information in a secure manner. |
| US09697388B1 |
Unfoldable OLED reader/displays for the visually-impaired
A method for displaying information printed on a contactless smart card is provided. The method may include using a wireless chip to enable communication with the contactless smart card. The method may further include displaying the information on a plurality of panels. Each of the panels may include an array of organic light emitting diodes (“OLEDs”). Each of the panels may be coupled to at least one other panel. The method may further include coordinating the transfer of the information from the contactless smart card to the wireless chip using a software chip. The software chip may include a non-transitory memory and a processor. The method may yet further include powering, either directly or indirectly, the plurality of panels, the software chip and the contactless smart card, said powering using a battery. |
| US09697386B2 |
Electrical connector
An electrical connector for electrically connecting to a chip module. The chip module includes a base plate and a protruding portion projecting upward from the base plate. The electrical connector includes a socket for bearing the chip module, a fixing plate located above the base plate, and a load plate covering the chip module and the fixing plate. The load plate is provided with a first urging portion directly pressing the protruding portion downward, and a second urging portion pressing against the fixing plate downward, so that the fixing plate presses the base plate downward, thereby pressing the chip module downward and electrically connecting the chip module to the socket. |
| US09697383B2 |
Numeric keypad encryption for augmented reality devices
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for numeric keypad encryption using an augmented reality device. The method may include establishing a secure connection to an augmented reality device. A random keypad layout is generated and sent to the augmented reality device. The random keypad layout is displayed in the augmented reality view over a real-world numeric keypad. |
| US09697380B2 |
Electronic data security apparatus
An apparatus for providing security for an integrated circuit (IC) chip is disclosed. The apparatus may include the IC chip, attached to a surface of a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB may include a first, electrically insulative, conformal coating layer attached to the PCB surface and to exposed IC chip surfaces. The PCB may also include a Wheatstone bridge circuit to indicate changes to a second, X-ray opaque, optically opaque and electrically resistive, conformal coating layer. The circuit may include four resistors, formed from second conformal coating layer regions, four sets of electrically conductive pads on the PCB, each set electrically connected to a resistor of the four resistors. The circuit may also include a voltage source, connected to two conductive pads and a monitoring device, connected to another two conductive pads and configured to detect a change of resistance of the Wheatstone bridge. |
| US09697379B2 |
Database virtualization
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate database virtualization. In aspects, clusters of database servers may be located at various locations of the Internet. When a client seeks to access a logical database, the client may send a logical server and logical database name in a data structure. These names may be used to find a physical server(s) and database(s) that correspond to the logical database. Once the location is determined, a proxy component is used to intercept and/or forward communications between the client and the physical server(s) and database(s) corresponding to the logical database. Using this system, a client may access data from a logical database without knowing the physical address of the logical user database. |
| US09697378B2 |
Network encrypted data object stored on an encrypted file system
A method of storing a data object received from a network is described. An encrypted data object encrypted with a first encryption key is received. It is determined whether the encrypted data object is to be stored in an encrypted file system that requires encryption of a data object with a second encryption key. The first encryption key is encrypted with a third encryption key when it is determined the encrypted data object is to be stored in the encrypted file system. The first encryption key is attached to the encrypted data object. The data object encrypted by the first encryption key is stored in the encrypted file system. |
| US09697376B2 |
Federated cloud storage system
User storage is attached to a central storage management system when the central storage management system receives a request to attach a cloud-based user storage thereto. The central storage management system accesses the cloud-based user storage and determines a set of objects stored therein. For each object in the set of objects, the storage management system stores corresponding metadata therein. |
| US09697375B2 |
Fast data protection using dual file systems
A computing device is described that utilizes two file systems to enable sensitive data stored thereon to be deleted automatically, quickly, and discretely when the computing device is in a risky environment or context or when data protection has otherwise been activated. A first file system on the computing device manages a first memory area that stores non-sensitive data while a second file system on the computing device manages a second memory area that stores sensitive data. Only the first file system operates to receive data requests from other processes executing on the computing device. In a first operating mode, the first file system interacts with the second file system to ensure that both non-sensitive and sensitive data is returned in response to data requests. In a second operating mode, communication between the two file systems is disabled and the second file system deletes the sensitive data. |
| US09697374B2 |
Data proxy service
One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for deploying an application according to a data access profile used to sandbox the application. For example, an event planner app may be identified for download from an app store. A deployment mock data configuration interface may be presented to a user prior to or as a preliminary operation of downloading and/or installing the event planner app. A data access profile, specifying that the event planner app has access to user age data, but is blocked from accessing user phone number data, for example, may be received through the deployment mock data configuration interface. The event planner app may thus be deployed in a sandbox mode on the device based upon the data access profile (e.g., real age data may be provided to the event planner app whereas mock phone number data may be provided to the event planner app). |
| US09697371B1 |
Remote authorization of usage of protected data in trusted execution environments
A trusted execution environment (TEE) of a computing device may receive an operation request requiring use of a protected data accessible only to the TEE. Responsive to receiving the operation request, the TEE may generate first data. The computing device may send the first data to a remote computing device. Responsive to sending the first data, the TEE may receive second data. The TEE may validate the second data to verify the remote computing device generated the second data. Responsive to validating the second data was generated by the remote computing device, the TEE may perform the requested operation using the protected data. |
| US09697368B2 |
Regulating communication of audio data from a client device based on a privacy setting stored by the client device
A client device stores a user-specified privacy setting regulating communication of information associated with audio data captured by the client device to an external entity. When the client device captures audio data, the client device determines whether the user-specified privacy setting authorizes communication of data associated with the captured audio data to an external entity. The privacy setting may identify specific external entities to which data may be communicated, specify characteristics of captured audio data authorized to be transmitted, or generally specify whether communication of data associated with captured audio data is authorized or prevented. |
| US09697367B2 |
Determining whether a data storage is encrypted
A method, program and/or system reads first data through a first path from a location in a data storage. Second data is read through a second path from the same location in the data storage. The first data is compared to the second data. A match between the first data and the second data indicates that the first path did not encrypt the first data. A mismatch between the first data and the second data indicates that the first path encrypted the first data. |
| US09697366B1 |
Use of generic (browser) encryption API to do key exchange (for media files and player)
Embodiments are directed towards decrypting encrypted content. A key for decrypting the encrypted content may be provided to a web application executing within a browser. The application may employ a generic cryptography application program interface (GCAPI) to perform actions on the key, including, storing the key, decrypting an encrypted key, generating another key, converting the key to a different encryption type, or the like. The GCAPI may or may not be enabled to explicitly share the key with the browser's media engine. In response to receiving encrypted content, the GCAPI may provide the key to the application, explicitly or inexplicitly to the browser's media engine, or the like. The key may be utilized by the application, the browser, the media element, browser's media engine, and/or the GCAPI to decrypt the encrypted content. The decrypted content may be displayed within the browser to a user of a client device. |
| US09697363B1 |
Reducing time to first encrypted frame in a content stream
Techniques are described for reducing time to decrypt a next encrypted frame in a content stream by optimizing a license/key acquisition process. When requesting content, a key identifier and/or license identifier may be included within a webpage using a link, script, or similar access point. When a client device sends a request for content, the loading of the webpage within the client device includes the embedded key identifier. Access to the key/license identifier at the client device then may initiate a key/license acquisition process by the client device. The key/license may be obtained from a key management device in parallel with, or prior to, downloading of at least a portion of the content stream. |
| US09697362B2 |
Security assessment incentive method for promoting discovery of computer software vulnerabilities
In one aspect, the disclosure provides: A method comprising: assessing a plurality of researchers as a precondition for receiving an invitation to be a researcher of a distributed plurality of researchers, resulting in the distributed plurality of researchers wherein each researcher is associated with one or more tags in records that identify the researcher for one or more attributes; inviting a subset of the distributed plurality of researchers to participate in one or more computer vulnerability research projects directed to identifying computer vulnerabilities of one or more computers that are owned or operated by a third party, the subset of the distributed plurality of researchers selected based on the one or more tags in records that identify the researcher and a description of the computer vulnerabilities of the one or more computers; using a computer that is communicatively coupled to a particular researcher among the subset of the distributed plurality of researchers and a network under test among the one or more computers, monitoring communications between the particular researcher and the particular third party computer, wherein the communications relate to attempting to identify a candidate security vulnerability of the particular third party computer; in response to a report of the candidate security vulnerability of the particular third party computer that is received from the particular researcher, evaluating the report of the candidate security vulnerability. |
| US09697359B2 |
Secure software authentication and verification
A first time software is loaded for execution by a device, the software stored in non-secure storage is authenticated. Authenticating the software may involve a cryptographic operation over the software and a digital signature of the software. A verification tag may be generated for the software if authentication of the software is successful, the verification tag based on the software and at least a device-specific secret data. The verification tag may be stored within the device. Each subsequent time the software is loaded for execution it may be verified (not authenticated) by using the verification tag to confirm that the software being loaded is the same as the one used to generate the verification tag while avoiding authentication of the software. |
| US09697349B2 |
Access blocking for data loss prevention in collaborative environments
Data loss prevention (DLP) systems may be implemented with collaborative services that may be integrated with or work in coordination with productivity services. Administrators may be enabled to configure DLP policies in the collaborative service to mitigate their organization's information disclosure risks, along with the detection and remediation of sensitive information. Access blocking may be a feature of the DLP system, where provision of access blocking may include determining if a detected action associated with content processed by the collaborative service matches access blocking criteria defined by DIP policy rules. In response to the determination that the action matches at least one access blocking criterion defined by the DLP policy rules, a block access tag associated with the content may be activated, previously defined permissions associated with the content may be ignored or altered, and access to the content may be restricted to a number of predefined users. |
| US09697347B2 |
Mobile terminal and control method thereof
The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a control method thereof. The mobile terminal displays a plurality of figures arranged in a first composition on a touch screen when a specific mode is locked, rearranges the plurality of figures in a second composition different from the first composition upon receiving a specific input, and determines whether to unlock the specific mode on the basis of a pattern which is input using the plurality of figures arranged in the first or second composition. |
| US09697345B2 |
Electronic apparatus with fingerprint sensing function, driving circuit, and method for driving electronic apparatus with fingerprint sensing function
An electronic apparatus with fingerprint sensing function, a driving circuit, and a method for driving the electronic apparatus are provided. The electronic apparatus includes: a first fingerprint sensor adapted to perform fingerprint sensing; a second fingerprint sensor adapted to perform fingerprint sensing; and a driving circuit. The driving circuit provides a first fingerprint detection signal to the first fingerprint sensor for performing fingerprint detection, and determines whether to control the electronic apparatus to perform a first function, based on fingerprint detection information from the first fingerprint sensor; and provides a second fingerprint detection signal to the second fingerprint sensor for performing fingerprint detection, and determines whether to control the electronic apparatus to perform a second function, based on fingerprint detection information from the second fingerprint sensor. With above technical solution, security for usage of the electronic apparatus is improved. |
| US09697343B2 |
Rewarding system
An information processing method of convenience and an information processing system are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes acquiring a 1st attribute information from a person with a personal digital assistant that contains a 2nd attribute information; acquiring the 2nd attribute information from two or more personal digital assistants; comparing the acquired 1st attribute information with the acquired 2nd attribute information to form countervalue information; and storing the countervalue information in the personal digital assistant of the person from which the 1st attribute information was acquired. |
| US09697341B1 |
Method of enhanced account authentication management integrated with real time script shifting
A system and method for managing user access to a device includes detecting a first language and a second language a user uses on the device; prompting the user to setup multiple security questions using multiple languages; receiving a first question in a third language from the user, wherein the user decides the first question and the third language; receiving a first answer to the first question from the user, wherein the answer is provided in a fourth language chosen by the user and different from the third language; receiving a second question in a fifth language from the user wherein the user decides the second question and the fifth language; receiving a second answer to the second question from the user, wherein the second answer is provided in a sixth language chosen by the user and different from the fifth language. |
| US09697331B2 |
Adaptable information extraction and labeling method and system
Disclosed is a computerized method and system for identifying a medicinal substance from a plurality of different machine-readable codes that are each compliant with a different coding standard. A code reader reads a machine-readable code and transmits a signal indicative of the machine-readable code in response. A recognition identifies the coding standard with which the machine-readable code complies. Based on the identification by the recognition unit, computer-executable instructions specific to decoding information according the identified standard are selected and executed to decode the information encoded pursuant to the identified coding standard. |
| US09697330B2 |
Method and system for image processing to determine patient-specific blood flow characteristics
Embodiments include a system for determining cardiovascular information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart, and create a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of the patient's heart based on the patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may be further configured to create a physics-based model relating to a blood flow characteristic of the patient's heart and determine a fractional flow reserve within the patient's heart based on the three-dimensional model and the physics-based model. |
| US09697328B2 |
Transmission apparatus, transmission method, reception apparatus, reception method, and computer program
There is provided a transmission apparatus including a video signal transmission unit configured to transmit a video signal to another apparatus, a time information reception unit configured to receive, from the other apparatus, time information including a duration from reception of the video signal until a timing at which display of each frame in the video signal starts at the other apparatus, and a degree-of-redundancy determination unit configured to determine a degree of redundancy for the video signal transmitted from the video signal transmission unit based on the time information received by the time information reception unit. |
| US09697325B2 |
System and method for optimization of an imaged pattern of a semiconductor device
In a method, a layout of a device having a pattern of features is provided. The method continues to include identifying a first portion of at least one feature of the plurality of features. An image criteria for the first portion may be assigned. A lithography optimization parameter is determined based on the assigned image criteria for the first portion. Finally, the first portion of the at least one feature is imaged onto a semiconductor substrate using the determined lithography optimization parameter. |
| US09697324B1 |
System for concurrent target diagnostics field
A system for concurrent target diagnostics is disclosed. The system comprises dedicated FPGA for generating test data to test target connections between an emulator and a target system. In this way, domains of the emulator may continue to emulate at least a portion of a hardware design during the testing of the target connections. Further, a multiplexer operable to select target connections for testing eliminates errors resulting from manual swapping of target connections during the testing process. The system further comprises multiple paths to a target pod. The paths enable monitoring and reporting on the status of target connections between an emulator and a target system. |
| US09697323B2 |
Accelerated and accuracy-enhanced delay and noise injection calculation for analysis of a digital circuit using grid computing
A computer system with one or more processors and memory performs a breadth-first-search for an analysis of a digital circuit that includes a plurality of components. The computer system identifies two or more N generation components, initiates processing of the two or more N generation components, and subsequent to initiating the processing of the two or more N generation components, receives results of processing a subset, less than all, of the two or more N generation components. Prior to receiving results of processing all of the N generation components, the computer system identifies one or more N+1 generation components, and initiates processing of the one or more identified N+1 generation components. Subsequently, the computer system receives results of processing at least a subset of the one or more identified N+1 generation components. |
| US09697316B1 |
System and method for efficient data aggregation with sparse exponential histogram
Systems and methods for efficient data aggregation with sparse exponential histograms may support a performance monitor monitoring and recording of one or more performance metrics for one of one or more dimensions. In response to receiving performance data, a performance data aggregator may parse the performance data for one of one or more performance metrics and one or more dimensions. A sparse exponential histogram generator may create a sparse exponential histogram with the parsed performance data. The sparse exponential histogram generator may transmit or store the sparse exponential histogram representation for subsequent analysis. |
| US09697310B2 |
Level faults interception in integrated circuits
There is provided a computerized mechanism for vulnerability evaluation in a layout having circuitry units as interceptors, comprising receiving a layout with interceptors incorporated therein at prearranged positions, virtually inducing faults in the layout by modeling a physical phenomenon that affects timings in the layout, detecting timing violations in the layout responsive to the induced faults based on discrepancies between the timings and provided specifications thereof determining vulnerability of the layout to faults according to detected faults, and wherein the method is performed on an at least one computerized apparatus configured to perform the method. |
| US09697307B2 |
Discrete element method
A discrete element method for modelling granular or particulate material, the method including a multiple grid search method wherein the multiple grid search method is a hierarchical grid search method, and wherein entities, such as particles and boundary elements, are allocated to cells of respective grids based on size. The search method further includes: (a) performing a search of cells in a first of the grid levels to determine pairs of entities which satisfy predetermined criteria to be included in a neighbor list for which both entities belong to the first grid level; (b) mapping each nonempty cell in the first grid level to each of the other grid levels, determining neighboring cells in each of the other grid levels and determining all pairs of entities belonging to pair of levels that satisfy the predetermined criteria for inclusion in the neighbor list; and (c) repeating (a) and (b) for all grid levels. |
| US09697306B1 |
Formal verification driven power modeling and design verification
A computer program product includes program instructions to: Receive a unit including register transfer level content for a component of an integrated circuit and one or more IP blocks; Select one or more input pins for each IP block; Assign a numerical value of either zero or one to each of the one or more input pins to yield at least one numerical sequence; For each numerical sequence, perform a check to yield a number of fails, wherein the check is formal verification of each of the one or more IP blocks; Determine a simulation condition for power modeling of the unit based on optimizing a numerical sequence with respect to the number of fails; Set the one or more input pins to the simulation condition for power modeling of the unit; and Determine a number of design errors of the unit based on the simulation condition. |
| US09697303B2 |
Rule-based constraint interaction in geometric models
Methods for constraining a geometric model and corresponding systems and computer-readable mediums. A method includes creating a rigid sketch group that includes some or all of the plurality of curves and receiving a user selection of first option rules or second option rules. The method includes editing the rigid sketch group according to the selected first option rules or second option rules. The method includes displaying the geometric model by the data processing system, including displaying the edited rigid sketch group. |
| US09697302B2 |
Electronic lock having automatic user slot assignment for passcodes
An electronic lock in which new passcodes can be added and/or deleted without specifying the user slot to which the new passcode should be assigned. A circuit in the electronic lock determines whether the new passcode to be added is unique compared to existing passcodes stored in memory. If so, the circuit searches for an available user slot for which no authorized passcodes are associated and associates the new passcode with an available user slot. |
| US09697298B2 |
ID tag authentication system and method
A method used to authenticate an item using an identification tag is provided. At the time of manufacture, the tags are created with various hardware attributes (HA), including a unique identifier (UID); and encoded with a signature of a message that includes a URL, and optionally a serial number associated with a product to which the tag is to be attached. The URL embeds various data such as one or more of the HAs, a serial number, etc., which can be used to verify the authenticity of the tag when verifying the signature. When a tag is read, the message including the URL is recovered and the signature is verified by the processor of the reader. This can be done to ensure that the URL in the message is one designated by the signer. The data in the signature can then be used to verify the authenticity of the tag and/or to detect tampering. The results of the verification can also be displayed to a user, e.g., using an available display on the electronic device including or otherwise acting as the tag reader. |
| US09697297B2 |
Representation/invocation of actions/functions in a hypermedia-driven environment
The subject disclosure relates to techniques for performing an operation on a resource, based on a state of the resource, by invoking a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) request on a universal resource locator (URL) indicating the operation. An interface component can receive a request including an HTTP method and a URL including a first portion indicating a resource and a second portion indicating an operation. Further, an invocation component, in response to the operation being associated with the resource, can invoke the operation on the resource utilizing the HTTP method based on a state of the resource. Other embodiments relate to conditionally returning the operation within a return payload, for example, alone or within a feed, based on an applicability of the operation according to a state of an associated resource. |
| US09697291B2 |
Search query interactions
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a client system of a first user, a query comprising one or more n-grams, parsing the one or more n-grams of the query to generate a query command, wherein the query command comprises an inner query constraint and an outer query constraint, identifying from a plurality of objects based on the query command (1) a first set of objects matching the inner query constraint and at least in part matching the outer query constraint, and (2) a second set of objects matching the outer query constraint, and generating one or more search results based on the first and second sets of objects, wherein each search result corresponds to an object of the plurality of objects. |
| US09697286B2 |
Shared URL content update to improve search engine optimization
A computer program product, a method, and an information handling system is provided to associate keywords used for unsuccessfully searching for a shared URL contents with a confidence level of predicting an adjustment of search engine optimization (SEO) for finding the shared URL due to changing the shared URL contents and performing an action based on the confidence level. |
| US09697285B2 |
Segmentation of professional network update data
Users belonging to a particular category at a networking site are monitored by a system and according to a method for their selection of articles from a networking update stream. The characteristics of the users, including the categories they belong to, are received as metadata corresponding to the each respective article. Periodically an article database is queried according to the category and a selected time period to determine the number of users that have chosen to follow the industry and that have initiated selection actions towards articles in the database. Articles from the query are ranked according to their popularity among users having interest in the same industry category and are presented to a viewing user at the networking site. |
| US09697284B2 |
Search prediction using context modeling
A search engine tracks search queries from a user received at the search engine to generate a search query history. A prediction engine compares the search query history from the user with search query histories from other users on the search engine. A predicted search query for the user that the user is predicted to use to perform a next search in relation to other possible searches is generated in view of the comparison. Search query histories of the other users with greater similarities to the search query history of the user have a greater computation weight in generating the predicted search query than the search query histories of the other users with fewer similarities to the search query history of the user. |
| US09697282B2 |
Search apparatus, search method, search program, and recording medium
Even when a user does not perform an operation to specify a division of attribute, a search condition for an attribute of a division desired by the user can be specified. A search apparatus includes a first determination unit that, for each of a plurality of input words input by a user in one input area in which at least keywords can be input, determines based on an input words whether or not the input word is a first attribute word representing a content of an attribute of a predetermined first division of a plurality of divisions of attributes had by a search object, and a search unit that searches for a search object by using a content, as a search condition of attribute of the first division, represented by the input word which is determined to be the first attribute word by the first determination unit. |
| US09697281B1 |
Autocomplete search methods
In one embodiment, a server-side process operating on a server includes crawling of one or more websites for possible answers to a query and adding the possible answer entities into a data structure of answer entities to queries. The server-side process also includes serving a requested Web page with an added search box that is displayed by a client coupled to the server. As a user types one or more characters at the client, the client sends the characters, portion-by-portion, e.g., character-by-character to the server-side process. In response, the server-side process searches the index for possible answers to the (so-far-typed) query, and provides to the client a list of answers (rather than queries) to be displayed by the client. Each additional character entered may modify the provided list of answers. The client selecting a listed answer navigation directly to the answer. |
| US09697279B2 |
Online safety deposit box
A method includes creating an electronic record of an asset, and automatically associating a predefined data structure with an electronic record of the asset that controls organization and display of user provided metadata describing the asset. The method may also include receiving the metadata describing the asset from a remote computer, populating the predefined data structure with the metadata describing the asset, and generating a graphical user interface corresponding to the electronic record of the asset with active tabs that provide a visual representation of the predefined data structure associated to the electronic record of the asset. The active tabs are respectively associated with predefined displays including the data fields provided by the predefined data structure, enabling a user to navigate through different displays corresponding to the data fields provided in the predefined data structure associated with the asset to view the metadata describing the asset. |
| US09697277B2 |
Stratified sampling using adaptive parallel data processing
A computer-implemented method includes partitioning a plurality of records into a plurality of splits. Each split includes at least a portion of the plurality of records. The method further includes providing at least one split of the plurality of splits to a mapper. The mapper scans the input data set, transforms each input record using a map function, and extracts a grouping key in parallel. The method further includes assigning at least a portion the records of the at least one split to a group. Each assignment to the group is based on a strata of the assigned record, and filtering the records of the group. Each filtering is based on a comparison of a weight of a record to a local threshold of the mapper. The method further includes shuffling the group to a reducer and providing a stratified sampling of the plurality of records based on the group. |
| US09697276B2 |
Large taxonomy categorization
A method includes associating, in a graph including graph nodes connected via of edges, a respective node weight with each of the graph nodes, and organizing the graph nodes into ancestor nodes, each of the ancestor nodes having one or more descendent nodes so that the ancestor and the descendent nodes include all the graph nodes. For a given descendent node, a respective path to one or more of the ancestor nodes is identified, each of the respective paths including one or more edges, and a given ancestor node having a shortest of the identified paths is determined. A respective edge weight is assigned to each of the one or more edges in the shortest path, and, for the given descendent node, a node loss value is calculated based on the node weight and the respective edge weight of the each of the one or more edges. |
| US09697275B2 |
System and method for identifying groups of entities
A computer implemented system and method is used to identify groups of entities based on bipartite directed graphs. Each group consists of two sets of entities, which have some association between each other. Two parameters, typicality and coverage, are taken into account in the computation for identifying the groups. |
| US09697269B2 |
Content item block replication protocol for multi-premises hosting of digital content items
A content item block replication protocol for multi-premises hosting of digital content items. In one embodiment, for example, a method comprises: receiving, from a server, a server journal entry identifying one or more content item blocks of a content item represented by the server journal entry; storing a replication task log entry corresponding to the server journal entry in a replication task log, the replication task log entry identifying the one or more content item blocks of the content item represented by the server journal entry and identifying a block server; and either offering to send the one or more content item blocks identified in the replication task log entry to the block server identified in the replication task log entry, or downloading the one or more content item blocks identified in the replication task log entry from the block server identified in the replication task log entry. |
| US09697268B1 |
Bulk data distribution system
A bulk data distribution system in which, instead of multiple data consumers contending to access the same data sets from a primary data store, one or more producers capture snapshots (states of the data sets at particular points in time) and upload the snapshots to an intermediate data store for access by snapshot consumers. The snapshot consumers may download the snapshots to generate local versions of the data sets for access by one or more data processing applications or processes. A snapshot producer may periodically generate full snapshots of a data set, and may generate one or more incremental snapshots of the data set between full snapshots. A snapshot consumer may bootstrap a local data set from a full snapshot and one or more incrementals, and may maintain state of the local data set by accessing new snapshots uploaded by the producer. |
| US09697265B2 |
Synchronizing digital content
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to one or more configured computing systems identifying when decoupled content includes companion content that can be synchronously presented. Once a content match is identified, a device to receive synchronization information can also be identified. The synchronization information can enable one or more devices to synchronously present companion content. |
| US09697263B1 |
Consumer data request fulfillment system
A consumer data request fulfillment system enables a client to easily and speedily obtain consumer contact data that the client does not already possess. The consumer data request fulfillment system provides bulk consumer data to a client upon request. The bulk data may include, for example, encrypted consumer identifiers (IDs), and/or a partial subset of consumer contact information for a particular specified segment of consumers. The client may then request from the system a full set of consumer contact information. For example, the client may send a request for consumer contact information by identifying particular consumers by their consumer IDs. The consumer data request fulfillment system will then provide the full set of consumer contact information to the client. The requests and request fulfillments are advantageously accomplished automatically by the consumer data request fulfillment system, enabling the client to obtain consumer contact information conveniently and rapidly. |
| US09697262B2 |
Analytical data processing engine
Some examples include high-performance query processing of real-time and offline temporal-relational data. Further, some implementations include processing streaming data events by annotating individual events with a first timestamp (e.g., a “sync-time”) and second timestamp that may identify additional event information. The stream of incoming data events may be organized into a sequence of data batches that each include multiple data events. The individual data batches in the sequence may be processed in a non-decreasing “sync-time” order. |
| US09697260B2 |
Social discovery and ranking of pages
In one embodiment, a social-networking system accesses a social graph with a plurality of user nodes and a plurality of location nodes, receives a search query with location parameters, identifies a set of location nodes based on the search query, and determines a value for each location nodes in the set based on the edges connected to the location nodes in the social graph. |
| US09697259B1 |
Refining search results
A computer-implemented method for processing query information includes receiving data representative of a search query from a user search session. The method also includes identifying a plurality of search results based upon the search query. Each search result is associated with a plurality of user characteristics and data that represents requestor behavior relative to previously submitted queries associated with the respective search result. The method also includes ordering the plurality of user characteristics based upon the data that represents requestor behavior relative to previously submitted queries and the respective search result. The method also includes adjusting the ordered plurality of user characteristics based upon at least one predefined compatibility associated with the user characteristics. The method also includes ranking the search results based upon the adjusted plurality of user characteristics. |
| US09697256B2 |
Synthesis of webpage snippets using sub-pages of the webpage
A server device is configured to identify sub-pages corresponding to a particular webpage, where the particular webpage and the identified sub-pages may be associated with a same website; determine titles for the identified sub-pages; process the identified sub-pages to select a set of sub-pages, of the identified sub-pages, to use to generate a snippet for the particular webpage, where each webpage, in the set of sub-pages, may satisfy particular criteria, and a quantity of the set of sub-pages may be based on a length of a concatenation of the titles for the set of sub-pages; generate the snippet, for the particular webpage, using the titles for the set of sub-pages; and store the generated snippet in association with the particular webpage, where the generated snippet may be presented in a search result document when the particular webpage is identified as being relevant to a search query. |
| US09697254B2 |
Graph traversal operator inside a column store
A system, computer-implemented method, and a computer-readable storage medium for a data graph traversal are provided. The input parameters for traversing the data graph are received. The data graph having a set of vertices and a set of edges are stored in a column based format in a memory cache of a computer device based on the input parameters is traversed. The traversal generates a set of traversed vertices that are the result of the graph traversal. |
| US09697252B2 |
Methods, apparatus, and computer program products for quantum searching for multiple search targets
A first iterative Grover Search process is performed by causing at least one quantum computer to perform a first series of Grover Searches according to a characteristic function for varying numbers of iterations to identify a first search target. The characteristic function is modified according to the identified first search target. A second iterative Grover Search process is performed by causing the at least one quantum computer to perform a second series of Grover Searches according to the modified characteristic function beginning with a number of iterations determined based on a number of iterations required for at least one prior iterative Grover Search process to identify a second search target. |
| US09697251B2 |
Database statistics based on transaction state
A computer-implemented method for determining a query execution plan based on transaction state may include determining that a first set of database values in a database table are in a committed transaction state and that a second set of database values in the database table are in an uncommitted transaction state. In response to the determining, the first set of database values may have a first set of statistics generated and the second set of database values may have a second set of statistics generated. The first and second set of statistics may be for use in determining a query execution plan. |
| US09697250B1 |
Systems and methods for high-speed searching and filtering of large datasets
A binary data file embodies an inline tree data structure storing fields of a hierarchical dataset. The inline tree comprises first-level binary string segments, each comprising substantially contiguous second-level binary string segments, corresponding to subranges of first and second subsets of data fields. Size is reduced by substituting: binary string indices for alphanumeric strings; a data clump index for a set of correlated/anticorrelated strings; field masks for unoccupied data fields. A dedicated conversion program generates the inline tree from conventional database formats, which is read entirely into RAM to be searched/filtered by a dedicated search/filter program. Small size (<2 bytes/field/record) and contiguous arrangement enables searching/filtering of >106 records (>100 data fields) in <500 nanoseconds/record/core. Recursive subdivision of selection field ranges can guide searches that include those selection fields. One example includes geographic searching/filtering of records that include latitude and longitude fields. |
| US09697249B1 |
Estimating confidence for query revision models
An information retrieval system includes a query revision architecture that integrates multiple different query revisers, each implementing one or more query revision strategies. A revision server receives a user's query, and interfaces with the various query revisers, each of which generates one or more potential revised queries. The revision server evaluates the potential revised queries, and selects one or more of them to provide to the user. A session-based reviser suggests one or more revised queries, given a first query, by calculating an expected utility for the revised query. The expected utility is calculated as the product of a frequency of occurrence of the query pair and an increase in quality of the revised query over the first query. |
| US09697248B1 |
Supervised machine learning of data de-duplication
A system, method, and computer program includes a communications interface configured to receive a set of industry reports from multiple industry sources, and circuitry to compare one or more attributes of at least two trade lines to identify whether the at least two trade lines are duplicates. The circuitry characterizes as a binary indication whether the comparing indicates the one or more attributes are a match, and display a representation of the binary indication and receive a user-identified indication whether the at least two trade lines are duplicates. The circuitry trains a classifier, records the indication whether the at least two trade lines are duplicates and removes at least one of the at least two trade lines from the set of industry reports, and runs the classifier. Subsequently, a supervised machine learning classifier is trained to fit on the training data and is evaluated for accuracy of the testing data. |
| US09697243B2 |
Method and apparatus for searching node by using tree index
A node search method, comprising: setting a current time value as a traversing time value; searching descendent nodes to perform a traversing from a root node to a leaf node according to a tree index data structure; determining whether a preset traversing condition is satisfied by comparing an update time value, which indicates a time when a change to a searched descendent node is made, with the traversing time value; depending on whether the traversing proceeding condition is satisfied, re-performing a traversing from a parent node or continuing traversing to the searched descendent node; and terminating the traversing at a leaf node where no descendent node exists. |
| US09697242B2 |
Buffering inserts into a column store database
Embodiments relate to database systems. An aspect includes deferring row insert operations until occurrence of a triggering event. One method includes receiving a row insert for a tuple into a column group store table, where the tuple includes one or more tuplets and each of the tuplets corresponds to a column group in the column group store table. The method also includes copying at least one of the tuplets into an insert buffer that is specific to one of the column groups in the column group store table. The method also includes deferring the row insert into the column group store table until an occurrence of one or more triggering events. The method also includes flushing the row insert into storage associated with the column group store table, in response to the occurrence of the one or more triggering events. |
| US09697241B1 |
Data fabric layer having nodes associated with virtual storage volumes of underlying storage infrastructure layer
A processing platform implemented using one or more processing devices comprises a data fabric layer and a storage infrastructure layer underlying the data fabric layer. The data fabric layer comprises at least one database application having a plurality of nodes. The storage infrastructure layer comprises a plurality of storage servers and is configured to implement one or more virtual storage volumes for each of the nodes of the database application of the data fabric layer using the storage servers. In some embodiments, responsive to detection of a failure of a given one of the nodes of the database application, the one or more virtual storage volumes associated with the given node are utilized to facilitate instantiation of a replacement node for the given node. For example, a virtual storage volume may be unmounted from the given node and attached to the replacement node. |
| US09697236B2 |
Image annotation using aggregated page information from active and inactive indices
Architecture that addresses page information lost as part of a selection process in a search engine framework. An aggregation process collects all page or document information from the same image cluster and uses the aggregated page information to annotate one or more selected image-page pairs within the same image cluster. Once the entire set of descriptive terms is received, the entire set of descriptive terms or only an optimum set of top N descriptive terms of the entire set is for annotation of one or more of the representative images in the cluster. |
| US09697235B2 |
On device image keyword identification and content overlay
An example of a method of keyword identification and content overlay is described. A mobile device identifies a keyword within a file containing one or more images. The identified keyword is compared to a collection of pre-stored keywords. If the identified keyword matches one of the pre-stored keywords, content corresponding to the matched pre-stored keyword is overlaid onto the image and the image with the overlaid content is displayed. A user of the mobile device can select the overlaid content to retrieve additional information related to the identified keyword. |
| US09697234B1 |
Approaches for associating terms with image regions
A computing device can determine visual words for images in a first set of images associated with a description that includes a term. Each visual word can describe pixels in an image. The device can determine visual words for images in a second set of images that are associated with a description that does not include the term. The device can determine a set of visual words that are associated with the term. The device can determine regions in images corresponding to visual words in the set of visual words. The device can associate the respective determined regions for the images with the term in a database. When a search query is received that includes an image that is determined to be associated with the term, the database can be utilized to determine images responsive to the query by identifying images that are also associated with the term. |
| US09697232B2 |
System and method for creating a preference profile from shared images
A method includes obtaining from an online social media site a plurality of instances of images of objects associated with a person; analyzing with a data processor the plurality of instances of the images with a plurality of predetermined style classifiers to obtain a score for each image for each style classifier; and determining with the data processor, based on the obtained scores, a likely preference of the person for a particular style of object. The plurality of instances of images of objects associated with the person can be images that were posted, shared or pinned by person, and images that the person expressed a preference for. In a non-limiting embodiment the object is clothing, and the style can include a fashion style or fashion genre including color preferences. A system and a computer program product to perform the method are also disclosed. |
| US09697231B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing virtual media channels based on media search
A computerized method and apparatus for providing a virtual media channel based on media search is featured. The method and apparatus features the steps of, or structure for, obtaining a set of rules that define instructions for obtaining media content that comprise the content for a media channel, the set including at least one rule with instructions to include media content resulting from a search; searching for candidate media content according to a search query defined by the at least one rule; and merging one or more of the candidate media content resulting from the search into the content for the media channel. The candidate media content can include segments of the media content resulting from the search. The set of rules can additionally include a rule with instructions to add media content from a predetermined location. |
| US09697230B2 |
Methods and apparatus for dynamic presentation of advertising, factual, and informational content using enhanced metadata in search-driven media applications
A computerized method and apparatus is disclosed for dynamic presentation of advertising, factual, informational content and combinations thereof. In particular, the advertising content is dynamically presented according to the playback of corresponding segments identified within a media file or stream. |
| US09697229B2 |
Methods and systems for creating and storing metadata
One embodiment of the present disclosure is a method of creating metadata during object development. The method comprises receiving a change to an object during its development that results in a changed version of the object, identifying information about the change, and creating metadata comprising the information about the change. The information about the change may include a unique instance identifier identifying and unique to the changed version of the object. As an object is changed multiple times during development, the created metadata may include a series of information segments each relating to a particular change and each uniquely identified by its unique instance identifier. The information about the change may also include, as examples, an identification of a unique instance identifier of a prior version of the object, the time of the change to the object, and/or identification of the software used to make the change. Other embodiments relate to compound objects, part mapping, and modification of ingredients, among other things. |
| US09697228B2 |
Secure relational file system with version control, deduplication, and error correction
A computer implemented method and a secure relational file system (SRFS) for storing and managing data for backup and restore are provided. The SRFS receives data, generates first metadata including file-to-sector mapping information, splits the data into fixed sized data chunks (FSDCs), generates second metadata including logical boundaries used for splitting, creates fixed sized data blocks by prepending the second metadata to the FSDCs, splits each FSDC into variable sized data chunks (VSDCs), generates third metadata including unique identifiers (UIDs) for the VSDCs, creates variable sized data blocks (VSDBs) by prepending the third metadata and the second metadata to each VSDC, identifies unique variable sized data chunks (UVSDCs) of the VSDBs using the UIDs, stores the UVSDCs in chunk files, and stores the first metadata, the second metadata extracted from the VSDBs, and storage locations of the UVSDCs with the third metadata of the UVSDCs and duplicate VSDCs in databases. |
| US09697227B2 |
Concurrent access and transactions in a distributed file system
Embodiments described herein provide techniques for maintaining consistency in a distributed system (e.g., a distributed secondary storage system). According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a first set of file system objects included in performing the requested file system operation is identified in response to a request to perform a file system operation. An update intent corresponding to the requested file system operation is inserted into an inode associated with each identified file system object. Each file system object corresponding to the inode is modified as specified by the update intent in that inode. After modifying the file system object corresponding to the inode, the update intent is removed from that inode. |
| US09697223B2 |
Providing identifiers to data files in a data deduplication system
Data file in the data deduplication system are associated with a file identifier defined to have a first part identifier for denoting a location of the data file in a storage, and a second part identifier for uniquely identifying the data file in the data deduplication system over time. |
| US09697222B2 |
Creation of synthetic backups within deduplication storage system
A deduplication storage system and a backup application create a synthetic backup. Metadata instructions are provided to the deduplication storage system. Each of the metadata instructions specifies the data segment of an originating backup and a designated location of the data segment in the synthetic backup. Each of the metadata instructions are processed by locating those data sub-segments in the deduplication storage system specified by the data segment in each of the metadata instructions, and creating metadata references to each of the data sub-segments and adding the metadata references to metadata of the synthetic backup being created. |
| US09697221B2 |
OZIP compression and decompression
A method, apparatus, and system for OZIP, a data compression and decompression codec, is provided. OZIP utilizes a fixed size static dictionary, which may be generated from a random sampling of input data to be compressed. Compression by direct token encoding to the static dictionary streamlines the encoding and avoids expensive conditional branching, facilitating hardware implementation and high parallelism. By bounding token definition sizes and static dictionary sizes to hardware architecture constraints such as word size or processor cache size, hardware implementation can be made fast and cost effective. For example, decompression may be accelerated by using SIMD instruction processor extensions. A highly granular block mapping in optional stored metadata allows compressed data to be accessed quickly at random, bypassing the processing overhead of dynamic dictionaries. Thus, OZIP can support low latency random data access for highly random workloads, such as for OLTP systems. |
| US09697220B2 |
System and method for supporting elastic data metadata compression in a distributed data grid
A system and method can support metadata compression in a distributed data grid. The system can store a plurality of keys in compact data structure (such as a radix tree) in a heap, wherein each said key is associated with an entry in a journal off-heap. Furthermore, the system can look up the tree for a key, wherein the key is associated with a journal ticket that represents a virtual address of an entry in the journal. Then, the system can use the journal ticket to manage the entry in the journal that is associated with said key. |
| US09697209B2 |
Multimedia authoring method for assistance in physical exercise and non-volatile computer-readable storage medium
The disclosure provides a multimedia authoring method for assistance in physical exercise, including the following steps. According to an exercise level command, a first number of first category parameters and a second number of second category parameters are defined to generate a category parameter sequence in which the first number of first category parameters and the second number of second category parameters are arranged randomly. First category multimedia file(s) corresponding to the first number of first category parameters and second category multimedia file(s) corresponding to the second number of second category parameters are selected from a database to establish a multimedia play list in which the first category multimedia file(s) and the second category multimedia file(s) will be sorted according to the order of the first number of first category parameters and the second number of second category parameters in the category parameter sequence. |
| US09697208B2 |
Identifying content under access control
A search query is received from a first user through one or more input devices. A set of results is determined from content stored on a computer system based on the search query. The set of results includes a first subset of results not accessible to the first user due to access control. A list of results is provided to the first user. The list excludes the first subset of results. A target result is identified from the first subset of results. An owner is identified with control over access to the target result. The owner is notified that the target result is not accessible to at least one user. |
| US09697201B2 |
Adapting machine translation data using damaging channel model
A speech-to-speech (S2S) translation system may utilize a damaging channel model to adapt machine translation (MT) training data so that a MT engine of the S2S translation system that is trained with the adapted training data can make better use of output received from an automated speech recognition (ASR) engine of the S2S translation system. The S2S translation system may include a MT training module that uses MT technology in order to simulate a particular ASR engine output by treating the ASR engine as a “noisy channel”. A process may include modeling ASR errors of a particular ASR engine based at least in part on output of the ASR engine to create an ASR simulation model, and performing machine translation to generate training data based at least in part on the ASR simulation model. The MT engine of the S2S translation system may then be trained using the generated training data. |
| US09697200B2 |
Building conversational understanding systems using a toolset
Tools are provided to allow developers to enable applications for Conversational Understanding (CU) using assets from a CU service. The tools may be used to select functionality from existing domains, extend the coverage of one or more domains, as well as to create new domains in the CU service. A developer may provide example Natural Language (NL) sentences that are analyzed by the tools to assist the developer in labeling data that is used to update the models in the CU service. For example, the tools may assist a developer in identifying domains, determining intent actions, determining intent objects and determining slots from example NL sentences. After the developer tags all or a portion of the example NL sentences, the models in the CU service are automatically updated and validated. For example, validation tools may be used to determine an accuracy of the model against test data. |
| US09697199B2 |
Ideographical member identification and extraction method and machine-translation and manual-correction interactive translation method based on ideographical members
Disclosed are an ideographical member identification and extraction method and a machine-translation and manual-correction interactive translation method thereof. The ideographical member identification and extraction method is using corpuses with the same contents in a multi-language or bilingual word version, aligning sentences to generate a double-statement opposite library, different languages and characters being related through ideographical expressions, and the ideographical expressions of different languages and characters being achieved through four identical ideographical members. Identifying and extracting the four identical ideographical members comprises a sentence reading matched frame, an identification and label sentence cabin, a cabin detection and extraction cabin model and a receiving and storing sense-group cluster. The present invention further provides a machine-translation and manual-correction interactive translation method based on the ideographical members, comprising: reading sentences with a frame, setting a source statement, transferring sentence cabin or cabin eye contents, saving the inquiry items, pre-selecting given target langue sentences to be corrected and correcting semantic meanings, and self learning. The present invention solves the technical problem in the prior art, that quality of translation texts is poor, an operator is needed to have independent translation ability, and loss of word meanings and semantic meanings can not be redeemed in a processing process. |
| US09697192B1 |
Systems and methods for construction, maintenance, and improvement of knowledge representations
In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method which, in one example embodiment, can include reading text data corresponding to messages and creating semantic annotations to the text data to generate annotated messages. Creating the semantic annotations can include generating, at least in part by at least one trained statistical language model, predictive labels as annotations corresponding to language patterns associated with the text data. The method further includes aggregating the annotated messages and storing information associated with the aggregated annotated messages in a message store, and performing, based on information from the message store and associated with the messages, global analytics functions. The global analytics functions can include identifying an annotation error in the created semantic annotations, updating the respective semantic annotation to correct the annotation error, to form an updated semantic annotation, and back-propagating the updated semantic annotation into training data for further language model training. |
| US09697188B2 |
Method to enable cross-origin resource sharing from a webpage inside a private network
A method of delivering content of a webpage to a web browser on a device communicating with a network through a proxy server includes embedding a first nested browsing context in a parent browsing context of the web browser where the parent browsing context is associated with a first domain and the first nested browsing context is associated with a second domain; sending a request for content from the first nested browsing context to the second domain through the proxy server; and receiving at the first nested browsing context the content from the second domain. |
| US09697187B2 |
System and method for web content presentation management
A method, computer program product, and computer system for receiving, by a computing device, a selection of one or more presentation templates of a plurality of presentation templates for at least a portion of a web page, wherein the one or more presentation templates define, at least in part, a display format for one or more display types. At least a portion of the one or more display types is mapped to one or more content elements within a content type. At least the portion of the one or more presentation templates is rendered when the one or more content elements are requested, wherein rendering includes retrieving at least the portion of the one or more content elements from one or more of each content item to be rendered within each of the one or more presentation templates, wherein rendering further includes using the content type of the one or more content elements requested to dynamically map the one or more content elements defined in the one or more display types to the one or more presentation templates. |
| US09697182B2 |
Method and system for navigating a hard copy of a web page
This disclosure provides a method and system for navigating hard copies of web pages. According to one exemplary method, a hard copy of a web page is navigated by capturing with a mobile device an image of the hard copy, performing OCR on the captured image to identify the captured web page, accessing a database to retrieve a copy of the identified web page and displaying the retrieved copy of the identified web page along with active web page links on the mobile device. |
| US09697181B2 |
Centralized field rendering system and method
The invention includes system for centralized rendering of user interface elements based on configurations as described in XML. A developer may create a definition for a field based on the nature of the information to be displayed to a user within a single file. Such definition will affect all future instances of the particular data type without a need to modify and/or compile code residing either within an HTML file or on a server. |
| US09697173B2 |
DNS proxy service for multi-core platforms
In a multi-core platform in which secondary processing cores do not have direct WAN connectivity, methods and apparatus are described that enable the secondary processing cores to provide DNS resolution services to their network applications and/or client devices attached thereto. In an exemplary embodiment, a primary processing core having direct WAN connectivity and a DHCP client includes a DNS proxy service module which acts as a DNS server to the platform's secondary processing cores. Each secondary processing core sends DNS queries to the primary core DNS proxy service module. A primary core DNS resolver regenerates DNS queries based on the DNS queries from the secondary cores and forwards them for resolution to WAN-side DNS servers whose IP addresses were provided to the DHCP client in response to an IP lease request. The resolved IP addresses are returned by the WAN-side DNS servers to the primary processing core, which provides them to the requesting secondary core applications or client devices, via the DNS proxy service module. |
| US09697171B2 |
Multi-writer revision synchronization in a dispersed storage network
A method begins by a processing module of a computing device receiving a most current revision value for a data element, where a revision value for the data element is generated based on a current time of a storing device. The method continues with the processing module generating a new revision value for a currently revised version of the data element based on a current time of the computing device and comparing the current time of the new revision value with the current time of the most current revision value. When the current time of the new revision value precedes the current time of the most current revision value, the method continues with the processing module adjusting the new revision value to produce an adjusted revision value and facilitating storage of the currently revised version of the data element having the adjusted revision value. |
| US09697168B2 |
Apparatus, system and method for sharing physical layer logic across multiple protocols
Techniques and mechanisms to provide common interface logic for multiple protocol engines to access physical layer circuitry at different times. In an embodiment, a state machine of an interface device is to participate in exchanges with physical layer resources on behalf of any of various protocol engines coupled to the interface device via different respective interfaces. Based on state transitions by the state machine, circuitry corresponding to a particular one of such interfaces may selectively send a clock signal for operation of a port controller attempting to access the physical layer circuitry. In some embodiments, multiple interface devices are configured to provide an hierarchical interface architecture for more than two port controllers that variously support at least two protocols. |
| US09697167B2 |
Implementing health check for optical cable attached PCIE enclosure
A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing health check for optical cable attached Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIE) enclosures in a computer system. System firmware is provided for implementing health check functions. One or more optical cables are connected between a host bridge and a PCIE enclosure. A PCIE link to the PCIE enclosure is reset responsive to a predefined event. After a set delay, a PCIE link health check is performed verifying PCIE link width and speed. |
| US09697165B2 |
Server system for synchronizing memory data of motherboards
A server system is described. The server system comprises first motherboard having first processor module coupled to first memory module, second motherboard having second processor module coupled to second memory module, first back plate having first PCIE switch chip coupled to second PCIE switch chip via PCIE transmission channel. The first processor module is coupled to the first PCIE switch chip and the second processor module is coupled to the second PCIE switch chip. The first processor module converts the memory data of the first memory module into PCIE packet data to be transmitted to the second processor module by first PCIE switch chip and second PCIE switch chip. The second processor module converts the received PCIE packet data into memory data of second memory module for synchronizing the memory data of first motherboard and the second motherboard. |
| US09697164B2 |
Method and control device for the operation of a contact-free transmission system for an IO link
In a method and a control device for the operation of a transmission system for an IO link, wherein at least one cable-free transition between an IO link master and at least one IO link device is provided, and wherein the IO link device provides a minimal cycle time for a communication cycle, it is particularly provided that the minimal cycle time provided by the IO link device is increased in such a manner that a temporal delay caused by the cable-free transition is added to the minimal cycle time. |
| US09697162B1 |
IoT product synthesis apparatus and method
A product synthesizer has a core CPU, power distribution, and a plurality of selectable interfaces, each interface having an associated schematic symbol, PCB symbol, mechanical model, power dissipation, and power requirement. A set of constraints identifies performance metrics including low power, high performance, battery or mains power, battery life, and other constraints. The product synthesizer receives as inputs the interfaces and constraints, and generates as outputs a schematic diagram, a bill of materials, a routed printed circuit board, and a solid model of an enclosure, all of which satisfy the constraints and include the identified interfaces. |
| US09697160B2 |
Midplane interconnect system with conductor twist mitigation
A cabled midplane interconnect system includes a cabled midplane interconnect having a first connection and a second connection. A first circuit board has a third connection configured to be coupled to the first connection. A second circuit board has a fourth connection configured to be coupled to the second connection. The connection orientations are assigned such that a midplane cable, having a plurality of conductors, couples the first connection to the second connection so that none of the plurality of conductors crosses another of the plurality of conductors. |
| US09697153B2 |
Data transmission method for improving DMA and data transmission efficiency based on priorities of at least two arbitration units for each DMA channel
An embodiment of the disclosure relates to the field of data transmission, in particular to a data transmission method and a data transmission device, for solving the problems of low data transmission efficiency and poor Direct Memory Access (DMA) performance in a method of arbitrating each DMA channel in a round-robin mode and transmitting data according to an arbitration result. The method in the embodiment of the disclosure includes that: for each DMA channel, an arbitration unit corresponding to the channel among a plurality of arbitration units is determined according to transmission performance corresponding to data in the channel; and when data in channels corresponding to at least two arbitration units need to be transmitted, the data are transmitted according to priorities of the at least two arbitration units. The embodiment of the disclosure first transmits data corresponding to a channel with good transmission performance corresponding to the data in the channel, and keeps a bus unblocked, thus improving data transmission efficiency and improving DMA performance. |
| US09697152B1 |
I/O processing system including dynamic missing interrupt and input/output detection
An I/O processing system includes an operating system configured to control an input/output (I/O) device, which executes an I/O operation in the I/O processing system. The I/O processing system further includes a channel subsystem module configured to output an interrogation command signal while the I/O device executes an I/O request. The I/O device returns an I/O status signal indicating a status of an ongoing I/O request, and the operating system is configured to dynamically determine a timeout event of the I/O request based on the status of the ongoing I/O request. |
| US09697149B2 |
Low latency interrupt with existence of interrupt moderation
A method for generating interrupt requests, the method comprising: receiving, by a first circuit, an indication of an occurrence of an interrupt triggering event; determining whether a time difference between the occurrence of the interrupt triggering event and an occurrence of a last interrupt triggering event that preceded the occurrence of the interrupt triggering event exceeded a threshold; generating, by the first circuit, an interrupt request in response to the occurrence of the interrupt triggering event if the time difference exceeded the threshold; and delaying, for a predetermined delay period after a generation of a last interrupt request, a generating of the interrupt request that is responsive to the occurrence of the interrupt triggering event if the time difference is shorter than the threshold. |
| US09697145B2 |
Memory interface system
In some embodiments, a memory interface system includes a memory interface circuit and a memory controller. The memory interface circuit is configured to communicate with a memory device. The memory controller is configured, in response to the memory device operating at a first frequency, to store configuration information corresponding to the memory device operating at a second frequency. The memory controller is further configured, in response to the memory device transitioning to the second frequency, to send the configuration information to the memory interface circuit. In some embodiments, storing the configuration information may result in some memory requests being provided to the memory device more quickly, as compared to a different memory interface system where the configuration information is not stored at the memory controller. Additionally, in some embodiments, storing the configuration information may result in the configuration information being transmitted to the memory interface circuit more efficiently. |
| US09697141B2 |
LBA blocking table for SSD controller
A host access instruction is received from one of a plurality of channels which are served in parallel. The host access instruction includes an address range of one or more addresses and a type of access. The address range and type of access are compared against a table of stored address ranges and stored types of access associated with any pending host access instructions. It is determined whether to execute the host access instruction based at least in part on the comparison. If it is decided to execute the host access instruction, the host access instruction is forwarded for execution and the address range and the type of access from the host access instruction are stored in the table. |
| US09697140B2 |
Encryption integrity check with CRC encryption in memory using a word count- and address-derived nonce
Apparatus, systems, and methods for AES integrity check in memory are described. In one embodiment, a controller comprises logic to receive a write request from a host device to write a line of data to the memory device, determine a first plaintext cyclic redundancy check from the line of data, encrypt the line of data, encrypt the first plaintext CRC with a unique value to generate a first encrypted CRC, and store the encrypted line of data and the first encrypted CRC in memory. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed. |
| US09697138B2 |
Identifying stale entries in address translation cache
A mapping may be changed in a table stored in memory. The table may map a first set of addresses, for a set of data, to a second set of addresses. The changing of the mapping may including mapping the first set of addresses to a third set of addresses. In response to the changing of the mapping, one or more flush operations may be executed to invalidate one or more entries within one or more address translation caches. The one or more entries may include the second set of addresses. In response to the executing of the one or more flush operations, a first test case may be run. The first test case may be to test whether any of the first set of addresses are mapping to the second set of addresses. |
| US09697137B2 |
Filtering translation lookaside buffer invalidations
A filter includes filter entries, each corresponding to a mapping between a virtual memory address and a physical memory address and including a presence indicator indicative which processing elements have the mapping present in their respective translation lookaside buffers (TLBs). A TLB invalidation (TLBI) instruction is received for a first mapping. If a first filter entry corresponding to the first mapping exists in the filter, the plurality of processing elements are partitioned into a first partition of zero or more processing elements that have the first mapping present in their TLBs and a second partition of zero or more processing elements that do not have the first mapping present in their TLBs based on the presence indicator of the first filter entry. The TLBI instruction is sent to the processing elements included in the first partition, and not those in the second partition. |
| US09697136B2 |
Descriptor ring management
A data processing system utilizing a descriptor ring to facilitate communication between one or more general purpose processors and one or more devices employs a system memory management unit for managing access by the devices to a main memory. The system memory management unit uses address translation data for translating memory addresses generated by the devices into addresses supplied to the main memory. Prefetching circuitry within the system memory management unit serves to detect pointers read from the descriptor ring and to prefetch address translation data into the translation lookaside buffer of the system memory management unit. |
| US09697133B2 |
Methods and systems for erasing a segment from a flash cache
A storage device made up of multiple storage media is configured such that one such media serves as a cache for data stored on another of such media. The device includes a controller configured to manage the cache by consolidating information concerning obsolete data stored in the cache with information concerning data no longer desired to be stored in the cache, and erase segments of the cache containing one or more of the blocks of obsolete data and the blocks of data that are no longer desired to be stored in the cache to produce reclaimed segments of the cache. |
| US09697131B2 |
Variable caching structure for managing physical storage
A method for managing a variable caching structure for managing storage for a processor. The method includes using a multi-way tag array to store a plurality of pointers for a corresponding plurality of different size groups of physical storage of a storage stack, wherein the pointers indicate guest addresses that have corresponding converted native addresses stored within the storage stack, and allocating a group of storage blocks of the storage stack, wherein the size of the allocation is in accordance with a corresponding size of one of the plurality of different size groups. Upon a hit on the tag, a corresponding entry is accessed to retrieve a pointer that indicates where in the storage stack a corresponding group of storage blocks of converted native instructions reside. The converted native instructions are then fetched from the storage stack for execution. |
| US09697129B2 |
Multiple window based segment prefetching
A method, a computer program product, and a computer system for implementing multiple window based segment prefetch used for data pages that are out of sequence. A computer initiates a buffer for the segment prefetch. The computer builds up windows in the buffer, each of the windows comprising data pages among which neighboring data pages are within a predetermined distance therebetween. The computer determines whether a respective one of the windows exceeds a predetermined window size. The computer triggers the segment prefetch, in response to determining that the respective one of the windows exceeds the predetermined window size. The computer uses an asynchronous I/O to get the data pages in the respective one of the windows. |
| US09697126B2 |
Generating approximate usage measurements for shared cache memory systems
Generating approximate usage measurements for shared cache memory systems is disclosed. In one aspect, a cache memory system is provided. The cache memory system comprises a shared cache memory system. A subset of the shared cache memory system comprises a Quality of Service identifier (QoSID) tracking tag configured to store a QoSID tracking indicator for a QoS class. The shared cache memory system further comprises a cache controller configured to receive a memory access request comprising a QoSID, and is configured to access a cache line corresponding to the memory access request. The cache controller is also configured to determine whether the QoSID of the memory access request corresponds to a cache line assigned to the QoSID. If so, the cache controller is additionally configured to update the QoSID tracking tag. |
| US09697122B2 |
Data processing device
A data processing device includes: data processing stages having a processing element, a stage memory and an event controller; and an inter-stage bus connecting the stages via an access point. External and process completion events are input into the controller for generating a task start event toward the processing element according to the external and process completion events. Each access point has an access table storing a data write history when the processing element writes data in the memory in a memory access process. The processing element executes an event access process indicative of memory access process completion after the processing element completes the memory access process to the memory via the access point. The access point executes another event access process for inputting the process completion event into the controller of another stage, based on the data write history when the processing element executes the event access process. |
| US09697118B1 |
Memory controller with interleaving and arbitration scheme
A memory controller that implements an interleaving and arbitration scheme includes an address decoder that selects a memory bank for an access request based on a set of address least significant bits included in the access request. A core requiring sequential access to memory is routed to consecutive memory banks of the memory for consecutive access requests. When multiple cores request access to the same memory bank, an arbiter determines an access sequence for the cores. The arbiter can modify the access sequence without significantly increasing the complexity of the memory controller. The address decoder determines whether the selected memory banks are available and also whether an access request is a wide access request, in which case it selects two consecutive memory banks. |
| US09697116B2 |
Storage system and writing method thereof
A writing method of a storage system which includes a host and a storage connected to the host, includes receiving journal data during a generation of a data writing transaction; inserting in a first map table, a plurality of entries, each entry including a first logical address of a first logical area of the storage and a second logical address of a second logical area of the storage; writing the journal data to a physical area of the storage corresponding to the first logical address; and remapping the physical area from the first logical address onto the second logical address using the plurality of entries when a size of a usable space of the first logical area is less than a desired value. |
| US09697115B2 |
Segmented caches
Embodiments herein relate to segmenting and pinning a first non-volatile memory to store cache information. In an embodiment, the first non-volatile memory is divided into a plurality of segments. Then, a first type of software of a plurality of types of software is pinned to a first segment of the plurality of segments. The first pinned segment stores the cache information associated with the first type of software. |
| US09697114B2 |
Netmory
An apparatus, method, and system are provided as a solution for computer operation. An embodiment of the apparatus includes a device that interconnects the core of the computer through the memory interface. The apparatus provides a communication path from the computer core to the world wide network. Computing communication and storage functions of the conventional computer are incorporated in the apparatus. The purpose of the apparatus is to enable the computer data and program to flow into and out of the computer core without being stored on a peripheral device such a disk or other media. |
| US09697109B2 |
Dynamically configurable test doubles for software testing and validation
Method for generating dynamically configurable test doubles for software testing includes: detecting functions or methods invocations in a source code under test; collecting information about parameters and return types of one or more of original functions and original methods that are invoked by the source code under test, generating test doubles using source code with alternative definitions based on collected information; instrumenting the source code under test to replace the calls to one or more of original functions and methods with calls to the generated test doubles; and dynamically configuring runtime behavior of the generated test doubles, where all input parameters and return values of the one or more of original functions and original methods are provided to respective retrieved trigger objects by passing said input parameters and return values as arguments to function calls. |
| US09697106B1 |
Method for verifying historical artifacts in disparate source control systems
A method for verifying historical artifacts in disparate source control systems. The method comprises obtaining historical artifacts from a target repository; obtaining historical artifacts from a source repository; and verifying the historical artifacts in the target repository match the historical artifacts in the source repository. Verification further comprises comparing commit data in the historical artifacts in the target repository with commit data in the historical artifacts in the source repository; and evaluating whether each commit data event in the historical artifacts in the target repository is equivalent to the corresponding commit data event in the historical artifacts in the source repository. Evaluating further comprises logging a commit data event in the historical artifacts in the target repository which is not equivalent to a corresponding commit data event in the historical artifacts in the source repository; and reviewing the logging results. |
| US09697105B2 |
Composable test automation framework
A method for composable test automation includes executing a story by, for each step in a story, receiving a call for the step in the story, categorizing the step to identify a portion of a web application executable being tested by the step, selecting an application testing interface corresponding to the portion of the web application executable, converting the call to commands, transmitting the command to the application testing interface, receiving output from the application testing interface based on executing the commands, and transmitting the output. The method further includes generating a story report from executing the story, and storing the story report. |
| US09697102B2 |
Compare concurrent threads executions
A method for comparing concurrent thread executions is disclosed. A thread flow marker class is defined for a source code. One or more markers of the thread flow marker class are embedded in a class of interest or in places of interest within the class of interest in the source code. A flow of data from concurrent threads executions from the source code is tracked using the one or more markers. |
| US09697100B2 |
Event correlation
Event correlation may include identifying a feature set for each log file of a plurality of log files, and extracting the feature set for each event of a plurality of events in each log file of the plurality of log files. Event correlation may further include determining a plurality of trace event pairs linkage strength values for an event from a first log file of the plurality of log files and a plurality of events from a second log file of the plurality of log files. The trace event pairs linkage strength values may represent an overlap of the feature set for the event from the first log file and the feature set for each of the plurality of events from the second log file. |
| US09697097B2 |
Storage system and method for controlling storage system
Methods are in use for saving data stored in a volatile memory to a non-volatile memory during a power outage in a storage system so that the data on the volatile memory is not lost. In the related art, the entire data saved to the non-volatile memory is read and written in the volatile memory when electric power supply is restored. Then, an operation as the storage system is resumed and an access request from a host is accepted. In the related art, the data saved in the non-volatile memory has to be read in entirety, and thus time is required until resumption of the access request acceptance and availability is impeded. According to the invention, a cache directory and cache data are saved to a non-volatile memory during a power outage and the cache directory is copied from the non-volatile memory to a volatile memory, a storage location of the data whose storage location in the cache directory prior to the saving is the volatile memory is changed to the non-volatile memory, and host I/O processing is initiated when electric power is restored in order to address this problem. |
| US09697096B2 |
Method for limiting the risk of errors in a redundant, safety-related control system for a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a method and a device for limiting the risk of faults in a control system, in particular a safety-relevant control system, wherein a preferably intelligent actuator controller (AST), by means of the application of a weighted mean value algorithm, calculates a new control value from the two control values determined by means of diverse redundancy by two independent fault-containment units (FCUs), which new control value, in spite of the occurrence of a fault in one of the two FCUs, causes an object to be controlled by the control system to be guided into a safe state, preferably quickly. |
| US09697094B2 |
Dynamically changing lockstep configuration
Memory subsystem error management enables dynamically changing lockstep partnerships. A memory subsystem has a lockstep partnership relationship between a first memory portion and a second memory portion to spread error correction over the pair of memory resources. The lockstep partnership can be preconfigured. In response to detecting a hard error in the lockstep partnership, the memory subsystem can cancel or reverse the lockstep partnership between the first memory portion and the second memory portion and create or set a new lockstep partnership. The detected error can be a second hard error in the lockstep partnership. The memory subsystem can create new lockstep partnerships between the first memory portion and a third memory portion as lockstep partners and between the second memory portion and a fourth memory portion as lockstep partners. The memory subsystem can also be configured to change the granularity of the lockstep partnership when changing partnerships. |
| US09697092B2 |
File-based cluster-to-cluster replication recovery
Resiliency in file replication scenarios via maintenance of multiple replication queues with differing susceptibility to various sources of data loss. A plurality of requests are received at a first file system location to write to one or more file system objects at the first file system location. Details about the plurality of requests are recorded in at least two replication queues which differ, at least in part, as to types of failures which will cause data loss. Responsive to detection of data loss in one of the replication queues, details about the plurality of requests are retrieved from another of the replication queues. |
| US09697090B2 |
Backup management system and backup management method
The backup management system includes a storage device that retains a location management table that stores therein at least one of position specifying information uniquely specifying a location provided by a computer resource in each cloud service and an area specifying information specifying a predetermined area including the location provided without uniquely specifying the location provided, and a processing device configured to perform a process of receiving a designation related to a computer resource as a backup target and a backup requirement, from a user of the cloud service, and a process of specifying as a backup destination a computer resource that has a position relation with the computer resource as the backup target satisfying the backup requirement, based on a designation from the user and at least one of the position specifying information and the area specifying information. |
| US09697087B2 |
Storage controller to perform rebuilding while copying, and storage system, and control method thereof
A storage controller includes a reconstruction unit that reconstructs data of a storage device to be restored among the plurality of storage devices by using data read from redundant storage devices other than the storage device to be restored among the plurality of storage devices, and stores the reconstructed data into a first backup storage device among the plurality of backup storage devices, and a copy unit that copies the data read from the redundant storage devices into second backup storage devices assigned to the redundant storage devices from among the plurality of backup storage devices during reconstruction by the reconstruction unit. |
| US09697086B2 |
Data access during data recovery
A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for accessing data during data recovery. In some embodiments, this includes sending an I/O request from an application to an object, wherein the object is being recovered, establishing an I/O intercept, intercepting the application's I/O request with the I/O intercept, and redirecting the I/O request based on the status of the object's sub-objects. |
| US09697085B2 |
Presenting a file system for a file containing items
What is disclosed is a method of operating a volume access system. The method includes processing at least a first file to generate a file system view of the first file comprising a plurality of items within the first file, and providing the file system view of the first file over a network interface as a hierarchical data volume. The method also includes receiving an access request for a requested item of the hierarchical data volume over the network interface, and in response, providing access to a first item of the plurality of items within the first file corresponding to the requested item. |
| US09697082B2 |
Method and apparatus of disaster recovery virtualization
Systems and methods described herein involve a virtual storage utilized to virtualize the storage of storage systems across multiple sites. The virtual storage is associated with a virtual multipath control. The virtual multipath control manages the virtual path state of the inter-physical storage, the remote copy volume state which has primary volume or secondary volume state, and the volume copy operation mode such as synchronous copy mode journal copy mode, or bitmap resync mode. The virtual multipath control of the virtual storage facilitates choices from the host for a preferred site, path, state, and volume by utilizing a virtual multipath state from a get virtual multipath information command. |
| US09697081B2 |
Storage control device and data recovery method
A storage control device includes a processor. The processor is configured to acquire, when a first fault has occurred in a first storage device, first storage data to be used in recovery of the first storage device from a plurality of first storage control devices. The processor is configured to derive, when a second fault has occurred in a second storage device controlled by a second storage control device, first processed data from the first storage data. The first processed data is to be used in recovery of the second storage device. The processor is configured to notify the second storage control device of the first processed data. |
| US09697072B2 |
Self-correcting complex event processing system and corresponding method for error correction
Certain example embodiments relate to a complex event processing, CEP, system, including an error correction component configured to receive a stream of events including at least one event from at least one event source. The error correction component is configured to detect at least one error in the at least one event. The error correction component is configured to emit a corrected stream of events including at least one event, which can then be processed by at least one event processing application. |
| US09697065B1 |
Systems and methods for managing reset
A method for managing a reset process in a processing system is provided. The method includes enabling a watch dog unit based on a power-on reset (POR) event. A stuck in reset condition indication is received at the watch dog unit and used to determine whether the received reset condition indication corresponds to an unintentional reset condition. If the received reset condition indication is an indication of an unintentional reset condition, a watch dog POR trigger signal is generated and a reset state machine is repeated for system recovery. |
| US09697063B2 |
Allocating data based on hardware faults
A data storage service receives a request to store data into a data storage system that consists of many physical data storage locations, each location having various physical characteristics. The data storage service determines a proper location for the data based on data placement rules applied to the physical data storage locations such that a set of proper locations is identified. The data storage service can place the data according to data placement rules. |
| US09697061B1 |
Parameter delegation for encapsulated services
A service provider system may provide virtualized computing services to clients, including encapsulating services that call other (encapsulated) services. Once configured to delegate parameters to encapsulated services, an encapsulating service (and its API) may not need to be modified when an encapsulated service (or its API) is modified to support more, fewer, or different features or corresponding arguments. For example, an encapsulating service may receive a service request call from a client that includes arguments for an encapsulated service (e.g., as header information, or as an opaque block or uninterpreted key-value dictionary) and may call the encapsulated service, blindly passing along those arguments. An encapsulating service may access stored policy-based arguments or obtain arguments from a central service. Arguments passed to an encapsulated service may override default parameters of the service. An encapsulating service may blindly proxy responses received from an encapsulated service to a client. |
| US09697057B2 |
Automated transfer of user data between applications utilizing different interaction modes
Software that preserves information provided by a user in a first application utilizing a first interaction mode for use by a second application utilizing a second interaction mode, by performing the following steps: (i) generating a natural language log describing an interaction between a user and a first application, where the user interacts with the first application utilizing a first interaction mode; (ii) analyzing the natural language log using natural language processing to determine first user data; and (iii) utilizing the first user data by a second application, where the user interacts with the second application utilizing a second interaction mode different from the first interaction mode, and where the second application does not receive the first user data from the user via the second interaction mode. |
| US09697051B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing services via cloud-based analytics
An approach is provided for providing services via cloud based analytics. An analytics platform determines one or more data propagation policies associated with propagating user information from at least one device to one or more cloud components. The analytics platform also processes and/or facilitates a processing of the one or more data propagation policies to cause, at least in part, a propagation of the user information to the one or more cloud components, wherein the propagation causes, at least in part, the user information to be available to one or more applications, one or more services, or a combination thereof. |
| US09697048B2 |
Non-uniform memory access (NUMA) database management system
Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for managing non-uniform memory access (NUMA) in a database management system. An embodiment operates by receiving a request to load data from a disk into an in-memory database. An optimal one of the plurality of nodes onto which to load the data from the disk based on a system state is determined. It is determined whether the optimal node has sufficient free local memory in a free list to store the data. If the optimal node does not have sufficient free list memory, a memory allocation is requested from an operating system. An address of the memory storing the data is provided. |
| US09697046B2 |
Managing resource reservations in a highly parallel application
A method for managing computing resource reservations comprises receiving a first reservation, at a reservation system, for a requested amount of computing resources for a virtual application from a total pool of available resources. The method further comprises adding the first reservation to a database of existing reservations if the requested amount of computing resources is available and associating the first reservation with a universal timestamp. The method also comprises verifying that the requested amount of computing resources is still available by: summing a total of all existing reservations in the database with a same target and reservation type as the first reservation and with a universal timestamp before the universal timestamp associated with the first reservation; and subtracting the sum total of those existing reservations from the total pool of available resources to produce a difference. The method then comprises comparing the difference to the requested amount of computing resources. If the requested amount of computing resources is less than the difference, the method provisions the requested resources for the virtual application. If the requested amount of computing resources is more than the difference, the method returns an error message. |
| US09697037B2 |
Tagging virtual machine instances based on commands
Aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards a method of receiving a first command for a virtual machine (VM) instance. This includes performing automatic command line parsing on the first command. This can further include associating, based on automatic command line parsing, a first tag with the VM instance. This can further include causing the first tag to be displayed as associated with the VM instance. |
| US09697030B2 |
Connection identifier assignment and source network address translation
A controller of a network control system for configuring several middlebox instances is described. The middlebox instances implement a middlebox in a distributed manner in several hosts. The controller assigns a first set of identifiers to a first middlebox instance that associates an identifier in the first set with a first packet. The controller assigns a second set of identifiers to a second middlebox instance that associates an identifier in the second set with a second packet. |
| US09697025B2 |
Managing virtual machine policy compliance
A method for managing virtual machine policy compliance. The method for restoring compliance of a virtual machine found to be non-compliant to a compliance rule may comprise detecting non-compliance of a virtual machine using a compliance agent, detaching the virtual machine from a network, creating a copy of a compliance repository volume, mounting the newly requested disk resource having stored the copy of the compliance repository volume, applying a remediation action to the virtual machine, and triggering by the compliance agent a compliance scan for ensuring that the virtual machine complies to the compliance rule. |
| US09697017B2 |
Configuring and processing management information base (MIB) in a distributed environment
There is provided an information processing apparatus for configuring and processing Management Information Base (MIB)Information in a Distributed Environment. The information processing apparatus adds a new function to the information processing apparatus as a plug-in, adds, as a Management Information Base (MIB) of Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), information concerning the new function added by the first adding unit in a management area in which MIBs other than standard MIBs are managed, receives an inquiry about a function of the information processing apparatus related to an MIB other than the standard MIB s, and controls a program that manages a plug-in for the function indicated by the inquiry to perform a process and return a result for the inquiry. |
| US09697008B2 |
Hiding logical processors from an operating system on a computer
Hiding logical processors from an operating system (OS) of a computer is described. In an example, a method of hiding at least one logical processor in a computer having a plurality of logical processors includes: initializing the plurality of logical processors by executing a pre-boot routine in system firmware; identifying at least one logical processor of the plurality of logical processors to be hidden from an operating system (OS) of the computer to provide at least one hidden logical processor and at least one visible logical processor; placing each of the at least one hidden logical processor into a system management mode (SMM) by executing a park routine in the system firmware; and booting the OS of the computer to use the at least one visible logical processor. |
| US09697006B2 |
Technique for performing memory access operations via texture hardware
A texture processing pipeline can be configured to service memory access requests that represent texture data access operations or generic data access operations. When the texture processing pipeline receives a memory access request that represents a texture data access operation, the texture processing pipeline may retrieve texture data based on texture coordinates. When the memory access request represents a generic data access operation, the texture pipeline extracts a virtual address from the memory access request and then retrieves data based on the virtual address. The texture processing pipeline is also configured to cache generic data retrieved on behalf of a group of threads and to then invalidate that generic data when the group of threads exits. |
| US09697004B2 |
Very-long instruction word (VLIW) processor and compiler for executing instructions in parallel
A Very Long Instruction Word (VLIW) processor having an instruction set with a reduced size resulting in a small number of bits being necessary to specify registers. The VLIW processor includes a register file, and first through third operation units, and executes a very long instruction word. Further, the very long instruction word includes a register specifying field which specifies a least one of the registers in the register file and a plurality of instructions. The operand of each instruction includes bits src1, src2, and dst, which indicate whether or not the registers specified by the register specifying field are to be used as the source register and the destination register. |
| US09697003B2 |
Method and system for yield operation supporting thread-like behavior
A method, system, and computer program product synchronize a group of workitems executing an instruction stream on a processor. The processor is yielded by a first workitem responsive to a synchronization instruction in the instruction stream. A first one of a plurality of program counters is updated to point to a next instruction following the synchronization instruction in the instruction stream to be executed by the first workitem. A second workitem is run on the processor after the yielding. |
| US09696992B2 |
Apparatus and method for performing a check to optimize instruction flow
An apparatus and method for performing a check on inputs to a mathematical instruction and selecting a default sequence efficiently managing the architectural state of a processor. For example, one embodiment of a processor comprises: an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) to perform a plurality of mathematical operations using one or more source operands; instruction check logic to evaluate the source operands for a current mathematical instruction and to determine, based on the evaluation, whether to execute a default sequence of operations including executing the current mathematical instruction by the ALU or to jump to an alternate sequence of operations adapted to provide a result for the mathematical instruction having particular types of source operands more efficiently than the default sequence of operations. |
| US09696990B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing inter-component function calls
A method of implementing inter-component function calls. The method comprises generating a lower tier indirection data structure comprising an entry indicating a location in memory of a function within a first software component, a higher tier indirection data structure comprising an entry indicating a location in memory of the lower tier indirection data structure, and a configuration data structure comprising an entry defining an active version of the first software component. The method further comprises implementing executable computer program code for an inter-component function call by referencing entries within the configuration data structure, the higher tier indirection data structure and the lower tier indirection data structure. |
| US09696982B1 |
Safe host deployment for a heterogeneous host fleet
Technologies are described herein for deploying an update to hosts in a heterogeneous host fleet. One or more relevant host attributes for hosts in the host fleet are identified. Hosts in the fleet of hosts are classified into groups based on the identified relevant host attributes. A pilot host set is built by selecting one or more hosts from one or more of the groups according to a pilot host selection criteria. The update is deployed to the hosts included in the pilot host set as a test deployment. If the test deployment is successful, the update is deployed to the remaining hosts in the fleet of hosts; otherwise, the deployment is modified to continue the deployment to a subset of the host or to cancel the deployment and to restore the hosts in the pilot host set to their previous states. An analysis may be conducted based on the deployment data to provide recommendations for future deployments. |
| US09696981B2 |
Incremental deployment of computer software program logic
Systems and methods for requesting computer software program logic by a client computing device from a server are provided. The method at the server comprises receiving a request for the computer software program logic from the client device along with a first list comprising details about multiple modules running on the client device; determining a second list comprising details about multiple modules required to deploy the computer software program logic on the client device; checking whether the modules of the second list need to be substituted based on their availability or suitability; updating the second list; checking whether the client device has permission rights for accessing the modules of the updated second list; and sending an object comprising the modules of the updated second list to the client device, the updated second list comprising details about the modules required for deployment of logic on the client device. |
| US09696976B2 |
Method for optimizing processing of character string during execution of a program, computer system and computer program for the same
A method, computer system and computer program for optimizing the processing of a character string during execution of the program by using characteristic information that indicates a characteristic of the character string and is associated with the character string. The method includes the steps of determining, on the basis of a characteristic of a first character string and operation for the first character string, a characteristic information of at least one of the first character string and a second character string obtained as a result of the operation, and associating the characteristic information with the at least one character string. |
| US09696973B1 |
Compilation cache with imports scanner
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for using an imports scanner to maintain a compilation cache. One of the methods includes receiving an original set of source code files to be compiled for a compilation target. Each file in in the original set having an entry point is added to a reduced set of source code files. Each unscanned file in the reduced set of source code files is scanned for import statements until no unscanned files in the reduced set of source code remain. Each file identified by an import statement is added to the reduced set of source code files. If the reduced set of files is not represented by an entry in a compilation cache, the compilation target is generated using only the reduced set of source code files instead of the original set of source code files. |
| US09696972B2 |
Method and apparatus for updating a web-based user interface
A method and apparatus for updating a web-based user interface. The method comprises generating a user interface for a host application, accessing the user interface in a web browser, and modify the user interface within the web browser during run-time of the application.The apparatus comprises a user interface, a user interface updater, a web browser, and a host application. The web browser provides a way to display, access, and modify the user interface for communicating with the host application. The user interface updater generates the user interface and modifies the user interface in response to command information received from the web browser. |
| US09696970B2 |
Dynamic Java bean for visualage for Java
A uniform strategy for the general problem of providing custom editors and initialization strings for beans (all “dynabeans” inherit from a common bean class that incorporates this strategy. This is then extended to allow the initialization strings to be stored in a relational database. The database function is an extension of the function provided by the VisualAge Persistence Builder (using some of the EADP extensions). An important advantage of this approach is that many changes to the application can now be handled by adjusting the database version of the bean definition, without a need to touch the underlying code. This will reduce down time for the application, and also improve application stability. |
| US09696969B2 |
Multi language editor
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or method that facilitates creating a portion of an industrial process. An interface component can receive a first portion of data associated with a first programming language and a second portion of data associated with a second programming language, wherein the first programming language is independent and disparate of the second programming language. An editor component can create at least one of a portion of an industrial process or a portion of a mixed language object by enabling the combination of the first portion of data and the second portion of data independent of the respective programming languages. |
| US09696966B2 |
Software development tool to automatically generate an optimized executable
The software development tool (701) forms part of a software development kit (700). The software development tool (701) receives as input object files (606) and library files (607) and subjects the object file instructions and data definitions of the object files and the library files to re-sequencing to generate new object files and the links between them which are semantically equivalent to the input object files and library files and which are used to generate an optimized executable. The software development tool (701) is capable of automatically generating an executable, without requiring any modification of the source code, which is optimized to execute more deterministically and with respect to execution time; reduced processor and memory requirements; reduced off-chip memory accesses; reduced memory latency. |
| US09696964B2 |
Multiply adder
A floating point multiply add circuit 24 includes a multiplier 26 and an adder 28. The input operands A, B and C together with the result value all have a normal exponent value range, such as a range consistent with the IEEE Standard 754. The product value which is passed from the multiplier 26 to the adder 28 as an extended exponent value range that extents lower than the normal exponent value range. Shifters 48, 50 within the adder can take account of the extended exponent value range of the product as necessary in order to bring the result value back into the normal exponent value range. |
| US09696962B1 |
Harmonic tracking equalizer
The Harmonic Tracking Equalizer (HTEq) is an apparatus for and method of carrying out harmonic tracking equalization processing of an electrical signal, and apparatuses for and methods of controlling such equalization processing of the signal to dynamically sense the time-varying spectrum of an input signal and closely match a user desired audio signal spectrum while preserving the original dynamic range of the signal. The harmonically (sub-harmonically) tracked equalization is according to a user specified spectral request specified by a control interface that allows a user to request an amount of equalization to be applied to the signal. This apparatus is intended to process audio signals; though, it has general application to waveforms of other source and higher frequency content. |
| US09696960B2 |
Loudness level control for audio reception and decoding equipment
The application discusses a computer implemented method and apparatus for performing audio equalization in an audio receiver device, such as an integrated receiver/decoder or set top box, or integrated TV, connected to one or more audio playback devices, such as a television unit, computer screen and speakers, amplifier or home theater equipment. The method and apparatus use an equalization process which compares audio signals received in different audio formats (e.g. MPEG-1 Layer II, AC-3 2.0, AC-3 5.1 and HE-AAC) with one another, allowing a correction gain factor to be determined for equalizing the perceived loudness of the signals when played-back at a connected playback device. The correction gain factor is then applied in the audio receiver device before output. |
| US09696959B2 |
Display device and positioning method
A display device receiving an image is provided. The display device includes a micro control unit and a plurality of transceivers. The plurality of transceivers are disposed in a plurality of corners of the display device respectively and connected with the micro control unit. When the display device corporately display the image with a plurality of the display devices, the transceivers in the display device detects detected information from the transceivers in the adjacent display devices, and the micro control unit determines an absolute coordinate information of the display device according to the detected information, wherein the display device displays a portion of the image according to the absolute coordinate information of the display device. |
| US09696953B1 |
Method and apparatus for device activity mapping with device placement
A system monitors usage of devices, such as document processing devices, relative to users, user's locations and device location. A display is generated that shows device utilization by various users allowing system administrators to gage efficiency and effectiveness of device placement. A graphical display of a premises layout, such as an office floorplan, includes indicia for user location and device location. Modification of size or color provides visual feedback for devices, device use pairing, and relative activity levels. Storage of historic usage allows for an administrator to move indicia relative to the layout screen, such as dragging and dropping of new devices, moving devices into new locations or removal of devices, to predict and display how user activity may be affected. |
| US09696950B2 |
Analysing image content
A computer implemented method of analyzing the content of a digital image, for example a page to be printed, computes a boundary enclosing all the non-white content of the image. The image within the boundary is then divided into regions based on a predetermined division rule. For each region the number of unique colors and the proportion of non-white pixels are computed. The image is then categorized according to the result of those computations. The categorization can be used to automatically set print settings according to the content of the image. |
| US09696947B1 |
Fault identification for a printing system
A system and method include a printing system with printing modules through which print media is transferred. The printing modules include sensors and a fault detection component. A printing system includes a fault identification system (FIS) and a scheduler. The FIS includes, a machine learning component, a Dependency-matrix component and an optimal search component. The optimal search component repeatedly implements a Rate of Return (ROR) that links the probabilities of occurrences of faults to a priori probabilities of faults and a detection function of the ROR to elements of the D-matrix, determines a ROR value, provides a benefit, and sends one more test to a scheduler of the printing system, which then physically implements the one more test. The prior steps are repeated until a stopping condition is reached and a fault is diagnosed. |
| US09696946B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method thereof
An image forming apparatus, including a storage unit wirelessly accessible from an external device, switches its operation mode related to wireless access of the image forming apparatus between an active mode in which a signal for wirelessly connecting to an external device is transmitted and a passive mode enabling access to the storage unit in response to a signal for wireless connection from an external device. |
| US09696945B2 |
Print apparatus and print system that reports the situation of the print apparatus
Disclosed is sprint apparatus, including: an information reporting unit that prepares a file indicating a predetermined situation to be reported, by using information having a predetermined format which can be displayed by a filer, and stores the file in a storing area which can be browsed by an external device via a network. |
| US09696944B2 |
Media aware distributed data layout
A storage system includes a plurality of vdisks, with each vdisk containing a plurality of storage segments, and each segment providing a specific class of service (CoS). Each vdisk stores files with data and meta data distributed among its storage segments. A storage system includes a memory having multiple classes of service. The system includes an interface for storing a file as blocks of data associated with a class of service in the memory. The interface chooses the class of service for a block on a block by block basis. |
| US09696942B2 |
Accessing remote storage devices using a local bus protocol
A method for data storage includes configuring a driver program on a host computer to receive commands in accordance with a protocol defined for accessing local storage devices connected to a peripheral component interface bus of the host computer. When the driver program receives, from an application program running on the host computer a storage access command in accordance with the protocol, specifying a storage transaction, a remote direct memory access (RDMA) operation is performed by a network interface controller (NIC) connected to the host computer so as to execute the storage transaction via a network on a remote storage device. |
| US09696941B1 |
Memory system including memory buffer
A memory system may include a memory module accessed by a first address, a memory controller configured to provide a read or write command for the memory module according to a host request, and a memory buffer accessed by a second address. The memory buffer may include a register file having two or more entry spaces corresponding to interleaving units of the memory module, and the two or more entry spaces may be positioned in different address areas which are accessible at the same time. |
| US09696935B2 |
Storage device that secures a block for a stream or namespace and system having the storage device
A storage device includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device including a plurality of physical blocks and a memory controller. The memory controller is configured to associate one or more physical blocks to each of a plurality of stream IDs, execute a first command containing a first stream ID received from a host, by storing write data included in the write IO in the one or more physical blocks associated with the first stream ID, and execute a second command containing a second stream ID received from the host, by selecting a first physical block that includes valid data and invalid data, transfer the valid data stored in the first physical block to a second physical block, and associate the first physical block from which the valid data has been transferred, with the second stream ID. |
| US09696934B2 |
Hybrid solid state drive (SSD) using PCM or other high performance solid-state memory
Techniques for implementing a hybrid non-volatile memory storage system are disclosed. The hybrid memory system may include a first non-volatile memory; a second non-volatile memory; and a memory controller to analyze a type of an operation and a characteristic of the operation, to determine a state of the second non-volatile memory, and to determine whether another operation is being implemented on the second non-volatile memory, the memory controller selectively implementing an operation on one of the first non-volatile memory and the second non-volatile memory segment based on the type of the operation, the characteristic of the operation, the state of the second non-volatile memory, and whether another operation is being implemented on the second non-volatile memory such that the memory controller implements the operation on the first non-volatile memory concurrently with the other operation being implemented on the second non-volatile memory based on the type of the operation. |
| US09696921B2 |
Method of and system for enhanced data storage
A method of and system for enhanced storage allows more data to be backed up than would otherwise be possible. Instead of storing uncompressed base images and incremental images, differentials of non-current base images are compressed and stored. Furthermore, incremental images that are older than the current base image are removed. By only saving differential base images that are compressed, aside from the newest base image, and deleting older incremental images, a significant amount of space is saved. A removable drive is used as temporary storage in the process of generating a compressed differential base for previous base images. Additionally, a process ensures that previous base images are differentials of the most recent base image and not each other. |
| US09696919B1 |
Source/copy reference tracking with block pointer sets
A technique for managing file systems that support block sharing places a source/copy attribute in each block pointer. The source/copy attribute identifies the respective block pointer as either a source-block pointer or a copy-block pointer. A reference count on each data block maintains a count of the number of source-block pointers pointing to the data block but excludes the number of copy-block pointers pointing to the data block. Block pointers are arranged in block pointer sets (BPSs), and sharing relationships are formed among BPSs and copies of BPSs. The sharing relationships generally keep most block sharing information at the BPS level, with reference counts on data blocks tracking only the number of source-block pointers, which is typically small, often being equal to one. |
| US09696918B2 |
Protection and recovery from sudden power failure in non-volatile memory devices
A method for data storage includes, for a memory including groups of memory cells, defining a normal mode and a protected mode, wherein in the protected mode a respective analog value of each memory cell remains at all times unambiguously indicative of a respective data value stored in that memory cell. Data is initially stored in the memory using the normal mode. In response to an event, the protected mode is reverted to for at least one of the groups of the memory cells. |
| US09696917B1 |
Method and apparatus for efficiently updating disk geometry with multipathing software
Example embodiments of the present invention relate to a method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for updating disk geometry in a multipathing environment. The method includes receiving a disk geometry update for a logical unit on a storage array accessible via a multipathing device in the multipathing environment. The method then includes translating the disk geometry update for the logical unit for each respective disk device aggregated by the multipathing device. Requests for the logical unit then may be issued according to the updated geometry. |
| US09696914B2 |
System and method for transposed storage in RAID arrays
A system and method of transposed storage in RAID arrays includes a storage manager with an interface for receiving storage requests associated with multi-segment blocks stored in a storage array, a controller for processing the received storage requests and controlling the storage manager, and a write request handler. The storage array includes a plurality of storage devices for which consecutive logical addresses are assigned to different ones of the storage devices. The write request handler is configured to process block write requests and send segment write requests to the storage array based on the write requests so that each segment of a given multi-segment block is written to a single respective one of the storage devices in the storage array. In some embodiments, the storage manager further includes a read request handler configured to determine logical addresses of requested segments and send segment read requests to the storage array. |
| US09696911B2 |
Operation method of nonvolatile memory system and operation method of user system including the same
A nonvolatile memory system includes a memory controller and a nonvolatile memory. A method of operating the nonvolatile memory system includes receiving a command that includes an urgency level from an external device, adjusting an operation time of an operation of the command based on the urgency level, completing the operation of the command within the adjusted operation time, and transmitting a completion response to the external device. |
| US09696904B1 |
Facilitating text entry for mobile healthcare application
A method for facilitating entry of items for a healthcare software application loaded on an electronic device includes displaying, to a healthcare practitioner via a display of a mobile electronic device, an interface of a healthcare software application including a text entry box and a virtual keyboard; receiving, from the healthcare practitioner via the virtual keyboard, first input corresponding to entry of a first text string; continuously, during entry of the first text string, comparing input characters to a maintained list of items associated with healthcare, and displaying a popover including items found to match, based on the comparing, input characters; receiving, from the healthcare practitioner, second input corresponding to selection of a particular item displayed in the popover; and inserting, into the text entry box based on the received second input, a text string corresponding to the selected particular item. |
| US09696901B2 |
Apparatus and method for recognizing touch of user terminal based on acoustic wave signal
An apparatus and method for recognizing a touch of a user terminal are provided. The method includes retrieving, by a controller, an acoustic wave signal according to an input generated from an exterior and analyzing the acoustic wave signal. In addition, the controller is configured to detect a type kind and strength of the acoustic wave signal and adjust the screen data of the output unit to correspond to the detected type and strength of the acoustic wave signal. |
| US09696899B2 |
Multi display apparatus and multi display method
A multi display apparatus includes a first body including a first display, a second body including a second display, a hinge configured to rotatably connect the first body and the second body to support the first body and the second body, a sensor configured to sense a first user manipulation made in a nondecisive location of a nonstructured first screen displayed on the first display and to sense a second user manipulation made in a nondecisive location of a nonstructured second screen displayed on the second display, and a controller configured to combine the sensed first user manipulation and second user manipulation to perform an operation corresponding to a result of the combination. |
| US09696896B2 |
Method and system for visualizing patterns during internet browsing
A computer-implemented method for visualizing patterns during internet browsing includes loading a web page in response to a user opening a browser. The web page includes web content. The computer-implemented method also includes initializing a marker corresponding to the web page, the marker implying beginning of a web session. Further, the computer-implemented method includes creating a visual pattern during the web session. The visual pattern includes the marker. Furthermore, the computer-implemented method includes terminating the marker implying end of the web session. Moreover, the computer-implemented method includes analyzing the visual pattern to infer a corresponding significance factor. The computer-implemented method includes performing appropriate actions on the web content based on the significance factor. |
| US09696894B2 |
Analytic process design
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and system for developing an analytic process. The method includes displaying, within an electronic system, a plurality of components operable to be used for designing a data analysis process. A user makes a selection of a data access component from the plurality of components. The data access component is operable for configuring access to a data source. The method further includes the user making a selection of a data selection component from the plurality of components and a data display component. The data selection component is operable for selecting data accessed via the data access component. The data display component is operable for configuring display of data based on the data selection component. Configuration data corresponding to the data access component, the data selection component, and the data display component can then be stored. |
| US09696886B2 |
Systems and methods for communicating task reminders on portable electronic devices
Embodiments are provided for communicating reminders of pending tasks to users of electronic devices before the electronic devices lose battery power. According to certain aspects, an electronic device can generate (220) a battery trigger when the battery level decreases below a certain threshold. The electronic device retrieves (224, 226) a listing of pending scheduled tasks, incomplete tasks, and routine tasks that a user may wish to complete. The electronic device presents (232) the listing of pending tasks to the user and enables the user to select (234) one or more of the pending tasks. The electronic device initiates (240) a corresponding application to enable the user to complete the selected pending task. |
| US09696884B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating personalized media streams
An approach is provided for mixing at least one additional element on top of a media stream. A mix media platform determines at least a first media item for rendering in a first application. The mix media platform next determines one or more interactions with at least one connecting user interface element to associate a first representation of the first media item with a second representation of one or more media sources of a second application. The mix media platform then causes, at least in part, a mixing of the first media item and at least a portion of one or more second media items associated with the one or more media sources to cause, at least in part, a generation of a mix item. |
| US09696881B2 |
System and method for captioning media
A method for collaboratively captioning streamed media, the method including: rendering a visual representation of the audio at a first device, receiving segment parameters for a first media segment from the first device, rendering the visual representation of the audio at a second device, the second device different from the first device, and receiving a caption for the first media segment from the second device. |
| US09696880B2 |
Screen management system
A screen management system may receive a user input to divide a screen area and divide the screen area into a plurality of divided screen areas. A different application may be displayed in each of the divided screen areas. User input comprised of dragging a resizing bar in a direction is received and the plurality of divided screen areas are resized in response to the user input. |
| US09696878B2 |
System and method for abstracting a display
A system comprises a physical display unit and an aircraft system component. The aircraft system component is configured to output a first signal for display according to a first display format. The system also includes an abstraction component configured to generate a virtual display page according to the first protocol based on the signal received from the aircraft system component and to map the virtual display page into two or more modified pages. Each of the modified pages is configured according to a second display format and corresponds to a respective portion of the virtual display page. The abstraction component is further configured to output a second signal comprising a first of the two or more modified pages to the physical display unit for display according to the second display format. The abstraction component is configured to output a signal comprising a second modified page based on user input. |
| US09696877B2 |
Character-string completion
This disclosure describes techniques enabling character-string completion. These techniques present characters and character strings responsive to a selected prior character and enable selection of one of these characters or character strings quickly, easily, and/or accurately. |
| US09696876B2 |
Context sensitive active fields in user interface
A method for enabling at least one user interface display field to perform at least one action is provided. The method may include receiving a first user action associated with the at least one user interface display field. The method may further include activating the at least one user interface display field in response to the received first user action. Additionally, the method may include determining a context associated with the activated at least one user interface display field. The method may also include applying the determined context associated with the activated at least one user interface display. The method may further include receiving a second user action associated with the activated at least one user interface display field based on the applied determined context. The method may also include executing the received second user action. |
| US09696875B2 |
Managing an e-mail response
A method for managing an e-mail response based on the e-mail domains of the recipients is provided. The method receives a first e-mail sent to a plurality of e-mail addresses that includes e-mails with different domain names, provides a list of different domain names associated with a plurality of e-mail addresses and an e-mail address of a sender of the first e-mail, generates, based on a selection of one or more of the different domain names, a distribution list including one or more e-mail addresses limited to e-mail addresses having a selected domain name, and providing the distribution list in an addressee field associated with the e-mail response. |
| US09696869B2 |
Mobile terminal and control method thereof
In a mobile terminal and a control method thereof, the mobile terminal includes a display unit configured to display a plurality of objects, a detector configured to detect information associated with an object selected by a user from the plurality of objects, and a controller configured to generate a second display window when the user selects at least one of the plurality of objects, the second display window being separate from a first display window for displaying the plurality of objects, and output information detected by the detector on the generated second display window. |
| US09696868B2 |
System and method for providing three-dimensional graphical user interface
Methods and systems are provided for an improved three-dimensional graphical user interface. In one embodiment, the method generally comprises: receiving a plurality of inputs from a user and opening a plurality of applications in response thereto, wherein outputs from each application are displayed (e.g., individually) within a two-dimensional space. The method further comprises allowing a user to switch between the plurality of applications by generating images of each output, and displaying those images (e.g., collectively) within a three-dimensional space. The user can then interact with a particular application by selecting a corresponding one of the images displayed within the three-dimensional space. In one embodiment, the method further comprises replacing the output(s) in two-dimensional space with the images in three-dimensional space, and replacing the images in three-dimensional space with the output from the selected application in two-dimensional space. |
| US09696866B2 |
Remote wireless screen sharing method, device and system
Provided are a remote screen sharing method, device and system. The method includes: establishing a wireless screen sharing session with sink equipment, and acquiring capability information of the sink equipment; establishing a connection with remote equipment, and acquiring capability information of the remote equipment and network information of the remote equipment; determining an intersection of display capabilities of the sink equipment and the remote equipment according to the capability information of the sink equipment, the capability information of the remote equipment and the network information of the remote equipment; and receiving a screen content of the sink equipment via the wireless screen sharing session, and sharing the screen content of the sink equipment to the remote equipment according to the intersection of the display capabilities. The problem of poor compatibility during remote screen sharing is solved, and the effect of improving equipment compatibility during remote screen sharing is achieved. |
| US09696864B2 |
Determination of a terminal's position for displaying a GUI element
Computer-implemented method for providing access control to a function of an analyzer is presented. A user's log-in data is received from a first data entry terminal. Information descriptive of a position of the first data entry terminal is obtained. It is determined whether the position of the first data entry terminal is within a physical operating (PO) area of the analyzer. A user activatable position sensitive (PS) GUI element is displayed on the first data entry terminal if the position of the first data entry terminal is determined to be within the PO area. The activatable PS GUI element triggers, upon activation, the execution of the function. The execution of the function comprises the execution of a physical action by the analyzer. The display of the user activatable PS GUI element is otherwise prohibited or a non-activatable PS GUI element indicative of the function is displayed. |
| US09696854B2 |
Projection display
An optical module includes a polarized-light separation device configured to separate first and second polarized components of incident light, a light valve configured to receive at least the first polarized component, and output at least a portion of the received light to the polarized-light separation device. The optical module further includes an imaging device disposed at a position that is at least substantially optically conjugated with the light valve, and an optical member positioned and configured to remove at least a portion of the second polarized component of the incident light before reaching the image pickup device. |
| US09696852B2 |
Electronic device for sensing 2D and 3D touch and method for controlling the same
An electronic device having a function for sensing 2D and 3D touch which includes a display unit; a bezel frame unit; a plurality of light emitting units; a plurality of light receiving units; a light isolation unit configured to isolate a first light for sensing 2D touch and a second light for sensing 3D touch from the lights incident thereon from the light emitting units; a driving control unit configured to sequentially operate the plurality of the light emitting units; and a motion recognition unit configured to calculate a horizontal coordinate based on the quantity of the first light, to calculate a spatial coordinate based on the quantity of the second light, to extract a motion of the pointer based on the detected quantity of the light and to implement an operation corresponding to the extracted motion. |
| US09696851B2 |
Capacitive touch panel having an on-cell type and a laminated structure
An on-cell capacitive touch panel is disclosed. Its laminated structure includes a LCD module, a touch sensing module, and a polarizing module. The touch sensing module is disposed on the LCD module. The polarizing module is disposed on the touch sensing module. The touch sensing module includes a touch sensor pattern having a single-layer ITO structure. The touch sensor pattern includes a first pattern unit and a second pattern unit which are the same and both have at least one first electrode, second electrode, and extending electrode. The first electrode is arranged along a first direction and the second electrode is arranged along a second direction. The first direction and second direction are vertical. The first electrode crosses the second electrode via a bridge structure. The extending electrode surrounds the first electrode and it is arranged along the first direction. |
| US09696849B1 |
Method and system for trackpad input error mitigation
In response to detecting a predetermined pressure change between two consecutive contacts on a trackpad of a computing device, the two consecutive contacts are ignored. In response to detecting a predetermined pressure change of a single contact on the trackpad, the single contact is ignored. After detecting a new contact on the trackpad after a predetermined period of time without any contact on the trackpad, any movement tied to a predetermined amount of increasing pressure on the trackpad for the new contact is temporarily discarded, for a preset amount of time. |
| US09696846B2 |
Touch device and method for driving the same
The present disclosure discloses a touch device and a method for driving the same which is capable of enabling the touch device to operate a higher display refresh rate when there is no touch. The touch device comprises a touch panel, a timing controller, a touch controller, a controller, and a sensor. The sensor is configured to detect whether there is an object contacting or approaching the touch panel, and to output a first indication signal if there is no object contacting or approaching the touch panel and a second indication signal if there is an object contacting or approaching the touch panel. The controller is configured to control the timing controller to output a first display scanning signal when the first indication signal is received and to control the timing controller to output a second display scanning signal when the second indication signal is received. The scanning frequency of the first display scanning signal is higher than that of the second display scanning signal. |
| US09696843B2 |
AMOLED pixel circuit, a driving method thereof and a display device
The present invention provides an AMOLED pixel circuit, a driving method thereof and a display device which can improve the integration degree of the in cell touch circuit and the AMOLED driving circuit. The AMOLED pixel circuit comprises: a light emitting module, a touching module, a controlling module and a driving amplifier module. The embodiments of the present invention are used for manufacturing the AMOLED display device. |
| US09696842B2 |
Three-dimensional cube touchscreen with database
A display system that detects the point of touch and three-dimensional direction of a pressure exerted by an object on a surface to select a corresponding spot on a real object. The system is comprised of a touching cube, a plurality of sensors attached to the touching cube, a microprocessor that receives the output of the plurality of sensors, a database, and a presentation unit that highlights a spot on the real object corresponding to the point of touch and three-dimensional direction. |
| US09696841B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling an electric device
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for controlling an electric device. The electric device has a touch screen. The method comprises: detecting whether there is an operation input on the touch screen so as to generate a piece of detection information; when the detection information indicates that there is an operation input on the touch screen, forming a sliding track on the touch screen in response to the operation; judging whether the sliding track meets a predetermined condition so as to generate judgment information, wherein the predetermined condition is that the sliding track is a curvilinear track and comprises a first contact point and a second contact point, the first contact point and the second contact point being contact points which coincide or not coincide with each other; determining an independent operation area on the touch screen based on the sliding track, and determining a display orientation of a displayed object within the independent operation area based on the sliding track when the judgment information indicates that the sliding track meets the predetermined condition. |
| US09696840B2 |
Information processing method and electronic device
An information processing method and an electronic device related to a field of communication technique are described. The method includes obtaining an operation performed by an operator on the electronic device, wherein the operation is capable of producing a force on the electronic device detecting a parameter of the operation; deforming the electronic device in response to the operation when the parameter satisfies a first condition; and generating a control instruction based on the operation when the parameter does not satisfy the first condition or satisfies a second condition, and at the same time maintaining the electronic device to be not deformed or to be deformed in a degree lower than a preset threshold. A false operation can be avoided in the process of bending the flexible screen, and accuracy of operation with respect to the flexible screen can be improved. |
| US09696833B2 |
Promoting sensor isolation and performance in flexible sensor arrays
Sensors incorporating piezoresistive materials are described. One class of sensors includes conductive traces formed directly on or otherwise integrated with the piezoresistive material. |
| US09696831B2 |
Touch sensor and method for detecting touch input
A method and apparatus for detecting touch input at a touch sensor is provided. The touch sensor comprises a plurality of row traces, a plurality of column traces and an intersection corresponding to an identified row trace of the plurality of row traces and an identified column trace of the plurality of column traces. The touch sensor also includes at least one driver for driving the plurality of column traces and at least one reader for reading the plurality of row traces. The drivers and the readers scan the identified intersection by entering into a with-floating scan state, reading a first value for the identified row trace, entering into a without-floating scan state and reading a second value for the identified row trace. The presence of a touch input is accordingly determined based on the first and second values. |
| US09696828B2 |
Touch module
A touch module having a sensing area and a non-sensing area is provided. The touch module includes a cover covering the sensing and non-sensing areas, a first and a second sensing electrode layers disposed in the sensing area, a first and a second circuit layers disposed in the non-sensing area, a shielding layer, and a blocking layer. The first and second circuit layers are electrically connected to the first and second sensing electrode layers respectively. The first and second circuit layers at least partially overlap each other along a direction perpendicular to a surface of the cover. The shielding layer is disposed in the non-sensing area and between the first and second circuit layers. The blocking layer is disposed on aforementioned surface and in the non-sensing area. The blocking layer at least partially overlaps the first circuit layer, the second circuit layer, and the shielding layer along aforementioned direction. |
| US09696826B2 |
Stylus with low-power detector
In one embodiment, a stylus includes a receiver for receiving signals wirelessly transmitted by a device. The stylus can alternate, during a first period of time, power supplied to the receiver between a first power for a first duration and a second power for a second duration. The first power is greater than the second power. The stylus can determine how many events exceeding an event criteria occurred the each first duration, and if the events exceed a threshold, the stylus can initiate wakeup components in the stylus for communicating with the device by initiating a provision of third power to those components. The third power is greater than the first power. When the first period of time expires, the stylus can provide low power to the receiver for a second period of time. |
| US09696823B2 |
Computer and method for sharing input device thereof
According to the present invention, a computer is provided, which comprises a host system, an embedded subsystem, a power source, an input device control module, a first transmission interface and a second transmission interface, the input device control module being connected to the embedded subsystem through the first transmission interface, wherein the input device control module is configured to establish, in response to receipt of a first switching instruction, communication with the embedded subsystem such that the embedded subsystem is enabled to process input data from an input device and to transmit the input data obtained from the input device to the first transmission interface; and the embedded subsystem is configured to receive the input data from the first transmission interface, process the input data and perform an operation corresponding to the input data. According to the present invention, one set of input devices can be shared between a computer and an embedded system through design and modification in software without any change in the existing hardware design for the computer. |
| US09696817B2 |
Portable electronic device including keyboard and method of controlling the same
A portable electronic device includes a touch-sensitive display including a display and display touch-sensors to detect touches, and a keyboard including mechanical keys associated with characters, the mechanical keys including depressible keycaps to output the characters and keyboard touch sensors to detect touches on the mechanical keys. A processor is coupled to the keyboard and to the touch-sensitive display to detect a touch at a location associated with a signature entry field displayed on the touch-sensitive display, in response to detecting the touch, enter a keyboard signature process, detect a moving touch on the mechanical keys of the keyboard, along a path of contact of the touch on the mechanical keys, and, in response to detecting completion of the moving touch, enter a signature defined by the path of contact of the touch on the mechanical keys into the signature entry field. |
| US09696814B2 |
Information processing device, gesture detection method, and gesture detection program
It is possible to operate a device while reducing erroneous recognition of a device even when a line of sight does not face the device in an accurate direction. An information processing device that detects a motion of a user includes a detecting unit that detects the motion of the user and a face direction of the user from an image photographed by an imaging unit, a detected motion determining unit that determines whether or not the motion detected by the detecting unit is an operation on the information processing device based on the face direction of the user and position information of the information processing device stored in a storage unit, and a display content control unit that causes a display unit to reflect the motion when the detected motion determining unit determines that the motion detected by the detecting unit is the operation on the information processing device. |
| US09696813B2 |
Gesture interface robot
A gesture interface robot (GIR) automatically measures a work zone to establish virtual puzzle cells located in a user gesture comfortable area. The GIR allows the user to easily move hands to press selected virtual keys so as to prevent injury. The GIR draws virtual keyboard images that display commands on virtual puzzle cells. The GIR uses video vision sensing to detect user's hand location on the virtual keyboard images. Special unique gesture hand sings are designed for enhancing hand control virtual key selections. A push-hand-z-dimensional distant is divided into 3 selectable zones. A real-time display highlights a selected key graphic image to be visually seen by the user. Using a UIRT cable to send IR signal to a remote control computer. The GIR instantly generates a virtual puzzle cell keyboard or controller that the user selected. The GIR introduces a new gesture interface method, a touch screen mouse combined with puzzle cell virtual keys in sandwich layers gesture zones and a method for operating computer keys and mouse operations. |
| US09696812B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing user input using motion of object
A user input processing apparatus using a motion of an object to determine whether to track the motion of the object, and track the motion of the object using an input image including information associated with the motion of the object. |
| US09696811B2 |
Electronic apparatus and method
An electronic apparatus and a method are disclosed. The electronic apparatus can be worn on a wrist of a user and can have established a data connection to a remote apparatus. The electronic apparatus includes a first image collecting unit for collecting an image; a storing unit for storing image collected by the first image collecting unit; a gesture detecting unit for detecting a gesture of the user; a data transmitting unit for transmitting data with the remote apparatus; a control unit for activating the first image collecting unit when it is determined that a first gesture of the user is detected; and activating the data transmitting unit to transmit the image stored in the storing unit to the remote apparatus when it is determined that a second gesture of the user is detected. |
| US09696810B2 |
Managing ink content in structured formats
Managing ink content in structured formats on a computing device is provided. Ink content may be received by the computing device. The ink content may then be recognized by the computing device to correspond to a content format associated with one or more applications. The ink content may then be converted by the computing device into a content associated with the one more applications. |
| US09696807B2 |
Custom vibration patterns
The present disclosure describes technology, which can be implemented as a method, apparatus, and/or computer software embodied in a computer-readable medium, and which, among other things, be used to create custom feedback patterns in response to user input, for example, in response to the user inputting a desired pattern of tactile events detected on a mobile device. For example, one or more aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in one or more methods that include receiving tactile input from a user of an electronic device specifying a custom feedback pattern, in concert with receiving tactile input, providing feedback to the user corresponding to the received tactile input, and storing the specified custom feedback pattern for use by the electronic device to actuate feedback signaling a predetermined notification event. |
| US09696806B2 |
Systems and methods for multi-output electrostatic haptic effects
One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to determine a haptic effect, wherein the haptic effect includes a static ESF effect or a confirmation ESF effect; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes an ESF controller in communication with the processor, the ESF controller configured to receive the haptic signal, determine an ESF signal based at least in part on the haptic signal, and transmit the ESF signal. The illustrative system further includes an ESF device in communication with the ESF controller, the ESF device including an ESF cell and configured to receive the ESF signal and output the haptic effect. |
| US09696802B2 |
Short range wireless powered ring for user interaction and sensing
In general, the short range wireless powered ring described herein pertains to a finger-worn ring. In one embodiment the ring has a small interaction area towards the palm of the hand that employs sensors to sense user input and can interpret this input and other data. For example, the ring can interpret user input as scroll and select input actions. The ring communicates user interactions and other data wirelessly using a low-power wireless solution. The ring contains a coil and other circuitry for energy harvesting from short range wireless enabled devices such as, for example, NFC enabled phones, while users interact with their devices. A built in rechargeable battery is used to store the scavenged energy. The ring may also contain physiological and inertial sensors. The ring can provide a readily available input device of small form factor that has an easily accessible energy source for ease of use. |
| US09696801B2 |
Eye-controlled user interface to control an electronic device
Techniques for providing an eye-controlled user interface for an electronic device are described. In some examples, a process includes establishing a control link between a device and a visual control circuit, the visual control circuit having an image sensor and a visual feature disposed substantially proximate to the image sensor at a control point, receiving an image by the image sensor, evaluating the image to determine whether an eye is oriented substantially toward the control point, determining whether a control action is intended, and, if the control action is intended, deriving the control action, and using the control link to perform the control action. |
| US09696799B2 |
Information display device that displays information on a screen
An information display device that displays plural pieces of display information on a screen while laying out these pieces of display information, including: a gaze judger that judges whether or not the user is gazing at the screen; a display area change detector that detects a change of the display area of the display information; a display area determinator that, when a change of the display area is detected when the user is gazing at the screen, determines a display area according to a ratio of the change of the display area; and a display information display that displays the display information according to the display area of the display information. Even when the layout of the display information is changed in a state in which the user is not gazing at the screen, a change from a state in which an original display is produced is displayed when the user is gazing at the screen. |
| US09696798B2 |
Eye gaze direction indicator
A user of a computing system gazes at an image of visible objects in the user's field of view. The computing system determines the direction of the user's eye gaze into the field of view, and augments the image seen by the user with a computer-generated gaze direction indicator. The computing system may also determine the direction of an auxiliary pointer into the field of view, and may further augment the image seen by the user with a computer-generated auxiliary pointer direction indicator. The gaze direction indicator may be adjusted based on the user's eye movement and the auxiliary pointer direction indicator may be adjusted based on manipulation of the auxiliary pointer. The direction indicators may intersect over an object in the user's field of view, and may be displayed on a transparent display screen positioned between the user and the object. |
| US09696795B2 |
Systems and methods of creating a realistic grab experience in virtual reality/augmented reality environments
The technology disclosed relates to a method of realistic rotation of a virtual object for an interaction between a control object in a three-dimensional (3D) sensory space and the virtual object in a virtual space that the control object interacts with. In particular, it relates to detecting free-form gestures of a control object in a three-dimensional (3D) sensory space and generating for display a 3D solid control object model for the control object during the free-form gestures, including sub-components of the control object and in response to detecting a two e sub-component free-form gesture of the control object in the 3D sensory space in virtual contact with the virtual object, depicting, in the generated display, the virtual contact and resulting rotation of the virtual object by the 3D solid control object model. |
| US09696790B2 |
Power management through power gating portions of an idle processor
Processor power may be managed by executing state storage and power gating instructions after receiving an idle indication. The idle indication may be received while the processor is executing instructions in a first mode, and the processor may execute the state storage and power gating instructions in a second mode. The state storage and power gating instructions may be inaccessible to the processor when operating in the first mode. |
| US09696789B2 |
Sub-system power management control
An apparatus is disclosed that includes a processing sub-system having a plurality of processor circuits and an interrupt control circuit. The interrupt control circuit is configured to, in response to a peripheral interrupt, initiate performance of a task indicated by the peripheral interrupt by at least one of the plurality of processor circuits. The processing sub-system is configured to generate a power-down control signal in response to suspension of the plurality of processor circuits. A power management circuit disables power to the processing sub-system, including the interrupt control circuit, in response to the power-down control signal. The power management circuit enables power to the processing sub-system in response to a power-up control signal. The apparatus also includes a proxy interrupt control circuit configured to generate the power-up control signal in response to receiving a peripheral interrupt and power to the processing sub-system being disabled. |
| US09696788B2 |
Electronic apparatus and control method therefor
An electronic apparatus and a control method are provided that are capable of reducing power consumption. The electronic apparatus having a normal mode in which first electric power is consumed and a power-saving mode in which second electric power lower than the first electric power is consumed includes a first sensor and a second sensor whose power consumption is lower than that of the first sensor. In the power-saving mode, supply of power to the first sensor is restricted, the second sensor is set to the power-saving mode, a trigger for restoring the power-saving mode to the normal mode is detected by using the second sensor set to the power-saving mode, and the power-saving mode is restored to the normal mode based on the detected trigger. |
| US09696773B2 |
Consumption unit for effectively managing energy sources
A network system is provided. The network system includes: at least one component selected from an energy receiving unit receiving energy and an energy management unit managing the energy receiving unit. The energy receiving unit or the energy management unit receives energy rate related information; an energy usage amount or a usage rate of when the component is controlled on the basis of at least the energy rate related information is less than that of when the component is controlled without the basis of at least energy rate related information; if the energy rate related information is high cost information, a function of one component constituting the energy receiving unit is limited; and an operating time or an output of the energy receiving unit is adjusted in correspondence to the limited function of one component. |
| US09696769B1 |
Compute chassis having a lid that secures and removes air baffles
A chassis includes a base, a lid, and air baffles disposed within the base. The lid slidably engages opposing base side walls and slides between secured and unsecured positions. In one embodiment, a mechanical latch attaches to the lid and has a spring-biased latch arm for selectively locking the lid to the base and a latch hook for selectively locking the air baffle to the lid, wherein depressing the mechanical latch releases the lid from the base and physically separating the lid from the base causes the latch hook to secure the air baffle for removing the air baffle along with the lid. In another embodiment, a first magnet is attached to the lid and a second magnet is attached to the air baffle, wherein sliding the lid to the unsecured position aligns the first and second magnets and magnetically couples the air baffle to the lid. |
| US09696763B2 |
Display system with a flexible display
A display system includes a continuous flexible display, two book halves, two main display supports, and a movement synchronizing coupling. The two book halves is connected to each other via a hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism has two hinges, and each hinge is rotatable about respective axis. Each of the two main display supports connects to one of the two book halves and is configured to support the flexible display. The coupling is connected to the two main display supports and rotating about a rotation axis that is parallel to the axis of hinge to enable a synchronized movement of the two main display supports. |
| US09696762B2 |
Unlocking method and electronic apparatus
An unlocking method and an electronic apparatus are described. The unlocking method is applied in an electronic apparatus that includes a first body, a second body, and a capacitance detecting unit wherein the first body and the second body are locked by a locking mechanism. The method includes detecting whether there is an unlocking operation from a first user based on the capacitance detecting unit; generating an unlocking instruction in response to the unlocking operation when the unlocking operation is detected; and executing the unlocking instruction to control the locking mechanism to release lock, so as to make the first body able to be separated from the second body. |
| US09696760B1 |
Adjusting a configuration of a display device
An electronic device is provided to solve the problem of a relatively single form of an electronic device in the prior art. The electronic device comprises: a first main body; a connector; a second main body, being connected to the first main body through the connector, and can perform a first motion operation relative to the first main body via the connector, the second main body can perform a second motion operation along a second path via the connector. |
| US09696759B2 |
Electronic device
The present disclosure provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes a fixing structure, a display module, a cover glass, a first adhesive, and a second adhesive. The fixing structure includes a receiving portion and a fixing portion around the receiving portion. The display module is received in the receiving portion. The cover glass is located above the fixing portion and the display module. The first adhesive is located between the fixing portion and the cover glass to adhere the fixing portion with the cover glass. A groove is defined in the first adhesive. A hole is defined in the fixing portion corresponding to the groove. The second adhesive is injected in the groove via the hole to adhere the fixing portion with the cover glass. |
| US09696757B2 |
Transfer of attributes between generations of characters
A system in which attributes are transferred between generations of characters in an interactive software experience is described. In an embodiment, data identifying one or more hardware attributes for a virtual entity are received from a physical user device associated with that virtual entity. One or more virtual attributes for the virtual entity are accessed and one or more behaviors of the virtual entity within the interactive software experience are modified based on a combination of the hardware and virtual attributes. |
| US09696754B2 |
Hinge having multiple degrees of freedom
Techniques for forming a hinge are described herein. The hinge is to couple a first housing of a computing device and a second housing of the computing device. The hinge is to cause the first housing to have three degrees of freedom in movement from the second housing. |
| US09696753B2 |
Touch panel
A touch panel with improved optical characteristics, thin-film characteristics, durability, and reliability is presented. The touch panel includes: a plurality of first sensing electrodes located on a surface of the substrate and arranged along a first direction and a plurality of second sensing electrodes arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction; a first connector connecting the first sensing electrodes along the first direction; an insulating layer pattern which is disposed on the first connector; and a second connector which is disposed on the insulating layer pattern, intersects the first connector to be insulated from the first connector, and connects the second sensing electrodes along the second direction, wherein at least one of the first sensing electrodes includes: a first metal conductive pattern disposed on the surface of the substrate and includes a plurality of first fine metal lines; and a first transparent conductive pattern which is disposed on the first metal conductive pattern, wherein the first transparent conductive pattern includes a first portion that overlaps the first connector. |
| US09696742B2 |
Multi-measurement vortex flowmeter
Two-wire transmitters are described in which the required voltage that a control room must supply to the transmitter is lower at high current than at low current, thus freeing up more voltage for other uses, and in which a constant set of operating voltages may be maintained. A corrected pressure in a vortex flow meter may be determined that reflects the mass flow rate. Thus, the mass flow rate may be determined based on the corrected pressure reading and a measured volumetric flow rate. Density may be determined from pressure and temperature using a table containing error values based on a standard density determination and a relatively simple approximation. During operation of a flow meter, the stored error values may be linearly interpolated and the approximation may be computed to determine the density from the stored error value. |
| US09696741B2 |
Method and device for feeding electrical power into an electrical power supply network
A method for feeding electrical power into an electrical power supply network is described. A configuration for supplying electrical power in the form of DC voltage has been provided and it is connected to the power supply network through an inverter. An MPP tracker (31) has been provided for influencing the inverter, from which an intermediate circuit desired voltage (udc, ref) is determined. A modulation regulator (33) has been provided, from which a given reactive power desired value (Qref) is changed to a reactive power value (Q*). The inverter (17) is influenced by the intermediate circuit desired value (udc, ref) and the reactive power value (Q*). |
| US09696740B2 |
Method and apparatus to change generator start delay and runtime following outage
A system for providing backup power to a facility includes a generator, and a controller configured to determine whether electrical power to the facility has been interrupted, determine a mode of operation based on a type of occupancy currently within the facility, and if electrical power has been interrupted, then operate the generator based on the determined mode. |
| US09696737B2 |
Surge current compensating circuit and comparator module
A surge current compensating circuit has a compensating current generation unit and a bias unit, for compensating a surge current drawn from a supply power after an output signal of a specific circuit transits. The compensating current generation unit electrically coupled to the output stage of the specific circuit draws a compensating current form the supply power according to the output signal. The compensating current substantially equals to the surge current, and a summation of a current flowing through the output stage of the specific circuit and the compensating current is substantially unchanged regardless whether the output signal transits or not. The bias unit electrically coupled to the compensating current generation unit provides a bias to the compensating current generation unit to receive the compensating current passed through the compensating current generation unit or output the compensating current to the compensating current generation unit. |
| US09696731B2 |
Pressure regulating device
The pressure regulating device (10) is adapted to be interposed between a pressurized fluid supply and a fluid receiving space into which the pressurized fluid is discharged at a regulated reduced pressure. The device (10) including a housing (12) and a diaphragm assembly (30), wherein the housing (12) includes an apparatus for coupling to the pressurized fluid supply in a sealed manner, and a diaphragm chamber (18) adapted to communicate with the fluid receiving space through a fluid discharging passage (23) and being separated from the pressurized fluid supply by a barrier wall (26) having a central port (28) extending therethrough, wherein the diaphragm assembly (30) includes an elastic diaphragm (31) connected to a throttle head (34) by a stem (32), the stem (32) extending through the central port (28) to define a flow passage therein, and the diaphragm (31) being secured along its periphery to the housing (12) so that in its initial position, the diaphragm (31) rests on a planar upper surface of the barrier wall (26). |
| US09696729B2 |
Microfluidic system
The present invention provides microfluidic technology enabling rapid and economical manipulation of reactions on the femtoliter to microliter scale. |
| US09696726B2 |
Orbit attitude control device, and method of controlling orbit attitude
An orbit attitude control device includes a plurality of nozzles for injecting combustion gas supplied from a combustion chamber, and a control section configured to calculate nozzle opening degree correction values so that a deviation between a detection value of the pressure of the combustion chamber and a command value becomes smaller. The control section is configured to calculate a total correction value so that the deviation between the detection value and the command values becomes smaller. A total value T1 for first group nozzles and a total value T2 for second group nozzles are calculated. The total correction value is distributed to the opening degree correction values for the first group nozzles with a ratio of T2/(T1+T2) and to the opening degree correction values for the second group nozzles with a ratio of T1/(T1+T2). |
| US09696725B2 |
Methods for launching and landing an unmanned aerial vehicle
Methods and apparatus are provided for launching and landing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) including multi-rotor aircrafts. The methods and apparatus disclosed herein utilize positional change of the UAV, visual signal, or other means to effect the launch or landing. The methods and apparatus disclosed herein are user friendly, particularly to amateur UAV users lacking practice of operating a UAV. |
| US09696724B1 |
Takeoff automating system, device, and method
A system, device, and method for a takeoff (T/O) of an aircraft are disclosed. The T/O automating system may include an autothrottle system configured with a plurality of thrust modes, an autopilot system configured with a plurality of vertical guidance modes; and a flight management computer (FMC). The FMC may be configured to perform the method of receiving of input data representative of inputs of a T/O profile selection, a first profile altitude, a second profile altitude, and/or a third altitude; generating output data representative of outputs which includes a command engaging a thrust mode and a command engaging a vertical guidance mode to provide pitch attitude guidance commensurate to a speed and/or vertical speed; and providing the output data to the autothrottle system and the autopilot system. In some embodiments, the T/O profile could be a profile designed for one or more noise abatement departure profiles. |
| US09696723B2 |
Smart trailer hitch control using HMI assisted visual servoing
A method for autonomously aligning a tow hitch ball on a towing vehicle and a trailer drawbar on a trailer through a human-machine interface (HMI) assisted visual servoing process. The method includes providing rearview images from a rearview camera. The method includes touching the tow ball on a display to register a location of the tow ball in the image and touching the drawbar on the display to register a location of a target where the tow ball will be properly aligned with the drawbar. The method provides a template pattern around the target on the image and autonomously moves the vehicle so that the tow ball moves towards the target. The method predicts a new location of the target as the vehicle moves and identifies the target in new images as the vehicle moves by comparing the previous template pattern with an image patch around the predicted location. |
| US09696722B1 |
Light steering device with an array of oscillating reflective slats
A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device scans through a scanning zone while emitting light pulses and receives reflected signals corresponding to the light pulses. The LIDAR device scans the emitted light pulses through the scanning zone by reflecting the light pulses from an array of oscillating mirrors. The mirrors are operated by a set of electromagnets arranged to apply torque on the mirrors, and an orientation feedback system senses the orientations of the mirrors. Driving parameters for each mirror are determined based on information from the orientation feedback system. The driving parameters can be used to drive the mirrors in phase at an operating frequency despite variations in moments of inertia and resonant frequencies among the mirrors. |
| US09696718B2 |
Method for trouble managing of equipment
A method for trouble managing in equipment is provided, with which optimal timing of repairing the equipment and occurrence of malfunction probable to occur concurrently with present malfunction or later stage can be inferred with sufficient accuracy, and which can be adopted for large-scale equipment used in a plant. The method for trouble managing of equipment by monitoring operation condition of the equipment with a monitoring means and inferring cause of malfunction of the equipment by an inference means which infers the cause of the malfunction using measured data concerning the operation condition obtained by the monitoring means when malfunctions occur as nodes of the inference means, comprises selecting acoustic data most similar to sound emitted from the equipment in which malfunction has occurred from among a plurality of acoustic data provide beforehand, selecting morphologic data most similar to a pattern of operating condition in the equipment from among a plurality of morphologic data provide beforehand, adding the selected acoustic data and the selected morphologic data to the nodes, and performing inference of cause of the malfunction of the equipment by a first Bayesian network base on the nodes. |
| US09696717B2 |
Apparatus and method of segmenting sensor data output from a semiconductor manufacturing facility
An apparatus and method of segmenting sensor data are provided. The apparatus includes a sensor, a first segmentation unit, a continuity evaluation unit, a second segmentation unit, and a segmentation determination unit. The sensor collects sensor data for a process of the semiconductor manufacturing facility. The first segmentation unit extracts a variation point of the sensor data to perform an abnormal difference (AD) segmentation on the sensor data based on the at least one variation point. The continuity evaluation unit evaluates a continuity ratio of the sensor data. The second segmentation unit performs a free-knot spline (FS) segmentation on the sensor data when the continuity ratio exceeds a reference ratio. The segmentation determination unit compares the AD segmentation result with the FS segmentation result and to select one of the results on the comparison result. |
| US09696714B2 |
Numerical controller for controlling a tool and distinguished workpiece and jig
A numeric controller is provided with a three-dimensional model storage which stores a three-dimensional model of at least one of a workpiece and a jig; a three-dimensional measuring unit which integrally measures shapes of the workpiece and the jig fixed to the machine tool; and a shape processor generating an integrally measured model based on the measured data, in which the workpiece and the jig being integrally recognized, measured by the three-dimensional measuring unit, and further generating, regarding at least one of the workpiece and the jig, an individually measured model in which the workpiece or the jig is individually measured based on the generated integrally measured model and the three-dimensional model of the workpiece or the jig. |
| US09696713B2 |
Method for grinding machining of bevel gears in the single-indexing method
A method for grinding bevel gears (1), wherein a first grinding tool (2) is used during a first method section and a second grinding tool is used during a second method section. A measurement system (30) is used to carry out a measuring procedure, in which sampling values can be ascertained for at least a part of first flanks of the bevel gear workpiece (1), which enable a statement about the concentricity error of this bevel gear workpiece (1) in the present chucking. Concentricity correction dimensions are ascertained by computer on the basis of the sampling values, and an adaptation of machining movements of the second method section is performed on the basis of the concentricity correction dimensions. |
| US09696700B2 |
Mechanical teleoperated device for remote manipulation
A mechanical teleoperated device for remote manipulation includes a slave unit having a number of slave links interconnected by a plurality of slave joints; an end-effector connected to the slave unit; a master unit having a corresponding number of master links interconnected by a plurality of master joints; and a handle connected to a distal end of the master unit. The device further includes first device arranged to kinematically connect the slave unit with the master unit, second device arranged to kinematically connect the end-effector with the handle, and a mechanical constraint device configured to ensure that one master link of the master unit is guided along its longitudinal axis so that the corresponding slave link of the slave unit always translates along a virtual axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guided master link in the vicinity of the remote manipulation when the mechanical teleoperated device is operated. |
| US09696699B2 |
Self-organizing sensing and actuation for automatic control
A Self-Organizing Process Control Architecture is introduced with a Sensing Layer, Control Layer, Actuation Layer, Process Layer, as well as Self-Organizing Sensors (SOS) and Self-Organizing Actuators (SOA). A Self-Organizing Sensor for a process variable with one or multiple input variables is disclosed. An artificial neural network (ANN) based dynamic modeling mechanism as part of the Self-Organizing Sensor is described. As a case example, a Self-Organizing Soft-Sensor for CFB Boiler Bed Height is presented. Also provided is a method to develop a Self-Organizing Sensor. |
| US09696698B2 |
Method and system for handling batch production within ANSI/ISA/95 production scheduling extended with batch production parameter historian
We add a new entity Production Parameter History to the ISA-95 Production Schedule Model, thereby extending the model. The new entity stores the recent history of the values assumed by a subset of batch parameters most relevant for production control and resource planning, thus without the ERP system being charged with retrieving the historian from a log or from a warehouse in order to schedule the plant production. Putting together the batch information present in the ISA-95 Segment Requirement and the new Production Parameter History, the MES creates and stores a fully Electronic Batch Record close to a real situation found during product manufacturing. The MES system can provide the Electronic Batch Record to the ERP system through the ISA-95 Production Performance model extended thereof, since a production performance report is made up of a set of one or more Production Responses associated with Production Requests. |
| US09696696B2 |
Substation automation system with dynamic multicast filter
Exemplary embodiments provide substation automation systems for operating a high or medium voltage substation for an electric power transmission or distribution network. The substation automation system includes a multitude of secondary devices, which transmit and receive data from/to each other via multicast packets. The secondary devices include packet filters, which are adapted to be set up dynamically during the runtime of the substation automation system, in order to update the rules for forwarding multicast packets received from the station bus system to the application running on the secondary devices. |
| US09696695B2 |
Battery control system, battery controller, battery control method and program
Provided is a battery control system including a power generation unit that generates electric power from renewable energy as an energy source, a battery storing the electric power, a power generation amount estimation unit that estimates a generation amount of electric power generated by the power generation unit, based on estimation information in which a renewable energy amount available to the power generation unit is estimated, a power consumption amount estimation unit that estimates power consumption, a determination unit that determinates whether or not electric power is to be stored in the battery, based on a storage amount of the battery, the generation amount of electric power and the amount of power consumption, and a power acquisition unit that acquires electric power to be stored in the battery, when, as a result of determination by the determination unit, electric power is to be stored in the battery. |
| US09696693B2 |
Apparatus and system for controlling window coverings to adjust admitted daylight
The present invention is an apparatus, system, method, computer program, and computer program product for controlling window coverings to adjust admitted daylight. More particularly, the present disclosure plates to a control system for controlling the amount of daylight admitted through adjustable window coverings. In an embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a stand-alone open loop proportional control subsystem including a calculation or algorithm that is operable to convert a sunlight sensor signal to a blind slat position based on a predetermined curve stored in memory. In another embodiment of the present invention, the system is operable to transmit the sunlight sensor information, for example, such as in Lux, to an external system, which may then provide blind slat position requests based on some other curve, algorithm, or user need. The blind slat position may be controlled by the system to avert undesirable solar heat gains and also achieve significant daylight harvesting. |
| US09696691B2 |
Access key for a motor vehicle with near-field communication exchange capability
The invention relates to an access key (1) for unlocking a motor vehicle, comprising: —a communication interface (112) configured so as to communicate according to an NFC protocol; —a support containing data constituting service provision rights; —a monitoring circuit (111) able to process a transaction by way of said communication interface (112) on the basis of said data constituting the service provision rights; characterized in that it comprises a housing (106) for receiving a support containing data constituting service provision rights of removable type (2), and in that it comprises a read and/or write interface (113) in the removable support placed in the housing, the monitoring circuit (111) being configured so as to allow an exchange of data between the communication interface and the read/write interface. |
| US09696690B2 |
Multi-segment wearable accessory
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to facilitate the use of a multi-segment wearable accessory. In this regard, methods, apparatus and computer program products are provided for controlling and, in some instances, interacting with a multi-segment wearable accessory. Each screen presented on or capable of being presented on the display of a segment of the multi-segment wearable accessory may be considered a virtual segment, and the number of virtual segments may be greater than the number of physical segments of the accessory. One or more of the virtual segments may be associated with one or more of the segments in an overlaid configuration, such that a topmost virtual segment is presented for viewing while another virtual segment lies below the topmost virtual segment, hidden from the user's view. A virtual segment may be replaced with presentation of another virtual segment in response to rotation of the accessory. |
| US09696689B2 |
Electronic timepiece
An electronic timepiece including: a clocking unit which counts current date and time; a daylight saving time application unit which applies daylight saving time information corresponding to positional information to the date and time counted by the clocking unit; a radio wave reception unit which receives radio waves including daylight saving time implementation information of a predetermined area; a daylight saving time information acquisition unit which acquires the daylight saving time implementation information from the received radio waves; a storage unit in which a daylight saving time implementation rule of each area in the world is stored in advance; and an information selection unit which selects, as the daylight saving time information, one of the daylight saving time implementation information and the daylight saving time implementation rule corresponding to a current position on the basis of the current position and the daylight saving time implementation information. |
| US09696686B2 |
Method and device for focussing a microscope automatically
A method for automatic focusing of a microscope with a microscope objective on a selected area of a specimen, in which a digital hologram of the selected area of the specimen is generated in an off-axis mode and a microscope with which the method is implemented. The digital hologram is used to determine, on the optical axis of the microscope objective, a focus position to be set in which the selected area of the specimen is optimally in focus. Subsequently, a control system is used to set the microscope to the focus position determined and thus is focused on the area selected. |
| US09696682B2 |
Image forming apparatus and drum unit with conveying unit for conveying toner removed from photosensitive drum
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a body casing, a drum unit movable between an inside position and an outside position, and a waste toner storage unit, and wherein the drum unit comprises a photosensitive drum, a cleaning unit to remove toner remaining on a surface of the photosensitive drum, and a conveying unit including a conveying member to convey the toner in a moving direction of the drum unit, and a conveying tube to accommodate the conveying member and to have a discharging outlet through which the toner is discharged to the waste toner storage unit, and wherein the conveying tube comprises: a first conveying tube to extend in the moving direction and to accommodate the conveying member, and a second conveying tube to be connected to the first conveying tube and to extend in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the first conveying tube extends. |
| US09696681B2 |
Image forming apparatus including brush roller that charges photosensitive drum and removes toner remaining on circumferential surface of photosensitive drum
An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum and a brush roller. The photosensitive drum has a circumferential surface on which a toner image is to be formed. The brush roller rotates while in contact with the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum to charge the photosensitive drum. The brush roller removes toner remaining on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum. |
| US09696676B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a sheet supply tray, and a restriction member configured to restrict movement of the sheet supply tray to outside of the main body and including an arm configured to move between a restriction position and a withdrawal position, and a restriction release surface. One of the main body and the sheet supply tray includes the restriction member. The other one includes a first inclined surface and a contact surface. The restriction release surface is configured to, when the sheet supply tray moves from an inside position toward outside of the main body, contact the restriction member to cause the restriction member to move from the restriction position to the withdrawal position by that the sheet supply tray located at the outside position pivots around a downstream end of the sheet supply tray in the attachment direction. |
| US09696674B2 |
Optical sensor and image forming apparatus
An optical sensor includes a light source; and an optical detector detecting intensity of light that is reflected by a recording medium, the light from the light source and irradiated onto the recording medium. Further, when an incident angle of the light incident the recording medium from the light source relative to a normal line of the recording medium is given as θ1, a formula 75°≦θ1≦85° is satisfied. |
| US09696670B2 |
Fixing device with recording medium temperature control
A fixing device includes a fixing unit that fixes a developer on a recording medium, a first heating unit, and at least one second heating unit. The first heating unit is disposed at an upstream side of the fixing unit in a transport direction of the recording medium, and heats the recording medium so that a temperature of the recording medium is set at a first temperature that is equal to or lower than a temperature of the fixing member and is equal to or higher than a thermal deformation temperature at which the recording medium is deformed. The at least one second heating unit comes into contact with the recording medium at a downstream side with respect to the first heating unit and at an upstream side with respect to the fixing unit, and heats the recording medium at a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. |
| US09696664B2 |
Image forming apparatus, image formation system and recording medium
An image forming apparatus includes a second cleaning section, an image formation control section configured to control an image forming section to form a high-coverage patch on a transfer belt, and a cleaning control section configured to control the second cleaning section to perform cleaning of the patch on the transfer belt. |
| US09696659B2 |
Development apparatus and image forming apparatus
A developing apparatus includes a first auger and a second auger for respectively conveying a developer in a first direction and a second direction, an opening for delivering the developer from the first auger to the second auger, a discharger located in the first direction from the opening to discharge the developer conveyed by the first auger, and a retention member provided on at least one of the first auger and the second auger to retain the developer circulated by the first and second augers. |
| US09696653B2 |
Developing device and image forming apparatus
A developing device includes a developer carrier, a thickness restricting portion, and an airflow rotor. The developer carrier rotates while carrying a developer on an outer circumferential surface thereof. The thickness restricting portion is disposed spaced apart from the developer carrier, and restricts the thickness of the two-component developer carried by the developer carrier. The airflow rotor is a rotor that rotates in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the developer carrier, at a position spaced apart from an upper surface of the thickness restricting portion and from the outer circumferential surface of the developer carrier. The airflow rotor generates airflow in a space between the airflow rotor and the upper surface of the thickness restricting portion. |
| US09696650B2 |
Image forming apparatus that corrects a light quantity emitted from chips having light emitting elements
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit in which multiple chips including multiple light emitting elements are arranged in a main scanning direction, the image forming unit forming an image on a recording medium, a reading unit that reads the image fixed on the recording medium by a fixing unit, a density specification unit that specifies a density of a region in the image for each of the chips, the region corresponding to each of the chips, a correction amount specification unit that specifies a correction amount of light quantity from the chip based on an approximate value obtained by approximating the density of a region corresponding to a chip arranged in a predetermined range from a chip for which the correction amount of the light quantity is specified, and a correction unit that corrects the light quantity in accordance with the correction amount. |
| US09696645B2 |
Toner for electrostatic charge image development
The present invention relates to a toner for electrostatic charge image development containing a binder resin, wherein the binder resin contains a hybrid crystalline polyester resin in which a crystalline polyester resin segment and a segment of an amorphous resin other than a polyester resin are chemically bonded, and an amorphous resin, the hybrid crystalline polyester resin and the amorphous resin having a specific phase-separated structure; and the hybrid crystalline polyester resin is a graft-copolymer having a specific structure, the toner having the specific thermal properties. According to the present invention, a means capable of providing an excellent low temperature fixability even to uneven media, and of improving both of image storability and heat-resistant can be provided. |
| US09696644B2 |
Resin for toner and toner
The present invention provides a crystalline polyester resin having a sharp melt property that realizes both fixing performance and blocking property and demonstrates favorable charging performance, in which the crystalline polyester resin for toner, satisfying the following relationships, 25≦Tg≦70, and (Tg+273)/(Mp+273)≧0.75, wherein Tg (° C.) represents a glass transition temperature of the crystalline polyester resin for toner, and Mp (° C.) represents a melting point of the crystalline polyester resin for toner. |
| US09696643B2 |
High opacity laser printable facestock
A multilayer laminate such as a label assembly having high opacity and desirable appearance characteristics is described. The laminate includes a facestock layer, an adhesive layer, and a liner layer. The facestock layer includes a print-receiving top coat layer that includes a combination of titanium dioxide and one or more optical brighteners. The combination of these materials avoids build up of static charges upon laser printing on the facestock. |
| US09696638B2 |
Lithographic apparatus
A lithographic apparatus including a substrate table position measurement system and a projection system position measurement system to measure a position of the substrate table and the projection system, respectively. The substrate table position measurement system includes a substrate table reference element mounted on the substrate table and a first sensor head. The substrate table reference element extends in a measurement plane substantially parallel to the holding plane of a substrate on substrate table. The holding plane is arranged at one side of the measurement plane and the first sensor head is arranged at an opposite side of the measurement plane. The projection system position measurement system includes one or more projection system reference elements and a sensor assembly. The sensor head and the sensor assembly or the associated projection system measurement elements are mounted on a sensor frame. |
| US09696632B2 |
Mirror for the EUV wavelength range, method for producing such a mirror, and projection exposure apparatus comprising such a mirror
A mirror (1) for the EUV wavelength range having a reflectivity of greater than 40% for at least one angle of incidence of between 0° and 25° includes a substrate (S) and a layer arrangement, wherein the layer arrangement has at least one non-metallic individual layer (B, H, M), and wherein the non-metallic individual layer (B, H, M) has a doping with impurity atoms of between 10 ppb and 10%, in particular between 100 ppb and 0.1%, providing the non-metallic individual layer (B, H, M) with a charge carrier density of greater than 6*1010 cm−3 and/or an electrical conductivity of greater than 1*10−3 S/m, in particular with a charge carrier density of greater than 6*1013 cm−3 and/or an electrical conductivity of greater than 1 S/m. |
| US09696630B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
Lithography apparatus and device manufacturing methods are disclosed in which means are provided for reducing the extent to which vibrations propagate between a first element of a projection system and a second element of a projection system. Approaches disclosed include the use of plural resilient members in series as part of a vibration isolation system, plural isolation frames for separately supporting first and second projection system frames, and modified connection positions for the interaction between the first and second projection system frames and the isolation frame(s). |
| US09696629B2 |
Photoresist pattern trimming compositions and methods
Photoresist pattern trimming compositions are provided. The compositions comprise: a matrix polymer, an aromatic sulfonic acid and a solvent, wherein the aromatic sulfonic acid comprises one or more fluorinated alcohol group. Also provided are methods of trimming a photoresist pattern using the trimming compositions. The compositions and methods find particular applicability in the manufacture of semiconductor devices. |
| US09696624B2 |
Nanoparticle-polymer resists
A composite, which is a blend comprising: a nanoparticle comprising a core and a coating surrounding the core; and a polymer, wherein the coating of the nanoparticle comprises a ligand, wherein the ligand is a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C16 carboxylic acid or a salt thereof, a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C16 amino acid or a salt thereof, a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C16 dialkyl phosphonate, or a combination thereof; and wherein the polymer is a polymerization product of a photoacid generator comprising a polymerizable group; at least one unsaturated monomer, which is different from the photoacid generator comprising a polymerizable group; and a chain transfer agent of formula (I); wherein: Z is a y valent C1-20 organic group, x is 0 or 1, and Rd is a substituted or unsubstituted C1-20 alkyl, C3-20 cycloalkyl, C6-20 aryl, or C7-20 aralkyl. |
| US09696619B2 |
Technique for repairing a reflective photo-mask
During a calculation technique, a modification to a reflective photo-mask is calculated. In particular, using information specifying a defect associated with a location on a top surface of the reflective photo-mask, the modification to the reflective photo-mask is calculated. For example, the calculation may involve an inverse optical calculation in which a difference between a pattern associated with the reflective photo-mask at an image plane in a photo-lithographic process and a reference pattern at the image plane in the photo-lithographic process is used to calculate the modification at an object plane in the photo-lithographic process. Note that the modification includes a material added to the top surface of the reflective photo-mask using an additive fabrication process. Moreover, the modification is proximate to the location. |
| US09696616B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling focus of projector of portable terminal
Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for controlling the focus of a projector of a portable terminal when the projector is operated. The method includes projecting screen data by enabling an auto-focusing operation of the projector; capturing the projected screen data through the camera, and detecting a change of a value of the captured screen through a sensor; and when the change of the value is greater than a preset threshold value, temporarily stopping the auto-focusing operation of the projector and projecting the screen data. |
| US09696611B2 |
Panoramic camera mount
A panoramic device includes a base member and a clamp member rotatably interconnected within a single plane of rotation with the base that includes a first rotatable knob to selectively inhibit the rotation of the clamp member with respect to the base. The upper surface includes a central region that is at a different elevation than another portion of the upper surface. The clamp includes a pair of opposed surfaces suitable to detachably secure a camera thereto. The one of the opposed surfaces is maintained in a fixed relationship with respect to the clamp member. The other one of the opposed surfaces is in a movable relationship with respect to the clamp member using a second rotatable knob. The first knob and the second knob are rotatably connected with respect to one another. |
| US09696608B2 |
Apparatus having a spring plate connecting with 3D circuit terminals
An apparatus having a spring plate connecting with 3D circuit terminals comprises a base having a top surface and a thickness surface. At least one bulged plane is formed on a predetermined location of the top surface. A side surface of the bulged plane is declined from inside to outside. At least one extending end is formed on the thickness surface of the base, by corresponding to and extending toward a direction opposite to the bulged plane. A declined surface is formed on an outer side of the extending end, by extending and declining from top to bottom and also from inside to outside. At least one metal layer is formed on the bulged plane and the declined surface by means of 3D electroplating in order to form a circuit connecting the terminals and the spring plate. |
| US09696606B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a light source generating light and a thin film transistor array panel including a pixel electrode and a common electrode. The display includes an upper panel and a quantum rod layer positioned between the thin film transistor array panel and the upper panel. The display includes an upper polarizer attached outside of the upper panel, in which the quantum rod layer includes quantum rods, and an arrangement direction of the quantum rods is controlled by an electric field generated by the pixel electrode and the common electrode, light is polarized according to the controlled arrangement direction, and the polarizer controls the transmission degree of the polarized light from the quantum rods according to the arrangement direction of the quantum rods. |
| US09696602B2 |
Manufacturing method of liquid crystal display
A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display includes: forming a first passivation layer and an organic layer, forming an edge of an inclined portion of the organic layer by partially removing the organic layer at a location where a first drain contact hole that exposes a drain electrode of a thin film transistor is formed, forming a second passivation layer including a third drain contact hole exposing the drain electrode, a first electrode including a second drain contact hole exposing the drain electrode, and the first drain contact hole through an etching process using one etching mask, and forming a second electrode on the second passivation layer. The first drain contact hole, the second drain contact hole, and the third drain contact hole overlap with each other, and a size of the second drain contact hole is greater than a size of the third drain contact hole. |
| US09696601B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display with an integrated mounting portion for receiving a printed circuit board is presented. A liquid crystal panel has a first surface on which an image is displayed and a second surface opposite the first surface, a printed circuit board is connected to the liquid crystal panel and has a front surface and a rear surface, and an intermediate receiving container includes a frame and a printed circuit board mounting portion positioned on a sidewall of the frame. The printed circuit board is mounted on the printed circuit board mounting portion such that the front plane of the printed circuit board and the first plane of the liquid crystal panel face the same side. |
| US09696598B1 |
Display panel and display device with brightness buffer effect
The present invention provides a display panel and a display device. In the display panel, edges of multiple rows of pixel units are arranged in a step-like manner, each row of pixel units include a central pixel unit and a marginal pixel unit, each central pixel unit includes first thin film transistors each corresponding to a sub-pixel and having a first semiconductor region; each marginal pixel unit includes second thin film transistors each corresponding to a sub-pixel and having a second semiconductor region; length and width of the first semiconductor region are respectively set to be a first set length and a first set width, length and width of the second semiconductor region are respectively set to be a second set length and a second set width such that brightness of the marginal pixel unit is smaller than brightness of the central pixel unit during display. |
| US09696596B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel
A display panel curved in a first direction includes: first and second areas corresponding to two segments of a pixel divided by a line in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a first electrode, in which first sub horizontal openings are defined in the first area, and second sub horizontal openings are defined in the second area, where the first and second sub horizontal openings extend along the first direction; a second substrate including: third and fourth areas corresponding to two segments of the pixel divided by a line in the first direction; and a second electrode, in which first vertical openings are defined in the third area, and second vertical openings are defined in the fourth area, where the first and second vertical openings extend along the second direction; and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates. |
| US09696594B2 |
Display substrate and fabricating method thereof, and display device
The invention discloses a display substrate, a fabricating method thereof and a display device. The display substrate comprises a base substrate, a black matrix, a main photo spacer and a sub photo spacer. The black matrix is located above the base substrate. The cover layer is located above the black matrix. The main photo spacer and the sub photo spacer are located on the cover layer and within a region corresponding to the black matrix. A first recess is provided in a region of the cover layer corresponding to the black matrix. The sub photo spacer is located in the first recess. |
| US09696588B2 |
Display device
A display device includes an optical member, a display panel disposed on the optical member, and a plurality of light emitting units disposed under the optical member, the optical member comprising, a diffusion layer, and a reflectivity control layer which is disposed under the diffusion layer and reflects a light provided from the light emitting units, including a first base material, reflective materials dispersed in the first base material, a plurality of first portions corresponding to the plurality of light emitting units, and a second portion disposed adjacent to the first portions, where each of the plurality of first portions comprises a greater amount of the reflective materials than the second portion, when a first portion and a second portion represent a unit area having a predetermined size. |
| US09696585B2 |
Backlight module with optical control film
The present invention provides a backlight module with optical control film, comprising a light source module and an optical control film. The backlight module comprises at least one block corresponding to at least one light source. The projection position of the light source on the block is surrounded by first light emitting holes. The first light emitting hole of the optical control film has a first opening on a surface toward the light source module and a second opening on the other surface away from the light source module. The position of distal end of the first opening relative to the light projection position is further away from the light projection position than the position of distal end of the second opening thereof relative to the light projection position in the direction parallel to the optical control film. |
| US09696575B2 |
Display device and manufacturing method thereof
Detection electrode wirings formed by an ITO film have a high resistance and the detection capability thereof is degraded with the increase of the size and/or resolution. A manufacturing method of a display device includes: (a) arranging liquid crystal between an array substrate and a counter substrate; (b) forming a metal layer and a low-reflection layer on the counter substrate after the step (a); (c) applying an overcoat film onto the metal layer and the low-reflection layer; and (d) curing the overcoat film to form a protection layer. The step (d) cures the overcoat film with light and heat. |
| US09696571B2 |
Display
A display includes: a display panel; a front-face member being provided on a front face of the display panel, and the front-face member covering a surrounding section, or the surrounding section and other part of the display panel; and a back-face member having rigidity and being provided on a back face of the display panel, the back-face member covering the back face, or the back face and other part of the display panel. |
| US09696570B2 |
VCOM generation circuit and liquid crystal display
Disclosed are a VCOM generation circuit and a liquid crystal display. The VCOM generation circuit has a voltage divider circuit coupled between a power source input end of the VCOM generation circuit and a ground, and a voltage output end; an operational amplifier output circuit, and one input end is coupled to the voltage output end of the voltage divider circuit, and an output end is a VCOM input end of a liquid crystal display, employed for outputting a liquid crystal drive reference voltage VCOM as the liquid crystal display functions to charge a liquid crystal layer; a delay circuit, coupled between the one input end of the operational amplifier output circuit and the ground, and employed for delaying a change rate of the VCOM as the operational amplifier output circuit outputs the VCOM. |
| US09696568B2 |
Light source apparatus and inspection apparatus
Provided are a light source apparatus and an inspection apparatus that can stably output a wavelength converted light beam. A light source apparatus includes a laser light source that generates a first fundamental light beam, at least one nonlinear optical crystal that generates a wavelength converted light beam using the fundamental light beam or a harmonic laser beam of the fundamental light beam as an incident light beam, a detector that detects the wavelength converted light beam, an acousto-optic modulator that is disposed in an optical path of the incident light beam in such a way that a zero-order light beam enters the nonlinear optical crystal, and a controller that controls an output intensity of the wavelength converted light beam according to a detection signal from the detector. |
| US09696565B2 |
Liquid crystal lens and liquid crystal glasses
A liquid crystal lens comprises a first substrate and a second substrate which are aligned-and-assembled, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second substrates, the first substrate comprises a first transparent substrate base, and a first alignment film comprising first alignment grooves, the first alignment film is provided on the first transparent substrate base, the first alignment grooves extend to the edge of the liquid crystal lens in annular shapes with their geometric centers located at the geometric center of the liquid crystal lens, the second substrate comprises a second transparent substrate base, and a second alignment film comprising second alignment grooves corresponding to the first alignment grooves, and the second alignment film is provided on the second transparent substrate base, the liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first and second alignment films. The liquid crystal lens is applied to liquid crystal glasses. |
| US09696564B1 |
Contact lens with metal portion and polymer layer having indentations
Contact lenses having embedded polymer layers, and methods for forming the same are provided. In some aspects, the contact lens can include: a substrate; a metal portion coupled to the substrate; and a polymer layer attached to the substrate and the metal portion, wherein the polymer layer has one or more indentations. The metal portion can be associated with or a part of a power supply, antenna and/or circuit in various aspects. In some aspects, the substrate can encapsulate the metal portion and the polymer layer. In some aspects, a method can include: forming a metal ring; fabricating one or more components on the metal ring; forming a polymer layer ring having indentations; providing the metal ring and the polymer layer ring in a contact lens mold; and encapsulating the contact lens mold with conventional hydrogel, silicone hydrogel, silicone elastomer, polyacrylamide, siloxane-based hydrogel or fluorosiloxane-based hydrogel. |
| US09696561B2 |
Linkage structure for rim and spectacle lenses and spectacles
A linkage structure for rim and spectacle lenses and spectacles, comprising a rim and two spectacle lenses. The rim comprises left and right half rims. Characteristics: there is a holding groove inside the outer ends of two half rims respectively, connected to a turning block rotatablely. There is a bulge on the outer ends of two spectacle lenses respectively. The bulge is held in the holding groove of half rim. The turning block is turned, one end supports the bulge of spectacle lens, the bulge of spectacle lens is confined in the holding groove of half rim, and it is turned reversely to release one end from the spectacle lens. There is an elastic piece between the turning block and outer end of half rim. The elastic piece applies elastic pretightening force to limit the contrarotation of turning block. |
| US09696559B2 |
Multiview image display system and driving method thereof
A multiview image displaying system is provided. The multiview image displaying system includes: a display panel, a shutter panel, a shutter panel, and glasses. The display panel is for displaying images for different viewpoints by time division and includes a first polarizer. The shutter panel is provided in front of the display panel and includes an active shutter panel and a phase retardation plate. The glasses are for observing the images. The glasses are selected from among polarized glasses and shutter glasses. |
| US09696553B2 |
Soft head mounted display goggles for use with mobile computing devices
A head mounted display system for use with a mobile computing device, comprises a single-piece main body made entirely of a homogeneous unitary soft and compressible material, the soft main body configured to be worn on a human head and including a retention pocket configured to accept and secure a mobile computing device to the main body, and a lens assembly within the main body comprising at least one lens configured to focus vision of a wearer on a respective area of a display screen of the mobile computing device, such that an image may be viewed through the lens on the display screen. |
| US09696551B2 |
Information processing method and electronic device
The disclosure discloses an information processing method and an electronic device. The information processing method comprises: acquiring a second image; analyzing the second image to determine a second display parameter of the second image; determining, based on the second display parameter of the second image, a first display parameter of the display content to be presented, so as to make the difference between the first display parameter of the display content and the second display parameter of the second image greater than a threshold; and presenting the display content with the first display parameter. |
| US09696546B2 |
Head-mountable cockpit display system
Systems and apparatus are provided for head-mountable cockpit displays for providing information related to an aircraft system to a user. A cockpit display system comprises an eyeglass frame adapted for wearing on the head of the user. The eyeglass frame has a perimeter defining a field of view. A display element is mechanically coupled to the eyeglass frame and aligned with a bottom portion of the field of view. Display electronics are coupled to the display element, and an avionics system is coupled to the display electronics. The display electronics are configured to render an image of a cockpit instrument panel associated with the avionics system on the display element. |
| US09696543B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
Arrangement positions in a physical space, which are set in advance for a plurality of indices, are acquired. Among indices in an image of the physical space, an index that satisfies a predetermined condition is specified as a target index. Notification of the arrangement position of the target index is performed. |
| US09696541B2 |
Two-dimensional optical deflector including two SOI structures and its manufacturing method
A two-dimensional optical deflector includes a first SOI structure and a second SOI structure. A height of a monocrystalline silicon support layer of the first SOI structure is smaller than a height of a monocrystalline silicon support layer of the second SOI structure. A mirror includes a monocrystalline silicon active layer of the first SOI structure. An inner frame, an inner piezoelectric actuator and an outer frame include a monocrystalline silicon active layer of the first SOI structure and the monocrystalline silicon active layer of the second SOI structure. An outer piezoelectric actuator includes the monocrystalline silicon active layer of the first SOI structure. |
| US09696539B2 |
Deformable mirror and method for manufacturing the same
A deformable mirror includes a mirror substrate having a continuous reflective surface and a plurality of actuators connected to the mirror substrate at a plurality of coupling portions. In the deformable mirror, the mirror substrate has first regions and a second region thicker than the first regions and the first regions are formed around the coupling portions. |
| US09696536B2 |
Arrangement for changing the focus of a microscope objective
A plan apochromat corrected microscope objective including multiple subsystems with optical components and/or component groups, wherein an optical component or a component group can move axially in the interior of the microscope objective. The axially movable component or the component group includes a concave-convex lens or lens group oriented toward the object plane, with a form factor of: X = c 1 + c 2 c 1 - c 2 wherein X is the form factor, c1 is the curvature of the surface oriented in the direction of the object plane, and c2 is the curvature of the surface oriented in the direction of the image plane, of the axially movable lens or lens group, X lying within a range from −8 |
| US09696534B2 |
Multi-focal structured illumination microscopy systems and methods
A multi-focal selective illumination microscopy (SIM) system for generating multi-focal patterns of a sample is disclosed. The multi-focal SIM system performs a focusing, scaling and summing operation on each multi-focal pattern in a sequence of multi-focal patterns that completely scan the sample to produce a high resolution composite image. |
| US09696531B2 |
Solid-state microscope for selectively imaging a sample
Exemplary embodiments provide solid-state microscope (SSM) devices and methods for processing and using the SSM devices. The solid-state microscope devices can include a light emitter array having a plurality of light emitters with each light emitter individually addressable. During operation, each light emitter can be biased in one of three operating states including an emit state, a detect state, and an off state. The light emitter can include an LED (light emitting diode) including, but not limited to, a nanowire based LED or a planar LED to provide various desired image resolutions for the SSM devices. In an exemplary embodiment, for near-field microscopy, the resolution of the SSM microscope can be essentially defined by the pitch p, i.e., center-to-center spacing between two adjacent light emitters, of the light emitter array. |
| US09696530B2 |
Zoom lens system
A zoom lens system includes a plurality of lens groups, a lens group of which is moved to perform zooming, wherein a specified lens group of the lens groups is a focusing lens group; a normal photography mode in which focusing is carried out from infinity to a predetermined photographing distance by moving the focusing lens group of the specified lens group; and a shifting mode which shifts from the normal photography mode to a macro photography mode by moving a lens element of the specified lens group other than the focusing lens group when focusing on an object at a photographing distance that is shorter than the predetermined photographing distance. When the zoom lens system is in the macro photography mode, focusing is carried out from the predetermined photographing distance to a minimum photographing distance by moving the focusing lens group. |
| US09696524B2 |
Electronic image pickup system
The invention relates to an electronic image pickup system whose depth dimension is extremely reduced, taking advantage of an optical system type that can overcome conditions imposed on the movement of a zooming movable lens group while high specifications and performance are kept. The electronic image pickup system comprises an optical path-banding zoom optical system comprising, in order from its object side, a 1-1st lens group G1-1 comprising a negative lens group and a reflecting optical element P for bending an optical path, a 1-2nd lens group G1-2 comprising one positive lens and a second lens group G2 having positive refracting power. For zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, the second lens group G2 moves only toward the object side. The electronic image pickup system also comprises an electronic image pickup device I located on the image side of the zoom optical system. |
| US09696519B1 |
Imaging optical lens assembly, image capturing apparatus and electronic device
The present disclosure provides an imaging optical lens assembly, including, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens element with negative refractive power having an object-side surface being concave in a paraxial region, a second lens element with positive refractive power, a third lens element with negative refractive power, a fourth lens element with positive refractive power, and a fifth lens element with negative refractive power having an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region and at least one convex shape in an off-axial region on the image-side surface, wherein the imaging optical lens assembly has a total of five lens elements. |
| US09696516B2 |
Vehicle repair hand tool
A vehicle repair hand tool has a handle, a connecting rod, a connecting unit and a working unit. The connecting rod is connected with the handle. The connecting unit is connected with the connecting rod and has an engagement hole. The working unit is connected with the connector and has a base, an engagement unit and a working body. The base has a sliding recess and a recess opening formed in a bottom of the sliding recess. The engagement unit is mounted in the sliding recess and has a sliding block slidably mounted in the sliding recess. The engagement unit further has an engagement ball mounted in the recess opening, sheltered by the sliding block, and selectively engaged in the engagement hole. The working body is mounted on the base. |
| US09696514B2 |
Lens module
A lens module, including: a first lens including a first conical surface based on an optical axis and a first flat surface extending in a vertical direction with respect to the optical axis; and a second lens including a second conical surface based on an optical axis and a second flat surface extending in a vertical direction with respect to the optical axis, wherein the first conical surface and the first flat surface are connected by a first curved surface having a first radius, and the second conical surface and the second flat surface are connected by a second curved surface having a second radius. |
| US09696513B2 |
Multicore optical fibers and methods of manufacturing the same
A multicore optical fiber with a reference section having a material defining a marked multicore glass optical fiber. The multicore fibers can be in groupings, for example, the groupings can be in the form of one of an optical fiber ribbon covered by a matrix, and a tight buffered cable. Fiber optic connectors can be assembled to the multicore optical fiber at either or both ends, and the colored portion can be associated with the optical fiber connector aligning the optical core elements with the optical connectors. The assembly can have at least one transceiver device with a transmit port and a receive port defining a two-way communication channel. Further aspects describe methods of manufacturing multicore fibers including application of curable coatings and reference sections. |
| US09696512B2 |
Panel-mountable fiber optic cable feedthrough
A novel panel-mountable fiber optic cable feedthrough is described that has two main body parts that can be brought together around a fiber optic cable and secured in place to prevent slippage of the cable. Use of two such main body parts that split along a plane that passes through the axis of the fiber optic cable allows joining the two main parts at any position along the cable without the need to thread the cable through a pre-formed cylindrical cavity in the body of the feedthrough. The main parts for this fiber optic feedthrough can be made by plastic injection molding suitably shaped to relieve bending strain in the glass optical fiber(s) within the cable. The foot-print for mounting such a feedthrough can be made compatible with that of a number of popular fiber optic connector mounts, including the SC-connector. |
| US09696511B2 |
Sealing structures for optical cable closure
An optical termination enclosure (100) defines ruggedized adapters at output ports (132); a cable entry port (105) through which an input cable can enter the enclosure; and a sealing arrangement (150) disposed at the cable entry port (105) to seal around the input cable. The sealing arrangement (150) includes a gasket block arrangement (151) defining at least a first cable aperture (108) sized to receive an optical cable; and a retention arrangement (160) to activate the gasket block arrangement (151). The retention arrangement (160) includes a wedge-shaped body (161) and a gel-type sealing member (180). |
| US09696509B2 |
High reliability armored termination/epoxy gland
An armored cable termination/fiber-optic seal which connects a fiber optic cable—the fiber optic cable including one or more armor wires and one or more cable tubes—to a pressure housing, the armored cable termination/fiber-optic seal including: an armored termination which locks the one or more armor wires in a conical cavity; sealing paths which block water from traveling in the interstitial space between the one or more armor wires and the one or more cable tubes into the pressure housing; and fiber feed-through tubes which block water from traveling in the interior of the one or more cable tubes into the pressure housing. |
| US09696506B2 |
Connector housing assembly and connector having the same
A connector housing assembly is disclosed having a housing, a plurality of compressible heat conducting members and a monolithic heat sink. The housing has a first direction corresponding to a height direction of the housing, a second direction parallel to a heat generating module insertion direction, and a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. The housing includes a plurality of module receiving ports positioned side by side in the third direction, a plurality of conductor receiving spaces corresponding to the plurality of module receiving ports respectively, and a heat sink installation surface. The plurality of compressible heat conducting members are positioned in the plurality of conductor receiving spaces respectively, each having an elasticity in the first direction. The monolithic heat sink is positioned on a heat sink installation surface of the housing, covering and in surface-contact with the plurality of compressible heat conducting members. |
| US09696500B2 |
Female hardened optical connectors for use with hybrid receptacle
A female hardened fiber optic connector for terminating an end of a fiber optic cable that is suitable for making an optical connection with another hardened cable assembly and cable assemblies using the same are disclosed. The female hardened fiber optic connector includes a connector assembly, a crimp body, and a shroud. The crimp body has a first shell and a second shell for securing the connector assembly at a front end of the shells and a cable attachment region rearward of the front end for securing a cable. The crimp body fits within the shroud and is secured within the shroud using a locking feature disposed on a rim area of the shroud. The female hardened connector may further include a receptacle having a non-hardened receptacle port and a hardened receptacle port, where alignment fingers of the female hardened connector fit into distinct openings on the non-hardened receptacle port side. |
| US09696499B2 |
Optical switch and beam stabilization device
Optical switch for adjustable deflection of a light beam from the direction of an input point in the direction of one of several output points. The optical switch includes a switching mirror sensitive to changes in environmental conditions, such as temperature fluctuations. Also included is a rotatable capturing mirror, two beam splitters, and two spatially-resolving detectors. Both mirrors can be rotated around respective axes. A front beam splitter for the partial coupling of the light beam at the front detector that is optically positioned between the capturing mirror and the switching mirror, while the back beam splitter for the partial decoupling of the light beam at the back detector is arranged optically between the switching mirror and each of the output positions. A control unit is adapted to control the drive of the switching mirror on the basis of a signal from the back detector. |
| US09696493B2 |
High efficiency pump signal combiner for high power fiber amplifier and laser applications
A high efficiency optical combiner minimizes core region distortions in the area where fusion splicing between an input tapered fiber bundle (or any other type of “cladding-less” input fiber) and output fiber are joined. The thickness of the output fiber's glass cladding layer in the splice region is reduced (if not removed altogether) so that a core-to-core splice is formed and any necked-down region where the glass flows to join the core regions (while also joining the outer diameters) is essentially eliminated. The reduction of distortions in the core region of the splice improves the transmission efficiency between an input tapered fiber bundle and output fiber, reaching a level of about 99%. This high efficiency optical combiner is particularly well-suited for applications where a number of pump sources are combined and applied as an input to a fiber laser or amplifier. |
| US09696491B2 |
Photosensitive resin composition for optical waveguide and photocurable film for formation of optical waveguide core layer, as well as optical waveguide using same and mixed-mounting flexible printed wiring board for optical and electrical transmission
Provided is an optical waveguide photosensitive resin composition containing a resin component and a photopolymerization initiator, in which the resin component contains an aliphatic resin having a polymerizable substituent as a main component. Accordingly, when, for example, the core layer of an optical waveguide is formed by using the optical waveguide photosensitive resin composition, the optical waveguide has high transparency, and vibration absorption derived from a resin skeleton at a wavelength of 850 nm serving as the wavelength of light propagating through the optical waveguide can be avoided. As a result, a reduction in loss of the optical waveguide can be realized. |
| US09696488B2 |
Semiconductor structure
A semiconductor structure is provided, the semiconductor structure comprising: a semiconductor substrate processed to comprise at least an optical aspect comprising at least a silicon photonics device and at least an electronic aspect comprising at least an electronic device; at least an interlayer dielectric layer provided on the semiconductor substrate, and at least an electrically interconnecting layer provided on the interlayer dielectric layer, wherein: the semiconductor structure further comprises at least a functional-oxide crystalline layer provided in relation to the interlayer dielectric layer before the interconnecting layer is provided on the interlayer dielectric layer, the functional-oxide crystalline layer comprising at least a functional-oxide material and is processed to comprise at least an active optical device, and the interlayer dielectric layer comprises a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being in common to at least a respective part of the optical aspect and the electronic aspect. |
| US09696484B2 |
Fluid-based light guiding structure and fabrication thereof
A solution for fabricating a structure including a light guiding structure is provided. The light guiding structure can be formed of a fluoropolymer-based material and include one or more regions, each of which is filled with a fluid transparent to radiation having a target wavelength, such as ultraviolet radiation. The region(s) can be created using a filler material, which is at least substantially enclosed by the fluoropolymer-based material and subsequently removed from each region. The structure can further include at least one optical element integrated into the light guiding structure. |
| US09696482B2 |
Backlight dimming film
This document describes techniques and apparatuses for implementing backlight dimming film. These techniques may be performed using a side entry lightguide structure having a receiving side and an output surface. The lightguide structure receives light through the receiving side and redirects the light so that it is output through the output surface. The techniques are also performed relative to a cover screen structure that receives light from the output surface of the lightguide structure and filters the light to display an image. A dimming film is disposed between the output surface of the lightguide structure and the cover screen structure. The dimming film is controlled to block light output from the output surface of the lightguide structure from being received at the cover screen structure. |
| US09696480B2 |
Method for fabricating light conversion member and display device including the light conversion member
Provided is a method for a light conversion member including forming a plurality of grooves etched by a predetermined depth from a top surface to a bottom surface of a first substrate, forming a plurality of first connection members disposed in a first unit area partitioned by each of the grooves and having a closed loop shape surrounding each of the grooves on the top surface of the first substrate, forming a quantum dot member in the groove, forming a plurality of second connection members disposed in each of second unit areas partitioned on a bottom surface of a second substrate, cutting the second substrate along boundaries of the second unit areas; bonding a plurality of second sub substrates cut along the second unit areas to the top surface of the first substrate so as to overlap the first unit areas. |
| US09696478B2 |
Integrated grating coupler and power splitter
An optical device is provided for coupling an external optical signal into a plurality of on-chip photonic sub-circuits provided on a substrate. The optical device comprises: a planar waveguide layer on the substrate; a diverging grating coupler configured to couple the external optical signal to the planar waveguide layer and to thereby create an on-chip diverging optical beam in the planar waveguide layer; and a plurality of channel waveguides formed in the waveguide layer. Each channel waveguide of the plurality of channel waveguides comprises a waveguide transition structure having a waveguide aperture oriented towards the diverging grating coupler. For each channel waveguide of the plurality of channel waveguides the position and the width of the corresponding waveguide aperture and the angle and the shape of the waveguide transition structure are individually selected to capture a predetermined portion of the on-chip diverging optical beam. |
| US09696477B2 |
Light source system
A light source system includes an intermediary adapter which mechanically connects a first light source module, a first irradiation module, a second light source module and a second irradiation module, a first connection mechanism which connects the first light source module and the intermediary adapter and a second connection mechanism which connects the second light source module and the intermediary adapter. The first irradiation module and the second irradiation module are interchangeably connected to the intermediary adapter in the same plane of the intermediary adapter. |
| US09696475B2 |
Optical film
To provide an optical film excellent in suppression of light leakage in black display. An optical film having a first phase difference layer and a second phase difference layer, wherein the second phase difference layer has an optical property represented by the formula (3), the second phase difference layer has a thickness of 0.2 μm to 2.0 μm, and further, the optical film has optical properties represented by the formulae (1) and (2): Re(450)/Re(550)≦1.00 (1) 1.00≦Re(650)/Re(550) (2) nx≈ny |
| US09696473B2 |
Laminate, method for preparing thin polarizer by using same, thin polarizer, and polarizing plate
The present invention relates to a laminate including an unstretched polymer film; and an unstretched polyvinyl alcohol-based film attached to at least one surface of the polymer film, and a preparing method for a thin polarizer using the laminate. |
| US09696472B2 |
Stereo viewing device
A stereo viewing device comprises a first lens comprising a first lens filter, and a second lens comprising a second lens filter. The first lens filter comprises a first set of light absorbing dyes that define a first set of rejection bands. The first set of light absorbing dyes comprises at least a first polymethine dye. The second lens filter comprises a second set of light absorbing dyes that define a second set of rejection bands different from the first set of rejection bands. The second set of light absorbing dyes comprises at least a second polymethine dye. |
| US09696469B2 |
Multilayer diffractive optical element
A multilayer diffractive optical element includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a first resin layer having a first diffraction grating pattern and interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a second resin layer having a second diffraction grating pattern and interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first resin layer includes a first region provided at a peripheral portion adjacent to a portion of the first diffraction grating pattern. The first resin layer includes a second region provided at a peripheral portion adjacent to the first region. |
| US09696461B2 |
Lens array and image display device
Provided is a lens array in which a plurality of convex lenses bidimensionally regularly-arranged along a predetermined reference face. The plurality of convex lenses is arranged so as to be inclined variedly mutually among the plurality of convex lenses around a vertex of a convex face of a reference posture as a rotation axis with respect to the reference posture mutually common to the plurality of convex lenses. |
| US09696460B2 |
Anti-UV nanoparticles
The invention relates to nanoparticles having a core that is fully or partially formed by at least one UV-absorbing organic compound in crystallized form and coated with an outer layer formed by at least one hydrophilic polymer, said UV-absorbing organic compound(s) and hydrophilic polymer(s) being associated in a weight ratio of organic compound(s) to hydrophilic polymer(s) varying between 0.2 and 0.4. |
| US09696457B1 |
Infrared presence sensing with modeled background subtraction
A motion sensing device includes an infrared radiation (IR) sensor configured receive signal IR from a warm object and background IR to produce a direct current output. A first transformation filter receives the direct current output and produces a filtered background. A second transformation filter receives the direct current output and produces a filtered signal. A rating compares the filtered signal and the filtered background to produce a result signal based on a detected difference between the filtered signal and the filtered background. |
| US09696450B2 |
Induced polarization logging with borehole to surface electromagnetic transmitter
An electromagnetic energy transmitter is provided for induced polarization logging with a borehole to surface electromagnetic (BSEM) transmitter. The transmitter is lowered into a well borehole to a desired location in a well borehole to emit electromagnetic energy for the surveys. The transmitter affords more accurate measurements of its position in the well borehole. The transmitter also senses pressure and temperature conditions at its borehole location to provide indications of detected potential problems in the well from the survey or other sources, and to reduce risks and enhance safety and quality of the operations. |
| US09696449B2 |
System and method for in-sea electrode conditioning
Disclosed are methods and systems for conditioning electrodes while deployed in the sea with a marine electromagnetic survey system. An embodiment of the method may comprise deploying electrodes in seawater during a marine electromagnetic survey. The method further may comprise coupling at least one of the electrodes to a controllable current/voltage source while the electrodes are deployed in the seawater. The method further may comprise sending a first conditioning signal from the controllable current/voltage source to the at least one of the electrodes coupled to the controllable current/voltage source. |
| US09696448B2 |
Ground tracking devices and methods for use with a utility locator
A ground tracking apparatus for connection to a locator or other measurement device and configured to determine position, motion, and/or orientation information is disclosed. The ground tracking apparatus may include a ground follower assembly including one or more wheels, which may be detachably coupled to a buried object locator system to capture three-dimensional positional and orientation information during a locate process, as well as provide output data or information to be integrated with maps, photographs, drawings, or other data or information. |
| US09696447B1 |
Buried object locating methods and apparatus using multiple electromagnetic signals
A method of locating buried objects using a locator having at least one antenna array including three mutually orthogonal antennas each sharing a common center point includes simultaneously determining a plurality of magnetic fields associated with a plurality of different electromagnetic signals and providing a visual indication of the determined magnetic fields on a display of the locator. |
| US09696443B2 |
Method and device for processing seismic data
Apparatus, computer instructions and method for processing seismic data related to a subsurface of a body of water. The method includes inputting data indicative of recordings made by detectors disposed on a depth-changing profile in response to an acoustic wave reflected from the subsurface; applying a matched mirror migration procedure to the data, wherein the matched mirror migration procedure uses an up-traveling U wave and a down-traveling D wave, at least one of the up-traveling U wave or the down-traveling D wave being constructed based on (i) actual positions of the detectors disposed on the depth-changing profile and corresponding recordings, and (ii) fictitious mirror positions of the actual detectors on the depth-changing profile and corresponding recordings with a changed sign; and generating in a processor an image of the subsurface based on the matched mirror migration procedure. |
| US09696435B2 |
Hybrid energy conversion and processing detector
There is disclosed a hybrid arrangement of more than one electron energy conversion mechanism in a detector arranged physically such that the electron image can be acquired from both energy converters in such a manner that selected high-illumination parts of the image can be imaged with an indirectly coupled scintillator detector and the remainder of the image acquired with the high-sensitivity/direct electron portion of the detector without readjustments in the beam position or mechanical positioning of the detector parts.Further, a mechanism to allow dynamically switchable or simultaneous linear and counted signal processing from each pixel of the image so that high-illumination areas can be acquired linearly without the severe dose rate limitation of counting and low-illumination regions can be acquired with counting, the switchover point determined by the dose rate at which signal quality breaks even between linear and counting modes. |
| US09696433B2 |
Radiation measurement apparatus and radiation measurement method
A radiation measurement apparatus includes an array-type radiation detector and an information calculation unit which obtains information on energies detected by pixels of the detector and information on a pixel on which a radiation ray is incident. The information calculation unit includes an energy conversion unit which converts a detected signal of a pixel which is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value into a detected energy value, a judgment value calculation unit which obtains a judgment value used to judge whether Compton scattering has been generated in the pixel in accordance with the detected energy, a judgment unit which judges whether the Compton scattering has been generated in the pixel in accordance with the judgment value, and a determination unit which obtains information on a pixel on which a radiation ray is first incident in accordance with a result of the judgment performed by the judgment unit. |
| US09696430B2 |
Method and apparatus for locating a target using an autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle
Described herein is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system that incorporates sensor data to statistically minimize the time to autonomously locate a target on the ground. The system uses a two-stage approach to finding the RF target: 1) randomized flight, such as Lévy fight, to search the ground space and, 2) a geo-localization process, such as a simplex minimization process, to home in on the target. |
| US09696429B2 |
Power management in wireless tracking device operating with restricted power source
A wireless tracking device operating in at least two modes to reduce power consumption and extend the operable period of the wireless tracking device. In an active mode, the wireless tracking device samples sensor signals at a higher resolution and may also actively communicate with a remote device via wireless connection. In a hibernation mode, most of the components or modules in the wireless tracking device are shut down to reduce power consumption. The wireless tracking device may switch to the active mode when a predetermine event is detected. |
| US09696426B2 |
System and method for scan range gating
A system for scanning light to define a range gated signal includes a pulsed coherent light source that directs light into the atmosphere, a light gathering instrument that receives the light modified by atmospheric backscatter and transfers the light onto an image plane, a scanner that scans collimated light from the image plane to form a range gated signal from the light modified by atmospheric backscatter, a control circuit that coordinates timing of a scan rate of the scanner and a pulse rate of the pulsed coherent light source so that the range gated signal is formed according to a desired range gate, an optical device onto which an image of the range gated signal is scanned, and an interferometer to which the image of the range gated signal is directed by the optical device. The interferometer is configured to modify the image according to a desired analysis. |
| US09696422B2 |
Synthetic aperture radar system
Low cost, generally broad bandwidth synthetic aperture radar systems are detailed. The systems may be bistatic and include analog to digital converters in ground based receivers while transmitters and analogoue repeaters may be space-borne or airborne. Methods of producing synthetic aperture radar images also are detailed. |
| US09696419B2 |
Marine radar based on cylindrical array antennas with other applications
An all-solid-state marine radar technology based on a non-rotating cylindrical array antenna is described. Multiple transmit/receive (T/R) modules are used to form the antenna beam, which allows the beam sequencing, the dwell time in each beam position, the resolution, and the beam shape to be varied in order to make best use of the available energy. Waveforms with a high duty ratio can be used on transmit in order to make efficient use of solid-state power amplifiers. High resolution in both range and Doppler provides high measurement accuracy and superior performance in clutter. Alternate embodiments, including continuous waveform embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09696418B2 |
Systems, methods and computer-readable media for improving platform guidance or navigation using uniquely coded signals
A spatially-distributed architecture (SDA) of antennas transmits a set of uniquely coded signals. A first receiver having a known position in a coordinate system defined by the SDA receives reflected versions of the uniquely coded signals. A first processor receives the reflected versions of the uniquely coded signals and identifies a position of a non-cooperative object in the coordinate system. A platform having a second receiver receives non-reflected versions of the uniquely coded signals. The platform determines a position of the platform in the coordinate system. In an example, the platform uses a self-determined position and a position of the non-cooperative object communicated from the SDA to navigate or guide the platform relative to the non-cooperative object. In another example, the platform uses a self-determined position and information from an alternative signal source in a second coordinate system to guide the platform after a coordinate conversion. |
| US09696413B2 |
Method for aligning a laser scanner with respect to a roadway
A method for aligning a measuring device installed alongside a roadway at an unknown installation height, the measuring device including a laser scanner, a camera and a display. A camera image generated by the camera is inserted into the display and superimposed by a road model, formed from a multiplicity of straight lines running towards an intersection point. The measuring device is subsequently rotated and tilted, as a result of which the camera image is rotated and shifted on the display, until the images of the roadway margins and edges running parallel thereto are in alignment at the intersection point. |
| US09696412B2 |
System and method for measuring optical delay using a single photon detector with pulsed optical signals
A system and method for measuring the temporal delay an optical signal experiences along a path is provided it uses single photon sensitive detectors and multiple optical pulse rates. The multiple optical pulse rates are chosen to allow each to be isolated in post-processing even if only a single detector is employed. The detectors can be time-gated at a repetition rate synchronized but different from the optical pulse rates, including the use of a pulsed-pump up-conversion detector. The pulse rate choice allows improved performance, including an extension of the unambiguous temporal delay range. The ability to isolate the pulse rates can also be used for measuring multiple path delays simultaneously or for spectrally resolving path characteristics without requiring the use of spectral filtering. The post-processing function can be segmented to include an initial signal quality estimation step so further processing can be aborted if it is unlikely to succeed. |
| US09696408B2 |
Robust integrated precision high-speed satellite attitude determination and control system (ADCS)
Various embodiments of the present invention provide methods, systems, apparatus, and computer program products for providing integrated attitude determination and attitude control for slewing of a satellite. In one embodiment a method is provided. The method comprises after receiving a repointing request, selecting a guide star sample comprising one or more guide stars from a guide star catalog; determining current attitude information; selecting and retrieving at least one point spread function (PSF) image from a PSF library; estimating an expected position for at least one guide star, the at least one guide star being one of the guide stars of the guide star sample; acquiring at least one star tracker image; calculating a cross-correlation function (CCF) to determine shifts in position of the at least one guide star compared to the expected position; and determining updated current attitude information based at least in part on the determined shifts in position. |
| US09696405B1 |
Acoustic hostile fire indicator
A system and method for detecting the trajectory of a projectile is presented. One system includes a flash detection sensor, an acoustic sensor, an optical sensor and a processor logic mounted on a vehicle. The flash detection sensor detects a flash of a projectile being launched. The acoustic sensor detects when a blast wave associated with the firing of the projectile reaches the vehicle. The optical sensor takes two or more images of the same projectile. The images are typically not in the visible light spectrum. The processor logic calculates a trajectory of the projectile based on the images and data collected by the acoustic sensor associated with the blast wave. The processor logic may generate a warning signal to warn an operator of the vehicle about the projectile. |
| US09696404B1 |
Real-time camera tracking system using optical flow feature points
A new apparatus and method for tracking a moving object with a moving camera provides a real-time, narrow field-of-view, high resolution and on target image by combining commanded motion with an optical flow algorithm for deriving motion and classifying background. Commanded motion means that movement of the pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) unit is “commanded” by a computer, instead of being observed by the camera, so that the pan, tilt and zoom parameters are known, as opposed to having to be determined, significantly reducing the computational requirements for tracking a moving object. The present invention provides a single camera pan and tilt system where the known pan and tilt rotations are used to calculate predicted optical flow points in sequential images, so that resulting apparent movement can be subtracted from the movement determined by an optical flow algorithm to determine actual movement, following by use of a Kalman filter algorithm to predict subsequent locations of a determined moving object and command the pan and tilt unit to point the camera in that direction. |
| US09696403B1 |
Replaceable internal open-short-load (OSL) calibrator and power monitor
Systems and methods are provided for a replaceable internal open-short-load (OSL) calibrator and power monitor. A calibration system can include a test port; and a replaceable module including a first lookup table corresponding to an open-short-load (OSL) component and a second lookup table corresponding to a power measuring component. |
| US09696397B2 |
Magnetic resonance apparatus for fast and reliable detection and recognition of minute quantities of specific substances
Detection and recognition of taggant substances having predefined zero external field magnetic resonance signatures. An object comprising taggant substance(s) is irradiated with a sequence of specific excitation pulses of electromagnetic radiation within a predetermined time and frequency scanning pattern, responsive nuclear spin echo signals are received from the object with a predetermined time and frequency acquisition pattern and data indicative thereof is generated. The scanning and acquisition patterns used permit successive transmission of pulses of multiple frequencies using a two-pulse spin-echo excitation technique, or a steady state-spin echo excitation technique, and successive acquisition of multiple nuclear spin echo response signals, within a time slot between two successive excitation pulses of a specific excitation frequency. The generated data is correlated with reference data corresponding to predetermined taggant substance(s) and one or more taggant substances are identified based on the determined correlation. |
| US09696395B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and method
Provided are apparatuses and methods for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method includes applying radio frequency (RF) pulses to an object in a magnetic field, the RF pulses having different frequency bands for each of at least two types of nucleus in the object; applying predetermined pulse sequences for each type of nucleus to the object; receiving magnetic resonance signals emitted by each nucleus in response to the RF pulses and the predetermined pulse sequences; and generating an image of the object based on the received magnetic resonance signals. |
| US09696394B2 |
Magnetic resonance system having variable frequency transmit pulses
A controller of a magnetic resonance system outputs a low frequency base signal to a conversion device. While outputting the base signal to the conversion device, the controller outputs an oscillator control signal to an oscillator. The oscillator outputs a frequency signal corresponding to the oscillator control signal to the conversion device. The conversion device converts the frequency signal into a high frequency transmit pulse with the aid of the base signal and outputs the transmit pulse to a magnetic resonance transmit antenna. The magnetic resonance transmit antenna applies a high frequency field corresponding to a transmit pulse to an examination volume of the magnetic resonance system. The controller varies the oscillator control signal output to the oscillator while outputting the base signal to the modulator. The transmit pulse) has a larger bandwidth than the base signal. |
| US09696392B2 |
System and method for magnetic resonance image acquisition
A method of data acquisition at a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. The system receives at least a portion of raw data for an image, and detects anomalies in the portion of raw data received. When anomalies are detected, the system can correct those anomalies dynamically, without waiting for a new scan to be ordered. The system can attempt to scan the offending portion of the raw data, either upon detection of the anomaly or at some point during the scan. The system can also correct anomalies using digital correction methods based on expected values. The anomalies can be detected based on variations from thresholds, masks and expected values all of which can be obtained using one of the ongoing scan, previously performed scans and apriori information relating to the type of scan being performed. |
| US09696388B2 |
Magnetic sensing apparatus and magnetic sensing method thereof
A magnetic sensing apparatus and a magnetic sensing method thereof are provided. The magnetic sensing apparatus includes a reference magnetic field (MF) generating unit, a MF sensing unit, a signal processing unit, a calibration unit and a frequency generating unit. The MF sensing unit senses an external MF and a reference MF to provide a MF sensing signal. The signal processing unit receives and transfers the MF sensing signal into an output signal. The calibration unit calibrates the output signal according to the MF sensing signal. The frequency generating unit provides an operating frequency. The reference MF generating unit provides the reference MF according to the operating frequency, and the MF sensing unit senses the external MF and the reference MF according to the operating frequency. |
| US09696385B2 |
Apparatus for detecting the state of a rechargeable battery to be checked
An apparatus for detecting the state of a checkable storage battery in a vehicle having at least two vehicle onboard power supply systems of different operating voltages is provided. The vehicle onboard power supply systems are coupled by a DC/DC converter, which converts a first DC voltage of a first vehicle onboard power supply system into a second DC voltage of the storage battery in the second vehicle onboard power supply system. The vehicle onboard power supply systems have a control device that includes a test signal module configured to supply a test signal via the DC/DC converter to the checkable storage battery, a measured value detection module configured to measure the reaction values of the checkable storage battery, and an evaluation module configured to detect the state of the storage battery from the measured reaction values. |
| US09696384B2 |
High voltage bus-to-chassis isolation resistance and Y-capacitance measurement
A system and method of simultaneously calculating an isolation resistance and a y-capacitance of a RESS may include the steps of: injecting a first signal into a RESS; recording an output signal from the RESS in response to the injection of the first signal; multiplying the first signal with the output signal to determine a first product; multiplying a second signal with the output signal to determine a second product wherein the second signal is orthogonal to the first signal; filtering the first product to determine a first constant; filtering the second product to determine a second constant; processing the first constant to determine a y-capacitance value; and processing the second constant to determine an isolation resistance value. |
| US09696377B2 |
Method and apparatus for broadcasting scan patterns in a scan-based integrated circuit
A broadcaster, system, and method for reducing test data volume and test application time in an ATE (automatic test equipment) in a scan-based integrated circuit. The scan-based integrated circuit contains multiple scan chains, each scan chain comprising multiple scan cells coupled in series. The broadcaster is a combinational logic network coupled to an optional virtual scan controller and an optional scan connector. The virtual scan controller controls the operation of the broadcaster. The system transmits virtual scan patterns stored in the ATE and generates broadcast scan patterns through the broadcaster for testing manufacturing faults in the scan-based integrated circuit. The number of scan chains that can be supported by the ATE is significantly increased. Methods are further proposed to reorder scan cells in selected scan chains, to generate the broadcast scan patterns and virtual scan patterns, and to synthesize the broadcaster and a compactor in the scan-based integrated circuit. |
| US09696371B2 |
Test method and system for cut-in voltage
A test method and system for cut-in voltage. The method comprises: coarse scanning of the cut-in voltage: a grid voltage, i.e., the cut-in voltage, is quickly determined when a drain terminal current is greater than a target current for the first time (100); accurate scanning of the cut-in voltage: a scanning step length is shortened continuously until the scanning step length is shorter than a preset step length, and each time the scanning step length is shortened, the scanning is conducted according to the current shortened scanning step length on the basis of the cut-in voltage determined in the former time, and then the cut-in voltage under the condition of the current shortened scanning step length is determined again (200). The scanning voltage is automatically increased or decreased by the test method and system through adding high resolution and high precision test conversion into a second scanning test, and therefore the testing of the cut-in voltage becomes more efficient and more accurate. |
| US09696370B2 |
Probe station for the simultaneous measurement of thermal and electrical characteristics of thermoelectric module
Provided is a probe station system which can measure thermal distribution and thermographic images. More particularly, a probe station is provided which can detect an electrical characteristics change according to the supply of heat to an element, for example a thermoelectric element to measure the characteristics of the element. The probe station for the simultaneous measurement of thermal and electrical characteristics of a thermoelectric element includes: a chamber, a base, a platform, a probe unit, a heat source, and an infrared image detection unit and the thermographic image and the voltage signal of the element are synchronized in real time. |
| US09696369B2 |
Wafer test apparatus
A wafer test apparatus includes a probe station comprising a probe card that contacts a wafer positioned on a chuck during a wafer test. A test head is disposed on the probe card and tests electrical characteristics of a semiconductor chip positioned on the wafer. A probe card horizontality adjustment unit is positioned between the test head and the probe card and adjusts horizontality of the probe card during the wafer test. |
| US09696359B2 |
Dynamic measurement of frequency synthesizer noise spurs or phase noise
A method of measuring phase noise (PN). A PLL frequency synthesizer is provided including a first phase frequency detector (PFD) receiving a reference frequency signal coupled to a first charge pump (CP) coupled to a VCO having an output fedback to the first PFD through a feedback divider that provides a divided frequency signal to the first PFD which outputs an error signal, and PN measurement circuitry including a replica CP coupled to an output of a second PFD or the first PFD. The error signal is received at the replica CP or the divided and reference frequency signal are received at the second PFD, wherein the replica CP outputs a scaled phase error current which is current-to-voltage converted and amplified to provide an amplified phase error voltage, and digitized to provide a digital phase error signal. The digital phase error signal is frequency analyzed to generate a PN measurement. |
| US09696353B2 |
Measuring power consumption of circuit component operating in run mode
A sense resistor is coupled between a power source and one or more power pins of an integrated circuit (IC) chip including a circuit component (e.g., a microcontroller unit (MCU)). An on-chip amplifier (e.g., a programmable gain amplifier or op-amp) amplifies the voltage drop over the sense resistor to a level that is within the dynamic range of an on-chip analog-to-digital converter (ADC). In some implementations, the measured signals can be time-stamped and stored in a trace buffer and aligned with other trace data using a front-end tool (e.g., a personal computer). In some implementations, circuitry is included for detecting and handling power consumption events associated with the circuit component. In some implementations, a program counter associated with the circuit component is synchronously sampled with the power consumption measurements and/or other data sources. |
| US09696351B2 |
Data receiving device including an envelope detector and related methods
A data receiving device may include an envelope detector that may include first and second inputs configured to receive a differential input signal, a first pair of detectors coupled to the first input and configured to generate first and second detector outputs, and a second pair of detectors coupled to the second input and configured to generate third and fourth detector outputs. The envelope detector may also include a logic circuit configured to generate a reset based upon the first and third detectors. The data receiving device may also include a receiver circuit coupled to the envelope detector and configured to generate an output based upon the second and fourth detectors along with the reset, and a first bit detection circuit coupled to the receiver circuit. |
| US09696349B2 |
Current sensing system
A detecting unit is presented. The detecting unit includes a flexible circuit having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The flexible circuit includes a plurality of cells defined therein, each of the plurality of cells having a first side and a second side respectively corresponding to the first side and the second side of the flexible circuit. Moreover, the flexible circuit includes a plurality of conductive windings disposed on at least one of the first and second sides of the plurality of cells. Further, the flexible circuit includes a stress reduction feature between each of the plurality of cells. Also, the detecting unit includes a sealing element configured to secure the flexible circuit in a stacked configuration. A sensing system and a method of making a detecting unit are also presented. |
| US09696347B2 |
Testing apparatus and method for microcircuit and wafer level IC testing
The test system provides an array of test probes having a cross beam. The probes pass through a first or upper probe guide retainer which has a plurality of slot sized to receive the probes in a way that they cannot rotate. The probes are biased upwardly through the retainer by an elastomeric block having a similar array of slots. The elastomer is then capped at its bottom by a second or lower retainer with like slots to form a sandwich with the elastomer therebetween. The bottom ends of the probes are group by probe height. A plurality of flex circuits at the different heights engage bottom probe ends at their respective height levels and take continue the circuits to a probe card where test signals originate. |
| US09696345B2 |
Voltage measurement device with an insulating body
A voltage measurement device includes an insulating body, for the use in medium- or high-voltage equipment or switchgears The insulating body includes an impedance divider having at least one high voltage impedance and at least one low voltage impedance in series, and with shielding electrodes. In order to optimize the circuit design for voltage measurement design in a given application and prevent the risk of malfunction when the same device it is used in multiple applications or at severe environmental or operating conditions, the device includes at least one high-voltage shielding electrode and/or at least one low-voltage shielding electrode which dimensions together establish a physical length of the impedance divider. The shielding electrodes surround the high and/or low voltage impedances, which provide a specified voltage division ratio and which are located inside or outside of the insulating body. An output of the impedance divider is connected to a shielded cable. |
| US09696339B2 |
Three-axis accelerometer
A three-axis accelerometer to provide measurement of acceleration in three axes, comprising a substrate, a suspending mass block suspended in the substrate, a group of Y direction displacement sensors, a group of Z direction displacement sensors and a group of X direction displacement sensors; wherein the Y direction displacement sensors, the Z direction displacement sensors and the X direction displacement sensors are respectively arranged adjacent to the mass block; the mass block and the displacement sensors respectively comprise a plurality of metal layers and a dielectric layer between two metal layers. In the mass block, regions corresponding to the Y, Z and X direction displacement sensors respectively comprise at least two metal layers connected by a via. The Y, Z and X groups displacement sensors respectively comprise at least two metal layers connected by a via. |
| US09696337B2 |
MEMS-based proximity sensor device and method
A portable proximity device and method of operation thereof. The method for proximity detection implemented on a portable device can include determining an initial perturbation data, a tracking point data, and a stable position data with a physical sensor of the portable device. The initial perturbation data can include previous state data and current state data. The tracking point data can include one or more track data. An action to be performed can be determined, by a processor within the portable device, based on the initial perturbation data, the tracking point data, and the stable position data. The portable proximity device can include a physical sensor and a processor configured to perform these steps. |
| US09696335B2 |
Hot wire anemometer having twisted carbon nanotube composite wire detecting element
A hot wire anemometer utilizing metal-coated carbon naonotube wire includes a detecting element, a signal enlarging element, a signal dealing element, and a display device. The hot wire of the detecting element includes a nanotube composite wire. The carbon nanotube composite wire includes a carbon nanotube wire and a metal layer. The carbon nanotube wire includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes spirally arranged along an axial direction of the carbon nanotube wire. The diameter of the carbon nanotube wire ranges from 50 nanometers to 30 micrometers. The rate of twist of the carbon nanotube wire ranges from 250 t/cm to 300 t/cm. The metal layer is coated on a surface of the carbon nanotube wire. The thickness of the metal layer ranges from 50 nanometers to 5 micrometers. |
| US09696334B2 |
Wheel speed sensor
A wheel speed sensor is provided that makes it possible to suppress unnecessary deformation when crimping a cover. A wheel speed sensor has a sensor head in which a sensor is accommodated, and a tube-shaped metallic cover that covers a portion of the sensor head and protects the sensor head. The cover has multiple protruding pieces on an opening portion, and is fixed against the sensor head by the protruding pieces being crimped toward the sensor head. |
| US09696333B2 |
Display control apparatus for meter
A display control apparatus for a meter is provided. The display control apparatus includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to: (i) when a shift start condition of an automatic transmission is satisfied, calculate an estimated rotation speed of an engine by adding a correction amount commensurate with a state of a torque converter to a turbine rotation speed of the torque converter, the turbine rotation speed corresponding to a gear position after a shift; (ii) control the meter such that a rotation speed displayed on the meter is brought close to the estimated rotation speed; and (iii) when a fixing condition, including that the shift start condition for a downshift is satisfied and the engine is driven from the torque converter side, is satisfied, fix the correction amount to a value at the time when a start of the shift is determined. |
| US09696329B2 |
Automatic analyzer
A high-throughput automatic analyzer integrates a biochemical analysis section and a blood coagulation analysis section. The analyzer is capable of achieving a reduction in size, system cost, and lifecycle cost. The automatic analyzer includes: a reaction disk; a first reagent dispensing mechanism that dispenses a reagent to reaction cells on the reaction disk; a photometer that irradiates a reaction solution in the reaction cell with light; a reaction cell cleaning mechanism; a reaction vessel supply unit that supplies a disposable reaction vessel for mixing and reacting a sample and a reagent with each other; a second reagent dispensing mechanism that dispenses a reagent to the disposable reaction vessel; a blood coagulation time measuring section that irradiates a reaction solution in the disposable reaction vessel with light to detect transmitted or scattered light; and a sample dispensing mechanism that dispenses a sample to the reaction cell and the disposable reaction vessel. |
| US09696328B2 |
Automated system for isolating, amplifying and detecting a target nucleic acid sequence
A system and method for preparing and testing of targeted nucleic acids is presented. The system integrates a pipetter, extractor, assay reader, and other components, including a selectively compliant articulated robot arm (SCARA). This synergistic integration of previously separate diagnostic tools creates a system and method whereby a minimum of human intervention is required. The resulting system provides a substantially more accurate and precise method of isolating, amplifying and detecting targeted nucleic acids for diagnosing diseases. |
| US09696325B2 |
Mass spectrometric determination of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid
The invention relates to the detection of DHA and EPA. In a particular aspect, the invention relates to methods for detecting DHA and EPA by mass spectrometry and kits for carrying out such methods. |
| US09696319B2 |
Tumour markers
A method of determining the immune response of a mammal to circulating tumor marker proteins is described in which a sample of bodily fluid, for example plasma or serum, is contacted with a panel of two or more distinct tumor marker antigen. The presence of complexes between the tumor marker antigens and any autoantibodies to the antigens present in the sample are detected and provide an indication of an immune response to a circulating tumor marker protein. The method is useful for the diagnosis of cancer, particularly for identifying new or recurrent cancer in an otherwise assymptomatic patient. |
| US09696318B2 |
Hydrophilic film, preparation method and applications thereof
The present invention provides a hydrophilic film that causes a liquid to diffuse rapidly in a single direction. The hydrophilic film comprises a substrate having a texture of parallel sunken and raised patterns, and a hydrophilic coat comprising a coat of silicon dioxide particles. The present invention also provides a method for preparing the hydrophilic film. The method comprises: preparing an aqueous dispersion of silicon dioxide particles, wherein the average size of the silicon dioxide particles is 1 to 60 nm, and the concentration of the silicon dioxide particles is 0.05% to 15% by weight; coating the aqueous dispersion of silicon dioxide particles on a substrate, wherein the substrate has a texture of parallel sunken and raised patterns; and drying the substrate coated with the aqueous dispersion of silicon dioxide particles. |
| US09696316B2 |
Conformationally dynamic peptides
Disclosed are novel peptides that are useful, for example, for detecting target proteins having a β-sheet secondary structure which may be associated with a disease, and for diagnosing and treating such a disease. Related methods and kits also are disclosed. |
| US09696314B2 |
Method for identifying lineage-related antibodies
In certain embodiments, the method may comprise: a) obtaining the antibody sequences from a population of B cells; b) grouping the antibody sequences to provide a plurality of groups of lineage-related antibodies; c) testing a single antibody from each of the groups in a bioassay and, after the first antibody has been identified, d) testing further antibodies that are in the same group as the first antibody in a second bioassay. In another embodiment, the method may comprise: a) testing a plurality of antibodies obtained from a first portion of an antibody producing organ of an animal; b) obtaining the sequence of a first identified antibody; c) obtaining from a second portion of said antibody producing organ the sequences of further antibodies that are related by lineage to said first antibody; and, c) testing the further antibodies in a second bioassay. |
| US09696313B2 |
HSF1 as a marker in tumor prognosis and treatment
In some aspects, the invention relates to Heat Shock Protein-1 (HSF1) gene and HSF1 gene products. In some aspects, the invention provides methods of tumor diagnosis, prognosis, treatment-specific prediction, or treatment selection, the methods comprising assessing the level of HSF1 expression or HSF1 activation in a sample obtained from the tumor. In some aspects, the invention relates to the discovery that increased HSF1 expression and increased HSF1 activation correlate with poor outcome in cancer, e.g., breast cancer. |
| US09696310B2 |
Molecular sensor and methods of use thereof
The present invention is directed to fluorescent molecular sensor based on Thiazole Orange for protein detection. Interaction of the protein target with the molecular sensors of this invention results in a significant increase in the fluorescence emission. The generation of light output signal enables one to detect protein biomarkers associated with different diseases or detecting the protein of interest also in living cells. |
| US09696309B2 |
Methods of measuring levels of phosphorylated neuronal nitric oxide synthase
The present invention relates to the field of biomarkers. More specifically, the present invention relates to biomarkers useful in diagnosing brain injuries. In a specific embodiment, a method for diagnosing perinatal brain injury in a patient comprises the steps of (a) determining the ratio of phosphorylated nNOS to unphosphorylated nNOS in a sample collected from the patient using an ELISA; and (b) comparing the ratio with predefined ratios of the same proteins that correlate to a patient having perinatal brain injury and predefined ratios of the same proteins that correlate to a patient not having perinatal brain injury, wherein a correlation to one of the predefined ratios provides the diagnosis. |
| US09696306B2 |
Methods of reducing levels of tau
Successful CNS drug discovery requires a scalable, highly physiological neuronal model. Using directed differentiation of mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells, including mES cells isolated from a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a highly homogeneous primary neuronal model amenable to phenotypic assays for production and synaptotoxicity of amyloid β-peptide was developed. This model furnishes a highly physiological and AD-relevant platform suitable for high throughput small molecule and functional genetic screens, providing specific small molecule compounds identified by such screens. |
| US09696305B2 |
Antibody response phenotyping
Disclosed herein are methods, systems, mediums, and kits for use in phenotyping antibody responses via devices such as surface plasmon resonance devices. Such phenotypes can include total target-specific antibody titers, quantitative isotype distribution of the target-specific antibodies, and/or epitope specificity of the target-specific antibodies. Other methods, systems, mediums, and kits are also disclosed. |
| US09696303B2 |
Assay device
An assay device (1) for determining the presence and/or amount of an analyte present or potentially present in a liquid sample comprises: (i) a capillary tube (2) having an upstream region (3) into which the sample to be assayed is introduced for transfer by capillary action along the capillary tube to a downstream region thereof; (ii) a collection of first binding partners (5) immobilized within the capillary tube (2), said first binding partners (5) being capable of specifically binding to the analyte; (iii) a collection of second binding partners (6) displaceabley bound to a fraction of said first binding partners (5) whereby there are free first binding partners (5) immobilized within the capillary tube, said second binding partners (6) having a label and being displaceable from the first binding partners (5) by the analyte to be detected; and (iv) a detection region (4) for sample that has transferred to said downstream region of said capillary tube, said detection region being adapted to generate a detectable signal from the label on displaced second binding partners (6) that have transferred to the downstream region. |
| US09696298B2 |
Multisignal reagents for labeling analytes
Provided is a composition comprising an analyte bound covalently or through a first binding pair to a polymer. In this composition, the analyte is less than about 2000 MW; the polymer further comprises more than one signal or first member of a second binding pair; and the analyte is not a member of the first binding pair or the second binding pair. Also provided is an assay for an analyte. The assay comprises: combining a sample suspected of containing the analyte with the above-described composition and a binding agent that binds to the analyte; and detecting the signal or the first member of the second binding pair that is bound to the binding agent. Additionally provided is a multisignal labeling reagent comprising a first polymer covalently bound to (a) a reactive group or a first member of a first binding pair, and (b) more than one digoxigenin molecule. |
| US09696293B2 |
Apparatus, method, system for the determination of the aggregation rate of red blood cells
Systems and methods for the determination of the aggregation rate of red blood cells. More specifically, the subject technology is used to determine the aggregation rate of red blood cells, and other parameters related to these, such as viscosity, deformability, elasticity, density, in the field of in vitro medical analyses, using optical systems after or during vibration for red blood cell disruption and redistribution. Once the detected light variation stops decreasing (e.g., a minimum is reached), complete disruption is accomplished for evaluation of the blood sample. |
| US09696292B2 |
Time domain reflectometry for characterizing soils
New time-domain response system calibration techniques are described for determining dry density and water content of soil based on electromagnetic wave propagation through it. For example, one disclosed technique use the ratio between V1, the voltage difference between the peak and trough of the response signal, and Vf, the long-term (i.e., steady-state) response of the system to the input pulse. These values are measurable, even for highly conductive soils, and calibration done in a laboratory can be applied to measurements taken in an uncontrolled field environment. |
| US09696285B2 |
Gas analysis system comprising a gas spectrometer equipped with a micro-reflectron
The invention relates to a gas analysis system comprising, from upstream to downstream: a module (SEP) for separating at least a portion of the species contained in the gas to be analysed, comprising at least one microcapillary column (GC) for gas phase chromatography, and a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOFMS) coupled to said separation module, said spectrometer comprising a ion source (MS1, MS2) adapted to ionise at least a portion of said species and to emit a ion beam, and a free-flight zone (MS4) for said ions, said mass spectrometer (TOFMS) being arranged in the volume of at least one substrate and comprising a micro-reflectron (R) arranged between the source (MS1, MS2) and the free-flight zone (MS4), a wall (R1) of said micro-reflectron comprising a layer made from a resistive material designed to be polarised between at least two regions so as to create a continuous electrostatic field gradient in said reflectron. |
| US09696284B2 |
Extraction column
Described are extraction columns and systems that include extraction columns. The extraction column includes a column body that has a reservoir portion, an extraction media portion, and a collar portion. The reservoir portion includes an inlet and a reservoir. The extraction media portion includes an elongated sleeve having an inner surface defining a cavity. The extraction media portion has an inlet end in fluid communication with the reservoir and an outlet end. An extraction medium is disposed in the cavity of the elongated sleeve. The collar portion extends axially in a common direction with the elongated sleeve. The collar portion has a terminal end which is spaced apart from the outlet end of the elongated sleeve and which extends axially at least to a plane defined by the outlet end of the elongated sleeve. |
| US09696280B2 |
Device and method for inspecting aluminum cables with a steel core (aluminum conductor steel reinforced—ASCR) installed in energized electrical energy lines
This invention concerns a device and a method for inspecting aluminum cables with a steel core (ASCRs), installed in energized electrical energy lines, which use the ECT (Eddy Current Testing) technique for evaluating the remaining thickness of the zinc layer which covers the steel wires of the cables inspected, where the readings of the tension of the detection solenoid and the current of the excitation solenoid are taken as the current of the conductor reaches zero, the electrical parameters of the conductor are corrected for the average temperature during the inspection and the signal from the detection solenoid is filtered through a hybrid circuit which is designed to increase the sensitivity of the measurement. |
| US09696279B2 |
Detection system for detecting magnetic objects in the human organism
The subject matter of the invention is a detector system for detecting magnetic bodies in the human organism, which comprises at least two sensor assemblies, wherein each sensor assembly has one, two or three anisotropic magnetic resistance sensors, of which the axes of weak magnetization point in different directions in pairs, and each sensor assembly has a spacing of 0.5 to 50 cm from the sensor assembly or the other sensor assemblies, and at least two sensor assemblies are tilted at an angle of 0 to 45° with respect to one another, and in addition a method for detecting the magnetic flux produced by a magnetic body in the human organism, and the use of the detector system according to the invention for detecting swallowed magnetic bodies and the disintegration of the same in the digestive system. |
| US09696275B2 |
Addressable electrode arrays in multiple fluidic compartments and uses thereof
Methods and apparati for performing measurements of electrical signals in a multi-compartmented fluidic array format where the signal to noise ratio is improved are disclosed. |
| US09696272B2 |
Systems and methods for humidity measurement using dielectric material-based relative humidity sensors
Systems and methods are provided that may be implemented to improve accuracy of relative humidity (RH) determination from dielectric sensing material-based RH sensors, e.g., by decreasing shift and drift effects and compensating for dielectric material aging to improve RH sensor accuracy. The disclosed systems and methods may be implemented to improve RH sensing accuracy by correcting humidity-sensitive electrical parameters (e.g., capacitance, effective resistance, etc.) based on other other measured sensor electrical operating characteristics (e.g., such as real time sensor circuit phase angle) and/or selection of sensor electrical parameters (e.g., such as optimized operating frequency) that are employed for sensing changes in dielectric constant of a dielectric material-based RH sensor. |
| US09696265B2 |
Computational wafer inspection filter design
A method for designing a filter to image a feature on a surface, comprising: acquiring an image of said feature, with said image of feature comprising information from multiple points of said feature; generating a structural model of said feature by extracting predetermined properties of said feature from said image of feature; computing a scattering model for said feature from said structural model of said feature, with said scattering model for feature having information on scattered electromagnetic field from feature propagating in a plurality of scattering angles, wherein said scattered electromagnetic field from feature is generated by scattering of an electromagnetic radiation by said feature; acquiring an image of said surface, with said image of surface comprising information from multiple points of said surface; generating a structural model of said surface by extracting predetermined properties of said surface from said image of surface; computing a scattering model for said surface from said structural model of said surface, with said scattering model for surface having information on scattered electromagnetic field from surface propagating in a plurality of scattering angles, wherein said scattered electromagnetic field from surface is generated by scattering of an electromagnetic radiation by said surface; and computing said filter by combining said scattering model for feature and said scattering model for surface to achieve a predetermined filter performance metric, whereby said filter is designed to modulate scattered electromagnetic field from said feature and scattered electromagnetic field from said surface to image a feature on said surface. A system and method for recognizing a feature, comprising: acquiring an image of said feature using an imaging module, with said image of feature comprising information from multiple points of said feature; computing a feature spread function from scattering model of a previously known feature and transfer function of said imaging module, wherein said feature spread function represents a model of an image of said previously known feature; and comparing said image of feature with said feature spread function by computing a match metric between said image of feature and said feature spread function, whereby said match metric determines if said feature is similar to said previously known feature. |
| US09696263B2 |
Borescope calibrator and user check gauge
A borescope calibration device is provided that includes a base having a planar surface and a plurality of reference surfaces on a side of the base opposing the planar surface, each of the plurality of reference surfaces having a height that decreases along a length of the base, a fixture that positions an optical head along a reference line that is parallel to the planar surface and providing a fixed distance between the reference surfaces and the optical head, the fixture being movable along a length of the base, and a target pattern formed on each of the reference surfaces. |
| US09696261B2 |
Multi-channel device and method for measuring optical properties of a liquid
A multi-channel device includes up to three channels for optical testing of liquid samples. The liquid sample(s) may include surface water, drinking water, processed water or the like. The multi-channel device may include a turbidity channel and a color channel that measure turbidity and color, respectively, of a liquid sample using spectrographic analysis. The multi-channel device may also include a colorimetric channel that measures the concentration of various analytes in a liquid sample, such as free chlorine, total chlorine, copper and phosphate. |
| US09696259B2 |
Optode sensor with integrated reference
A system for obtaining a measurement of a species of interest. The system includes one or more reference regions, a sensor region, an exciter unit, a detector unit and a processing unit. The exciter unit exposes first and second chemical transducers in the reference and sensor regions, respectively, to an excitation light while they are exposed to reference environments and an analyte, respectively. The detector unit measures responses of the first and the second chemical transducers to the excitation light. The processing unit determines a compensation for aging of the first chemical transducer from a discrepancy between the measurements of the responses of the first chemical transducer and reference responses. The processing unit applies the compensation for aging to the measurement of the response of the second chemical transducer to obtain the measurement of the species of interest in the analyte. |
| US09696256B1 |
Palladium and platinum-based nanoparticle functional sensor layers for selective H2 sensing
The disclosure relates to a plasmon resonance-based method for H2 sensing in a gas stream utilizing a hydrogen sensing material. The hydrogen sensing material is comprises Pd-based or Pt-based nanoparticles having an average nanoparticle diameter of less than about 100 nanometers dispersed in an inert matrix having a bandgap greater than or equal to 5 eV, and an oxygen ion conductivity less than approximately 10−7 S/cm at a temperature of 700° C. Exemplary inert matrix materials include SiO2, Al2O3, and Si3N4 as well as modifications to modify the effective refractive indices through combinations and/or doping of such materials. The hydrogen sensing material utilized in the method of this disclosure may be prepared using means known in the art for the production of nanoparticles dispersed within a supporting matrix including sol-gel based wet chemistry techniques, impregnation techniques, implantation techniques, sputtering techniques, and others. |
| US09696252B2 |
Apparatus for performing counts within a biologic fluid sample
An apparatus for enumerating one or more specific elements within a biologic fluid sample is provided. The apparatus includes a first planar member that is transparent, and a second planar member. The members are separated from one another by a substantially uniform height, and the height is sized relative to the specific elements within the sample such that the specific elements non-uniformly distribute within the sample upon introduction into the chamber. |
| US09696248B2 |
Gas insulated switchgear monitoring apparatus and method
Mechanical, electronic, algorithmic, and computer network facets are combined to create a highly integrated advanced sensor that monitors the gas density, state-of-repair, and events associated with switchgear. Measurements of gas pressure, atmospheric pressure, gas temperature, are used with models of the non-ideal behavior of a particular gas to realistically estimate gas density. A hierarchical system of signal processing optimizes measurements working within high-frequency, real-time, short-term, medium-term, diurnal, long-term, and historical timeframes and overcomes measurement errors present in real-world applications. The time at which a condition such as gas density will reach a particular level is calculated. Events such as threshold attainments and switchgear operation are detected. A large memory stores all raw data values allowing flexible re-processing and verification at any future time. Instantaneous as well as logged information is communicated in convenient formats over a selected digital network. An embedded web server provides a familiar graphical user interface. |
| US09696246B2 |
Sensor system with an exchangeable cartridge and a reader
A sensor system (100) includes a reader (150) with a sensor unit (155, 156) and an accommodation Space (151) for an exchangeable cartridge (110). The cartridge (110) is held in the accommodation space (151) by at least one contact element (111) which has an increased thermal resistance and/or a contact area of reduced size. Thus a more homogenous temperature distribution can be achieved within the cartridge (110), reducing distortions which might adversely affect optical measurements. |
| US09696245B1 |
Leak position estimation method using wind direction and correlation measurements at isolated spatial points in a plume
Repeated simultaneous concentration measurements at spatially separated points are used to provide information on the lateral spatial extent of a gas plume. More specifically the spatial correlations in this data provide this information. Fitting a gas plume model directly to this multi-point data can provide good estimates of total plume emission. The distance between the plume source and the measurement points does not need to be known to provide these estimates. It is also not necessary to perform any detailed atmospheric modeling. These estimates of the lateral spatial extent of a gas plume can also be used to provide a distance estimate to the source of the gas plume. Wind direction information can be used to provide improved location estimates for sources of gas leaks. |
| US09696244B2 |
Inline sampling for multi-phase flow
A sampling device uses two ball valves that may be operated to take a sample while allowing flow to continue in a bypass path in a pressurized pipe. As one ball valve closes, it may capture a sample of liquid and gas that may be traveling in the pipe, then the sample may be discharged through a sampling outlet. The second ball valve may be operated simultaneously to open a bypass path while the first ball valve captures a sample. In some cases, the speed of actuation may be a function of the flow speed to capture an accurate sample. In other cases, the length of pipe from the sampling valve to the bypass junction may determine the effectiveness of the sample when actuation speed is relatively slow. |
| US09696241B2 |
Liquid sampling, storage, transfer and delivery device
The present invention provides a liquid sampling, storage, transfer and delivery device comprising housing containing a porous nib. The porous nib in the device contacts the sample, collects the sample, stores the sample, transports the sample inside its porous matrix and releases the sample from the porous matrix upon demand. |
| US09696240B2 |
Method of determining the longitudinal pitch of tread band blocks
Method of determining the longitudinal pitch of blocks of a tread band having a raised pattern with a number of longitudinal grooves and transverse grooves; the method including the step of calculating a best longitudinal pitch of the blocks, to minimize pass-by noise at a given target speed, as a function of the resonance frequency of the longitudinal grooves and an integer greater than zero. |
| US09696234B2 |
Evaporative emissions testing based on historical and forecast weather data
A method for a vehicle, comprising: initiating an engine-off natural vacuum test based on an ambient temperature change potential over a testing duration. The ambient temperature change potential may be based on historic weather data and further based on forecast weather data. In this way, the engine-off natural vacuum test may be executed only when conditions favor an in-tank temperature change significant enough to cause a threshold change in fuel tank pressure, thus reducing the number of aborted tests and increasing the test's overall performance metrics. |
| US09696227B2 |
Device for measuring the chain force in a bicycle
The present invention relates to a device for measuring the force present in the drive chain of an electric bicycle that basically comprises a metal plate (1) with an axle area for being attached to one end of the wheel axle (2) to receive the force F1 applied to the bicycle's frame by said wheel axle (2) in the longitudinal axis of the bicycle and a frame area for being to the bicycle frame were said frame area comprises tapped holes (3) to be attached to the bicycle frame, at least a force sensor (4), an adjusting screw (5) to adjust said force sensor (4), an elastic overload protection element (6), such as an helical spring, designated to maintain the sensor (4) within a secure load range for protecting it from overloads, and a system of transmission for receiving the horizontal force component F1′ and transmitting a proportional elastic reaction force to the force sensor (4). |
| US09696224B1 |
Torque detection device
A torque detection device includes a base with a first support portion and a second support portion, two first rails connected to the first support portion and two second rails movably connected to the two first rails. A movable part is connected to the two second rails and has two rods. A chuck unit is connected to the movable part. A torque device is connected to the first support portion and has a receiving member. A first part has a first engaging portion on the first end thereof, and which is engaged with the receiving member. The first part has a second engaging portion on the other end thereof. An axial force detector is connected to the second support portion and has a reception member, and the two rods contact the reception member. The axial force detector detects the axial force that the two rods apply to the movable part. |
| US09696220B2 |
Malfunction diagnosis apparatus
A malfunction diagnosis apparatus includes: a first temperature detector; a second temperature detector that is placed in a different location from where the first temperature detector is placed; a difference value calculation device calculates a difference value between a detection value from the first temperature detector and a detection value from the second temperature detector; a mapping device carries out mapping of the difference value and calculates a correction value using the frequency of the difference value; a malfunction diagnosis device diagnoses whether or not there is a malfunction in the first temperature detector and the second temperature detector; and a recovery device calculates, as a detection value of the first or second temperature detector judged to be malfunctioning, a value by adding the correction value to a detection value from the first or second temperature detector judged not to be malfunctioning. |
| US09696219B2 |
Method for calibrating a measuring device in a mobile terminal
A method for calibrating a measuring device in a mobile terminal includes: during a first calibration period, measuring first and second values at the first and second temperature sensors, respectively; during a second calibration period, measuring energy consumption values of the mobile terminal; generating first maximum, first minimum, and first temperature values from the first measured values; generating second maximum, second minimum, and second temperature values from the second measured values; generating a third maximum value from the measured energy consumption values; and storing the first and second temperature values for the calibration if the difference between the first maximum and minimum values and the difference between the second maximum and minimum values are smaller than a threshold value, and the third maximum value is smaller than a further threshold value. |
| US09696218B2 |
Test specimen holder for high temperature environments
A test specimen holder includes a specimen engaging portion operable to selectively engage and hold a test specimen. The test specimen holder includes a first shield disposed around the specimen engaging portion wherein a first gap is formed between the shield and the specimen engaging portion to remove heat from the specimen engaging portion. |
| US09696216B2 |
Acoustic transducer in system for gas temperature measurement in gas turbine engine
An apparatus for controlling operation of a gas turbine engine including at least one acoustic transmitter/receiver device located on a flow path boundary structure. The acoustic transmitter/receiver device includes an elongated sound passage defined by a surface of revolution having opposing first and second ends and a central axis extending between the first and second ends, an acoustic sound source located at the first end, and an acoustic receiver located within the sound passage between the first and second ends. The boundary structure includes an opening extending from outside the boundary structure to the flow path, and the second end of the surface of revolution is affixed to the boundary structure at the opening for passage of acoustic signals between the sound passage and the flow path. |
| US09696204B2 |
Determination and correction of frequency registration deviations for quantitative spectroscopy
A frequency registration deviation is quantified for a field spectrum collected during analysis by a spectroscopic analysis system of a sample fluid when the spectroscopic analysis system has deviated from a standard calibration state. The field spectrum is corrected based on the frequency registration deviation using at least one spectral shift technique, and a concentration is calculated for at least one analyte represented by the field spectrum using the corrected field spectrum. Related systems, methods, and articles are described. |
| US09696201B2 |
Offset current compensation for photodiodes
A dark photodiode that is optically isolated from the signal photodiode and having a dark current in the absence of photons. A reference generating circuit configured to produce a reference voltage based on voltage at an anode of the signal photodiode. A voltage regulator circuit configured to regulate dark photodiode voltage at an anode of the dark photodiode based on the reference voltage. A current mirror circuit configured to produce, at an anode connecting to the signal photodiode, a mirrored current that is a mirrored version of a portion of the dark current. |
| US09696199B2 |
Optical sensor
The present disclosure relates to an optical sensor module, an optical sensing accessory, and an optical sensing device. An optical sensor module comprises a light source, a photodetector, and a substrate. The light source is configured to convert electric power into radiant energy and emit light to an object surface. The photodetector is configured to receive the light from an object surface and convert radiant energy into electrical current or voltage. An optical sensing accessory and an optical sensing device comprise the optical sensor module and other electronic modules to have further applications. |
| US09696194B2 |
Method and apparatus for a vibratory meter
An apparatus (400) for a vibratory meter (100) having one or more flow tubes (101, 102) adapted to vibrate is provided. The apparatus (400) comprising two or more brace bars (203, 204) adapted to couple to the one or more flow tubes (101, 102), and an isolation bar (402) coupled to the two or more brace bars (203, 204). |
| US09696192B2 |
In-line flow meter
A device for measuring flow is provided. Tubing having a polymer therein is activated, followed by downstream detection of agents released by the polymer. The downstream detection of the agents provides for a calculation of the flow to be performed. |
| US09696191B2 |
Thermal, flow measuring device
A thermal, flow measuring device for determining and/or monitoring a mass flow of a measured medium through a measuring tube, comprising a sensor having a first heatable resistance thermometer and at least a second heatable resistance thermometer, wherein the sensor has a longitudinal axis and an end face, which is divided into at least two adjoining segments, wherein a surface normal vector of at least a first segment forms with the longitudinal axis of the sensor an angle of at least 5°; and use of a thermal, flow measuring device. |
| US09696189B2 |
Device and method for determining fluid streaming potential
A method (e.g., for characterizing a fluid) includes rotating an electrode assembly in a fluid at a rotation speed. The electrode assembly includes first and second electrodes. Rotation of the electrode assembly draws at least a portion of the fluid to move across the first and second electrodes. The method also includes measuring a potential difference between the first and second electrodes as the at least a portion of the fluid moves across the first and second electrodes due to rotation of the electrode assembly, and determining a streaming potential of the fluid using the potential difference. |
| US09696186B2 |
Position detecting sensor
A position detecting sensor is mounted in a sensor attachment groove that opens on a side surface of an actuator and extends in an axial direction of the actuator. The position detecting sensor includes a housing that houses a sensor main body, and a guide member inserted into the sensor attachment groove. The guide member is of a shape such that, when the guide member is inserted into the sensor attachment groove, the guide member is required to be rotated in one direction around an axis parallel with the axis of the actuator and then rotated in a direction opposite to the one direction. After the guide member has been inserted into the sensor attachment groove, attachment thereof to the sensor attachment groove is completed by application of a fastener. |
| US09696185B2 |
6D positioning system using a shadow sensor
A positioning system, in particular, positioning in six dimensions of a sensor with respect to an assembly composed of a multitude of LEDs, is provided. The sensor is a shadow sensor and has a mask and a 2D imager. By recording the shadow of the mask cast by each LED on the imager, and by properly multiplexing the LEDs, the system can compute the 6D position of the LED assembly with respect to the shadow sensor. This computation is based, in part, on treating the shadow of the mask cast on the imager as the equivalent of the projection of light in a pinhole camera. |
| US09696184B2 |
Position-detecting unit having reduced offset voltage, and method using such a unit
To eliminate measurement errors, such as “offset voltages” in sensors of the inductive type by modifying the architecture of the assembly of elements used for signal processing, the architecture of the apparatuses processing the signal from the secondary windings is modified as follows: the amplifiers of this sensor are placed between the low-pass filters and the output terminals of the sensor, the voltages from the two secondary windings pass into an RC filter including a resistor and a capacitor, the voltage from each of the secondary windings passes into two multiplexers, one of which allows only the positive half-cycle to pass through, the other being wired so as to allow only the negative half-cycle to pass through, and the unused outputs of these multiplexers are connected to the common point between the secondary windings, low-pass filters are placed between each of the multiplexers and the amplifiers. |
| US09696183B2 |
Angular position detector including a variable reluctance resolver-encoder
An angular position detector includes a cylindrical rotor having an axis of rotation and a first ring with a plurality of alternating teeth and valleys, a first first-ring magnetic sensor having a sensor surface facing the first ring, the first first-ring magnetic sensor being configured to produce a first signal in response to movement of the first ring past the first first-ring magnetic sensor, a second first-ring magnetic sensor having a sensor surface facing the first ring and being configured to produce a second signal in response to movement of the first ring past the second first-ring magnetic sensor, the second first-ring magnetic sensor being circumferentially offset from the first first-ring magnetic sensor by a first angle and a controller operatively connected to the first and second first-ring magnetic sensors and configured to produce a first output signal based on the first and second signals. |
| US09696176B2 |
Information display system and method
A trip gauge for a vehicle information display may convey vehicle trip information and vehicle range information graphically to assist drivers in qualitatively visualizing and determining whether they can successfully make it to their destination before an on-board energy source is depleted. The trip gauge may include indicators corresponding to the relative locations of the vehicle, the destination, and a projected zero charge location associated with the vehicle's range or distance to empty value. Moreover, the positions of the indicators relative to one another may indicate whether the excess energy is available for the vehicle to reach the destination or whether the energy available is insufficient. Accordingly, drivers may be either reassured that they are expected to reach their destination successfully or warned if they are not so the drivers can modify their driving behavior or change their destination. |
| US09696173B2 |
Providing an instruction notification for navigation
A mechanism for providing an instruction notification for navigation. A method includes receiving destination data of a user device and generating default navigation instruction in view of the destination data. The default navigation instruction provides directions from a first location of the user device to a second location of the destination data. The method also includes setting the user device to a commute mode in view of the destination data. The commute mode includes generating a modified navigation instruction that modifies the default navigation instruction. |
| US09696164B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus to determine physical location and routing within a field of low power beacons
A non-time of flight or time of arrival position location system for accurate determination of a user's location in an enclosed, indoor, or covered environment can include a number of beacons mounted in an arrangement within the environment. Each of the beacons is mounted in a known location and transmits a broadcast signal containing a unique identifier that identifies the originating beacon. A handheld electronic device including a receiver and a communicably coupled processor can receive broadcast signals from at least some of the number of beacons, iteratively determine a vector quantity corresponding to each of the received signals, and sum the resultant vector quantities to determine an updated position. The iterative process can be repeated until consecutive iterations yield an updated position that falls within a defined threshold. |
| US09696160B2 |
Route planning
A method and apparatus for determining routes vehicles (4, 6), the method comprising: measuring positions of a first vehicle and a second vehicle (6); providing a specification of a region (12) having a fixed position in relation to the first vehicle (4); using the measurements and the region specification, determining a first route for the first vehicle (4) and a second route for the second vehicle (6). Determining the routes comprises: constructing a graph (34) within a joint state space (X) of the vehicles (4, 6); identifying, within the graph (34), a path from a first vertex to a second vertex, the first vertex corresponding to the measured positions of the vehicles (4, 6), and the second vertex corresponding to the second vehicle (6) being at least partially located within the region (12); and, using the identified path, determining the first and second routes. |
| US09696157B2 |
Micro-electro-mechanical device with compensation of errors due to disturbance forces, such as quadrature components
MEMS device having a support region elastically carrying a suspended mass through first elastic elements. A tuned dynamic absorber is elastically coupled to the suspended mass and configured to dampen quadrature forces acting on the suspended mass at the natural oscillation frequency of the dynamic absorber. The tuned dynamic absorber is formed by a damping mass coupled to the suspended mass through second elastic elements. In an embodiment, the suspended mass and the damping mass are formed in a same structural layer, for example of semiconductor material, and the damping mass is surrounded by the suspended mass. |
| US09696156B2 |
Vibrating element, sensor unit, electronic apparatus, and method for manufacturing vibrating element
An vibrating gyro device includes a base, drive vibrating arms extending from one end of the base, and detection vibrating arms extending from the other end of the base that faces away from the one end, and an adjustment film is provided on each of the drive vibrating arms in an area close to the base. |
| US09696154B1 |
Easy view level square
A tool with three tools combined in one to produce a more time consuming, efficient, and quality in leveling and squaring corners, frames, door jambs, window frames, laying bricks and masondry with cement floors or side walks. The Easy View Level Square has three unique features. One is the ability of each one of three viewing chambers to pop up perpendicular to the body of the level bar for a visual of the level bubble from any angle or short distance. The second feature is that the Easy View Level Square has a tongue blade that can open from it's trough or the body of the level bar to create a framing square useful in checking the square of corners and perpendicular structures. And the third unique feature is a ruler used for quick marks and measurements at short distances or uneven spots while checking for level to mark it. |
| US09696148B2 |
Nose landing gear rigging alignment tool holding fixture
Method and apparatus for providing an alignment indication for a nose landing gear of an aircraft. The apparatus includes surfaces that abut certain features of the nose landing gear. When the surfaces of the fixture and the features of the nose landing gear abut, the fixture is aligned with the nose landing gear and oriented such that a coherent light source emits a coherent light beam that impinges on an alignment scale. The coherent light beam can be sufficiently small that a mechanic or other user can discern the alignment of the nose landing gear to within one or two degrees. After the nose landing gear has been moved to a centered position, control rigging that communicates steering inputs from pilots to a hydraulic actuation system can be adjusted so that the steering inputs are also centered. |
| US09696146B2 |
Optical scanning probe
The present invention relates to a scanning probe (100) for the dimensional acquisition of an object (400) by irradiating the object (400) with light and detecting reflected light comprising: a detection unit (120) comprising an imaging sensor (122) and a sensor lens assembly (124) for detecting the reflected light, a light projecting unit (141) comprising a light source (142) for generating light, and source optics (145) for focusing the light, and light plane generating optics (143) for generating a light plane (149) for irradiating the object, and an adjustment mechanism (155) comprised in the light projecting unit (141), for adjusting the position or orientation of the light plane relative to the detection unit. It further relates to a method for assembly of a scanning probe (100). |
| US09696145B2 |
Opportunistic structured light
A method for using structured light in a handheld projection device is provided that includes projecting a structured light pattern in at least one portion of a frame being projected by the handheld projection device, wherein the at least one portion of the frame is a subset of the frame, capturing an image of the projected frame, computing scene depth information based on the structured light pattern in the captured image, and using the scene depth information in processing of a subsequent frame of the video stream. |
| US09696144B2 |
Three-dimensional shape measuring device capable of measuring color information
Provided herein is a three-dimensional shape measurement apparatus capable of measuring a shape of a measurement object using an interferometer and color information of the measurement object, the apparatus including a light source for emitting a light; a light divider for reflecting the light emitted from the light source or transmitting a light reflected by the measurement object; a lens unit for focusing the light reflected by the light divider onto the measurement object; a light detector for detecting the light reflected from the measurement object; and a light adjuster arranged on a light path between the light source and the light divider, and configured to interrupt the light being emitted from a central area of the light source to reduce interference of light occurring in the lens unit. |
| US09696142B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining residual stresses of a component
A method for determining residual stresses of a component (14), in particular a component of an aircraft engine, while it is being manufactured by an additive manufacturing process. The method includes the following steps: creating at least one local melt pool (26) in a surface (24) of the component (14) to be manufactured after a predetermined portion of the component is completed; optically detecting surface distortions and/or elongations occurring at least in a region around the created melt pool (26); and determining the residual stresses of the component (14) which are present at least in the region around the created melt pool (26) based on the optically detected surface distortions and/or elongations. Further an apparatus for determining residual stresses of a component (14) while it is being manufactured by an additive manufacturing process is provided. |
| US09696140B2 |
Laser tracker with position-sensitive detectors for searching for a target
Some embodiments of the invention relate to a laser tracker for continuously pursuing a reflective target and for determining the position of the target. The method may include a base which defines a vertical axis, a beam guiding unit for emitting a measurement beam, the beam guiding unit being pivotable by motor relative to the base about the vertical axis and an inclination axis, and a measurement axis being defined by an emission direction of the measurement beam. The laser tracker may include a precision distance measurement unit and an angle measurement function. The target search unit may have illumination source for illuminating the target, a first camera with a first position-sensitive detector and at least one part of the illumination beam reflected on the target being determinable as a first target position, and a control and evaluation unit. |
| US09696138B2 |
Simultaneous refractive index and thickness measurements with a monochromatic low-coherence interferometer
A scanning monochromatic spatial low-coherent interferometer (S-LCI) can be used to simultaneously measure geometric thickness and refractive index. The probe beam of the scanning S-LCI can be an off-axis converging single wavelength laser beam, and the decomposed incident angles of the beam on the sample can be accurately defined in the Fourier domain. The angle dependent phase shift of a plane parallel plate or other sample can be obtained in a single system measurement. From the angle dependent phase shift, the geometric thickness and refractive index of the sample can be simultaneously obtained. Additionally or alternatively, the S-LCI system can interrogate the sample to profile the location and refractive index of one or more layers within the sample using the disclosed techniques. |
| US09696136B2 |
Methods and systems for modifying second-order chromatic dispersion in optical coherence tomographic systems
An apparatus and a method are described which provide a range of second-order chromatic dispersion correction between a reference arm and a sample arm of an optical coherence tomographic system, while minimizing optical path length differences. |
| US09696132B2 |
Tunable laser array system
A system for swept source optical coherence tomography, the system including a light source emitting multiplexed wavelength-swept radiation over a total wavelength range, the light source including N wavelength-swept vertical cavity lasers (VCL) emitting N tunable VCL outputs having N wavelength trajectories, a combiner for combining the N tunable VCL optical outputs into a common optical path to create the multiplexed wavelength-swept radiation, a splitter for splitting the multiplexed wavelength-swept radiation to a sample and a reference path, an optical detector for detecting an interference signal created by an optical interference between a reflection from the sample and light traversing the reference path, and a signal processing system which uses the interference signal to construct an image of the sample, wherein at least one of the N wavelength trajectories differs from another of the N wavelength trajectories with respect to at least one parameter. |
| US09696128B2 |
Measuring accessory for tools
A fixed-length measurement accessory includes a rigid body fixed to a base supporting a magnet for magnetically coupling the accessory to a host tool. An opposite end of the rigid body provides a visual marker for alignment with an end of a workpiece. A variable-length accessory includes telescoping rigid bodies joined by a coupler. One end of one rigid body is joined to a base supporting a magnet for magnetically coupling the accessory to the host tool. The coupler houses a friction member creating light friction resisting adjustment of a combined length of the rigid bodies. An opposite end of the other rigid body provides a visual marker for alignment with an end of the workpiece. Markings are provided on at least one of the rigid bodies for indicating a combined length of the rigid bodies at multiple relative positions. |
| US09696125B2 |
Thermal trigger with an integrated out-of-line lockout device for a thermally-initiated ventilation system or other system
A device includes a thermal trigger having a firing pin, where the thermal trigger is configured to move the firing pin in response to an elevated temperature. The device also includes an out-of-line lockout device configured to disarm the thermal trigger in response to acceleration of the lockout device. The lockout device is configured to move a first lockout ball into a notch of the firing pin to disarm the thermal trigger. The lockout device could include an inertial mass configured to move the first lockout ball into the notch of the firing pin and a first spring configured to bias the inertial mass in an initial position. The lockout device could also include a second lockout ball configured to move into a position that prevents the inertial mass from returning to the initial position or a dampener configured to slow movement of the inertial mass. |
| US09696118B2 |
Rear sight block for AK-type rifles
Implementations of a rear sight block for AK-type rifles are provided. In some implementations, the rear sight block may be drop-in-compatible with most AK-type rifles and performs several functions (e.g., providing a guide hole for the piston of an AK-type rifles operating system) associated with prior art rear sight blocks found on AK-type rifles. In some implementations, the rear sight block disclosed herein comprises an optic mounting interface having an integral rear sight notch therein, and at least one accessory mounting interface. In some implementations, the optic mounting interface places an optical gun sight secured thereto in line with the iron sights of the host AK-type rifle. In some implementations, the accessory mounting interface may be used to position a flashlight, laser, and/or other firearm accessory on the left (or right) side of the rear sight block. |
| US09696116B2 |
System and method for producing a DOPE chart
A cover for use with an optic device to hold and display shooting information. The cover may have resilient retention members that allow a display to be releasably attached and detached from the cover. The display may be made from a single substrate or multiple substrates in order to make the shooting information contained thereon highly visible in a variety of conditions and shooting preferences. The display may further be customized by a user to include desired DOPE information and then printed onto the single or multiple substrates. A system and method for creating custom DOPE charts is also provided. |
| US09696115B2 |
Reticle providing maximized danger space
A reticle for a projectile weapon aiming apparatus including a plurality of aiming marks, the plurality of aiming marks include a first mark positioned at the center of the reticle and at least one additional mark spaced below the first mark along a vertical center axis of the reticle, wherein adjacent marks of the first mark and the at least one additional mark are spaced apart by predetermined distances. First and second horizontal stripes are provided on each side of the plurality of aiming marks respectively, the first and second horizontal stripes offset relative to the vertical center axis with a gap provided therebetween and extending towards the perimeter of the reticle, the first and second horizontal stripes spaced a predetermined distance from a bottom of the reticle measured along the vertical center axis. |
| US09696114B1 |
Collapsible reflective sight for a firearm
A collapsible reflective optical sight for a firearm includes a base that mounts the optical sight to the firearm, a lens attached to and rotatable with respect to the base, wherein the lens includes a first optic with a reflective surface and the lens is folded with respect to the base for storage in a collapsed configuration and is angled with respect to the base in a deployed configuration for use in aiming the firearm, a light source on the base that reflects light off the reflective surface of the first optic to a user for aiming the firearm, and a mechanical sight on the base for aiming the firearm when the lens is in the collapsed configuration. |
| US09696112B2 |
Rail segment for handguard of a firearm and assembly thereof
A handguard assembly for a firearm is provided, comprising a handguard configured to overlie a barrel of the firearm in spaced relationship, the handguard comprising a plurality of apertures; a rail segment including a plurality of mounting bosses, each of the plurality of mounting bosses located in a different one of the plurality of apertures of the handguard; a plurality of rotatable fasteners to fasten the rail segment to the handguard, each of the rotatable fasteners located in a different one of the mounting bosses of the rail segment; and each of the rotatable fasteners comprising a mounting latch to mount the rail segment to the handguard, each mounting latch rotatable from an aperture insertion position overlying a top of the boss to a mounting position overlying the handguard. |
| US09696109B2 |
Airsoft gun with gun mounted air supply system
An gas supply system for use with an airsoft gun to power a pneumatic engine contained within a receiver of the airsoft gun. The gas supply system includes a bottle of pressurized gas that supplies pressurized gas at a first pressure to the receiver. A pressure regulator is located between the supply of pressurized gas and the pneumatic drive engine and operates to reduce the pressure of the gas from the first pressure to a second pressure. The pressure regulator is supported on the airsoft gun and allows the pressure of gas supplied to the pneumatic engine of the airsoft gun to be regulated. The pressure regulator includes an adjustment dial that allows an operator to change the pressure of gas supplied to the airsoft gun. The pressure regulator can be located between the bottle of pressurized gas and the receiver. |
| US09696108B2 |
Crossbow cocking device
In some embodiments, a crossbow system comprises a crossbow comprising a stock and a bow portion. The bow portion comprises a bowstring having a nocking point. The crossbow defines a shooting axis. The stock comprises a rope anchor located below the shooting axis. The crossbow system further comprises a cocking rope constructed and arranged to engage the bowstring and to be anchored to the rope anchor. |
| US09696103B2 |
Trigger with cam
In some embodiments, a trigger group comprises a trigger arranged to pivot on a trigger axis and a hammer arranged to pivot on a hammer axis. The hammer includes a cam surface. The hammer is moveable from a first position to a second position upon break of the trigger, and the cam surface contacts the trigger in the second position. Desirably, the cam is arranged to bias the trigger. |
| US09696090B2 |
Thermal processing furnace for workpieces
A thermal processing furnace for workpieces has a blowing hood in which a nozzle is installed, the nozzle blowing a gas flow to thermally process a workpiece, including a driving mechanism that adjusts a distance between the nozzle and a portion of the workpiece facing the nozzle so that the gas flow blown from the nozzle impinges on workpieces of various dimensions at a desired flow velocity, wherein a plurality of nozzles are arranged as the nozzle along a conveying direction of the workpiece in a zone where the thermal processing is performed, and the driving mechanism adjusts a distance between each of the nozzles and a portion of the workpiece facing the nozzle individually in each of the plurality of nozzles. |
| US09696087B2 |
Method and apparatus for separating air by cryogenic distillation
A method for separating air is provided, in which a flow of oxygen-rich liquid is sent to a top of a pure oxygen column, having a pure oxygen reboiler, in which said flow is purified in order to form a vessel liquid containing at least 98 mol % of oxygen and the vessel liquid is drawn off as a product. A supercharged airflow at a second pressure is sent to the pure oxygen reboiler and to a liquid oxygen vaporizer; a nitrogen-rich gas is drawn from the top of the medium-pressure column and sent to an intermediate reboiler of the low-pressure column and the condensed gas is sent to the top of the medium-pressure column; and a nitrogen-rich gas or air is sent to a vessel reboiler of the low-pressure column and the liquid that condenses therein is sent to the medium-pressure column. |
| US09696086B2 |
System and method for the production of liquefied natural gas
A system and method for producing liquefied natural gas are provided. The method may include compressing a process stream containing natural gas in a compression assembly to produce a compressed process stream. The method may also include removing non-hydrocarbons from the compressed process stream in a separator, and cooling the compressed process stream with a cooling assembly to thereby produce a cooled, compressed process stream containing natural gas in a supercritical state. The method may further include expanding a first portion and a second portion of the natural gas from the cooled, compressed process stream in a first expansion element and a second expansion element to generate a first refrigeration stream and a second refrigeration stream, respectively. The method may further include cooling the natural gas in the cooled, compressed process stream to a supercritical state with the first and second refrigeration streams to thereby produce the liquefied natural gas. |
| US09696084B1 |
Light switch for door in door refrigerator
A refrigerator appliance having a cabinet defining a food storage chamber, a first door, a second door rotatably mounted to the outer surface of the first door, a light, a switch in operative communication with the light, and an actuator. The switch and actuator are configured to turn the light on when the first door is in the open position, to turn the light on when the second door is in the open position, and to turn the light off when both the first door and the second door are in the respective closed positions. |
| US09696082B2 |
Method and apparatus for distributing and storing serially produced articles in multiple storage units
An apparatus and method for distributing articles is arranged to deliver articles to selected stacking positions in two or more storage units. An article is dispensed to a first article transport and distribution section in a main storage unit, and then either delivered to a stacking position in the main unit or transported through a connecting window onto a second transport and distribution section in a satellite storage unit for delivery to a stacking position in that unit. The procedure is repeated to distribute subsequent bags of ice to selected stacking positions in each unit. Additional satellite storage units may be provided and included in the delivery sequence for distributing bags of ice throughout the units. The storage units may be refrigerated, merchandizing units for bagged ice, with the main storage unit associated with an ice bagged ice supply unit which dispenses bags of ice into the unit. |
| US09696075B2 |
Container refrigeration device
A container refrigeration device includes: a fan controller which reduces a rotation speed of an inside fan when a temperature inside a container is stabilized; and a rotation speed controller which reduces an operational rotation speed N of a compressor such that the temperature inside the container becomes equal to a target temperature as the fan controller reduces the rotation speed of the inside fan. |
| US09696073B2 |
Fault detection and diagnostic system for a refrigeration circuit
A fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) system is provided for a refrigeration circuit having an evaporator and a compressor configured to circulate a refrigerant through the evaporator. The FDD system includes a communications interface configured to receive a measurement of a thermodynamic property affected by the refrigeration circuit and a processing circuit having a processor and memory. The processing circuit is configured to use the measured thermodynamic property to determine an expected suction entropy of the refrigerant at a suction of the compressor, use the expected suction entropy to determine an expected thermodynamic discharge property of the refrigerant at a discharge of the compressor, determine an actual thermodynamic discharge property of the refrigerant at the discharge of the compressor, and detect a fault in the refrigeration circuit by comparing the expected thermodynamic discharge property with the actual thermodynamic discharge property. |
| US09696063B2 |
Cooling systems and related methods
Cooling systems using adsorption are described. The cooling systems use an adsorption cycle without continuous heat input and over a long duration. The cooling system can function by vaporizing a liquid at a reduced pressure. The cooling systems have applications in developing countries, in both arid and non-arid regions, allowing, for example, for the operation of refrigerators and small air conditioners without electrical input. The cooling systems can be used for cold storage. The cooling systems can present a greener alternative to conventional cooling methods in developed countries. |
| US09696060B2 |
Temperature sensing air diffuser
A temperature controlled air diffuser with a temperature-sensitive element alters the direction of the supply airstream passing through it and into a conditioned airspace, based on the temperature of the supply airstream. |
| US09696059B2 |
Integrated heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration system
A combined heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (“HVACR”) system including an HVAC sub-system and a refrigeration sub-system. The HVAC sub-system is in communication with an open space of an indoor environment and includes a first condenser, a first evaporator, and a first compressor at least partially defining a first refrigerant circuit circulating a first refrigerant for selectively conditioning an airflow within the HVAC subsystem that conditions the open space. The refrigeration sub-system is in communication with an enclosed space within the indoor environment and includes a second condenser, a second evaporator, and a second compressor and at least partially defining a second refrigerant circuit circulating a second refrigerant for selectively conditioning the enclosed space. Heat from the second refrigerant is selectively transferred to the airflow within the second condenser to reheat the airflow prior to the airflow being discharged into the open space. |
| US09696058B2 |
Compact HVAC controller
An HVAC Controller may include a first sub-assembly and a second sub-assembly releasably engageble with the first sub-assembly. The first sub-assembly may include a first housing and a printed circuit board capable of being secured relative to the first housing and capable of providing one or more signals. The second sub-assembly may include a second housing and a second printed circuit board capable of being secured relative to the second housing and capable of receiving the one or more signals from the first printed circuit boards when the first sub-assembly is releasably engaging the second sub-assembly. The first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board each may have one or more component mounted on sides facing one another, the components each extending a distance. The sum of the distances may be greater than a distance spacing the facing sides of the printed circuit boards. |
| US09696057B2 |
Measuring HVAC efficiency
A method for measuring HVAC efficiency is disclosed which may be used to test various heat transfer or passive elements within a HVAC system to determine whether any element, such as a cooling coil, heating coil, filter or mixer, is operating at an acceptable efficiency when compared to design specifications or previously established standards. The method may also be used to easily determine volumetric flow rate of air through the system at various points. |
| US09696056B1 |
HVAC condition based maintenance system and method
The HVAC condition based maintenance system and method provides for a system to reduce operating costs by replacing existing time based scheduled maintenance with an on-condition based maintenance system and method for continuous monitoring and acquiring condition based data from an operating HVAC system, transmitting data to a remote server for storage, analysis and trending, recognizing operational performance reductions based on the comparison of current trending to historical data, and for triggering notification of failures and corrective action based on routine, impending and immediate problem recognition. Additionally, the acquired data is used to derive actual heat load characteristic of the building, identify HVAC system deficiencies, building deficiencies and installation issues and load imbalance of multi-unit systems providing direction for system improvements. |
| US09696048B2 |
Compact desiccant cooling system
A solid desiccant cooling system comprising a common intake delivering air (19) to a first pathway (21) for air to be conditioned, and a second pathway (31) for regeneration air and structure (24) retaining a mass of solid desiccant for cyclic movement between a first location (24a), in which the solid desiccant lies in the first pathway (21) for dehumidifying the air to be cooled by adsorption of moisture to the desiccant, and a second location (24b) in which the solid desiccant lies in the second pathway (31) for the regeneration air to take up moisture therein as water vapor. The second pathway has an air heater arrangement (35) upstream of the second location (24b) for heating the regeneration air and the first pathway (21) has an air cooler arrangement (25) independent of the air heater arrangement (35) downstream of the first location (24a). An air delivery device (40) is coupled to both of the first and second pathways (21, 31) and adapted or configured to deliver pressurized air along both the first and second pathways (21, 31). A control strategy is also provided to change the flow path of air from the common intake based on the need to satisfy alternative heating or cooling needs at different times of the day and season. |
| US09696047B2 |
Air conditioner and method for operating an air conditioner
An air conditioner that stores data through communication between a plurality of air conditioner devices and a method for operating an air conditioner are provided. Data regarding power consumption quantities of a plurality of outdoor devices may be accumulatively stored in a state in which an additional data collecting device or an additional storage device is not connected to the plurality of outdoor devices, and the data regarding power consumption quantities of the outdoor devices may be transmitted to a device further connected to the plurality of outdoor devices. Consequently, it is possible to utilize data regarding power consumption of the air conditioner, set a target value based on the power consumption of the air conditioner, easily determine a power consumption pattern, and easily take measures to save energy. |
| US09696043B2 |
Hot water heater systems and methods for controlling electronic mixing valves
Hot water heater systems and methods for controlling electronic mixing valves of hot water heater systems are disclosed. An electronic mixing valve provides a flow of water in a mixed output line. A method includes determining a temperature value inside a hot water tank of the hot water heater, and comparing the hot water tank temperature value to a setpoint temperature value. The method further includes comparing a temperature value for water in the mixed output line to a lower setpoint threshold value when the hot water tank temperature value is greater than the setpoint temperature value, wherein the lower setpoint threshold value is less than the setpoint temperature, and setting the electronic mixing valve to a safe position wherein the electronic mixing valve is less than fully open when the temperature value for water in the mixed output line is less than the lower setpoint threshold value. |
| US09696040B2 |
Display device and cooking appliance having the same
A cooking appliance comprises a cabinet and a cooking unit provided in the cabinet and configured to perform cooking of food using a heat source. The cooking appliance also includes a display device configured to display cooking information for the cooking unit. The display device includes a display module configured to irradiate light of a first color to display information for a user and a circuit board arranged at a rear of the display module and configured to control the display module and supply power to the display module. The display device also includes a color conversion filter arranged at a front of the display module and configured to convert the light of the first color irradiated from the display module to light of a second color. The cooking appliance converts the color of light irradiated from the display module to a desired color by using the color conversion filter. |
| US09696037B2 |
Liner retaining feature for a combustor
The present application provides a combustor for use with a gas turbine engine. The combustor may include a liner and a flow sleeve surrounding the liner with the liner and the flow sleeve defining a flow path therebetween. A liner retaining feature extends into the flow path to retain the liner within the flow sleeve. The liner retaining feature may include a bolt therein. |
| US09696034B2 |
Combustion system including one or more flame anchoring electrodes and related methods
In an embodiment, a combustion system includes a burner, at least one charging electrode, flame anchoring electrode(s), and at least one voltage power supply. The burner is configured to discharge fuel into a combustion volume in which the fuel and an oxidizer are ignited to generate a flame. The charging electrode is positioned proximate to the flame. The charging electrode provides charges to the flame to generate a charged flame. The flame anchoring electrode(s) are disposed adjacent to the burner and proximate to a base portion of the charged flame. The voltage power supply is electrically coupled to each of the flame anchoring electrode(s) and the charging electrode. The at least one voltage power supply applies one or more electrical potentials to each of the flame anchoring electrode(s) so that the charged flame is anchored at a predetermined location. |
| US09696031B2 |
System and method for combustion of multiple fuels
According to embodiments, a co-fired or multiple fuel combustion system is configured to apply an electric field to a combustion region corresponding to a second fuel that normally suffers from poor combustion and/or high sooting. Application of an AC voltage to the combustion region was found to increase the extent of combustion and significantly reduce soot evolved from the second fuel. |
| US09696027B2 |
Economizer water recirculation system for boiler exit gas temperature control in supercritical pressure boilers
A fluid recirculation system includes an arrangement of a flow control valve located to receive a flow of fluid from an inlet. The system further comprises an economizer inlet mixing device located to receive the flow of hotter fluid from the arrangement of the flow control valve and from a cooler feedwater stream. An economizer inlet mixing device located upstream of an economizer in a supercritical pressure boiler includes a sparger assembly through which a flow of fluid from the waterwall outlet is received, an inlet through which a flow of fluid from a feed stream is received, and a wave breaker assembly through which an outlet stream from the economizer inlet mixing device is directed. |
| US09696026B1 |
Light fixture with air handler
A combination fan and light unit comprises a housing surrounding a coaxial fan disposed such that air impelled by the fan passes through the housing and is directed as desired by orienting the housing or by diffusers disposed across the air path. Disposed above and/or below the housing, a light optionally enclosed within a globe coupled to the housing also provides illumination from the fan light unit. Fan light units may be arrayed in various configurations, including single or multiple sconce arrays supported on walls, one or more pendant fan lights suspended from ceilings, satellite fan lights arrayed around a central body at the ends of radial arms to form a fan chandelier or in many other configurations to achieve both aesthetic lighting and directed air flow. The fan lights preferably have separate controls, and multiple units in a collective array such as a fan chandelier may be individually or collectively controllable. The fan light units may include heater strips to warm the air and filters to clean the air as it passes through the air handler. |
| US09696024B2 |
Headlight comprising light-emitting diodes
For a headlight comprising a plurality of light-emitting diode arrangements (LG) arranged in a manner distributed in planar fashion on a carrier plate (TP), a cooling device for dissipating thermal power losses arising in the individual light-emitting diode arrangements, in which cooling device a plurality of flow channels extending parallel in terms of flow engineering are provided. The individual flow channels each contain a heat sink (KK), around which flows the partial air flow through the flow channel (FR) for the transfer of heat and which is connected to the relevant assigned light-emitting diode arrangement in a manner exhibiting good thermal conductivity. |
| US09696022B2 |
Downward illumination assembly
A downward illumination assembly comprising a lamp housing, a power supply module removably supported on a power supply module support surface, and an LED module carried by the lamp housing and coupled to the power supply module. The power supply module extends through an opening in the housing wall with at least a portion of the module being disposed outside the lamp housing and can be installed and removed interiorly of the lamp housing through the open lower end of the lamp housing. |
| US09696015B2 |
Changeable emergency warning light assembly
An emergency warning light assembly has features that enable changing a color of light emitted from the assembly and changing a beam pattern and beam intensity of light emitted from the assembly. |
| US09696010B2 |
Phosphor layer, component, corresponding light source, projection system and corresponding manufacturing method
A phosphor layer comprising a phosphor plate adhesively formed by a phosphor powder and an adhesive agent. The phosphor plate has a front side and a back side. The phosphor layer also have particles which are fixedly connected to the front and/or back side of the phosphor plate. Also provided in the present invention are a phosphor component, a corresponding light source, a projection system, and a method for manufacturing the phosphor layer. The phosphor component prevents adhesion between the phosphor plate and substrates thereof in high temperature conditions. |
| US09696005B2 |
Tunable lighting apparatus
A luminaire including a housing and a light source carried by the housing. The housing may include a first and second set of light emitting elements and a lens assembly. The lens assembly may include a lens with a first refraction section having a surface smoothness within a first range, and a second refraction section having a surface smoothness within a second range. The lens assembly may include conical frustum light source receiving members located between the light source and the lens. The first and second set of light emitting elements is configured to emit light at a first and second beam angle. The light emitted by the first set and second set of light emitting elements form a combined light with a center beam and gradient wherein the center beam has a greater candle power than the gradient. |
| US09696004B2 |
Lighting device and corresponding method
A lighting device, such as for example a LED flexible module, includes an elongated profiled body having a mouth portion, a first and a second lateral sides arranged sidewise of the mouth portion and a web side opposed the mouth portion. The profiled body includes a light-permeable portion, extending between the mouth portion and the first lateral side, and a light-impermeable portion extending between the second lateral side and the web side. A light radiation source assembly including a support member with one or more electrically powered light radiation sources is arranged at the mouth portion with the light radiation source(s) facing the light-permeable portion, whereby light radiation is directed towards the first lateral side for emission from the lighting device. |
| US09696001B2 |
Pattern module for automobile lamp and method for manufacturing of optical sheet thereof
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a pattern module for an automobile lamp including: a substrate; a reflective sheet which is provided on the substrate and performs regular reflection; an optical sheet provided on the reflective sheet; an optical synthetic resin which is provided on the optical sheet and guides the light; and a light source which is provided on the substrate. |
| US09695999B2 |
Lighting system for vehicle
In a lighting system for a vehicle provided with a main light, an extension arranged between a reflector of the main light and an outer lens, a light guide member located in the vicinity of the extension, and a light source for the light guide member provided separately from a light source for the main light, the light source and a driver for the light guide member are arranged effectively to improve external appearance. A light incident section provided in the light guide member for admitting light from the light source for the light guide member, and a driver for the light guide member for adjusting power supply amount to the light source for the light guide member, are arranged in such a position as to be covered with an extension in a front view. |
| US09695998B2 |
Lighting system and method
The invention provides a lighting system for providing illumination on a surface (16), comprising a first array (10) of light sources (13) and a first reflector (12) for forming a first pattern on the surface, and a second array (10) of light sources (13) and a second reflector (12) for forming a second pattern on the surface (16), arranged concentrically around the first pattern. A controller (44) controls the first and second arrays (10) of light sources (13) to apply a cyclic function thereby to define one or more radially propagating rings or partial rings of illumination on the surface (16). This is enables a dynamic ripple lighting effect to be provided on the surface (16). |
| US09695997B1 |
LED mason jar candle
A flameless candle molded into a jar is described. The jar is designed with an open bottom and is tooled for engagement with an electronic insert having batteries, control circuitry and at least one LED light. A candle is then formed in the jar with the electronic insert by molding a candle shell along the sidewalls of the jar. The candle shell is formed such that the sidewalls extend above the LED light of the electronic insert to allow the LED light to illuminate at a position below the sidewalls. The wax or waxen shell is formed only along the sidewalls, creating a hollow region above the electronic insert. Once the wax on the sidewalls sets, wax is then poured in the hollow regions above the electronic insert to a position just below or above the LED light. |
| US09695996B2 |
Solar-powered roadway delineator
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to roadway delineators with one or more light sources that provide illumination and increased visibility. In one implementation, the delineator is operable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. The delineator may include a plurality of panels with flexible connections that connect the panels to one another and allow the delineator to be collapsed. In addition, the delineator may be self-powered and include a solar array and/or a rechargeable power source for the one or more light sources. |
| US09695994B2 |
Direct type backlight module and display device
The embodiments of present invention disclose a direct type backlight module, comprising a backplate and a plurality of strip lamps provided on the backplate, each of the strip lamps is provided with a lamp set composed of a plurality of light-emitting diodes. The direct type backlight module further comprises a plurality of wires, the lamp set of at least one strip lamp of the plurality of strip lamps is electrically connected to the power supply via the plurality of wires. The lamp set of the at least one strip lamp has two terminals, i.e., positive/negative terminals, the positive/negative terminals of the lamp set of the at least one strip lamp are electrically connected to the corresponding wires via a pair of mated connectors. |
| US09695992B2 |
Luminaire with LEDs and cylindrical lens
A lamp is provided having at least one module that includes a plurality of LEDs distributed over a module surface. The plurality of LEDs are arranged in a row of a plurality of rows in a longitudinal direction of the at least one module. Each of the plurality of rows are arranged next to each other in a transverse direction of the at least one module that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The lamp includes an optical system for bundling the light emitted by the plurality of LEDs. The optical system includes at least one cylinder lens that extends in the longitudinal direction. The light of at least some of the plurality of LEDs from a first row of the plurality of rows is bundled into a line on a target surface by the at least one cylinder lens. |
| US09695991B2 |
Diffused flexible LED linear light assembly
A diffused flexible LED linear light assembly (100) includes a flexible LED linear light component (102) having a flexible base (104) with individual LEDs (106) spaced longitudinally along the direction of the component (102). A partially translucent housing (120) houses the flexible LED linear light component (102). A curved section (124) of the translucent housing (120) varies in thickness in its lateral surfaces. The thickness may be varied so as to allow a relatively higher percentage of light transmission in areas of weakest LED output strengths. This light output intensity through the translucent housing, in view of the thickness variation, is substantially even or constant circumferentially and radially through the translucent section (124) of the translucent housing (120). |
| US09695990B2 |
Arrangement for light emission
An arrangement for light emission has at least one LED light-emitting means (110) in an elongate arrangement, a support element (120), which supports the LED light-emitting means (110) and a light emission element (130) which can be connected to the support element (120). The light emission element (130) is designed to modify the light emission characteristic of the LED light-emitting means (110) to give the light emission characteristic of at least one fluorescent tube. |
| US09695988B2 |
Pipeline-waste-gas reducer apparatus
A pipeline-waste-gas reducer apparatus to reduce the amount of gas wasted by existing high-pressure pipelines having existing pipeline controllers and existing actuator-based control valves, by reducing the pressure of gas sent to existing pipeline controllers by a determined factor, consequently reducing the amount of gas wasted by the controllers, and then increasing control pressure returned by the controllers by the same factor, ensuring that the proper control pressure is sent to the existing actuator-based control valves. |
| US09695984B2 |
Plant for regasification of LNG
A plant for regasification of LNG includes a pump boosting LNG pressure, an LNG/coolant heat exchanger producing NG from LNG from the boosting pumps, and a closed coolant loop extending through the LNG/coolant heat exchanger and including a heat exchanger. The coolant from the heat exchanger is passed through the LNG heat exchanger as a gas and leaving in a condensed state to produce NG by thermal exchange. A heating medium is used within the heat exchanger to provide coolant in a gaseous state. An NG/coolant heat exchanger is arranged in connection with the LNG/coolant heat exchanger and is connected to the closed coolant loop. LNG is preheated within the LNG/coolant heat exchanger and NG is trim heated within the NG/coolant heat exchanger using liquid coolant from at least one heat exchanger. |
| US09695972B1 |
Quick-release mounting system for removably attaching a panel instrument to a structure
A quick-release mounting system for mounting a panel instrument, such as a video monitor, to a mounting surface or support, such as a seatback or other structure. The mounting system comprises one or more mounting mechanisms configured to be mounted to the mounting surface or support. Each mounting mechanism has a locking member coupled to a first main body. The locking member is movable between a locked position in which the locking bolt engages a retaining stud mounted to the back surface of the panel instrument thereby locking the mounting mechanism to the first retaining stud and an unlocked position in which the locking member is disengaged from the first retaining stud. The mounting mechanism also has a cam shaft having a cam fixed in rotation with the cam shaft. The cam is operably coupled to the locking member such that rotation of the cam shaft moves the locking member between the locked and unlocked positions. |
| US09695969B2 |
Assembly comprising a first conduit and a second conduit connected through a connecting device
An assembly is provided that includes at least one first conduit and at least one second conduit connected together through a connecting device. The connecting device includes an exteriorly threaded tube; a connecting part attached to one end of the tube and including an orifice; a holding nut screwed onto the tube and axially maintaining the connecting part relative to a tube; and a retaining member attached on the holding nut and engaging with the first conduit so as to axially retain the first conduit fitted into the orifice, the retaining member cooperating with the first conduit so as to oppose the unscrewing of the holding nut. |
| US09695968B1 |
Double cam levers and safety lock for cam lock fitting
An apparatus for an improved cam lock fitting having cooperating double cam levers having outer and inner portions so that when the outer cam levers are opened and the inner cam lever remain closed, the male and female portions of the cam lock fitting only slightly separate from each other allowing the operator to quickly reclose the cam lock fitting if the operator observes that the cam lock fitting still contains pressurized material. This is accomplished by providing a larger cam lobe on the outer cam lever and a smaller cam lobe on a fork shaped inner cam lever so that when the smaller cam lobe is in a closed position and protrudes into a peripheral groove on the male portion the male and female ends have a small space thereinbetween. |