| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09847072B2 |
Image sticking elimination circuit and display device
An image sticking elimination circuit comprises signal module (11), switch control module (12) and switch module (13), the signal module (11) has input terminal connected to an enable signal and outputs first control signal according to the enable signal; the switch control module (12) receives the first control signal outputted from the signal module and outputs second control signal; the switch module (13) receives the second control signal outputted from the switch control module (12), and controls the connection or the disconnection between a first electrode (B) and a second electrode (C). By controlling the connection or disconnection of the circuits between the first electrode (B) and the second electrode (C) with the signal module (11), the switch control module (12) and the switch module (13), the charges at the two electrodes are neutralized rapidly by shorting out the first electrode (B) and the second electrode (C) when the display signal is off and the potentials at the two electrodes are equal to eliminate the phenomena of image sticking. |
| US09847071B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
In a liquid crystal display (LCD) device having a touch panel function, power consumption is reduced in the standby state. The display section is divided into blocks each of which is formed of a plurality of display lines. The counter electrode is disposed for each block. A driving circuit selectively supplies, to the counter electrode of each block, the voltage used for the liquid crystal display and the voltage used for the touch panel scanning. The driving circuit has a source amplifier that supplies the video voltages to the video lines. The driving circuit reduces the current in the source amplifier, such that the current is lower than current at the time of a normal operation, to lower the power consumption, and stops the operation of the source amplifier and supplies the GND voltage to the video lines to further lower the power consumption. |
| US09847064B2 |
Display apparatus having a data driver for reducing driving data
A display apparatus includes a latch circuit configured to generate a second data value from a first data value, wherein the bit count of the second data value is greater than the bit count of the first data value, a digital-analog converter configured to convert the second data value into gray scale voltages, an output buffer unit configured to amplify the current level of the gray scale voltages to generate data voltages, a data switch circuit configured to invert the polarity of the data voltages every frame, and a display panel including a plurality of pixels driven with the data voltages supplied from the data switch circuit in response to sequential application of gate signals. |
| US09847059B2 |
Device with OLED matrix of active pixels with cathode voltage regulation, and corresponding method
A device includes a matrix of active pixels, with each active pixel having an OLED diode having a cathode to receive a cathode voltage, and a control circuit coupled to an anode of the OLED diode. The device also includes at least one dummy pixel having a dummy OLED diode having a cathode to receive the cathode voltage, and an anode, and a dummy control circuit coupled to the anode of the OLED diode and having a power supply terminal. The dummy OLED diode and the dummy control circuit are substantially similar to the OLED diode and the control circuit. First regulation circuitry is configured to deliver a reference current to the power supply terminal to thereby generate a voltage, and second regulation circuitry is configured to regulate the cathode voltage so as to maintain the voltage at the power supply terminal at a given level. |
| US09847057B2 |
Structure of AMOLED driver circuit with external compensation
The invention provides a structure of AMOLED driver circuit with external compensation, disposing mutually independent detection scan driver module (2) and gate scan driver module (3), disposing data selector (MUX) for each column of pixel unit circuits (1); during frame normal display, the gate scan driver module (3) outputting normal scan driver signals (G(1)-G(n)) through all data selectors (MUX) to the gates of switch TFTs (T1) in each column of pixel unit circuits (1); during frame V-blanking, the detection scan driver module (2) making one of data selectors (MUX) to respectively output corresponding detection scan driver signals to the gates of switch TFT (T1) and detection TFT (T3) of corresponding column of pixel unit circuits (1) to perform detection and compensation on TFT or OLED stage-by-stage during AMOLED panel display duration without affecting display quality. |
| US09847056B2 |
Picture signal processing circuit, picture signal processing method, and display unit
A picture signal processing circuit includes a gamma correction section configured to perform gamma correction on a picture signal; and a gamma modification section configured to provide an offset component corresponding to one or both of a refresh rate and a light emission duty, to the picture signal gamma-corrected by the gamma correction section. |
| US09847049B2 |
Multipath selection circuit and display device
A multipath selection circuit includes a first data line, a second data line, a third data line, a control line, a timing line, a switch circuit, and a drive circuit. The drive circuit includes a first switching transistor and a second switching transistor. The switch circuit is configured to receive a control signal, timing signal, first data signal, second data signal and third data signal, and operate in a first operating mode or a second operating mode according to the control signal and the timing signal. In the first operating mode, the switch circuit is configured to transmit the second data signal to the first switching transistor and the second switching transistor in a time division manner; and in the second operating mode, the switch circuit is configured to transmit the first data signal to the first switching transistor and the third data signal to the second switching transistor. |
| US09847047B2 |
Display pixel with redundant element and display panel
A display pixel suitable for being arranged on a carrier is provided. The display pixel includes a plurality of light-emitting diode chips. The light-emitting diode chips are disposed on and electrically connected to the carrier. Each of the light-emitting diode chips respectively serves as a sub-pixel and includes a semiconductor device layer, and the semiconductor device layer includes a display light-emitting mesa and at least one redundant light-emitting mesa. During a period of driving each of the light-emitting diode chips, one of the display light-emitting mesa and the at least one redundant light-emitting mesa in each of the light-emitting diode chips is capable of emitting light. A display panel including a plurality of the display pixels mentioned above is also provided. |
| US09847045B2 |
Apparatus for upper body movement
There is provided an apparatus for upper body movement. The apparatus comprises a H-shaped cable-driven mechanism; two motors for driving the H-shaped cable-driven mechanism; and a manipulandum coupled to the H-shaped cable-driven mechanism for independent movement along x and y axes. |
| US09847042B2 |
Evaluation method, and evaluation apparatus
A computer-readable recording medium stores therein an evaluation program, the evaluation program causing a computer to execute a process including, acquiring, from a plurality of captured images obtained by sequential image capturing, a motion of a person taking a beat in the plurality of captured images, or a timing at which the person takes the beat; and outputting an evaluation on a rhythm of the motion of the person based on a rhythm indicated by the acquired motion or the acquired timing. |
| US09847037B2 |
Sequenced guiding systems for vehicles and pedestrians
Devices, systems and methods wherein sequential signals are emitted from a plurality of signaling modules positioned in an array which demarcates a route or boundaries to be followed by a pedestrian or vehicle. |
| US09847036B2 |
Wearable aircraft towing collision warning devices and methods
The disclosed embodiments describe collision warning devices, controllers, and computer readable media. A collision warning device for towing vehicles includes a housing, a scanning sensor, a display, and a controller. The housing is configured to be secured to at least one of a tow operator and a tug during aircraft towing operations. The a scanning sensor is secured to the housing and is configured to scan an aircraft and to scan an object in an environment surrounding the aircraft. The controller is mounted to the housing and is operably coupled with the scanning sensor and the display. The controller is configured to generate a three dimensional (3D) model of the aircraft and the environment based on a signal output from the scanning sensor, and to calculate potential collisions between the aircraft and the object based on the 3D model. |
| US09847033B1 |
Communication of navigation data spoofing between unmanned vehicles
Techniques for determining whether data associated with an autonomous operation of a first unmanned vehicle may be trusted. For example, the first unmanned vehicle may receive an indication related to the data and originating from a second unmanned vehicle over a network. For instance, the indication may indicate that similar data for a similar autonomous operation of the second unmanned vehicle may be untrusted. Based on a level of trust accorded to the indication, the first unmanned vehicle may determine that the data may be untrusted and the autonomous navigation may be directed independently of the data. |
| US09847030B2 |
Dispatch of automated external defibrillators
Technologies are generally described for an automated external defibrillator (AED) dispatch system. In various examples, the AED dispatch system may include a receiver, a vehicle determination unit, and a transmitter. The receiver may be configured to receive, from a first device, a request message that includes first location information that indicates a location of the first device, and also receive, from one or more of second devices, one or more report messages, each of which includes second location information that indicates a location of the corresponding one of the second devices. The vehicle determination unit may be configured to select a vehicle to be dispatched based at least in part on the first location information and the respective second location information. The transmitter may be configured to transmit an instruction message to the second device associated with the selected vehicle to be dispatched. |
| US09847028B1 |
Method for manufacturing blind zone indicator module for exterior rearview mirror assembly
A method for manufacturing an indicator module for an exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes providing a hollow housing formed by injection molding of plastic material and providing a circuit board having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, with at least one light emitting diode disposed at the first side of the circuit board. The circuit board is disposed between a rear end and a front end of the housing such that the first side of the circuit board faces the front end of the housing. With the circuit board disposed between the rear and front ends of the housing, potting material is disposed at and over the second side of the circuit board to seal the rear side of the circuit board. A diffuser element is attached at the front end of the housing and closes the front end of the housing. |
| US09847027B2 |
Management of a parking lot
A parking lot is designed for parking motor vehicles in a non-organized manner. A method for managing the parking lot includes steps of determining an area P of the parking lot that is able to be occupied by parked motor vehicles, of determining an area K of the parking lot that is currently occupied by parked motor vehicles, and of determining a number Z of motor vehicles that may be parked additionally in the parking lot, on the basis of the relationship Z=(1−K/P)*M, where M comprises a maximum number of motor vehicles that may be parked in the parking lot. |
| US09847025B2 |
Method and apparatus for bridge height measurement and truck hit accident prevention
A method is presented for warning of bridge height clearance with a system that has a measuring device mounted on a bridge, a processor and a display. The method includes measuring the distance from the point at which the measuring device is mounted on the bridge to pavement below to obtain measurement data, processing the measurement data to calculate a clearance height of the bridge, and displaying a clearance height of the bridge on a display so that a driver approaching the bridge can see the current height of the bridge. |
| US09847018B2 |
System and method for applying over the air updates to a universal remote control device
A method and system for applying over the air updates to a universal remote control device. The method and system include determining a group associated with the universal remote control based on a remote profile stored on at least one of: a memory of the universal remote control device, and a universal remote database hosted on an external server infrastructure. The method and system also include determining an over the air update that is applicable to the universal remote control device based on the group that is associated with the universal remote control device. The method and system additionally include determining a power level of a battery of the universal remote control device. The method and system further include applying the over the air update that is applicable to the universal remote control device based on the power level of the battery of the universal remote control device. |
| US09847017B2 |
Remote control apparatus commanded wirelessly by a user device for controlling a target device
A remote control apparatus receives, processes and then transmits wireless signals as control commands specific to a target appliance, device or product. The apparatus, which is a combination of a remote receiving device and a secondary relay transmitting device, communicates with the target device to control its operations. The apparatus can be used to control a plurality of target devices via their existing remote controlling scheme. The apparatus can operate in an area that does not have existing wireless infrastructure, and can be controlled by a user device. |
| US09847004B1 |
Vehicle child detection and response system
A sensor system is provided that is incorporated into the passenger cabin of a vehicle and which is configured to detect children and/or pets left unattended and who are therefore at risk of serious injury or death due to heat stroke. The system is designed to transmit a variety of alerts over time after an unattended child or pet is detected, the escalating nature of the alerts intended to insure a rapid response. After the system has operated long enough to insure that no child or pet has been left behind, the sensor system is automatically placed into a standby mode. In standby mode the sensor system may either be turned completely off in order to minimize off-line power consumption or it may be incorporated into an on-board security system. |
| US09847003B2 |
Cable alarm tag
The present invention provides an improved cable that includes at least one insulated conductor insulated from and within and inside a insulated second conductor, with both conductors connected with both ends with a cable alarm tag to form a closed electrical circuit, with the loop of the cable connected to an article for securing the article. With the cable of the present invention, if severed, the use of jumper cables will maintain the electrical circuit loop closed for the outer conductor only, but not the insulated inner conductor that is within and inside the outer conductor. Therefore, when severing the cable to disconnect and discontinue the physical loop to remove the secured article, even if cable jumpers are used, the insulated inner conductor will remain open circuited when the cable is cut, resulting in trigger of the alarm. |
| US09847001B2 |
Security devices for products
A security device for protecting objects from theft or unauthorized removal includes a first component configured to be fixed to an object and a second component configured to be removably secured to the first component. The second component includes an alarming mechanism configured to be armed prior to the second component being secured to the first component. The alarming mechanism may include one or more actuating mechanisms that actuate the alarming mechanism. In certain embodiments the second component is configured to slidably engage the first component. In other embodiments, the security device further includes a cable having an end attached to the first component or the second component. |
| US09846995B2 |
Wagering game with multiple unlockable arrays
A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes an input device, a display device, a processor, and a memory device. The memory device stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the gaming system to receive a wager in response to an input, display a main array of symbol-bearing reels, and to display a plurality of enhanced arrays. The main array includes a plurality of enhanced-array triggers. Each enhanced array includes an enhancement feature and each enhanced array is associated with at least one of the plurality of enhanced-array triggers. The enhanced arrays are spun and evaluated upon display of the associated enhanced-array triggers. |
| US09846991B2 |
Gaming system
A gaming machine is disclosed which comprises at least one meter arranged to generate game meter data. The gaming machine is arranged to forward meter data generated by the at least one meter to a remote data storage device arranged to store meter data associated with a plurality of games. The gaming machine is also arranged to retrieve meter data associated with a game from the remote data storage device when the gaming machine is requested to provide the meter data associated with the game. An associated gaming system and method of gaming are also disclosed. |
| US09846988B2 |
Dynamic awarding of prizes in chance-based contests
Techniques are described for facilitating the awarding of prizes in chance-based contests in various ways, such as chance-based contests which are part of promotional advertising, etc. In at least some embodiments, the techniques include facilitating the awarding of prizes at the time a contestant enter or plays the contests, while awarding a selected number of prizes, which may be determined before the contest starts. In at least some embodiments, the techniques include employing an award counter to control awarding of prizes in a chance-based contest. For example, an award counter may be incremented at random or pseudo-random times. In at least some embodiments, the contest is associated with a location-based virtual group of users that has one or more associated geographical areas. |
| US09846987B2 |
Integrating three-dimensional elements into gaming environments
Some embodiments include a method of operating a gaming system configured to present wagering game content for a wagering game. The method can include presenting, on a autostereoscopic display device of the gaming system, the wagering game content in two-dimensional form without stereoscopic depth. The method can also include detecting a game condition of the wagering game other than a location of a player of the wagering game. The method can also include determining a degree of stereoscopic three-dimensional depth based on the game condition. The method can also include presenting, via the autostereoscopic display device of the gaming system, the wagering game content with the degree of stereoscopic three-dimensional depth. |
| US09846980B2 |
Lock releasing method of electronic device, and apparatus thereof
The present disclosure relates to a lock releasing method of an electronic device, an apparatus thereof, and a medium storing a program source for the method. The lock releasing method includes: in response to a request for lock releasing, outputting reference data to be used for deciphering of a password; receiving a password input by a user; and, determining a correlation between the reference data and the password input by the user, and releasing the lock when the password input by the user has a correlation with the reference data. According to the present disclosure, it is possible to flexibly change a password for releasing a lock of various electronic devices, so as prevent the leakage of a password, and thus protect private information of a user and improve system security. |
| US09846977B1 |
Systems and methods for determining vehicle trip information
The present disclosure provides methods and systems for identifying or verifying trip information. A method for identifying or verifying a trip of a vehicle comprises detecting a presence of the vehicle with a mobile computing device of a user. The mobile computing device may be removable from the vehicle. Next, a trip start may be determined when the vehicle is detected by the mobile computing device as being present. Trip data may be recorded for a trip of the vehicle subsequent to the trip start, the trip data being based at least in part on sensor readings. A trip end that corresponds to an end of the trip of the vehicle may be detected and verified. |
| US09846976B2 |
Assessing remaining useful life for portions of wind turbine support structures
Methods for assessing the useful life that may remain for a portion of a wind turbine support structure. The methods may include identifying an overall expected useful life for the portion of the support structure and estimating an expended life from the extent of loading that has occurred to the portion of the support structure during the operative life of a wind turbine. The useful life remaining for the portion may be determined by subtracting the expended life from the overall expected useful life. |
| US09846974B2 |
Absolute rotation estimation including outlier detection via low-rank and sparse matrix decomposition
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods to perform absolute rotation estimation including outlier detection via low-rank and sparse matrix decomposition. One example method includes obtaining a relative rotation estimates matrix that includes a plurality of relative rotation estimates. The method includes determining values for a low-rank matrix that result in a desirable value of a cost function that is based on a low-rank and sparse matrix decomposition of the relative rotation estimates matrix. The cost function includes the low-rank matrix and a sparse matrix that is nonzero in correspondence of one or more outliers of the plurality of relative rotation estimates. The method includes determining an absolute rotations matrix that includes a plurality of absolute rotations based at least in part on the values of the low-rank matrix that result in the desirable value of the cost function. |
| US09846973B2 |
Method and system for volume rendering color mapping on polygonal objects
Processes and systems in computer enabled imaging for the mapping of volume rendering colors upon polygonal model objects applied to computer enabled volume rendering by means of mapping or encoding the color of volume rendering data upon polygonal model objects located inside volumetric data. Exemplary processes and systems including assigning the rendering result of voxels at or near the surface of the polygonal object. |
| US09846972B2 |
Method and apparatus for sharing augmented reality applications to multiple clients
A method of interaction using augmented reality may include aligning a local augmented reality (AR) view to a remote AR view of a remote user, receiving remote annotations from the remote user, sending local annotations registered to a local view to the remote user, and manipulating local view with remote and local annotations. The method may also include capturing a first video image using a camera, generating first augmented reality (AR) coordinates corresponding to the first video image, receiving second AR coordinates, 3D object information and second video frame from remote user, loading 3D content and instructions from a remote storage, and updating positions and existence of the received 3D object information and the loaded 3D content. |
| US09846971B2 |
Systems and methods for augmenting an appearance of a hilt to simulate a bladed weapon
This disclosure relates to systems and methods for augmenting an appearance of a hilt to simulate a bladed weapon. A hilt may be augmented with a blade of a bladed weapon by detecting a landmark associated with the hilt, determining a position and/or an orientation of the hilt, determining an overlay image comprising the blade of the bladed weapon, wherein the blade is placed within the overlay image according to the determined position and/or the determined orientation of the hilt, and displaying the overlay image so that the blade of the bladed weapon appears to be attached to the hilt. |
| US09846970B2 |
Transitioning augmented reality objects in physical and digital environments
Described are apparatuses, methods and storage media associated with transitioning an augmented reality object between physical and digital environments, wherein the augmented reality object is embodied in at least two information carrying objects, which information carrying objects comprise a sensor-enabled physical object and a digital object. |
| US09846968B2 |
Holographic bird's eye view camera
A system and method are disclosed for capturing views of a mixed reality environment from various perspectives which can be displayed on a monitor. The system includes one or more physical cameras at user-defined positions within the mixed reality environment. The system renders virtual objects in the mixed reality environment from the perspective of the one or more cameras. Real and virtual objects from the mixed reality environment may then be displayed from the perspective of the one or more cameras on one or more external, 2D monitor for viewing by others. |
| US09846965B2 |
Augmented reality device with predefined object data
Techniques for displaying an augmented reality toy. Embodiments capture a visual scene for display. The visual scene includes a first physical object and is captured using one or more camera devices. The first physical object is identified as a first predetermined object type, based on one or more object identifiers associated with the first physical object. Embodiments retrieve predefined geometric information corresponding to the first predetermined object type and render a sequence of frames for display in which the captured visual scene is augmented, based on the predefined geometric information. |
| US09846962B2 |
Optimizing clipping operations in position only shading tile deferred renderers
Marking “Clipped Triangles” as visible triangles for all tiles may be avoided by instead finding an approximate clipping area and marking the triangles as visible only in those tiles in the Position Only Shading Pipe (POSH) pipe. This avoids rendering the triangle in the replay pipe in those tiles where it may not be visible. |
| US09846958B1 |
System and method for display object bitmap caching
A system and method for recursively rendering, caching, and/or retrieving a display object bitmap is provided. In some implementations, an image may be rendered on a client computing platform using an image list of one or more bitmap objects. The one or more object bitmaps may be generated in response to obtaining information defining a vector image in an image frame in an animation. An image list may be maintained for an image to be rendered based on the vector image of a frame of animation and/or some or all of the frames in the animation. The image list may store one or more references to one or more respective bitmap objects that are associated with the image to be rendered. |
| US09846949B2 |
Determine the shape of a representation of an object
Examples disclosed herein relate to determining the shape of an object representation. In one implementation, a processor determines contours of a silhouette of an object representation above a contour degree threshold, where a contour degree is determined based on the area of the contour with respect to itself. The processor may identify a shape type of the object representation based on a comparison of the determined contours to shape definition information. |
| US09846946B2 |
Objection recognition in a 3D scene
A method comprising: obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) point cloud about at least one object of interest; detecting ground and/or building objects from 3D point cloud data using an unsupervised segmentation method; removing the ground and/or building objects from the 3D point cloud data; and detecting one or more vertical objects from the remaining 3D point cloud data using a supervised segmentation method. |
| US09846945B2 |
Method for generating orientation image
A method for generating an orientation image, adapted to an electronic device, includes the following steps. A plurality of input pixels including a current input pixel of an input image is received. Edge detection is performed on the current input pixel in a first and second direction to generate a first current gradient and a second current gradient respectively with respect to the first direction and the second direction. A ratio of the first current gradient to a current gradient absolute sum is calculated to obtain a current ratio, where the current gradient absolute sum is a sum of absolute values of the first and second current gradient. A sign of the second current gradient is extracted to obtain a current sign. The current ratio and the current sign are inputted to a lookup table to obtain an image orientation angle corresponding to the current input pixel. |
| US09846941B2 |
Method for setting event rules and event monitoring apparatus using same
An event monitoring apparatus comprises a setting command input unit, an event rule generator, an image receiver, an object-of-interest tracker, an event determiner, and an event detection information generator. |
| US09846940B1 |
Spectrally encoded endoscopic image process
An image processing method. At least one light ray presented by a vector in a first affine coordinate system with a tip of the probe as an origin is projected from the tip of the probe. The light ray is intercepted from a projection surface satisfying a function in the first affine coordinate. A distance between the tip of the probe and an interception point of the light ray on the projection surface is obtained based on a rotation angle of the probe, a wavelength of the light ray, and a deflection angle of the light ray from the probe. A relationship between the first coordinate and a second affine coordinate system defined with the projection surface as a reference is obtained. Image data are acquired from the light ray reflected from the target surface presented in the first affine coordinate. The image data presented in the first affine coordinate are converted into image data presented in the second affine coordinate, and the image data in the second coordinate system are resampled by interpolating or extrapolating a gray scale. |
| US09846937B1 |
Method for medical image analysis and manipulation
Digital images, such as radiological images, are evaluated using correlative properties of information contained in a pixel and adjacent pixels. Each pixel is evaluated according to its own properties and adjacent pixels. Each pixel is identified as either satisfying a predefined criteria or not satisfying the criteria based on how many of the pixel and adjacent pixels satisfy a correlative property. A binary array is formed with the pixels satisfying the predefined criteria being nonzero and the other pixels being zero. The image being evaluated is divided into predefined blocks of pixels, and the number of nonzero pixels in each of the blocks is divided by the predefined number of pixels in the blocks to produce a ratio for each block. Image intensity is set for each of the blocks according to the ratio. Correlative information from corresponding pixels across different images of the same object can also be evaluated. |
| US09846935B2 |
Segmentation of sheet objects from image generated using radiation imaging modality
Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for segmenting a representation of a sheet object from an image are provided herein. To identify elements of an image (e.g., pixels and/or voxels) representative of sheet objects, a constant false alarm rate (CFAR) score and a topological score are computed for respective elements being analyzed. The CFAR score indicates a relationship between an element and a neighborhood of elements when viewed as a collective unit. The topological score indicates a relationship between the element and a neighborhood of elements when viewed neighbor-by-neighbor. When the CFAR score is within a specified range of CFAR scores and the topological score is within a specified range of topological scores, the element is labeled as being associated with a sheet object. A connected component labeling (CCL) approach may be used to group elements labeled as being associated with a sheet object. |
| US09846934B2 |
Pattern weakness and strength detection and tracking during a semiconductor device fabrication process
Tracking patterns during a semiconductor fabrication process includes: obtaining an image of a portion of a fabricated device; extracting contours of the portion of the fabricated device from the obtained image; aligning the extracted contour to a matching section of a reference design; decomposing the matching section of the reference design into one or more patterns; and updating a pattern tracking database with information pertaining to at least one pattern in the one or more patterns generated as a result of the decomposition. |
| US09846932B2 |
Defect detection method for display panel based on histogram of oriented gradient
In order to detect defects in display panels by an automatic way accurately and quickly, the present invention proposes a method combining image feature extraction and classifier model. It calculates the histograms of oriented gradient (HOG) of images of the display panel collected by an industrial camera of a detection apparatus as feature vectors. Then use them as input samples to train the classifier model to recognize the defects of the display panel. |
| US09846928B2 |
Inspection method and inspection apparatus
An inspection method and apparatus comprising, a step of reflecting linearly-polarized light having a predetermined wavelength using an non-polarizing beam splitter after transmitting the linearly-polarized light through a half-wave plate, irradiating a sample with the linearly-polarized light having a polarization plane of a predetermined angle, causing the light reflected by the sample to be incident to an image capturing sensor through a lens, the non-polarizing beam splitter, and an analyzer, and acquiring an optical image of a pattern formed on the sample; acquiring a plurality of optical images by changing an angle of the analyzer or the half-wave plate, and obtaining an angle of the analyzer or the half-wave plate such that a value of (σ/√A) becomes a minimum; and a step of inspecting whether a defect of the pattern exists, wherein the pattern is a repetitive pattern having a period at a resolution limit or less. |
| US09846926B2 |
High quality embedded graphics for remote visualization
Apparatuses and methods for rendering and compositing two-dimensional images for remote visualization using a multi-pass rendering technique are provided. A server computer renders a three-dimensional volume separately from one or more three-dimensional graphical objects to be embedded in the rendered image of the volume. The server compresses and transmits the separately rendered images to a client computer. The client computer decompresses the rendered images and generates a composite image using the rendered images. If a user manipulates, adds or deletes an embedded object, the client computer generates a new composite image using the previously rendered volume image. In the case of a new or manipulated embedded graphical object, the server only renders the manipulated or new object. |
| US09846923B1 |
Image capture and correction method
An image capture and correction method includes steps of providing an image capture device, moving the image capture device along a specific direction to obtain an captured image and position information, performing a correction operation to the captured image, calculating to obtain a skewed angle according to the position information, setting a coordinate value of the captured image as a target value, calculating to obtain a correction value according to the target value and the skewed angle, replacing the target value with the correction value, and judging whether to continue the correction operation. Then, the correction operation is finished and the corrected captured image is stored. Therefore, the skew of the captured image is corrected, a more accurate correction value is obtained, and the advantages of precisely correcting the captured image are achieved. |
| US09846922B2 |
Method, computer readable medium and MRI apparatus for performing phase-encode ghosting detection and mitigation in MRI
A method detects phase-encoding ghosting in a MR image of an object to be imaged and mitigates the corresponding artifact in the MR image. The method includes acquiring MRI raw data of the object by a MRI apparatus. The MRI apparatus has multiple receiver channels for acquiring the MRI raw data. An artifact map of at least one part of the object to be imaged is calculated from the MRI raw data, the artifact map is configured for highlighting artifact appearing in the MR image. An outlier mask representing detected phase-encoding artifact is created in the artifact map. The phase-encode ghosting in the MR image is mitigated by using the previously obtained artifact map and the outlier mask for obtaining an improved MR image. |
| US09846921B2 |
Dynamic image masking system and method
A dynamic image masking system for providing a filtered autonomous remote sensing image through a dynamic image masking process is provided. The dynamic image masking system has a remote sensing platform and an imaging system associated with the remote sensing platform. The imaging system has an optical system and an image sensing system. The dynamic image masking system further has a multi-level security system associated with the imaging system and one or more image alteration locations located in the imaging system and the multi-level security system, wherein alteration of one or more images takes place via the dynamic image masking process. The dynamic image masking system further has a computer system associated with the imaging system. The computer system has a gatekeeper algorithm configured to send gatekeeper commands to one or more controllers that control the one or more image alteration locations through the dynamic image masking process. |
| US09846920B2 |
Decimation strategies for input event processing
In an embodiment, a touch sensitive device includes a touch interface having rows and columns and a signal generator for generating unique orthogonal signals on a plurality of the rows, respectively. A touch processor is identifies touch on the touch interface by processing touch signals present on the columns, and outputting a stream of touch events. A decimator receives the stream of touch events, selectively identifies one or more of the touch events in the stream, and outputs a modified stream of touch events for use by the touch sensitive device. |
| US09846914B1 |
Systems, methods, and program products for calculating shared savings for a self-insured health care plan
A computer implemented method and system is provided for managing one or more self-insured plans, where healthcare provider's discount rate may be dynamically or retroactively adjusted during each plan period based at least in part on, for example, the rate of utilization of in-network or in-system providers by a plurality of respective plan participants. In exchange for the discounts on its services, shared savings may be calculated and paid to the provider after the end of each plan period based at least in part on lower than expected claims. |
| US09846913B2 |
Method and system for remotely verifying weather damage to a vehicle
A system comprises a weather data network configured receive a severe weather profile including severe weather duration data, severe weather geographic boundary data, and severe weather type data. The system receives an automotive sensor profile for at least one individual vehicle including individual vehicle geographic location data. The system determines and stores a vehicle exposure profile for the at least one individual vehicle including proximity of said individual vehicle geographic location data to the severe weather geographic boundary data. |
| US09846911B1 |
Systems and methods for claims processing via mobile device
A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for the processing of information collected by a mobile device at the site of an incident. An incident information processing system, comprising an incident location information module, receives incident information provided in a communication originated from a mobile device. The received incident information is processed by the incident location information module to provide location information, which is then used to provide incident response services. Image and audio information relating to the incident are likewise provided by the mobile device for processing into incident information. Incident statement questions are generated by the incident information processing system and are then presented via the mobile device for response by various parties associated with the incident. Responses to the questions are collected via the mobile device, processed into incident statements, and stored in the incident information and claims repository. |
| US09846905B2 |
Gateway abstraction layer
Systems, gateway computers, and methods for using a gateway abstraction layer and application platform interfaces for conducting service transactions are disclosed. A gateway abstraction layer computers can receive service requests in multiple message formats or communication protocols, transform those service requests into other message formats to process the service using one or more networks or third-party service providers. The results of the service request can then be translated back to the message format in which the original service request was received. The gateway abstraction layer can be maintained using update messages received from service providers. |
| US09846903B2 |
Multilevel silhouettes in an online shopping environment
Selecting a first silhouette image of an item at a client machine displays a plurality of silhouette images representing aspects of the item such as style, length type and sleeve type. Selecting any of those aspects allows a server to search a database for listings of similar items that have those aspects. Concurrently selecting one or more of the images representing those aspects and one or more sizes, allows a server to search a database for listings of similar items that have those aspects and those sizes. |
| US09846902B2 |
Augmented aggregation of emailed product order and shipping information
Product order and shipping information received via email messages is automatically aggregated for ready user review. Once the user is authenticated, authorization to access their email mailbox is obtained and the email message headers of their entails are analyzed to identify those messages of interest. The bodies of the email messages of interest are parsed to extract the product order and shipping information which is stored and presented for display to the user typically grouped by individual product thus greatly simplifying user review of orders. The aggregated product order and shipping information can be augmented with additional information such as shipping status, delivery status, a product image, and/or a last date that the product can be returned. |
| US09846899B1 |
Dynamic software licensing
A licensing service is disclosed that can be used in a virtual environment. A master license can be used by the licensing service to maintain a pool of licenses associated with a customer number. Multiple ephemeral licenses can be issued from the pool. The ephemeral licenses can have a short duration to ensure periodic renewal of the ephemeral licenses during the life of the master license. Tighter control of the licenses ensures that the ephemeral licenses are only used during the life of the master license. Additionally, autoscaling is promoted through the use of the license pool, which can adapt according to actual use. |
| US09846897B2 |
Systems and methods for providing direct shipping to mobile subscribers
Systems and methods for providing direct shipping to mobile subscribers are disclosed. A customer ordering system receives an order request, retrieves subscriber information requested by an advertiser, and populates an order form with the retrieved information. The information can be reviewed, edited, and/or confirmed, and the order can be passed to an order fulfillment entity. Networks and devices for providing the disclosed systems and methods are also disclosed. Exemplary computer-readable media storing corresponding instructions are also disclosed. A device that executes the instructions can perform the disclosed methods and/or provide the functionality of the disclosed systems. |
| US09846896B2 |
Aggregation of rating indicators
A computer-implemented method and system for publishing an aggregate rating indicator based on a plurality of discrete rating indicators associated with a rated entity. The method includes searching a plurality of repositories containing the plurality of discrete rating indicators associated with the rated entity. The method may include retrieving a first rating indicator, a second rating indicator, and a third rating indicator. At least one of the first rating indicator, the second rating indicator, and the third rating indicator may be a fraudulent rating indicator. The method may include filtering out the fraudulent rating indicator from among the first, second, and third rating indicators, wherein the fraudulent rating indicator is determined based on a combination of parameters. The method may include aggregating the first, second, and third rating indicators after filtering out the fraudulent rating indicator such that the aggregation results in an aggregate rating indicator. |
| US09846893B2 |
Systems and methods of serving parameter-dependent content to a resource
Methods, and systems, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable storage mediums, including a method for obtaining information about advertisement slots on resources (e.g., web pages). The method includes receiving a request to provide content for display in an ad slot of a web page presented on a user device; determining that parameter data specifying a parameter of the ad slot is not included in the request, the parameter being an indicator of a relative position of the ad slot on the web page; in response to determining that the parameter data is not included in the request, providing content to display in the ad slot to fulfill the request, the content including a tag configured to determine the parameter of the ad slot; receiving the parameter of the ad slot determined by the tag; and storing the parameter of the ad slot in a database. |
| US09846889B2 |
Smart appliance registration
In one example of smart appliance registration, a system comprises an electric device that is configured to transmit a unique identifier upon activation, a smart meter that is configured to receive the unique identifier and to further transmit the unique identifier, and a monitoring entity configured to receive the unique identifier from the smart meter for device-specific profiling. |
| US09846885B1 |
Method and system for comparing commercial entities based on purchase patterns
A method for comparing purchase patterns includes matching multiple products purchased by a base company to multiple leaf nodes in a taxonomy tree to obtain multiple matching leaf nodes. The taxonomy tree is a hierarchical classification of products. The method further includes assigning, to each of the matching leaf nodes and to each parent node of the matching leaf nodes, a point value to obtain multiple point values, creating, for the base company and by a computer processor, a base feature vector including the point values, and calculating, by the computer processor, a similarity score between the base feature vector of the base company to a test feature vector of a test company. The method further includes providing, in response to the similarity score satisfying a similarity threshold, a recommendation. |
| US09846881B2 |
Frugal user engagement help systems
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for providing assistance to a user of a product in diagnosing faults in the product. During operation, the system receives, at a help server, data associated with current and/or past operation of the product; performs an optimization to determine a sequence of diagnostic actions that is expected to maximize a net benefit to the user. The sequence of diagnostic actions includes one or more actions that require the user to perform at least one task, and performing the optimization involves accounting for costs to the user for performing the at least one task and savings to the user for correcting the faults. The system then interacts with the user, which involves presenting the sequence of diagnostic actions to the user. |
| US09846873B2 |
Trusted internal interface
An interface and device architecture for a payment device. An interface between a payment application installed in a payment device and one or more value-add applications (such as loyalty programs, transit applications, etc.) that are also installed in the payment device. The API or interface design permits communications and data transfer between the payment application and one or more value-add applications. This reduces (and in some cases may prevent) the need for back-end server processing of data that may be relevant to both a payment transaction and to a function of the value-add application. Similarly, the same or another API or interface may enable communications and data transfer between a value-add application and the payment application. |
| US09846872B2 |
Secure exchange of indicia of value and associated information
Secure exchange of value and associated information in financial transactions involving beneficial offers available for customers is provided. Various offers, including discounts, prepaid amounts, and the like may be purchased by customers for use with various merchants. A third party issuer obtains information from the customer in selling the offers and issues some kind of indicium of value having a representation of the value of the offer associated therein. Record of the indicia are maintained and either transmitted to the merchant or kept by the issuer or associated financial institutions. When the customer redeems the offer by presenting the indicium to the merchant, the merchant may either authenticate the indicium using the records received by the issuer, or establish communication with the issuer for the issuer to authenticate the indicium, either by itself or in cooperation with one or more related financial institutions. |
| US09846869B2 |
Secure government transactions
A transaction account issuer may obtain receive an application for a transaction account which includes a department of defense identification code. The transaction account issuer may verify the DOD ID number with the DOD. The transaction account issuer may embed the DOD ID number in a transaction instrument which is issued to the consumer. The consumer may use the transaction instrument at a DOD point of sale located at a DOD facility. The DOD point of sale may verify with the DOD that the DOD ID number in the transaction instrument is valid. The DOD may notify the transaction account issuer that the DOD ID number is valid. The transaction account issuer may approve transactions which may have otherwise been denied. |
| US09846867B2 |
System and method for point-of-sale electronic receipt generation and management
There is provided a system and a method for the generation and management of point-of-sale (POS) electronic payment transaction receipts. The system and method include a POS component that performs a transaction at a location at which a customer and the POS component are physically present together generates content relating to the transaction; and a payment card that identifies a contact address to which an electronic receipt is to be sent. The POS component generates the electronic receipt based on the content relating to the transaction and causes the electronic receipt to be sent to the contact address identified on the payment card. The electronic receipt management system and method are based on payment transaction receipt information across a plurality of merchants, providing customers with an efficient solution for managing their receipts, and allowing merchants to offer better and more targeted recommendations for customers. |
| US09846865B2 |
Platform-as-a-service billing
An illustrative embodiment of a process for reconciling billing measures to cost factors, comprising receiving, by one or more processors, a set of billing measures from one or more applications and a set of cost factors from infrastructure feeds. Analyzing the set of billing measures and cost factors received, using a set of defined relationships to create analyzed information and generates, by the one or more processors, a set of reports using the analyzed information. Responsive to a determination to update the set of definitions, update the sets of definitions using information from the generated reports. |
| US09846864B2 |
System and method for open distribution of digital media
Various embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for open digital media distribution. According to one embodiment, a system is provided which performs the operations of: creating a profile (e.g., artist or label profile) based on an input from a first party; receiving a digital media upload from the first party, wherein the digital media upload contains media content and the first party has a property interest in the media content; receiving from the first party an assignment of a payment account to the digital media upload, such that money from sales relating to the digital media upload is deposited into the payment account; receiving from the first party a sales parameters associated with the digital media upload; presenting through a computing device the digital media upload for sale to a second party; and selling the digital media upload to the second party through a computing device. |
| US09846863B2 |
Techniques for automating a retail transaction
Techniques for automating a retail transaction are provided. In an embodiment, a customer of a retailer is provided a bill to complete a transaction with the retailer. The bill includes a barcode or a Quick Response (QR) code with details of the bill encoded therein. The customer, using a mobile device, scans the code. The mobile device automatically connects with a mobile transaction service and completes payment details for the customer. The retailer's system is notified that payment was received and the transaction is completed. |
| US09846861B2 |
Upstream and downstream data conversion
One embodiment of the invention is directed to implementing a broker system to accept confidential information from upstream trading partners, retrieve tokens from the tokenization service, send tokens to the merchant ordering system, and forward confidential information to downstream trading partners. By using a broker system, the merchant ordering system could store and use tokens to identify orders in its system instead of confidential information, which can help protect the confidential information in the event of a security breach. Also, the broker system may provide an amenable solution for the merchant to continue doing business with the upstream and downstream trading partners without causing these entities to substantially change their current processing systems. |
| US09846856B2 |
Portal configured to inventory items within a user-portable container associated with a user
The present disclosure is directed at systems, methods, and apparatus for precisely inventorying items placed within a user-portable container. The system may comprise one or more interrogators configured to repeatedly send interrogation signals to detect tagged items placed within the portable container by a user. The system may also comprise one or more readers configured to detect response signals produced by the tagged items in response to the repeated interrogation signals. The system may also comprise a communication interface configured to provide information regarding the detected response signals to an adjunct processor configured to analyze the signals and determine whether they originate from items within the user-portable container, as well as to maintain an inventory of items within the portable container. |
| US09846854B1 |
Smart electronic tracking tags with optimized power consumption
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for optimizing power consumption for smart electronic tracking tags. Example methods may include determining a destination address for a package, determining a shipping timeline for the package, the shipping timeline having a first segment and a second segment, and determining a transmission profile with a first frequency of package information data transmissions during the first segment and a second frequency of package information data transmissions during the second segment. Example methods may include sending the transmission profile to an electronic shipping tag associated with the package. |
| US09846851B2 |
Print service provider capacity planning
A user interface guides an interview of a print service provider (PSP) to generate interview data regarding the PSP. The interview data regarding the PSP is translated into simulation experiments regarding printing production services offerable by the PSP. The simulation results are concurrently executed to generate simulation results. The simulation results are synthesized to generate capacity planning analyses and recommendations for the PSP reviewable within the user interface. |
| US09846850B2 |
Consolidation of healthcare-related schedules across disparate systems
Subject matter described herein is related to providing a consolidated schedule having event entries that originate from disparate systems. For example, a central repository receives event entries from a plurality of disparate systems and aggregates entries associated with a particular clinician. The aggregated entries are transformed into a consolidated schedule, which is provided to a client device (e.g., mobile computing device or desktop computing device) used by the healthcare clinician (e.g., doctor, nurse, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, etc.). The consolidated schedule includes events scheduled to take place at different healthcare facilities or different departments within a healthcare facility. When viewing the consolidated schedule, the clinician can request patient information (e.g., vital statistics) relevant to a selected entry and execute other actions (e.g., rescheduling, note entry, event creation, etc.) relevant to the entry. |
| US09846846B2 |
Method and system for analyzing contact studies
A method, system and computer-readable medium for analyzing contact studies for a call service center is presented. The method includes the steps of: acquiring data instances of a Collector tool from all persons monitoring contacts at a call service center during a given study period; retrieving a study design from a Planner tool to verify that acquired data instances conform to the study design; selecting data parameters for the acquired data instances, wherein the data parameters describe multiple features of the acquired data; automatically selecting an appropriate chart format that is appropriate for measurement units used by the data parameters; and creating a chart using the appropriate chart format and the data parameters. The steps in the method may all be automatically performed by an Analyzer logic. |
| US09846843B2 |
Methods and systems for facilitating interactions between a robot and user
Methods and systems for facilitating interactions between a robot and user are provided. The system may include a robot and an electronic device communicatively coupled to the robot. The robot may include a plurality of actuators ones of which are configured to cause a mechanical action of at least one component of the robot, a plurality of interaction inducing components operatively connected to corresponding ones of the plurality of actuators, at least one sensor configured to detect at least one action of a user, a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including computer readable program code embodied therein that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: receive a task; identify, based on similarity to the task received, a similar task from a database stored in the memory, the database including at least one stored task-solution pair; execute the solution associated with the similar task; and store a new task-solution pair responsive to the robot performing a solution relating to the task. |
| US09846838B2 |
Semiconductor circuit using floating body device for emulating neuron firing process
The present invention provides a semiconductor circuit for emulating neuron firing process having a floating body device instead of the conventional capacitor. By using a floating body to store excess holes generated by impact ionization, it is possible to emulate signal accumulation of a neuron, trigger firing when the storage is in excess of a predetermined threshold value, and return to an original state after the firing. |
| US09846837B1 |
Neural network instruction set architecture
A computer-implemented method that includes receiving, by a processing unit, an instruction that specifies data values for performing a tensor computation. In response to receiving the instruction, the method may include, performing, by the processing unit, the tensor computation by executing a loop nest comprising a plurality of loops, wherein a structure of the loop nest is defined based on one or more of the data values of the instruction. The tensor computation can be at least a portion of a computation of a neural network layer. The data values specified by the instruction may comprise a value that specifies a type of the neural network layer, and the structure of the loop nest can be defined at least in part by the type of the neural network layer. |
| US09846835B2 |
NFC/RF mechanism with multiple valid states for detecting an open container, and methods of making and using the same
A wireless (e.g., near field or RF) communication device, and methods of manufacturing and using the same are disclosed. The wireless communication device includes a receiver and/or transmitter, a substrate with an antenna thereon, an integrated circuit, and one or more protection lines. The antenna receives and/or transmits or broadcasts a wireless signal. The integrated circuit processes the wireless signal and/or information therefrom, and/or generates the wireless signal and/or information therefor. The integrated circuit has a first set of terminals electrically connected to the antenna. The protection line(s) are on a common or different substrate as the antenna. The protection line(s) sense or determine a continuity state of a package or container on which the communication device is placed or to which the communication device is fixed or adhered, and are electrically connected to a second set of terminals of the integrated circuit different from the first set of terminals. |
| US09846832B2 |
Serialization of RFID tags
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by an RFID tag, the method including: receiving a request for a EPC serial number; determining whether the EPC serial number has a preset value; when the EPC serial number has the preset value, mapping a transponder ID to the EPC serial number; and providing the EPC serial number in response to the RFID read request. |
| US09846829B2 |
Conformal electronics integrated with apparel
A system is provided for integrating conformal electronics devices into apparel. The system includes a flexible substrate onto which a flexible device is disposed. The flexible device can include a stretchable coil that can be used to receive and transmit near field communications. The flexible device also includes an integrated circuit component and a memory unit. In some examples, the device also includes a sensor that is configured to record measurement of the wearer of the apparel and/or the surrounding environment. |
| US09846821B2 |
Fast object detection method based on deformable part model (DPM)
A fast object detection method based on deformable part model (DPM) is provided. The method includes importing a trained classifier for object detection, receiving an image frame from a plurality of frames in a video captured by a camera, and identifying regions possibly containing at least one object via objectness measure based on Binarized Normed Gradients (BING). The method also includes calculating Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) feature pyramid of the image frame, performing DPM detection for the identified regions possibly containing the at least one object, and labeling the at least one detected object using at least one rectangle box via non-maximum suppression (NMS). Further, the method includes processing a next frame from the plurality of frames in the captured video until the video ends and outputting object detection results. |
| US09846809B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method, and storage medium storing program
A first still image included in a still image file and a second still image extracted from a moving image included in a moving image file are evaluated as layout target on a template. The layout target on the template is specified out of the first still image and the second still image in accordance with the evaluation, and the still image file of the layout target is laid out on the template. The first still image and the second still image are evaluated such that the possibility that the second still image is specified becomes higher than that for the first still image. |
| US09846804B2 |
Apparatus and method for creating three-dimensional personalized figure
Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for automatically creating a 3D personalized figure suitable for 3D printing by detecting a face area and features for respective regions from face data acquired by heterogeneous sensors and by optimizing global/local transformation. The 3D personalized figure creation apparatus acquires face data of a user corresponding to a reconstruction target; extracts feature points for respective regions from the face data, and reconstructs unique 3D models of the user's face, based on the extracted feature points; creates 3D figure models based on the unique 3D models and previously stored facial expression models and body/adornment models; and verifies whether each 3D figure model has a structure and a shape corresponding to actual 3D printing, corrects and edits the 3D figure model based on results of verification, and outputs a 3D figure model corresponding to 3D printing. |
| US09846802B2 |
Passenger counting system, passenger counting method and passenger counting program
A passenger counting system that can count correctly the number of persons present in a vehicle, including persons sitting on the back seat, is provided. The passenger counting system includes an image capturing device 11 which is arranged outside the vehicle and which captures an image of the vehicle from the lateral direction of the vehicle, an image acquisition unit 31 that controls the image capturing device 11 and acquires an image in which the inside of the vehicle is captured as an input image, a profile detection unit 32 that detects a profile of a person from a partial image obtained from the input image based on an image feature amount calculated by using the partial image and outputs a detection result, and a passenger number determination unit 33 that determines the number of persons present in the vehicle based on the detection result. |
| US09846798B2 |
Full-screen fingerprint identification method and full-screen fingerprint identification device
A full-screen fingerprint identification method includes disposing a wire mesh on a touch panel. The wire mesh includes a plurality of metal wires. The metal wires are connected to a switch unit. A fingerprint identification area is appointed on the touch panel, and a portion of the switch unit associated with the metal wires in the fingerprint identification area is turned on to make the metal wires in the fingerprint identification area conductive for fingerprint identification. A full-screen fingerprint identification device includes a touch panel and a wire mesh disposed on the touch panel. The wire mesh includes a plurality of metal wires connected to a switch unit. The touch panel includes a fingerprint identification area. A portion of the switch unit associated with the metal wires in the fingerprint identification area can be turned on to make the metal wires in the fingerprint identification area conductive for fingerprint identification. |
| US09846791B2 |
Data storage device for protected data exchange between different security zones
The embodiments relate to a data storage device for protected data exchange between different security zones including at least a storage unit, a data validation unit, and an access control unit. The storage unit has a first interface to a first security zone, via which the data elements may only be written to the storage unit. The storage unit also has a second interface to a second security zone, via which data elements may only be read from the storage unit. The validation unit is equipped to check the data elements written to the storage unit for agreement with a predetermined pattern. The access control unit is set up to permit the data elements to be read from the storage unit only when the data elements are found to be in agreement and are thus applicably validated. |
| US09846790B2 |
Method for changing an operating mode of a mobile device
A method for changing an operating mode of a mobile device is provided. According to the method, a request from the user of the mobile device to change from a first operating mode to a second operating mode is received. In response to the received request a credential is requested from the user. Next, the credential (RCK) is received from the user and validated. If the received credential (RCK) is valid, the second operating mode is set and an indication of the mobile device indicating that the second operating mode has been set is set. If the second operating mode has been set, a reset of the indication is prohibited. |
| US09846789B2 |
Protecting application programs from malicious software or malware
An apparatus includes a memory to store a secure object comprising at least one of code and data that is encrypted when stored in the memory and a central processing unit (CPU) that is capable of executing an EnterSecureMode (esm) instruction that enables the decryption of the secure object's information when the secure object information is retrieved from the memory into the CPU. The CPU further comprises a feature to protect the secure object from code received from other software. |
| US09846787B2 |
System and method for implementing a trusted dynamic launch and trusted platform module (TPM) using secure enclaves
An apparatus and method are described for implementing a trusted dynamic launch and trusted platform module (TPM) using a secure enclave. For example, a computer-implemented method according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: initializing a secure enclave in response to a first command, the secure enclave comprising a trusted software execution environment which prevents software executing outside the enclave from having access to software and data inside the enclave; and executing a trusted platform module (TPM) from within the secure enclave, the trusted platform module securely reading data from a set of platform control registers (PCR) in a processor or chipset component into a memory region allocated to the secure enclave. |
| US09846782B2 |
Validating user control over contact information in a domain name registration database
An example embodiment of a method and system of validating a user's control over contact information may comprise at least one server computer receiving contact information for a user and determining whether the contact information for the user is valid. If the contact information for the user is determined to be valid, the server computer(s) may store the contact information in a registered contacts database, monitor a plurality of record updates, including a request to register a domain name, in a domain name registration database for the contact information and determine whether the contact information appears in the record updates. If the contact information is determined to appear in the record updates, the server computer(s) may notify the user that the contact information appears in the record updates. In some embodiments, the registration of the domain name may be declined if the information matches. |
| US09846775B2 |
Systems and methods for malware evasion management
A method for emulating at least one resource in a host computer to a querying hosted code. The method comprises monitoring a plurality of operating system (OS) queries received from a plurality of code executed on a monitored computing unit, the plurality of OS queries are designated to an OS of the monitored computing unit, detecting among the plurality of OS queries at least one query for receiving at least one characteristic of at least one resource of the monitored computing unit among the plurality of OS queries, the at least one query is received from querying code of the plurality of code, preparing a response of the OS to the at least one query, the response comprising a false indication at least one false characteristic of the at least one resource, and sending the response to the querying code in response to the at least one query. |
| US09846773B2 |
Technique for enabling a client to provide a server entity
A technique for enabling a client to provide a server entity is disclosed. In method aspects, a first method is performed in the client and comprises the steps of providing the client with a secure trusted environment, the environment being trusted by the client and by at least one third party, and accommodating, in the secure trusted environment, at least a local portion of the server entity, the server entity being configured to handle one or more server requests from the client, and data required by the server entity so as to handle the server request. A second method is performed in a server and comprises the steps of providing, for the secure trusted environment of the client, the environment being trusted by the client and by the at least one third party the at least local portion of the server entity, and the data. |
| US09846772B1 |
Systems and methods for detecting misplaced applications using functional categories
A computer-implemented method for detecting misplaced applications using functional categories may include (1) identifying a functional category assigned to an application located on a computing system, the functional category describing a field of functionality that the application performs, (2) identifying an additional functional category assigned to at least one of the computing system and another application located on the computing system, (3) applying a security policy to both the functional category assigned to the application and the additional functional category to determine whether the application belongs on the computing system according to the security policy, and (4) performing a security action to protect users based on the application of the security policy to the functional category assigned to the application and the additional functional category. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US09846770B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing multiple media services
A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining a group of facial objects detected from an image captured by a camera coupled with a media device where the facial objects correspond to a plurality of users, determining authentication information for each of the plurality of users based on the facial objects, and providing the authentication information to a group of content service systems for enabling the media device to access aggregated media services from the group of content service systems. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09846764B2 |
Systems for safe and remote outpatient ECG monitoring
A system and method providing outpatient ECG monitoring and safe home based cardiac tele-rehabilitation. The system includes a recordation module for recording ECG signals using at least one lead, a tele-rehabilitation module for home based exercise management for a patient's recovery, the tele-rehabilitation module including a processing module for recognizing erroneous data from the ECG signals and an analysis module for calculating beat-to-beat annotations and determining if an ECG event and/or if a QT interval duration change has occurred. The system can include an exercise module for guiding the patient during an exercise session, a visual display that informs the patient to start and/or to stop the tele-rehabilitation exercise, a visual display and/or audible signal that informs the patient of an incoming or a missed tele-rehabilitation exercise session, and/or a communication module for transmitting/receiving data between the a cardiac tele-rehabilitation module and a physician/monitoring center. |
| US09846763B2 |
Medical support system including medical equipment case
A medical equipment case is provided for containing and transporting at least one article of medical equipment and a two-way audio-visual system. Such equipment may be used, for example, for telemedicine applications by a patient discharged from a hospital, or other subject in need of remote health care monitoring. The medical equipment case may include features that provide for security and facilitate return of the medical equipment case and medical equipment and audio-visual system contained therein, such as machine-readable indicia encoding information for return of the case from a usage location. The medical equipment case and contained medical equipment and two-way audio visual system together form a medical support system that can be used by a patient discharged from a hospital. Methods of controlling the medical support system are also described. |
| US09846758B2 |
Method of designing an integrated circuit and computer program product
A method of designing an integrated circuit is described. The integrated circuit comprises a plurality of circuit components, including one or more functional components and one or more tile shapes. A pcell instance may be defined to specify a functional component along with one or more tile shapes. The tile shapes are thus associated with the functional component. A netlist may be arranged to specify interconnections between the functional components of the integrated circuit as well as electrical interactions between the tile shapes and functional components.A computer program product for carrying out the method is also described. |
| US09846757B2 |
Cell grid architecture for FinFET technology
A layout of a cell grid comprises a plurality of polycrystalline silicon (POLY) lines in the cell gird, wherein the POLY lines are arranged horizontally and evenly spaced with a pitch X, and a plurality of fin-shaped oxide diffused (OD) regions in the cell gird, wherein the fin-shaped OD regions are arranged vertically and evenly spaced with a pitch Y, wherein the pitch Y of the fin-shaped OD regions defines width of the cell grid. The layout of the cell grid further comprises a plurality of PMOS transistors and NMOS transistors in the cell grid, wherein the PMOS transistors and NMOS transistors have their source nodes and drain nodes formed in the fin-shaped OD regions and their gates connected to the POLY lines, wherein the plurality of PMOS transistors and NMOS transistors are connected together to form one or more CMOS devices in the cell grid. |
| US09846750B2 |
Adding tiles to a graphical user interface
A software application having a graphical user interface (GUI) that displays content tiles along with the use of an electronic device to add tiles to the GUI is described in this disclosure. A predefined key on an input device is selected to indicate to display available tiles. One of the displayed available tiles is selected and the user designates a location on the display of the content tiles where to place the selected displayed available tiles. The selected tile is then inserted into the display with the plurality of tiles at the designated location and a tile previously at the designation location on the display is deleted and placed in a delete directory. |
| US09846744B2 |
Media discovery and playlist generation
A computer implemented method and system that generates a video playlist having recommended videos based on a user query object is disclosed. A user query object is used to search for a number of web pages. Summaries are generated for the returned web page search results. Valuable terms and phrases from those summaries may be extracted and used to search video storage sites based on the original user query. Playable videos returned from the video storage sites may be compared to the user query or to the extracted terms and phrases in order to rank the videos, and the most relevant videos may be returned. Those videos may be displayed to the user as a playlist in an Internet browser having an embedded video player. |
| US09846742B2 |
Apparatus and method for providing community service
Disclosed are an apparatus and method for providing a community service. The apparatus includes a content analysis unit configured to generate a plurality of content figures representing a plurality of pieces of content, and generate connection relationships of the plurality of content figures according to connection relationships among the plurality of pieces of content, a content management unit configured to set a size value of an upper content figure based on lower content figures, from among the plurality of content figures, connected to lower hierarchies of the upper content figure, and a content transmitter configured to transmit connection relationships of the plurality of content figures and size data that includes the size value to a user terminal connecting to an on-line community. Accordingly, an overall trend may be noticed at a glance, and it may be possible to prevent content spamming because meaningless content would fall behind. |
| US09846740B2 |
Associative search systems and methods
A computer system including a memory, at least one processor coupled to the memory, and a search component executable by the at least one processor is provided. The search component is configured to receive information descriptive of at least one search term; execute a first query against a plurality of documents that identifies at least one first document of the plurality of documents responsive to the at least one search term; identify one or more secondary terms associated with the at least one first document based on occurrence of the one or more secondary terms within the at least one first document; and provide a search result including at least one of the one or more secondary terms and one or more identifiers of one or more documents including the one or more secondary terms. The search result may also include one or more identifiers of bookmarked documents. |
| US09846739B2 |
Fast database matching
A method of improving the speed with which a sample data record can be matched against records in a database comprises defining a list of possible key values (430), testing those key values against the sample and, for each record in the database, counting the number of key values that match both the record and the sample at reference positions selected by a mask. A list of possible matches is then selected on the basis of that count, for more detailed matching or analysis. Such a method provides very fast matching at the expense of some additional effort when registering a new record within the database. |
| US09846738B2 |
Dynamic filter optimization in deep question answering systems
Systems, methods, and computer program products to perform an operation comprising providing a plurality of filters in a deep question answering (deep QA) system, wherein each of the filters is configured to remove candidate answers not meeting a set of criteria of each respective filter from further consideration by the deep QA system, determining that a first ordering, of a plurality of orderings of the plurality of filters, is an optimal ordering of the plurality of filters based on a respective filtering metric of each ordering, and configuring the deep QA system to apply the plurality of filters to candidate answers according to the first ordering. |
| US09846736B2 |
Data processing method, data processing device, data collecting method and information providing method
Disclosed is a method of predicting user's position. This method comprises, creating information on a plurality of location clusters by processing a plurality of position data for a user with a probability based clustering algorithm; receiving a current position data of the user and determining a first location cluster to which the current data is mapped among the plurality of location clusters; and creating second information related to a probability that the user moves from the first location cluster to a second location cluster among the plurality of location clusters. The position data is a data tuple including latitude, longitude, and time. For all the plurality of location clusters, the information includes a determined representative position value of each of the location clusters. |
| US09846733B2 |
Generating database sequences in a replicated database environment
Embodiments relate to generating database sequences in a replicated database environment. An aspect includes providing a group of nodes each hosting an instance of a replicated database, with one node in the group elected as a master node responsible for generating and distributing values for auto-generated values in a column or row of the replicated database. Another aspect includes dividing, by the master node, a sequence space of possible auto-generated values for the column or row into sub-ranges and assigning a sub-range to a particular node in the group of nodes. Another aspect includes distributing, by the master node, values of the assigned sub-range to a particular node of the group of nodes. |
| US09846732B2 |
Communicating with data storage systems
In some aspects, a method includes connecting over a network to a data storage system, the data storage system storing data objects. A dataflow graph that includes nodes representing data processing components connected by links that represent flows of data access an interface of the data storage system. The interface provides functions for accessing the data objects. At least one of the data processing components performs operations on a received input flow of data that enable the functions provided by the interface to modify one or more stored data objects, and performs operations in response to functions provided by the interface to generate an output flow of data. |
| US09846728B1 |
Scoring authors of posts
In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products. A score for each of a plurality of authors of posts submitted to a server system is determined. The score for each individual author in the plurality is based on a score of one or more authors in the plurality that have requested to subscribe to a stream of posts that the individual author submits to the server system. A particular post submitted by a particular author in the plurality is received at the server system and from a computing device. A score is assigned to the particular post based on a score of the particular author. The particular post is transmitted from the server system to computing devices that are associated with authors who have requested to subscribe to posts by the particular author. |
| US09846727B2 |
System and method for generating and updating location check digits
A method, apparatus, and program product for generating check data for a location within an area of a workspace include receiving an identifier for a selected location that has check data associated therewith. Candidate check data for use with the selected location is generated. The candidate check data is evaluated for a match against at least one of existing check data for the selected location or check data associated with a related location. Based on the evaluation, a determination is made of whether the candidate check data is acceptable for use for the selected location. |
| US09846726B2 |
Saved queries in a social networking system
A user saves a structured query defining connections between two or more objects maintained by a social networking system. The social networking system finds objects matching the structured query, either by periodically performing searches for new objects or by analyzing objects as they are added or modified. The user creating the saved query can subsequently view the matching objects. |
| US09846718B1 |
Deduplicating sets of data blocks
A method is used in deduplicating sets of data blocks. A candidate data object is identified for deduplicating a data object. A digest associated with the candidate data object matches a digest associated with the data object. Digest information of a set of data objects is evaluated. The set of data objects are selected for evaluation based on an association between location of the set of data objects and location of the candidate data object. Based on the evaluation, a deduplicating technique is applied for deduplicating the data object. |
| US09846717B2 |
Software security via control flow integrity checking
Various technologies related to control flow integrity checking are described herein and can be used to greatly improve software security. During static analysis, a canonical control flow graph can be built. Execution of a program can be interrupted at runtime, and the call stack can be observed to verify control flow integrity of the program using the canonical control flow graph. Attacks using stack tampering can be avoided, regardless of how the stack tampering is achieved. Non-invasive techniques can be used, making the technologies applicable in situations where source code is not available. Real-time operating system protection can be supported. |
| US09846715B2 |
Address/latitude and longitude converting device and geographical information system using the same
By converting address information 200 input to a geocoding unit 10 into a tree structure formed hierarchically in an administrative district, generating address tree information obtained by associating latitude and longitude information with at least a node of the lowest layer in each branch of the tree structure and storing the address tree information thus generated in a high-speed accessible memory 14 to proceed a retrieval while tracing the address tree information in order from a parent node to a child node to narrow down a retrieval range, it is possible to efficiently search latitude and longitude information corresponding to given address information therefrom and to perform a retrieval at a higher speed as compared with the related art in which access is given to a conversion table stored in a disk. |
| US09846711B2 |
LSM cache
A variety of methods for improving efficiency in a database system are provided. In one embodiment, a method may comprise: generating multiple levels of data according to how recently the data have been updated, whereby most recently updated data are assigned to the newest level; storing each level of data in a specific storage tier; splitting data stored in a particular storage tier into two or more groups according to access statistics of each specific data; during compaction, storing data from different groups in separate data blocks of the particular storage tier; and when a particular data in a specific data block is requested, reading the specific data block into a low-latency storage tier. |
| US09846707B2 |
Method for color and size based pre-filtering for visual object searching of documents
A method for pre-filtering visual objects on a document is disclosed. A selection of a template visual object with constituent components from a subsection of the document is received. Then, a feature set is derived, including a color list of colors defining the object components, a bounding definition of the object components, and an ancillary raster component intersection flag. A subset of pre-filtered visual objects is generated from the visual objects on the document. These match a predefined criteria based on the color list, live hounding definition, or the ancillary raster component intersection flag. A pre-filtered document raster image is then generated from the document, where the pixels corresponding to the pre-filtered visual objects are included. |
| US09846701B2 |
Policies for objects collaborations
A computerized method for managing collaboration in a computerized system, comprising repeatedly applying any one of rules defined in the computerized system pertaining to objects of the computerized system, wherein the any one of the rules comprises an at least one condition concerning collaborativity of an object to which the any one of the rules pertains and the at least one condition is based on metadata of the object, by evaluating any one of conditions in the any one of the rules, thereby determining collaborativity of any one of the objects to which the any one of the rules pertains, and an apparatus for performing the same. |
| US09846699B2 |
System and methods thereof for dynamically updating the contents of a folder on a device
A system and method for dynamically updating contents of a folder on a user device. The method includes: identifying a folder on the user device as a dynamic folder; determining at least one context parameter related to the dynamic folder; searching, based on the at least one context parameter, a plurality of resources of information to identify content items that that can be pushed to the dynamic folder; and causing, for each identified content item, a display of an icon in the dynamic folder, thereby dynamically updating contents of the dynamic folder with content items found through the search. |
| US09846697B2 |
Indexing data updates associated with an electronic catalog system
Systems and methods are provided for efficiently indexing archived objects in an archive data store to allow for efficient and quick access to the archived objects. The systems and methods provided also allow alleviate the strain on a live data store and enable a requester wishing to retrieve updates to do so without knowledge of the location of the stored update on a live or archive data store. |
| US09846696B2 |
Apparatus and methods for indexing multimedia content
A method, medium, and apparatus are disclosed for indexing multimedia content by a computer. The method comprises segmenting the multimedia content into a plurality of segments. For each segment, the method identifies one or more features present in the segment, wherein the features are of respective media types. The method then identifies, for each identified feature in each segment, one or more respective keywords associated the identified feature. Then, the method determines, for each identified keyword associated with an identified feature in a given segment, a respective relevance of the keyword to the given segment. The respective relevance is dependent on a weight associated with the respective media type of the identified feature. |
| US09846695B2 |
Information processing apparatus, control method, and storage medium storing program
An information processing apparatus is capable of communicating with a file server storing a document file and with a storage unit storing information on the document file as a record. The information processing apparatus accepts a request to perform an operation on a document file, and registers entity data of the document file in the file server. After this, the information processing apparatus locks a record corresponding to a folder storing the document file, registers a record corresponding to the document file, and updates information of the locked record corresponding to the folder. |
| US09846693B2 |
Document tracking in heterogeneous application environments
A method of naming documents according to a document naming convention (DNC) includes receiving, from any of a plurality of data processing applications (DPAs) within an enterprise, a request for a document name and generating a document name “infix” portion in compliance with the DNC for inclusion in the document name. The prefix may be descriptive of a characteristic of the document and the suffix may indicate a document type, a document format, or both. The infix may include a fixed portion and a modifiable portion. The fixed portion may include a datestamp and a document unification identifier. The infix may include a variable portion that can be modified by a DPA that creates a new or modified document, but the name of the modified document maintains the fixed portion of the original document. |
| US09846691B1 |
Forms processing method
A forms processing method involves accessing an individual scanned form, analyzing the individual form, based upon the analysis, selecting a proper forms-scanning template, loading multiple field-specific dictionaries linked to individual fields in the selected forms-scanning template, analyzing, text content, on a field by field basis using the field-specific dictionary linked to each respective field, for misspellings or improper entries, or for missing content, attempting to identify whether a closest fit between the particular content and contents of the field-specific dictionary linked to that field exists and, if the closest fit exists, automatically replacing the particular content with an entry from the field-specific dictionary linked to that field corresponding to the closest fit, or if there is no closest fit or the particular content is absent, providing an indication of an error to an operator, and storing, a correction as a new entry within the field-specific dictionary linked to that field. |
| US09846688B1 |
Book version mapping
Techniques for use with electronic book readers include coordinating or translating position information between different versions of an electronic book. Positions within different versions can be translated for various purposes, such as transferring annotations between versions or synchronizing positions within different versions. |
| US09846680B1 |
Script logic graphical mapping
A system, method, and computer readable medium comprises displaying a panel associated with at least one script, presenting a branching logic associated with the panel and creating a graphical map of the panel and the branching logic where the graphical map allows zooming in to show panel logic associated with the panel, and the graphical map allows zooming out to show the branching logic associated with the panel. |
| US09846677B2 |
Event-based spatial transformation
A method for computing a spatial Fourier transform for an event-based system includes receiving an asynchronous event output stream including one or more events from a sensor. The method further includes computing a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) matrix based on dimensions of the sensor. The method also includes computing an output based on the DFT matrix and applying the output to an event processor. |
| US09846672B2 |
Serial device with configuration mode for changing device behavior
Systems, methods, circuits, devices and computer-readable mediums for configuring serial devices are disclosed. In some implementations, a device comprises: an input for receiving first and second requests from a serial bus; a decoder coupled to the input and configured to determine if either of the first and second requests is a configuration mode request; a controller coupled to the decoder and configured to: in response to a determination that the first request is a configuration mode request, program a configuration block with configuration data obtained from the serial bus and alter a device behavior according to the configuration data; and in response to a determination that the second request is not a configuration mode request, perform one or more actions on the device according to the second request. |
| US09846670B2 |
System and method for evaluating a stream of sensor data for value documents
A system for evaluating a stream of sensor data formed by means of at least one sensor for a plurality of value documents includes at least two evaluation units and a data bus. Each of the evaluation units has first and second interfaces for receiving or transferring the sensor data stream with the sensor data, a third interface for receiving and transferring evaluation data, a working memory, at least one processor connected to the working memory for evaluating the sensor data in the working memory, and a relaying device connected to the first and the second interfaces and to the working memory for receiving a sensor data stream received via the first interface, at least partial relaying to the second interface and to storage of at least part of the data of the sensor data stream in the working memory, with the data bus being connected to the third interface. |
| US09846668B2 |
Bus controller, data forwarding system, and method for controlling buses
The first buffers forward data from the first device to the respective corresponding second devices through the respective buses while the second buffers forward data from the respective corresponding second devices to the first device through the respective buses. In response to a simultaneous data transmission request to simultaneously transmit data from the first device to the second devices, the switch controller switches the first buffer into a data-forwarding enable state, and switches the second buffer into a data-forwarding disable state, for simultaneous data transmission from the first device to the plurality of the second devices. The pseudo-response generator generates pseudo-response signals acting as a plurality of response signals that the second devices transmit to the first device as a result of the simultaneous data transmission, and transmits the plurality of the pseudo-response signals to the first device. This configuration achieves simultaneous access to multiple devices. |
| US09846660B2 |
Heterogeneous multiprocessor platform targeting programmable integrated circuits
An integrated circuit (IC) includes a first region being static and providing an interface between the IC and a host processor. The first region includes a first interconnect circuit block having a first master interface and a second interconnect circuit block having a first slave interface. The IC includes a second region coupled to the first region. The second region implements a kernel of a heterogeneous, multiprocessor design and includes a slave interface coupled to the first master interface of the first interconnect circuit block and configured to receive commands from the host processor. The second region also includes a master interface coupled the first slave interface of the second interconnect circuit block, wherein the master interface of the second region is a master for a memory controller. |
| US09846653B2 |
Performing write operations on main memory
Write operations on main memory comprise predicting a last write in a dirty cache line. The predicted last write indicates a predicted pattern of the dirty cache line before the dirty cache line is evicted from a cache memory. Further, the predicted pattern is compared with a pattern of original data bits stored in the main memory for identifying changes to be made in the original data bits. Based on the comparison, an optimization operation to be performed on the original data bits is determined. The optimization operation modifies the original data bits based on the predicted pattern of a last write cache line before the last write cache line is evicted from the cache memory. |
| US09846648B2 |
Create page locality in cache controller cache allocation
Integrated circuits are provided which create page locality in cache controllers that allocate entries to set-associative cache, which includes data storage for a plurality of Sets of Ways. A plurality of cache controllers may be interleaved with a processor and device(s), and allocate to any pages in the cache. A cache controller may select a Way from a Set to which to allocate new entries in the set-associative cache and bias selection of the Way according to a plurality of upper address bits (or other function). These bits may be identical at the cache controller during sequential memory transactions. A processor may determine the bias centrally, and inform the cache controllers of the selected Set and Way. Other functions, algorithms or approaches may be chosen to influence bias of Way selection, such as based on analysis of metadata belonging to cache controllers used for making Way allocation selections. |
| US09846642B2 |
Efficient key collision handling
Inventive aspects include a key value store engine including non-volatile memory configured to store key-value inode descriptors each including a key and an associated value. The key value store engine can include a volatile memory to store a key hash tree and a collision hash tree. The key hash tree can include nodes each having a hash of one of the keys. The collision hash tree can include nodes each having a collided hash associated with two or more different keys. Each of the nodes of the key hash tree can include a collision flag indicating whether two or more different hashes correspond to a collided hash. The volatile memory can store a collision linked list including linked list nodes each having a key-value inode number indicating a location of a corresponding key-value inode descriptor stored in the non-volatile memory. The key value store engine can include a key value logic section. |
| US09846639B2 |
System and method for automatically testing an application programming interface (API)
Disclosed is a method and system for automatically testing an API. The system may determine a type of the API, inputs handled and outputs generated by the API. The system may identify a web application template for invoking the API. Further, the system may generate a Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) page for accepting input parameters. The system may then create input data elements using the input parameters. The system may invoke the API using the input data elements in order to generate output. The system may generate another HTML page for providing the output. The system may generate a set of test scripts for accepting inputs from a data file and then receive the inputs in the first HTML form. The system may submit the first HTML form to generate final outputs by the API. Further, the system may verify the final outputs in order to test the API. |
| US09846635B2 |
Making production data available for testing in a non-production environment
The technology disclosed relates to systems and methods usable for developing and testing dashboards with production data in non-production environments including a development server with APIs interposed between a development app and a production server, providing development access to production data before deployment into the production environment. The disclosed development server includes an app server that serves a development app in response to a request from a developer device; and exposes development APIs that mirror production APIs of the production server, and relay of messages between the development APIs and the production APIs. The development server replicates access to production server APIs relied on to retrieve and process time series data from a data store, the replication including access to development server APIs that mirror relative addressing of production APIs. Users can select among reviewed and approved dashboards, and can select to deploy the selected dashboards to the production server. |
| US09846634B2 |
Visual graphical user interface verification
An automated testing system is described for efficient visual verification of graphical user interfaces of software applications. A pattern is formed for the user interface of a page of the application indicating regions of the page where user interface elements should be located and identifying which user interface element should be located in which region. During test execution, image recognition is performed using previously stored snapshots of user interface elements to determine whether the application's user interface elements appear in correct positions on the page. |
| US09846632B2 |
Real-time reporting based on instrumentation of software
A data analysis system processes data generated by instrumented software. The data analysis system receives data streams generated by instances of instrumented software executing on systems. The data analysis system also receives metadata describing data streams. The data analysis system receives an expression based on the metadata. The data analysis system receives data of data streams for each time interval and computes the result of the expression based on the received data values. The data analysis system repeats these steps for each time interval. The data analysis system may quantize data values of data streams for each time interval by generating an aggregate value for the time interval based on data received for each data stream for that time interval. The data analysis system evaluates the expression using the quantized data for the time interval. |
| US09846630B2 |
Agentless data collection
Tools and techniques for collecting data from target systems without the need for installation of expensive and high-maintenance software agents on the target systems. In some cases, these tools can be used to collect performance data from collection targets while still allowing the operator(s) of the collection targets to govern the access of the tools, alleviating security concerns. Merely by way of example, certain tools employ data collection scripts, which may be analyzed by the collection target against security policies of that collection target, to ensure that the scripts will not take any actions that might violate such security policies. Other tools may be used to collect data in real time by transmitting a script for immediate execution by the host system, which could then return the data produced by the script immediately upon completion (and/or as part of execution of the script). |
| US09846628B2 |
Indicating parallel operations with user-visible events
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for indicating parallel operations with user-visible events. Event markers can be used to indicate an abstracted outer layer of execution as well as expose internal specifics of parallel processing systems, including systems that provide data parallelism. Event markers can be used to show a variety of execution characteristics including higher-level markers to indicate the beginning and end of an execution program (e.g., a query). Inside the execution program (query) individual fork/join operations can be indicated with sub-levels of markers to expose their operations. Additional decisions made by an execution engine, such as, for example, when elements initially yield, when queries overlap or nest, when the query is cancelled, when the query bails to sequential operation, when premature merging or re-partitioning are needed can also be exposed. |
| US09846627B2 |
Systems and methods for modeling memory access behavior and memory traffic timing behavior
Systems and methods for modeling memory access behavior and memory traffic timing behavior are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes receiving data indicative of memory access behavior resulting from instructions executed on a processor. The method also includes determining a statistical profile of the memory access behavior, the profile including tuple statistics of memory access behavior. Further, the method includes generating a clone of the executed instructions based on the statistical profile for use in simulating the memory access behavior. |
| US09846623B2 |
Simultaneous multi-processor apparatus applicable to acheiving exascale performance for algorithms and program systems
Apparatus adapted for exascale computers are disclosed. The apparatus includes, but is not limited to at least one of: a system, data processor chip (DPC), Landing module (LM), chips including LM, anticipator chips, simultaneous multi-processor (SMP) cores, SMP channel (SMPC) cores, channels, bundles of channels, printed circuit boards (PCB) including bundles, floating point adders, accumulation managers, QUAD Link Anticipating Memory (QUADLAM), communication networks extended by coupling links of QUADLAM, log 2 calculators, exp2 calculators, log ALU, Non-Linear Accelerator (NLA), and stairways. Methods of algorithm and program development, verification and debugging are also disclosed. Collectively, embodiments of these elements disclose a class of supercomputers that obsolete Amdahl's Law, providing cabinets of petaflop performance and systems that may meet or exceed an exaflop of performance for Block LU Decomposition (Linpack). |
| US09846622B1 |
Parallel computer system recovery
Systems and methods for parallel computer system recovery are described. The method may include receiving requests for backup data at a storage server from a plurality of computer systems to be recovered. The method may further include determining a next data fragment of the backup data to be transmitted from the storage server to the plurality of computer systems based on an order of priority. The method may also include transmitting the next data fragment from the storage server to the plurality of computer systems via a data fragment multicast stream. |
| US09846621B1 |
Disaster recovery—multiple restore options and automatic management of restored computing devices
A computer-implemented method may comprise performing a disaster recovery restore process on a target computing device; accessing a backup server; and selecting a source backup from the backup server. The source backup may comprise one or more volumes, partitions, files and device drivers of a source computing device from which the source backup was created. The selected source backup may then be installed in an offline partition of the target computing device. One or more target device drivers may then be installed in the offline partition. To complete the disaster recovery restore process on the target computing device, the target computing device may then be rebooted. Both the backup of the source computing device and the active partition of the target device may comprise source computing device-dependent hardware device drivers. When carried out in a Windows® environment, Sysprep need not be used and the kernel need not be modified. |
| US09846616B2 |
Boot recovery system
A boot recovery system includes a serial peripheral interface (SPI) storage that stores a primary boot block. A primary SPI controller is connected to the SPI storage through a primary SPI bus. An embedded controller (EC) includes an EC storage that stores a recovery boot block. The EC is coupled to the primary SPI bus through a secondary SPI bus. The EC is configured to determine that the primary boot block should be replaced, retrieve the recovery boot block from the EC storage, replace the primary boot block in the SPI storage with the recovery boot block through the secondary SPI bus, and initiate an information handling system (IHS) reboot process. The determining, retrieving, replacing, and initiating may be performed by the EC while a processing system that is coupled to the primary SPI controller is not in an operating mode. |
| US09846614B1 |
ECC scrubbing in a multi-slice microprocessor
Techniques for error correction in a processor include detecting an error in first data stored in a register. The method also includes generating an instruction to read the first data stored in the register, where the register is both a source register and a destination register of the instruction. The method further includes transmitting the first data and error correcting code data to an execution unit, where the first data and error correcting code data bypasses an issue queue. The method also includes decoding the instruction and correcting the error to generate corrected data and writing the corrected data to the destination register. |
| US09846613B2 |
Efficient high/low energy zone solid state device data storage
Methods and apparatus associated with storing data in high or low energy zones are described. Example apparatus include a data storage system (DSS) that protects a message using an erasure code (EC). A location in the DSS may have an energy efficiency rating or a latency. Example apparatus include circuits that produce EC encoded data that has a likelihood of use, that select a location to store the EC encoded data in the DSS based on the energy efficiency rating, the latency, or the likelihood of use, that store the EC encoded data in the location, and that compute an order of retrieval for EC encoded data stored in the location. The order of retrieval may be based on the energy efficiency rating or the latency. The EC encoded data may also have a priority based on the number of erasures for which the EC corrects. |
| US09846608B2 |
Providing application operational insights to users based on crowd sourced performance metrics for operational states
A method includes performing operations on a processor of an application analysis computer. The operations include receiving reports from user terminals containing identifiers for operational states of an application being processed by the user terminals and containing state performance metrics. Each of the state performance metrics indicates a measurement of performance for a corresponding identified one of the operational states of the application being processed by one of the user terminals. The operations further include, for each of the operational states of the application identified in the reports, generating a rule for acceptable performance of the operational state of the application based on the state performance metrics of the operational state reported by the user terminals. The operations further include storing in a repository the rules associated with identifiers for corresponding ones of the operational states of the application. Related operations by a user terminal are disclosed. |
| US09846605B2 |
Server-side minimal download and error failover
A server computing architecture is provided that uses minimal download features and includes error failover functionality. A server computer may receive an electronic page request and calculate a delta between a known static baseline electronic page and the requested electronic page. The static baseline electronic page may include an electronic page without content that utilizes a master electronic page. The master electronic page may include shared content for electronic pages associated with a website. The server computer may further determine whether one more errors are associated with rendering the calculated delta, render a payload comprising only the calculated delta upon determining an absence of the one or more errors and failover to one or more options upon determining that the one or more errors are associated with rendering the calculated delta. |
| US09846603B2 |
System and method for supporting an adaptive self-tuning locking mechanism in a transactional middleware machine environment
A system and method can support an adaptive self-tuning locking mechanism in a transactional middleware machine environment. The system allows each process in a plurality of processes to perform one or more test-and-set (TAS) operations in order to obtain a lock for data in a shared memory. Then, the system can obtain a spin failed rate for a current tuning period, wherein a spin failure happens when a process fails to obtain the lock after performing a maximum number of rounds of TAS operations that are allowed. Furthermore, the system can adaptively configuring a spin count for a next tuning period based on the obtained spin failure rate, wherein the spin count specifies the maximum number of rounds of TAS operations that are allowed for the next tuning period. |
| US09846602B2 |
Migration of a logical partition or virtual machine with inactive input/output hosting server
Embodiments disclose techniques for migrating a logical partition from a source computing system with an inactive I/O server to another target computing system. In one embodiment, a computing system collects and stores the resource configuration of the logical partition, upon detecting a change in a resource configuration of a logical partition on the source computing system. Once the computing system detects that a I/O server on the source computing system is inactive for a migration of the logical partition, the computing system uses the collected resource configuration to configure the logical partition on the target computing system. |
| US09846596B1 |
System and method for cloud control operations plane based on proactive security algorithms
Described is a system for a cloud control operations plane. In operation, a job is broadcast to a plurality of physical hosts, one or more of the physical hosts having a control operations plane (COP) node and a service node associated with the COP node. The COP nodes jointly create a private job assignment. A set of job assignments is redundantly distributed to individual COP nodes pursuant to the private job assignments, such that each individual COP node is only aware of its own assignment and corresponding job. The service nodes then each complete a task associated with the job and generate an output. When a set of service nodes performing a redundant job complete their task, the corresponding COP nodes jointly perform a private result checking protocol to generate a final output. The final output is then sent to the user. |
| US09846593B2 |
Predicting the length of a transaction
In a multi-processor transaction execution environment a transaction is executed a plurality of times. Based on the executions, a duration is predicted for executing the transaction. Based on the predicted duration, a threshold is determined. Pending aborts of the transaction due to memory conflicts are suppressed based on the transaction exceeding the determined threshold. |
| US09846592B2 |
Versatile protected input/output device access and isolated servicing for virtual machines
Embodiments are directed to managing access to input/output devices by virtual machines (VMs). A first VM and a second VM are implemented. An I/O device controller driver has a first driver portion in the first VM and a second driver portion in the second VM. The first driver portion includes a configuration engine to configure the I/O device controller with I/O device-VM mappings, where a first I/O device is mapped exclusively to the first VM, and a second I/O device is mapped to at least the second VM. The second VM includes a general processing engine to call for I/O devices via the second driver portion, and in response to a call by the general processing engine for access to the first I/O device the second driver portion is to send an access request to the first driver portion. |
| US09846584B1 |
Promoting a secure operating environment through oversight and provisioning of BIOS activity
Techniques for selectively permitting a device to boot an operating system. Before any operating system is loaded on the device, a BIOS component analyzes a set of files residing on the device to create state data that describes a current state of the set of files. This enables the state data to identify whether any files have been unexpectedly modified or are outdated. The BIOS component attempts to send the state data to a server over a network. The BIOS component then determines whether to permit the device to boot the operating system based on whether the network was detected and on the contents of any response, sent by the server, responsive to the state data. |
| US09846582B2 |
Operating system hardware configuration state specialization
In one or more embodiments, hardware configuration state data for specialization of a portable installation of an operating system may be stored on a per hardware configuration basis. Specializations may include designation of boot start drivers, driver settings, device settings, and other state data that may vary based on hardware configurations of different machines on which the portable operating system is loaded. In a pre-boot environment, an identity of the current computing device is resolved and used to look-up corresponding hardware configuration state data that is available. When booting of the operating system on a new computing device is detected, the operating system is loaded using default state settings. An optimization routine may then be performed to create and store hardware specific hardware configuration state data for the computing device that defines specializations for subsequent boots of the operating system on the computing device. |
| US09846578B2 |
Electronic device and method for firmware updating thereof
A firmware update method applied to a host device and a peripheral device, wherein the peripheral device includes a memory device and a controller. The firmware update method includes: transmitting a first firmware data sector to a peripheral device from the host device, wherein the first firmware data sector has a first mode parameter; and retransmitting the first firmware data sector having a second mode parameter to the peripheral device from the host device after an interruption event has occurred on the memory device during the transmission. |
| US09846577B1 |
Integrated development tool with preview functionality for an internet of things (IoT) system
A system and method are described for generating an interactive preview for an IoT device. For example, one embodiment of a method comprises: in response to initiating a preview of a new IoT device, determining whether a corresponding IoT device exists and, if not, then generating a virtual IoT device; associating the virtual or real IoT device with a set of device attributes and presentation definitions; establishing a communication channel with a mobile app; in response to detecting changes to the attributes and/or presentation definitions, transmitting updates to the mobile app, the mobile app dynamically updating the attributes and presentation definitions in real time. |
| US09846576B2 |
Technologies for reprogramming network interface cards over a network
Technologies for reprogramming/updating non-volatile memory (NVM) for a peripheral, such as a network interface controller (NIC). Communications are provided in the NIC for communicating data to and from a network from a computer node, along with a controller operatively coupled to the communications for controlling the communication of data. A NIC access redirection agent module is configured to accesses a NVM firmware image from the network via the communications to reprogram and/or update the NIC, wherein the accessed NVM firmware image is utilized by the computer node NIC for operation. A network node may include a firmware manager for selecting one of a plurality of NVM firmware images and provide access to the selected NVM firmware image for the computer node to update computer node firmware for the computing device over the computer network. |
| US09846569B1 |
Random values based on a random components of noise
Systems and methods of generating random values based on random components of the noise are presented. A signal having at least a noise component(s) can be received and one or more random values can be calculated from the noise component(s). In some examples, noise can be received from a random source and common mode portions of the data can be filtered. A data channel can then process the noise to produce random data, which can be further processed by security circuits to generate random values, seed values, random numbers, and other values. |
| US09846564B1 |
Mesh network of nearby mobile devices as a combined speaker system for audio
Implementations disclose a mesh network of nearby mobile devices as a combined speaker system for audio. A method includes detecting one or more other computing devices within a geographic vicinity of a computing device, transmitting a confirmation to join a speaker mesh network with the detected one or more other computing devices, receiving a playback synchronization instruction for a media item, adjusting playback of the media item according to the playback synchronization instruction, wherein the one or more other computing devices in the speaker mesh network provide synchronized playback of the media item according to the playback synchronization instruction, receiving a stereo sound and audio equalization instruction, and applying, according to the stereo sound and audio equalization instruction, stereo sound and audio equalization settings to the playback of the media item at the computing device. |
| US09846563B2 |
Method, mobile terminal and system for implementing multimedia playing
A method, system and mobile terminal for implementing multimedia playing are described, which includes that a mobile terminal sends multimedia stream data to be played to another-end mobile terminal via a connection established based on NFC technology, and the mobile terminal and the another-end mobile terminal decode the multimedia stream data to be played, and respectively play corresponding parts of the decoded multimedia stream data in accordance with the respective part playing mode. In this way, two mobile terminals can respectively playing part of a multimedia image based on NFC technology, a multimedia image can be clearly amplified and displayed via the splicing of mobile terminal screens, thereby helping a user quickly solve the problem that a mobile terminal screen is small and not good for amplifying and displaying the multimedia image. |
| US09846562B2 |
Method and system for monitoring the displaying of video contents
A method (100) for monitoring the displaying of a plurality of video contents (VD1, . . . , VDM) on a display (1) is described, the video contents (VD1,, VDM) each comprising a stream of digital images (I1, . . . , IK), each digital image comprising a respective pixel matrix. The method does not require the integration of markers inside the video contents and the monitoring is performed by means of an optical sensor (2) having a sensitive area facing the display (1) so as to detect over time the chromatic variations of the video contents displayed. |
| US09846561B2 |
Image forming apparatus, method of controlling the same, storage medium, and information processing apparatus communicating with image forming apparatus for saving a transmission history based on a user instruction
A technique for saving a setting of a transmission job as a setting history for a call function as needed by a user when an information processing apparatus such as an image processing apparatus (MFP) has executed the transmission job is provided. Upon executing a transmission job received from a mobile device, the MFP determines in accordance with an instruction by a user as to whether to save a setting of the transmission job as a setting history (transmission history) for a call function that reuses a setting of a job executed in the past to execute a job. For a setting of a transmission job for which it is determined not to save as a setting history for the call function, the MFP prohibits saving as a setting history. |
| US09846559B2 |
System, and post-processing apparatus and method for controlling the same
At least one embodiment of a post-processing apparatus performs post-processing on a product printed by a printing apparatus, and transmits a completion notification, indicating that the post-processing apparatus has completed the post-processing, to the printing apparatus based on whether there is a subsequent post-processing apparatus to the post-processing apparatus. At least one embodiment of an image forming apparatus holds job data, performs print processing of the job data, and deletes the held job data in a case where the completion notification is received. |
| US09846558B2 |
Information processing device, method, and information processing system
An information processing device connected to a terminal via a network includes a memory that stores inquiry packet data received from the terminal in association with response packet data to respond to the inquiry packet data; control circuitry to control an operation mode of the information processing device, wherein when the information processing device is in an energy conservation mode, the control circuitry determines whether or not the received inquiry packet data is new inquiry packet data determined by new network protocols, when the received inquiry packet data is the new inquiry packet data, the control circuitry reinstates the information processing device, in conjunction with a transmission for the response packet data generated by the information processing device to the terminal, and stores the received inquiry packet data and the generated response packet data to the memory. |
| US09846554B1 |
Storage system and method for grouping blocks based on deterministic data patterns
A storage system and method for generating block allocation groups based on deterministic data patterns are provided. A storage system is provided comprising a memory comprising a plurality of blocks and a controller. The controller is configured to infer characteristics of the memory from data patterns of data stored in the plurality of blocks; and group the plurality of blocks based on the inferred characteristics of the memory. |
| US09846551B2 |
System on a chip including a management unit for allocating and deallocating an address range
A processor system (10) includes: a first memory controller (16) that controls writing/reading data to/from a first memory (60); a second memory controller (17) that controls writing/reading data to/from a second memory (70); a first processor (13) that inputs and outputs the data from and to the first memory through a bus (14); a second processor (11) that inputs and outputs processed data from and to the second memory through the bus; and a management unit 32 that deallocates an address range corresponding to the second memory from the first process and allocates the address range to the second processor. |
| US09846549B2 |
Method and system for data archiving
A data server, method and computer readable storage medium for receiving a current request relating to a data archive, determining a number of queued requests relating to the data archive present in a request queue, determining a waiting time for the current request based on the number of queued requests and adding the current request to the request queue after the waiting time has elapsed. |
| US09846548B2 |
Tape library emulation with automatic configuration and data retention
Disk based emulation of tape libraries is provided with features that allow easier management and administration of a backup system and also allow increased flexibility to both archive data on tape at a remote location and also have fast restore access to archived data files. Features include automatic emulation of physical libraries, and the retention and write protection of virtual tapes that correspond to exported physical tapes. |
| US09846546B2 |
Method and apparatus for storing image
The inventive concept relates to a method for storing an image. The method includes: initially allocating an entire memory equally to a predetermined number of channels set to perform pre-recording for a first time period or a second time period shorter than the first time period when an event occurs; counting an event occurrence number from image signals input to the channels for a predetermined time period; and reallocating memory regions allocated to the respective channels, according to the event occurrence number and image signal storage states of the memory regions. |
| US09846544B1 |
Managing storage space in storage systems
A method is used in managing storage space in storage systems. A request is received to write data to a logical storage object. A determination is made as to whether the data can be written to the logical storage object in a compressed format. Based on the determination, the request is processed based on a storage insurance value and a storage liability value associated with the logical storage object. The storage insurance value and storage liability value is determined based on the number of uncompressed blocks included in the logical storage object. |
| US09846543B2 |
Storage device including memory controller and memory system including the same
Disclosed is a storage device, including: a memory controller configured to generate mode maintenance information or mode change information in response to a command received from a host; and a memory device configured to perform a selected operation in a previous mode when the mode maintenance information is received, and change a mode and perform the selected operation when the mode change information is received. |
| US09846539B2 |
Recovery from low space condition of an extent store
A technique recovers from a low space condition associated with storage space reserved in an extent store to accommodate write requests received from a host and associated metadata managed by a layered file system of a storage input/output (I/O) stack executing on one or more nodes of a cluster. The write requests, including user data, are persistently recorded on non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) prior to returning an acknowledgement to the host by a persistence layer of the storage I/O stack. Volume metadata managed by a volume layer of the layered file system is embodied as mappings from logical block addresses (LBAs) of a logical unit (LUN) accessible by the host to extent keys maintained by an extent store layer of the layered file system. Extent store metadata managed by the extent store layer is embodied as mappings from the extent keys to the storage locations of the extents on storage devices of storage arrays coupled to the nodes of the cluster. The space recovery technique accounts for storage space consumed in the extent store by user operations, i.e., write operations for the user data stored on the NVRAM at the persistence layer as well as the associated volume and extent store metadata, to ensure that the user data and associated metadata can be safely and reliably persisted in the extent store even during a low space condition. |
| US09846538B2 |
Data integrity and acceleration in compressed storage environments in combination with software defined native RAID
A mechanism is provided in a data processing system for data integrity and acceleration in compressed storage environments in combination with software defined native redundant array of independent disks (RAID). The mechanism receives a data portion to write to storage and divides the data portion into a plurality of chunks. The mechanism performs real-time compression on a given chunk within the plurality of chunks and determines a compression rate for the given chunk. The mechanism determines a RAID level for the given chunk based on a value of the compression rate and stores the given chunk based on the determined RAID level. |
| US09846537B2 |
Touch panel input item correction in accordance with angle of deviation
An information processing device for receiving user selections inputted using a touch panel includes an acquisition unit for acquiring a touch point on the touch panel touched by the user, a placement unit for placing, in an area surrounding a display reference point on a screen, the display of a plurality of input items capable of being inputted by the user by moving the touch point, a detection unit for detecting the direction of movement by the touch point from the initial touch point of the user, a calculation unit for calculating the angle of deviation between the direction of movement of the touch point by the user and a standard direction, and a correction unit for correcting the placement of the display of the plurality of input items in accordance with the angle of deviation. |
| US09846533B2 |
Methods and graphical user interfaces for editing on a multifunction device with a touch screen display
In some embodiments, a device displays content on a touch screen display and detects input by finger gestures. In response to the finger gestures, the device selects content, visually distinguishes the selected content, and/or updates the selected content based on detected input. In some embodiments, the device displays a command display area that includes one or more command icons; detects activation of a command icon in the command display area; and, in response to detecting activation of the command icon in the command display area, performs a corresponding action with respect to the selected content. Exemplary actions include cutting, copying, and pasting content. |
| US09846530B2 |
Apparatus and method for displaying notification in electronic device
An apparatus and a method of displaying a notification in an electronic device are provided. The apparatus includes a display unit configured to display a status bar including one or more notification icons, and a controller configured to display notification information including an icon and a number of notifications of an application program for each application program when the status bar is selected. |
| US09846527B2 |
Task management from within a data feed
A system, computer-readable storage medium, and computer-implemented method for assigning a task based on content presented in a data feed are presented. A data feed that includes a set of content items is presented. Each of the content items included in the data feed may include a graphical user interface element capable of invoking task assignment functionality with respect to each content item. A task based on a content item presented in the data feed may be created and assigned to a selected user in response to receiving a selection of the graphical user interface element. The method may further include generating an individual status report for the user that includes every task assigned to the user. |
| US09846525B2 |
Location-based healthcare collaboration, data management and access control
The locations of electronic devices in an institutional facility are determined based on interaction with the wireless mobile devices of users who roam though the facility and interact with (or are detected by) the devices. |
| US09846523B2 |
Adaptive interface system for confirming a status of a plurality of identified tasks
A system and method provide feedback regarding the confirmation of automated and operator assigned tasks, wherein one of the operator tasks and automation tasks includes a value for a parameter. The operator task and automation task that includes the value is rendered subsequent to being accomplished if the value does not match the parameter. |
| US09846522B2 |
Alignable user interface
Embodiments are disclosed that relate to interacting with a graphical user interface in a manner to facilitate hands-free operation. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a method including outputting to a display device a user interface that displays graphical representations of a plurality of alignable user interface objects, each alignable user interface object representing a selectable object. The method further includes receiving depth data from an imaging device, the image data capturing an image of a face directed toward the display device. The method further comprises changing an alignment condition of a first user interface object of the plurality of alignable user interface objects to move the first user interface object into an aligned condition, and changing an alignment condition of a second user interface object to move the second user interface object out of an aligned condition based on the received image data. |
| US09846521B1 |
Gaming system leveraging physical polyhedron with M faces rotationally linked to ordered data set of N elements
A communications pathway between a data handling system and a physical input device can be established. The system can include one or more processors, memories, and program instructions. The device can be a physical object having N faces along an axis of rotation. The N faces can include a display. A content item from an ordered dataset of content items can be presented within a field of a graphical user interface of the display. A number of discrete items in the ordered dataset of content items is M, where M is greater than N. Rotations of the object can be detected along the axis of rotation. Each rotation of one of the N faces can results in navigation through the dataset of content items. Responsive to each navigation through the dataset of items can result in a corresponding presentation of the navigated to one of the items within the field. |
| US09846517B2 |
Touch panel having electromagnetic functional lines and driving method thereof
The present invention discloses a touch panel, a driving method thereof and an electronic device. The touch panel includes an active area and an inactive area, a touch electrode and an electromagnetic functional line. The touch electrode is located in the active area, the electromagnetic functional line is electrically connected to the touch electrode to form an electromagnetic communication line, the electromagnetic communication line comprises a first terminal and a second terminal each configured to be coupled to an electrical signal to implement touch sensing function and electromagnetic communication function by controlling the electrical signal. At least the above two functions may both be advantageously implemented by the touch panel, and original lines in the touch panel are reused (multiplexed) to reduce additional lines, thereby improving the lightweight and slim features of the product and reducing the product costs. |
| US09846509B2 |
Fail operational redundant digital resistive touchscreen
Alternating touchscreen conductors in each layer of a touchscreen display are connected to separate touchscreen controllers. Each controller completely and separately resolves a location anywhere on the display so that a failure of either controller, or the failure of conductors connected to either controller, do not degrade touchscreen usability. Conductors in separate layers, connected to separate controllers may be isolated via insulators to prevent undesirable shorts. Conductors are shaped to minimize the area covered by insulators and maximize the area of useful conductor overlap. |
| US09846504B2 |
Semiconductor device
In a semiconductor device in which a reference voltage is generated by a reference voltage generation circuit, and the same reference voltage generated is used in a plurality of circuit units for the purpose of generating a voltage, a sampling and holding circuit of the reference voltage is provided in order to provide a standard voltage to the circuit units. A sampling and holding control circuit that controls the sampling and holding circuit instructs the sampling and holding circuit to perform a sampling operation of the reference voltage in case that the semiconductor device operates in a state where power supply noise of the reference voltage generation circuit falls within a predetermined range, and instructs the sampling and holding circuit to perform a holding operation of the reference voltage in case that the semiconductor device operates in a state where the power supply noise exceeds the predetermined range. |
| US09846502B2 |
Touch sensor and display apparatus including the same
A touch sensor is disclosed. The touch sensor includes a touch panel including a plurality of sensing nodes in columns and rows and sensing lines connected to the sensing nodes, a touch sensing unit configured to provide a driving signal to at least one of sensing lines to charge at least one of the sensing nodes during a first time period and discharge voltages on the sensing nodes during a second period, and a charge sharer or equalizer configured to short-circuit the sensing lines during the second time period. |
| US09846500B2 |
Organic electroluminescent touch panel with anti-interference structures
An organic electroluminescent touch panel includes a protection unit, a plurality of touch-sensing units, at least one first anti-interference spot, a substrate, a first electrode layer, an organic layer stack and a second electrode layer. The touch-sensing units are coplanarly disposed on the protection unit. A first interval region is formed between the adjacent touch-sensing units. The first anti-interference spot is disposed within the first interval region. The substrate is disposed corresponding to the protection unit. The first electrode layer is disposed on the substrate, the organic layer stack is disposed on the first electrode layer, and the second electrode layer is disposed on the organic layer stack. The first electrode layer, the organic layer stack and the second electrode layer are disposed within the space formed by the protection unit and the substrate. |
| US09846499B2 |
Touch panel and touch detection circuit
Aspects of the disclosure provide a touch panel having an electrode array. The electrode array includes first electrodes arranged on a first layer, each first electrode patterned to include a plurality of sequentially connected first electrode elements that are generally shaped as elongated polygons, and second electrodes arranged on a second layer, each second electrode patterned to include a plurality of sequentially connected second electrode elements that are generally shaped as elongated polygons, wherein the first electrodes on the first layer and the second electrodes on the second layer are arranged over one another so as to form an interlocking pattern. |
| US09846498B2 |
Display device
A display device having a first substrate with a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; and a first patterned transparent conductive layer disposed on the first surface of the first substrate and having a first thickness, wherein the first patterned transparent conductive layer has at least a first zone and a second zone, the first zone locates between the second zone and the first substrate, and the first zone is a part of the first patterned transparent conductive layer neighboring to the first substrate and having a two-third (⅔) thickness of the first patterned transparent conductive layer, wherein a material of the first patterned transparent conductive layer incldues In, and an atomic amount of In in the second zone is larger than that in the first zone. |
| US09846497B2 |
Stylus comprising signal generators to adjust amplitude ratio, pressure detecting system and driving method thereof
A stylus includes a pressure detector for detecting applied pressure, a first signal generator for generating a signal of a first frequency, a second signal generator for generating a signal of a second frequency, and a controller for adjusting at least one of the first and second signal generators to control an amplitude ratio of the signal of the first frequency to the signal of the second frequency according to the applied pressure detected by the pressure detector. |
| US09846495B2 |
Human machine interface system for controlling vehicular graphical user interface display
A human machine interface (HMI) system controls operation of a graphical user interface (GUI) being displayed on a display located in a vehicle. The HMI system includes an interface device, an interface operation module, and a device selection module. The interface device is operable to control the GUI and includes a knob member and a touchpad. The interface operation module receives input data from the interface device in response to an operation of the interface device. The device selection module designates at least one of the knob member or the touchpad as an active device based on a device selection criteria. The interface operation module transmits data from an active device to a display module controlling the GUI and disregards data from an inactive device. |
| US09846489B1 |
Traverse row pattern tapered shaped inverted key keyboard
A keyboard with key rows in a traversing linear row arrangement that intermesh with the linear row immediately above and/or below, with alternating inverted tapering offset keys. This allows keys to be kept in order while giving each key a less narrow and more broad profile to allow a wider area for the fingers to strike, while not decreasing the number of keys on a line or widening the keyboard and allowing for a more elongated height keyboard over all. This is to make the keyboard more suited to and targetable by human fingers and better use of the finite surface area of the keyboard. |
| US09846487B2 |
Method of using PIR arrays for gesture recognition in security systems
A apparatus is provided that includes a security system that protects a secured geographic area, a passive infrared (PIR) array associated with the security system, and a processor of the security system that detects one of a plurality of predetermined hand motions by an authorized user based upon a signal from the PIR array and causes the security system to execute a predetermined instruction associated with that one predetermined hand motion. |
| US09846485B2 |
System for haptically representing sensor input
A haptic representation system is provided that generates a haptic effect in response to sensor input. The sensor input is mapped to a haptic signal. The haptic signal is sent to an actuator configured to receive the haptic signal. The actuator utilizes the haptic signal to generate the haptic effect. |
| US09846482B2 |
Wearable wireless HMI device
A wearable gesture control interface apparatus is used to control a controllable device based on gestures provided by a user. The wearable gesture control interface apparatus includes (i) sensors configured to detect user orientation and movement and generate corresponding sensor data and (ii) a microcontroller configured to: sample the sensor data from the sensors, determine whether the sensor data from one of the sensors meets transmission criteria; and if the sensor data meets the transmission criteria, transmitting control data corresponding to all of the sensors to the controllable device. |
| US09846473B1 |
Display with windows for visible and infrared components
An electronic device may have light-based components. The light-based components may include light sources, light detectors, and image sensors. The light-based components may be aligned with a window in the device. The window may be formed within an inactive area of a display or within other device structures. The window may have one or more window members mounted within an opening in a display layer in the inactive area. Visible light blocking material such as chalcogenide glass may be incorporated into the window to provide the window with an opaque appearance that matches the opaque appearance of surrounding portions of the inactive portion of the display. In configurations in which the light-based components include a visible image sensor or other visible light detecting component, the window may be provided with a portion that is transparent at visible wavelengths. |
| US09846470B2 |
Data storage power management
Systems and methods for data storage power management are described. In one embodiment, the method includes analyzing metrics collected from one or more storage devices, identifying, based at least in part on analyzing the metrics, a pattern of activity for at least one of the one or more storage devices over a predetermined period of time, generating a control model based at least in part on the identified pattern of activity, and modifying a power mode of at least one of the one or more storage devices based on the control mode. The control model indicate a first time period when at least one of the one or more storage devices is active and a second time period when at least one of the one or more storage devices is inactive. |
| US09846464B2 |
Power supply system and control method thereof
The instant disclosure provides a power supply system and control method thereof. The power supply system comprises at least two power supplies electrically coupled in parallel. The control unit of the power supply generates a wake-up signal or a sleep signal according to the loading status. A second communication port of each power supply is coupled to a first communication port of the next stage power supply to establish cascading communications architecture. The first communication port receives a wake-up signal from the second communication port of the previous stage power supply and outputs a sleep signal to the second communication port of the previous stage power supply. The second communication port receives the sleep signal from the first communication port of the next stage power supply and outputs the wake-up signal to the first communication port of the next stage power supply. |
| US09846460B2 |
Server system and limiting mechanism used thereby
The present invention provides a server system and a limiting mechanism used thereby. Through mutual cooperation between the limiting mechanism which sets on a server rack and sliding grooves and limiting holes which are formed in outer side walls of a server case, when internal components of the server case are drawn out, a rear end of the server case can be effectively prevented from turning up or falling down, the problem of case fixation when the server rack uses a tray type sliding rail is solved, the structure is simple and reliable and the practicability is very high. |
| US09846449B1 |
System and method for monitoring bus transactions within a programmable integrated circuit by selectively inserting detector circuit at user specified insertion point corresponding to a bus interconnect
An integrated circuit including a universal monitor system includes a detector circuit. The detector circuit includes a start trigger circuit receiving first signals, an end trigger circuit receiving second signals, and a latency circuit coupled to outputs of the start and end trigger circuits. The start trigger circuit detects a start event from the first signals. The end trigger circuit detects an end event from the second signals. The detector circuit further includes: a data trigger circuit receiving third signals and detecting transferred data therefrom; a first counter circuit coupled to the latency circuit and calculating a total latency; a second counter circuit coupled to at least one of the start trigger circuit and counting start events, or the end trigger circuit and counting end events; and a third counter circuit coupled to an output of the data trigger circuit and counting a total amount of data transferred. |
| US09846448B2 |
Acceleration device for vehicle
A pedal-side rotating member is composed of a boss portion rotatably supported by a pedal shaft, a spring holding portion for holding one end of a return spring, a stopper arm being operatively in contact with an inner wall surface of a supporting body, and a mechanically-weaker portion, wherein the boss portion, the spring holding portion, the stopper arm and the mechanically-weaker portion are integrally formed as one unit. The spring holding portion is so configured as to be broken away from the boss portion at the mechanically-weaker portion, if an acting force larger than a predetermined value is applied to the stopper arm when the rotating member is rotated in a direction to an acceleration fully-closed position. A broken piece is held at a position inside of the supporting body, so that rotation of the boss portion is not adversely affected by the broken piece. |
| US09846446B2 |
Apparatus for compensating for temperature and method therefor
Disclosed are a temperature compensation apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a reference signal generator that supplies at least one of a first current which is constant regardless of temperature variation and a second current which is proportional to temperature variation, a slope amplifier that determines a first output current having a second temperature coefficient which is a multiple of a first temperature coefficient of the second current, based on the first current and the second current, and a slope controller that determines a second output current having a third temperature coefficient, using a weighted average of the first current and the second current. |
| US09846444B1 |
Method for controlling and adjusting fans of electronic apparatus
A method for controlling and adjusting fans of the electronic apparatus is disclosed and comprises following steps: controlling a fan to operate according to a default value after an electronic apparatus is booted; obtaining operating watt value of a CPU after detecting that the temperature of the CPU reaches a set-point; inquiring one of a learning table and a pre-established neural-network data array for obtaining a PWM value and P,I,D parameters corresponding to the operating watt value; performing an error adjustment process to the obtained PWM value through a PID controller; controlling the operation of the fan according to the adjusted PWM value; storing the adjusted PWM value to the learning table if the temperature of the CPU equals the set-point; and, continuing to obtain, adjust and store the PWM value to continuously control the operation of the fan before the electronic apparatus is powered off. |
| US09846443B2 |
Methods and systems for data interchange between a network-connected thermostat and cloud-based management server
A thermostat may include one or more temperature sensors, a processor configured to operate in a sleep mode and a wake mode, and a Wi-Fi chip that wirelessly communicates with a thermostat management server. The Wi-Fi chip may be configured to receive data packets from the thermostat management server while the processor operates in the sleep mode, and determine a priority level of the received data packets. The priority level may include a standard priority level and a keep-alive priority level. The Wi-Fi chip may also be configured to filter the received data packets based on the determined priority level of each packet such that the keep-alive priority level packets are discarded, and forward the standard priority level packets to the processor. |
| US09846442B2 |
Functional element, electronic device, electronic apparatus, and moving object
There is provided a functional element capable of preventing an oblique vibration due to a vibration leakage phenomenon from propagating to degrade the detection accuracy. A gyro element as the functional element includes a support body, a detection section, a drive coupling section having a first part and a second part, and a mass section connected to the drive coupling section, and connected to the support body via the drive coupling section, and the mass section performs the drive vibration in a direction along a third axis parallel to a normal line of a plane including the first axis and the second axis perpendicular to each other. |
| US09846436B2 |
Flight monitoring system and method for monitoring flight of unmanned aerial vehicle
A flight monitoring system comprises a first set of flight-status detecting sensors comprising a first-type sensor A1 for providing a first-type measurement result and a second-type sensor A2 for providing a second-type measurement result; a second set of flight-status detecting sensors comprising a first-type sensor B1 for providing a first-type measurement result and a second-type sensor B2 for providing a second-type measurement result. The flight monitoring system further comprises a control module configured to perform: comparing a difference between the first-type measurement results from the first-type sensors A1 and B1 with a first predetermined threshold; if the difference is more than the first predetermined threshold, deciding a first-type sensor data of the first-type sensors as indefinite; and determining a value of the first-type sensor data by selecting one of the first-type measurement results from the first-type sensors A1 and B1 as the value of the first-type sensor data according to the second-type measurement results, and setting the first-type sensor data as definite after the selection. |
| US09846433B2 |
Autonomous traveling vehicle and reproduction travel method
An autonomous traveling vehicle is controlled to faithfully reproduce a planned traveling route and to autonomously travel. The autonomous traveling vehicle includes a platform, a traveling unit, a teaching unit, a curvature calculation unit, and a control parameter adjustment unit. The traveling unit is mounted on the platform and controls the platform to travel. In a teaching travel mode, the teaching unit acquires subgoal points. The teaching unit stores planned traveling route data as an aggregate of the subgoal points. The curvature calculation unit calculates and stores a key curvature radius. In a reproduction travel mode, the control parameter adjustment unit adjusts a control parameter to determine an direction angle feedback control amount of the traveling unit based on the key curvature radius calculated by the curvature calculation unit. |
| US09846430B2 |
Vehicle control system
A vehicle control system includes: an outside-of-vehicle operation device configured to cause a vehicle to travel operated by an operator from outside of the vehicle, inside of a compartment of the vehicle being isolated from the outside of the vehicle by a vehicle body; an assist instruction device configured to cause the operator to select a travel mode in which the vehicle is allowed to travel by an operation of the outside-of-vehicle operation device; a parking brake operation detector configured to detect an operation of a parking brake; and a warning device configured to issue warning in a compartment to stimulate sense of hearing or sense of sight at the time the travel mode is selected and the operation of the parking brake is detected. |
| US09846423B2 |
Smart taps for a single-wire industrial safety system
A single-wire safety system is provided that yields reliable safety device monitoring without the need for dual redundant signal channels. The safety system comprises a safety relay acting as a communications master device and one or more safety devices connected in series with the safety relay via a single-wire communication circuit. A smart tap device is used to interface safety devices that are not compliant with the single-wire protocol to the single-wire channel. The safety device or smart tap device farthest from the safety relay on the safety circuit modulates a safety signal with a recognizable pulse pattern that traverses the single-wire safety circuit to the safety relay via the intermediate safety devices or smart taps. The safety relay maintains safety mode as long as the pulse pattern is received and recognized. The architecture allows bi-directional communication of initialization, configuration, and diagnostic messages over the single-wire safety channel. |
| US09846419B2 |
Method of terminal for controlling intelligent household appliances and intelligent socket
A method for controlling intelligent household appliances, comprising: acquiring an appliance control signal set and an initialization feedback signal set corresponding to the control signal set, and sending a control signal; receiving the control signal, sending the control signal to the household appliance to instruct the household appliance to perform an operation represented by the control signal; acquiring state information and a feedback signal of the household appliance; and calculating a variation amount of the state information, and judging a matching rate between the feedback signal and the initialization feedback signal The present invention also provides an intelligent socket, which can allow a terminal to obtain an actual control result after a control instruction being sent An intelligent socket based on a high power infrared emitting tube, wherein the high power infrared emitting tube is provided in a limiting hole for infrared emission in a direction away from a panel. |
| US09846417B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
There is provided an information processing apparatus including a control section which performs control of selecting, based on a state of a user, an ecological action capable of being carried out by the user from among a plurality of ecological actions, and of presenting the selected ecological action to the user. |
| US09846412B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device includes a solar panel including a solar cell, the solar cell including a plurality of light receiving regions and a connecting region, the connecting region having a width narrower than widths of the plurality of light receiving regions and connecting the plurality of light receiving regions, wherein a conductive reinforcing material made of a conductive material is provided in the connecting region and is electrically connected to the plurality of light receiving regions. |
| US09846411B2 |
Adjustable snooze timer for mechanical watches
A mechanical timer for setting a snooze time for an alarm mechanism controlling a mechanical actuator cooperating with a striking mechanism controlled by a timepiece movement, including a first control able to be actuated at a first moment by a user during the playing of an alarm chime to disengage the actuator and momentarily stop the chime, and including a timer arranged to automatically cause the alarm chime to play again at a second moment, after a predefined duration from the first moment, this timer including a second control able to be actuated by a user to set this predefined duration, and a release cam indirectly controlled by the first control and arranged to control the pivoting of a hammer lever, which, depending on its angular position, releases or locks the actuator to allow or respectively prevent the playing of an alarm chime. |
| US09846410B2 |
Holographic display systems and methods having elliposidial arrangment of DMD arrays emitting infrared laser radiation
Systems, devices and methods are described including providing infrared (IR) laser radiation to a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) array and using the DMD array to spatially modulate the IR laser radiation. The spatially modulated IR laser radiation may then be projected to form a voxel array where each voxel of the array represents to a volume of air wherein the IR laser radiation has been focused sufficiently to cause air to ionize. The voxel array may then be spatially rotated. |
| US09846408B2 |
Process cartridge, electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit
A drum unit usable in the process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum having an axis L1, a drum flange provided at an end of the photosensitive drum, with a part of the drum flange being positioned within the photosensitive drum, and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes (i) a first end portion at least a part of which is positioned within the drum flange, and (ii) a second end portion including (ii-i) a surface recessed in the second end portion and facing away from the first end portion and (ii-ii) at least one projection projecting from a surface adjacent to the recessed surface, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion. |
| US09846407B2 |
Developing member, process cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus
A high-quality developing member having compatibility between high toner charging properties and high durability under high temperature and high humidity environments is provided. The developing member includes an electro-conductive substrate and an electro-conductive surface layer in this order. The surface layer includes a binder resin, an alumina particle and a polyester phosphate compound. |
| US09846406B2 |
Image forming apparatus having cartridge and waste developer accommodating portion
A photosensitive drum is rotatably supported in a main body. A developing cartridge is detachably mountable on the main body in a state where the photosensitive drum is supported in the main body. The developing cartridge includes a developing device and a frame. The developing device includes a developing roller disposed in confrontation with the photosensitive drum to supply developer to the photosensitive drum when the developing cartridge is mounted in the main body, and a developer-accommodating portion configured to accommodate developer. The frame includes a waste-developer-accommodating portion configured to accommodate waste developer and supports the developing device that is movable relative to the frame. The frame is disposed on an opposite side of the developing roller from the photosensitive drum. An urging member is disposed between the frame and the developing device to urge the developing roller toward the photosensitive drum. |
| US09846405B2 |
Developing cartridge comprising mechanism for information detection
A developing cartridge may include a housing including an outer surface, a small-diameter gear, a large-diameter gear, a first gear, and a moving member. The small-diameter gear may include a first engaging portion positioned on at least a portion of a peripheral surface of the small-diameter gear. The large-diameter gear may be positioned farther from the outer surface than the small-diameter gear from the outer surface. The large-diameter gear may be rotatable together with the small-diameter gear. The first gear may include a second engaging portion, a first end surface, a second end surface, and at least one protrusion. The moving member may include a contact portion configured to move the moving member from one position to another position in a state where the contact portion is in contact with the protrusion. |
| US09846404B2 |
Opening-closing portion and image forming apparatus comprising the same
An image forming apparatus includes an object disposed in an apparatus body so as to be capable of being taken out through an opening; an opening-closing portion that is rotatable and that covers the opening and rotates upward to open the opening; and an operating portion that is rotatable and disposed in front of the opening-closing portion. The operating portion is disposed at a position on a rotation trajectory along which the opening-closing portion rotates upward and on a path along which the object is taken out of the apparatus body. The operating portion rotates forward so as to be retracted from the rotation trajectory and the path along which the object is taken out and so that the path along which the object is taken out is formed between the operating portion and the opening-closing portion in the open state. |
| US09846402B2 |
Static charge eliminator and image forming system
A static charge eliminator includes an abutment member which abuts on a print target medium so as to eliminate static charge on a lower flow side than a position where the print target medium separates from and comes in contact with a predetermined roller on a conveyance path of the print target medium, and a supporting member which supports the abutment member such that the abutment member rotates around a rotation axis of the roller, in which the supporting member rotates while following a change in a pressing force from the print target medium via the abutment member which occurs when a winding angle using the position where the print target medium separates from and comes in contact with the roller as a reference point is changed in accordance with a winding amount of the print target medium. |
| US09846398B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus which forms an image on a medium on the basis of an input image signal includes: an image carrier configured to carry a developed toner image transferred to the medium on a photoreceptor layer; a contact member arranged so as to be in contact with the surface of the photoreceptor layer; a trace pattern generating unit configured to generate a trace pattern indicating specific information on the image forming apparatus; a composition unit configured to add the trace pattern to the image signal; and an acquiring unit configured to acquire information on the thickness of the photoreceptor layer of the image carrier, wherein the trace pattern is used for arranging a plurality of image areas at respective positions, and the trace pattern generating unit is configured to generate the trace pattern with the image area whose size is reduced in accordance with reduction of the thickness of the photoreceptor layer. |
| US09846393B2 |
Waste toner collecting device and image forming apparatus including the same
A waste toner collecting device includes an intermediate collection box, a conveying path, a conveying screw, an exhaust path and a floating toner collection chamber. The conveying path is provided in the intermediate collection box. The conveying screw is rotatable in the conveying path. Through the exhaust path, air containing a floating toner is sucked and passed. The floating toner collection chamber is provided on a part of the exhaust path in the intermediate collection box. The floating toner collection chamber has a discharge opening opened to an inside of the intermediate collection box and a discharge door. Rotation of the conveying screw in a normal direction turns the discharge door into a storage position where the discharge opening is closed. Rotation of the conveying screw in a reverse direction turns the discharge door into a discharge position where the discharge opening is opened. |
| US09846389B2 |
Developer supply control in electrophotographic type image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a developing portion, a first rotation control portion, and a second rotation control portion. The developing portion has a conveying member configured to convey a developer within a circulation-conveyance passage, and a reducing portion provided in the conveying member and configured to reduce an ability to convey the developer. The first rotation control portion is configured to rotate the conveying member at a predetermined first speed when a printing process is executed. The second rotation control portion is configured to suspend execution of the printing process and rotate the conveying member at a second speed lower than the first speed, when an average coverage rate per page of a printed matter having a predetermined reference number of consecutively printed pages exceeds a predetermined threshold. |
| US09846388B2 |
Developing device including a guide portion and an image forming apparatus provided with the same
A developing device includes a storage portion, a developer carrying member, a stirring portion, a layer thickness restricting portion, and a guide portion. The guide portion is disposed between the stirring portion and the layer thickness restricting portion. The stirring portion faces the developer carrying member with a first gap between them. The layer thickness restricting portion faces the developer carrying member with a second gap between them. The guide portion includes a first guide surface and a second guide surface. On the first guide surface, convex portions or concave portions are formed. The first guide surface faces the stirring portion with, between them, a third gap that is a passage through which the developer passes toward the first gap. The second guide surface faces the developer carrying member with, between them, a fourth gap that is a passage through which the developer passes toward the second gap. |
| US09846387B2 |
Developing cartridge having coupling and developing roller
In a cartridge, a housing has a developer accommodating portion and includes a first side wall and a second side wall. A coupling member is disposed at a position opposite to the developer accommodating portion with respect to the first side wall. A detection body is disposed at a position opposite to the developer accommodating portion with respect to the second side wall. A first driving force transmission member is positioned at the same side with the coupling member with respect to the first side wall, and transmits driving force from the coupling member to a rotating member. A second driving force transmission member is positioned at the same side with the detection body with respect to the second side wall, and transmits driving force from the rotating member to the detection body. |
| US09846386B2 |
Developer container, developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A developer container or a developing device including a sheet member having a plurality of holes and a plurality of protruded portions to be inserted into the holes. |
| US09846385B2 |
Organic light emitting element and display device
An organic light emitting element contains an anode and a cathode, and a light emitting layer arranged between the anode and the cathode, and the organic light emitting element further contains an organic compound layer which is arranged between the cathode and the light emitting layer, and touches the cathode. The organic compound layer contains an organic compound represented by the following general formula [1], where R1 to R4 represent substituents. |
| US09846382B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus includes an image processing unit and a switching unit. The image processing unit includes: a charging unit that is provided to face an image carrier and applies a direct current voltage on which an alternating voltage of a first frequency is superimposed to charge the image carrier; an electrostatic latent image forming unit that forms an electrostatic latent image on the charged image carrier with light scanning based on image information; a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image; and a transfer unit that transfers the developed image to a recording medium. When an image density based on the image information is greater than or equal to a specific image density, the switching unit switches a frequency of the alternating voltage at least during charging performed by the charging unit to a second frequency different from the first frequency. |
| US09846380B2 |
Image forming apparatus that adjusts relative positions of images by detecting test pattern
An image forming apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect a test pattern formed on an image carrier by image forming units; and an adjustment unit configured to control the image forming units to form the test pattern, and adjust relative positions of images based on a detection result of the test pattern. The adjustment unit is further configured to control the image forming units to form the test pattern after the image forming units have formed on the image carrier an image to be transferred to a sheet with a basis weight less than a threshold, and before the image forming units form on the image carrier an image to be transferred to a sheet with a basis weight greater than the threshold. |
| US09846379B2 |
Process for producing a toner
The production process of the present invention includes: a first step of heating a dispersion containing an aqueous medium and a binder resin containing a crystalline resin to a temperature higher than or equal to the melting point of the crystalline resin in a step of aggregating and fusing a fine particle of the binder resin containing the crystalline resin to produce a toner base particle; a second step of cooling the dispersion having been heated in the first step and having a temperature higher than the recrystallization temperature Rc of the crystalline resin to a temperature lower than Rc at a temperature-lowering rate of 1° C./min or higher; and a third step of maintaining the dispersion having been cooled in the second step at a temperature higher than or equal to Rc−25° C. and lower than or equal to Rc−5° C. for 30 minutes or longer. |
| US09846369B2 |
Image forming apparatus capable of adjusting laser beams emitted from a plurality of light sources, and method of controlling image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus which makes it possible to grasp such settings of a phase and a main scanning magnification of laser beams as reduce occurrence of moire, by visually checking a plurality of pattern images. Pattern images are formed using a laser beam irradiated from a reference light source and a laser beam irradiated from an adjustment target light source for which each of different phase values is set as a phase setting value. A phase relationship between the phases of the laser beams is adjusted based on the pattern images. Pattern images are formed using a laser beam irradiated from the adjustment target light source for which each of different magnification values is set as a magnification setting value. The magnification of the laser beams is adjusted based on these pattern images. |
| US09846366B2 |
Projection optical system, exposure apparatus, and exposure method
A catadioptric projection objective images a pattern provided in an object plane of the projection objective onto an image plane of the projection objective. The projection objective includes first, second and third objective parts. The first objective part images the pattern into a first intermediate image. The second objective part images the first intermediate image into a second intermediate image. The third objective part images the second intermediate image onto the image plane. A first concave mirror having a first continuous mirror surface and at least one second concave mirror having a second continuous mirror surface are arranged upstream of the second intermediate image. Pupil surfaces are formed between the object plane and the first intermediate image, between the first and the second intermediate images and between the second intermediate image and the image plane. All concave mirrors are arranged optically remote from a pupil surface. |
| US09846364B2 |
Method of forming resist pattern
A method of forming a resist pattern including forming a first resist pattern on a substrate; applying a cross-linking composition so as to cover the first resist pattern; heating the covered first resist pattern and crosslinking an isocyanate group in the cross-linking composition with the first resist pattern; and developing the covered first resist pattern, wherein the cross-linking composition includes a blocked isocyanate compound having a protected isocyanate group. |
| US09846361B2 |
Photosensitive conductive paste, multilayer substrate, method of producing conductive pattern, and electrostatic capacitance type touch panel
A photosensitive conductive paste contains conductive particles (A), a photosensitive organic compound (B), an epoxy resin (C) and an ion adsorbent (D) that is selected from the group consisting of hydrotalcite, magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, zirconium oxide, magnesium silicate, silicon dioxide, zeolite and a carbon-based powder. |
| US09846357B2 |
Photomask manufacturing method and photomask
According to one embodiment, a photomask manufacturing method for patterning a multilayer film into a mask pattern in the multilayer film is provided. The photomask manufacturing method includes preparing a substrate including the multilayer film provided on the substrate, obtaining an amount of position variation before and after the multilayer film is patterned if a position of the mask pattern is deviated before and after patterning the multilayer film, forming the mask pattern at a position deviated by the amount of the position variation from a target position, if the multilayer film is patterned and a pattern of the multilayer film is formed at the target position, and patterning the multilayer film with the mask pattern. |
| US09846356B2 |
Film for transparent screen and method for manufacture thereof, and transparent screen comprising same
Provided is a film for a transparent screen which can clearly display merchandise information, advertisement, or the like on a transparent partition or the like by projection without compromising the transmission visibility. A film for a transparent screen according to the present invention includes: a resin layer; and inorganic particles at least a portion of which is contained in an aggregated state in the resin layer, wherein primary particles of the inorganic particles have a median diameter of 0.1 to 50 nm and a maximum particle size of 10 to 500 nm, and the content of the inorganic particles is 0.015 to 1.2% by mass with respect to the resin. |
| US09846352B2 |
Light source apparatus, light source unit, and image display apparatus
Disclosed is a light source apparatus including a light source part having a lead and a light emitting part for emitting light with a current from the lead; a substrate having a wiring part electrically connected to the lead for supplying a current to the lead; a base part having a first surface connected to the light source part, a second surface which is connected to the substrate and located on a side opposite to the first surface, and a through-hole penetrating through the first and second surfaces, in which the lead is inserted; and a vibration suppression mechanism including a vibration suppression part having a side wall portion inserted to the through-hole in such a manner that the side wall portion surrounds the lead, the vibration suppression part being connected to the substrate, and a fixing part for fixing the lead to the side wall portion. |
| US09846351B2 |
Projector and heat dissipating method for projector
A projector includes a case, a system fan located in the case, a lamp securing module and a lamp. The lamp securing module includes a lamp holder and a lampshade integrated with the lamp holder. A plurality of heat conduction portions is located on the lampshade to be adhered to the lamp to guide the heat generated by the lamp to the lampshade, so that the system fan dissipates the heat from the lampshade. The disclosure further offers a heat dissipating method for the projector. |
| US09846349B2 |
Lens covers
A lens cover includes a housing defining an optical aperture. A pair of opposed lens cover blades are each pivotally mounted to the housing at a common pivot point. A biasing member biases the blades apart from one another about the pivot point to uncover the optical aperture in an open position. A pair of magnetic members is included, each magnetic member being mounted to a respective one of the blades to bias the blades together to cover the optical aperture in a closed position. |
| US09846346B2 |
Reconfigurable colour displays
A technique, comprising: providing a pixelated display unit comprising an array of pixels, wherein the optical output for each pixel is independently controllable; applying a first color filter overlay to a viewing surface of said pixelated display unit, said first color filter overlay defining a first color pattern including one or more areas of a single color continuously extending over a plurality of pixels; operating said pixelated display unit to produce regions of differing brightnesses within said first color pattern; peeling said first color filter overlay from said viewing surface of said display unit; applying a second color filter overlay to said viewing surface of said display unit, said second color filter overlay defining a second color pattern including one or more areas of a single color continuously extending over a plurality of pixels; and operating said pixelated display unit to produce regions of differing brightnesses within said second color pattern. |
| US09846345B2 |
Colored pigment particles for electrophoretic displays
Electrophoretic displays with an electrophoretic medium having charged pigmented microparticles are disclosed. The microparticles are charged linking molecules polymerized with chromophores of various colors so that microparticles in a variety of colors may be produced. Methods for producing the microparticles and using the microparticles in an electrophoretic display are also disclosed. Such microparticles may be provided separately, or kits may be provided for producing the microparticles. |
| US09846343B2 |
Display device and display control method
The present invention provides a display device and a display control method of the display device, so as to improve transmittance of the light emitted from the display device itself in an indoor environment. A display device provided by the present invention includes a display panel and a quarter-wave layer disposed at a light outgoing side of the display panel, the display device further includes: a liquid crystal structure disposed at a side of the quarter-wave layer away from the display panel, the liquid crystal structure presenting a polarization state or a transparent state under different ambient light intensity conditions. |
| US09846341B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a transparent substrate; a plurality of electro-conductive polarizers disposed on the transparent substrate; an insulating layer disposed on the plurality of electro-conductive polarizers; and a plurality of gate lines disposed on the insulating layer, wherein each of the plurality of electro-conductive polarizers is coupled to each of the plurality of gate lines. |
| US09846337B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a first panel including a first electrode which includes a central electrode disposed in a central region of a pixel, a micro-branch part extending in a direction from at least one side of the central electrode, a peripheral electrode connected to an end of part of the micro-branch part, and a corner pattern provided in a corner region of the pixel, a second panel including horizontal and vertical incision parts which divide the micro-branch part, the central electrode and the peripheral electrode of the first electrode into a plurality of domains and a second electrode which is divided corresponding to plurality of domain regions, and where in the first panel, the peripheral electrode adjacent to the corner pattern is disposed on at least one of an edge region of the pixel in a direction parallel to the horizontal or vertical incision part. |
| US09846324B2 |
Display device and method for fabricating the same
A display device and a method for fabricating the display device are provided. The display device includes a transparent circuit substrate for use as a touch screen, the transparent circuit substrate includes a transparent substrate, a Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) coating layer formed on the transparent substrate, an electrode layer provided on the PDLC coating layer, for applying current to the PDLC coating layer, and an insulation layer provided on the electrode layer. |
| US09846320B2 |
Display device and driving method thereof
A display device and driving method thereof are disclosed. The display device includes a display screen, including a plurality of sub-pixels arranged in the form of a matrix, colors of the sub-pixels in the same column including all colors necessary for display by the display screen; a grating disposed on top of the display screen, including light-transmissive regions and light-shading regions that are arranged alternately, the light-transmissive regions being in parallel to each column of the sub-pixels; a rolling structure, located between the display screen and the grating; and a push mechanism, for pushing the grating and/or the display screen, so that relative position of the grating and the display screen is switchable between a first state and a second state, and switchover between a dual viewing field display effect and an anti-spy display effect is achieved for the display device. |
| US09846319B2 |
Pockels cell driver circuit comprising resistive, inductive or capacitive elements
The driver circuit comprises a first node (J1), which is connected to a first terminal of the Pockels cell (CP), a second node (J2), which is connected to a second terminal of the Pockels cell (CP), wherein the first node (J1) is connected to a first potential (+HV) via a first switching unit (S1) and the second node (J2) is connected to the first potential (+HV) via a second switching unit (S2) and wherein the first node (J1) is connected to a second potential (−HV) via a first resistance (R1) and the second node (J2) is connected to the second potential (−HV) via a second resistance (R2); and wherein the first node (J1) is connected to the second node (J2) via a series circuit comprising a third resistance (R3) and an inductance (L1). |
| US09846317B2 |
Optical modulator, imaging device and display apparatus including a dielectric layer and an electrode comprising graphene
There is provided an optical modulator capable of electrically controlling intensity of transmitted light in a desired wavelength range at a high speed and reducing the size of a device containing the optical modulator. The optical modulator includes a first electrode; a second electrode; and a dielectric layer provided between the first and second electrodes. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode comprises at least one layer of graphene. There are also provided an imaging device and a display apparatus each containing the optical modulator. |
| US09846315B2 |
Electromagnetic actuators for digital cameras
Electro-magnetic actuators used to provide a displacement of an optical element such as a lens carrier comprise at least one ferromagnetic frame associated with a large air gap and at least one ferromagnetic member parallel to and separated from an elongated section of a frame by a small air gap. Actuation causes a magnetic circuit that appears in the at least one frame, the at least one member and small air gaps and by-passes or bridges the large air gap. In some embodiments, the resultant magnetic force moves the at least one member and leads to the displacement of an optical element attached thereto. In some embodiments, at least one frame and at least one member are arranged to provide a center hole and are dimensioned to enable insertion of a lens carrier in the hole. In some embodiments, the displacement is for auto-focus. In other embodiments, the displacement is for optical image stabilization. |
| US09846310B2 |
3D image display device with improved depth ranges
An image display device is provided. The image display device includes a 3D display module and an optical component disposed above the 3D display module. The 3D display module includes a backlight source and a plurality of pixels disposed above the backlight source, wherein the pixels provide a plurality of view units, and each of the view units includes a plurality of views. Lights from the backlight source are concentrated at a virtual focus point, and the backlight source is located between the virtual focus point and the optical component. |
| US09846309B2 |
Depth-priority integral imaging display method using nonuniform dynamic mask array
Disclosed is a depth-priority integral imaging display method using a nonuniform dynamic mask array which makes it possible to enhance the resolutions in both horizontal and vertical directions in such a way to change a division boundary of a mask pattern and use a two-times time multiplexing. It is possible to enjoy the images of clear resolutions even in the product of 60 Hz, and the afterimages at the division boundary may be eliminated by changing the dividing direction of the mask, so the images with clearer resolutions can be displayed. |
| US09846308B2 |
Haptic systems for head-worn computers
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to haptic feedback systems and methods for use in head-worn computing systems. A head worn computer includes a frame adapted to hold a computer display in front of a user's eye, a processor adapted to present digital content in the computer display and to produce a haptic signal in coordination with the digital content display, and a haptic system including a plurality of haptic segments, wherein each of the haptic segments is individually controlled in coordination with the haptic signal. |
| US09846307B2 |
Method and apparatus for head worn display with multiple exit pupils
A method for displaying an image viewable by an eye, the image being projected from a portable head worn display, comprises steps of: emitting a plurality of light beams of wavelengths that differ amongst the light beams; directing the plurality of light beams to a scanning mirror; modulating in intensity each one of the plurality of light beams in accordance with intensity information provided from the image, whereby the intensity is representative of a pixel value within the image; scanning the plurality of light beams in two distinct axes with the scanning mirror to form the image; and redirecting the plurality of light beams to the eye using a holographic optical element acting as a reflector of the light beams, whereby the redirecting is dependent on the wavelength of the light beam, to create for each light beam an exit pupil at the eye that is spatially separated from the exit pupils of the other light beams. |
| US09846300B2 |
Microscope with multiple image sensors for fluorescence imaging of multiple locations and/or wavelengths
A miniaturized microscope provides the combined capability for simultaneous or sequential fluorescence imaging at two different wavelengths and/or at two different object planes within a sample to which a cannula is attached. The microscope includes an illumination input connector for connecting one or more illumination sources, a connector for connecting the microscope to the cannula, a pair of optical image sensors for imaging the two different object planes and/or wavelengths and a pair of optical splitters: one for separating the illumination from light returning from the sample and the other for splitting the light returning from the sample into two images and providing the two images to their corresponding image sensor. |
| US09846298B2 |
Off-axis three-mirror optical system with freeform surfaces
An off-axis three-mirror optical system with freeform surfaces comprised an aperture, a primary mirror, a secondary mirror, a tertiary mirror, and a detector. The aperture is located on an incident light path. The primary mirror is located on an aperture side. The secondary mirror is located on a primary mirror reflected light path. The tertiary mirror is located on a secondary mirror reflected light path. The detector located on a tertiary mirror reflected light path. The primary mirror and the tertiary mirror have a same fifth-order polynomial freeform surface expression. The primary mirror reflected light path, the secondary mirror reflected light path and the tertiary mirror reflected light path overlap with each other. |
| US09846295B2 |
Objective optical system
The objective optical system includes in order from an object side, a first unit having a positive refractive power, a second unit having a negative refractive power, and a third unit having a positive refractive power, and focusing is carried out by moving the second unit, the first unit and the third unit are fixed at the time of focusing, and the first unit G1 includes in order from the object side, a negative lens L1, one of a positive lens and a cemented lens, and a positive lens, and the third unit includes a positive lens, and a cemented lens of a positive lens and a negative lens, and the objective optical system satisfies the following conditional expression (3) −20 |
| US09846291B2 |
Modularly mountable cable management systems and associated methods
Exemplary embodiments are directed to modular cable management systems for a rack, the rack including frame members. The systems can include a first support plate and a second support plate. The first and second support plates can be mountable in a horizontal orientation relative to the frame members of the rack. The systems can include a media patching assembly mountable in a vertical orientation relative to the rack. Embodiments are also directed to methods of mounting cable management systems to a support structure or a rack. |
| US09846289B2 |
Method for manufacturing a cable component
An embodiment of a method for manufacturing a cable component includes providing at least a pair of shaped wire members, passing the wire members through at least one shaped roller set, providing at least one cable portion, placing the wire members over the cable portion and running the wire members and cable portion through an assembly roller to form a subassembly, and attaching a fixing element to the subassembly to secure the wire members and cable portion to complete the cable component. |
| US09846286B2 |
Wavelength division multi-channel optical module and manufacturing method thereof
Provided herein is an optical module including: an optical receptacle including a first lens and a second lens; a lens module including a lens unit facing the second lens of the optical receptacle; and an optical element configured to receive a beam emitted from the lens module or form a beam to be emitted to the lens module. A horizontal length and a vertical length of a cross-section of the first lens may differ from each other, and a horizontal length and a vertical length of a cross-section of the second lens may differ from each other. |
| US09846285B2 |
Low loss heterogeneous optical waveguide transitions
Embodiments of the invention describe optical devices including a III-V slab having a taper including a first region and a second region smaller than the first. Said first region receives light and confines an optical mode of the received light; thus, as opposed to the prior art solutions, said III-V regions of optical devices perform the optical function of mode confinement. Embodiments of the invention further describe optical devices including a silicon slab to receive light from said III-V slab, and having a taper including a first silicon region and a second silicon region smaller than the first. Said first region receives light and confines an optical mode of the received light.Thus, embodiments of the invention describe optical devices created with a low loss transition from hybrid regions to silicon regions with fewer restrictions on the design of the silicon waveguides and the III-V waveguides. |
| US09846284B2 |
Optical fiber connector assembly
Optical fiber connector assembly for a fiber optic cable includes an optical fiber having an end portion terminated with a ferrule. The optical fiber connector assembly includes: a sleeve configured to at least partially house the end portion of the optical fiber terminated with the ferrule; a connector including a body extending lengthwise and having an internal passageway for the sleeve, the body having a distal portion, configured to house the sleeve and to mate with a corresponding receptacle, and a proximal portion configured to be coupled to an end portion of the fiber optic cable, the proximal portion having on its lateral surface at least one aperture; and a crimping element adapted to couple the proximal portion of the body to the end portion of the fiber optic cable at the at least one aperture. A pre-connectorized fiber optic cable includes a fiber optic cable and the optical fiber connector assembly mounted upon an end portion of the fiber optic cable. |
| US09846283B2 |
Optical waveguide module system and method
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for optically connecting circuit elements and optical fiber systems. In one embodiment, an optical waveguide module includes an optical light guide having opposite first and second planar surfaces extending between a first side edge and a second side edge. The optical light guide can be configured with a substrate supporting one or more optical pathways extending between the first and second side edges. The waveguide module can further include one or more first and second edge connectors, each of which has an adapter port and a first alignment slot opposite the adapter port. The alignment slots extend over the first and second planar surfaces at the first and second side edges to align the adapter ports with the one or more optical pathways in a first direction. |
| US09846281B2 |
Adapter for inspection of fiber optic cables
An example system for inspecting fiber optic cables includes: a fixture including a body configured to hold a plurality of fiber optic cables, the fixture including a front portion defining a plurality of apertures positioned adjacent to ends of the fiber optic cables; and an adapter including two or more pin members extending therefrom, the two or more pin members being configured to be positioned in two or more of the plurality of apertures in the fixture to hold the fixture relative to the adapter. |
| US09846278B2 |
Fiber coupler
A fiber coupler is provided, which includes a tubular enveloping structure and several optical fibers arranged in the enveloping structure, each of which has a fiber core and a fiber cladding surrounding same, in order to conduct laser radiation, and each of which extends from the first as far as the second end of the enveloping structure. The enveloping structure includes a tapering section which is tapered in a first direction from the first as far as the second end. In the tapering section, both a first ratio of the diameter of the fiber core to the diameter of the fiber cladding and also a second ratio of the diameter of the mode field of the laser radiation conducted in the optical fiber to the diameter of the fiber core, increases in the first direction for each optical fiber. |
| US09846275B2 |
Quasi-single-mode optical fiber with a large effective area
A quasi-single-mode optical fiber with a large effective area is disclosed. The quasi-single-mode fiber has a core with a radius greater than 5 μm, and a cladding section configured to support a fundamental mode and a higher-order mode. The fundamental mode has an effective area greater than 170 μm2 and an attenuation of no greater than 0.17 dB/km at a wavelength of 1530 nm. The higher-order mode has an attenuation of at least 1.0 dB/km at the wavelength of 1530 nm. The quasi-single-mode optical fiber has a bending loss of less than 0.02 dB/turn for a bend diameter of 60 mm for a wavelength of 1625 nm. |
| US09846272B2 |
Illumination systems providing direct and indirect illumination
Illumination devices are described for illuminating a target area, e.g., floors of a room, using solid-state light sources. In general, an illumination device includes a first light guide extending along a first plane, the first light guide to receive light from first light emitting elements (LEEs) and guide the light in a first direction in the first plane; a second light guide extending along the first plane, the second light guide to receive light from second LEEs and guide the light in a second direction in the first plane opposite to the first direction; a first redirecting optic to receive light from the first light guide and direct the light in first and second angular ranges; and a second redirecting optic to receive light from the second light guide and direct the light in third and fourth angular ranges, where the first, second, third and fourth angular ranges are different. |
| US09846265B2 |
Transparent element with diffuse reflection comprising a sol-gel layer
A transparent layered element with diffuse reflection properties includes two outer layers made of dielectric materials having substantially the same refractive index and a central layer intercalated between the two outer layers, formed either from a single layer which is a dielectric layer with a refractive index different from that of the outer layers or a metallic layer, or from a stack of layers which includes at least one dielectric layer with a refractive index different from that of the outer layers or a metallic layer. The upper outer layer is a sol-gel layer including a silica-based organic/inorganic hybrid matrix. |
| US09846262B2 |
Inspection apparatus for thermo-hygrometer based on phase change and methods for controlling and inspecting the same
Disclosed therein are an inspection apparatus for a thermo-hygrometer based on phase change and methods for controlling and inspecting the same which can simultaneously inspect a thermometer and a hygrometer through a simple method using a phase change of reactants. The thermo-hygrometer based on phase change includes: reactants of at least two kinds; a plurality of cylinder type cells; a reactor body having a temperature sensor hole and a plurality of cell holes; a flow pipe in which a first gas circulates by a circulation pump; a relative humidity chamber which has a relative humidity sensor disposed therein; and a temperature control unit which is mounted below the reactor body, wherein when a phase change of a first reactant is induced, the relative humidity sensor is inspected based on the relative humidity of the first gas, and the temperature sensor is inspected based on the phase change temperature of the first reactant. |
| US09846259B2 |
Apparatus and methods of multiplexing transmissive optical sensors
Various embodiments include apparatus and methods structured to interrogate a plurality of sensor assemblies, where each sensor assembly may have one or more transmissive optical sensors. The plurality of sensor assemblies can be arranged to couple between two optical fibers. The interrogation can include generating optical signals to each sensor assembly such that each sensor assembly can be selectively and individually interrogated using semiconductor optical amplifiers. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US09846256B2 |
Interactive display of results obtained from the inversion of logging data
An interactive display of results obtained from the inversion of logging data is produced by obtaining and inverting the logging data using a Monte-Carlo inversion. An interactive plot having a percentile scale plotted against a location parameter is produced and a particular percentile is selected using the interactive plot. A cross-section plot for the particular percentile using the results of the Monte-Carlo inversion is produced. The particular percentile can be a curve representing a best-fit solution or a polyline representing selected solutions. Background color/shading can be displayed on the interactive plot to indicate user-defined constraints have been applied. Uncertain features can be plotted on a corresponding cross-section display using fading. Clusters of solutions that are substantially equally likely, given the measurements at a particular drill location, can be identified and plotted. A cross-section constructed from the layered models belonging to a particular cluster can be overlaid on another cross-section. |
| US09846255B2 |
Reverse semi-airborne electromagnetic prospecting
Method for semi-airborne electromagnetic prospecting for hydrocarbons or other fluids or minerals. In the method, electromagnetic receivers are deployed on the Earth's surface over a subsurface region (71). An airborne electromagnetic transmitter is flown over the receivers (72) and the receivers record at least one component of electromagnetic field data excited by the transmitter (73). The recorded electromagnetic data are analyzed for subsurface resistivity (74), and the resistivity is interpreted for evidence of hydrocarbons or other fluids or minerals (75). Compared to traditional fully airborne surveys, the advantages of the method include better signal-to-noise, and data for multiple source-receiver offsets. |
| US09846254B2 |
Method for marine electric survey of oil-gas deposits and apparatus for carrying out thereof
A proposed marine electric survey apparatus complex includes a generator line exciting electric field, bottom stations on a sea bottom profile, receiving lines interconnecting the stations. Each receiving line has two measuring electrodes defining a symmetric main space separation equal to the receiving line's length. Two adjacent bottom stations define a pair of electrodes, each electrode is located opposite to the other electrode, providing for measuring the electric field in one point ensuring measurements continuity and uniformity. A proposed method particularly includes forming two uniform continuous networks for measurements with respectively the main space separations and small space separations, determining the generator's location, registering signals received on the electrodes, obtaining data in the frequency and time domains for distance and vertical soundings, plotting a graph of the profile's resistivity along the profile's length, and according to correlations of induced polarization anomalies and resistivity, judging on the presence of hydrocarbon deposits. |
| US09846253B2 |
System and method of making environmental measurements
Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to operate with respect to environmental measurements. Apparatus and methods include a processing unit to generate a ratio from signals measured relating to an underground environment and to determine parameters of the underground environment based on the generated ratio. |
| US09846247B2 |
Methods and systems for interpolation of multi-component seismic data collected in a marine environment
Computational systems and methods for interpolating a pressure wavefield based on pressure wavefield and particle motion wavefield data are disclosed. The pressure and particle motion wavefields are sampled at a sample rate that is less than a lower bound for sample rates typically used to interpolate the pressure wavefield from the pressure wavefield samples alone. The particle motion wavefield can an acceleration wavefield or a time derivative of a velocity wavefield. |
| US09846242B2 |
Surveying system
A surveying system for a construction site has a restricted antenna system with a plurality of fixed location antennas each defined by a set of location data associated with a specific deployment position. The surveying system also has a computing device with a data processor and a display screen. A communications module establishes a data transfer link with the restricted antenna system over which spatial data for distances between current positions of the computing device and one or more of the plurality of fixed location antennas are received. The computing device is loadable with project drawings corresponding to the construction site and displayable on the display screen. A position marker is overlaid on the display of the project drawing at a position thereon corresponding to a computing device location value derived from the spatial data and the location data of one or more of the fixed location antennas. |
| US09846235B2 |
Friend or foe identification system and method
There are provided methods and systems for producing a wave-beam having substantially constant lateral extent over a desired range of distances, and interrogation and response system and methods utilizing the same. The method for producing a wave-beam having substantially constant lateral extent includes generating a plurality of at least partially incoherent constituent wave-beams having different divergences and directing the plurality constituent wave-beams to propagate along substantially parallel propagation axes such that the constituent wave-beams at least partially overlap and superpose to form a combined wave-beam. The divergences and intensities of the constituent wave-beams are selected such that the combined wave-beam has a desired substantially constant extent over a desired range of distances along said propagation axes. |
| US09846233B2 |
Home robot and control method thereof
A home robot and control method thereof; the home robot comprises: a casing (100); a plurality of ultrasonic transmitters (200) and a plurality of ultrasonic receivers (300) provided on the casing (100) arranged at intervals; and a controller (400) connected to the plurality of ultrasonic transmitters (200) and the plurality of ultrasonic receivers (300) respectively, the controller (400) being used to control the plurality of ultrasonic transmitters (200) to transmit first ultrasonic wave signals according to a preset period and to detect a front obstacle according to signals received by the plurality of ultrasonic receivers (300). The home robot can detect the direction of an obstacle, and is not affected by a material of the obstacle, thus enabling the home robot to perform an avoidance method according to the detected direction of the obstacle, avoiding a collision between the home robot and the obstacle, increasing a cleaning coverage rate and improving a user experience. |
| US09846229B1 |
Radar velocity determination using direction of arrival measurements
The various technologies presented herein relate to utilizing direction of arrival (DOA) data to determine various flight parameters for an aircraft A plurality of radar images (e.g., SAR images) can be analyzed to identify a plurality of pixels in the radar images relating to one or more ground targets. In an embodiment, the plurality of pixels can be selected based upon the pixels exceeding a SNR threshold. The DOA data in conjunction with a measurable Doppler frequency for each pixel can be obtained. Multi-aperture technology enables derivation of an independent measure of DOA to each pixel based on interferometric analysis. This independent measure of DOA enables decoupling of the aircraft velocity from the DOA in a range-Doppler map, thereby enabling determination of a radar velocity. The determined aircraft velocity can be utilized to update an onboard INS, and to keep it aligned, without the need for additional velocity-measuring instrumentation. |
| US09846217B2 |
Through-plane navigator
A magnetic resonance scanner (10) includes a main magnet (12), gradient coils (14) and a gradient coil controller (28), one or more RF coils (16,50), an RF transmitter (30), an RF receiver (34), and one or more processors (38). The main magnet (12) generates a B0 field. The gradient coils (14) and a gradient coil controller (28) generate gradients across the Bo field. The one or more RF coils (16,50) transmit B1 pulses and receive magnetic resonance signals. The RF transmitter (30) transmits B1 pulses to the RF coils to excite and manipulate resonance. The RF receiver (34) demodulates received resonance signals into data lines. The one or more processors (38) are connected to the gradient coil controller (28), the RF transmitter (30), and the RF receiver (34) and are programmed to control (70) the RF transmitter and the gradient coil controller to implement an interleaved multi-slice 2D imaging sequence which in each of a plurality of TRs generates a first and second navigation data lines and at least one image data line for each of a plurality of slices. The one or more processors are further programmed to reconstruct (74) the first navigation data lines from the plurality of slices into a first navigation projection image, reconstruct (74) the second navigation data lines from the plurality of slices into a second navigation image; and compare (76) successive navigation projection images to detect and adjust (78) for 3D motion. |
| US09846210B2 |
Gradient coils for correcting higher order B0 field inhomogeneities in MR imaging
A magnetic resonance apparatus corrects higher order B0 magnetic field inhomogeneities in the examination volume of an MR device. Currents through two or more coil sections (X1, X2) of at least one of a plurality of gradient coils (4) are independently controlled in such a manner that higher order field inhomogeneities of the main magnetic field B0 are compensated for by the magnetic field of the at least one gradient coil (4). |
| US09846206B2 |
Systems and methods for magnetic material imaging
Magnetic material imaging (MMI) system including first and second sets of field-generating coils. Each of the field-generating coils of the first and second sets has an elongated segment that extends along an imaging axis of the medical imaging system. The imaging axis extends through a region-of-interest (ROI) of an object. The elongated segments of the first set of field-generating coils are positioned opposite the elongated segments of the second set of field-generating coils and the ROI is located between the first and second sets of field-generating coils. The MMI system also includes a coil-control module configured to control a flow of current through the first and second sets of field-generating coils to generate a selection field and to generate a drive field. The selection and drive fields combine to form a movable 1D field free region (FFR) that extends through the ROI. |
| US09846202B2 |
Degradation estimation method for high voltage battery
A degradation estimation method system of a high voltage battery is provided that detect degradation of a battery. The degradation estimation method includes obtaining, by a controller, information about an input voltage, an input current and an external temperature of a slow charger. The controller is configured to calculate an output power used for charging the battery, based on an input power calculated based on the input voltage and the input current. In addition, the method includes calculating, by the controller, a mean charging current based on the output power and the battery charging voltage and calculating a battery degradation degree based on the mean charging current. |
| US09846201B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit having battery control function and operation method thereof
A semiconductor integrated circuit is capable of being supplied with battery current information and battery voltage information. The semiconductor integrated circuit includes a memory function, a current integrating function, a voltage-based state of charge operating function, a current-based state of charge operating function, a comparison determination function, a correcting function, and a resistance deterioration coefficient output function. The memory function stores the relation between a state of charge of a battery and an internal resistance deterioration coefficient thereof. The full charge capacity outputted from the correcting function and the internal resistance deterioration coefficient outputted from the resistance deterioration coefficient output function are stored in the memory function when a voltage-based state of charge and a current-based state of charge compared by the comparison determination function are determined to substantially coincide with each other. |
| US09846196B2 |
Input current conditioner for precision coulomb counting
A method and system of counting coulombs drawn from a power source by a load. A reference current source regulates the current drawn by the load at any given time to be either zero or a predetermined fixed amount. A comparator controls a time the switch is closed and open. When the switch is closed, coulombs are allowed to be drawn from the power source, and prevented to be drawn when the switch is open. An oscillator generates a clock signal during the time the switch is closed. A counter counts the number of clock cycles from the clock signal during the time the switch is closed. The count is provided as a signal at a second output of the coulomb counter. |
| US09846193B2 |
Semiconductor package testing apparatus
A semiconductor package testing apparatus comprises a package holder for holding a semiconductor package and which is positionable together with the semiconductor package at a test contactor station. There are probe pins located at the test contactor station for contacting a bottom surface of the semiconductor package and which are configured to apply an upwards force on the semiconductor package during testing of the semiconductor package. A restraining mechanism that is movable from a first position remote from the package holder and a second position over the package holder is configured to restrict lifting of the semiconductor package by the probe pins during testing of the semiconductor package when the restraining mechanism is at its second position. |
| US09846191B2 |
Systems and methods for internal and external error detection in sensor output interfaces
Integrated circuit systems, such as sensor systems, having on-board-diagnostic (OBD) circuits for the detection of errors presenting internal to the systems are disclosed, along with related methods. In one embodiment, an ADC multiplexer receives analog output readback from an output driver and provides a signal triggering an OBD circuit for internal error indication performed completely independent of digital-to-analog converters (DAC) and output drivers, which can be the point of failure. |
| US09846188B2 |
Detecting, localizing and ranking copper connectors
A method for detecting failures in electrical cable assemblies is provided. A cable test instrument obtains frequency domain data representing electrical characteristics of a cable link under test. A number of connectors in the cable link under test is determined based on the obtained frequency domain data. An estimated location of each of the connectors along the length of the cable link under test is determined by the cable test instrument. The connectors are ranked in accordance with their respective contribution to detected failures in the cable link under test. |
| US09846186B2 |
Capacitive touch sense architecture having a correlator for demodulating a measured capacitance from an excitation signal
An analog front end circuit utilizes coherent detection within a capacitance measurement application. The analog front end circuit uses coherent detection to measure capacitance of a touch screen display. An analog excitation signal is modulated by a capacitor to be measured. The modulated signal is synchronously demodulated using a correlator, which includes a discrete mixer and a discrete integrator. The excitation signal is also input to the mixer such that the modulated signal is multiplied by the excitation signal. The excitation signal is an analog signal having a sine wave function or other waveform. |
| US09846180B2 |
Current sensing assembly employing magnetic sensors
A current sensing assembly includes a conductor having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side, and a fourth side opposite the third side. The first side has a first notch formed therein and the second side has a second notch formed therein opposite the first notch. The current sensing assembly also includes a sensor assembly including a first magnetic sensor disposed in the first notch or proximate to the third side of the conductor between the first and second notches, and a second magnetic sensor disposed in the second notch or proximate to the fourth side of the conductor between the first and second notches. |
| US09846179B2 |
Electrical current transducer with electrostatic shield
Electrical current transducer to measure the current flowing in a primary conductor, the transducer including an outer casing, a magnetic core comprising a magnetic circuit gap, a magnetic field detector comprising a sensing portion positioned in the magnetic circuit gap, an insulating core housing, a secondary coil formed from a wire wound around a coil support portion of the insulating core housing, and an electrostatic shield. The electrostatic shield is positioned between secondary coil and a radially inner wall portion of the outer casing, the radially inner wall portion defining a passage configured to receive said primary conductor therethrough. The electrostatic shield comprises a skirt portion formed by a plurality of flexible strips extending axially from an edge of the shield, the flexible strips configured to elastically bias against a base wall portion of the outer casing. |
| US09846176B2 |
Acceleration sensor circuit
An acceleration sensor circuit 1 of the invention includes an acceleration sensor 11 having a first capacitor C1 whose capacitance changes according to a position of a first movable electrode and a second capacitor C2 whose capacitance changes as opposed to the first capacitor according to a position of a second movable electrode moved together with the first movable electrode, a first circuit 15A for generating a sinusoidal AC signal of a predetermined frequency, a second circuit 12 for generating a signal according to the positions of the movable electrodes, and an arithmetic circuit 14 for analyzing data in which a signal generated by the second circuit 12 is encoded and outputting data of acceleration. |
| US09846175B2 |
MEMS rotation sensor with integrated electronics
A rotational sensor for measuring rotational acceleration is disclosed. The rotational sensor comprises a sense substrate; at least two proof masses, and a set of two transducers. Each of the at least two proof masses is anchored to the sense substrate via at least one flexure and electrically isolated from each other; and the at least two proof masses are capable of rotating in-plane about a Z-axis relative to the sense substrate, wherein the Z-axis is normal to the substrate. Each of the transducers can sense rotation of each proof mass with respect to the sense substrate in response to a rotation of the rotational sensor. |
| US09846173B2 |
Sensor signal transmission
A speed sensor including an output data signal generator configured to generate an output data signal representing a state of a sensed element; and a multiplexer configured to multiplex the output data signal and an internal diagnostic data signal representing diagnostic data of the speed sensor into a combined data signal. |
| US09846167B2 |
Method for detecting and monitoring bone loss
Methods for identifying subjects having bone loss by detecting bone microparticles in a sample of their bodily fluid are disclosed. Methods for monitoring bone loss and assessing efficacy of bone loss therapies by detecting bone microparticles in bodily fluid samples are also disclosed. Compounds for use as a negative control in the disclosed methods are provided as well as kits comprising such compounds. |
| US09846165B2 |
Method for inhibiting the SWAP-70 protein
The invention relates to the field of biomedical and pharmacological research, in particular in the field of immunology, allergies, cancers, bone diseases and autoimmune diseases.The invention is based on the recent finding that SWAP-70 dimerizes, that the dimerization takes place via a specific, largely unique and limited region of the protein, and that this dimerization is central to the function of the protein (and probably the stability thereof).The invention provides a screening method which makes it possible to identify new active ingredients which, by accumulating at the dimerization domain and inhibiting SWAP-70 activity, suppress the supporting function of SWAP-70 in tumorigenesis, tumor cell migration and invasion, bone-degrading osteoclast activity, and the allergic reaction, as well as in autoimmune diseases.The object is achieved by a method for identifying a substance which inhibits the activity of SWAP-70, wherein the method comprises the following: contacting at least one test substance with SWAP-70, detecting the degree of dimerization of SWAP-70, selecting a test substance which inhibits the dimerization of SWAP-70. |
| US09846163B2 |
Biocompatible and bioabsorbable derivatized chitosan compositions
The invention relates to biocompatible, bioabsorbable derivatized non-crosslinked chitosan compositions optionally crosslinked to gelatin/collagen by 1-ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) for biomedical use and methods of making and testing such compositions, including a modified acute systemic toxicity test. The compositions comprise derivatized chitosan reacetylated to a degree of N-deacetylation (DDA) of between about 15% and 40%. The compositions are typically bioabsorbed in about 90 days or less and can be made to bioabsorb at differing rates of speed. The compositions are initially soluble in aqueous solution below pH 6.5. The compositions have an acid content that can be adjusted between about 0% (w/w) and about 8% (w/w) to customize the composition for uses that require and/or tolerate differing levels of cytotoxicity, adhesion, composition cohesion, and cell infiltration into the composition. |
| US09846161B2 |
Water soluble nanocrystalline quantum dots capable of near infrared emissions
A novel quantum dot capable of near infrared emissions at wavelengths of 750-1100 is made by forming solid solutions of metal sulfide, metal selenide or metal sulfide selenide by incorporating a suitable amount of an additional metallic element or elements to provide an emission wavelength in the range of 750 nm to 1100 nm. The quantum dots may be enabled for bioconjugation and may be used in a method for tissue imaging and analyte detection. |
| US09846157B2 |
Compositions, methods and microfluidics device for telomerase based in vitro diagnostic assays for detecting circulating tumor cells (CTC)
A repeatable method for detecting circulating tumor cells in vitro is provided. The method involves combining a test sample from a patient suspected of having circulating tumor cells, and a non-lytic adenoviral system, and culture media for the cells. The adenoviral system utilizes (i) a first replication-defective adenoviral particle in which an expression cassette is packaged, said expression cassette comprising an adenoviral 5′ and 3′ ITRs and a tumor-specific promoter; and (ii) a coding sequence for a reporter protein which is expressed in the presence of circulating tumor cells, and an adenoviral 3′ ITR. The test sample and the non-lytic adenoviral system are incubated for a sufficient time to permit expression of the reporter protein, and measuring reporter protein expression in the test samples, whereby presence of reporter expression indicates the presence of circulating tumor cells in the sample. |
| US09846155B2 |
Methods and systems for extending dynamic range in assays for the detection of molecules or particles
Described herein are systems and methods for extending the dynamic range of assay methods and systems used for determining the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in a fluid sample. In some embodiments, a method comprises spatially segregating a plurality of analyte molecules in a fluid sample into a plurality of locations. At least a portion of the locations may be addressed to determine the percentage of said locations containing at least one analyte molecule. Based at least in part on the percentage, a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules in the fluid sample may be determined using an analog, intensity-based detection/analysis method/system and/or a digital detection/analysis method/system. In some cases, the assay may comprise the use of a plurality of capture objects. |
| US09846151B2 |
Sample vial for digital holographic analysis of a liquid cell sample
The current invention concerns a sample vial for receiving a liquid cell sample, to be used in conjunction with a digital holographic microscope (DHM), said sample vial comprises at least two compartments in fluid connection with one another, said compartments comprising at least one pair of screening surfaces, said screening surfaces are essentially flat; and characterized in that the distance between the pair of screening surfaces of the second compartment is smaller than the distance between the pair of screening surfaces of the first compartment. In a second and third aspect, the current invention pertains to a method and system for analyzing a liquid cell sample by DHM, employing the sample vial of the current invention. |
| US09846150B2 |
High efficiency particle separating apparatus and method
A particle separating apparatus and method are provided, which pass a fluid sample such as blood through a filter to remove foreign matter, and separate target particles by using a MOFF channel, and re-separate the separated target particles through dielectrophoresis. The particle separating apparatus includes a MOFF (Multi Orifice Flow Fractionation) channel including a multi orifice segment through which a fluid sample passes to discharge a primarily separated material that are target particles separated from the fluid sample, through a central passage; a dielectrophoresis channel including a pair of electrodes to which AC power is applied and forming an electric field in a flow channel connected to the central passage of the MOFF channel to re-separate the target particles from the primarily separated material discharged from the central passage of the MOFF channel through dielectrophoresis. |
| US09846145B2 |
Ultrasound probe and ultrasound equipment using same
Provided are: an ultrasound probe with excellent characteristic stability; and ultrasound equipment that uses the ultrasound probe. The ultrasound probe has an ultrasonic transmitting and receiving element provided with a substrate, an insulating film formed on the substrate, a cavity formed between the substrate and the insulating film, and a pair of electrodes disposed parallel to the substrate so as to sandwich the cavity. The ultrasound probe is characterized in that the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving element has a beam part with a multilayer structure formed by laminating films made of materials different in stress, the beam part being disposed on the electrode distant from the substrate out of the pair of electrodes, and the beam part is formed by laminating a film that applies tensile stress and a film that applies compressive stress. |
| US09846142B2 |
Presenting stretched strands of single strand DNA for sequencing double strand DNA
A mechanism is provided for presenting single strands of a double strand molecule to a membrane. The double strand molecule is driven to a first side of the membrane by an electric field. The membrane has a first and second nanopore spaced apart by a nanopore separation distance. The first strand of the double strand molecule is captured in the first nanopore when driven to the first side of the membrane. The second strand is captured in the second nanopore by having the nanopore separation distance between the first nanopore and the second nanopore corresponding to a strand separation distance between the first and second strands, and/or by having captured the first strand to limit diffusion of the second strand. The first and second strands respectively in the first and second nanopores are individually stretched, by the first and second strands recombining on the second side of the membrane. |
| US09846140B2 |
Method for determination of analyte concentrations and related apparatus
A method is provided for determining analyte concentrations, for example glucose concentrations, that utilizes a dynamic determination of the appropriate time for making a glucose measurement, for example when a current versus time curve substantially conforms to a Cottrell decay, or when the current is established in a plateau region. Dynamic determination of the time to take the measurement allows each strip to operate in the shortest appropriate time frame, thereby avoiding using an average measurement time that may be longer than necessary for some strips and too short for others. |
| US09846135B2 |
Moisture sensor arrangement
A moisture sensor arrangement including a plate-like semiconductor substrate and an integrated signal processing component disposed on a first side of the semiconductor substrate. The moisture sensor arrangement including a capacitive moisture sensor connected electrically conductively to the integrated signal processing component, wherein the capacitive moisture sensor is disposed on either the first side or a second side of the semiconductor substrate that is opposite the first side of the semiconductor substrate. In addition, the plate-like semiconductor substrate includes 1) plated through-holes, by way of which elements on the first side and the second side of the semiconductor substrate are electrically connectable to one another; and 2) a temperature sensor integrated with the integrated signal processing component. |
| US09846125B2 |
Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy detection of gases, particles and liquids through nanopillar structures
Methods and systems for nanopillar sensors are described. Nanopillars can be defined on a substrate, and metal deposited on the nanopillars. A thermal treatment can reflow the metal on the nanopillars forming metallic bulbs on the top end of the nanopillars. These structures can have enhanced optical detection when functionalized with biological agents, or can detect gases, particles and liquids through interaction with the metal layer on the nanopillars. |
| US09846123B2 |
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering element
A surface-enhanced Raman scattering element comprises a substrate having a principal surface; a molded layer including a support part formed on the principal surface and a fine structure part formed on the support part; and a conductor layer, deposited on the fine structure part, constituting an optical functional part for generating surface-enhanced Raman scattering. The fine structure part has a plurality of pillars erected on the support part. The support part is provided with a plurality of opposing parts opposing side faces of the pillars. The opposing parts are located on the substrate side relative to leading end parts of the pillars in a projecting direction of the pillars. |
| US09846122B2 |
Optical metrology system for spectral imaging of a sample
An optical metrology device is capable of detection of any combination of photoluminescence light, specular reflection of broadband light, and scattered light from a line across the width of a sample. The metrology device includes a first light source that produces a first illumination line on the sample. A scanning system may be used to scan an illumination spot across the sample to form the illumination line. A detector collects the photoluminescence light emitted along the illumination line. Additionally, a broadband illumination source may be used to produce a second illumination line on the sample, where the detector collects the broadband illumination reflected along the second illumination line. A signal collecting optic may collect the photoluminescence light and broadband light and focus it into a line, which is received by an optical conduit. The output end of the optical conduit has a shape that matches the entrance of the detector. |
| US09846116B2 |
Methods for determining and/or adjusting redox-active element concentrations in redox flow batteries
Methods of determining concentrations and/or amounts of redox-active elements at each valence state in an electrolyte solution of a redox flow battery are provided. Once determined, the concentrations and/or amounts of the redox-active elements at each valence state can be used to determine side-reactions, make chemical adjustments, periodically monitor battery capacity, adjust performance, or to otherwise determine a baseline concentration of the redox-active ions for any purpose. |
| US09846115B2 |
Miniaturized integrated micro electo-mechanical systems (MEMS) optical sensor array for viscosity and mass detection
The present invention relates generally to the field of chemical and biological sensors and in particular to micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) sensors for measuring fluid viscosity and detection of minute amounts of chemicals and biological agents in fluids. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sensor that will work in disposable cartridges with remote sensing that can measure dynamic changes of the functionalized cantilevers in liquid and gas environment. |
| US09846111B2 |
Optical detection system for particles
Optical detection system and method for particles. In exemplary embodiments, the system may comprise a channel, a light source configured to generate light, and one or more optical elements configured to focus a beam of the light on an irradiation zone within the channel. The system also may comprise a mask operatively disposed in an optical path between the light source and the channel. The mask may be configured to block a portion of the beam, thereby producing a shadow region. The system further may comprise a detector configured to detect light deflected from the beam into the shadow region by interaction with a particle passing through the irradiation zone. |
| US09846110B2 |
Particulate matter sensor diagnostic system and method
A diagnostic module for diagnosing a particulate matter sensor in a vehicle includes a sensor mode selection module, a heater power detector, and a protection tube diagnostic module. The sensor mode selection module selects a regeneration mode for the particulate matter sensor from among a plurality of operation modes. The regeneration mode regenerates the particulate matter sensor. The heater power detector determines a voltage output based on a voltage applied to the particulate matter sensor. The voltage output corresponds to operation of the particulate matter sensor in the selected mode. The protection tube diagnostic module performs a diagnostic of the particulate matter sensor. The protection tube diagnostic module selectively diagnoses a fault in the particulate matter sensor based on the voltage output determined during the regeneration mode and a regeneration power threshold. |
| US09846109B2 |
Fluid sampling
A fluid sampling device having a first conduit configured to couple an outlet of a fluid source to a sample inlet port; a second conduit configured to couple a sample outlet port to an inlet of the fluid source; an expansion chamber including an inlet and an outlet coupled to the first and second conduits by a valve assembly; and a pressure relief valve configured to couple the outlet of the expansion chamber to the inlet of the fluid source. The fluid sampling device facilitates acquisition of a fluid sample and subsequent purging of its internal components while inhibiting the release of sample fluid to the surrounding environment, thereby protecting the environment and sampling personnel from harmful chemical release. The fluid sampling device may facilitate a sample acquisition process that provides closed-loop flush and expansion operations for obtaining a representative sample at the appropriate fill density of the sample vessel. |
| US09846106B2 |
Apparatus and device for use in automotive testing
An apparatus and device for repetitive use in automotive testing is provided. The apparatus includes a frame dimensioned in the same shape as a bicycle frame. The frame includes a first support beam and a plurality of second support beams. The apparatus further includes an elastic member elastically coupling each of the plurality of second support beams to the first support beam so as to allow the frame to separate when impacted and be easily reassembled for further testing. The device includes a disk having a first radar transparent layer opposite a second radar transparent layer and a reflective film disposed between the first radar transparent layer and the second radar transparent layer. The reflective film has a radar cross section pattern similar to that of an actual bicycle wheel when seen by automotive radar. |
| US09846100B2 |
Device and method for determining inertia properties of an object
The present application relates to devices for determining inertia properties of an object, said devices comprising a support and a measuring platform which are arranged relative to each other in such a way that movements between two and five degrees of freedom are possible. |
| US09846098B2 |
Total pressure and total temperature measurement in wet gas condition
A probe for the measurement of the total pressure or temperature of a two phase wet gas flow is also disclosed. Embodiments provide a stem, a tip on the top of the stem, a cup serving as a shield is formed in the tip, a at least one tube or thermal element positioned within the cup serving as a measuring device for the incoming wet gas flow; at least one hole which passes through at least one wall of the cup; and a pressure changing device configured to accelerate the wet gas flowing around the cup. A method and system for the measurement of the total pressure or temperature of a two phase wet gas flow is also disclosed. |
| US09846097B2 |
Pressure sensor with variable sense gap
A sensor device includes a substrate having a port extending through it and a membrane including a first electrode spanning across the port. The port exposes the membrane to a pressure stimulus from an external environment. A second electrode is spaced apart from the first electrode by a gap having a first width. A control circuit applies an actuation voltage to move the second electrode closer to the first electrode and change the gap to a second width that is less than the first width. When the gap is set to the second width, the pressure sensor exhibits a greater sensitivity then when the gap is set to the first width. The membrane with the first electrode is movable in response to the pressure stimulus and the pressure stimulus is sensed as movement of the first electrode relative to the second electrode while the actuation voltage is applied. |
| US09846095B2 |
3D stacked piezoresistive pressure sensor
In a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) pressure sensor, thin and fragile bond wires that are used in the prior art to connect a MEMS pressure sensing element to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for the input and output signals between these two chips are replaced by stacking the ASIC on the MEMS pressure sensing element and connecting each other using conductive vias formed in the ASIC. Gel used to protect the bond wires, ASIC and MEMS pressure sensing element can be eliminated if bond wires are no longer used. Stacking the ASIC on the MEMS pressure sensing element and connecting them using conductive vias enables a reduction in the size and cost of a housing in which the devices are placed and protected. |
| US09846091B2 |
Systems and methods for press force detectors
Certain example embodiments include a press sensor element that includes a piezoelectric layer having a first surface in communication with a first layer, the first layer including a first conductive region, where the first conductive region covers at least a central portion the first surface. The sensor element includes a second surface in communication with a second layer, the second layer including a second conductive region, a third conductive region, and a first non-conductive void region separating the second conductive region and the third conductive region. An area of the first conductive region is configured in size relative to an area of the third conductive region to substantially reduce a thermally-induced voltage change between two or more of the first, second, and third conductive regions responsive to a corresponding temperature change of at least a portion of the piezoelectric layer. |
| US09846088B2 |
Differential acoustic time of flight measurement of temperature of semiconductor substrates
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for measuring semiconductor substrate temperature using a differential acoustic time of flight measurement technique. The measurement is based on measuring the time of flight of acoustic (ultrasonic) waves across the substrate, and calculating a substrate temperature from the measured time of flight and the known temperature dependence of the speed of sound for the substrate material. The differential acoustic time of flight method eliminates most sources of interference and error, for example due to varying coupling between an ultrasonic transducer and the substrate. To further increase the accuracy of the differential acoustic time of flight measurement, a correlation waveform processing algorithm is utilized to obtain a differential acoustic time of flight measurement from two measured ultrasonic waveforms. To facilitate signal recognition and processing, a symmetric Lamb mode may be used as mode of excitation of the substrate. |
| US09846086B1 |
System and method for time-temperature monitoring of transportable goods
A method and related system for monitoring a time-temperature profile comprises measuring by a temperature sensor a temperature of an object, recording by an electronic device a time-temperature data point including the temperature and a time at which the temperature was measured, communicating the recorded time-temperature data point by the electronic device to a computing system, and determining by the computing system whether the recorded time-temperature data point is outside a predetermined acceptable range. |
| US09846085B2 |
Fluid property measurement devices, methods, and systems
High accuracy temperature measurement devices, methods, and systems for measuring the temperature of medical fluids are described. In embodiments, the devices have the features that they are compatible with the measurement of temperatures in a sealed fluid circuit, thereby promoting compatibility with sterile disposable circuits. Also described are combinations of temperature sensors and conductivity measurement for precise determination of the concentration of ions in a medicament. |
| US09846084B2 |
Vacuum heat treatment apparatus
A vacuum heat treatment apparatus according to the embodiment comprises a chamber; a thermal insulator in the chamber; a reaction container in the thermal insulator; a heating member between the reaction container and the the thermal insulator for heating the reaction container; and a temperature measuring member in or on a surface of the reaction container, wherein the temperature measuring member comprises a thermocouple and a protective tube surrounding the thermocouple, and the protective tube comprises tungsten (W), tantalum (Ta), or silicon carbide (SiC). |
| US09846083B2 |
Ambient temperature measurement sensor
A sensor package can have a reference thermopile sensor and a reference temperature sensor disposed therein to determine an ambient temperature. In one or more implementations, the sensor package includes a substrate having a substrate surface, a reference thermopile sensor disposed over the substrate surface, a reference temperature sensor disposed over the substrate surface, and a lid assembly disposed over the thermopile sensor and the reference thermopile sensor. The lid assembly includes a structure having a transparent portion that passes electromagnetic radiation occurring in a limited spectrum of wavelengths. The reference thermopile sensor generates a reference thermopile sensor signal representing a difference between a temperature of the substrate surface and a temperature of a lid assembly surface. An external ambient temperature can be determined based upon the reference thermopile sensor signal. |
| US09846082B2 |
Infrared thermometer with sighting device and method for measuring temperature of energy zone using same
An infrared thermometer measures a temperature of an energy zone. The infrared thermometer comprises a beam splitter for splitting an incident light beam from an energy zone into an infrared light beam and a visible light beam; an infrared detector for detecting the infrared light beam and generating a signal indicative of a temperature of the energy zone according to the detected infrared light beam; and a sighting device having an optical module for generating a reflective reticle image and transmitting the visible light beam to generate a target image at a sight window, wherein the sighting device is configured to superimpose the reflective reticle image over the target image at the sight window to align the infrared detector with the energy zone. The infrared thermometer and an associated measurement method facilitate the alignment of the energy zone by the users, thereby improving the accuracy of the measurement. |
| US09846081B2 |
Light wavelength measurement method and light wavelength measurement apparatus
A light wavelength measurement method of measuring a wavelength of target light includes: receiving target light on a second dispersion device that disperses the target light into a plurality of second beams which reach a plurality of positions corresponding to the wavelength of the target light (S106, S202); and measuring the wavelength of the target light, by using the plurality of the second beams as a vernier scale for measuring the wavelength of the target light within a wavelength range specified by a main scale (S108, S204). |
| US09846080B2 |
Real time birefringent imaging spectrometer based on differential structure
A real-time birefringent imaging spectrometer based on differential structure is provided. A polarization beam splitter to add an imaging branch is set. Meanwhile, the structure alters the conventional optical structure to the differential structure by setting another polarization beam splitter. Taking the difference between these two interferogram obtained by two branches of differential structure as the final interferogram and performing the required post-processing calculations produces the spectrum at each pixel. Common-mode error is intensively restrained due to the differential structure, and 50% of the optical loss is avoided because of casting off the analyzer; a high spatial resolution, high spectral resolution image is acquired by combining the high spatial resolution, colorful image with the low spatial resolution, high spectral resolution image. |
| US09846079B2 |
Recirculating etalon spectrometer
Systems, methods, and devices may provide an optical scheme that achieves simultaneous wavelength channels and maintains the resolution and luminosity of an etalon. Various embodiments may provide a method to optically recirculate the light reflected from the etalon back through the same etalon at new angles. Various embodiments create an etalon spectrometer based on angular dispersion without moving parts and without losing the light that is not initially transmitted. Various embodiments may provide a spectrally-resolved receiver and/or transmitter. Various embodiments may provide a system including a retro-reflector, a detector or transmitter array, and an etalon disposed between the retro-reflector and the detector or transmitter array, wherein the retro-reflector is configured to redirect light reflected by the etalon back to the etalon at a different angle of incidence than an original angle of incidence on the etalon of the light reflected by the etalon. |
| US09846075B2 |
Method and system for leak detection in a pipe network
A method and device for leak detection and localization in at least a portion of a of fluid distribution system. At each of two or more locations, a position locator determines the location of the device and a vibration sensor generates a signal indicative of vibrations detected by the vibration sensor at the location. A processor calculates a parameter of the signal indicative of an average power of the signal at the location over a predetermined time period. For each location, the processor stores in a memory the location of the device and the value of calculated parameter, and then determines a location in the fluid distribution system where the calculated parameter has a maximum value satisfying a predetermined criterion. |
| US09846072B2 |
Method of in line verification of a flow meter
A method of in line verification of a flow meter installed in a flow line by means of one or two ultrasonic clamp on flow meters to be installed in line with the flow meter uΔ, comprising a preparatory phase, during which a virtual pipe diameter is determined, which if it had been applied during the simultaneous measurements would have minimized the differences between the measured flow indications of the flow meter and the measured flow indications, and comprising a verification phase, during which the ultrasonic flow meters are set up to determine their measured flow indications based on the virtual pipe diameter, during which simultaneously derived measured flow indications of the flow meter and the ultrasonic flow meters are recorded, and during which an alert is issued in case a deviation between simultaneously derived measured flow indications of the flow meter and the ultrasonic flow meter or between measured flow indications of the flow meter and averages of the measured flow indications of the ultrasonic flow meters respectively exceeds a predetermined deviation limit, which was set based on a measurement uncertainty inherent to the determination of the deviation. |
| US09846069B2 |
Level measurement system for conductive liquids
A level measurement system for conductive liquids including a liquid container (10) and at least three electrodes (18, 20, 22) arranged inside the liquid container (10) at different levels. The electrodes (18, 20, 22) are connected to a network including a plurality of resistor elements (R, R1, R2, R3, RP1, RP2, RR1, RR2). The network includes at least two input terminals (V+, GND) for applying an external voltage and at least two output terminals providing a voltage depending on the level of the conductive liquid in the liquid container (10). The level measurement system is provided for detecting at least three different levels of conductive liquids in the liquid container (10) and indicating the levels by one voltage value. The level measurement system may be used for water in a storage container such as in a domestic appliance having a liquid container for supplying the domestic appliance with liquid. |
| US09846068B2 |
Measuring the volume of fluid in a vessel
A method and apparatus is disclosed for measuring the volume of fluid in a variable volume vessel. |
| US09846066B2 |
Adjustable dosing dispensers and methods for using the same
Embodiments of the invention relate to dosing dispensers and in particular to dosing dispensers that may be operated using one hand by raising and filling a dosing chamber followed by lowering and dispersing a product from the dosing chamber and wherein the dose may be selected or adjusted and a user may visually confirm that the proper dose is being loaded and delivered by the dispenser. |
| US09846057B2 |
Method and apparatus for computing an angle of rotation
A method and apparatus for computing the angle (α) of rotation of a rotational-angle sensor apparatus (10) with a first Hall measuring plate (20) and a second Hall measuring plate (30) which are arranged orthogonally to each other. |
| US09846056B1 |
Method and apparatus for meter actions based on socket identification
A metering system for metering consumption of a commodity. The metering system includes a meter socket, a meter, and a controller. The meter socket has a tag with identification information. The meter includes a sensor configured to read the identification information from the tag of the meter socket and provide a signal indicative of the identification information from the tag. The controller includes a memory and a processor and is configured to record energy consumption data from the meter. The processor is configured to receive the signal indicative of the identification information of the tag and associate the energy consumption data with the identification information of the tag. The processor is further configured to store the energy consumption data associated with the identification information of the tag in the memory. |
| US09846053B2 |
Method and apparatus for creating map data
A method of creating map data for enhancing a digital map having a plurality of navigable segments representing a network of navigable segments by applying point locations to the map which correspond to individual events on the network; generating a heat map representing the concentrations of events according to a selected distribution function; applying a threshold calculation to the heat map to identify one or more zones, on the network having a high concentration of events; and associating the or each zone with at least one segment in the digital map. |
| US09846050B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices for communicating drive history path attributes
A method for providing path attributes to controllers in a vehicle includes determining a location of a vehicle and a future driving path for the vehicle. The method includes determining, based on a drive history for the vehicle or a driver of the vehicle, drive history path attributes for the future driving path. The method also includes providing the drive history path attributes to a plurality of controllers via a controller bus, wherein the drive history path attributes are provided to the plurality of controllers using a common protocol. |
| US09846049B2 |
Route prediction
Driving history of a user with regard to a particular road intersection can be collected and retained in storage. A Markov model can be used to predict likelihood of the user making a particular decision regarding the intersection. A highest likelihood decision can be identified and used to create a travel route. In addition, contextual information can be taken into account when creating the route, such as time of day, road conditions, user situation, and the like. |
| US09846044B2 |
Travel information recording system, method, and program
A travel information recording system for associating travel information on a vehicle obtained immediately after travel through a branch location with an appropriate road segment includes: travel segment specifying unit for specifying a travel segment that is a road segment in which a vehicle is traveling; and travel information recorder for recording travel information on the vehicle obtained during travel in the travel segment in association with the travel segment in a storage medium. In the case where there occurs a segment variation in which the travel segment is varied from one of several road segments branched off from a branch location, the travel information recorder acquires the travel information to be recorded in association with a post-variation segment, which is the travel segment after the segment variation, on the basis of the travel information obtained before the segment variation. |
| US09846042B2 |
Gyroscope assisted scalable visual simultaneous localization and mapping
An indoor localization system uses Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (VSLAM) aided by gyroscope sensor information. Indoor environments pose several challenges which could cause a vision only system to fail due to tracking errors. Investigation revealed significant feature loss in a vision only system when traversing plain walls, windows and staircases. However, the addition of a gyroscope helps in handling such difficult conditions by providing additional rotational information. A portable system consisting of an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and a stereo camera has been developed for indoor mapping. The images and gyroscope rates acquired by the system are stored and post-processed using Gyroscope Assisted Scalable Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping Algorithm. |
| US09846039B2 |
Method of computing lateral trajectories
A method of computing an aircraft trajectory, between a departure point and an arrival point, comprises: loading the departure point and a departure angle; determining two waypoints; loading the arrival point and an arrival angle; determining two departure circles of respectively left and right type, which are tangent to the oriented departure straight line respectively on the left and on the right, and passing respectively through the waypoint of left type and through waypoint of right type; determining two arrival circles of respectively left and right type which are tangent to the oriented arrival straight line respectively on its left and on its right and passing through the arrival point; determining a plurality of continuous geometric lateral trajectories comprising an initial portion comprising a portion of a departure circle, a final portion equal to a portion of an arrival circle, and an intermediate portion. |
| US09846038B2 |
Export user data from defined region
Described herein are implementations of various technologies for an apparatus and method for providing navigation data. In one implementation, a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of computer-executable instructions. When the plurality of computer-executable instructions are executed by a computer, the plurality of executable instructions causes the computer to receive a user selection of a plurality of points of navigation data and receive a user selection of a geographical region. The computer can select at least a portion of the plurality of the points of the navigation data that are in the geographical region. |
| US09846032B2 |
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for three-dimensional fluid scanning
Systems, methods, for three-dimensional (“3D”) and computer-readable media fluid scanning are provided. According to some embodiments, there is provided a method that may include adding a first predetermined amount of fluid into a container, measuring a first fluid height in the container after the adding the first predetermined amount of fluid, adding a second predetermined amount of fluid into the container when the first predetermined amount of fluid is in the container, measuring a second fluid height in the container after the adding the second predetermined amount of fluid, emptying the fluid from the container. |
| US09846031B2 |
Method and system for testing a vehicle underbody of a motor vehicle
A method for testing a vehicle underbody of a motor vehicle includes: recording at least one image of at least one region of the vehicle underbody of the motor vehicle using a camera device; producing a three-dimensional depth image with the aid of the at least one recorded image of the at least one region of the vehicle underbody of the motor vehicle; and testing the at least one region of the vehicle underbody of the motor vehicle with the aid of the produced three-dimensional depth image of the vehicle underbody using optical image recognition. |
| US09846029B2 |
Laser system with a laser receiver capable to detect its own movements
The invention relates to a laser system (100) comprising a laser receiver (10) and a laser emitter (20) and to a method using this system (100). The laser receiver is designed for locating a laser beam (22) relative to the laser receiver (10) by its laser light photo sensor (1). The laser receiver (10) has an acceleration sensor (4) providing a signal indicating a movement of the laser receiver together with a movement direction and an acceleration of this movement and a circuitry (3) connected to said photo sensor (1) and to the acceleration sensor (4) designed to compute and correlate the signals of photo sensor (1) and acceleration sensor (4) and to weight the information derived from the acceleration sensor (4). Laser receiver and laser emitter of the laser system are both provided with communication means, so that by communicating the weighted information the laser plane can be adjusted and/or re-adjusted in response to a movement of the leaser receiver. |
| US09846026B2 |
Light-emitting table suitable for use in metrology, and coordinate measuring machine having such a light-emitting table
A light-emitting table suitable for use in metrology includes a plurality of light sources and a field to be illuminated. Light-emitting centers of the light sources represent starting points of light source axes which perpendicularly intersect the field to be illuminated. The light-emitting centers of the light sources on one side and the field to be illuminated on the other side delimit an intermediate space in the interior of the light-emitting table. Located between the light source axes within the intermediate space are curved and mirrored surfaces, the focal points or caustics (K) of which are located within the intermediate space between the curved and mirrored surfaces and the field to be illuminated. A coordinate measuring machine for capturing the coordinates of a workpiece includes at least one optical sensor and a light-emitting table for illuminating the workpiece during measurement of the coordinates of the workpiece using the sensor. |
| US09846024B1 |
Solid-state electric-field sensor
An electric-field sensor is provided that includes a voltage-controlled capacitor and generator circuitry. The voltage-controlled capacitor is influenceable by an electric field created by a target located a distance from the solid-state electric-field sensor. The generator circuitry is configured to generate a modulated voltage for driving the voltage-controlled capacitor to produce a modulated capacitance as the voltage-controlled capacitor is influenced by the electric field to enable measurement of the electric field. In this regard, the voltage-controlled capacitor and generator circuitry are configured such that, in operation, an electric field of the target causes a change in the modulated capacitance and a current flow through the voltage-controlled capacitor. An electric potential of the target, then, is measurable as a function of the change in magnitude of the current flow through the voltage-controlled capacitor. |
| US09846022B2 |
Wafer alignment device
An alignment device for a wafer in an industrial process assembly includes an inner surface shaped to conform to an outer surface of a wafer, an outer surface comprising at least two cams; and two ends connecting the inner surface to the outer surface. The two ends are positioned such that when the alignment device is positioned on the outer surface of the wafer, the alignment device extends more than one hundred eighty degrees around the wafer. |
| US09846020B2 |
Method and arrangement for providing explosive charging into a bore hole
An arrangement for providing explosive charging and a plug into a bore hole, wherein a hose comprising at least one first conduit is introduced into said bore hole. Also explosive material is introduced to an outlet of said first conduit and thereby into said bore hole. In addition a plug is introduced into said bore hole by the help of said hose. The plug has a diameter, the size of which is configured to be manipulated after or during introducing into said bore hole at a certain depth so that after said introducing the diameter of the plug is larger than before said introducing and so that the surface of the plug after manipulating the size of diameter essentially make a physical contact with the bore hole surface. The plug is introduced by said hose in a releasable manner so that after or during the manipulation of the plug diameter size the plug is configured to be released from the hose and to stay in said bore hole essentially at said certain depth. |
| US09846017B1 |
High pressure obturators and method of making
A high pressure obturator for a breech loaded, tube-launched projectile includes a generally annular ring having a central longitudinal axis and a radially inward portion. A flange portion is disposed radially outward of and partially contiguous with the radially inward portion. The flange portion extends axially forward and aft beyond the radially inward portion. The outer diameter of the flange portion decreases linearly from an aft most outer diameter to a forward most outer diameter. The obturator may be formed of a plastic material and include circumferential wraps of a high-strength fiber completely embedded in grooves in the obturator. |
| US09846014B2 |
Ballistic materials having a three-dimensional sphere structure
A ballistic material utilizes a three-dimensional, square-based pyramid unit cell (SBPUC) sphere structure that includes four base spheres and a primary sphere, which are tightly packed and in contact with each other. The base spheres and the primary sphere are arranged whereby the centers of each of the base spheres form corners of a square base, while the center of the primary sphere forms an apex, which when connected to the corners, forms an imaginary pyramid. The ballistic material is formed from one or more layers of SBPUCs that are provided between a pair of spaced substrate layers, so as to achieve the desired level of ballistic protection performance. |
| US09846013B2 |
Vehicle armour
Vehicle armor may include an assembly of components including an outer armor pack, an air gap, an inner armor pack, and a high energy absorbing layer. At least one version of the outer armor pack may include an outermost outer fiber reinforced composite protective layer of ≧1 mm thickness, an outer ceramic armor layer, and an inner fiber reinforced composite support layer to absorb residual energy from small arms. The air gap may be between 1-10 mm to allow for deflection of the outer armor pack. The inner armor pack may include an outer fiber reinforced composite protective layer of ≧0.5 mm thickness, an inner segmented ceramic armor layer, and an innermost inner fiber reinforced composite layer of ≧10 mm thickness. The high energy absorbing layer may have ≧25 mm thickness and be configured to mitigate the effect of residual fragments defeating the outer and inner armor packs. |
| US09846010B2 |
Firearm scope height tool
A tool for temporarily fitting a sighting scope to a firearm with a mounting rail. The tool includes a vertically moving slide that is adjusted so that the scope is at the correct height. The height of corresponding scope rings required can then be read from the tool. |
| US09846008B1 |
Holster
A holster for carrying a concealed weapon in an area of a body between a knee and an ankle. The holster includes a sleeve that has a non-uniform circumference defining a shape contoured to substantially encompass the lower leg of an individual, a closure mechanism that is fixed to the sleeve and configured to allow for expansion and compression of at least part of the sleeve and a pocket that is fixed to the exterior of the sleeve and that is shaped to carry a weapon therein. |
| US09846006B2 |
Suppressive gunfire generator
New forms of suppressive gunfire decoys are provided. In some aspects, a pin-pull device may be used to program and adjust several settings of the decoy devices, activating such devices immediately before deployment. In some aspects, the pin-pull device may serve as a remote control unit. In a preferred method of deployment, the devices are thrown to a location different from that occupied by the user(s), simulating another source of gunfire, distracting and misleading an enemy, and providing the effects of suppressive fire. In some embodiments, a networked computer system(s) may be used as a remote control unit, and the decoy device may include cameras and other sensors for tactical surveillance. In still other aspects, the gunfire decoy device may be capable of locomotion, and may be self-relocating in response to certain commands, or in reaction to stimuli, to confuse the enemy regarding sources of gunfire and troop locations. |
| US09846005B2 |
Magazine loader device
The present invention discloses a magazine loader device (1) for firearms which consists of a lower section (1A) and upper section (1B). The upper section (1B) receives individual vertically-oriented cartridges from the hopper (61), turns them in the right direction using a rotating mechanism (32, 33, 34, and 35), which is the essential part of the upper section (1B), and pushes them towards the lower section (1A). The lower section (1A) pushes the correctly facing cartridges (N) into the magazine (20) which is inserted into the hollow grip (21B, 22B) of the lower section (1A). The tripping plunger (17) is an essential element of the lower section (1A) which in cooperation with the controlling curve (13E) pushes the cartridge pusher (20A) or the preceding cartridge down by a characterized in that, enables the next cartridge to enter the magazine, and timely retracts, so the cartridge (N) can be pushed into the magazine until the end. The lower section (1A) of the device can also be used independently. |
| US09846003B2 |
Charging handle with ambidextrous latch and interchangeable handles
A charging handle is disclosed. The charging handle may include an elongated body having a forward end and a rear end, a handle assembly disposed about the rear end of the elongated body, and a latch assembly disposed about the rear end of the elongated body in mechanical communication with the handle assembly. The charging handle may include an ambidextrous latch and/or interchangeable handles. |
| US09845998B2 |
Thermal energy storage and retrieval systems
A thermal energy storage and retrieval device includes at least one working fluid and a plurality of thermodynamic circuits. Each thermodynamic circuit has a first process exchanging heat with a first material in a first temperature range common for all of the thermodynamic circuits. Each thermodynamic circuit also has a second process exchanging heat with a second material in a second temperature range. The second material comprises a heat storage material or a working fluid in another circuit or another device. Each thermodynamic circuit includes a gas pressure changing device and a liquid pressure changing device. |
| US09845996B2 |
Recovery and re-use of waste energy in industrial facilities
Configurations and related processing schemes of inter-plants and hybrid, intra- and inter-plants' direct or indirect heating systems synthesized for grassroots medium grade crude oil semi-conversion refineries to increase energy efficiency from specific portions of low grade waste heat sources are described. Configurations and related processing schemes of inter-plants and hybrid, intra- and inter-plants' direct or indirect heating systems synthesized for integrated medium grade crude oil semi-conversion refineries and aromatics complex for increasing energy efficiency from specific portions of low grade waste sources are also described. |
| US09845991B2 |
Heat treatment apparatus
Provided is a heat treatment apparatus, which includes: a cylindrical quartz reaction tube having a furnace opening and a bottom flange at a lower portion thereof; a flange holding part configured to hold the bottom flange of the reaction tube; and a lid including a metal lid and a quartz lid supported by the metal lid, the quartz lid being configured to close the furnace opening of the reaction tube. The quartz lid is fixed onto the metal lid by a support ring. The support ring is brought into contact with a bottom surface of the flange holding part so that a gap is defined between the quartz lid and the bottom flange. A sealing member is arranged outward from the gap in a radial direction. |
| US09845990B2 |
Stacking support
A stacking support that has a plurality of sidewalls extending along a longitudinal axis that define an open ended longitudinally extending channel. The sidewalls may define a substantially square cross-sectional shape. Tubes and/or angled corner braces may be positioned at the corners of the substantially square cross-sectional shape. The stacking support may be constructed entirely of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. One or more items may be stacked upon two or more stacking supports. Optionally, the stacking support may be supported by at least one a slider, roller, or caster on a support surface. The stacking support may be coupled to an underside of a platform along with one or more like stacking supports to create a stacking assembly. One or more items may be stacked upon the stacking assembly. |
| US09845988B2 |
Rapid spinning liquid immersion beverage supercooler
Methods, processes, apparatus, kits and systems for chilling and cooling bottled or canned beverages, desserts, and food items to selected desired temperatures by rapidly rotating and counter-rotating the bottled or canned beverages, desserts, and food items that are immersed in cooled liquids in short time spans. |
| US09845987B2 |
Cooling device
The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) comprising more than one cabinet (2, 102, 202) wherein items to be cooled are placed and which are positioned separately, a compressor (5) providing the cooling cycle to be performed, and more than one valve (6, 106, 206) providing the refrigerant pumped from the compressor (5) to be determined, to which cabinet (2, 102, 202) and in which amount it will be directed. |
| US09845983B2 |
Central air-conditioning system and control method thereof
In a central air-conditioning system, regional flow balancing valves for controlling flow of water return branch pipes are arranged on the water return branch pipes, and energy balancing valves are arranged on water return pipes of tail-end fan coils respectively. A control method includes: detecting flow in the water return branch pipes, and adjusting the flow in the return branch pipes to be smaller than or equal to a branch pipe set flow value; and detecting the temperature of return water in the water return pipes of the tail-end fan coils, controlling the temperature of the return water in the water return pipes of the tail-end fan coils to be greater than or equal to a tail-end return water set temperature value, detecting the room temperature and adjusting the opening degree of the energy balancing valves in temperature controllers. |
| US09845977B2 |
Systems and methods for computer room air conditioning
A cooling system includes a condenser and first and second cooling circuits. The condenser is configured to condense refrigerant to a liquid. The first cooling circuit includes a direct expansion valve coupled to the condenser, a first evaporator coil coupled to the direct expansion valve, and a compressor coupled to the first evaporator coil. The first cooling circuit receives at least a first portion of the liquid refrigerant and output first refrigerant vapor, and the compressor receives the first refrigerant vapor and output a compressor refrigerant output to the condenser. The second cooling circuit includes a pump coupled to the condenser, an economizer valve coupled to the pump, and a second evaporator coil coupled to the economizer valve. The second cooling circuit receives at least a second portion of the liquid refrigerant and output a second vapor refrigerant to the condenser. |
| US09845967B2 |
Intelligent air conditioner socket with abnormality alarm
An intelligent with abnormality alarm which may comprise a housing, jacks in the surface of the housing and a conductive component arranged within the housing, wherein the housing is internally provided with a single chip processor as well as a current detection module, a voltage detection module, an outdoor temperature detection module, an indoor temperature detection module, a display module and a power supply module which are electrically connected with the single chip processor respectively. The power supply module is connected with the display module to power it. The socket may be used to carry out a real-time monitoring without making modification to the software and hardware. After applying the air conditioner socket of the present invention, the user may replace the socket of the air conditioner of a corresponding model him or her, i.e., the monitoring of an installed air conditioner may be accomplished with a minimum cost. |
| US09845963B2 |
Economizer having damper modulation
A system having a mixed air box with inputs of return air from a space or spaces of a building, and of outside air. The mixed air box may have an output of discharge air to the space or spaces of the building. The air from the output may be return air that is conditioned with cooling, heat, or outside air. A damper may be situated at the input of outside air to the mixed air box. A temperature sensor may be positioned at the input for outside air and at the output of discharge air. A cooling mechanism may be at the output of the discharge air. The temperature sensor may be downstream from the cooling mechanism. An economizer may have connections with the damper, the temperature sensor and the cooling mechanism. |
| US09845962B2 |
Portable air treatment system
The combination of: a) an apparatus with a main body and an operating assembly on the main body configured to cause fluid from a supply to be processed so as to become entrained in air in a surrounding atmosphere, wherein the main body has an elongate finger having a length and a free end; and b) a container defining a receptacle for a supply of fluid. The container has an entry opening that is dimensioned to allow the elongate finger on the main body to be directed, free end first, through the entry opening to allow a portion of the length of the elongate finger to be immersed in a supply of fluid in the receptacle. Structure cooperates between the apparatus and container to support the main body and container in an operative relationship. |
| US09845961B2 |
Humidifier and method of hydrophilization processing for humidifying material
A humidifier obtains, based on detection values of a first and second temperature and humidity sensors, the amount of humidification, the amount of water evaporated by a humidifying material per preset time, controls the amount of water supplied by a water supply unit per the preset time to be smaller than a specific value when the amount of humidification obtained at the present time is increased compared to the amount of humidification obtained at the previous time, and controls the amount of water supplied by the water supply unit per the preset time to be equal to or greater than the specific value when the amount of humidification obtained at the present time is decreased compared to the amount of humidification obtained at the previous time or when the amount of humidification obtained at the present time is equal to the amount of humidification obtained at the previous time. |
| US09845959B2 |
Ventilation device for ventilation of rooms in buildings
A ventilation device for ventilating rooms, has a first air routing device for routing a first flow of air, the routing device having a first room-side outlet, a first flow space in which at least one first fan capable of bidirectional operation is arranged, and a first outside outlet; a second air routing device for routing a second flow of air, which is fluidically completely separate from the first air routing device and has a second room-side outlet, a second flow space in which at least one second fan capable of bidirectional operation is arranged, and a second outside outlet; an integral gas-solid heat exchanger adapted to route the first flow of air and the second flow of air in a respective set of passageways, in a fluidically separated but thermally coupled manner, wherein the solid in the first and the second air routing device additionally forms a respective regenerator. |
| US09845957B2 |
Pellet stove
A pellet stove includes a hopper for storing pellets, a basket for receiving the pellets by gravity, a duct for conveying combustion air to the basket, and a conduit for conducting heated air away from the basket. The position of the basket is adjustable, such as by raising and lowering it, or by rotating it, so as to control the number of pellets in the area of most intense combustion. One or more burn plates, positioned below the basket, provide platforms on which pellets falling through the basket can burn down to a smaller size. The pellet stove requires no external source of power. The stove so constructed enables quiet, efficient and clean burning of the pellets. |
| US09845953B2 |
Leakage reduction system in power plant operations
The leakage reduction system includes a heat exchanger, a duct arrangement and a separation arrangement. The heat exchanger includes a rotor assembly rotatably mounted along a rotor post. The heat exchanger further includes a second inlet plenum, whereat the duct arrangement is configured. Further, the separation arrangement is incorporated at the duct arrangement dividing thereto into primary and secondary inlets. Through the primary inlet, a flue gas enriched with Oxygen is carried, and through the secondary inlet a recycled flue gas flow is allowed to be carried, keeping the Oxygen enriched recycled flue gas flow substantially away from turnover towards the flue gas flow to avoid turnover towards a flue gas flow, reducing leakage thereof. |
| US09845951B2 |
Grate step module for a thrust combustion grate
A grate step module (1) for a thrust combustion grate for the combustion of refuse in a large-scale plant has a carrier part (2) for the grate steps (3, 4), exactly one fixed grate step (3) and exactly one movable grate step (4) and also a grate step drive. The movable grate step (4) is displaceable back and forth with respect to the fixed grate step (3) by way of the grate step drive. The grate step module (1) is connectable in a row with further grate step modules (1) without a gap and in this way forms the thrust combustion grate. |
| US09845949B2 |
Modular stack light with central connectors
An in-line sound module for a modular stack light system provides electrical and mechanical connectors to allow it to be placed anywhere in the stack. Axial orientation of the audio transducer and a flexible jumpering system allow preservation of central connectors between modules. In-line configuration permits multiple sound modules to be used in a stack light and to be teamed with different beacon modules. In one embodiment the in-line sound module may also include lamps to provide beacon functionality. |
| US09845940B2 |
Lighting device and light panel construction
A lighting device (10) having a base housing (12) to receive one or more batteries therein to power a light source located in a light housing (14). The light housing (14) being pivotally attached to the base housing (12) at pivot points on both sides of the base housing (12), wherein a handle (24) is provided which extends along the axis of rotation (13) between the pivot points. |
| US09845939B2 |
Light emitting device
A light emitting device includes: a plurality of light emitting modules each provided with a circuit board, and first to n-th light source groups disposed on the circuit board, n being an integer greater than two, wherein the first to n-th light source groups each include at least one light emitting diode (LED); a driving module supplying driving power to the plurality of light emitting modules, and determine a number of light source groups operating in each of the plurality of light emitting modules based on a level of the driving power; and a module connection unit connecting first to n-th light source groups provided in one of the plurality of light emitting modules and first to n-th light source groups provided in another light emitting module in parallel in a detachable manner, respectively. |
| US09845937B2 |
Field light control system for LED luminaires
An optical assembly for an LED light system with a LED light source is provided to control a light pattern of a light beam produced by the system, such as for spot or narrow flood light applications. The optical assembly includes a conical reflector with an interior reflective surface, a light diffuser and an optic holder. The light diffuser has an annular disk-shape with a central opening. The optic holder is mounted to a narrow open top of the reflector, and suspends the light diffuser inside of the reflector along an optical axis. The light diffuser is a cost-efficient optical element, which can be used in combination with the reflector to redistribute light in the system in order to soften a peripheral light area surrounding a center beam light area of the light pattern of the light beam, and reduce a harsh edge between the center beam and peripheral light areas. |
| US09845932B2 |
Optical element for a laser vehicle headlight
The invention relates to an optical element (1) for a laser vehicle headlight (2), wherein the laser vehicle headlight (2) comprises at least one laser light source (3) and at least one luminous element (4) which can be irradiated by the laser light source (3) and can thus be excited to emit visible light, wherein the optical element (1) has at least one receptacle for the luminous element (4) and at least one reflection layer (9) which reflects light in the direction of the laser light source (3) is assigned to the optical element (1) at least on a side of the luminous element (4) which faces away from the laser light source (3) in the mounted state. The invention additionally relates to a light source module (16) comprising at least one optical element (1) of this type, and a vehicle headlight (2) comprising at least one optical element (1) of this type or comprising at least one light source module (16) as mentioned initially. |
| US09845931B2 |
Light source unit and vehicle front lamp using the light source unit
A light source unit including: a first light source module; a second light source module; and a light source arrangement portion between the first light source module and the second light source module. The first light source module and the second light source module are staggered in at least one of a front-and-back direction and a left-and-right direction. |
| US09845929B2 |
Sun tracking light distributor system
A sun-tracking light distributor system for use in an open-ended photo-bioreactor having an aqueous liquid for a photosynthetic culture, comprising: at least one light distributor each including a concentrator supporting section with a light entry surface adapted to receive sunlight rays, an elongated rod section with a light distribution surface adapted to redirect the received sunlight rays within the aqueous liquid, a light concentrating element provided at the light entry surface which concentrates within the elongated rod at least a portion of the sunlight rays received at the light entry surface; a displacement system operatively connected to the light distributors and adapted to change an orientation of the light entry surface of the light distributors to track a solar position. |
| US09845927B2 |
Modular LED lighting system
A modular LED lighting system is presently disclosed, the system comprises at least one LED lamp housing configured to house and hold at least one longitudinally extending LED lamp or an array of LEDs. The LED lamp housing comprises two substantially parallel longitudinally extending sidewalls and two substantially parallel end walls, each end wall extends from edges of the sidewalls to form an LED lamp housing with a rectangular lower light opening. Each of the sidewalls are configured to abut with a sidewall of an adjacent LED lamp housing and each of the end walls are configured to abut with an end wall of an adjacent LED lamp housing, in the modular LED lighting system. Each of the at least one LED lamp housings in the modular LED lighting system are configured to adjoin with an adjacent LED lamp housing. |
| US09845926B2 |
Linear LED module
Various aspects of a light emitting apparatus include a substrate having at least one angled portion. Some aspects of the light emitting apparatus include at least one light emitting device arranged on the substrate. Some aspects of the light emitting apparatus include a plurality of conductors arranged on the substrate. In some aspects of the light emitting apparatus, the conductors are electrically coupled to the at least one light emitting device. |
| US09845925B2 |
Tangle-resistant decorative lighting assembly
A tangle-resistant decorative lighting assembly, comprising: a main portion including a plurality of wires and connectors, including first and second connectors and first and second lighted-extension portions extending transversely from the main portion. The first lighted extension portion including: a first connector configured to detachably connect to the first connector of the main portion, a first plurality of wires connected to the first connector, and a first plurality of lamp assemblies connected to the first plurality of wires. The second lighted-extension portion including: a second connector configured to detachably connect to the second connector of the main portion, a second plurality of wires connected to the second connector, and a second plurality of lamp assemblies connected to the second plurality of wires. The first connector of the main portion comprises a lock portion configured to engage with a lock portion of the first connector of the first lighted-extension portion. |
| US09845922B2 |
LED lamp with high color rendering index
An LED lamp with a high color rendering index (CRI) is disclosed. Example embodiments of the invention provide an LED lamp with a relatively high color rendering index (CRI). In some embodiments, the lamp has other advantageous characteristics, such as good angular uniformity. In some embodiments, the LED lamp is sized and shaped as a replacement for a standard incandescent bulb, and includes an LED assembly with at least first and second LEDs operable to emit light of two different colors. In some embodiments, the lamp can emit light with a color rendering index (CRI) of at least 90 without remote wavelength conversion. In some embodiments, the LED lamp conforms some, most, or all of the product requirements for a 60-watt incandescent replacement for the L prize. |
| US09845920B2 |
Defroster for oxygen liquefier
An oxygen liquefier system may be configured to defrost an oxygen line included therein. The system may include one or more sieve beds, a liquid oxygen reservoir, an oxygen line, a controller, a heating apparatus, and/or other components. The one or more sieve beds are configured to extract oxygen from air obtained from an ambient environment. The liquid oxygen reservoir is configured to store oxygen extracted at the one or more sieve beds that has been liquefied. The oxygen line is configured to provide fluid communication between the one or more sieve beds and the liquid oxygen reservoir. The controller is configured to detect a blockage caused by frozen liquid within the oxygen line based on a liquid oxygen production rate. The heating apparatus is configured to defrost the oxygen line to melt frozen liquid within the oxygen line responsive to the detection of the blockage. |
| US09845918B2 |
Gas storage/supply system
A gas storage/supply system includes a gas storage material capable of reversibly absorbing and desorbing a gas, a gas storage tank having the gas storage material sealed therein, a chemical heat storage material capable of making a forward reaction and a reverse reaction with an operation medium, a chemical heat storage tank having the chemical heat storage material sealed therein, a heat exchange mechanism for transferring heat between the gas storage tank and the chemical heat storage tank, and a control mechanism for controlling the gas storage/supply system such that gas absorption heat released upon absorption of the gas to the gas storage material is stored in the chemical heat storage tank and gas desorption heat which is necessary for desorption of the gas from the gas storage material is supplied from the chemical heat storage tank. |
| US09845916B2 |
Station and method for filling gas tanks
Method for filling a tank with pressurized hydrogen via a filling station comprising at least one buffer container and a fluid circuit connected to said at least one buffer container, the circuit of the filling station comprising a first end connected to at least one source of hydrogen gas, the circuit comprising a second end fitted with a transfer pipe intended to be connected removably to the tank that is to be filled, the method involving a step of purifying the hydrogen supplied by the source in a purification member before transferring same to the at least one buffer container, the circuit of the filling station further comprising at least one compression member for compressing the pressurized gas in order to fill the at least one buffer container, the method being characterized in that it comprises a step of transferring heat energy between, on the one hand, the compressed gas of the outlet from the compression member and, on the other hand, the purification member. |
| US09845915B2 |
Collapsible stand attached to a baggage item and a method for its use
A stand attached to a baggage item includes a collapsible shaft having a proximal end attached to the baggage item and a distal end. In some embodiments, the stand includes a support on to which an object may be secured. In some embodiments, the stand includes one or more basal elements. |
| US09845902B2 |
Conduit for improved fluid flow and heat transfer
The present disclosure provides conduits with modified interior surfaces that increase the surface area of the interior surface of the conduit to provide the conduit with improved thermal energy exchange with the wall of the conduit. The modified interior surfaces can also be configured to reduce friction flow on the fluid passing therethrough. |
| US09845896B2 |
Shear valve
A valve including a valve body having an area of weakness along which the valve body is predisposed to break. The valve further includes a closure valve positioned in the valve body, wherein the valve body includes a chamber configured to retain fluid therein to thereby maintain the closure valve in an open position. The valve is configured such when at least part of the valve body is sufficiently displaced or broken along the area of weakness at least part of the fluid in the chamber escapes the chamber, thereby causing or enabling the closure valve to move to a closed position. |
| US09845892B1 |
Multiple action forced fluid evacuation system
A multiple action forced fluid evacuation system includes a reservoir for receiving a working fluid therein, and a shutoff valve provided in the reservoir. An outer rigid conduit and an inner flexible conduit are connected between the shutoff valve and a receiver. A processing module is provided for at least controlling pressurized gas between the outer conduit and the inner conduit, and is operatively connected to the outer conduit and the inner conduit. A nozzle has one end in fluid communication with a source of the working fluid, and an opposite end removably coupled to the receiver. The nozzle normally enables flow of the working fluid through the inner conduit to the reservoir when the nozzle is connected to the receiver until the working fluid in the reservoir activates the shutoff valve causing the nozzle to cease flow of the working fluid leaving a portion of the working fluid trapped in the receiver and the inner conduit. Removal of the nozzle from the receiver activates the processing module and causes the portion of the working fluid trapped in the inner conduit and the receiver to be completely and sequentially evacuated into the reservoir. |
| US09845884B2 |
Brush seal with single-layer mixed-diameter bristle pack
Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a brush seal comprising: a bristle pack that includes: a first plurality of bristles, each of the first plurality of bristles having a first dimension, and a second plurality of bristles, each of the second plurality of bristles having a second dimension that is different from the first dimension, where a ratio of the first dimension to the second dimension has a range of 2:1 to 5:1. |
| US09845882B2 |
Double sealing device
A double sealing device for a rotating shaft comprising a first and a second seal of annular form mounted side by side in a peripheral groove formed in a wall of a circular cylindrical housing through which the shaft to be sealed passes. At least one of a discharge or vent channel opens into the peripheral groove between the two seals. The seals comprise a carrier ring with an outer axial flange and an inner radial flange, and a sealing washer applied to each carrier ring to cover a part of an outer face of the axial flange. A sealing lip bearing is formed slidably on the shaft, the first seal sealing a first fluid medium and the second seal sealing a second fluid medium. The axial flange has an extension forming a pierced structure, not covered by the sealing washer of the seal, and disposed facing the peripheral groove. |
| US09845881B2 |
Shaft seal
A shaft seal in which a seal element a seal element and a gasket as held members are held between an outer case and an inner case, and, a protruding portion to locally increase holding pressure on the seal element is disposed on a pressing face for held member of the inner case. |
| US09845875B2 |
Ring seal with sealing surface extension
A ring seal for sealing opposing flow component sealing surfaces defines a fluid flow path that is suitable for applications such as a semiconductor manufacturing modular gas delivery system. The ring seal includes an annular extension in the form of a modified “delta” extending from one or both sealing surfaces of the ring seal. The modified “delta” extends to an apex or point above the ring seal's sealing surface. First and second extension surfaces extend in opposite directions from the apex back toward the ring seal's sealing surface. In one aspect, the first extension surface defines a ridge where the slope of the first extension surface changes to decline faster to the ring seal's sealing surface. In another aspect, the apex is located within the annular extension closer to the axial hole than to an outer radial diameter of the annular seal body. |
| US09845872B2 |
Gaiter
A gaiter (4) for a lubricated joint (1) comprises a sidewall structure (9) defining an enclosure (5) for receiving a lubricant and a passageway (24) for conveying a gas. In use, the passageway (12) conveys gas in isolation from said enclosure (5). Gaiters (4) in accordance with the invention find application in vehicle central tire inflation systems (CTIS). |
| US09845869B2 |
Vehicle drive apparatus
A mechanical oil pump, an electric oil pump, and a strainer are disposed inside a transmission case. As a suction oil passage that returns an excess hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic control device to the mechanical oil pump, a common oil passage extending from the hydraulic control device, a branch point, a first oil passage extending from the branch point to the mechanical oil pump, and a second oil passage extending from the branch point to the electric oil pump are formed in the transmission case. A meeting point where an inlet oil passage for suctioning oil via the strainer and the first oil passage of the suction oil passage meet is formed inside a pump body of the mechanical oil pump. Accordingly, the suction oil passage of the mechanical oil pump and an inlet oil passage of the electric oil pump have a portion in common. |
| US09845866B2 |
Device and method for selectively operating a motor vehicle in a user-controlled or an automatic driving operation mode
A system for a vehicle operable in a user-controlled driving mode and an automatic driving mode includes a hand-operated control element and a contact sensor configured to detect whether a driver of the vehicle is holding the control element. The system further includes a controller to monitor an alertness of the driver while the vehicle is in the automatic driving mode depending on whether the driver is holding the control element and/or switch operation of the vehicle between the user-controlled driving mode and the automatic driving mode depending on whether the driver is holding the control element. |
| US09845865B2 |
Fixation of planetary bearings
A transmission (101) with at least one planetary carrier (102), at least one ring gear (103), at least one planetary gearwheel (105), at least one planetary bolt (107), one or more planetary bearings (109) and at least one sun gear (111). The planetary bolt (107) is fixed into the planetary carrier (102). The planetary gearwheel (105) is mounted to rotate on the planetary bolt (107) by way of the planetary bearing (109). The planetary gearwheel (105) meshes with the ring gear (103) and/or the sun gear (111). The transmission (101) includes at least one nut (123). The nut (123) screws onto an external thread (121) of the planetary bolt (107). The planetary bearings (109) are axially fixed by the nut (123) and a shoulder (125) of the planetary bolt (107). |
| US09845864B2 |
Planet carrier, output gear and spindle assembly
In accordance with an example embodiment, a transmission subassembly includes a planet carrier body releasably fixed to an output gear body. The planet carrier body and the output gear body are mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis along which joined sections of an input shaft is located, with one shaft section extending axially through a hollow spindle and carrying a sun gear at a location immediately adjacent a threaded end of the spindle, with the sun gear being meshed with planet gears carried by the planet carrier body. A ring nut is screwed onto the threaded spindle end and serves to properly set a pair of tapered roller bearings that support the output gear body for rotation about the spindle together with the carrier body about the rotation axis. Prior to being assembled into the transmission, the subassembly can be rotatably balanced. |
| US09845862B2 |
Axle vent
A vent for a machinery enclosure such as an automotive axle comprises a vent body having passageway between the interior of the enclosure and the exterior of the enclosure and an ePTFE membrane covering the passageway. The membrane and a fibrous sorbent are disposed within the passageway between the interior of the enclosure and the membrane. |
| US09845857B2 |
Combine
Provided is a combine with a speed-change power transmission apparatus including: a hydraulic static continuously variable transmission unit that receives an input of drive force from an engine, and subjects the drive force to speed change; and a planetary power transmission unit that combines the drive force from the engine and an output from the continuously variable transmission unit and outputs a combined drive force to a travelling apparatus, wherein a power transmission case can be made lighter at low cost. In this combine, a continuously variable transmission case portion of a power transmission case, which houses a continuously variable transmission unit, is formed integrally with a planetary power transmission case portion of the power transmission case, which houses a planetary power transmission unit. A partition that separates a continuously variable transmission compartment of the continuously variable transmission case portion and a planetary power transmission compartment of the planetary power transmission case portion from each other is provided within the power transmission case, the continuously variable transmission compartment housing the continuously variable transmission unit, and the planetary power transmission compartment housing the planetary power transmission unit. |
| US09845855B2 |
Torque converter and hydrokinetic torque coupling device having turbine-piston lockup clutch with lockup resistance member
A torque converter includes an impeller, a turbine-piston hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller, and an annular lockup resistance member. The impeller includes an impeller shell. The turbine-piston includes a turbine-piston shell having a turbine-piston flange with a first flange surface facing an engagement surface of the impeller shell and an opposite second flange surface. The turbine-piston is movable axially toward and away from the engagement surface to position the torque converter into and out of a lockup mode in which the turbine-piston flange is mechanically locked to the impeller shell. The annular lockup resistance member is coaxially aligned with the rotational axis, fixedly connected and non-rotatable relative to the turbine-piston flange, and configured to resist axial movement of the turbine-piston flange toward the engagement surface and into lockup with the impeller shell. |
| US09845852B2 |
Motorized positioning apparatus for a seating unit
A motorized positioning apparatus for a seating unit includes a motor assembly that is configured to move a linkage assembly though a series of positions that arrange the seating unit in a closed position, open position, or extended position. The motor assembly attaches directly to a footrest drive link by way of a mounting tube. In addition, the motor assembly may attach either to a base rail of the seating unit or to a rear pivot link by way of a rear mounting tube. |
| US09845850B2 |
Robotic arm and wrist mechanisms
A robot includes a support, a movable member coupled to the support to permit gimbal rotation about a pitch axis and a yaw axis, and first and second linear actuators connected to each of the support and the movable member and operable to rotate the movable member about the pitch axis and the yaw axis. The first linear actuator is pivotally attached to the movable member at a first pivot point. The second linear actuator is pivotally attached to the movable member at a second pivot point. The first and second pivot points are each angularly offset from the pitch axis and the yaw axis by about 45 degrees and are located on the same side of the pitch axis. |
| US09845848B2 |
Friction roller type reduction gear
A friction roller type reduction gear includes a first sun roller so mounted on an input shaft movably in the axial direction of the input shaft, a plurality of first cam grooves formed in the end face of the first sun roller, a cam plate so mounted on the input shaft as is opposed to the first cam groove side of the first sun roller, a plurality of second cam grooves so formed in the cam plate as are opposed to the first cam grooves, rolling elements interposed between the first and second cam grooves, and a cage for holding the rolling elements rollably, while a pitch circle diameter of the position for holding the rolling elements is different from pitch circle diameter of the first and second cam grooves. |
| US09845846B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicle
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include an input shaft for receiving an engine torque, an output shaft for outputting a shifted torque, a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, a third planetary gear set, a fourth planetary gear set, six control elements, a first shaft directly connected with the input shaft, a second shaft selectively connectable with a transmission housing, a third shaft, a fourth shaft, a fifth shaft directly connected with the transmission housing, a sixth shaft selectively connectable with the second shaft, and directly connected with the output shaft, a seventh shaft selectively connectable with the fourth shaft, an eighth shaft selectively connectable with the third shaft and the fourth shaft, and a ninth shaft selectively connectable with the seventh shaft. |
| US09845844B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicles
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle is provided. Ten or more forward speeds and one or more reverse speed are achieved by a planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle including an input shaft, an output shaft, four planetary gear sets respectively, having three rotational elements, and six control elements to selectively interconnect the rotational elements and a transmission housing. |
| US09845840B2 |
Eccentric tool
An adjustment tool is disclosed herein. For example, an adjustment tool is provided comprising an input gear having gear teeth and an output gear having gear teeth, wherein the input gear and the output gear are in meshed engagement, an input shaft centrally coupled to the input gear, wherein the input gear is configured to rotate about the input shaft, and a housing supporting the input shaft for rotation and supporting a fastener, wherein a tooth of the output gear protrudes from the housing. |
| US09845839B2 |
Shock absorber having check disc for orifice passage
A shock absorber for a vehicle includes a pressure tube that defines a fluid chamber and a piston disposed within the fluid chamber. The piston divides the fluid chamber into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber, and defines a compression passage and a rebound passage. A valve disc assembly of the shock absorber engages the piston and controls the flow of fluid between the upper and lower working chambers. The valve disc assembly includes a check disc and an orifice disc. The check disc is disposed between the piston and the orifice disc. The orifice disc defines an orifice, and the check disc prohibits the flow of fluid through the orifice as the fluid flows in a first direction and permits the flow of fluid through the orifice as the fluid flows in a second direction opposite of the first direction. |
| US09845838B2 |
Apparatus for dispersing impact forces
A system for reducing the effect of a force includes a panel having a first side and a second side; a plurality of contact members disposed around a perimeter of the panel first side; and a biasing member positioned around a perimeter of the panel second side. The perimeter of the panel second side generally corresponds to the perimeter of the panel first side. The biasing member biases the contact members toward the panel first side. In a use configuration, a force received by the panel second side is at least partially transferred to the contact members causing at least one of the contact members to temporarily lose contact with the panel first side, whereby the return of the contact member into contact with the panel first side imparts a second force onto the panel first side, the second force being less than the force transferred to the contact members. |
| US09845829B2 |
Radial magnetic bearing and method of manufacture
A radial magnetic bearing having an inner rotor including a central shaft having a ferromagnetic armature mounted on the shaft and an outer stator providing a plurality of electromagnets including poles made of ferromagnetic material which project radially inwardly towards the rotor is provided. As such, air-gaps (e) are left between end faces of the poles and the ferromagnetic armature, and coils wound around the poles. The poles are extended through outer portions attached to a supporting member. Each pole and the corresponding outer portion are included in an angularly segmented module providing a stack of laminations made of ferromagnetic material. The outer portion defines shoulders with respect to the corresponding pole, the outer portion contacting outer portions of neighboring segmented modules and the outer portions of all segmented modules being assembled by clamping rings, wherein the coils located in free spaces around the poles are mounted in a string. |
| US09845828B2 |
Guide mechanism of machine tool and machine tool
A guide mechanism for a machine tool includes a movement member and a guide member in a form of first and second rails the movement member and the guide member relatively movable to each other. A hydrostatic pressure guide mechanism and a sliding guide mechanism are formed between the movement member and the first and second rails. The hydrostatic pressure guide mechanism includes a static pressure chamber, a seal portion sealing a periphery of the static pressure chamber, and a supply passage configured to supply a lubricating oil into the static pressure chamber. |
| US09845826B2 |
Hybrid spherical and thrust bearing
According to one embodiment, a bearing features an elastomeric portion having an opening therethrough, a member disposed within the opening of the elastomeric portion, and a separation feature disposed between the member and the elastomeric portion. The member comprises a conical body portion arranged such that an interior diameter of the conical body portion is smaller than an exterior diameter of the conical body portion. The separation feature prevents contact between the member and the elastomeric portion. |
| US09845823B1 |
Restricted swing angle socket assembly
The socket assembly includes a housing with an inner bore which extends between open first and second ends. A ball stud is partially disposed within the inner bore of the housing and includes shank, ball and protrusion portions with the shank portion extending out of the housing through the first end. A first bearing is disposed in the inner bore and includes a passage. The protrusion portion of the ball stud extends into the passage, and the passage is shaped to cooperate with the protrusion portion to allow the ball stud to rotate relative to said housing in one rotational direction by a greater magnitude than in another rotational direction. A cover plate closes the second open end of the housing, and a spring is disposed between the cover plate and the first bearing and biases the first bearing into contact with the ball portion of the ball stud. |
| US09845819B2 |
Method and screw for mounting fiber cement planks
A screw and method for the mounting of boards/planks, in particular fiber cement planks, on a support of wood. The screw comprises milling wings and a first thread between the milling wings and the tip, and a second, larger thread with smaller pitch between the milling wings and the screw head. |
| US09845818B2 |
Coupling device and lamp apparatus having the same
A coupling device includes a plurality of frames, each of which includes a base wall, and two spaced-apart side walls that cooperate with the base wall to define an accommodation space. The frames are arranged such that the accommodation spaces of the frames communicate with each other. At least one coupling unit is disposed in the accommodation spaces of two adjacent ones of the frames and applies a force to the side walls of the two adjacent ones of the frames so as to couple together the two adjacent ones of the frames. |
| US09845815B2 |
Apparatus for creating a swirling flow of fluid
An apparatus for creating a swirling flow of fluid comprises a transmission base (1) with an internal cavity (2) to receive the fluid flow from outside via a side hole (3) which will become a hole side edge (4) to control the flow through of the fluid into the transmission base in a laminar swirling flow in the internal cavity of the transmission base. A part of the hole side edge may have an elevated insert supporting shoulder (10) to support the overlay attachment of another transmission base to stack them higher. |
| US09845809B2 |
Sealing joint for a compressor casing
A sealing joint for a compressor casing, such as a compressor casing for a centrifugal compressor of a chiller, is provided. The sealing joint may be configured to have a first cover and a second cover. A first mating surface of the first cover may have an inner annular portion surrounding an inner cavity of the sealing joint, and an outer annular portion. The inner annular portion may be positioned between the inner cavity of the compressor casing and the outer annular portion. A sealant may be applied to the sealing joint, and a depth of the sealant on the inner annular portion may be deeper than a depth of the sealant on the outer annular portion. The depth of the sealant on the inner annular portion may help the sealing joint tolerate more elongation range without a sealant failure than a regular casing. |
| US09845807B2 |
Compressor control device, compressor system and compressor control method
Provided is a compressor control device configured to control a flow rate of a compressor having a plurality of impellers connected to an outlet port-side flow path in parallel and a flow rate regulation unit configured to regulate a flow rate of each of the impellers, the compressor control device including a pressure detection unit configured to detect a pressure of the outlet port-side flow path, a flow rate detection unit configured to detect the flow rate of each of the impellers, and a control unit configured to output a flow rate regulation command of each of the impellers to the flow rate regulation unit and control the flow rate regulation unit based on the detection result of the pressure detection unit. |
| US09845803B2 |
Screw pump
The invention relates to a screw pump having two screws, in which screw pump each screw has a first thread and a second thread. The threads extend in each case from a suction side to a delivery side. The threads are in engagement with one another, with the result that the threads are divided into a plurality of working chambers, the volume of which decreases from the suction side to the delivery side. According to the invention, the threads have two thread turns. Moreover, the invention relates to a screw for a pump of this type. On account of the uniform distribution of mass of the two-turn threads, the pump can be operated at a high rotational speed, with the result that the throughput of the pump is increased. |
| US09845802B2 |
Intake charged pump for delivering a liquid
An intake charged pump for pumping liquid and which has an intake duct that extends to the suction area of the pump. The pump has a duct through which a jet stream flows to the suction area. A nozzle arrangement in the intake duct accelerates the liquid which is returned via the jet stream and supports the suction of a suction stream of the liquid from a storage container. A nozzle of the nozzle arrangement leads into the mixing chamber at an acute angle in a such way that the jet stream, leaving the nozzle, creates a common mixing stream with the suction stream from the storage container, and through which partial streams having essentially the same pressure and energy content, can be delivered to the front and back suction pockets of the double chamber pump. |
| US09845801B1 |
Header ring for reciprocating pump
A new header ring useful in downhole packing sets automatically cleans the cylinder plunger wall during use and forms an improved seal having long duration. The new header ring has a ring shaped body. The body includes a side wall defining an open top, an open bottom, and an inner wall portion with an inner wall surface for contacting a plunger. The inner wall portion includes an outwardly extending annular undercut, which defines an overhang and radius that helps wipe clean the plunger wall and form a better seal. The body also has an outer wall portion with an outer wall surface for contacting a stuffing box wall. The outer wall has a flat upper portion, a flat lower portion, and an outwardly sloped annular middle portion connecting the top and lower portions. The outer wall also has an inwardly extending annular ledge formed in its bottom. The inner wall portion is formed from a high wear resistance elastomer, and the outer wall portion is formed from a nonabrasive elastomer. |
| US09845798B2 |
Suspension for hermetic reciprocating compressor for mobile applications and method of assembly of the suspension for hermetic reciprocating compressor for mobile application
The present invention relates to a suspension disposed between a compression unit and the hermetic housing of hermetic reciprocating compressors for mobile application, such as, for example, application in automotive vehicles and similar, and to the method of assembly of the components that constitute the referred suspension. According to the present invention, it is disclosed a suspension for hermetic reciprocating compressor for mobile application capable of reducing the effects of an eventual and involuntary sudden movement of the compression unit and also of minimizing the transfer of vibrations and noises deriving from the environment outside the hermetic housing to the compression unit. |
| US09845796B2 |
Nanomolecular solid state electrodynamic thruster
An apparatus that is capable of propelling a gas includes a first layer and a second layer arranged in a stack, mechanism for heating and/or cooling the first layer and the second layer to form a hot layer and a cold layer, and a through hole in the stack. A surface of both the hot layer and the cold layer is exposed in an interior of the through hole. The mechanism for heating and/or cooling the first and second layers controls the hot layer to be hotter than an ambient temperature of the gas, and the cold layer to be colder than the ambient temperature of the gas. |
| US09845794B2 |
Hydraulically actuated diaphragm pumps
A diaphragm pump may comprise a housing defining a first pumping chamber, a second pumping chamber, and a hydraulic fluid chamber, a first flexible diaphragm separating the first pumping chamber from the hydraulic fluid chamber, a second flexible diaphragm separating the second pumping chamber from the hydraulic fluid chamber, a rod mechanically linking the first flexible diaphragm and the second flexible diaphragm such that an expansion of one of the first and second flexible diaphragms exerts a contraction force on the other of the first and second flexible diaphragms, and a piston disposed within the hydraulic fluid chamber and configured to reciprocate to cause a hydraulic fluid contained within the hydraulic fluid chamber to alternately exert an expansion force on the first and second flexible diaphragms. |
| US09845792B2 |
Wind turbine system
The present invention is an improved arrangement for a wind turbine system wherein the power generator unit is independently installed at ground level to minimize the vertical compressive load imposed on the poles. The wind turbine system is powered by an integrated hydraulic power unit comprising a hydraulic pump driving a hydraulic motor operationally coupled to the power generator at ground level. A lighter weight hydraulic pump replacing the old system generator is operationally coupled to the wind turbine rotor blades disposed atop the pole. An umbilical hose supplies high pressurized fluid from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor thereby causing the power generator to rotate. |
| US09845791B2 |
Method and means for establishing access to the main parts in the nacelle on a wind turbine
A method for establishing access for mounting and dismounting of main shafts, gearbox, generator and other main parts located in the nacelle of a wind turbine, where the cabriolet remains localized on the nacelle, and guide transfer mechanisms are provided for mounting inside the nacelle. The basic idea is that the cabriolet is lifted upon rolls or roll sets which form the guide transfer mechanisms upward facing support surfaces, and that the cabriolet is stabilized by displaceable counter holds which are displaced and locked in position above the downwards positioned mounting flange, upon which the cabriolet can be displaced on the rollers or roll sets to a partly cantilevered position over the rear end of the nacelle. By the method, service on larger wind turbines can be performed without using mobile cranes, which saves resources. |
| US09845788B2 |
Wind farm having a plurality of network feed-in points
A wind farm comprises a plurality of wind turbines connected to a network internal to the wind farm, a network feed-in point in the network internal to the wind farm for feeding electrical power into a supply network, a control device associated with the network feed-in point designed to control the wind turbines feeding power into the supply network by the network feed-in point on the basis of measured values recorded at the network feed-in point, and at least one additional network feed-in point having an additional control device designed to control the wind turbines feeding power into the supply network by the additional network feed-in point on the basis of measured values recorded at the additional network feed-in point, wherein the network internal to the wind farm is designed to variably connect at least one wind turbine to one of the plurality of network feed-in points. |
| US09845786B2 |
Spar cap for a wind turbine rotor blade
The present disclosure is directed to spar caps for wind turbine rotor blades and methods of manufacturing same. The spar cap includes a plurality of plies having varying lengths that are arranged in a tapered configuration. Further, the tapered configuration includes at least an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is configured for attachment to at least one of a pressure side or a suction side of the rotor blade. Further, one or more plies of the upper and lower portions tapers towards an intermediate ply configured between the upper and lower portions of the spar cap. In addition, the intermediate ply has a length that is shorter than the plies in the upper and lower portions. |
| US09845784B2 |
Motorcycle
A motorcycle including a protection cover for a throttle body that is less likely to contribute to an increase in the vehicle weight to thus improve the attachability thereof. A motorcycle includes a throttle body provided with a throttle valve for controlling a flow rate of intake air into an internal combustion engine and an air cleaner for supplying air to the throttle body. The throttle body is arranged at a rear of the air cleaner with an intake port of the internal combustion engine being arranged at a rear of the throttle body. The air cleaner includes a throttle body protecting section for covering at least a lower surface of the throttle body. |
| US09845781B2 |
Engine accessory drive system
An engine accessory drive (EAD) system for an engine includes a motor-generator (MGU) unit operably coupled to an accessory. The EAD system also includes a gearbox assembly, which includes a first gear train operably coupled to the MGU, and a second gear train operably coupled to an output of the engine. The gearbox assembly also includes a clutch selectively coupling the first gear train with a second gear train. The EAD system further includes a starter assembly, which includes a starter shaft operably coupled to the second gear train. The starter assembly also includes a starter pinion coupled to the starter shaft, and an actuator configured to selectively engage the starter pinion with a flywheel of the engine. Further yet, the EAD system includes an EAD controller configured to selectively operate the EAD system in one of a generator mode, an accessory drive mode, and a starter mode. |
| US09845779B2 |
Coated high pressure gasoline injector seat to reduce particle emissions
A fuel injector has a seat and at least one seat passage. The seat includes an outer tip surface through which the seat passage extends. A non-thermally conducting coating is provided on at least a portion of the outer tip surface and not on surfaces defining the seat passage. The coating is constructed and arranged to be heated by combustion gases so that the outer tip surface reaches a temperature greater than a temperature that the outer tip surface would reach if the coating was not provided so as to cause evaporation of fuel that contacts the outer tip surface, The seat passage is constructed and arranged to not be substantially heated by conduction from the outer tip surface and to be cooled by fuel passing there-through so as to prevent deposits of combustion from accumulating on surfaces defining the seat passage. |
| US09845777B2 |
Configurable output driver ASIC
A fuel system includes an electronic control module (ECM), at least one injector coupled to the ECM, and a configurable output driver circuit coupled to the at least one injector. The configurable output driver circuit includes a channel that enables adaptation of ECM outputs. The configurable output driver circuit is configurable based on a value stored in a register circuit. |
| US09845763B2 |
Method for controlling an internal combustion engine
A fuel injection strategy and ignition timing for a spark-ignition direct fuel injection engine are selected in response to monitored engine load in relation to a plurality of load regions. This includes selecting a preferred ignition timing based upon the engine load, and selecting a first fuel injection event that is executed post-ignition, wherein the first fuel injection event delivers a set fuel mass at a preset timing relative to the preferred timing for the spark ignition event regardless of the engine load. A first pre-ignition fuel injection event is selected, and includes a second fuel mass being injected at a second fuel injection timing, wherein an end-of-injection timing of the first pre-ignition fuel injection event is at a preset timing relative to the preferred ignition timing regardless of the engine load, and wherein the second fuel mass is determined in relation to the engine load. |
| US09845759B2 |
System and method for inducing a fuel system fault
A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a fault command module, a fuel control module, and a fault detection module. The fault command module selectively generates a command to induce a fuel system fault based on a user input. The fuel control module automatically adjusts a fuel correction factor to a target value outside of a first predetermined range in response to the command to induce a fuel system fault. The fuel control module actuates a fuel injector associated with a cylinder of an engine based on the fuel correction factor. The fault detection module detects a fuel system fault when the fuel correction factor is outside of the first predetermined range. |
| US09845757B2 |
Controller for diesel engine
A controller for a diesel engine has a fuel injector which injects a fuel into a cylinder. The controller has a middle-combustion time computing portion which computes a middle-combustion time period that has elapsed from the fuel is injected until a half of the fuel has combusted, based on a detection value of a cylinder pressure sensor. Further, the controller has a fuel component computing portion which computes a ratio of a carbon quantity relative to a hydrogen quantity contained in the fuel based on the middle-combustion time period. |
| US09845748B2 |
Internal combustion engine
The invention reduces exhaust emission by quickly supplying CO2 into a cylinder, and restraining a delay in EGR, when an EGR request occurs. An engine 10 includes an upstream EGR passage 34, a middle EGR passage 36, a downstream EGR passage 38, a bypass passage 40, an EGR valve 42, a changeover valve 44, an EGR cooler 46, a CO2 adsorbent 48. When an EGR request does not occur, the ECU 70 keeps a temperature of the CO2 adsorbent 48 in a release temperature region by the heater 50, and opens the EGR valve 42 by a valve opening set time period t so that a gas in the middle EGR passage 36 is replaced with CO2 released from the CO2 adsorbent. When an EGR request occurs, CO2 accumulated in the middle EGR passage 36 can be quickly supplied into a cylinder, without releasing CO2 from the CO2 adsorbent 48. |
| US09845747B2 |
Internal combustion engine having dedicated EGR cylinder(s) with split fuel injection timing
A method of controlling fuel injection to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine, the engine having exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) from at least one dedicated EGR (D-EGR) cylinder, with the other cylinders being main cylinders. The D-EGR cylinder is run at a richer equivalence ratio than the main cylinders, with the goal of providing increased H2 and CO in the recirculated exhaust. The rich limit of the D-EGR cylinder is maximized by dividing the fuel injection into multiple fuel injection events, with each fuel injection event occurring during the intake valve lift period of the engine cycle. |
| US09845745B2 |
EVAP system with valve to improve canister purging
Systems and methods are provided for an evaporative emissions control system. In one example, a system for an engine may comprise a fuel vapor canister, a mixing valve positioned in a fresh air line upstream of the vapor canister, and an actuator physically coupled to the mixing valve for adjusting a position of the mixing valve to increase turbulence in air entering the vapor canister. The position of the mixing valve may be adjusted to increase an amount of turbulence in air entering the fuel vapor canister. |
| US09845743B2 |
Controlling an internal combustion engine operated on gaseous fuel
A method for controlling an internal combustion engine operating on at least partly gaseous fuel is disclosed. The method may include providing a desired burn rate profile corresponding to a desired operation of the internal combustion engine. The method may further include selecting first operating parameters such that an operation of the internal combustion engine with a first gas composition produces a first burn rate profile that corresponds to the desired burn rate profile. The method may also include operating the internal combustion engine with the first operating parameters using a second gas composition. The method may include determining that the second burn rate profile differs from the desired burn rate profile. In addition, the method may include adjusting an operating parameter from among the first operating parameters of the internal combustion engine to approach the desired burn rate profile. |
| US09845741B2 |
Abnormality detection device for engine control device and abnormality detection method for engine control device
An abnormality detection device is mounted on an engine control device that calculates a target load factor by using a target torque, converts the target load factor to a target throttle opening, calculates a target ignition timing by using a target efficiency, and controls an engine based on the target throttle opening and the target ignition timing. In the abnormality detection device, a target efficiency for monitoring is calculated by using the target ignition timing, a target torque for monitoring is calculated by using the target efficiency for monitoring and the target load factor, a torque deviation between the target torque for monitoring and the target torque is calculated, and the presence or absence of an abnormality is detected by using the torque deviation. |
| US09845740B2 |
Throttle body fuel injection system with improved fuel distribution and idle air control
A throttle body fuel injection system and method that is arranged to easily replace four-barrel carburetors includes a throttle body assembly with four main bores, each with a throttle plate and an associated fuel injector. Each injector feeds fuel into a circular fuel distribution ring via a fuel injection conduit, which introduces pressurized fuel into the air stream. The fuel distribution rings and bores have profiles that avoid constrictions for to prevent low pressure zones according to the Venturi effect. The throttle body includes an idle air control circuit having a port opening into main intake bores downstream of the point of fuel distribution into the air stream, thereby reducing the tendency for a lean fuel mixture at idle. An ECU “feed forward” algorithm controls fuel injection as a function of the position of the idle air control valve. |
| US09845737B2 |
Engine system
An engine system includes main exhaust ports fluidly communicating with each combustion chamber. An exhaust variable valve lift apparatus controls an operation of a main exhaust valve which closes or opens each main exhaust port. A main exhaust manifold is connected with the main exhaust ports. Scavenge exhaust ports fluidly communicate with each combustion chamber. A variable scavenge apparatus controls an operation of a scavenge valve which closes and opens each scavenge exhaust port. A scavenge manifold is connected with the scavenge exhaust ports. A controller is configured to control operations of the exhaust variable valve lift apparatus and the variable scavenge apparatus according to a vehicle operation state. |
| US09845732B2 |
Systems and methods for variation of injectors for coherence reduction in combustion system
A system includes a gas turbine engine having a first combustor and a second combustor. The first combustor includes a first fuel conduit having a first plurality of injectors. The first plurality of injectors are disposed in a first configuration within the first combustor along a first fuel path, and the first plurality of injectors are configured to route a fuel to a first combustion chamber. The system further includes a second combustor having a second fuel conduit having a second plurality of injectors. The second plurality of injectors are disposed in a second configuration within the second combustor along a second fuel path, and the second plurality of injectors are configured to route the fuel to a second combustion chamber. The second configuration has at least one difference relative to the first configuration. |
| US09845730B2 |
Device and method for gas turbine unlocking
An aeroderivative gas turbine including an air intake plenum; a compressor with a compressor air intake in fluid communication with the air intake plenum; a combustor; a high pressure turbine; a power turbine. A forced air-stream generator is arranged in fluid communication with the air intake plenum. A shutter arrangement is provided in a combustion-air flow path, arranged and controlled to close the combustion-air flow path for pressurizing said air intake plenum by means of the forced air-stream generator to a pressure sufficient to cause pressurized air to flow through the aeroderivative air turbine. |
| US09845729B2 |
Method of manufacturing recuperator air cells
A method of manufacturing a recuperator segment uses metal tubes deformed into air cells in a waved configuration. The air cells are stacked one to another to form a double skinned recuperator segment providing cold air passages through the respective air cells and hot gas passages through spaces between adjacent air cells. |
| US09845728B2 |
Forming a nacelle inlet for a turbine engine propulsion system
Methods are provided forming a metallic nacelle inlet structure for a turbine engine aircraft propulsion system with an axis. The nacelle inlet structure includes an inlet lip portion and an outer barrel portion. One of the method may include steps of: forming the inlet lip portion; forming the outer barrel portion; arranging the inlet lip portion axially adjacent the outer barrel portion; and friction stir welding the inlet lip portion to the outer barrel portion to provide a circumferentially extending weld joint between the inlet lip portion and the outer barrel portion. |
| US09845727B2 |
Tip turbine engine composite tailcone
A non-metallic tailcone (202) in a tip turbine engine includes a tapered wall structure disposed (208) about a central axis. The non-metallic tailcone is fastened to a structural frame (44) in the aft portion of the tip turbine engine. The tip turbine engine produces a first temperature gas stream from a first output source and a second temperature gas stream from a second output source. The second temperature gas stream is a lower temperature than the first temperature gas stream. The second temperature gas stream is discharged at an inner diameter of the tip turbine engine over an outer surface of the tailcone. Discharging the cooler second temperature gas stream at the inner diameter allows a non-metallic to be used to form the tailcone. |
| US09845722B2 |
Engine system for emissions compliance
An engine system is disclosed. The engine system may have an engine having an accessory end and a drive end opposite the accessory end. The engine system may also have a turbocharger arrangement located adjacent the accessory end. The turbocharger arrangement may be configured to receive exhaust from the engine and to deliver compressed air to the air cooling arrangement. Further, the engine system may have an air cooling arrangement located adjacent the accessory end and configured to deliver fresh air to the engine. In addition, the engine system may have a mixing duct extending from the accessory end to the drive end and configured to receive the exhaust from the turbocharger arrangement. The engine system may also have an after-treatment system located adjacent the drive end. The after-treatment system may be configured to receive the exhaust from the mixing duct and to discharge the exhaust to an ambient. |
| US09845720B2 |
Micro shear hub dual ring isolator
The present disclosure relates to an isolator assembly for supporting an exhaust component from a structural portion of a vehicle. The isolator assembly has a mounting bracket having a pair of spaced apart rings defining a mounting bore. An elastomer shear hub component is disposed within the mounting bracket and has an outer diameter (OD) shear hub extending between the pair of spaced apart rings, and an inner diameter (ID) shear hub disposed within the OD shear hub. The ID shear hub defines a central mounting bore adapted to receive an external hanger component. |
| US09845718B2 |
Exhaust emission control apparatus for on-board internal combustion engine, and method for exhaust emission control apparatus
A controller calculates a period travel distance that is a travel distance of the vehicle from when the available travel distance is calculated to when the available travel distance is calculated next. The controller, when the remaining amount of urea aqueous solution inside a tank exceeds a predetermined amount, executes a first calculation process in which the available travel distance is calculated with reference to the remaining amount of the urea aqueous solution. The controller, after the remaining amount of the urea aqueous solution becomes smaller than or equal to a predetermined amount, executes a second calculation process in which the available travel distance is calculated by subtracting the period travel distance from the previously calculated available travel distance. |
| US09845716B2 |
Techniques for control of an SCR aftertreatment system
A selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst is disposed in an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine. A reductant injector is coupled to the exhaust gas stream at a position upstream of the SCR catalyst, and first and second NOx sensors provide NOx measurements upstream of and downstream of the SCR catalyst, respectively. A system and method is disclosed for operating the system to determine a NOx amount and/or a NH3 slip amount downstream of the SCR catalyst by decoupling NOx-NH3 measurements from the output of the second NOx sensor to provide control of the reductant injection amount. |
| US09845712B2 |
Three-step sliding variable cam
A cam system for operating a first engine valve and a second engine valve includes translatable first and a second sliding lobe packs. The first sliding lobe pack operates the first engine valve with one of a high lift lobe, a low lift lobe, and a zero lift lobe. The second sliding lobe operates the second engine valve with one of a high lift lobe or one of two low lift lobes. A shift barrel has a first groove configured to translate the first and a second sliding lobe packs in a first direction, and a second groove configured to translate the first and a second sliding lobe packs in a second direction, opposite the first. A shift actuator has a first pin, a second pin, and a third pin, each selectively actuatable to engage the first groove or the second groove. |
| US09845711B2 |
Waste heat recovery system
A waste heat recovery system includes a Rankine cycle (RC) circuit having a pump, a boiler, an energy converter, and a condenser fluidly coupled via conduits in that order, to provide additional work. The additional work is fed to an input of a gearbox assembly including a capacity for oil by mechanically coupling to the energy converter to a gear assembly. An interface is positioned between the RC circuit and the gearbox assembly to partially restrict movement of oil present in the gear assembly into the RC circuit and partially restrict movement of working fluid present in the RC circuit into the gear assembly. An oil return line is fluidly connected to at least one of the conduits fluidly coupling the RC components to one another and is operable to return to the gear assembly oil that has moved across the interface from the gear assembly to the RC circuit. |
| US09845708B2 |
Cowl with rate limited lock
A core cowl for use with an engine core of a gas turbine engine includes a first cowl section for covering a first side of an engine core and a second cowl section for covering a second side of the engine core. A locking retractor connects the first cowl section to a support structure. |
| US09845703B2 |
Turbine component surface treatment processes and systems
A turbine component surface treatment process includes passing a UV-curable maskant through one or more fluid flow passages, wherein at least a portion of the UV-curable maskant exits the one or more fluid flow passages at an exterior surface of the turbine component, applying a UV light to the exterior surface of the turbine component, wherein the UV light cures at least a portion of the UV-curable maskant exiting the one or more fluid flow passages, and, treating the exterior surface with a treatment material, wherein the portion of the UV-curable maskant cured by the UV light substantially blocks the treatment material from entering the one or more fluid flow passages. |
| US09845696B2 |
Turbine shroud sealing architecture
A shroud sealing arrangement for a gas turbine engine, which comprises a static shroud assembly mounted to an engine case and having a platform surrounding a rotatable airfoil array. The platform has an inner side and an outer side and extends from a leading edge to a trailing edge. A shroud support structure mounts the shroud platform to the case. A circumferential groove is defined on the outer side of the shroud platform proximal to one of the leading edge and the trailing edge. A sealing ring is set in the groove and adapted to seal cooling air from escaping directly to the gas path. |
| US09845690B1 |
System and method for sealing flow path components with front-loaded seal
This disclosure provides systems and methods for sealing flow path components, such as turbomachine airfoils, with a front-leaded seal. A seal channel is defined between a portion of the suction side surface of a first flow path component and a portion of the pressure side of a second flow path component. A seal is retained within the seal channel formed by the pressure side portion and the suction side portion and the seal channel defines a forward opening through which the seal is inserted during installation. |
| US09845687B2 |
Gas turbine engine component having platform cooling channel
A component for a gas turbine engine includes a platform having an outer surface and an inner surface. A cover plate can be positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the platform. The outer surface of the platform can include a pocket and the cover plate is positioned relative to the pocket to establish a platform cooling channel therebetween. |
| US09845684B2 |
Airfoil with stepped spanwise thickness distribution
An airfoil in a gas turbine engine includes opposed pressure and suction sides joined together at chordally opposite leading and trailing edges. The pressure and suction sides extend spanwise from a root to a tip of the airfoil. The airfoil has a spanwise distribution of maximum thicknesses of chordwise cross-sections of the airfoil. The spanwise distribution of maximum thicknesses decreases from the root to the tip. In one aspect, the spanwise distribution is stepped between a first portion extending from the root and a second portion extending to the tip. |
| US09845682B2 |
Fan disc
A fan disc is provided for supporting fan blades of a gas turbine engine. The fan disc has a disc body having axially extending slots for receiving, in use, dovetail root fixings of a circumferential row of fan blades. The fan disc further has an annular drive arm which extends radially inwardly from a forward portion of the disc body to a connector for engaging, in use, with a corresponding connector portion of a drive shaft of the engine. The fan disc further has a hoop stiffening ring which is removably mounted to a rear portion of the disc body, the stiffening ring being axially spaced from the drive arm to increase the torsional stiffness of the fan disc. |
| US09845672B2 |
In-situ ultrasonic measuring system for natural gas flux at the hydrocarbon seeps at the seafloor
An in-situ and on-line acoustic measuring system for natural gas flux at the hydrocarbon seeps at a seafloor includes a seepage tent and a flow measuring channel. The flow measuring channel includes a lower bubble breaking channel, an ultrasonic transducer measuring channel and an upper bubble breaking channel. The lower bubble breaking channel communicates with the seepage tent provided with bubble breaking grids. Lower and upper bubble breaking devices, arranged in a bubble rising direction, are respectively mounted in the lower and upper bubble breaking channels. One side of the ultrasonic transducer measuring channel is fixedly connected with an acoustic wave demultiplexer, and the other side is fixedly connected with flat receiving transducers receiving transmitting acoustic waves generated by an acoustic wave branching unit. Acoustic wave probes, also used for receiving the transmitting acoustic waves generated by the acoustic wave demultiplexer, are arranged in the ultrasonic transducer measuring channel. |
| US09845669B2 |
Hydrocarbon recovery with multi-function agent
For hydrocarbon recovery from a reservoir of bituminous sands, steam and a multi-function agent are injected into the reservoir for mobilizing bitumen in the reservoir to form a fluid comprising hydrocarbons, water and the multi-function agent. The fluid is produced from the reservoir. The multi-function agent may comprise an organic molecule that reduces viscosity of oil and the interfacial tension between oil and water or a gas or rock in the reservoir, and has a partition coefficient favoring solubility in oil over water and a partial pressure in the reservoir allowing the organic molecule to be transported with steam as a vapor. The multi-function agent may comprise a solvent for reducing viscosity of oil and a surfactant for reducing interfacial tension, where both the solvent and surfactant are transportable with steam as vapor. |
| US09845668B2 |
Side-well injection and gravity thermal recovery processes
Methods and systems relate to recovering hydrocarbons with an injection well placed at a bottom of a reservoir some horizontal distance from a producer, such that the injection well and producer may both be in a common horizontal plane. For some embodiments, the process includes co-injection of steam with a non-condensable gas, such as methane, ethane, propane, carbon dioxide, combustion products and combinations thereof. The non-condensable gas provides additional solution gas drive while the location of the injection well beside, instead of above, the producer increases production time before a steam chamber reaches a top of the reservoir, increasing thermal and recovery efficiency of the process. |
| US09845665B2 |
Liner drilling using retrievable directional bottom-hole assembly
In one embodiment, there is provided a system for liner drilling in a wellbore that includes a drill bit, a mud motor, a reamer, a drill pipe work string including an expandable liner hanger running tool, and a thruster coupled to an expandable liner hanger and liner. A release pin may be provided in the expandable liner hanger running tool that can be sheared to de-couple the expandable liner hanger from the expandable liner hanger running tool allowing the drill pipe work string to be removed from the borehole while the liner remains in place. A latch coupling is also provided for coupling the expandable liner hanger running tool to the expandable liner hanger when the drill pipe work string is tripped back into the borehole so the liner drilling can be performed using the thruster until the thruster is at full stroke. |
| US09845662B2 |
Downhole actuator
A downhole actuator typically for a downhole tool such as a valve, and typically for incorporation in a string of tubulars in an oil or gas well has a central axis with radially movable counterweights on opposite sides of the axis, which move radially outward to change the activation state of the actuator. The counterweights are supported by link arms which control the movement of the counterweights in response to centrifugal force created by rotation of the body, for example, during rotary drilling operations of the string. Radial outward movement of the counterweights typically transmits axial forces between sleeves at the upper and lower ends of the counterweights, so when the counterweights move radially outward, the upper and lower sleeves approach one another, which typically triggers the actuator. |
| US09845655B2 |
System and method for testing an insert packer assembly
A method for testing an insert packer assembly positioned within a diverter assembly includes inserting a test tool through an opening of the insert packer assembly and into a bore of the diverter assembly. The method includes driving multiple annular flexible components of the insert packer assembly radially inward to contact an outer annular surface of the test tool to form a sealed space between the multiple annular flexible components and the outer annular surface of the test tool. The method also includes applying a fluid to the sealed space to increase a pressure within the sealed space and monitoring the pressure within the sealed space over a period of time to determine a condition of the insert packer assembly. |
| US09845654B2 |
Subsea support
A subsea support system comprises: at least one component (501) which is configured to be fixedly connected to a pressure conductor (101) in a seabed; and a subsea support (601) which is configured to compliantly support the at least one component (501); wherein, when the at least one component (501) is fixedly connected to the pressure conductor (101), substantially all of a mechanical load (T) which is applied to the subsea support (601) is transmitted by the subsea support (601) to the seabed while the at least one component (501) is substantially free of the mechanical load and remains fixed relative to the pressure conductor (101). |
| US09845653B2 |
Fluid supply to sealed tubulars
A Drill-To-The-Limit (DTTL) drilling method variant to Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) applies constant surface backpressure, whether the mud is circulating (choke valve open) or not (choke valve closed). Because of the constant application of surface backpressure, the DTTL method can use lighter mud weight that still has the cutting carrying ability to keep the borehole clean. The DTTL method identifies the weakest component of the pressure containment system, such as the fracture pressure of the formation or the casing shoe leak off test (LOT). With a higher pressure rated RCD, such as 5,000 psi (34,474 kPa) dynamic or working pressure and 10,000 psi (68,948 kPa) static pressure, the limitation will generally be the fracture pressure of the formation or the LOT. In the DTTL method, since surface backpressure is constantly applied, the pore pressure limitation of the conventional drilling window can be disregarded in developing the fluid and drilling programs. |
| US09845652B2 |
Reduced mechanical energy well control systems and methods of use
There is provided systems, methods and apparatus for the use of directed energy, including high power laser energy, in conjunction with mechanical shearing, sealing and closing devices to provide reduced mechanical energy well control systems and techniques. |
| US09845649B2 |
Drilling system and method of operating a drilling system
A diverter for diverting a fluid from a riser in a drilling system. The diverter includes a diverter support housing comprising a suspension structure configured so that the diverter support housing is suspendable from a drilling rig, and a main passage arranged to extend from an uppermost end of the diverter support housing to a lowermost end of the diverter support housing. The main passage is configured to have a drill string extend therethrough. A diverter housing is arranged in the main passage. An annular packer element is mounted within the diverter housing. An actuator is mounted within the diverter housing. The actuator is configured to force the annular packer element into a sealing engagement with the drill string. A seal locking mechanism is configured to retain a tubular sealing element in the diverter housing adjacent to the annular packer element. |
| US09845648B2 |
Drill bits with variable flow bore and methods relating thereto
A drill bit is disclosed for drilling a borehole. In an embodiment, the bit includes a bit body having a central axis, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a radially outer surface. The bit body includes a flow passage extending axially from the first end, and a cutting structure disposed at the second end. In addition, the bit includes an actuating member disposed within the flow passage. The actuating member includes a throughbore, a radially outer surface, and a fluid flow port extending radially from the throughbore to the radially outer surface of the actuating member. The actuating member is configured to move axially relative to the bit body between a first position restricting fluid communication between the throughbore and the borehole through the fluid flow port and a second position allowing fluid communication between the throughbore and the borehole through the fluid flow port. |
| US09845644B2 |
Riser floatation with anti-vibration strakes
A method of manufacturing marine riser buoyancy elements includes providing a master mold and mold inserts such that a range of buoyancy elements may be manufactured from one master mold and providing the mold inserts such that an annular space between the riser main conduit and the buoyancy elements, or a groove width between the buoyancy elements may be varied during manufacture. |
| US09845642B2 |
Cutting elements having non-planar cutting faces with selectively leached regions, earth-boring tools including such cutting elements, and related methods
A cutting element may include a substrate and a volume of polycrystalline diamond material affixed to the substrate at an interface. The volume of polycrystalline diamond may include a front cutting face with at least one substantially planar portion and at least one recess. The at least one recess may extend from a plane defined by the at least one substantially planar portion a first depth into the volume of polycrystalline diamond material in an axial direction parallel to a central axis of the cutting element. The volume of polycrystalline diamond material may comprise a region including a catalyst material. At least one region substantially free of the catalyst material may extend from the at least one substantially planar portion of the front cutting face a second depth into the volume of polycrystalline diamond in the axial direction. Methods of forming cutting elements. |
| US09845635B2 |
Window frame system for vacuum insulated glass unit
A window assembly may include a vacuum insulated glass unit and a frame assembly. The vacuum insulated glass unit may include first and second glass substrates defining a space therebetween that is at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. One of the first and second glass substrates may include a vacuum port extending outward therefrom. The vacuum port may define a passage in communication with the space. The frame assembly supports the glass unit and may include a base member and a glazing member. The base member and the glazing member cooperate to define a slot in which an edge portion of the glass unit is received. The glazing member may include a cavity receiving the vacuum port. |
| US09845631B2 |
Drive arrangement for motor-operated adjustment of a closure element in a motor vehicle
Disclosed herein is a drive arrangement for motor-operated adjustment of a closure element in a motor vehicle having at least one drive with a drive motor, and a drive controller. The closure element can be driven in the motor-operated adjustment mode by the drive motor in the closing direction and in the opening direction between a closed and an open position. The drive is non-self-locking and has a sensor, in particular a Hall sensor, for sensing the drive movement. The drive controller monitors the sensor signals for a fault state, and when a fault state is sensed initiates an emergency braking and/or stop mode. The drive arrangement comprises two drives each with a sensor for determining the respective drive movement. To detect drive-fault-induced slamming shut of the closure element, the drive controller correlates the sensor signals of the two sensors, in particular compares said sensor signals. |
| US09845630B2 |
Power-door opening and closing device and automobile provided with opening and closing device
A power door opening device comprises a casing; a motor mounted to the casing; a planetary gear unit housed in the casing to reduce rotation speed of the motor; and an output mechanism that transmits reduced rotation from the planetary gear unit to a door to open and close the door. The planetary gear unit comprises a sun gear that rotates with a rotary shaft of the motor; a planetary carrier fixed in the casing; a planetary gear that is rotatably supported to the planetary carrier and meshes with the sun gear; and a ring gear that is rotatably supported in the casing and meshes with the planetary gear. Both ends of the sun gear are supported. |
| US09845626B2 |
Removable window sash system with integrated spring biased retainer
A spacer that attaches to a window sash in order to create an improved window construction. The window construction has a window frame with side tracks. A window sash is set within the side tracks of the window frame. Gap spaces exist between the window sash and the side tracks. To prevent cocking, spacers are provided. The spacers attached to the sides of the window sash inside the tracks where the spacer is not visible. Each spacer has a base, a spring arm that extends from the base, and a contact head that is supported by the spring arm. The base is mounted to the window sash within a gap space. The spring arm extends into the gap space and biases the contact head toward the side track. The contact head also presents a physical barrier to lateral movement. This inhibits the sash from cocking within the window frame. |
| US09845624B2 |
Lock for a motor vehicle door
The invention relates to a lock for a motor vehicle door with: a locking mechanism; an actuating lever assembly which acts upon the locking mechanism; and a drive unit for at least one lever of the actuating lever assembly. The drive unit comprises at least one motor and a bolt which is acted upon by the motor and is provided with a recess for at least one output shaft of the motor. |
| US09845623B1 |
Touch control of vehicle door locks
A vehicle includes a vehicle door including a vehicle door handle that moves a door latch assembly between a latched configuration and an unlatched configuration. A door lock apparatus is operatively connected to the door latch assembly. An electric motor moves the door lock apparatus between a locked configuration to disallow operation of the door latch assembly using the vehicle door handle and an unlocked configuration that allows operation of the door latch assembly using the vehicle door handle. A door lock control system includes a door lock control zone that is provided on the vehicle door handle. The door lock control zone includes a touch sensor that provides a control signal to an ECU based on an operator touch. The ECU operates the electric motor based on the control signal. |
| US09845616B2 |
Lockset
A lockset comprises an upper shell and a bottom plate which are fixedly connected to each other. An accommodating space is formed between the upper shell and the bottom plate. A jack is provided on the surface of the upper shell. A locking mechanism is provided within the accommodating space. The locking mechanism comprises a locking hook fitted with the jack and a control device for controlling the locking hook to move. The locking hook comprises a hook portion accessible to the underneath of the jack and a connection portion controlled by the control device. When a code is correct, the hook portion may move toward one side of the jack; and, when the code is wrong, the connection portion is limited by the control device, and the hook portion is limited underneath the jack. |
| US09845614B2 |
Awning mounting rack, the awning and an awning top of the awning mounting rack
An awning mounting rack includes four stand columns; a first folding bracket is disposed between two adjacent stand columns; each stand column has a top holder. The top holder includes a first pole, a second pole and a support pole. The four stand columns include two first stand columns and two second stand columns; the other ends of the second poles connected to the first stand columns are pivot joined to the first top set, the non-end portions of the second poles connected to the first stand columns are respectively pivot joined to a first support rod, the ends of the first support rods are pivot joined to a first bottom set; the other end of the second poles connected to the second stand column are pivot joined to a second top set, the non-end portions of the second poles are pivot joined to a second support rod. |
| US09845607B2 |
Cover assembly for a spa
A lift assembly for a spa cover includes a lifting arm having a first end pivotally connectable to the spa cover and a second end pivotally connectable to a base of a spa, the connection of the second end of the lifting arm with the spa housing defining a pivot point, and a lift-assist device having a first end configured for coupling to the base at a point substantially directly below the pivot point and a second end operatively connectable to the lifting arm. The lift-assist device is configured to exert a generally upwards biasing force on the cover when the cover is received atop said spa. |
| US09845596B2 |
Ceiling system
A ceiling system includes a ceiling support structure supporting a plurality of ceiling panels, each ceiling panel including a core layer having a top surface facing a first interior space above the ceiling panels, a bottom surface facing a second interior space below the ceiling panels, and a plurality of peripheral edges extending between the top and bottom surfaces. A top frame layer extends from the top surface and a thermal layer is on the top frame layer opposite the top surface. The thermal layer has a first surface facing away from the top frame layer and a second surface facing toward the top frame layer. The top frame layer supports the second surface in a spaced-apart manner from the top surface to form one or more air gaps between the top surface and the second surface. The first and second surfaces have a thermal emissivity of 0.5 or less. |
| US09845595B2 |
Structural modular building connector
A connector assembly, having an upper connector coupled to a lower connector and a gusset plate sandwiched between the upper and lower connectors. Also, disclosed is a hoistable connector assembly, a lifting frame assembly, a coupling system for modular frame units, a method for assembling a module unit using the connector assembly, and a modular frame unit and building having the connector assembly. |
| US09845593B2 |
Modular toilet system and components
A modular toilet is disclosed comprising a toilet shell and a hydraulic core. The hydraulic core module is a separate unit from the toilet shell module and may be non-symmetrical with the internal and external form of the shell. The core module comprises a toilet bowl connected to a siphon drain comprising a weir. The drain may be a vertical loop drain. The toilet shell and the hydraulic core may comprise mutual sealing surfaces. The drain may comprise openings for connection to a toilet ventilation system. |
| US09845585B2 |
Ground anchoring support apparatus
A ground anchoring support apparatus for securing and supporting an object to the ground which may comprise a tensioning element which may include a lead with a tensioning fastener coupled to a first end of the lead and a ground anchor coupled to a second end of the lead. The tensioning fastener may also be coupled to the object. The apparatus may also comprise a ground support element which may include a base and a cavity, and in which a portion of the object may be received within the cavity. The ground anchor may be inserted into the ground and the first end of the lead may be tensioned against the second end of the lead by tensioning the tensioning fastener. In this manner, the ground anchor and tensioning fastener may be drawn or tensioned together to secure the object to the ground support element and also to the ground. |
| US09845584B1 |
Barrier panel connecting clip and method
An apparatus and method for endwise connecting subterranean barrier members is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least two barrier members with each barrier member extending between top and bottom edges. Further, each barrier member has a side first edge having a flange defining a first connector and an opposed second side edge having a channel defining a second connector. The channel is sized and shaped to receive the flange of an adjacent barrier member in slidable interconnection therein. The apparatus further include a first side panel shaped to lie against a first side of the barrier members, a second side panel shaped to lie against a second side of the barrier members and a bridging plate located between the first and second panel members so as to bridge a gap therebetween, wherein the gap has a width corresponding to a width of the first and second barrier members. The associated method is directed toward creating the apparatus. |
| US09845583B1 |
Geotextile tube
A geotextile tube includes a bag unit, an extending unit, a main stitch seam, and two auxiliary stitch seams. The bag unit includes a tubular wall and an end wall cooperatively defining a filling space. The extending unit includes two extending parts respectively extending from opposite lateral sides of the end wall and each defining a buffering space. The main stitch seam extends from one of the extending parts to the other one of the extending parts for sealing the filling space. The auxiliary stitch seams intersect the main stitch seam, and are respectively disposed at the lateral sides of the end wall such that the end wall is substantially flat. Each auxiliary stitch seam separates an adjacent buffering space from the filling space. |
| US09845582B1 |
Convertible plow system for a vehicle
A convertible snow plow system attachable to frame of a light duty truck, SUV or other suitable vehicle. The blade portion of the plow system is movable between deployed and retracted positions. In the retracted position the blade is positioned in front of the radiator and headlights of the vehicle functioning as a brush guard. To permit air to pass through the plow blade to the radiator, the blade comprises a plurality of movable louvers that can be opened when the plow is in the retracted position. |
| US09845581B2 |
Plow for use with automobiles and other vehicles
A personal use plow for pushing, but not limited to, snow and slush from one's driveway by most passenger automobiles and/or ATVs that is attached using a unique strapping and cog bracing system. The plow is made of injected molded structural foam plastic and comes in five (5) separate panels that can be easily assembled into a solid plow blade. This material is lightweight and allows for easy transportation, storage and use. When assembled, the plow can be used either in the front or back of the vehicle. The plow attaches to the vehicle by a special hook, designed as part of this patent, which attaches to the hood, trunk or luggage rack of the vehicle. All parts for the functionality of the plow are contained on the plow itself, so there are no brackets or hitches required to be attached to the bumpers of the vehicle. |
| US09845576B2 |
Hybrid crane mat utilizing various longitudinal members
A crane mat having first and second side beams or boards; a core structure made of pine or other softwoods, eucalyptus, solid plastic or elastomeric members, or hollow thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic or elastomeric members that optionally include a filler or internal reinforcing structure; external components including an upper and/or lower layers of one or more elongated members to protect the core structure, and a plurality of joining members that attach the outer side members to the core structure. Another crane mat can be made of just the solid plastic or elastomeric members, or hollow thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic or elastomeric members that each include a plurality of spaced lateral apertures passing therethrough; and joining members that include a rod that passes through the aligned lateral apertures to hold the members together in the mat. These crane mats may also include lifting elements of the types described herein. |
| US09845575B2 |
Fibrillated blend of lyocell low DP pulp
A fibrillated blend of lyocell and cellulosic pulp having a degree of polymerization of 200 to 1000 as measured by ASTM Test 1795-96, a method of making the blend and materials which incorporate the blend. |
| US09845574B2 |
Method of marking a paper web for controlling a manufacturing line used to convert the paper web into paper products by reading marks on the paper web
A paper web and a method of marking a paper web. The paper web includes a surface having a plurality of sections. At least one section of the plurality of sections has a plurality of positions. The plurality of positions each have an equal length and are obtained by subdividing the at least one section. The paper web also includes ink applied to the surface of the paper web at some of the plurality of positions. The method includes applying a first mark and a second mark to a paper web. The first mark has a start position and is coded to convey an identifier for the paper web. The second mark includes a start position and is coded to indicate a position on the paper web. The start position of the second mark is a predetermined distance after the start position of the first mark. |
| US09845570B2 |
Method for manufacturing a dye scavenging substrate
A method for manufacturing a dye scavenging substrate which comprises the steps of: (a) providing an absorbent substrate; (b) passing the substrate through a bath containing an alkaline solution of a dye scavenging compound selected from: (i) a N-trisubstituted ammonium-2-hydroxy-3-halopropyl compound having the general formula (I), or (ii) a salt of epoxy propyl ammonium having the general formula (II), or a combination thereof; (c) subjecting the substrate to a pressure of from about 0.04 MPa to about 0.40 MPa; (d) wrapping the substrate in a water impermeable material and rotating the substrate for a period of from about 12 hours to about 60 hours; (e) removing the water impermeable material and passing the substrate through a bath containing an acid solution; (f) subjecting the substrate to a pressure of from about 0.15 MPa to about 0.40 MPa; and (g) drying the substrate. |