| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09858379B2 |
Mask data generation system, mask data generation method, and recording medium
According to one embodiment, in a mask data generation system, a first acquisition part is configured to acquire pattern contour data included in each of a plurality of layout candidate data for a first layer. A second acquisition part is configured to acquire pattern contour data included in layout data for a second layer. A superimposing part is configured to superimpose the contour data acquired by the first acquisition part and the contour data acquired by the second acquisition part with each other, for each of the plurality of layout candidate data. An area calculation part is configured to calculate an overlap area between a first pattern in the contour data acquired by the first acquisition part and a second pattern in the contour data acquired by the second acquisition part, based on the superimposed data, for each of the plurality of layout candidate data. |
| US09858376B2 |
Tool and method for refining a circuit including parametric analog elements
A method is provided for designing and implementing a circuit comprising an integrated circuit (IC) including a number of analog and digital circuit elements for which operating parameters can be set. In one embodiment the method includes entering in a circuit design tool embodied in a computer readable medium on a server specified requirements for a circuit, the specified requirements including physical properties to be sensed by the circuit. The circuit is automatically modeled by the circuit design tool based on the specified requirements and resources available on the IC, the modeling including translating the specified requirements into parameter settings of the number of the analog and digital circuit elements. The circuit is then built, the building including setting parameters of at least one of the analog and digital circuit elements of the IC using the circuit design tool based on the modeling of the circuit. |
| US09858373B2 |
In-cycle resource sharing for high-level synthesis of microprocessors
A graph is constructed, having a plurality of nodes representing a plurality of logical operations and a plurality of edges connecting those of the plurality of nodes which do not conflict. A weight, including a width difference between end nodes of each of the edges, is assigned to each edge. Weighted cliques are enumerated, each including at least two of the nodes. Each of the weighted cliques is replaced with a single one of the logical operations and a multiplexer, to obtain a plurality of multiplexer-operation groups, such that each logical operation in one of the multiplexer-operation groups can be shared within a same clock cycle of a digital electronic integrated circuit. |
| US09858372B1 |
Methods, systems, and computer program product for verifying an electronic design
Disclosed are techniques for implementing formal verification of an electronic design. These techniques identify a target property for verification in a hierarchical electronic design that has a plurality of hierarchies and perform hierarchical synthesis on a hierarchy or a portion thereof in the plurality of hierarchies while black-boxing a remaining portion of the hierarchical electronic design. Cone of influence (COI) data that is relevant to the target property may be determined at least by extracting the cone of influence data from a hierarchically synthesized hierarchy or portion of the hierarchy or the portion thereof. At least the cone of influence data may be forwarded to a formal engine that uses the cone of influence data to verify the target property. |
| US09858368B2 |
Integrating manufacturing feedback into integrated circuit structure design
Solutions for integrating manufacturing feedback into an integrated circuit design are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method is disclosed including: defining an acceptable yield requirement for a first integrated circuit product; obtaining manufacturing data about the first integrated circuit product; performing a regression analysis on data representing paths in the first integrated circuit product to define a plurality of parameter settings based upon the acceptable yield requirement and the manufacturing data; determining a projection corner associated with the parameter settings for satisfying the acceptable yield requirement; and modifying a design of a second integrated circuit product based upon the projection corner and the plurality of parameter settings. |
| US09858364B2 |
Computing device and method for processing point clouds
A computing device and a method processes a point cloud of an object. The computing device constructs a curved surface according to the point cloud and triangulates the curved surface using a plurality of triangles. The computing device simulates each marked adjacent point and neighborhood points to a predetermined surface using a predetermined algorithm. The computing device projects each marked adjacent point onto a predetermined surface to obtain a projected point according to the type of the marked adjacent point. |
| US09858362B2 |
Method of LED freeform surface illumination system
A design method of LED freeform surface illumination system is provided. A light emitting angle of a LED point light source is divided into three regions. Each region can form a rectangular light spot on a light receiving surface. A mapping relationship of each region on the receiving surface is obtained. A light redistribution design for the LED point light source is performed and a system of first order partial differential equations of a freeform surface is achieved. A system of first order quasi linear differential equations of the freeform surface is obtained. A plurality of freeform surface data is obtained by solving the system of first order quasi linear differential equations. The freeform surface is obtained by surface fitting the plurality of freeform surface data. |
| US09858357B2 |
Non-intrusive, semantics-driven impact analysis for business applications
Impact analysis for business applications can include receiving an event for a business application system, wherein the event specifies a change to an artifact of the business application system, and determining a node of a directed graph to which the event applies as a source node. The directed graph represents the business application system. The directed graph is formed by a plurality of nodes joined by links, wherein each node represents an artifact of the business application system and each link specifies semantic data indicating a dependency between the nodes joined by the link. Impact analysis further includes determining, using a processor, artifact assessment data for a first node connected to the source node through a first link, wherein the artifact assessment data includes a type of an effect of the event upon the first node and a context for the effect. |
| US09858355B1 |
Search engine optimization based upon most popular search history
The present invention provides a method and system for search engine optimization based upon most popular search histories. The method includes a server receiving a search query from a user for a website, and corresponding search result data from the website. A determination is made whether a number of times the search query has been received by the website in a given time period exceeds a given popularity threshold value. The server stores the search query and corresponding search result data to a static html page when the popularity threshold is exceeded, then generates and stores a site map corresponding to the website to include the static html page. |
| US09858353B2 |
Browser bookmarking for multiple environments
Input is received to store information to access content displayed within a browser as a bookmark. A bookmark properties form is generated to include fields in which environments are identified as corresponding to the bookmark. Input is received that includes a first URL corresponding to the label of a first bookmark within a first environment. The bookmark is stored by including in the properties form, a label of the bookmark, the first environment corresponding to the bookmark, and the first URL corresponding to the first environment. A second URL is received that corresponds to the label of the first bookmark, but within a second environment, and includes the second environment in the properties form as corresponding to the label of the bookmark, and includes the second URL in the properties form as corresponding to the second environment, wherein the first URL differs from the second URL. |
| US09858351B2 |
File transmission method, file transmission apparatus and file transmission system
A file transmission method, a file transmission apparatus, and a file transmission system are provided. The method is adapted for a first electronic apparatus to perform a file transmission operation with a second electronic apparatus. The method includes following steps: capturing a target image including a selection region displayed by the second electronic apparatus, wherein the selection region is displayed by the second electronic apparatus in response to a selection operation performed on at least one item displayed by the second electronic apparatus; identifying an encoded pattern located within the selection region in the target image, and decoding the encoded pattern to obtain connection information of the item; and transmitting at least one file with the second electronic apparatus according to the connection information. |
| US09858346B2 |
Apparatus, systems and methods for content playlist based on user location
An exemplary geographic playlist system includes a plurality of mobile devices with global positioning systems that provide geographic location information of the mobile device to a geographic location playlist device. The geographic location playlist device has a database of geographic playlist information that includes at least a unique identifier for each one of a plurality of media content events and at least one associated geographic location for each of the plurality of media content events. The geographic location playlist device determines a current geographic location of the mobile device, compares the geographic location of the mobile device with the geographic locations residing in the database, and generates user geographic playlist information that includes the identifier of media content events that has an associated geographic location that matches with the determined geographic location of the mobile device. A geographic playlist is then presented to the user of the mobile device. |
| US09858334B2 |
Distributed database management system
A distributed database management system provides a central database resident on a server that contains database objects. Objects, e.g., program guide data, to be replicated are gathered together into distribution packages called “slices,” that are transmitted to client devices. A slice is a subset of the central database which is relevant to clients within a specific domain, such as a geographic region, or under the footprint of a satellite transmitter. The viewer selects television programs and Web content from displayed sections of the program guide data which are recorded to a storage device. The program guide data are used to determine when to start and end recordings. Client devices periodically connect to the server using a phone line and upload information of interest which is combined with information uploaded from other client devices for statistical, operational, or viewing models. |
| US09858331B2 |
Efficient structured data exploration with a combination of bivariate metric and centrality measures
According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for exploring a structured data set is provided. The method may include receiving a plurality of bivariate pairs and an input bivariate pair, wherein the plurality of bivariate pairs and the input bivariate pair are based on the structured data set. The method may include constructing a graph having a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges based on the received plurality of bivariate pairs and input bivariate pair. The method may include constructing an adjacency matrix based on the constructed graph. The method may include calculating a centrality for each node based on the constructed matrix. The method may include constructing an orthogonal list based on the plurality of bivariate pairs and the input bivariate pair. The method may include ordering the orthogonal list based on the calculated centrality of each node within the plurality of nodes. |
| US09858330B2 |
Content categorization system
Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide a system for categorizing electronically stored information without the need for user input, direction, or guidance. In an implementation, the system determines meanings of input textual data items and groups of textual data items, identifies equivalent meanings between textual data items and between groups of textual data items, and outputs user-selected information that is categorized, indexed, and searchable. |
| US09858329B2 |
Combined activities history on a device
A method includes performing a first activity with content associated with a first content type selected from the group consisting of television programming, online content, on-device application, search queries, information views, and other content types described using a predefined format, wherein the predefined format includes an action specification and a content specification; logging the first activity in accordance with the predefined format; performing a second activity with content associated with a second content type selected from the group consisting of television programming, online content, on-device applications, search queries, information view's, and other content types described using the predefined format, the second content type being distinct from the first content type; and logging the second activity in accordance with the predefined format. |
| US09858326B2 |
Distributed data warehouse
Methods and data structures are provided for allowing data mining with improved efficiency. During processing of a usage log (or multiple logs) for an activity, such as a usage logfile of network search activity, a common fact table is generated. The common fact table allows a plurality of auxiliary data structures to be formed from the common fact table. These auxiliary data structures are designed to allow users to submit queries against the contents of the data structure in order to investigate the data. The efficiency of access of the common fact table is improved by allowing users to access auxiliary data structures other than the auxiliary data structures that are associated with a user. Optionally, the common fact table and/or the auxiliary data structures can include dimension values that correspond to both pre-identified dimension values as well as dimension values that are identified during processing of the activity logfiles. |
| US09858323B2 |
Intermediate data format for database population
An approach is provided that receives input from multiple data sources and transforms it into a common, intermediate format, where only one generic parser is required for the purpose of transformation into RDF, and the subsequent input to a triplestore database. A triplestore management tool provides this capability. The triplestore management tool includes a formatting component configured to receive data sources from a plurality of data source parsers, and transform each of the data sources into a single format. A parsing component parses each transformed data source at a common parser, and loads each of the transformed data sources from the common parser to a triplestore database. |
| US09858314B2 |
System and method for refining search results
A method, apparatus and article of manufacture for refining search results is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of accepting a search query comprising one or more keywords, generating a first search result comprising one or more first search result members according to the search query, accepting a refinement command identifying one or more undesired first search result members, automatically refining the first search result to exclude the undesired first search result members and first search result members related to the undesired first search result members from the first search result, and providing the automatically refined search result. |
| US09858311B2 |
Heteroscedastic data compression using ARIMA-GARCH model estimation
Methods and apparatus are provided for compression and decompression of heteroscedastic data, such as seismic data, using Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA)-Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH) model estimation. Heteroscedastic data is compressed by obtaining the heteroscedastic data; applying the heteroscedastic data to an ARIMA-GARCH model; determining residuals between the obtained heteroscedastic data and the ARIMA-GARCH model; and compressing parameters of the ARIMA-GARCH model and the residuals using entropy encoding, such as an arithmetic encoding, to generate compressed residual data. Parameters of the ARIMA-GARCH model are adapted to fit the obtained heteroscedastic data. The compressed residual data is decompressed by performing an entropy decoding and obtaining the parameters of the ARIMA-GARCH model and the residuals. The ARIMA-GARCH model predicts heteroscedastic data values and then the decompressed residuals are added. |
| US09858309B2 |
Managing write accesses during database upgrade procedure
As part of an upgrade procedure transitioning from a source system to a target system, table entries used by both the source system and the target system can be selectively locked on a row-by-row basis using a lock table and one or more select triggers. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described. |
| US09858305B2 |
Restoring database consistency integrity
Techniques for restoring point-in-time and transaction consistency across consistency groups between a first and a second independent database management system (DBMS) for a disaster recovery. Several consistency groups (CGs) are defined for replication. For each CG in the first DBMS data changes are transmitted to a second DBMS. A timestamp representing a most recently received commit log record or a heartbeat during periods of inactivity for a CG is stored in a database table at regular intervals. At regular intervals, the timestamp is compared with timestamps for other CGs to identify a common time at which data to be applied to the CGs in the second DBMS have been received into a recoverable data store. The received data is applied to the CGs in the second DBMS up to the common time. |
| US09858303B2 |
In-memory latch-free index structure
In an approach for supporting queries for hash-based data structures, a processor creates an ordered set of seeds, wherein the ordered set of seeds are a subset of values in a key domain. A processor links each hashed key of a plurality of hashed keys to at least another hashed key of the plurality of hashed keys using the ordered set of seeds, wherein the ordered set of seeds allows retrieval access to data located in the hash-based data structure. |
| US09858301B1 |
Selective flushing of a database journal for an asymmetrically-encrypted database
In one embodiment, entries in a database journal in a non-interactive mode can be partially flushed to maintain database performance. In particular, data records that require decryption prior to flushing a database journal entry can be bypassed in non-interactive mode, while data records that need not be decrypted can be flushed. For example, entries that relate to a creation or deletion of a data record can be performed, while entries relating to modification of an existing record can be bypassed and processed during an interactive mode of operation. Other embodiments also include a transformation of the database journal using a filter so that multiple entries to a same record can be combined. |
| US09858300B2 |
Hash based de-duplication in a storage system
A method for de-duplication, the method may include receiving a request to store in a storage system a received data entity; obtaining a received data entity signature that is responsive to the received data entity; selecting a selected data structure out of a set of data structures that comprises K data structures; wherein K is a positive integer; wherein for each value of a variable k that ranges between 2 and K, a stored data entity signature that is stored in a k'th data structure out of the set collided with stored data entity signatures that are stored in each one of a first till (k−1)'th data structures of the set; calculating an index by applying, on the received data entity signature, a hash function that is associated with the selected data structure; determining whether an entry that is associated with the index and belongs to the selected data structure is empty; writing to the entry, if the entry is empty, the received data entity signature, and storing the received data entity in the storage system in response to a location of the entry in the set; selecting, if (a) the entry is not empty and (b) the received data entity signature differs from a stored data entity signature that is stored in the entry, a new data structure of the set, and repeating at least the stages of calculating and determining. |
| US09858299B2 |
System and method for generating a JSON schema from a JSON stream
In accordance with an embodiment, described herein is a JSON schema generator that parses a JSON stream, determines a data type of each record of the JSON stream, and selects a corresponding record schema generation logic component based on the determined data type to build a record schema for that record. In building a record schema, each element in a record and each sub-element in one or more nested layers of the record can be examined, to determine their data types. A corresponding parser can be selected for each element and sub-element based on a determined data type to generate a schema node. The generated schema nodes can be joined together to create a record schema for the record. Each record schema can be dynamically merged together to create a schema for the JSON stream. |
| US09858296B2 |
Representative image selection for image management using face recognition
A technique for selecting a representative image from a group of digital images includes extracting data representing an image of a face of a person from each image in the group using a face recognition algorithm, determining a score for each image based on one or more quality parameters that are satisfied for the respective image, and selecting the image having the highest score as the representative image for the group. The quality parameters may be based on any quantifiable characteristics of the data. Each of these quality parameters may be uniquely weighted, so as to define the relative importance of one parameter with respect to another. The score for determining the representative image of the group may be obtained by adding together the weights corresponding to each quality parameter that is satisfied for a given image. Once selected, the representative image may be displayed in a graphical user interface. |
| US09858295B2 |
Ranking and selecting images for display from a set of images
Implementations generally relate to ranking and selecting images for display from a set of images. In some implementations, a computer-implemented method includes providing selected images for display, including examining characteristics of a plurality of images, where the examined characteristics include two or more of: visual capture characteristics, visual content characteristics, and social popularity characteristics of the images. The method determines individual scores for the respective examined characteristics of the images, determines overall scores of the images based on a combination of the individual scores for the examined characteristics of the images, and determines a ranking of the images based on the overall scores. The method selects one or more images based on the ranking of the images, and causes a display of the one or more selected images. |
| US09858293B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
The feature amount of each pixel of an image is received. If the frequency value of the feature amount is registered in the second memory accessible at higher speed than the first memory which stores frequency values of respective feature amounts, the frequency value in the second memory is increased. If the frequency value is not registered, the frequency value is read out from the first memory into the second memory, and increased. With this processing, a histogram of the feature amounts of the respective pixels of the image is generated. The bins of the histogram are rearranged so that bins with high frequency values are close to each other in the histogram. |
| US09858292B1 |
Systems and methods for semantic icon encoding in data visualizations
A method of semantic icon encoding for a data visualization includes identifying a set of field values for a field in a data structure. The field has an associated field name and each field value corresponds to a record in the data structure. The field values are words in a natural language. The method queries a database of images using a plurality of queries. Each respective query comprises a respective set of base terms that include a respective field value and the field name. The method receives images from the database for each of the queries and selects an image from the received images for each of the field values. The method displays data from the data structure in a data visualization. Each respective record is displayed using the corresponding respective selected image, which is displayed at a location in the data visualization according to data in the respective record. |
| US09858291B1 |
Detection of related local entities
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for processing local entities. In one aspect a method includes accessing data specifying query terms for each local entity in a set of local entities, and for each query term a term value based on a number of instances of queries that include the query term occurring in a query log, and a selection value based on a number of selections of search results that each reference the local entity in response to a query that includes the query term and attributed to the query term; selecting a first local entity from the set of local entities; selecting a subset of second local entities from the set of local entities; and for each second local entity in the subset, determining a measure of similarity of the second local entity to the first local entity. |
| US09858286B2 |
Deduplicating input backup data with data of a synthetic backup previously constructed by a deduplication storage system
Input backup data is deduplicated with data of a synthetic backup previously constructed by a deduplication storage system. A synthetic backup is constructed by processing metadata instructions provided by a backup application. Deduplication digests are calculated based on the data of the synthetic backup and the deduplication digests are stored in a digests index. When new backup data is processed, deduplication digests of the new data are calculated and searched in the digests index. Matching digests of previously constructed synthetic backups are located in the digests index. Each of the located matching digest references stored data are included in the synthetic backup, and the stored data is similar to the input backup data. Data matches are found in the input backup data and data in the synthetic backup. |
| US09858283B2 |
Method for en passant workload shift detection
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer program products for detecting shifts in types of workloads handled by a relational database management system. Embodiments of the present invention can afford relational database administrators with the ability to leverage information pertinent to the current type of workload being handled by the relational database management system. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention provide relational database administrators with information in regard to system workload states and workload transitions. |
| US09858282B2 |
Information searching apparatus, information managing apparatus, information searching method, information managing method, and computer product
A computer-readable recording medium stores therein an information searching program that causes a computer having access to archives including a compressed file group of compressed files that are to be searched and that have described therein character strings, to execute: sorting the compressed files in descending order of access frequency of the compressed files; combining the compressed files in descending order of access frequency after the sorting at the sorting such that a storage capacity of a cache area for a storage area that stores therein the compressed file group is not exceeded by a combined size of the compressed files combined; and writing, from the storage area into the cache area, the compressed files combined at the combining, the compressed files combined being written prior to a search of the compressed files combined. |
| US09858281B2 |
Information processing system, recording medium, and index management method
An information processing system including: a plurality of second information processing apparatuses connected to a first information processing apparatus via a network; and a management apparatus. The plurality of second information processing apparatuses dispersedly manage indexes established for searches using data and metadata of the data. The management apparatus includes a processor configured to monitor a search request transmitted from the first information processing apparatus, and to specify, on the basis of a monitoring result by the processor, a combination of types of the metadata, for which the processor should cause a same second information processing apparatus to manage the indexes, and the same second information processing apparatus and cause the specified same second information processing apparatus to manage the indexes of the type of the metadata of the specified combination. |
| US09858276B2 |
Media sequencing method to provide location-relevant entertainment
Systems, methods, and computer-program products are described for determining current location information which includes determining whether an object is moving by comparing the current location information with previous location information. Future location information is calculated and a point of interest is filtered using the future location information. A media asset is then matched to the filtered point of interest and a current score is determined for the matched media asset. Determining a current score includes determining a window in which the matched media asset is geographically relevant to the future location information, and updating the matched media asset score when the future location information changes. An ordered playlist is dynamically generated according to the future location information by repeatedly prioritizing and sequencing matched media assets according to the current score for each matched media asset, and matched media assets are played or displayed in the ordered playlist. |
| US09858275B1 |
Scoring stream items in real time
A system and method for generating a real-time stream of content from heterogeneous data sources and a real-time index. The heterogeneous data sources include search, entertainment, social activity and activity on third-party sites. A fetching unit retrieves recent content that is indexed in the real-time index according to keywords. A model generation engine generates a model based on user activities. The mixer compares candidate content items from the heterogeneous data sources and the real-time index to the model to generate scores for each item and generates a stream of content based on the scores. |
| US09858272B2 |
Context enriched application text translation
A multilayered context enriched text translation interface includes a simulation layer comprising one or more text objects and a translation layer. The interface displays one or more mimicked views of an application GUI in the simulation layer. Subsequent to a user engaging a text object, the interface displays a prompt for a text translation of the text object within a translation layer. In certain embodiments, the mimicked views are graphical reproductions of the application GUI pages with functionality of one or more text objects of the application GUI disabled. In certain embodiments, the prompt includes an accentuation objects to visually accentuate the text object, a text-editing object to receive the text translation of the text object, and a link object to visually connect the accentuation objects and text-editing object. |
| US09858269B2 |
Chinese name transliteration
Chinese name transliteration is described. A Chinese name including a surname followed by a given name is received. The received Chinese name is parsed into a surname and a given name by: identifying any dual-character surnames in the received Chinese name, by referencing a list of known Chinese surnames; identifying any single-character surnames in the received Chinese name, by referencing the list of known Chinese surnames; and identifying, among the remaining characters in the received Chinese name, any characters not belonging to a dual-character or a single-character surname as a given name. The identified surname and the identified given name are transliterated into a Mandarin Pinyin representation. The Mandarin Pinyin representation of the surname and the given name is normalized into a pre-determined representation. |
| US09858267B2 |
Calculating correlations between annotations
An apparatus for calculating a correlation between annotations includes a first obtaining unit configured to provide an annotator with a first data group capable of being evaluated to determine whether or not to attach annotations thereto, and obtaining a plurality of first confidence levels indicating certainty of the annotations in the first data group, the annotator outputting confidence levels indicating certainty of annotations to be attached to data when the data is given; a second obtaining unit configured to provide the annotator with a second data group used to calculate a correlation between the plurality of annotations, and thereby obtaining a plurality of second confidence levels indicating the certainty of the annotations in the second data group; and a computing unit configured to compute an estimated value of the correlation between the plurality of annotations based on the plurality of first and second confidence levels. |
| US09858266B2 |
Calculating correlations between annotations
An apparatus for calculating a correlation between annotations includes a first obtaining unit configured to provide an annotator with a first data group capable of being evaluated to determine whether or not to attach annotations thereto, and obtaining a plurality of first confidence levels indicating certainty of the annotations in the first data group, the annotator outputting confidence levels indicating certainty of annotations to be attached to data when the data is given; a second obtaining unit configured to provide the annotator with a second data group used to calculate a correlation between the plurality of annotations, and thereby obtaining a plurality of second confidence levels indicating the certainty of the annotations in the second data group; and a computing unit configured to compute an estimated value of the correlation between the plurality of annotations based on the plurality of first and second confidence levels. |
| US09858262B2 |
Information handling system and computer program product for identifying verifiable statements in text
A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for identifying verifiable statements in a corpus of text. A training corpus of text containing manually annotated instances of verifiable and non-verifiable statements is processed to parse the text into segmented statements, which are in turn processed to extract features. The extracted features and the annotated statements are then processed with a machine learning algorithm to generate a verifiable statement classification model. In turn, the verifiable statement classification model is referenced by a verifiable statement classification system to distinguish verifiable and non-verifiable statements contained within an input corpus of text. |
| US09858260B2 |
System and method for analyzing items using lexicon analysis and filtering process
The present invention is a method or system of analyzing items using lexicon analysis and filtering process. The present invention drives the analysis without a user being required to provide search terms and Boolean queries. Further, the present invention merges the use of unstructured data and structured data using a lexicon as a focus. Structured data is mapped to lexicon terms through one analysis process, while unstructured data is mapped to lexicon terms through a separate analysis process. The result is an analysis that merges the two different sets of data, which enables a user to navigate through the items using lexicons. Analysis results are displayed simultaneously in a tabular view, geospatial view, and lexicon histogram. |
| US09858259B2 |
Automatic capture of information from audio data and computer operating context
A computer system provides an automated tool that processes audio data and data about computer operating context to automatically capture information, such as information from conversations and meetings. The computer operating context can include, for example, environmental data sensed, or other contextual information maintained or tracked, by the computer. The audio data and computer operating context are processed by the computer to detect starting conditions for data extraction. After detecting a starting condition, the processor initiates speech processing on the audio information to generate corresponding text data. The processor processes the text data using text filters that define salient patterns in the text data. Such salient patterns can correspond to, for example, tasks to be performed, follow-up appointments and other events, messages to be sent, important points or notes, and the like. Such automatic processing improves user productivity in tracking valuable information from meetings and other conversations. |
| US09858256B2 |
Methods and systems for correcting transcribed audio files
Methods and systems for correcting transcribed text. One method includes receiving audio data from one or more audio data sources and transcribing the audio data based on a voice model to generate text data. The method also includes making the text data available to a plurality of users over at least one computer network and receiving corrected text data over the at least one computer network from the plurality of users. In addition, the method can include modifying the voice model based on the corrected text data. |
| US09858250B2 |
Optimized read/write access to a document object model
In an approach for optimizing read/write access to a document object model in a web browser, one or more computer processors detect one or more accesses to a first data structure of a document object model. Based on the detected one or more accesses, the one or more computer processors determine whether the first data structure is a highly dynamic part of the document object model. Responsive to determining the first data structure is a highly dynamic part of the document object model, the one or more computer processors trigger a conversion of the first data structure to an access optimized data structure. The one or more computer processors convert the first data structure to an access optimized data structure. |
| US09858249B2 |
Media forums for presenting and managing user generated content regarding articles presented on websites
Methods, systems and computer readable media are provided for managing user generated content in relation to content. One example method includes receiving a request to access an article having descriptive content that includes one or more entities. Each entity in the article has an assigned prominence score, and the request is received from a website in response to user selection of the article. The method further includes identifying one or more media forums to relate to the article. Each media forum includes one or more discussion threads, and each media forum is associated with an interest graph that changes over time. Responsive to the request, the method selects a media forum from the one or more media forums to associate with the article based on examination of the interest graph of the media forum and the assigned prominence scores of entities in the article. The method presents the article on the website, wherein the presentation of the article includes additionally presenting the identified media forum in association with the article. |
| US09858248B2 |
Hotspot navigation within documents
Suggesting navigation to a user between multiple spots in a document by creating a hotspot graph based on a list of hotspots in the document which are frequently traveled to or edited by the user, monitoring user actions within the document and storing each action as a history element in a repository; and if the user is detected as navigating away from a hotspot in the document or from a spot which is not contained in a hotspot to a hotspot, displaying a list of hotspots in which the user would travel to within the document, ordered based on the probability associated with arcs between the nodes of the hotspot graph. |
| US09858247B2 |
Runtime resolution of content references
A computing device includes a view control that manages presentation of electronic content on the computing device. The presentation can include displaying content, audibly playing back content, and so forth. The view control is made available to multiple different applications on the computing device. To use the view control, an application provides to the view control an indication of a resolver for the view control to use. The electronic document includes references to electronic content, and the view control requests the referenced electronic content from the resolver. The resolver obtains the referenced electronic content, decodes (e.g., decompresses, decrypts, etc.) the obtained electronic content, and returns the decoded electronic content to the view control for display or other presentation. |
| US09858242B2 |
Memory controller for a network on a chip device
Systems and methods may be provided to support memory access by packet communication and/or direct memory access. In one aspect, a memory controller may be provided for a processing device containing a plurality of computing resources. The memory controller may comprise a first interface to be coupled to a router. The first interface may be configured to transmit and receive packets. Each packet may comprise a header that may contain a routable address and a packet opcode specifying an operation to be performed in accordance with a network protocol. The memory controller may further comprise a memory bus port coupled to a plurality of memory slots that are configured to receive memory banks to form a memory and a controller core coupled to the first interface. The controller core may be configured to decode a packet received at the first interface and perform an operation specified in the received packet. |
| US09858239B2 |
Efficient and scalable method for handling RX packet on a MR-IOV array of NICS
There is provided a method for operating of network cards in computing systems. The method comprises: detecting resource utilization of all network cards of computing systems connected via the one or more networks; monitoring network statistics of the network, the monitoring the network statistics including: evaluating whether a resource utilization of each network card connected to the one more networks is larger than a threshold; and determining an operation of each network card connected to the network according to and the detected resource utilization and the monitored network statistics. |
| US09858232B2 |
System and method for providing PCIE over displayport
An apparatus and method is disclosed for providing an extensible information handling system (IHS) bus implemented on predetermined channels of a digital video interface. IHS video signal information is multiplexed with IHS bus information by a host multiplexer for transmission across a digital video connector. The multiplexedIHS video signal and IHS bus information is received by a display multiplexer, where it is demultiplexed. Demultiplexed IHS video signal information is received by a video interface receiver, where it is used to generate an image on a digital display. Demultiplexed IHS bus information is received by a host bus interface transmitter/receiver, where it is used to support peripheral devices attached to the digital display. |
| US09858231B2 |
Operating system card for multiple devices
In one general aspect, a main printed circuit board (PCB) card can include a System on a Chip (SoC) configured to run an operating system stored on the main PCB card, at least one dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device and at least one non-volatile memory device each configured for use by the SoC, and at least one connector. The main PCB card can be configured to be interchangeably interfaced with multiple types of shell computing devices by way of a slot included in a shell computing device. The slot can be configured to accommodate the main PCB card. Each type of shell computing device can be of a different form factor. Each form factor can be representative of a different type of computing device. The at least one connector can be configured to be plugged into a mating connector included in a shell computing device. |
| US09858230B2 |
Multi-host hot-plugging of multiple cards
Hot-plug actions are enabled in an M-host, N-card system architecture. An arbiter receives status signals from the N hot-pluggable cards, and transfers the status signals to at least some of the M host devices. In response to the status signals indicating a hot-plug action, the arbiter receives at least one host command. The arbiter transfers the host command to one or more of the N hot-pluggable cards according to an arbiter algorithm. |
| US09858227B2 |
Hybrid networking application switch
An apparatus, including a case having a front panel, and multiple transceiver modules mounted on the front panel. The apparatus also includes at least one midplane adapter card having a first connector configured to transport networking signals, and a second connector configured to transport bus signals. The apparatus additionally includes a switch input/output board mounted within the case, coupled to the multiple transceiver modules, and having multiple first slots configured to accept the first connectors, and networking switch circuitry coupled to the first slots and configured to establish a network connection between two or more of the transceiver modules. The apparatus further includes a motherboard mounted within the case, and having a bus with multiple second slots configured to accept the second connectors, and a processor configured to manage the networking switch circuitry and to receive and process data commands in response to communications received from the transceiver modules. |
| US09858223B2 |
Input/output port rotation in a storage area network device
In one aspect of the present description, in an input/output (I/O) device having multiple CPUs and multiple I/O ports, a cycle of I/O port rotations is initiated in which each port rotation of the cycle includes rotating an assignment of at least one I/O port from one CPU to a different CPU of a plurality of the CPUs. In the illustrated embodiment, an I/O port assignment for each CPU of the plurality CPUs is rotated for at least a portion of the cycle. Other features and aspects may be realized, depending upon the particular application. |
| US09858219B2 |
Hardware timer based mechanism to check interrupt disabled duration
In one embodiment, a timer apparatus is configured to time a duration in which interrupts are disabled on a processor. The apparatus includes an input to receive a start signal indicating that an interrupt on a processor is disabled, a counter to determine the duration in which interrupts are disabled, and an output to signal a timer event based on the counter. The processor may be configured to trigger a hardware exception in response to the timer event signal. When the interrupts are re-enabled on the processor, the counter of the apparatus may be disabled. |
| US09858216B2 |
Coordinating memory operations using memory-device generated reference signals
A memory system includes a memory controller coupled to multiple memory devices. Each memory device includes an oscillator that generates an internal reference signal that oscillates at a frequency that is a function of physical device structures within the memory device. The frequencies of the internal reference signals are thus device specific. Each memory device develops a shared reference signal from its internal reference signal and communicates the shared reference signal to the common memory controller. The memory controller uses the shared reference signals to recover device-specific frequency information from each memory device, and then communicates with each memory device at a frequency compatible with the corresponding internal reference signal. |
| US09858214B2 |
Task offload to a peripheral device
In one embodiment, to determine what tasks may be offloaded to a peripheral hardware device (e.g., to be performed in hardware on the peripheral device, rather than on the CPU(s) of the host computer), an indication from the at least one peripheral hardware device may be provided, without the peripheral hardware device first being queried to determine the task offload capabilities provided by the peripheral hardware device. In one embodiment, a large packet that includes a plurality of extension headers may be offloaded to the peripheral hardware device for segmentation. An indication of the offset where the extension headers end may be provided in connection with the large packet. In another embodiment, a packet with extension headers that come before an encryption header in the packet are not offloaded to peripheral hardware device for encryption, while packets with no extension headers before the encryption header may be offloaded. |
| US09858213B2 |
Interface and method for efficient communication between a microcontroller and a communication module
An apparatus and method are described for implementing efficient communication between a microcontroller and a communication module. For example, one embodiment of an apparatus comprises: a secure communication module to establish a secure communication channel with an IoT service; and a microcontroller unit (MCU) to execute application-specific program code to implement an application-specific function of an Internet of Things (IoT) device; a serial peripheral interface (SPI) bus to communicatively couple the secure communication module to the MCU; and a control line residing in a first state or being transitioned to a second state by either the MCU or the secure communication module, wherein when performing a transaction over the SPI bus, either the MCU or the secure communication module is configured to transition the control line to the second state, thereby informing the MCU or the secure communication module that a transaction is occurring, wherein upon completing the transaction, the MCU or the secure communication module is configured to release the control line, thereby allowing the control line to transition back to the first state. |
| US09858211B2 |
In-vehicle multimedia terminal, control method thereof, and recording medium
A control method of an in-vehicle multimedia terminal, the method includes performing communication connection to a mobile terminal. A type of the communication connected mobile terminal and an operating system (OS) installed in the mobile terminal are recognized. A function for automatically searching for a first function is enabled or disabled when the mobile terminal provides the first function. The first function is performed by the in-vehicle multimedia terminal when the automatic search function is enabled. A second function is performed by the in-vehicle multimedia terminal when the automatic search function is disabled. |
| US09858204B2 |
Cache device, cache system, and cache method
A cache device connected to a storage device and connected to a plurality of sources, including a cache unit that relays a read request and a read response between a source and a storage device, and a storage area control unit that stores the source as a first history in association with specification of first data in a read request, and, if the first data are not retained by the cache unit and a storage area sufficient for retaining the first data does not exist, selects data associated with a less number of the sources in the first history as second data in preference to data associated with a greater number of the sources out of the first data or data retained by the cache unit, and, if the second data differ from the first data, causes the cache unit to discard the second data and then store the first data. |
| US09858203B2 |
Page replacement algorithms for use with solid-state drives
A page replacement algorithm is provided. An idle range of memory pages is determined based, at least in part, on indications of references to memory pages in the idle range of memory pages, wherein the idle range of memory pages is a set of one or more memory pages. A first memory page is identified in the idle range of memory page for paging out of memory. The first memory page is identified based, at least in part, on indications of modifications to the memory pages. The first memory page is paged out of memory. |
| US09858199B1 |
Memory management unit for shared memory allocation
A system and method for allocating shared inter-process memory by a memory management unit is disclosed. A memory management unit may receive information indicative of allocating a region of shared memory. The information may further indicate that a second process may share access to the memory. The memory management unit may identify corresponding regions of virtual address space for each process, such that the region in each address space maps to the same range of addresses. The memory management unit may virtualize access to the shared memory by mapping from the corresponding regions of the virtual address space. |
| US09858190B2 |
Maintaining order with parallel access data streams
Maintaining store order with high throughput in a distributed shared memory system. A request is received for a first ordered data store and a coherency check is initiated. A signal is sent that pipelining of a second ordered data store can be initiated. If a delay condition is encountered during the coherency check for the first ordered data store, rejection of the first ordered data store is signaled. If a delay condition is not encountered during the coherency check for the first ordered data store, a signal is sent indicating a readiness to continue pipelining of the second ordered data store. |
| US09858187B2 |
Buffering request data for in-memory cache
Techniques are disclosed relating to an in-memory cache for web application data. In some embodiments, received transactions include multiple operations, including one or more cache operations to access the in-memory cache. In some embodiments, transactions are performed atomically. In some embodiments, data for the one or more cache operations is stored locally in memory by an application server outside of the in-memory cache until the transaction is successfully completed. This may improve performance and facilitate atomicity, in some embodiments. |
| US09858186B2 |
Conditional data caching transactional memory in a multiple processor system
A multiprocessor system providing transactional memory. A first processor initiates a transaction which includes reading first data into a private cache of the first processor, and performing a write operation on the first data in the private cache of the first processor. In response to detecting that prior to the write operation the first data was last modified by a second processor, the first processor writes the modified first data into a last level cache (LLC) accessible by the multiple processors. The system sets a cache line state index string to indicate that the first data written into the LLC was last modified by the first processor, invalidates the first data in the private cache of the first processor, and commits the transaction to the transactional memory system. This allows more efficient accesses to the data by the multiple processors. |
| US09858183B2 |
Determining a benefit of reducing memory footprint of a Java application
Changes in performance in a Java program are deduced from information related to garbage collection events of the program. Assumptions are made about the system, the application and garbage collection, and changes in performance that will result from modifying the program are deduced. |
| US09858180B2 |
Management of point-in-time copy relationship for extent space efficient volumes
A storage controller receives a request to establish a point-in-time copy operation by placing a space efficient source volume in a point-in-time copy relationship with a space efficient target volume, wherein subsequent to being established the point-in-time copy operation is configurable to consistently copy the space efficient source volume to the space efficient target volume at a point in time. A determination is made as to whether any track of an extent is staging into a cache from the space efficient target volume or destaging from the cache to the space efficient target volume. In response to a determination that at least one track of the extent is staging into the cache from the space efficient target volume or destaging from the cache to the space efficient target volume, release of the extent from the space efficient target volume is avoided. |
| US09858178B2 |
System and method for facilitating field testing of a test application
Systems and methods for facilitating field testing of a test application are provided. In certain implementations, one or more metrics related to execution, at a user device, of one or more operations of the test application may be obtained. A determination of whether an error occurred with an operation of the one or more operations may be effectuated based on the one or more metrics. Error information relating to the error may be caused to be transmitted to one or more other user devices, wherein the error information includes information for replicating the error. Replication information relating to an attempt by the first other user device to replicate the error may be received back from at least a first other user device of the one or more other user devices. A determination of whether the first other user device replicated the error may be effectuated based on the replication information. |
| US09858176B2 |
Software aging test system, software aging test method, and program for software aging test
Load test is executed with an appropriate frequency which does not lead to a decrease in software development efficiency and a decrease in the precision of software aging detection. Load test of a version of software under test is executed in accordance with an execution criterion, presence or absence of a software aging problem is detected by comparing a test result of the load test with a test result of load test of a previous version of the software to be compared, and frequency of execution of subsequent load test is adjusted by changing the execution criterion based on a result of the detection. |
| US09858175B1 |
Method and system for generation a valid set of test configurations for test scenarios
The present disclosure is related in general to software testing and a method and a system for generating a valid set of test configurations for test scenarios. A test configuration generation system retrieves one or more test parameters from each of one or more test scenarios associated with a corresponding requirement and a requirement criticality. Further, the test configuration generation system identities data values corresponding to each of the one or more test parameters. Further, it generates a valid set of test configurations for each test scenario based on requirement risk and eliminates one or more invalid test configuration combinations detected and finally a valid set of test configurations for each test scenario is generated. The present disclosure ensures right coverage with right set of configurations that can be executed within the limited time available and reduces 80% of manual efforts in generating the test configurations. |
| US09858173B2 |
Recording user-driven events within a computing system including vicinity searching
A method of recording user-driven events within a computing system includes receiving an indication that a user interacted with a first graphical user interface (GUI) user interactive control. The method includes automatically searching at least one vicinity near the first GUI user interactive control for descriptive information associated with the first GUI user interactive control, and automatically recording a user-driven event that represents the user interaction with the first GUI user interactive control and includes the descriptive information. |
| US09858170B2 |
Function-calling-information collection method and computer-readable recording medium
A function-calling-information collection method includes collecting, at time of execution of a function, calling information of concerned function, selecting whether or not to perform lossy compression of the collected calling information, storing, in a memory unit, the calling information compressed by a lossy compression when the lossy compression is selected, and storing, in the memory unit, the calling information without compression or compressed by a lossless compression when the lossy compression is not selected. |
| US09858165B2 |
Method and apparatus for designing vision based software applications
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for designing vision based software applications. In one embodiment, a media file generation module (108) automatically generates a plurality of media objects from input media content by applying different values of a set of parameters to the input media content. The plurality of media content contains information representing distinct real life scenarios and distinct environmental conditions. A performance evaluation module (110) processes each of the plurality of media objects using a vision based software application and evaluates performance of the vision based software application for each of the plurality of media objects based on the processing of the plurality of media objects. An application re-designing module (126) re-designs at least one module of the vision based software application based on the evaluated performance so that the vision based software application performs optimally in distinct real life scenarios and environmental conditions. |
| US09858162B2 |
Creation of a provisioning environment based on probability of events
A method for dynamically assembling a mobile application includes the steps of: (i) receiving a first probability of a potential failure occurring within a first computing environment; (ii) comparing the first probability to a first threshold; (iii) automatically provisioning a first portion of a second computing environment in response to the first probability exceeding the first threshold; (iv) receiving a second probability of the potential failure occurring within the first computing environment; (v) comparing the second probability to a second threshold; and (vi) automatically provisioning a second portion of the second computing environment in response to the second probability exceeding the second threshold. |
| US09858158B2 |
File system for rolling back data on tape
Rolling back data on tape in a file system is provided. A management tape is prepared. The management tape has only index files recorded thereon. The index files contain information about start positions and lengths of corresponding data files recorded on normal tapes. The index files further contain identification information for the normal tapes. A first index file of the management tape is read. The first index file is related to a data file to be rolled back. The first index file is read out from the management tape mounted on a first tape drive. The data file to be rolled back is read out of a first normal tape. The first normal tape is identified based on information in the first index file. The first normal tape is mounted on a second tape drive. |
| US09858157B2 |
Intelligent restore-container service offering for backup validation testing and business resiliency
An existing data protection environment is analyzed to determine a plurality existing infrastructure containers. A popular infrastructure container is identified from the plurality of existing infrastructure containers. Responsive to determining that the popular infrastructure container does not exist within a central repository, the restore container is created within the central repository to match the popular infrastructure container. |
| US09858156B2 |
Dedicated client-side signature generator in a networked storage system
A storage system according to certain embodiments includes a client-side signature repository that includes information representative of a set of data blocks stored in primary storage. During storage operations of a client, the system can generate signatures corresponding to data blocks that are being stored in primary storage. The system can store the generated signatures in the client-side signature repository along with information regarding the location of the corresponding data block within primary storage. As additional instances of the data block are stored in primary storage, the system can store the location of the additional instances in the client-side signature repository. |
| US09858152B2 |
Collaborative information source recovery
Systems and methods of recovering a shared information source can involve identifying a first user of a shared information source in response to detection of a data loss with respect to the shared information source. One or more additional users of the shared information source may be identified based on data associated with the first user. Additionally, the shared information source can be recovered based at least in part on data associated with the one or more additional users. |
| US09858150B2 |
Fast convergence for failures of large scale virtual ethernet segments in EVPN and PBB-EVPN
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for fast convergence for virtual ethernet segments in EVPN and PBB-EVPN networks are disclosed. A first provider edge (PE) device can receive one or more advertising messages corresponding to one or more virtual ethernet segments, wherein each of the one or more advertising messages can include a port identifier. The first PE device maintains a table including the one or more virtual ethernet segments and the corresponding port identifier. The first PE device can receive a failure message from a second PE device that identifies a first port on the second PE device, and identifies, based on the table, at least one affected virtual ethernet segment that is associated with the first port. The first PE device can remove any routes that are associated with the at least one affected virtual ethernet segment and trigger mass designated-forwarding election for impacted virtual ethernet segments. |
| US09858149B2 |
Accessing overlay media over a network connection
The subject disclosure is directed towards providing overlay media to a computing device over a network connection. An input/output (I/O) filter on the embedded device/system may communicate data with the overlay media via a storage service. The I/O filter driver may connect to the storage service using a universal identifier. When an application issues read operations and/or write operations directed to local storage media, the I/O filter driver redirects the read operations and/or the write operations to the storage service over the network connection. |
| US09858148B2 |
Raid data loss prevention
A method for preventing data loss in a RAID includes monitoring the age of storage drives making up a RAID. When a storage drive in the RAID reaches a specified age, the method individually tests the storage drive by subjecting the storage drive to a stress workload test. This stress workload test may be designed to place additional stress on the storage drive while refraining from adding stress to other storage drives in the RAID. In the event the storage drive fails the stress workload test (e.g., the storage drive cannot adequately handle the additional workload or generates errors in response to the additional workload), the method replaces the storage drive with a spare storage drive and rebuilds the RAID. In certain embodiments, the method tests the storage drive with greater frequency as the age of the storage drive increases. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed. |
| US09858147B2 |
Storage apparatus and method of controlling storage apparatus
A storage apparatus includes: a plurality of storage devices individually including a first storage area storing data, and a second storage area storing same data as part of the data stored in the first storage area, and configured to distributedly store a plurality of data belonging to a same management unit; and a control unit configured to set a use ratio for each of the management units on the second storage areas included in the plurality of storage devices based on a priority set for each of the management units. |
| US09858145B2 |
Selective error coding
A system and method of performing selective error coding in memory management of a memory device are described. The method includes performing a process of detecting and correcting memory errors in the memory of the memory device either prior to or after a chip mark associated with the memory device is in place. The method also includes localizing hard errors of the memory device based on a second process of detecting the memory errors in the memory of the memory device, the hard errors being persistent memory errors that persist from the process of detecting and correcting the memory errors to the second process, determining an extent of the hard errors based on the localizing, and preventing placement of the chip mark or removing the chip mark after de-allocating one or more ranges of addresses based on a result of the determining the extent of the hard errors. |
| US09858143B2 |
Command line interpreter for accessing a data object stored in a distributed storage network
A method includes obtaining a data object for storage. The method further includes generating a data object identifier for the data object. The method further includes determining a vault for storing the data object. The method further includes generating a source name for the data object based on the data object identifier and a vault identifier. The method further includes dispersed storage error encoding the data object to produce a plurality of sets of encoded data slices. The method further includes generating a plurality of sets of slice names, wherein each of the slice names of the plurality of slice names includes the source name. The method further includes sending, in accordance with the plurality of sets of slice names, the plurality of sets of encoded data slices to a set of storage units of the DSN that supports the vault for storage therein. |
| US09858140B2 |
Memory corruption detection
Systems and methods for memory corruption detection. An example processing system comprises a processing core including a register to store a base address of a memory corruption detection (MCD) table. The processing core is configured to validate a pointer referenced by a memory access instruction, by comparing a first value derived from a first portion of the pointer to a second value stored in the MCD table at an offset referenced by a second portion of the pointer. |
| US09858137B2 |
Network test system
A test system and a related method, the system comprising a test processing agent and local test device(s). The test processing agent processes test measurements related to a network-under-test into test results. The test processing agent is decoupled from the network-under-test, e.g., by being reachable through a network communication link distinct from the network-under-test. The local test device comprises a firmware module and a network interface (NI) module. The firmware module depends on external instructions for initiating a test sequence on the network-under-test. The NI module comprises at least one physical port connectable to the network-under-test. The physical port is used for initiating the test sequence. The test processing agent receives the test measurements following the initiation of the test sequence by the local test device and allows access to the test results. |
| US09858133B2 |
Techniques for assessing the resiliency of a distribution computing service provided by a collection of interacting servers
Techniques are disclosed for validating the resiliency of a networked application made available using a collection of interacting servers. In one embodiment, a network monitoring application observes each running server (or application) and at unspecified intervals, picks one and terminates it. In the case of a cloud based deployment, this may include terminating a virtual machine instance or terminating a process running on the server. By observing the effects of the failed server on the rest of the network application, a provider can ensure that each component can tolerate any single instance disappearing without warning. |
| US09858127B2 |
Configurable platform architecture and method for use thereof
A platform architecture that is configurable to provide task specific application instances compatible with one or more hosts is provided with a method for using the architecture. In one example, the platform architecture provides a transducer functionality block, a conduit functionality block, an application functionality block, and an application programming interface (API) functionality block on which each task specific application instance is based. |
| US09858125B2 |
System and method for optimizing migration of virtual machines among physical machines
A system and method of selectively migrating at least one virtual machine to another physical machine is disclosed. Consumption information of a plurality of virtual machines and capacity information of a plurality of physical machines is retrieved. A first virtual machine to be potentially migrated is identified based on a consumption metric representing consumption of at least one resource dimension by the first virtual machine running on a first physical machine. A second physical machine to potentially accept migration of the first virtual machine is identified based on time window information, wherein an available capacity of the second physical machine is analyzed to determine if the first virtual machine's resource consumption exceeds the capacity of the second physical machine. The first virtual machine is migrated to the second physical machine if the first virtual machine's resource consumption does not exceed the available capacity of the second physical machine. |
| US09858124B1 |
Dynamic management of data stream processing
A stream management system may implement dynamic management of a data stream. Utilization data of different partitions of a data stream may be tracked. When routing a data record received at the stream management system, a partition may be dynamically identified for the data recorded. The data record may then be directed to the identified partition. Other management operations, such as repartitioning the data stream or reassigning resources for processing data records in the data stream may be performed based on the utilization data tracked for the partitions. |
| US09858122B2 |
Data parallel computing on multiple processors
A method and an apparatus that allocate one or more physical compute devices such as CPUs (Central Processing Units) or GPUs (Graphical Processing Units) attached to a host processing unit running an application for executing one or more threads of the application are described. The allocation may be based on data representing a processing capability requirement from the application for executing an executable in the one or more threads. A compute device identifier may be associated with the allocated physical compute devices to schedule and execute the executable in the one or more threads concurrently in one or more of the allocated physical compute devices concurrently. |
| US09858120B2 |
Modifying memory space allocation for inactive tasks
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for modifying memory space allocation for inactive tasks. Information is maintained on computational resources consumed by tasks running in the computer system allocated memory space in the memory. The information on the computational resources consumed by the tasks is used to determine inactive tasks of the tasks. The allocation of the memory space allocated to at least one of the determined inactive tasks is modified. |
| US09858119B2 |
Resource management for untrusted programs
Embodiments include method, systems and computer program products for resource management of untrusted programs. In some embodiments, a first request to process an asynchronous event by an untrusted application may be received. The first request may include a host memory address. A counter may be incremented in response to receiving the first request. A device memory address may be retrieved from a device translation table using the host memory address. Processing the first request by a device using the device memory address may be facilitated. A second request to unregister the host memory address may be received. The counter may be determined to be non-zero. An action may be implemented in response to determining that the counter is non-zero. |
| US09858118B2 |
Information processing device and information processing method to present tasks
An information processing device includes an event detector, a task generator, a target time setting unit, and a presenting unit. The event detector detects occurrence of an event. The task generator generates at least one task indicating an action to be executed when the detected event occurs. The target time setting unit sets, for each of the tasks corresponding to the detected event, a target completion time of the task until when a state change generated due to occurrence of the event does not exceed a threshold, on the basis of an execution result of tasks corresponding to a past event related to the detected event. The presenting unit presents each of the tasks corresponding to the detected event and the target completion time of each of the tasks to a user. |
| US09858112B2 |
Sparse threaded deterministic lock-free cholesky and LDLT factorizations
The deterministic algorithm may analyze data by defining a plurality of blocks, identify a task for each of the blocks, and identify any operations on which the task is dependent. The algorithm may store in a first data structure an entry for each of the blocks identifying whether a precondition must be satisfied before tasks associated with the blocks can be initiated, store in a second data structure a status value for each of the blocks and make the stored status values changeable by multiple threads, and assign a plurality of the tasks to a plurality of threads, wherein each thread is assigned a unique task, wherein each of the plurality of threads executes its assigned task when the status of the block corresponding to its assigned task indicates that the assigned task is ready to be performed and the precondition associated with the block has been satisfied if the precondition exists. |
| US09858106B2 |
Virtual machine capacity planning
Virtual machine capacity planning techniques are disclosed. In various embodiments, a set of time series data is constructed based at least in part on virtual machine related metric values observed with respect to a virtual machine during a training period. The constructed time series data is used to build a forecast model for the virtual machine. The forecast model is used to forecast future values for one or more of the virtual machine related metrics. The forecasted future values are used to determine whether an alert condition is predicted to be met. |
| US09858100B2 |
Method and system of provisioning logical networks on a host machine
A physical computing device is provided that includes a set of processing units and a set of machine readable media (CRM) for execution by the set of processing units. The CRM stores a plurality of data compute nodes (DCNs) deployed by a compute manager of a datacenter, virtualization software, and a network manager agent. The network manager receives a read-only configuration construct for each of a set of logical networks from a network manager of the datacenter, the logical networks configured and managed by the network manager. the agent provisions the set of logical networks on the physical computing device for use by the virtualization software. The agent provides a copy of the read-only construct of each logical network to the compute manager to allow the compute manager to connect one or more DCNs to each of the logical networks. |
| US09858088B2 |
Terminal device and wireless communication system
A terminal device is capable of communicating with a master wireless device. The terminal device includes a control circuit. The control circuit has operating modes including a normal mode for outputting startup information relating to startup of the terminal device, and a registration mode for outputting registration information relating to registration with the master wireless device. One of the operating mode of the control circuit shifts to the registration mode based on timing of plural startups of the terminal device. The terminal device can shift to the registration mode using the same operation and mechanism as operating in the normal mode. |
| US09858083B2 |
Dual boot panel SWAP mechanism
A central processing unit with dual boot capabilities is disclosed comprising an instruction memory further comprising a first and second memory area which are configured to be individually programmable, wherein first and second memory area can be assigned to an active memory from which instructions are executed and an inactive memory, respectively. The instruction set for the central processing unit comprises a dedicated instruction that allows to perform a swap from the an active memory area to an inactive memory area, wherein the swap is performed by executing the dedicated instruction in the active memory followed by a program flow change instruction in the active memory, whereupon the inactive memory becomes the new active memory and the active memory becomes the new inactive memory and execution of instructions continues in the new active memory. |
| US09858080B2 |
Method for implementing a reduced size register view data structure in a microprocessor
A method for implementing a reduced size register view data structure in a microprocessor. The method includes receiving an incoming instruction sequence using a global front end; grouping the instructions to form instruction blocks; using a plurality of register templates to track instruction destinations and instruction sources by populating the register template with block numbers corresponding to the instruction blocks, wherein the block numbers corresponding to the instruction blocks indicate interdependencies among the blocks of instructions; populating a register view data structure, wherein the register view data structure stores destinations corresponding to the instruction blocks as recorded by the plurality of register templates; and using the register view data structure to track a machine state in accordance with the execution of the plurality of instruction blocks, wherein the register view data structure is a reduced size register view data structure by only storing register template snapshots containing branches or by storing deltas between changing register template snapshots. |
| US09858079B2 |
Method and system for generating object code to facilitate predictive memory retrieval
A method and system are described for generating reference tables in object code which specify the addresses of branches, routines called, and data references used by routines in the code. In a suitably equipped processing system, the reference tables can be passed to a memory management processor which can open the appropriate memory pages to expedite the retrieval of data referenced in the execution pipeline. The disclosed method and system create such reference tables at the beginning of each routine so that the table can be passed to the memory management processor in a suitably equipped processor. Resulting object code also allows processors lacking a suitable memory management processor to skip the reference table, preserving upward compatibility. |
| US09858077B2 |
Issuing instructions to execution pipelines based on register-associated preferences, and related instruction processing circuits, processor systems, methods, and computer-readable media
Issuing instructions to execution pipelines based on register-associated preferences and related instruction processing circuits, systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed. In one embodiment, an instruction is detected in an instruction stream. Upon determining that the instruction specifies at least one source register, an execution pipeline preference(s) is determined based on at least one pipeline indicator associated with the at least one source register in a pipeline issuance table, and the instruction is issued to an execution pipeline based on the execution pipeline preference(s). Upon a determination that the instruction specifies at least one target register, at least one pipeline indicator associated with the at least one target register in the pipeline issuance table is updated based on the execution pipeline to which the instruction is issued. In this manner, optimal forwarding of instructions may be facilitated, thus improving processor performance. |
| US09858075B2 |
Run-time code parallelization with independent speculative committing of instructions per segment
A method includes, in a processor that processes multiple segments of a sequence of instructions of program code, wherein each segment is defined as either speculative or non-speculative, dispatching the instructions of the segments into at least one instruction buffer. The instructions of the segments are executed, and, in each segment, at least some of the executed instructions of the segment are speculatively-committed from the at least one instruction buffer independently of any other segment. Dispatching the instructions includes dispatching the instructions of a first segment into a first region of the at least one instruction buffer, and dispatching the instructions of a second segment, which occurs later in the program code than the first segment, into a second region of the at least one instruction buffer before all the instructions of the first segment have been dispatched into the first region. |
| US09858072B2 |
Portable executable file analysis
A portable executable file is analyzed by parsing a binary image of the portable executable file to generate a parsed field. An attribute of the parsed field is determined. The attribute of the parsed field is compared to a valid characteristic of a valid corresponding field based upon, at least in part, a portable executable file format specification. It is determined if the attribute of the parsed field matches the valid characteristic of the valid corresponding field. |
| US09858069B2 |
Transitioning between iterations in agile software development
A computer-implemented method of managing work items associated with agile software development includes displaying a first group of incomplete work items associated with a current iteration of an agile software development project. In response to a first user input, a first incomplete work item of the first group is transferred from the current iteration to a subsequent iteration of the agile software development project. A determination is made that no incomplete work items remain associated with the current iteration. The current iteration is closed and the subsequent iteration is activated. |
| US09858068B2 |
Methods and systems for planning application deployment
According to one example, there is provided a method of deploying applications in a computer system. The method comprises obtaining, for each of a plurality of computer applications, a set of application characteristics, assigning, based on the obtained characteristics, each of the plurality of applications to one of a set of predetermined application models, and determining, based in part on the obtained characteristics and in part on application model compatibility data, a set of hardware characteristics, a virtual server distribution plan, and an application distribution plan. |
| US09858063B2 |
Publishing customized application modules
In some implementations, a user interface for designing a health management module is provided by a server system. The user interface identifies a plurality of health management templates. The server system initially receives data indicating a user input received through the user interface that selects one of the plurality of module templates. The server system also receives customization parameters that customize the selected module template for a particular organization. The server system then generates a customized health management module for the particular organization based on the selected template and the customization parameters. The server system finally publishes the customized health management module for the particular organization that includes instructions configuring an application provided by a third-party application store. |
| US09858061B2 |
Tamperproof installation of building control software in approved runtime environments
A method installs building control software. The method includes the transmission of an identity of a runtime environment from the runtime environment to a software delivery entity. A file is generated by the software delivery entity, wherein the file contains the transmitted identity and the software to be installed or a hash of the software to be installed. The generated file is signed by the software delivery entity by a key of the software delivery entity. The signed file is transmitted from the software delivery entity to the runtime environment. An installation and/or an authorization of the software to be installed in the runtime environment are performed, if and only if the identity of the runtime environment corresponds with the identity that has actually been transmitted in the signed file. Devices for installing the building control software are also discussed. |
| US09858059B2 |
System module deployment optimization
Optimizing deployment of a modular application in a runtime environment is provided. The optimizing includes: deploying application modules of the modular application, each application module having a module manifest and at least one application module having parts for execution, one or more module manifests include one or more references to parts of another application module, and parts required for execution of the application, the deploying is according to the module manifest; executing the modular application; determining that at least one deployed application module has no parts executing in the runtime environment; and adapting the module manifest so that the determined at least one deployed application module will not be deployed as part of the modular application in future deployments. |
| US09858058B2 |
Partition mobility for partitions with extended code
A partition mobility facility in which a partition that is executing one or more applications that have optimized code with one or more extended features is to be moved from a source system to a target system. If the target system does not support the extended mode features, then action is taken to remove the code having those features to facilitate migration. |
| US09858052B2 |
Decentralized operating system
Technology is disclosed for enabling multiple computing devices used by a user to interoperate with one another. The technology enables the user to install a given application on a distributed operating system (“DCOS”) managing the multiple computing devices as a single entity. The user can then use the given application through any of the computing devices when executing the given application through the DCOS. |
| US09858049B2 |
Dynamic software assembly
An improved system and method for updating software is described. The system, upon detecting one or more changes within the set of eligibility attribute values associated with the one or more particular components of previously-provided software, selects a replacement component. The component is selected based on one or more changed eligibility attribute values within the set of eligibility attribute values, and the metadata of the user device. Using the replacement component, the replacement software is constructed and sent to the user device. |
| US09858043B2 |
Service-oriented process configuration systems and/or methods
Certain example embodiments described herein relate to techniques for matching business requirements with available services in service-oriented business process systems. An n-to-m relationship between process steps and services may be established. In certain example embodiments, both future design and dynamic runtime changes become possible by elaborating on possible resolution techniques before process execution and by identifying/resolving configurational dependencies. The addition of a service-oriented process configuration layer is made possible in certain example embodiments by enhancing the way that business processes are modeled visually or notationally, and through the implementation of a metamodel. The model linking process steps and services may be extended so as to support logical operators, rules or constraints for matching process steps and services, dependencies and relationships, etc. A meta model may be provided so as to provide support for evaluating or analyzing matches, sometimes automatically, at either or both of runtime and design time. |
| US09858042B1 |
Configurable ring oscillator
A device includes configurable parallel connected ring oscillators and a finite state machine coupled to the ring oscillators. The finite state machine is configured to cause each of the ring oscillators to operate in an accumulate entropy state for a first period of time and a break phase lock state for a second period of time. When operating in the accumulate entropy state, all of the ring oscillators are in the same configuration. When operating in the break phase lock state, each ring oscillator is in a different configuration than the other ring oscillators. |
| US09858036B2 |
Automatic audio level adjustment during media item presentation
A media server facilitates automatic audio level adjustment during playback of a media item by a media player application running on a computing device. A media server provides media items to clients via a network. A media player application on a client presents media items to a user of the client. The media player application may also collect playback data and send the data to the media server. Playback data may include audio levels for two media items presented sequentially. The media server determines audio level adjustment instructions based on playback data received from one or more media player applications and provides the instructions to cause automatic audio level adjustments to facilitate the presentation of media items at more appropriate sound strengths. |
| US09858031B2 |
Colony desktop hive display: creating an extended desktop display from multiple mobile devices using near-field or other networking
Computer-implemented methods, computer program products and computer systems that create a virtual extended display on mobile devices by providing a first device in a first location d at least a second device in a second location, followed by joining together the first and second devices within an aggregation session via a network. Logical data of visual content is shared between the first and second devices, and the viewed output display of the visual content split amongst the first and second device displays within the aggregation session. During the aggregation session, at least one of the devices therein is manipulated by movement or changing device parameters to virtually change the viewed output display of the visual content on the manipulated device. |
| US09858029B2 |
Video wall security system and method
A video wall security system and a video wall security method are provided. The video wall security system includes at least one processor to implement a central controller configured to receive, from a monitoring system, an identifier of a camera and a video stream, and generate layout setting information of a video wall to control a layout of the video wall, based on the identifier, a gateway configured to generate mapping information based on the layout setting information of the central controller, an internet protocol (IP) wall controller configured to transmit the mapping information to each of screens of the video wall, and control the screens to load the video stream based on the identifier, and a decoder configured to decode the loaded video stream, and display the decoded video stream on the screens. |
| US09858024B2 |
Proximity detection of candidate companion display device in same room as primary display using sonic signaling
A candidate companion screen device is located by a primary display device as being in the same room as the primary device using sonic signaling, and in response ancillary content related to content being shown on the primary display device is provided to the companion screen device. The ancillary content may be provided from the Internet based on information in the content being presented on the primary display device by, e.g., providing a link to a website to the companion device. |
| US09858023B2 |
Systems and methods for gimbal simulation
Systems, devices and methods are provided for training a user to control a gimbal in an environment. The systems and methods provide a simulation environment to control a gimbal in a virtual environment. The virtual environment closely resembles a real control environment. A controller may be used to transmit simulation commands and receive simulated data for visual display. |
| US09858011B2 |
Repopulating failed replicas through modified consensus recovery
Using a quorum of fully updated replicas to designate a leader replica. A quorum of fully updated replicas designate a leader replica through “prepared” messages, allowing for restoration of failed replicas without a split-brain condition. |
| US09858010B2 |
Writing files to a storage medium
A method for writing a plurality of files that reduces average seek time includes receiving data of the plutality of files requested to be written to a tape from an application of a host, dividing a group of the received plurality of files into segments with specified sizes, and writing a series of the plurality of respective segments of the group of the plurality of files in sequence in a specified order, the respective segments having the specified sizes, wherein when writing the segments in the specified order, a left end portion of the tape is postioned and respective top segments of the files are first collectively written thereto. A tape drive system in which the method for writing is implemented reduces an average time required for seek of a plurality of image files. |
| US09858006B1 |
Context driven memory circuits
A memory device can be used with a shared routing resource that provides access to the memory device. The memory device can include a random access memory (RAM) circuit that includes a plurality of ports configured to provide access to the RAM circuit by the shared routing resource. A memory partition register circuit can be configured to store a plurality of addresses specifying respective context partitions within the RAM circuit. A plurality of pointer register circuits that can each be associated with a corresponding port of the plurality of ports and can be configured to store a respective set of pointers that specify a location in the RAM circuit relative to a respective context partition. Addressing logic that can be configured to provide access to the RAM circuit using the respective set of pointers for each port. |
| US09858005B2 |
Method and system for managing a storage network to reduce power consumption
Various embodiments are provided for managing a storage network system. The storage network system includes a plurality of zones. Each of the plurality of zones includes at least one storage network device. A link-down event associated with one of the storage network devices is detected. One of a plurality of zones is identified where the link-down event occurred, and a broadcast signal is transmitted in the storage network giving notice of the detected link-down event. A determination of whether alternative storage network devices in the identified one of the plurality of zones where the link-down event occurred are in a link-down state, where at least a zone table and a routing table is used for the determining. In response to all of the storage network devices being in the link-down state, the identified one of the plurality of zones where the link-down event occurred is placed in a down state. |
| US09858002B1 |
Open block stability scanning
Systems and methods are disclosed for open block stability scanning. When a solid state memory block remains in an open state, where the block is only partially filled with written data, for a prolonged period of time, a circuit may perform a scan on the block to determine the stability of the stored data. When the scan indicates that the data is below a stability threshold, the data may be refreshed by reading the data and writing it to a new location. When the scan indicates that the data is above a stability threshold, the circuit may extend the time period in which the block may remain in the open state. |
| US09857999B2 |
Data retention charge loss sensor
Systems and methods are disclosed for estimating charge loss in solid-state memory devices using electrical sensors. A data storage device includes a solid-state non-volatile memory comprising a plurality of memory cells, a sensor configured to hold an electric charge, and a controller. The controller is configured to charge the sensor to a first charge level at a first point in time, determine a second charge level of the sensor at a second point in time, after a time period from the first point in time, and refresh data stored in the memory cells based at least in part on the determined second charge level. |
| US09857997B2 |
Replicating tracks from a first storage site to a second and third storage sites
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for replicating tracks from a first storage to a second and third storages. A determination is made of a track in the first storage to transfer to the second storage as part of a point-in-time copy relationship and of a stride of tracks including the target track. The stride of tracks including the target track is staged from the first storage to a cache according to the point-in-time copy relationship. The staged stride is destaged from the cache to the second storage. The stride in the cache is transferred to the third storage as part of a mirror copy relationship. The stride of tracks in the cache is demoted in response to destaging the stride of the tracks in the cache to the second storage and transferring the stride of tracks in the cache to the third storage. |
| US09857995B1 |
Data storage device and method providing non-volatile memory buffer for real-time primary non-volatile memory protection
A data storage device is disclosed comprising a volatile memory, a primary and a secondary non-volatile memory (NVM), and control circuitry coupled to the volatile memory and the primary and secondary NVM and configured to write first data to the volatile memory, write the first data from the volatile memory to the secondary NVM before writing the first data to the primary NVM, attempt to write the first data to the primary NVM, wherein, during the attempt to write the first data to the primary NVM, after a portion of the first data has been successfully written to the primary NVM, a corresponding portion of the first data is released from the secondary NVM. |
| US09857988B1 |
Data management in multiply-writeable flash memories
According to the present disclosure is provided a device and method for mapping management in a flash memory based on partitioning the memory to a main address space and a substitute space, each partition comprising locations in the memory that are denoted by at least three statues according to which locations are mapped from the main space to the substitute space while responsively modifying the statuses. |
| US09857984B2 |
Memory system with garbage collection
According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile memory, and a controller configured to control the nonvolatile memory. The controller includes an access controller configured to control access to the nonvolatile memory, based on a first request which is issued from a host, and a processor configured to execute a background process for the nonvolatile memory, based on a second request which is issued from the host before the first request is issued. |
| US09857981B2 |
Host interface controller and control method for storage device
A host interface controller with improved boot up efficiency, which uses a buffer mode setting register to set the operation mode of a first and a second buffer set provided within the host interface controller. When a cache memory of a central processing unit (CPU) at the host side has not started up, the first and second buffer sets operate in a cache memory mode to respond to read requests that the CPU repeatedly issues for data of specific addresses of the storage device. When the cache memory has started up, the first buffer set and the second buffer set operate in a ping-pong buffer mode to respond to read requests that the CPU issues for data of sequential addresses of the storage device. |
| US09857980B2 |
Memory resource optimization method and apparatus
Embodiments of the present invention provide a memory resource optimization method and apparatus, relate to the computer field, solve a problem that existing multi-level memory resources affect each other, and optimize an existing single partitioning mechanism. A specific solution is: obtaining performance data of each program in a working set by using a page coloring technology, obtaining a category of each program in light of a memory access frequency, selecting, according to the category of each program, a page coloring-based partitioning policy corresponding to the working set, and writing the page coloring-based partitioning policy to an operating system kernel, to complete corresponding page coloring-based partitioning processing. The present invention is used to eliminate or reduce mutual interference of processes or threads on a memory resource in light of a feature of the working set, thereby improving overall performance of a computer. |
| US09857978B1 |
Optimization of memory refresh rates using estimation of die temperature
A memory system includes a memory in which stored data is periodically rewritten by a refresh command, and a memory controller. The memory has an input/output (“I/O”) terminal, and the memory controller is communicatively coupled by a channel to the I/O terminal. The memory transmits a plurality of commands over the channel to the memory. The memory controller estimates a first total energy consumed based on the plurality of commands during a first sampling period, determines a temperature of the memory based on the first total energy consumed in the first sampling period, determines a first refresh cycle rate corresponding to the first temperature of the memory and transmits a refresh command to the memory based on the first refresh cycle rate. |
| US09857976B2 |
Non-volatile memory drive partitions within microcontrollers
A method for managing data on a microcontroller. The method includes a computer processor receiving data to write to the memory of a microcontroller of a field-replaceable unit (FRU). The method further includes a computer processor determining that the received data is a type of data that is stored in a first logical partition, wherein the first logical partition is a logical partition of non-volatile memory of the microcontroller. The method further includes a computer processor determining whether the first logical partition includes sufficient space to store the received data. |
| US09857973B1 |
Interface circuits configured to interface with multi-rank memory
An interface circuit may include a first FIFO circuit and a second FIFO circuit. The first FIFO circuit may generate first output data based on a first sampling signal and a second sampling signal. The second FIFO circuit may generate second output data based on a third sampling signal and a fourth sampling signal. The first FIFO circuit and the second FIFO circuit may be cross-reset. |
| US09857970B2 |
Copy and staple gestures
Techniques involving gestures and other functionality are described. In one or more implementations, the techniques describe gestures that are usable to provide inputs to a computing device. A variety of different gestures are contemplated, including bimodal gestures (e.g., using more than one type of input) and single modal gestures. Additionally, the gesture techniques may be configured to leverage these different input types to increase the amount of gestures that are made available to initiate operations of a computing device. |
| US09857969B2 |
Display apparatus, display control method, and computer program
A display apparatus includes a display section configured to display, on a display surface, a screen of an application program running on an information processing apparatus, a detecting section configured to detect the position of a pointer, a receiving section configured to receive a determination result concerning whether the position is present within a predetermined range including an image object, a drawing section configured to draw, when an operation mode is a first mode, a line corresponding to a track of the position, a second transmitting section configured to transmit, when the operation mode is a second mode, the information indicating the position to the information processing apparatus, and a switching section configured to switch, when the operation mode is the first mode, the operation mode to the second mode when the receiving section receives the determination result indicating that the position is within the predetermined range. |
| US09857967B2 |
Method for showing page flip effect of touch panel and display device with page flip function
A method for showing page flip effect of touch panel comprises detecting a two-point touch event generated at the touch panel for defining a first touch position and a second touch position. The touch panel is determined into a first active area comprising the second touch position and a second active area comprising the first touch position according to the first touch position and the second touch position. When the first touch position continuously locates at the touch panel, the second touch position disappears and the first touch event is generated at the first active area, a corresponding first page flip event is executed. When the second touch position continuously locates at the touch panel, the first touch position disappears and the second touch event is generated at the second active area, a corresponding second page flip event is executed. |
| US09857966B2 |
Electronic device and method for converting image format object to text format object
An electronic device and a method for converting an image format object to a text format object are provided. The method includes selecting a region within an object displayed on a first screen; converting an image format object included inside the selected region to a text format object; and displaying the converted text format object on a second screen as an object that is inputtable to an input window of the second screen. |
| US09857963B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating or using interaction activity information
A method of generating interaction activity information, performed by a device, is provided. The method includes establishing communication with at least one external apparatus; receiving first information about a user selectable function of the external apparatus; and generating second information, based on the first information, about a user selectable function of the device, wherein the user selectable function of the device corresponds to the user selectable function of the external device and can be performed in collaboration with the external device. |
| US09857962B2 |
Robot operation apparatus and robot operation program product
A robot operation apparatus comprising: a touch panel that receives input of a touch operation and a movement operation from a user; an operation detector that detects the touch operation and the movement operation to the touch panel; and a behavior command generator that generates a behavior command operating a robot based on a detection result of the operation detector. The behavior command generator performs a behavior speed determination process that determines a behavior speed of the robot based on an operation speed of the movement operation, when the operation detector detects the movement operation to an operation graphic provided on the touch panel. |
| US09857960B1 |
Data collaboration between different entities
Techniques related to data collaboration between different entities are disclosed. In an embodiment, a graph may be displayed in a computer graphical user interface. The graph may include nodes and edges. Each node may represent a distinct data object. Each edge may represent one or more relationships between the two distinct data objects. Based on one or more redaction criteria, a portion of the graph may be identified to be redacted before the graph is exported. Display of the graph in the computer graphical user interface may be updated to remove display of the portion of the graph. After the updating, a request to export the graph may be received. Responsive to receiving the request, a machine-readable representation of a redacted graph may be exported. |
| US09857958B2 |
Systems and user interfaces for dynamic and interactive access of, investigation of, and analysis of data objects stored in one or more databases
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to user interfaces and systems that may enable dynamic and interactive access of, investigation of, and analysis of data objects stored in one or more databases. The data objects may be accessed from the one or more databases, and presented in multiple related portions of a display. In particular, the system provides a time-based visualization of data objects (and/or properties associated with the data objects) to a user such that the user may, for example, determine connections between various data objects, observe flows of information among data objects, and/or investigate related data objects. |
| US09857956B2 |
Notifying a user of an available media object
Among other features, notification is presented on a mobile device to a user to advise the user of the availability of a media object that (a) has been received from a server and stored on the mobile device without the user having been aware of the receipt or storage, or (b) has newly become available for streaming from the server to the mobile device. |
| US09857954B2 |
Dynamic, optimized placement of computer-based windows
A computer system displays a first window corresponding to an aspect of a first executing program in a first display area on one or more display devices. The computer system identifies an activity of a second program. The computer system determines whether the activity of the second program meets a threshold of priority. In response to determining that the activity meets the threshold, the computer system manipulates the first window such that the display area can be distributed, at least partially, between the first window and a second window corresponding to the activity of the second program. The computer system displays the second window with the first window within the display area. |
| US09857945B2 |
Segment ring menu
A segment ring menu is provided that is used to easily access menu items. The segment ring menu includes a number of menus that are located equidistant from an initial mouse position from where the segment ring menu is evoked. Hovering over any of the sections of the segment ring menu displays the menu items hosted in that section. The segment ring menu layout is directed at making it easy for the user to reach any of the menu items with a small amount of mouse movement. |
| US09857944B2 |
User terminal and driving method thereof, control device and driving method thereof, and control system of controlled device
A user terminal and a driving method thereof, a control device and a driving method thereof, and a control system of a controlled device are provided. The user terminal includes: a communication interface configured to communicate with a plurality of controlled devices which are operated based on individually set setting values; a user interface configured to receive an adjustment value for collectively controlling the plurality of controlled devices as a group; and a controller configured to individually adjust each of the setting values based on a ratio which relates to the received adjustment value, and to control the plurality of controlled devices based on the adjusted setting values. |
| US09857942B2 |
Method of connecting device adapted to interactive whiteboard system and host device thereof
A method of connecting device adapted to an interactive whiteboard system and a host device thereof are provided. The host device has an interactive display device. The method includes the following steps. A scanning process is executed to receive a notification signal which is continuously broadcast by a first client device. A representative icon is obtained from an icon base, and the representative icon is set according to device information of the first client device in the notification signal, such that the representative icon is related to the first client device. The representative icon is displayed on the interactive display device, and then a broadcast termination signal is transmitted back to the first client device after the representative icon is displayed. After receiving the broadcast termination signal, the first client device stops broadcasting the notification signal. |
| US09857934B2 |
Synchronized display and performance mapping of musical performances submitted from remote locations
Systems and methods are provided for assembling and displaying a visual ensemble of musical performances that were created and uploaded from one or more locations that are remote from a host of the network, a director or other administrator reviewing submissions for selection and assembly, or perhaps merely remote from one or more other submissions received over a computer network. The assembled performances include a plurality of submissions, the submissions including performances created and uploaded at one or more locations remote from the location of the director for the assembly and display over the computer network. Systems and methods are also included for mapping one performance against another performance qualitatively, quantitatively, in real-time, or some combination thereof, enabling a musician, or a reviewer of performances, in the assessment of one performance relative to another performance. |
| US09857933B2 |
Sensing device, control method thereof, and recording medium
Disclosed are an electronic device, a control method thereof, and a recording medium. The electronic device includes a first loop unit configured to sense a first signal relating to an input of the touch object, a second loop unit configured to sense a second signal relating to the input of the touch object, and a controller configured to determine a sensing area including the location where the input is received based on the first signal and to determine the input location included in the determined sensing area based on the second signal. |
| US09857930B2 |
Transparent conductive component with interconnect circuit tab comprising cured organic polymeric material
In one embodiment a transparent conductive component is described comprising a flexible transparent substrate; a transparent conductive layer disposed on the flexible transparent substrate; and a plurality of metal traces disposed on and in electrical communication with the transparent conductive layer. A portion of the flexible transparent substrate comprising the transparent conductive layer and metal traces forms an interconnect circuit tab. At least the interconnect circuit tab comprises a cured organic polymeric material disposed on the (e.g. patterned) transparent conductive layer and metal traces metal traces and flexible transparent substrate such that the cured organic polymeric material forms an exposed surface layer. The cured organic polymeric material is optionally disposed at the bezel region and/or at a central region of the transparent conductive component (e.g. touch sensor). |
| US09857925B2 |
Combining sensor electrodes in a matrix sensor
A display device having a capacitive sensing device, a processing system, and a method are provided for detecting presence of an input object using a capacitive sensing device having a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged in a matrix. The described technique programmatically combines multiple sensor electrodes into a larger sensor electrode for absolute capacitive sensing. The sets of sensor electrodes that are combined may be selectively coupled based a window size and a step size associated with a number of sensor electrodes in common between the sets. |
| US09857924B2 |
Touch device and manufacturing method thereof
A touch device and a manufacturing method thereof. The touch device comprises: a pixel unit, the pixel unit being provided therein with an electrochromic layer, a pixel electrode and a thin film transistor acting as a switch for the pixel electrode, the pixel electrode being connected with the electrochromic layer; and a touch unit comprising a touch driving electrode and a touch sensing electrode disposed crossing each other and insulated from each other, for acquiring a touch position; the thin film transistor is configured to control the pixel electrode to operate according to the acquired touch position to apply a driving signal to the electrochromic layer connected with the pixel electrode. |
| US09857922B2 |
Touch panel and manufacturing method thereof
A touch panel is partitioned into a sensing region and a circuit region and the circuit region is positioned around the edges of the sensing region. The touch panel comprises an electrode layer, a first wire layer, a second wire layer and an insulating layer. The electrode layer is disposed in the sensing region. The first wire layer is disposed in the circuit region and electrically connects to the electrode layer. The second wire layer electrically connects to the first wire layer in the circuit region. The insulating layer has a portion being disposed between the first wire layer and the second wire layer in the circuit, and has a plurality of first through holes wherein the first wire layer electrically connects to the second wire layer through the first through holes. The present disclosure also provides a method of manufacturing a touch panel. |
| US09857920B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing user interface using acoustic signal, and device including user interface
A user interface using an acoustic signal is provided. A device with the user interface includes a sensor to acquire a surface acoustic signal generated outside of the device, and at least one processor. The processor classifies patterns of the surface acoustic signal by analyzing features of the surface acoustic signal, and identifies a user's input signal corresponding to the surface acoustic signal based on the pattern of the surface acoustic signal. |
| US09857919B2 |
Wearable device with intelligent user-input interface
A wearable device, having a camera and a light source, receives user inputs by a first method of measuring a height of a finger-like object's tip above a reference surface if this surface is present, or a second method of estimating a 3D location of the tip. In the first method, a plain sheet of light is projected to the object, casting a shadow on the surface. A camera-observed shadow length is used to compute the tip's height above the surface. In the second method, the nearest and farthest locations of the tip are estimated according to pre-determined lower and upper bounds of the object's physical width. The object is then illuminated with a structured-light pattern configured such that an area between the nearest and farthest locations receives a portion of the pattern where this portion does not contain a repeated sub-pattern, enabling unique determination of the tip's 3D location. |
| US09857916B2 |
Optical coupling in touch-sensing systems using diffusively transmitting element
A touch-sensitive apparatus operates by light frustration and comprises a light transmissive panel with a front surface and a rear surface. Light emitters and light detectors optically face the rear surface along a perimeter of a touch-sensitive region on the panel. At least one non-imaging, diffusively transmitting optical element is arranged on the rear surface along the perimeter of the touch-sensitive region. The light emitters are arranged to emit a respective beam of light onto the non-imaging optical element so as to generate, by diffuse transmission, propagating light that propagates by total internal reflection inside the panel across the touch-sensitive region, and the light detectors are arranged to receive detection light generated, by diffuse transmission, as the propagating light impinges on the non-imaging optical element, so as to define a grid of propagation paths across the touch-sensitive region between pairs of light emitters and light detectors. |
| US09857915B2 |
Touch sensing for curved displays
Described herein is an apparatus that includes a curved display surface that has an interior and an exterior. The curved display surface is configured to display images thereon. The apparatus also includes an emitter that emits light through the interior of the curved display surface. A detector component analyzes light reflected from the curved display surface to detect a position on the curved display surface where a first member is in physical contact with the exterior of the curved display surface. |
| US09857910B2 |
Method for controlling multiple touchscreens and electronic device
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for controlling multiple touch panels and an electronic device. The method includes: acquiring a first touch event by using a first touch panel, where the first touch event is input information that is triggered by a touch gesture on the first touch panel and is incompatible with an interface of third-party application software; when the electronic device detects that currently displayed application software is third-party application software, acquiring a first instruction corresponding to the first touch event, where the third-party application software is application software that is installed in the electronic device and is developed by a third party and not by a manufacturer of the electronic device; and running the third-party application software according to the first instruction. Embodiments of the present invention improve operation control efficiency of the touch panels of an electronic device. |
| US09857904B2 |
Display device
According to one embodiment, a lateral-electric-field liquid crystal display device includes a light-emitting display layer including OLEDs and a driving circuit controlling light emission of the OLEDs, a moisture impermeable film provided to be laminated on the light-emitting display layer to prevent infiltration of moisture into the light-emitting display layer, an optical substrate provided separately from the moisture impermeable film and subjecting light from the light-emitting display region to optical processing, a first touch electrode group serving as one electrode group of touch electrodes and provided on a back surface of the optical substrate, and an extraction electrode group formed to be laminated on the moisture impermeable film, the extraction electrode group and the optical substrate have an overlapping part in plan view, and electrodes of the first touch electrode group being electrically connected to electrodes of the extraction electrode group in the overlapping part. |
| US09857903B2 |
In-cell OLED touch display structure with high light penetration rate
An in-cell touch display structure includes: an upper substrate, a lower substrate, a liquid crystal layer configured between the upper and lower substrates; a black matrix layer, and a thin film transistor and sensing electrode layer. The thin film transistor and sensing electrode layer includes a gate line sub-layer having a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of connection segments separated by the gate lines, and a source line sub-layer having a plurality of source lines and a plurality of sensing conductor segments separated by the source lines, wherein part of the sensing conductor segments and part of the connection segments are electrically connected together to form a plurality of sensing conductor blocks. |
| US09857902B2 |
Embedded touch screen display panel driving mechanism
An embedded touch screen display panel driving mechanism includes a number of common electrodes, a number of pixel units each including a pixel electrode, and a number of touch sensing electrodes. The common electrodes can receive a first common voltage to cooperatively induce a first electric field with the pixel electrodes to drive liquid crystals of a liquid crystal layer to rotate to display according to data signals received by the pixel electrodes. The common electrodes can also receive a second common voltage to cooperatively induce a second electric field with the touch sensing electrodes to enable the touch sensing electrodes to transmit touch signals corresponding to touch input on the touch electrodes. At any one time, some common electrodes receive the first common voltage while other common electrodes receive the second common voltage. |
| US09857901B2 |
Display device with touch sensor having protrusions and depressions
A display device includes a display panel including a substrate, a display unit including a pixel and a non-pixel area disposed on the substrate, and an encapsulation layer covering the display unit, and a touch sensor including detection electrodes disposed on the display panel and a passivation layer covering the detection electrodes, in which the passivation layer includes a surface protrusion and depression portion overlapping the non-pixel area. |
| US09857895B2 |
Touch display device
A touch display device includes a transparent substrate, a first ink layer, a shading layer, and a decorative layer. The transparent substrate has a visible region and an non-visible region. The non-visible region is located at the peripheral of the visible region. The first ink layer is disposed on the non-visible region of the transparent substrate. The shading layer is disposed on the first ink layer. The decorative layer is disposed on a portion of the first ink layer and located between the first ink layer and the shading layer. The optical density of the first ink layer is between 0.3 and 0.67. |
| US09857893B2 |
Touchpad bar
A bar may be connected to a touchpad. The bar may include a first arm connected to a first region of the touchpad. The bar may also include a second arm connected to a second region of the touchpad. A shaft may connect the first and second arm. The bar may control flexure of the touchpad between the first region and the second region. |
| US09857892B2 |
Optical sensing mechanisms for input devices
A computer or other electronic device including a processor and an input device, such as a track pad. The track pad being in communication with the processor and including a movable surface, a light source in communication with the processor, and an optical sensor in selective optical communication with the light source and in communication with the processor. The optical sensor detects movement of the movable surface by receiving light from the light source. |
| US09857889B2 |
Method and device for handling event invocation using a stylus pen
A method and device for handling an event invocation at a touchscreen are provided. The method includes identifying the event invocation at a touchscreen of the device, determining if the event invocation is performed using a distal end of the stylus pen, retrieving an assigned predefined action with respect to the event invocation using the distal end of the stylus pen, receiving a confirmation that the assigned predefined action is acceptable, and performing the assigned predefined action for the event invocation by the distal end of the stylus pen. |
| US09857888B2 |
Paint your place application for optimizing digital painting of an image
A user-facing front end screen display of an illustrative digital image painting application includes a bucket tool which enables a user to apply a selected color to a selected area of an uploaded digital image such as a wall of a room, a paint brush tool to fill in missed areas, an eraser tool is to remove misapplied color, masking tools to mask off selected areas, and a tolerance slider tool to assist in properly filling in painted areas. Improved image preprocessing methods enable better definition of areas of the image to be painted the same color. |
| US09857881B2 |
Electrical device for hand gestures detection
Hand gesture detection electrical device for detecting hand gestures, comprising an IC electronically integrating: (a) First interface connecting to imaging device(s). (b) Second interface connecting to controlled unit. (c) Data storage storing sequential logic models representing a hand gestures. The sequential logic models map a sequence of pre-defined hand poses and/or motions. (d) Memory storing code. (e) Processor(s) coupled to the first and second interfaces, data storage and memory for executing the code to: (1) Receive timed images depicting a user's moving hand. (2) Generate a runtime sequence mapping runtime hand datasets each defined by discrete hand values indicating current state of the moving hand. (3) Estimate which hand gesture(s) best match the runtime sequence by optimizing the runtime sequence compared to the sequential logic models using SSVM functions. (4) Initiate action(s) to the controlled unit. The action(s) are associated with selected hand gesture(s) based on the estimation. |
| US09857880B2 |
Switch operating device, mobile device and method for operating a switch by a presence of a part emitting heat
Switch operating device (100) with: a presence sensor operating a switch (103) in response to presence of a heat emitting part. The presence has an approach phase (31) during which the part approaches the presence sensor, a remaining phase during which the part remains proximate to the sensor, and a withdrawal phase (41) during which the part is moved away from the sensor. The sensor detects heat emitted by the part with at least one pixel and outputs a signal (51 to 54) with signal deflections (56, 57) corresponding to a temporal intensity curve of heat detected by the pixel. A signal processing unit (101) determines the approach and withdrawal phases from the temporal succession and the shape of the signal deflections. An actuator (104) is controlled by the signal processing unit and operates the switch when the approach phase, the remaining phase and/or the withdrawal phase is determined. |
| US09857878B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing gesture input based on elliptical arc and rotation direction that corresponds to gesture input
A method and apparatus for processing a gesture input are provided. The method includes determining a type of an elliptical arc corresponding to a gesture input; determining a rotation direction corresponding to the gesture input; and processing the gesture input based on the type of the elliptical arc and the rotation direction. |
| US09857875B2 |
Vibration generation apparatus of electronic equipment
A vibration generation apparatus includes a holder including a receiver disposed with a distance from a vibration target component on the outside thereof, an actuator supported by the receiver and configured to push out one side surface of the vibration target component, and a biasing unit supported by the receiver and configured to bias the other side surface of the vibration target component in a pushing-back direction. The biasing unit includes one or more insulating elastic members opening at both ends thereof and formed in a tubular shape, and the elastic members are interposed between the receiver and the vibration target component side surface in the state in which the elastic members are compressed in a tube diameter direction. |
| US09857871B2 |
Apparatus and method for dynamic graphics rendering based on saccade detection
A method for rendering computer graphics based on saccade detection is provided. One embodiment of the method includes rendering a computer simulated scene for display to a user, detecting an onset of a saccade that causes saccadic masking in an eye movement of the user viewing the computer simulated scene, and reducing a computing resource used for rendering frames of the computer simulated scene during at least a portion of a duration of the saccade. Systems perform similar steps, and non-transitory computer readable storage mediums each storing one or more computer programs are also provided. |
| US09857863B2 |
Display apparatus, control method for display apparatus, and program that can switch an operation mode of a display apparatus from a normal operation mode to a battery replacement mode
A display apparatus includes an image display unit that enables a user to visually recognize an image and transmits external scenery therethrough, a first battery, a second battery, a communication unit, and a control unit that switches a power source between the first battery and the second battery. The control unit causes an operation mode of the display apparatus to transition from a normal operation mode to a battery replacement mode in which power consumption of the image display unit and the communication unit is lower than that in the normal operation mode in a case where the power source is changed from the first battery to the second battery. The communication unit is maintained in a communicable state in the battery replacement mode. |
| US09857860B2 |
Power supply control circuit and signal processing circuit
A power supply control circuit for controlling power supply or stop of power supply is provided between a power source and a circuit block such as a processor. The power supply control circuit not only performs power supply to the circuit block or intentionally stops power supply but also is able to hold the power supply potential when the power supply is suddenly stopped, so that a loss of data in the circuit block can be prevented. By utilizing the power supply potential held by the power supply control circuit, data in the circuit block is saved in the nonvolatile memory device, so that a loss of data in the circuit block can be prevented. As described above, the power supply control circuit functions as a power gating switch and a circuit for holding the power supply potential in the case where power supply is suddenly stopped. |
| US09857858B2 |
Managing power consumption and performance of computing systems
A method and system for managing power consumption and performance of computing systems are described herein. The method includes monitoring an overall power consumption of the computing systems to determine whether the overall power consumption is above or below an overall power consumption limit, and monitoring a performance of each computing system to determine whether the performance is within a performance tolerance. The method further includes adjusting the power consumption limits for the computing systems or the performances of the computing systems such that the overall power consumption is below the overall power consumption limit and the performance of each computing system is within the performance tolerance. |
| US09857857B2 |
Hub control method and associated circuit
A hub hub control method, wherein the hub possesses an uplink port and a plurality of downlink ports, includes: receiving link status of each downlink port to know whether each downlink port has built a link; and when none of the plurality of downlink ports has built a link, controlling the uplink port to be unable to build a link. A hub control circuit, the hub possessing an uplink port and a plurality of downlink ports, includes a link status reception unit and an uplink port control unit for respective execution of the two steps of the hub control method. |
| US09857856B2 |
System and method for determining power supply unit configurations in an information handling system
A method determines power supply unit configurations in an information handling system. The method includes determining, via a controller, a first amount of power required to operate functional components of the IHS. A history table is retrieved containing a plurality of power supply unit (PSU) configurations and PSU data. The method further includes determining if the history table contains a first PSU configuration corresponding to the first amount of power. In response to determining that the history table contains the first PSU configuration corresponding to the first amount of power, the PSUs identified as active mode PSUs in the first PSU configuration are triggered to be in an active mode and operating at the corresponding percentage load and the PSUs identified as sleep mode PSUs in the first PSU configuration are triggered to be in a sleep mode. |
| US09857855B2 |
Redundant secondary power support system
A concurrently maintainable secondary power distribution system enables redundant secondary power support to electrical loads, which receive independent primary power support from separate primary power systems, via a secondary power busway. Separate bus ducts, each carrying power from a secondary power system, are coupled to opposite ends of the busway. Each bus duct can carry power from a separate secondary power system, and switching devices bridging the connections between the bus ducts and the power busway can selectively switch the power busway from one of the bus ducts to the other bus duct, thereby switching between one of the secondary power systems. The separate secondary power systems can be coupled together at various points in the respective power systems, so that one or more portions of one of the secondary power systems can distribute power received from an upstream portion of another one of the secondary power systems. |
| US09857844B2 |
Light-emitting device
A foldable light-emitting device is provided. Furthermore, a light-emitting device which can be developed is provided. The light-emitting device includes a light-emitting panel having flexibility, two support panels which support the light-emitting panel, and arms which are connected to the respective panels to be rotatable. Furthermore, the light-emitting device has a structure in which the two support panels, which are apart from each other and connected to the two arms that are connected to be rotatable, support the light-emitting panel. Accordingly, the light-emitting device can be folded so that the two support panels are apart from each other. |
| US09857840B2 |
Vehicle multimedia system and vehicle
Various embodiments relate to a vehicle multimedia system comprising a portable device and a docking station. The portable device is configured for being releasably mounted in the docking station and comprises data storage for storing multimedia data. A first interface of the portable device and a third interface of the docking station are configured for establishing data connection between the docking station and the portable device. The docking station further comprises a second interface configured for establishing data connection with a vehicle head unit. |
| US09857835B2 |
Protective cover and device having the protective cover
A device having a protective cover includes an electronic device and a protective cover; the electronic device includes a screen and a Hall sensor; the protective cover is provided with a magnet body including at least two magnets, in which at least one magnet having magnetic lines that pass through the Hall sensor when the protective cover covers on the screen. By providing at least two magnets in the protective cover, when the protective cover covers and moves on the screen, the magnetic lines of at least one magnet of the two magnets are able to pass through the Hall sensor in the electronic device. |
| US09857833B2 |
Information handling system low profile hinge
A portable information handling system hinge rotationally couples lid and main housing portions to each other with one or more shafts that rotate relative to the housing portions and/or each other. Threads integrated along the shaft length engage off axis with a friction element that generates resistance to housing portion rotational movement. Placement of the friction element in length and/or width vectors aids reduction of the system housing height vector. |
| US09857832B2 |
Foldable electronic apparatus having display panel with variable curvature
A foldable electronic apparatus includes a flexible display panel, a first cover and a second cover configured to support a rear surface of the flexible display panel and be interconnected by a hinge member, and a first slider and a second slider configured to be installed on the first cover and the second cover and vary a curvature of the flexible display panel by an operation of sliding along the first cover and the second cover, respectively. |
| US09857827B2 |
Locking system for an actuator device
A method and apparatus for operating a locking system for an actuator device. The apparatus comprises a lock collar and a locking device. The lock collar shares a center axis with a piston having a first number of features that extend from the piston away from a center axis of the piston. The lock collar has a second number of features that extend towards the center axis. The locking device is configured to rotate the lock collar between a lock position in which the second number of features of the lock collar is engaged with the first number of features of the piston and an unlock position in which the second number of features of the lock collar is disengaged from the first number of features of the piston. |
| US09857818B1 |
Biasing for lower RON of LDO pass devices
Systems, methods and apparatus for efficient control and biasing of pass devices driven into their triode region of operation are described. The pass devices are arranged in a cascode configuration comprising a plurality of stacked devices. Biasing of the cascode devices can be according to a voltage division scheme which provides a substantially equal voltage division across the stacked devices when the voltage across the stack is high, and provides a skewed voltage division across the stacked devices when voltage across the stack is reduced, while protecting each of the devices from overvoltage and biasing the cascoded devices for a low RON. An exemplary implementation of an LDO controlling the pass devices for providing burst RF power to a power amplifier is described. |
| US09857817B2 |
Sink/source output stage with operating point current control circuit for fast transient loading
A voltage regulator is described. It includes an amplification stage to control a voltage level of a first gain node and of a second gain node in response to an input voltage, to activate a first and a second output stage, respectively. It further includes the first output stage to source a current at an output node of the voltage regulator from a first potential. The voltage regulator includes the second output stage to sink a current at the output node to a second potential. The voltage regulator includes a first operating point control circuit to set the voltage level of the first gain node such that a first maintenance current is sourced by the first output stage; and/or a second operating point control circuit to set the voltage level of the second gain node such that a second maintenance current is sunk by the second output stage. |
| US09857815B2 |
Regulator with enhanced slew rate
A regulator includes a first operational amplifier configured to receive a reference voltage and a feedback voltage and to output a node voltage based on a difference of the feedback voltage and the reference voltage; a first switch unit configured to receive the node voltage and to supply a recover current based on the node voltage; an output unit configured to output an output voltage and the feedback voltage according to a supply of the recover current; a comparison unit configured to receive the reference voltage and a feedback voltage and to sense a voltage drop of the output voltage; and a second switch unit configured to discharge the first switch unit according to the difference of the reference voltage and the feedback voltage. |
| US09857814B2 |
On-chip supply generator using dynamic circuit reference
Apparatus of a supply generator using dynamic circuit reference is provided which includes: a charge pump to receive a first power supply and to generate a second power supply; a voltage regulator to operate using the second power supply, the voltage regulator having an input to receive a reference and to generate a third power supply; and a reference generator to operate using the first power supply, the reference generator to provide the reference according to an output of a voltage sensing block. |
| US09857811B2 |
Programmable quick discharge circuit and method thereof
A programmable power discharge circuit and a method of discharging power are provided. The programmable power discharge circuit includes a programmable voltage controller, a detect circuit, and a discharge circuit. The programmable voltage controller selects and provides a threshold voltage by a voltage divider including a plurality of impedance components. The detect circuit detects a difference between the threshold voltage and a working voltage to decide whether the working voltage is discharged. |
| US09857810B2 |
Solar energy space heating thermostatic controller
A solar energy thermostatic controller using a solid-state microcomputer that manages air mover(s) to supply heated air for building space heating. Methods includes microcomputer software for communicating with temperature sensors located at the solar heating source, the supply vent source and the building room/interior. The present invention thermostatic control device features a data logger to record temperatures and humidity history, and elapsed time usage history of solar heated air available from attics and crawl spaces; or solar collectors mounted in or on walls, rooftops, or exterior locations. The thermostatic control device manages use of limited solar heated air for building environmental control. Program controlled temperature set points manage an HVAC blower to gather solar heated air during the daily sunlight solar excursion and to control shutdown of the supply system when solar heated air temperature falls below present room/interior temperature. Methods include permanent memory storage of historical data. |
| US09857806B2 |
Valve assembly and fluidic system
A valve assembly for influencing at least one fluid flow, the valve assembly including a control unit and at least one valve device, wherein the control unit includes a bus interface for connection to a bus communication system for the reception of movement instructions, a processing device for processing the movement instructions into control commands for valve devices and at least one connecting device for the electric coupling of valve devices, and wherein the at least one valve device is electrically connected to one of the connecting devices of the control unit and includes a processing means designed for processing the control commands, wherein the processing means is assigned at least one first connecting means for the electric coupling of valves and at least one second connecting means for the electric coupling of sensor means, and wherein the processing means is designed for linking sensor signals of connected sensor means to the control commands. |
| US09857798B2 |
Real-time image-based vehicle detection based on a multi-stage classification
The present disclosure is directed to an autonomous vehicle having a vehicle control system. The vehicle control system includes a vehicle detection system. The vehicle detection system includes receiving an image of a field of view of the vehicle and identifying a region-pair in the image with a sliding-window filter. The region-pair is made up of a first region and a second region. Each region is determined based on a color of pixels within the sliding-window filter. The vehicle detection system also determines a potential second vehicle in the image based on the region-pair. In response to determining the potential second vehicle in the image, the vehicle detection system performs a multi-stage classification of the image to determine whether the second vehicle is present in the image. Additionally, the vehicle detection system provides instructions to control the first vehicle based at least on the determined second vehicle. |
| US09857788B2 |
Adjustable height sole
The present invention is a sole having an adjustable height mechanism along at least one of the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis whereby the height of the sole can be adjusted creating one or more angles of inclination in the sole. The sole includes, in one embodiment, slidable spacing blocks. In a preferred embodiment, the sole further includes a motor connected to at least one block, the motor connected to a controller communicating wirelessly to a processor providing instructions to the controller for positioning the one or more blocks. |
| US09857782B2 |
Output value correction method for physical quantity sensor apparatus, output correction method for physical quantity sensor, physical quantity sensor apparatus and output value correction apparatus for physical quantity sensor
A first acquiring unit acquires initial output values of a physical quantity sensor. A second acquiring unit acquires target output values for the physical quantity sensor. A first calculating unit extracts first characteristic values by calculating a second-order first characteristics formula which indicates corrected output characteristics of the physical quantity sensor, based on the initial output values and target output values of the physical quantity sensor. The second calculating unit extracts second characteristic values by calculating a second-order second characteristics formula for correcting the first characteristic values, based on a predetermined temperature and the first characteristic values. A computing unit computes a corrected output value for the physical quantity sensor based on the first characteristics formula which is corrected by inputting the second characteristic values to the second characteristics formula. |
| US09857777B2 |
Control system for controlling goods sorter and operation method thereof
Provided is a control system including controller configured to manage ID information comprising a unique number of a carrier on which a goods is mounted from among a plurality of carriers provided to tilt in a second direction or a third direction, such that each of the carriers moves along the first direction on a goods sorter and sorts the goods to at least one of a plurality of sorting openings, a recognizer configured to sense a material of the goods and a falling point at which the goods falls in a sorting opening, and an analyzer configured to generate result data obtained by analyzing a tilting speed and a tilting strength of the carrier, wherein the controller outputs a controls signal such that the at least one of the tilting speed and the tilting strength of the carrier is controlled based on the result data. |
| US09857776B2 |
Vehicle vibration reduction system
A rotational signal of a generation source of a control object is detected and, when a rotational speed (frequency) varies, convergence values of filter coefficients of adaptive filters 33, 34 based on a previous control result corresponding to the frequency stored in a control device 11 are retrieved and set to the adaptive filters 33, 34 as initial values. The adaptive filters 33, 34 are updated by using the initial values of filter coefficients and output a control signal y(t) to an ACM (actuator) 3a. LMS arithmetic units 37, 39 read a reference signal calculated from the rotational signal and an acceleration signal (error signal) e(t) detected by a sensor 9 and carry out processing for updating the filter coefficients of the adaptive filters 33, 34. The adaptive filters 33, 34, based on updated filter coefficients, output the control signal y(t) to the ACM 3a. |
| US09857773B1 |
Smart watch and multiple numerical operation method thereof
The invention discloses a smart watch, which comprises: a dial (10), a first and a second strap (20, 24), connected respectively to both sides of the dial (10), a main display (12) disposed on a front of the dial (10), a first secondary display (13) disposed on the end of the first strap (20) connected to the dial (10), and a second secondary display (14) disposed on the end of the second strap (24) and connected to the dial (10) to increase the display area of the smart watch to achieve complex human machine interaction to satisfy various demands for display by the users. By using monolithic manufacturing method, the invention achieves reducing the number of control circuit and cost. The present invention provides a multiple numerical operation method for smart watch is easy to operate and can enhance user experience. |
| US09857771B2 |
Iterative phase retrieval with parameter inheritance
An iterative method of retrieving phase information in the Fourier domain representative of the nth frame of a sequence of 2D image frames. The method comprises using at least one parameter related to retrieval of phase information Fourier domain of the (n−1) frame as a starting point for the iterative method. |
| US09857770B2 |
Air blowing system and image forming apparatus including same
Disclosed is an air blowing system including: an air blowing device; a duct that guides air blown by the air blowing device; and a ventilation section disposed downstream of the duct in terms of an air blowing direction in which air is blown by the air blowing device so that the air blown by the air blowing device strikes and passes through the ventilation section, wherein the duct has a distorted portion where a part of an inner wall face of the duct located between the air blowing device and the ventilation section is distorted perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the air blowing direction so that the air blown by the air blowing device flows perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the air blowing direction. Also disclosed is an air blowing system including: an air blowing device; and a duct that guides air blown by the air blowing device, wherein the duct has an outer surface on at least a part of which there is provided a surface area reducing portion for reducing a surface area of a continuous face. |
| US09857769B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method and information processing system
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, first and second obtaining units, an output unit, and a sender. The image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium. The first obtaining unit obtains, from each of plural measuring devices provided in different locations outside an air-conditioning control device, environment information indicating an environment around a corresponding measuring device. The second obtaining unit obtains position information indicating a position of a user. The output unit outputs air-conditioning control information based on the obtained environment information and the obtained position information for controlling a subject air-conditioning control device. The sender sends the output air-conditioning control information to a destination device. |
| US09857768B2 |
Image forming apparatus operable with regular toner container properly mounted
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a mounting portion, and a detecting device. The image forming unit forms an image using toner. A toner container of a given type is removably mounted on the mounting portion. The detecting device detects whether or not the toner container has been mounted on the mounting portion. The toner container and the mounting portion respectively include an engaging protrusion and an engaging hole. The engaging protrusion and the engaging hole are engageable with one another. The engaging protrusion and the engaging hole engaged with one another causes the detecting device to detect that the toner container has been mounted on the mounting portion. The engaging protrusion and the engaging hole are of form configured according to the toner container type. |
| US09857766B2 |
Electrophotographic image forming apparatus, developing apparatus, and coupling member
An image forming apparatus cartridge includes a casing, a developer roller having an axis L1, and coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes (i) a first end portion operatively connected with the developer roller, (ii) a second end portion having an outermost surface, (iii) an axle portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion to each other, and (iv) at least one projection extending from the second end portion. For at least part of the outermost surface of the second end portion, a maximum distance from the axis L2 to the outermost surface along a line perpendicular to the axis L2 increases as the distance along the axis L2 from the axle portion increases. |
| US09857765B2 |
Process cartridge, electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit
A process cartridge includes a casing, a photosensitive drum having an axis L1, and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes (i) a first end portion connected with the photosensitive drum, (ii) a second end portion having an outermost surface, (iii) an axle portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion to each other, and (iv) at least one projection extending from the second end portion. For at least part of the outermost surface of the second end portion, a maximum distance from the axis L2 to the outermost surface along a line perpendicular to the axis L2 increases as the distance along the axis L2 from the axle portion increases. |
| US09857764B2 |
Process cartridge, electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit
A drum unit usable in a process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum having an axis L1 and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes a first end portion connected to the photosensitive drum and a second end portion, with the second end portion including at least one projection that is open to the axis L2 and an outer surface that faces away from the first end portion. For least part of the outer surface, a maximum distance from the axis L2 to the outer surface along a line perpendicular to the axis L2 decreases as the distance along the axis L2 from the first end portion increases. |
| US09857763B2 |
Process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position. |
| US09857753B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a first conveying path, a second conveying path, a detector, a conveyance guide member and an interlock mechanism. The first conveying path communicates the second conveying path through which a sheet supplied from a supply part is conveyed. The detector detects whether or not the sheet is present in the first conveying path. The conveyance guide member composes the second conveying path and one end part thereof is pivotally supported so as to be able to open/close the second conveying path. The interlock mechanism interlocks the detector with the opening/closing operation of the conveyance guide member. The detector detects the opening/closing operation of the conveyance guide member. |
| US09857752B2 |
Image forming apparatus that purges sheets after a paper jam
Disclosed is an image forming system, which makes it possible to effectively eject the jam-subsequent paper sheet remaining therein. In the system, a primary abnormal state in which the conveyance operation cannot be continued, and a secondary abnormal state in which an adverse influence is possibly incurred to the image formed on the paper sheet though it is possible to continue the conveyance operation, are defined. In the state that the primary abnormal state or the secondary abnormal state is detected in midcourse of the conveyance operation, when a pre-purge processing for conveying the jam-subsequent paper sheet is implemented so as to eject the jam-subsequent paper sheet onto the ejecting tray, controlling operations are conducted so as to continue the conveyance operation without halting the conveyance operation, even if the secondary abnormal state in respect to the jam-subsequent paper sheet is detected in midcourse of performing the pre-purge processing thereof. |
| US09857750B1 |
Transport monitoring control device and image forming apparatus
A transport monitoring control device includes a transport unit configured to transport a recording medium while nipping the recording medium, a driving unit configured to drive the transport unit, a detector configured to detect a waveform related to a load of the driving unit when the recording medium enters the transport unit or is discharged from the transport unit, and a determining unit configured to determine whether the recording medium is skewed with respect to the transport unit, based on a waveform width at a height obtained by multiplying a peak value of the waveform by a predetermined coefficient. |
| US09857749B2 |
Driving force transmission apparatus, sheet conveyance apparatus, and image forming apparatus
The conveyance apparatus includes a first engaging portion of a first planetary gear unit and a second engaging portion of a second planetary gear unit, and a stopping member movable to a first stop position to stop a first engaged gear, and to a second stop position to stop a second engagement gear, in which a pivot fulcrum of the stopping member is arranged at an intersection between an extension line of a vector of a force that the first engaging portion receives from the first engaged portion under a state in which the stopping member is at the first stop position, and an extension line of a vector of a force that the second engaging portion receives from the second engaged portion under a state in which the stopping member is at the second stop position. |
| US09857743B2 |
Fixing device and image forming apparatus having the same
A fixing device includes a fixing unit configured to heat a sheet to fix an image on the sheet, a heating unit configured to heat the fixing unit, and a heat conduction unit disposed adjacent to a heated surface of the fixing unit. The fixing unit includes a first region not in contact with the sheet during heating of the sheet and a second region that is in contact with the heated sheet during heating of the sheet and has a temperature lower than the first region as a result of the contact with the sheet during the heating. The heat conduction unit is configured to transfer heat from the first region to the second region. |
| US09857741B2 |
Image forming apparatus including main ribs respectively corresponding to sheets of plural sizes and sub-rib lower than main rib
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device, an ejection device and a conveyance guide. The fixing device is configured to fix a toner image onto a sheet. The ejection device is configured to eject the sheet having fixed toner image by the fixing device. The conveyance guide is configured to guide the sheet along a conveyance path from the fixing device to the ejection device. The conveyance guide is provided with a plurality of main ribs formed along a sheet conveyance direction so as to be located inwardly by a predetermined length from both side edges of sheets of a plurality of sizes in a sheet width direction intersecting with the sheet conveyance direction. The conveyance guide is provided with a sub-rib formed to be lower than the main ribs arranged at a space where the interval between the main ribs is wider than a predetermined interval. |
| US09857739B2 |
Coating apparatus, coating method, fixing member manufacturing apparatus, fixing member manufacturing method and fixing member
A coating apparatus configured to coat a peripheral surface of an endless member with a coating liquid, includes: a holding member configured to hold the endless member; an impregnation member configured to be impregnated with the coating liquid and configured to coat the endless member with the coating liquid in contact with the endless member; a nozzle member configured to eject the coating liquid onto the endless member; a rotating mechanism configured to rotate the holding member relative to the impregnation member and the nozzle member; and a moving mechanism configured to move the holding member relative to the impregnation member and the nozzle member so that the coating liquid is ejected from the nozzle member onto the endless member in a region where the coating liquid is already coated by the impregnation member. |
| US09857727B2 |
Imaging supply memory
In one example, an article for an imaging supply for a printer includes a first memory and a second memory. The first memory stores an indication that a digital signature to authenticate the imaging supply to the printer is stored in the second memory. The second memory stores a digital signature to authenticate the imaging supply to the printer and consumables management data. |
| US09857726B2 |
Accumulation device and image forming apparatus
An accumulation device includes a container, an expansion mechanism, and a detector. The container has an opening through which the container receives powder. The expansion mechanism includes a separator which separates an interior of the container into a first space where the powder dropped through the opening is accumulated and a second space where the powder dropped through the opening is not accumulated. The expansion mechanism allows the first space to be enlarged by changing a state of the separator. The detector detects the powder accumulated in the first space. |
| US09857725B2 |
Electrophotographic device member
An electrophotographic device member R is used in an electrophotographic device. The electrophotographic device member R has a surface layer 1. The surface layer 1 has a matrix polymer 11 forming a skeleton of the surface layer 1 and a surface modifier 12 contained in the matrix polymer 11. The surface modifier 12 is composed of a copolymer containing, in its molecule, a first polymerization unit derived from a (meth)acrylate having a silicone group 121 and a second polymerization unit derived from a (meth)acrylate having a fluorine-containing group 122. |
| US09857721B2 |
Light source device, optical scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus
A light source device includes a light source configured to emit a laser beam; a lens through which the laser beam emitted from the light source passes; and a holder member for holding the light source and the lens; wherein the holder member is provided with an opening through which the laser beam is outputted; wherein the lens is bonded with the holder member at whole circumference of the opening by an adhesive material without contact with the holder member. |
| US09857720B2 |
Field effect electric charger device and image forming device
A field effect (FE) electric charger device that electrically charges a surface of a charge-target member, the FE electric charger device including: an electric charger element; a power source supplying the electric charger element with current; and a lead electrode generating an electric field upon voltage application and causing the electric charger element to discharge. In the FE electric charger device, the electric charger element has a density no smaller than 0.4 g/cm3, and includes a plurality of filaments each including a plurality of sp2 carbon molecules bonded together. |
| US09857719B2 |
Image forming apparatus having photosensitive body and charging device
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion configured to form a toner image. The image forming portion includes: a photosensitive body; a charging device; an exposure device; a toner supply device; and a transfer device. A continuously printed amount, which has been attained by the image forming portion while the image forming portion has formed toner images continuously with a time interval between every two successive image-forming timings having a length shorter than or equal to a prescribed length, is determined. A charging voltage to be applied to the charging device is set based on a sum of a reference charging voltage and a correction value, the reference charging voltage being determined based on a target surface potential of the photosensitive body, the correction value being determined based on the continuously printed amount. |
| US09857712B2 |
Electrostatic latent image developing toner
An electrostatic latent image developing toner includes a plurality of toner particles each including a core and a shell layer. The shell layer is disposed over a surface of the core. The shell layer is substantially formed by a resin. The shell layer has a surface including a plurality of spot regions and a sheet region that is more hydrophobic than the spot regions. The spot regions each are more chargeable than the sheet region. |
| US09857711B2 |
Toner
Provided is a toner including toner particles each containing: a binder resin, a crystalline polyester, and a colorant, in which: the colorant includes a compound represented by the following formula (1); and the binder resin and the crystalline polyester satisfy the following formula (2): in the formula (1), R1, R2, and R3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and Ar represents an aryl group. ΔSP=|SP1−SP2|≦0.43 Formula (2). |
| US09857708B2 |
Toner compositions and processes
Environmentally friendly toner particles are provided which may include a bio-based amorphous polyester resin including camphoric acid, optionally in combination with a crystalline resin. Methods for providing these toners are also provided. |
| US09857707B2 |
Toner
Provided is a toner, including: a toner particle containing a binder resin and a colorant; and an inorganic fine particle, in which the toner particle has an average circularity of 0.960 or more, and in which the toner satisfies the formula (1) and the formula (2). Fp(A)≦25.0 nN Formula (1) (Fp(B)−Fp(A))/Fp(A)≦0.60 Formula (2) |
| US09857704B2 |
Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus
A process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a gap retaining member, where the electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a first region having an undercoat layer, a charge generating layer, and a charge transporting layer on a support in this order and a second region having an undercoat layer and a charge transporting layer on a support in this order, the undercoat layer contains a metal oxide particle and any one of an urethane resin, an amino resin, and a polyamide resin as a binder resin, and the charge transporting layer contains a charge transporting substance and at least one selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate resin and a polyester resin, and where the gap retaining member comes into contact with a surface of the second region of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. |
| US09857703B2 |
Alignment sensor and lithographic apparatus
An alignment sensor for a lithographic apparatus is arranged and constructed to measure an alignment of a movable part of the lithographic apparatus in respect of a stationary part of the lithographic apparatus. The alignment sensor comprises a light source configured to generate a pulse train at a optical wavelength and a pulse repetition frequency, a non-linear optical element, arranged in an optical propagation path of the pulse train, the non-linear optical element configured to transform the pulse train at the optical wavelength into a transformed pulse train in an optical wavelength range, an optical imaging system configured to project the transformed pulse train onto an alignment mark comprising a diffraction grating; a detector to detect a diffraction pattern as diffracted by the diffraction grating, and a data processing device configured to derive alignment data from the detected diffraction pattern as detected by the detector. |
| US09857693B1 |
Lithography model calibration via cache-based niching genetic algorithms
A set of original model candidates are first divided into groups of original model candidates. Child model candidates are generated by performing crossover on each of the groups of original model candidates without mutation. From the original model candidates and the child model candidates, a set of new model candidates are derived, which includes: selecting a group of new model candidates from each group of the original model candidates and the corresponding child model candidates, selecting an additional new model candidate if adding the additional new model candidate increases overall diversity, and performing niche clearing to keep a number of the new model candidates in each of niches from exceeding a maximum number. The dividing, generating and deriving operations are then iterated. Model caching may be performed by restricting the crossover to the model term level or above. |
| US09857691B2 |
Illumination optical apparatus having deflecting member, lens, polarization member to set polarization in circumference direction, and optical integrator
An illumination optical apparatus illuminates a pattern on a mask with illumination light. The illumination optical apparatus includes an optical integrator arranged in an optical path of the illumination light, a deflecting member arranged in the optical path on an incidence side of the optical integrator, which deflects the illumination light, a lens element arranged in the optical path between the deflecting member and the optical integrator, which distributes the illumination light in a region, on a pupil plane of the illumination optical apparatus, away from an optical axis of the illumination optical apparatus, and a polarization member arranged in the optical path between the lens element and the optical integrator, which changes a polarization state of the illumination light so that a polarization direction of the illumination light in the region is substantially coincident with a circumferential direction about the optical axis. |
| US09857689B2 |
Method for fabricating pattern using supporting assembly with rolling member disposed below supporting rods and semiconductor fabrication apparatus having the supporting assembly
A method for fabricating a pattern on a semiconductor substrate, comprising the steps of: (a) providing the semiconductor substrate having a photosensitive layer thereon; (b) transmitting the semiconductor substrate to an exposure apparatus including several tubes; (c) providing the supporting assembly to support the tubes, where the supporting assembly includes a first supporting rod having several first parallel recesses, a second supporting rod disposed opposite to the first supporting rod, a bridging member connected to one end of the first supporting rod or one end of the second supporting rod; and a rolling member received by the bridging member; (d) providing a photomask to the exposure apparatus; and (e) transferring the pattern from the photomask to the photosensitive layer. |
| US09857686B2 |
Composition for forming resist underlayer film and patterning process
The present invention provides a composition for forming a resist underlayer film, containing an organic solvent and either or both of a compound shown by the following general formula (1) and a condensate of the compound. There can be provided a composition for forming a resist underlayer film that is capable of forming an underlayer film, especially for use in a three-layer resist process, that can reduce reflectance, has high pattern-bend resistance, and prevents line fall and wiggling after etching of a high aspect line especially thinner than 60 nm, and a patterning process using the same. |
| US09857684B2 |
Silicon-containing photoresist for lithography
A photoresist composition and methods of using the same are disclosed. The photoresist includes a polymer backbone, an acid labile group (ALG) chemically bonded to the polymer backbone, a photo-acid generator (PAG), a solvent, and a silicon-containing unit that is chemically bonded to one of: the ALG and a crosslinker. A method of using the photoresist composition includes forming a layer of the photoresist over a substrate, performing an exposing process to the photoresist layer; and developing the photoresist layer, thereby forming a patterned photoresist layer. The patterned photoresist layer includes the silicon-containing unit. |
| US09857682B2 |
Positive photosensitive siloxane resin composition and display device formed using the same
A positive photosensitive siloxane resin composition includes a) a siloxane copolymer obtained by performing hydrolysis and condensation polymerization of i) at least one reactive silane represented by the following Chemical Formula 1 and ii) at least one 4-functional reactive silane represented by the following Chemical Formula 2 under a catalyst, the copolymer having a polystyrene-converted weight average molecular weight Mw of 1,000 to 20,000, b) a 1,2-quinonediazide compound, and c) a solvent, (R1)nSi(R2)4-n [Chemical Formula 1] Si(R3)4 [Chemical Formula 2] wherein R1s may each independently be any one of an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and an aryl group having 6 to 15 carbon atoms, R2 may be an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, or acetoxy, R3s may each independently be any one of an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, or an acetoxy group, and n may be a natural number of 1 to 3. |
| US09857681B2 |
Green photoresist composition, method of preparing the same, color filter, and display device
A green photoresist composition capable of emitting infrared light, a method of preparing the green photoresist composition capable of emitting infrared light, a color filter including green sub-pixels formed from the green photoresist composition capable of emitting infrared light, and a display device including the color filter. The green photoresist composition capable of emitting infrared light includes, based on the total weight of the composition, 2% to 20% of a color mixed material, 30% to 90% of a solvent, 2% to 20% of an alkali-soluble resin, 2% to 20% of an ethenoid unsaturated monomer, 0.01% to 1% of photoinitiator, and 0.005% to 0.02% of other additives; wherein the color mixed material includes a colorant and a surface-modified infrared light-emitting material at a weight ratio of 36:1 to 1:1. |
| US09857680B2 |
Cleaning module, cleaning apparatus and method of cleaning photomask
In a method of cleaning a photomask, a wiper tape is guided from a wiper tape supplying reel, over a cleaning head, and then onto a wiper tape collecting reel. A section of the wiper tape over the cleaning head is brought into contact with an adhesive residue on a surface of the photomask. A relative movement is caused between the photomask and the section of the wiper tape to remove the adhesive residue from the surface of the photomask. |
| US09857679B2 |
Lithography mask and fabricating the same
A mask includes a doped substrate having a first region, a second region and a third region. The doped substrate in the first region has a first thickness to define a first mask state and in the second region has a second thickness to define a second mask state. The second thickness is different than the first thickness. The mask also includes an absorption material layer disposed over the third region to define a border region. |
| US09857678B1 |
Methods of controlling distortion of exposure processes
A method of controlling distortion of an exposure process is provided. The method includes aligning an exposure mask with a wafer, forming a first test pattern on the wafer by performing a first exposure with the exposure mask and a first illumination system, forming a photoresist layer on an entire surface of the wafer including the first test pattern, performing a second exposure with the exposure mask and a second illumination system to form a second test pattern overlapping with the first test pattern, extracting a distortion value between the first test pattern and the second test pattern, and correcting the exposure mask or fabricating a corrected exposure mask using the distortion value. |
| US09857667B2 |
Mounting apparatus provided with two spring members and holding member
In a mounting apparatus, a first spring member has an arc shape, and a second spring member is provided integrally with the first spring member or provided separately from the first spring member to be coupled to the second spring member. The second spring member is disposed inside the first spring member at a predetermined angle from the first spring member. A holding member holds the second spring member to be fitted into the holding member such that the holding member is in contact with a wearer. The configuration is able to reduce a load applied onto a head of the wearer while providing an improved fitting on the wearer. |
| US09857662B2 |
Optical frequency shift device and method
An optical-frequency shift device to shift a first optical-signal of a first optical-frequency to a second optical-signal of a second optical-frequency, including a splitter to split the first optical-signal to optical-signals of first and second polarizations, orthogonal each other, a generator to generate first and fourth controlled-light of the first polarization, and second and third controlled-light of the second polarization, each of frequency differences between the first and second controlled-light and between the third and fourth controlled-light having a spacing equal to a difference between the first and second optical-frequencies, a nonlinear optical-medium in which idler light of the second and first polarization are created by causing cross phase modulation of the optical-signals of the first and second polarizations, the first and third controlled-light, and the second and fourth controlled-light, respectively, and an optical-combiner to combine the idler light of the second and first polarization. |
| US09857659B2 |
Laser device
A laser device includes a light source that radiates a laser beam having one or more frequencies, and a nonlinear optical medium on which the laser beam is incident, the non-linear optical medium including at least one dispersive medium that is transparent and arranged along a direction in which the laser beam is radiated. The nonlinear optical medium drives a nonlinear optical process including generation of laser beams having different frequencies. The at least one dispersive medium has an effective thickness that causes a relative phase relationship among all the laser beams relevant to the nonlinear optical process to approximately satisfy a predetermined value. |
| US09857653B2 |
Thin film transistor array substrate and liquid crystal display panel
The present invention provides a thin film transistor array substrate and a liquid crystal display panel. The thin film transistor array substrate comprises: a substrate, and the substrate comprises a first surface and a second surface oppositely located; a thin film transistor array, located on the first surface; a common electrode layer, and the common electrode layer is isolated from the thin film transistor array, and the common electrode layer comprises a plurality of first strip holes; a sensing electrode layer, and the sensing electrode layer is isolated from the common electrode layer, and the sensing electrode layer comprises a plurality of sensing units and a plurality of sensing wires, and the sensing units are distributed in row and column, and the sensing wires are electrically coupled to the sensing units of each row or each column respectively, and the sensing wires are located corresponding to the first strip holes. |
| US09857652B2 |
Wide viewing angle panel and display device
The present disclosure provides a wide viewing angle panel and a display device, in each row of sub pixels of the wide viewing angle panel, every three sub pixels constitute a pixel unit, which is arranged in an array, the pixel unit includes a first pixel unit and a second pixel unit, the brightness of the first pixel unit is higher than that of the second pixel unit, the area of the first pixel unit is equal to that of the second pixel unit, the first pixel unit and the second pixel unit are uniformly disposed on the array. The display device includes the wide viewing angle panel as descripted above. The present disclosure can increase the transmittance of the wide viewing angle panel, reduce the energy consumption of backlight, and make the design of the pixel unit distribution more flexible in the wide viewing angle panel. |
| US09857651B2 |
Array substrate and liquid crystal device
The present invention propose an array substrate and a liquid crystal display device. The array substrate includes data lines and scan lines and a plurality of red, green and blue sub-pixels. The data lines and scan lines run across but not touching each other. The red, green and blue sub-pixels are lined in parallel along the data lines. Each sub-pixel connects corresponding scan line and data line via a thin film transistor. Each pixel area is installed with at least one sub-pixel, and scan lines forming two neighboring pixel areas are different. The two neighboring sub-pixels have opposite polarity, and sub-pixels lined horizontally along the scan lines have the same color. The present invention requires the fewer number of data lines, saving the cost of the array substrate. The present invention also saves the layout room on the array substrate, reduces non-transparent areas, and increases aperture ratio. |
| US09857648B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing the same
A disclosed liquid crystal display includes a substrate with a gate electrode, a gate insulation film, an active layer, a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a first passivation film formed on the substrate. An organic insulation film having a first contact hole and a common electrode having a second contact hole are formed on the first passivation film using a single mask. The display also includes a second passivation film on the common electrode, and a pixel electrode on the second passivation film and connected to the drain electrode via the contact hole through the second passivation film. The top surface of the organic insulation film adjacent to a side edge of the organic insulation film is uncovered by the common electrode. |
| US09857647B2 |
Display panel and display device thereof
The present invention provides a display panel and a display device; the display panel comprises a TFT substrate, a color filter substrate and a conductive polarizer; the conductive polarizer covers a light radiation surface of the color filter substrate, a side perpendicular to the light radiation surface, and a side of the TFT substrate. The display panel can avoid influence of outside electric fields, and has a certain tap or drop ability. |
| US09857646B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and display panel
The invention discloses a liquid crystal display device and its display panel. The display panel includes: a display region; a fan-out region, which is connected to at least one side of the display region; the fan-out region includes at least one group of fan-out wires, each group of the fan-out wires includes a plurality of wires, the wires include a first layer of metal wires and a second layer of metal wires that are disposed alternately, a part of the first layer of metal wires and the second layer of metal wires that are adjacent is overlapped. By the method above, the invention can reduce RC delay between the wires of each group of fan-out wires and improve display quality. |
| US09857643B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate and a second substrate opposed to each other with a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate has a plurality of drain signal lines and a plurality of gate signal lines, and a plurality of pixel regions are defined by the drain signal lines and the gate signal lines. Each of the pixel regions includes a first electrode having a plurality of strip-like portions extending in an extension direction of the drain signal lines, the strip-like portions having at least one bent portion so that extension directions of each two parts of the strip-like portions separated by the at least one bent portion are different from each other, and a second electrode formed between the first substrate and the first electrode, and being overlapped with the strip-like portions in plan view. |
| US09857638B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a scanning line extending in a first direction and a scanning line extending in a second direction. The signal line extends in a zigzag manner in the second direction by running tilted at a first predetermined angle with respect to the second direction for every plurality of pixels and running tilted at a second predetermined angle with respect to the second direction for every plurality of pixels. |
| US09857634B2 |
Liquid crystal photoalignment agent, liquid crystal display including the same, and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate, a thin film transistor positioned on the first substrate, a first electrode connected to the thin film transistor, a second substrate facing the first substrate, a first alignment layer positioned on the first electrode and a second alignment layer positioned on the second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate and including a liquid crystal molecule. At least one of the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer includes a copolymer of cyclobutanedianhydride (CBDA), a diamine, and a compound represented by Chemical Formula 2. In which X of Chemical Formula 2 represents —(CH2)m-O—(CH2)n—, and a sum of m and n is an odd number. |
| US09857629B2 |
Display apparatus and backlight
A first LED substrate and a second LED substrate are included each of which includes: on a main surface thereof, a plurality of LEDs connected in series in a longitudinal direction; a first connector including (i) a first terminal disposed on one of short sides of the LED substrate and connected to an anode of an LED positioned first among the LEDs connected in series, and (ii) a second terminal connected to a cathode of another LED positioned last among the LEDs connected in series. The second terminal of the first LED substrate and the first terminal of the second LED substrate are interconnected. The first terminal of the first LED substrate is connected to a positive terminal of a power circuit and the second terminal of the second LED substrate is connected to a negative terminal of the power circuit. |
| US09857626B1 |
Substrates for liquid crystal panels and liquid crystal panels
A substrate of liquid crystal panels includes a glass substrate, and a wire grid layer including a dielectric layer arranged on one side of the glass substrate, and a metal layer on the dielectric layer. The metal layer includes a number of first metal bars and a number of second metal bars. The second metal bars are configured to divide the metal layer into a first area, a second area, and a third area cyclically arranged. The first metal bars are arranged within the first area, the second area, and the third area in sequence, and the first metal bars are parallel to and are spaced apart from each other. The first metal bars within the different areas respectively include a first period, a second period, and a third period different from each other. In addition, the present disclosure also relates to a liquid crystal panel. |
| US09857623B2 |
Reflective flexible liquid crystal display
The present invention provides a reflective flexible liquid crystal display, which includes: an upper flexible substrate (1), a lower flexible substrate (3) arranged opposite to the upper flexible substrate (1), a layer of liquid crystal (5) filled between the upper flexible substrate (1) and the lower flexible substrate (3), a circular polarization sheet (7) arranged on an upper surface of the upper flexible substrate (1), and a flexible light guide plate (9) arranged on an upper surface of the circular polarization sheet (7). The upper flexible substrate (1) and the flexible light guide plate (9) are both transparent and the lower flexible substrate (3) includes a reflector layer (37) formed thereon. The reflective flexible liquid crystal display has a simple structure, allowing the liquid crystal display to be applied to flexible displaying. |
| US09857622B2 |
Microlens array substrate, electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus
A microlens array substrate includes a substrate having a surface in which a concave portion is provided, a lens layer that is provided so as to fill the concave portion, and an optical path length adjustment layer that is provided so as to cover the lens layer. A flat portion is disposed in a central portion of the concave portion. A refractive index of the lens layer is higher than a refractive index of the substrate, and a refractive index of the optical path length adjustment layer is higher than a refractive index of the substrate and is equal to or lower than a refractive index of the lens layer. |
| US09857618B2 |
Display enclosure with passive cooling system
A display enclosure can include a passive cooling system that includes an exhaust channel and a number of fans. The configuration of the exhaust channel can cause airflow to ingress through one side of the display enclosure, circulate through the display enclosure, and then egress through the same side. The exhaust channel can be positioned around the outer edges of the display enclosure to form an insulative barrier to external heat (e.g., sunlight) while at the same time removing heat generated internally. |
| US09857617B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A first electrode 30 for the touch panel is formed on an outer side of a counter substrate 200, and the protection film 210 is formed over the first electrode 30 to cover it. A defect 211 in the protection film 210 is filled in with another protection film 210 by inkjet coating. The surface of the protection film 210 is rubbed to a rough surface finish. The polarization plate 220 is attached to the rough surface of the protection film 210 via an adhesive material 221. Since the defective region is repaired by the formation of the protection film 210, corrosion of the first electrode (wiring) 30 due to the presence of the adhesive material 221 can be prevented, and since the surface of the second protection film 210 is made rough, a resulting increase in adhering surface area enhances the adhesion for attaching the polarization plate 220. |
| US09857615B2 |
Light source device and display device
Provided are a light source device and a display device with an assembly constitution that can reduce the size of a frame and make the frame less conspicuous. A light source device is constituted such that a front cabinet having a U-shaped cross-section and a front cover are attached as a unit on an outer peripheral part of a backlight unit, and A display device is constituted such that the front cabinet having a U-shaped cross-section and the front cover are attached as a unit on an outer peripheral part of a liquid-crystal unit, a lens cover is attached by joining joining-groove parts to lens fixing claws provided on the front cabinet and the peripheral edge part of the lens cover is held by a pressing piece on the front cover. |
| US09857610B2 |
Optical modulator and method for manufacturing same
In an optical modulator 115 of an embodiment, an optical waveguide core 121 is configured from an n− type semiconductor region 134, a gate insulating film 136 on the n− type semiconductor region 134, and a p− type semiconductor region 137 on the gate insulating film 136. Further, a width W1 of the n− type semiconductor region 134 and a width W1 of the p− type semiconductor region 137 are equally formed and are layered without being shifted. Therefore, an optical modulator having stable optical characteristics can be provided. |
| US09857607B2 |
Apparatus for formation of an ophthalmic lens precursor and lens
This invention discloses apparatus for generating an ophthalmic lens with at least a portion of one surface free-formed from a Reactive Mixture. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is formed on a substrate with an arcuate optical quality surface via a source of actinic radiation controllable to cure a definable portion of a volume of Reactive Mixture. |
| US09857604B2 |
Stereoscopic display
A stereoscopic display comprises a flat-panel display and an optical layer disposed thereon. The optical layer further includes a lens array layer and a micro-structure layer. The flat-panel display has a display plane. The lens array layer has a base and a plurality of lens with focusing function. The lens array layer adjusts the light field. The micro-structure layer connects to the lens array layer, and includes a substrate and a plurality of micro structures. The micro-structure layer modulates the direction of light so that a stereo image which allows an oblique angle of view natural to the user is displayed. |
| US09857603B2 |
2D/3D switchable display device
The present invention provides a 2D/3D switchable display device, comprising a backlight module (2) and a liquid crystal panel (1) located on the backlight module (2); the liquid crystal panel (1) comprises a plurality of element images (11) sequentially aligned, and the backlight module (2) comprises a plurality of light-emitting elements (21) corresponding to the plurality of element images (11), and each light-emitting element (21) comprises a middle region (211) in a middle position and a surrounding region (212) at periphery of the middle region (211), and the middle regions (211) of the plurality of light-emitting elements (21) respectively correspond to the plurality of element images (11), and the middle region (211) and the surrounding region (212) are respectively controlled by different circuits to be lightened or dimmed; as the middle region (211) and the surrounding region (212) are lightened at the same time, the display device shows a 2D display mode, and as the middle region (211) is lightened and the surrounding region (212) is dimmed, the display device shows a 3D display mode of two dimensional integral imaging to achieve a switch of 2D/3D display modes. |
| US09857601B2 |
Display device
A display device includes: a parallax adjustment unit arranged on a side of a surface of a display unit on which an image is displayed or on a reverse side of the surface, wherein unit areas extending in a first direction are arranged in columns in a second direction in the parallax adjustment unit; and a control unit detecting positions of a right eye and a left eye of a user based on an image of the user, determining a display of pixels of a right eye image and a left eye image to be displayed on the display unit depending on the detected positions of the right eye and the left eye, and determining an area that transmits light among the unit areas included in the parallax adjustment unit depending on the positions of the right eye and the left eye and the display of pixels. |
| US09857597B2 |
Packaging box as inbuilt virtual reality display
A packaging box with a virtual reality (VR) display is disclosed. The packaging box with a VR display includes an outer case designed to have a nose holder and at least one strap slit, and a holder case adapted to fit inside the outer case for holding a video display device. The holder case is configured to have two view finder holes on upper surface of the holder case. The packaging box includes a nose holder at one side of the holder case which is in line with the nose holder of the outer case, and a rectangular bezel holder at bottom surface of the holder case, two eye piece holders, in symmetry with the view finder holes on the upper surface, adapted to fit on the upper surface of the holder case, each of the eye piece holder fitted with an eye piece. |
| US09857596B2 |
Strap assembly with flex circuit for a head mounted display
Head mounted displays are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a head mounted display includes a front display module and a strap assembly. The strap assembly includes first and second connector arms coupling the strap assembly to the front display module. The head mounted display further includes a flex circuit for providing power and control to an electronic component coupled to the strap assembly. The flex circuit can deflect to allow the strap assembly to move relative to the front display module without damaging the flex circuit. |
| US09857595B2 |
Integrated mobile device shipping container and virtual reality headset
In a general aspect, an apparatus can include a goggle portion having a chassis that is open on a first side, a lens assembly disposed on a second side of the chassis of the goggle portion and a ledge disposed around an interior perimeter of the chassis of the goggle portion. The ledge can be configured to physically support an electronic device inserted in the goggle portion. The apparatus can also include a cover portion having a chassis that is open on a first side and at least partially closed on a second side. The cover portion can be configured to be placed over the goggle portion, such that at least a portion of the goggle portion is disposed within the cover portion and the electronic device is retained between the ledge and an interior surface of the second side of the cover portion. |
| US09857578B2 |
Laser scanning microscope
A laser scanning microscope for the acquisition of object images according to varied observation criteria. The microscope includes an illumination and detection unit, an illumination and a detection beam, a microscope objective, a scanning device with a scanning optical component and several scanners, with switching mirrors, each mirror with two switching positions, provided in the illumination and detection beams. Each switching position is assigned to one of several different, optically separate beam paths and each beam path defines a separate operating mode. A concave mirror for imaging a first scanner into at least one more scanner and vice versa is arranged in at least one of the beam paths. |
| US09857574B2 |
Zoom lens system and imaging apparatus
A zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, includes: a first lens group having positive optical power; a second lens group having negative optical power; a third lens group having positive optical power; a fourth lens group having negative optical power; and a fifth lens group having positive optical power, wherein focusing is performed by moving the fourth lens group, and conditions (1) through (3) are satisfied: Σd/(fT×tan ωT)<3.5 (1) LT/fT<1.1 (2) 9.1 |
| US09857573B2 |
Zoom lens and imaging apparatus
A zoom lens is constituted by, in order from the object side: a positive first lens group; a negative second lens group; a positive third lens group; a positive fourth lens group; a negative fifth lens group, and a positive sixth lens group. The distances among adjacent lens groups change when changing magnification from the wide angle end to the telephoto end. The first lens group is constituted by, in order from the object side, a negative lens, a positive lens, and a positive lens. The second lens group has a negative 2R lens group constituted by a cemented lens formed by cementing a negative lens and a positive lens, provided in this order from the object side, together, and a negative single lens. The fifth lens group is constituted by, in order from the object side, a negative lens, a negative lens, and a positive lens. |
| US09857572B2 |
Fixed-focus projection lens
A fixed-focus projection lens, in order from an image side to an image source side along an optical axis, includes a first lens with negative refractive power, a second lens with positive refractive power, a third lens with negative refractive power, a fourth lens with positive refractive power, a fifth lens with positive refractive power, and a sixth lens with positive refractive power. The second lens is a biconvex lens. While projecting, a light enters the fixed-focus projection lens from the image source side, and passes through the fixed-focus projection lens. Further more, at least one surface of the first lens is aspherical, a refractive index of the second lens is greater than 1.8, and a refractive index of the fifth lens is greater than 1.7. Such arrangement helps to lower a spherical aberration of spherical lens, shortening the optical system, and effectively lower the distortion. |
| US09857571B2 |
Thermoplastic sheet for a heads-up display system
A thermoplastic sheet for the manufacture of a transparent motor vehicle or building glazing intended for the display of information, in particular of a laminated glazing, the sheet including a compound exhibiting an absorption band in the ultraviolet region and of which the diffuse reflection spectrum as a function of the energy of the incident radiation is characterized by a V value on the reflection curve, determined by the point of intersection between the tangent (1) at the inflection point of said curve and its asymptote (2) at the higher energies, of between 3.06 and 3.65 eV. |
| US09857569B2 |
Combined lens module and image capturing-and-sensing assembly
A combined lens module including plural lens modules deposited within a housing is provided. These lens modules include plural lenses and multiple apertures. Each lens has a main lens element for visible light and an associate lens element for invisible light. An image capturing-and-sensing assembly may be performed by equipping with such a combined lens module and a sensor for visible light and invisible light, which could have high-resolution and apply to a thin portable device or any environment in use of infrared structured lighting or light scanner for the applications of human-machine interactive. |
| US09857567B2 |
Imaging lens and imaging apparatus
Provided are an imaging lens that has a small amount of focus shift caused by temperature fluctuation and an imaging apparatus that has this imaging lens. The imaging lens consists of, in order from an object side: a first lens that is convex toward the object side and has a negative refractive power; a second lens that has a negative refractive power; a third lens that has a positive refractive power; a fourth lens that has a positive refractive power; a fifth lens that has a positive refractive power; and a sixth lens that has a negative refractive power. The imaging lens satisfies the following conditional expressions (1) to (4). −0.89 |
| US09857566B2 |
Optical image capturing system
An optical image capturing system includes, along the optical axis in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens, a sixth lens, and a seventh lens. At least one lens among the first to the sixth lenses has positive refractive force. The seventh lens can have negative refractive force, wherein both surfaces thereof are aspheric, and at least one surface thereof has an inflection point. The lenses in the optical image capturing system which have refractive power include the first to the seventh lenses. The optical image capturing system can increase aperture value and improve the imaging quality for use in compact cameras. |
| US09857559B2 |
Imaging optical lens assembly, imaging apparatus and electronic device
An imaging optical lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element and a sixth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface. The second lens element has negative refractive power. The third lens element with refractive power has both an object-side surface and an image-side surface being aspheric. The fourth lens element with refractive power has both an object-side surface and an image-side surface being aspheric. The fifth lens element with refractive power has both an object-side surface and an image-side surface being aspheric. The sixth lens element with refractive power has both an object-side surface and an image-side surface being aspheric. |
| US09857552B2 |
Lens tube and imaging system having the same
The lens tube includes a cylindrical barrel, a holder, a cap, and a stress applying portion. The barrel houses at least one first lens. The holder houses an imaging element and is fixed to a substrate. The holder is configured to allow one end of the barrel in an axial direction to be screwed into the holder such that an optical axis of the first lens and an optical axis of the imaging element are aligned with each other. The cap is mountable to the barrel by allowing the other end of the barrel in the axial direction to be screwed into the cap. The stress applying portion is located between the holder and the cap when the barrel is screwed into the holder and the cap, and applies a stress in a direction in which the cap is separated from the holder. The first lens is held and fixed between a first stopper formed on the cap and a second stopper formed in the barrel when the cap is mounted to the barrel. |
| US09857551B2 |
Lens module
A lens module includes a lens barrel, and a lens group received by the lens barrel. The lens barrel includes an first supporter, a second supporter extending vertically from the first supporter, and a receiving space formed by those supporters, the first supporter having a light aperture, the second supporter having an inner surface facing the receiving space. The lens group includes a first lens abutting against the inner surface of the second supporter, a second lens stacked on the first lens and abutting against the inner surface of the second supporter, a third lens stacked on the second lens and abutting against the inner surface of the second supporter, and a fourth lens stacked on the third lens and abutting against the inner surface of the second supporter, for ensuring the concentricity among the lenses and keeping the lens group coaxial with the lens barrel. |
| US09857549B1 |
Rotational actuator for optical device and camera module having the same
Disclosed is a rotational actuator for an optical device, which includes a rotary shaft capable of freely rotating at a fixed position; a first shape-memory alloy wire fixed in a first direction to give a rotation moment to the rotary shaft, the first shape-memory alloy wire making length contraction with respect to the rotary shaft when an electric current is applied thereto; a second shape-memory alloy wire fixed in a second direction opposite to the first direction to give a rotation moment with respect to the rotary shaft, the second shape-memory alloy wire making length contraction with respect to the rotary shaft when an electric current is applied thereto; and a control unit configured to supply an electric current to the first shape-memory alloy wire when rotating the rotary shaft in the first direction and supply an electric current to the second shape-memory alloy wire when rotating the rotary shaft in the second direction. |
| US09857547B2 |
Fiber tray organizer systems and methods
A self supporting apparatus (10) for trays (40) includes a groove plate (20), and a plurality of pivotally mounted trays (40) wherein each tray (40) is pivotally moveable relative to the groove plate (20) between a first position (46) and a second position (48). The groove plate (20) includes a plurality of flexible tabs (70) facing the plurality of trays (40). An edge (50) of each tray (40) includes a rounded surface (52) and a rib (56), wherein each one of the ribs (56) engages one of the flexible tabs (70) to hold the trays (40) in one of the first or second positions (46, 48). The rib (56) flexes the tab (70) as each tray (40) is pivoted between the first and second positions. The tab (70) and rib (56) maintain the trays (40) in the selected positions until the trays (40) are moved. |
| US09857546B2 |
Optical module
An optical module for connecting a photoelectric conversion device on a substrate to a ferrule connected to an optical fiber includes a body configured to be mounted on the substrate, a first lens disposed on the body at a side thereof connectable to the ferrule, a second lens disposed on the body at a side thereof facing the substrate, and a core disposed in the body between the first lens and the second lens, wherein a refractive index of the core is higher than a refractive index of the body. |
| US09857545B2 |
Latch mechanism for communication module
Latch mechanism for communication modules. In an example embodiment, a module latch mechanism includes a follower configured to be slidingly positioned relative to a housing and a driver configured to be rotatingly positioned relative to the housing. The follower includes a first arm configured to facilitate selective engagement of the housing with a host device. The follower may further include a fastening mechanism configured to facilitate selective engagement of the follower with the housing. The driver is configured to be positioned relative to the follower such that the driver urges the follower toward a first position relative to the housing as the driver is rotated from an unlatched position to a latched position. |
| US09857542B2 |
Bidirectional optical transceiver module
A compact bidirectional optical transceiver module is provided that has a bidirectional optical subassembly (BOSA) that includes a stamped metal optic that folds the optical pathway, alignment features that enable the optoelectronic components of the electrical subassembly (ESA) to be precisely aligned with the BOSA in all dimensions, and features that reduce the capacitance of the driver circuitry to improve signal integrity and widen the eye opening. |
| US09857541B2 |
Component alignment
A system may include a substrate and a lens component. The substrate may include pads and solder protuberances. Each solder protuberance may be located on a pad. The lens component may define grooves sized to receive at least a portion of the solder protuberances. The lens component may be positioned relative to the substrate such that at least a portion of each solder protuberance is positioned within the grooves. |
| US09857536B2 |
Optical component assembly for use with an optical device
The inventive optical component assembly advantageously enables a multi-waveguide optical component (such as the inventive optical fiber coupler array, a multi-core optical fiber, etc.), to be coupled to at least one waveguide of an optical device at a predefined coupling angle. The optical component assembly of the present invention comprises a multi-waveguide optical component with an output end, a prism having an input surface, an output surface, and an internal reflective surface with a predefined reflection angle, and a GRIN lens, positioned between the component output end and the prism input surface, along a longitudinal axis of the multi-waveguide optical component. In accordance with the present invention, the length of the GRIN lens, and its refractive index gradient profile are optimized to form an optical image of the output end of the multi-waveguide optical component, at the output surface of the prism, thus enabling the output surface of the prism to be coupled to at least one waveguide of an optical device, with the predefined reflection angle corresponding to the angle at which the multi-waveguide optical component may be coupled to the optical device. |
| US09857531B2 |
Optical component with angled-facet waveguide
A system comprises a first optical component comprising at least one waveguide and at least one self-alignment feature; and a second optical component comprising at least another waveguide and at least another self-alignment feature; wherein the self-alignment feature of the second optical component engage to assist in optically-coupling the waveguide of the first optical component and the waveguide of the second optical component when the first optical component has a manufacturing tolerance in a given geometric dimension and is mounted in the second optical component. |
| US09857526B2 |
Backlight unit
A backlight unit includes: a light guide plate of an entirely flat structure; a light emitting element disposed on at least one side of the light guide plate; a first reflection part disposed under the light guide plate and having one side thereof extended to a region where the light emitting element is positioned; a second reflection part disposed on the light emitting element; and a housing for accommodating the light guide plate, the light emitting element, and the first and second reflection parts, wherein the housing has a second side which is vertically extended upwards with respect to a first side which defines a lateral cross section of the housing in which the light emitting element is accommodated as the lower side, and a third side which is vertically extended inwards with respect to the second side. |
| US09857524B2 |
Liquid crystal module and electronic device
A liquid crystal module and an electronic device are provided. The liquid crystal module includes a liquid crystal panel including a light-admitting area and a light-shielding area located at an edge of the light-admitting area, a light conversion film disposed opposite to the liquid crystal panel, where the light conversion film includes a first side portion disposed opposite to the light-shielding area, and a width of the first side portion is greater than or equal to 0.8 mm, a brightness enhancement film disposed between the liquid crystal panel and the light conversion film, and a supporting portion disposed between the first side portion and the light-shielding area, and configured to support the liquid crystal panel. |
| US09857520B2 |
Lighting assembly
A lighting assembly includes a light guide having opposed major surfaces between which light propagates by total internal reflection and a light input edge. The light assembly also includes a light engine. The light engine has a heat conductive armature having a receptacle for a portion of the light guide that includes the light input edge and a light source retained by and thermally coupled to the armature. The armature functions as a heat sink for dissipating heat generated by the light source. The light guide is mechanically retained in the receptacle, and the light guide and the armature cooperate to align the light input edge with the light source for inputting light from the light source into the light guide through the light input edge. |
| US09857519B2 |
Planar remote phosphor illumination apparatus
In various embodiments, an illumination apparatus features spatially separated input and output regions, a light source, a phosphor for light conversion, and an out-coupling structure. |
| US09857517B2 |
Light guide plate, backlight module, and display device
The present invention provides a light guide plate, a backlight module, and a display device. The light guide plate contains a platform of uniform thickness along an edge of the light guide plate for installing a flexible printed circuit (FPC). The platform contains a plurality of through openings for installing light emitting diodes (LEDs). The backlight module contains LEDs, a FPC, and the light guide plate. The FPC is configured on the platform. The LEDs are configured inside the openings. The display device contains the backlight module. The present invention enhances the reliable connection between the FPC and light guide plate, reduces the probability of coupling failure, and lower the manufacturing difficulty and cost. |
| US09857515B2 |
Side-emitting optical fiber system and assembly with light-emitting jacket members
A side-emitting optical fiber system and an assembly are disclosed that utilize a side-emitting optical fiber and light-emitting jacket members operably disposed about the outer surface of the side-emitting optical fiber. The light-emitting jacket members receive side-emitted light having an input wavelength. Each light-emitting jacket member receives the side-emitted light and converts it to light having a different wavelength that the input wavelength. This converted light is then emitted from the light-emitting jacket members, thereby providing side-emitted light of different colors. |
| US09857513B2 |
Light device facilitating replacement of light sources thereof
A light device includes a controller, a light-guiding tube, two holders, and two cables. Each of the two holders defines therein a receiving space, in which an LED unit is provided to serve as a light source. The two holders are detachably mounted over two ends of the light-guiding tube, respectively, such that the LED unit located in each holder faces one end of the light-guiding tube, so that light rays emitting from each LED unit may enter the light-guiding tube. Each of the two cables is provided between one of the two holders and the controller for detachably connecting the LED unit located in the holder with the controller. When an LED unit fails, the corresponding holder with the failed LED unit therein can be removed from the light-guiding tube and the associated cable to be replaced with a new one, thus facilitating repair and saving the cost. |
| US09857509B2 |
Low-loss infrared filter for microwave measurement which integrates a distributed bragg reflector into a microwave transmission line
A technique relates to a microwave device. A microwave system is configured to output a microwave readout signal, where the microwave system has an input and an output. An output microwave transmission line is connected to the output of the microwave system. A distributed Bragg reflector, integrated into a transmission line geometry, is configured as a low-loss infrared filter that blocks infrared radiation while allowing transmission of the microwave readout signal. The low-loss infrared filter is connected to the output microwave transmission line. |
| US09857504B2 |
Optical waveguide photosensitive resin composition, photocurable film for forming optical waveguide core layer, optical waveguide using same, and mixed flexible printed circuit board for optical/electrical transmission
An optical waveguide photosensitive resin composition containing an aliphatic resin having a polymerizable substituent and a photopolymerization initiator, in which the aliphatic resin having the polymerizable substituent is formed of a side-chain polyfunctional aliphatic resin (A) and a bifunctional long-chain aliphatic resin (B), is provided. Accordingly, the composition brings together high transparency, satisfactory roll-to-roll compatibility, and a high resolution patterning property, and has excellent reflow resistance. Therefore, the composition is useful as a material for forming an optical waveguide, especially a core layer-forming material. |
| US09857503B2 |
Optical material and use thereof
An optical material of the present invention has the following characteristics (1) to (4) in a transmittance curve which is measured at a thickness of 2 mm of the optical material. (1) the transmittance curve has a maximum transmittance value at 400 nm to 440 nm and the maximum transmittance thereof is 50% or more. (2) the transmittance curve has a minimum transmittance value at 471 nm to 500 nm. (3) The transmittance at 540 nm is 60% or more. (4) The minimum transmittance value at 471 nm to 500 nm is seven-tenths or less of the maximum transmittance at 400 nm to 440 nm and is seven-tenths or less of the transmittance at 540 nm. |
| US09857499B2 |
Downhole transient resistivity measurements
A method of performing an electromagnetic measurement of an earth formation includes disposing a downhole tool in a borehole in an earth formation, the downhole tool including an electrically conductive component, at least one electromagnetic transmitter located at a location along the tool, a first receiver located a first distance from the location, and a second receiver located at a second distance from the location. The method also includes applying a single rectangular current pulse having a substantially constant amplitude to the transmitter to generate an electric current in the formation, the current pulse having a specified time duration ΔT. The method further includes measuring transient signals during a time period subsequent to the time in response to the generated current, combining the transient signals to generate a combined transient signal, and estimating a resistivity of the formation based on the combined transient signal. |
| US09857497B2 |
Method and apparatus for making resistivity measurements in a wellbore
During drilling of an earth borehole, resistance measurements may be made at the drill bit through use of a bottom hole assembly that includes a drill bit having a sensor, such as an electrode, located generally at an exterior surface of the drill bit. The current will be induced in the formation from multiple transmitters, at least one of which will be supported on, or very close to the drill bit. Connection mechanisms are described that enable the releasable engagement of electrical conductors to circuitry within the drill bits. The obtained resistivity measurements at the drill bit can be used for many purposes, including formation imaging and geosteering of the drilling operation. |
| US09857496B2 |
Positioning device
A locating device includes an AC voltage locating apparatus. The AC voltage locating apparatus has a first receiving apparatus configured to receive a first coupling signal from a locatable object. The AC voltage locating apparatus also has at least a second receiving apparatus configured to receive at least a second coupling signal from the locatable object. The AC voltage locating apparatus also has at least a first amplifier circuit configured to amplify a difference of the first coupling signal relative to a reference signal in at least one operating. The AC voltage locating apparatus also has at least a second amplifier circuit configured to amplify a difference of the first coupling signal and the second coupling signal in at least one operating state. |
| US09857495B2 |
Apparatus for checking for a presence of an electrically conductive body, and charging system
An apparatus for checking for a presence of an electrically conductive body has at least one transmitting device and at least one receiving device. The transmitting device provides a transmission signal in the form of a magnetic field. The receiving device generates a reception signal from the transmission signal that is induced into the receiving device. The transmitting and receiving devices are configured in such a way that, when the electrically conductive body is absent, partial reception signals form in the receiving device on account of the induced transmission signal and the partial reception signals substantially cancel one another out in the reception signal. |
| US09857492B2 |
Variable-depth seismic source and method
Method and marine acoustic source array for generating an acoustic wave in a body of water. The marine acoustic source array includes at least one sub-array. The at least one sub-array includes a float from which plural source points are attached. The source points may be provided on a curved line, straight line, or other desired shape so that a variable-depth source is obtained with a single float. The source points may be divided into groups and the groups may be provided on the curved line, straight line or other desired shape. |
| US09857487B2 |
Solid marine seismic streamers
A marine seismic streamer comprising a solid, hydrophobic core member that is encased in a hydrophobic streamer skin/casing. The hydrophobic streamer skin may be extruded onto and/or heat welded to the hydrophobic core member. The hydrophobic streamer skin/casing may comprise a thermoplastic polyurethane that includes fluorine and/or silicon moieties, silicon, polydimethylsiloxane or the like. The hydrophobic streamer skin/casing may reduce the drag of the streamer and may provide anti-biofouling properties to the streamer. A hydrophobic paint, coating or polymer may in some instances be disposed on top of the hydrophobic streamer skin/casing. |
| US09857486B2 |
Docking station
An apparatus for storing control units comprises a cabinet (10) with a plurality of rails (41) arranged horizontally along inner sidewalls and is configured to receive a plurality of drawers (40) above each other. Each drawer (40) comprises a plurality of docking sockets (1), each docking socket (1) being configured to receive and retain one control unit. The apparatus comprises a robotic elevator device (20) adapted to move an elevator table (30) in a vertical direction to a vertical position corresponding to a pair of rails (41) into which a drawer (40) is to be inserted or from which the drawer (40) is to be withdrawn. The elevator table (30) comprises a linear motor (32, 34) capable of moving the drawer (40) along a pair of rails (41) in a longitudinal direction. A robotic gripper, which may be internal or external to the apparatus, is capable of putting control units into the docking sockets or withdrawing the control units from the docking sockets. |
| US09857479B2 |
Adaptive persistent current compensation for photon counting detectors
An imaging system (100) includes a direct conversion detector pixel (111) that detects radiation traversing an examination region and generates an electrical signal indicative thereof, wherein the signal includes a persistent current, which is produced by a direct conversion material of the pixel and which shifts a level of the signal. A persistent current estimator (116) estimates the persistent current and generates a compensation signal based on the estimate. A pre-amplifier (112) receives the signal and the compensation signal, wherein the compensation signal substantially cancels the persistent current, producing a persistent current compensated signal, and that amplifies the compensated signal, generating an amplified compensated signal. A shaper (114) generates a pulse indicative of energy of the radiation illuminating the direct conversion material based on the amplified compensated signal. |
| US09857478B2 |
Apparatus and method to mount steering actuator
A steering actuator system to be mounted to the steering wheel and steering column of a vehicle. The steering actuator system includes a flat baseplate with multiple adjustable sliders. These sliders slide along channel guides within the flat baseplate to accommodate steering wheels of varying sizes. The system includes a gear which mounts below the steering wheel, possibly around the steering column of the vehicle. A steering actuator powered by a motor or some other power source is connected to the gear and when activated can actively steer the vehicle. When connected to a guidance system, the vehicle can automatically be guided and steered via the guidance system and the steering actuator system. This provides a convenient way to add automatic steering to any vehicle with a steering wheel. |
| US09857476B2 |
GNSS long-code acquisition, ambiguity resolution, and signal validation
The present invention relates to a system and method using hybrid spectral compression and cross correlation signal processing of signals of opportunity, which may include Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) as well as other wideband energy emissions in GNSS obstructed environments. Combining spectral compression with spread spectrum cross correlation provides unique advantages for positioning and navigation applications including carrier phase observable ambiguity resolution and direct, long-code spread spectrum signal acquisition. Alternatively, the present invention also provides unique advantages for establishing the validity of navigation signals in order to counter the possibilities of electronic attack using spoofing and/or denial methods. |
| US09857474B2 |
Using satellite visibility data for improved location accuracy
Described is a technology by which GPS-capable devices work with a cloud service to receive satellite visibility-related data. The satellite visibility-related data may be used to determine a location, and/or to abort a search for satellites. The cloud service may use crowd data from other GPS-capable devices. In one aspect, line-of-sight satellites are differentiated from other satellites, and used to determine which satellite signals are more trustworthy. Reflected signals also may be determined. |
| US09857471B2 |
Method and image pick-up system for obtaining clear images through the rain, snow or fog
The present invention discloses a method and image pick-up system for obtaining clear images through the rain, snow or fog. The method includes a DSP processing module controls a laser pulse generating module output laser pulse signals with a default pulse width, and shut the laser pulse generating module down when a first default time arrives; when the laser pulse signals is being output, the DSP processing module controls an electronic shutter of an image pick-up device open after delaying for a second default time, and close the electronic shutter when a third default time arrives; wherein, the third default time is a lasting period of the default pulse width of the laser pulse signals; then, an FPGA module processes the images captured by the image pick-up device, and outputs clearer images, or makes the capturing distance farther but obtains clear images. |
| US09857469B2 |
System and method for multi TOF camera operation using phase hopping
A modulation technique for 3D time-of-flight (TOF) cameras allows the operation of fully autonomous operated 3D TOF cameras. The method subdivides the exposure time into several sub-exposure intervals, for which the signal control unit adds a preferably pseudo-random common phase delay to the illumination and the sensor. |
| US09857467B2 |
Detection device
It is an object to improve the visibility of a display screen on which a detected target is displayed. A detection device 1b is formed by a wave receiver disposed facing in a specific direction, and configured to periodically receive reflected waves corresponding to transmission wave transmitted from a wave transmitter, an echo train signal production component 8 configured to produce an echo train signal from each of the reflected waves, a distance from a starting point of the echo train signal corresponding to a distance from the wave transmitter, and an echo image signal production component 9 configured to produce an echo image signal based on each of the echo train signals in which each of the starting points is disposed at a specific reference point. |
| US09857466B1 |
Electrosound camera
Systems, devices and methods for obtaining or providing listening involve utilizing one or more electromagnetic signal (energy) detection-facilitated modulation sensing devices to sense audio frequency modulated signals received from or associated with one or more illuminated and/or luminous objects; and generating or providing a listening output of the sensing device(s), the listening output including signals and/or information indicating or providing a representation of a disturbance to an electromagnetic field or fields at or associated with at least one of said one or more objects, the disturbance being or including an audio frequency modulation of a signal from or associated with (e.g., received from) at least one of said one or more objects. |
| US09857459B2 |
Method and an apparatus for determining a deviation between an actual direction of a launched projectile and a predetermined direction
A method and apparatus for determining a deviation between an actual direction of a launched projectile and a predetermined direction includes providing, using a camera fixed to a radar, an image representing a target area, receiving an indication of a position in the image, the indicated position corresponding to a position in the target area, determining, using a radar, the actual direction of the projectile, determining a launch position of the projectile, determining, from the launch position and the corresponding position, the predetermined direction and determining the deviation between the actual direction of the projectile and the predetermined direction. The indicating step include rotating the camera and radar to have the position in the target area presented at a center or with a predetermined offset form the center in the image. |
| US09857458B2 |
Controlling transmission of pulses from a sensor
Apparatus for use in one of a plurality of sensors each having a respective transmitter which transmits pulses for sensing, a respective clock which controls timing of the pulses transmitted from the respective transmitter, and a respective receiver which receives echoed instances of the pulses. The apparatus comprises: sensing logic configured to sense a being or object in dependence on the echoed pulses received back by the respective receiver from the respective transmitter, and timing logic configured to compensate for a clock discrepancy between the respective clock and that of one or more others of the sensors. The timing logic does this by using the respective receiver to listen for instances of the pulses from the one or more other sensors, and adjusting the timing of the pulses from the respective transmitter based thereon. |
| US09857455B2 |
Radar filter process using antenna patterns
A computer-implemented method is provided for filtering clutter from a radar signal received by an antenna. The method includes determining a transient clutter voltage at first and second times separated by a time interval, determining a clutter correlation for the time interval, and dividing a received signal correlation by the clutter correlation. In alternate embodiments, the clutter correlation can be combined with a noise correlation and the sum divided by the signal correlation. |
| US09857452B2 |
Method for locating and positioning using broadcast FM signals and phase difference computation technique
Improved systems for locating and positioning using broadcast frequency modulation signals is provided for previous U.S. Pat. No. 7,990,314. In addition, three or more LPFM local broadcasting stations are used for determination for indoor and/or outdoor 2-D or 3-D locating and positioning system. |
| US09857451B2 |
Systems and methods for mapping a source location
A method for mapping a source location by an electronic device is described. The method includes obtaining sensor data. The method also includes mapping a source location to electronic device coordinates based on the sensor data. The method further includes mapping the source location from electronic device coordinates to physical coordinates. The method additionally includes performing an operation based on a mapping. |
| US09857448B1 |
Leakage current detection device for appliances
A leakage current detection device includes a self-test unit for activating a simulated leakage current signal; a leakage current detection unit for detecting the simulated leakage current signal and the actual leakage current signal, where when at least one of them is present, the leakage current detection unit activates a trigger signal, and when both of them are absent, the leakage current detection unit deactivates the trigger signal; a self-test feedback turnoff unit for detecting the trigger signal, where when the trigger signal is detected, the self-test feedback turnoff unit deactivates the simulated leakage current signal before a predetermined time point; and a power line disconnect unit for detecting the trigger signal after the predetermined time point, and when the trigger signal is detected, it disconnects the power between the power source and the load. |
| US09857447B2 |
Electron spin resonance for medical imaging
A method includes generating, from an integrated oscillator circuit, an oscillating output signal and generating, by an integrated power amplifier (PA) circuit, an amplified oscillating output signal based on the oscillating output signal. The method further includes receiving, by integrated receiver amplifier circuit, an electron spin resonance (ESR) signal from biological samples that include a magnetic species and generating, by the integrated receiver amplifier circuit, an amplified ESR signal based on the received ESR signal. The method further includes receiving, by the integrated receiver amplifier circuit, an electron spin resonance (ESR) signal from magnetic nanoparticles that are loaded with drugs or attached to human cells. |
| US09857444B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus with a connector shape defined by a superposition of an H and an X
Disclosed herein is a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus which includes a connector. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a static coil module configured to form a static field in a bore, a gradient coil module which includes at least one primary coil configured to form a gradient field in the static field and at least one shield coil configured to cancel an eddy current formed in the static coil module, and a connector which includes a base made of an insulating material and a plurality of conductors which are coupled to the base and which are configured to connect the at least one primary coil and the at least one shield coil. |
| US09857442B2 |
Imaging unit
The present invention provides an imaging unit which can image small animals inexpensively and with high resolution. The imaging detector 22 of the imaging unit includes gradient magnetic field coils having a pair of bucket-shaped coils 51-53, 61-63 having the bottoms opposed to each other and generating gradient magnetic fields between the par of bucket-shaped coils 51-53, 61-63, and a detection coil 82 accommodated between the pair of bucket-shaped coils 51-53, 61-63, a housing portion 30 provided between the pair of bucket-shaped coils 51-53, 61-63 and housing an object to be imaged, and a detection coil 82 provided in the housing portion 30 and positioned near the housed object to be imaged. |
| US09857441B2 |
Single beam radio frequency atomic magnetometer
A radio-frequency atomic magnetometer comprises a laser, a photodetector, a vapor chamber, wherein the vapor chamber is in an optical path of laser light between the laser and photodetector, a circular polarizer configured to circularly polarize laser light emitted by the laser, wherein a circularly polarized laser beam is configured to pump into an oriented state, spins of atoms in the vapor chamber and to probe the atoms of the vapor chamber, wherein probing includes detecting a local radio frequency field; and a set of direct current (DC) field coils comprising at least one DC field coil, wherein the set of DC field coils is configured to generate a DC magnetic field oriented at 45 degrees relative to the optical axis of the laser light emitted by the laser and directed toward the vapor chamber; the set of DC field coils further configured to have adjustable DC magnetic field strength. |
| US09857440B2 |
Metal detector assembly and method of assembling a metal detector
A stable assembly of a metal detector is disclosed which can ensure a tension free physical connection between a former and a case of the metal detector. The metal detector includes a case with at least four closed sides and two openings, a non-conductive former having a pass-through aperture, and electromagnetic coils arranged on the former to produce an electromagnetic field within the former which is disturbed by a metallic body passing through the aperture. The former formed into a single piece and having a width equal to the inner width of the case, is inserted into the case from the front side of the case. The space between the former and the case is filled with a potting medium. The physical connection between the former and the case includes a protruding-recess which is strengthened by an adhesive. |
| US09857438B2 |
Magnetoresistive devices
Magnetoresistive devices can include a first and second sensor. Each of the first and second sensors can be configured to sense a first magnetic field component and a second magnetic field component. The first and second magnetic field components may be orthogonal to each other. Signals generated by the first and/or the second sensors can be used to determine local or global differentials of the magnetic field components. The first and/or the second sensors can each include four magnetoresistive sensors that can be connected in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. Further, the magnetoresistive devices can include magnets having a cavity formed therein, where the dimensions of the cavity are configured to reduce magnetic field conditions of a magnetic field in proximity to and/or within the cavity. |
| US09857437B2 |
Hall effect sensing element
In one aspect, a Hall Effect sensing element includes a Hall plate having a thickness less than about 100 nanometers an adhesion layer directly in contact with the Hall plate and having a thickness in a range about 0.1 nanometers to 5 nanometers. In another aspect, a sensor includes a Hall Effect sensing element. The Hall Effect sensing element includes a substrate that includes one of a semiconductor material or an insulator material, an insulation layer in direct contact with the substrate, an adhesion layer having a thickness in a range of about 0.1 nanometers to 5 nanometers and in direct contact with the insulation layer and a Hall plate in direct contact with the adhesion layer and having a thickness less than about 100 nanometers. |
| US09857436B2 |
High sensitive micro sized magnetometer
The magnetometers possess detector part with a magnetic wire sensitive to magnetic field consisting of a domain structure of the surface domain with circular spin alignment and core domain with longitudinal spin alignment and micro coil surrounding its magnetic wire to pick up the change of longitudinal magnetizing caused by spin rotation in surface domain with circular spin alignment called as GSR effect excited by pulse with frequency of 0.5 GHz to 4 GHz. Peak coil voltage is detected by a circuit characterized with pulse generator, GSR element, Buffer circuit, sample holding circuit, amplifier circuit and means to invert it to external magnetic field. The induced coil voltage caused by parasitic coil capacitance and wiring loop is vanished by combination coil of right and left turn coil. The magnetometers can provide lower noise, wide measuring range with a small size detector part and is applied to smartphones, wearable computer and so on. |
| US09857433B2 |
Load testing apparatus
A load testing apparatus includes: a resistor unit that has a resistor group including relays and resistors and is connected to a power source to be tested to perform a load test; a selection switch that is used to select whether to supply power from the power source to be tested to the resistor group; an electrical signal detection unit that detects at least one of a voltage applied to the resistor unit and a current flowing through the resistor unit; and a control unit. The relay operates in response to an on/off state of the selection switch to control power supply from the power source to be tested to the resistor group including the relay. The control unit performs determination on whether the relay normally operates based on detection information including a time-series change of at least one of the voltage and the current when the selection switch is operated, which is information from the electrical signal detection unit, and performs off control to stop power supply from the power source to be tested to the resistor unit. |
| US09857431B2 |
Battery cell voltage sensing circuit diagnostics
A system and method are disclosed for diagnosing an open circuit of a cell voltage sensing board. The board includes, for each cell, a line balancing resistor, a line sense resistor, and a gate. Each gate connects and disconnects a given line balancing resistor to and from a corresponding cell. A cell voltage is measured for a selected battery cell, and a controller determines if the selected battery cell is an uppermost or lowermost cell in the battery stack. A line sense resistance value is calculated for the selected battery cell using a first set of equations when the selected battery cell is the uppermost cell, a second set of equations when the selected battery cell is the lowermost cell, and a third set of equations when the selected battery cell is neither. A control action is executed when the calculated line sense resistance exceeds a calibrated resistance threshold. |
| US09857430B2 |
Tester for equipment, apparatus or component with distributed processing function
A system and method for testing equipment, apparatuses, or components with distributed measurement and analytical functions. The system comprises a simplified test circuit for obtaining key data representative of the operational characteristics of said equipment, apparatus, or component and transmitting these to a sophisticated device capable of other uses, such as a smart phone or tablet computer. The latter analyzes the raw data with reference to values for nominal characteristics or operation of the equipment, apparatus, or component and provides a result indicative of the condition thereof, or may transmit the data over the Internet to a remote computer for performing the analysis. |
| US09857428B2 |
Monitoring device and monitoring method for a switching element
A monitoring device is provided for monitoring a semiconductor-based switching element having a control input, a power input, and a power output. The monitoring device includes a charge carrier source for charging the control input of the switching element with electric charge carriers, and a measuring device for detecting a charge carrier drain from the control input of the switching element. The measuring device emits a warning signal if the charge carrier drain lies above a specified threshold value. A corresponding method for monitoring a semiconductor-based switching element is also provided. |
| US09857425B2 |
Test circuit board adapted to be used on memory slot
A test circuit board adapted to be used on memory slot is provided. Each memory slot of a board to be tested is connected to one test circuit board. A plurality of the test circuit boards form an in-series connection therebetween. A test access port (TAP) controller is connected electrically to the board to be tested and one of the test circuit boards so that the memory slots, which are connected to the test circuit boards, may be tested at the same time. |
| US09857424B2 |
Automated test equipment, instruction provider for providing a sequence of instructions, method of providing signal to a device under test, method for providing a sequence of instructions and test system
An automated test equipment includes a test processor configured to provide a signal to a device under test on the basis of a sequence of instructions defining an evaluation of test vectors. The test processor is configured to map a test vector onto a set of signal states or signal transitions. Furthermore, the test processor is configured to variably select a number of signal states or signal transitions provided in the signal based on a current test vector in dependence on a current instruction. |
| US09857416B2 |
Voltage rail monitoring to detect electromigration
A method detects electromigration in a field replaceable unit. An integrated circuit, which is within a field replaceable unit (FRU) in an electronic device, is quiescented. An isolation power switch applies a test voltage from a field power source to a target voltage rail in the integrated circuit. An isolation power switch isolates the target voltage rail from the field power source. A voltage sensor coupled to the target voltage rail measures a field voltage decay rate for the target voltage rail. A voltage record comparator logic within the integrated circuit compares the field voltage decay rate to an initial voltage decay rate for the target voltage rail. In response to a difference between the field voltage decay rate and the initial voltage decay rate for the target voltage rail exceeding a predetermined limit, a signal is sent to an output device. |
| US09857408B2 |
Insulation monitoring device
An insulation monitoring device that carries out insulation monitoring of a power system or load apparatus using, for example, an Igr method includes a table in which a monitoring setting value Irref greater than a resistance component error current flowing in accordance with the sum of the electrical capacitance of a capacitor configuring a noise filter on the input side of the load apparatus and the ground insulation capacitance of the power system is set in advance in accordance with an operating schedule of the load apparatus, a monitoring setting value computing unit that outputs the monitoring setting value Irref read from the table in accordance with a current time according to a clock, and an insulation evaluation unit that detects an insulation failure caused by a decrease in ground insulation resistance when a resistance component current extracted by an Igr extraction unit exceeds the monitoring setting value Irref. |
| US09857406B2 |
Three-phase wiring detection device and coincidence phase detection method
Disclosed are a three-phase wiring detection device and a coincidence phase detection method. The three-phase wiring detection device and the coincidence phase detection method compare a power factor relationship between a three-phase voltage and a three-phase current, and determines whether a coincidence phase is coincident between the three-phase voltage and the three-phase current, thereby checking whether the coincidence phase is accurately coincident. Therefore, whether the coincidence phase is coincident between the three-phase voltage and the three-phase current can be checked, and a function of a reverse phase detector and a function of a coincidence phase checker can be implemented. Also, the three-phase voltage and the three-phase current can be accurately detected. |
| US09857405B2 |
System and method for detecting the presence and type of capacitive loads
System and method for detecting the presence and type of capacitive load that may be coupled to a power driver. The system includes a detection circuit to determine the presence and type of load based on a measured characteristic of the load in response to a drive voltage. The characteristic may be the load capacitance as measured by the current flow between the driver and load. The circuit may include a differential amplifier to generate a current-related voltage, comparators to generate pulses when the voltage exceeds respective thresholds, registers to output logic levels in response to the comparators, and a microcontroller to make the determination based on the logic levels. Alternatively, the circuit includes a differential amplifier to generate a current-related voltage, a rectifier to rectify the voltage, a peak and hold circuit to hold the peak voltage, an ADC to digitize the peak voltage, and a microcontroller to make its determination based on the digitized voltage. |
| US09857404B2 |
Method and device for determining a resistance value of a plural number of actuating devices and method and device for controlling a plural number of actuating devices in a vehicle transmission control unit
A method for determining a resistance value of a plural number of actuating devices is provided. The method features a step of the application of a test current pulse at each of the plural number of actuating devices. Moreover, the method features the step of the evaluation of a total current of output currents of the plural number of actuating devices engaging on the test current pulses at a measuring resistor, in order to determine the resistance value of the plural number of actuating devices. |
| US09857402B2 |
Measuring and reporting power received from guided surface waves
Disclosed are various approaches for measuring and reporting the amount of electrical power consumed by an electrical load attached to a guided surface wave receive structure. A guided surface wave receive structure is configured to obtain electrical energy from a guided surface wave traveling along a terrestrial medium. An electrical load is coupled to the guided surface wave receive structure, the electrical load being experienced as a load at an excitation source coupled to a guided surface waveguide probe generating the guided surface wave. An electric power meter coupled to the electrical load and configured to measure the electrical load. |
| US09857400B2 |
Motherboard voltage testing device
Motherboard voltage testing device includes a power supply module for supplying a DC voltage, an illuminating module, and a switching module for detecting a DC voltage of a motherboard. A first terminal of the switching module is coupled to the power supply module, and a second opposite terminal of the switching module is coupled to the illuminating module. When the switching module detects the DC voltage of the motherboard is in the motherboard, the illuminating module is configured to receive the DC voltage of the power supply module to emit light, and when the switching module detects there is no remaining DC voltage on the motherboard, the illuminating module cannot receive the DC voltage from the motherboard and the illuminating module is power off and does not emit light. |
| US09857398B2 |
Inter-circuit board connector with current sensor
An inter-circuit board connector connects a first circuit board to a second circuit board. The inter-circuit board connector includes power pins to transmit power from the first circuit board to the second circuit board. Each power pin provides an equal amount of current from the first circuit board to the second circuit board. The inter-circuit board connector includes a current sensor to measure current on a selected number of the power pins that can be less than a total number of the power pins. |
| US09857397B2 |
Modular packaging with elevating screw
Modular packaging includes a solid state relay and a function module, wherein the function module comprises a housing containing a printed circuit board and an elevating screw. The elevating screw comprises a first end with an external threading and a second end with an external threading, where the elevating screw may be selectively altered between a first position and a second position within the housing. Related embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09857396B2 |
Device for measuring at least one physical quantity of an electric installation
A measuring device (10) comprising a current sensor (20) and a measuring unit (40) connected to each other by a connection cable (50). The connection cable (50) comprises three pairs of conductors of which a first measurement pair (51) is arranged to transmit a signal representative of the current measured by the sensor (20), a second power supply pair (52) is arranged to power electrically the sensor (20) and the measuring unit (40), and a third communication pair (53) is arranged to transmit at least one complementary signal between the sensor (20) and the measuring unit (40), such as an identification feature of the sensor allows the measuring unit to recognize automatically the sensor and provide an exploitable correlated value of the current measured by the sensor (20). |
| US09857391B2 |
Plant water dynamics sensor
A plant water dynamics sensor usable for measuring the dynamics of water flowing in a fine point of a plant such as a distal end of a new branch or a pedicel comprises a heater-equipped temperature probe including a temperature sensor and a heater; a temperature probe including a temperature sensor; an electrical resistance probe including an electrical resistance measurement electrode; and a support that supports the probes while the probes are aligned parallel to each other. The position of a xylem XY can be detected based on an electrical resistance measured at the electrical resistance probe, so that each of the temperature sensors can be arranged correctly in a position at a phloem PH or at the xylem XY. This facilitates attachment of a plant water dynamics sensor and water dynamics in a plant can be measured with high accuracy. |
| US09857389B2 |
Specimen storage apparatus, specimen processing system, and controlling method thereof
The specimen storage apparatus includes: a specimen conveyor line which conveys a specimen for which the pre-processing is completed and which is installed on a specimen conveyance holder; a lift mechanism capable of driving a specimen tray having the specimen installed therein in front-and-back and vertical directions; a specimen chuck mechanism which transfers the specimen from a specimen acquisition position of the specimen conveyor line to the specimen tray on the lift mechanism; a specimen storage unit which receives the specimen tray from the lift mechanism, includes hierarchical specimen storage spaces in a vertical direction, and accommodates a plurality of specimen trays in a lateral direction while keeping them cold; a shutter mechanism which is opened and closed at the time of delivery of the specimen tray between the lift mechanism and the specimen storage unit; and a control unit which controls each of the mechanisms. |
| US09857387B2 |
Diagnosis of entry of gastrointestinal contents into respiratory tract of humans and animals
The invention provides a method of detecting abnormal entry of gastrointestinal contents into the respiratory tract of a patient. The method comprises orally administering to a subject formulation comprising a detectable label that is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract but can be absorbed from the respiratory tract. The extent of the gastrointestinal contents entering the respiratory tract can be estimated by measuring the level of the detectable label in a body fluid, e.g., blood or urine. |
| US09857385B2 |
Ultra-small apoB-containing particles and methods of use thereof
The present disclosure provides an isolated particle comprising very high density, ultra small, lipid depleted apo B containing particles, and may also contain cytokeratin 8. The isolated particle is useful in diagnostic assays, which are also provided. |
| US09857382B2 |
Assessing renal structural alterations and outcomes
This document provides methods and materials involved in assessing renal structural alterations (e.g., renal fibrosis, glomerular basement thickening, mesangial matrix expansion, swollen podocytes, and foot processes effacement) as well as methods and materials involved in assessing outcomes. For example, methods and materials for using the level of urinary CNP (e.g., a urinary to plasma CNP ratio) to determine whether or not a mammal is developing renal structural alterations (e.g., renal fibrosis, glomerular basement thickening, mesangial matrix expansion, swollen podocytes, and foot processes effacement) as well as methods and materials for using the level of urinary CNP levels to identify patients having an increased likelihood of experiencing a poor outcome are provided. |
| US09857381B2 |
Method for assaying sepsis in humans
The present invention relates to a reliable method of prediction of sepsis in humans after a trauma, wherein the level of pancreatic stone protein/regenerating protein (PSP/reg) is determined in serum, and a high level is indicative of the development of sepsis at early stages of the disease. Furthermore a method of determination of PSP/reg levels in serum is described. |
| US09857379B2 |
Methods for treatment of cardiovascular disease
This invention pertains to methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular conditions. More specifically, the invention relates to isolated molecules that can be used to diagnose and/or treat cardiovascular conditions including cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, stroke, arteriosclerosis, and heart failure. |
| US09857374B2 |
Biomarkers for the early detection of breast cancer
The present invention provides reagents and methods for breast cancer detection. |
| US09857372B1 |
Arbovirus indicative birth defect risk test
A system for providing immunoassay test results for multiple medical conditions, comprising a testing device having thereon an alignment target and having a plurality of immunoassay test strips, the plurality of immunoassay test strips each including a sample pad capable of receiving a biologic sample, a conjugate pad containing particles for conjugating with antibodies or antigens present in the biologic sample, and a membrane strip having a test line and a control line, wherein the test line and the control line are viewable, and a mobile device having a camera, a viewing screen, and a software application stored thereon, wherein the software application provides executable instructions to capture an image of the testing device, process an image to determine pixel count and line intensity of the test line of each of the plurality of immunoassay test strips, and present test results on the viewing screen. |
| US09857364B2 |
Method for detection of binding
The present invention relates to a method for detection of binding or interaction events between a binding agent and its corresponding analyte (such as an antibody and an antigen) in which a signal is detected which is substantially more amplified and thus easier to detect than in prior art systems. The method comprises simultaneous but separate addition of a first enhancement reagent having affinity for said analyte and a second enhancement reagent having affinity for the first enhancement reagent wherein the first enhancement reagent binds to the analyte and the second enhancement reagent binds to the first enhancement reagent, and, wherein the first and second enhancement reagents have more than one binding site so that they are able to bind to each other to thereby amplify a detectable signal from the binding event. |
| US09857362B2 |
Method for preparing nucleic acid aptamer
An object of the present invention is to develop and provide a method for efficiently and conveniently producing a nucleic acid aptamer, particularly, a DNA aptamer, having high specificity for and high binding activity against a target substance. |
| US09857361B2 |
Flowcell, sheath fluid, and autofocus systems and methods for particle analysis in urine samples
The present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems, compositions, and methods for analyzing a sample containing particles. A particle imaging system or analyzer can include a flowcell through which a urine sample containing particles is caused to flow, and a high optical resolution imaging device which captures images for image analysis. A contrast pattern for autofocusing is provided on the flowcell. The image processor assesses focus accuracy from pixel data contrast. A positioning motor moves the microscope and/or flowcell along the optical axis for autofocusing on the contrast pattern target. The processor then displaces microscope and flowcell by a known distance between the contrast pattern and the sample stream, thus focusing on the sample stream. Cell or particle images are collected from that position until autofocus is reinitiated, periodically, by input signal, or when detecting temperature changes or focus inaccuracy in the image data. |
| US09857360B2 |
Cancer analysis system
The invention provides for detecting target subpopulations of cells that have high proliferative and renewal properties in animals, including circulating tumor cells, cancer stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells. The invention utilizes a defined substrate and media of known property to enrich target cell subpopulations which can be used for future genetic, proteomic and morphological analyses. The method can use image-capture and analysis software to characterize cells based on physical properties, such as size, morphology and kinetic properties. |
| US09857357B2 |
Method of screening modulator of XKR8
The disclosure relates to a method of screening a modulator of Xkr8, comprising the steps of: (1) contacting Xkr8-expressing cells with a candidate of the modulator, and (2) selecting the candidate when the candidate alters distribution of a phospholipid in plasma membrane of the cells. |
| US09857355B2 |
Biological assay of peptidoglycans
The present invention relates to a biological method for assaying peptidoglycans (PGN) in a sample, particularly a sample of glucose polymers. The PGN assay includes: a) treating the glucose polymer sample by sonication, heating, and/or alkalizing; b) placing the treated sample or a dilution thereof in contact with a recombinant cell expressing an exogenous TLR2 (toll-like receptor 2) and a reporter gene directly dependent on the signaling pathway associated with the TLR2. The reporter gene codes for a colored or fluorescent protein or for a protein the activity of which is measurable with or without a substrate; c) measuring the reporter gene signal; and d) determining the amount of PGN in the sample using a standard curve of the correlation between the amount or PGN and the strength of the reporter gene signal. |
| US09857350B2 |
Coal-to-coal adhesiveness evaluation method
In order to evaluate the compatibility of coals used in coke production and to produce cokes with desired strength by blending coals in consideration of the compatibility, the invention provides a technique which evaluates the adhesion strength obtained when two kinds of coals are carbonized based on properties of the coals. Surface tensions of two kinds of semicokes obtained by heat treating two kinds of coals are measured. Based on the difference between the two measured values of surface tension, the quality of the adhesiveness between the two kinds of coals is evaluated. |
| US09857347B2 |
N-nitrosamine determination in aqueous samples with sonication and microextraction
An automated dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method of detecting and quantifying N-nitrosamines in an aqueous sample. The method includes (a) extracting an aqueous solution including the N-nitrosamines by mixing an extraction solvent and a dispersive solvent with the aqueous solution, such that the N-nitrosamines, or a portion thereof, re-distribute from the aqueous solution to the extraction solvent, (b) permitting the resulting mixture in (a) to form a two-phase mixture containing an aqueous phase containing the aqueous solution with reduced amounts of the N-nitrosamines and an organic phase including the extraction solvent with the N-nitrosamines extracted from the aqueous solution, (c) injecting the organic phase, or a portion thereof, into an injection port of a gas chromatograph coupled with at least one mass spectrometer, and (d) analyzing the N-nitrosamines by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to detect and quantify the concentration of the N-nitrosamines in the aqueous solution. |
| US09857346B2 |
Urea water supply guidance output device for working vehicle and method of outputting urea water supply guidance of working vehicle
A urea water supply guidance output device for a working vehicle includes: a urea water residual amount detection unit configured to detect a urea water residual amount in a urea water tank; an operation time measurement unit configured to measure an operation time of the working vehicle; a unit urea water consumption amount calculation unit configured to calculate a unit urea water consumption amount for each predetermined unit operation time; a urea water remaining time calculation unit configured to calculate an average urea water consumption amount and to calculate a urea water remaining time indicating a time to generation of urea water supply alarm; and an output processing unit configured to output guidance including the urea water remaining time when the urea water remaining time is a predetermined time or less. |
| US09857343B2 |
Gas sensor with a ribbed protective cover
A gas sensor includes a protective cover having a resin cylindrical cover portion at a rear end thereof, that can be airtightly attached to an attachment hole, and that can prevent a decrease in quality and a molding defect. A plurality of vertical ribs, which extend substantially parallel to an axis of a cylindrical cover portion, are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical cover portion so that protrusions and recesses are provided in a circumferential direction. Due to the presence of the vertical ribs, as compared with an existing cylindrical cover portion that has a smooth outer peripheral surface without the vertical ribs, defects of the outer peripheral surface are not likely to occur in a molding process. Moreover, because slipping is not likely to occur when an operator holds and twists the cylindrical cover portion with his/her fingers, an attachment operation can be smoothly performed. |
| US09857342B2 |
Device to adjust gas concentration in fluids
A device to adjust concentration of a first gas in a fluid to a target concentration (Cf) is provided. The device includes a container, having a first opening, the container is configured to receive a first volume (VL) of the fluid through the first opening. Wherein the fluid has an initial concentration (Ci) of the first gas and a second volume (VC) of the container is determined based on the initial concentration (Ci) of the first gas in the fluid, a target concentration (Cf) of the first gas in the fluid, a partition coefficient (φ) of the first gas, and the first volume (VL), and configured to adjust pressure in the container at a predetermined pressure of the first gas to adjust the first gas concentration in the fluid to the target concentration (Cf); wherein the second volume (VC) and the first volume (VL) are correlated by: V C V L = 1 Φ [ M C f V L + C i C f - 1 ] + 1 in that M is an amount of the first gas required to be introduced in the container to adjust the first gas concentration in the fluid to the target concentration (Cf). |
| US09857340B2 |
Method for ion detection
A method and apparatus for detecting mercury in air includes passing a substantial quantity of air through a concentrator column containing gold film whereby a gold-mercury amalgam is formed, purging the concentrator column with nitrogen gas for a predefined period of time to remove oxygen and other organics from the concentrator column, quickly heating the concentrator column to a substantial temperature to decompose the gold-mercury amalgam forming mercury gas, and injecting the mercury gas into a photoionization detector system. The apparatus includes a quartz housing having a quartz body defining an internal volume, a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a heater end, and a concentrator element sealingly disposed within the quartz housing, the concentrator element having a first element portion and a second element portion, a film of gold deposited on at least a first element portion disposed in the quartz body. |
| US09857338B2 |
Acoustic micro imaging device with a scan while loading feature
A scanning acoustic microscope comprises a structure including a loading portion and a scanning portion, a transducer disposed in the scanning portion and operable to develop ultrasonic energy, and a controller. A driver is responsive to the controller and is capable of moving the transducer along a scan path with respect to a first plurality of parts disposed in the scanning portion as a second plurality of parts are being loaded into the loading portion. |
| US09857335B2 |
Ion mobility spectrometer
There is provided a method of separating ions comprising operating an ion mobility spectrometer or separator at a reduced pressure and at an operating temperature less than 40° C., and providing a drift gas within said ion mobility spectrometer or separator, wherein said drift gas comprises one or more substances that exist as a liquid at atmospheric pressure (optionally about 1013 mbar) and room temperature (optionally about 20° C.) and wherein said one or more substances have a boiling or sublimation point less than said operating temperature of said ion mobility spectrometer or separator, at said reduced pressure. |
| US09857334B2 |
Ion mobility separation buffer gas composition
A method of separating ions comprises causing ions to separate according to their ion mobility or differential ion mobility by virtue of their interactions with a buffer gas within an ion mobility or differential ion mobility separation device. The buffer gas comprises one or more organic, organosilicon or silicon-based compounds. |
| US09857333B2 |
Pens for biological micro-objects
Individual biological micro-objects can be deterministically selected and moved into holding pens in a micro-fluidic device. A flow of a first liquid medium can be provided to the pens. Physical pens can be structured to impede a direct flow of the first medium into a second medium in the pens while allowing diffusive mixing of the first medium and the second medium. Virtual pens can allow a common flow of medium to multiple ones of the pens. |
| US09857332B2 |
System for manipulating samples in liquid droplets
A liquid droplet manipulation system has a substrate with at least one electrode array and a central control unit for controlling selection of individual electrodes of the electrode array and for providing the electrodes with individual voltage pulses for manipulating liquid droplets by electrowetting. A working film is placed on top of the electrodes for manipulating samples in liquid droplets with the electrode array. At least one selected individual electrode of the electrode array is configured to be penetrated by light of an optical detection system for the optical inspection or analysis of samples in liquid droplets that are located on the working film. Also disclosed is working film that is to be placed on the electrode array and a cartridge that includes such a working film for manipulating samples in liquid droplets. |
| US09857329B2 |
Protected sensor field effect transistors
Protected sensor field effect transistors (SFETs). The SFETs include a semiconductor substrate, a field effect transistor, and a sense electrode. The SFETs further include an analyte-receiving region that is supported by the semiconductor substrate, is in contact with the sense electrode, and is configured to receive an analyte fluid. The analyte-receiving region is at least partially enclosed. In some embodiments, the analyte-receiving region can be an enclosed analyte channel that extends between an analyte inlet and an analyte outlet. In these embodiments, the enclosed analyte channel extends such that the analyte inlet and the analyte outlet are spaced apart from the sense electrode. In some embodiments, the SFETs include a cover structure that at least partially encloses the analyte-receiving region and is formed from a cover material that is soluble within the analyte fluid. The methods include methods of manufacturing the SFETs. |
| US09857326B2 |
Gas stream analysis using voltage-current time differential operation of electrochemical sensors
A method for analysis of a gas stream. The method includes identifying an affected region of an affected waveform signal corresponding to at least one characteristic of the gas stream. The method also includes calculating a voltage-current time differential between the affected region of the affected waveform signal and a corresponding region of an original waveform signal. The affected region and the corresponding region of the waveform signals have a sensitivity specific to the at least one characteristic of the gas stream. The method also includes generating a value for the at least one characteristic of the gas stream based on the calculated voltage-current time differential. |
| US09857325B2 |
Electrochemical sensing using comparison of voltage-current time differential values during waveform generation and detection
A device for signal processing. The device includes a signal generator, a signal detector, and a processor. The signal generator generates an original waveform. The signal detector detects an affected waveform. The processor is coupled to the signal detector. The processor receives the affected waveform from the signal detector. The processor also compares at least one portion of the affected waveform with the original waveform. The processor also determines a difference between the affected waveform and the original waveform. The processor also determines a value corresponding to a unique portion of the determined difference between the original and affected waveforms. The processor also outputs the determined value. |
| US09857323B2 |
Method for measuring amounts of components and calorific value of coal gas
A method for measuring the component and calorific value of goal gas. The method includes measuring a volume concentration of H2 (TH2) using a thermal conductivity detector (TCD), measuring a volume concentration of O2 using an electrochemical detector (ECD), measuring volume concentrations of CO, CO2, CH4, and CnHm in the coal gas, revising an interference of CH4 in CnHm, revising a measured volume concentration of H2, and calculating the calorific value of the coal gas. |
| US09857317B2 |
X-ray fluoroscopic imaging system
The X-ray fluoroscopic imaging system of the present invention comprises: an inspection passage; an electron accelerator; a shielding collimator apparatus comprising a shielding structure, and a first collimator for extracting a low energy planar sector X-ray beam and a second collimator for extracting a high energy planar sector X-ray beam which are disposed within the shielding structure; a low energy detector array for receiving the X-ray beam from the first collimator; and a high energy detector array for receiving the X-ray beam from the second collimator. The first collimator, the low energy detector array and the target point bombarded by the electron beam are located in a first plane; and the second collimator, the high energy detector array and the target point bombarded by the electron beam are located in a second plane. |
| US09857312B2 |
Optical inspection system using multi-facet imaging
An optical inspection system, the system includes: (i) an image sensor; and (ii) a single optical element, that at least partially surrounds an edge of an inspected object; wherein the optical element is adapted to direct light from different areas of the edge of the inspected object towards the image sensor so that the image sensor concurrently obtains images of the different areas. |
| US09857311B2 |
Methods and systems for nondestructive testing with accurate position
Inspection devices nondestructively sense component shape and integrity such as through ultrasonic sensors. Inspection devices include a positional determinator to give orientation of devices relative to the tested object. True distances and relative boundaries of the object are determined with testing and orientation data regardless of rigid or known inspection device position. Inspection data can be corrected for refraction knowing distances and object boundaries. Inspection devices can include additional inspection components like cameras and lighting to match visual inspection with nondestructive testing data spatially and temporally. Inspection devices can be used with self- or manual-propulsion in a working environment with the inspection object. Inspection devices use an operator or computer processor, local or remotely-connected power sources, and communications structures to power and operate the devices. |
| US09857309B2 |
Bio-chip package with waveguide integrated spectrometer
A bio-chip package comprises a substrate a first layer over the substrate comprising an image sensor. The bio-chip package also comprises a second layer over the first layer. The second layer comprises a waveguide system a grating coupler. The bio-chip package also comprises a third layer arranged to accommodate a fluid between a first-third layer portion and a second-third layer portion, and to allow the fluid to pass from a first side of the third layer to a second side of the third layer. The third layer comprises a material having a predetermined transparency with respect to a wavelength of a received source light, the waveguide system is configured to direct the received source light to the grating coupler, and the image sensor is configured to determine a change in the wavelength of the source light caused by a coupling between the source light and the fluid. |
| US09857306B2 |
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering element
A SERS element comprises a substrate; a fine structure part formed on a front face of the substrate and having a plurality of pillars; and a conductor layer formed on the fine structure part and constituting an optical function part for generating surface-enhanced Raman scattering. The pillars have respective side faces provided with grooves. A plurality of gaps are formed in the conductor layer by entering the grooves. |
| US09857304B2 |
Measuring method and measuring system of bromate ion concentration
A measuring method of bromate ion concentration includes a first fluorescence intensity measuring process including a process of passing hydrochloric acid through an anion exchanger to elute bromate ions adsorbed to the anion exchanger into the hydrochloric acid and a process of measuring the fluorescence intensity of the hydrochloric acid passed through the anion exchanger, a second fluorescence intensity measuring process including a process of passing a hydrochloric acid solution containing a fluorescent substance whose fluorescence intensity changes due to coexistence of bromate ions through an anion exchanger to elute bromate ions adsorbed to the anion exchanger into the hydrochloric acid solution and a process of measuring the fluorescence intensity of the hydrochloric acid solution passed through the anion exchanger, and a calculation process determining the bromate ion concentration in the water sample by using the difference between the fluorescence intensities of the hydrochloric acid solution and the hydrochloric acid. |
| US09857302B2 |
Method and apparatus for manipulating near field using light scattering
An apparatus for manipulating surface near-field light resulting from light emitted from a light source that passes through a scattering layer is disclosed. Also, a method of finding a phase of incident light to cause constructive interference at a target spot using light scattering to manipulate the surface near-field. |
| US09857299B2 |
Hydrocarbon sensing methods and apparatus
A chip-scale, reusable sensor can detect aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX), rapidly in water without sample preparation. The device is capable of real-time, continuous monitoring for BTEX solutes, which diffuse into a film, such as a polymer, on the sensors surface. In operation, BTEX analytes concentrate in the film, causing an increase in refractive index, which modulates evanescent coupling into the chips integrated photodetector array. Integration of the photodetector array simplifies system instrumentation and permits incorporation of an on-chip photocurrent reference region in the immediate vicinity of the sensing region, reducing drift due to temperature fluctuations. In some examples, the chip responds linearly for BTEX concentrations between 1 ppm and 30 ppm, with a limit of detection of 359 ppb, 249 ppb, and 103 ppb for benzene, toluene, and xylene in water, respectively. |
| US09857295B2 |
Comparative discrimination spectral detection system and method for the identification of chemicals with overlapping spectral signatures
A comparative discrimination spectral detection (CDSD) system for the identification of chemicals with overlapping spectral signatures, including: a radiation source for delivering radiation to a sample; a radiation collector for collecting radiation from the sample; a plurality of beam splitters for splitting the radiation collected from the sample into a plurality of radiation beams; a plurality of low-resolution optical filters for filtering the plurality of radiation beams; a plurality of radiation detectors for detecting the plurality filtered radiation beams; and a processor for: receiving a set of reference spectra related to a set of target chemicals and generating a set of base vectors for the set of target chemicals from the set of reference spectra, wherein the set of base vectors define a geometrical shape in a configuration space; receiving a set of filtered test spectra from the plurality of radiation detectors and generating a set of test vectors in the configuration space from the set of filtered test spectra; assessing a geometrical relationship of the set of test vectors and the geometrical shape defined by the set of base vectors in the configuration space; and based on the assessed geometrical relationship, establishing a probability that a given test spectrum or spectra matches a given reference spectrum or spectra. |
| US09857294B2 |
Spectroscopic method for the extraction and electrochemical detection of explosives and explosive components in soils using filter paper, and electrolyte
Described herein is an approach using inexpensive, disposable chemical sensor probes that can be mounted on a small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and used to analyze a site (such as one known or suspected to contain explosive residue, spilled material or contaminated soil) without the need for a person to conduct ground operations at the site. The method involves contacting a soil or a surface with a filter paper wetted with a solvent, then subjecting the filter paper to spectroscopy, thus detecting a possible variation indicative of one or more analytes, wherein the solvent is a deep eutectic solvents consisting of a mixture of ethylene glycol and choline chloride. |
| US09857292B2 |
Broadband and wide field angle compensator
A rotatable compensator configured to transmit non-collimated light over a broad range of wavelengths, including ultraviolet, with a high degree of retardation uniformity across the aperture is presented. In one embodiment, a rotatable compensator includes a stack of four individual plates in optical contact. The two thin plates in the middle of the stack are made from a birefringent material and are arranged to form a compound, zeroth order bi-plate. The remaining two plates are relatively thick and are made from an optically isotropic material. These plates are disposed on either end of the compound, zeroth order bi-plate. The low order plates minimize the sensitivity of retardation across the aperture to non-collimated light. Materials are selected to ensure transmission of ultraviolet light. The optically isotropic end plates minimize coherence effects induced at the optical interfaces of the thin plates. |
| US09857290B2 |
Tilted grating sensor
The present invention relates to a sensor using a tilted fiber grating to detect physical manifestations occurring in a medium. Such physical manifestations induce measurable changes in the optical property of the tilted fiber grating. The sensor comprises a sensing surface which is to be exposed to the medium, an optical pathway and a tilted grating in the optical pathway. The grating is responsive to electromagnetic radiation propagating in the optical pathway to generate a response conveying information on the physical manifestation. |
| US09857289B2 |
Methods and systems for maintaining optical transparency during particle image acquisition
Fouling of or damage to an electromagnetic radiation-transparent window can preclude one from obtaining satisfactory images with an image acquisition unit, such as a camera. Certain types of environments may be particularly prone toward promoting fouling or damage, and manual cleaning or repair of an electromagnetic radiation-transparent window may be difficult in some circumstances. These issues may be particularly prevalent when imaging drill cuttings and other solids obtained from a wellbore due to the complex sampling environment in which these solids are often disposed. Wellhead imaging systems can comprise: a flow pathway extending from a wellbore; an electromagnetic radiation-transparent window external to the wellbore establishing optical communication with the flow pathway; an image acquisition unit in optical communication with the flow pathway via the electromagnetic radiation-transparent window; and a movable barrier that is also electromagnetic radiation-transparent and is disposed between the electromagnetic radiation-transparent window and the flow pathway. |
| US09857288B2 |
Laser bond inspection with compact surface motion sensor
Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for laser bond inspection of an angled or compact bonded article. |
| US09857287B2 |
Particulate sensor device
A particle sensor apparatus having an optical emitter device that is configured to emit an optical radiation so that a volume having at least one particle possibly present therein is at least partly illuminatable; an optical detector device having at least one detection surface that is struck by at least a portion of the optical radiation scattered at the at least one particle, at least one information signal regarding an intensity and/or an intensity distribution of the optical radiation striking the at least one detection surface being outputtable; and an evaluation device with which an information item regarding a presence of particles, a number of particles, a particle density, and/or at least one property of particles is identifiable and outputtable, the particle sensor apparatus also encompassing at least one lens element that is disposed so that the emitted optical radiation is focusable onto a focus region inside the volume. |
| US09857286B2 |
Particle fractionation apparatus, particle fractionation method and particle fractionation program
A particle fractionating apparatus is described that can sort droplets containing particles in a first mode of operation, and distribute droplets that do not contain particles to a plurality of locations in a second mode of operation. The modes of operation are selectable by a user. Droplets may be emitted from a microchip of the particle fractionating apparatus. |
| US09857284B1 |
Method and apparatus for detection and measurement of particles with a wide dynamic range of measurement
Light from a light source is directed at a flow path of particles of a flow cytometer. The directed light results in a light pattern having a plurality of lobes. A first signal is detected exceeding a first threshold. A second signal exceeding a second threshold is detected, wherein the second threshold is greater than the first threshold. Based on detecting the second trigger after detecting the first trigger, is determined that the first and second signals were created by a relatively large particle. |
| US09857283B1 |
Method for calibrating investigated volume for light sheet based nanoparticle tracking and counting apparatus
A method for calibrating a dark field microcopy setup is disclosed. The method includes preparing a plurality of particle samples, each with a known concentration and particle size, the plurality having more than one particle size and, optionally, more than one refractive index and more than one diluent. For each sample in the plurality, the sample is measured in the setup and the scattered light intensity and number of particles is measured. From this data, a relationship between the scattered light intensity, particle size and calibrated investigated volume can be determined. The calibrated investigated volume is used to obtain the proper particle size distribution in a given diluent. |
| US09857282B2 |
Particle analyzing apparatus
A particle analyzing apparatus including a particle measuring section that measures a number or concentration of particles in a sample gas; a component analyzing section that measures an amount of each component of the particles in the sample gas; a flow path that branches into a first flow path that introduces the sample gas to the particle measuring section and a second flow path that introduces the sample gas to the component analyzing section; a first adjusting section that is provided in the first flow path and dilutes the sample gas with a dilution gas and introduces the diluted sample gas to the particle measuring section to adjust a measurement range of the particle measuring section; and a second adjusting section that is provided in the second flow path and adjusts an introduction time during which the sample gas is introduced to the component analyzing section. |
| US09857275B2 |
Method for determining the aerodynamic moment of resistance of a wheel
A method for determining the aerodynamic moment of resistance Maero-EM of a wheel by calculating the variation with respect to time, of the product of the rotational speed of at least one wheel set in rotation about an axis and of the inertia of the said wheel about the said axis, the wheel being equipped with a device for picking off and recording the numerical values of its rotational speed. The wheel is protected by a removable cap and in is subjected to a flow of air. |
| US09857273B2 |
Misfire detecting apparatus for internal combustion engine
A misfire detecting apparatus is provided wherein a misfire is detected based on a rotational speed parameter indicative of a rotational speed of an internal combustion engine. An average change amount of the rotational speed parameter in a first predetermined period and an inertia speed changing component which is generated with rotation of the engine are calculated, and a first corrected rotational speed parameter is calculated by correcting the rotational speed parameter according to the average change amount and the inertia speed changing component. A first relative speed parameter is calculated according to a difference between a first reference value and the first corrected rotational speed parameter, the first reference value being the first corrected rotational speed parameter corresponding to the rotational speed parameter which is detected at a reference timing at which a piston of a cylinder, which is subjected to the misfire determination, is positioned in the vicinity of the compression top dead center. A first determination parameter is calculated by integrating the first relative speed parameter for an integration period corresponding to 720/N degrees of a crank angle (“N” is a number of cylinders of the engine), and a misfire determination is performed based on the first determination parameter. The reference timing and a start timing of the integration period are set according to the ignition timing of the engine. |
| US09857271B2 |
Life-time management of downhole tools and components
Systems, methods and devices for evaluating a condition of a downhole component of a drillstring. Methods include estimating a value of a tool parameter of the component at at least one selected position on the drillstring; and using the estimated value to evaluate the condition of the downhole component. The estimating is done using a trained artificial neural network that receives information from at least one sensor that is positionally offset from the selected position. The method may further include creating a record representing information from estimated values of the tool parameter at the at least one selected position over time. The at least one selected position may include a plurality of positions, such as positions at intervals along the component, including substantially continuously along the component. |
| US09857269B2 |
Testing device for an EUV optical system
A testing device (100) for an EUV optical system (200) includes a generating device (10) configured to generate wavelength variable test spectra for the EUV optical system (200) and a sensor unit configured to detect the test spectra generated by the EUV optical system (200). |
| US09857268B2 |
Remote assistant system and method therefor
A remote assistant system capable of measuring a vibration velocity and then determining whether or not warning is required includes a vibration sensor unit which measures a vibration velocity, while transmitting information of a measured value of the measurement every ten minutes. A cloud server receives and saves the information of the measured value, while employing as an effective velocity value only a measured value within a range between an effective upper-limit velocity value and an effective lower-limit velocity value. Then, when a latest moving average value calculated by use of a latest effective velocity value and a saved effective velocity value exceeds a velocity threshold previously set as an upper limit for a vibration velocity in a case not requiring inspection, the cloud server transmits a warning e-mail to that effect to a previously set e-mail address. |
| US09857267B1 |
Methods and apparatus for measuring small leaks from carbon dioxide sequestration facilities
In one embodiment, a CO2 leak detection instrument detects leaks from a site (e.g., a CO2 sequestration facility) using rapid concentration measurements of CO2, O2 and optionally water concentration that are achieved, for example, using laser spectroscopy (e.g. direct absorption laser spectroscopy). Water vapor in the sample gas may not be removed, or only partially removed. The sample gas may be collected using a multiplexed inlet assembly from a plurality of locations. CO2 and O2 concentrations may be corrected based on the water concentration. A resulting dataset of the CO2 and O2 concentrations is analyzed over time intervals to detect any changes in CO2 concentration that are not anti-correlated with O2 concentration, and to identify a potential CO2 leak in response thereto. The analysis may include determining eddy covariance flux measurements of sub-surface potential carbon. |
| US09857266B2 |
Correlation based fuel tank leak detection
A method for an engine, comprising: sealing a fuel tank; and indicating fuel system degradation based on a comparison of a first correlation coefficient, determined based on a change in fuel tank pressure and a change in fuel tank temperature, to a second correlation coefficient determined based on a change in ambient pressure and a change in ambient temperature. In this way, leak tests, such as engine-off natural vacuum tests, may be performed without knowledge of the properties of the fuel stored in the fuel tank. |
| US09857265B2 |
Methods and systems for detecting fluidic levels and flow rate and fluidic equipment malfunctions
An improved sensor system is provided that monitors and controls a dendritic fluid system. A dendritic fluid system can include artificial components and/or natural components that carry fluid from a source to a destination through a series of paths. The sensor system can include magnetic field sensors, acoustic sensors, encapsulated sensor systems, pressure regulators, and valve controllers to monitor and control the dendritic fluid system. For example, magnetic field sensors, acoustic sensors, and/or pressure regulators can be used to measure the flow of fluid within a dendritic fluid subsystem and/or to detect potential leaks. The encapsulated sensor systems and/or valve controllers can be used to detect fluid levels in a contained system and control valves to adjust the fluid levels in the contained system to a desired level. |
| US09857262B2 |
Apparatus for self-inspecting waterproof function
A electronic device and method for self-inspecting a waterproof function of the electronic device are provided. The electronic device includes a first sensor for sensing an external condition of the electronic device; a second sensor, which is sealed within the electronic device, for sensing an internal condition of the electronic device; and a controller for comparing values of the external condition and the internal condition sensed by the first sensor and the second sensor, respectively, and determining a status of the waterproof function of the electronic device, based on the comparison. |
| US09857260B2 |
Pressure transducer with multiple joinable portions
In an embodiment, a pressure transducer includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The third portion is positioned in a cavity contained in the second portion. In addition, a seal is placed in the cavity. The first portion and second include provisions for applying a downward pressure on the third portion when the first portion and the second portion are joined. The downward pressure is applied by the third portion to the seal to seal the cavity. |
| US09857258B2 |
Pressure sensor to sense multi-directional movement
A pressure sensor includes a sensor, an elastic support portion, a membrane, and a pressure detector. The sensor is accommodated in a frame of a base substrate. The elastic support portion is elastically connecting the sensor to the frame. The membrane is disposed on a surface of the sensor. The pressure detector is disposed on the membrane and configured to detect a variation in pressure based on a movement of the membrane. |
| US09857251B2 |
Load detection apparatus
A load detection apparatus includes a strain element including a first fixation hole into which a fixation member is insertable to be positioned, a second fixation hole into which a connection member is insertable to be positioned, a strain gage, and a fixation support member inserted to be positioned within the first fixation hole, the first fixation hole serving as an elongated bore, the fixation support member including a base portion specified to be greater than the first fixation hole, an intermediate shaft portion protruding from the base portion and fitted to the first fixation hole, and an insertion hole into which the fixation member is inserted to be positioned, the insertion hole being provided in a state where a center position of the insertion hole is displaced relative to a center position of the intermediate shaft portion in a longitudinal direction thereof. |
| US09857249B2 |
Tensioner load measurement system
A load and stress of a tensioner may be determined from the change in the strain of the tensioner. The strain of the tensioner may be detected by an optical device having a Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) that is attached to the tensioner. An electrical signal may be generated in response to the detected change in the mechanical strain of the tensioner by processing the light reflected from an optical fiber coupled to the optical device. The electrical signal may be processed to calculate a load on the tensioner. The calculated load may be stored and analyzed, along with previously-stored values for the load, to determine the condition of the tensioner system, and whether the tensioner system requires maintenance. |
| US09857248B2 |
Sensor system for laminated structures
A sensor system for a laminated structure may include a sensor assembly disposed between a first layer and a second layer of the laminated structure. The sensor assembly may include a first anchor member and a second anchor member spaced at a predetermined distance from one another. A sensor chamber is formed between the first and second anchor members. The sensor assembly may also include a sensing line extending through the anchor members and the sensor chamber. The sensing line may include a configuration within the sensor chamber for sensing one of stress forces within the laminated structure, temperature or temperature changes within the laminated structure. A first transport tube may extend from the first anchor member opposite the sensor chamber and a second transport tube may extend from the second anchor member opposite the sensor chamber. The sensing line extends through the first and second transport tubes. |
| US09857245B2 |
Soft-body deformation and force sensing
A robotic sensing and touch apparatus detects gradual deformations in a resilient surface, in contrast to conventional rigid member displacement. Hall effect sensors coupled to rare-earth magnets in a deformable base allow sensing of surface curvature and compression against grasped objects. The deformable base, such as a silicone mold or other resilient encapsulation, fixes a magnetic source and an opposed Hall effect sensor. Calibration of a received magnetic field is defined by a sensor element voltage in an “at rest” (undeformed) state, and at successive degrees of deformation resulting from compression of the deformable base that draws the magnet in different orientations relative to the Hall effect sensor. An array of magnet and sensor element pairs allows relative sensing over an area for detecting curvature of a translated or articulated member, or engagement with a curved surface. |
| US09857240B2 |
System and method for temperature sensing of three-dimensional integrated circuit
A system and a method for temperature sensing of three-dimensional integrated circuits are revealed. The three-dimensional integrated circuit is formed by stacking of a plurality of chip layers that execute specific functions. The chip layer includes a master layer and at least one slave layer. The master layer is disposed with a master temperature sensor while a first thermal conductive part is arranged at the slave layer where heat is detected. The first thermal conductive part and the master temperature sensor are connected by a thermal conductive structure. Thereby temperature of various points at different chip layers is conducted to the same chip layer by Through Silicon Vias to be measured and calibrated. The design complexity and the implementation cost of the temperature sensing system are significantly reduced. |
| US09857231B2 |
Sensors for detecting incident signals having disturbance elements
A sensor and method of making a sensor for detecting an incident signal is provided. The sensor includes a frame, an antenna and a platform configured to detect the incident signal, and a holding arm connected to the frame, the holding arm configured to structurally support the antenna and the platform, and further configured to operably connect the platform to an electronic device external to the frame. The holding arm includes a conductor having an axial length and a plurality of disturbance elements formed along the axial length of the conductor. |
| US09857226B2 |
Microgrid arrangement for integrated imaging polarimeters
An integrated microgrid imaging polarimeter comprises a repeating pattern of wiregrid polarizers in a new 2×4 array that improves image resolution and quality by increasing the spatial bandwidth available for each Stokes image despite that the new repeating pattern is larger than prior art 2×2 arrays. An example embodiment has polarization orientations of the wiregrid polarizers in each 2×4 array, beginning from an arbitrary top left polarizer of each array and continuing clockwise, as: 45 degrees; zero degrees; 315 degrees; 90 degrees; zero degrees; 45 degrees; 90 degrees; and, 315 degrees. The disclosure includes an analysis showing development of the new 2×4 array and supporting its improved performance over prior art 2×2 arrays. |
| US09857218B2 |
Pulsed sensing using multiple pulse samples
The disclosed subject matter comprises a sensor management component (SMC) that facilitates accurately determining a desired switching state of a sensor and controlling the switching state of the sensor to reduce unwanted effects of ambient noise. The SMC samples pre-pulses, pulses, and post-pulses of a signal transmitted from a transmitter of the sensor, determines level of ambient noise associated with the signal based on levels of the pre-pulse sample and the post-pulse sample, and determines the pulse amplitude as a function of the pulse level and the levels of the pre-pulse and post-pulse samples to facilitate accurate state determinations for the sensor. The SMC can determine the state the sensor is to be in at a given time based on the number of good pulses received. The SMC can employ linear or non-linear filtering to remove spike or random noise to further facilitate accurate state determinations for the sensor. |
| US09857216B2 |
Minute object characteristics measuring apparatus
A minute object characteristics measuring apparatus is provided. The minute object characteristics measuring apparatus includes a holder, a cantilever, a measuring device, and a driver. The holder holds a minute object. The cantilever faces the minute object held by the holder. The measuring device measures a displacement of the cantilever. The driver drives one of the holder holding the minute object and the cantilever in a direction that the minute object held by the holder and the cantilever are brought close to or drawn away from each other. |
| US09857215B2 |
Object information acquiring apparatus
An object information acquiring apparatus includes a detector including m-number of probes to which a voltage is supplied and a current/voltage conversion circuit which converts a current into a voltage, a receiver processing electric signals from the probes, and a relay board respectively relaying power distribution lines between the electrical power source and the probes and signal wirings between the receiver and the probe, wherein the relay board receives input of signal wirings and power distribution lines from n-number (m≧n) of probes among the m-number of probes, connects the signal wirings from the n-number of probes to the receiver, and connects, to the electrical power source side, the power distribution lines of a number that is fewer than the power distribution lines from the n-number of probes. |
| US09857213B2 |
Liquid-level detection device
A liquid-level detection device for detecting a level of a liquid surface of liquid stored in a container, includes a rotatable body that rotates in accordance with the liquid surface, a fixation body having a main body part fixed to the container and a supporting part projecting from the main body part in an axial direction along a rotation axis of the rotatable body to rotatably support the rotatable body, a pair of magnet parts held by the rotatable body at arrangement positions with the rotation axis therebetween to generate a magnetic flux passing through the supporting part, and a detecting part having an element part disposed inside the supporting part to output a detection result according to a density of a magnetic flux passing through the element part. The rotatable body includes an exposed surface that is located outward of the supporting part and the pair of magnet parts in the axial direction and that is exposed into the container. An erected wall rising up from the exposed surface outward in the axial direction is provided between two projection regions which are obtained by projecting the pair of magnet parts onto the exposed surface outward in the axial direction. |
| US09857208B2 |
Measurement device
A measurement device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first controller configured to output a control signal and a second controller configured to perform a first control and then to perform a second control based on the control signal output from the first controller. The control signal designates both an input signal and a calibration signal to be converted into a digital input signal and a digital calibration signal, respectively. The input signal is input from an outside of the measurement device. The calibration signal is previously prepared. The first control is for selecting the input signal and converting the selected input signal into the digital input signal. The second control is for selecting the calibration signal and converting the selected calibration signal into the digital calibration signal and for calculating a measured value using the digital input signal converted by the first control and another digital calibration signal converted by a control performed before the first control. |
| US09857207B2 |
Apparatus for measuring displacement of railroad
An apparatus for measuring a displacement of a railroad includes a pair of rail fixing members 100 fixed to enclose a lower part of one rail 10, and installed to be spaced from each other; a lengthwise sensor casing 200a installed between the pair of rail fixing members 100; and an angle sensor installed at the lengthwise sensor casing 200a so as to measure a change of an angle between the pair of rail fixing members 100. With such a configuration, the present invention can be applied to a structure of railroad ties formed of a concrete material. Further, data can be obtained with high reliability, since a displacement of the rail is directly measured. |
| US09857206B1 |
Waterproofing device and distance sensor using the same
A waterproofing device installed on a distance sensor enables outdoor operations of a robot or operations in wet or adverse environments. The distance sensor includes a signal transmitter and a signal receiver. The waterproofing device includes a protection member installed on the distance sensor, and covers installed on the protection member. The protection member includes sleeves aligning with the signal transmitter and the signal receiver. The cover includes a sieve plate covering one end of the sleeve to prevent liquid from entering into the sleeve and a drain plug to discharge any liquid incidentally entering. |
| US09857202B2 |
Sensor for motor
A sensor for motor includes: a detected plate mounted to a rotating shaft of a motor, the detected plate including a plurality of rod-shaped portions having different lengths from one another, the plurality of rod-shaped portions radially projecting from the rotating shaft; a detecting member configured to output a signal having a waveform that changes according to the rod-shaped portions passing through a front of the detecting member; and a movable member that holds the detecting member. |
| US09857200B2 |
Position detector with a minimum magnetic flux density position shifted from a center of a gap
A position detector includes a magnet disposed between first ends of first and second magnetic flux transmission parts and a magnet disposed between second ends of the first and second magnetic flux transmission parts. The position detector also includes a Hall IC that is positioned within a gap and moves relative to a rotating body. The Hall IC detects a density of the magnetic flux from the first and second magnetic flux transmission parts and outputs a signal according to the density of the magnetic flux passing therethrough in order to detect a position of a detection object. A minimum magnetic flux density position within the gap may be shifted to a position having the highest detection accuracy such that the position detection accuracy of the detection object is improved. |
| US09857194B2 |
Time related points of interest for navigation system
A method performed by a computing system includes, with the computing system, providing a user with directions from a current location of the user to a destination, searching a database for a set of points of interest within a predefined distance from a route between the current location and the destination, the searching accounting for a deviation time value associated with each point of interest and a user received allotted time value, the allotted time value indicating a total amount of time the user has allotted for deviation from the route, the deviation time value indicating an estimated amount of time it takes to visit a corresponding point of interest, and presenting to the user, at least one point of interest with the corresponding visitation time value being less than the time deviation value. |
| US09857193B2 |
Mapping application with turn-by-turn navigation mode for output to vehicle display
Some embodiments provide a method for an application executing on a mobile device. The method renders an animated navigation presentation for output to an external display screen not part of the mobile device. The navigation presentation includes an animated map showing at least a portion of a route to a destination. The method simultaneously displays information regarding a maneuver along the route on a display screen of the mobile device without displaying a same animated map on the mobile device. In some embodiments, the displayed information regarding the maneuver comprises a graphical instruction and a text instruction for a next maneuver along the route. |
| US09857181B2 |
Methods and apparatus for evaluating operation of a vehicle onboard navigation system using lateral offset data
A method for assessing operation of a navigation system onboard a vehicle is provided. The method determines a sensor-based lateral offset change using vehicle onboard sensor data; determines a second lateral offset change using navigation system data; computes a difference between the sensor-based lateral offset change and the second lateral offset change; performs secondary calculations using the difference to produce a result; and when the result is greater than a threshold error value, provides an error notification. |
| US09857180B2 |
System and method for displaying address information on a map
A method of displaying a map on a device includes determining position information of a position on the map, displaying a graphical position indicator representing the position on the map, determining address information corresponding to the position on the map, and presenting the address information via a user interface of the device by displaying a street number on the map adjacent to the graphical position indicator. |
| US09857178B2 |
Method for position and location detection by means of virtual reference images
A method describes the architecture of a vision-supported navigation system in a terrain using available topographical maps, which is based on already existing methods for detecting prominent terrain features. An offline process used in this case creates a feature database from existing topographical maps, which is subsequently used in an online process for recognizing features that have been seen. In this case, virtual reference images of the expected situation are created using computer graphical methods, which are analyzed using methods for feature extraction, and a feature catalog made up of vision-based feature vectors and the associated 3D coordinates of the localized features is derived from the same. These data are stored in a flight system in the form of a model database, for example, and enable navigation close to a reference trajectory and for a planned lighting situation. High localization characteristics and a correspondingly high navigation accuracy are achieved by means of the possibility of using any desired, not necessarily lighting-invariant, feature extractors. |
| US09857172B1 |
Method for implementing high-precision orientation and evaluating orientation precision of large-scale dynamic photogrammetry system
The present invention provides a method for implementing high-precision orientation and evaluating orientation precision of a large-scale dynamic photogrammetry system, including steps: a) selecting a scale bar, arranging code points at two ends of the scale bar, and performing length measurement on the scale bar; b) evenly dividing a measurement space into multiple regions, sequentially placing the scale bar in each region, and photographing the scale bar by using left and right cameras; d) limiting self-calibration bundle adjustment by using multiple length constraints, adjustment parameters including principal point, principal distance, radial distortion, eccentric distortion, in-plane distortion, exterior orientation parameter and spatial point coordinate; and e) performing traceable evaluation of orientation precision of the photogrammetry system. The present invention can effectively reduce the relative error in length measurement. |
| US09857164B2 |
Lens device for a variable working distance, illumination assembly, coordinate measuring machine and method
A lens device for an illumination assembly, wherein the lens device comprises at least one ring region, wherein each ring region extends along a circumferential direction about a central axis of the lens device, wherein each ring region comprises a plurality of segments, wherein each segment forms a circular arc portion of a respective ring region and wherein each segment comprises a first end in the circumferential direction and a second end opposite to the first end in the circumferential direction, wherein each segment has a first refractive index at a reference wavelength at the first end at a first radial distance from the central axis and a second refractive index at the reference wavelength at the second end at the first radial distance, said second refractive index differing from the first refractive index. An illumination assembly, a coordinate measuring machine and a method are also disclosed. |
| US09857159B1 |
Velocity compensated frequency sweeping interferometer and method of using same
A velocity-compensated frequency sweeping interferometer has a single measurement light producing device that produces a coherent light source consisting of a single light beam. The light producing device produces a scanning wavelength light beam. A primary beam splitter produces a first reference beam and a first measurement beam from said single light beam. The first reference beam travels a fixed path length to a primary reference reflector and the first measurement beam travels to and from a moveable reflective target over an unknown path length. A distance measurement interferometer is created by interfering the first reference beam with the first measurement beam. A return frequency measurement interferometer provides a measure of frequency of the return beam from the target which, when compared with the frequency of the outgoing beam, allows for velocity compensation of the target. |
| US09857154B2 |
Steerable munitions projectile
A munition having a warhead and an ogive coaxially rotatably mounted to the warhead. A controllable motor is mechanically coupled to the ogive to control the rotational position of the ogive relative to the warhead. The ogive includes an asymmetric surface while a windscreen is detachably connected to the ogive over the asymmetric surface so that, with the windscreen attached to the ogive, the outer surface of the ogive together with the windscreen are axisymmetric in shape. A detachment mechanism, when activated, detaches the windscreen from the ogive which permits steering of the munition by placement of the asymmetric surface relative to the warhead. The introduction of the asymmetric surface during flight produces an asymmetric pressure field resulting in a lateral force on the munition causing is to change direction. |
| US09857149B2 |
Light-based incapacitating apparatus and method
Apparatus and method for using a light source having spatially separated light emitting areas emitting light at different wavelengths to incapacitate a subject by a pattern of temporal flashing and/or color flashing of the light source. Reflectors adapted for use with spatially separated light substrates provide for light concentration from lower powered optical sources. |
| US09857147B2 |
Rail system for a rifle
There is accordingly provided a rail system selectively connectable to a rifle. The rifle has a loading port for receiving bullets therein. The system includes a first rail positioned forward of the loading port. The system includes a second rail extending substantially parallel to the first rail and positioned rearward of the loading port. The system includes an aperture interposed between the first and second rails. The aperture is positioned to align with the loading port of the rifle. The system includes an elongate side member connecting the rails together. |
| US09857146B1 |
Systems and methods for attaching a firearm accessory to a first rail system or a second rail system
A rail attachment assembly for attaching a firearm accessory to a first or second rail system includes a main body comprising a first side having a protrusion configured to mate with a slot in the first rail system, a second side having a protrusion configured to mate with a slot in the second rail system, and an aperture. The rail attachment assembly also includes a cavity in the firearm accessory configured to mate with the protrusion on the first side or the second side of the main body. An aperture extends through the firearm accessory. A fastener is positionable through the aperture in the firearm accessory, the aperture in the main body, and the slot in the first rail system or the slot in the second rail system. A nut is attachable to the fastener to secure the firearm accessory to the first rail system or the second rail system. |
| US09857140B2 |
Loader spacer ring
A loader may be provided having two or more shell segments or sections separable from each other, wherein the shell segments help define an internal chamber of the loader that is capable of housing a quantity of ammunition for a connected gun. A spacer ring can be provided to fit between at least two of the shell segments. When the loader shell segments are reattached having the spacer ring arranged therebetween, the capacity of the loader may be increased. |
| US09857139B2 |
Archery bowstring release
A bowstring release is described herein. The bowstring release has, in an embodiment, a release body and a hook for holding a bowstring. The bowstring release includes a trigger coupled to the release body, and the trigger has a roller for operation of the release. |
| US09857137B2 |
Silencer for firearm
A silencer for a firearm in one embodiment includes an outer tube defining a proximal end configured for mounting on a firearm barrel, a distal end, and an internal passageway extending between the ends. A plurality of first baffles is disposed in horizontally stacked relation in the internal passageway between the proximal and distal ends of the tube. The first baffles each comprises an annular mounting sleeve and a cone projecting axially rearward from the sleeve towards the proximal end of the tube. The cone defines an oblong obliquely angled central opening concentrically aligned the bore of a firearm barrel for receiving a projectile therethrough. Gas expansion chambers are formed between the first baffles. The cone may have an asymmetrically skewed shape for cross-jetting. An anti-rotation feature is provided which prevents the silencer assembly from loosening when the silencer is coupled to the firearm barrel. |
| US09857136B2 |
Conversion device for a firearm
A conversion device for converting a firearm designed to fire a cartridge of a certain size and caliber to another size and caliber cartridge is disclosed. In some embodiments, the conversion device is suitable for converting an AR-15 type firearm to be able to fire .22 caliber cartridges. Disclosed embodiments of the conversion device 100 may comprise an appropriately sized chamber insert 1 to fit in the chamber of the firearm, a bolt 2, an extractor 4, extractor plunger 3, extractor spring 5, firing pins 6, firing pin springs 9, a bolt spring rod 10 and block 11, a bolt return spring 12, slide rails 14, lock rings 17, and lock pins 15. |
| US09857130B2 |
Protective magazine carrier with finger grips
The magazine carrier has flexible yet durable material of construction and slides directly into a rifle magazine and is kept on the magazine during loading into a rifle. The carrier includes novel features for the modern operator including forward facing finger grips and a loop at the bottom to provide magazine drawing and storage options as well as impact protection to the magazine. In addition to providing direct protection to the magazine from contaminants such as dirt and mud, the magazine carrier can also be provided in an alternative embodiment with infrared signature reduction panels to provide the operator with an overall reduced infrared signature. |
| US09857129B1 |
Gas adjustment system for a firearm bolt carrier
This Regulated Bolt Carrier is a lightweight carrier having a built-in gas regulating gate. As a drop-in assembly it enables tuning of the gas system used in firearms of the AR-15 class. Adjustments of a continuously variable nature may be made quickly through the port door without requiring disassembly of the firearm. A gas “regulator gate” located under the gas key below a gas port inside the body of the bolt carrier itself is cut as a half-moon. Rotating the regulator gate on its axis changes the position of the half-moon cutout, blocking the entry of gas into the system. The regulator gate can be set anywhere from fully open to fully closed and is held in position by a small lock screw. For maintenance, the gas regulator gate can be pushed out of its bore via an access hole on the opposite side of the bolt carrier. |
| US09857126B2 |
Radiator for vehicle
A radiator which is disposed in front of a cooling fan may include a main heat-radiating portion to cool a high temperature coolant, an auxiliary heat-radiating portion to cool a coolant that is a relatively lower temperature coolant than the coolant passing through the main heat-radiating portion, and an insulating plate that prevents heat from being exchanged between the main heat-radiating portion and the auxiliary heat-radiating portion, in which the auxiliary heat-radiating portion is positioned at a center portion in front of the cooling fan. |
| US09857125B2 |
Denitration and waste heat recovery integrated furnace
The present invention relates to a denitration and waste heat recovery integrated furnace, comprising a denitration system, a desulfurization system and a waste heat recovery system. An air outlet of the denitration system is connected to an inlet of a dust collector (4), an outlet of the dust collector (4) is connected to an air inlet of the desulfurization system, an air outlet of the desulfurization system is connected to an air compressor (6) of the waste heat recovery system, and the waste heat recovered by the air compressor (6) is used for heat energy utilization of other departments. |
| US09857124B2 |
Clamp apparatus, substrate carry-in/out apparatus using the same, and substrate processing apparatus
The clamp apparatus of the present disclosure includes a clamp member configured to contact a substrate accommodating container from an upper side and fix the substrate accommodating container to a predetermined position when a cover provided on a front surface of the substrate accommodating container is opened/closed, a driving mechanism configured to drive the clamp member; a casing configured to cover the driving mechanism, a suction port configured to communicate with the casing, an exhaust chamber provided near the casing, and a fan provided inside the exhaust chamber. |
| US09857123B2 |
System and method for defrosting a condensor without external heating
An improved refrigeration cycle defrosting system and method is disclosed. The device uses operation of a compressor to supply heat for the defrosting process without relying on deviation of a hot refrigerant gas from the compressor outlet or any other heating device. |
| US09857122B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator including a housing mounted at a rear surface of a door to define a storage space of food, a basket disposed inside the housing, a duct extending to the housing from one side of an evaporator to supply cold air generated by the evaporator into the storage space of the housing, and a fan assembly coupled to the duct to allow the cold air to be forcibly supplied. |
| US09857119B2 |
Insulated seat cooler with vented backrest and optional air intake and circulation system
The invention provides a cooling apparatus with vented backrest and an optional air intake and circulation system for dual functioning as (1) a cooler effective to maintain food and beverages below ambient temperatures and (2) a seat with vented backrest that provides cooled air to the individual seated on the apparatus. |
| US09857117B2 |
Ice maker
An ice maker including piping for water drainage therein is provided. The ice maker includes a cabinet body, an ice storage portion provided in the cabinet body and separable from the cabinet body, a first coupling portion disposed on a lower surface of the ice storage portion and having a first coupling hole, a drain portion provided downwardly of the cabinet body within the cabinet body and including a drainage passage connected to an external drainage hole, and an overflow socket inserted into the first coupling hole and connected to the drainage passage to connect the ice storage portion to the drain portion, and configuring a path allowing water received by the ice storage portion to be discharged to the drainage passage, thereby providing an ice maker having easy separation and coupling. |
| US09857114B2 |
Controlling chilled state of a cargo
A method for operating a refrigeration system for a container for refrigerating chilled cargo includes providing a refrigeration system including a compressor and an evaporator fan associated with an evaporator. The method also includes determining the temperature of supply air and the temperature of return air. The method further includes determining one of a requirement for heating and a requirement for cooling based on the temperature of the return air and the temperature of the supply air. The method additionally includes activating the evaporator fan when a requirement for heating is determined and increasing the speed of the evaporator fan when increased heating is determined. The method also includes activating the compressor and the evaporator fan when a requirement for cooling is determined and increasing the power supplied to the compressor and maintaining the evaporator fan at a first speed when increased cooling is determined. |
| US09857110B2 |
Apparatus for improving the efficiency of a heat exchange system
A method and apparatus for use with a heat exchange system having a compressor, condenser, evaporator, an expansion device, and circulating refrigerant is provided. The apparatus comprises a chamber positioned between the condenser and the evaporator. According to an embodiment of the invention, the chamber comprises a down tube with holes for the passage of refrigerant from the chamber and a top inlet port comprising a vapor expansion screen. The suction of the refrigerant through the holes draws refrigerant towards the top inlet port past the vapor expansion screen, allowing for further cooling within the chamber. When the refrigerant eventually exits the chamber, it is considerably cooler than when it entered the vessel, making the entire refrigeration system more efficient. |
| US09857105B1 |
Heat pump with a compliant seal
A heat pump includes a regenerator housing that is movable along a lateral direction between a first position and a second position. A first compliant seal extends between a first frame body and the regenerator housing along the lateral direction. A second compliant seal extends between a second frame body and the regenerator housing along the lateral direction. |
| US09857102B2 |
Ejector
An ejector includes a swirl flow channel that is arranged on an upstream side of a nozzle portion. The swirl flow channel swirls the high pressure refrigerant and allows the refrigerant in a state of a gas-liquid mixed phase to flow into the nozzle portion. The ejector further includes a flow-rate changeable mechanism that is disposed at the upstream side of the swirl flow channel, and is capable of changing a flow rate of the high pressure refrigerant that flows into the swirl flow channel. Accordingly, a nozzle efficiency can be improved, and an operation according to a load of the refrigeration cycle is possible. |
| US09857101B2 |
Refrigeration ejector cycle having control for supercritical to subcritical transition prior to the ejector
A system (170) has a compressor (22). A heat rejection heat exchanger (30) is coupled to the compressor to receive refrigerant compressed by the compressor. A non-controlled ejector (38) has a primary inlet coupled to the heat rejection exchanger to receive refrigerant, a secondary inlet, and an outlet. The system includes means (172, e.g., a nozzle) for causing a supercritical-to-subcritical transition upstream of the ejector. |
| US09857095B2 |
Indoor unit for air-conditioning apparatus with airflow blocking portion for infrared sensor
In an indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus, a casing has an air inlet formed in an upper part and an air outlet formed below a front part. The casing accommodates a heat exchanger and fan. A horizontal airflow-direction louver is mounted pivotally inside the air outlet to guide airflow in a horizontally changeable manner. A vertical airflow-direction louver is mounted to cover the air outlet in a closed position and to guide airflow in a vertically changeable manner. An infrared sensor projects downward from the casing at a position in a horizontal end portion of the casing and in front of the air outlet. An airflow blocking portion is located behind the infrared sensor, and has a side wall on or beside one edge of the air outlet. The side wall is located closer to a center of the air outlet in the horizontal direction than the infrared sensor. |
| US09857092B2 |
Injection molded HVAC diffuser assembly
An air diffuser for use at a ventilation outlet of an HVAC system. The air diffuser comprises a base platform having an opening plenum formed from injection-molded plastic, the base platform including a collar for attachment to the outlet, the plenum defined by a perimeter rim, the edges of the rim lying substantially within a first common plane, at least one first diffuser plate positioned over the plenum, the first diffuser plate formed from injection-molded plastic and having edges lying substantially within a second common plane, and a plurality of stems integrally molded with one or more of the first diffuser plate and the base, the stems configured to secure the first diffuser plate to the base platform, each of the stems having a first end sized to fit within a complimentary female receptacle formed in one of the first diffuser plate and the base platform, the stems being formed via injection molding with one of the first diffuser plate and the base platform. |
| US09857086B2 |
Pipe clamp
The invention relates to a pipe clamp for coupling a pipe to a mesh reinforcement, provided with two co-acting arcuate parts. The pipe clamp comprises a hinge coupled to respective first ends of a first and a second arcuate part, and a divided closure, wherein the arcuate parts are provided with a first recess for clamping round the pipe on a first wire of the mesh reinforcement in the closed position. Because the mesh reinforcement can be provided with meshes of wires which run transversely over each other and may be a different distance from the pipe, the pipe clamp is further provided with a second recess, wherein one of the two recesses is always located between at least one of the closing parts and the other recess, whereby the pipe can be fixed flat over the mesh reinforcement. |
| US09857085B2 |
Home appliance having a side shield
A home cooking appliance includes a housing having a side wall, a cooking compartment in the housing, an exhaust channel that exhausts air from the cooking compartment, and a side shield disposed between the side wall and the air flowing in the exhaust channel and forming an air gap between the side wall and the exhaust channel. |
| US09857082B2 |
Cooking oven
A method for cooking food items in an oven is disclosed. A history of instant oven temperatures is initially obtained during a cook of a first food item. A salient representation of the oven temperature history is stored in a non-volatile memory. The salient representation includes multiple average oven temperatures, each selected to represent a summary of the instant oven temperatures at various specific time periods throughout the cook of the first food item. During a cook of a second food item that is substantially similar to the first cook item, the current cook settings are dynamically adjusted during the cook of the second food item based on the results of a comparison between the instant oven temperatures and the stored average oven temperatures in order to duplicate the result of the cook of the first item. |
| US09857080B2 |
Fuel injector for a turbine engine
A fuel injector for a turbine engine is provided. The fuel injector includes a body including an admissions chamber for admitting fuel under pressure, a stop valve mounted in the body downstream from the admission chamber and designed to open at a first determined fuel pressure and to remain open beyond that first pressure in order to feed a primary fuel circuit, and a metering valve mounted in the body downstream from the stop valve and designed to open above a second determined fuel pressure, greater than the first pressure, and to remain open above the second pressure in order to feed a secondary fuel circuit. The stop valve and the metering valve form a common movable assembly. |
| US09857078B2 |
Signal responsive well test burner
A well test burner system includes a plurality of burner nozzles. At least one of the burner nozzles includes a well product inlet, an air inlet, an air/well product mixture outlet, and an automatic valve. The automatic valve is responsive to a remote signal to cease flow of well product to the air/well product outlet. |
| US09857076B2 |
Perforated flame holder and burner including a perforated flame holder
A perforated flame holder and burner including a perforated flame holder provides reduced oxides of nitrogen (NOx) during operation. The perforated flame holder includes a pattern of elongated apertures extending between a proximal and a distal surface of the flame holder relative to a fuel nozzle. The perforated flame holder can provide a significantly reduced flame height while maintaining heat output from the burner. |
| US09857075B2 |
Method and apparatus for combustion
A combustor for providing homogeneous combustion of liquid fuels includes an essentially tube shaped combustion body, including a combustion chamber having a plurality of reaction zones, one of which is an injection zone, the others being combustion zones for staged homogeneous combustion of evaporated fuel and air. A swirler, including a base and swirler elements, is configured to operate at a swirl number between 0.6-2.5 in combination with a flow constriction plate whose size is such that the ratio of the open diameter (De) of the constriction to the diameter (D) of the combustion body is <0.7 and the constrictor plate is placed at a distance (L1) from the base of the swirler base so that L1/De>1. A primary mixing plate is placed downstream from the constriction plate at a distance (L2) so that the ratio L2/L1<1 to allow maximum mixing of the homogeneous combustion. |
| US09857069B2 |
Spherical lamp with easy heat dissipation
A spherical lamp with easy heat dissipation comprises: a lower substrate and an upper substrate, in each of which a plurality of LEDs are embedded; a substrate support portion having a plate shape, to which the lower and upper substrates are coupled and fixed to lower and upper portions thereof, respectively; lower and upper covers, which are fixed to lower and upper portions of the substrate support portion, respectively, and each of which has a semi-spherical shape; a support portion, which is connected to an upper center portion of the substrate support portion and is exposed to the exterior through a center portion of the upper cover; and a heat dissipation plate which is formed on a rear surface of the heat dissipation plate and provided with a coupling portion into which an end of the support portion is inserted and fixed. |
| US09857065B2 |
Ceiling-embedded type linear lighting device
A ceiling-embedded type linear lighting device includes: a housing having a receiving space formed therein and having an open side at one end; and at least one lighting module including: a light emitting body including a plurality of light emitting devices disposed on a substrate in a length direction thereof, a fixing plate allowing the light emitting body to be fixed thereto, and elastic portions disposed to be inclined from both side surfaces of the fixing plate so as to be elastically supported by an inside surface of the housing at the receiving space, so that the lighting module is vertically, detachably coupled to an interior of the receiving space from a front of the open side of the receiving space of the housing. The elastic portions and the inside surface of the housing at the receiving space are provided with two coupling portions that are engaged to each other. |
| US09857063B2 |
LED module and method of bonding thereof
The present disclosure provides a lighting module. The lighting module includes a heat sink, a board disposed over the heat sink, and a bonding component that bonds the heat sink and the board together. The bonding component contains a combination of a first metal and a second metal. The lighting module also includes a photonic lighting device disposed over the board. |
| US09857060B2 |
LED illumination control systems and methods
An illumination apparatus has a circular base plate and a plurality of tracks arranged radially about the base plate. LED modules are disposed upon the tracks, and transmission members coupled to the LED modules move the LED modules along the tracks. A distance measurement sensor is mounted on one side of the base plate, and is used to measure a distance value of an illuminated object. A processor is configured to determine a desired radius value for the plurality of LED modules based on the distance value and move the transmission members according to the desired radius value. |
| US09857057B2 |
Lighting apparatus that utilizes honey-comb structured optical component to reduce light unevenness while maintaining light transmissivity in the irradiation region
A lighting apparatus which has a light emitter that emits light of a different wavelength from a laser light with which the lighting apparatus is irradiated is provided. The lighting apparatus includes a condenser lens that condenses the laser light, a focusing lens that focuses the laser light that has passed through the condenser lens, and an optical component disposed between the condenser lens and the focusing lens. The optical component includes a plurality of lenses disposed at a plurality of locations on circumferences of virtual concentric circles. The virtual concentric circles include a center which is an origin. Lenses which are adjacent along a radial axis passing through the origin, among the plurality of lenses, have different phases with respect to the radial axis. |
| US09857056B2 |
Uniform lighting system
A light bar for illuminating a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the light bar includes an elongated housing extending along an edge of the surface to be illuminated. The housing has a wall adjacent the surface to be illuminated, and at least portions of that wall are transparent. A series of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are mounted within the housing and spaced along the length of the housing for illuminating the surface, and a connector couples the LEDs to an electrical power source for energizing the LEDs to produce light that illuminates the surface. |
| US09857053B2 |
Solid-state lighting luminaire with a uniform illumination output
A light-emitting diode (LED) luminaire adopts LED light sources (LEDs) and a corrugated light exit window. Light rays emitting at different angles from the LEDs launch onto the corrugated light exit window with numerous light images of the LEDs. The light images are so heavily overlapped that smooth out hot spots with dark spots, an effect of averaging, creating a uniform illumination output. The LED luminaire is capable of averaging white light emissions from a plurality of LEDs, mixing light emissions from various white LEDs at different correlated color temperatures (CCTs), or mixing light emissions from various white LEDs at a specific CCT with emissions from LEDs having saturated colors, rendering a uniform illumination with a consistent intensity or color hue within viewing angles. |
| US09857052B2 |
Linear aisle light optic for LEDs
An optical element for uniformly dispersing light from a plurality of linearly aligned LEDs includes a body made of a transparent polymeric material, in which the body has a longitudinally extending center portion having a transverse cross-sectional profile that is uniform along the length of the optical element, and legs extending away from opposite sides of the center portion and extending downwardly to define a recess. The center portion has a top surface and a bottom surface that together define a longitudinally extending lens portion that collects light from the LEDs and refracts the light to produce a desired beam pattern. Uniformly and closely spaced apart transverse grooves can be provided on the top surface of the longitudinally extending lens portion to uniformly spread light on an illuminated surface and eliminate the appearance of dark and light areas on the lens portion when it is illuminated by the LEDs. |
| US09857045B2 |
Vehicle lamp structure
A rear combination lamp is configured to include a door-side lamp portion, which has a first LED, a first housing, and a first lens, and a fender-side lamp portion, which has a second LED, a second housing, and a second lens. The door-side lamp portion and the fender-side lamp portion are disposed adjacent to one another in the vehicle width direction. Moreover, a second lamp-side reflector that reflects toward the second lens the light emitted from the second LED is disposed between the second housing and the second lens. Part of the second lamp-side reflector is configured as an interstitial reflecting portion that reflects the light emitted from the second LED between the first lens and the second lens. |
| US09857043B2 |
LED H4 retrofit lamp unit
The present invention relates to a LED lamp unit replacing an H4 bulb in a headlamp. The LED lamp unit (2) at least comprises two LED light sources (5) arranged on two opposing sides of a support member (11) to emit in opposed half-spaces, a heat sink (12, 3) and an electrical connector socket. The electrical connector socket is designed to fit in a lamp holder of a H4 headlamp such that the plane (6) separating the opposed half-spaces is tilted around the optical axis (7) of the headlamp by an angle of between 5° and 30° against the horizontal plane when the connector socket is mounted in the lamp holder. The proposed LED lamp unit replaces H4 bulbs in H4 headlamps and achieves the required legal beam pattern without changing the optical design of the headlamp. |
| US09857041B2 |
Daylighting device
Provided is a daylighting device (10) including a daylighting member (11) that has a base having light transparency, a plurality of daylighting portions that are provided on one surface of the base and have light transparency, and gap portions provided between the plurality of daylighting portions; and a light diffusion member (12) that is arranged on a light output surface side of the daylighting member (11) and diffuses light output from the daylighting member (11). |
| US09857034B2 |
Ultra slim collimator for light emitting diode
Systems and devices for collimating beams of light emitted by a light emitting diode are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical device comprises a bowl shaped reflector base, a light emitting diode (LED) physically attached to the bowl shaped reflector base, a central reflector in a shape of a hyperbolic cone formed above the LED about a center of the bowl shaped reflector base, and a transparent plate formed around a base of the hyperbolic cone. In the embodiment, the central reflector in the shape of the hyperbolic cone is configured to reflect a portion of light emitted from the LED to an outer edge of the bowl shaped reflector base which in turn substantially reflect the portion of light via the transparent plate almost parallel to an optical axis of the LED. |
| US09857031B2 |
LED lighting device with cured structural support
A light emitting diode (LED) lighting device includes at least one LED assembly comprising a substrate and two or more LEDs configured to generate light spaced apart along the substrate. A cured structural coating is disposed on at least a portion of the LED assembly, wherein the cured structural coating is configured to maintain the LED assembly in a predetermined shape. The substrate of the LED assembly may comprise an elongated and/or flexible substrate. |
| US09857028B2 |
Chamber pressure control apparatus for chemical vapor deposition systems
In one embodiment, a pressure control assembly includes a cylindrical hollow body having an opening to receive a ballast gas, a first and second flange, and a first and second cone. The first flange is coupled to a first end of the body, and a second flange is coupled to an opposing end of the body. The first cone is coupled to the first flange, and the second cone is coupled to the second flange. A method for controlling pressure in a chamber includes measuring a pressure of the chamber and a pressure of an exhaust system coupled to the chamber. The method includes dynamically adjusting the pressure in the exhaust system in order to adjust the pressure in the chamber, by creating a first pressure drop that is greater than a second pressure drop in the exhaust system. |
| US09857024B1 |
Overhead support for medical equipment
An overhead equipment support system for a patient treatment zone, such as an operating room. The support system may comprise an assembly of service hubs interconnected by runway segments to partially or completely circumscribe the treatment zone at the ceiling level while leaving the area immediately above the treatment zone open for other services, such as laminar flow air-handling equipment. An extreme load extension arm may be supported on one or more of the hubs; each such arm is capable of supporting even the heaviest types of medical equipment commonly demanded in surgical suites, especially those supported on booms or articulating arms, thereby greatly increasing the potential operating sphere of each such device. Trolleys are supported on the runway for movement between service hubs. Each trolley can support a medical device in a range of positions around the periphery of the zone as needed by the surgical team. |
| US09857023B2 |
Mounting assembly for mounting an antenna
A mounting assembly for mounting an antenna to a support structure includes an attachment bracket coupled to a support structure. The mounting assembly includes a support member coupled to the attachment bracket and extending along a support member axis. The support member has a body defining a substantially hollow interior that extends substantially co-axially along the support member axis. A support arm supports an antenna. The support arm is received within the substantially hollow interior of the support member. The support arm is in a locked position or an unlocked position relative to the support member. In the locked position, the support arm is fixed with respect to the support member. In the unlocked position, the support arm is movable with respect to the support member along the support member axis. |
| US09857022B2 |
Electronic device and stand thereof
An electronic device includes a display, at least one hinge assembly and a supporting assembly. The display has a rear surface. The hinge assembly includes a fixing component and at least one assembling component. The fixing component is disposed on the display. The at least one assembling component is pivoted on the fixing component. The supporting assembly is disposed on the assembling component for pivoting relative to the display. The supporting assembly includes a holder and a support that are for moving with each other. The holder is for pivoting relative to the display to have a holding position and a leaning position. The support is for pivoting relative to the display to have a storing position and a supporting position. The holder pivots from the holding position to the leaning position to drive the support to pivot with the holder from the storing position to the supporting position. |
| US09857021B2 |
Swivel supporting device
A swivel supporting device comprising a stand, a baseplate and a switchable structure connecting with the stand and the baseplate is provided. The switchable structure includes a plurality of washers being axially associated with each other. An external force for driving the stand and the switchable structure rotating with respect to the baseplate is capable of being adjusted depending on the extent of the engagement interference between the washers. |
| US09857019B2 |
Insulation material as well as insulation element for a pipe in the vicinity of a wall or ceiling duct
An insulation material for use on a heat-conducting pipe is disclosed. The insulation material has an exterior surface and an interior surface which, when used, lies on the pipe to be insulated. The exterior surface, when used on the pipe to be insulated, defines an exterior circumference of the insulation material which varies over the axial length of the insulation material. |
| US09857012B2 |
Apparatus of controlling electric power for electric fusion pipe fitting using conductive polymer composite and method thereof
Provided is an electric power control apparatus of an electrofusion coupling pipe using a conductive polymer composite as a heating element and a method of controlling electric power using the same. The electric power control apparatus supplies electric power to the electrofusion coupling pipe using a conductive polymer composite as a heating element to detect resistance variation of the conductive polymer composite and then controls electric power supplied to the synthetic resin pipe electrofusion coupling pipe on the basis of the detected resistance variation. |
| US09857009B2 |
Plug-in coupling for a pipe, in particular for water conduits
A plug-in coupling for a pipe, especially for water conduits, includes a coupling sleeve receiving the pipe end, includes a sealing ring which is inserted into the coupling sleeve, and includes a locking ring which is mounted upstream of the sealing ring in the plug-in direction of the pipe end and forms retaining claws which protrude with respect to the pipe end and are inclined in the plug-in direction. The plug-in coupling also includes an annular body which is similarly mounted upstream of the sealing ring and is supported axially in the plug-in direction in relation to the coupling sleeve. The annular body includes a protective ring for surrounding the face end of the pipe end from the outside, which protective ring is connected via a predetermined breaking connection. |
| US09857000B2 |
Flexible pipe body and method of providing same
A flexible pipe body and method of producing a flexible pipe body are disclosed. The flexible pipe body includes a collapse resistant layer comprising a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface, the radially inner surface comprising, in cross section, a substantially flat portion and at least one cavity extending from the flat portion radially outwards, and the radially inner surface further comprising, in cross section, at least one aerodynamic feature extending from the flat portion for breaking up a boundary layer of fluid flowing along the flexible pipe body in use. |
| US09856996B2 |
Exhaust gas treatment unit
An exhaust gas treatment unit includes an exhaust gas treatment device, a bracket and a connecting pipe. The exhaust gas treatment device is mounted on a bracket. The connecting pipe is connected to the exhaust gas treatment device. The connecting pipe directs exhaust gas to the exhaust gas treatment device. The connecting pipe may include a supporting portion and a pipe portion, with the supporting portion supporting the bracket and the pipe portion being integrated with the supporting portion. Alternatively, the exhaust gas treatment unit may further include a supporting member having a supporting portion supporting the bracket and a pipe portion integrated with the supporting portion, with the pipe portion connected to the connecting pipe. |
| US09856987B2 |
Distribution valve
A dispensing valve for fastening to a water faucet disposed over a drain and to a reverse osmosis water filtering unit for controllably dispensing tap water, for providing feed water to the reverse osmosis water filtering unit, for providing squeeze water to the reverse osmosis water filtering unit and dispensing product water received therefrom, and to block all water flow. The dispensing valve may also dispense tap water in a spray, and provide for waste water disposal. |
| US09856985B2 |
Valve manifold circuit board with serial communication circuit line
A valve manifold block for a fluid valve manifold has a valve manifold block with a printed circuit board received in a passage in the valve manifold block. A set of conductive valve lines on the circuit board extend between and are connected to a respective set of first electrical connectors and a respective set of second mating electrical connectors. The circuit board also having at least one conductive valve line extending to a third connector on the circuit board operably leading to one voltage side of the valve unit. A conductive common line is operably connected to an opposite voltage side of the valve unit. A serial communication line connects to a respective serial communication line in another valve manifold block for communicating information relating to the valve unit. |
| US09856983B2 |
Single seal ring stuffing box
A seal arrangement for use in a reciprocating piston compressor includes first and second seal rings (44,46) engaged along respective side surfaces, and first and second cover rings (40,42) disposed around the first and second seal rings (44,46) such that the outside diameters (OD5,OD6) of the first and second seal rings (44,46) engage the inside diameters (ID3,ID4) of the first and second cover rings (40,42), respectively. A support ring (36) is engaged with the first seal ring (44) and the first cover ring (40). A backup ring (38) is engaged with the second seal ring (46) and the second cover ring (42). In some embodiments, the first seal ring (44) has a width (W5) that is smaller than a width (W6) of the second seal ring (46). In other embodiments the second seal ring (146) has a circumferential groove (149) formed on an inside surface thereof, the groove (149) disposed directly adjacent the first seal ring (144). In further embodiments, the seal rings (44,46) are formed of PEEK with a nano-material additive. |
| US09856981B2 |
Reduced friction piston ring
Improved liquid lubricated piston ring gas seals with reduced friction and wear compared to prior art rings are disclosed for use in internal combustion engines, gas pumps, and gas compressors. These improved rings allow independent adjustment of the parameters controlling friction and wear, and eliminate the tradeoff between friction and wear typical of prior art rings. |
| US09856977B2 |
Shift control device
[Object] To provide a shift control device that, in a shift control device of a vehicle equipped with an idling-stop mechanism and a shift-by-wire mechanism, is capable of preventing setting off at a timing that the driver does not expect when returning from an idling-stop state.[Solution] The SBW-CU (40) that constitutes the shift control device (1), in the case of selection information for selecting the R range being output during an idling stop, switches the shift range of the automatic transmission (10) to the R range when the vehicle is braked, and switches the shift range to the N range or the P range when the vehicle is not braked and the shift range of the automatic transmission (10) is the D range. Also, the SBW-CU (40), in the case of selection information for selecting the R range being output during an idling stop, maintains the shift range without switching it when the vehicle is braked and the shift range of the automatic transmission (10) is other than the D range. |
| US09856974B2 |
Hydraulic control system for a multiple mode electro-mechanical drive unit of an automatic transmission
A hydraulic control system for a multiple mode electro-mechanical drive unit of a motor vehicle includes multiple torque transmitting mechanisms each including at least one friction clutch. Multiple clutch control valves are individually in fluid communication with one of the torque transmitting mechanisms and are operable when actuated to change a condition of the torque transmitting mechanisms from a clutch disconnected condition to a clutch engaged condition. Solenoid valves are individually paired with and in fluid communication with one of the clutch control valves. A normally open variable force solenoid valve is in fluid communication with the solenoid valves. Operation of the variable force solenoid valve sets a hydraulic pressure between any of the solenoid valves in an open condition and its paired clutch control valve. |
| US09856971B2 |
Lubricating structure for speed reducer
A lubricating structure for a speed reducer includes: a case; a reduction gear provided inside the case, the reduction gear being configured to rotate around a rotation axis; a catch tank configured to store part of lubricating oil scooped up by the reduction gear; an oil passage provided in the side wall, the oil passage being configured to guide the lubricating oil, scooped up by the reduction gear, to the catch tank; a rib formed on the side wall so as to radially extend, the rib being configured to guide the scooped-up lubricating oil toward a radially inner side; and a groove provided at an end edge of the rib of the side wall, the lubricating oil trapped by the rib being introduced into the groove, and the groove communicating with the lubricating oil supply object. |
| US09856966B2 |
Drivetrain assembly for a wind turbine
The present disclosure is directed to a drivetrain assembly for a wind turbine. The drivetrain assembly includes a gearbox having a ring gear, an annular torque support, and at least one flexible component configured therebetween. More specifically, the ring gear includes opposing inner and outer circumferential surfaces separated by side circumferential edges. The side circumferential edges include a rotor-side edge and a generator-side edge. The rotor-side edge has a first set of circumferentially-spaced teeth. The torque support has a generator-side surface having a second set of circumferentially-spaced teeth. Thus, the first set of teeth of the ring gear are configured to engage the second set of teeth of the torque support so as to couple the ring gear to the torque support. In addition, the flexible component is configured between the first and second sets of teeth so as to control vibrations in the wind turbine, e.g. transmission of gearbox-generated vibrations. Thus, location of the flexible components allows for improved bedplate stiffness of the wind turbine. |
| US09856965B2 |
Metal core for resin gear and resin gear composite member
A metal core for a resin gear and a resin gear composite member are provided. The metal core includes a boss portion into which a shaft is press-fitted, a ring portion to which an outer peripheral resin is joined, and a connecting portion via which the boss portion and the ring portion are coaxially provided. The boss portion is arranged on one side of the connecting portion at an inner circumference of the connecting portion and extends annularly in an axial direction. The ring portion is arranged on the same side of the connecting portion at an outer circumference of the connecting portion and extends annularly in the axial direction. The boss portion, the connecting portion, and the ring portion are formed of an integrally continuous material. The boss portion is thicker than the connecting portion and the ring portion. |
| US09856957B2 |
Linear actuator
A linear actuator provided for moving a load includes an actuator housing having a tube and a housing bottom at one end of the tube and a housing head at another end of the tube. The linear actuator further includes a piston guided longitudinally in the actuator housing, and an actuator rod assembled with the piston and configured to protrude out of the actuator housing in a manner which is guided in the housing head. The linear actuator is configured such that reliability of operation is increased and damage of structural parts is largely avoided. The linear actuator achieves these results by virtue of the fact that there is at least one plastically deformable buffer element which can be supported on the housing head and can be deformed in the case of an impact of the piston. The buffer element is configured to convert kinetic energy into deformation work. |
| US09856954B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for a vehicle
A planetary gear train of automatic transmission may comprise an input shaft, an output shaft, first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets having first to twelfth rotating element, and six control elements disposed between one of the rotating elements and another or the input shaft, between one of the rotating elements and the output shaft, or between one of the rotating elements and a transmission housing, wherein the input shaft is directly connected with the third rotating element, the output shaft is connected with the eleventh rotating element continuously, the second rotating element is directly connected with the eleventh rotating element, the third rotating element is directly connected with the fourth rotating element, the fifth rotating element is directly connected with the ninth rotating element, the sixth rotating element is directly connected with the tenth rotating element, and the seventh rotating element is selectively connected with the transmission housing. |
| US09856950B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicle
Nine or more forward speeds and at least one reverse speed are achieved by a planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle including an input shaft, an output shaft, three planetary gear sets respectively having three rotational elements, and six control elements for selectively interconnecting the rotational elements. |
| US09856947B2 |
Multi-speed planetary transmission
A multi-speed planetary transmission includes a housing, a drive shaft connectable to a drive train for transferring a drive torque from the drive train to the multi-speed planetary transmission, and four single planetary transmissions arranged along a housing longitudinal axis. The planetary gears feature a sun gear, ring gear, and planetary carrier. Six shift elements are arranged within the housing and are designed as four clutch elements and two brakes. Connecting shafts form connections between the single planetary transmissions, the drive shaft, the output shaft, the clutch elements and/or the brakes. The single planetary transmissions are shiftable such that nine forward gears and one reverse gear are provided, and the shift elements are arranged in a manner easily accessible from outside the housing. |
| US09856944B2 |
Epicycloidal gear train including bushing-free planetary gear
An epicycloidal gear assembly for use in a vehicle seat actuator includes a planetary gear that is driven by a worm gear. The planetary gear has an outer edge surface that extends between opposed sides of the gear and has a first set of external teeth, and an inner edge surface that extends between the opposed sides and defines a central opening. The worm gear includes a gear head defining a second set of external teeth, and a gear stem extending from the gear head and passing through the central opening. An outer surface of the gear stem is configured to engage the planetary gear inner edge surface in such a way as to drive the planetary gear, and the planetary gear inner edge surface defines a smooth curve between the first side and the second side. |
| US09856943B2 |
Reduction motor
A speed reducer (20) of a reduction motor (1) includes a first internal gear (22) attached to the housing, an input shaft (21) having an eccentric shaft portion (21d), a first external gear (24) having a pitch circle diameter smaller than a pitch circle diameter of the first internal gear (22), and an output member (27) connected to the first external gear (24). The input shaft (21) is configured to be rotated by a rotation input from the electric motor (10). The first external gear (24) is configured to be placed inside of the first internal gear (22) under a state that a part of an external teeth (24a) of the first external gear (24) engages with an internal teeth (22d) of the first internal gear (24a). A holding member (28) fixes the first internal gear (22) in the axial direction of the input shaft (21). |
| US09856938B2 |
Material with variable height barbs
A workpiece includes a material with a face and a first plurality of barbs and a second plurality of barbs extending integrally from the face. Each barb has a height above the face. The barbs of the first plurality are at least 10% higher than the barbs of the second plurality. The first plurality of barbs includes at least 10% of the barbs on the face and the second plurality of the barbs includes at least 10% of the barbs on the face. The barbs of the second plurality of barbs are bent and pointed. |
| US09856937B2 |
Coined friction material for motor vehicle drive train
A friction material for a motor vehicle drive train component is provided. The friction material includes an outer circumference, an inner circumference, an engagement surface configured for engaging with and disengaging from a mating component and a coined section extending between at least one of the outer circumference and the engagement surface and the inner circumference and the engagement surface. A method of forming a friction material for a motor vehicle drive train component is also provided. The method includes attaching a first axial surface of the friction material to a support and coining at least one of an inner circumference and an outer circumference at a second axial surface of a friction material to form a coined section. The second axial surface is on an opposite side as the first axial surface. |
| US09856936B2 |
Electric brake device
An electric brake device includes a brake rotor; a brake pad; an electric motor; a linear motion mechanism configured to convert a rotary motion of the electric motor into a linear motion so as to be transmitted to the brake pad; a controller to control the electric motor; and a brake command device to send a braking force command to the controller. The controller includes an emergency braking detector to detect an emergency braking request; a steady state controller to perform braking in a steady state; and a flux weakening controller to perform flux weakening control. The flux weakening control is performed when the emergency braking detector detects an emergency braking request. |
| US09856934B2 |
Surface ventilated disc brake rotor
A disc brake rotor including a hub portion and a brake disc is provided. The brake disc extends radially outward from the hub portion and includes an outboard disc face and an inboard disc face. A plurality of channels are disposed in the brake disc that are circumferentially spaced from one another. Any one channel in the plurality of channels is open to either the outboard disc face or the inboard disc face. The brake disc includes an outer ring and an inner ring that are circumferentially continuous and uninterrupted along at least the outboard disc face and the inboard disc face. The outer ring is radially spaced from the inner ring with the plurality of channels disposed radially between the outer ring and the inner ring. Advantageously, this arrangement increases shear strength of the brake disc while providing enhanced cooling. |
| US09856928B2 |
Magnetically hinged overrunning clutch
A magnetically hinged, overrunning clutch is disclosed. Sprags containing rare-earth permanent magnets, and arranged in pairs of opposite magnetic orientation, are located within the gap between the inner surface of a hollow, circularly cylindrical shaft and the external surface of a smaller diameter, second circularly cylindrical shaft. Pairs of rare-earth permanent magnets encircling the second cylindrical shaft are located at, or just beneath, the surface of the shaft and are arranged in pairs having alternating magnetic orientation. The sprags are cylinders having a pseudo-spiral cross-section and are sized, and the ferromagnetic region located, such that when the sprags are attracted to the shaft-magnets, the first shaft may be rotated with respect to the second shaft in a first, overrunning direction of rotation, but the first shaft does not rotate with respect to the second shaft in an opposite, or lock-up direction. |
| US09856924B2 |
Bimetal coil assembly for fan drive
A system and method of anchoring a bimetal coil member on a viscous clutch fan drive. An adjustable channeled retainer member together with a silicone or silicone-type material is used to anchor the free end of the bimetal coil member. |
| US09856923B2 |
Method for actuating a hydraulic medium supply system of an automatic transmission
A method for controlling a hydraulic fluid supply system of an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle includes supplying the hydraulic fluid supply system with hydraulic fluid from at least one of a hydraulic pump controlled on an engine side and a hydraulic pump controlled on a gear set side. The method also includes controlling a retaining valve of the hydraulic fluid supply system as a function of detected motor vehicle parameters in order to set an adjusted power distribution with the hydraulic pump controlled on the engine side and the hydraulic pump controlled on the gear set side. |
| US09856921B2 |
Damper pulley with leaf spring clutch
A damping pulley assembly is disclosed including a pulley with an outer flange and a fixed pulley plate. A floating pulley clutch plate is located within and engaged with the outer flange. Circumferentially spaced apart leaf springs are connected to a pulley hub. Second ends of the leaf springs are connected to a driven hub that includes a fixed hub plate. Floating clutch plates are located between the fixed pulley plate and the fixed hub plate, which are biased toward the fixed pulley plate by the leaf springs so that the clutch plates contact one another and/or the fixed hub or pulley plates. |
| US09856918B2 |
Bearing and housing support for intermediate drive shaft
A bearing and housing support including a bearing outer ring overmolded with a thermoplastic bearing housing. The support arranged to support and engage with an intermediate drive shaft of a vehicle. |
| US09856917B1 |
Strut bearing having a sealed housing
A strut bearing has an upper carrier having a first outer rim and a first inner rim, the first inner rim having a first circumferential connector, and a lower carrier having a second outer rim and a second inner rim, the second inner rim having a second circumferential connector. The first inner rim is held to the second inner rim through an overlapping connection of the first circumferential connector to the second circumferential connector. The strut bearing also has a bearing arranged between the upper carrier and the lower carrier, and a first sealing ring positioned between and in contact with the first circumferential connector and the second circumferential connector. The sealing ring is formed from a material that is softer and more elastic than a material from which the first circumferential connector and the second circumferential connector are formed. |