| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09875927B2 |
Method for forming patterns for semiconductor device
A method for forming patterns for semiconductor device includes following steps. A substrate including a hard mask layer and a sacrificial layer is provided. A plurality of mandrel patterns are formed on the substrate. A spacer is respectively formed on sidewalls of the mandrel patterns. The mandrel patterns are removed to form a plurality of spacer patterns directly formed on the sacrificial layer. A plurality of first blocking layers are formed in the sacrificial layer after forming the spacer patterns. A plurality of second blocking layers exposing at least a portion of the sacrificial layer and at least a portion of the first blocking layers are formed on the substrate. The sacrificial layer and the hard mask layer are etched with the spacer patterns, the first blocking layers, and the second blocking layers serving as etching masks to form a patterned hard mask layer on the substrate. |
| US09875926B2 |
Substrates with buried isolation layers and methods of formation thereof
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming an opening in a first epitaxial lateral overgrowth region to expose a surface of the semiconductor substrate within the opening. The method further includes forming an insulation region at the exposed surface of the semiconductor substrate within the opening and filling the opening with a second semiconductor material to form a second epitaxial lateral overgrowth region using a lateral epitaxial growth process. |
| US09875924B2 |
Spray coater and ring-shaped structure thereof
A spray coater is used to spray a photoresist on a front surface of a wafer. The spray coater includes a vacuum chuck, a flow guiding ring, and a positioning ring. The vacuum chuck has a top surface and a side surface adjacent to the top surface. The wafer is located on the top surface and protrudes from the top surface of the vacuum chuck. The flow guiding ring is disposed around the vacuum chuck and has a groove. The wafer protruding from the top surface covers the flow guiding ring, and an opening of the groove faces a back surface of the wafer opposite to the front surface. The positioning ring is disposed around the flow guiding ring, such that the flow guiding ring is between the positioning ring and the side surface of the vacuum chuck. |
| US09875920B1 |
Substrate processing apparatus
A substrate processing apparatus includes: a plurality of modules configured to process a substrate; a transfer chamber adjoining the modules; a transfer part configured to transfer the substrate to one of the modules; a reception part configured to receive process information of the substrate; a detection part configured to detect quality information of the respective modules; a table in which the process information corresponds to the quality information; a memory part configured to store the table; and a controller configured to compare the process information received by the reception part with the quality information detected by the detection part using the table, configured to select one of the modules corresponding to the process information, and configured to instruct the transfer part to transfer the substrate to the selected module. |
| US09875918B2 |
Initiator and method for debonding wafer supporting system
Provided are an initiator and a method for debonding a wafer supporting system. The initiator for debonding a wafer supporting system includes a rotation chuck having an upper surface on which a wafer supporting system (WSS), which includes a carrier wafer, a device wafer, and a glue layer for bonding the carrier wafer and the device wafer to each other, is seated to rotate the wafer supporting system, a detecting module detecting a height and a thickness of the glue layer and a laser module generating a fracture portion on the glue layer through irradiating a side surface of the glue layer with a laser on the basis of the height and the thickness of the glue layer. |
| US09875917B2 |
Semiconductor bonding apparatus and related techniques
A semiconductor structure bonding apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may include a leveling adjustment system configured to provide leveling adjustment of upper and lower block assemblies of the apparatus. In some cases, the leveling adjustment system may include a plurality of threaded posts, differentially threaded adjustment collars, and leveling sleeves. In some instances, the leveling adjustment system further may include a plurality of preload springs configured to provide a given preload capacity and range of adjustment. In some instances, the leveling adjustment system further may include a load cell through which one of the threaded posts may be inserted. In some embodiments, the upper block assembly further may include a reaction plate configured to reduce deformation of the upper block assembly. In some embodiments, the upper block assembly further may include a thermal isolation plate configured to provide compliance deflection and being of monolithic or polylithic construction, as desired. |
| US09875906B2 |
Mechanisms for forming patterns using multiple lithography processes
A method for forming patterns in a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate and a patterning-target layer formed over the substrate; forming a first feature in a first hard mask layer formed over the patterning-target layer; and forming a second feature in a second hard mask layer formed over the patterning-target layer. The first hard mask layer has a different etching selectivity from the second hard mask layer. The method further includes selectively removing a portion of the first feature within a first trench to form a reshaped first feature. In an embodiment, the first trench exposes a portion of the second feature, and the selectively removing of the first portion of the first feature does not etch the portion of the second feature. |
| US09875905B2 |
FinFET devices having fins with a tapered configuration and methods of fabricating the same
FinFET devices and methods of fabricating a FinFET device are provided. An exemplary method of fabricating a FinFET device includes providing a semiconductor substrate with a plurality of fins and a multi-layered hardmask stack formed thereover. The multi-layered hardmask stack is patterned to form a patterned multi-layered hardmask stack having a tapered fin masking configuration with a shortened region and an elongated region. A region of fins adjacent to the shortened region is masked with a second mask. The region of fins masked with the second mask is free from the patterned multi-layered hardmask stack. Fins in unmasked areas are etched after forming the second mask. The second mask is removed with at least one layer of the patterned multi-layered hardmask stack remaining after etching the fins in the unmasked areas. End portions of the fins adjacent to the shortened region are etched after removing the second mask. |
| US09875903B2 |
Store resource event detection
A computer vision system (100) operates to monitor an environment (e.g., such as a restaurant, store or other retail establishment) including a resource located therein (e.g., such as a restroom, a dining table, a drink, condiment or supply dispenser, a trash receptacle or a tray collection rack). The system includes: an image source or camera (104) that supplies image data (130) representative of at least a portion of the environment monitored by the system, the portion including the resource therein; and an event detection device (102) including a data processor (112) and operative to detect an event involving the resource. Suitably, the event detection device is arranged to: (i) be selectively configurable by a user to define the event involving the resource; (ii) receive the image data supplied by the image source; (iii) analyze the received image data to detect the defined event; and (iv) output a notification in response to detecting the defined event. |
| US09875899B2 |
Semiconductor transistor
The semiconductor transistor according the present invention includes an active layer composed of a GaN-based semiconductor and a gate insulating film formed on the active layer. The gate insulating film has a first insulating film including one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, HfO2, ZrO2, La2O3, and Y2O3 formed on the active layer, and a second insulating film composed of SiO2 formed on the first insulating film. |
| US09875895B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus including exhaust ports and substrate processing method
Provided is a substrate processing apparatus. The substrate processing apparatus in which processes with respect to substrates are performed includes a lower chamber having an opened upper side, the lower chamber including a passage allowing the substrates to pass therethrough in a side thereof, an external reaction tube closing the opened upper side of the lower chamber to provide a process space in which the processes are performed, a substrate holder on which the one or more substrates are vertically stacked, the substrate holder being movable between a stacking position in which the substrates are stacked within the substrate holder and a process position in which the processes with respect to the substrates are performed, at least one supply nozzle disposed along an inner wall of the external reaction tube, the at least one supply nozzle having a supply hole for discharging a reaction gas, at least one exhaust nozzle disposed along the inner wall of the external reaction tube, the at least one exhaust nozzle having an exhaust hole for suctioning an non-reaction gas and byproducts within the process space, and a rear exhaust line connected to the exhaust nozzle to discharge the non-reaction gas and the byproducts which are suctioned through the exhaust hole. The lower chamber includes an exhaust port connecting the exhaust nozzle to the rear exhaust line and an auxiliary exhaust port connecting a stacking space defined within the lower chamber to the rear exhaust line. |
| US09875894B2 |
Graphene layer formation at low substrate temperature on a metal and carbon based substrate
A system and method for forming graphene layers on a substrate. The system and methods include direct growth of graphene on diamond and low temperature growth of graphene using a solid carbon source. |
| US09875892B2 |
Method of forming a photoresist layer
A method for forming a photoresist layer on a semiconductor device is disclosed. An exemplary includes providing a wafer. The method further includes spinning the wafer during a first cycle at a first speed, while a pre-wet material is dispensed over the wafer and spinning the wafer during the first cycle at a second speed, while the pre-wet material continues to be dispensed over the wafer. The method further includes spinning the wafer during a second cycle at the first speed, while the pre-wet material continues to be dispensed over the wafer and spinning the wafer during the second cycle at the second speed, while the pre-wet material continues to be dispensed over the wafer. The method further includes spinning the wafer at a third speed, while a photoresist material is dispensed over the wafer including the pre-wet material. |
| US09875890B2 |
Deposition of metal dielectric film for hardmasks
A system and method for depositing a metal dielectric film includes arranging a substrate in a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) processing chamber; supplying a carrier gas to the PECVD processing chamber; supplying a dielectric precursor gas to the PECVD processing chamber; supplying a metal precursor gas to the PECVD processing chamber; creating plasma in the PECVD processing chamber; and depositing a metal dielectric film on the substrate at a process temperature that is less than 500° C. |
| US09875889B2 |
Atomic layer deposition of films comprising Si(C)N using hydrazine, azide and/or silyl amine derivatives
Provided are methods for the deposition of films comprising Si(C)N via atomic layer deposition processes. The methods include exposure of a substrate surface to a silicon precursor and a co-reagent comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of N═N═N—R, R2N—NR2, and (R3Si)qNH3-q, wherein q has a value of between 1 and 3, and each R is independently selected from organosilicons, C1-C6 substituted or un-substituted alkanes, branched or un-branched alkanes, substituted or un-substituted alkenes, branched or un-branched alkenes, substituted or un-substituted alkynes, branched or un-branched alkynes or substituted or un-substituted aromatics. |
| US09875888B2 |
High temperature silicon oxide atomic layer deposition technology
Processes for depositing SiO2 films on a wafer surface utilizing an aminosilane compound as a silicon precursor are described. |
| US09875881B2 |
Plasma processing apparatus and plasma processing method
At a first timing after mounting a semiconductor wafer W on an electrostatic chuck 38, a susceptor 12 is switched from an electrically grounded state into a floated state. From a second timing after the first timing, a second high frequency power HF for plasma generation is applied to the susceptor 12, and a processing gas is excited into plasma in a chamber 10. From a third timing after the second timing, a first high frequency power LF for ion attraction is applied to the susceptor 12, and a self-bias (−Vdc) is generated. From a fourth timing close to the third timing, a negative second DC voltage −BDC corresponding to the self-bias (−Vdc) is applied to the susceptor 12. From the fifth timing after the fourth timing, a positive first DC voltage ADC is applied to an inner electrode 42 of the electrostatic chuck 38. |
| US09875880B2 |
Slide part and surface processing method of the same
A slide part has a surface structure in which there are at least two periodic structures among a first periodic structure with a period of 10 nm to 100 nm inclusive and a depth of 5 nm to 50 nm inclusive, a second periodic structure with a period of 100 nm to 1000 nm inclusive and a depth of 20 nm to 500 nm inclusive, and a third periodic structure with a period of 1000 nm to 10000 nm inclusive and a depth of 100 nm to 3000 nm inclusive, in which one of the at least two periodic structures is formed on the other periodic structure. |
| US09875877B2 |
Electron scanning microscope and image generation method
In a scanning electron microscope, an atmospheric pressure space having a specimen arranged therein and a vacuum space arranged on a charged particle optical system side are isolated from each other using an isolation film that transmits charged particle beams. The scanning electron microscope has an electron optical lens barrel, a chassis, and an isolation film. The electron optical lens barrel radiates a primary electron beam onto a specimen. The chassis is directly bonded to the inside of the electron optical lens barrel and has an inside that turns into a lower vacuum state than the inside of the electron optical lens barrel at least during the radiation of the primary electron beam. The isolation film isolates a space in an atmospheric pressure atmosphere having a specimen mounted therein and the inside of the chassis in a lower vacuum state, and transmits the primary charged particle beam. |
| US09875874B2 |
Apparatus for suppression of arcs in an electron beam generator
An apparatus for suppression of arcs in an electron beam generator including: a first module providing an operating voltage; a second module including a coil suitable for a voltage of at least 10 kV, and at least one free-wheeling diode connected in parallel to the coil; a third module including a first circuit component configured to detect a first actual value for electric voltage, and a first signal is producible when the first actual value falls below a first threshold value, a second circuit component by which a second actual value for electric current is detectable, and a second signal is generated when the second actual value exceeds a second threshold value, a control logic, which optionally links the first and second signals and a resultant output signal is producible; a semiconductor-based switch suitable for the voltage of at least 10 kV, which is opened based on the output signal. |
| US09875872B2 |
Circuit breakers with handle bearing pins
Circuit breakers with handles having at least one handle bearing pin that contacts an upper end portion of a moving arm and allows the arm to rotate to “OFF”, “ON” and “TRIP” positions, typically about 90 degrees of rotation. |
| US09875869B2 |
Composite arc shields for vacuum interrupters and methods for forming same
The disclosed concept pertains to vacuum interrupters and arc-resistant shields. The arc-resistant shields are positioned in between a ceramic insulator. Each end of the arc-resistant shield is hermetically sealed to the ceramic insulator. The arc-resistant shield includes an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface includes an arc-resistant material. Disposed within the arc-resistant shield is a pair of electrode assemblies which are separable to establish arcing. In certain embodiments, the arc-resistant material is copper-chromium alloy. |
| US09875863B2 |
Key structure facilitating key cap removal
A key structure is provided. The key structure comprises a substrate, a membrane circuit disposed on the substrate, a conduction switch disposed on the membrane circuit, a keycap, a bending portion fixed to the keycap, an elastic member disposed on the membrane circuit and abutting against the keycap, and a connecting rod disposed movably between the membrane circuit and the keycap. The connecting rod includes an operating arm and an engaging portion. The operating arm is connected to the engaging portion, and the engaging portion selectively engages with the bending portion. When the operating arm moves in a direction parallel to a surface of the keycap, the operating arm drives the engaging portion to disengage from the bending portion and the elastic member provides a force against the keycap to move the keycap away from the conduction switch. |
| US09875862B2 |
Waterproof sealing arrangement for a side key on a terminal
A waterproof apparatus for a terminal side key and a terminal are disclosed. The apparatus includes: a terminal shell (1) with a sidewall hole that is filled with a terminal side key (3), and a terminal side-key circuit board component (2) connected to a terminal mainboard (4), herein, the terminal side-key circuit board component (2) includes: a side-key circuit board (23), an arched metal film (22) fixedly connected to the side-key circuit board, and a circuit board waterproof ring (21) used for wrapping the side-key circuit board (23) and the arched metal film (22) as a whole, herein, the circuit board waterproof ring (21) wrapping the side-key circuit board (23) and the arched metal film (22) as a whole is combined with a sidewall of the terminal shell (1) in an interference-fitted manner. |
| US09875861B2 |
Device and method for switching a direct current
A device switches a direct current. The device contains an operating current branch in which a mechanical switch is arranged, a protective switch connected to the operating current branch for interrupting the current flow in the operating current branch, a capacitor branch connected in parallel with the operating current branch in which capacitor branch a capacitor is arranged, and a damping apparatus which has a resistance element. The damping apparatus is arranged in the capacitor branch in series with the capacitor or in the operating current branch in series with the mechanical switch, which damping apparatus can be bypassed by a bypass switch connected in parallel with the damping apparatus. |
| US09875859B2 |
High voltage relay device
A high voltage relay device according to the present invention includes fixed contacts, a movable contact provided at one side of the fixed contacts and contactable with or separated from the fixed contacts, fixed-side arc electrodes coupled to the fixed contacts, and a movable-side arc electrode coupled to one side of the movable contact and contactable with or separated from the fixed-side arc electrodes when the movable contact is brought into contact with or separated from the fixed contacts, whereby a generation of arc from primary electrodes when current flows and is cut off can be prevented so as to enhance reliability of the primary electrodes, and also usage of specialized materials may result in reduction of material costs. |
| US09875857B2 |
Contact pin and pipe contact, and method for production
A contact pin for a high-voltage and/or medium-voltage switch includes a contact tip of arc-erosion resistant material, a tubular support sleeve connected to the contact tip and a support core in the sleeve. The contact tip is in a forward region of the contact pin where arcs arise during use. The sleeve is in a rearward region of the contact pin, adjoining the forward region, where no arcs arise during use. A pipe contact includes an arc-erosion resistant annular contact and a support pipe connected to the annular contact. The annular contact is in a forward region of the pipe contact where arcs arise during use, and the support pipe is in a rearward region of the pipe contact, adjoining the forward region, where no arcs arise during use. Methods for producing a contact pin and a pipe contact are also provided. |
| US09875849B2 |
Multilayer ceramic electronic component and manufacturing method thereof
A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes: a main body; and a first external electrode disposed on a first surface of the main body and a second external electrode disposed on a second surface of the main body. The first external electrodes include a first base electrode forming an edge portion of the first surface of the main body and a first terminal electrode disposed on a portion of the first base electrode. The second external electrodes include a second base electrode forming an edge portion of the second surface of the main body and a second terminal electrode disposed on a portion of the second base electrode. |
| US09875848B2 |
MIM capacitor and method of making the same
An exemplary MIM capacitor may include a first metal plate, a dielectric layer on the first metal plate, a second metal plate on the dielectric layer, a via layer on the second metal plate, and a third metal plate on the via layer where the second metal plate has a tapered outline with a first side and a second side longer than the first side such that the second side provides a lower resistance path for a current flow. |
| US09875846B2 |
Heated capacitor and method of forming the heated capacitor
A heated capacitor runs current through either a lower metal plate, an upper metal plate, a lower metal trace that lies adjacent to a lower metal plate, an upper metal trace that lies adjacent to an upper metal plate, or both a lower metal trace that lies adjacent to a lower metal plate and an upper metal trace that lies adjacent to an upper metal plate to generate heat from the resistance to remove moisture from a moisture-sensitive insulating layer. |
| US09875845B2 |
Coupling device and coupling assembly for the contact-free transmission of data signals and method for the transmission of data signals
A coupling device serves for the contact-free transmission of data signals between signal conductors of two signal lines with the aid of a coupling structure. At least one signal conductor is a signal core of a signal cable. Coupling portions of the two signal conductors are positioned parallel in relation to one another in a defined way with the aid of the coupling structure. At least a first signal conductor preferably being free from galvanically connected coupling elements lies in a coupling aid. The contact-free coupling dispenses with connecting additional coupling elements at the ends to a signal cable in an electrically conducting manner. By obviating the need for special connector fabrication, this achieves the effect of simplifying assembly and at the same time also improving data transmission reliability, since faults that occur for example in a crimping or soldering process are ruled out. |
| US09875840B2 |
Chip coil component
A chip coil component may include: a ceramic body including a plurality of first to fourth insulating layers, and an internal coil including a first internal pattern part having the plurality of first insulating layers on which first pattern portions are disposed and a second internal pattern part having the plurality of second insulating layers on which second pattern portions are disposed. The first pattern portions disposed on the plurality of first insulating layers are disposed to correspond to each other and are connected to each other by two first connection terminals each having one via electrode, and the second pattern portions disposed on the plurality of second insulating layers are disposed to correspond to each other and are connected to each other by two second connection terminals each having one via electrode. |
| US09875836B2 |
Diode accommodation core
A diode accommodation core, for use in solenoids of starter engines and accommodation of the diodes in these solenoids without thereby affect the structural configuration of the diodes or the structures of starter engines. The diode accommodation core includes a structural body having opening for the accommodation of body of diode, and two contact sides opposite each other, wherein each side is provided with accommodation guide of the respective terminals of the diode, which has a surface portion in which at least one of the terminals is supported and at least partially exposed regarding the surface of the corresponding contact side of structural body, in order to promote electrical contact with at least one adjacent component by pressure. |
| US09875828B2 |
Grommet
A grommet includes a grommet body having a cylindrical shape for passing through a wire therein and configured to be inserted and locked to a through hole formed in a sheet member and a cylindrical body provided on the grommet body and configured to branch the wire passed through the grommet body in at least two directions. The cylindrical body is provided with an easily bendable part at an inside of a bent part thereof, the easily bendable part suppressing swell of the inside of the bent part, when the cylindrical body is bent in a direction of bending a cylinder axis of the cylindrical body. |
| US09875825B2 |
Compositions, methods and devices providing shielding in communications cables
Compositions, devices, and methods for providing shielding communications cables are provided. In some embodiments, compositions including electrically conductive elements are disclosed. In other embodiments, cable separators, tapes, and nonwoven materials including various electrically conductive elements are disclosed. |
| US09875820B2 |
Radiation source container
A source container for a radiation source includes a vessel having an external wall defining a space within which is located a shield formed from a radiation absorbing material and defining a cavity for receiving a radiation source, the shield including a window extending from the cavity through the radiation absorbing material, and at least two shutters, each shutter being movable between a closed position in which the shutter covers the window and an open position in which the shutter does not cover the window. The provision of two or more shutters provides a way to emit radiation of different intensities from the same source and container. |
| US09875819B2 |
Reactivity control device for storing nuclear fuel
A reactivity control device for storing nuclear fuel includes a top tube sheet, plurality of neutron absorber rods fixedly attached to the sheet, and a floating guide plate slideably mounted on the absorber rods for upward and downward movement between a lower position and an upper position. The reactivity control device is insertable into a spent fuel assembly in either wet storage in a spent fuel pool or dry storage in a canister. The absorber rods are inserted into empty guide tubes when the fuel assembly is removed from the nuclear fuel core normally occupied by control rods when in the reactor vessel. During installation, the device is lowered to insert the absorber rods into the guide tubes. The guide plate first engages the fuel assembly as the rods continue to slide through the plate until the tube sheet then engages the plate signaling the device is fully installed. |
| US09875817B2 |
Nuclear reactor support and seismic restraint with in-vessel core retention cooling features
A nuclear reactor including a lateral seismic restraint with a vertically oriented pin attached to the lower vessel head and a mating pin socket attached to the floor. Thermally insulating materials are disposed alongside the exterior surface of a lower portion of the reactor pressure vessel including at least the lower vessel head. |
| US09875816B2 |
Systems and methods for compressing plasma
Embodiments of systems and methods for compressing plasma are described in which plasma pressures above the breaking point of solid material can be achieved by injecting a plasma into a funnel of liquid metal in which the plasma is compressed and/or heated. |
| US09875809B2 |
Memory device and a memory device test system
A memory device includes a controller, a multiplexer, a deserializer, a data modifier, a memory cell array and an error detector. The controller is configured to generate signals in response to an address signal and a command signal. The multiplexer is configured to output a clock signal as internal data signals when the test mode signal is activated. The deserializer is configured to deserialize N bit values included in the internal data signals to generate deserialized signals. The data modifier is configured to invert the deserialized signals to generate bit line signals in response to an inversion control signal and the data modifying signals. The memory cell array is configured to store the bit line signals to memory cells corresponding to the address signal. The error detector is configured to determine if an error exists in signals read from the memory cells and to output an error detecting signal. |
| US09875803B2 |
Memory system and method of controlling nonvolatile memory
According to one embodiment, a controller searches a threshold voltage distribution of first memory cells corresponding to a first processing unit that is one processing unit among a plurality of processing units, and acquires a first read voltage. The controller calculates a second read voltage that is a read voltage for second memory cells corresponding to a second processing unit based on the acquired first read voltage and a first relation. The controller reads data from third memory cells included in the second memory cells by using the calculated second read voltage. |
| US09875798B2 |
Method for managing a fail row of the memory plane of a non volatile memory and corresponding memory device
A non-volatile memory is erasable by page and equipped with a row redundancy mechanism. In the case of the detection of a defective row of the memory plane, the storing of the address of the row in a non-volatile register is carried out and a redundant row having a new address is assigned. In the case of an attempt to write to the defective row, a write to the redundant row is carried out. When writing to the redundant row, the new content of the redundant row is loaded into a volatile memory and, following an operation for writing to any other row of the memory plane, a re-loading of the new content of the redundant row into the volatile memory. |
| US09875793B2 |
Storage and programming method thereof
A program method of a storage device which includes at least one nonvolatile memory device and a memory controller to control the at least one nonvolatile memory device, the program method comprising: performing a first normal program operation to store first user data in a memory block; detecting, at the memory controller, a first event; performing a dummy program operation to store dummy data in at least one page of the memory block in response to the detection of the first event; and performing a second normal program operation to store second user data in the memory block after the dummy program operation, dummy program operations being operations in which random data is programmed into the memory block, normal program operations being operations in which data other than random data is programmed in the memory block. |
| US09875784B1 |
Three-dimensional (3D) ferroelectric dipole metal-oxide semiconductor ferroelectric field-effect transistor (MOSFeFET) system, and related methods and systems
A three-dimensional (3D) ferroelectric dipole metal-oxide semiconductor ferroelectric field-effect transistor (MOSFeFET) system, and related methods and systems are disclosed. The 3D ferroelectric dipole MOSFeFET system includes a bottom dielectric layer, a gate layer disposed above the bottom dielectric layer, and a top dielectric layer disposed on top of the gate layer. The 3D ferroelectric dipole MOSFeFET system also includes at least one source line (SL) line and at least one bit line (BL). At least one interconnect, which extends between the bottom dielectric layer and the top dielectric layer interconnects the at least one SL with the at least one BL. A ferroelectric dipole MOSFeFET(s) is formed at an intersection area of the at least one interconnect and the gate layer. The 3D ferroelectric dipole MOSFeFET system can lead to improved component density and reduced footprint. |
| US09875772B2 |
Editing apparatus and editing method
An editing apparatus for a editing video sequence, comprises: an editing unit for setting a first range to one part of the video sequence; a video sequence file generating unit for generating a video sequence file including video sequence corresponding to the first range and video sequence corresponding to a second range, wherein the second range is consecutively preceding to and/or subsequent to the first range; and an output for outputting the video sequence file. |
| US09875771B2 |
Apparatus of providing a user interface for playing and editing moving pictures and the method thereof
The present invention relates to an apparatus of providing a user interface for playing and editing moving pictures (i.e., video) and the method thereof, the user interface being capable of maximizing learning and practice effects by providing an interface which allows inserting of cue-points in the video on the basis of beats in music or periodic signals equivalent thereto and visibly displaying cue-points, recording of one's practice clips while playing the video so as to allow video playback and practice at the same time, and the instantaneous comparison/analysis of the recorded practice clips and reference video. |
| US09875768B2 |
Recording tape cartridge having a reel that includes a plurality of through holes formed in a flange thereof
A recording tape cartridge includes a reel including a reel hub having an outer diameter of an upper end portion which is smaller than that of a lower end portion, and including a lower flange in which plural through holes are radially formed. Inclined surfaces, formed at one edge portion and another edge portion of each of the through holes, are directed toward a flange circumferential direction. The one edge portion is directed in a rotational direction of the reel, when a recording tape is wound on the reel. The other edge portion is directed in the rotational direction when the recording tape is led out of the reel. An inclination angle with respect to a bottom surface of the lower flange of the inclined surface at the one edge portion is smaller than that of the inclined surface of the other edge portion. |
| US09875764B1 |
Head-medium contact sensor cleaning for heat-assisted magnetic recording device
A slider is configured for heat-assisted magnetic recording to a magnetic recording medium. A low- or non-modulation interface is defined between the slider and the medium. A contaminant is present on the slider and between the slider and the medium. A controller is configured to control the slider to dislodge the contaminant from the slider by performing modulation-based contact detection at a location of the medium where modulation-based contact detection can accurately detect head-medium contact. The controller is also configured to perform friction-based contact detection using the slider devoid of the contaminant. |
| US09875762B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining read-head deviation using orthogonal preambles
A storage device includes read circuitry having a read head having a detector that outputs signals representing data from a first track and an adjacent track. The read head is subject to off-track excursions during which the read head detects signals from both the first track and an adjacent track. Data on each track includes a preamble including a repeating pattern. The repeating pattern in any first track is orthogonal to the repeating pattern in any track adjacent to the first track. The read circuitry also includes respective Discrete Fourier Transform circuits to identify components in the signals corresponding to respective frequencies characteristic of the repeating pattern on the first track and the repeating pattern on the second track, and computation circuitry to determine from the components a ratio by which the read head is off-track. Corresponding methods are provided for operating such a storage device and for reading data. |
| US09875760B2 |
Interconnect interposer attachable to a trailing edge of a slider
A slider of a magnetic recording head comprises a media-facing surface, an upper surface opposing the media-facing surface, a leading edge, and a trailing edge. A plurality of electrical bond pads is disposed in a spaced-apart relationship on the trailing edge of the slider. An interconnect interposer is connected to the trailing edge of the slider. The interposer comprises a back side comprising a plurality of electrical contacts in contact with the plurality of bond pads on the trailing edge of the slider. The interposer also comprises a front side comprising a plurality of electrical interposer pads corresponding in number to the plurality of electrical contacts on the back side. The interposer further comprises a plurality of conductors each of which electrically couples one of the plurality of electrical contacts on the back side with one of the plurality of interposer pads on the front side. |
| US09875759B1 |
Dual stage actuated suspension having shear-mode PZT actuators for rotating gimbal tongue
A dual stage actuated (DSA) suspension uses two shear-mode PZT microactuators to finely position the head slider. The bottom surfaces of the PZTs are affixed to the flexure, and the PZT top surfaces move forward and backward, respectively, in push-pull fashion when the PZTs are activated. Flexible connector arms attach the tops surfaces of the PZTs to the gimbal tongue such that activating the PZTs causes the gimbal tongue to rotate, with the connector arms acting as levers to magnify the motion such that a relatively small shear movement of the PZTs results in a significantly larger lateral movement of the head slider across the data disk. |
| US09875756B2 |
System and method for artifact masking
A system for processing audio data comprising a first signal processing path configured to generate a mask control signal. A second signal processing path configured to generate a decorrelated input audio signal. A mixer configured to mix the mask control signal and the decorrelated input audio signal and to generate an output. |
| US09875751B2 |
Audio processing systems and methods
Embodiments are directed processing adaptive audio content by determining an audio type as one of channel-based audio and object-based audio for each audio segment of an adaptive audio bitstream, tagging the each audio segment with a metadata definition indicating the audio type of the corresponding audio segment, processing audio segments tagged as channel-based audio in a channel audio renderer component, and processing audio segments tagged as object-based audio in an object audio renderer component that is distinct from the channel audio renderer component. Object-based audio is rendered through an object audio renderer interface that dynamically adjusts processing block sizes of the object audio segments based on timing and alignment of metadata updates and maximum/minimum block size parameters. |
| US09875749B2 |
Method for predicting bandwidth extension frequency band signal, and decoding device
A method for predicting a bandwidth extension frequency band signal includes demultiplexing a received bitstream to obtain a frequency domain signal; determining whether a highest frequency bin, to which a bit is allocated, of the frequency domain signal is less than a preset start frequency bin of a bandwidth extension frequency band; predicting an excitation signal of the bandwidth extension frequency band according to the determination; and predicting the bandwidth extension frequency band signal according to the predicted excitation signal of the bandwidth extension frequency band and a frequency envelope of the bandwidth extension frequency band. |
| US09875748B2 |
Audio signal noise attenuation
A noise attenuation apparatus receives an audio signal comprising a desired and a noise signal component. Two codebooks (109, 111) comprise respectively desired signal candidates representing a possible desired signal component and noise signal contribution candidates representing possible noise contributions. A segmenter (103) segments the audio signal into time segments and for each time segment a noise attenuator (105) generates estimated signal candidates by for each of the desired signal candidates generating an estimated signal candidate as a combination of a scaled version of the desired signal candidate and a weighted combination of the noise signal contribution candidates. The noise attenuator (105) minimizes a cost function indicative of a difference between the estimated signal candidate and the audio signal in the time segment. A signal candidate is then determined for the time segment from the estimated signal candidates and the audio signal is noise compensated based on this signal candidate. |
| US09875744B2 |
Method and device for voice recognition training
A method on a mobile device for voice recognition training is described. A voice training mode is entered. A voice training sample for a user of the mobile device is recorded. The voice training mode is interrupted to enter a noise indicator mode based on a sample background noise level for the voice training sample and a sample background noise type for the voice training sample. The voice training mode is returned to from the noise indicator mode when the user provides a continuation input that indicates a current background noise level meets an indicator threshold value. |
| US09875743B2 |
Acoustic signature building for a speaker from multiple sessions
Disclosed herein are methods of diarizing audio data using first-pass blind diarization and second-pass blind diarization that generate speaker statistical models, wherein the first pass-blind diarization is on a per-frame basis and the second pass-blind diarization is on a per-word basis, and methods of creating acoustic signatures for a common speaker based only on the statistical models of the speakers in each audio session. |
| US09875741B2 |
Selective speech recognition for chat and digital personal assistant systems
Disclosed are computer-implemented methods and systems for dynamic selection of speech recognition systems for the use in Chat Information Systems (CIS) based on multiple criteria and context of human-machine interaction. Specifically, once a first user audio input is received, it is analyzed so as to locate specific triggers, determine the context of the interaction or predict the subsequent user audio inputs. Based on at least one of these criteria, one of a free-diction recognizer, pattern-based recognizer, address book based recognizer or dynamically created recognizer is selected for recognizing the subsequent user audio input. The methods described herein increase the accuracy of automatic recognition of user voice commands, thereby enhancing overall user experience of using CIS, chat agents and similar digital personal assistant systems. |
| US09875737B2 |
Pre-training apparatus and method for speech recognition
A pre-training apparatus and method for recognition speech, which initialize, by layers, a deep neural network to correct a node connection weight. The pre-training apparatus for speech recognition includes an input unit configured to receive speech data, a model generation unit configured to initialize a connection weight of a deep neural network, based on the speech data, and an output unit configured to output information about the connection weight. In order for a state of a phoneme unit corresponding to the speech data to be output, the model generation unit trains the connection weight by piling a plurality of hidden layers according to a determined structure of the deep neural network, applies an output layer to a certain layer between the plurality of hidden layers to correct the trained connection weight in each of the plurality of hidden layers, thereby initializing the connection weight. |
| US09875735B2 |
System and method for synthetically generated speech describing media content
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer readable-media for providing an automatic synthetically generated voice describing media content, the method comprising receiving one or more pieces of metadata for a primary media content, selecting at least one piece of metadata for output, and outputting the at least one piece of metadata as synthetically generated speech with the primary media content. Other aspects of the invention involve alternative output, output speech simultaneously with the primary media content, output speech during gaps in the primary media content, translate metadata in foreign language, tailor voice, accent, and language to match the metadata and/or primary media content. A user may control output via a user interface or output may be customized based on preferences in a user profile. |
| US09875731B2 |
Musical instrument carrier
A musical instrument carrier includes a rod position regulating member that is attached to a rod in order to set the attachment position of a musical instrument, and can selectively be put in either a movable state with respect to the rod or a fixed state with respect to the rod in order to set the attachment position of a musical instrument. |
| US09875730B2 |
Dual action pedal device
A dual action pedal device utilizing the forward section of a musical bass drum pedal foot board to strike a musical bass drum and an attached heel controlled piston to open/close musical hi-hat cymbals. By pressing in a downward motion the heel of a human foot closes musical hi-hat cymbals under spring pressure. Upon raising a human foots heel from the aforementioned piston the hi-hat cymbals open under spring pressure thus making this device a dual action pedal. |
| US09875724B2 |
Method and electronic device for adjusting display
The present invention discloses a method of displaying on an electronic device and an electronic device. The method is applied in an electronic device with a display unit, which includes: acquiring a first environment light parameter of an environment around the electronic device, wherein, the first environment light parameter comprises at least a second color temperature value of the environment; determining a first display parameter of the display unit according to the first environment light parameter; and displaying on the display unit with the first display parameter. |
| US09875721B2 |
Non-quadrangular display and driving method thereof
A non-quadrangular display includes a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of signal supply lines connected to the gate lines through corresponding contact points from among a plurality of contact points, and a difference between linear loads based on the signal supply lines and the gate lines connected to two contact points that have a similar symmetrical relationship from among the plurality of contact points is less than a set threshold value. |
| US09875715B2 |
Display apparatus and method of driving display panel using the same
A display apparatus includes a display panel, a gate driver and a data driver. The display panel includes a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines and a plurality of pixels connected to the gate lines and the data lines. The display panel displays an image. The gate driver is configured to output a gate signal to the gate line. The data driver is configured to selectively operate one of outputting a data voltage to the data line and reading the data voltage stored in the pixel through the data line. |
| US09875711B2 |
Gate driver of display panel and operation method thereof
A gate driver and an operation method thereof are provided. The gate driver includes clock transmission wires and driving circuits. The clock transmission wires are configured to transmit clock signals having different phases. Each of the driving circuits has a clock input terminal, a pre-charge terminal, a discharge control terminal and an output terminal. The output terminals are configured to drive gate lines of a display panel. The driving circuits are grouped into several driving circuit groups. The driving circuits belonging to a first driving circuit group among the driving circuit groups are called first driving circuits. The clock input terminals of the first driving circuits are coupled to different transmission wires among the clock transmission wires. The pre-charge terminals of the first driving circuits commonly receive a first pre-charge signal. The discharge control terminals of the first driving circuits commonly receive a first discharge control signal. |
| US09875709B2 |
GOA circuit for LTPS-TFT
The invention provides a GOA circuit for LTPS-TFT, using a resistor (R1) and a tenth TFT (T10) to replace the second capacitor in known technology, and change the diode-style connection of the ninth TFT (T9) in known technology to connect one end of the resistor (R1) to the constant high voltage (VGH) and the other to the gate of the ninth TFT (T9) so that during the output end (G(n)) staying at low, the voltage of the second node (P(n)) follows the (M+1)-th clock signal (CK(M+1)) to switch between high and low, that is, following a fixed frequency to pull down the voltage of the second node (P(n)), prevents the second node from staying at high for long duration and prevents the sixth TFT (T6) and the seventh TFT (T7) from prolonged operation to cause threshold voltage shift and improve GOA circuit stability. |
| US09875707B2 |
Display apparatus and gate driving method thereof
A display apparatus and a gate driving method thereof are provided. The display apparatus includes a display panel and a gate driver. The display panel has a plurality of gate lines. Output terminals of the gate driver are coupled to the gate lines in a one-to-one manner. The gate driver is configured to drive the gate lines according to a scrambled scan sequence. |
| US09875704B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and pixel cell circuit solving color shift problem
A liquid crystal display panel includes multiple pixel units each connected to a data line and a gate line. The pixel unit defines a first region and a second region. A first liquid crystal capacitor is disposed in the first region. A first transistor is disposed in the first region and is connected between the data line and the first liquid crystal capacitor, and has a control electrode connected to the gate line. A second liquid crystal capacitor is disposed in the second region. A second transistor is disposed in the second region and is connected between the data line and the second liquid crystal capacitor, and has a control electrode connected to the gate line. A third transistor is disposed in the second region and is connected between a common voltage and the second transistor and has a control electrode connected to the gate line. |
| US09875702B2 |
Pixel structure, method for driving pixel structure, display panel and display device
The present disclosure provides a pixel structure, a method for driving the pixel structure, a display panel and a display device. The pixel structure includes M gate lines, N data lines, and pixel units arranged in an array of M rows and N columns. Each pixel unit includes a pixel electrode and a thin film transistor (TFT), a drain electrode of the TFT is connected to the pixel electrode. Both M and N are positive integers. Source electrodes of the TFTs included in two adjacent pixel units in each row of the array are connected to two adjacent data lines respectively, and source electrodes of the TFTs included in two adjacent pixel units in each column of the array are connected to two adjacent data lines respectively. |
| US09875701B2 |
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display includes a display panel, a data driver, and a scan driver. The display panel includes first and second pixel groups, each of having two pixels. The data driver is connected to the display panel via a plurality of data lines. The scan driver is connected to the display panel via a plurality of scan lines. The first pixel group is connected to one of the data lines. The second pixel group is connected to both the data line to which the first pixel group is connected and a data line adjacent to the data line to which the first pixel group is connected. |
| US09875698B2 |
Dark display effect control in a display apparatus
A display apparatus comprises an electrowetting picture element with a first support plate with a first support plate portion comprising a layer substantially non-transmissive for light and second support plate portion substantially non-absorbing for light. A display controller is configured to control a display effect of the electrowetting picture element between a dark and light display effect, and, responsive to input data corresponding to the dark display effect, output at least one signal to a driver corresponding to the dark display effect. The driver is configured to, responsive to the at least one signal output by the display controller, apply a first, non-zero, voltage to the electrowetting picture element to switch a first and a second fluid of the electrowetting picture element to a first configuration with the first fluid and the second fluid in contact with a first surface of the first support plate portion and the first fluid in contact with a second surface of the second support plate portion. |
| US09875689B2 |
Display device
The improvement of the power supply system to one of the electrodes comprising a pixel prevents said electrode from corrosion, which allows image to be displayed with high quality. A display module is provided, which module comprises an emitting device provided with a first electrode layer that is driven by an active device, an organic emitting layer that is coated on said first electrode layer and a second electrode layer CD that is formed over said organic emitting layer, wherein an electrode layer CNTB is provided on the substrate thereof lower than said second electrode layer CD and is coated with an insulating or passivation film, said electrode layer CNTB being in contact with said second electrode layer CD through a contact hole CNT. |
| US09875684B2 |
Array substrate, its driving method, and display device
The present disclosure provides an array substrate including a plurality of subpixel array arranged in a matrix form. Each subpixel array may include a first subpixel, a second subpixel, a third subpixel, a first gate line for controlling the first subpixel, a second gate line for controlling the second subpixel, a third gate line for controlling the third subpixel, a first data line and a second data line. The first subpixel may be arranged between the first gate line and the second gate line. The second subpixel and the third subpixel may be arranged between the first gate line and the second gate line. The first subpixel, the second subpixel and the third subpixel may be arranged between the first data line and the second data line adjacent to each other. The first subpixel and the second subpixel may share the first data line, or the first subpixel and the third subpixel may share the second data line. |
| US09875682B2 |
Display method and display panel
The present invention provides a display method and a display panel. The display panel comprises a plurality of rows of sub-pixels, the adjacent sub-pixels in the column direction having different colors and being staggered from each other by a half of a sub-pixel. The display method comprises: generating an original image composed of a matrix of virtual pixels; enabling the virtual pixels to correspond to sampling locations, wherein one sampling location is included between any two adjacent sampling locations corresponding to the virtual pixels in each distribution section, three sampling locations are included between two adjacent distribution sections; among the sampling locations in any two adjacent rows, the sampling locations corresponding to the virtual pixels are not arranged in the same columns |
| US09875681B2 |
Method of driving display panel and display apparatus for performing the same
A method of driving a display panel includes dividing an input image into a plurality of segments; generating flicker levels of respective ones of the segments; determining a frame rate of the display panel based on the flicker levels of the segments; and outputting a data voltage to the display panel at the frame rate. |
| US09875679B2 |
Gamma curve adjusting method and device
The present disclosure provides gamma curve adjusting method and device, and the method includes: substituting a preset maximum brightness value, a preset gamma value and gray-scale values into a standard gamma curve calculation formula, to obtain brightness values corresponding to the gray-scale values; selecting N gray-scale values from the gray-scale values, and actually measuring, in the condition of the selected N gray-scale values, gray-scale voltage values required to reach brightness values, respectively corresponding to the selected N gray-scale values, calculated according to the standard gamma curve calculation formula, where N is a positive integer; obtaining a function formula between gray-scale voltage value and brightness value according to brightness values respectively corresponding to the selected N gray-scale values and the actually measured gray-scale voltage values; and calculating gray-scale voltage values corresponding to brightness values smaller than or equal to the preset maximum brightness value, according to the obtained function formula. |
| US09875677B2 |
Display device, image processing device, and image processing method
An image processing device includes: a gain calculation section determining a gain, on the basis of a first partial image in a first frame image that includes a process target line; and a correction section correcting pixel luminance information regarding the process target line, on the basis of the gain. |
| US09875675B2 |
Liquid crystal display apparatus
A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a collective drive lighting inspection signal input wire that electrically connects a collective drive lighting inspection terminal to a plurality of gate wires and a plurality of source wires. The collective drive lighting inspection signal input wire includes a first wire corresponding to the gate wires and a second wire corresponding to the source wires. The first wire and the second wire each include a connection wire and a lead-out wire. The connection wire includes branch points connected to each of the plurality of gate wires or each of the plurality of source wires. The lead-out wire is led out from the connection wire to the collective drive lighting inspection terminal. The lead-out wire included in the first wire or the second wire includes a high-resistance region having a resistivity greater than a resistivity of the connection wire connected to the lead-out wire. |
| US09875671B2 |
Cloud-based user interface augmentation
Method for providing augmented user interface (AUI). AUI is provided in response to a request. AUI configuration information is received, stored in preference file, and sent to remote server. Remote server receives request from computer to login user. Remote server authenticates user, retrieves and sends preference file to computer. Preference file contains information that allows computer to implement and configure AUI by directing output to AUI component. Remote server sends computer web-based API to enable browser to interface with an AUI application. API can include target callable by event handler to respond to HTML document browsing event by invoking AUI application. Remote server can send computer web-based, native, or browser plug-in AUI application. Computer can provide content rich navigation via API, AUI application and content navigation rules that define plural navigation paths through HTML document. Navigation paths providing AUI functionality to particular type of special needs user or user task. |
| US09875665B2 |
Weld training system and method
Systems and methods for a weld training system are provided. In particular, components of the weld training system may be removably disposed within an interior volume of a portable enclosure. The portable enclosure may be easy to transport by a welding operator from various training and/or recruiting locations. In some embodiments, the components of the weld training system include a weld training device, a work surface, a sensing device, a virtual reality interface, and processing circuitry. |
| US09875661B2 |
Dynamic collision-avoidance system and method
An obstacle-avoidance system for a vehicle, the obstacle-avoidance system may comprise: a communication device; a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors configured to detect collision threats within a predetermined distance of the vehicle; and a processor. The processor may communicatively couple to the communication device and the plurality of sensors and configured to receive navigation commands being communicated to a control system via said communication device. The processor may also receive, from at least one of said plurality of sensors, obstruction data reflecting the position of an obstruction. Using the obstruction data, the processor identifies a direction for avoiding said obstruction. In response, the processor may output, via said communication device, a command to said control system causing the vehicle to travel in said flight direction. |
| US09875659B2 |
System and method for exocentric display of integrated navigation
A system and method are provided for displaying a strategic navigational overview of a vehicle, including a navigational map and a marker icon thereon representing an entity pertinent to navigation of the vehicle. A vertical line contacting the marker icon has, contiguous thereto, a current altitude icon representing the current altitude of the vehicle, and a trending icon indicating a direction of a change in altitude of the vehicle. |
| US09875657B2 |
Automated un-manned air traffic control system
A low flying unmanned vehicle is disclosed that may be able to determine whether a collision is possible and may take evasive action in response to the possible collision. The vehicle may wirelessly communicate and may use a standard protocol such that a variety of additional objects may be taken into account when determining the possible collision risk. |
| US09875656B2 |
Radio device
A first processor derives a first arrival time to be taken for a vehicle and another vehicle travelling straight ahead to intersect at a point. A second processor derives a second arrival time to be taken for the vehicle and the other vehicle running on a straight line linking the vehicle and the other vehicle to encounter at a point. A third processor derives a first range of travelling directions the vehicle can take between the second arrival time and the first arrival time and derives a second range of travelling directions the other vehicle can take between the second arrival time and the first arrival time. A determiner determines relative relation between the vehicle and the other vehicle at a time of intersection between the vehicle and the other vehicle, based on difference between the first range and the second range. |
| US09875652B2 |
Adaptive traffic dynamics prediction
The disclosed embodiments relate to prediction of traffic dynamics. A descriptive model is provided that uses historical probe data to create “tidal-like” patterns for the usual dynamics on the road network and creates a framework for taking a future time, e.g. in terms of month, day, time, and suggesting a typical speed for the specified road network link at that specific time. With this model, better predictions for estimated time of arrival will be derived. As opposed to blindly extrapolating from a static model, the disclosed embodiments dynamically adapt to current conditions using real time data to adapt, based on current conditions, the model from which a predicted speed may be determined. |
| US09875647B1 |
Systems and methods for presenting security questions via connected security system
A computer system detects a trigger event, which includes detecting an unverified user within the premises. A notification is provided regarding the detected trigger event to one or more authorized users distinct from the unverified user. Further, a first user input responsive to the notification and corresponding to instructions to execute a first security protocol is received from a first authorized user of the one or more authorized users. In response to receiving the first user input, the first security protocol is executed. Executing the first security protocol includes presenting to the unverified user an authentication request and monitoring the premises for a response to the authentication request. Furthermore, executing the first security protocol includes executing or declining to execute a second security protocol based on the response to the authentication request. |
| US09875646B2 |
Apparatus and method for supervising audio system during battery mode
An approach for supervision of an audio path within an audio system that conserves power while operating in battery mode by temporarily turning off pre-determined audio components of the audio system when not performing supervision tasks and no audio is present on the audio path. |
| US09875639B2 |
Hand-washing compliance device with a motion-activated display of motion-controlled messages
Methods, systems and devices are provided for hand-washing compliance device with a motion-activated display of motion-controlled messages. In one embodiment, method for presenting and controlling a message on a motion-activated display is provided. |
| US09875637B1 |
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for detecting problems in air
The combination of LED lighting and particulate detectors are enhanced by exploiting the light degradation/reflection/wavelengths detected, absorbed or frequency shift seen in lighting due to the presence of smoke, gas or other molecules (such as explosives) in the air can be detected. The use of LEDs is expanded well beyond simple lighting and energy savings to include not only smoke and fire detection by also to scan for gases and particulates found based in the usage environment. |
| US09875634B2 |
Means and method for detecting the presence of at least one object to be tidied in a washroom
A method and apparatus for determining presence of an object to be tidied in a washroom. A beam is supplied to a surface of the washroom at a first location. A reflected beam received from the surface of the washroom or received from an object in the path of the beam to the surface is detected. The presence of the object is determined from feedback from the beam based on a comparison of the feedback with a detection result when the beam reflects from the surface at the first location. An object to be tidied output signal is issued indicating that an object to be tidied is present based on the determination on the presence of an object. |
| US09875625B2 |
Systems and methods for multifunction haptic output devices
One illustrative system disclosed herein includes a processor configured to determine a haptic effect and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative system also includes a multifunction haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect. The multifunction haptic output device includes a single haptic actuator. |
| US09875623B2 |
Gaming system, a method of gaming and a linked game controller
A gaming system includes a plurality of gaming devices and a linked game controller in data communication with the plurality of gaming devices. The linked game controller is arranged to conduct a linked game in which eligible ones of the gaming devices participate and any award is shared between the participating gaming devices. The linked game controller is arranged to conduct the linked game by generating at least one game outcome, and evaluating each game outcome to determine any award associated with the linked game to share based on the number of participating gaming devices. |
| US09875616B2 |
Flexible determination of progressive awards
The present invention provides novel method and devices for implementing progressive systems on networked gaming machines and associated network devices. Some preferred implementations of the invention allow a target progressive pool size to be selected and apply payouts such that the actual progressive pool size is not likely to exceed greatly the target progressive pool size. Some such implementations control the actual progressive pool size by applying a function to control percentages of the current progressive pool size payable to players of a wagering game on the networked gaming machines. The function may be a function of a current progressive pool size, target progressive pool size and bet size. The function may cause relatively higher percentages of the current progressive pool size to be payable to players when the current progressive pool amount is greater than a target progressive pool size and relatively lower percentages of the current progressive pool size to be payable to players when the current progressive pool size is less than or equal to a target progressive pool size. |
| US09875615B2 |
Multi-hand bet with escalating payouts
Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for providing games with multi-hand bets with escalating payouts. One method includes an operation for providing an interface for a betting game, the interface including an option to select single or multiple turn bets. Additionally, the method includes an operation for detecting a player selection of the multiple-turn bet, which has a plurality of single turns, each single turn being associated with a respective payout multiplier. The method executes game operations for each single turn until the player loses or until the player plays the last turn, and calculates the total winnings, which are equal to the sum of winnings from each single turn. The winnings from each single turn are equal to the respective payout multiplier times the winnings determined from a payout table. In addition, the method includes an operation for providing the total winnings, if any, to the player. |
| US09875614B2 |
In-game rewards based on real world loyalty programs
Systems and methods provided allow users to receive rewards in a videogame based on their “real world” purchases, where such purchases are those they may have made anyway, but which now provide the incentive of receiving rewards in particularly new ways. By providing a connection between a server operating the loyalty reward system and a game server or game administration server, the system can be made seamless and can closely tie the purchase to the reward. Players may receive in-game benefits based on their real world activities with loyalty programs, including rewards for purchases on credit cards, debit cards, or at particular storefronts. |
| US09875611B2 |
Systems and methods for electronic fund transfers for use with gaming systems
Electronic fund transfer (EFT) systems and methods are disclosed for managing and transferring electronic funds from a patron's financial account for use in a gaming or amusement environment. The systems comprise a secured electronic transaction terminal and a secured first computing device in communication with a financial network. The terminal is configured to communicate with the patron's financial account via the secured first computing device and the financial network to electronically transfer funds at the patron's request. |
| US09875609B2 |
Portable intermediary trusted device
In one embodiment, an intermediary gaming trusted electronic device for use with an untrusted PED may include a position sensor configured to acquire position information, a memory configured to store at least game session data, and a processor configured to at least: securely communicate with a gaming apparatus via the wireless transceiver; securely communicate with the associated untrusted PED; determine whether a gaming session is permitted based on the position information; receive gaming data from the gaming apparatus if it is determined that the gaming session is permitted; transmit presentation data to the associated untrusted PED for presentation on a display of the associated PED, wherein the intermediary gaming trusted device is able to support interaction between the gaming apparatus and the associated untrusted PED so that the associated untrusted PED, when coupled to the intermediary gaming trusted device, can execute a gaming software. |
| US09875608B1 |
Sports-wagering kiosk and method of using and operating the same
A sports-wagering kiosk including at least a (i) display; (ii) identification card reader; (iii) camera; (iv) processing means; (v) printer; (vi) ticket reader; (vii) bill validator; and (viii) communication link for communicating with a central computer system. The sports-wagering kiosk facilitates a registration and wagering process by: (i) capturing an image of a prospective player; (ii) reading data from an identification card including a photograph; (iii) verifying an age of the prospective player and validity of the identification card based on reading the data therefrom; (iv) transmitting at least some of the data read from the identification card to a central computer system; (v) verifying the identification of the prospective player by comparing the captured photograph to a photograph on the identification card; (vi) once the identification is verified, prompting the prospective player to enter a password; and (vii) printing a receipt with player account information. |
| US09875607B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing secure logon to a gaming machine using a mobile device
A gaming system compatible with patron-controlled portable electronic devices, such as smart phones or tablet computers, is described. When a transaction is initiated on an EGM that requires the input of Sensitive Information data, such data can be input directly from the Player/Patrons Portable Electronic Device. Hence, such input of their Sensitive Information data is more discrete, and generally out of plain view from the other Player/Patrons. |
| US09875605B2 |
Separately served user interface for mobile gaming
A user-interface for a game is separately serviced to game clients based on an identifier of a site providing a selection interface for the game. Multiple user interfaces for a game are stored. A resource server receives a request for a game that includes an identification of a web site issuing the request. The resource servers uses the identification to select a user interface module from the multiple user interface modules associated with the game. The selected user interface is assembled into the game and provided to a source of the request. |
| US09875604B2 |
Managing wagering game applications and events
A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations include receiving event data from a first application available on a wagering game machine, wherein the event data is in a first data format that is natively understood by the first application and not natively understood by a second application available on the wagering game machine. In some embodiments, the operations further include converting the event data to a second data format natively understood by the second application, wherein the second data format is not natively understood by the first application. In some embodiments, the operations further include communicating the event data in the second data format to the second application. |
| US09875603B2 |
Gaming system and method providing a multiplay game with resultant symbols
Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a multiplay game with resultant symbols. The game is associated with a plurality of reel sets each including a plurality of reels. Each reel is associated with one or more symbol display areas. For each reel set, each symbol display area associated with a reel of that reel set is associated with a symbol display area associated with one of the reels of each other reel set. The gaming system independently generates and displays certain of the symbols on the reels of the respective reel sets at the corresponding symbol display areas. If associated symbol display areas display symbols having a designated relationship with one another, the gaming system forms a resultant symbol from those symbols. The gaming system determines any awards based on the resultant symbols and not based on any non-resultant symbols. |
| US09875602B2 |
Electronic gaming machine and gaming method
The present invention provides an electronic gaming machine comprising a display for displaying a game. The game comprises game symbols and an array of first symbol positions in which the game symbols are able to be displayed and predetermined winning combinations of randomly selected game symbols award prizes to a player. An electronic game controller controls the display of the game symbols on the display and randomly determines whether to display one of the game symbols in each first symbol position. In response to each first symbol position in the array displaying a game symbol, the electronic game controller causes the display of one or more second symbol positions in addition to the first symbol positions and randomly determines whether to display a game symbol in each of the one or more second symbol positions. |
| US09875601B2 |
Gaming machine that shows consecutive symbols of specific kind
Provided is a gaming machine capable of changing a symbol when a predetermined condition is satisfied even though the gaming machine is a type of gaming machine that mechanically drives real reels. The gaming machine drives the reels to show a second symbol and drives the reels to show consecutive first symbols when the second symbol is shown. |
| US09875600B2 |
System and method for augmented reality using a user-specific card
Disclosed is a method of displaying augmented reality gaming information associated with a user-specific card using mobile device in an augmented reality gaming system. In one embodiment, the method includes: enabling a user to view a live image of a user-specific card through a display of a mobile device; acquiring user-specific identification information from the user-specific card; sending the user-specific identification information via a network to a server; retrieving user-specific information from the server using the mobile device; and displaying the user-specific information in conjunction with the user-specific card when viewing the user-specific card through the display of the mobile device using augmented reality. |
| US09875596B1 |
Fish proof fee collection device
A fee collection device has a tube, a chamber in the tube, a bonnet that covers and locks the top of the tube, and a collection bag that attaches to the bottom of the chamber. The tube is mounted vertically in the ground. The chamber is removable from the tube. The chamber has three vertically spaced, angled plates with serrated lower edges projecting inwardly alternately from the front and back of the chamber. The lower two angled plates are hinged. The chamber has support arms that allow the chamber to rest above the tube while the collection bag is emptied. The bonnet locks with a puck lock. |
| US09875595B2 |
Coin serializer with filter disk for filtering debris and foreign objects
A filter disk filters coins deposited into coin machines for counting, sorting, separating or processing coins to prevent the introduction or entry of foreign objects and debris into the coin machine, thus protecting and ensuring the proper functioning of the machine. |
| US09875593B1 |
Systems, methods and devices for coin processing and coin recycling
Currency processing systems, coin processing machines, coin sorting and recycling assemblies, and methods of making and methods of using the same are presented herein. A currency processing system is disclosed which includes a housing with a coin input area for receiving coins and coin receptacles for stowing processed coins. A disk-type coin processing unit includes a rotatable disk for imparting motion to input coins, and a sorting head for separating and discharging coins from exit stations. An automated coin chute receives coins from one of the exit stations. The automated coin chute includes a movable diverter plate that selectively transitions between a first position, whereby coins received from the exit station of the disk-type coin processing unit are redirected through a coin-recycling output passage to a coin-recycling receptacle, and a second position, whereby coins received from the exit station are redirected through a coin-depositing output passage to a coin-depositing receptacle. |
| US09875590B2 |
Automated entry
Automated entry to properties is provided. Properties are made available for viewing. Visitor requests to enter the properties are received. Automated entry information is provided to visitors that allows the visitors to enter the properties during specific times. |
| US09875589B1 |
Vehicle access authentication
Responsive to location information received from a positioning system indicating a vehicle location corresponding to a predefined location, a controller of a vehicle broadcasts a notification including the vehicle location. Responsive to receiving a request including a device location from a mobile device having interpreted the broadcast, the controller permits access to the vehicle responsive to a difference between the device location and the vehicle location being less than a predefined threshold distance. |
| US09875587B2 |
Smart key and method of controlling the same
A smart key for a vehicle includes: a communication unit including a low frequency (LF) antenna which receives an LF signal; and a control unit determining a strength and a direction vector of the LF signal. The control unit estimates a first location of the smart key based on the strength of the LF signal, estimates a second location of the smart key based on the direction vector of the LF signal, and determines a presence of a relay attack by analyzing the first location and the second location and comparing the first location with the second location. |
| US09875586B2 |
Inductive coded lock system
An inductive coded lock system includes an inductive lock mechanism, and a conductive key/target. The inductive lock mechanism includes multiple inductor coils and sensor circuitry. Each inductor coil is operable to project a magnetic field defining a sensing area proximate to the inductor/coil, the inductor coils being spatially arranged to define a key/target sensing area incorporating each inductor coil sensing area. The sensor circuitry drives inductor coils, and measures sensor response (such as with an inductance comparator) to a key/target inserted within the key/target sensing area, including detecting an unlock condition corresponding to a pre-defined coded lock pattern. The key/target includes active and inactive areas (such as conductive/nonconductive) corresponding spatially to the sensing areas in the key target sensing area, the active and inactive areas arranged in a pre-defined coded key pattern corresponding to the pre-defined coded lock pattern. The coded lock and key patterns can be binary coded. |
| US09875582B2 |
Motor unit contactless passive operation time counter
An apparatus is provided that measures usage of a motor unit having a motor and a motor cable leading to the motor to provide operational power to the motor. The apparatus includes a housing that attaches to the motor cable such that the motor cable passes through an interior region of the housing. A sensor is situated in the interior region of the housing and is operable to sense current that flows in the motor cable. The apparatus has a counter that logs accumulated time of operation of the motor based on an amount of time that current is sensed by the sensor to be flowing in the motor cable. |
| US09875580B2 |
Activity triggered photography in metaverse applications
A system, method and program product for collecting image data from within a metaverse. A system is provided that includes: a graphical user interface (GUI) for allowing a user to install and administer a camera within the metaverse; a system for collecting image data from the camera based on an occurrence of a triggering event associated with the camera; and a system for storing or delivering the image data for the user. |
| US09875577B2 |
Tessellation of a parameterized 3D modeled object
It is proposed a computer-implemented method for tessellating a three-dimensional modeled object parameterized for tessellation. The method comprises the steps of providing 2D meshes associated to geometrical data of a boundary representation of the modeled object, the boundary representation comprising the geometrical data including parametric surfaces and topological data including a set of faces each defined as a portion of the 2D domain of a respective parametric surface; and determining 3D meshes by evaluating the position of vertices of the 2D meshes on the respective parametric surfaces.Such a solution improves the tessellation of a 3D modeled object. |
| US09875576B2 |
Three-dimensional visualization model of roadway information in a pavement condition analysis
A visualization of pavement conditions that are evaluated with respect to weather, pavement, and sub-surface variables provides users responsible for roadway infrastructure maintenance and monitoring with information such as depths of accumulated precipitation across “slices” of a roadway for each particular time in a given time period. The accumulated precipitation information contains the depths for each of several different types of precipitation and is shown in three dimensions, where x represents the lane of the roadway, y represents the depths of precipitation, and z represents time. A visualization model generates an appearance of a roadway lane upon which the accumulated precipitation increases or decreases over time corresponding to the results of weather and maintenance acting on that lane. |
| US09875574B2 |
Method and device for automatically identifying the deepest point on the surface of an anomaly
A method and device for automatically identifying the deepest point on the surface of an anomaly on a viewed object using a video inspection device. The video inspection device obtains and displays an image of the surface of the viewed object. A reference surface is determined along with a region of interest that includes a plurality of points on the surface of the anomaly. The video inspection device determines a depth for each of the plurality of points on the surface of the anomaly in the region of interest. The point on the surface of the anomaly having the greatest depth is identified as the deepest point. |
| US09875566B2 |
Methods and systems for images with interactive filters
At a first device there is received from a second device (i) a native pixilated image and (ii) interactive filter data associated with the image. The filter data corresponds to an interactive filter applied to the image. A first representation of the image is displayed in accordance with the interactive filter data on the display. All or a first subset of the pixels of the image are obscured in the first representation. Responsive to user input, for a period of time specified by the filter, a second representation of the image is displayed in place of the first representation. None or a second subset of the pixels of the image is obscured in the second representation, where the second subset is less than the first subset. Then there is displayed on the display, after the limited period of time has elapsed, the first representation in place of the second representation. |
| US09875564B2 |
Map display device and map display method
A map display device stores a map image dataset with image pixels including a plurality of static-type pixels each having only one color value, and a plurality of dynamic-type pixels each having a predefined set of color values, and a function definition field which defines a function to select between said color values. A graphics processor processes one tile of map image data by, for each of the dynamic type pixels, retrieving the function identified by the function definition field, applying a current time value to the function, and selecting one of the predefined set of color values according to a result of the function. An output unit outputs the map image frame as a raster image containing one pixel color value at each of the pixels for display on a display screen. |
| US09875563B2 |
System and method for creating custom fingernail art
Systems and methods are provided for a creating nail polish art by providing an image, providing a hand pose stencil, including image coordinates for the fingernails of the hand pose stencil, allowing the hand pose stencil to be positioned on the image, associating the image coordinates for the fingernails to portions of the image, and displaying the portions of the image that have been associated with the image coordinates on fingernail polish stickers. Such systems and methods provide a revolutionary new way to create custom nail art by printing an image onto nail polish stickers for a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind manicure that a user can self-apply with no dry-time or waiting. |
| US09875562B2 |
Vehicle information display device and vehicle information display method
A vehicle information display device including: a subject detecting sensor, that detects a first object positioned in a surrounding area of the vehicle and a second object different from the object; a display portion, that has a display area that displays an object mark corresponded to the object to emphatically display the object detected by the subject detecting sensor, and displays the second object mark so that when a number of the second objects that are in the vicinity of the detected first object and are detected by the subject detecting sensor is large, the emphasizing degree of the vertical component of the second object mark is suppressed in comparison with the emphasizing degree of the vertical component of the first object mark when the number of the second objects is small or no second object is detected. |
| US09875559B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes an acquiring unit that acquires a plurality of pixel value rows aligned in a depth direction of an object to be measured based on interference light obtained by causing return light of scanned measurement light from the object to be measured and reference light corresponding to the measurement light to interfere with each other. A forming unit forms a two-dimensional image based on pixel values selected in accordance with a predetermined selection criterion from the plurality of pixel value rows, one of the pixel values being selected from one of the plurality of pixel value rows. In addition, a setting unit sets a selection range which is a range in the depth direction for selecting the pixel values in the plurality of pixel value rows, and a criterion changing unit changes the predetermined selection criterion in accordance with the set selection range. |
| US09875555B2 |
Partitioning an image
The invention is directed to a computer-implemented method for partitioning an image. The method comprises displaying an image that comprises a border; drawing a curve over the image; computing all closed areas delimited by the curve and the border of the image, each closed area being independent from the other computed closed areas and individually selectable. |
| US09875553B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes a depth control signal generation unit generating a depth control signal controlling emphasis of the feel of each region of an input image based on the depth position of a subject in each region of the input image; a face skin region control signal generation unit generating a face skin region control signal controlling emphasis of the feel of each region in the input image based on the human face skin region in the input image; a person region control signal generation unit generating a person region control signal controlling emphasis of the feel of each region in the input image based on the region of the person in the input image; and a control signal synthesis unit synthesizing the depth control signal, the face skin region control signal, and the person region control signal to generate a control signal. |
| US09875552B1 |
Content independent method of motion determination using sparse matrices
A method and apparatus for motion determination comprising generating a hash value for each changed pixel in a frame of an image display sequence, the changed pixels indicated in a set of sparse display coordinates, for each changed pixel, overwriting (X, Y) information at a position in a symbol table indexed by the hash value, the (X, Y) information comprising one display coordinate associated with the each changed pixel, generating motion vectors for a frame, each motion vector specifying a pixel area determined from at least one (X, Y) delta between one of the changed pixels represented in the symbol table and a previously changed pixel represented at the position in a previous frame symbol table for a previous frame in the image display sequence, and transmitting the motion vectors from the host computer over a network to a client computer. |
| US09875544B2 |
Registration of fluoroscopic images of the chest and corresponding 3D image data based on the ribs and spine
The present invention is a method to register 3D image data with fluoroscopic images of the chest of a patient. The ribs and spine, which are visible in the fluoroscopic images, are analyzed and a rib signature or cost map is generated. The rib signature or cost map is matched to corresponding structures of the 3D image data of the patient. Registration is evaluated by computing a difference between the fluoroscopic image and a virtual fluoroscopic projected image of the 3D data. Related systems are also described. |
| US09875543B2 |
Techniques for rectification of camera arrays
Techniques for rectification of camera arrays are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may comprise a processor circuit and an imaging management module, and the imaging management module may be operable on the processor circuit to determine a composite rotation matrix for a camera array comprising a plurality of cameras, determine a composite intrinsic parameter matrix for the camera array, and compute one or more rectification maps for the camera array based on the composite rotation matrix and the composite intrinsic parameter matrix, each of the one or more rectification maps corresponding to one of the plurality of cameras. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09875541B2 |
Enhanced algorithm for the detection of eye motion from fundus images
A method, controller, and non-transitory medium for obtaining images of a moving subject. Estimating changes in position of the subject based on the images. Calculating a quality metric of the estimation of the change. Comparing the quality metric to a threshold. In a first case in which the quality metric is less than the threshold, adjusting position of the scanning area based on the estimated change in position. In a second case in which the quality metric is not less than the threshold, obtaining a new second image. |
| US09875537B2 |
Computer implemented methods for identifying channels in a 3D volume and computer program product implementing the methods
The methods comprise: a) obtaining a 3D volume of the object containing two different sub-volumes identified as: well-defined zone (S) and not-well-defined zone (BZ) sub-volumes; b) generating well-defined zone (S) and not-well-defined zone (BZ) patches from the two sub-volumes; c) automatically identifying the possible channels by means of automatically obtaining candidate channels regions (CCR), dilating the perimeters of the well-defined zone (S) patches. The method includes embodiments for a layered approach, an EAM polygonal mesh approach and a volume approach.The computer program product is adapted to implement part or all of the steps of the method of the invention.The EAM system comprises computing navigation means implementing the method of the invention. |
| US09875534B2 |
Techniques and systems for model-based critical dimension measurements
A reticle is inspected with an imaging system to obtain a measured image of a structure on the reticle, and the structure has an unknown critical dimension (CD). Using a model, a calculated image is generated using a design database that describes a pattern used to form the structure on the reticle. The model generates the calculated image based on: optical properties of reticle materials of the structure, a computational model of the imaging system, and an adjustable CD. A norm of a difference between the measured and calculated images is minimized by adjusting the adjustable CD and iteratively repeating the operation of generating a calculated image so as to obtain a final CD for the unknown CD of the structure. Minimizing the norm of the difference is performed simultaneously with respect to the adjustable CD and one or more uncertain parameters of the imaging system. |
| US09875531B2 |
Bone suppression in X-ray imaging
The present invention relates to medical image viewing in relation with navigation in X-ray imaging. In order to provide improved X-ray images, for example for cardiac procedures, allowing a facilitated perception while ensuring that increased details are visible, a medical image viewing device (10) for navigation in X-ray imaging is provided that comprises an image data providing unit (12), a processing unit (14), and a display unit (16). The image data providing unit is configured to provide an angiographic image of a region of interest of an object. The processing unit is configured to identify a suppression area for partial bone suppression within the angiographic image, and to identify and locally suppress predetermined bone structures in the angiographic image in the suppression area, and to generate a partly-bone-suppressed image. Further, the display unit is configured to display the partly-bone-suppressed image. |
| US09875530B2 |
Gradient privacy masks
An apparatus and a method implemented in a computer system for obscuring a first region of an image composed by a plurality of pixels. The method comprising obtaining a mask, the mask defining an obscurity level for each pixel in the first region of the image, and obscuring pixels in the first region of the image based on the mask's obscurity level for each pixel. |
| US09875516B2 |
Systems and methods for graphics process units power management
Systems and methods are provided for frequency adjustment of graphics process units (GPUs). A system includes: a command parser configured to parse one or more first commands associated with one or more future GPU operations to obtain command information, a processing component configured to determine an operation time for the future GPU operations based at least in part on the command information, and a frequency control component configured to adjust a GPU frequency based at least in part on the operation time for the future GPU operations. |
| US09875514B2 |
System and methods for managing patients and services
A system and methods for monitoring compliance with at least one time based rule for treating individuals with health related procedure requests. The system includes a server which periodically receives information on individuals within a group, a request procedure type, and a request date for the individuals that requested a health related procedure. The system then tracks the lapsed time of each health related request to monitor compliance with the time based rule. The system can also rank the individuals for scheduling of the health related procedure based on the procedure type, lapsed time, and the time based rule. The server also identifies individuals which have changed facilities while maintaining their original request date and then updates the rankings for each facility. The system is especially useful for handling dental procedures and requests for individuals at correctional institutions, military bases, and campuses. |
| US09875511B1 |
Method and system for desktop-invoked image or video capture
A method and apparatus for improving efficiency of capturing images of documents at computers is provided. The method comprises receiving an instruction to obtain an image of a document using a mobile computer device comprising a camera; generating a unique parameterized uniform resource locator (URL) that has been assigned to the image of the document; sending, to a mobile computer device, the URL using a messaging service and receiving, from the mobile computer device, an invocation of the image capture function specifying the GUID; uploading, from the mobile computer device, the image file; storing the image file in association with the GUID; in response to the instruction to obtain the image of the document, sending the image file to the first computer device. |
| US09875510B1 |
Consensus system for tracking peer-to-peer digital records
The disclosure describes a peer-to-peer consensus system and method for achieving consensus in tracking transferrable digital objects. The system achieves consensus on a shared ledger between a plurality of peers and prevents double spending in light of network latency, data corruption and intentional manipulation of the system. Consensus is achieved and double spending is prevented via the use of the most committed stake metric to choose a single consensus transaction record. A trustable record is also facilitated by allowing stakeholders to elect a set of trusted non-colluding parties to cooperatively add transactions to the consensus record. The voting mechanism is a real-time auditable stake weighted approval voting mechanism. This voting mechanism has far reaching applications such as vote directed capital and providing a trusted source for data input into a digital consensus system. The system further enables digital assets that track the value of conventional assets with low counterparty risk. |
| US09875507B2 |
Graphical order entry user interface for trading system
On a display terminal of an electronic trading system, a graph is displayed having a first axis and a second axis, wherein the graph includes a curve corresponding to a range of values of a financial instrument. A user is allowed to select a portion of the graph. In response to the user selection of the portion of the graph, a trading dialog box is displayed on the display of the workstation, the dialog box being automatically populated with values for trading, the values based on the values of the selected portion of the graph. |
| US09875506B2 |
Method and system for providing financial performance data associated with a merchant
A method implemented using a computing device in communication with one or more memory devices is provided. The method includes receiving a request from a client computing device to provide financial performance data for at least a first merchant of a plurality of merchants, retrieving transaction data associated with the plurality of merchants from the one or more memory devices wherein the transaction data is associated with payments processed through a payment network, comparing the transaction data associated with the first merchant to the transaction data associated with each of the plurality of merchants to determine at least one ranking of the first merchant relative to the plurality of merchants based on at least one financial performance factor, and transmitting the at least one ranking to the client computing device, in response to the request, without providing a name of the first merchant. |
| US09875500B2 |
Network traffic-based throttling of electronic commerce activity
In general, network traffic-based electronic commerce (e-commerce) techniques are described. The techniques may potentially prevent website crashes caused by traffic spikes. An example method includes determining, by a computing device, a level of network traffic associated with accessing a website that provides one or more e-commerce capabilities, and comparing the level of network traffic against a threshold traffic level. The method further includes, responsive to determining that the level of network traffic exceeds the threshold traffic level, determining whether a purchase request received via the website identifies a limited time offer (LTO) that is currently available via the website, and when the purchase request identifies the LTO, denying the purchase request with respect to the LTO at an add-to-cart stage. |
| US09875499B2 |
Enhanced on-demand service functionality implemented in casino gaming networks
Various aspects described or referenced herein are directed to different methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing On Demand Services in Casino gaming establishments utilizing a Communications Network. |
| US09875498B2 |
System and method of global electronic trade in the internet
A system and method of global electronic trade in the Internet is provided. The method of global electronic trade for sellers and buyers via the Internet includes registering the sellers and the buyers; providing information regarding goods or services to the registered sellers and buyers; selecting of trade partners based on the provided information; holding tenders; conducting of transactions between the trade partners; conducting a post-transaction procedures; and protecting of information in the system of global electronic trade. In a basis of a method of global electronic trade are put: a method of creating of databases of structured information about offers of sellers and about requests of buyers; and a method of searching of trade partners. The method of creating of databases of structured information in the system of global electronic trade includes: filling an application form by sellers and by buyers; creation of the database of information about proposed goods and services, structured on the basis of the Global Classification of Branches of Economy, Goods and Services (GC) and on the basis of other data, included in this application form; creation of the database of information about requests of buyers, structured on the basis of the Global Classification of Branches of Economy, Goods and Services and on the basis of other data, included in this application form. The method of searching of trade partners includes a method of searching by sellers in database about requests of buyers, a method of searching by buyers in database about offers of sellers, forming a list of results of search, which has the same structure, as the specified databases; a procedure of interactive or automatic selecting of a needed data from the list of result of search. |
| US09875492B2 |
Real estate transaction system
A network based real estate transaction system is disclosed for assisting real estate agents and their clients with determining properties for purchase. |
| US09875488B2 |
Targeted marketing based on social media interaction
A system and method for providing targeted marketing to a user based on the user's social media interaction. The system includes one or more computing platforms providing computer-automated functionality performing method steps for accepting a digital media and digital media related data from a publisher, generating associated information unique identifiers, monitoring social media networks for member-user rankings of the digital media after it is posted, and communicating to a member-user targeted marketing information based on the user rankings. A data storage device persists the digital media, digital media related data, and information unique identifier, which may include a linking hash character, a unique identifier, an account identifier, and/or social media network system-defined elements. The publisher selects digital media and information representing digital media elements, and posts the digital media on the social media network website. Edits, if applied to the selected digital media, are persisted in the data storage. |
| US09875487B2 |
Content display on moving vehicles
Systems and methods are provided for displaying content on a vehicle with at least one display device coupled to a frame member and extending to the right or left of the license plate receiving area of the vehicle. Content is selected and altered as desired, including based on user preferences and/or vehicle location. |
| US09875485B2 |
First party cookie attribution
A third party company (also referred to as an ad server) provides an advertiser with computer code to place on the advertiser's web pages. The web page's code is configured to provide the ad server read and write access to an advertiser's first party cookie on a user's web browser. A user interacts with an ad on a mobile application or third party web page. Based on the user's interaction with the ad a URL containing a web address and ad instance information are sent to the user's web browser. The user's landing page associated with the URL contains code for retrieving the ad instance information and storing it in a first party cookie. When the user navigates to a purchasing page and purchases a product, the code contained in the purchasing page retrieves the ad instance information from the first party cookie and sends it to the ad server. |
| US09875480B2 |
System, method, and infrastructure for real-time live streaming content
Provided are systems and methods for using an existing management server infrastructure to deliver video-on-demand or streaming content, including real-time live streaming. Existing client content playback devices, such as IPTVs, may be employed to stream content items, obtain advertisements, track user's viewing behaviors, and the like. By reusing existing client devices, there is no need for additional hardware purchases on the user side. By reusing existing management server infrastructures, capital expenses are also reduced. In such a system, a user can watch both video-on-demand and streaming audiovisual content. |
| US09875477B2 |
Managing internet advertising and promotional content
Methods, systems and articles having machine-readable instructions can be implemented to manage advertising content using a computing device, for example, by retrieving a page of content from a network, the retrieved page including at least some advertising content, presenting the retrieved page of content to the user of the computing device, receiving user input via a user interface identifying at least a portion of the presented advertising content to be saved, saving the identified portion of advertising content, receiving user input via the user interface identifying some or all of the saved advertising content to share with another user, and causing the identified saved advertising content to be shared with the other user. |
| US09875474B2 |
Method for securing a transaction performed by bank card
A method is provided for securing a transaction made by bank card, the transaction involving a remote provision, by a user, of data existing in a bank card in his possession. The method includes: obtaining data existing in the bank card to be used, called textual data; obtaining at least one portion of the textual data in the form of an audio data stream, called a sound sample, resulting from reading the data existing in the bank card to be used; computing a current voice signature from said sound sample; comparing said current voice signature with a reference voice signature pre-recorded and associated with the textual data of the bank card; and when the reference voice signature differs from the current voice signature by a value greater than the first value defined by a predetermined parameter, for rejecting the transaction. |
| US09875470B2 |
Method and apparatus for using quick response codes in E-commerce
An email payment gateway configured to enable users to receive @PAY offers using print media quick response (QR) codes. A consumer views an advertisement or product having packing with a QR code and scans the QR code. Scanning the QR code generates an email addressed to the email payment gateway requesting information on the product, which is sent to the email payment gateway. The email payment gateway receives the email and responds to the consumer with an email that includes information on the products in the advertisement. Included in the email from the email payment gateway is a button enabling the recipient to purchase the relevant item. The button preferably includes a mail-to hyperlink as that generates an outgoing email reply requesting to purchase the product. |
| US09875463B2 |
Cloud-based desktop and subscription application platform apparatuses, methods and systems
The A CLOUD-BASED DESKTOP AND SUBSCRIPTION APPLICATION PLATFORM APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“CDSA Platform”) transforms service sign up, site creation, application registration data inputs via CDSA Platform components into new site display and Subscription App Store registration confirmation outputs. In some embodiments the CDSA Platform may facilitate generation of cloud-based desktop representations within a web browser. In one implementation, the CDSA Platform may receive a first user input, including identifying user information and a web Site address. In response to the first input, the CDSA Platform may create a new web Site at the received web Site address. In one implementation, the new website may comprise a first desktop representation on a web browser at the web Site address and may present a plurality of application icons on the first desktop representation. In a further implementation, the CDSA Platform may receive a second user input which may include an action on one of the plurality of application icons. In one implementation, in response to the second input, the CDSA Platform may present a second desktop representation on the web browser at the web Site address. |
| US09875461B2 |
Storage cabinet with multiple RFID readers
An RFID cabinet system is provided for monitoring items having an RFID tag. System includes cabinet having open interior where items are stored and at least one door providing access to items. Static RFID system is provided for reading and identifying data embedded on RFID tag located on at least some of the items placed within cabinet. Static RFID system is configured to monitor substantially all items located within the interior of cabinet when door is closed. Transaction RFID system is provided for reading one of the RFID tags upon removal or return of the associated item from cabinet. Transaction RFID system is operable when door is open. Computer system is configured to sense opening and closing of door. Computer system is configured to receive input that identifies user, and computer system is configured to periodically record data read from RFID tags by static RFID system and transaction RFID system. |
| US09875459B2 |
Wellsite equipment tracking systems and methods
The present disclosure introduces methods and systems for tracking pieces of wellsite equipment. Such tracking includes receiving first identification information and first location information for a first module associated with a first piece of wellsite equipment at a first location, receiving second identification information for a second module associated with a second piece of wellsite equipment at the first location, and determining a tracking event associated with the second piece of wellsite equipment based on the first identification information, the first location information, and the second identification information. A utilization state associated with the second piece of wellsite equipment is then determined based on at least the tracking event. |
| US09875457B2 |
Ticket based harvest management system and method
A system and method is presented for gathering data concerning harvests. Data tickets are generated when the harvest is received at a point of origination (i.e., the field), local storage, processing, or a customer location. Data tickets can be manually generated using apps running on mobile devices. Users of the mobile devices input the data tickets when harvest is received at these locations. Data tickets are transmitted to a remote server over a wide area network. Analysis of the data tickets is possible through a web interface to the remote server. Beacons that identify various equipment or locations can be used to trigger the automatic generation of data tickets. |
| US09875456B2 |
Device for protecting a commercial article against theft
A device for protecting a commercial article which is a physical object (10, 32), that may or may not be packaged, against theft. The device (12, 42) includes: at least one active or passive member that is capable of emitting electromagnetic waves out from the device or receiving electromagnetic waves from outside the device; elements for attaching and locking the device to the physical object or to the packaging of same in a locked position such that a user cannot separate the device from the physical object without an external tool, the locking elements including a locking mechanism; and at least one optically readable code (24) uniquely identifying the physical object to which the device is intended to be attached and which is separate from a commercial article code (EAN, EPC, etc.) assigned to the physical object, as a commercial article. |
| US09875450B1 |
System and method of automated healthcare assessments and event inferences
A healthcare assessment system is provided for a plurality of healthcare facilities each having healthcare providers and residential areas, each area equipped with biometric sensors and activity sensors. A central server receives sensor data and stores subject information in a data storage network. The system determines potential events for each subject based on respective healthcare profiles, and an event inference engine identifies the actual occurrence and extrapolates a likely occurrence of potential events based on the stored data points with respect to time. The system assigns values representative of a level of healthcare resource needs for each subject, and values representative of a quality of healthcare resources provided for each healthcare provider. A graphical user interface includes a resource allocation report with user-selectable lists of relative rankings of the assigned values for each subject and each provider in a healthcare facility, or for each respective healthcare facility. |
| US09875441B2 |
Question recommending method, apparatus and system
The present disclosure relates to a question recommending method, apparatus, and system. The method includes: constructing, by a server, an interest vector of a user according to a short-term interest, a long-term interest, and a group interest of the user, the interest vector of the user including multiple interest items; acquiring a candidate-for-recommendation question from a set of to-be-resolved questions according to the multiple interest items; estimating, according to a click-through rate (CTR) model, probability of answering the candidate-for-recommendation question by the user, and selecting a to-be-recommended question according to the estimated probability; and sending the to-be-recommended question to a client. In this way, a real-time comprehensive recommendation result can be obtained, and a question answering rate of an interactive question-and-answer platform can also be improved. |
| US09875438B1 |
RFID integrated circuits with antenna contacts on multiple surfaces
Embodiments are directed to a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) integrated circuit (IC) having a first circuit block electrically coupled to first and second antenna contacts. The first antenna contact is disposed on a first surface of the IC and the second antenna contact is disposed on a second surface of the IC different from the first surface. The first and second antenna contacts are electrically disconnected from each other. |
| US09875436B2 |
Method and apparatus for storing increment values without using an increment counter
Electronic systems, such as printing systems, often use components that have integral memory. The integral memory can be used to store information about the component. In some printing systems this memory includes a portion that stores a value indicative of an amount of a consumable that has been used. Some printing systems do this by using a counter to count the amount of the consumable used and then sending a count command to the memory. The increment count command is processed to increment the value stored within the memory. Disclosed is a method and system for allowing the memory to be updated by a count command without having to increment the value stored. This method allows print cartridges to be used in printing systems that utilize counters without having to increment the counter each time an increment command is received. |
| US09875435B2 |
Drawing data generation apparatus
A drawing data generation apparatus includes a first intermediate data generation section that generates first intermediate data from formation image data in which a formation image is indicated as a cluster of drawing components, a second intermediate data generation section that generates, from the first intermediate data, second intermediate data indicating drawing content of each line-shaped region of the formation image, and a drawing data generation section that generates, from the second intermediate data, drawing data indicating drawing content of each line-shaped region in a row of pixel data. The second intermediate data generation section selects, based on the first intermediate data, either a first scheme of arranging an overlap of the drawing components and generating the second intermediate data from the cluster of drawing components or a second scheme of expressing and integrating the drawing components as a cluster of the pixels and generating the second intermediate data. |
| US09875431B2 |
Training data generating device, method, and program, and crowd state recognition device, method, and program
To provide a training data generating device capable of easily generating a large amount of training data used for machine-learning a dictionary of a discriminator for recognizing a crowd state. A person state determination unit 72 determines a person state of a crowd according to a people state control designation as designation information on a person state of people and an individual person state control designation as designation information on a state of an individual person in the people. A crowd state image synthesis unit 73 generates a crowd state image as an image in which a person image corresponding to the person state determined by the person state determination unit 72 is synthesized with an image at a predetermined size acquired by a background extraction unit 71, and specifies a training label for the crowd state image. |
| US09875428B2 |
Ensemble sparse models for image analysis and restoration
Methods and systems for recovering corrupted/degraded images using approximations obtained from an ensemble of multiple sparse models are disclosed. Sparse models may represent images parsimoniously using elementary patterns from a “dictionary” matrix. Various embodiments of the present disclosure involve simple and computationally efficient dictionary design approach along with low-complexity reconstruction procedure that may use a parallel-friendly table-lookup process. Multiple dictionaries in an ensemble model may be inferred sequentially using greedy forward-selection approach and can incorporate bagging/boosting strategies, taking into account application-specific degradation. Recovery performance obtained using the proposed approaches with image super resolution and compressive recovery can be comparable to or better than existing sparse modeling based approaches, at reduced computational complexity. By including ensemble models in hierarchical multilevel learning, where multiple dictionaries are inferred in each level, further performance improvements can be obtained in image recovery, without significant increase in computational complexity. |
| US09875427B2 |
Method for object localization and pose estimation for an object of interest
A method for localizing and estimating a pose of a known object in a field of view of a vision system is described, and includes developing a processor-based model of the known object, capturing a bitmap image file including an image of the field of view including the known object, extracting features from the bitmap image file, matching the extracted features with features associated with the model of the known object, localizing an object in the bitmap image file based upon the extracted features, clustering the extracted features of the localized object, merging the clustered extracted features, detecting the known object in the field of view based upon a comparison of the merged clustered extracted features and the processor-based model of the known object, and estimating a pose of the detected known object in the field of view based upon the detecting of the known object. |
| US09875425B2 |
Individual identification device, and identification threshold setting method
Provided is an individual identification device including: a biometric information storage unit; a biometric information acquisition unit; an identification unit which calculates a similarity of the biometric information on the subject and the registrant and performs identification of the subject according to whether or not the calculated similarity is equal to or higher than an identification threshold; an identification result storage unit which stores identification result information constituted by the calculated similarity and a correct identification result; and a threshold setting unit which sets the identification threshold such that at least either one of a false rejection rate and a false acceptance rate fulfils a predetermined condition in the identification result information stored in the identification result storage unit. |
| US09875424B2 |
Method for determining correspondences between a first and a second image, and method for determining the pose of a camera
A method for determining correspondences between a first and a second image, comprising the steps providing a first image and a second image of the real environment, defining a warping function between the first and second image, determining the parameters of the warping function between the first image and the second image by means of an image registration method, determining a third image by applying the warping function with the determined parameters to the first image, determining a matching result by matching the third image and the second image, and determining correspondences between the first and the second image using the matching result and the warping function with the determined parameters. The method may be used in a keyframe based method for determining the pose of a camera based on the determined correspondences. |
| US09875423B2 |
Image pickup apparatus that calculates light amount change characteristic, electronic apparatus, and method of calculating light amount change characteristic
An image pickup apparatus capable of calculating a light amount change characteristic of light from an object according to a state of the object. In the image pickup apparatus, the luminance change-based flicker detection for detecting flicker of a light source by calculating the light amount change characteristic of light from a photographing object based on sequential image data obtained by an image pickup device, and the luminance distribution-based flicker detection for detecting flicker by calculating the light amount change characteristic based on luminance distribution data generated from the image data are selectively performed according to the brightness of the photographing environment. |
| US09875422B1 |
Data compression
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for compressing rows of data stored in a first matrix using run length encoding (RLE) to produce an RLE encoded matrix. Compressing columns of the RLE encoded matrix into a set of arrays by differentially encoding data count values of the RLE encoded matrix, wherein each array in the set of arrays represents a column of the RLE encoded matrix. |
| US09875414B2 |
Route damage prediction system and method
A route damage prediction system includes cameras, a conversion unit, and an analysis unit. The cameras obtain image data that include a route traveled upon by vehicles. The image data includes still images and/or video of the route obtained at different times. The conversion unit includes one or more computer processors configured to at least one of create wireframe model data or modify the image data into the wireframe model data representative of the route. The analysis unit includes one or more computer processors configured to examine changes in the wireframe model data to identify a historical trend of changes in the image data. The analysis unit is configured to compare the historical trend of the changes in the image data with designated patterns of changes in the wireframe model data to determine when to request at least one of repair, inspection, or maintenance of the route. |
| US09875410B2 |
Camera system for transmitting and receiving an audio signal and operating method of the same
A camera system includes: a camera configured to capture an image of a surveillance area; a microphone array which includes at least one microphone; and at least one processor configured to implement: a video processor which designates at least one subject in the image as a target; a beam-former which calculates a rotation angle of the microphone array based on a location of the subject; and a driving controller which rotates the microphone array toward the subject based on the rotation angle of the microphone array, wherein the beam-forming unit further performs signal processing on an audio input signal received through the microphone array rotated toward the subject and outputs an audio output signal corresponding to the audio input signal. |
| US09875409B2 |
Abnormality detection apparatus, abnormality detection method, and recording medium storing abnormality detection program
An abnormality detection apparatus, an abnormality detection method, and an abnormality detection program are provided. Each of the abnormality detection apparatus, an abnormality detection method, and an abnormality detection program extracts a target image to be monitored and a reference image, respectively, from target video to be monitored, detects an abnormality based on a difference between the target image to be monitored and the reference image, and displays an image indicating a difference between the target image to be monitored and the reference image on a monitor. Moreover, an abnormality detection system is provided including the abnormality detection apparatus, a video that captures an image of a target to be monitored, and a monitor. |
| US09875400B2 |
Notification device, exercise analysis system, notification method, notification program, exercise support method, and exercise support device
A notification device includes a difference calculation section adapted to calculate differences between index values of a plurality of indexes, which are calculated by analyzing an exercise of a user using an inertial sensor, and are related to an athletic ability of the user, and target values set to the respective indexes, an index selection section adapted to select some of the indexes based on the differences with respect to the respective indexes, and an output section adapted to output the some of the indexes selected. |
| US09875394B2 |
Skin analysis method, skin analysis device, and method for controlling skin analysis device
A control method for controlling a skin analysis device is a control method for controlling a skin analysis device including a camera for obtaining a face image of a subject, a display for displaying the face image of the subject, and a computer, wherein the control method causes the computer of the skin analysis device to execute: obtaining the face image of the subject; determining a target extraction criterion for each of a plurality of skin areas of the face image based on a position on the face image; and extracting a target that satisfies the determined extraction criterion from the face image; and displaying the extracted target on the display of the skin analysis device. |
| US09875393B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
An information processing apparatus, method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are disclosed. The information processing apparatus may include a memory storing instructions; and one or more processors configured to process the instructions to extract color information from a face image sequence, determine temporal variations in the extracted color information, and determine whether a face contained in the face image sequence is a spoofing based on the determined temporal variations. |
| US09875391B2 |
System and a method for image recognition
The invention discloses an image recognition system, comprising: a robot having an image collection module configured to drive an image collection module to collect an image in a view of the robot by the image collection drive module; a light source configured to supplement light when the image collection module collecting an image; a face detection module configured to locate a face image in an image according to the image collected by the image collection module; a face recognition module configured to implement a preprocessing for the located face image, then the preprocessed face image being compared with an image feature information of a known identity in a database, to determine an identity information and a confidence probability of the present face image. The invention can identify a face based on a fixed face pose, and it can identify a face based on a local or web server database. |
| US09875390B2 |
Method and apparatus for recognizing object
A method of recognizing an object includes controlling an event-based vision sensor to perform sampling in a first mode and to output first event signals based on the sampling in the first mode, determining whether object recognition is to be performed based on the first event signals, controlling the event-based vision sensor to perform sampling in a second mode and to output second event signals based on the sampling in the second mode in response to the determining indicating that the object recognition is to be performed, and performing the object recognition based on the second event signals. |
| US09875383B2 |
Barcode device
A barcode device including a barcode scanner to scan barcode labels and provide raw barcode data signals, a processor to receive and process the raw barcode data signals to provide processed barcode data signals and compare at least two of the processed barcode data signals, an indicator to notify a user of barcode data information based on the receipt of barcode data and comparison performed by the processor, and a housing to contain the barcode scanner, the processor, and the indicator, the housing comprising a first end, an opposing second end, and a body extending between the first end and the second end, the housing configured to couple to a back of a glove. |
| US09875378B2 |
Physically unclonable function assisted memory encryption device techniques
Techniques for encrypting the data in the memory of a computing device are provided. An example method for protecting data in a memory according to the disclosure includes encrypting data associated with a store request using a memory encryption device of the processor to produce encrypted data. Encrypting the data includes: obtaining a challenge value, providing the challenge value to a physically unclonable function module to obtain a response value, and encrypting the data associated with the store request using the response value as an encryption key to generate the encrypted data. The method also includes storing the encrypted data and the challenge value associated with the encrypted data in the memory. |
| US09875377B2 |
Encryption device of a substitution-box type, and corresponding encryption method and computer program product
A device of the Substitution-Box (S-Box) type, which is suitable for operating in a symmetric-key encryption apparatus, in particular an AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption apparatus, and includes at least one module configured for carrying out a non-linear operation in a finite field (GF(28)) of an encryption method implemented by the above encryption apparatus, the module including at least one reprogrammable look-up table to, for example, implement countermeasures against side-channel attacks. When no countermeasures are employed, the tables may be set to fixed values, instead of being reprogrammable. The above module includes a plurality of composite look-up tables that implement the non-linear operation in a composite field of finite subfields (GF(24)2; GF((22)2)2) deriving from the finite field (GF(28)), each of the above composite look-up tables being smaller than a look-up table that is able to implement autonomously the non-linear operation in a finite field (GF(28)). |
| US09875376B1 |
Sensitive data aliasing
Database management and security is implemented in a variety of embodiments. In one such embodiment, data sets containing sensitive data elements are analyzed using aliases representing sensitive data elements. In another embodiment, the sensitive data elements are stored in an encrypted form for use from a secure access, while the alias is available for standard access. |
| US09875371B2 |
System and method related to DRM
A system for controlling access to copyrighted data comprises, at least: a plurality of users having computers, each computer being assigned a unique identity and each computer being configured for communicating with external units via a core network; a core network operated by a telecommunications organization; an access handler configured to communicate with the computers via the core network and a communication interface configured for routing incoming data traffic to a first database; wherein the first database includes at least one table, in which table the unique identities of the computers are associated with access rights for each one of the unique identities, and the first database is configured to communicate with a second database and a third database/server; the second database includes copyrighted data material, and the second database is further configured to communicate via the core network with the computers for transferring requested copyrighted data material. |
| US09875370B2 |
Database server and client for query processing on encrypted data
Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for secure handling of queries by a data server (DS) and a database application (DA). A parameterized query is received by the DS from the DA based on a user query received from a requestor. The DS analyzes the parameterized query to attempt to determine an encryption configuration for a transformed version of the user query capable of being evaluated by the DS on encrypted data values. The DS responds to the DA with either a failure to determine the encryption configuration, or by providing the determined encryption configuration to the DA. The DA generates the transformed version of the user query, and provides the transformed version to the DS. The DS evaluates the transformed version of the user query, and provides results to the DA. The DA decrypts the results, and provides the decrypted results to the requestor. |
| US09875369B2 |
Automatic protection of partial document content
Protecting a fragment of a document includes automatically detecting the fragment without user intervention based on the content of the fragment and/or the context of the fragment within a set of documents, selectively encrypting the fragment to prevent unauthorized access, and providing an alternative view of the fragment that prevents viewing and access of content corresponding to the fragment unless a decryption password is provided. Automatically detecting the fragment may include detecting numbers and alphanumeric sequences of sufficient length that do not represent commonly known abbreviations, detecting generic terms, detecting proper names, detecting terms signifying a type of content, detecting mutual location of terms and sensitive content, and/or detecting user defined terms. The generic terms may correspond to password, passcode, credentials, user name, account, ID, login, confidential, and/or sensitive. The proper names may be names of financial organizations and security organizations. |
| US09875367B2 |
Customer load of field programmable gate arrays
Customer content is securely loaded on a field programmable gate array (FPGA) located on a secure cryptography card. The customer content is loaded such that it may not be extracted. A customer obtains a secure cryptography card that includes a field programmable gate array and a master key generated by the secure cryptography card. The customer loads customer specific content on the field programmable gate array, wherein, based on the loading, the customer specific content is secure from extraction via the master key by at least entities other than the customer. |
| US09875365B2 |
Providing authenticated communications to a replaceable printer component
A replaceable printer component includes a first memory device and a communication link. The first memory device stores a first secret. The communication link is configured to communicatively link the first memory device to a printer controller when the replaceable printer component is installed in a printing system. The printing system includes a second memory device storing a second secret. The second memory device is communicatively linked to the printer controller. The first memory device is configured to authenticate communications between the first memory device and the printer controller based on the first secret and the second secret. |
| US09875363B2 |
Use of generic (browser) encryption API to do key exchange (for media files and player)
Embodiments are directed towards decrypting encrypted content. A key for decrypting the encrypted content may be provided to a web application executing within a browser. The application may employ a generic cryptography application program interface (GCAPI) to perform actions on the key, including, storing the key, decrypting an encrypted key, generating another key, converting the key to a different encryption type, or the like. The GCAPI may or may not be enabled to explicitly share the key with the browser's media engine. In response to receiving encrypted content, the GCAPI may provide the key to the application, explicitly or inexplicitly to the browser's media engine, or the like. The key may be utilized by the application, the browser, the media element, browser's media engine, and/or the GCAPI to decrypt the encrypted content. The decrypted content may be displayed within the browser to a user of a client device. |
| US09875361B2 |
Method and server for providing a social network service
A method for providing a social network service includes: (a) setting an access threshold value for a content belonging to a content owner and a weight value for one or more communities of which the content owner is a member; (b) extracting a community of which a content requester is a member from among the communities of which the content owner is a member, when a request for the content is received from the content requester, and calculating an activity value of the content requester for the extracted community; (c) calculating a reputation value for the content requester by using one or more of a number of the extracted communities, a weight value set for the extracted communities, and the calculated activity value; and (d) providing the content requester with authorization to access the content according to a comparison result between the reputation value and the access threshold value. |
| US09875350B2 |
Multi-vocal password verifying method and device
A multi-vocal password verifying method includes the steps of: (1) displaying at least one set of candidate information units, the information units of the password being included in at least one set of candidate information units for being chosen; (2) accepting setting of relative location between a target selection region and the candidate information units such that the number of the candidate information units covered by the target selection region is two or more, the candidate information units covered by said target selection region being defined as a selection information unit set; and (3) comparing the information units of the password with the selection information unit set, and it being determined that the user has chosen correct information units from the predefined password when the selection information unit set contains the information units of the password. The password verification performed by the present multi-vocal password verifying method brings good effects such as vagueness of explicit expression and use convenience of user operation, and is therefore more reliable. |
| US09875349B2 |
Locking and unlocking a mobile device using facial recognition
In an embodiment of the invention, an unlocked mobile device is configured to capture images, analyze the images to detect a user's face, and automatically lock the device in response to determining that a user's face does not appear in the images. The camera capturing and face recognition processing may be triggered by the device having detected that it has been motionless for a threshold period of time. In another embodiment, a locked mobile device is configured to capture an initial image using its camera, capture a new image in response to detecting movement of the device, determine that the device moved to a use position, capture a subsequent image in response to determining that the device moved to a use position, analyze the subsequent image to detect a user's face, and unlock the device in response to detecting the user's face. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US09875338B2 |
Medical device system and method for sharing memory in medical device system
A medical device system includes a first medical device, a first memory corresponding to the first medical device, a second medical device, and a second memory corresponding to the second medical device, wherein the first medical device includes a first writing unit that dynamically writes, into an area included in the first memory, definition data that defines a method for using the area and data corresponding to the definition data, and the second medical device includes a second writing unit that dynamically writes, into an area included in the second memory, definition data that defines a method for using the area and data corresponding to the definition data. |
| US09875335B2 |
Metrics for description of human capability in execution of operational tasks
Manipulability metrics are used to evaluate the feasibility of a vehicle occupant package design. A manipulability metric quantifies the ability of a virtual human subject to carry out an operational task in the design. Examples of specific manipulability metrics include a force metric quantifying the subject's ability apply a joint torque as a force to a component of the design, a velocity metric quantifying the subject's ability to cause the component to achieve velocity, and a dynamic metric quantifying the subject's ability to cause the component to achieve acceleration. Manipulability metrics are determined using a Jacobian determined as part of a determination of a posture of the subject carrying out the task. The manipulability metric is further determined using an endpoint direction of motion and a combination differential kinematics and static equilibrium considerations. |
| US09875334B2 |
Generating manufacturable sub-resolution assist feature shapes from a usefulness map
An illustrative method includes providing a layout of at least a portion of a photomask, the layout comprising a plurality of target features, each target feature having a shape in accordance with a corresponding one of at least one target shape, for each of the target shapes, providing a local map specifying a respective value of a local sub-resolution assist feature (SRAF) usefulness for each of a plurality of positions relative to the target shape, generating a global usefulness map specifying a respective global SRAF usefulness for each of the plurality of positions relative to at least a portion of the photomask on the basis of the assignment of the values of the local SRAF usefulness. |
| US09875333B1 |
Comprehensive path based analysis process
The present disclosure relates to a system and method for electronic design automation. Embodiments may include receiving, using at least one processor, an electronic design and determining one or more graph based analysis (“GBA”) violating nodes associated with the electronic design. Embodiments may include identifying a non-covered violating node from the GBA violating nodes and determining a worst timing path through the non-covered violating node. Embodiments may further include invoking a path-based analysis (“PBA”) on the worst timing path and determining if the worst timing path satisfies the PBA analysis. |
| US09875325B2 |
Computer implemented system and method of identification of useful untested states of an electronic design
A computer implemented system and method of identification of useful untested states of an electronic design, comprising, parsing at least one netlist of a representation of the electronic design comprised at least in part of at least one analog portion, determining at least one instrumentation point based on the at least one netlist, generating at least one instrumented netlist based on the at least one instrumentation point and determining an analog verification coverage utilizing the at least one instrumented netlist. |
| US09875322B2 |
Saving and retrieving locations of objects
Among other things, this document describes a computer-implemented method for storing and retrieving information about the locations of objects. The method can include receiving a first query that includes one or more terms identifying an object. The first query can be determined to include a command to store location information for the object. The first query can be parsed to determine identifying information for the object, and a location can be determined for the object. The method further includes identifying one or more attributes of the object that are not specified in the first query, and causing a first set of data to be stored that characterizes the identifying information for the objet, the location of the object, and the one or more attributes of the object. |
| US09875321B2 |
Geo-location custom indexes
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for generating and utilizing custom indexes for a plurality of geo-locations are described. A plurality of indexes are generated, each corresponding to one of a plurality of geo-locations, based on spatial area subdivisions of a space including the plurality of geo-locations. A points of interest (POIs) query is received, wherein results of the query are to be limited by a distance value. One or more geo-locations are identified as POIs within the distance value from a first geo-location of the plurality of geo-locations based on the corresponding indexes of the one or more identified geo-locations. |
| US09875319B2 |
Automated data parsing
A framing technique included in a set of framing techniques is applied to at least a portion of a target data set. When a result of the application of the framing technique meets a first condition, a typing technique included in a set of typing techniques is applied to the target data set. When a result of the application of the typing technique meets a second condition, a tokenization technique included in a set of tokenization techniques is applied to the target data set. When a result of the application of the tokenization technique meets a third condition, a parsing technique for the target data set is determined to include the framing technique, the typing technique and the tokenization technique. An indication of the parsing technique is generated. |
| US09875318B2 |
Concepts for providing an enhanced media presentation
Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for providing an enhanced media presentation. In one embodiment, an enhanced media presentation is provided. To provide the enhanced media presentation, one or more content items associated with subject matter associated with a segment of an enhanced media presentation are identified. Each content item may be associated with at least one uniform resource identifier. Then, a content object based at least in part on at least one content item is created. The content object is an abstract representation of the content item. The content object can be associated with the segment and provided for simultaneous displayed simultaneously with at least a portion of the segment. |
| US09875316B2 |
Identifying user selection using coordinates and snapshots of webpages
Even when it takes time to perform rendering of a web page, it is made possible to execute a process intended by a user who performs an operation of pointing at an element in the web page. When an operation of pointing at a position of an element in a web page is received before drawing of the web page is completed, an information processing apparatus acquires coordinates indicating the position and a screen shot of the web page. The information processing apparatus identifies an element indicated by an image, in the screen shot, located at a position indicated by the coordinates. When a process corresponding to an event of the operation is to be executed, the information processing apparatus causes a process that is executed when the operation is performed on the identified element to be executed. |
| US09875310B2 |
Trust network effect
An invention is disclosed for systems, methods, processes, and products of providing information to users based on their relationships with other users. Such a system, method, process, or product provides a more reliable, accurate, or otherwise effective way of determining and presenting relevant information to users, consumers, and the like. |
| US09875305B2 |
System, method and computer program product for protecting derived metadata when updating records within a search engine
A search engine may maintain a list of derived metadata. When an event occurs that requires updating a search index, the search engine can determine which metadata is derived metadata and take appropriate actions with respect to the derived metadata. For example, if a request is received to update the index for a particular object, the search engine may protect the derived metadata from change while updating the other metadata in the index. As another example, if a request is received to update the text content for the object, the search engine may change the text content and the derived metadata. By identifying derived metadata, the search engine can protect the derived metadata from change when a request is received that otherwise causes metadata to change and can change the derived metadata when a request is received that would otherwise not change the metadata portion of the index. |
| US09875301B2 |
Learning multimedia semantics from large-scale unstructured data
Systems and methods for learning topic models from unstructured data and applying the learned topic models to recognize semantics for new data items are described herein. In at least one embodiment, a corpus of multimedia data items associated with a set of labels may be processed to generate a refined corpus of multimedia data items associated with the set of labels. Such processing may include arranging the multimedia data items in clusters based on similarities of extracted multimedia features and generating intra-cluster and inter-cluster features. The intra-cluster and the inter-cluster features may be used for removing multimedia data items from the corpus to generate the refined corpus. The refined corpus may be used for training topic models for identifying labels. The resulting models may be stored and subsequently used for identifying semantics of a multimedia data item input by a user. |
| US09875300B2 |
Readability awareness in natural language processing systems
Electronic natural language processing in a natural language processing (NLP) system, such as a Question-Answering (QA) system. A receives electronic text input, in question form, and determines a readability level indicator in the question. The readability level indicator includes at least a grammatical error, a slang term, and a misspelling type. The computer determines a readability level for the electronic text input based on the readability level indicator, and retrieves candidate answers based on the readability level. |
| US09875299B2 |
System and method for identifying relevant search results via an index
A system and method for identifying relevant search results via an index is provided. A search query is received. A semantic representation of query substructures and a list of key terms is generated for the query. Each key term includes a term in the search query or a term related to the query. An inverted index having key terms each associated with a semantic representation and a link to a source reference is accessed. The inverted index is queried using a subset of key terms. A result set for the subset key terms is identified within the inverted index. Each result is scored and a subset of the result set is identified as retrieval candidates based on the scoring. One or more of the retrieval candidates are selected based on a comparison of the query semantic representation with the semantic representations for the retrieval candidates. |
| US09875297B2 |
Associating a task with a user based on user selection of a query suggestion
Methods and apparatus related to associating a task with a user based on the user selecting a task suggestion that is provided to the user in response to a user query. In some implementations, the task may be identified based on similarities between the words and/or phrases of the user query and a task suggestion that is associated with a task. In some implementations, the task may be identified based on user data associated with the user. In some implementations, the task may be associated with additional information related to completing the task. |
| US09875296B2 |
Information extraction from question and answer websites
Methods, systems, and apparatus for obtaining a resource, identifying a first portion of text of the resource that is characterized as a question, and a second part of text of the resource that is characterized as an answer to the question, identifying an entity that is referenced by one or more terms of the text that is characterized as the question, a relationship type that is referenced by one or more other terms of the text that is characterized as the question, and an entity that is referenced by the text that is characterized as the answer to the question, and adjusting a score for a relationship of the relationship type for the entity that is referenced by the one or more terms of the text that is characterized as the question and the entity that is referenced by the text that is characterized as the answer to the question. |
| US09875292B2 |
Method of synchronizing data within database clusters
A database cluster is provided. The database cluster includes a plurality of nodes. When a change is implemented at a first given node of the database cluster, the change is communicated to other nodes of the database cluster to synchronize data between the nodes. For this purpose, the first given node generates information by applying a hash function to a database key indicative of where the change is to be implemented. Subsequently, the first given node includes the information generated by the hash function into the change, and communicates the change along with the information to a second given node of the database cluster. |
| US09875291B2 |
Method for visualizing degree of similarity and difference between a large group of objects and a reference object
Techniques are disclosed for generating a visualization of differences between objects in a plurality of objects and a reference object. For each object in the plurality of objects, a widget performs the following steps. The widget retrieves a plurality of parameter values associated with the object. For each parameter value in the plurality of parameter values, the widget retrieves a reference value of the reference object corresponding to the parameter value, computes a difference between the parameter value and the reference value, and updates a difference indicator based on the computed difference. The widget selects an angle related to the difference indicator. The widget computes a location in a display screen region associated with the object based on the difference indicator and the selected angle. |
| US09875290B2 |
Method, system and computer program product for using an intermediation function
The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for generating an intermediation function and performing the intermediation function. The first method selects at least one command among a plurality of pre-defined commands stored at a configuration server, configures parameters of the at least one command, processes the at least one command to generate the intermediation function, transmits the intermediation function and the parameters to an intermediation platform, and stores the intermediation function and the parameters at the intermediation platform. The second method receives the intermediation function and parameters from the configuration server, stores the received intermediation function and the parameters at the intermediation platform, receives data from a user based on the parameters, processes the user data with the intermediation function based on the parameters, and transmits information generated by the processing of the user data to a database server. |
| US09875287B1 |
Providing a notification in place of content item
Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, including a method for providing content. A request for content is received from a user device. One or more candidate content items that are responsive to the request are identified from an inventory of content items. For each candidate content item, an expected performance measure associated with a respective candidate content item is determined. The expected performance measure for each respective candidate content item is compared to a predetermined threshold. When none of the candidate content items have an expected performance measure that exceeds the threshold, a notification is generated, including generating one or more queries, responsive to the request for inclusion in the notification. The notification is provided responsive to the request and for presentation to the user in lieu of a content item. |
| US09875285B2 |
Prioritizing items based on user activity
Prioritizing items based on user activity includes determining a user interest based on a current user activity and prioritizing items in a list presented in a display based on the user interest. A method for prioritizing items based on user activity includes: determining a user interest based on a current user activity where said current user activity is an online collaboration activity with at least one collaborator and said user interest is based on group memberships shared with said at least one collaborator; and prioritizing items in a list presented in a display based on said user interest. |
| US09875282B1 |
Database report and subscription technology
Database report subscription technology, in which subscriptions are delivered to multiple, different recipients on a customized basis. In response to detection of an event that triggers generation and delivery of a database report, customized versions of the report are generated for the multiple, different recipients based on a definition of the data used to generate the report included in the subscription, report parameters that define presentation aspects of the report included in the subscription, and profile data associated with at least one of the multiple, different recipients. The customized versions of the report include at least a first version of the report and a second version of the report that differs from the first version of the report and the customized versions of the report are delivered to the multiple, different recipients. |
| US09875279B2 |
Data scanning method and apparatus
A data scanning method and apparatus are provided. The method includes analyzing a data scanning condition carried in a received data scanning request and determining at least one target data partition used to store data, acquiring a scanning cost of the target data partition, where the scanning cost includes waiting time of data scanning, allocating the target data partition to a processing resource according to the scanning cost so as to execute parallel data scanning, and acquiring a scanning result returned by the processing resource. In the present invention, statistics information of a data partition is collected, a scanning cost is acquired, and a target-data-partition operation group is appropriately allocated to a processing resource, thereby shortening waiting time of the whole data scanning. |
| US09875274B2 |
Extensibility of embedded database procedures
Disclosed herein are systems and methods facilitating extensions to software applications that access a database, and in particular to applications with embedded database procedures. In various embodiments, an extension anchor embedded in the application as well as one or more extensions implemented as database procedures are encapsulated in specially marked database-procedure methods. |
| US09875272B1 |
Method and system for designing a database system for high event rate, while maintaining predictable query performance
A computer-implemented database system, method, and computer program product are provided. the database system comprises a plurality of nodes, each node including a data storage device having memory and a server; and a database system controller coupled to each of the plurality of nodes and having a processor and software program code for directing the database system to perform the following function of defining, for a user, a node group including at least one of the plurality of nodes, upon which the user's data is to be stored in a user database; wherein the user database is defined in terms of time-partitioned tables residing on the nodes of the node group, and wherein each time-partitioned table is further defined in terms of shards of the user's data, the shards corresponding with respective ones of the time partitions. The user data is managed in terms of the shards on respective nodes of the node group, and the time-partitioned tables include a chronologically oldest time-partitioned table and a current time-partitioned table into which a new user data entry will be written. The system further performs the functions of determining whether a predetermined criterion has been met; and, responsive to the detecting that the predetermined criterion has been met, purging all shards of the chronologically oldest time-partitioned table. |
| US09875269B1 |
Collaborative editing in self-contained single page applications
A server for editing content using a single page application (SPA). The server comprises a processor, a memory, and a self-contained SPA, that is configured to receive a request from a workstation to edit a selected segment within a file, wherein the file comprises a plurality of segments including the selected segment, determine if the selected segment is locked, wherein locked file segments are unavailable for editing, upon determining that the selected segment is unlocked, provide access to the selected segment to the workstation, lock the selected segment for a period of time, wherein the selected segment is unavailable for editing by any other workstations, receive a save request from the workstation to save changes made to the selected segment, save the changes made in the selected segment within the file, and unlock the selected segment, wherein the unlocked segment is available for editing by any workstation. |
| US09875267B1 |
State-based message generation
In one embodiment, a method includes, upon receiving a first message from a device, updating a table stored in a memory with a state of the device contained in the first message. The method further includes associating the state of the device stored in the table with a timestamp. The method additionally includes, in response to a request for the state of the device, generating a second message that includes from the table the state having an earliest associated timestamp, the second message being previously unseen by the application module. |
| US09875264B2 |
Identifying properties of a communication device
A method (300) of generating information for use in identifying a property of a communication device (10) includes identifying (304) one or more substrings within a character string that identifies the communication device. For each substring, an entry is added (306) to a respective one of a plurality of data structures (800), each data structure being designated for storing substrings that occur at a particular character position within the character string. Each entry is associated (310) with a profile that includes a value of at least one property of the communication device. Also disclosed is a method (1000) of identifying the properties of a communication device based on such previously-generated information. |
| US09875262B2 |
System and method for fetching the latest versions of stored data objects
A distributed storage system may store data object instances in persistent storage and may cache keymap information for those data object instances. The system may cache a latest symbolic key entry for some user keys of the data object instances. When a request is made for the latest version of stored data object instances having a specified user key, the latest version may be determined dependent on whether a latest symbolic key entry exists for the specified user key, and keymap information for the latest version may be returned. When storing keymap information, a flag may be set to indicate that a corresponding latest symbolic key entry should be updated. The system may delete a latest symbolic key entry for a particular user key from the cache in response to determining that no other requests involving the keymap information for data object instances having the particular user key are pending. |
| US09875261B2 |
Data logs management in a multi-client architecture
Systems and methods for data logs management in a multi-client architecture are described. According to the present subject matter, the system(s) implement the described method(s) for efficient data logs management. The method includes identifying purging parameters associated with each entity of the plurality of entities, where the purging parameters signify a mechanism of purging data logs stored in partition corresponding the entity, and where the purging parameters comprises at least criticality point associated with data logs to relinquish storage space. Further, the method includes purging of data logs stored in the partition of the entity based on the purging parameters, wherein the purging relinquishes the storage space. |
| US09875256B2 |
Control method of information terminal and recording medium
A display window is displayed on a display of an information terminal, the display window including a first display area that displays similar medical images received from a case retrieval system and an instruction function that changes the display number of the similar medical images displayed in the first display area. If an instruction by the instruction function is detected, the display size of an individual area for displaying each of the similar medical images is changed while the display size of a sick portion of each of the similar medical images the same size, and hence the display number of the similar medical images displayed in the first display area is changed. |
| US09875255B2 |
Terminal and method for sharing content thereof
A terminal and a method for sharing content are provided. A terminal includes an image acquirer configured to acquire face image data from a camera while content is being displayed, a face recognizer configured to recognize a face included in the face image data, a face change detector configured to detect whether the recognized face is different from a face recognized in a previous image data, a contact searcher configured to, in response to the detection that the recognized face is different from the face recognized in the previous image data, search a contact corresponding to the recognized face, and an information transmitter configured to transmit content usage information to the searched contact. |
| US09875253B2 |
Color sketch image searching
For each image in a collection of images to be searched, the image is represented as a collection of color-edge words, where each color-edge words includes location information, shape information, and color information. The images may be indexed based on the color-edge words. A user-generated sketch is received as a query and represented as a collection of color-edge words. The collection of color-edge words representing the sketch is compared to the image index to identify search results based on a combination of location similarity, shape similarity, and color similarity. |
| US09875251B2 |
Geofence information delivery systems and methods
The present invention is directed to methods and systems for querying a database of geofences, with each geofence in the database being associated with a plurality of geographic coordinate points. The method and system convert an IP address, preferably an IPv6 address, to a geographic coordinate point and identify any geofence anchor points associated with the geographic coordinate point. |
| US09875236B2 |
Analysis object determination device and analysis object determination method
An analysis subject determination device includes: a demand period detection unit which detects, from data corresponding to audio of a dissatisfaction conversation, a demand utterance period which represents a demand utterance of a first conversation party among a plurality of conversation parties which are carrying out the dissatisfaction conversation; a negation period detection unit which detects, from the data, a negation utterance period which represents a negation utterance of a second conversation party which differs from the first conversation party; and a subject determination unit which, from the data, determines a period with a time obtained from the demand period utterance period as a start point and a time obtained from the negation utterance period after the demand utterance period as an end point to be an analysis subject period of a cause of dissatisfaction of the first conversation party in the dissatisfaction conversation. |
| US09875230B2 |
Text analysis on unstructured text to identify a high level of intensity of negative thoughts or beliefs
A method, a processing device, and a computer program product are provided. Via at least one processing device, each text file is selected from a collection of text files, wherein the collection of text files has an intensity with respect to negative sentiment toward a common issue. At least one profile algorithm is performed, each calculating a corresponding profile score for that text file. At least one corresponding profile score of the text files of the collection are combined to produce an aggregated profile score for each of at least one profile algorithm. The aggregated profile score of each of the at least one profile algorithm for the collection is stored. A signature for the collection of text files includes the aggregated profile score of each of the at least one profile algorithm for the collection. |
| US09875229B2 |
Template-based page layout for web content
Page layout of web content is performed based on templates. Publishers publish web content referred to as “sources.” Each source comprises one or more assets from one or more asset types. The asset types include title, subtitle, byline, dateline, pull quote, image, video, audio, caption, and in-line text. A content processing system processes the sources using a conversion module and a rule database. The conversion module restructures a received source into a standardized format of the source, wherein each asset of the source is tagged with an asset type according to rules present in the rule database. A layout module interprets the standardized source, determines one or more templates from a template database to use for the layout of the assets of the source, and lays out the assets of the source based on the selected templates. |
| US09875228B1 |
Systems and methods for preserving conditional styles when copying and pasting between applications
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for copying inherited properties between electronic documents. An input to copy a source child element from a source application editing a source document is received. The source child element inherits a value of a property from another element. An input to paste the copied element into a destination document edited by destination application is received. The copied element is pasted into the destination document. The destination application retrieves instructions to determine a destination child value of the property and uses the instructions to determine the destination child value. The destination child value is consistent with the value which would have been determined had the copied element been pasted into the source document. |
| US09875225B1 |
System, method and computer program product for creating a summarization from recorded audio of meetings
A meeting summarization method, system, and computer program product, include recording meeting audio of a meeting, capturing notes including a time stamp from each of a plurality of users associated with the meeting, synchronizing the recorded meeting audio of the meeting and each of the notes of each of the plurality of users based on a correlation between the time stamp, and analyzing the synchronized meeting audio and notes to determine highlights of the meeting based on a co-occurrence of notes between the plurality of users. |
| US09875224B1 |
Displaying presentation notes
An apparatus, method, and program product for displaying presentation notes includes receiving one or more content elements for a slide of a presentation, determining whether a content element of the one or more content elements is a note element, and overlaying the note element over one or more different content elements presented on the slide such that the note element is visible on the slide. |
| US09875222B2 |
Capturing and storing elements from a video presentation for later retrieval in response to queries
Embodiments of the present invention enable the extraction, classification, storage, and supplementation of presentation video. A media system receives a video signal carrying presentation video. The media system processes the video signal and generates images for slides of the presentation. The media system then extracts text from the images and uses the text and other characteristics to classify the images and store them in a database. Additionally, the system enables viewers of the presentation to provide feedback on the presentation, which can be used to supplement the presentation. |
| US09875214B2 |
Apparatus and method for transferring a plurality of data structures between memory and a plurality of vector registers
An apparatus and method are provided for transferring a plurality of data structures between memory and a plurality of vector registers, each vector register being arranged to store a vector operand comprising a plurality of data elements. Access circuitry is used to perform access operations to move data elements of vector operands between the data structures in memory and specified vector registers, each data structure comprising multiple data elements stored at contiguous addresses in the memory. Decode circuitry is responsive to a single access instruction identifying a plurality of vector registers and a plurality of data structures that are located discontiguously with respect to each other in the memory, to generate control signals to control the access circuitry to perform a sequence of access operations to move the plurality of data structures between the memory and the plurality of vector registers such that the vector operand in each vector register holds a corresponding data element from each of the plurality of data structures. This provides a very efficient mechanism for performing complex access operations, resulting in an increase in execution speed, and potential reductions in power consumption. |
| US09875211B2 |
Signal conditioner for high-speed data communications
A method, signal conditioning circuit, and system are disclosed to perform signal conditioning using a processing component coupled with at least first and second inputs. The processing component is further coupled with a first output port including first and second data lanes operable at different data rates. The method includes receiving, via the first input and at a first data rate, data included in a first input signal, and receiving, via the second input and at a second data rate different from the first data rate, data included in a second input signal. The method further includes driving, based on the first and second input signals, a first output signal onto the first output port, which includes transmitting the data included in the first input signal on the first data lane, and transmitting the data included in the second input signal on the second data lane. |
| US09875207B2 |
Remote terminal unit (RTU) hardware architecture
An apparatus includes a remote terminal unit (RTU) having one or more input/output (I/O) modules and a controller module. Each of the one or more I/O modules includes multiple I/O channels. The controller module includes at least one processing device configured to communicate with at least one industrial field device via the I/O channels of the I/O modules. The controller module includes a first connector, and a first of the one or more I/O modules includes a second connector. The first connector is configured to be physically connected to the second connector, and the first and second connectors are configured to transport data and power directly between the controller module and the first I/O module. |
| US09875206B2 |
Methods and devices for extending USB 3.0-compliant communication
Devices and methods for extending USB-compliant communication distances, including USB 3.0 SuperSpeed communication, are provided. In some embodiments, a host is communicatively coupled to a device that provides an upstream facing port, and a USB device is communicatively coupled to a device that provides a downstream facing port. The upstream facing port and downstream facing port are coupled via a communication channel. In some embodiments, the upstream facing port and downstream facing port generate packets to ensure that timing requirements of the USB specification are met regardless of the latency of the communication channel. |
| US09875204B2 |
System and method for providing a processing node with input/output functionality provided by an I/O complex switch
A processing node of a server rack includes a processor to generate processing node management requests and to process responses to the node management requests, and a communication module to receive the processing node management requests, to transmit over a communication link to a management controller of the server rack external to the processing node a processing node management request, to receive over the communication link from the management controller processing node management information, and to transmit the processing node management information to the processor. |
| US09875199B2 |
Data transfer control apparatus
A data transfer control apparatus controls data transfers between different modules, and includes a module DMA controller configured for a predetermined module, a function DMA controller that provides a function absent in the module DMA controller, and a temporary memory coupled to the module DMA controller and the function DMA controller. When the temporary memory is input with data acquired by the module DMA controller from the predetermined module in order of acquisition, the temporary memory outputs the acquired data to the function DMA controller in order of input. When the temporary memory is input with data to be transferred to the predetermined module from the function DMA controller, the temporary memory outputs the data to be transferred to the module DMA controller in order of input. |
| US09875196B2 |
Method and system for buffer state based low power operation in a MoCA network
A first device of a Multimedia Over Coax Alliance (MoCA) network may communicate with a second device of the MoCA network to control power-save operation of the second MoCA device. The first device may control the power-save operation of the second MoCA device based on an amount of data stored in a buffer, wherein the data stored in the buffer is destined for the second device. The buffer may be in a third device which sends the data to the second device, and/or the buffer may be in the first device. The first device may be operable to buffer data destined for the second device while the second device is in a power-saving state. |
| US09875190B2 |
Delegated media translation layer in a storage appliance
In general, embodiments of the technology relate to writing data to and reading data from storage appliances. More specifically, embodiments of the technology describe a method and system whereby a global control mechanism may be established, with delegation of specific translation activities to particular storage media device. |
| US09875189B2 |
Supporting secure memory intent
A processor for supporting secure memory intent is disclosed. The processor of the disclosure includes a memory execution unit to access memory and a processor core coupled to the memory execution unit. The processor core is to receive a request to access a convertible page of the memory. In response to the request, the processor core to determine an intent for the convertible page in view of a page table entry (PTE) corresponding to the convertible page. The intent indicates whether the convertible page is to be accessed as at least one of a secure page or a non-secure page. |
| US09875183B2 |
Method and apparatus for content derived data placement in memory
Apparatus and method for placing data based on the content of the data in random access memory such that indexing operations are not required. A strong (e.g., cryptographic) hash is applied to a data element resulting in a signature. A weaker hash function is then applied to the signature to generate a storage location in memory for the data element. The weaker hash function assigns multiple data elements to the same storage location while the signature comprises a unique identifier for locating a particular data element at this location. In one embodiment a plurality of weak hash functions are applied successively to increase storage space utilization. In other embodiments, the assigned storage location can be determined by one or more attributes of the data element and/or the storage technology, e.g, long-lived versus short-lived data and/or different regions of the memory having different performance (e.g., access latency memory lifetime) characteristics. |
| US09875178B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling cache memory
A method of controlling a cache memory includes receiving location information of one piece of data included in a data block and size information of the data block; mapping the data block onto cache memory by using the location information and the size information; and selecting at least one unit cache out of unit caches included in the cache memory based on the mapping result. |
| US09875177B2 |
Information processing device and path determination method
An information processing device includes a plurality of processors each of which is coupled to at least some of the plurality of processors. A first processor from among the plurality of processors is configured to calculate a plurality of communication paths between a second processor and a third processor from among the plurality of processors, identify a communication path that does not pass through a processor that is a target of dynamic reconfiguration, as a path to be used, from among the plurality of calculated communication paths, and transmit information on the identified path to be used, to a processor on the identified communication path. The processor that receives from the first processor the information on the identified path executes communication processing between the second processor and the third processor, by using the communication path that is indicated by the received information on the path to be used. |
| US09875175B2 |
Unit-level formal verification for vehicular software systems
According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for preparing a software component for verification is provided. The method may include receiving the software component and a design model. The method may also include generating a wrapper program based on the received software component and the received design model. The method may then include associating the received software component with the generated wrapper program. The method may further include determining a plurality of inputs for the received software component based on the received design model. The method may also include sending the determined plurality of inputs and the received software component with associated wrapper program to a verification tool. |
| US09875174B1 |
Optimizing the execution of an application executing on a programmable execution service
A test environment is created for optimizing the execution of a programmable execution service (“PES”) application. The test environment is created in one embodiment by replicating a production network and one or more production virtual machine instances executing the PES application. Once the test environment has been created, the test environment is utilized to identify optimized values for one or more application parameters consumed by the PES application. The optimized values may be selected to optimize the output of a fitness function that is based upon one or more direct and/or indirect performance metrics associated with the PES application. Once the optimized values for the application parameters have been identified, the generated values are applied to production virtual machine instances executing the PES application. |
| US09875172B2 |
System and method for providing additional functionality to developer side application in an integrated development environment
A developer analytic module executing on an integrated development environment provides location tracing of a software development toolkit and automatic updated of the SDK. The developer analytic module further provides data container transfer functionality to ensure that analytic logic has access to necessary data containers to perform symbolication and/or error detection. |
| US09875167B1 |
Distributed hardware tracing
A computer-implemented method executed by one or more processors, the method includes monitoring execution of program code executed by a first processor component; and monitoring execution of program code executed by a second processor component. A computing system stores data identifying hardware events in a memory buffer. The stored events occur across processor units that include at least the first and second processor components. The hardware events each include an event time stamp and metadata characterizing the event. The system generates a data structure identifying the hardware events. The data structure arranges the events in a time ordered sequence and associates events with at least the first or second processor components. The system stores the data structure in a memory bank of a host device and uses the data structure to analyze performance of the program code executed by the first or second processor components. |
| US09875166B2 |
Method for operating a data processing unit of a driver assistance system and data processing unit
A method for operating a data processing unit of a driver assistance system, the unit including main and slave computers. The main computer ascertains surroundings data from a surroundings detection system by using a processing specification. The slave computer operates a communication interface of the data processing unit, using a communication instruction. The method includes initializing, a first testing, a carrying out, a second testing and a forwarding. In initializing, the main computer, in response to a signal, is initialized by performing an initialization instruction on the main computer. In the first testing, the slave computer, in response to the signal, is initialized by performing a self-test instruction on the slave computer. In the carrying out, the communication instruction is performed on the slave computer to send and/or receive data via the communication interface, when the slave computer is tested and while the main computer is initialized. In the second testing, the main computer is tested by performing a test instruction on the slave computer, when the main computer is initialized. In the forwarding, the surroundings data are forwarded via the communication interface by performing the communication instruction on the slave computer, when the main computer is tested. |
| US09875162B1 |
Recovering corrupt storage systems
A method and system for recovering a corrupt storage system is discussed. A request to recover the system may be received. A backup snapshot for the last point-in-time the system was stable may be synthesized. A difference may be identified between that backup snapshot and the current system. The difference may be transmitted to the corrupt system to recover the data. |
| US09875157B2 |
Manufacturing testing for LDPC codes
A storage system includes a channel detector, an LDPC decoder, and an erasure block. The channel detector is configured to receive data corresponding to data read from a storage and output an LLR signal. The LDPC decoder is configured to receive the LLR signal and output a feedback signal to the channel detector. The erasure block is configured to erase at a portion of at least one of the LLR signal and the feedback signal. A method for testing includes generating an error rate function corresponding to an erasure pattern. The function is a function of a number of LDPC iterations. The method includes determining testing parameters at least in part based on the error rate function, wherein the testing parameters comprise a testing number of LDPC iterations, a passing error rate, and the erasure pattern. The method includes testing storage devices using the testing parameters. |
| US09875155B2 |
Memory device for performing error correction code operation and redundancy repair operation
Provided are a memory device and a memory module, which perform both an ECC operation and a redundancy repair operation. The memory device repairs a single-bit error due to a ‘fail’ cell by using an error correction code (ECC) operation, and also repairs the ‘fail’ cell by using a redundancy repair operation when the ‘fail’ cell is not repairable by the ECC operation. The redundancy repair operation includes a data line repair and a block repair. The ECC operation may change a codeword corresponding to data per one unit of memory cells including the ‘fail’ cell, and may also change the size of parity bits regarding the changed codeword. |
| US09875154B2 |
Non-volatile semiconductor storage device and method of testing the same
Provided is a non-volatile semiconductor storage device which can be downsized with a simple circuit without impairing the function of an error correcting section, and a method of testing the non-volatile semiconductor storage device. An error correction circuit is configured to perform error detection and correction of merely the same number of bits as data bits, and a circuit for performing error detection and correction of check bits is omitted to downsize the circuit. A multiplexer for, in a testing state, replacing a part of the data bits read out from a storage element array with the check bits, and inputting the check bits to the error correction circuit is provided. Thus, error detection and correction of the check bits are performed to enable shipment inspection concerning the check bits as well. |
| US09875152B2 |
Methods for discovery, configuration, and coordinating data communications between master and slave devices in a communication system
Various embodiments of the present invention methods for discovery, configuration, and coordinating data communications between master and slave devices in a communication system. Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to a two-wire point-to-point bus system, although the method can be used in other communication systems. Provisions are included for controlling the sequential powering of the bus and slave devices. |
| US09875150B2 |
Method and system for processing notifications amongst applications of a data processing system
An application manager of an operating system running within a data processing system receives a request from a first daemon via a first application programming interface (API) to present a notification message to a user. In response, the application manager identifies a first of a plurality of applications that have been installed within the operating system based on a unique identifier extracted from the request. The application manager communicates, via a second API, with the first application to obtain a first view controller handle of a first view controller associated with the first application. The application manager invokes, via the first view controller handle, the first view controller to display the notification message obtained from the request. The first view controller is configured to display the notification message in a manner configured by the first application on a display device associated with a data processing system. |
| US09875149B2 |
Preventing sync interruptions
Described herein are techniques performed by an application executing on a computing device. The application may have a graphical user interface (GUI) comprised of graphic objects displayed on a display of the computing device. The application may also have state data managed and stored by the application. The state data may specify features and layout of the GUI. The graphic objects may be displayed according to the state data. The application may dynamically adjust a threshold to different levels by monitoring user interactions with the GUI via an input device and setting the threshold to the different levels according to the user interactions with the GUI. Operations from an external source directed to the GUI are received. Each operation has a corresponding priority specific to the operation. The priorities and threshold levels are compared to determine whether to implement the operations. |
| US09875148B2 |
Detecting deadlocks involving inter-processor interrupts
Creating, maintaining and using a lock dependency graph in a way that includes the following steps: (i) acquiring a first restriction on processor access in a multi-processor computer system; (ii) modeling the first restriction as first locking primitive information; and (iii) storing data corresponding to the first locking primitive information in a lock dependency graph. The first restriction on processor access is one of the following two types: (i) disabling the interrupts on a given processor; and/or (ii) sending inter-processor interrupts with synchronous waiting from one processor to another (including itself). |
| US09875135B2 |
Utility-optimized scheduling of time-sensitive tasks in a resource-constrained environment
Systems and methods implementing utility-maximized scheduling of time-sensitive tasks in a resource constrained-environment are described herein. Some embodiments include a method for utility-optimized scheduling of computer system tasks performed by a processor of a first computer system that includes determining a time window including a candidate schedule of a new task to be executed on a second computer system, identifying other tasks scheduled to be executed on the second computer system within said time window, and identifying candidate schedules that each specifies the execution times for at least one of the tasks (which include the new task and the other tasks). The method further includes calculating an overall utility for each candidate schedule based upon a task utility calculated for each of the tasks when scheduled according to each corresponding candidate schedule and queuing the new task for execution according to a preferred schedule with the highest overall utility. |
| US09875134B2 |
Virtual machine based content processing
A set of techniques is described for enabling a virtual machine based transcoding system. The system enables any transcoding provider to make their transcoding service available to other users over a network. The system can automate the deployment, execution and delivery of the transcoding service on behalf of the transcoding provider and enable other users to use the transcoding services to transcode content. The system receives a virtual machine image, transfers the image to a location where the media content is stored and creates a virtual private network of resources that will perform the transcoding of the media content. The virtual private network may be firewalled or otherwise restricted from opening connections with external clients when transcoding the content in order to prevent malicious use of the media content. |
| US09875131B2 |
Virtual PCI device based hypervisor bypass using a bridge virtual machine
In an example embodiment, a hypervisor exposes a first guest device to a first virtual machine and a second guest device to a second virtual machine. The hypervisor exposes a first virtual host device and a second virtual host device to a third virtual machine. The hypervisor maps a first memory and a second memory into the third virtual machine at a first base address register and a second base address register associated with each virtual host device. The hypervisor sends a first mapping from a first virtual machine and a second mapping from a second virtual machine to the third virtual machine. The hypervisor sends a first address of a first ring of the first guest device and a second address of a second ring of the second guest device to the third virtual machine through the respective virtual host devices. |
| US09875130B2 |
Customizing mirror virtual machine(s)
Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented. The methods include, for instance: synchronizing, by one or more processor, first virtual machine(s) with a second virtual machine, the synchronizing comprising mirroring first input events to the first virtual machine(s); and customizing, by the one or more processor, the first virtual machine(s), the customizing comprising suspending the synchronizing and facilitating sending of second input events to the first virtual machine(s). In one embodiment, the synchronizing comprises cloning the second virtual machine to create the first virtual machine(s), the cloning comprising initializing the first virtual machine(s), and copying second virtual machine state information to the first virtual machine(s). In another embodiment, the customizing comprises decrementing an available first virtual machine counter, and the synchronizing comprises cloning the second virtual machine to create another first virtual machine responsive to the available first virtual machine counter having a certain value. |
| US09875129B2 |
Software application previews
In one implementation, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a computer system and from a first computing device, a request to access a simulation of an application running a second computing device; identifying, by the computer system, one or more types of input that are available on the second computing device and that are not available on the first computing device; generating one or more controls for each of at least a portion of the identified types of input; instantiating, by the computer system, a virtual machine that simulates the second computing device; and providing information to the first computing device that causes i) an interface for the application as executed by the virtual machine to be presented by the first computing device and ii) the generated controls to be presented by the first computing device in association with the interface. |
| US09875128B2 |
Using hypervisor trapping for protection against interrupts in virtual machine functions
A system, methods, and apparatus for using hypervisor trapping for protection against interrupts in virtual machine functions are disclosed. A system includes memory, one or more physical processors, a virtual machine executing on the one or more physical processors, and a hypervisor executing on the one or more physical processors. The hypervisor reads an interrupt data structure on the virtual machine. The hypervisor determines whether the interrupt data structure points to an alternate page view. Responsive to determining that the interrupt data structure points to an alternate page view, the hypervisor disables a virtual machine function. |
| US09875126B2 |
Hash-based load balancing for bonded network interfaces
Systems and methods for hash-based load balancing implemented by bonded network interfaces. An example method may comprise: receiving, by a bonded interface of a computer system, a data link layer frame originated by a virtual machine; identifying a network interface controller (NIC) of the bonded interface by calculating a value of a hash function of an identifier of the virtual machine and at least one of: a destination Media Access Control (MAC) address of the data link layer frame or a destination network layer address of a network layer packet comprised by the data link layer frame; and transmitting the data link layer frame via the identified NIC. |
| US09875120B2 |
Virtualized components in computing systems
The subject disclosure is directed towards virtual components, e.g., comprising software components such as virtual components of a distributed computing system. Virtual components are available for use by distributed computing system applications, yet managed by the distributed computing system runtime transparent to the application with respect to automatic activation and deactivation on runtime-selected distributed computing system servers. Virtualization of virtual components is based upon mapping virtual components to their physical instantiations that are currently running, such as maintained in a global data store. |
| US09875116B2 |
Sharing of a user input interface of an application session of one application between two or more applications
A primary application and a secondary application installed on a mobile communication device are both configured to obtain input from a user of the device through an application session of the primary application. The primary application transmits a notification to cause the secondary application to begin execution in the background. The primary application further transmits a request for user interface (UI) information to the secondary application. Based on UI information received from the secondary application, the primary application generates a graphical user interface (GUI) including an interface for receiving user input relating to the secondary application. The generated GUI is displayed on the device in the application session of the primary application, and user input relating to the secondary application is received in the application session of the primary application. The primary application then transmits to the secondary application user input identified as relating to the secondary application. |
| US09875110B2 |
Dynamic application overlay for remote desktop servers
Examples disclosed herein provide systems, methods, and software to provide individualized applications to remote desktop sessions. In one example, a method of operating a remote desktop server to provide individualized applications to remote desktop users includes identifying a request from a user for a remote desktop session. The method further includes, in response to the request, identifying one or more applications associated with the user that are stored in at least one hidden volume, and virtually overlaying application objects associated with the one or more applications in at least one non-hidden volume. The method also provides initiating the remote desktop session with the at least one non-hidden volume accessible to the user. |
| US09875100B2 |
Accessing data in multi-dimensional tensors
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including an apparatus for processing an instruction for accessing a N-dimensional tensor, the apparatus including multiple tensor index elements and multiple dimension multiplier elements, where each of the dimension multiplier elements has a corresponding tensor index element. The apparatus includes one or more processors configured to obtain an instruction to access a particular element of a N-dimensional tensor, where the N-dimensional tensor has multiple elements arranged across each of the N dimensions, and where N is an integer that is equal to or greater than one; determine, using one or more tensor index elements of the multiple tensor index elements and one or more dimension multiplier elements of the multiple dimension multiplier elements, an address of the particular element; and output data indicating the determined address for accessing the particular element of the N-dimensional tensor. |
| US09875098B2 |
System and method for extracting a business rule embedded in an application source code
Disclosed is a method and system for extracting a business rule embedded in an application source code. The method comprises creating a call structure of one or more programs present in the application source code by performing a control flow analysis on the application source code. The method further comprises recognizing one or more parent programs and one or more child programs for a parent program. The method further comprises grouping the parent program and the one or more child programs into a group. Also, the method comprises identifying one or more conditional statements. The one or more conditional statements comprise the business rule. The one or more conditional statements are identified by comparing the plurality of conditional statements with pre-defined patterns identified from the application source code, and determining a conditional statement comparing a variable with a hard-coded value. The method further comprises mapping the one or more conditional statements with the business rule. |
| US09875094B2 |
Microcode upgrade in a storage system
A method for upgrading microcode in a multi-module storage system may include selecting a first module from two or more modules and operating the first module using an upgraded microcode. The method may include monitoring the performance of the first module by a second module of the two or more modules and rendering an indication of performance of the first module. Further, the method may include determining whether the indication of performance of the first module is greater than or equal to a performance metric. |
| US09875089B2 |
Unaligned instruction relocation
In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes receiving source code to be compiled into an executable file for an unaligned instruction set architecture (ISA). Aligned assembled code is generated, by a computer processor. The aligned assembled code complies with an aligned ISA and includes aligned processor code for a processor and aligned accelerator code for an accelerator. A first linking pass is performed on the aligned assembled code, including relocating a first relocation target in the aligned accelerator code that refers to a first object outside the aligned accelerator code. Unaligned assembled code is generated in accordance with the unaligned ISA and includes unaligned accelerator code for the accelerator and unaligned processor code for the processor. A second linking pass is performed on the unaligned assembled code, including relocating a second relocation target outside the unaligned accelerator code that refers to an object in the unaligned accelerator code. |
| US09875086B1 |
Optimizing performance of applications driven by microservices architecture
An approach is provided in which an information handling system deploys a first microservice included in an application to a first microservice runtime environment (MRE). The information handling system receives a first set of performance metrics corresponding to a performance level of the first microservice in the first MRE, and receives a second set of performance metrics corresponding to a second MRE. Then, the information handling system determines that the first microservice will have a higher performance level in the second MRE than in the first MRE based on comparing the first set of performance metrics against the second set of performance metrics. As a result, the information handling system redeploys the first microservice from the first MRE to the second MRE. |
| US09875081B2 |
Device selection for providing a response
A system may use multiple speech interface devices to interact with a user by speech. All or a portion of the speech interface devices may detect a user utterance and may initiate speech processing to determine a meaning or intent of the utterance. Within the speech processing, arbitration is employed to select one of the multiple speech interface devices to respond to the user utterance. Arbitration may be based in part on metadata that directly or indirectly indicates the proximity of the user to the devices, and the device that is deemed to be nearest the user may be selected to respond to the user utterance. |
| US09875080B2 |
Method and apparatus for an interactive user interface
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to facilitate user interaction with, such as modification of, respective audio objects. An example method may include causing a multimedia file to be presented that includes at least two images. The images are configured to provide animation associated with respective audio objects and representative of a direction of the respective audio objects. The method may also include receiving user input in relation to an animation associated with an audio object or the direction of the audio object represented by an animation. The method may further include causing replay of the audio object for which the user input was received to be modified. |
| US09875079B1 |
Information processing method and system for executing the information processing method
An information processing method includes defining a virtual space for immersing a user wearing a head mounted display (HMD). The virtual space includes a viewpoint of the user, a sound collecting object separated from the viewpoint of the user, and a sound source object. The method includes processing sound data based on a relative positional relationship between the sound collecting object and the sound source object. The method includes instructing a sound outputting unit to output a sound based on the processed sound data. The method includes determining whether or not the viewpoint of the user is moved without synchronization with the movement of the HMD. In response to a determination that the viewpoint of the user is moved without synchronization with movement of the HMD, moving the sound collecting object so that the distance between the moved viewpoint of the user and the sound collecting object is decreased. |
| US09875076B1 |
Remoting client having GPU off-loader
A remoting client can be configured to offload various graphics-based remoting protocol processes to the GPU to thereby free up the CPU for performing other remoting tasks. In this way, a remoting client can be executed on a client terminal that has a less powerful CPU even when a graphics-rich desktop is virtualized on the client terminal. When the remoting client receives remoting communications containing graphics display data, the remoting client can write the graphics display data to a location in memory that is accessible to the GPU and can then pass the graphics display data to the GPU for further processing. The CPU is therefore freed from having to fully process the graphics display data including from having to copy the graphics display data to a display buffer. |
| US09875075B1 |
Presentation of content on a video display and a headset display
In one aspect, a headset includes a housing, a processor coupled to the housing, and a first, at least partially transparent display coupled to the housing and accessible to the processor. The headset also includes storage coupled to the housing and accessible to the processor. The storage bears instructions executable by the processor to identify at least a portion of content presentable on a second display that is not currently presented on the second display and present at least the portion of the content on the first display based on the identification. |
| US09875070B2 |
Method for viewing and printing double-sided items
A method for displaying indicia that is to be printed on a double-sided item on a computer screen. The double-sided item has first and second surfaces. The indicia has at least one print orientation when the indicia is printed on the item's first and second surfaces, and at least one view orientation when the indicia is displayed on the computer screen, which has a vertical orientation. The method includes providing information that characterizes the indicia's print orientation, using the information to compare the print orientation to the vertical orientation; and if, as a result of the comparison, the print orientation does not match the vertical orientation, adjusting the view orientation so the view orientation matches the vertical orientation while maintaining the indicia's print orientation when the indicia is printed on the item. |
| US09875069B2 |
Information processing apparatus, image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus and storage medium
An information processing apparatus includes a selection section. When the information processing apparatus makes an image forming apparatus perform image formation on a presentation file including first information on a first output image and second information on a second target output image associated with the first output image based on the first information and the second information, the selection section selects a target output image on which the image formation is performed from among the second output image. |
| US09875065B2 |
Information processing device that extends service life of non-volatile semiconductor memory and recording medium
An information processing device includes a volatile memory, a non-volatile semiconductor memory, a storage circuit, and a processor. The processor records corresponding update information in a first log area when updating actual data in a first actual data area by the update data. The processor collects the update information recorded in the first log area at a specific timing. The processor writes the collected update information to a second log area. After writing the collected update information, the processor initializes the first log area. When the second log area becomes full, the processor writes the actual data in the first actual data area to the corresponding second actual data area. After writing the actual data, the processor initializes the first log area and the second log area. |
| US09875064B2 |
Storage system architecture for improved data management
According to one embodiment, a storage system includes a first storage and a controller which controls the first storage. The first storage includes a first group which includes a plurality of pages which are data write units and include first nonvolatile memories, and a first counter which counts the number of data writes to the first group. The controller determines whether all the pages in the first group has been written to or not. |
| US09875063B2 |
Method for writing data to a virtual disk using a controller virtual machine and different storage and communication protocols
An administrator provisions a virtual disk in a remote storage platform and defines policies for that virtual disk. A virtual machine writes to and reads from the storage platform using any storage protocol. Virtual disk data within a failed storage pool is migrated to different storage pools while still respecting the policies of each virtual disk. Snapshot and revert commands are given for a virtual disk at a particular point in time and overhead is minimal. A virtual disk is cloned utilizing snapshot information and no data need be copied. Any number of Zookeeper clusters are executing in a coordinated fashion within the storage platform, thus increasing overall throughput. A timestamp is generated that guarantees a monotonically increasing counter, even upon a crash of a virtual machine. Any virtual disk has a “hybrid cloud aware” policy in which one replica of the virtual disk is stored in a public cloud. |
| US09875061B2 |
Distributed backup system
A distributed backup method includes defining a server group having a plurality of server computers, and providing each server computer with an identical backup policy and an identical storage policy. The method also includes transmitting, at each server computer of the server group to every other server computer of the server group, advertisement messages describing available storage space for storing backups, and receiving, at each server computer from the server, at least some of the advertisement messages. The method also includes identifying, at a first server computer using the backup policy, at least a first service to be backed up, selecting a second server computer using the received advertisement messages, transmitting, from the first server computer to the second server computer, a backup including information corresponding to the at least one service, and storing the backup, by the second server computer using the storage policy. |
| US09875057B2 |
Method of live migration
A method of migrating of an application from a source host to a destination host, wherein the application is associated with a plurality of memory pages, the source host comprises a first instance of the application and a source memory region, and each memory page has an associated source memory block in the source memory region, the method comprising: at the destination host, reserving a destination memory region such that each memory page has an associated destination memory block in the destination memory region, a second instance of the application at the destination host; on receipt of an input to the application, processing the input in parallel at the first and second instances at respective source and destination hosts: at the source host, if the processing requires a read or a write call to a memory page, respectively reading from or writing to the associated source memory block; the destination host, if the processing requires a write call to a memory page, writing to the associated destination memory block and if the processing requires a read call to a memory page, sending the read call to the source host requesting that the source host read the memory page from the associated source memory block and provide the memory page to the destination host, and, on receipt of the memory page by the destination host, writing the memory page to the associated destination memory block. |
| US09875056B2 |
Information processing system, control program, and control method
An information processing system includes a plurality of physical machines, in each of which a virtual machine is constructed, and a migration processing unit that executes a migration process for moving a migration source virtual machine, constructed on a migration source physical machine, onto a migration destination physical machine during operation of the migration source virtual machine. The migration processing unit includes a memory data transfer processing unit that transfers first data stored in a first memory of the migration source virtual machine from the first memory to a second memory of the migration destination physical machine, transfers second data written in the first memory during the transfer to the second memory, and, when a transfer completion scheduled time for the first and second data exceeds an allowed time, restricts writing executed on the first memory. |
| US09875052B2 |
Storage capacity allocation using distributed spare space
Method and system are provided for storage capacity allocation. The method includes: providing a storage pool having multiple storage drive arrays; designating an initial available storage capacity in the storage pool; and allocating the remaining storage capacity in the storage pool to distributed spare space, wherein distributed spare space spreads portions of a spare drive across multiple storage drives in an array. The method also includes: monitoring an amount of available storage capacity as data is stored to the storage pool and determining when a threshold of a minimum available storage capacity is reached; and re-allocating one or more distributed spare drives from an array to available storage capacity when the threshold of the minimum available storage capacity is reached. |
| US09875050B2 |
Disk management in distributed storage system including grouping disks into cold and hot data disk rings and reducing a spinning rate of disks storing cold data
A method, computer program product, and computer system are disclosed for disk management in a distributed storage system, wherein the distributed storage system comprises a plurality of disks within a main disk ring, and the disks store target data. In one embodiment, the method comprises dividing the target data into cold target data and hot target data, and grouping one or more disks within the main disk ring into a cold data disk ring and the remaining one or more disks within the main disk ring into a hot data disk ring, based on the cold target data's and the hot target data's positions on disks. The method further comprises migrating the cold target data on disks not within the cold data disk ring onto disks within the cold data disk ring while migrating the hot target data on disks not within the hot data disk ring onto disks within the hot data disk ring, and reducing a spinning rate of disks within the cold data disk ring. |
| US09875045B2 |
Regular expression matching with back-references using backtracking
A device for matching, in input data, a regular expression with back-references, represented by a finite-state machine (FSM). The device comprises a plurality of parallel processing elements (PPEs), an interconnection network for interconnecting the PPEs with each other, and a memory for receiving and storing input data. The PPEs process the input data stored in the memory, based on backtracking to process the back-references, and implement FA next state logic to generate new active FA configurations or mark themselves as available to receive active FA configurations. The interconnection network retrieves active FA configurations from the PPEs and allocates the active FA configurations to available PPEs. The PPEs are configured to match a regular expression in the input data. |
| US09875039B2 |
Method and apparatus for wear-leveling non-volatile memory
Apparatus and method for performing wear leveling are disclosed. An ordered list of references to each of a set of memory blocks is stored. A set of memory blocks in the ordered list is sequentially allocating. The allocated set of memory blocks in the ordered list are erased in the sequence in which they were allocated. |
| US09875036B2 |
Concurrent upgrade and backup of non-volatile memory
An endurance parameter value of a non-volatile memory included in a non-volatile dual in-line memory module (NVDIMM) can be monitored and compared against a warning threshold value. In response to the endurance parameter exceeding the warning threshold value, a system alert can be generated, within a host system of the NVDIMM, to inform a system user that the NVDIMM is approaching its end-of-life. If the endurance parameter exceeds a replacement threshold value greater than the warning threshold value, an upgrade process can be initiated. The upgrade process can include copying data from the first non-volatile memory to a volatile memory of the NVDIMM and copying, in response to the first non-volatile memory being replaced with a second non-volatile memory, the data from the volatile memory to the second non-volatile memory. |
| US09875031B2 |
Data retention management for data storage device
Data is received for storage in at least one memory of a Data Storage Device (DSD) and metadata associated with the received data is generated. The received data and the generated metadata are stored in the at least one memory and the retention of the received data is managed based on the generated metadata. |
| US09875028B2 |
Performance improvement of a capacity optimized storage system including a determiner
A system for storing data comprises a performance storage unit and a performance segment storage unit. The system further comprises a determiner. The determiner determines whether a requested data is stored in the performance storage unit. The determiner determines whether the requested data is stored in the performance segment storage unit in the event that the requested data is not stored in the performance storage unit. |
| US09875023B2 |
Dial-based user interfaces
Concepts and technologies are described herein for dial-based user interfaces. In accordance with the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, a user device presents a dial-based user interface. The dial-based user interface can be configured with user interface controls associated with various options. In response to detecting selection of a user interface control associated with an option having a numeric value, the user device can modify the dial-based user interface to present a numeric adjustment control that can be interfaced with by a user to adjust the numeric value associated with the option. The dial-based user interface also can be modified to show selected options, option states, option values, option selection history, and/or other information. |
| US09875016B2 |
Method and system for persistent ancillary display screen rendering
A method and system for deploying an ancillary display screen of an electronic personal display device in rendering digital content item portions, including a persistent rendering thereof. The method comprises receiving a command to modify a page of e-book content, the page including at least one margin indicia as rendered on the primary display screen, activating the ancillary display screen while displaying the modified page bereft of the at least one margin indicia on the primary display screen; and transitioning display of the at least one margin indicia to the ancillary display screen of the computing device. |
| US09875012B2 |
Media sharing between devices using drag and drop gesture
In an embodiment, a computer memory that is not a transitory has instructions executable by a processor to present on a display of a mobile device a user interface (UI) facilitating media shifting between the mobile device and an audio video device (AVD) separate from the mobile device. The UI has a grid of thumbnails, with each thumbnail being associated with a respective media asset. Responsive to a user touching and dragging a first thumbnail of the grid, a drop region is presented outside the grid indicating that a drop of the thumbnail will cause the media asset associated with the first thumbnail to be presented on the AVD. Responsive to a user releasing the first thumbnail in the drop region, a signal is sent to the AVD to cause the AVD to present the media asset associated with the first thumbnail. |
| US09875010B2 |
Method and a system for performing scrubbing in a video stream
The present disclosure generally relates to providing video, and more particularly to streaming of video. There is described a method and a system for performing scrubbing in a video stream of a video item selected at a media device. The video item is streamed from a server system to the media device. The method comprises dividing the selected video item into a number of segments and selecting a first snippet for each segment, which snippet is pre-buffered. The video stream of a first segment of the selected video item is played at the media device simultaneously as scrubbing to a second segment of the selected video item. When the scrubbing is done the video stream of the first segment stops and the first snippet of the second segment starts playing seamlessly. |
| US09875009B2 |
Hierarchically-organized control galleries
A computing system provides a graphical user interface having hierarchically-organized control galleries. The computing system displays the graphical user interface on a display device. The graphical user interface contains a document area and a control ribbon. The document area contains at least a portion of a document that a user is editing. The control ribbon includes a class control gallery. The class control gallery includes a plurality of class controls associated with different classes of related commands. The computing system displays a variation control gallery containing variation controls in a class associated with a selected one of the class controls. In response to a selection of a variation control in the variation control gallery, the computing system applies a command associated with the variation control to a document in the document area. |
| US09875006B2 |
Pushing a graphical user interface to a remote device with display rules provided by the remote device
A graphical user interface (“GUI”) can be presented on a remote control accessory device that has user input and display devices. The GUI can be defined and managed by a portable media device that is controlled using the GUI. The portable media device can provide the accessory with a GUI image to be displayed. The accessory can send information to the portable media device indicative of a user operation of an input device in response to the displayed image. The portable media device can process this input to identify the action requested by the user and take the appropriate action, which can include updating the GUI image provided to the accessory. |
| US09875002B2 |
Method and apparatus for content browsing and selection
A method includes displaying a left panel and a central panel, where the left panel is contiguous to the central panel and oriented on a left side of the central panel. A first selection on the left panel is detected. Content is displayed on the central panel responsive to the first selection. A second selection from the content on the central panel is detected. The central panel is displayed together with a right panel responsive to the second selection. The right panel is contiguous with the central panel and oriented on a right side of the central panel. The left panel is removed in response to the second selection. A third selection on the right panel is detected. The left panel displays choices. The central panel includes different content associated with one of the choices. The right panel includes functions for operation on selected content. |
| US09875001B2 |
Network device management and visualization
Methods, systems and computer readable media for network device management and visualization are disclosed. |
| US09874999B2 |
Mobile terminal and method for operating same
A method for operating a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: displaying an object list through a display portion; receiving a selection of a specific object form the displayed object list; receiving an input of a tilting gesture for moving the position of the selected specific object; and moving the position of the selected specific object according to the tilting gesture. |
| US09874997B2 |
Social playback queues
An example method involves monitoring, by a computing device, a communications feed for an indication of media and detecting, in the communications feed, the indication of the media. The method may further involve identifying at least one media item corresponding to the indication of the media and causing a playback queue of a media playback system to include one or more of the identified at least one media item. |
| US09874993B2 |
Digital sign network
The disclosed subject matter provides a digital sign with a video camera. The digital sign and video camera are connected via a communications medium to a central computer. The central computer provides a way of changing the images displayed on the digital sign and of disseminating the video from the video camera either through real time forwarding/viewing or recording the real time video stream and playing back the recorded video to a user. The central computer also provides a user interface where an authorized user, which would normally include an authorized governmental entity, can view the video stream and unilaterally interrupt the normally displayed image (or series of images) with an emergency notification message that would display on the digital sign. |
| US09874991B2 |
Progressive tiling
A user interface (UI) is displayed on a display coupled to an electronic device. The UI includes a first area of the UI visible on the display. A non-visible UI element corresponding to a second area of the UI that may be displayed in response to a user input on the electronic device is determined. An image of the non-visible UI element is drawn into a tile in a tile layer that provides a non-visible representation of views associated with the UI, the tile layer stored in a temporary memory area. The image drawn into the tile in the tile layer is compressed. In response to a user input on the electronic device, a representation of the second area of the UI is displayed on the display including the compressed image. |
| US09874990B2 |
System and method of concurrent unobstructed co-browsing and chat messaging
During a co-browsing session between a host computer and an agent computer, a co-browsing window is displayed on a display screen of the host computer. To facilitate concurrent chat messaging, a web browser running on the host computer displays a first chat window at a first area of the display screen. A second chat window is generated based on the first chat window. The first chat window is removed from display at the first area of the display screen, and the second chat window is displayed at a second area of the display screen where the second chat window obstructs less of the co-browsing window than the first chat window did before the first chat window was removed from display at the first area of the display screen. |
| US09874989B1 |
Providing content presentation elements in conjunction with a media content item
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing content presentation elements in conjunction with a media content item. In one implementation, a processing device receives a request for a media content item. The processing device identifies one or more elements of a content presentation context associated with the request. The processing device provides, in response to the request, at least one of the one or more elements of the content presentation context in conjunction with the media content item. |
| US09874988B2 |
Electromagnetic induction panel, electromagnetic induction device including the same, and display device including the same
An electromagnetic induction panel includes a substrate including a first region, a second region, and a third region, a first induction coil arranged along an edge of the first region of the substrate and wound in a first winding direction, a second induction coil arranged along an edge of the second region and wound in a second winding direction opposite to the first winding direction, the second region surrounding the first region, and a third induction coil arranged along an edge of the third region and wound in the second winding direction, the third region surrounding the second region. |
| US09874987B2 |
Double-sided transparent conductive film and touch panel
Provided are a double-sided transparent conductive film which has blocking resistance and a low reflectance, and is inhibited from scattering reflected light to exhibit good visibility; a roll thereof; and a touch panel. The double-sided transparent conductive film of the present invention includes a base material film with an optical adjusting layer laminate and a transparent conductive layer formed in this order on each of both sides, the optical adjusting layer laminate including two or more optical adjusting layers, wherein the optical adjusting layers have different refractive indexes in each of the optical adjusting layer laminates, an anti-blocking layer containing particles is formed between the base material film and at least one of the optical adjusting layer laminates, the anti-blocking layer includes a flat portion, and a protrusion portion resulting from the particles, a value obtained by subtracting a value of a thickness of the flat portion of the anti-blocking layer from a value of a mode diameter of the particles is larger than a value of a thickness of the optical adjusting layer laminate, and the optical adjusting layer laminates each have a thickness of not less than 60 nm and not more than 250 nm. |
| US09874985B2 |
Touch window
A touch window includes a substrate including an active area and an unactive area. A sensing electrode is disposed on the active area and includes a sensing electrode pattern of meshed lines, wherein linearity of the sensing electrode pattern is in a range of ±40 μm to ±100 μm. |
| US09874983B2 |
Electrode combining for noise determination
In a method of capacitive sensing, a first plurality of sensor electrodes of a sensor electrode pattern is coupled, in a first configuration, to input channels of a processing system. The sensor electrode pattern is associated with a sensing region. The first configuration of the first plurality sensor of electrodes is utilized to acquire a measurement of current. A noise environment is determined through analysis of the measurement of current. At least one subset of the first plurality of sensor electrodes is coupled, in a second configuration, to the input channels. The second configuration and the first configuration are different. The second configuration of the first plurality of sensor electrodes is utilized to acquire capacitive resulting signals. |
| US09874982B2 |
Touch panels and methods of manufacturing touch panels
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention discloses a method of manufacturing a touch panel, the method including, forming a plurality of sensing cells in a first region of a substrate, forming an insulating interlayer on the plurality of sensing cells, removing at least a portion of the insulating interlayer to form contact holes exposing the plurality of sensing cells, and forming a connection pattern and a transparent conductive pattern on the insulating interlayer simultaneously, wherein the connection pattern is electrically connected to adjacent sensing cells, and the transparent conductive pattern is disposed in a second region of the substrate outside of the first region. |
| US09874978B2 |
Partial detect mode
The disclosure relates to a touch sensitive system comprising a touch sensitive panel defining a touch surface, a plurality of emitters configured to emit light into the panel for propagation in the panel, a plurality of detectors configured to detect the light propagating in the panel, a plurality of distributed control devices each configured to control operation of a segment of emitters and detectors, a main control unit configured to control the distributed control devices. The touch sensitive system is configured to be set in a partial detect mode in which mode a first of the distributed control devices is configured to be active and to control a first emitter to emit light in a partial region of the panel coincident with a partial area of the touch surface. The touch sensitive system is further configured to detect a predetermined gesture on the partial area of the touch surface, generate a gesture signal indicating the predetermined gesture, and activate a feature of the touch sensitive system in accordance with the predetermined gesture. The disclosure also relates to a method in connection with the touch sensitive system. |
| US09874977B1 |
Gesture based virtual devices
A sequence of 3D hand poses may be used to define a hand gesture, and different hand gestures may be represented by different sequences of poses. One or more hand gestures may be used to generate a virtual input device. Another one or more hand gestures may subsequently be used to provide input via the virtual input device. |
| US09874976B2 |
Touch sensor, display device, and electronic apparatus
A touch sensor includes a sensor electrode having an electrostatic capacitance for touch detection, and a touch detection circuit detecting a contact or proximity position of an object on the basis of a detection signal obtained from the sensor electrode by applying a touch sensor drive signal to the sensor electrode. The sensor electrode is split into plural stripe-like electrode patterns. Applying the touch sensor drive signal to part of the electrode patterns forms a drive line at that time. The touch detection circuit performs a detection on the basis of a first detection signal obtained from a first drive line formed in a first period, and a second detection signal obtained from a second drive line formed in a second period. |
| US09874972B2 |
Systems and methods for decoupling image generation rate from reporting rate in capacitive sensing
The embodiments described herein provide devices and methods that facilitate improved input device resistance to the effects of errors that may be caused by the motion of detected objects on such input devices, and in particular, to the effect of blurring and/or fragmenting. The devices and methods provide improved resistance to the effects of such errors by decoupling the image generating interval from the reporting interval. Specifically, the devices and methods enable the determination of the reporting rate independently of the period over which images of sensor values are generated. The devices and methods enable independent determination of the reporting rate by facilitating the setting of a second period, where images of sensor values are generated over a first period and the reporting interval is determined to include at least the sum of the first period and the second period. |
| US09874964B2 |
Flat joystick controller
A controller device to interface with a computer gaming system includes a body having a handle and an object disposed at one end of the handle. A touch surface is disposed on one side of the handle. The touch surface has an indicator that is identified by a surface characteristic on the touch surface. The touch surface provides an area for receiving directionality control in response to interfacing by a finger of a user. In addition to the touch surface, a plurality of buttons are disposed on the body. A circuitry is disposed in the body of the controller. The circuitry is configured to receive data indicative of a directionality control and transmit the data to a game console for impacting an action by a program executing on the computer gaming system. |
| US09874962B2 |
Touch display apparatus and method for fabricating the same
A method of fabricating a touch display apparatus is provided which includes: forming a first substrate on a first carrier; forming an assembly part on a second carrier, wherein the assembly part includes a second substrate, a third substrate and a touch sensing layer interposed therebetween, and the third substrate is relatively near a side of the second carrier; assembling the first substrate and the assembly part such that a display layer is formed between the first substrate and the assembly part; and at least removing the first carrier. |
| US09874960B2 |
Touch screen, method for manufacturing the same, and display device
The present invention has disclosed a touch screen, comprising: a substrate; at least one first electrode formed on the substrate; at least one second electrode formed on the substrate, the first electrode and the second electrode having different extending directions, and there being an intersecting area between a vertical projection of the first electrode on the substrate and a vertical projection of the second electrode on the substrate; and a first protection layer formed at least at the intersecting area between the first electrode and the second electrode; wherein, the substrate is provided with a groove at the intersecting area between the first electrode and the second electrode so as to at least receive therein a portion of the first electrode located within the intersecting area. The present invention has also disclosed a display device and a method for manufacturing the touch screen. The present invention is provided to prevent two electrodes in two different layers from electrically contacting with each other and to ensure the yield of the touch screen to some extent. |
| US09874957B2 |
Deformable wearable electronic device
A wearable electronic device includes: a flexible display divided into a plurality of blocks, at least one block among the plurality of blocks configured to be folded, and at least one magnetic element disposed at both ends of the at least one block configured to be folded, said magnetic element configured to connect unfolded blocks to each other from among the plurality of blocks by connecting both ends of the at least one block configured to be folded when the at least one block configured to be folded is folded. |
| US09874956B2 |
Touch panel and three-dimensional cover plate thereof
A three-dimensional cover plate includes a transparent substrate, a side panel, and a first binding layer. The side panel is bonded to a part of the transparent substrate, and the first binding layer is disposed between the transparent substrate and the side panel to bond the transparent substrate and the side panel. |
| US09874955B2 |
Vibration control device, touch panel input apparatus, and vibration control method
In the use of a touch panel which vibrates in synchronization with a touch operation, discomfort caused by a panel vibration sound is reduced while an operational feeling of a touch operation on the touch panel being maintained. A vibration control device that is used for a touch panel which vibrates in synchronization with a touch operation, includes a sound data acquirer that acquires sound data of a surrounding sound of the touch panel; a predominant frequency acquirer that extracts a predominant frequency of the surrounding sound from the acquired sound data; a consonant sound determiner that determines a consonant sound frequency based on the extracted predominant frequency, the consonant sound frequency being a frequency of a sound which is in consonant with a sound having the extracted predominant frequency; and a vibrational frequency setter that sets a vibrational frequency of the touch panel to the determined consonant sound frequency. |
| US09874954B2 |
Touch panel and fabrication method thereof
A touch panel and a fabricating method thereof are provided in the instant disclosure. The touch panel having a non-display area and a display area includes a shielding layer disposed on a side of a substrate and defining the non-display area on the substrate; a sensing electrode layer disposed on the substrate at the same side as the shielding layer, wherein at least one portion of the sensing electrode layer is disposed on a surface of the substrate in the display area; a first protecting layer disposed in the display area and covering the sensing electrode layer; and a second protecting layer disposed in the non-display area and covering the shielding layer. By modifying the structure of the protecting layer, the height difference between the sensing electrode layer and the shielding layer may not cause the color difference due to the non-uniform protecting layer. |
| US09874953B2 |
Vehicle operating system and information device
A vehicle operating system includes an operating device disposed in a vehicle compartment and an in-vehicle device equipped to the vehicle and selecting graphical user interface displayed on a display device corresponding to selection manipulation made to the operating device. The operating device includes a base capable of being disposed by a user, a rotatable knob supported by the base, a posture detector detecting an attachment posture of the operating device, a connection unit connectable to the in-vehicle device, a manipulation signal output unit outputting a manipulation signal of the rotatable knob, and a posture signal output unit outputting an attachment posture signal. The in-vehicle device includes a display control unit controlling the display device to display the graphical user interface corresponding to the attachment posture signal, and a selection display unit controlling the display device to perform selection display of the graphic user interface corresponding to the manipulation signal. |
| US09874952B2 |
Vehicle user interface (UI) management
According to one or more aspects, a system for vehicle user interface (UI) management includes an interface component, an operation component, a presentation logic, and a rendering component. The interface component may include a display portion located at a first position and an input portion located at a second position different than the first position. The input portion may receive one or more user inputs and include a touch sensitive portion, a first button, and a second button. The operation component may select one or more modes for a UI based on one or more of the user inputs. The presentation logic may generate one or more objects based on a selected mode and presence information associated with one or more of the user inputs. The rendering component may render one or more of the objects to form a composite image at the display portion. |
| US09874948B2 |
Mouse device with movable signal input module
A mouse device with a movable signal input module includes a housing, a control module, and a signal input module. The signal input module is movably disposed in the housing and coupled to the control module. The signal input module includes a roller partially protruding from the housing. The signal input module is linearly movable relative to the housing along a travelling direction to allow the roller to in sync linearly move relative to the housing along the travelling direction. |
| US09874944B2 |
System, method and device for foot-operated motion and movement control in virtual reality and simulated environments
A virtual reality device, system and methodology for video games or other applications with a foot-operated controller to allow for hands free three-dimensional movement. The foot-based controller allows users to move in all directions without using their hands, and it accepts input based on specific movements from the user, particularly from the feet, a foot and/or toes of a user. The controller can be wired or wireless for convenience, and makes the user's foot or feet the primary method of input for movement in virtual spaces. |
| US09874942B2 |
Control system for augmenting a portable touch screen device
Presented is a control system for augmenting a portable touch screen device having integral processing capability. The control system includes an enclosure configured for encasing the portable touch screen device, an internal docking connector configured for communicatively mating with the portable touch screen device, and hard buttons. At least one of the hard buttons is functionally configured for use with an application program running on the portable touch screen device. The control system includes further includes a processor configured for converting button actuations into a digital format, and a first facility for communicating the digital format to the portable touch screen device via the internal docking connector. The application program is configured such that, during operation, the application program communicates the status of the one hard button to at least one external device. |
| US09874939B2 |
Using a gesture to evaluate displayed information and initiate an operation of a vehicle system
An optical system which is designed to detect a gesture, and a processing unit that is coupled to the optical system and is designed to analyze the detected gesture, are included in a gesture evaluation system. The gesture evaluation system furthermore has a utilization unit that is designed to save an evaluation that has been detected from the gesture together with evaluated information. |
| US09874938B2 |
Input device and detection method
An input device includes: a memory configured to store a length of a finger; and a processor configured to obtain a depth image that includes a hand and has pixel values corresponding to a distance from a camera to subjects including the hand, detect a hand area that corresponds to the hand from among the subjects, from the depth image, identify a tip end of the hand area and a base of the finger, identify a first three-dimensional position that corresponds to the tip end and a second three-dimensional position that corresponds to the base, based on the pixel values of the depth image, identify a direction from the second three-dimensional position to the first three-dimensional position, calculate a third three-dimensional position that corresponds to a fingertip of the finger based on the direction and the length, and generate an input signal according to the third three-dimensional position. |
| US09874932B2 |
Avoidance of color breakup in late-stage re-projection
One embodiment provides a method to display video such as computer-rendered animation or other video. The method includes assembling a sequence of video frames featuring a moving object, each video frame including a plurality of subframes sequenced for display according to a schedule. The method also includes determining a vector-valued differential velocity of the moving object relative to a head of an observer of the video. At a time scheduled for display of a first subframe of a given frame, first-subframe image content transformed by a first transform is displayed. At a time scheduled for display of the second subframe of the given frame, second-subframe image content transformed by a second transform is displayed. The first and second transforms are computed based on the vector-valued differential velocity to mitigate artifacts. |
| US09874930B2 |
Selection of power in power over ethernet systems
Embodiments described herein include a Power over Ethernet (PoE) enabled device that uses 2-event classification when allocating power to coupled powered devices (PDs). If the 2-event classification is successful, power sourcing equipment (PSE) on the PoE device allocates a maximum power allotment to the PD. Once powered on, the PD may determine it does not require the maximum power allotment and negotiate a reduction in the power allotted to the PD. |
| US09874927B2 |
Method and apparatus for precision CPU maximum power detection
A power detection circuit includes a sense element to convey current from a source to a load, a compensating reference element located proximate to the sense element, a comparator, and a precision current sink. The comparator includes a first input coupled to the sense element, a second input coupled to the compensating reference element, and an output. The comparator is configured to assert a signal on the output in response detecting that a first voltage on the first input equals a second voltage on the second input. The precision current sink is coupled to the second input of the comparator and is configured to pull constant current through the compensating reference element based on a predetermined power threshold. |
| US09874926B2 |
Distribution of tasks among asymmetric processing elements
Techniques to control power and processing among a plurality of asymmetric cores. In one embodiment, one or more asymmetric cores are power managed to migrate processes or threads among a plurality of cores according to the performance and power needs of the system. |
| US09874924B1 |
Equipment rack power reduction using virtual machine instance migration
Systems and methods are directed to migrating virtual machine instances between equipment racks of, for example, a data center such that one or more of the equipment racks can be emptied of all active virtual machine instances. Power then can be reduced or completely shut off the racks emptied of their active virtual machine instances. Cooling for such racks also can be reduced. Energy and costs to operate and cool the racks thus are saved. Such techniques are particular beneficial during periods of reduced network activity (e.g., at night and on weekends). Also, all virtual machine instances running in a particular room of a data center can be migrated to server computers running elsewhere to thereby permit utilities (e.g., power, cooling) to the room to be reduced or shut down completely. |
| US09874923B1 |
Power management for a self-powered device scheduling a dynamic process
A device comprising a battery, a memory, a data acquisition circuit and a processor. The sensors may sample a current state of a dynamic process. The data acquisition circuit may have a first clock rate based on a sampling rate of the dynamic process. The data acquisition circuit may read sensor information from the sensors. The processor may have a second clock rate. The processor may process the sensor information and generate a monitoring signal based on at least one of the sensor information, a model of the dynamic process and a desired state of the dynamic process. The processor may schedule procedures for the device and determine computation times for the procedures based on context information. The second clock rate is faster than the first clock rate. The procedures are scheduled based on the sampling rate, the computation times for the procedures and opportunities to enter a standby mode to conserve power. |
| US09874921B2 |
Intelligent switch capacitor
The present invention relates to an intelligent switch capacitor, which comprises a shell. The shell is provided with a capacitor core internally. A temperature sensor is arranged on the capacitor core. A top end of the capacitor core is connected to an intelligent switch wiring board. The intelligent switch wiring board is connected to a single chip computer, a capacity-switch, a temperature measurement module, a current measurement module and a current harmonic component measurement module, wherein the capacitor switch is connected to the capacitor core in an inner triangle way. Beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. A switch and a power capacitor are integrated into a whole, which can implement quick capacity-switching and cutting of the switch; 2. The capacitor has an electronic thermal protection function; 3. Possibilities of capacitor damages and power grid accidents caused by resonance of a PFC capacitor in a power grid system are eliminated completely; 4. A power capacitor loss is reduced. |
| US09874917B2 |
Adaptive power capping in a chip
Adaptive power capping in a chip that includes a plurality of cores in a processing system is provided. An active power demand for the chip is dynamically determined based on observed events of the cores. An average temperature of the chip is computed using one or more on-chip thermal sensors in the cores to estimate leakage power of the chip. A power capping threshold that incorporates the estimate of leakage power is determined based on the average temperature of the chip. Power capping is performed by throttling the cores based on determining that the active power demand for the chip exceeds the power capping threshold. |
| US09874916B2 |
Device registration apparatus and device registration method
A device registration apparatus includes: a transmitting unit that transmits, to an electric device, a state shift command for shifting the electric device to a specific state; a receiving unit that receives, from a power feed tap, tap identification information, electric-power information that indicates an electric power measured at each outlet, and outlet identification information for identifying an outlet that corresponds to each piece of the electric-power information; a determining unit that, when, in the electric-power information that is received during a predetermined time period after the state shift command is transmitted, electric power information of only one outlet indicates a change in an electric power when the electric device shifts to the specific state, determines that the electric device is connected to the outlet; and an associating unit that stores device identification information in association with outlet identification information on the outlet and the tap identification information. |
| US09874914B2 |
Power management contracts for accessory devices
Power management contracts for accessory devices are described. In one or more implementations, a power management contract is established for a system including a host computing device and an accessory device based at least in part upon power exchange conditions observed for the system. The power management contracts define operating constraints for power exchange between components of the system, including at least a power exchange direction and current limits. The host computing device and accessory devices are each configured to renegotiate the power management contract to dynamically change operating constraints in “real-time.” Additionally, different power management contracts may be associated with identifying data corresponding to different types of accessory devices. |
| US09874911B2 |
Apparatus and method for resetting to factory default with bootloader program
The present principle generally relate to resetting of an electronic device, and particularly, to resetting of an electronic device to factory default of settings if a reset button is pressed for more than a certain amount of time such as, e.g., ten seconds. The amount of time the reset button is pressed is monitored by a bootloader program after a reboot of the processor. The present principles allow the use of the same reset button for two different functions: a normal power off-on reset and a reset to the factory default. The present principles also allow the electronic device to be reset to the factory default even if the main software of the electronic device is locked up (i.e., non-functioning). |
| US09874907B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a cover window having a display region and a non-display region surrounding the display region on a same plane, an optical sensor member including a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, the optical sensor member being adjacent a first surface of the cover window and overlaps the non-display region, a color layer at a portion of the first surface of the cover window facing the optical sensor member, the portion overlapping the non-display region, the color layer defining at least one hole corresponding to the optical sensor member, and a polarizing member at a portion of the first surface of the cover window exposed by the hole. |
| US09874906B1 |
Bendable display apparatus and supporting device
A supporting device includes a hinge module and two buffering modules respectively installed on two opposite sides of the hinge module. Each buffering module includes an internal linking member fixed on the hinge module, an external linking member slidably disposed on the internal linking member, and an elastic member connected to the internal linking member and the external linking member. The hinge module is bendable between an unfolded position and an outwardly folded position. When the hinge module is at the unfolded position, the supporting device is a flat construction, and the elastic members are configured to block the external linking members to move away from the pivots. When the hinge module is at the outwardly folded position, the supporting device is a curved construction and the internal linking members are arranged at the inner side of the curved construction. |
| US09874902B2 |
Mobile device docking station
A mobile computing device docking station is provided. The device includes an open enclosure comprising a curved inner surface. A first wall forms a first portion of the open enclosure. A second wall forms a second portion of the open enclosure, the second wall is opposite the first wall, and the first wall extends higher in a direction of an opening of the open enclosure than the second wall. A protrusion extends from the curved inner surface between the first wall and the second wall. Further provided is a combination mobile computing device and docking station and a method of projecting sound emitted by a mobile computing device. |
| US09874897B2 |
Integrated inductor
An integrated inductor assembly includes a magnetic core including a center leg in parallel with a first outer leg and a second outer leg on either side of the center leg. A first set of windings of a first inductor are wrapped around the center leg, the first outer leg of the magnetic core, and the second outer leg of the magnetic core. A second set of windings of a second inductor are also wrapped around the center leg, the first outer leg, and the second outer leg of the magnetic core. The first set of windings and the second set of windings include center windings wrapped around the center leg of the magnetic core, first outer windings wrapped around the first outer leg of the magnetic core, and second outer windings wrapped around the second outer leg of the magnetic core. |
| US09874896B2 |
Voltage-current converter, and corresponding device and method
A voltage-current converter includes a first input stage and a second input stage with a first transistor and a second transistor driven by the first input stage and by the second input stage, respectively. First and second current generators are coupled to current lines of the first transistor and of the second transistor. At least one resistor couples the current lines of the first transistor and of the second transistor, where the ends of the aforesaid resistor are coupled to feedback terminals of the input stages so that an input voltage applied between voltage input terminals of the input stages is converted into a current on respective current output terminals of the converter. The converter includes switching circuits for coupling the first and second current generators alternately to the current line of the first transistor and to the current line of the second transistor. |
| US09874894B2 |
Temperature stable reference current
A circuit for generating a constant current includes a first current generator that conducts a first current based upon a supply voltage and a resistive element and that generates a first mirrored current based on the current, a second current generator that generates a second current based on the first current wherein the second mirrored current decreases as the current increases and decreases as the current increases and a summing circuit for summing currents proportional to said first and second currents to generate an output current. |
| US09874889B1 |
Voltage regulator
Aspects of the disclosure provide a regulator circuit including an output circuit, an error detection circuit and an intermediate circuit. The output circuit is configured to receive a first supply voltage, output and regulate a second supply voltage based on a control signal. The error detection circuit is responsive to the first supply voltage, and is configured to compare the second supply voltage with a reference voltage, and generate an error signal with a voltage level that is indicative of a difference between the second supply voltage and the reference voltage. The intermediate circuit is configured to generate a first electrical current based on the error signal and a second electrical current based on the second supply voltage, combine the first electrical current and the second electrical current to generate a third electrical current, and generate the control signal at least partially based on the third electrical current. |
| US09874888B2 |
Adaptive control for linear voltage regulator
In one example, a circuit includes a voltage source, a pass module, a differential amplifier module, and a control module. The pass module is configured to electronically couple, using a channel having a resistance, the voltage source and a load and to modify the resistance of the channel based on a control signal. The differential amplifier module is configured to generate a differential signal based on a comparison of a voltage reference and a representation of a voltage at the load. The control signal is based on the differential signal. The control module is configured to generate the representation of the voltage at the load according to a transfer function. The transfer function includes a zero positioned substantially at a crossover frequency of the transfer function. |
| US09874883B2 |
Diaphragm interface apparatus to improve a cycle life of a diaphragm
Diaphragm interface apparatus to improve a cycle life of a diaphragm are described. An example fluid regulator includes a fluid flow passageway between an inlet and an outlet, where a sensing chamber defines a portion of the fluid flow passageway. A diaphragm senses a pressure in the sensing chamber and a diaphragm interface adjacent the sensing chamber has a curved surface to contact a portion of the diaphragm that moves in response to pressure changes in the sensing chamber. The curved surface affects an amount of stress imparted to the portion of the diaphragm during operation of the fluid regulator. |
| US09874882B2 |
Automatic smart watering apparatus
The present invention provides a smart water flow apparatus capable of maintaining a desired level of water in a reservoir using sensor technology while having an override or shutoff feature that is programmable to address variations in water pressure or to prevent flooding due to sensor malfunction or power failure. |
| US09874878B2 |
System and method for adaptive multi-scale perception
A system and method of adaptive multi-scale perception of a target for an aircraft, includes receiving sensor signals indicative of aircraft information with respect to the target; selecting one or more sensor devices in response to the receiving of the aircraft information; receiving sensor information from the one or more sensor devices indicative of the target; dynamically selecting sensor processing parameters for the one or more sensor devices; and analyzing the sensor information from the selected sensor devices and using the selected sensor processing parameters. |
| US09874875B2 |
Mobile robot and method for docking the mobile robot with charging station
The present invention relates to a mobile robot and a method for docking the mobile robot with a charging station.The method for docking a mobile robot with a charging station according to the present invention includes a step of photographing peripheral images when the mobile robot receives a charging command signal from a user terminal; a step of determining whether the charging station is recognized or not based on the peripheral images; a step of generating a robot-driving command signal for determining whether the mobile robot should be moved or not and which direction the mobile robot should be moved depending on a result of the previous determination; a step of determining whether the mobile robot faces the front of the charging station or not when the mobile robot starts to move in accordance with the robot-driving command signal and then approaches the charging station; a step of generating a rotation command signal for rotating the charging station depending on a result of previous determination and transmitting the rotation command signal to the charging station; a step of docking the mobile robot with the charging station by driving the mobile robot when the charging station is rotated in accordance with the rotation command signal.In this way, according to the present invention, a speedy and accurate docking becomes possible by rotating the charging station for the mobile robot to be accurately docked with the charging station. |
| US09874872B2 |
Methods and devices for heart rate controlling drones
A method for controlling a drone including performing operations on a processor configured to control location of the drone are described. The operations on the processor include receiving heart rate messages from a remote device carried by a user, where each heart rate message includes heart rate information of the user, and receiving location messages from the remote device carried by the user, where each location message includes location information of the user. The method includes predicting a future location of the user based on the heart rate messages and the location messages, generating a target location to which the drone is to be moved based on the future location of the user, and commanding the drone to move to the target location. Related devices are disclosed. |
| US09874871B1 |
Method to dynamically adjusting steering rates of autonomous vehicles
In one embodiment, a number of steering rate candidates are determined for a steering control command of operating an autonomous vehicle. For each of the steering rate candidates, a number of individual costs are calculated for the steering rate candidate by applying a plurality of cost functions, each cost function corresponding to one of a plurality of cost categories. A total cost for the steering rate candidate is determined based on the individual costs produced by the cost functions. One of the steering rate candidates having a lowest total cost is selected as a target steering rate. A steering control command is generated based on the selected steering rate candidate to control a steering wheel of the autonomous vehicle. |
| US09874867B2 |
Clustered automation platform based on data distribution service middleware
A clustered automation platform includes a plurality of distributed autonomous junction boxes connected to a master autonomous junction box, wherein each of the distributed autonomous junction boxes is configured to connect to one or more process measurement and control devices. The clustered automation platform also includes a fault-tolerant local area Ethernet network configured to interconnect the master autonomous junction box with a fault-tolerant input/output system server and a fault-tolerant control server. The clustered automation platform also includes a plurality of virtual local area networks partitioned from the fault-tolerant local area Ethernet network, a plurality of virtual control modules virtualized from the fault-tolerant control server, and a plurality of virtual operation areas virtualized from the fault-tolerant input/output system server. The clustered automation platform also includes real-time DDS middleware configured to interconnect hardware components with virtual components of the clustered automation platform. |
| US09874862B2 |
Method and device to monitor and analyze biosignal of user
A method and device to monitor and analyze a biosignal are provided. The device may measure a biosignal from a user of the device, analyze an emotion event associated with the user of the device based on the biosignal, and generate a control command in response to a result of analyzing the emotion event. The generated control command may be used to control an external device. |
| US09874861B2 |
Position control apparatus and method for reducing calculation time and detecting an encode error of an incremental signal
A controller calculates an absolute position of an object based on at least three position detection signal. In performing position control of an object using a position calculation result, the controller controls a position of the object using a calculation result based on a first position detection signal. Further, in a case where a predetermined relation is not established between the calculation result based on the first position detection signal and a calculation result based on the first and a second position detection signals, the controller calculates an absolute position, and corrects the calculation result based on the first position detection signal using the calculated absolute position. |
| US09874855B2 |
Electronic clock movement comprising an analog display of several items of information
An electronic clock mechanism includes an analog display device including a ring of dates and a stopwatch hand associated with a graduation of a small counter. The ring and hand are driven by a same electric motor via a permanent gear train, the hand being mounted on a wheel of the permanent gear train, the wheel arranged between a motor pinion and a movable element including a date driving wheel. The ring and date driving wheel respectively include two sets of teeth forming a permanent gear having a relatively large clearance to define a dead angle region for the date driving wheel as the ring is positioned by a jumper. The dead angle region is used to drive the stopwatch hand independently of the ring. The permanent gear train is arranged such that torque for positioning the rotor creates for the date driving wheel a blocking torque for shock-resistance. |
| US09874853B2 |
Image forming apparatus
A protective member is provided in a detachably attachable manner on a side wall of a sheet feeding cassette such that an opening cover of an image forming apparatus does not come into contact with a sheet guide surface. In a drawing out direction of a cassette storing sheets, a range in which an upper surface of the protective member extends overlaps at least a portion of a range in which the sheet guide surface extends. The upper surface of the protective member is vertically positioned at a position higher than a position of the sheet guide surface. |
| US09874852B2 |
Heater member for the fuser assembly of an electrophotographic imaging device
A fuser assembly, including a heat transfer member; a backup member disposed adjacent the heat transfer member so as to form a fuser nip; a frame in which the heat transfer member and the backup member are at least partly disposed; and a cover member pivotably coupled to the frame so as to pivot between a closed position and an open position, the cover member in the open position providing an opening for accessing and withdrawing a sheet of media disposed in the fuser assembly. A latch mechanism selectively latches the cover member to the frame and including a lever member disposed relative to an outer surface of the cover member such that movement of the lever member by a single hand of a user unlatches the cover member from the frame for moving the cover member to the open position. |
| US09874850B2 |
Image forming apparatus with cover connector
An image forming apparatus includes an exterior cover, a connector, and an upper exterior member disposed above the exterior cover. The upper exterior member includes a groove portion and projections. In the upper exterior member, the groove portion is formed so as to extend from a first end closer to the connector to a second end closer to one of left and right side ends of the exterior cover. The projections are formed so as to project upward from a lower edge portion of an opening of the groove portion. A cable connected to the connector is inserted in the groove portion. The projections prevent the cable from being dropped from the groove portion. |
| US09874844B2 |
Image forming system and image forming apparatus
An image forming system includes: an image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a paper sheet; a toner amount sensing device including a reading unit configured to read the paper sheet having the image formed thereon by the image forming apparatus; a charging device including a charging unit configured to electrically charge the paper sheet having the image formed thereon by the image forming apparatus; and a control unit configured to acquire an amount of toner adhering to the paper sheet by reading the paper sheet with the reading unit, and control the charging unit based on the amount of toner. |
| US09874843B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a detecting portion to detect a test toner image formed on an image bearing member, and a shielding member is provided between the detecting portion and the image bearing member and reciprocates between first and second positions. A first opposing portion includes a first member opposed to the image bearing member and provided at a position opposing the image bearing member through an opening in a process of movement of the shielding member, an electrically grounded electroconductive member is disposed in a side opposite a side of the first member opposed to the image bearing member; and a second opposing portion is disposed opposed to the image bearing member and provided at position opposing the image bearing member through the opening in the process of movement of the shielding member from the second position to the first position. |
| US09874841B2 |
Fixing device that stably ensures clearance between separating member and fixing roller, and image forming apparatus that includes the same
A fixing device includes a fixing member that is heated, a pressure member, a fixed housing, a movable housing, a moving mechanism, a separating member, a regulating portion, and a link member. The link member is interposed between the movable housing and the separating member. In a pressurized state, the separating member turns about a support shaft in a direction where the separating member approaches to the fixing member by its own weight of the separating member. When a fixing pressure is switched from the pressurized state to a reduced pressure state, moving the movable housing in the direction where the movable housing separates from the fixed housing by the moving mechanism causes the separating member to turn about the support shaft via the link member in the direction where the separating member separates from the fixing member and causes the regulating portion to regulate turning of the separating member. |
| US09874838B1 |
System and method for controlling a fuser assembly of an electrophotographic imaging device
An apparatus includes a fuser assembly including a heat transfer member. The heat transfer member includes a substrate, first and second resistive traces disposed on the substrate, and a temperature sensor disposed on the substrate for sensing an end portion thereof. A controller is coupled to the fuser assembly and is operative to control a fusing temperature of the heat transfer member during a fusing operation when a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor falls outside a predetermined range by gradually changing a set-point temperature for at least one of the first and second resistive traces from an initial set-point temperature to an adjusted set-point temperature such that an amount of heat generated by the at least one of the first and second resistive traces is adjusted without changing a fusing speed of the fuser assembly. |
| US09874836B1 |
Image forming apparatus using a developer containing a specific toner
An image forming apparatus includes an image holding member, a developing unit that contains a developer containing toner particles and develops an electrostatic latent image formed on a surface of the image holding member with the developer to form a toner image, a primary transfer unit that transfers the toner image formed on the image holding member to an intermediate transfer member, a second transfer unit that transfers the toner image transferred on the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium, and a guide unit that guides at least one of the image holding member and the intermediate transfer member to a primary transfer position such that a portion of the image holding member and a portion of the intermediate transfer member are disposed along with each other, wherein the specific toner defined in the specification is used. |
| US09874834B2 |
Toner container and image forming apparatus including shutter to open and close passing port
An image forming apparatus includes a toner container and a shutter mechanism. The toner container is attached to or detached from an apparatus main body along an attachment/detachment direction. The toner container has a passing port. The shutter mechanism has a container mount, a shutter plate and an opening/closing hook. The container mount is attached to the toner container. The shutter plate is supported on the container mount so as to be slidable along the attachment/detachment direction. The opening/closing hook is supported on the apparatus main body on one side in a direction crossing the attachment/detachment direction. The opening/closing hook disengages the shutter plate with the container mount. |
| US09874827B2 |
Electrostatic charge image developing toner, electrostatic charge image developer, and toner cartridge
An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes a carbodiimide compound and a polyester resin prepared by subjecting an alcohol component and a carboxylic acid component to condensation polymerization, wherein the alcohol component includes an aliphatic polyol in an amount of 60 mol % to 100 mol %. |
| US09874825B2 |
Continuous coalescence processes
Processes for continuously coalescing particles from an aggregated particle slurry are disclosed. The aggregated particle slurry is heated, then coalesced by raising the pH. The coalesced particles are homogenized and exit as a coalesced particle slurry. A multi-screw extruder is used for the coalescing. These processes are useful for providing coalesced particles such as toner compositions. |
| US09874821B2 |
Method for hotspot detection and ranking of a lithographic mask
The present disclosure is related to a method for detecting and ranking hotspots in a lithographic mask used for printing a pattern on a substrate. According to example embodiments, the ranking is based on defect detection on a modulated focus wafer or a modulated dose wafer, where the actual de-focus or dose value at defect locations is taken into account, in addition to a de-focus or dose setting applied to a lithographic tool when a mask pattern is printed on the wafer. Additionally or alternatively, lithographic parameters other than the de-focus or dose can be used as a basis for the ranking method. |
| US09874817B2 |
Microelectromechanical mirror assembly
An optical element assembly includes a base, and an element unit. The element unit includes (i) an optical element having an element central axis and an element perimeter; and (ii) an element connector assembly that couples the optical element to the base, the element connector assembly including a flexure assembly having an element flexure and a base flexure. A distal end of the element flexure is coupled to the optical element near the element perimeter, a distal end of the base flexure is coupled to the base, and a proximal end of the element flexure is coupled to a proximal end of the base flexure near the element central axis. |
| US09874813B2 |
Photosensitive resin material and resin film
A photosensitive resin material of the invention is a photosensitive resin material used to form a permanent film including one or more selected from a novolac-type phenol resin, a phenol aralkyl resin, and a hydroxystyrene resin as an alkali-soluble resin (A) and a photosensitive diazoquinone compound as a photosensitizing agent (B), in which a content of iron with respect to all non-volatile components, which is measured through flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy, is equal to or more than 0.005 ppm and equal to or less than 80 ppm, and non-ionic iron is included as the iron. |
| US09874809B2 |
Pellicle for a reflective mask and reflective mask assembly including the same
A pellicle for a reflective mask including a pellicle body, a light shielding pattern, a grating pattern, and a pellicle frame. The pellicle body includes a central region and a peripheral region, wherein the peripheral region surrounds the central region. The light shielding pattern is formed on the peripheral region of the pellicle body; the grating pattern is formed on the light shielding pattern, and the pellicle frame is located under the peripheral region of the pellicle body, and the pellicle frame is configured to support the pellicle body. |
| US09874807B2 |
Optical image capturing module, alignment method, and observation method
An optical image capturing module and an alignment method and an observation method for an upper substrate and a lower substrate using the optical image capturing module are provided. The upper substrate and the lower substrate are disposed opposite. The alignment method includes the following steps of: emitting a light ray; filtering the light ray and dividing the light ray into a light ray at first wavelength and a light ray at second wavelength, whereby the light ray at first wavelength irradiates a pattern on the upper substrate, and the light ray at second wavelength irradiates a pattern on the lower substrate; reflecting the pattern on the upper substrate to an image capturing device; reflecting the pattern on the lower substrate to the image capturing device; and determining the positions of the pattern on the upper substrate and the pattern on the lower substrate on the image capturing device. |
| US09874806B2 |
Color splitting/combining prism, and optical system and projector therewith
A color splitting/combining prism splits apart illumination light from a projector and combines together projection light from the projector. A part of the illumination light that is not used as the projection light passes through the color splitting/combining prism as OFF-light via an image display element in a direction different from the projection light. The color splitting/combining prism includes a dichroic film of which a cutoff wavelength, at which the dichroic film exhibits a transmittance of 50% when splitting two different colors between reflection and transmission, is provided in a wavelength range in which wavelength separation is possible for all of the illumination light, the projection light, and the OFF-light that are incident at different incidence angles respectively. |
| US09874805B2 |
Light source apparatus and projection display apparatus
A light source apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: a first light source unit which emits a blue light in a first direction; a second light source unit which emits a blue light in a second direction which intersects with the first direction; a split/combining optical element which splits the blue lights emitted from the first light source unit and the second light source unit, into a first optical path and a second optical path; a light emitting body which is provided on the first optical path and emits an emission light in response to an excitation light; and a combining optical element which combines the first optical path and the second optical path into one optical path. |
| US09874804B2 |
Projector with adjustable support
A projector includes a power source accommodation section and a projection section body. The power source accommodation section is supported by a duct and accommodates a power source circuit that converts electric power supplied from the duct. The projection section body accommodates a projection section that projects an image, and the projection section body is so supported by the power source accommodation section that a direction in which the image is projected is adjustable. |
| US09874799B2 |
Optical device, manufacturing method of optical device, and display device, electronic device and illuminating device including optical device
An optical device including first and second transparent substrates disposed so that the principal surfaces thereof face each other; conductive light shielding patterns disposed on the principal surface side of the first transparent substrate; a transparent conductive film disposed on the principal surface of the second transparent substrate; a plurality of light transmissive regions disposed on the first transparent substrate; and an electrophoretic element disposed in gaps between each adjacent light transmissive regions is configured such that the dispersion state of electrophoretic particles 61 is changed by externally applied electric fields, thereby changing the range of outgoing directions of transmitted light. Thus, it is possible to relieve a decrease in the amount of charging of an electrophoretic element caused by the ingress of incident light and to ensure operation stability. |
| US09874795B2 |
Array substrate, manufacturing method, and display device thereof
An array substrate includes a substrate (10), a plurality of pixel regions (30) and a black matrix (15) separating the pixel regions (30) formed on the substrate (10); corresponding to a region where the black matrix (15) is located, the substrate (10) is provided with a thin film transistor. The pixel region (30) includes a first electrode (17) and a second electrode (20) configured for generating an electric field therebetween to drive liquid crystals. The second electrode (20) is disposed above the first electrode (17). The pixel region (30) further includes a color resist layer (16) disposed between a gate insulation layer (12) and the second electrode (20) and distributed in the pixel region (30). A method of manufacturing the array substrate and a display device are further disclosed. |
| US09874791B2 |
Display device, array substrate and method for manufacturing array substrate
Disclosed is a display device, an array substrate and a method for manufacturing the same. The array substrate comprises a first transparent electrode layer, an insulating layer and a second transparent electrode layer disposed sequentially in a transmission direction of light, the second transparent electrode layer including a plurality of strip electrodes spaced apart from each other. At least one of edges of two adjacent strip electrodes facing to each other and a portion of the first transparent electrode layer corresponding to a space formed between the two adjacent strip electrodes is formed with a protruding part protruding in the transmission direction so that a fringe electrical field formed by the edge of each of the strip electrodes and the first transparent electrode layer is shifted towards an edge side of the strip electrode. The present invention may limit an action rang of each of the fringing electrical fields of the each strip electrode and the first transparent electrode effectively. Even if a slight shift is occurred during an assembling operation of a color filter substrate and the array substrate, the adjacent sub-pixel unit will not be affected, so as to reduce the phenomenon of color mixing of the two adjacent sub-pixel units effectively. |
| US09874790B2 |
Pixel electrode and liquid crystal display panel
The invention provides a pixel electrode and a liquid crystal display panel. The pixel electrode does not contain a “cross-shaped” keel structure and specifically includes: a peripheral border (40), and multiple first, second, third and fourth pixel electrode branches (41, 42, 43, 44) being strip-shaped. The multiple first, second, third and fourth strip-shaped pixel electrode branches (41, 42, 43, 44) all are disposed in the interior of the peripheral border (40) and connected to the peripheral border (40) and further form an asymmetric structures, so that most of liquid crystal molecules located in the middle of the pixel electrode would be orientated along directions of spacings among the pixel electrode branches, the problem of low penetration rate of the liquid crystal display panel in the prior art caused by the “cross-shaped” keel structure of the pixel electrode can be solved and the transmittance can be increased. |
| US09874788B2 |
Display panel, method of manufacturing the same, and display device
A display panel, a method of manufacturing the display panel and a display device including the display panel are disclosed. The display panel includes a first substrate; a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate; a plurality of supporting posts disposed on a side surface of the first substrate facing the second substrate; and a plurality of adhering parts disposed on a side surface of the second substrate facing the first substrate, each of the plurality of adhering parts corresponding to the plurality of supporting posts respectively. Two opposite side surfaces of each of the plurality of adhering parts are respectively in contact with the corresponding one of the plurality of supporting posts and the second substrate to adhere the corresponding one of the plurality of supporting posts to the second substrate. |
| US09874786B2 |
Color film substrate, display panel and display device
A color film substrate, a display panel and a display device are provided. The color film substrate comprises: a flexible base substrate partitioned to a plurality of sub-regions based on a plurality of parallel lines that is paralleled with a setting central axis of the base substrate, the plurality of sub-regions having the same area as each other; and a plurality of photo spacers provided in each of the plurality of sub-regions. For any one of the plurality of sub-regions, each of the photo spacers in one of the plurality of sub-regions is configured such that a thickness of the display panel at a position corresponding to the photo spacers is increasingly changed under the same pressure force as a distance of said one of the plurality of sub-regions from the setting central axis increases. As a result, a thickness of a liquid crystal cell of the display panel can be maintained to be uniform when the display panel is bent. |
| US09874784B2 |
Liquid crystal panel, liquid crystal display apparatus, and method of manufacturing the liquid crystal panel
A liquid crystal panel comprises a first substrate which is transparent and is provided with a transparent electrode and a wiring part having light-shielding properties, a second substrate which is transparent and is provided with a light-shielding layer having a first opening and is disposed opposite to the first substrate so that the transparent electrode faces the first opening, a liquid crystal part disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a sealing part configured to seal the liquid crystal part between the first substrate and the second substrate. The light-shielding layer has a second opening. The sealing part has light-shielding properties and is configured to close the second opening. |
| US09874783B2 |
Liquid crystal display substrate and preparation method thereof
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display substrate and a preparation method thereof, which belongs to the technical field of liquid crystal display and may solve the problem that vias in the existing liquid crystal display substrate will result in non-uniform thickness of an alignment layer and thus influence the display effect. The liquid crystal display substrate provided by the present invention comprises a plurality of display structures, and an alignment layer located above all the display structures, wherein at least some of the display structures are provided therein with vias, and at least some of the vias are surrounded by baffle walls that are located under the alignment layer. |
| US09874780B2 |
Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device and a manufacturing method thereof. The liquid crystal display device uses a quantum rod orientation layer (2) to conduct parallel alignment of a quantum rod layer (3) so that the aligned quantum rod layer (3) may replace a conventional lower polarizer. The liquid crystal display device manufacturing method applies an inclined vapor deposition process to form a quantum rod orientation layer (2). The quantum rod orientation layer (2) includes a plurality of grooves (21) that has an extension direction substantially perpendicular to a transmission axis direction of an upper polarizer (7). A quantum rod layer (3) is then formed on the quantum rod orientation layer (2). The quantum rod layer (3) so formed includes a plurality of quantum rods (31) that has a long axis direction substantially parallel to the extension direction of the grooves (21), namely parallel alignment of the quantum rod layer (3). The aligned quantum rod layer (3) may replace a conventional lower polarizer to improve light transmission rate and utilization of backlighting, increasing displaying brightness and reducing manufacturing cost. |
| US09874779B2 |
Polarizer and method of manufacturing the same and liquid crystal display device using the same
A liquid crystal display device and a method of manufacturing the same are discussed. The liquid crystal display device can include a backlight unit; and a liquid crystal panel having a lower polarizer arranged on the backlight unit, wherein the lower polarizer includes a polarizing layer having a light axis for polarized light and a wavelength conversion material provided between the polarizing layer and the backlight unit. |
| US09874777B2 |
Color filter substrate, touch display device and method for manufacturing the color filter substrate
A color filter substrate for an in-cell touch panel, comprising: a base substrate (20); a black matrix (16) disposed on the base substrate (20) and comprising a light transmissive region and a light shielding region; a color filter (17) disposed in the light transmissive region of the black matrix (16); a set of first electrode wires (21) and a set of second electrode wires (22) disposed over the black matrix (16) and the color filter (17) and crossing each other, the first electrode wires (21) comprises a plurality of first electrodes (24) connected in series by a bridge line (23) and the second electrode wires (23) comprises a plurality of second electrodes (26) connected in series by a connection line (25), the bridge line (23) and the connection line (25) crossing each other at a cross region corresponding to the light shielding region of the black matrix (16); and a spacer (19) disposed between the bridge line (23) and the connection line (25) to insulate the bridge line (23) from the connection line (25). With such a structure, the manufacturing process for the color filter substrate in an in-cell touch panel is simplified, and the number of the masks to be used is reduced, and the manufacturing cost is lowered down. |
| US09874776B2 |
Display substrate and display device
The present disclosure provides a display substrate and a display device. The display substrate includes a subpixel, a black matrix arranged around the subpixel, and a spacer arranged on the black matrix. At least a portion of the black matrix includes a primary region and a secondary region, one of which is arranged between two adjacent subpixels in an alignment rubbing direction. The spacer is arranged on the primary region, and an alignment rubbing shadow is shielded by the primary region. |
| US09874771B2 |
Display device and electronic device
According to one embodiment, a display device includes first, second, and third interconnects, switch elements, pixel electrodes, a display layer, and a controller. The switch elements are arranged in a matrix configuration, and connected to the first and second interconnects. The pixel electrodes are electrically connected to the switch elements. The third interconnects oppose the pixel electrodes. The display layer is provided on the pixel electrodes. The controller is electrically connected to the first, second, and third interconnects. The second interconnects include a first color interconnect. The controller performs a first operation of sequentially selecting the first interconnects and supplying a first color image signal to the first color interconnect. The controller performs a second operation of sequentially selecting the first interconnects and supplying a second color image signal to the first color interconnect. The controller performs a third operation being different from the first and second operations. |
| US09874770B2 |
Display device
A display device (1) includes a display panel (10), a switch liquid crystal panel (20), and a control unit (40). The switch liquid crystal panel (20) includes a transparent electrode (2) provided in an active area (AA) on at least one of a first substrate (21) and a second substrate (22), and a metal line (3) provided outside the active area (AA) on at least one of the first substrate (21) and the second substrate (22), along four sides of the active area (AA). |
| US09874766B2 |
Chiral scleral lenses
The present disclosure relates to trial scleral lenses, and the resulting scleral lenses, designed for the asymmetric shape of the sclera and/or its chiral properties. In some embodiments, the scleral lenses are also designed for the specific asymmetry associated with different scleral diameters. In addition, as discussed herein, the scleral shape can vary with different conditions of the eye. By designing a set of trial scleral lenses that takes into account these different asymmetric properties of the sclera, a clinician can be more efficient, fitting more eyes with fewer subsequent modifications. The resulting lenses will also achieve a better fit. |
| US09874765B2 |
Method and apparatus for constructing a contact lens with optics
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and processes for constructing a contact lens. In one embodiment, a contact lens assembly is provided, comprising: a curved polymer polarizer with an aperture; a lenslet disposed inside the aperture, wherein the lenslet enables imaging near objects; and a filter attached to the lenslet. In further embodiments, a method for fabricating a flexible contact lens is provided, comprising: fabricating an element having an extrusion; providing a front concave mold, wherein the front mold has an intrusion to accommodate the extrusion of the optical element; affixing the extrusion of the optical element to the intrusion of the front mold; attaching a back convex mold to the front concave mold, thereby forming a mold cavity; and filling the mold cavity with a pre-polymerized liquid, whereby upon polymerization, the pre-polymerized liquid forms the flexible contact lens and the optical element is partially encapsulated within the lens. |
| US09874764B2 |
Zoom lens
A zoom lens, in sequence from an object side to an image side along an optical axis, comprises a first lens group; a second lens group; a stop; and a rear lens group and comprising a third lens group, a fourth lens group, and a fifth lens group; the fourth lens group further comprises an image correction lens which is able to shifted in a direction transverse to the optical axis of the zoom lens to stabilize the picked-up image when the zoom lens vibrates; furthermore, the zoom lens satisfies the following condition: (1−βp)×βr>2, where βp is a lateral magnification of the image correction lens when the zoom lens is at the telephoto end, and where βr is a lateral magnification of the lenses in the rear lens group except for the lenses in front of the image correction lens when the zoom lens is at the telephoto end. |
| US09874763B2 |
2D/3D switchable display panel, and display method and display device thereof
The embodiment of the present application discloses a 2D/3D switchable display panel, and a display method and a display device thereof, so as to solve the problem of poor display effect in 2D display mode of existing 2D/3D display panel. The 2D/3D switchable display panel includes a self-luminescent OLED display panel and a LCD panel provided with no color resistance layer, which LCD display panel is disposed on the display side of the OLED display panel. The OLED display panel is used for display images when the 2D/3D switchable display panel operates in 3D display mode while functions as a backlight source module when the 2D/3D switchable display panel operates in 2D display mode; whereas the LCD display panel functions as a grating when the 2D/3D switchable display panel operates in 3D display mode while displays images when the 2D/3D switchable display panel operates in 2D display mode. |
| US09874761B2 |
Reflective or transflective autostereoscopic display with reduced banding effects
An autostereoscopic display uses a light diffusing arrangement which provides a greater degree of light diffusion for ambient light passing into the display than for the light modulated by the display pixels and exiting the display after reflection. |
| US09874755B2 |
Adjustable dual-screen head-mounted displays
A head-mounted display includes a first display screen and a second display screen to display images to respective eyes of a user. The head-mounted display further includes a first member comprising a first rack and a second member comprising a second rack. The first member is coupled to the first display screen, and the second member is coupled to the second display screen. The head-mounted display includes a button and a gear train to transfer a linear sliding motion of the button to a linear motion of the first rack in a first direction and a linear motion of the second rack in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The gear train includes a first gear engaged with the first rack and a second gear concurrently engaged with the first gear and the second rack. |
| US09874753B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes: an eyeglass-type frame worn by a head of a viewer; and an image display apparatus attached to the frame, wherein the image display apparatus includes an image formation device, and an optical device on which light that exits from the image formation device is incident, through which the light is guided, and out of which the light exits, the frame is formed of a front portion, two temple portions extending from both ends of the front portion, a nose pad, and an attachment member, the attachment member is attached to a central section of the front portion, the optical device is attached to the attachment member, and the nose pad is so attached to the attachment member that the nose pad is movable upward and downward. |
| US09874750B2 |
Head-mounted display device
A head mounted display (HMD) device includes a stretchable display configured to display an image, and a lens unit provided to face the stretchable display and configured to magnify the image and refract the image in a direction toward a user's eye. |
| US09874747B2 |
Double-pane module with an image producing device for use in a structure and a method for producing such module
A module including two transparent panes; a sealing and spacing arrangement sealingly fixing the panes to each other along their periphery at spaced apart relationship, thereby forming between the inner surfaces of the panes a transparent sealed cavity with a sealing frame surrounding it; and an image producing device fixedly mounted within the cavity so as to allow viewing images produced thereby. The module for mounting in the structure so as to fulfill the function of a transparent member such as a window, a door or a wall, separating between the space in said interior of the structure accommodating said person and a region behind the member, and to allow viewing at least through a portion of the cavity. The module can include optional features, and methods are provided for producing a structure therewith and for upgrading existing structures by using the module instead of an original transparent component. |
| US09874746B2 |
Head-up display apparatus for vehicle
Proper display is performed in consideration of a characteristic that a vehicle head-up display device 1 is mounted in a vehicle. The vehicle head-up display device 1 for displaying a virtual image displays plural virtual images which are different in focal distance. |
| US09874745B2 |
Collimation assembly for an imaging device
A collimation assembly includes a body, at least four light sources, and at least four collimation lenses. The body has inner surfaces that define at least four hollow portions extending through the body between opposed first and second sides thereof, each hollow portion having opposed first and second openings at the first and second sides of the body, respectively. Each light source is disposed at the first opening of one of the at least four hollow portions and controllable to emit a light beam therethrough. Each collimation lens is disposed at the second opening of one of the at least four hollow portions to receive the light beam emitted by the light source disposed at the first opening and diverge the light beam as the light beam passes through the collimation lens. The at least four light sources and the at least four collimation lenses are supported by the body. |
| US09874743B1 |
Beam directing device
A beam directing device includes a transmissive element having an entry surface disposed in a first plane and an exit surface disposed in a second plane, the first and second planes intersecting to form a wedge angle. A first coating on the entry surface transmits a predetermined spectrum of light incident upon the first coating from external to the transmissive element at a normal angle of incidence and reflects the predetermined spectrum of light incident on the first coating from within the transmissive element at two times the wedge angle. A second coating on the exit surface reflects the predetermined spectrum of light incident on the second coating from within the transmissive element at the wedge angle and transmits the predetermined spectrum of light incident on the second coating from within the transmissive element at three times the wedge angle. |
| US09874742B2 |
MEMS reinforcement
An apparatus for micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) reinforcement is described herein. The apparatus includes a MEMS device and a stiffener. A micro scale mirror is to be embedded in a top layer of a substrate of the MEMS device. The stiffener is to be coupled to a back side of the MEMS device, wherein the stiffener is to stiffen the MEMS device via support of the MEMS device, without increasing a thickness of the MEMS device. |
| US09874736B2 |
Apparatus and method for an inclined single plane imaging microscope box (iSPIM box)
An apparatus for inclined single plane Illumination microscopy of a sample includes a laser for launching excitation light beams at a plurality of wavelengths, a laser beam expander, an injection arm optically coupled to the laser beam expander, a conventional back-to-back microscope system, a universal dichroic mirror optically coupled to the injection arm to direct the excitation light beams into the conventional back-to-back microscope onto a sample plane in an imaging plane, and to receive fluorescence light from the sample, a universal optical adaptor optically coupled to the universal dichroic mirror, a re-imaging component optically coupled to the universal optical adaptor; and a camera output connector optically coupled to the re-imaging component, where the laser beam expander, injection arm, universal optical adapter, re-imaging component, and camera are combined in a modular unit which is arranged and configured to be coupled to the conventional back-to-back microscope. |
| US09874735B2 |
Resonance-shifting luminescent solar concentrators
An optical system and method to overcome luminescent solar concentrator inefficiencies by resonance-shifting, in which sharply directed emission from a bi-layer cavity into a glass substrate returns to interact with the cavity off-resonance at each subsequent reflection, significantly reducing reabsorption loss en route to the edges. In one embodiment, the system comprises a luminescent solar concentrator comprising a transparent substrate, a luminescent film having a variable thickness; and a low refractive index layer disposed between the transparent substrate and the luminescent film. |
| US09874734B2 |
Zoom optical system and imaging apparatus provided with the same
A zoom optical system includes a negative first lens group having a first deflection optical element, a positive second lens group, a positive third lens group, a positive fourth lens group, and a second deflection optical element, in that order from the object side. The first lens group is provided at a fixed position relative to an imaging plane. Zooming is performed by moving at least the second and third lens groups so that distances between adjacent lens groups of the first through fourth lens groups change. The third lens group is a focusing lens group which moves along the optical axis during focusing. The following condition (1) is satisfied: 0.2 |
| US09874728B1 |
Long working distance lens system, assembly, and method
A lens system includes a tube lens and a lens assembly, with the tube lens disposed between an optical sensor and the lens assembly. The lens assembly is disposed between the tube lens and an imaged object. In order to solve the problem of some lens systems having focal lengths that are shorter than the working distances of the lens systems, one aspect of the inventive subject matter described herein provides the lens assembly with a negative lens and plural positive lenses. A first positive lens is located between a second positive lens and an imaging plane, the second positive lens is located between the first positive lens and the negative lens, and the negative lens is located between the second positive lens and the tube lens. |
| US09874727B2 |
Mobile device and optical imaging lens thereof
Present embodiments provide for a mobile device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens may comprise an aperture stop and five lens elements positioned sequentially from an object side to an image side. By controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces of the lens elements and designing parameters satisfying at least one inequality, the optical imaging lens may exhibit better optical characteristics and the total length of the optical imaging lens is shortened. |
| US09874726B1 |
Camera lens
A camera lens is disclosed. The camera lens includes a first lens with positive refractive power; a second lens with negative refractive power; a third lens with positive refractive power; a fourth lens with negative refractive power; and a fifth lens with negative refractive power. The camera lens further satisfies specific conditions. |
| US09874722B2 |
Optical image capturing system
A five-piece optical lens for capturing image and a five-piece optical module for capturing image, along the optical axis in order from an object side to an image side, include a first lens with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface; a second lens with refractive power; a third lens with refractive power; a fourth lens with refractive power; and a fifth lens with negative refractive power; and at least one of the image-side surface and object-side surface of each of the five lens elements are aspheric. The optical lens can increase aperture value and improve the imagining quality for use in compact cameras. |
| US09874717B2 |
Imaging lens, and electronic apparatus including the same
An imaging lens includes first to fifth lens elements arranged from an object side to an image side in the given order. Through designs of surfaces of the lens elements and relevant optical parameters, a short system length of the imaging lens may be achieved while maintaining good optical performance. |
| US09874715B1 |
Image lens
An imaging lens is disclosed and has an optical axis. The image lens includes a lens barrel having a lens barrel wall arranged around the optical axis and forming an accommodation space; an imaging module including a plurality of near object units and near image units separated from each other and arranged in an order from an object side to an image side in the accommodation space; and a spacing part sandwiched between the near object units and the near image units. The spacing part includes a first reflecting surface facing the near image units and a second reflecting surface connected with the first reflecting surface, the light from the near image units is reflected two times by the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface. |
| US09874704B2 |
Ferrule assemblies
This disclosure generally relates to high-speed fiber optic networks that use light signals to transmit data over a network. The disclosed subject matter includes devices and methods relating to ferrule assemblies and/or ferrule alignment assemblies. In some aspects, the disclosed devices and methods may relate to a ferrule assembly including: optical fibers, an upper clamp member and a lower clamp member configured to retain the optical fibers that are positioned between the upper and lower clamp members, and a ferrule body surrounding at least a portion of the upper and lower clamp members; and an alignment sleeve including a sleeve cavity configured to receive the ferrule body such that the ferrule assembly is capable of being longitudinally repositioned with respect to the alignment sleeve. |
| US09874702B2 |
Optical connector assembly apparatus
Example implementations relate to an optical connector assembly apparatus. For example, an optical connector assembly apparatus can include a lead-in nose disposed at a proximal end of the apparatus for insertion into a sleeve housing, where the sleeve housing has a shutter flap to cover an opening in the sleeve. Also, the optical connector assembly apparatus can include a plurality of beams transverse to the lead-in nose to provide a force to hold the shutter flap in an open position, and a tab disposed at a distal end of the apparatus to receive an end cap of an optical blind-mate connector adapter. |
| US09874699B2 |
Optical mode conversion using transistor outline (TO) techniques and a ball lens
An apparatus comprises a transistor outline (TO) package comprising a TO can holder; and a TO can at least partially embedded within the TO can holder; and a mode converter coupled to the TO package. A system comprises a mode converter comprising a lens configured to convert a mode of a light from a first mode size to a second mode size, wherein the first mode size is smaller than the second mode size; a silicon photonic chip comprising a waveguide configured to communicate the light; a fiber configured to couple to the lens and the waveguide; and a substrate configured to provide a support for the silicon photonic chip. |
| US09874697B1 |
Polarization-maintaining optical fiber and bidirectional optical transmission apparatus
A bidirectional optical transmission apparatus includes a first optical waveguide device, a second optical waveguide device, and a polarization-maintaining optical fiber that connects the first optical waveguide device and the second optical waveguide device. A direction of a slow axis of the polarization-maintaining optical fiber with respect to a first substrate at a connecting portion between the first optical waveguide device and the polarization-maintaining optical fiber and a direction of the slow axis of the polarization-maintaining optical fiber with respect to the second substrate at a connecting portion between the second optical waveguide device and the polarization-maintaining optical fiber are substantially orthogonal to each other. |
| US09874695B2 |
Optical fiber tip attachment
An optical fiber tip attachment comprising: a body having an opening at a first end of the body, the opening configured to receive an optical fiber; and a cavity extending from the opening through at least a portion of the body, wherein the cavity is configured to orient a cross-sectional surface of the optical fiber, from which electromagnetic radiation is delivered, at an angle to an axis of the optical fiber tip attachment at the opening. |
| US09874693B2 |
Method and structure for integrating photonics with CMOs
A semiconductor structure can include an active device FET region having a FET and a photonics region having a photonic device including a waveguide. A semiconductor structure can include an active device FET region having a FET and a trench isolation region having a photonic device that includes a waveguide. A method can include forming a FET at an active device FET region of a semiconductor structure. A method can include forming a photonic device at a trench isolation region of a semiconductor structure. |
| US09874691B2 |
Two-stage adiabatically coupled photonic systems
In an example, a coupled system includes a first waveguide, at least one second waveguide, and an interposer. The first waveguide has a silicon (Si) core having first refractive index n1 and a tapered end. The at least one second waveguide each has a silicon nitride (SiN) core having a second refractive index n2. The interposer includes a third waveguide having a third refractive index n3 and a coupler portion, where n1>n2>n3. The tapered end of the first waveguide is adiabatically coupled to a coupler portion of one of the at least one second waveguide. A tapered end of one of the at least one second waveguide is adiabatically coupled to the coupler portion of the third waveguide of the interposer. The third waveguide of the interposer has an optical mode size that is similar to the mode size of a standard single mode optical fiber. |
| US09874686B2 |
Optical fiber with macrobend loss mitigating layer
An optical fiber comprising: (i) a core comprising silica and having a maximum relative refractive index delta Δ1MAX; and LP01 effective area >100 μm2 at 1550 nm; (ii) an inner cladding surrounding the core and having a minimum relative refractive index delta Δ2MIN and ΔcoreMAX>Δ2MIN; (iii) an outer cladding surrounding the inner cladding and comprising a first outer cladding portion with a maximum refractive index Δ3A such that Δ3A>Δ2MIN; and another outer cladding portion surrounding the first outer cladding portion with a maximum refractive index delta Δ3B wherein with a maximum refractive index delta Δ3B wherein Δ3B>Δ3A, said another portion being the outermost portion of the outer cladding; and (iv) a coating layer surrounding the outer cladding, and in contact with said another outer cladding portion, the coating layer having a relative refractive index delta ΔC wherein ΔC>Δ3B. |
| US09874685B2 |
Coated optical fiber and method for manufacturing coated optical fiber
A coated optical fiber, including a coating layer with a high elastic modulus even when a glass optical fiber is coated with resin by using an ultraviolet semiconductor light emitting element as a light source for curing resin and using a Wet-on-Wet method, is provided. A manufacturing method of the coated optical fiber includes: applying a first ultraviolet curable resin to a glass optical fiber; applying a second ultraviolet curable resin to the periphery of the first ultraviolet curable resin before curing the first ultraviolet curable resin; and irradiating the first and second ultraviolet curable resins with light in a wavelength range of 350 to 405 nm emitted from an ultraviolet semiconductor light emitting element, wherein the second ultraviolet curable resin contains a photopolymerization initiator that absorbs the light from the ultraviolet semiconductor light emitting element to generate radicals, and the photopolymerization initiator has photobleaching properties. |
| US09874682B2 |
Display apparatus
A display apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure comprises a display panel, a light source device illuminating the display panel from a back side of the display panel, an optical sheet arranged between the display panel and the light source device, and a support for supporting the optical sheet. In the display apparatus, a part of a peripheral portion of the optical sheet is sandwiched and held between the display panel and the support. In the display apparatus, a remaining part of the peripheral portion of the optical sheet is not sandwiched and held between the display panel and the support. |
| US09874673B2 |
Backlight module and display device
Embodiments of the disclosure provide a backlight module and display device. The backlight module comprises: a light guide plate (1), a PCB substrate (2) disposed at a side of the light guide plate (1); wherein a side of the PCB substrate (2) facing the light guide plate (1) is provided with a plurality of groups of light source devices (3); a side of the light guide plate (1) facing the PCB substrate (2) is provided with a plurality of recesses for accommodating the light source devices; a plurality of projections (111) disposed on an inner surface of the recess (11). |
| US09874670B2 |
Optical compensation film, method of manufacturing the same, and liquid crystal display provided with the same
Disclosed is an optical compensation film including a supporter, and an optical compensation layer disposed on at least one surface of the supporter and including a polymer of cholesteric liquid crystal molecules having a structure in which a plurality of parallel-arranged liquid crystal molecules are helically arranged, wherein the cholesteric liquid crystal layer has a helical axis that is bent and tilted to the supporter at an angle represented by the following Equation 1; a method of manufacturing the same; and a liquid crystal device (LCD) including the optical compensation film. H=(θT−θB)*(d′/d)γ+θB [Equation 1] In Equation 1, H is a tilt angle of the helical axis of a layer of the cholesteric liquid crystal molecules; θB is a tilt angle of liquid crystal molecule contact with the supporter; θT is a tilt angle of a liquid crystal molecule disposed at a part of the layer furthest from the supporter; d is a thickness of the layer; d′ is a distance from the supporter along a vertical direction; γ is a degree of variation in tilt angle of helical axis; and γ≧0.01. |
| US09874669B2 |
Reflection film, optical member, and display
The present invention provides a reflection film, comprising a right circularly-polarized light reflection layer and a left circularly-polarized light reflection layer as circularly-polarized light reflection layers, each of the circularly-polarized light reflection layers consisting of a layer obtained by fixing a cholesteric liquid-crystalline phase, having a reflection wavelength at which a diffuse reflectance for non-polarized light becomes 50% or more in a wavelength region in which each of the circularly-polarized light reflection layers exhibits selective reflection, the reflection wavelength being in an infrared wavelength region, and the reflection film exhibiting a direct transmittance of non-polarized visible light of 50% or more and a haze value of 5% or less; and an optical member including the reflection film, which can be used as a handwriting input sheet. The optical member can be used by being stuck to the surface of a display. |
| US09874668B2 |
Quantum rod film
A quantum rod film for a backlight unit of a liquid crystal display is disclosed herein. The quantum rod film includes a first barrier layer, a sub-wavelength microstructure on the first barrier layer, and a plurality of quantum rods, wherein the sub-wavelength microstructure includes gratings aligned in a parallel direction, an alignment microstructure disposed in grooves between the gratings in a direction perpendicular to the gratings, and a reflective layer on upper surfaces of the gratings. A plurality of quantum rods are arranged in the alignment microstructure of the sub-wavelength microstructure, and major axes of the quantum rods are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the gratings. |
| US09874665B2 |
Optical device for stabilization of images
An optical device for the stabilization of images, including a first deformable membrane and a second deformable membranes, a support to which a respective peripheral anchoring area of each of said membranes is connected, and a constant volume of fluid enclosed between the first and the second membrane, said fluid producing mechanical coupling of said first and second membranes. The optical device also includes: a first actuation device of a region of the first membrane located between the peripheral anchoring area and a central part of the first membrane; and a second actuation device of a region of the second membrane located between the peripheral anchoring area and a central part of the second membrane. A control means of the first and second actuation devices is configured, from a rest position where the first and second actuation devices are inactive, to have multiple operating modes to apply respective actuation voltage to the first actuation device or the second actuation device. |
| US09874663B2 |
Optical element and optoelectronic component comprising optical element
An optical element has a first surface and a second surface, wherein a tooth structure having a multiplicity of teeth oriented in a second direction is arranged on the first surface, a stepped lens having a multiplicity of steps oriented in a first direction is arranged on the second surface, and the tooth structure forms a total internal reflection lens. |
| US09874662B2 |
Illumination device
An illumination device includes a light source, a device body to which the light source is mounted, and an optical member configured to control light distribution of light emitted from the light source. The light source includes LEDs arranged in a matrix form or a linear form. The optical member includes a lens portion configured to control light distribution of the LEDs on a row-by-row basis. The lens portion includes a recessed incidence portion on which the light emitted from the LEDs is incident, an elongated emission portion opposite to the incidence portion, and a pair of reflection portions which interconnects the incidence portion and the emission portion along a longitudinal direction thereof and totally reflects the light incident from the incidence portion. The emission portion is formed to have a plurality of successive convex surfaces when seen in a cross section taken along the longitudinal direction thereof. |
| US09874658B2 |
Low reflection coating glass sheet and method for producing the same
In a low reflection coating glass sheet, a low reflection coating is a porous film including solid fine particles containing silicon oxide as a main component and a binder containing silicon oxide. The fine particles are solid particles. At least 70% of the fine particles aggregate to form secondary particles each having an aspect ratio of 1.8 to 5, a minor axis of 20 to 60 nm, and a major axis of 50 to 150 nm, when the aspect ratio is defined as the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of the secondary particle. The low reflection coating has a thickness of 50 to 250 nm. This low reflection coating has a structure suitable for increasing the transmittance gain. |
| US09874654B2 |
Motion detector having a bandpass filter
A motion detector having a bandpass filter is described herein. One device includes a passive infrared (PIR) sensor configured to generate a signal, and a bandpass filter configured to filter the signal, wherein the bandpass filter comprises a plurality of high pass filters, a plurality of low pass filters, and two operational amplifiers, wherein a portion of the plurality of high pass filters include a capacitor and two resistors. |
| US09874653B2 |
Dark current correction in scintillator detectors for downhole nuclear applications
A radiation logging tool is provided that includes a scintillator detector for use on a wellbore tool string to characterize earth formations. The scintillator detector has a shutter to allow for the collection of data differentiating between incident radiation, such as backscatter signal, and system noise, such as dark current, vibration noise, electronics thermal noise, and electrostatic noise. The radiation logging tool provides for a method of calibrating and measuring incident radiation by the removal of system noise. The shutter is positioned between the photosensor and scintillation member of the scintillator detector, and is able to switch between open and closed states while the scintillation detector is deployed. Measurements of signal noise can be used to calibrate the sampling signal of incident radiation on the scintillator detector. |
| US09874644B2 |
Digital silicon photomultiplier for TOF-PET
A radiation detector includes an array of detector pixels each including an array of detector cells. Each detector cell includes a photodiode biased in a breakdown region and digital circuitry coupled with the photodiode and configured to output a first digital value in a quiescent state and a second digital value responsive to photon detection by the photodiode. Digital triggering circuitry is configured to output a trigger signal indicative of a start of an integration time period responsive to a selected number of one or more of the detector cells transitioning from the first digital value to the second digital value. Readout digital circuitry accumulates a count of a number of transitions of detector cells of the array of detector cells from the first digital state to the second digital state over the integration time period. |
| US09874641B2 |
System for crowd-sourced fingerprinting
A system for crowd-sourced fingerprinting has a positioning database and a mobile wireless device. The positioning database is configured to store information relating wireless local area network access point (AP) signal measurements to points of a geographic positioning grid. The mobile wireless device has a satellite positioning system, a transceiver, a motion measurement system, and position estimation logic. The position estimation logic is configured to determine a reference location as the device passes between areas of satellite positioning signal reception and satellite positioning signal non-reception. The device further configured to record measurements of movements provided by the motion measurement system and measurements of signals provided by the transceiver within areas of non-reception and to provide results to the positioning database. |
| US09874635B1 |
Lidar system
A lidar system having a light source to emit an output beam and an overlap mirror having a reflecting surface with an aperture through which the output beam passes. The lidar system may include mirrors driven by a galvanometer scanner, a resonant scanner, a microelectromechanical systems device, or a voice coil motor. The mirrors may direct the output beam toward a light source field of view (FOV) and may move the light source FOV to different locations within a field of regard. The mirrors may receive reflected portions of the output beam as an input beam and direct the input beam toward the reflecting surface of the overlap mirror. The lidar system may include a receiver to receive the input beam from the reflecting surface of the overlap mirror. The receiver may have a receiver FOV that moves synchronously with, and at least partially overlaps, the light source FOV. |
| US09874633B1 |
Deceleration hysterisis measuring apparatus for soft recovery system
A deceleration hysteresis measuring apparatus for a soft recovery system is configured to transmit an electromagnetic wave to a pressure tube of the soft recovery system and receive the electromagnetic wave reflected from a projectile moving in the pressure tube so as to measure a distance of the projectile based on signals of the transmitted and received waves. |
| US09874631B2 |
Ultrasound probe and ultrasound imaging system
An ultrasound probe and an ultrasound imaging system include a 2D transducer array including a plurality of transducer elements organized to form a transmit aperture and a receive aperture, where the transmit aperture and the receive aperture do not overlap with each other. The probe and system include a plurality of distribution nodes and a plurality of sets of transmit switches. Each set of transmit switches includes a plurality of transmit switches and each set of transmit switches is associated with a different one of the plurality of transducer elements in the transmit aperture. Each set of transmit switches is configured to selectively connect the associated transducer element to any one of the plurality of distribution nodes when in a continuous-wave Doppler mode. |
| US09874630B2 |
Extended range gated time of flight camera
A gated time of flight (GT-TOF) range camera that transmits a plurality of light pulses to illuminate features in a scene and gates ON a photosensor in the camera for one multi-exposure gate having a plurality of exposure periods following each of the plurality of light pulses to register amounts of light reflected by features in the scene from the light pulses and uses the registered amounts of light to determine distances to the features. |
| US09874627B2 |
Radar apparatus
In a radar apparatus, whether or not a second target candidate associated with second target information satisfying a first condition in relation to a first target candidate is present is determined. When determined that the second target candidate is present, the first target information corresponding to the first target candidate is compared with the second target information corresponding to the second target candidate. The “first condition” is that distances and relative speeds match. As a result of the comparison, when a difference between the power at a frequency peak corresponding to the subject target candidate and the power at a frequency peak corresponding to the comparison target candidate is greater than a prescribed threshold, the subject target candidate is determined to be a false image. Meanwhile, when determined that the difference is the prescribed threshold or less, the subject target candidate is determined to be a real image. |
| US09874625B2 |
Electromagnetic radiation source locating system
An electromagnetic radiation source locating system including an electromagnetic radiation sensor including an antenna configured to detect a radiant energy transmission. A position detector is in communication with the controller and is configured to detect the position of the antenna relative to a reference coordinate system, while an orientation sensor is in communication with the controller and is configured to detect the orientation of the antenna and provide an orientation signal to the controller. A range sensor is configured to detect the distance to an aligned object in the path of a directional vector and provide a distance signal indicative thereof to the controller. An aerial vehicle may be in communication with the controller and configured to drop a marker for guiding navigators to the source of the radiant energy transmission. |
| US09874616B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging systems for integrated parallel reception, excitation and shimming and related methods and devices
Systems, methods and devices are configured for integrated parallel reception, excitation, and shimming (iPRES). Parallel transmit/receive (which can include B?1#191 shimming and/or parallel imaging capabilities) and B1 shimming employ the same set of localized coils or transverse electromagnetic (TEM) coil elements, with each coil or TEM element working in both an RF mode (for transmit/receive and B1 shimming) and a direct current (DC) mode (for B0 shimming) simultaneously. Both an RF and a DC current can flow in the same coil simultaneously but independently with no electromagnetic interference between the two modes. This invention is not only applicable when the same coil array is used for parallel transmit, receive and shim, but also when two separate coil arrays are used. In that case, the B0 shimming capability can be integrated into one of the coil arrays (i.e. a transmit array with B1 shimming capability or a receive array), thereby increasing the flexibility and practical utility of the iPRES technology. |
| US09874614B2 |
Semiconductor apparatus and power conversion apparatus
There is provided a semiconductor apparatus comprising: a switching element including a main element and a sense element; a main diode whose cathode is connected to a first main electrode of the main element and whose anode is connected to a second main electrode of the main element; a sense diode whose cathode is connected to a first main electrode of the sense element and whose anode is connected to a second main electrode of the sense element; and a deterioration detection circuit configured to apply a voltage to a sense node, and detects a deterioration of the switching element or the main diode based on a forward current flowing in the sense diode, being detected while the voltage is applied, the voltage being applied during an OFF period of switching element, wherein the sense diode is disposed for detecting current flowing through the main diode. |
| US09874612B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring impedance of laminated battery
An apparatus for measuring an impedance of a laminated battery includes a laminated battery in which a plurality of power generating elements is laminated; a load connected to both ends of the laminated battery; a resistance component provided between the superimposing unit and the load; and a potential difference suppressing circuit that suppresses a pulsating potential difference between both ends of the resistance component. A superimposing unit superimposes a pulsating current or a pulsating voltage on an output of the laminated battery. An impedance measuring unit measures an internal impedance of the laminated battery on the basis of when the pulsating current is superimposed, the pulsating current and a pulsating voltage generated by superimposing the pulsating current, or on the basis of, when the pulsating voltage is superimposed, the pulsating voltage and a pulsating current generated by superimposing the pulsating voltage. |
| US09874610B2 |
Battery
The present invention relates to a battery. The battery includes: a detecting apparatus, located inside the battery and on an anode or cathode end of the battery, and configured to detect an electric potential inside the battery; and a conducting wire, electrically connected to the detecting apparatus and insulated from the anode and cathode of the battery, and configured to export a value of the electric potential measured by the detecting apparatus. The battery according to embodiments of the present invention is provided with a built-in detecting apparatus, which is led out together with the anode and cathode of the battery by using the conducting wire electrically connected to the detecting apparatus. This design achieves accurate and reliable measurement of a potential at a single electrode. |
| US09874608B2 |
Scheduling of scenario models for execution within different computer threads and scheduling of memory regions for use with the scenario models
A method for testing a system-on-a-chip (SoC) is described. The method includes parsing a file to determine functions to be performed by components of the SoC. The method further includes receiving a desired output of the SoC and generating a test scenario model based on the desired output of the SoC. The test scenario model includes a plurality of module representations of the functions and includes one or more connections between two of the module representations. The desired output acts as a performance constraint for the test scenario model. The test scenario model further includes an input of the SoC that is generated based on the desired output, the module representations, and the one or more connections. The test scenario model includes a path from the input via the module representations and the connections to the desired output. |
| US09874607B1 |
Method and apparatus for using programmable logic circuitry to test on-chip analog-to-digital converter
The present invention discloses a method of testing an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The method includes receiving a series of analog signals from a tester site, converting the series of analog signals to a series of digital code words using an ADC, evaluating the ADC based on the series of digital code words using an ADC test setup and generating an output signal identifying whether the ADC has passed the testing. |
| US09874606B2 |
Selective per-cycle masking of scan chains for system level test
Built-in self-test techniques for integrated circuits that address the issue of unknown states. Some implementations use a specialized scan chain selector coupled to a time compactor. The presence of the specialized scan chain selector increases the efficiency in masking X states. Also disclosed are: (1) an architecture of a selector that works with multiple scan chains and time compactors, (2) a method for determining and encoding per cycle scan chain selection masks used subsequently to suppress X states, and (3) a method to handle an over-masking phenomenon. |
| US09874602B2 |
Test board support platform for supporting a test board
The invention provides a test board support platform for supporting a test board during tests, the platform comprising a heat conductive interface arranged to contact a bottom side of the test board at a first side of the heat conductive interface. The support platform also comprises a thermal conditioner coupled to a second side of the heat conductive interface, the second side being opposite the first side. By using this test board support platform a test board can be supported and thermally controlled in a way so that a DUT positioned on the test board can be probed from above, while the temperature is controlled from below. |
| US09874601B2 |
Integrated time dependent dielectric breakdown reliability testing
Systems for reliability testing include a picometer configured to measure a leakage current across a device under test (DUT); a camera configured to measure optical emissions from the DUT based on a timing of the measurement of the leakage current; and a test system configured to apply a stress voltage to the DUT and to correlate the leakage current with the optical emissions using a processor to determine a time and location of a defect occurrence within the DUT by locating instances of increased noise in the leakage current that correspond in time with instances of increased optical emissions. |
| US09874600B2 |
Method and apparatus for automated surge stress testing of a device under test using voltage and current waveforms
Surge testing systems and methods to surge test a device under test (DUT) in which a host computer controls a pulse generator and an oscilloscope to automatically apply a high voltage pulse from the pulse generator through a current limiter to the DUT, the oscilloscope provides one or more current or voltage waveforms representing a voltage or current associated with the DUT and/or the pulse generator, and the host computer determines a pass or fail condition of the DUT for the applied high voltage pulse according to the waveform or waveforms. |
| US09874595B2 |
Insulation detecting device
An insulation detecting device includes a flying capacitor that holds a charged voltage, and a measurement and calculation unit that measures the charged voltage of the flying capacitor and calculates a ground fault resistance formed between a direct-current power supply electrically insulated from a ground, and the ground, based on the measured voltage. The flying capacitor includes one or a plurality of first capacitors, one or a plurality of second capacitors connected with the first capacitor in parallel, and a parallel cancellation switch arranged between the first capacitor and the second capacitor, and which performs parallel connection, and cancellation of the parallel connection, between the first capacitor and the second capacitor. A capacitance of the flying capacitor is variably changed by turning on or turning off of the parallel cancellation switch. |
| US09874592B2 |
Abnormality detection circuit for power storage device, and power storage device including same
An abnormality detection circuit detects an abnormality in a power storage device. A positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal respectively receive a positive electrical potential and a negative electrical potential from a converter. A power storage module includes plural cells connected in series between the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal. The abnormality detection circuit includes a voltage detection circuit and a control circuit. The voltage detection circuit detects an electrical potential of an intermediate node located at an intermediate position between the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal on a basis of a ground potential. The control circuit determines an abnormality of the power storage module based on a change in an intermediate ground potential from voltage detection circuit from the ground potential. |
| US09874580B2 |
Method and system for determining a velocity of a relative movement between an object and a fluidal medium
Disclosed is a method and a system for determining a velocity of a relative movement between a system for determining the velocity and a fluidal medium. The method includes directing at least two light beams through at least a portion of the fluidal medium using the system such that a portion of light of each light beam is absorbed by the fluidal medium. Further, the method includes detecting first and second spectral intensity profiles of at least two light beams to detect the light absorption. The method also includes determining a difference profile associated with spectral intensity differences between a first and a second spectral intensity profile; and integrating an absolute value function of the difference profile to determine the velocity. The at least two light beams are directed such that the first and second spectral intensity profiles each have a different spectral position. The system has components that are arranged to allow operation of the above-described method. |
| US09874578B2 |
Apparatus for taking a sample and for passing the sample to an analytical evaluation system
An apparatus for taking a sample from at least one fluid system and for passing the sample to an analytical evaluation system connects the piston rod of the sample-taking piston with a controllable drive. A flushing gas feed opens into a feed line downstream from a three-way valve, via a shut-off valve. The three-way valve, the controllable drive, and the shut-off valve are coupled with one another so that for taking a sample, the three-way valve releases the path of the sampling line to the sample-taking cylinder, the shut-off valve is open, and the controllable drive withdraws the sample-taking piston from the sample-taking cylinder, and, for applying the sample to the evaluation system, the shut-off valve is closed, the three-way valve is switched to release the path from the sample-taking piston to the feed line, and the controllable drive pushes the sample-taking piston completely back into the sample-taking cylinder. |
| US09874576B2 |
Lateral flow assays using two dimensional features
The present invention relates to novel lateral flow devices using two dimensional features, preferably, uniform two dimensional test and control features, and the methods for detecting an analyte using the lateral flow devices, and processes for making the lateral flow devices. |
| US09874574B2 |
Marker for detecting proliferation and treatment capacities of adipose-derived stem cell cultured in medium containing EGF or BFGF, and use thereof
The present invention relates to: a composition for detecting a marker for detecting the proliferation capacity or treatment capacity of adipose-derived stem cells cultured in a medium containing epidermal growth factor (EGF) or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF); and a detection method. |
| US09874573B2 |
Health test for a broad spectrum of health problems
Provided herein are methods and devices for the detection of conditions or disorders by detecting altered levels of stress response pathway biomarkers. Also provided are methods and reagents for identifying panels of biomarkers associated with a condition or disorder. |
| US09874570B2 |
Method of detecting at least one mechanism of resistance to cephalosporins by mass spectrometry
The present invention pertains to a method of detection, by mass spectrometry, of at least one marker of at least one mechanism of resistance to at least one antimicrobial, resistance of at least one microorganism contained in a sample, characterised in that the antimicrobial is a cephalosporin, and said resistance markers are proteins or peptides. Preferably, said proteins or peptides are proteins from said microorganism. |
| US09874569B2 |
Kisspeptin-54 detection by tandem mass spectrometry
Methods are described for measuring the amount of a kisspeptin-54-derived peptides in a sample. More specifically, mass spectrometric methods are described for detecting and quantifying a kisspeptin-54 derived peptides in a sample utilizing on-line extraction methods coupled with tandem mass spectrometric techniques. |
| US09874568B2 |
Method of detecting at least one mechanism of resistance to carbapenems by mass spectrometry
The present invention pertains to a method of detection, by mass spectrometry, of at least one marker of at least one mechanism of resistance to at least one antimicrobial, resistance of at least one microorganism contained in a sample, characterized in that the antimicrobial is a carbapenem, and said resistance markers are proteins or peptides. Preferably, said proteins or peptides are proteins from said microorganism. |
| US09874561B2 |
ELISPOT method having two filter systems
An ELISPOT method of in vitro diagnosis of tuberculosis includes enriching or separating liquid blood fraction from its cellular components including visualizing immunocompetent cells by detecting different dyes and using at least two different filter sets, each including one narrowband excitation filter and one narrowband blocking filter, wherein the narrowband excitation filter is transmissive for light provided for luminescent excitation of a respective dye and the narrowband blocking filter is transmissive for light emitted by a respective dye and measuring the number of immunocompetent cells that secrete at least interferon-γ and interleukin-2 as a reaction to an antigen by superimposing at least two two-dimensional images generated during visualization to avoid luminescence of different dyes interfering and strong luminescence being superimposed on weak luminescence. |
| US09874560B2 |
Rapid detection of the “high virulent” ST-17 clone of group B Streptococcus
The present invention relates to polynucleotides enabling the rapid, simple and specific detection of Group B Streptococcus highly-virulent ST-17 clones.The present invention also relates to the polypeptides encoded by said polynucleotides, as well as to antibodies directed or raised against said polypeptides.The present invention also relates to kits and methods for the specific detection of Group B Streptococcus highly-virulent ST-17 clones, using the polynucleotides, the polypeptides or the antibodies according to the invention. |
| US09874559B2 |
Capacitive pumping and flow control
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to devices and methods for pumping and controlling the flow of a fluid. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to capacitive pumping and flow control devices and methods. In one embodiment, the invention provides a pump system having an inlet valve, an outlet valve, and a chamber between and in communication with each of the inlet valve and the outlet valve, the chamber having at least one elastic surface, wherein the chamber will dilate in response to a fluid exerting a pressure on the elastic surface, contain a quantity of the fluid when so dilated, and discharge the quantity of the fluid through the opened outlet valve. |
| US09874557B2 |
Progressive compression driven flow cartridge for analyte detecting strip and method
A cartridge and method for conducting a labeled molecular affinity binding test such as antibody/antigen, ligand/receptor, and colorometric reactions, and other chemical reactions for which one or more analytes is present in a liquid sample formate. A progressive compression structure progressively forces a liquid flow out of a conjugate pad toward a reaction region to more thoroughly and rapidly mix the liquid, encouraging specific first affinity binding to the analytes in question. A specially dimensioned constricting passageway surrounding the reaction region including the result zones provides an additional siphoning force to the flow. These combined forces rapidly and more evenly guide the flow of liquid through the reaction region so that the rushed rate of uptake of analytes at the strip lines are more evenly distributed, adhesive attachment of non-specific molecules is largely avoided, vastly improving sensitivity and specificity, and providing quantitative results in some tests. |
| US09874553B2 |
Targeted chemical high-throughput screening method
A novel method which integrates a “sensitized” chemical genetic high-throughput screen (HTS) with RNA interference (RNAi) screening technology is described herein. The present inventors used this method to identify specific small molecule inhibitors and activators of the Wnt pathway. More particularly, the screening method of the present invention may be used to identify small molecule inhibitors and activators that specifically target the activity of a stabilized pool of β-catenin. A number of compounds identified using the instant method, are shown herein to be small molecule inhibitors of the Wnt pathway that specifically target the activity of the stabilized pool of β-cat. The inhibitors identified by the present method may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of a variety of conditions in mammals including humans, including by way of non-limiting example, cancer, and others. |
| US09874552B2 |
Engineering individually addressable cellular spheroids using aqueous two-phase systems
Provided are multi-phase systems that may be used to prepare a three-dimension aggregate of cells referred to as a cellular spheroid. The multi-phase system includes a droplet of an aqueous polymer phase within an immersion aqueous polymer phase. The droplet of the droplet aqueous polymer phase contains a three-dimensional aggregate of cells (cellular spheroid). Types of cells that may be used in the multi-phases system include stem cells and cancer cells. The cellular spheroids with the multi-phase system may be used to monitor cell growth in three-dimensional systems, or screen drugs in a three-dimension aggregate of cells. |
| US09874550B2 |
Method for the quantification of 227AC in 223RA compositions
A method for the quantification of 227Ac in a 223Ra composition comprising passing the composition through a first solid phase extraction column A, wherein said column comprises a thorium specific resin, passing the eluate of column A through a second solid phase extraction column B, wherein said column comprises an actinium specific resin and recovering the 227Ac absorbed onto the resin in column B and determining the amount thereof. |
| US09874548B2 |
Chemiresistive sensors, downhole tools including such sensors, and related methods
A method of detecting an analyte includes vaporizing at least a portion of a fluid within a wellbore, passing the vaporized fluid adjacent a chemiresistive sensing element coupled to a drill string within the wellbore and sensing a resistivity of the chemiresistive sensing element. A sensor for detecting an analyte includes an expansion device for vaporizing a portion of a fluid within a wellbore, a chemiresistive sensing element configured to contact the vaporized fluid within the wellbore and a controller configured to pass a current through the chemiresistive sensing element and calculate a resistance of the chemiresistive sensing element in contact with the gaseous portion of the fluid. An earth-boring tool may include a bit body coupled to a drill string and the sensor. |
| US09874545B2 |
Photoacoustic microscope
A photoacoustic microscope includes an objective lens that irradiates a specimen with excitation light, a light scanning unit that deflects the excitation light to scan the specimen, an acoustic lens that converts a wavefront of a photoacoustic wave generated by the specimen due to irradiation with the excitation light, a photoacoustic wave detection unit that detects the photoacoustic wave from the acoustic lens, a drive unit that displaces at least one of the acoustic lens and the photoacoustic wave detection unit, and a control unit that controls the drive unit, in synchronization with scanning of the excitation light by the light scanning unit, so that the photoacoustic wave is incident on the photoacoustic wave detection unit perpendicularly. |
| US09874536B2 |
Integrated lancet/electrochemical test sensor assembly
An electrochemical test sensor for detecting the concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample. The electrochemical test sensor includes a housing that has a first end and a second opposing end. The housing includes an opening at the first end to receive a fluid test sample. An electrode assembly includes a substrate, a working electrode, a counter electrode and a reagent. The substrate has a first surface and an opposing second surface. The working electrode is disposed on the first surface of the substrate, and the counter electrode is disposed on the second surface of the substrate. The electrode assembly is positioned within the housing to define a reaction channel. The electrochemical test sensor may be used with a removable lancet mechanism or integrated within a lancet mechanism to form one integral unit. |
| US09874535B2 |
Moisture meter for determining the moisture content of particulate material
A moisture meter for determining the moisture content of particulate material is provided. The moisture meter comprises a frame part, a space, a measuring cup disposed within said space for receiving a sample of the particulate material which moisture is to be measured, and moisture measuring means. The moisture meter comprises a swiping means for removing at least partly a part of a sample of particulate material which moisture is to be measured, which part of the sample of particulate material extends out of the inner space of the measuring cup through the open end of the measuring cup. The swiping means are movably attached to the frame part for movement in a swiping path where a swiping member of the swiping means is configured to move essentially along the open end of the measuring cup. |
| US09874533B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring overall heat transfer coefficient
An apparatus for measuring an overall heat transfer coefficient may include an internal case provided using a heat insulation material and having an open upper portion, an external case configured to enclose outer sides excluding an upper portion of the internal case, and provided using a heat insulation material, a temperature adjusting portion configured to adjust an internal temperature of the external case and an internal temperature of the internal case, and a blocking portion disposed in an upper portion of the internal case to seal the internal case, in which the blocking portion may be configured to implement various covering conditions through a combination of a covering material and a thermal screen. |
| US09874528B2 |
Portable contact angle measuring kit
In some embodiments, a system and/or method may include assessing surface cleanliness. In some embodiments, the system may include a dispensing device. The dispensing device may dispense, during use, a measured amount of liquid on a surface forming a drop. In some embodiments, the system may include a stage. The stage may support, during use, a digital imaging device. In some embodiments, the system may include a calibration feature. The calibration feature may be of known dimension. The calibration feature may be coupled to the stage. The calibration feature may facilitate assessment, during use, of a dimension of the drop. The dimension may include a diameter of the drop. In some embodiments, the system is configured to assess a contact angle of the drop with the surface. |
| US09874527B2 |
Removing process-variation-related inaccuracies from scatterometry measurements
Metrology methods and respective software and module are provided, which identify and remove measurement inaccuracy which results from process variation leading to target asymmetries. The methods comprise identifying an inaccuracy contribution of process variation source(s) to a measured scatterometry signal (e.g., overlay) by measuring the signal across a range of measurement parameter(s) (e.g., wavelength, angle) and targets, and extracting a measurement variability over the range which is indicative of the inaccuracy contribution. The method may further assume certain functional dependencies of the resulting inaccuracy on the target asymmetry, estimate relative donations of different process variation sources and apply external calibration to further enhance the measurement accuracy. |
| US09874520B1 |
Epi-fluoresence confocal optical analyte sensor
An optical sensor effective for (i) exciting an analyte-sensitive fluorophore, exposed to an unknown concentration of the analyte for which the fluorophore is sensitive, with radiant energy from an excitation source, (ii) measuring the extent to which luminescence of the excited fluorophore is quenched by presence of the analyte, (iii) ascertaining the concentration of analyte to which the fluorophore is exposed from such measurement, and (iv) reporting the ascertained concentration. The sensor is preferably an epi-fluroescence confocal optical detector, and preferably performs step (ii) by employing a summing amplifier. |
| US09874519B2 |
Distributed Brillouin sensor
A distributed Brillouin sensor system comprising a pump laser, a Brillouin sensor fiber, and a detector system is described. The pump laser is arranged so as to send a pump signal into a first end of the Brillouin sensor fiber, and the detector system is arranged to detect Brillouin backscattering from the Brillouin sensor fiber. The Brillouin sensor fiber is characterized by having a negative dispersion, and further by an effective area of the sensor fiber being less than or equal to 50 μm2. |
| US09874517B2 |
Processing apparatus and particle securing method
A processing apparatus includes: a light emission unit configured to emit light to a surface of a particle dispersed liquid applied to a base material, the particle dispersed liquid having particles dispersed in a solvent; a reflected light amount monitoring unit configured to detect an amount of the light reflected, and monitor a temporal variation of the detected value; and a condition adjustment unit configured to adjust a condition for a particle securing process, the particle securing process being performed to remove the solvent and secure the particles onto the base material, wherein, when the temporal variation falls within a predetermined range after the value has reached an extreme value, securing of the particles is determined to have been completed. |
| US09874511B2 |
Analyzer and immunoassay method
An analyzer including a housing with a mutually adjacent first side and a second side, and an annular reagent holding part disposed within the housing is disclosed. An immunoassay method for measuring antigen or antibody of a measurement object contained in a sample and performed by the analyzer is also disclosed. |
| US09874508B2 |
Spectrophotometer based on optical caustics
An apparatus for particle size and a distribution of a population of particle measurements, comprising: a non-monochromatic light source that emits a plurality of a non-monochromatic rays, a medium that includes a particle, wherein the medium is a liquid phase and the particle is suspended within the medium to form a particle-suspension, a droplet of the particle-suspension wherein the droplet is provided with a curved surface, and a detector that is provided with a light providing element. |
| US09874507B2 |
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for measuring submerged surfaces
The present disclosure provides systems, apparatuses, and methods for measuring submerged surfaces. Embodiments include a measurement apparatus including a main frame, a source positioned outside a pipe and connected to the main frame, and a detector positioned outside the pipe at a location diametrically opposite the source and connected to the main frame. The source may transmit a first amount of radiation. The detector may receive a second amount of radiation, determine a composition of the pipe based on the first and second amounts of radiation, and send at least one measurement signal. A control canister positioned on the main frame or on a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) attached to the apparatus may receive the at least one measurement signal from the detector and convey the at least one measurement signal to software located topside. |
| US09874506B2 |
Downhole systems for detecting a property of a fluid
System, methods, and apparatuses for determining properties of a production fluid downhole are presented. In one instance, a system includes a sample-filled sensing device for vibrating a first suspended tube containing a sample of production fluid and producing a first response signal. The system also includes a reference-fluid sensing device with a second suspended tube containing a viscosity-tunable fluid therein. The system vibrates the second suspended tube to create a second response signal. The viscosity of the viscosity-tunable fluid is varied until it is deemed to match that of the sample production fluid. Other systems and methods are presented. |
| US09874505B2 |
Verification of garment properties using multiple test coupons
Multiple test coupons are incorporated in the construction of a personal garment for the purpose of determining the presence of foreign substances acquired during garment use or a change in properties or other change in characteristics over time. Each of the test coupons is retained with the garment during the useful life of the garment until the coupon is individually removed for test purposes. Each test coupon has a construction identical to the garment construction and is easily removable and configured to allow for destructive testing. Sufficient multiple coupons are provided with each garment over its life to allow for periodic testing. |
| US09874501B2 |
Use of chemically patterned substrate for liquid handling, chemical and biological reactions
A device for washing an array plate having an array of liquid droplets adhered thereto is described. The array of liquid droplets is covered with a hydrophobic medium immiscible with the array of liquid droplets. The device includes a mechanism for draining the hydrophobic medium from the array plate; a mechanism for providing an aqueous wash liquid over the array plate; a mechanism for shaking the array plate in a presence of the aqueous wash liquid; and a mechanism for removing the aqueous wash liquid from the array plate. A method for washing an array plate is also described. |
| US09874500B2 |
Cartridge-type apparatus for fixing biological sample using microwaves
Disclosed is a cartridge-type apparatus for fixing a biological sample using microwaves. Particularly, the cartridge-type apparatus for fixing a biological sample using microwaves includes a resonance part having a cavity, a module for generating and amplifying microwaves configured to generate microwaves in the cavity, a cartridge which is disposed to be rotatable in the cavity and in which at least one wide-mouth bottle is placed, and a motor rotating the cartridge. |
| US09874499B1 |
Method of sample preparation for epidermal nerve fiber density testing
An improved method for staining biopsy samples taken from patients for epidermal nerve fiber density testing is described. The method employed in the present invention minimizes tissue damage incurred during biopsy sample processing for immunostaining and involves minimal handling of the sample. Moreover, the unique steps of covering wells that do not receive samples as well as novel labeling pattern of the patient samples significantly reduces the chances of making errors in mixing patient samples while processing a large batch of patient specimens. |
| US09874496B2 |
Tire suspension fusion system for estimation of tire deflection and tire load
A system and method estimating a vehicle tire load includes a tire static load estimator estimating a static tire load using a tire attached TPMS sensor; a Kalman filter based tire deflection estimator estimating tire vertical deflection; a load variation estimator estimating the instantaneous load variation by using the tire vertical deflection information; and an output tire load estimator calculating an output load estimation mathematically by fusing the static tire load with the instantaneous load variation information. The tire deflection estimator includes a chassis accelerometer measuring a chassis vertical acceleration; and a hub accelerometer measuring a wheel hub vertical acceleration of the tire. A linear filter model receives as inputs the chassis vertical acceleration and the wheel hub vertical acceleration. |
| US09874488B2 |
System and method for detecting operating events of an engine
A method of monitoring an operating event of a combustion engine includes receiving a noise signal sensed by a knock sensor disposed in or proximate to the combustion engine, correlating the noise signal with a fingerprint having at least an ADSR envelope indicative of the operating event, and detecting if the operating event has occurred based on the correlating of the noise signal with the fingerprint. |
| US09874486B2 |
Methods and apparatus for packaging a MEMS device
Systems and methods for packaging a MEMS device are provided. Embodiments herein avoid the use of a metal housing enclosing the MEMS device or die pad of the MEMS device. Instead, a metal port is mounted directly to the MEMS device using a ceramic carrier. In preferred embodiments, the ceramic carrier is soldered, brazed, welded or eutectic bonded to the metal port. |
| US09874484B2 |
Physical quantity detecting device, electronic apparatus, and moving object
A physical quantity detecting device includes a vibrating element and a charge amplifier. The vibrating element includes a first detection electrode, a second detection electrode, a third detection electrode, and a fourth detection electrode. The first and fourth detection electrodes have the same electrical polarity, the second and third detection electrodes have the same electrical polarity, and the first and second detection electrodes have opposite electrical polarities. The first and fourth detection electrodes are connected to the charge amplifier, and the second and third detection electrodes are connected to the charge amplifier. |
| US09874481B2 |
Method and assembly for determining the temperature of a test sensor
Methods and systems accurately determine an analyte concentration in a fluid sample. In an example embodiment, a receiving port receives a test sensor. The test sensor includes a fluid-receiving area for receiving a fluid sample. The fluid-receiving area contains a reagent that produces a measurable reaction with an analyte in the fluid sample. The test sensor has a test-sensor temperature and the reagent has a reagent temperature. A measurement system measures the reaction between the reagent and the analyte. A temperature-measuring system measures the test sensor temperature when the test sensor is received into the receiving port. A concentration of the analyte in the fluid sample is determined according to the measurement of the reaction and the measurement of the test sensor temperature. A diagnostic system determines an accuracy of the temperature-measuring system. The calculation of the analyte concentration may be adjusted according to the accuracy of temperature-measuring system. |
| US09874477B2 |
Device for measuring colour properties
A method for determining color properties of a target, comprising: providing an enclosure (10) having first and second opposing end walls (10a, 10b) each having an aperture therein, the first end wall (10a) having, on its surface within said enclosure, a pattern (20) of colored sections arranged around the respective aperture (16), no light source being provided within said enclosure; placing said first screen (12) over said target; substantially simultaneously illuminating, through the aperture in the second end wall, said screen overlayed on said target and using said lens module to obtain sensor data representative of at least a portion of light reflected from said screen overlayed on said target and received by said sensor; and transmitting said sensor data to a remote processing module configured to adjust a color property of said target obtained from respective target parameters derived therefor. |
| US09874476B2 |
Colour recipe calculating method for matt colour standards
The invention relates to a method for colour recipe calculation for matt colour standards with the steps: A) experimentally determining reflection spectra R(exp) of the color standard, comprising a first reflection spectrum (SPIN) and a second reflection spectrum (SPEX), with an integrating sphere color measurement instrument, wherein said first reflection spectrum (SPIN) is obtained at (A1) d/8°—geometry with the specular component included, and said second reflection spectrum (SPEX) is obtained at (A2) d/8°—geometry with the specular component excluded; B1) calculating a recipe for the matt color standard based on the experimentally determined reflection spectrum R(exp) with the specular component included, which has been corrected for the specular component, or B2) comparing the experimentally determined reflection spectrum R(exp) with the specular component included, which has been corrected for the specular component, with reflection spectra associated to color recipes of a color recipe database for glossy color shades and identifying from said color recipe database a stored reflection spectrum which comes closest to the experimentally determined reflection spectrum R(exp) of the matt color standard, as well as the associated colour recipe; C) converting reflection spectra data of the experimentally determined reflection spectra (SPIN, SPEX) of the matt colour standard to gloss values, and D) converting the gloss values obtained to the amount of matting agent (MAA) with the assistance of previously prepared calibration curves for the available colorant system. |
| US09874475B2 |
Automated multiple location sampling analysis system
An analysis system (e.g., LIBS) includes a laser source generating a laser beam, a movable optic configured to move said laser beam to multiple locations on a sample, and a spectrometer responsive to photons emitted by the sample at those locations and having an output. A controller is responsive to a trigger signal and is configured in a moving spot cycle to adjust the moveable optic, activate the laser source sequentially generating photons at multiple locations on the sample, and process the spectrometer output at each location. |
| US09874472B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring and analyzing vibrations in rotary machines
Vibration amplitudes are recorded as a function of rotation speed and of frequency and the data is analyzed to estimate a noise floor amplitude threshold for each of a plurality of different speed and frequency sub-ranges. On the basis of training data known to be normal speed-frequency areas which contain significant spectral content in normal operation are deemed “known significant spectral content”, so that during monitoring of new data points which correspond to significant vibration energy at speeds and frequencies different from the known significant spectral content can be deemed “novel significant spectral content” and form the basis for an alert. The estimation of the noise floor is based on a probabilistic analysis of the data in each speed-frequency area and from this analysis an extreme value distribution expressing the probability that any given sample is noise is obtained. |
| US09874470B2 |
Fuel tank level monitoring system
Described herein are embodiments of a system for monitoring and detecting a level of a tank storing a material. The system may be used in making a determination of whether and/or when to provide additional material to the tank, to refill the tank partially or entirely. In some embodiments, the tank may be disposed at a premises such as a residence or commercial building and the system may be disposed in part at that premises to monitor the level of the material in the tank. In some embodiments, the material may be a fuel and the tank may be a fuel tank, to provide fuel to utilities equipment at the premises. In other embodiments, the tank may include other materials, such as other utilities materials. In some embodiments, the utilities material may be potable water. |
| US09874467B2 |
MEMS thermal flow sensor with compensation for fluid composition
The present invention provides a MEMS thermal flow sensor or meter for measuring the flow rate of a fluid without need for calibration of the flow sensor for that particular fluid. A response curve is determined by plotting the sensor output voltage against the volume flow rate divided by fluid thermal diffusivity for a calibration fluid of known thermal diffusivity, and storing response curve data in memory. A conversion factor is employed to provide a measure of correct flow rate of an unknown fluid. This conversion factor is derived from the ratio of the thermal time constant of the calibration fluid to the thermal time constant of the measured fluid, the time constants being measured at zero flow. These time constants are stored in memory. This conversion factor in conjunction with the response curve data is utilized by the processor to produce the correct flow rate. The invention also encompasses a method for measuring fluid flow rate of fluids of differing properties without necessity of a separate flow calibration for each fluid. |
| US09874466B2 |
Methods and apparatus for ultrasonic fluid flow measurement and fluid flow data analysis
A fluid flow meter estimates the velocity of water or another fluid flowing through pipe by comparing measurements of the water velocity to one or more pre-determined templates. The fluid flow meter may collect measurement signals from one or more flow sensors, estimate the fluid velocity or flow rate by comparing the measurement signals to the template, and either store the comparison results in local memory, transmit the results to a remote memory or server, or both. In some embodiments, the fluid flow meter transmits the results to a server via a wireless interface. The transducers and processing system can be powered by a battery, a power line, or, for manifolds installed outdoors, a solar cell. Example transducers and processing systems may also have a passive wake-up feature for power reduction; that is, they may only draw power when water or another fluid flows through the pipe. |
| US09874451B2 |
Fresh hybrid routing independent of map version and provider
Systems, methods, and apparatuses are described for providing fresh hybrid routing independent of map version and provider. A set of routing data is received in response to a routing request. The set of routing data includes road segments. An analysis may be performed of a local map and the set of routing data. At least one unmatched road segment between the local map and the set of routing data is identified based on the analysis. A request for update data for the at least one unmatched road segment is made. Using the local map, the set of routing data, and the update data for the at least one unmatched road segment a navigation action is generated. |
| US09874450B2 |
Referencing closed area geometry
Embodiments includes systems and methods for referencing a dynamic closed geometry event to a map tile for a navigation application. The dynamic closed geometry event changes in geographic coverage area over time. In response to receipt of data indicative of the dynamic closed geometry event in map agnostic coordinates, a processor, identifies a map tile level for the navigation application and identifies at least one map tile identifier for the dynamic closed geometry event. Multiple map tile offsets are calculated based on the map tile level and the dynamic closed geometry event and sent to the navigation application. |
| US09874449B2 |
Efficient and error tolerant mapping from a source graph to a target graph
Methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided. An example method comprises identifying an object in a source graph; defining a closure graph around the object in the source graph; building a closure set around the object based on the closure graph; identifying the anchor nodes of the closure set on the target graph; and deflating the closure set on the target graph to identify a target object in the target graph that corresponds to the object in the source graph. The object is identified by a directed way and an offset there along. An anchor node is a junction that is tagged with a junction identifier configured to uniquely identify the junction in both the source graph and a target graph. |
| US09874446B2 |
Physical unit of chip-scale NMR gyroscope
A physical unit of a chip-scale nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) gyroscope, the physical unit including: a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), a silicon sheet including a recess, a glass sheet, an atomic vapor chamber, a first right angle prism, a quarter-wave plate, a polarizing beam splitter, and photodetectors. The recess includes sides including reflecting mirrors. The glass sheet is disposed on the silicon sheet. The recess of the silicon sheet is in a structure of an inverted square frustum, and the reflecting mirrors are disposed on sides of the recess. The atomic vapor chamber is an enclosed region formed between the recess and the glass sheet. The atomic vapor chamber is filled with alkali metal atoms, one or a plurality of inert gas atoms, and one or a plurality of buffer gases. |