| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09940348B2 |
Managing multiple locks for data set members in a data set index
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for managing multiple locks for data set members in a data set index. The data set index has leaf nodes and internal nodes. In response to determining that a current lock is set at a locked node that prevents a grant to a requested lock, a determination is made as to whether there are different first and second descendant nodes from the locked node at a same level of the tree data structure linked to the requested data set member and the locked data set member, respectively. If so, the requested lock for the requested data set member is set at the first descendant node, the current lock is moved to the second descendant node for the locked data set member and the requested lock is granted. |
| US09940344B2 |
Fractal approach for probabilistic flow cache maintenance
An apparatus sets a layer counter to point to a first layer of a data structure. The apparatus determines the layer counter to reference an overflowing cell. The apparatus increments the layer counter to point to a second layer of the data structure. The apparatus determines the incremented layer counter to reference a non-overflowing cell. The apparatus increments a value of the non-overflowing cell, wherein the first layer is stored in a first cache and the second layer is stored in a second cache, and wherein the first cache differs from the second cache with respect to one or more of speed or size. |
| US09940342B2 |
Stability measurement for federation engine
Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing a stability measurement are provided. A computer-implemented method for measuring stability may include creating a destabilized data source for a data source, wherein errors are injected into the destabilized data source; sending test queries to the destabilized data source and the data source; and comparing results of the test queries in order to calculate a stability measurement. |
| US09940341B2 |
Apparatus and method for web marketing tools for digital archives—web portal advertising arts
This invention relates to the creation of a software application to: facilitate the creation, representation and publication of digital objects; in particular, methods and apparatus that improve digital resource retrieval on the part of end users and to provide a new system for the web based marketing of digital assets and online distribution of metadata enriched advertising. |
| US09940340B2 |
Ensuring data maintenance within a LDAP environment
An approach for tracking system changes to support data maintenance within a directory service environment. Log fields are added to a directory service database for applications that interface with a directory service environment based on predetermined fields to be tracked. The log fields are updated to register database schema fields and data associated with the applications to create a history of changes. An application's identity and data access to the directory service environment are monitored and the log fields are updated to create a history of usage. The directory service database history of usage and changes are periodically analyzed to determine applications relationship dependencies and usage information. Associated maintenance actions are identified by detecting conditions in the directory service environment, based on predetermined maintenance criteria and maintenance is performed. |
| US09940339B2 |
System and method for reducing functional ambiguity in visual contents
The present disclosure relates to a method and a system for reducing functional ambiguity from an image. In one embodiment, an input image is received and processed to identify objects. Spatial proximity score of the identified objects are determined based on which functional proximity score of functionalities associated with the identified objects is further determined. Upon determining the functional proximity score, possible domain of all the functionalities associated with the identified objects is determined. Further, a domain score is determined based on which the ambiguity of the domain related to the input image is reduced. A text summary of objects, functionalities and possible domains associated with the input image is then generated upon mapping with one or more user profiles and displayed to end user. |
| US09940338B2 |
Efficiency of file synchronization in a linear tape file system
A mechanism is provided for improved file synchronization of a magnetic tape. A destination device determines whether one or more file checksums exist in an extended file attribute associated with an identified file. Responsive to one or more file checksums existing in the extended file attribute associated with the identified file, the destination device reads the one or more file checksums out of the extended file attribute without accessing the magnetic tape. The destination device transmits the one or more file checksums to a source device. The source device segments the data of the new file into fixed-length blocks that do not overlap one another. The source device calculates one or more new file checksums for each of the fixed-length blocks. The source device transmits the one or more new file checksums to the destination device. |
| US09940334B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control method thereof
An image forming apparatus can prevent deletion of necessary data, when partially deleting a bundle development area, wherein the image forming apparatus holds information for identifying a file to be treated as a deletion target exception when an application is deleted, specifying an application to be a deletion target from among a plurality of kinds of applications, and deleting a file related to the specified application, such that in deletion, the file, serving as the deletion target exception, identified based on the held information, is not deleted. |
| US09940333B2 |
File format bundling
Various systems described herein facilitate storage of files in various formats. A client device can generate a request for a particular file or content. The client device can submit a request with various request parameters. A file service can identify an appropriate file in an appropriate format. The appropriate file in the appropriate format can be provided to the client device in response to the request. |
| US09940332B1 |
Storage pool-backed file system expansion
Described are methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products for expanding a storage pool-backed file system. A file system expansion trigger is detected. First reserved space in the storage pool is reserved. A LUN size attribute associated with a LUN underlying the file system is increased. A file system size attribute associated with the file system is increased. First data to write to the file system is received. In response to receiving the first data, an expansion result is determined, wherein the expansion result indicates whether to expand the LUN and the file system. If the expansion result indicates to expand the LUN and the file system, a first portion of the first reserved space is provisioned and formatted. The first data is written to the file system. |
| US09940330B2 |
System and method for converting a physical disk to a virtual disk
A method for converting a disk of a physical computer into a virtual disk for use by a virtual machine is described. Contents of the disk of the physical computer are copied into an image file, wherein the image file has a different sector-by-sector organization of the contents than the disk but a logically equivalent file system organization. Hardware configuration information from the image file is then extracted, wherein the hardware configuration information relates to hardware of the physical computer and, based on a comparison of the extracted hardware configuration information and a virtual hardware configuration of the virtual machine, hardware-dependent files in the image file are replaced with substitute files that are compatible with the virtual hardware configuration of the virtual machine. |
| US09940328B2 |
Dynamic threshold gates for indexing queues
Electronic files are selectively assigned to a plurality of different indexing queues by one or more dynamic throughput threshold gates based on characteristics of the different indexing queues as well as the static file characteristics associated with each of the files. The files are then indexed. Upon detecting a change in a dynamic characteristic of one or more indexed files, the throughput threshold gate(s) are then modified to obtain, maintain or modify a desired throughput for one or more of the indexing queues. |
| US09940320B2 |
Plugin tool for collecting user generated document segmentation feedback
A method, system and a computer program product are provided for collecting document segmentation data by activating a document segmentation collection browser plugin with a designated toolbar button to generate one or more initial document segments from a webpage document and to receive user feedback for modifying a first initial document segment through a document segment control tool to generate a modified set of one or more initial document segments which are stored as document and document preprocessing data for the webpage document. |
| US09940319B2 |
Information analysis system, information analysis method, and information analysis program
An information analysis system includes a remark analysis unit, a thread analysis unit, and a storing unit. The remark analysis unit analyzes importance of a remark included in a thread serving as a group of remarks posted on a network, based on remark data serving as data relating to the remark, for each of the remarks. The thread analysis unit analyzes which of a plurality of preset categories the thread belongs to, based on thread data serving as data relating to the thread. The storing unit stores the remark, the importance of the remark, and a category of the thread including the remark in association with each other for each of the remarks, in a predetermined storage unit. |
| US09940316B2 |
Determining user interest data from different types of inputted context during execution of an application
Provided is an information processing apparatus to further improve convenience for a user, the information processing apparatus including: an update detection unit configured to detect update of presented information presented to a user during execution of an application; an interest data extraction unit configured to extract interest data that includes at least information accompanying the presented information whose update has been detected and is information on a target in which the user is interested during execution of the application; an input context detection unit configured to detect input context indicating a processing status of input information using the application, the input information being attempted to be inputted during execution of the application; and an input information candidate presentation unit configured to perform, on the basis of the input context, control to present input information candidates that are candidates of the input information among the interest data. |
| US09940311B2 |
Optimized read/write access to a document object model
In an approach for optimizing read/write access to a document object model in a web browser, one or more computer processors detect one or more accesses to a first data structure of a document object model. Based on the detected one or more accesses, the one or more computer processors determine whether the first data structure is a highly dynamic part of the document object model. Responsive to determining the first data structure is a highly dynamic part of the document object model, the one or more computer processors trigger a conversion of the first data structure to an access optimized data structure. The one or more computer processors convert the first data structure to an access optimized data structure. |
| US09940305B2 |
Preparation of textual content
The invention relates to solution of preparing font information related to textual content of a document. Within the solution a document file is received as an input and the content of at least the received document file is parsed, the parsing comprising determination of font information related to textual content of the received document file. The font information is analyzed and corrected if a deficiency is detected in the font information. Output files are created from the corrected font information and stored in a memory. |
| US09940298B2 |
Signal conditioner discovery and control in a multi-segment data path
In a segmented data path, a source is able to “discover” whether any tunable repeater nodes are present. When one or more tunable repeaters are discovered, the source may adjust its link initialization sequence accordingly to train each “hop” individually and thereafter individually configure each intermediary repeater. |
| US09940295B2 |
Extremely high frequency systems and methods of operating the same to establish USB data transport protocols
EHF communication systems described herein can selectively implement any one of the USB standards by mapping appropriate USB signal conditions over an EHF contactless communication link. The EHF contactless communication link may serve as an alternative to conventional board-to-board and device-to-device connectors, and as such enables wired connection USB signaling protocols to be used in a non-wired environment provided by the EHF contactless communications link. Use of a USB protocol over the EHF communications link can be accomplished by establishing the EHF link between counterpart EHF communication units, and then by establishing the appropriate USB protocol over the link. |
| US09940293B1 |
Method for efficient storage and backup of data via SCSI transport
Systems and methods are disclosed that advertise and expose a SCSI disk device type to a client computer or virtual machine, the disk device type acting as a transport for SCSI commands to/from a storage appliance over a Fiber Channel network. Each SCSI command is transported in one or more Fiber Channel frames. A virtual machine can write data to the storage appliance using through a disk opened with the disk device type. Data written through the disk can be deduplicated and/or compressed before storage on the storage appliance. The SCSI disk device type can support SCSI pass-through mode, virtual RDM, or physical RDM. |
| US09940289B2 |
Preventing access to misplugged devices by a service processor
An approach is provided for preventing access to mis=plugged devices by a service processor (SP). The SP retrieves an expected device identifier of a device associated with a hot-plug event. The hot-plug event was received in response to the device being connected to a selected port of a service processor, and the port is one many ports included in the SP. The SP sends a request for a device identifier via the port and actual device identifier is received from the device. The device is validated by comparing the expected device identifier with the actual device identifier. If the identifiers match, a link between the SP and the device is maintained. On the other hand, if the identifiers do not match, the link between the SP and the device is terminated or otherwise inhibited. |
| US09940286B2 |
PCIE traffic tracking hardware in a unified virtual memory system
Techniques are disclosed for tracking memory page accesses in a unified virtual memory system. An access tracking unit detects a memory page access generated by a first processor for accessing a memory page in a memory system of a second processor. The access tracking unit determines whether a cache memory includes an entry for the memory page. If so, then the access tracking unit increments an associated access counter. Otherwise, the access tracking unit attempts to find an unused entry in the cache memory that is available for allocation. If so, then the access tracking unit associates the second entry with the memory page, and sets an access counter associated with the second entry to an initial value. Otherwise, the access tracking unit selects a valid entry in the cache memory; clears an associated valid bit; associates the entry with the memory page; and initializes an associated access counter. |
| US09940284B1 |
Streaming interconnect architecture
A device can include one of more configurable packet processing pipelines to process a plurality of packets. Each configurable packet processing pipeline can include a plurality of packet processing components, wherein each packet processing component is configured to perform one or more packet processing operations for the device. The plurality of packet processing components are coupled to a packet processing interconnect, wherein each packet processing component is configured to route the packets through the packet processing interconnect for the one or more configurable packet processing pipelines. |
| US09940282B2 |
Bus serialization for devices without multi-device support
A serial bus is provided with a device (sometimes herein referred to as an I2C serializer device) including circuitry and machine logic that operates as follows: when one of the master devices is using the bus for data communication, then the other master(s) will receive a wait signal until the bus becomes available again. This wait signal allows the master devices to wait as a “hardware response,” rather than requiring the master devices to be equipped with software and/or firmware to control the operation of waiting until the serial bus is available. In some embodiments, the use of the I2C serializer device allows a bus operating under a bus serialization protocol (for example, I2C) to be simultaneously connected to multiple master devices even in the case that one, or more, master device(s) do not include any currently conventional form of multi-master support. |
| US09940280B1 |
Provisioning an enclosure with PCIe connectivity and storage devices
An electronic assembly perform data storage operations on behalf of a set of storage processors (SPs). The electronic assembly includes an enclosure, and a set of peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) switches which installs within the enclosure. The set of PCIe switches is constructed and arranged to connect to the set of SPs while the set of SPs is external to the enclosure. The electronic assembly further includes a set of data storage devices which installs within the enclosure. The set of data storage devices is constructed and arranged to persistently store data on behalf of the set of SPs via PCIe-based communications through the set of PCIe switches. |
| US09940279B2 |
Processor apparatus with programmable multi port serial communication interconnections
A computing and communication chip architecture is provided wherein the interfaces of processor access to the memory chips are implemented as a high-speed packet switched serial interface as part of each chip. In one embodiment, the interface is accomplished through a gigabit Ethernet interface provided by protocol processor integrated as part of the chip. The protocol processor encapsulates the memory address and control information like Read, Write, number of successive bytes etc, as an Ethernet packet for communication among the processor and memory chips that are located on the same motherboard, or even on different circuit cards. In one embodiment, the communication over head of the Ethernet protocol is further reduced by using an enhanced Ethernet protocol with shortened data frames within a constrained neighborhood, and/or by utilizing a bit stream switch where direct connection paths can be established between elements that comprise the computing or communication architecture. |
| US09940276B2 |
PLC system having a plurality of CPU modules and control method thereof
Disclosed is a PLC system having a plurality of CPU modules and a control method thereof, wherein the method includes ascertaining a clock signal when a count is a count corresponding to a time slot allocated by a master CPU module, generating a clock signal by accessing to a backplane, and ending generation of clock signal at a time when the access to the backplane ends. |
| US09940275B2 |
System and method to avoid SMBus address conflicts via a baseboard management controller
An information handling system includes an Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) master device and an I2C slave device coupled to the I2C master device via an I2C bus. The I2C slave device is configured with a pre-set I2C address and includes seeding data that is unique to the I2C slave device. The I2C master device receives the seeding data and addresses the I2C slave device at an I2C slave address instead of at the pre-set I2C address, wherein the I2C slave address is based upon the seeding data. |
| US09940273B2 |
Dynamic RAM sharing in software-defined TDD communication
Dynamic sharing of RAM in a software-defined communication system includes storing program code in a flash memory, categorizing parts of the code into groups of transmit categories according to when a part of the code needs to be copied into a section of a RAM and then executed during a first state of a TX state machine and according to how another part of the code can be later fit into the same section and then executed during a second state. Similarly, parts of the code are categorized into groups of receive categories according to when a part of the code needs to be copied into a section of RAM and then executed during a first state of a RX state machine and according to how another part of the code can be later fit into that section and then executed during a second state of the RX state machine, to reduce the amount of RAM without sacrificing speed performance. |
| US09940270B2 |
Multiple request notification network for global ordering in a coherent mesh interconnect
A data processing system includes a plurality of processing unit. Each processing unit includes notification storage circuitry configured to store a notification indicator corresponding to each processing unit which indicates whether the processing unit has an outstanding coherent memory request, and multiple request storage circuitry configured to store a multiple request indicator corresponding to each processing unit which indicates whether the processing unit has more than one outstanding request. The data processing system also includes an interconnect network coupled between the processing units and configured to broadcast coherent memory requests from a requesting processing unit of the plurality of processing units to other processing units of the plurality of processing units. |
| US09940268B2 |
Handling memory access protection and address translation in a data processing apparatus
A processing apparatus has a memory protection unit (MPU) 38 and an address translation unit (ATU) 120 which operate concurrently for memory access operations performed by processing circuitry 22. The MPU 38 stores access permission data for corresponding regions of an address space. The ATU 120 stores address translation entries for defining virtual-to-physical mappings for corresponding pages of the address space. In response to a memory access operation specifying a target address, one of the MPU 38 and the ATU 120 is selected to handle the memory access operation based on the target address. If the MPU 38 is selected then the target address is a physical address and the MPU 38 checks access permissions using a corresponding set of permission data. If the ATU 120 is selected then the target address is a virtual address and is translated into a physical address using a corresponding translation entry. |
| US09940267B2 |
Compiler global memory access optimization in code regions using most appropriate base pointer registers
A processing device includes a target processor instruction memory to store a plurality of target processor instructions that include a plurality of global memory access instructions. The processing device further includes a compiler to communicate with the target processor instruction memory, the compiler including: a global variable candidate detection module to identify a global memory access instruction within a set of code regions that use a set of global variable candidates to access a global memory, and a memory access optimization module to modify the global memory access instruction, wherein the modified global memory access instruction utilizes an unused base pointer register of a set of unused base pointer register candidates within the set of code regions, a global variable from the set of global variable candidates to be used as a base address, and an offset relative to the base address to access the global memory. |
| US09940265B2 |
Computing system and method of operating computing system
A computing system including a memory that is shared by a plurality of components of the computing system in order to exchange data between the plurality of components; and a controller configured to control the plurality of components to encrypt the data and to record the encrypted data in the memory. |
| US09940263B2 |
VM inter-process communication
A method is described for enabling inter-process communication between a first application and a second application, the first application running within a first virtual machine (VM) in a host and the second application running within a second VM in the host, The method includes receiving a request to attach a shared region of memory to a memory allocation, identifying a list of one or more physical memory pages defining the shared region that corresponds to the handle, and mapping guest memory pages corresponding to the allocation to the physical memory pages. The request may be received by a framework from the second application and includes a handle that uniquely identifies the shared region of memory as well as an identification of at least one guest memory page corresponding to the memory allocation. |
| US09940262B2 |
Immediate branch recode that handles aliasing
A system and method for efficiently indicating branch target addresses. A semiconductor chip predecodes instructions of a computer program prior to installing the instructions in an instruction cache. In response to determining a particular instruction is a control flow instruction with a displacement relative to a program counter address (PC), the chip replaces a portion of the PC relative displacement in the particular instruction with a subset of a target address. The subset of the target address is an untranslated physical subset of the full target address. When the recoded particular instruction is fetched and decoded, the remaining portion of the PC relative displacement is added to a virtual portion of the PC used to fetch the particular instruction. The result is concatenated with the portion of the target address embedded in the fetched particular instruction to form a full target address. |
| US09940260B1 |
System and method for controlling optimized access to memory device having three-dimensional stacked structure
A memory controller system optimally controls access to a memory device having a plurality of integrated circuit (IC) chips disposed in a non-uniform stack configuration within a three-dimensional stacked (3DS) structure. A memory profiling portion executes to determine the non-uniform stack configuration. A virtual rank mapping portion configured to assign virtual ranks to chip locations actually defined by the non-uniform stack configuration. An address conversion portion executes to convert an unoptimized address definable with reference to a uniform stack configuration to an optimized address defined with reference to the non-uniform stack configuration. The addressing overhead during monitoring of data access operations to the memory device is optimized. |
| US09940259B2 |
Virtual disk alignment access
Embodiments relate to a virtualized storage environment with one or more virtual machines operating on a host and sharing host resources. Each virtual machine has a virtual disk in communication with a persistent storage device. The virtual machine(s) may be misaligned with the persistent storage device so that a virtual block address does not correspond with a persistent storage block address. A relationship between the virtual disk(s) and the persistent storage device is established, and more specifically, an alignment delta between the devices is established. The delta is employed to translate the virtual address to the persistent address so that the virtual and persistent storage blocks are aligned to satisfy a read or write operation. |
| US09940258B2 |
Implementing hardware accelerator for storage write cache management for merging data with existing data on fast writes to storage write cache
A method and controller for implementing storage adapter enhanced write cache management, and a design structure on which the subject controller circuit resides are provided. The controller includes a hardware write cache engine implementing hardware acceleration for storage write cache management. The hardware write cache engine manages merging data with existing data on fast writes to storage write cache substantially without using firmware for greatly enhancing performance. |
| US09940256B2 |
Implementing hardware accelerator for storage write cache management for managing cache line updates for writes, reads, and destages in storage write cache
A method and controller for implementing storage adapter enhanced write cache management, and a design structure on which the subject controller circuit resides are provided. The controller includes a hardware write cache engine implementing hardware acceleration for storage write cache management. The hardware write cache engine performs cache line updates for writes, reads, and destages from storage write cache substantially without firmware involvement for greatly enhancing performance. |
| US09940254B2 |
Implementing hardware accelerator for storage write cache management for simultaneous read and destage operations from storage write cache
A method and controller for implementing storage adapter enhanced write cache management, and a design structure on which the subject controller circuit resides are provided. The controller includes a hardware write cache engine implementing hardware acceleration for storage write cache management. The hardware write cache engine performs a host read and a cache destage simultaneously from storage write cache substantially without firmware involvement for greatly enhancing performance. |
| US09940251B2 |
Implementing hardware accelerator for storage write cache management for reads from storage write cache
A method and controller for implementing storage adapter enhanced write cache management, and a design structure on which the subject controller circuit resides are provided. The controller includes a hardware write cache engine implementing hardware acceleration for storage write cache management. The hardware write cache engine performs reads from storage write cache with no firmware involvement for greatly enhancing performance. |
| US09940249B2 |
Implementing hardware accelerator for storage write cache management with cache line manipulation
A method and controller for implementing storage adapter enhanced write cache management, and a design structure on which the subject controller circuit resides are provided. The controller includes a hardware write cache engine implementing hardware acceleration for storage write cache management. The hardware write cache engine performs hardware manipulation of CLs (Cache Lines), a hash table, and per array LRU queues. |
| US09940244B2 |
System and method for improved storage request handling in host-side caches
A system and method of improved storage request handling in host-side caches includes a host-side cache with a cache controller, a plurality of request queues, and a cache memory. The cache controller is configured to receive a storage request, assign a priority to the storage request based on a queuing policy, insert the storage request into a first request queue selected from the plurality of request queues based on the assigned priority, extract the storage request from the first request queue when the storage request is a next storage request to fulfill based on the assigned priority, forward the storage request to a storage controller, and receive a response to the storage request from the storage controller. The queuing policy is implemented using a rule-based policy engine. In some embodiments, the cache controller is further configured to update one or more monitoring metrics based on processing of the storage request. |
| US09940238B2 |
Changing cache ownership in clustered multiprocessor
A chip multiprocessor may include a first cluster and a second cluster, each having multiple cores of a processor, multiple co-located cache slices, and a memory controller. The processor stores directory information in a memory to indicate cluster cache ownership of a first address space to the first cluster. In response to a request to change the cluster cache ownership of the first address space to a second address space of the second cluster, the processor provides a quiesce period during which to block new read or write requests to the first cluster and the second cluster; drain read or write requests issued on the first cluster and the second cluster; and remove the block on new read or write requests. The processor may also update the directory information to change the cluster cache ownership of the first address space to the second address space of the second cluster. |
| US09940237B2 |
Identification of a computing device accessing a shared memory
A method for identifying, in a system including two or more computing devices that are able to communicate with each other, with each computing device having with a cache and connected to a corresponding memory, a computing device accessing one of the memories, includes monitoring memory access to any of the memories; monitoring cache coherency commands between computing devices; and identifying the computing device accessing one of the memories by using information related to the memory access and cache coherency commands. |
| US09940234B2 |
Aggressive data deduplication using lazy garbage collection
A method for extending data lifetime for reference in deduplication is provided. The method includes determining that a quantity of user data has at least a threshold amount of data that is re-created in a storage system. The method includes protecting at least portions of the quantity of user data from erasure by garbage collection in the storage system during a predetermined time interval, wherein the protected at least portions are available for data deduplication of further user data in the storage system during the predetermined time interval. |
| US09940232B1 |
Post-program conditioning of stacked memory cells prior to an initial read operation
Method and apparatus for managing data in a stacked semiconductor memory, such as but not limited to a three dimensional (3D) NAND flash memory array. In some embodiments, a data set is written to the memory array by programming a stack of memory cells to a desired set of program states. A first set of pulses is applied to verify the memory cells conform to the desired set of program states. The verified stack of memory cells are subsequently conditioned by applying a second set of pulses to remove accumulated charge from a shared channel region of the stack. The conditioning of the memory cells reduces a step-wise increase in the number of read errors during the first read operation as compared to subsequent read operations on the memory cells. |
| US09940231B2 |
Apparatus, a system, a method and a computer program for erasing data stored on a storage device using a sequence of uncompressible data
An approach for erasing data being stored in a data storage apparatus is provided, which may be provided e.g. as an apparatus, as a method, as a system or as a computer program. A sequence of uncompressible data is obtained fulfilling predetermined criteria, which includes a statistical measure indicative of compressibility or uncompressibility of the sequence of uncompressible data meeting a predetermined criterion, wherein the sequence of uncompressible data is divided into one or more blocks of uncompressible data, the sum of the sizes of the one or more blocks of uncompressible data being larger than or equal to the storage capacity of the data storage apparatus. The one or more blocks of uncompressible data is provided to the data storage apparatus for storage therein to overwrite the data currently stored in the data storage apparatus. |
| US09940224B2 |
Automatic remote execution of an application
Disclosed is a method of preparing and launching a test application on a first machine that is automatically executed on a second machine. A developer can prepare a test application on the first machine, and instead of the developer performing multiple steps to copy the test program to a second machine and set up the test environment, the method can automatically detect test environment data, and transmit the test application and the test environment data. Test environment data can include the directory of where the test program should be installed and executed. The test application can be run on the second machine and the results can be returned to the first machine where they can be displayed to the developer. |
| US09940223B2 |
Human-machine interface test system
The human-machine interface test system enables the automated testing of vehicle interface systems and consumer electronics devices, replacing testing and validation that previously had required human interaction. The human-machine interface device (HMI test object or device under test) does not need to be altered (via hardware or software modifications or additions) to be able to be tested using the human-machine interface test system. The HMIts involves the automated audio input generation and output analysis, visual verification of a display screen with graphics and texts display, including touch and gesture interface control and feedback, external device interface, as well as data logging for communication between the HMI device and the rest of the system, that will replace the testing and validation that previously required human interaction. The HMIts provides more accurate and reliable results from the conducted tests, increasing repeatability and consistency in a controlled environment, while significantly decreasing test time. |
| US09940221B2 |
System and method for testing data representation for different mobile devices
For generating an application program (15) from a plurality of application program modules (12), a computerized application platform (1) comprises an application configuration module (11) configured to receive from a user of a communication terminal instructions, for defining a selection of the application program modules (12), and to generate an application program (15) using the selected application program modules (12). The application platform (1) further comprises a plurality of device profiles (13) for different types of mobile communication devices. Each device profile (13) includes hardware characteristics of a different type of mobile communication device. Furthermore, a testing module (111) is configured to emulate the application program (15) for the different types of mobile communication devices using the device profiles (13) and to transmit to the user of the communication terminal test output data generated by emulating the application program (15) for at least one type of the mobile communication devices. |
| US09940220B2 |
Integrating a protocol analysis device with features of a software development program
In general, the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for controlling a protocol analysis device when a code execution breakpoint is encountered. The method includes displaying computer code in a user interface of a software development program. The computer code includes a breakpoint. The computing system receives user input to cause a first hardware device to execute the computer code. The computing system instructs the first hardware device to execute the computer code. The computing system instructs a protocol analysis device that is in communication with the computing system to begin recording data that is transmitted between the first hardware device and a second hardware device. The computing system determines that execution of the computer code has reached the breakpoint and as a result instructs the protocol analysis device to start or stop recording the data. |
| US09940215B2 |
Automatic correlation accelerator
An automatic correlation accelerator tool may access at least a first recording and a second recording of a base script that defines operations executed in testing performance of a system. The tool may cause the system to execute the first recording of the base script and the second recording of the base script and store, in electronic storage, dynamic value data that describes dynamic values generated during execution of the first recording of the base script and during execution of the second recording of the base script. The tool automatically, without human intervention, analyzes the stored dynamic value data to identify candidates for correlation within the base script and generates a correlated script based on the identified candidates for correlation and the base script. |
| US09940211B2 |
Resource system management
A resource system comprises a plurality of resource elements and a resource controller connected to the resource elements and operating the resource elements according to a predefined set of operational goals. A method of operating the resource system comprises the steps of identifying error recovery procedures that could be executed by the resource elements, categorizing each identified error recovery procedure in relation to the predefined set of operational goals, detecting that an error recovery procedure is to be performed on a specific resource element, deploying one or more actions in relation to the resource elements according to the categorization of the detected error recovery procedure, and performing the detected error recovery procedure on the specific resource element. |
| US09940210B2 |
Healing cloud services during upgrades
Embodiments described herein are directed to migrating affected services away from a faulted cloud node and to handling faults during an upgrade. In one scenario, a computer system determines that virtual machines running on a first cloud node are in a faulted state. The computer system determines which cloud resources on the first cloud node were allocated to the faulted virtual machine, allocates the determined cloud resources of the first cloud node to a second, different cloud node and re-instantiates the faulted virtual machine on the second, different cloud node using the allocated cloud resources. |
| US09940204B2 |
Memory error recovery
An aspect includes memory error recovery in a memory system includes detecting an error condition within a memory chip of the memory system. A chip mark is applied to the memory chip to flag the error condition. An address range of the memory chip associated with the error condition is determined. Data are written from the address range of the memory chip to a cache memory. The chip mark is removed based on determining that all of the data from the address range have been written to the cache memory. |
| US09940202B2 |
Self-healing using a virtual boot device
Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that enable a computer system comprising networked computers to self-heal from a boot failure of one of the computers. In some embodiments, upon detecting a first computer having a memory and a physical boot device failing to successfully load a boot image, a second computer defines a virtual boot device in communication with the first computer and the second computer and having a boot image for the first computer. Subsequent to defining the virtual boot device, the second computer can configure the first computer to boot from the virtual boot device. |
| US09940200B2 |
Storage device failure recovery system
A storage device failure recovery system includes a storage IHS and a user IHS coupled together over a network. The user IHS includes a storage system having a storage device, and a storage repair function that periodically provides a storage device image over the network to the storage IHS using data from the storage device. The storage repair function detects a failure of the storage device and streams an operating system on the user IHS using the storage device image stored on the storage IHS. While streaming the operating system on the user IHS using the storage device image stored on the storage IHS, the storage repair function analyzes the failure of the storage device, determines a storage system failure recovery procedure, and performs the storage system failure recovery procedure to restore the storage system while a user remains productive on the user IHS via the streamed operating system. |
| US09940198B2 |
Optimization of rebuilding in solid state drives
A data processing apparatus-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes selecting blocks of data in at least one solid state drive for garbage collection in a garbage collection process, and creating a bitmap indicating which blocks of data are in the garbage collection process. The bitmap has a two bit structure for each of the blocks, where the two bit structure includes a unique pair of bits associated with a logical block address (LBA) of the individual one of the blocks associated with the two bit structure. One bit indicates whether the block is in the garbage collection process. The other bit indicates whether rebuilding of the block has been completed. |
| US09940197B2 |
Method and apparatus for slice partial rebuilding in a dispersed storage network
A dispersed storage system includes a plurality of storage units that each include a partial rebuild grid module. The partial rebuild grid module includes partial rebuilding functionality to reconstruct one of a plurality of encoded data slices wherein the plurality of encoded data slices are generated from a data segment based on an error encoding dispersal function. In the partial rebuilding process, a data slice is rebuilt by combining in any order slice partials generated from at least a threshold number T of the plurality of data slices. |
| US09940196B2 |
Methods and systems for offloading RAID parity reconstruction
Methods and systems for a storage environment are provided. For example, one method includes receiving a request from a storage server at an offload engine for reconstructing data lost due to a failed storage device of a parity group having a plurality of storage devices; retrieving data and parity by the offload engine from the parity group storage devices that are operational; determining by the offload engine XOR of the retrieved data and parity; presenting XOR of data and parity by the offload engine to the storage server with context information associated with the retrieved data; and reconstructing lost data by the storage server using the XOR of data and parity and the context information provided by the offload engine. |
| US09940193B2 |
Chunk definition for partial-page read
The present disclosure is related to chunk definition for partial-page read. A number of methods can include setting a chunk size for a partial-page read of a page of memory cells. A start address of the partial-page read and chunk size can define a chunk of the page of memory cells. Some method can include enabling only those of a plurality of sense amplifiers associated with the page of memory cells that correspond to the chunk to perform the partial-page read. |
| US09940191B2 |
Concurrent error detection in a ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM) device
A plurality of data words are written into a TCAM; each has binary digits and don't-care digits. Contemporaneously, for each of the words: a first checksum is calculated on the binary digits; and the following are stored in a corresponding portion of a RAM: an identifier of the binary digits and the first checksum. The ternary content-addressable memory is queried with an input word. Upon the querying yielding a match, further steps include retrieving, from the random-access memory, corresponding values of the identifier of the binary digits and the first checksum; computing a second checksum on the input word, using the identifier of the binary digits; and if the second and first checksums are not equal, determining in real time that the match is a false positive. |
| US09940190B2 |
System for automated computer support
Systems and methods for providing automated computer support are described herein. One described method comprises receiving a plurality of snapshots from a plurality of computers, storing the plurality of snapshots in a data store, and creating an adaptive reference model based at least in part on the plurality of snapshots. The described method further comprises comparing at least one of the plurality of snapshots to the adaptive reference model, and identifying at least one anomaly based on the comparison. |
| US09940185B2 |
Intelligent battery sensor for vehicle and method of storing data in sensor
Provided is an intelligent battery sensor for a vehicle which detects an overcurrent module generating an abnormal overcurrent within a vehicle. The intelligent battery sensor for a vehicle includes a data packetizing unit configured to extract internal data variables related to detection of an overcurrent module and packetize the extracted internal data variables, a volatile memory configured to temporarily store the packetized internal data variables, a fault and validity diagnosing unit configured to monitor the packetized internal data variables stored in the volatile memory and classify, when a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) related to the abnormal overcurrent is diagnosed, the packetized internal data variables with respect to a diagnosis time of the DTC, and a nonvolatile memory configured to store the classified internal data variables under the control of the fault and validity diagnosing unit. |
| US09940184B2 |
Anomaly detecting method, and apparatus for the same
In an anomaly detecting method by using multi-dimensional time series sensor signals including, generating anomaly model by using data of a learning period including neither that period nor any exclusion candidate period, calculating anomaly measurements on the basis of the distance from the normal model and, making a period containing the maximum anomaly measurement value but no exclusion candidate period, learning exclusion periods and anomaly determining thresholds are determined as learned data on the basis of the result in each round, generates anomaly model data in a learning period except learning-exclusion periods regarding acquired data or data in a designated evaluation period, an anomaly measurement at each time point is calculated on the basis of the distance from the normal model, and data at each time point is determined to be anomaly or normal by comparing the anomaly measurements with anomaly determining thresholds. |
| US09940183B2 |
Commit-one-phase distributed transactions with multiple starting participants
A read-only message is sent by a first participant of multiple participants of a two-phase distributed transaction. The read-only message is received by a processor executing a coordinator node. A one-phase distributed transaction is initiated for a second participant of the multiple participants that did not respond with a read-only message. |
| US09940180B2 |
Using loopback interfaces of multiple TCP/IP stacks for communication between processes
Multiple TCP/IP stack processors on a host. The multiple TCP/IP stack processors are provided independently of TCP/IP stack processors implemented by virtual machines on the host. The TCP/IP stack processors provide multiple different default gateway addresses for use with multiple processes. The default gateway addresses allow a service to communicate across an L3 network. Processes outside of virtual machines that utilize the TCP/IP stack processor on a first host can benefit from using their own gateway, and communicate with their peer process on a second host, regardless of whether the second host is located within the same subnet or a different subnet. The multiple TCP/IP stack processors can use separately allocated resources. Separate TCP/IP stack processors can be provided for each of multiple tenants on the host. Separate loopback interfaces of multiple TCP/IP stack processors can be used to create separate containment for separate sets of processes on a host. |
| US09940179B1 |
Patching system calls in data protection operations
Systems and methods for patching system calls issued on a device. System calls are patched by transforming system calls to provide additional functionality. The system calls can then be rerouted to the updated or custom functions. |
| US09940176B2 |
Dual-processor electronic device and method for quick boot up
A dual-processor electronic device is provided. The dual-processor electronic device includes a first processor, a second processor and a dynamic random access memory. The first processor sends a wake-up command to the second processor to wake up the second processor after performing local initialization. The second processor wakes up, then performs local initialization, copies and decompresses the image file to the dynamic random access memory and sends a ready message to the first processor after the image file is decompressed. The first processor delays startup, and starts the startup process according to the decompressed image file when the ready message is received and the delay-start time is expired. The present disclosure also provides a method for booting up dual-processor electronic device quickly. |
| US09940172B2 |
Workload-to-cloud migration analysis based on cloud aspects
Methods and systems for evaluating compatibility of a cloud of computers to perform one or more workload tasks. One or more computing solution aspects are determined that corresponding to one or more sets of workload factors, where the workload factors characterize one or more workloads, to characterize one or more computing solutions. The workload factors are compared to the computing solution aspects in a rule-based system to exclude computing solutions that cannot satisfy the workload factors. A computing solution is selected that has aspects that accommodate all of the workload factors to find a solution that accommodates the one or more individual workloads. |
| US09940169B2 |
Real-time partitioned processing streaming
Embodiments related to processing data sets in real-time by using a distributed network to generate and process partitioned streams. Messages are assigned to partition streams. Within each stream, each of a set of processors perform a designated task. Results from the task are transmitted (directly or indirectly) to another processor in the stream. The distributed and ordered processing can allow results to be transmitted while or before the results are stored. |
| US09940168B2 |
Resource sharing using process delay
Methods and systems that reduce the number of instance of a shared resource needed for a processor to perform an operation and/or execute a process without impacting function are provided. a method of processing in a processor is provided. Aspects include determining that an operation to be performed by the processor will require the use of a shared resource. A command can be issued to cause a second operation to not use the shared resources N cycles later. The shared resource can then be used for a first aspect of the operation at cycle X and then used for a second aspect of the operation at cycle X+N. The second operation may be rescheduled according to embodiments. |
| US09940160B1 |
Managed reboot of a network operating system
A device may receive an indication to perform a reboot associated with a network service being provided using a first virtual machine (VM) running on the device. The device may launch, based on receiving the indication, a second VM on the device. The device may shut down, based on launching the second VM, the first VM. The device may configure the second VM for forwarding control plane traffic associated with the network service. The device may configure, based on configuring the second VM for forwarding the control plane traffic, the second VM for forwarding data plane traffic associated with the network service. The device may provide, based on configuring the second VM for forwarding the data plane traffic, the network service using the second VM. |
| US09940159B1 |
Facilitating hibernation mode transitions for virtual machines
Systems and methods for facilitating hibernation mode transitions for virtual machines. An example method comprises: responsive to determining that an active user session exists in a virtual machine operating in a hibernation state on a host computer system, disabling modifications of a hardware configuration parameter of the virtual machine; responsive to determining that the active user session has terminated, enabling modifications of the hardware configuration parameter of the virtual machine; and responsive to determining the hardware configuration parameter of the virtual machine has been modified, causing the virtual machine to discard, upon awakening, a previously saved memory state. |
| US09940153B2 |
Method for generating configuration information, and network control unit
A method for generating configuration information includes: a network control unit receives a virtual machine association message, where the VM association message includes an identifier of a first VM and an identifier of a first virtual built-in network element (NE), where a state of the first VM changes and the first virtual built-in NE detects that the state of the first VM changes; and the network control unit determines first information according to the identifier of the first VM, where the first information includes at least one of: a first forwarding entry, a location information mapping entry of the first VM, and a first network policy. According to the method, a network control unit determines first information according to an identifier of a first VM whose state changes and whose identifier is included in a VM association message, network configuration efficiency and network performance are improved. |
| US09940147B2 |
Systems and methods for providing information for use in a runtime computing environment
Systems and methods for providing information for use in a runtime environment that restricts access such information. An executable is launched prior to launching the runtime environment or runtime application. The executable retrieves information and makes that information available for use in the runtime, for example, by storing the information in a runtime file system area. The runtime or runtime application can then access the information. For example, the executable may retrieve information from a host operating system and then launch a runtime application that uses the information. An application that executes within a runtime and requires runtime external information can be provided as a bundle that includes an executable and the application itself. When the bundle is launched, the executable executes first to retrieve the information and make it available for the runtime. The runtime is then launched and provides the runtime application which can use the information. |
| US09940145B2 |
Method to identify and define application and browser uniform resource locator chaining
Methods and systems may provide a way for a system to anticipate usage patterns and automatically open a chain of application and browser windows based on typical usage. Additionally, a user may manually identify and create the chain of application and browser windows. In one example, application and browser chaining may be correlated with location, time of day, and profile of the user logged into the system. |
| US09940143B2 |
Using peripheral component interconnect express vendor-defined message (PCIe-VDM) and inter-integrated circuit (I2C) transport for network communications
Systems and methods for using Peripheral Component Interconnect Express Vendor-Defined Message (PCIe-VDM) and Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) transport for network communications are described. In some embodiments, an IHS may include: a host processor; a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) coupled to the host processor; a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) coupled to the host processor; and a memory coupled to the BMC, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution, cause the BMC to: receive a message over a network while the host processor is powered off, wherein the message originates from a remote IHS and targets the BMC; and in response to a pass-through data transfer rate available to the BMC not meeting a threshold value: power on the host processor; request that the BIOS boot up; and perform a communication with the remote IHS via a PCIe bus using a PCIe-VDM supported by the host processor. |
| US09940138B2 |
Utilization of register checkpointing mechanism with pointer swapping to resolve multithreading mis-speculations
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for using a register checkpointing mechanism to resolve multithreading mis-speculations. Valid architectural state is recovered and execution is rolled back. Some embodiments include memory to store checkpoint data. Multiple thread units concurrently execute threads. They execute a checkpoint mask instruction to initialize memory to store active checkpoint data including register contents and a checkpoint mask indicating the validity of stored register contents. As register contents change, threads execute checkpoint write instructions to store register contents and update the checkpoint mask. Threads also execute a recovery function instruction to store a pointer to a checkpoint recovery function, and in response to mis-speculation among the threads, branch to the checkpoint recovery function. Threads then execute one or more checkpoint read instructions to copy data from a valid checkpoint storage area into the registers necessary to recover a valid architectural state, from which execution may resume. |
| US09940133B2 |
Operation of a multi-slice processor implementing simultaneous two-target loads and stores
Operation of a multi-slice processor that includes a plurality of execution slices and a load/store superslice, where the load/store superslice includes a set predict array, a first load/store slice, and a second load/store slice. Operation of such a multi-slice processor includes: receiving a two-target load instruction directed to the first load/store slice and a store instruction directed to the second load/store slice; determining a first subset of ports of the set predict array as inputs for an effective address for the two-target load instruction; determining a second subset of ports of the set predict array as inputs for an effective address for the store instruction; and generating, in dependence upon logic corresponding to the set predict array that is less than logic implementing an entire load/store slice, output for performing the two-target load instruction in parallel with generating output for performing the store instruction. |
| US09940129B2 |
Computer processor with register direct branches and employing an instruction preload structure
A computer processor with register direct branches and employing an instruction preload structure is disclosed. The computer processor may include a hierarchy of memories comprising a first memory organized in a structure having one or more entries for one or more addresses corresponding to one or more instructions. The one or more entries of the one or more addresses may have a starting address. The structure may have one or more locations for storing the one or more instructions. The computer processor may include one or more registers to which one or more corresponding instruction addresses are writable. The computer processor may include processing logic. In response to the processing logic writing the one or more instruction addresses to the one or more registers, the processing logic may to pre-fetch the one or more instructions of a linear sequence of instructions from a first memory level of the hierarchy of memories into a second memory level of the hierarchy of memories beginning at the starting address. At least one address of the one or more addresses may be the contents of a register of the one or more registers. |
| US09940126B2 |
Cluster update system
A locking system may place a persistent object on each of the devices in a computer cluster. The objects may indicate that an update is being performed on the devices so that other systems may not also update the devices. When an update has completed, the objects may be removed. The objects may include an identifier for the system owning the objects, as well as other information regarding the update. In some cases, the objects may include executable code and perform some of the update functions on the various devices. |
| US09940121B2 |
Electronic apparatus
An electronic apparatus includes a control portion (1) including: an installation portion (11) that associates the user who performs installation with the installed program; and a program use control portion (17) that permits all users to use a first installed program associated with a first user and permit a second user and a third user who attempts to install a second installed program associated with the second user to use the second installed program. When the third user who is a user other than an administrator attempts to install an application program that the third user is not permitted to use, if the application program is the second installed program, the installation portion (11) does not perform installation and causes the program use control portion (17) to permit the third user to use the second installed program. |
| US09940120B2 |
Generating and caching software code
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to generating and caching software code. In aspects, a target device may receive software to install. The software may include source code that has not been compiled. The target device may install the software and indicate the source code of the package is to be compiled into intermediate or executable code that is persistently stored. If the target device receives a request to execute the software prior to it being compiled, the target device may compile and execute the software without delay. If the target device receives a request to execute the software after it is compiled, the target device may obtain and execute the compiled code. The behavior above may also be applied to scripting code obtained from a server remote to the target device. |
| US09940119B2 |
Providing limited versions of applications
Disclosed are various embodiments for providing limited versions of applications. A limited version of an application is automatically generated from a full version of the application. The limited version has a smaller data size than the full version. The limited version of the application is sent to the client computing device in response to a request for a trial of the application. |
| US09940117B2 |
Installing software onto a client through a network, and corresponding client
The present invention relates to a method and system for installing software onto a client in the NIM environment and corresponding client. Said method includes: initializing said client, wherein a virtual mapping device associated with a memory driver of the client is created, the virtual mapping device for scheduling between the client's memory driver and the remote NIM server with respect to the I/O operation for running the software so as to direct the I/O operation for running said software to the client's memory driver or the remote NIM server; running said software on the client; acquiring the resources desired for running software; and conducting data migration operation from the NIM server to the client while running said software, wherein the migrated data is the resource data obtained from NIM server and desired for installing said software; and the software installation being completed when all the data desired for installing said software are migrated to the memory driver of the client. It is unnecessary for the present invention to copy all the installation images to the local client before installing software, therefore time delay of installing OSs or application programs can be shortened or even eliminated. |
| US09940114B2 |
Seal-based regulation for software deployment management
An approach is provided for managing a deployment of a software package. First and second quality assurance (QA) seals are determined to match exactly one QA seal and no QA seal, respectively, in a plurality of QA seals. First details about hardware, middleware, and applications required in a first environment, which are included in the first QA seal, are determined to match second details of the first environment. Based on the first QA seal matching exactly one QA seal and the first details matching the second details, the software package is determined to be compatible with the first environment and a notification is generated authorizing the deployment of the software package to the first environment. Based on the second QA seal not matching any of the plurality of QA seals, a notification is generated indicating that the deployment of the software package to a second environment is not authorized. |
| US09940113B2 |
Big data assistant
Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to techniques for managing processing of data in computing systems. One embodiment provides a method which includes receiving a set of inputs to apply to at least a first big data definition. Each big data definition encapsulates information specified in the set of inputs into a set of reusable software components. The method also includes generating, based on the reusable software components, a first executable code component for the at least first big data definition. The method further includes deploying the first executable code component to an executing application without interrupting services provided by the executing application to which the first executable code component is deployed. |
| US09940111B2 |
Policy-based application deployment to a target application platform system
Implementations for policy-based application deployment and continuous best-fit placement across heterogeneous computing infrastructures are disclosed. A method of the disclosure includes determining that an application of a source application platform system triggered a metrics-based threshold of a plurality of metrics-based thresholds, determining, based on the metrics-based threshold that was triggered, a target application platform system to deploy the application, translating metadata of the application from a format of the source application platform system to a format of the target application platform system, and causing the application to be deployed at the target application platform system. |
| US09940110B2 |
Reducing call overhead through function splitting
Embodiments disclose a method, computer program product, and system for optimizing computer functions. The embodiment may create a control flow graph from a computer function. The control flow graph may contain an entry block, an exit block, and basic blocks located between the entry block and the exit block. The embodiment may classify each of the basic blocks as an original heavy basic block or an original light basic block. The embodiment may classify the original heavy block, the exit block and each of the basic blocks that are located between each original heavy block and the exit block as a determined heavy block. The embodiment may create light computer functions and heavy computer functions from the computer function. Each heavy computer function contains the basic blocks classified as determined heavy. The light computer functions contains the remaining basic blocks, the exit block and calls to the heavy computer functions. |
| US09940107B2 |
Object and connection organization in a diagram
A computer program product includes computer usable program code configured to present, on a display, a diagram. The presenting of the diagram includes presenting a first row that defines a location where objects of a first object type can be created, wherein a first ghosted object of a first object type is displayed in the first row. The first ghosted object represents a first creatable object of the first object type. The presenting of the diagram includes presenting a second row that defines a location where objects of a second object type can be created. The computer program product is configured to, responsive to a first input to create a first object of the first object type in the first row, creating the first object of the first object type. |
| US09940104B2 |
Automatic source code generation
Source code statements are automatically generated from a profile including variable code elements and methods. The profile is built from an existing code base that has identified variable code elements that differ when used in different versions of the source code statements. A developer may define values for the variable code elements which are then used by the methods in the profile to automatically generate corresponding source code statements. |
| US09940100B2 |
Shortlist computation for searching high-dimensional spaces
Techniques are disclosed for indexing and searching high-dimensional data using inverted file structures and product quantization encoding. An image descriptor is quantized using a form of product quantization to determine which of several inverted lists the image descriptor is to be stored. The image descriptor is appended to the corresponding inverted list with a compact coding using a product quantization encoding scheme. When processing a query, a shortlist is computed that includes a set of candidate search results. The shortlist is based on the orthogonality between two random vectors in high-dimensional spaces. The inverted lists are traversed in the order of the distance between the query and the centroid of a coarse quantizer corresponding to each inverted list. The shortlist is ranked according to the distance estimated by a form of product quantization, and the top images referred to by the ranked shortlist are reported as the search results. |
| US09940097B1 |
Registered FIFO
A registered synchronous FIFO has a tail register, internal registers, and a head register. The FIFO cannot be pushed if it is full and cannot be popped if it is empty, but otherwise can be pushed and/or popped. Within the FIFO, the internal signal fanout of incoming data circuitry and push control circuitry and is minimized and remains essentially constant regardless of the number of registers of the FIFO. The output delay of the output data also is essentially constant regardless of the number of registers of the FIFO. An incoming data value can only be written into the head or tail. If a data value is in the tail and one of the internal registers is empty, and if no push or pop is to be performed in a clock cycle, then nevertheless the data value in the tail is moved into the empty internal register in the cycle. |
| US09940096B2 |
Information output apparatus, information output method, and computer-readable medium
To perform information output suitable for the state of a user. A mobile terminal 1 includes an input unit 17, an output unit 18, a response generation unit 53, a position monitoring unit 52, and an output control unit 54. The input unit 17 receives voice input. The output unit 18 displays information, or outputs information by a method other than screen display. The position monitoring unit 52 detects the position of the mobile terminal 1 at the time of the voice input to the input unit 17. The output control unit 54 controls the output unit 18 to display a response to the voice input generated by the response generation unit 53 in the case where, at the time of the output of the response, the position monitoring unit 52 detects the position at the time of the voice input to the input unit 17, and controls the output unit 18 to output the response to the voice input in the case where, at the time of the output of the response, the position monitoring unit 52 detects a position other than the position at the time of the voice input to the input unit 17. |
| US09940095B2 |
Volume limit
An example playback device may store an active volume state variable in memory, where the active volume state variable corresponds to a current playback volume. The playback device may also store a volume limit state variable in memory, where the volume limit state variable corresponds to a playback volume limit of the playback device. The playback device may detect a command to begin playback of media from a given source and then select a startup playback volume to be one of the current playback volume and the playback volume limit based on the given source of the command to begin playback. The playback device may then play back media at the startup playback volume. |
| US09940089B2 |
Vehicle information display and management
Approaches presented herein include an electronic, programmable vehicle window display device and a method of managing the same. Specifically, an electronic, programmable vehicle window display device is provided for displaying a registration or other vehicle information in a window of a vehicle. The device displays a vehicle information document having an expiration date. The device, at pre-specified times, queries a vehicle database for an updated version of the document having a later expiration date. If an updated document is found, the device retrieves the updated document and saves the updated document in a storage area of the device. The device then modifies the display to show the updated document. |
| US09940084B2 |
Display processing apparatus and method, and storage medium
A display processing apparatus acquires a plurality of images and time data corresponding to the respective images. The display processing apparatus selects, as the time interval at which the plurality of images are switched and displayed one by one, either a time interval based on the difference between time data corresponding to images before and after switching, or a predetermined interval. The display processing apparatus switches the plurality of images at the selected time interval, and displays them on a display device. |
| US09940083B2 |
Information processing system and method to execute a workflow processing corresponding to an image
An information processing system includes: a terminal; and a file server. The terminal includes: a first communication unit configured to receive data from the file server; a display unit configured to display the data; and an editing unit configured to add an image associated with workflow processing, to the data. The first communication unit is further configured to transmit the data to which the image is added, to the file server. The file server includes: a second communication unit configured to transmit the data to the terminal and receive the data to which the image is added, from the terminal; and an executing unit configured to execute the workflow processing associated with the image. |
| US09940081B2 |
Processing request management system and device and non-transitory computer readable medium
A processing request management system includes a user terminal used by a user, a set of image processing devices, and a management device connected to each other via a communication network. The user terminal includes a first processing request information sender that sends processing request information to the management device. The processing request information is used for instructing an image processing device to execute processing. The management device includes a selector and a second processing request information sender. The selector selects a subject image processing device from the set of image processing devices, based on operating state information indicating an operating state of each of the image processing devices. The second processing request information sender sends the processing request information received from the first processing request information sender to the subject image processing device. The subject image processing device executes processing corresponding to the processing request information. |
| US09940072B2 |
Extending existing storage devices in virtualized environments
A method, system and computer program product for providing a guest with access to a virtual storage on a physical storage using a peripheral component interface hub. In one embodiment, the method comprises the guest sending to the peripheral component interface hub a request to access the physical storage, the request including physical addresses of the physical storage, and the peripheral component interface hub sending specified information about the request to a hypervisor. This method further comprises the hypervisor determining whether to grant or to reject the request; and when the hypervisor grants the request, the hypervisor sending a configuration command to the peripheral component interface hub. This command includes a mapping of addresses from the physical storage to addresses from the virtual storage. In an embodiment, the peripheral component interface hub uses this mapping to replace the addresses in the request with translated virtual addresses. |
| US09940070B2 |
System and method for rescheduling host and maintenance operations in a non-volatile memory
Systems and methods for balancing maintenance and programming host data across multiple maintenance source blocks in a non-volatile memory are disclosed. A memory system may include non-volatile memory and a controller configured to execute one or more of the steps of selecting a fixed plurality of maintenance source blocks for executing a balance cycle of maintenance and host writes across the selected fixed plurality of maintenance source blocks. The method interleaves moving of valid data from source blocks with host data writes to achieve a balance of free space generation and consumption for the balance cycle, while periodically reevaluating an overall interleave ratio and/or substituting other previously programmed blocks for one of the previously selected plurality during the balance cycle. |
| US09940069B1 |
Paging cache for storage system
A method, article of manufacture, apparatus, and system for a paging cache is disclosed. The backup cache may be broken into pages, and a subset of these pages may be memory resident. The pages may be sequentially loaded into memory to improve cache performance. |
| US09940065B2 |
Systems and methods for migrating data
Various embodiments provide computer program products for migrating data. One embodiment comprises receiving, from a first processor, data that is unprotected comprising a data integrity field; utilizing, by a second processor, a peer-to-peer remote copy (PPRC) application to add protection to the data to generate protected data; and subsequent to adding the protection, modifying a value in the data integrity field such that the value is different than an industry standard default value for protected data subsequent to adding the protection. |
| US09940058B2 |
Data storage device and data maintenance method thereof
The present invention provides a data storage device including a flash memory and a controller. The controller distributes TLC-data blocks of the flash memory into three regions, obtains three sub-prewrite data sectors according to a prewrite data sector and a logic address, determines a first TLC-data block according to the logic address, selects a new first TLC-data block with the lowest erase count from the first region when the first TLC-data block has valid data, selects two TLC-data blocks according to the new first TLC-data block, writes the three sub-prewrite data sectors into the new first TLC-data block and the two selected TLC-data blocks, and maps the first new TLC-data block and the two selected TLC-data blocks to the logic address. |
| US09940057B2 |
I/O statistic based depopulation of storage ranks
The method includes identifying, by one or more computer processors, at least one source rank selected for depopulation in a storage pool. The method further includes identifying, by one or more computer processors, one or more source extents for depopulation, wherein the identified one or more source extents belongs to the identified at least one source rank selected for depopulation. The method further includes obtaining, by one or more computer processors, for each identified source extent of the identified one or more source extents to be depopulated, at least one I/O workload. The method further includes sorting, by one or more computer processors, the one or more source extents to be depopulated, based at least in part on the at least one I/O workload for each identified source extent of the identified one or more source extents. |
| US09940056B2 |
Coding scheme for identifying location of action entries
Some embodiments provide a method for configuring unit memories to implement first and second sets of entries, the second set of which references the first set. The method configures a first pool of memories to implement the first set. Each first-set entry is located at a particular location in at least one of the first-pool memories. The method configures a second pool of memories to implement the second set of entries. Each second-set entry includes (i) a first set of bits for indicating a memory page that corresponds to one or more first-pool memories, (ii) a second set of bits for specifying a location in each of the one or more memories from which to retrieve data for the referenced first-set entry, and (iii) a third set of bits for specifying a sub-location within the retrieved data. The number of bits in the third set of bits is fixed for the second-set entries while a number of sub-locations varies for different locations specified by the second set of bits of different second-set entries. |
| US09940054B1 |
Pre-allocating save areas of a memory
Examples of techniques for pre-allocating save areas of memory of a computer processing system are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include initiating, by a host processing device, a control program. The method may further include, responsive to initiating the control program, pre-allocating, by the host processing device, a plurality of save areas for each of a plurality of processors, wherein the plurality of save areas are anchored in a fixed area of the memory for each of the plurality of processors. |
| US09940053B2 |
Information processing device, information processing system, memory management method, and program recording medium
The present invention discloses an information-processing device with which it is possible to improve throughput by avoiding application stoppage due to the shortage of a memory area, and by reducing the application processing time needed for reserving and freeing memory. This information-processing device is provided with: a memory-processing control unit configured to, when a memory-reserving request for a memory is received, determine whether an area size requested by the memory-reserving request can be reserved in a free area of the memory, and when a memory-freeing request for the memory is received, determines whether there is the memory-reserving request that is left pending; a reserving request processing unit configured to leave the memory-reserving request pending when it is determined by the memory-processing control unit that the area size cannot be reserved; and a freeing request processing unit which destroys or leaves pending the memory-freeing request when it is determined by the memory-processing control unit that there is no memory-reserving request that is left pending. |
| US09940052B2 |
Memory device configuration commands
Apparatuses and methods for configuring a memory device using configuration commands are provided. A method can include executing a first command while the memory device is in a ready state to configure the memory device to a particular mode and executing a second command to perform a first operation while the memory device is in the particular mode.Accordingly, Applicant respectfully requests withdrawal of the objection to the Abstract of the application. |
| US09940049B2 |
Information processing apparatus capable of mounting data storage medium that stores data
An information processing apparatus includes a setting storage unit configured to store a setting as to whether use of a data storage medium mounted to the information processing apparatus is permitted or prohibited, a control unit configured to control an access to the data storage medium based on the setting stored in the setting storage medium, an acceptance unit configured to accept an instruction for deleting data in the data storage medium, and a change unit configured to change, in response to the data in the data storage medium being deleted in accordance with the instruction accepted by the acceptance unit, the setting stored in the setting storage unit to indicate that the use of the data storage medium is prohibited. |
| US09940047B1 |
Application resource usage behavior analysis
A method, system, and apparatus are disclosed, which include injecting shadow input/outputs (shadow IOs) into a system, removing the shadow IOs from the system, storing the shadow IOs, and analyzing the stored shadow IOs to determine application specific behavioral information about the system. |
| US09940043B2 |
Systems and methods for performing storage operations in a computer network
Methods and systems are described for performing storage operations on electronic data in a network. In response to the initiation of a storage operation and according to a first set of selection logic, a media management component is selected to manage the storage operation. In response to the initiation of a storage operation and according to a second set of selection logic, a network storage device to associate with the storage operation. The selected media management component and the selected network storage device perform the storage operation on the electronic data. |
| US09940039B2 |
Method and data storage device with enhanced data retention
A data retention operation is performed in a non-volatile memory in response to detection of a triggering event. The data retention operation includes updating a value of a write parameter of the non-volatile memory and storing into the non-volatile memory at least one copy of contents of a boot portion of the non-volatile memory using the updated value of the write parameter. The updated value of the write parameter increases retention of stored data during extended periods of inactivity at the non-volatile memory. |
| US09940038B2 |
Composite solid state drive identification and optimization technologies
Technologies for an operating system identifying SSD and CSSD devices based on a corresponding descriptor, and for optimizing operating system functionalities with respect to the SSD/CSSD device. Optimizations include disabling non-SSD/CSSD functionalities, such as HDD defragmentation, and by enabling SSD/CSSD specific functionalities, such as write optimization storage functionalities. |
| US09940036B2 |
System and method for controlling various aspects of PCIe direct attached nonvolatile memory storage subsystems
Techniques for controlling PCIe direct attached non-volatile memory storage system are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method including monitoring a temperature of a memory attached via the PCIe interface, determining whether an operation implemented on the attached memory has caused the temperature of the memory to exceed a preset threshold, and controlling an I/O rate of the attached memory based on the determination such that the I/O rate is greater than zero. |
| US09940034B2 |
Reducing read access latency by straddling pages across non-volatile memory channels
A mechanism is provided in a non-volatile memory controller for reducing read access latency by straddling pages across non-volatile memory channels. Responsive to a request to write a logical page to a non-volatile memory array, the non-volatile memory controller determines whether the logical page fits into a current physical page. Responsive to determining the logical page does not fit into the current physical page, the non-volatile memory controller writes a first portion of the logical page to a first physical page in a first block and writes a second portion of the logical page to a second physical page in a second block. The first physical page and the second physical page are on different non-volatile memory channels. |
| US09940033B1 |
Method, system and computer readable medium for controlling performance of storage pools
Described are techniques for controlling performance. A forecast error Et for time period “t” denoting a difference between a predicted performance value Ft of a metric for time period “t” and an actual performance value At of the metric for time period “t” is determined. A tracking signal Tt for time period “t” is determined in accordance with “N” forecast errors. It is determined, in accordance with the tracking signal Tt for time period “t”, whether to modify a current value for alpha denoting a weight used in calculating predicted performance values for the metric. If it is determined to modify the current value for alpha, the current value for alpha is set to a revised value in accordance with the tracking signal Tt for time period “t”. A predicted performance value Ft+1 of the metric for time period “t+1” is determined in accordance with the current value for alpha. |
| US09940031B2 |
Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprises a cell unit including a first and a second selection gate transistor and a memory string provided between the first and second selection gate transistors and composed of a plurality of serially connected electrically erasable programmable memory cells operative to store effective data; and a data write circuit operative to write data into the memory cell, wherein the number of program stages for at least one of memory cells on both ends of the memory string is lower than the number of program stages for other memory cells, and the data write circuit executes the first stage program to the memory cell having the number of program stages lower than the number of program stages for the other memory cells after the first stage program to the other memory cells. |
| US09940029B2 |
Semiconductor memory device that switches between states and moves data in accordance with a current state
According to an embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a first memory, a second memory, a switch, and a controller. The switch switches between various states including between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the first memory is connected to a host device that reads data from and writes data to the first memory and the second memory is not connected to the host device. In the second state, the first memory is connected to the second memory and the host device is connected to neither the first memory nor the second memory. The controller directs, upon receiving a movement command from the host device, the switch to switch to the second state to move data between the first memory and the second memory. |
| US09940025B2 |
Digital device configuration and method
A digital Storage Element is described. A device is configured including a Storage Element for access by a user responsive to a native control code. A processing arrangement executes a control program for controlling the overall device and executing at least a portion of the native control code as part of the control program for interfacing with the Storage Element. A programming arrangement is provided separate from the device for customizing a read channel within the Storage Element. Command, user interaction and data transfer execution are discussed for mitigation of potential mechanical shock effects. Status indications relating to the Storage Element are provided including head position and mechanical shock. Calibration, test and operational monitoring procedures, for using head position status, are described. Failure configuration monitoring is provided in tracking overall performance and design considerations. |
| US09940024B1 |
Techniques for determining workload skew
Determining cumulative workload skew is described. Measurements for one or more logical devices are determined. The set of measurements include, for each of N storage tiers, a workload measurement identifying workload directed to the single tier, and a capacity measurement identifying an amount of data stored in the single tier. N points may be determined using the measurements. Each point corresponds to a different storage tier and has a first coordinate identifying a cumulative percentage of data portions stored in the storage tier and all other tiers having a higher performance ranking than the one storage tier, and a second coordinate denoting an aggregated percentage of total workload directed to the foregoing cumulative percentage of data portions. A curve representing a cumulative workload skew may be determined using these N points and a point of origin. |
| US09940022B1 |
Storage space allocation for logical disk creation
The present disclosure includes apparatus, systems, computer readable storage media and techniques relating to virtualization of data storage space. In one aspect, a system includes: solid-state drive (SSD) devices, wherein each of the SSD devices includes contiguous portions; and a data storage controller configured to assign a priority value to each of available ones of the contiguous portions of the respective SSD devices, based on weighted criteria, and choose a subset of the available ones of the contiguous portions of the respective SSD devices, in accordance with the assigned priority values, to form a logical disk; wherein the logical disk includes at least one available portion from each of two or more of the SSD devices. |
| US09940017B2 |
Character inputting method and device and intelligent terminal
Disclosed is a character inputting method, device and an intelligent terminal, the method including: when a virtual key in a virtual on-screen keyboard layout is selected, invoking a first probability statistical table matching at least one character having been displayed by at least one virtual key having been selected; displaying a part of the candidate characters with the highest combination probabilities or all of the candidate characters in the invoked first probability statistical table respectively on virtual keys in the virtual on-screen keyboard layout, and resetting focus on a preset virtual key, wherein any candidate character displayed on a virtual key configured with higher level has higher combination probability; and performing operations above periodically until an ideogram or a character sequence to be input is selected, and inputting the selected ideogram or the character sequence selected in an input area. |
| US09940014B2 |
Context visual organizer for multi-screen display
In various example embodiments, a system and method for context visual organization for multi-screen display are provided. In example embodiments, assets are retrieved from one or more external sources. The assets are organized into containers that are viewable across multiple display devices that function as a single display. Each of the containers includes a portion of the plurality of assets that correspond to a context of the container. The assets are displayed in their respective containers across the multiple display devices. An indication of a touch gesture applied to one of the multiple display devices to manipulate an object presented on the multiple display devices is received. An action based on the touch gesture is performed. |
| US09940006B2 |
Intuitive interfaces for real-time collaborative intelligence
Systems and methods for user interfaces for use on a computing device of a real-time collaborative computing system. A collaborative application runs on the computing device and displays information and data regarding the collaboration system and also receives user input via the user interface. The display interface arrangement may vary based on a type of collaborative session. Graphical user interfaces include a user interface based on a magnetic force model. |
| US09940004B2 |
Methods and systems for predicting and evaluating coffee characteristics
Methods and apparatuses for predicting characteristics of coffee using only a portable communications device having data processing capabilities and an embedded camera. Images of a comminuted substance are captured by the camera, with particle characteristics being quantified and entered into a data processor of the portable communications device. This information is combined with archived data such as known characteristics of ground coffee. The combined information is processed to predict the final characteristics of the brewed coffee. Predicted final characteristics may be displayed on a display of the portable communications device. |
| US09940001B2 |
Drag and release navigation
A computer-implemented method for controlling a portable electronic device comprising a touch-sensitive display is disclosed. The computer-implemented method allows the portable electronic device to detect contact and movement of contact on the touch-sensitive display, and in response to the detected contact and movement of content to browse and select categories of elements and elements. Accordingly, a user may be allowed to select a specific element belonging to a specific category by use of only one contact with the touch-sensitive display. |
| US09939999B2 |
Treatment of teeth by aligners
A method for treating a subject's teeth. A target configuration for the subject's teeth is determined. Receiving features are produced on a dental base in response to the target configuration, the receiving features being configured to receive physical tooth models. The physical tooth models are assembled on the dental base to form a physical arch model. A dental aligner is produced using the physical arch model to move the subject's teeth to the target configuration. |
| US09939993B2 |
Jukebox network system
A plurality of jukeboxes each having a display, input component, audio output, and controller are connected over a network. The controller is configured to play music data sets selected by a user and to store local affinity data uploadable to the network. The controller is further configured to store network popularity and affinity data received from the network. The controller causes the display to present menus and screens based on the data received from the network. The controller is also configured to perform searches over multiple identification categories and store collections of music data sets based on multiple identification categories. |
| US09939988B2 |
Method and user equipment for managing application programs
The present invention provides a method and a user device for managing application. The method includes: detecting the touch event which induced by a user touching icons displayed in a display interface; determining the area of the display interface which the first icon located in, when the touch event corresponding to the first icon is detected and the detected touch event persists a scheduled time; displaying a second icon in the determined area; detecting the movement path which induced by the user dragging the first icon through the application corresponding to the second icon, when the first icon moves into the location of the second icon. The distance of moving the first icon will not be very long and easy to operate, when the first icon is moved into the location of the second icon and the application corresponding to the first icon is deleted. |
| US09939984B2 |
Methods and systems for an intermediate graphical desktop sharing protocol
Generating a universal graphical desktop sharing protocol is disclosed. The universal graphical desktop sharing protocol is configured to communicate information (e.g., a sequence of one or more desktop sharing events) that has been translated from a first graphical desktop sharing protocol and is available to be translated into a final graphical desktop sharing protocol. |
| US09939977B2 |
Array substrate for improving aperture rate
The present disclosure provides an array substrate, the array substrate includes: a substrate, a first insulation layer disposed above the substrate, a plurality of touch lines disposed at the bottom of the first through-hole, a plurality of touch electrode blocks disposed above the first insulation layer, a pixel connection portion disposed at the bottom of the first through-hole, a plurality of pixel electrodes disposed above the first insulation layer. The first insulation layer consists of at least one first through-hole running through the first insulation layer. At least one of the plurality of touch lines corresponds to one touch electrode block, and the touch electrode block is electrically connected to the corresponding at least one touch line. The pixel electrode is electrically connected to the pixel connection portion. In the present disclosure, the touch lines and the pixel connection share one through-hole. |
| US09939976B2 |
Driver integrated circuit and display apparatus including the same
Disclosed are a driver IC and a display apparatus including the same, which supply a touch auxiliary signal, having the same phase and potential difference as those of a touch signal supplied to a touch electrode which is also used as a common electrode, to a plurality of supply lines disposed in a non-display area during a touch sensing period. The driver IC includes a common voltage supply element, a touch sensing unit, and a common voltage switching unit. The common voltage switching unit connects the common voltage supply element to a plurality of touch electrode lines connected to the plurality of touch electrodes during an image display period, and during a touch sensing period, the common voltage switching unit connects the plurality of touch electrode lines to the touch sensing unit. |
| US09939974B2 |
Contact sensitive display device with thin profile and low external light reflectivity
Provided is a display device. The display device includes a display panel, a contact sensitive device on the display panel, and a linear polarizer on the contact sensitive device. The contact sensitive device includes an electro-active layer which is uniaxially elongated and configured to retard a phase of incident light. Since the display device includes the contact sensitive device having the electro-active layer configured to retard the phase of the incident light, a separate phase retardation film for suppressing external light reflection may be omitted. As a result, the thickness of the display device may be decreased and manufacturing cost of the display device may be reduced. |
| US09939973B2 |
Display device including a touch sensor
A display device includes: a display panel having: a lower substrate; an upper substrate facing the lower substrate and having at least one through hole formed therein; a display active layer disposed between the lower substrate and the upper substrate; at least one lower pad disposed on the lower substrate; a touch sensing layer disposed on the upper substrate; and at least one connection pad disposed on the upper substrate. The connection pads are electrically connected to the lower pads through connectors disposed in the though holes of the upper substrate. |
| US09939969B2 |
Systems and methods for capacitive touch detection
System and methods are provided for touch detection. An example system includes: a measurement unit configured to acquire capacitance measurement data from a touch panel; a pre-processing unit configured to detect whether a touch event occurs on the touch panel based at least in part on the capacitance measurement data and generate an activation signal in response to the detection of the touch event; and a microcontroller unit configured to be activated in response to the activation signal to perform post-processing operations related to the touch event. |
| US09939966B2 |
Low ground mass correction mechanism
A processing system for an input device includes a sensor module coupled to sensor electrodes. The sensor module includes sensor circuitry and configured to acquire first capacitive measurements when the input device is in a first state, and acquire second capacitive measurements when the input device is in a second state. The second state has an increased ground as compared to the first state. The processing system further includes a determination module configured to determine positional information for an input object based on the first capacitive measurements and the second capacitive measurements. |
| US09939965B2 |
Sending drive signals with an increased number of pulses to particular drive lines
In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a touch of an object on a device. The method also includes predicting an area of the device that the detected touch will move to. The method further includes sending a first set of drive signals to one or more drive lines within the predicted area, the first set of drive signals each having a first number of pulses. The method further includes sending a second set of drive signals to one or more drive lines outside the predicted area, the second set of drive signals each having a second number of pulses. Furthermore, the first number of pulses is greater than the second number of pulses. |
| US09939963B2 |
Techniques improving displays
A new form of 3-dimensional display is provided, employing ultrasonic emitters and receivers that share hardware. The illusion of user interface elements are simulated within an Actuation Area by overlapping ultrasound emitted from different emitters at areas coinciding with modeled elements' surfaces. In some embodiments, the period and phase of the ultrasonic waves are varied relative to one another to create a more compelling simulation of object surfaces. Resistance to movement and haptic feedback are also provided in some techniques, more accurately simulating the actuation of objects. In other embodiments, also applicable to touch screens, the ultrasound hardware provides such haptic feedback in addition to finger or stylus location when actuating a touch screen display. A new method for determining the location and direction of finger or stylus actuation pressure is also provided. |
| US09939959B2 |
Multi-touch integrity sensing for capacitive touch screen
A method for multi-touch integrity sensing for a multi-touch capacitive touch screen is disclosed. By determining the integrity of touches, a distinction is identified between wanted touches, such as via a finger or stylus, and unwanted touches such as via foreign matter, errors, and the like. |
| US09939947B2 |
Touch communications device with multiple partial firmwares and related method
A touch communications device includes a first touch panel, a touch controller chip and a second storage device. The touch controller chip is capable of executing instructions derived from a firmware to control at least one operation of the first touch panel, wherein the firmware includes a plurality of partial firmwares including at least a first partial firmware and a second partial firmware, and the touch controller chip includes a first storage device capable of storing one of the first partial firmware and the second partial firmware. The second storage device is external to the touch controller chip, wherein the second storage device is capable of storing the other of the first partial firmware and the second partial firmware. |
| US09939945B2 |
Electronic device
Provided is an electronic device that can appropriately perform process in response to the position of a press (contact) by a user.The electronic device 1 includes a touch panel 10 configured to detect a contact, a controller 80 configured to obtain a position of the contact detected by the touch panel 10, and pressure detectors 20-1 to 20-8 configured to detect a pressure on the touch panel 10, in which a plurality of pressure detectors 20-1 to 20-8 are mounted on the touch panel 10, and the controller 80 chooses a pressure detector that detects a pressure on the touch panel 10 in response to the position of a contact obtained. |
| US09939938B2 |
Display panel with touch detecting and display device
A display panel and a display device are disclosed. The display panel comprises: a gate line and a common electrode structure extended along a first direction; and a data line extended along a second direction. the gate line, the common electrode structure, and the data line are intercrossed with each other and correspond to a sub-pixel; one end of the data line is connected with a source driving circuit and the other end of the data line is connected with a touch sensing terminal; and one end of the common electrode structure is connected with a common voltage input terminal and the other end of the common electrode structure is connected with a touch transmitting terminal. |
| US09939937B2 |
Apparatus and method for displaying information in a portable terminal device
A method and apparatus are provided for displaying information in a portable device. The method includes displaying content on a first display area of a display unit; displaying information related to the content on a second display area; detecting a touch interaction on the displayed information; selecting information corresponding to the detected touch interaction; detecting a movement of the touch interaction in a movement direction; and displaying sub information of the selected information based on the detected movement of the touch interaction in the movement direction. |
| US09939934B2 |
External user interface for head worn computing
Aspects of the present invention relate to external user interfaces used in connection with head worn computers (HWC). Embodiments relate to an external user interface that has a physical form intended to be hand held. The hand held user interface may be in the form similar to that of a writing instrument, such as a pen. In embodiments, the hand held user interface includes technologies relating to writing surface tip pressure monitoring, lens configurations setting a predetermined imaging distance, user interface software mode selection, quick software application launching, and other interface technologies. |
| US09939930B2 |
Active stylus with multiple sensors for receiving signals from a touch sensor
In one embodiment, a stylus includes a first sensor disposed proximate a first end of the stylus. The first sensor is adapted to receive a first receive signal via a first capacitive coupling with a touch sensor of a device. The first end of the stylus is at a tip-end of the stylus. The stylus also includes a second sensor disposed proximate the first end of the stylus. The second sensor is adapted to receive a second receive signal via a second capacitive coupling with the touch sensor of the device. A proximity of the first sensor to the first end of the stylus is greater than a proximity of the second sensor to the first end of the stylus. A widest portion of the first sensor has a greater width than at least a portion of the second sensor. |
| US09939928B2 |
Mouse cage
The disclosure herein is directed to a computer mouse device, comprising: a) a base comprising a mouse device portion, front mouse pad portion, a left mouse pad portion, a right mouse pad portion, a wrist portion, one more wrist portion mounts, one or more rib mounts, a top surface and a bottom surface; b) an optical computer mouse cage comprising one or more ribs connected to the front mouse pad portion, the left mouse pad portion and/or the right mouse pad portion and traversing to the wrist portion of the base, wherein the ribs have a curved contour for accommodating an optical computer mouse positioned at the mouse pad portion grasped by a user's hand; and c) at least one wrist clamp or wrist strap connected to a left side and a right side of the wrist portion. |
| US09939917B2 |
Data entry pad for entering information related to land and mineral interests and/or geographic locations
A data entry pad is described herein comprising a plurality of keys with each corresponding to a predefined sequence of characters indicative of at least one of a geographic size and geographic location related to land or mineral interests. A data entry pad is also described herein comprising a plurality of distinct and non-overlapping regions with at least one region of the plurality of distinct and non-overlapping regions encompassing a plurality of keys with each key corresponding to a predefined sequence of characters indicative of at least one of a geographic size and geographic location related to land or mineral interests. |
| US09939909B2 |
Gesture manipulation device and method, program, and recording medium
A hand region is detected in a captured image, and for each part of the background area, a light source presence degree indicating the probability that a light source is present is determined according to the luminance or color of that part; on the basis of the light source presence degree, a region in which the captured image is affected by a light source is estimated, and if the captured image includes a region estimated to be affected by a light source, whether or not a dropout has occurred in the hand region in the captured image is decided; on the basis of the result of this decision, an action is determined. Gesture determinations can be made correctly even when the hand region in the captured image is affected by a light source at the time of gesture manipulation input. |
| US09939907B2 |
Gesture detection using MEMS wind turbines
A portable device includes micro-electro-mechanical systems (“MEMS”) wind turbines integrated in the portable device. A gesture detection module receives signals generated by the MEMS wind turbines based on movement of the portable device that causes a wind force to be applied to the MEMS wind turbines. The gesture module then recognizes a gesture based on the signals generated from the wind force and initiates an action of the portable device that corresponds to the gesture (e.g., the device is awakened). |
| US09939905B2 |
Optical control of display screens
A display can be modified to be activated remotely with optical signals. A laser diode of one frequency can be used for tracking and targeting, with another frequency used to trigger the equivalent of a touch, click, drag, or other conventional input commands. Signal processing correlates trigger signals of specific commands, which can be expanded to include multi-click, multi-touch, gestures, and even custom commands specific to individual users. Modern capacitive touch screens can be upgraded with a transparent film overlay to provide these capabilities, which has never before been possible. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and articles are also described. |
| US09939896B2 |
Input determination method
Methods and systems for determining intent in voice and gesture interfaces are described. An example method includes determining that a gaze direction is in a direction of a gaze target, and determining whether a predetermined time period has elapsed while the gaze direction is in the direction of the gaze target. The method may also include providing an indication that the predetermined time period has elapsed when the predetermined time period has elapsed. According to the method, a voice or gesture command that is received after the predetermined time period has elapsed may be determined to be an input for a computing system. Additional example systems and methods are described herein. |
| US09939894B2 |
Information processing to operate a display object based on gaze information
There is provided an information processing apparatus including a circuitry configured to control a state of a selection candidate object, when a predetermined condition concerning a selection of the selection candidate object is determined to be satisfied based on a relation between a display position of the selection candidate object and a position towards which the user gazes or a gazing direction, by bringing the selection candidate object to a selected state. |
| US09939890B2 |
Image generation apparatus and image generation method of generating a wide viewing angle image
A panorama image processing unit generates a wide viewing angle image like a panorama image which is seen from a given point of view. An image conversion unit converts the generated wide viewing angle image into an image of a transmission format in which the angular resolution which is a number of pixels per unit angle centered at the point of view is adjusted in response to a ray direction toward the point of view. An image provision unit transmits the image in the transmission format in which the angular resolution is adjusted to a head-mounted display unit. The head-mounted display unit converts the received image so as to conform the image to an optical characteristic of a device and displays the image on the device. |
| US09939889B2 |
Interaction methods and systems
The present application provides an interaction method and system, and relates to the field of information interaction. The method comprises: sending a first wave signal; receiving a second wave signal that corresponds to the first wave signal after the first wave signal is transmitted by using a medium comprising at least a part of a user body; and judging whether the user body contacts an object according to a signal characteristic of the received second wave signal. The interaction method and system can help a user to naturally and efficiently complete an information interaction process, simplify an interaction process, and improve the interaction efficiency. |
| US09939886B2 |
Data communication method via touch surface
A data communication method enabling wireless sharing of files or data between electronic devices that can store information and/or generate information by means of touch surface (capacitive or multi-touch), display units (LCD, led, etc.), photo sensor and frame having negative electrical conductivity. |
| US09939884B2 |
Providing per core voltage and frequency control
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a processor having a plurality of cores and a control logic to control provision of a voltage/frequency to a first core of the plurality of cores independently of provision of a voltage/frequency to at least a second core of the plurality of cores. In some embodiments, the voltages may be provided from one or more internal voltage regulators of the processor. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09939883B2 |
Supply-voltage control for device power management
One embodiment provides a method for reducing leakage current in device logic having an operational supply-voltage threshold, a nonzero data-retention supply-voltage threshold, and two or more on-die transistor switches to switchably connect a voltage source to the device logic. After the logic enters an idle period, one or more of the switches are opened to lower a supply voltage of the logic below the operational supply-voltage threshold but above the data-retention supply-voltage threshold. When the logic exits the idle period, one or more of the switches are closed to raise the supply voltage of the logic above the operational supply-voltage threshold. |
| US09939878B2 |
Energy-aware code offload for mobile devices
A method described herein includes an act of, at a mobile computing device, receiving an indication that a portion of code of a program executing on the mobile computing device is to be offloaded to a second computing device for execution on the second computing device, wherein the indication is based at least in part upon an estimated energy savings of the mobile computing device by offloading the portion of the code for execution on the second computing device. The method also includes an act of transmitting data to the second computing device that causes the second computing device to execute the portion of the code. |
| US09939877B2 |
Mobile platform and a method therein
A method for controlling powering of a mobile platform 201 comprising a first Finite State Machine (FSM) 202 and a second FSM 203. The method comprises synchronizing the first FSM with the second FSM, wherein the first FSM is arranged on a first Integrated Circuit (IC) 207 comprised in the mobile platform and configured to control a first Power Management Unit (PMU) 205 arranged on the first IC, and wherein the second FSM is arranged on a second IC 208 comprised in the mobile platform and configured to control a second PMU 206 arranged on the second IC, whereby the first PMU and the second PMU are synchronized to operate simultaneously during rank-up and rank-down, thereby providing power control of the mobile platform. |
| US09939875B2 |
Power supply system for use with electronic gaming tables in a casino
A power supply system for use with electronic gaming tables in a casino is disclosed. Each gaming table is associated with a unique iPDU and is viewed by one or more video cameras. When an electronic device in a table fails or is taken offline, regulatory personnel can review the video record that corresponds to the duration of the failure or offline status to determine whether the dealer or a bettor has caused the failure or offline status to come about. |
| US09939874B2 |
Selectively disabling sensors and associated functions
An embodiment provides a method, including: receiving, at an information handling device, input of a sensor; mapping, using a processor, the sensor input to a sensor disabling condition; selecting, using a processor, a sensor based on the mapping; and disabling, using a processor, the sensor according to the sensor disabling condition. Other aspects are described and claimed. |
| US09939872B2 |
Reduced-size user interfaces for battery management
A device with a touch-sensitive display and a battery can determine a battery level of the battery, and in accordance with a determination that the battery level is at or below a first threshold value, cause a haptic output and/or enter a low-power mode. While in low-power mode, the device may produce different outputs in response to user inputs than while in a normal power mode. In some embodiments, while in the low-power mode, the device may display only the time and an indication that the device is in a low-power mode. |
| US09939871B2 |
System and method for managing a power mode of a designated electronic device
A system and method for managing a power mode of a designated electronic device are provided. A geographical location of a mobile electronic device is determined. A comparison of the determined geographical location of the mobile electronic device and a stored location of a designated electronic device in a power-off mode is made. A wake-up signal is sent to the designated electronic device if the determined geographical location of the mobile electronic device is within a proximity threshold of the designated electronic device, where the designated electronic device is configured to enter a power-on mode upon receipt of the wake-up signal. |
| US09939870B2 |
Apparatus and method for power management to mitigate declining battery capacity
A method and apparatus reduce power consumption and mitigate declining battery life. In some embodiments, an initial full charge capacity, C(O), of a rechargeable battery is determined. A full charge capacity, C(t), of the rechargeable battery is determined at time t. An average power consumption profile is determined. A reduced power consumption is implemented based on the average power consumption profile and a factor C(t)/C(O). In other embodiments, functions that are not used in an average power consumption profile are deactivated. Other functions that occur in certain use cases of the average power consumption profile are activated and deactivated as needed. |
| US09939868B2 |
Device power and resource management
Systems, devices and methods for managing charging and power status for portable devices are disclosed. The systems, devices and methods of the present invention comprise determining existing battery level and charge status of a device, comparing the battery level and charge status with predicted battery usage of tasks associated with calendar events scheduled to take place before the next charge, and transmitting an alert to one or more devices when a threshold likelihood that the battery level will not be sufficient for the predicted battery usage is exceeded. The present invention advantageously displays available power based on time available for certain tasks, and manages device power and resources by modifying and/or transferring tasks from a device having a battery level below a threshold level to one or more other devices with a higher battery levels. |
| US09939866B2 |
Operating system control for power source
Systems, operations, management and monitoring of controlling and managing power source performance by providing an operating power source device and providing one or more sensors to monitor operation of the power source device. Operational data of the power source device is collected via the one or more sensors and stored to both a local and remote database. The collected operational data is analyzed to detect and identify any operational errors of the power source device, as well as obtaining external and/or internal operating conditions of the operating power source device. Any identified operational errors of the power source device are corrected for using at least the external and/or internal operating conditions. |
| US09939864B1 |
System and method to control a wireless power transmission system by configuration of wireless power transmission control parameters
The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver can be connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive power from the pocket of energy. A wireless power network may include a plurality of wireless power transmitters each with an embedded wireless power transmitter manager, including a wireless power manager application. The wireless power network may include a plurality of client devices with wireless power receivers. Wireless power receivers may include a power receiver application configured to communicate with the wireless power manager application. The wireless power manager application may include a device database where information about the wireless power network may be stored. |
| US09939860B2 |
Electronic device, first and second electronic device thereof, and method for switching first electronic device
An electronic device according to the invention includes a second electronic device and a first electronic device removably connected with the second electronic device; the electronic device includes a first heat dissipation channel in the first electronic device and a second heat dissipation channel in the second electronic device. In a disconnected state, the heat dissipation airflow flows through the first heat dissipation channel to perform heat dissipation of the first electronic device. In a connected state, the first air inlet of the first heat dissipation channel communicates with the second air outlet of the second heat dissipation channel, and the heat dissipation airflow may enter into the first heat dissipation channel via the second heat dissipation channel so as to perform heat dissipation of the first electronic device by the second heat dissipation channel and the first heat dissipation channel. |
| US09939858B2 |
Electronic device
An electronic device including a case having a space, a circuit board disposed in the space, a heat source disposed on the circuit board and a vapor chamber disposed at a side of the circuit board and adjacent to the heat source is provided. The vapor chamber includes an upper sheet, a bottom sheet assembled with the upper sheet to form a chamber, and a working fluid disposed in the chamber. |
| US09939855B2 |
Extended capacity memory system with load relieved memory and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an enhanced capacity memory system includes: providing a dual in-line memory module carrier having a memory module and an integrated memory buffer coupled to the memory module; coupling a memory expansion board, having a supplementary memory module, to the dual in-line memory module carrier including attaching a bridge transposer; and providing a system interface connector coupled to the integrated memory buffer and the bridge transposer for controlling the memory module, the supplementary memory module, or a combination thereof. |
| US09939854B2 |
Handling of a modular information handling resource
A tool for handling a modular information handling resource may include a drive portion, a first finger mechanically coupled to the drive portion, the first finger configured to apply a first force to a first side edge of the information handling resource when the information handling resource is engaged with the tool, and a second finger mechanically coupled to the drive portion, the second finger configured to apply a second force to a second side edge of the information handling resource opposite from the first side edge when the information handling resource is engaged with the tool. When the information handling resource is coupled to a connector via a bottom edge of the information handling resource adjacent and perpendicular to the side edges, a retention force applied by the connector to the information handling resource overcomes the first and second forces such that the tool releases the information handling resource. |
| US09939846B2 |
Display device and method of manufacturing a display device
Provided is a display device including: a bottom member; a display panel on the bottom member, the display panel configured to emit light; a top member on the display panel; a touch screen panel on the top member; and a groove region formed by removing at least a portion of at least one of the top member and the bottom member at a bent portion of the display device. |
| US09939841B1 |
Clock distribution network for integrated circuit
A method and circuit are provided to reduce the power consumption of high-speed clocks that are distributed across an integrated circuit (IC). Example implementations seek to reduce the amount of power dissipated in typical clock distribution networks by turning the combination of a multi-port electrical network and transmission line into a multi-resonant structure. In an implementation, the multi-port electrical network is coupled between first and second segments of the transmission line. The multi-port electrical network includes a series inductive reactance and a shunt inductive susceptance configured to produce first and second resonances that cooperate to create a bandpass response across clock distribution frequencies. This bandpass response is created by the multi-resonant structure, which is a combination of the transmission line and the multi-port electrical network. Various implementations are provided, including single-ended, differential, multi-section, multi-output, and point-to-multi-point implementations, each with an optional low-speed mode switch. |
| US09939839B2 |
Low power automatic calibration method for high frequency oscillators
A clock calibrator for use in an electronic system comprising an integrated circuit such as a microcontroller. The clock calibrator embodies a frequency adjustment facility adapted dynamically to adjust the frequency of one or more high-frequency clock generators as a function of a lower-frequency reference clock. |
| US09939838B1 |
Systems and methods for time stamping sensor data
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing sensor data to a host processor. A sequence of data samples may be generated at a sample rate established by a clock source associated with the sensor. A time stamp derived from another clock source, such as the clock employed by the host processor, is assigned to at least one of each periodically retrieved data samples. As such, at least one of the assigned time stamps then may be adjusted by applying a correction determined from a timing characteristic associated with retrieval of the data samples. |
| US09939837B2 |
Method for generating piecewise-affine multivariable functions with on-line computation of the search tree and device for implementing same
Method for generating piecewise-affine multivariate functions, wherein the online computation of the search tree is performed in order to locate the input value in the polytopes of the partition, and the subsequent generation of the corresponding affine function. It also proposes a configurable and programmable device for generating piecewise-affine multivariate functions composed of an architecture with four functional blocks namely: a control unit block (1), a tree memory block, a parameter memory block and an arithmetic unit block; and it has at least three operating modes which can be selected using different values of a bus (config): writing of the tree memory, writing of the parameter memory and evaluating the affine function. It may include a fourth operating mode, which is the test mode. |
| US09939835B2 |
Reference potential generation circuit
A reference potential generation circuit is provided. The reference potential generation circuit includes first to third input terminals, first and second output terminals, a low-pass filter including first to third terminals, and a linear regulator including first to fourth terminals. In the reference potential generation circuit, the first terminal of the low-pass filter is electrically connected to the second input terminal. The second terminal of the low-pass filter is electrically connected to the first input terminal or the third input terminal. The third terminal of the low-pass filter is electrically connected to the first terminal of the linear regulator. The second terminal of the linear regulator is electrically connected to the first input terminal and the first output terminal. The third terminal of the linear regulator is electrically connected to the second output terminal. The fourth terminal of the linear regulator is electrically connected to the third input terminal. |
| US09939832B2 |
Voltage regulator and integrated circuit including the same
A voltage regulator is provided that includes an error amplifier circuit having a reference voltage input port that receives a reference voltage, N input ports, N output ports, and N power transistors, where N is a positive integer that is greater than or equal to 2. Each of the power transistors has a gate that is connected to one of the N output ports. The error amplifier amplifies a difference between the reference voltage and each of N respective feedback voltages input to the N input ports, respectively, and outputs amplified voltages to the respective N output ports. |
| US09939828B2 |
DC-DC converting circuit and a power management chip package including the same
A direct current (DC)-DC converting circuit includes a voltage converter generating a regulation current in response to a driving signal and generating an output voltage and an output current; an output voltage regulator regulating the output voltage and outputting a first control signal; a voltage limiter limiting a voltage value of the first control signal below a threshold value; a current sensor sensing an intensity of the regulation current and generating a second control signal having a voltage value corresponding to a value of the sensed intensity; and a driving signal generator generating the driving signal based on the first and second control signals, the first control signal having the voltage value below the threshold value. |
| US09939827B1 |
Temperature dependent power supply circuitry
An integrated circuit having power supply circuitry configured to generate a temperature dependent power supply voltage is provided. The power supply circuitry may include temperature sensors formed at different regions on the integrated circuit. The power supply circuitry may use a selected one of the temperature sensors to vary the temperature dependent power supply voltage. The power supply circuitry may include voltage clamping circuitry configured to clip the power supply voltage to an upper fixed voltage level when the power supply voltage exceeds a first predetermined threshold and to clip the power supply voltage to a lower fixed voltage level when the power supply voltage falls below a second predetermined threshold. The power supply circuitry may also include voltage overshoot-undershoot protection circuitry configured to keep the temperature dependent power supply voltage within a specified voltage range in the presence of transient perturbations in the temperature dependent power supply voltage. |
| US09939824B2 |
Thermostat with remote access feature
A local thermostat for controlling an HVAC unit may include a controller programmed to execute a remote access function for remotely accessing and communicating with at least one remote thermostat over a communication channel. The remote access application may be configured to display at least one thermostat setting of at least one of the remote thermostats on the display of the user interface of the local thermostat. In some cases, the remote access application may allow a user to change one or more thermostat settings of at least one remote thermostat using the user interface of the local thermostat. |
| US09939822B2 |
Remote monitoring for fluid applicator system
In one embodiment, a remote monitoring system for a fluid applicator system is disclosed. The fluid applicator system is disposed to heat and pump spray fluid, and to transmit reports including sensed temperatures, pressures, and other operational parameters of the fluid applicator system via a wireless network. The remote monitoring system comprises a data storage server, and an end user interface. The data storage server is configured to receive and archive the reports. The end user interface is configured to provide a graphical user interface based on the reports. The graphical user interface illustrates a status of the fluid handling system, sensed and commanded temperatures of the fluid handling system, sensed and commanded pressures of the fluid handling system, and usage statistics of the fluid handling system. |
| US09939820B2 |
Electronic control of fluid operations for machines
Various embodiments of fluid monitoring systems are provided for use in connection with the fluid systems of machines such as engine-powered machines. The fluid monitoring systems may be configured for collecting and processing data associated with fluid refill operations, fluid evacuation operations, fluid purge operations, and other types of fluid operations in connection with different fluid components. |
| US09939812B2 |
Control apparatus for autonomously navigating utility vehicle
An apparatus for controlling operation of an autonomously navigating utility vehicle equipped with a prime mover to travel about a working area delineated by a boundary line, there are provided with a map generating unit that that generates a working area map comprised of an array of a plurality of cells, a memory unit that counts and memorizes a number of times the vehicle passes over each of the cells based on the detected vehicle position; a target cell setting unit that selects one of the cells based on the memorized counted number and sets the selected one as a target cell; and a travel controlling unit that controls operation of the prime mover to make the vehicle travel about the working area until the vehicle has reached the boundary line, and make the vehicle turn toward the target cell and then travel straight forward when the vehicle has reached the boundary line. |
| US09939809B1 |
Remote vehicle engine immobilization
A device may remotely immobilize a vehicle via peer-to-peer device communication or network assisted communication. Initially, a request inputted by a user to initiate vehicle immobilization of a vehicle may be received at a master control device. The master control device may send an information query command to the vehicle communication device of the vehicle via proximity communication. Subsequently, the master control device may receive a device identifier from the vehicle communication device via the proximity communication. A vehicle immobilization request that includes the device identifier may be sent from the master control device to a wireless communication carrier. The request may prompt the wireless communication carrier to broadcast an immobilization command via a cellular communication network to the vehicle communication device of the vehicle that is identified by the device identifier. Alternatively, the master control device may directly send the immobilization command to the vehicle communication device. |
| US09939803B2 |
Automated manufacturing of shoe parts
Manufacturing of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by executing various shoe-manufacturing processes in an automated fashion. For example, information describing a shoe part may be determined, such as an identification, an orientation, a color, a surface topography, an alignment, a size, etc. Based on the information describing the shoe part, automated shoe-manufacturing apparatuses may be instructed to apply various shoe-manufacturing processes to the shoe part. |
| US09939801B2 |
Work processing method, spindle angle correction device, and complex lathe
A first speed and a second speed slower than the first speed are set as a contact speed when a work w and a detection jig t attached to a tool post are brought into contact with each other to detect a position or a posture of the work w, the work and the detection jig are brought into contact with each other at the first speed, the detection jig and the work contacting each other are separated from each other by a predetermined distance, the work and the detection jig which are separated from each other are brought into contact with each other at the same position at the second speed, and a correction value δ is obtained based on a tool post position or a spindle angle during the second contact. |
| US09939800B2 |
Path following machining method and apparatus
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for machining a workpiece (2). The method comprises specifying a path along which a cutting tool (6) is moved during machining the workpiece (2), the path comprising segments (26); defining, for each segment (26), an exit point on that segment (26); defining, for each segment (26), an exit path (38) from the exit point of that segment (26) to a point remote from the workpiece (2); performing a machining process including moving the cutting tool (6) along the tool path and machining the workpiece (2); and, during the machining process, when one or more criteria are satisfied: interrupting the machining process and, without machining the workpiece (2), moving the cutting tool (6) to the exit point of the current segment (26) and then along the exit path (38) of the current segment (26). |
| US09939795B2 |
Dynamic simulated motor for controller testing
A controller is configured to generate control signals to control a variable frequency drive coupled with a load. A simulator receives the control signals and processes the control signals. The simulator simulates a variable frequency drive and a load by generating feedback signals based on a model and the control signals. The controller receives the feedback signals from the simulator. |
| US09939791B2 |
Information providing device and non-transitory computer readable medium storing information providing program
An information providing device includes an agent ECU that sets a reward function through the use of history data on a response, from a driver, to an operation proposal for an in-vehicle component, and calculates a probability distribution of performance of each of actions constructing an action space in each of states constructing a state space, through reinforced learning based on the reward function. The agent ECU calculates a dispersion degree of the probability distribution. The agent ECU makes a trial-and-error operation proposal to select a target action from a plurality of candidates and output the target action when the dispersion degree of the probability distribution is equal to or larger than a threshold, and makes a definitive operation proposal to fix and output a target action when the value of the dispersion degree of the probability distribution is smaller than the threshold. |
| US09939786B2 |
Device for motor-driven appliance
A device for a motor-driven appliance includes a communication unit, a date/time information acquisition unit, and a control unit. The communication unit performs communication with an external appliance having a date/time information indicating a current date and time. The date/time information acquisition unit acquires the date/time information from the external appliance via the communication unit. The control unit performs control based on the date/time information acquired by the date/time information acquisition unit. |
| US09939784B1 |
Smartwatch device and method
A smartwatch device and method. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner. |
| US09939782B2 |
Hologram recording device
A hologram recording device includes a light outputting unit, which sequentially outputs laser beams having different wavelengths such that the laser beams are coaxial and includes an optical member and laser beam sources, and a recording unit, which sequentially irradiates the recording medium with the laser beams to record holograms in a multiwavelength superimposing manner. The optical member includes optical elements that reflect, in the optical direction, a laser beam incident thereon in a direction crossing the optical axis direction, and that allow a laser beam incident thereon in the optical axis direction to pass therethrough. The laser beam sources radiate laser beams to the optical member, and are arranged so that a laser beam emitted from a laser beam source among the laser beam sources that exposes a recording medium for a longer exposure period with the laser beam passes through a smaller number of optical elements. |
| US09939780B2 |
Holographic film with first and second translucent photosensitive recording layers
Various holographic films for recording multicolor volume holograms, especially full color volume reflection holograms, and to manufacturing techniques for such film, and to corresponding methods of recording multicolor and full-color volume, in particular volume reflection holograms. We describe a holographic film for recording a multicolor volume hologram, the film including: a carrier; a first photosensitive recording layer sensitive to one or both of red and green laser light; and a second photosensitive recording layer sensitive to blue laser light. Both the first and second photosensitive recording layers include silver halide and have a grain size of less than 30 nm, and at least one of the photosensitive recording layers has a thickness of greater than 3 μm and less than 5 μm. |
| US09939777B2 |
Attachment structure for attachable body and image forming apparatus
An attachment structure for an attachable body includes an attachable body, a connecting unit, a first regulating device, and a second regulating device. The attachable body is attachable to an apparatus body and has a leading end and a trailing end in an attachment direction in which the attachable body is attached to the apparatus body. The connecting unit is provided on a leading end side of the attachable body in the attachment direction. The connecting unit is connected to the apparatus body. The first regulating device regulates a movement of the attachable body in the attachment direction from a trailing end side. The second regulating device is provided at a position closer to the connecting unit than to the first regulating device in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the attachment direction. The second regulating device regulates the movement of the attachable body. |
| US09939776B2 |
Electrophotographic image forming apparatus, developing apparatus, and coupling member
An image forming apparatus cartridge comprises a guide member, a developer roller having an axis L1, and a coupling member having an axis L2, with the coupling member including at least one projection. A relative positioning of the coupling member and the guide member is changeable between a first relative position in which a tip of the at least one projection is a first distance away from an end of the guide member as measured in the direction of the axis L1 and a second relative position in which the tip of the at least one projection is a second distance away from the end of the guide member as measured in the direction of the axis L1, with the first distance being greater than the second distance. |
| US09939767B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control method for image forming apparatus
This image forming apparatus (100) is equipped with: a document set detector (3a, S1, S5); a document size detector (3a, S2, S3, S5); a manual feeder (6) with a manual feed tray (61) that is not equipped with a sensor for detecting the size of set manually-fed paper; a printer (5) that performs printing on the basis of image data; an operation panel (4) that receives setting for feeding paper from the manual feeder (6); and a controller (7) that recognizes the size of a set document and performs manually-fed-paper automatic setting for recognizing the recognized size of the set document as the size of the manually-fed paper. |
| US09939766B2 |
Image forming apparatus and recording material determination apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image formation unit configured to form an image on a recording material, a conveyance unit configured to convey a recording material, an irradiation unit configured to emit light onto the recording material being conveyed by the conveyance unit, an image capturing unit configured to capture the light emitted by the irradiation unit and reflected from the recording material as a surface image of the recording material, and a control unit configured to control an image forming condition of the image formation unit based on the surface image of the recording material acquired by the image capturing unit, wherein the control unit controls the image forming condition based on a plurality of surface images of the recording material having different resolutions. |
| US09939765B2 |
Fault detection
According to one example, there is provided apparatus for detecting a fault in a printing system. The apparatus includes a monitoring module to determine the length of a portion of an imaging member as the imaging member rotates; and indicate a fault condition when the determined length is different to a reference length. |
| US09939759B2 |
Belt tension adjustment mechanism and image forming apparatus
A belt tension adjustment mechanism provided on an inner side of an endless intermediate transfer belt and applying a tension to the intermediate transfer belt being rotated when a toner image is transferred on the intermediate transfer belt, said belt tension adjustment mechanism includes a holder having an opening section at one surface thereof; and an elastic member contained to be fixed in the holder while being compressed in a running direction of the intermediate transfer belt and having a convex section, wherein the convex section protrudes from the opening section of the holder toward a direction orthogonal to an image transfer surface of the intermediate transfer belt and is in direct contact with the intermediate transfer belt. |
| US09939758B2 |
Developing device, and image forming apparatus and process cartridge incorporating same
A developing device includes a developer container to contain developer including toner and magnetic carrier, the developer container; a developer bearer to carry, by rotation, the developer to a developing range facing a latent image bearer; a communication opening in a wall defining the developer container; a toner conveyance passage connected to the communication opening; and a cylindrical magnet having a magnetic pole arrangement parallel to an axis of the cylindrical magnet. The cylindrical magnet is disposed to enclose a space overlapping with the communication opening on a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical magnet. |
| US09939750B2 |
Charging member, process cartridge, and image-forming apparatus for reducing small color lines
A charging member includes a support, a conductive elastic layer disposed on the support, and a surface layer disposed on the conductive elastic layer. Domains with current values of 2.5 pA or more have an average size of about 300 nm or less in a binary image created using a current value of 2.5 pA as a threshold from current measured by contacting a conical probe having a tip diameter of 20 nm with an outer surface of the surface layer and applying a voltage of 3 V between the conical probe and the support while moving the conical probe. |
| US09939746B2 |
Electrophotographic member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus
The electrophotographic member includes an electroconductive substrate and an electroconductive surface layer. The surface layer contains an electroconductivity imparting agent and a polyrotaxane including a first and a second polyrotaxane molecule.The first polyrotaxane molecule includes a first cyclic molecule, and the second polyrotaxane molecule includes a second cyclic molecule. The cyclic molecules of the first and the second polyrotaxane molecules are bound in such a manner that the oxygen atom of a hydroxy group of the first cyclic molecule and the oxygen atom of a hydroxy group of the second cyclic molecule are bound with a structure represented by the following formula (1): *—R1—Z—R2—** In this formula, z represents a linking group, and “*” and “**” represent binding sites to be bound to either of the oxygen atoms derived from the hydroxy groups of the first and the second cyclic molecule. R1 and R2 each represent a specific structure. |
| US09939744B2 |
Multi-layer electrophotographic photosensitive member
A multi-layer electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer includes a charge generating layer and a charge transport layer. The charge generating layer contains a charge generating material. The charge transport layer contains a charge transport material, a binder resin, and silica particles. The charge transport layer is a monolayer. The charge transport layer is disposed as an outermost surface layer of the multi-layer electrophotographic photosensitive member. The silica particles have a content of at least 0.5 parts by mass and no greater than 15 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the binder resin. The binder resin includes a polyarylate resin. The polyarylate resin has a repeating unit represented by general formula (I) shown below. In general formula (I), R1-R3 and Y are defined as those described in the specification. |
| US09939742B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring asymmetry of a microstructure, position measuring method, position measuring apparatus, lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A lithographic apparatus includes a sensor, such as an alignment sensor including a self-referencing interferometer, configured to determine the position of an alignment target including a periodic structure. An illumination optical system focuses radiation of different colors and polarizations into a spot which scans the structure. Multiple position-dependent signals are detected and processed to obtain multiple candidate position measurements. Asymmetry of the structure is calculated by comparing the multiple position-dependent signals. The asymmetry measurement is used to improve accuracy of the position read by the sensor. Additional information on asymmetry may be obtained by an asymmetry sensor receiving a share of positive and negative orders of radiation diffracted by the periodic structure to produce a measurement of asymmetry in the periodic structure. |
| US09939738B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and an object positioning system
A lithographic apparatus comprising an object table which carries an object. The lithographic apparatus may further comprise at least one sensor as part of a measurement system to measure a characteristic of the object table, the environment surrounding the lithographic apparatus or another component of the lithographic apparatus. The measured characteristic may be used to estimate the deformation of the object due to varying loads during operation of the lithographic apparatus, for example varying loads induced by a two-phase flow in a channel formed within the object table. Additionally, or alternatively, the lithographic apparatus comprises a predictor to estimate the deformation of the object based on a model. The positioning of the object table carrying the object can be controlled based on the estimated deformation. The positioning of a projection beam, used to pattern a substrate, can be controlled relative to the object, to alter the position of the pattern and/or the projection beam on the substrate, based on the estimated deformation. |
| US09939736B2 |
Substrate holder and support table for lithography
A substrate table supports a substrate holder to which a substrate is clamped for exposure. The substrate table has a plurality of e-pins spaced apart from and distributed around the center of the substrate holder to receive, and lower, a substrate onto the substrate holder prior to exposure, and to raise a substrate off the substrate holder after exposure. Tip portions of the e-pins and the corresponding apertures in the substrate holder have a shape in plan including at least one re-entrant, e.g. a cross shape. |
| US09939735B2 |
Method of determining focus, inspection apparatus, patterning device, substrate and device manufacturing method
A method of determining focus of a lithographic apparatus has the following steps. Using the lithographic process to produce first and second structures on the substrate, the first structure has features which have a profile that has an asymmetry that depends on the focus and an exposure perturbation, such as dose or aberration. The second structure has features which have a profile that is differently sensitive to focus than the first structure and which is differently sensitive to exposure perturbation than the first structure. Scatterometer signals are used to determine a focus value used to produce the first structure. This may be done using the second scatterometer signal, and/or recorded exposure perturbation settings used in the lithographic process, to select a calibration curve for use in determining the focus value using the first scatterometer signal or by using a model with parameters related to the first and second scatterometer signals. |
| US09939734B2 |
Photolithography apparatus comprising projection system for control of image size
The present disclosure concerns a photolithography apparatus (100) and method for controlling relative image size (S1/S0) of a projected substrate pattern (W). A projection system (10) is arranged for projecting an image of a mask pattern (M) as the substrate pattern (W) onto a substrate (6), wherein the projection system (10) comprises an adjustment lens (13) moveable in a range (Xmin,Xmax) encompassing a central position (X0) for controlling a relative image size (S1/S0). The projection system (10) is arranged to project the mask pattern (M) onto the adjustment lens (13) such that, when the adjustment lens (13) is positioned at the central position (X0), an apparent mask pattern (M′) from a point of view of the adjustment lens (13) appears to be at a distance (2*F) from the adjustment lens (13) that is twice a focal length (F) of the adjustment lens (13). |
| US09939730B2 |
Optical assembly
An optical assembly, in particular for a lithography system for imaging lithographic micro- or nanostructures, includes at least two optical elements arranged successively in a beam path of the optical assembly, an acquisition device designed to acquire radiation signals from marking elements on or at the at least two optical elements, and a control device coupled to the acquisition device and which is designed to determine the plurality of properties of the optically active surface of the at least two optical elements as a function of the information contained in the radiation signals originating from the marking elements. The disclosure also relates to a method for operating the optical assembly. |
| US09939723B2 |
Mask blank, method of manufacturing phase shift mask, phase shift mask, and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A mask blank having a structure in which, on a transparent substrate, a phase shift film, a light shielding film, and a hard mask film are laminated in the stated order from the transparent substrate side. The phase shift film is formed of a material containing silicon, the hard mask film is formed of a material containing at least one element selected from silicon and tantalum, and the light shielding film is formed of a material containing chromium. The mask blank has a structure in which the following three layers: a lower layer, an intermediate layer, and an upper layer are laminated, the upper layer having a highest content of chromium in the light shielding film, the intermediate layer having a lowest content of chromium in the light shielding film, and containing at least one metallic element selected from indium, tin, and molybdenum. |
| US09939718B2 |
Light source apparatus and projector
A light source apparatus includes a polarization conversion element, a fluorescent substance and a light source element. The polarization conversion element has a p/s-polarizing beam splitter film to separate polarization components of incident light into p-polarization component and s-polarization component. The fluorescent substance emits visible light as the incident light that is incident on the p/s-polarizing beam splitter film, which visible light is generated by that the fluorescent substance is excited by excitation light, and has a wavelength of longer wavelength region than a wavelength of the excitation light. The light source element emits a laser beam having a predetermined wavelength as the excitation light to irradiate the fluorescent substance with the excitation light so that a laser beam having a polarization plane between the polarization plane of p-polarized light and the polarization plane of s-polarized light exiting from the fluorescent substance is emitted as the incident light. |
| US09939717B2 |
Projector and control method for projector
A projector which configured to project a horizontally long image and a vertically long image, includes a cooling unit configured to cool a discharge lamp according to an installation attitude of the projector, a detection unit configured to detect the installation attitude, and a controller configured to control a discharge lamp driving unit and the cooling unit, in which the installation attitude includes a first attitude for projecting the horizontally long image and a second attitude for projecting the vertically long image, and in which the controller is configured to put out the discharge lamp in a case where the installation attitude detected by the detection unit is a third attitude which is different from both of the first attitude and the second attitude. |
| US09939708B2 |
Electro-optical modulator and method for generating an electrical optical modulator
An electro-optical modulator is provided. The electro-optical modulator comprises at least one optical waveguide; a plurality of segments, wherein each one of the segments comprises at least one waveguide electrode for supplying a voltage to the optical waveguide, wherein the segments are arranged one behind the other along the optical waveguide, and wherein each one of the segments comprises its own driver unit electrically connected to the waveguide electrode of the segment for supplying an electric signal. Each one of the segments forms an electrical resonant circuit, wherein the segments are configured in such a way that the resonance frequency of the electrical resonant circuit of at least one of the segments lies within the frequency range of an electrical signal supplied to the driver units. |
| US09939707B2 |
TIR-modulated wide viewing angle display
Improvements and modifications are provided in the type of frustrated total internal reflection (TIR) systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,885,496; 6,891,658; 7,286,280; 7,760,417 and 8,040,591. The improvements and modifications include various methods to improve display operation of hemispherical beaded front plane TIR systems such as (a) inhibit or prevent the undesired non-uniform distribution and lateral migration of charged, electrophoretically mobile, TIR frustrating particles by encapsulating or tethering the particles to the beaded front plane surface; (b) inhibit or prevent the settling of the TIR frustrating particles such as modifying the viscosity of the low refractive index medium; and (c) inhibit or prevent the non-uniformity of the applied electric field during display operation such as using a conforming rear electrode. |
| US09939692B2 |
Sequential circuit and semiconductor device
The following semiconductor device provides high reliability and a narrower frame width. The semiconductor device includes a driver circuit and a pixel portion. The driver circuit has a first transistor including a first gate and a second gate electrically connected to each other with a semiconductor film sandwiched therebetween, and a second transistor electrically connected to the first transistor. The pixel portion includes a third transistor, a liquid crystal element, and a capacitor. The liquid crystal element includes a first transparent conductive film electrically connected to the third transistor, a second conductive film, and a liquid crystal layer. The capacitor includes the first conductive film, a third transparent conductive film, and a nitride insulating film. The nitride insulating film is positioned between the first transparent conductive film and the third transparent conductive film, and positioned between the semiconductor film and the second gate of the first transistor. |
| US09939691B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a first substrate; a gate line formed on the first substrate; an insulating layer formed on the gate line; and a first subpixel electrode and a second subpixel electrode that are formed on the insulating layer. Each of the first subpixel electrode and the second, subpixel electrode includes a first subregion and a second subregion. At least one of the first subregion and the second subregion includes a vertical stem, a horizontal stem extending from a middle of the vertical stem, and a plurality of minute branches laterally extending in a diagonal direction from the horizontal stem. The plurality of minute branches laterally extending from the horizontal stem are alternately branched with reference to the horizontal stem. |
| US09939689B2 |
Method for curved display panel
A design method for a curved display panel and a curved display device are is provided. The curved display panel comprises a curved thin film transistor array substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a curved color filter substrate, and a spacer assembly. The spacer assembly is used to maintain a predetermined distance between the curved thin film transistor array substrate and the curved color filter substrate. A display defect caused by an uneven cell thickness of the curved display panel is avoided. |
| US09939687B2 |
Liquid crystal cell and method for fabricating the same, liquid crystal display panel, and display device
A liquid crystal cell and method for fabricating the same, a liquid crystal display panel, and a display device are disclosed. The liquid crystal cell comprises an active area and a dummy area, and comprises a first and second substrate which are arranged oppositely and separated by spacers, and liquid crystal arranged between the first and second substrate. The liquid crystal cell further comprises a volume variation compensating component which is arranged in the active area, and the volume variation compensating component comprises a material with a thermal expansion coefficient opposite to that of the liquid crystal, so as to compensate variation in the volume of liquid crystal when temperature varies. Not only defects of gravity mura at high temperature and bubbles at low temperature are eliminated to spread LC Margin, but also the scope of application environment for the liquid crystal display panel is expanded. |
| US09939684B2 |
Manufacturing method of display substrate, manufacturing method of display panel, and display device
The present disclosure discloses a manufacturing method of a display substrate, a manufacturing method of a display panel and a display device. The manufacturing method of a display substrate comprises: performing an pre-irradiation on the display substrate with ultraviolet light after completion of alignment of an alignment layer of the display substrate, such that electrons in a metal layer of the display substrate receive energy under this irradiation of the ultraviolet light and thereby transfer, and are distributed uniformly in the alignment layer of the display area of the display substrate. A uniform distribution of charges in the whole display area would not result in the deficiency of non-uniform brightness at the edge of the display area. |
| US09939679B2 |
Display device
The display device comprises a display panel, a light source, an optical plate being arranged to face the display panel and diffusing or guiding the light from the light source, and an optical sheet arranged on one surface of the optical plate, and further comprises a pressing part pressing an edge of the optical sheet, and a facing part coordinating with the pressing part and having a facing surface facing an end surface of the optical plate. The facing surface is slanting so that the distance between the facing surface and the end surface decreases toward the display panel. |
| US09939678B2 |
Backlight module
A backlight module includes a light-emitting element, which can emit a first light with a wavelength in a first wavelength range, a quantum dot diaphragm, which is formed by combining a plurality of sub-diaphragms each with a small area together and can emit a second light with a wavelength in a second wavelength range and a third light with a wavelength in a third wavelength range, and a diffusing plate used for light homogenization. The defects of low qualified rate of quantum dot diaphragm with large area manufactured currently and a poor homogeneity thereof can be avoided. |
| US09939676B2 |
Display substrate and manufacturing method thereof, display apparatus
Disclosed are a display substrate and a manufacturing method thereof, as well as a display device. The display substrate includes a base substrate, a wire grating polaroid and a light shield layer. The light shield layer is disposed on the base substrate and partly covers a surface of the base substrate. The wire grating polaroid is disposed on the light shield layer at a position corresponding to the light shield layer. The display substrate addresses the problem of reflecting external light by the wire grating polaroid, enhances definition of images viewed by a user and improves user's use experience. |
| US09939675B2 |
Color filter substrate, liquid crystal display panel and liquid crystal display
A color filter substrate, a liquid crystal display panel, and a liquid crystal display are described. The color filter substrate has: a base substrate, a color resist layer disposed on a surface of the base substrate and having a plurality of colored-filter color resists each configured to filter a stray light and emit a light corresponding to a color; an upper polarizing sheet disposed on the other surface of the base substrate; and a ¼ wavelength plate covering on the upper polarizing sheet and having a plurality of areas which are respectively corresponding to the colored-filter color resists and face toward the colored-filter color resists, respectively. An in-plane retardation Re of the ¼ wavelength plate in each of the areas satisfies: Re=λ/4, wherein λ is a wavelength of the light corresponding to the color. |
| US09939671B2 |
Liquid crystal module detection apparatus for detecting image-sticking, and detection and evaluation system and method
Disclosed is a liquid crystal module detection apparatus for detecting image-sticking, and a detection and evaluation system and method. The apparatus comprises: a sealed thermal-insulating transparent container (1), adapted to contain a liquid crystal module (5) to be tested; a temperature-control module, adapted to adjust the temperature inside the container; a signal generator module (4), adapted to provide a drive signal to the liquid crystal module to be tested. The apparatus employs a sealed, well thermal-insulating, transparent container, and utilizes the heat emitted from the panel and the backlight of the module itself to form a desired temperature environment for detection. |
| US09939670B2 |
Display device having improved electric field generation
The present invention relates to a display device capable of more stably forming a horizontal electric field. A display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate; a thin film transistor disposed on the substrate; a microcavity having a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, and an upper surface extending between the first side and the second side; a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor and positioned along the first side; a common electrode extending along the second side; a roof layer covering the pixel electrode, the common electrode, and the upper surface of the microcavity; and a liquid crystal layer disposed in the microcavity. |
| US09939667B1 |
Mach-Zehnder modulator driver
A driver configuration for driving a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) includes a first driver supplied by a first voltage and a second voltage and configured to provide a first two complimentary outputs respectively to a first N-electrode of a first branch of the MZM and a second N-electrode of a second branch of the MZM. Additionally, the driver configuration includes a second driver supplied by a third voltage and a fourth voltage and configured to provide a second two complimentary outputs respectively to a first P-electrode of the first branch and a second P-electrode of the second branch. The driver configuration sets a difference between the third voltage and the fourth voltage equal to a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage to provide a same peak-to-peak differential swing for modulating light wave through each transmission line and output a modulated light with twice of the peak-to-peak differential swing. |
| US09939666B2 |
Silicon electro-optical modulator
Disclosed are designs and methods of fabrication of silicon carrier-depletion based electro-optical modulators having doping configurations that produce modulators exhibiting desirable modulation efficiency, optical absorption loss and bandwidth characteristics. The disclosed method of fabrication of a modulator having such doping configurations utilizes counter doping to create narrow regions of relatively high doping levels near a waveguide center. |
| US09939664B2 |
High temperature range and high strain range transparent composites based on matrices having optically tunable refractive indices
A system may include a composite structure and a light source. The composite structure may include a matrix having a matrix refractive index, a plurality of fibers embedded in the matrix, and a light-reactive material in the matrix. The light source may be capable of emitting light of an activation wavelength that induces a reaction in the light-reactive material causing a change in the matrix refractive index. |
| US09939659B2 |
Fluid lens assembly
A non-round fluid lens assembly includes a non-round rigid lens and a flexible membrane attached to the non-round rigid lens, such that a cavity is formed between the non-round rigid lens and the flexible membrane. A reservoir in fluid communication with the cavity allows a fluid to be transferred into and out of the cavity so as to change the optical power of the fluid lens assembly. In an embodiment, a front surface of the non-round rigid lens is aspheric. Additionally or alternatively, a thickness of the flexible membrane may be contoured so that it changes shape in a spheric manner when fluid is transferred between the cavity and the reservoir. |
| US09939658B1 |
Autonomous eye tracking contact lens
An eye-mountable device including a lens operable to be removably mounted on a corneal surface of an eye and to be compatible with a motion of an eyelid; a photosensor coupled to the lens, the photosensor including a light detecting surface oriented to detect light from an iris of the eye; and an accommodation actuator coupled to the lens and operable to modify an optical power of the lens in response to light detected by the photosensor. A method including monitoring a signal from a photosensor coupled to a contact lens, the signal representative of light reflected from an iris of an eye on which the contact lens is mounted; detecting a change in a gazing direction of the eye based on the signal; and modifying an optical power of the contact lens in response to the detect change in gazing direction. |
| US09939657B2 |
Thermoformed ophthalmic insert devices
The present invention describes single-piece or multi-piece Rigid Inserts that may be included in an Ophthalmic Lenses or may comprise the Ophthalmic Lens, wherein the Rigid Insert may be formed through the processing of thin sheet material by thermoforming. Single piece annular Rigid Inserts may perform the function of providing a template for printed patterns to be included in Ophthalmic Lenses. Single piece full Rigid Inserts may perform the function of polarizing light or filtering light based on the properties of materials used to form the insert. Multi-piece Rigid Inserts may include activation and energization elements. The present invention also includes methods and apparatus for forming the Rigid Inserts. |
| US09939655B2 |
Optical image capturing system
A six-piece optical lens for capturing image and a six-piece optical module for capturing image are provided. In order from an object side to an image side, the optical lens along the optical axis includes a first lens with refractive power, a second lens with refractive power, a third lens with refractive power, a fourth lens with refractive power, a fifth lens with refractive power and a sixth lens with refractive power. At least one of the image-side surface and object-side surface of each of the six lens elements is aspheric. The optical lens can increase aperture value and improve the imagining quality for use in compact cameras. |
| US09939652B2 |
Display devices and image creating methods for layered display technologies
A display device may include: a plurality of layers configured to modulate pixel values in two directions; an obtaining unit configured to obtain matching information about matching of pixels belonging to differing layers; and/or a controller configured to control the plurality of layers based on the matching information. An image creating method may include: obtaining a target light field; obtaining a projection matrix corresponding to a viewpoint of a user; and/or creating a plurality of layer images for a plurality of layers configured to modulate pixel values in two directions based on the target light field and the projection matrix. |
| US09939650B2 |
Wearable display system
A wearable display system has a first lens sub-assembly defining a first optical path and a second lens sub-assembly defining a second optical path. The first and second lens sub-assemblies are disposed in a frame in respective first and second lens-holding sub-assemblies. The frame also has a device holder configured to maintain a display of a device in the first and second optical paths. The display can be maintained within a predetermined range of distances and angles with respect to the first and second lens sub-assemblies. This arrangement permits the display, such as, for example, a smartphone display, independently to provide a specific image to each eye of a user. For example, different images can be independently provided to each eye from different portions of a common display, thereby enabling the user to perceive a three-dimensional image. |
| US09939648B2 |
Head mounted display device with dual curved displays
A head mounted display (HMD) device includes first and second laterally-curved displays disposed about a medial plane, wherein each of the first and second curved displays includes a first lateral section distal from the medial plane and having a curvature with a first radius and a second lateral section adjacent to the medial plane and having a curvature with a second radius less than the first radius. |
| US09939645B2 |
Electronic glasses apparatus, control method thereof and display system
The invention relates to the field of displaying. The embodiments of the invention provide an electronic glasses apparatus, a control method thereof and a display system. In the case that a user is watching images displayed on a display apparatus through the electronic glasses apparatus, he/she would get a more excited and realistic experience when a dazzling image such as the Sun or explosion appears. The control method includes: receiving a synchronous video signal transmitted form a display apparatus which is apart from the electronic glasses apparatus by a preset distance; according to the synchronous video signal, acquiring parameters of a first area in a frame of an image displayed on the display apparatus when the display apparatus uses the synchronous video signal to display images, wherein the grey scale in the first area is greater than or equal to a preset grey scale; and according to the parameters of the first area, driving pixel cells of a second area in the electronic glasses apparatus to emit lights simultaneously, wherein the second area corresponds to the first area. The invention also discloses manufacturing of a display system which includes the electronic glasses apparatus. |
| US09939642B2 |
Glass type terminal and control method thereof
Provided is a glass type terminal and a control method thereof. The glass type terminal includes: a frame unit configured to be wearable on a user's head; a display unit; and a control unit configured to turn on power of a camera when preset conditions are met, analyze an image captured by the camera to produce image capture guide information, and control the display unit to output the produced image capture guide information. |
| US09939641B1 |
Combiner head-up display
A combiner head-up display (HUD) system includes a combiner mirror and a combiner holder supporting the combiner mirror. The combiner holder includes first and second holder arms. The HUD system also includes a combiner HUD body supporting a first knob. The combiner HUD system includes an elevation link connecting the first knob and the first holder arm. A rotation of the first knob causes the combiner mirror to move from a stowed position to a display position or from a display position to a stowed position. A second knob is supported by the combiner HUD body and is disposed substantially opposite the first knob. A threaded rod connects the second knob and the second holder arm. When the combiner mirror is in the display position, a rotation of the second knob causes the combiner mirror to adjust a display angle between the fore-aft axis and the combiner mirror. |
| US09939636B2 |
Forward looking light sensor with a rounded aperture, and an optimal thickness and radius for the aperture
A forward looking light sensor is described herein. The sensor includes a first light blocking material; a second light blocking material; and a light sensor with a first surface and a second surface. The first light blocking material is disposed on the first surface of the light sensor and the second light blocking material is disposed on the first surface of the light sensor, and the first light blocking material and the second light blocking forming an aperture. |
| US09939633B2 |
Flat field telecentric scanner with diffraction limited performance
The present invention provides a scanning system (100) comprising a first port for receiving or emitting a stationary beam (60) of electromagnetic radiation, a second port for emitting or receiving a scanning beam of electromagnetic radiation, the scanning beam scanning in a main scanning direction, a scanning element (61) for relaying the stationary beam (60) into the scanning beam or vice versa, an optical system between the scanning element (61) and the second port, wherein the optical system comprises at least a first mirror (63) and a second mirror (64) having a rotationally symmetric curved mirror surface around their optical axis, at least one of the first and the second curved mirror surface having an aspheric shape, and wherein the first and the second mirror (63, 64) have an off-axis decentered aperture and are offset in position in a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. |
| US09939632B2 |
Digital mirror device, method of manufacturing digital mirror device, and image display apparatus
A substrate, a plurality of mirrors disposed on one surface of the substrate to be separated from the substrate, a mirror support post disposed between the substrate and the mirror and connected to a part of the mirror to support the mirror, a first electrode disposed between a first portion of the mirror and the substrate on the substrate, a second electrode disposed between the substrate and a second portion facing the first portion are included. The mirror includes a thin portion in which a thickness of at least a part of an end portion of a rear surface of the mirror is thinner than a thickness of a middle of the mirror. |
| US09939629B2 |
Optical filter device, optical module, and electronic apparatus
An optical filter device includes a variable wavelength interference filter having a pair of reflecting films opposed to each other, and an electrostatic actuator adapted to change a gap dimension between the pair of reflecting films, and at least one bandpass filter disposed on an optical axis of the pair of reflecting films, and the bandpass filter includes a plurality of transmission wavelength bands in which light is transmitted. |
| US09939622B2 |
Microscope optical system
A microscope optical system includes a first lens group having a positive power, a second lens group, and a third lens group including a positive lens. The first lens group includes: a first lens component arranged closest to an object, the first lens component including a first meniscus lens that has a meniscus shape with a concave surface facing the object side; a second lens component having a positive power that has a meniscus lens shape with the concave surface facing the object side; and a cemented lens including a positive lens and a negative lens that is made of a higher-dispersion material than a material of the positive lens. When NA, βG3, DG3i, DG23 represent a numerical aperture of the microscope optical system, a lateral magnification of the third lens group, a spacing between the third lens group and an image plane, a spacing between the second lens group and the third lens group, the microscope optical system satisfies the following conditional expressions: 0.25 |
| US09939621B2 |
Zoom lens, optical apparatus, and method for manufacturing the zoom lens
A zoom lens comprises a first lens group having negative refractive power; a second lens group having positive refractive power; a third lens group having negative refractive power and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power. Upon varying magnification, distances between the first lens group and the second lens group, between the second lens group and the third lens group and between the third lens group and the fourth lens group vary. The second lens group includes a front lens group, an aperture stop, and a rear lens group. Each of the front lens group and the rear lens group includes at least one negative lens. At least a part of the lenses in the second lens group is moved as a group to have a component in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis. |
| US09939620B2 |
Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the same
A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, a rear lens group including one or more lens units, and an aperture stop. During zooming, with the first lens unit not moving, the second lens unit and at least one of the lens units of the rear lens group move. In this zoom lens, the configuration of the third lens unit and the location of the aperture stop are appropriately set. |
| US09939615B2 |
Optical lens assembly
An optical lens assembly includes a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens and a sixth lens, all of which are arranged in sequence from an object side to an image side along an optical axis. The first lens is with positive refractive power and includes a convex surface facing the object side. The second lens is with refractive power. The third lens is with refractive power. The fourth lens is a meniscus lens with refractive power. The fifth lens is with positive refractive power. The sixth lens is with positive refractive power. The optical lens assembly satisfies: −1.8≤f4/f≤−1.3 wherein f4 is an effective focal length of the fourth lens and f is an effective focal length of the optical lens assembly. |
| US09939613B2 |
Single focal length lens system, camera, and automobile
A single focal length lens system which, in order from an object side to an image side, includes a first unit, an aperture diaphragm, and a second unit is provided. The second unit includes a cemented lens having positive optical power, and a joint surface of the cemented lens is an aspheric surface. The cemented lens satisfies a condition: |dn/dt1|MAX≤2.67×10−5 (|dn/dt1|MAX: a maximum value of absolute values of relative refractive index temperature coefficients in an atmosphere at 0 to 20° C. with respect to light having a wavelength range of 580 to 640 nm, which is calculated for each of lens elements constituting the cemented lens). |
| US09939612B2 |
Wide-angle lens
A wide-angle lens comprises sequentially from an object side to an image side along an optical axis a first lens, a second lens, a stop and a third lens. The first lens is a biconcave lens and with negative refractive power. The second lens is a convex-concave lens with positive refractive power and includes a convex surface facing the object side and concave surface facing the image side. The third lens is with positive refractive power and includes a convex surface facing the image side. The wide-angle lens satisfies the following condition: 2.9 |
| US09939606B2 |
Lens driving apparatus
Disclosed is a lens driving apparatus. The lens driving apparatus includes a base, a yoke coupled to the base, having an upper surface formed with a hole, a closed side surface, and an opened bottom surface, a bobbin movably installed in an inner portion of the yoke, a lens module coupled to the bobbin to go in and out the hole according to movement of the bobbin, a magnet fixed to an inner portion of the yoke, a coil fixed to an outer portion of the bobbin while facing the magnets, and springs coupled to the bobbin to provide restoration force to the bobbin. |
| US09939604B2 |
Optical assembly with translatable centered sleeve
Optical assemblies include a barrel defining a cavity having a center axis, a sleeve inserted in the cavity, one or more optical elements mounted within the sleeve and a retaining ring inserted into the cavity and securing the sleeve. The sleeve engages the barrel inner wall through a thread engagement allowing a longitudinal displacement of the sleeve within the cavity. The retaining ring is also threadably engaged within the barrel, and the profile of the corresponding threads, as well as the spatial profile of a peripheral transversal surface of the sleeve engaging the retaining ring, are selected to provide centering of the sleeve with respect to the center axis of the cavity throughout the longitudinal displacement of the sleeve. |
| US09939603B2 |
Brake system
An ophthalmic surgical apparatus may include a tower extending upward from a support base, and a user-positionable arm extending from the tower to support an optical instrument attached to a distal end of the user-positionable arm. The user-positionable arm may include four members that are pivotably connected to each other. An electromagnetic brake strut may be pivotably attached in a diagonal relationship to at least two of the four members. The electromagnetic brake strut may include a rotatable lead screw having first and second lead screw end regions and a nut attached to the first pivot joint. The first lead screw end region may be threadably received into the nut. An electromagnetic clutch allows lead screw rotation when an electrical voltage is applied thereto. The electromagnetic clutch may be attached to the second pivot joint and may include a bearing that supports the second lead screw end region. |
| US09939602B2 |
Mounting system and kit for aerial mounting of a fiber optic enclosure
A mounting system for suspending an enclosure from an aerial strand at a location near a pole is disclosed. The mounting system includes a hanger arrangement configured to clamp to the aerial strand with the enclosure hung below the aerial strand at a location where a center of gravity of the enclosure is laterally offset from the aerial strand such that a weight of the enclosure generates torque about the aerial strand. The mounting system includes a rod for securement to the hanger arrangement and to the pole for transferring the torque generated by the weight of the enclosure from the hanger arrangement to the pole such that the enclosure is prevented from rotating about the aerial strand toward a position where the center of gravity of the enclosure is located directly beneath the aerial strand. |
| US09939601B2 |
Anchoring cables to rack with self-locking cable clamp arrangements
A self-locking cable clamp arrangement includes a bracket and a flexible tab disposed on the bracket. The bracket has a cable mounting region, a first engagement region, and a support region disposed therebetween. A cable can be clamped to the cable mounting region. The support region defining two members spaced apart sufficient to enable an edge of the panel to extend partially therebetween. The flexible tab can be selectively coupled to the cable mounting region and to the first engagement region. The clamp arrangement mounts to the panel by sliding the bracket downwardly through an open-ended slot defined in the panel until the tab is received within a cutout portion of the panel to secure the bracket to the panel. |
| US09939600B2 |
Optical fiber disconnect/reconnect apparatus
A payout spool for a cable includes a base, a spool, and a disconnect/reconnect device. The cable extends between a first and a second end. The payout spool pays out the cable when the first end of the cable is pulled away from the payout spool. The base includes a terminal for transmitting and/or receiving a signal to and/or from the cable. The spool is rotatably mounted to the base about an axis. The spool is adapted to unwrap the cable about a wrapping area of the spool when the spool is rotated about the axis. The disconnect/reconnect device may be adapted to disconnect the second end of the cable from the terminal when the payout spool pays out the cable and reconnect the same when the payout spool is not paying out the cable. |
| US09939598B2 |
Fiber optic connector assembly, apparatus for forming a transceiver interface, and ferrule
An fiber-optic connector assembly includes a fiber optic ferrule and a connector, which engage an optical transceiver component. The fiber optic ferrule engages a mating plane of a lens array in the optical transceiver component and floats within the connector. The engagement of the assembly and the optical transceiver component may be removable rather than fixed. The fiber optic ferrule also engages a mechanical interface to account for three degrees of freedom, while the engagement of the mating surfaces account for another three degrees of freedom. |
| US09939596B2 |
Optical integrated circuit package
An optical integrated circuit (IC) package includes an optical IC including an optical IC substrate, an optical IC including an optical IC substrate, an electrical integrated circuit device (EICD) on the optical IC substrate, at least one optical device spaced apart from the EICD on the optical IC substrate, an optical interface on a first side of the optical IC substrate, an electrical interface located on a second side of the optical IC substrate, and an encapsulation member configured to encapsulate the optical IC, the EICD, the at least one optical device, the optical interface, and the electrical interface. |
| US09939593B2 |
Light steering for silicon photonic devices
A photonic device comprising a base plate, a photonic laser coupled to the base plate, wherein the photonic laser is configured to generate a light, a lens coupled to the base plate, wherein the lens is configured to receive the light from the photonic laser, form a focused light, and pass the focused light to a reflector, and the reflector incorporated with the base plate such that the lens is positioned between the photonic laser and the reflector, wherein the reflector is configured to receive the focused light, and wherein the reflector is configured to steer a first portion of the focused light through the base plate using total internal reflection. |
| US09939586B2 |
Apparatus, systems, and methods for waveguide-coupled resonant photon detection
A photodetector includes a germanium layer evanescently coupled to a ring resonator. The ring resonator increases the interaction length between light guided by the ring resonator and the germanium layer without increasing the size of the photodetector, thereby keeping the photodetector's dark current at a low level. The germanium layer absorbs the guided light and converts the absorbed light into electrical signals for detection. The increased interaction length in the resonator allows efficient transfer of light from the resonator to the germanium layer via evanescently coupling. In addition, the internal and external quality factors (Q) of the ring resonator can be matched to achieve (nearly) full absorption of light in the germanium with high quantum efficiency. |
| US09939585B1 |
Waveguide device with switchable polarization configurations
A waveguide device comprises a first circular waveguide segment (CWS) that imparts a 3λ/8 relative phase shift to two orthogonal linearly polarized signals, and a second CWS that imparts a λ/8 relative phase shift to two orthogonal linearly polarized signals. A waveguide assembly (WGA) comprises the first CWS disposed coaxially adjacent to the second CWS. A source may provide dual linear polarized energy into the WGA. In a first mode, the first CWS is axially orientated relative to the second CWS, such that the first CWS polarization is offset by 90° degrees with respect to the second CWS polarization. The radiation source polarization may be offset by 45° relative to the first CWS polarization and the second CWS polarization. In a second mode, the first CWS may be orientated with respect to the second CWS, such that the first CWS polarization and the second CWS polarization are substantially the same. |
| US09939581B2 |
Semiconductor optical waveguide, method for manufacturing the same, and optical communication device using the same
It is difficult to actualize a semiconductor optical waveguide having desired properties that reflect design even when process technology for a semiconductor electronic circuit is applied as is to the production of a semiconductor optical waveguide.The present invention includes: a substrate; a semiconductor optical waveguide structure arranged on the substrate; a planar region formed around the semiconductor optical waveguide structure on the substrate; and a semiconductor dummy structure that is arranged around the planar region on the substrate and is formed of a plurality of dummy patterns, wherein the semiconductor optical waveguide structure includes a line-symmetric pattern on a plane that is parallel to the substrate; and the plurality of dummy patterns are arranged symmetrically with respect to the symmetry axis of the line-symmetric pattern. |
| US09939580B2 |
Optical component alignment using inverted carrier member
Embodiments include an optical apparatus and associated method of assembling. The optical apparatus comprises a substrate defining a first surface and a channel formed relative thereto, the substrate including one or more waveguides extending to a sidewall partly defining the channel, a plurality of first electrical contacts formed on the first surface. The optical apparatus further comprises a carrier member defining a second surface and at least a third surface, the second surface coupled with the first surface of the substrate. The optical apparatus further at least one optical component coupled with the second surface and at least partly disposed within the channel, wherein the at least one optical component is optically coupled with the one or more waveguides and electrically connected with the first electrical contacts via a plurality of second electrical contacts at the third surface of the carrier member. |
| US09939579B2 |
Multilayered optical structures
Monolithic optical structures include a plurality of layer with each layer having an isolated optical pathway confined within a portion of the layer. The monolithic optical structure can be used as an optical fiber preform. Alternatively or additionally, the monolithic optical structure can include integrated optical circuits within one or more layers of the structure. Monolithic optical structures can be formed by performing multiple passes of a substrate through a flowing particle stream. The deposited particles form an optical material following consolidation. Flexible optical fibers include a plurality of independent light channels extending along the length of the optical fiber. The fibers can be pulled from an appropriate preform. |
| US09939578B2 |
Low cost integration of optical components in planar lightwave circuits
Planar lightwave circuits with a polymer coupling waveguide optically coupling a planar waveguide over a first region of a substrate to an optical component, such as a laser, affixed to a second region of the substrate. The coupling waveguide may be formed from a polymer layer applied over the planar waveguide and optical component such that any misalignment between the two may be accommodated by patterning the polymer into a waveguide having a first end aligned to an end of the planar waveguide and a second end aligned to an edge of the optical component. In embodiments, the polymer is photo-definable, such as a negative resist, and may be patterned through direct laser writing. In embodiments, the optical component is a thin film affixed to the substrate through micro-transfer printing. In other embodiments, the optical component is a semiconductor chip affixed to the substrate by flip-chip bonding. |
| US09939576B2 |
Providing structural support via backlight system
Examples of structurally supportive backlight systems and devices incorporating such backlight systems are disclosed. One disclosed example provides a backlight system comprising a reflector, a light guide comprising a glass sheet, the glass sheet being adhered to the reflector with adhesive light extracting features, and a light source positioned to direct light into the light guide. |
| US09939574B2 |
Lighting system
A lighting system including a lighting panel, wherein at least one light source, assigned to a narrow side of the lighting panel, is provided for coupling light into the lighting panel. The lighting system also includes a reflector facing a flat side of the lighting panel, wherein the flat side of the lighting panel facing the reflector and/or the reflector and/or an intermediate layer between the reflector and the lighting panel is provided with a surface structure. The surface structure is formed as a line grid made of continuous and intersecting grid lines. According to the lighting system, a high level of homogenization of the light emission from the lighting panel can be achieved in a simple manner. In this way, in particular, greater transmission losses in the edge regions of the lighting panel are prevented. |
| US09939573B2 |
Using a waveguide to display information on electronic devices
An electronic device includes an instrument panel that includes a display opening, where the instrument panel is located in a first plane; a circuit board located inside the electronic device, where the circuit board includes a display device that includes a display area, and where the display area is located in a second plane that is different from the first plane; and a waveguide that couples the display area to the display opening and guides light, and/or an image displayed in the display area, from the display area to the display opening. |
| US09939568B2 |
Photosensitive resin composition for color filter and application of the same
The present invention relates to a photosensitive resin composition for a color filter and an application of the same. The photosensitive resin composition includes an alkali-soluble resin (A), a compound (B) having an ethylenically unsaturated group, a photoinitiator (C), an organic solvent (D) and a pigment (E). The alkali-soluble resin (A) includes a first alkali-soluble resin (A-1) having the structure represented by formula (1). The aforementioned photosensitive resin composition is advantageously applied for the color filer with better contrast. |
| US09939563B2 |
Sky-dome lighting system
A lighting system comprises a chromatic reflective unit (606), and a light source (602), wherein the chromatic reflective unit (606) is shaped as a rotational paraboloid or a portion of a rotational paraboloid, and the light source (602) is positioned close to or at the paraboloid focal position. |
| US09939561B2 |
Projector having diffuser
An optical device includes a base material including a surface on which multiple concaves are formed. The concaves include respective curved surfaces. The concaves are formed so that the bottoms of the concaves are at two or more different positions in a depth direction. In the optical device, 2/7≤|(n1−n2)×Δd|/λ≤10 holds, where n1 is the refractive index of the base material, n2 is the refractive index of a medium around the concaves, λ is the wavelength of a beam flux that enters the base material, and Δd is a range of the positions of the bottoms in the depth direction. |
| US09939559B2 |
Optical device with deformable membrane
An optical device having variable focal length may include a deformable membrane, a support to which a peripheral anchoring area of said membrane is connected, and a cavity filled with a constant volume of fluid. The cavity being delimited by the membrane, a base opposite the membrane and a wall of the support extending between the base and the membrane. The optical device further includes an actuation device of a region of the membrane located between the peripheral anchoring area and a central part of the membrane, configured to bend said membrane by application of electrical actuation voltage so as to displace some of the volume of fluid. The membrane comprises a stiffening structure comprising cells which delimit, in the central part of said membrane, at least two deformable regions each constituting a diopter of a respective elementary optical system, each elementary optical system comprising said respective deformable region of the membrane, the fluid and the base of the cavity. |
| US09939557B2 |
Antireflective articles and methods of making the same
A composite having (a) a substrate that has opposing first and second surfaces, the substrate being at least 90% transmissive in visible light and has less than 5% haze, (b) a nanostructured article including a matrix and a nanoscale dispersed phase and having a random nanostructured anisotropic surface; and (c) an optically clear adhesive disposed on the second surface of the substrate. |
| US09939554B2 |
Wide-view optical film having reversed wavelength dispersion
An optical compensation film is disclosed herein, which is made by uniaxially or biaxially stretching of a multilayer film including a first polymer film having a refractive index profile satisfying the equations of (nx+ny)/2≥nz and |nx−ny|<0.005 and a second polymer film having a refractive index profile satisfying the equations of (nx+ny)/2 |
| US09939553B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for deriving wellbore fluid sag from thermal conductivity measurements
Thermal conductivity measurements of a wellbore fluid may be used to derive the sag of the wellbore fluid (i.e., the inhomogeneity or gradation in particle distribution in the fluid as a result of the particles settling). For example, a method may include measuring a thermal conductivity of a fluid at two or more locations along a height of a vessel containing the fluid that comprises particles dispersed in a base fluid; and calculating a sag of the fluid based on the thermal conductivity at the two or more locations. In some instances, the temperature and pressure of the wellbore fluid may be changed and/or the wellbore fluid may be sheared to investigate their effects on sag. |
| US09939551B2 |
Systems, devices and methods for borehole gravimetry
A gravimeter, a gravimeter system, and a method for measuring gravitational acceleration within a borehole are described herein. The gravimeter includes a proof mass that is constrained by springs and an optical interferometer for measuring displacement of the proof mass. The optical interferometer generates a light path from a light source to a reflective surface on the proof mass. Spatial displacement of the proof mass from a reference position to a position of gravitational equilibrium is determined by measuring a change in length of the light path. In turn, gravitational acceleration can be determined from the spatial displacement of the proof mass. A number of such gravimeters can be used in a gravimeter system to make measurements of gravitational acceleration in variety of different directions. |
| US09939550B2 |
Detection of special nuclear material and other contraband by prompt and/or delayed signatures from photofission
In accordance with embodiments of the invention, at least the potential presence of Special Nuclear Material (“SNM”) is determined by the detection of prompt neutrons, prompt gamma rays, delayed neutrons, and/or delayed gamma rays from photofission, via time-of-flight (“TOF”) spectroscopic methods. Methods and systems are disclosed. |
| US09939549B2 |
Measurement of formation bulk density employing forward modeling of neutron-induced gamma-ray emission
A method and system for determining at least one property of a geological formation employs at least one forward model to derive at least one synthetic detector measurement that relates to neutron-induced gamma-ray emission from geological formation. The forward model is also used to infer at least one property of the geological formation including bulk density of the geological formation. |
| US09939547B2 |
Wireless subsea monitoring and control system
A method for monitoring a subsea hydrocarbon production or processing apparatus involves mounting a subsea control module (SCM) on or adjacent the apparatus, mounting a first base unit on or adjacent the apparatus at a distance from the SCM, mounting a plurality of first sensor devices on the apparatus, each of the plurality of first sensor devices being configured to generate a first sensor signal representative of a condition of a component of the apparatus or a property of a fluid in the apparatus, operating each first sensor device to generate a corresponding first sensor signal, wirelessly transmitting each first sensor signal from its corresponding first sensor device to the first base unit, wirelessly receiving the first sensor signals at the first base unit, transmitting the first sensor signals from the first base unit to the SCM, and receiving the first sensor signals at the SCM. In this manner, the SCM is provided with a plurality of first sensor signals which are representative of a condition of each of a number of first components of the apparatus and/or a property of a fluid at each of a number of first locations in the apparatus. |
| US09939543B2 |
Seismic data enhancement
Various implementations described herein are directed to methods for processing seismic data including enhancing seismic data generated by a seismic sensor. The methods may include receiving seismic data that had been acquired using the seismic sensor. The seismic data may include one or more first seismic data elements related to a first seismic event. The methods may include generating summands of the seismic data as an inner product of multiple seismic data elements associated with the first seismic data elements and one or more second seismic data elements. The second seismic data elements may be different than the first seismic data elements. The methods may further include enhancing the seismic data by estimating outliers in the summands of the inner product and replacing the outliers with interpolated values. |
| US09939540B2 |
System and methods for remote monitoring
A system that detects signals and transmits data regarding certain detected signals for further analysis is disclosed. The detected signals may be analyzed to determine whether any of the detected signals correspond to a source. The system may transfer in near-real time data and information regarding the data to one or more client devices. Methods for detecting signals and transmitting data associated with the detected signals are also disclosed. |
| US09939538B2 |
Accurate light-weight broad-energy neutron remmeter and use thereof
A remmeter includes two or more different-sized hydrogenous moderators, each incorporating a hydrogenous spectroscopic fast neutron detector and a thermal neutron detector to provide more accurate neutron dosimetry across a wide range of neutron energies (thermal neutrons to >15 MeV) in a form factor that is lighter than conventional remmeters. The remmeter utilizes the principle of spectral dosimetry, where the energy or energy distribution of the incident neutrons is first measured and then this energy information (along with the measured fluence) is used to establish the dosimetric quantity using the various fluence-to-dose conversion curves (e.g. H*(10) (ICRP(1997)), NCRP-38(1971)). Using the method of spectral dosimetry, the large variation in response in these curves as a function of neutron energy (especially over the region 1 keV to 1 MeV) is largely mitigated through the use of the energy and fluence information, and the appropriate fluence-to-dose conversion curve to calculate the dose. |
| US09939537B2 |
Sensor fusion with muon detector arrays to augment tomographic imaging using ambient cosmic rays
Techniques, systems and apparatus are described for operating a multimode passive detection system (MMPDS). A multimode passive detection system includes charged particle tracking detectors to measure cosmic ray-based charged particle trajectories in a volume of interest. The multimode passive detection system includes fission product detectors to detect cosmic ray-based charged particle induced fission in a fissile material present in the volume of interest. |
| US09939532B2 |
Heading for a hybrid navigation solution based on magnetically calibrated measurements
One embodiment is directed towards a method for determining a heading for a hybrid navigation system with magnetometer aiding. The method includes receiving signals from a plurality of GNSS satellites, obtaining three-dimensional inertial measurements from one or more inertial sensors, and obtaining three-dimensional magnetic measurements from one or more magnetometers. Magnetic bias states are estimated for the three-dimensional magnetic measurements with a magnetic calibration filter using the three-dimensional inertial measurements, data from the signals from the plurality of GNSS satellites, and the three-dimensional magnetic measurements. An artificial heading is calculated based on the magnetic bias states. A main navigation solution can be estimated with a main navigation filter using the three-dimensional inertial measurements, data from the signals from a plurality of GNSS satellites, and the artificial heading. |
| US09939528B2 |
Safety scanner, optical safety system, and setting support device for safety scanner
Provided is a safety scanner capable of facilitating an analysis of a sensing factor at the time of sensing an intruder. The safety scanner includes a monitoring image generation section that generates a monitoring image for monitoring a protection area, a sensing history storage section that stores a position and a sensing time of a sensed intruder and the monitoring image corresponding to the sensing time or a plurality of distance measurement information items obtained within a scanning period corresponding to the sensing time in association with each other as a sensing history, and a sensing history transmission section that transmits the sensing history in accordance with a history request from an external device. |
| US09939527B2 |
Subsea measurement system and method of determining a subsea location-related parameter
A subsea measurement system (400) comprises a first reference beacon (110) disposed at a first known location, a second reference beacon (112) disposed at a second known location, and an acoustic communications module (302) for coupling to a subsea element to be monitored. The acoustic communications module (302) is capable of moving, when in use, relative to the first reference beacon (110) and the second reference beacon (112). The acoustic communications module (302) also comprises a processing resource and is arranged to determine first range-related data to the first reference beacon (110) in response to receipt of a first signal by the acoustic communications module (302) from the first reference beacon (110) and second range-related data to the second reference beacon (112) in response to receipt by the acoustic communication module (302) of a second signal from the second reference beacon (112). |
| US09939526B2 |
Display system and method using weather radar sensing
An enhanced vision method uses or an enhanced vision system includes an onboard weather radar system configured to improve angular resolution and/or resolution in range. The onboard weather radar system generates image data representative of the external scene topography of a runway environment associated with radar returns received by the onboard weather radar system. The radar returns are in an X-band or a C-band. The enhanced vision system also includes a display in communication with the onboard weather radar system and is configured to display an image associated with the image data that is generated by the onboard weather radar system. The enhanced vision system can also be used as an enhanced flight vision system. |
| US09939525B2 |
Imaging system for obscured environments
Systems and methods are provided for imaging a region of interest in an obscured environment. A millimeter band radar assembly is configured to capture a radar image of the region of interest. A data source provides a representation of at least a portion of the region of interest. A data fusion module is configured to combine the radar image and the representation of the region of interest to provide an enhanced representation of the region of interest. |
| US09939524B2 |
Systems and methods for measuring velocity with a radar altimeter
Systems and methods for measuring velocity with a radar altimeter are provided. In at least one embodiment a method for measuring velocity magnitude of a platform in relation to a surface comprises transmitting a radar beam, wherein the radar beam is aimed toward a surface; receiving a plurality of reflected signals, wherein the plurality of reflected signals correspond to portions of the transmitted radar beam that are reflected by a plurality of portions of the surface; and applying Doppler filtering to the plurality of signals to form at least one Doppler beam. The method also comprises identifying range measurements within each Doppler beam in the at least one Doppler beam; and calculating the velocity magnitude based on the range measurements of the at least one Doppler beam. |
| US09939522B2 |
Systems and methods for 4-dimensional radar tracking
A method for four-dimensional radar tracking includes transmitting a first probe signal; receiving a first reflected probe signal at first and second radar arrays of the radar system; detecting a tracking target; calculating a target range; calculating a target range rate; performing ambiguous angle calculations for first and second target angles; performing unambiguous angle calculations for the first and second target angles; and calculating a four-dimensional tracking solution, including position and range-rate, from the target range, target range-rate, ambiguous angle calculations, and unambiguous angle calculations. |
| US09939509B2 |
Variable density incoherent spatiotemporal acquisition (VISTA) for highly accelerated magnetic resonance imaging
A pseudo-random, incoherent sampling technique, called Variable density Incoherent Spatiotemporal Acquisition (VISTA) is disclosed, which is based on minimal Riesz energy problem. Compared with other pseudorandom methods (e.g., PDS), VISTA has the unique ability to incorporate a variety of problem-specific constraints. In this study, VISTA was applied to real-time CMR, where it not only provided an incoherent sampling with variable density but also ensured a constant temporal resolution and a fully sampled time-averaged data. |
| US09939495B2 |
Voltage detecting circuit and voltage detecting method
A voltage detecting circuit includes a ground potential unit, a DC power supply which is insulated from the ground potential unit, a capacitor to which voltage from the DC power supply is applied, a control unit which controls charging and discharging of the capacitor, a charging circuit that includes the DC power supply, the capacitor and a charging path through which the capacitor is charged, and a discharging circuit that includes the capacitor and a discharging path through which the capacitor is discharged. The control unit includes a calculation unit which calculates a voltage value of the DC power supply, based on an actual capacitance value C of the capacitor which is obtained by both-end voltage of the capacitor corresponding to a first time and the both-end voltage of the capacitor corresponding to a second time. |
| US09939491B2 |
Relay unit, control method for relay unit
The reliability of testing a normally closed contact in a relay unit may involve the following. Sending a first test signal to the first normally closed contact and detecting a return state of the first test signal sent, sending a second test signal different from the first test signal to the second normally closed contact and detecting a return state of the second test signal sent; and assessing an abnormality when at least one of the detection result for the return state of the first test signal does not satisfy a first predetermined criteria, and the detection result of the return state of the second test signal does not satisfy a second predetermined criteria different from the first predetermined criteria. |
| US09939486B2 |
Integrated time dependent dielectric breakdown reliability testing
Methods for reliability testing include applying a stress voltage to a device under test (DUT); measuring a leakage current across the DUT; triggering measurement of optical emissions from the DUT based on the timing of the measurement of the leakage current; and correlating measurements of the leakage current with measurements of the optical emissions 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. |
| US09939485B1 |
Prognostics and health management of photovoltaic systems
The various technologies presented herein relate to providing prognosis and health management (PHM) of a photovoltaic (PV) system. A PV PHM system can eliminate long-standing issues associated with detecting performance reduction in PV systems. The PV PHM system can utilize an ANN model with meteorological and power input data to facilitate alert generation in the event of a performance reduction without the need for information about the PV PHM system components and design. Comparisons between system data and the PHM model can provide scheduling of maintenance on an as-needed basis. The PHM can also provide an approach for monitoring system/component degradation over the lifetime of the PV system. |
| US09939482B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing early warning of extraction of module under power
An apparatus includes a connector configured to be electrically coupled to electrical circuitry. The connector has multiple pins, including one or more first pins and one or more second pins. The one or more second pins longer than the one or more first pins. The apparatus also includes a signal generator configured to detect disconnection of the one or more first pins prior to disconnection of the one or more second pins and generate a signal in response to detecting the disconnection of the one or more first pins. The connector could also include one or more third pins longer than the one or more second pins. The first pin(s) can create an electrical path from the signal generator to ground, the second pin(s) can provide a supply voltage to the electrical circuitry, and the third pin(s) can electrically couple the electrical circuitry to ground. |
| US09939476B2 |
Capacitance measurement
Embodiments of the present invention may provide a method of measuring an unknown capacitance of a device. The method may comprise the steps of driving a test signal to a circuit system that includes a current divider formed by the device with unknown capacitance and a reference capacitor; mirroring a current developed in the reference capacitor to a second circuit system that includes a measurement impedance; measuring a voltage within the second circuit system; and deriving a capacitance of the unknown capacitance based on the measured voltage with reference to a capacitance of the reference capacitor and the measurement impedance. |
| US09939475B2 |
Phase frequency detection device
Filter circuitry is constituted by transversal filters which are connected in parallel to each other. The transversal filters change amplitude and a phase of an input digital signal Xin[n·Ts] and output different digital signals X1[n·Ts], X2[n·Ts], and X3[n·Ts] as respective resulting digital signals whose amplitude and phase have been changed. A phase frequency computer computes a phase θX[n·Ts] and a frequency fX[n·Ts] of the input digital signal Xin[n·Ts] by performing phase computation and frequency computation using the digital signals X1[n·Ts], X2[n·Ts], and X3[n·Ts] output by the transversal filters. |
| US09939470B2 |
Analogue measurement data detection system and battery voltage detection system
An analog measurement data detection system according to the present invention includes: a reference voltage generation circuit configured to generate and output a reference voltage; an analog/digital converter configured to compare an analog signal with the reference voltage outputted from the reference voltage generation circuit, and based on a differential voltage between the analog signal and the reference voltage, generate and output a digital signal corresponding to the analog signal. The reference voltage generation circuit is configured to cause the reference voltage to have such a temperature characteristic as to compensate for temperature characteristics of at least the analog/digital converter and the reference voltage generation circuit. |
| US09939469B2 |
Current measuring apparatus, image forming apparatus, conveyance apparatus and method for measuring current
There is provided a current measuring apparatus for measuring a first current used for estimating a load torque of the motor. The current measuring apparatus may include a detection unit configured to detect a first voltage, an amplification unit including a first input terminal at which the second signal is input, a second input terminal coupled to a first resistor and a second resistor by which an amplification factor is defined, and an output terminal for outputting a third signal, an input unit configured to input a second voltage at the first input terminal, a storage unit configured to store a third voltage an acquisition unit configured to acquire a fourth voltage, and a calculation unit configured to calculate the first current based on a difference between the third voltage and the fourth voltage. |
| US09939468B1 |
Wearable non contacting AC voltage detection system
A shock resistant, non contacting alternating current (AC) sensing device intended to be worn on the hands in the formation of protective gloves. Alerting user of AC voltage potential when approaching energized equipment, protects the user's palms and fingertips from energized components. The glove encompasses non contacting AC voltage potential sensing circuitry, electrically receptive antenna throughout anterior hand surfaces, layer intended to protect the user and antenna from electrical contact. As the user's hands approach an electrically energized apparatus of equipment, the antenna will receive signaling transponding to the logic board, which will then energize a notification appliance alerting the user of danger. |
| US09939467B1 |
Wide-range precision RF peak detector
An RF peak-detector circuit can operate over a wide range and can compensate or correct an output voltage error term that depends on the thermal voltage and the input signal voltage. At or near a minimum value of the input signal voltage range, such compensation can include a scaled base-emitter ratioing of bipolar junction transistors used to generate the output voltage, each of which can be biased by a primary current. At or near a maximum value of the input signal voltage range, this can include using an auxiliary bias current circuit that can shift auxiliary bias current between these bipolar junction transistors. The auxiliary bias current circuit can include scaled bipolar junction transistors in a cross-coupled configuration and an equivalent resistance circuit between emitters of the cross-coupled BJTs. This can provide a robust approach for improving the accuracy of an RF peak-detector circuit over a wide range. |
| US09939465B2 |
Electric current detector
An electric current detector which is mountable on a circuit board on which there is mounted a fluxgate-type magnetic sensor IC chip which detects magnetic flux for electric current detection, including: a substantially ring-shaped core which forms a magnetic-path for magnetic flux induced by detection-target electric current, wherein the core includes a gap which is arranged to become substantially parallel with respect to the circuit board when mounting the aforesaid electric current detector on the circuit board and which is at a place positioned on or on the upper side of the magnetic sensor IC chip in the magnetic-path when mounting the aforesaid electric current detector on the circuit board. |
| US09939461B2 |
Head-integrated atomic force microscope and composite microscope including same
An object of the application is to provide a head-integrated for an atomic force microscope capable of realizing minimization of a weight and a volume and improvement of structural stability by optimizing a head structure of the atomic force microscope. Another object of the application is to provide a head-integrated atomic force microscope capable of being utilized for imaging a large-area sample by enabling high-rate head scan due to dynamic characteristics improved by mounting the integrated-head described above. Still another object of the application is to provide a composite microscope including a head-integrated atomic force microscope, capable of performing high-rate position search and imaging and performing precise observation of a three-dimensional shape up to an atomic image level in a region of interest by combining the head-integrated atomic force microscope having the improved dynamic characteristics as described above and an electron microscope or an optical microscope with each other. |
| US09939459B2 |
System and method for performing a test on a pitot probe heating element
A system for testing a pitot probe heating element includes first and second probes, measuring signals selected from a first signal representing a differential electric current between supply and return wires of the heating element, a second signal representing a residual voltage with respect to ground in the heating element, and a third signal representing ambient electric fields with respect to ground in the heating element; a signal acquisition component that selectively and sequentially applies a test voltage to the heating element to generate the selected signals and receives the selected signals measured by the first and second probes; a signal processing component that receives the selected ones of the first, second, and third signals, processes them, and extracts measurements from the data to generate results indicative of a condition of the heating element; a device control component that generates a display; and a display component. |
| US09939454B2 |
Fluorogenic pH sensitive dyes and their method of use
A new class of pH sensitive fluorescent dyes and assays relating thereto are described. The dyes and assays are particularly suited for biological applications including phagocytosis and monitoring intracellular processes. The pH sensitive fluorescent dyes of the present invention include compounds of Formula I: wherein the variables are described throughout the application. |
| US09939452B2 |
N-11 truncated amyloid-beta monoclonal antibodies, compositions, methods and uses
This invention relates to antibodies, including specified portions or variants, specific for at least the human Amyloid-beta_11 N-terminal site, i.e. Aβ11-x peptides. It further provides methods of making and using said antibodies, including therapeutic formulations, administration and devices. |
| US09939447B2 |
Methods and compositions for analyzing proteins
Compositions, kits, and methods are disclosed for determining one or more target polypeptides in a sample where the target polypeptides have undergone a post-translational modification. The compositions can include a first reagent including a cleavage-inducing moiety and a first binding agent for a binding site that includes a post-translational modification of a target polypeptide. |
| US09939444B2 |
Isobaric aldehyde-reactive tags for and analysis of glycans using same
Highly specific and novel methods for analyzing glycans and proteoglycans are provided. Uses of the information generated by the inventive methods for diagnosis and treatment are also disclosed. |
| US09939442B2 |
Salivary biomarkers for gastric cancer detection
Disclosed herein are biomarkers related to gastric cancer. The presently identified salivary biomarkers create the basis for a gastric cancer detection bioassay with sensitivity and specificity. Means and methods for evaluating the data generated using multiple biomarkers in order to validate findings and further use of the multiplexed gastric cancer assay in clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic uses is also included. |
| US09939441B2 |
Methods and nucleic acids for analyses for cellular proliferative disorders
Provided herein are methods, nucleic acids and kits for detecting a cell proliferative disorder. Also provided herein are genomic sequences of RASSF′-2, the methylation patterns of which have utility for the improved detection of cell proliferative disorders, thereby enabling the improved diagnosis and treatment of patients. |
| US09939438B2 |
Sensor integration in lateral flow immunoassays and its applications
Lateral flow immunoassay devices for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample and methods for measuring analyte concentration in sample using such lateral flow immunoassay devices. |
| US09939435B2 |
Detection of biological molecules using surface plasmon field enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy (SPFS) combined with isotachophoresis (ITP)
A combination of surface plasmon field enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy (SPFS) and isotachophoresis (ITP) technologies for detecting biomolecules is disclosed. It uses ITP to preconcentrate the reactants and accelerate the reaction, and then delivers the reacted sample to an SPFS sensor for detection. A microfluidic device with a T-junction is provided, which has two reservoirs respectively containing a low-mobility trailing electrolyte buffer and a high-mobility leading electrolyte buffer, and a main fluid channel between the two reservoirs, where the SPFS sensor is located on a side channel joined to the main channel. A two-step technique is employed, including a step of sample loading and ITP extraction, and a step of delivery of concentrated sample to the detector chamber by pressure-driven flow. In another embodiment, the SPFS sensor is located on the main fluid channel between the two reservoirs. In a particular example, the technique is used in a DNAzyme assay. |
| US09939431B2 |
Portable device for detection of harmful substances
A self-contained apparatus and methods for detecting the presence of any specified substance in any medium. A sample of the medium is placed in a capsule, along with a solvent and a sensor configured to test for a target analyte. The solvent comes into contact with the medium in the capsule, and the capsule is agitated to create a dispersion in the solvent of a portion of any target analyte present in the medium. A release mechanism configured to cause conduction of the dispersion to the sensor, so that the sensor produces an indication of presence of the target analyte if the target analyte is present in the medium. The apparatus uses a disposable capsule where the medium in question is placed and the disposable capsule is placed inside a reader and analyzed for presence of the harmful substance. |
| US09939425B2 |
Methods for segregating particles using an apparatus with a size-discriminating separation element having an elongate leading edge
The disclosure relates to an apparatus for segregating particles on the basis of their ability to flow through a stepped passageway. At least some of the particles are unable to pass through a narrower passageway bounded by a segregating step, resulting in segregation of the particles. The breadth of the leading edge of at least one step of the apparatus is significantly greater than the overall width of the passageway in which the step occurs, permitting high and rapid sample throughput. The apparatus and methods described herein can be used to segregate particles of a wide variety of types. By way of example, they can be used to segregate circulating tumor cells from a human blood sample. |
| US09939417B2 |
Systems and methods for monitoring agricultural products
The present invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring agricultural products. In particular, the present invention relates to monitoring fruit production, plant growth, and plant vitality. |
| US09939410B2 |
Transmission of information associated with a possible sensor fault of a magnetic sensor
A magnetic sensor may sense a magnetic field during a rotation of a wheel. The sensed magnetic field may represent a profile of the wheel during the rotation. The magnetic sensor may determine, based on the sensed magnetic field, information associated with a possible fault of at least one of the magnetic sensor or the wheel. The magnetic sensor may transmit a first set of output pulses corresponding to the profile of the wheel during the rotation. The first set of output pulses may be transmitted during the rotation of the wheel. The magnetic sensor may transmit a second set of output pulses that corresponds to the information associated with the possible fault. |
| US09939400B1 |
Fixed pattern noise compensation techniques for capacitive fingerprint sensors
A capacitive fingerprint sensor includes an array of capacitive sensing elements, readout circuitry electrically coupled to the array of capacitive sensing elements, a block first digital to analog converter (DAC), at least one second DAC, and at least one summing junction electrically coupled to the readout circuitry, the first DAC, and the at least one second DAC. The readout circuitry is adapted to read out pixel voltages from a group of each block of capacitive sensing elements. The first DAC is adapted to provide a block baseline voltage for each block of capacitive sensing elements. The second DAC is adapted to provide a pixel baseline voltage difference for one capacitive sensing element of each group of each block. The summing junction is adapted to subtract the received block baseline voltage and the received pixel baseline voltage difference from the corresponding pixel voltage of each row of each block. |
| US09939396B2 |
3D diffusivity
A system for measuring the thermal diffusivity of a material includes a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, a plate holding the material in a fixed position between the upper portion and lower portion of the housing, and a source at the lower portion of the housing projecting heat onto the material along a first axis that is perpendicular to the plate. A sensor at the lower portion of the housing is movable in relation to the plate and senses the heat radiating through the material along a second axis that is perpendicular to the plate and offset from the first axis. A controller receives data from the sensor and calculates the thermal diffusivity of the material. |
| US09939394B2 |
Process mapping of cooling rates and thermal gradients
A method performed by one or more processing devices includes conducting a plurality of tests of a manufacturing process. Each test is conducted at a different combination of at least a first process variable and a second process variable, and each test comprises locally heating a region of a structure, where the local heating results in formation of a thermal field in the structure, and assessing a temperature derivative of the thermal field. Based on results of the plurality of tests, a process map of the temperature derivative of the thermal field is generated, with the temperature derivative based on a function of the first process variable and the second process variable. |
| US09939392B2 |
Demodulation of intensity modulation in X-ray imaging
X-ray grating based and grid based imagers formed a fringe pattern modulated by a specimen. An X-ray beam is scanned so that the fringe pattern is modulated by these specimen along a plurality of projection directions. Corresponding fringe patterns are detected and aligned so as to produce a specimen phase image. X-ray beam scanning is based on electric or magnetic deflection of an electron beam to an X-ray generating target. |
| US09939389B2 |
Data acquisition system useful for inspection of tubulars
A data acquisition system for determining the state of a tubular while the tubular rotates about its cylindrical axis. The tubular remains otherwise substantially stationary. Sensors travel up and down the length of the rotating tubular, interrogating the inside and outside of the tubular for data regarding the tubular's state. Sensors may take samples which may be associated with rotational reference information tying the sample to its absolute position on the internal or external surface of the tubular. A data processor processes the samples and other sensor data to produce a wide array of output, including data signatures of the tubular, maps of contour data regarding the internal or external surface of the tubular, and dimensional data regarding the tubular. Data acquisition is advantageously done in real time, and may further be done concurrently with internal or external cleaning operations. |
| US09939379B2 |
Compact analyzer for acquiring characteristics of small tabs placed in a vessel
Provided among other things is an analyzer for use with tabs placed in a vessel including: a stochastic sampling device adapted to receive the vessel; a light beam source adapted to enter the moving vessel and selectively illuminate tabs; an analytical signal receiver adapted to receive a signal indicative of an analytical process occurring on the surface of the tab as the tab is selectively illuminated; a tab ID receiver adapted to collect ID data from the tabs in coordination with their selective illumination; and a controller for associating identified tabs with analytical signals. |
| US09939373B2 |
Interactive variable pathlength device
This disclosure relates generally to a sampling device, and more particularly, a sampling device that facilitates spectroscopic measurements with a variable path length and the necessary software controlled algorithms and methods for such a device. |
| US09939372B2 |
Analysis of action potentials, transients, and ion flux in excitable cells
Video recordings from two or more optical channels are produced, processed, and analyzed simultaneously in order to provide quantitative analysis of action potentials, calcium transients and ionic flux in excitable cells loaded with voltage or ion sensitive dyes with distinct excitation and emission wavelengths, The specific wavelengths of fluorescent light emitted from each dye are separated and recorded. The recordings are mutually registered and cytometric analysis is performed to provide a quantitative analysis of the action potentials calcium transient, and/or ionic flux on a cell-by-cell and well-by-well basis in microtiter plates. The cells are then fixed, labeled for other biomarkers, and scanned again. The resulting fixed cell images are registered with the live cell recordings and analyzed; missing cells that were washed off are detected relative to the live recordings, and cytometry data from live and fixed cell scans is collated cell-by-cell. |
| US09939369B2 |
Lubricant deterioration sensor
A lubricant deterioration sensor that can determine a deterioration degree of lubricant without using an external device is provided. The lubricant deterioration sensor includes an oil entering gap in which lubricant to be detected enters, a LED (21) that emits detection light to the oil entering gap, a color sensor (22) that obtains a detection value representing color information of the detection light traveled through the lubricant, a calibration unit that calibrates a measurement range of the detection value in accordance with the lubricant, a determination unit that determines a deterioration degree of the lubricant based on the detection value, and a housing in which the oil entering gap, the LED (21), the color element (22), the calibration unit, and the determination unit are disposed. |
| US09939366B2 |
Spectrometer insert for measuring temperature-dependent optical properties
In one aspect, a spectrometer insert is provided. The spectrometer insert includes: an enclosed housing; a first transparent window on a first side of the enclosed housing; a second transparent window on a second side of the enclosed housing, wherein the first side and the second side are opposing sides of the enclosed housing; and a sample mounting and heating assembly positioned within an interior cavity of the enclosed housing in between, and in line of sight of, the first transparent window and the second transparent window. A method for using the spectrometer insert to locally heat a sample so as to measure temperature-dependent optical properties of the sample is also provided. |
| US09939363B2 |
Particle tracking analysis method using scattered light (PTA) and device for detecting and identifying particles of a nanometric order of magnitude in liquids of all types
A method and device for optically detecting particles, including: (a) a cell wall of rectangular cross-section is fitted on a longitudinal surface and adjoining transverse surface with an L-shaped heating and cooling element; (b) the center of the transverse surface of the cell wall opposite the transverse surface which forms the support of the cell wall is irradiated by an irradiation device and is observed at right angles to the optical axis of the irradiation device; (c) the focus of the irradiation device and the observation device can be moved by a motor to any point in the three-dimensional inner region defined by the cell wall; (d) the surface of the cell wall opposite the optical glass window through which the radiation from the irradiation device enters comprises another optical glass window; (e) the temperature of the surface of the cell wall is monitored by two thermistors. |
| US09939356B2 |
Method and composition for staining and processing a urine sample
The present disclosure relates to a staining methodology employing a particle contrast agent composition capable of rapidly staining cells in a single step. The particle contrast agent composition can be comprised of a combination of one or more particle contrast agents and one or more permeabilizing agents, optionally including one or more fixing agents and other components. The particle contrast agent composition can include Crystal Violet, 5PD-Lytic, and Proclin 300. |
| US09939355B2 |
Composition of detection agents for epithelial tumour cells and preparation method therefor
Provided is a composition of detection agents for living cells, especially epithelial tumor cells; the composition contains 0-5% folic acid, 0-10% folic acid complex, 0.01-5% methylene blue, 0.1-10% carbohydrate reducing agent, 2-6% acetic acid, and 3-95% water. Also provided is a preparation method for the composition of detection agents and kits containing the composition of detection agents. |
| US09939352B2 |
Method and system for determining the concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample
A method and system are provided for detecting the concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample. The method and system involve analysis of a volatilized, ionized fluid sample using a mass spectrometer or other ionic analyte detection device that provides a signal proportional in intensity to the quantity of ionized analyte detected. The improvement involves replacement of a necessary non-analyte component in the fluid sample with a substitute component that serves the same purpose as the original component but is either more volatile than the original component and/or the analyte or undergoes a reaction to provide lower molecular weight reaction products, and results in an increased intensity in signal and signal-to-noise ratio. Acoustic fluid ejection is a preferred method of generating nanoliter-sized droplets of fluid sample that are then volatilized, ionized, and analyzed. Also provided are zwitterionic compounds suitable as the substitute components that when ionized and heated decompose to provide carbonic dioxide, a nitrogenous species such as ammonia, an amine, or nitrogen gas, and a volatile aromatic compound. |
| US09939351B1 |
Solid phase coatings for microextraction
An extractive system, such as SPME, has an adsorptive phase in the form of a porous coating that has essentially vertical, mutually supporting, columnar structures with nanospaces at the boundaries of the grains. |
| US09939349B2 |
Endoscopy system and corresponding method for examining gas turbines
The invention relates to an endoscopy system and a corresponding method for examining gas turbines, comprising an endoscope and a data processing unit, wherein the endoscope comprises an image recording unit, wherein the endoscope is configured to transmit recorded images of the image recording unit from the inside of the gas turbine to the data processing unit, wherein the endoscopy system is configured to position and align the endoscope comprising the image recording unit introduced into a gas turbine in the gas turbine in a defined manner. |
| US09939343B2 |
Acoustic building infiltration measurement system
Systems and methods of detecting and identifying a leak from a container or building. Acoustic pressure and velocity are measured. Acoustic properties are acquired from the measured values. The acoustic properties are converted to infiltration/leakage information. Nearfield Acoustic Holography (NAH) may be one method to detect the leakages from a container by locating the noise sources. |
| US09939335B2 |
Over-temperature detector with test mode
A device for over-temperature detection having a test mode is presented. The device includes a temperature detection circuit having first and second transistors. The temperature detection circuit is configured so that when an ambient temperature of the temperature detection circuit is less than a temperature threshold, a voltage at an emitter terminal of the second transistor is less than a voltage at an emitter terminal of the first transistor minus VT*In(N), and when the ambient temperature of the temperature detection circuit is greater than the temperature threshold, the voltage at the emitter terminal of the second transistor is greater than a voltage at the emitter terminal of the first transistor minus VT*In(N). The device includes a measurement circuit configured to generate an output voltage that is proportional to a difference between the temperature threshold of the temperature detection circuit and the ambient temperature of the temperature detection circuit. |
| US09939331B2 |
System and method for a capacitive thermometer
Various embodiments disclosed herein include a capacitive thermometer including a deflectable membrane and a sense electrode. The deflectable membrane is configured to adjust a capacitive value based on a temperature of the deflectable membrane. |
| US09939329B2 |
Device and method for thermal analysis
A device for thermal analysis including: a pair of sample container assembly sets, having a sample container and a heat sink connected using a predetermined thermal resistance; a heating unit for equally heating the pair of sample container assembly sets; a temperature control for the heating unit; a weight measurement unit measuring difference between a sample and a reference material; while the heating unit is changed. |
| US09939327B2 |
Method and apparatus to dynamically control how often temperature readings are received
A control circuit dynamically controls how often temperature readings are received from a communication device such as an RFID tag having an integral temperature sensor. The communication device can be disposed to monitor an internal temperature of, for example, a delivery container. By one approach the control circuit dynamically controls how often the temperature readings are received as a function, at least in part, of local conditions for the delivery container. By one approach the aforementioned local conditions pertain to the contents of the delivery container. Examples in these regards include a temperature-based state of the contents, a volume-based metric of the contents, and mass-based metrics of the contents. By another approach, in lieu of the foregoing or in combination therewith, the aforementioned local conditions can pertain to ambient conditions as regards the delivery container. |
| US09939326B2 |
Temperature indicator for electrical equipment
A system for determining when an electrical contact or other component reaches a predetermined temperature. In operation, a trace material is dispersed into a surrounding environment (e.g., head space within a compartment above insulating oil), where the trace material is detected. A barrier may be ruptured or broken by temperature-induced gas pressure, or pierced by a spring-loaded member that is located within the same section that contains the trace material, and devices may be provided for moving the trace material through the foil barrier as the barrier is ruptured. The barrier may be opened solely by internal gas pressure. According to another embodiment, improved fail-safe operation may be achieved by providing a spring-loaded member and configuring the barrier to be ruptured by the pressure of the detectable gas material before the barrier is ruptured by the spring-loaded member. |
| US09939321B2 |
Hyperspectral optical element for monolithic detectors
A hyperspectral optical element for monolithic detectors is provided. In one embodiment, for example a hyperspectral optical element includes a faceplate layer adapted to be mounted on top of a monolithic detector. The faceplate layer comprises a reflective inner surface. A notched layer includes a plurality of notched surfaces and is mounted to the faceplate layer. The notched surfaces oppose the reflective inner surface of the faceplate and define a plurality of variable depth cavities between the reflective inner surface of the faceplate layer and the plurality of notched surfaces of the notched layer. The faceplate layer and the notched layer are substantially transparent to a received signal and the plurality of variable depth cavities provides resonant cavities for one or more wavelengths of the received signal. |
| US09939319B2 |
Radiation measuring systems and methods thereof
A radiation measuring device for measuring electromagnetic radiation originating from an external source. The radiation measuring device includes, a spectrometer, a pyranometer, a pyrgeometer, a diffuser, and a control unit. The spectrometer and a pyranometer are positioned in a sensor zone of a housing of the radiation measuring device. The spectrometer measures visible shortwave radiation and near-infrared shortwave radiation received at the sensor zone. The pyranometer measures shortwave radiation received at the sensor zone. The pyrgeometer is positioned in another sensor zone of the housing and measures longwave radiation received at the other sensor zone. The control unit receives radiation measurements from the spectrometer, pyranometer, and pyrgeometer. A corrected amount of radiation received at the sensor zones of the radiation measuring device is determined from the received radiation measurements. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09939317B1 |
Flame detecting system
A sensitivity parameter storing portion stores, as known sensitivity parameters owned by a flame sensor, a reference received light quantity, a reference pulse width, a probability of regular discharge, and probabilities of non-regular discharge in advance. The discharge probability is calculated based on a number drive pulses applied to the flame sensor and a number of discharges determined to have occurred in the flame sensor having received the drive pulses. The calculated discharge probability and the known sensitivity parameters are used to calculate a received light quantity per unit time received by the flame sensor. A pulse width correcting portion is provided to correct the pulse width of the drive pulses generated by an applied voltage generating circuit so that the discharge probability equals a target discharge probability. |
| US09939315B2 |
Two-wire electronics interface sensor with integrated mechanical transducing and temperature monitoring capability
A sensor with integrated mechanical transducing and temperature monitoring capability is provided. The sensor includes housing containing a transducer, a temperature sensor with associated bias, a summing circuit, and a two-wire cable connector. The transducer is operable to output a dynamic transducer waveform that corresponds to dynamic mechanical perturbations sensed by the transducer. The temperature sensor is operable to output a quasi-static temperature waveform that corresponds to temperatures sensed by the temperature sensor. The summing circuit is operable to combine the transducer waveform and the temperature waveform into a composite modulated voltage bias output signal or a modulated current bias output signal. The two-wire cable connector is accessible on an outside of the housing and is connectable to a two wire cable that delivers power to the sensor from a power source and delivers the composite output signal from the sensor to a remote data acquisition circuit. |
| US09939312B2 |
Dynamic nutrition tracking utensils
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for dynamic nutrition tracking with utensils. In an example embodiment, a food consumption utensil may include a handle portion, a food loading portion adjacent to the handle portion, the food loading portion having a first surface and a second surface, and a controller positioned within the handle portion. The food consumption utensil may include an accelerometer positioned within the handle portion and in communication with the controller, and a force measurement device configured to measure a force imparted at the first surface of the food loading portion. |
| US09939306B2 |
Device and method for measuring the depth of media
This invention relates to a device and method for measuring the depth of water and sediment deposition in pipes, channels, overland flows and tidal beaches. Sediment deposition may be detrimental to flood control in sewer systems. The invention is specifically concerned with measuring an electrical property such as the conductivity or capacitance in different mediums and therefore quantifying the depths of the different mediums. The measurement of an electrical property such as conductance or capacitance of the medium may also indicate the nature of the medium such as sediment structure, water salinity, and the presence of pollutants. The device includes an array of elongate, substantially mutually parallel electrodes each having a predetermined length, the lengths being incremented stepwise from a shortest electrode to a longest electrode. The device includes electronic circuitry to apply a potential difference across selected pairs of electrodes and to measure a resulting electrical property between each selected pair of electrodes, the measured electrical property providing an indication of a submersion depth of the pair of electrodes in the at least one medium. |
| US09939304B2 |
Measuring spoon apparatus
A measuring spoon device includes a rear shaft with a tapered end portion, elongated apertures, guide grooves, a rear connector section; a divider section with apertures; slidable spoon assemblies with push members, including finger button protrusions, and measuring spoons, including spoon portions and spoon stems; and a front cylindrical section; such that the measuring spoons can be retracted for storage inside the front cylindrical section, and can be extracted for use in measuring a plurality of seasonings. |
| US09939303B2 |
Device for flow measurement in hose and/or plastic pipe systems
The present invention relates to a device for installation into a hose and/or plastic pipe system and mounting of flow measurement sensors which comprises a plastic flow part as a hollow body with a centrally arranged and deformable region with a rectangular cross section. The present invention further relates to the use of the abovementioned device as well as to a method of flow measurement using the device. |
| US09939298B2 |
Pressure relief detection for use with gas storage
The present disclosure is directed to a method and system for detecting activation of a pressure relief device connected to a storage tank containing a pressurized gas. The method includes calculating a pressure relief device release rate based on a set of inputs, wherein the set of inputs includes at least one of a storage tank volume, a pressure relief set point, an orifice size of the pressure relief device, a gas density, and a reseat point for the pressure relief device. The method further includes monitoring the pressure within the storage tank and calculating a differential pressure reading over time, comparing the differential pressure reading over time to the pressure relief device release rate, and detecting a pressure relief device activation based on the comparison result. |
| US09939295B2 |
Impact protection for wireless digital detector glass panel
A digital radiography detector has a substrate that is enclosed by a housing and that has, formed on a first surface, photosensitive circuitry that provides image data of a subject in response to ionizing radiation passed through the subject, wherein a second surface on the exterior of the detector has a multilayer flexible cover sheet configured to absorb impact force against the detector. |
| US09939291B2 |
Multi-layer core golf ball
Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises at least three layers, including at least one thermoset layer and at least one thermoplastic layer. The innermost core layer is relatively small, having a diameter of from 0.50 inches to 1.30 inches, and has a plurality of projections disposed thereon. |
| US09939290B1 |
Method for calibration of a system with time-multiplexed sensors
A sense channel signal processing block is time-domain multiplexed among multiple MEMS devices and utilizes an anti-aliasing filter disposed after track-and-hold switches, to prevent the bandwidth of the sense channel from being limited by the anti-aliasing filter. A multiplexed signal processor architecture performs dynamic calibration of all sensor error signals in response to environmental changes. |
| US09939289B1 |
Method and system for providing speed limit alerts
A method and system may provide speed limit data to users driving in vehicles. A user's client device such as a smart-phone, smart watch, or tablet computer, may provide visual, audible, and/or haptic alerts to the user when the user exceeds a posted speed limit by more than a threshold amount. For example, when the user exceeds the posted speed limit by more than the threshold amount, the user's smart-phone may play a beeping sound and may announce the posted speed limit to the user. A map of a geographic area including the user's travelled route may also be displayed, with annotated areas along the route where the user exceeded the posted speed limit. The map may also include an indication of a proportion of a duration or distance of the route in which the user travelled above the posted speed limit. |
| US09939288B2 |
Fuel pump availability system
A device may receive a request to identify one or more available fuel pumps. The device may determine selection parameters associated with identifying the one or more available fuel pumps. The selection parameters may include criteria used to identify whether a particular fuel pump is an available fuel pump. The device may receive pump information associated with a group of fuel pumps. The pump information may include information indicating whether each fuel pump, of the group of fuel pumps, is available. The device may identify, based on the selection parameters and the pump information, the one or more available fuel pumps. The device may provide, for display, information associated with the one or more available fuel pumps. |
| US09939286B2 |
Method and system for integrated assistance services
A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a controller to process a travel assistance request for communication through a satellite and terrestrial mobile communication network. Data related to multiple assistance providers can be received in response to the request. At least one criterion can be processed for the assistance providers based on, for example, historical trip data. The assistance providers can be graphically represented for user selection based on the criterion. Data related to a selected assistance provider can be displayed, including navigation data to and/or from the assistance provider. In another embodiment, the travel assistance request can be communicated to a service center through the network. The service center can communicate data related to an assistance provider, including navigation data to and/or from the assistance provider. A rating of the assistance provider can be communicated to a specified community-of-interest through the network. |
| US09939283B2 |
Navigation system and in-vehicle device
When an instruction to start a setting operation for a destination is provided by a user during a period in which a navigation server is not available for a mobile device while a navigation function, which uses the navigation server providing distribution function of map data and route search function, of the mobile device is being utilized in a navigation device, the navigation function provided in the navigation device itself is activated and is caused to perform destination setting operation. |
| US09939282B2 |
Profile based navigation
A computer generates a navigation profile corresponding to a user by identifying one or more user preferences within an associated social media network. The computer receives a user input identifying a starting location and a destination, from which the computer identifies one or more potential routes between the starting location and destination. The computer generates one or more route profiles corresponding to the one or more potential routes detailing one or more characteristics associated with each of the potential routes. The computer then compares the navigation profile associated with the user to the route profiles associated with the one or more potential routes and, based on the comparison, determines an optimal route of the one or more potential routes. |
| US09939277B2 |
System and method for recommending pleasant routes from the sentiment of geo-tagged photographs
A system and method generates and recommends a short and pleasant path between a source s and destination d in a geo-location such as a city or city center. The routes are not only short but emotionally pleasant, offering an engaging user experience, going beyond just showing paths on a map. |
| US09939273B2 |
Attitude estimating device, attitude estimating method, and storage medium
The present invention reduces an arithmetic operation amount for updating a state vector. The attitude estimating device includes (i) a gravitational direction estimating section for updating, by using an acceleration vector as an observation, a gravitational direction vector predicted from an angular velocity vector, (ii) a horizontal direction estimating section for updating, by using a magnetic vector as an observation, a horizontal direction vector predicted from the angular velocity vector, and an attitude estimating section for generating attitude information with use of the gravitational direction vector and the horizontal direction vector. |
| US09939270B2 |
Physical quantity sensor element, physical quantity sensor, electronic equipment, and movable body
A physical quantity sensor element is provided with a detecting portion, a driving portion, a beam portion which connects a detecting portion and the driving portion to each other, and in which the beam portion includes a branched portion. The beam portion includes two mass portion side beam portions which extend from two position of the driving portion, which are different from each other, and two supporting portion side beam portions which extend from two positions of the detecting portion, which are different from each other, and in which both end portions on the detecting portion side of two mass portion side beam portions are connected to each other, and both end portions on the driving portion side of two supporting portion side beam portions are connected to each other. |
| US09939267B2 |
Angular speed detection device
The purpose of the present invention is to provide an inertial force detection device that can more accurately detect faults in a temperature sensor. Provided is an inertial force detection device configured so that in a state where an oscillating body is made to oscillate in a first direction, the amount of displacement when the oscillating body is displaced in a second direction due to the generation of angular velocity is detected as angular velocity, wherein the inertial force detection device has a means for performing control so that the oscillating body enters a state of resonance in the first direction, a temperature detection means for detecting temperature, and a means for detecting faults in the temperature detection means, and outputs a plurality of signals, which indicate the fault detection results of the three means, continuously from a single signal wire. |
| US09939264B2 |
Method and system for determining the height of a device above ground
A device updates a value representing its current height above ground when it detects a height change. The device uses the slope calculated from collected barometric pressure data samples to calculate height change during a period when the value of the slope exceeds a predetermined value. The device also analyzes a predetermined number of barometric pressure sensor data samples preceding and succeeding a height change indicated by the slope change. The device performs an evaluation, i.e., determining the difference between an average of the preceding and succeeding samples, to determine a height change. The device may select either the slope-of-the-curve-during-the-height-change-period method or the difference-between-the-averages method based on meeting a criterion. The processor de-energizes a GPS circuit, height determination method, and sets the height above ground to zero if it detects movement. Placing the device on a charger resets the device's height value to the charger height above ground. |
| US09939252B2 |
Target locating device and methods
A target location device has a video camera, a range finder, a self location module and an inertial measurement unit. The device provides a video display including video output of the camera and an object marker such as a cross-hair overlayed on the video output for aiming the camera on a reference point or on a target in the video output. The range finder determines a distance from the device to the target. The self location module identifies the geographic location of the device. The inertial measurement unit includes at least one gyro for providing outputs corresponding to the location of the reference point and the target. Video stabilization may be use to allow accurate placement of the object marker on the target or reference point. Automatic range finder firing and gyroscope error compensation are also provided. |
| US09939248B2 |
Alignment apparatus and alignment detection method
An alignment apparatus and an alignment detection method, which fall within a field of display technology, are disclosed herein. The alignment apparatus includes: a work table; a plurality of alignment rods provided on the work table, wherein a capacitor element is provided inside the alignment rod, and a capacitance of the capacitor element is changeable as the alignment rod deforms; and an alarm element connected to the capacitor element for giving an alarm when it receives a capacitance change value which exceeds a preset threshold value. |
| US09939246B2 |
Amplified passive and reversible micro-sensor of deformations
The disclosed micro-sensor includes: a substrate including a first portion and a second portion; a third portion and fourth portion provided between the portions and connected to the first portion and the second portion respectively by an elastic member; detection and a counter including: a counting gear, a third beam capable of meshing with the gear, an amplifier for the value of a relative movement between the portions and including: a first beam attached at one end thereof to the third portion and at the other end thereof to a plate, a second beam attached at one end thereof to the fourth portion and at the other end thereof to the plate, the third beam being attached on one side to the plate and including a tooth capable of meshing with the gear. |
| US09939244B2 |
Molded part and its manufacturing method
A molded part made in plastic material that includes a body having a surface and two positioning relief portions formed on the surface while being spaced apart from each other along a measurement direction, each positioning relief portion having a positioning protrusion defining a measurement surface allowing the positioning of a sensor member of a distance measurement instrument along the measurement direction bearing against the measurement surface, in order to measure the distance between the positioning relief portions along the measurement direction. |
| US09939238B1 |
Rotational control actuation system for guiding projectiles
A projectile incorporates one or more spoiler-tabbed spinning disks to effect flow around the projectile and thus impart steering forces and/or moments. The spoiler tabs may be deployed only during steering phases of travel thus minimizing the drag penalty associated with steering systems. The disks are driven by motors and informed and controlled by sensors and electronic control systems. The spoiler tabs protrude through the surface of the projectile only for certain angles of spin of the spinning disk. For spin-stabilized projectiles, the disks spin at substantially the same rate as the projectile, but the disks may function in fin-stabilized projectiles as well. Any number of such spinning flow effector disks may be incorporated in a projectile, with the manner of functional coordination differing slightly for even and odd numbers of disks. |
| US09939237B2 |
Folding fin system
A folding fin system includes a fin root and an upper fin part that is rotatably borne on the fin root. The upper fin part may be moved relative to the fin root between an unfolded and a folded position, and wherein the upper fin part and the fin root may be locked relative to one another using a slot-and-key system when the upper fin part is in the unfolded position. |
| US09939235B2 |
Initiation devices, initiation systems including initiation devices and related methods
Initiation devices may include at least one substrate, an initiation element positioned on a first side of the at least one substrate, and a spark gap electrically coupled to the initiation element and positioned on a second side of the at least one substrate. Initiation devices may include a plurality of substrates where at least one substrate of the plurality of substrates is electrically connected to at least one adjacent substrate of the plurality of substrates with at least one via extending through the at least one substrate. Initiation systems may include such initiation devices. Methods of igniting energetic materials include passing a current through a spark gap formed on at least one substrate of the initiation device, passing the current through at least one via formed through the at least one substrate, and passing the current through an explosive bridge wire of the initiation device. |
| US09939232B2 |
Methods and apparatus for a conducted electrical weapon
A conducted electrical weapon (“CEW”) launches wire-tethered electrodes from multiple cartridges to provide a current through a human or animal target to impede locomotion of the target. The CEW may detect when the electrodes launched from the cartridges may provide the current through more than one target. The CEW may detect when electrodes launched from the cartridges may provide the current through the same target. The CEW may set the pulse rate of the current based on detecting the launch of electrodes from more than one cartridge, detecting that electrodes may provide the current through two or more targets, and/or detecting that two or more pairs of electrodes may deliver the current through the same target. |
| US09939230B2 |
Physical aide for improving targeting proficiency
A teaching device for training shooters to choose the best place to shoot a clay target is provided, whereby the teaching device greatly simplifies the decision making process and increases the students' awareness of target lines, directions and break zones. The teaching device may include a plurality of pointers rotatably connected to a clock face by a pivot fastener. The teaching device may include a target holder centrally disposed along the clock face, wherein the target holder is understood to represent a clay target. The plurality of pointers may independently rotate relative to each other so that each pointer may be positioned at a different relationship to the target holder so as to physically represent different choices, predictions and outcomes regarding the targeting thereof, including chosen target lines, predicted break lines and the outcomes of their chosen target lines. |
| US09939229B2 |
Gun scope with battery compartment
A gun scope is provided having a battery compartment. The battery compartment may be configured to house one or more batteries to provide electronic power to one or more electronic components associated with the gun scope. The battery compartment is associated with a rotatable component, such as a magnifying ring, and configured to rotate with the rotatable component about an axis. In one embodiment, the battery component may be integrally formed with the rotatable component. In another embodiment, the battery component may be formed as a separate component and coupled with the rotatable component. The battery compartment extends radially outward from the rotatable component and provides a lever for rotation of the rotatable component about its axis of rotation. |
| US09939227B2 |
Bug killing gun
An improved bug killing gun includes a compressed gas source fluidly connected to a chamber connected to a barrel. A compressed gas release mechanism is connected to the compressed gas source. A projectile storage magazine stores particulate projectiles and is located adjacent the chamber. A projectile loading mechanism moves the projectiles into the chamber from the magazine. A cocking mechanism is mechanically connected to the compressed gas source, the compressed gas release mechanism, and the projectile loading mechanism. When the gun is cocked, the projectile loading mechanism loads a quantity of the particulate projectiles into the chamber. When the compressed gas release mechanism is activated the projectiles are ejected from the chamber into the barrel and expelled from the gun. The gun optionally includes a laser sighting mechanism. The battery operated laser sighting mechanism may be removably attached to the barrel or permanently attached with an integral, trigger operated switch. |
| US09939224B2 |
Silencer
A silencer for a firearm, in particular a handgun, is provided, comprising a silencer housing with a rear end wall, which is facing the barrel of the firearm, and a front end wall, which is remote from the rear end wall, and comprising an attachment rail, arranged on the silencer housing, for attaching the silencer to the firearm. The attachment rail is arranged on a lower side wall of the silencer housing. The silencer may also be used as a duel simulator. Also provided is a firearm with a silencer or a duel simulator. |
| US09939222B1 |
Multi-layered mortar tube
A lightweight mortar tube is presented herein having at least three layers: (1) a first inner bore facing layer comprised of a metal having a melting point greater than 800° C.; (2) a second thermal barrier layer comprised of a ceramic material attached to the first layer, and (3) a third outer shell layer attached to the second layer comprising of fiber reinforced composite material where the composite material is either a polymer, metal or ceramic. All of the layers are cohesively integrated with each other into a seamless wall. The improved multi-layered mortar tube described herein is lighter, yet maintains the same performance standards as comparable steel-based mortar tubes. |
| US09939221B2 |
Flex-fire G2 technology
A trigger activated arm may use engagement of an integrated gun bolt cam with an integrated trigger cam to reposition the trigger as the gun bolt reciprocates. The gun bolt trigger engagement may be used to reset the trigger. |
| US09939219B1 |
Loader
A loading device and method of using same with a rifle having a fixed magazine are disclosed. The loading device may comprise a housing having a channel, a plunger slideably disposed within the channel, and a spout extending away from the housing. The spout is configured to fit within an ejection port of the rifle. The plunger may include an articulating arm extending away from one end of the plunger, wherein the arm includes a plug disposed about one end for pushing ammunition cartridges into the fixed magazine. The loading device advantageously permits efficient and rapid reloading of ammunition into the fixed magazine. |
| US09939217B2 |
Rotary ammunition magazine and follower
A rotary ammunition magazine for a rifle has a follower that is spring biased and rotates about an axis to move cartridges for feeding to the rifle's chamber. The follower has a surface portion which engages the last cartridge in the stack. The surface portion has one or more characteristics including a transverse orientation angle, a longitudinal orientation angle and an arcuate shape which determine the direction of the force vector and the lengthwise load distribution on the cartridge. |
| US09939216B2 |
Rotary ammunition magazine and follower
A rotary ammunition magazine for a rifle has a follower that is spring biased and rotates about an axis to move cartridges for feeding to the rifle's chamber. The follower has a surface portion which engages the last cartridge in the stack. The surface portion has one or more characteristics including a transverse orientation angle, a longitudinal orientation angle and an arcuate shape which determine the direction of the force vector and the lengthwise load distribution on the cartridge. |
| US09939212B2 |
Method for improving fluid flow characteristics, heat exchanger, distillation apparatus and deodorizing apparatus with the same applied thereto, and expanded metal used for the same
A channel forming body for mounting semiconductor power modules or a heat sink for power modules has a heat-transfer portion having a very complicated construction in order to increase the heat-transfer coefficient, leading to need for extremely high techniques and high cost for manufacturing.By arranging an expanded metal 13 in a channel 12 formed to lie between two planes 11 and 11 placed face-to-face, local fluid flows 16 guided by the expanded metal 13 are allowed to act on various boundary layers 15 formed between these two planes 11 and 11 and a fluid so as to improve fluid flow characteristics concerning heat transfer and/or mass transfer through a local turbulent flow acceleration effect. |
| US09939205B2 |
Heat dissipater having capillary component
A heat dissipater having capillary component includes: a heat spreader including a shell member having at least one through hole and a first capillary structure disposed in the shell member; a heat pipe, received in the through hole and including a pipe member and a second capillary structure disposed in the pipe member. The pipe member includes an opening formed in the shell member; and a capillary component, accommodated in the shell member and including a block member extended with a protruding part and arranged adjacent to the first capillary structure. The protruding part is received in the opening and arranged adjacent to the second capillary structure. Accordingly, the heat pipe and the heat spreader can be combined for operation, and an internal working fluid can flow between the heat pipe and the heat spreader. |
| US09939202B2 |
Heat exchanger
A heat exchanger may include a gas conduit flowable through by a predetermined gas and a heat conduit flowable through by a predetermined fluid compound working fluid. The heat conduit may be in thermal communication with the gas conduit. The heat exchanger may include a first section having a first section length, a second section having a second section length, and a third section having a third section length. The gas conduit may span, in a direction of flow of the gas, the first section, the second section, and the third section. The heat conduit may span, in a direction of flow of the working fluid, the third section, the first section, and the second section. The first section may include a gas inlet and the third section may include a working fluid inlet and a gas outlet. The section may include a working fluid outlet. |
| US09939200B2 |
Substrate transfer system and heat treatment apparatus using same
A substrate transfer system includes a substrate transfer part capable of transferring a substrate while holding the substrate, an elevating mechanism including a support axis extending in an upper-lower direction and being capable of moving the substrate transfer part along the support axis within a predetermined range, a first exhaust port located at a position selected from at least one of on the supporting axis and near the supporting axis above an upper limit of the predetermined range, a second exhaust port located at a position selected from at least one of on the supporting axis and near the supporting axis below a lower limit of the predetermined range, and an exhaust part connected such that exhaust is available through the first exhaust port and the second exhaust port. |
| US09939196B2 |
Hydrocarbon gas processing including a single equipment item processing assembly
A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to remove carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled, expanded to intermediate pressure, and fed to the top of a mass transfer means. A distillation liquid stream from the mass transfer means is heated in a first heat and mass transfer means to strip out its volatile components and form a bottom liquid product. A distillation vapor stream from the mass transfer means is combined with any vapor in the expanded cooled gas stream, and the combined vapor stream is cooled in a second heat and mass transfer means to partially condense it, forming a condensed stream that is fed to the top of the mass transfer means. A portion of the bottom liquid product is subcooled, expanded to lower pressure, and used to cool the combined vapor stream. |
| US09939192B2 |
Refrigerator
Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes: a cabinet including an outer case, an inner case disposed inside the outer case and defining a storage space, and an insulating material filled between the outer case and the inner case; a door pivotably connected to a front surface of the cabinet and selectively opening/closing a storage compartment; a shelf assembly including a shelf supporting arm fixed to a real surface of the inner case and a shelf connected to the shelf supporting arm so as to be slidably movable; and a withdrawal device connected to the door and withdrawing the shelf forward in accordance with pivoting of the door for opening the storage space. Here, the withdrawal device includes: a slide member held in a space between the outer case and the inner case; a link member including a front end portion connected to the door and a rear end portion connected to the slide member; and a connection member connecting the slide member and the shelf. |
| US09939191B2 |
Horizontal flipper mullion incorporated within a false mullion of an appliance
An appliance includes a cabinet having outer walls that define a portion of a contact surface. Operable panels are engaged with the cabinet and operate between closed and open positions. A lateral mullion is pivotally attached to a mullion panel of the plurality of operable panels and is operable between contact and tucked positions. When the mullion panel is in the closed position, an outer surface of the lateral mullion is in the vertically pointed contact position and defines a portion of the contact surface to receive a seal of the mullion panel and selectively receive a seal of a vertically adjacent panel. Movement of the mullion panel to the open position rotates the lateral mullion about a horizontal axis to define the tucked position such that the mullion panel can move to the open position free of operation of the vertically adjacent panel. |
| US09939187B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator comprises: a cabinet including a refrigerator compartment, and a freezer compartment provided; a refrigerator compartment door rotationally connected to the front side of the cabinet to open/close the refrigerator compartment; an ice bank which is provided to the ice compartment and stores ice; an icemaker which comprises an upper tray forming a hemispherical upper cell, a lower tray forming a hemispherical lower cell, and a rotating shaft for rotating the lower tray, and which is provided in the freezer compartment; and an ice transfer device for transferring the ice collected in the ice collector to the ice bank along the ice transfer duct, wherein the ice transfer device can include: a transfer cable; a pusher connected to an end of the transfer cable; and a transfer case for accommodating the transfer cable which is wound. |
| US09939184B2 |
Refrigeration device
A refrigeration device includes a radiator, an evaporator, a compressor, a heater and a control device. The radiator causes a refrigerant to radiate heat. The evaporator causes the refrigerant to evaporate. The compressor compresses the refrigerant circulating between the radiator and the evaporator. The heater heats lubricating oil in the compressor. The control device controls the heater so that an oil temperature of the lubricating oil in the compressor reaches an oil temperature target value obtained by adding a predetermined temperature to saturation temperature of the refrigerant in the compressor. |
| US09939181B2 |
Micro-combined heat and power heat pump defrost procedure
Systems and methods are disclosed that may include recovering heat from a generator to defrost the heat exchanger by passing a heat transfer fluid from the generator through a recovery heat exchanger that is configured to promote heat transfer between the heat transfer fluid and a refrigerant flowing therethrough, reducing a restriction of the refrigerant, reducing an airflow through the heat exchanger, and delivering the heated refrigerant to the heat exchanger. Systems and methods may also include recovering heat from an exhaust of the generator to deter the formation of frozen condensate on the outdoor heat exchanger by diverting at least a portion of a hot exhaust fluid discharged by the generator onto the outdoor heat exchanger. |
| US09939175B2 |
Flue damper control algorithm for standing pilot type fuel-fired water heater
In a fuel-fired water heater with a standing pilot burner and a motorized flue damper, a specially designed controller is utilized to prevent overheating of water stored in the tank portion of the water heater caused by the hot combustion gases continuously generated by the pilot burner during standby periods of the water heater in which its main fuel burner is not being fired. The controller has a selectively variable water temperature control set point temperature and is operable to sense both ambient temperature and the tank water temperature and to open the flue damper and/or keep it open, after the main burner is off, in response to the presence for a predetermined continuous time period of a predetermined relationship of at least the selected temperature control set point temperature and the sensed ambient temperature. |
| US09939163B2 |
Systems and methods for air-conditioning systems with scrubbing systems including a scrubbing bypass mode
Methods and systems for a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system for an enclosed environment may be configured to at least one of heat and cool air and include an air circulation system configured to circulate air at least within the enclosed environment. The air within the enclosed environment may comprise at least the indoor air. The system may further include an outdoor air inlet for introducing at least a portion of outdoor air into the enclosed environment, where the outdoor air comprises air from outside the enclosed environment. The system may further include a scrubbing system having an adsorbent material to reduce presence of at least one gas contaminant in the indoor air. A controller system may be included for controlling the operation of at least one of the circulation system and the scrubbing system. |
| US09939162B2 |
HVAC boiler controller
A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) boiler controller is described herein. One HVAC boiler controller includes a memory and a processor configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to receive a weather forecast for an area in which the boiler of the HVAC system is located, receive a current outdoor temperature, determine a set point of the boiler based, at least in part, on the received weather forecast and the received current outdoor temperature, and adjust the set point of the boiler to the determined set point. |
| US09939161B2 |
Cooking appliance
Provided is a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance includes a housing to define a cooking chamber, a burner disposed outside the housing, a communication hole defined in the housing to allow air heated by the burner to pass therethrough, and a heated air guider disposed inside the housing and coupled to the housing. The heated air guider comprises a discharge hole through which the heated air is discharged and prevents the communication hole from being exposed to the cooking chamber. |
| US09939158B2 |
Combustor with ring part having protrusions and gas turbine including the combustor
A combustor includes a first tube which supplies fuel and air from an opening formed in a distal end thereof, and a second tube which is configured such that flames are formed on an inner circumferential side thereof by the fuel and the air and the distal end of the first tube is inserted into an inner circumferential side of a proximal end thereof. The first tube includes a first tube main body and a ring part forming the distal end of the first tube. The ring part has a main body of a tubular shape and a plurality of protrusions that are integrally formed with the main body on an outer circumferential surface of the main body and protrude radially outward. When viewed in an axial direction, the outer circumferential surface of the main body has a polygonal cross-sectional shape within a range within which the protrusions are formed. |
| US09939156B2 |
Asymmetric baseplate cooling with alternating swirl main burners
A combustor arrangement (10) including: a pilot burner (22) having a pilot cone (62); a plurality of clockwise (130) main swirlers interposed among a plurality of counterclockwise (132) main swirlers and disposed concentrically about the pilot burner; and a base plate (40) transverse to the main swirlers. Inbound-zones (134) exist where adjacent portions (106) of adjacent flows (108) through main swirlers flow toward the pilot cone, and interposed between the inbound zones outbound zones (136) exist where adjacent portions of adjacent flows flow away from the pilot cone. The arrangement is configured to preferentially deliver more cooling fluid to the inbound zones than the outbound zones. |
| US09939153B2 |
Method and apparatus for capturing carbon dioxide during combustion of carbon containing fuel
A boiler system having a series of boilers. Each boiler includes a shell having an upstream end, a downstream end, and a hollow interior. The boilers also have an oxidizer inlet entering the hollow interior adjacent the upstream end of the shell and a fuel nozzle positioned adjacent the upstream end of the shell for introducing fuel into the hollow interior of the shell. Each boiler includes a flue duct connected to the shell adjacent the downstream end for transporting flue gas from the hollow interior. Oxygen is delivered to the oxidizer inlet of the first boiler in the series. Flue gas from the immediately preceding boiler in the series is delivered through the oxidizer inlet of each boiler subsequent to the first boiler in the series. |
| US09939149B2 |
Radiant to convection transition for fired equipment
Modern steam generators typically include a radiant section and a convection section. Due to differing performance requirements of the radiant and convection sections, the radiant section often has a round cross-section, while the convection section often has a rectangular cross-section. Previous designs utilized a target wall to effect the transition. An angled transition section is disclosed herein that substantially eliminates the target wall and/or the reverse target and provides a corresponding improvement in steam generator efficiency. |
| US09939147B2 |
Acoustic lighting tile
An acoustic lighting tile (100) comprises a cavity (110) having a side wall (120) forming an opening in the cavity (110). An acoustic element (130) absorbs sound incident to the cavity (110). A light source carrier (140) is arranged along the side wall (120) and extends a first distance (D1) along a horizontal direction into the cavity (110). A light source (150) is mounted on the Slight source carrier (140) and emits light (L1, L2, L3) in a vertical main direction into the cavity (110), away from the opening of the cavity (110). A reflective surface (160) reflects at least a subset of the light (L1, L2, L3) emitted by the light source (150) towards the opening. A diffusing element (170) at least partially covers the opening at a second distance (D2) from the light source carrier (140) and diffuses light passing through the opening. The second distance (D2) is at least as large as the first distance (D1). The distance (D2) between the light source carrier (140) and the diffusing element (170) provides a mixing space which facilitates provision of a more uniform illumination. |
| US09939145B2 |
Purselight with EL and LED light sources
A purse illumination assembly including a power source, a light emitting portion, a voice-sensitive switch, and a circuit assembly connecting the light emitting portion to the power source through the voice-sensitive switch. The light emitting portion may be a light emitting fabric or may include EL wire alone or in combination with LED lights to provide both lighting and a decorative effect. A driver circuit may be included for driving both the EL wire and the LED lights. |
| US09939142B2 |
Backlight module and display device
A backlight module and a display device are disclosed, which relate to the field of display technology and overcome the problem of poor heat dissipation effect of the whole display device. The backlight module comprises a backplane, a light source component fixed to the backplane, and a first heat dissipation layer at least arranged in part of the overlapping zone for the backplane and the light source component. The display device comprises a display panel and the backlight module mentioned above, and the backlight module provided by the embodiment is applied in the display device. |
| US09939141B2 |
Active thermal management device and thermal management method
An active thermal management device and method, in which a phase change material unit, comprising at least one phase change material arranged in series or parallel, is connectable to a source of thermal energy, such as LEDs at a first operating condition. Thermal energy from the source of thermal energy is stored in the phase change material unit. The phase change material unit is connectable to a sink of thermal energy, such as second LEDs at a second operating condition. The thermal energy stored in the phase change material unit may be re-used. The first operating condition can include a 15V supply voltage, and the second operating condition can include either no supply voltage, or a lower 9V supply voltage of 9V, such that heat from the first LEDs, which may be over-temperature, can pre-heat the second LEDs, improving thermal and optical matching. |
| US09939139B2 |
Passive headset with dynamically controlled LEDs
A method and system for a passive headset with dynamically controlled LEDs, where the method comprises, in a passive headset comprising speakers, light emitting diodes (LEDs), and LED driver circuitry: receiving an electrical signal that includes an audio signal and an LED control signal, filtering out the LED control signal from the received electrical signal and communicating a resulting output audio signal to the speakers, filtering out the audio signal from the received electrical signal and communicating a resulting output LED control signal to the LED driver circuitry, generating a bias voltage for each of the one or more LEDs utilizing the LED driver circuitry and the output LED control signal, and configuring a light output of the LED utilizing the generated bias voltage. The amplifier may include a mixer that sums an audio signal with a control signal. |
| US09939137B2 |
Foldable utility lighting
This invention relates to a light system for use in indoor or outdoor environments. More specifically, it provides a foldable, portable, self-supporting shadow-reducing utility light system capable of illuminating multi-dimensional areas, a kit and a method of use therein. |
| US09939134B2 |
Light fixture mounting method and assembly
An assembly for mounting a light fixture in a hole in a ceiling panel and including an annular trim ring that's held upward against a lower surface of a ceiling panel by the light fixture to be mounted, such that the trim ring spans an annular gap between such light fixture and the ceiling panel hole. A top plate is carried by the ceiling panel across the ceiling panel hole and includes a top plate hole that receives the light fixture to be mounted such that the top plate spans an annular gap between the light fixture and the ceiling panel hole. A mount supports the light fixture on the top plate in a position holding the trim ring up against the lower surface of the ceiling panel. |
| US09939133B2 |
Illuminating standoff device and method
The illuminating standoff device to support and illuminate transparent, semi-transparent, and/or a translucent light diffusing member. Thus, the standoff provides support and attachment to the wall or support structure, while at the same time allowing light to pass through said standoff and/or projecting or inducing light into the diffusing member while supporting and retaining its position. This allows one to support and secure the diffusing member, and illuminate the diffusing member, both through a single device. |
| US09939129B2 |
Collimating metalenses and technologies incorporating the same
Metalenses and technologies incorporating the same are disclosed. In some embodiments, the metalenses are in the form of a hybrid multiregion collimating metalens that includes a first region and a second region, wherein the hybrid multiregion collimating metalens is configured to collimate (e.g., visible) light incident thereon. In some instances the first region includes an array of first unit cells that contain subwavelength spaced nanostructures, such that the first region functions as a subwavelength high contrast grating (SWHCG), whereas the second region includes an array of second unit cell, wherein the array of second unit cells includes a near periodic annular arrangement of nanostructures such that the second region approximates the functionality of a locally periodic radial diffraction grating. Lighting devices including such metalenses are also disclosed. |
| US09939126B2 |
Lighting unit
A lighting panel comprises a light source and a light modifying panel positioned over the light source, in the form of a set of protrusions over the base, the protrusions facing the light source. The protrusions comprise circular/elliptical/polygonal cylinders or cone sections with a small cone taper angle. |
| US09939124B1 |
Light mask type optical device
A light mask type optical device includes an optical element. The optical element is formed by a light inlet face, a light outlet face opposite to the light inlet face, and a plurality of grating structures of micro meter (μm) scale disposed on the light outlet face. The grating structure includes a first slant face, a second slant face, and a plane surface between the first slant face and the second slant face. In application, a direct downward light emitted by a light source is reflected by the first slant face and the second slant face, to form a circulating light in the grating structure, and that is combined with the direct downward light to output from the light outlet face in achieving reduced glare and increased lumen in application. |
| US09939122B2 |
Vehicle headlamp
In vehicle headlamps of the prior art, a low-beam light distribution pattern and a high-beam distribution pattern could not be obtained in a direct illumination lens-type lamp unit. The present invention is provided with a semiconductor light source, a lens, a light control member, and a drive member. The lens is composed of a main lens section and an auxiliary lens section. The drive member positions the light control member in a first position and a second position in a moveable and switchable manner. Consequently, the present invention enables a low-beam light distribution pattern and a high-beam light distribution pattern to be obtained in a direct illumination lens-type lamp unit. |
| US09939120B2 |
Lighting device with optical waveguides
A lighting device that includes a series of optical waveguides each able to allow rays of light to be waveguided between an entry face, arranged at a proximal end of the optical waveguide, and an exit face. The device is formed of at least two subassemblies produced separately and each including at least a portion of the series of optical waveguides and first structural elements for retaining the waveguides in position and joining successive optical waveguides of the subassembly together, the two subassemblies being able to be assembled to form the device through collaboration of the first structural elements. The distal ends of at least two successive optical waveguides of the series are connected by a piece of translucent or transparent flexible material. |
| US09939119B2 |
Attachable vehicle accent lamp
An accent lamp (10) having a solid state light source (4), such as LEDs, is attachable to a rear surface of an automotive headlamp (40) opposite the light-generating capsule (44). Accent lamp (10) has first retaining member (20), such as a clamp, formed above printed circuit board (8) on which LED (4) is mounted. Headlamp base (60) defines light passageway (45), formed as a light guide (42), extending from outermost peripheral surface (63) to an upper surface (61) on which lamp capsule (44) is retained. Accent lamp (10) is readily detachably mounted to headlamp (40), preferably by resilient first and second retaining members (20, 24), and, when mounted, can be biased to promote optical coupling of light source (4) to light guide (42). |
| US09939117B1 |
Light emitting diode system with light signals carried via power lines
A light emitting diode system includes a light emitting diode lamp string, a signal voltage unit and a control unit. The light emitting diode lamp string includes a plurality of light emitting diode units. The control unit drives the signal voltage unit to adjust a voltage of the light emitting diode lamp string continuously and repeatedly so the voltage of the light emitting diode lamp string is a predetermined voltage, to form a light signal comprising a plurality of pulse waves to send the light signal to the light emitting diode lamp string. When each of the light emitting diode units receives the light signal, each of the light emitting diode units performs a conversion and a decoding for the light signal to obtain a lighting mode of the light signal, and then each of the light emitting diode units lights based on the lighting mode. |
| US09939116B2 |
LED illumination device capable of disassembling, assembling, combining and slidably adjusting modules, and control method
An LED illumination device capable of disassembling, assembling and combining modules and slidably adjusting locations of modules, and corresponding control method for LED modules. The illumination device comprises a housing and LED modules. At least one slideway is arranged in the housing. The LED modules are removably arranged in any location in any slideways, the device can quickly realize multiple illumination solutions of changing luminance and illuminant colors, so that the LED illumination device can be conveniently applied to various operating environments and can be freely converted in the solutions of applying to various operating environments. Moreover, the control method for the LED modules can implement flexible and varied control on each LED module via an electrode orbit so that the LED illumination device can realize multiple preset illumination solutions, thereby achieving a landscape illumination effect. |
| US09939115B2 |
Hose comprising an integrated system for detecting damage
The invention relates to a hose (7) featuring an integrated system for detecting damage and comprising a hose wall (2, 4) in which at least one transponder (8) is embedded. The hose (7) is characterized in that an antenna (12) is also embedded in the hose wall (2, 4) so that an electromagnetic coupling (10) can be established between the antenna (12) and the transponder (8), the magnitude and/or quality of the electromagnetic coupling (10) being a measure of the degree of damage to the hose wall (2, 4). |
| US09939114B2 |
Method of pipeline interior drying
Pipeline transport of hydrocarbons detect the moisture accumulation location along the pipeline and increase effectiveness of the drying process. Drying air moisture content reduction is obtained by the installing additional intermediate air drying devices in by-pass lines at block valve station along the pipeline to be dried. Purging is proceeded until normalized dew point temperature value of the outcoming air being achieved. Purging is interrupted for 12 hours or more, both upstream and downstream ends of pipeline leaving hermetically closed, and resumed with intermediate air drying devices disabled, continuously measuring the moisture content of the outcoming drying air, fixing the moment when the moisture accumulation in the surrounding air. |
| US09939107B2 |
Self-retaining oil nozzle
An oil nozzle assembly includes a nozzle body and a nozzle insert. The nozzle body includes a main portion, a tip portion, a collar, and a lip. The tip portion is connected to the main portion. The collar is positioned at an interface between the main portion and the tip portion. The lip extends radially outward from the tip portion and includes an outer diameter. The nozzle insert includes a sleeve, an endwall connected to the sleeve, an orifice, and a retention element. The orifice is disposed in the endwall and is fluidly connected to the tip portion of the nozzle body. The retention element extends radially inward from the sleeve. A portion of the retention element includes an inner diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the lip. |
| US09939105B1 |
Overhead mounting system
Embodiments of overhead mounting systems are described herein. Various embodiments may include a channel, one or more covers, and one or more cover spacers. The channel may include a channel base, at least two channel walls, and at least two channel ends. The channel walls may be connected perpendicularly to the channel base such that the channel is u-shaped. The channel walls may each comprise a plurality of channel wall openings. The covers may include a cover base, at least two cover walls, and at least two cover ends. The cover walls may each include one or more inward protrusions. The cover ends may be concaved along the cover base such that a cover base length is less than a cover wall length. The cover ends may be concaved along one or more of the cover walls. |
| US09939103B2 |
Hurricane resistant fabric clamps
A storm protection system for covering the opening of a building with a flexible material. The system includes a bracket having a first panel and a second panel, the panels each having a surface, the first surface and the second surface of the bracket having a plurality of protrusions disposed thereon (and various embodiments thereof). Another embodiment utilizing at least one inclined planar portion connected to a planar portion of the bracket at the first edge of the inclined planar portion and an elongated member connected to the at least one inclined planar portion for securing a flexible material. A last embodiment includes a planar bracket having a first end and a second end, the planar bracket made of a resilient material. All embodiments operable to hold a flexible material (fabric, screen . . . etc.) over an opening to a building to protect the opening during a storm. |
| US09939102B2 |
Waterfall-type cable router
A waterfall-type cable router for routing cables out of cable trays including a floor having a front side, a rear side, a left side, and a right side, wherein at least a portion of the floor is substantially horizontal. A vertical rear wall extends along the rear side of the floor. The cable router further includes a left ramp extending downward from the left side of the floor, a right ramp extending downward from the right side of the floor, and a front ramp extending downward from the front side of the floor. A vertical left curved wall extends between the left ramp and the front ramp, and a vertical right curved wall extends between the right ramp and the front ramp. |
| US09939098B2 |
Intermediate coupling for connecting rigid pipe elements for conveying a fluid, and associated pipe network and assembly method
A coupling that includes a rigid inner shell, a rigid outer shell positioned around the inner shell to define an intermediate space that contains an electric line and a thermally insulating layer, and an electric connecting line for heating fluid that flows in the inner shell. |
| US09939097B2 |
Fluid end manifolds and fluid end manifold assemblies
A fluid end manifold comprising a body having a front side and a back side, a first cylinder bore formed horizontally through the body, a second cylinder bore formed vertically through the body, a front mating face, and a back mating face, wherein the first and second cylinder bores intersect within the body to define an intersection region, wherein the front mating face is positioned on the front side of the body at a location corresponding to the intersection region, and wherein the back mating face is positioned on the back side of the body at a location corresponding to the intersection region. |
| US09939095B2 |
Tube fitting
A tube fitting including a first fitting member having a cylindrical body including a flange, a second fitting member having a cylindrical body including a plurality of tines extending from the cylindrical body, the plurality of tines being configured to engage the flange where the plurality of tines and the flange are configured to secure the first and second fitting members to each other, and at least one seal disposed between the first fitting member and the second fitting member. |
| US09939094B2 |
Connection device for pipe lines
A connection device for pipe lines includes a connection element that has a receiving opening for a pipe line and a retainer element that stops the pipe line from being pulled out. The retainer element is designed as a spring-elastic toothed ring that has teeth distributed across a circumference and which extend radially inward at an incline and act against the pipe line. The toothed ring is mounted to have limited axial play. At the transition region between an outer circumferential region and the retainer teeth, the toothed ring interacts with a circumferential tilt edge such that the toothed ring can pivot about the tilt edge out of a position in which its outer circumferential region is pressed against a first, lower contact section and a second, upper contact section. The retainer teeth being able to be elastically deformed by bending. |
| US09939091B2 |
Modular pipe clamp
A pipe clamp includes a first jaw pivotally connected to a second jaw, each jaw having a connection flange at each of its ends, in which the flanges at the pivoting end of the jaws are provided with a first locking mechanism and the flanges of the jaws distal from the pivoting end provided with second and third locking mechanisms. The second and third locking mechanisms are shaped such that, when they are in place, the combined width of the second and third locking mechanisms is less than twice the width of their widest crossways section in the same plane when not in place. |
| US09939087B2 |
Double-walled pipe with integrated heating capability for an aircraft or spacecraft
A double-walled pipe with integrated heating capability for an aircraft or spacecraft includes a pipe body rigidly formed from plastic in one piece with an inner wall, with an outer wall and with a plurality of wall supports, the wall supports connecting the inner wall to the outer wall, the inner wall and the outer wall defining an intermediate space. The double-walled pipe further includes an electrically conductive coating surrounding the inner wall within the intermediate space and configured to heat up under application of an electric current such that heat is transferred to the inner wall. |
| US09939084B2 |
Removable isolation valve shield insert assembly
An isolation valve is provided, along with removable shield insert assemblies for an isolation valve. In one embodiment, a shield insert assembly for an isolation valve is provided that includes a graphite first shield insert having a flat ring shape. The first shield insert has a circular outer diameter. An elongated aperture is formed through the first shield insert. At least two fastener holes are formed through the first shield insert configured to couple the first shield insert to a first shield support. |
| US09939080B2 |
Magnetorheological fluid device
A system, including a flow control system, including a valve, a first cylinder including a piston coupled to the valve, wherein the piston moves axially within the first cylinder to transition the valve between open and closed positions, a magnetorheological (MR) fluid within the first cylinder configured to axially move the piston, and an MR fluid device configured to magnetize the MR fluid to control axial movement of the piston. |
| US09939074B2 |
Enabling secured debug of an integrated circuit
Secured debug of an integrated circuit having a test operation mode and a secure mission operation mode. The integrated circuit has a processing unit, a test interface through which the test operation mode is controllable, an on-chip memory which is accessible in the test operation mode and in the secure mission operation mode, and one or more protected resources inaccessible in the test operation mode. The processing unit is configured, in the test operation mode, to receive an authenticated object through the test interface, and store the received authenticated object in the on-chip memory. The processing unit is moreover configured, upon reset into the secure mission operation mode, to execute a boot procedure to determine that the authenticated object is available in the on-chip memory, authenticate the authenticated object, and—upon successful authentication—render the more protected resources accessible to a debug host external to the integrated circuit. |
| US09939073B2 |
Breather check valve
A vent apparatus is described for providing filtered air intake and rollover protection for a fuel tank. The apparatus may include a housing configured to be coupled with the fuel tank, the housing including at least one air intake port and at least one air exhaust port. The apparatus may include an air intake filter disposed within the housing and configured to receive and filter air from the at least one air intake port. The apparatus may include a rollover protection valve disposed adjacent to the housing and configured to be located inside the fuel tank when the housing is coupled with the fuel tank, the rollover protection valve coupled with the at least one air exhaust port. The rollover protection valve may include a chamber and a plug configured to impede the flow of fuel from the fuel tank into the at least one air exhaust port. |
| US09939071B2 |
Waterway switch and on-off mechanism
A waterway switch and on-off mechanism includes a fixing portion, a switch mechanism, an on-off mechanism and a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism includes a rotating base, a first sliding sleeve and a second sleeve. The rotating base has a first incline section, a first flat section, a second incline section and a second flat section; the coupling of the first incline section and the first sliding sleeve corresponds to the coupling of the second flat section and the second sliding sleeve, the rotating base drives the first sliding sleeve, the second sliding sleeve couples to the second flat section; the coupling of the second incline section and the second sliding sleeve corresponds to the coupling of the first flat section and the first sliding sleeve, the rotating base drives the second sliding sleeve, the first sliding sleeve couples to the first flat section. |
| US09939067B2 |
Elastic contact seal
A mechanical seal comprising an elastomeric modified O-ring in combination backup rings typically made of a low friction material such as Teflon with matching surfaces to modified O-ring surface to provide low dynamic friction and meantime prevent seal extrusion due to high pressures and temperatures. |
| US09939066B2 |
Elastic sealing member radially inwardly of primary sealing bead
A gasket assembly having a secondary elastic sealing bead positioned radially inwardly of the primary sealing bead. The secondary sealing bead extends circumferentially about the aperture and radially inwardly of the primary sealing bead. A stopper layer is disposed adjacent at least a portion of the gasket layer and extends radially from the outboard region to the inboard edge to radially overlap the secondary sealing bead and the primary sealing bead. The secondary sealing bead has an “S-type” structure and provides increased gasket resiliency adjacent the inboard edge. |
| US09939060B2 |
Shift device
In a shift lever device, at a time when a shift lever is pivotally operated in a front-rear direction, a retainer and a link are pivoted integrally with the shift lever, and a pivot portion is pivoted in the front-rear direction. Further, at a time when the shift lever is pivotally operated in a left-right direction, the shift lever is pivoted with respect to the retainer, and the link is pivoted, and the pivot portion is thereby pivoted in the left-right direction. Moreover, a position of the pivot portion is detected by a detecting mechanism, and a shift position of the shift lever is detected. Therefore, the shift position of the shift lever can be detected via the link. |
| US09939059B2 |
Selectively configurable shifter assembly adapted for automatic vehicle transmissions
A shifter assembly configurable for multiple automatic vehicle transmissions comprises a housing, a base mounted within the housing, a shift handle pivoted to the base, and first and second gate plates selectively mountable to the base in differing configurations cooperatively forming differing shift gates for differing gear shift patterns adapted to differing automatic vehicle transmissions for reverse or forward shift patterns. The base, handle, and gate plates are selectively mountable as a unit within the housing in differing orientations relative to a cable-receiving opening in the housing to facilitate installation within a vehicle with the cable extending from the housing in either a forward or a rearward direction. |
| US09939057B2 |
Torsional vibration damper for hydrokinetic torque coupling device
A hydrokinetic torque coupling device comprises a casing rotatable about a rotation axis, a torque converter including an impeller wheel and a turbine wheel disposed in the casing coaxially with the rotation axis, a turbine hub disposed in the casing coaxially with the rotation axis and fixed to the turbine wheel, and a torsional vibration damper. The torsional vibration damper comprises a driven member fixed to the turbine hub, a back plate rotatably mounted to the turbine hub, a plurality of circumferentially acting elastic members, and a damper retainer plate rotatably mounted to the back plate coaxially with the rotation axis. The back plate has a plurality of window-shaped openings separated circumferentially from one another by radial tabs. The elastic members are interposed between the driven member and the back plate in the window-shaped openings. The damper retainer plate is operatively connected to the elastic members. |
| US09939053B2 |
Robot arm driving apparatus and robot arm having the same
A robot arm capable of being driven with a small force while having an enhanced rigidity includes a joint unit formed by stacking a plurality of link modules up against each other, and at least one driving device allowing the joint unit to pivot along at least one axis, wherein the driving device includes a cable disposed to pass through the plurality of link modules a plurality of times, a plurality of multi-turn pulleys configured to change a path of the cable when the cable passes therethrough, such that the cable passes through the plurality of link modules, and a driving unit configured to pull or push the cable such that the joint unit pivots. |
| US09939051B2 |
Magnetic stop for moving components
A tensioning system including a magnetic stop is provided. The tensioning system includes a tensioner arm and a support. The tensioner arm is mounted on the support for pivoting movement. The support includes a support magnetic or ferromagnetic element on at least a first surface thereof. The tensioner arm includes a tensioner arm magnet on at least a second surface thereof that faces the first surface of the support. |
| US09939050B2 |
Pressure sensor for power take off
The present invention provides improved, real time sensing of pressure supplied to the hydraulic operator of a clutch for a motor vehicle driveline power take off. A proportional sensor in the hydraulic line to the power take off clutch actuator provides a data signal in real time of the actual pressure applied to the clutch actuator. This signal is provided to the power take off control module (PCM) and/or to the transmission control module (TCM). The power take off control module, having instantaneous data regarding the pressure applied to the hydraulic operator achieves two important operating functions: monitoring and feedback. |
| US09939048B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicles
At least nine forward speeds and at least one reverse speed are achieved by a planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle including an input shaft, an output shaft, four planetary gear sets respectively having three rotational elements, and six control elements for selectively interconnecting the rotational elements and a transmission housing. |
| US09939047B2 |
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicle
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle is provided. Nine or more forward speeds and one or more reverse speed are achieved by a planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle including an input shaft, an output shaft, four planetary gear sets respectively having three rotational elements, and six control elements to selectively connect the rotational elements and a transmission housing. |
| US09939045B2 |
Link plates for bicycle chain
A link plate for a bicycle chain is basically provided with a first link end portion, a second link end portion and a link intermediate portion interconnecting the first link end portion and the second link end portion. The first link end portion includes a first link opening having a first link center axis. The second link end portion includes a second link opening having a second link center axis parallel to the first link center axis. The link plate has a link longitudinal centerline defining a longitudinal direction. The first link end portion has a first extended edge portion extending away from the second link end portion in the longitudinal direction or the link intermediate portion has an axial protrusion protruding from an inner surface thereof in the axial direction. |
| US09939044B2 |
Flat plane pendulum carrier for a crankshaft pendulum and methods of attachment thereto
A pendulum absorber fixed to the crankshaft of an engine comprises a pendulum and a pendulum carrier attached to the pendulum carrier attachment boss of the crankshaft. The first preferred embodiment provides a crankshaft web having spaced apart part pendulum carrier attachment bosses that define a carrier groove. The second preferred embodiment provides an arrangement similar to that of the first embodiment but the attachment bosses extend further away from the web. The third preferred embodiment provides a pendulum carrier having a flat portion and a cylindrical portion. The fourth preferred embodiment provides a carrier engagement portion that includes a deck and two lateral attachment bosses having curved surfaces. The carrier includes two outwardly-extending attachment arms. The fifth preferred embodiment provides a web having a pendulum carrier engagement portion that includes a machined groove and machined attachment bosses. The pendulum carrier includes attachment arms that engage the machined attachment bosses. |
| US09939042B1 |
Vibration isolation devices
A device for isolating vibration and motion which may be used to dampen or isolate vibrations and motion from heating, ventilation, air conditioning, mechanical and/or electro-mechanical equipment to reduce or eliminate the deleterious effects of vibration, movement and excessive noise created by the equipment. The device includes one or more pairs of vertical limiters, one or more springs, a pair of and at least two flanges. The frame members are each in a fixed relation to at least one vertical limiter which has a slot therein wherein the vertical limiters each have a respective engagement portion/cross beam which is partially passed through the opposing vertical limiters slot such that the vertical limiter pair allows the flanges each to move in toward or away from each other, but wherein the vertical limiters function as to prevent twisting or sliding of the flanges with respect to each other. The spring assemblies and vertical limiters receive and diminish the undesirable phenomena created by the equipment or other sources of vibrations or motion. |
| US09939041B2 |
Container assembly for transporting a flexible panel
According to certain embodiments, a container assembly for protecting a flexible panel comprises a back panel positioned behind the flexible panel and offset by a first substantially airtight compartment, a front panel positioned in front of the flexible panel and offset by a second substantially airtight compartment, and a stiffener panel positioned in front of the front panel and offset by a third substantially airtight compartment. The front, back, and stiffener panels each comprise one or more rigid materials. Each rigid material has higher natural frequency and lower excursion properties than the flexible panel. The container assembly is tuned using fixed, gas-piston principles to impart the higher natural frequency and lower excursion properties of the rigid materials to the flexible panel such that the natural frequency of the flexible panel increases and the extent to which the flexible panel experiences excursions greater than 350 microns is reduced. |
| US09939037B2 |
Leaf spring frame member
A leaf spring frame member (50) comprises: a plurality of leaf spring product parts (11A) each of which includes an outer frame part (11a), an inner frame part (11b) and spring parts (11c); and a support frame (51) which is arranged around the leaf spring product parts (11A) and supports the leaf spring product parts (11A). Each of the leaf spring product parts (11A) and the support frame (51) are connected to each other by connection parts (52). A breaking region (53), which is breakable, is formed in the connection part (52). An outer edge (53a) of the breaking region (53) is situated on the inside of an outer edge (11h) of the leaf spring product part (11A). |
| US09939036B2 |
Friction materials
One exemplary embodiment may include a friction material having a base layer and a secondary layer over the base layer. The secondary layer may include carbon particles having a tightly controlled particle size distribution. |
| US09939033B2 |
Biased plunger arrangement for a brake pad retention system
A system is provided for suppressing undesired brake pad motion during brake application, and for installing and removing brake pads utilizing the inventive arrangements. The brake pads and a carrier mount having complementary surface features that retain the brake pad when the brake pad is in its installed position, and a brake pad biasing structure that biases the brake pad in the radially outward direction to bias the contact faces of the mount horn and the brake pad against one another to suppress brake pad kick and vibration and related wear and component fatigue. The radially-outward biasing force may be applied by a spring-loaded plunger located within a bore of a mount horn of the brake pad carrier against a radially-inner surface of a portion of the brake pad extending laterally over the mount horn. |
| US09939032B1 |
Method of controlling a transmission clutch
During the inertia phase of a shift, the oncoming clutch is controlled to alleviate shift quality degradation due variability of clutch friction coefficient. The friction coefficient sometimes increases as the slip speed nears zero. The commanded clutch pressure is a sum of an open loop term and a closed loop term. The open loop term decreases as the clutch slip decreases. Thus, when the friction coefficient increases at the end of the inertia phase, the clutch torque remains nearly constant. When the friction coefficient does not increase at the end of the inertia phase, the closed loop term responds to the resulting decreasing rate of slip speed reduction. |
| US09939028B2 |
Transmission device for a motor vehicle
A transmission device for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The transmission device includes at least one coupling unit, which for non-rotatable connection of two coupling elements, has a friction-locking unit and a form-locking unit connected in parallel to the friction-locking unit. The device further includes a first hydraulic and/or pneumatic actuator for actuation of the form-locking unit, a second hydraulic and/or pneumatic actuator for actuating the friction-locking unit, and a directional valve for controlling the first actuator provided for actuation of the form-locking unit. The directional valve has a control line connection which in at least one operational state is connected in pressure terms to the second actuator provided for actuation of the friction-locking unit. |
| US09939009B2 |
Structure and electronic apparatus
A structure includes: a first component having a band-like shape and an elasticity for bending the first component in a first direction such that both ends of the first component approach each other; and a second component, coupled to the first component in a manner that the second component pivots about a rotational axis that lies along an edge in a longitudinal direction of the first component, and having an elasticity for bending the second component in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the first component and the second component are unfolded about the rotational axis. |
| US09939006B2 |
Sealing system for fasteners
A method and apparatus for sealing a fastener that extends through a surface. The apparatus comprises a housing having a base and cap, wherein the cap is configured to cover a portion of a fastener extending through a surface, and wherein the housing is configured to apply suction to the surface. |
| US09938997B2 |
Clip attachment structure
A clip attachment structure with a clip and a mounting member attached to a panel by the clip is provided. The clip has an anchor that attaches the mounting member to the panel by insertion into a clip hole in the panel. A pair of elastic claws extends from the anchor. The pair of elastic claws may engage with the clip hole and may disengage from the clip hole upon rotation of the clip relative to the clip hole from an attached position. The mounting member has a pair of ribs configured to guide the clip relative to the mounting member to orient the pair of elastic claws to engage with the edges of the clip hole. |
| US09938996B2 |
Control button retention mechanism
A button retention mechanism that removably retains a button within a device while allowing easy replacement of a depressible or switchable button. The mechanism includes a retention member coupled to the button on a first end and removably coupled to a body at an opposing second end through a snap-fit or interference-fit. Such a structure allows for insertion and removal of the button without disassembling the device, and provides structural stability of the button. |
| US09938990B2 |
Flexure back-flow stopper
A compact back-flow stopper using an elastic flexure mechanism for a cooling fan is shown and described. The backflow stopper assembly comprises a frame configured to structurally support a fin array when coupled to a fan. The fin array comprises a plurality of flexural deformation elements and associated fin elements arrayed in a radial arrangement to establish a pathway for airflow, each of the flexural deformation elements configured to move an attached fin element responsive to airflow impacting the attached fin element. Flex limiter elements are coupled to the frame and configured to limit flexure of the fin elements beyond a predetermined flexure in relation to the frame to stop backflow of air through the fin array. A fan assembly with a backflow stopper is shown and described. Also, a data storage assembly using fan assemblies with backflow stoppers is also shown and described. |
| US09938984B2 |
Axial compressor rotor incorporating non-axisymmetric hub flowpath and splittered blades
A compressor apparatus includes: a rotor including: a disk mounted for rotation about a centerline axis, an outer periphery of the disk defining a flowpath surface having an non-axisymmetric surface profile; an array of airfoil-shaped axial-flow compressor blades extending radially outward from the flowpath surface, wherein the compressor blades each have a root, a tip, a leading edge, and a trailing edge; and an array of airfoil-shaped splitter blades alternating with the compressor blades, wherein the splitter blades each have a root, a tip, a leading edge, and a trailing edge; and wherein at least one of a chord dimension of the splitter blades at the roots thereof and a span dimension of the splitter blades is less than the corresponding dimension of the compressor blades. |
| US09938982B1 |
Turbocharger thrust bearing and manufacturing method
A thrust bearing, particularly for a turbocharger, having unique configurations on the thrust pad faces, including free-form curvatures or non-linear configurations defined by a geometric equation. The thrust pad faces can be configured by a programmed linear actuator system and cutting tool. |
| US09938980B2 |
System for measuring air mass flow into a gas turbine
A method for measuring air mass flow into a compressor section of a gas turbine engine is provided. Air is introduced into a chamber upstream from an inlet of the compressor section. The chamber includes filter packages with at least some of the filter packages including a flow sensor and a filter structure, the filter structure filtering the air. The flow sensors measure the velocity of the air flowing through the corresponding filter package. A controller uses the air flow sensor signal data to characterize a two dimensional flow field through the chamber. Additionally, a plurality of temperature, humidity, and static pressure sensors are disposed throughout the filter packages. The controller uses the temperature, humidity, and static pressure sensor signal data to characterize a two dimensional density field through the chamber. The controller combines the flow field with the density field to calculate a two dimensional air mass flow field. |
| US09938975B2 |
Scroll compressor including seal with axial length that is greater than radial width
A scroll compressor 10 may include an orbiting scroll having an orbiting scroll wall extending axially from an orbiting scroll plate towards a fixed scroll; a fixed scroll having a fixed scroll wall extending axially from a fixed scroll plate towards the orbiting scroll; and an axially extending drive shaft having an eccentric shaft portion so that rotation of the eccentric shaft portion imparts an orbiting motion to the orbiting scroll relative to the fixed scroll. An axial end portion of the orbiting scroll wall has a first seal for sealing between the orbiting scroll wall and the fixed scroll plate, and an axial end portion of the fixed scroll wall has a second seal for sealing between the fixed scroll wall and the orbiting scroll plate; and the first seal or the second seal has an aspect ratio of axial length to radial width which is 1.25:1 or greater. |
| US09938966B2 |
Pump control system and method
A zero turn mower vehicle 10 includes left and right hydrostatic transmissions 11a, 11b driving wheels 15a, 15b. The transmissions 11a, 11b each include a swashplate type axial piston hydraulic pump 17 having a swashplate 22. A system 12 and method controls each pump 17. A controller 31 receives input signals and provides output signals to electric motors 33a, 33b to control each swashplate 22. Operator interface input devices 30a, 30b provide inputs to controller 31. Angle sensors 35a, 35b provide additional inputs to controller 31. Displacement amplifiers 36a, 36b amplify displacement of each swashplate 22, and torque amplifiers 34a, 34b amplify torque of electric motors 33a, 33b. |
| US09938965B2 |
Batteryless activity monitor
An apparatus includes at least one base layer arranged as a substrate for printed electronics; an energy harvester printed on the at least one base layer and arranged to transform kinetic energy into electric energy; an energy storage printed on the at least one base layer, coupled to the energy harvester, and arranged to store the electric energy; a display element printed on the at least one base layer, coupled to the energy storage, and arranged to provide a display view to a user of the apparatus; and a control circuitry configured to determine the amount of the electric energy stored in the energy storage and to control the display element to update the display view according to the amount of the electric energy. A method and a computer program product for controlling manufacturing of the apparatus are also disclosed. |
| US09938964B2 |
Wind turbine having a measuring device
The invention relates to a wind turbine having at least one measuring device for measuring deformations of an elongated component of the wind turbine, such as a tower or a rotor blade. The measuring device is part of a transmitting/receiving device with a remotely arranged reflector device, is mounted in a bracket, and has adjusting devices for precise adjustment and alignment of the measuring device relative to the bracket. The adjusting device has a cam rotation device at the bearing point of the adjusting device. The cam rotation device has, at every bearing point, a cam disc with an adjusting wheel, at least one ball disc with an associated ball socket and a clamping screw. The invention also relates to a method for adjusting and aligning a measuring device of the wind turbine, wherein the measuring device is aligned in the horizontal and vertical direction by rotating the cam rotation device. |
| US09938963B2 |
Power generation from atmospheric air pressure
An apparatus and method is provided for generating net energy by converting the natural pressure of atmospheric air into kinetic energy, which is then converted to mechanical energy by a turbine, which can then be converted to electric energy through a generator. The method relies on natural physical phenomena such as Entrainment, Inducement and the Venturi Effect to increase the mass and velocity of air flowing through an enclosed chamber without increasing the amount of energy consumed to increase the air flow mass and velocity. A turbine-generator apparatus connected to the chamber is driven by the air flow to generate electric power which is greater than the power consumed to generate the initial air flow. Power is generated through extraction of kinetic energy from natural atmospheric air pressure energy. |
| US09938962B2 |
Method for controlling a wind turbine
A wind turbine is disclosed. The wind turbine includes comprising an inflatable portion comprising one or more blades and a device for rotatably driving the inflatable portion at a predetermined rate for a predetermined time. |
| US09938960B2 |
Wind turbine—floating platform assembly and method for orienting said assembly description
The invention allows orientation of the platform (1) in order to obtain conditions of maximum efficiency in the wind turbine (16). It comprises first sensors (8) for detecting an effective rotation axis angle (δ) formed between the rotation axis (2) and a horizontal plane (24); second sensors (9) for detecting wind direction (23); platform orientation means (11) for modifying the effective rotation axis angle (δ); and at least one control unit (12) adapted for receiving a first input (13) from the first sensors (8) and a second input (14) from the second sensors (9) and, based on said inputs (13, 14), transmitting orders to the platform orientation means (11) and yaw mechanism. |
| US09938951B1 |
Deterrence of ignition of a vehicle engine when a fuel nozzle is in a fuel intake area
Methods, apparatus, and computer readable media are disclosed for deterrence of ignition of a vehicle engine ignition when a fuel nozzle is in a fuel intake area. An example vehicle includes a fuel intake area, a camera, and a processor. The example processor, in response to an ignition switch being in an on-position, is to detect, via the camera, whether a fuel nozzle is in the fuel intake area. The example processor is to deter ignition of a vehicle engine when the fuel nozzle is in the fuel intake area. |
| US09938948B2 |
Fluid injection assembly for a combustion engine
A fluid injection assembly for a combustion engine includes an injector body having a notch, an injector cup, which radially encloses an axial end of the injector body and has a projecting part, and a spring clip arranged between the injector body and the injector cup. The spring clip includes a ground plate, at least one spring element, and at least one holding element engaging behind the projecting part of the injector cup. The ground plate is arranged in the notch of the injector body. The injector body and the injector cup are coupled together by the spring clip by mechanical interaction via the projecting part and the notch, respectively. |
| US09938947B2 |
Decoupling element for a fuel injection device
A decoupling element is described for a fuel injection device which is characterized in particular by a low-noise design. The fuel injection device includes at least one fuel injector, a receiving bore in a cylinder head for the fuel injector, and the decoupling element between a valve housing of the fuel injector and a wall of the receiving bore. The decoupling element is designed as a decoupling system having a spring ring and a conical washer. The fuel injection device is suitable for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of a mixture-compressing spark-ignition internal combustion engine in particular. |
| US09938945B2 |
Tappet
A plunger (1) for a high-pressure fuel pump is proposed, having a housing (2) which is similar to a tube and in the drive-side annular face (3) of which two flats (5) lie diametrically opposite one another which are indented from an outer shell (4) of the housing (2) and in which a pin (7) is mounted which supports a roller, wherein an inner shell (8) of the housing (2) is penetrated axially below the roller by a separate bridge piece (9), the lower face (10) of which acts as a rest for a pump piston in the case of an output-side annular face (11) of the housing (2), wherein the bridge piece (9) is fixed against rotation about an axial line of the housing (2) and is configured as a thick-walled longitudinal beam, with the result that an area (13) in the manner of a cylindrical segment remains between the longitudinal walls (12) of said longitudinal beam and the inner shell (8) of the housing (2), wherein, in order to fix the bridge piece (9) against rotation about the axial line of the housing (2), in the circumferential section of the inner shell (8) of the housing (2), in a first transverse wall (14) of the bridge piece (9), at least one projection (15) protrudes from one of the components (8, 14), which projection (15) is seated in a respectively complementary recess (16) of the respective other one of the components (14, 8). |
| US09938942B2 |
Fuel supply system
A fuel supply system includes a fuel pump having a bottom inlet end configured to pick up fuel and a top discharge end configured to discharge fuel at a pressure higher than that of the inlet end. A housing defines a pressure vessel in fluid communication with the discharge end of the fuel pump. The fuel pump is secured with respect to the housing so that the pressure vessel is laterally adjacent the fuel pump and the pressure vessel and the fuel pump have overlapping heights. Exactly one check valve is positioned between the discharge end of the fuel pump and the pressure vessel, and the check valve is spaced laterally away from the discharge end of the fuel pump at an inlet to the pressure vessel. |
| US09938940B2 |
Intake manifold
An intake manifold assembly has one or more shells coupled together and coupled to a cover. When the manifold cover, or other exterior surface, is rounded, the manifold does not sit stably on a flat surface when the rounded surface is placed onto the flat surface. The manifold may roll off a table and be damaged. To mitigate such situation, the rounded surface is provided with at least two standoffs extending outwardly from a surface of the cover with distal ends of the standoffs substantially lying in a common plane. The standoffs have a central axis and the standoffs extend outwardly from the surface along the central axis at least as far as any other feature of the intake manifold assembly. |
| US09938939B2 |
Air flow measuring device
An air flow measuring device includes a sensor assembly including a sensor portion and a sensor circuit, which are integrated with each other and configured to measure an air flow quantity. A thermistor is equipped independently from the sensor assembly and configured to measure an air temperature. The sensor circuit of the sensor assembly is equipped to a grounding end terminal in the sensor assembly. One lead wire of the thermistor is joined electrically with the grounding end terminal in the sensor assembly. |
| US09938937B2 |
Oil mist separator
A separator unit of an oil mist separator comprises a front unit including a perforated plate and a plurality of holding studs extending rearward from the perforated plate, a rear unit placed behind the perforated plate and including a base plate that is to be intimately put on a rear surface of the perforated plate and has an opening sized to permit insertion of the holding studs of the front unit, a plurality of connecting studs extending rearward from the base plate and an impinge plate held by leading ends of the connecting studs, and a fiber material piece put on the impinge plate, wherein when the front unit is coupled with the rear unit having the holding studs inserted through the opening of the base plate, the fiber material piece is sandwiched between the leading ends of the holding studs and the impinge plate. |
| US09938933B2 |
Fuel system for a combustion engine
A fuel system includes an air and fuel mixer configured to mix air and fuel provided to a combustion engine and a fuel path coupled to the air and fuel mixer. The fuel path includes an electronically controlled fuel control valve configured to regulate an air to fuel ratio of an air/fuel mixture provided to the engine, a gas pressure regulator disposed upstream of the fuel control valve and configured to control a pressure of the fuel in relation to an air pressure of the air and fuel mixer, and a manual adjust valve disposed downstream of the gas pressure regulator and configured to mechanically tune a performance of the fuel path to minimize an adjustment by the electronically controlled fuel control valve to regulate the air to fuel ratio. The fuel system is configured to operate with different fuels that differ in physical and chemical properties. |
| US09938932B2 |
Carburetor with single diaphragm for supplying and metering fuel
A carburetor includes a body with an air intake path, a fuel pump and a fuel pressure regulator. The fuel pump and fuel pressure regulator are positioned on the same side of the body. A fuel pump and metering chamber diaphragm is sandwiched between the body of the carburetor and a pump body and cover. The diaphragm separates a pump chamber from a pulse chamber of the fuel pump and separates a fuel chamber from an air chamber in the fuel pressure regulator. Inlet and outlet flapper valves are part of the diaphragm or a separate flapper valve member positioned between the body and the diaphragm. |
| US09938930B2 |
Composite wear pad for exhaust nozzle
A composite wear pad for being coupled to a slider block of a convergent nozzle of a gas turbine engine includes a high heat capacity composite having a resin and a plurality of carbon fibers bonded together by the resin. The composite wear pad also includes a first rod coupled to the high heat capacity composite at a first axial end of the composite wear pad such that a first end thickness. The composite wear pad also includes a second rod coupled to the high heat capacity composite at a second axial end of the composite wear pad such that the first axial end and the second axial end of the composite wear pad each have an end thickness that is greater than a middle thickness of the composite wear pad. |
| US09938925B2 |
Cylinder liner with chamfer and anti-polishing cuff
A cylinder liner assembly for inclusion in the cylinder bore of an internal combustion engine includes a sleeve-like cylinder liner and an anti-polishing ring to scrape combustion deposits from a piston reciprocally movable along an axis line of the cylinder liner. A fire dam may axially protrude from a first liner end of the cylinder liner and may have an obliquely angled chamfer disposed therein circumscribing the axis line. To locate the anti-polishing ring proximate to the top land of the piston when at the top dead center position, the anti-polishing ring can include a cuff header disposed at the first cuff end that is generally triangular and has an angled undercut corresponding to the obliquely angled chamfer. When mated, the chamfer and angled undercut abut against each other. |
| US09938916B2 |
System and method for adjusting control parameters of an onboard control device in an automotive vehicle
This system is used for adjusting the control parameters of an onboard electronic control device of an automotive vehicle in view of a journey or type of journey. This system includes a computation arrangement adapted to generate a set of control parameters to be used by the electronic control device and an input arrangement adapted to allow a user to provide the computation arrangement with data relating to the journey or type of journey and to at least one constraint to be considered as having priority during the journey or type of journey. In the method of the invention, one collects data with respect to the vehicle, to the journey or type of journey and to the constraint to be considered as having priority. These data are provided to the computation arrangement which generate a set of control parameters for the control device. |
| US09938911B2 |
Method of operating an internal combustion engine with a turbocharger based on change in gas flow quantity over time
The present disclosure relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car having a turbocharger with a compressor and a turbine. The method includes determining a change quantity of a gas flow quantity of a gas flow through the internal combustion engine and regulating the compressor based on this change quantity. |
| US09938910B2 |
Modeling oil dilution using a multicomponent model
A method for determining the composition of a fuel in a lubricant in an internal combustion engine in disclosed. The composition of a fuel having at least a first portion of a first fuel component and a second portion of a second fuel component is predefined. The mass flow with which the fuel is introduced into the lubricant in an introduction phase or discharged from the lubricant and from the housing in a discharge phase is determined. The composition of the mass flow is determined from a first mass flow of the first fuel component and a second mass flow of the second fuel component, which are determined based on a) an introduction parameter in the introduction phase or a discharge parameter in the discharge phase, and b) the first portion of the first fuel component and the second portion of the second fuel component in the fuel. |
| US09938908B2 |
System and method for predicting a pedal position based on driver behavior and controlling one or more engine actuators based on the predicted pedal position
A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a pedal position prediction module and an engine actuator control module. The pedal position prediction module predicts a pedal position at a future time based on driver behavior and vehicle driving conditions. The pedal position includes at least one of an accelerator pedal position and a brake pedal position. The engine actuator control module controls an actuator of an engine based on the predicted pedal position. |
| US09938907B2 |
Method and engine brake system to control an engine brake of a vehicle
A method and system to control an engine brake of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle is provided with a combustion engine having cylinders, an exhaust pressure governor (EPG) regulating the air flow out of the cylinders, an intake air throttle valve (ITV) regulating the air flow into the cylinders, pressure sensing means for sensing a pressure downstream of the cylinders, wherein an engine braking torque can be regulated in two different engine braking modes (a, b), ⋅a first engine braking mode (a), in which the air flow through the EPG is regulated by a closed loop control using the pressure downstream of the cylinders and the ITV is regulated in a feed forward control dependent of the engine speed and a demanded brake torque; ⋅a second engine braking mode (b), in which the EPG is regulated in a feed forward control dependent of the engine speed and the demanded brake torque, and the ITV regulates the braking torque by a closed loop control using the pressure downstream of the cylinders. |
| US09938901B2 |
Attachment pylon for a turbine engine
A pylon for attaching a turbine engine, the pylon configured to connect the engine to a structural element of an aircraft. The pylon includes a streamlined profile defined by two opposite lateral faces and defined longitudinally between a leading edge and a trailing edge. On each of its lateral faces the pylon includes a series of deflectors that are transversely spaced apart from one another and that define between them convergent and curved channels configured to accelerate air streams flowing within the channels on aircraft takeoff or in flight to deflect the air streams towards a jet of the engine. |
| US09938899B2 |
Hot gas path component having cast-in features for near wall cooling
A hot gas path component includes a substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface of the substrate defines at least one interior space. At least a portion of the outer surface of the substrate includes a recess formed therein. The recess includes a bottom surface and a groove extending at least partially along the bottom surface of the recess. A cover is disposed within the recess and covers at least a portion of the groove. The groove is configured to channel a cooling fluid therethrough to cool the cover. |
| US09938894B2 |
Turbocharger with variable-vane turbine nozzle having a bypass mechanism integrated with the vanes
A turbocharger includes a variable turbine nozzle defined between a nozzle ring and a pipe flange, and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes rotatably mounted on the nozzle ring such that the vanes are pivotable. Each vane includes an airfoil section and a disk section rigidly affixed to an end of the airfoil section, the disk section being disposed against a face of the pipe flange, each disk section having a plurality of perforations extending axially therethrough. The pipe flange has a corresponding number of holes for each disk section of the vanes, the holes being positioned such that as each vane is rotated the perforations in the disk sections and the holes in the pipe flange of the insert become aligned in some positions of the vanes, allowing exhaust gas to pass between the nozzle and a space on an opposite side of the pipe flange from the nozzle. |
| US09938892B2 |
Internal combustion engine and controller for the same
An internal combustion engine includes an exhaust manifold, a main exhaust passage, an auxiliary exhaust passage, a communicating passage, a first switching mechanism, and a second switching mechanism. The main exhaust passage is connected to the exhaust manifold. The auxiliary exhaust passage is connected to the main exhaust passage. The communicating passage connects with the main exhaust passage and the auxiliary exhaust passage. The first switching mechanism switches a communication state of the exhaust manifold among a first state, a second state, and a third state. The second switching mechanism switches a communication state of the communicating passage with the main exhaust passage among a fourth state, a fifth state, and a sixth state. |
| US09938890B2 |
Uniflow two-stroke engine
A uniflow two-stroke engine includes: a cylinder receiving a piston such that the piston can reciprocate therein and defining a combustion chamber above the piston; an exhaust port having one end in communication with an upper end portion of the cylinder; a scavenging port having a scavenging orifice at one end, the scavenging orifice being in communication with a lower part of a side portion of the cylinder such that the scavenging port is selectively brought into communication with and shut off from the combustion chamber by the piston; and an exhaust gas recirculation passage having one end in communication with a part of the side portion of the cylinder above the scavenging port and the other end in communication with the scavenging port such that the exhaust gas recirculation passage is selectively brought into communication with and shut off from the combustion chamber by the piston. |
| US09938885B2 |
Manifold for an engine assembly
An engine assembly includes a turbocharger and a fluid conduit. The fluid conduit is thermally coupled to the turbocharger such that the coolant flowing through the fluid conduit can extract heat from the turbocharger. The engine assembly includes a surge tank and an engine head defining a coolant gallery. Further, the engine assembly includes an exhaust manifold integrated with the engine head. The coolant gallery is thermally coupled to the exhaust manifold such that the coolant can extract heat from the exhaust manifold. The engine assembly further includes a coolant manifold in fluid communication with the fluid conduit and the coolant gallery. The coolant manifold defines a venting orifice in fluid communication with the surge tank. Further, the coolant manifold defines a joint passageway in fluid communication with the fluid conduit. Moreover, the coolant manifold defines an interconnection passageway fluidly interconnecting the joint passageway and the coolant gallery. |
| US09938883B2 |
Method and device for operating an engine compartment fan for a motor vehicle
A method for operating an engine compartment fan for an engine compartment of a motor vehicle, in which at least one component, in particular for the drive of the motor vehicle, is situated, including the following: ascertaining a present engine compartment temperature as a function of a thermal energy input into the engine compartment and a thermal energy discharge out of the engine compartment; and activating the engine compartment fan as a function of the ascertained present engine compartment temperature. |
| US09938873B2 |
Muffler for automobile
A muffler for an exhaust system of a gas combustion engine, which comprises a muffler body (14) connected to an exhaust pipe inlet (10a), an exhaust pipe outlet (11a) to the tailpipe connected to the muffler body (14), and adjacent baffles (23, 24) within the muffler body (14), characterized in that the exhaust pipe inlet (10a), the exhaust pipe outlet (11 a) and the adjacent baffles (23, 24) are in line without significant restriction to gas exhaust flow and having baffle openings (21, 22) and baffle louver openings (18b, 19b) to the central muffler chamber (17), whereby the central muffler chamber route (17) is generally a straight line from the exhaust inlet pipe (10a) to the exhaust pipe outlet (11a). |
| US09938872B2 |
Muffler insert, and systems, methods and apparatus for making
Sound-attenuating mufflers and muffler inserts, and systems and methods for fabricating such muffler inserts. Continuous fiberglass roving is fed to a pneumatic jet head which fluffs the roving and presents the fluffed roving to a delivery wand at the exit end of the jet head. A jet head/wand assembly is moved along a three-dimensional path such that the wand delivery tip travels along a predetermined three-dimensional path inside a mold thereby depositing the continuous, fluffed fiberglass strands in the mold along the predetermined path. A terminal end portion of a liquid resin conduit is mounted to the fiberglass-dispensing wand, as part of the delivery tip, and drip-feeds liquid resin onto the fiberglass as the fiberglass is being deposited in the mold. The undulating, up and down movement of the delivery tip produces a wave-like undulating pattern in the appearance of the rovings in the resulting molded product. |
| US09938870B2 |
Exhaust gas muffler
An exhaust gas muffler of an internal combustion engine, including a muffler housing having an exhaust gas inlet and an exhaust gas outlet and including a first Helmholtz resonator made of a first housing portion that delimits a first Helmholtz volume and includes a first coupling pipe. At least one second Helmholtz resonator is provided made of a second housing portion that delimits a second Helmholtz volume and includes a second coupling pipe via which the second Helmholtz volume can be coupled to an exhaust gas flow A of the exhaust gas inlet. The second coupling pipe is arranged at least partly within the first coupling pipe, and both coupling pipes delimit an annular gap R via which the first Helmholtz volume can be coupled to the exhaust gas flow A. |
| US09938866B2 |
Device for supplying lubricant to a lubrication point in a machine
A device for supplying lubricant to a lubrication point in a machine, a tunnel boring machine, for example, includes a lubrication pump unit and a control unit. The lubrication pump unit is configured to supply a quantity of the lubricant to the lubrication point, and the control unit is configured to regulate the quantity of lubricant based on a sensor measurement signal. The sensor measurement signal may be based on a temperature measured in a region of the lubrication point, a pressure measured in a region of the lubrication point, a measured viscosity of the lubricant, a measured dielectricity of the lubricant, a measured water content of the lubricant, a vibration intensity measured at a part of the machine, or a measured rotational speed of a part of the machine. |
| US09938862B2 |
Dual feed hydraulic lash adjuster with integrated de-aeration restriction
A switching hydraulic fluid gallery de-aeration arrangement for a switchable valve arrangement is disclosed. A housing for a hydraulic lash adjuster assembly is positioned in a bore of a cylinder head. The housing includes a first, hydraulic lash adjuster fluid port in a first annular groove, and a second switching hydraulic fluid port in a second annular groove. A top land and a bottom land are positioned next to the annular grooves and each have a primary outer diameter. A middle land is defined axially between the grooves. The middle land has a reduced outer diameter relative to the primary outer diameter, or the bore has an annular groove between the top and bottom lands that defines a restricted flow path between a hydraulic lash adjuster fluid gallery and a switching hydraulic fluid gallery that maintains hydraulic fluid in the switching hydraulic fluid gallery. |
| US09938861B2 |
Fuel combusting method
The present techniques are directed to systems and a method for combusting a fuel in a gas turbine. An exemplary method includes providing a fuel to a combustor on a gas turbine, providing an oxidant to the combustor, and combusting the fuel and the oxidant in the combustor to produce an exhaust gas. At least a portion of the exhaust gas is passed through a water-gas shifting catalyst to form a low CO content product gas. |
| US09938860B2 |
Handling device
A handling device is provided for handling a burner of a stationary gas turbine during assembly and disassembly, including a base body having at least one contact surface designed to contact a rear end surface of a burner, fixing means for fixing the base body to the rear end surface of the burner, and two arms fixed to and protruding from the base body to different sides of the contact surface, wherein each arm is provided with receiving means, which are designed for removably receiving a fixing component of a lifting appliance and which are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of a burner during its handling. |
| US09938859B2 |
Integral, enclosed foreign material exclusion device
Foreign material exclusion devices adapted to be positioned in a construction, for example a tube or pipe to temporarily seal off one side of the construction from another. The device includes a resilient body surrounded by an enclosure that substantially conforms to the shape of the body. At least one internal support component aids in connecting the enclosure to the body and provided reliable, consistent alignment between the body and enclosure. |
| US09938857B2 |
Quick change insert
An insert for a component of a gas turbine is provided. The insert includes an insert portion and a retaining element such that the insert portion is retained by the retaining element so that movement of the insert portion relative to the retaining element is prevented. Additionally, a gas turbine component including the insert is provided as well as a method for inserting the insert into a gas turbine component. |
| US09938856B2 |
Tool for fitting an inner bearing race carrying a bearing cage and screws for retaining in a turbomachine
The disclosure relates to a tool for fitting an inner bearing race carrying a bearing cage and rollers and screws in a turbomachine, comprising two sectored cylindrical casings which respectively cover an upstream end part of the race and the bearing cage, a cylindrical annulus which surrounds the second casing, and a locking ring which is fitted on an upstream part of the first casing and which has means for axially pressing against the annulus and for axially clamping the second casing between the annulus and the heads of the screws carried by the flange. |
| US09938850B2 |
Electrical generation arrangement for an aircraft
This invention relates to a multi-spool gas turbine engine, including: a first generator for providing electrical power to an electrical system, the generator being driveably connected to a first spool; a second generator for providing electrical power to the electrical system, the generator being driveably connected to a second spool; a disconnection device for disconnecting the second generator from the second spool; and, a controller configured to selectively operate the disconnection device under predetermined powered engine conditions. |