US09171782B2
Some implementations provide a semiconductor device (e.g., die) that includes a substrate, several metal layers and dielectric layers coupled to the substrate, a pad coupled to one of the plurality of metal layers, a first metal redistribution layer coupled to the pad, and a second metal redistribution layer coupled to the first metal redistribution layer. The second metal redistribution layer includes a cobalt tungsten phosphorous material. In some implementations, the first metal redistribution layer is a copper layer. In some implementations, the semiconductor device further includes a first underbump metallization (UBM) layer and a second underbump metallization (UBM) layer.
US09171778B2
A method and a semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device includes a partial via etched in a stacked structure and a trough above the partial via. The method includes performing thick wiring using selective etching while etching the partial via to an etch stop layer.
US09171776B2
A semiconductor cooling device includes: a cooling medium flow channel, through which a cooling medium for cooling a semiconductor chip flows; a laminar flow section which is provided in a region upstream of the cooling medium flow channel and allows the cooling medium to flow in the form of laminar flow; and a turbulent flow section which is provided in a region downstream of the laminar flow section in the cooling medium flow channel and allows the cooling medium, which flows in the form of laminar flow from the laminar flow section, to flow in the form of turbulent flow.
US09171767B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a circuit region where a circuit element is formed, a multilayer wiring layer that is formed on the substrate and composed of a plurality of wiring layers and a plurality of via layers that are laminated, and an electrode pad that is formed on the multilayer wiring layer. An interlayer insulating film is formed in a region of a first wiring layer that is a top layer of the plurality of wiring layers, in the region the electrode pad and the first circuit region overlapping each other in a planar view of the electrode pad.
US09171766B2
A lead frame strip includes a plurality of connected unit lead frames. Each unit lead frame has a die paddle for attaching to a semiconductor die, a tie bar connecting the die paddle to a periphery of the unit lead frame, and a plurality of leads projecting from the periphery toward the die paddle. The lead frame strip further includes a support member patterned into or connected to the periphery of each unit lead frame at a proximal end and bent into a different plane than the leads so that a distal end of each support member is disposed above or below the leads and projects toward the die paddles. The distal end of the support members can be anchored in a mold compound encapsulating electronic components attached to the die paddles, to maintain structural integrity during lead frame strip testing prior to unit lead frame separation.
US09171763B2
An improved semiconductor is provided whereby n-grade and the p-top layers are defined by a series of discretely placed n-type and p-type diffusion segments. Also provided are methods for fabricating such a semiconductor.
US09171756B2
A method of three-dimensionally integrating elements such as singulated die or wafers and an integrated structure having connected elements such as singulated dies or wafers. Either or both of the die and wafer may have semiconductor devices formed therein. A first element having a first contact structure is bonded to a second element having a second contact structure. First and second contact structures can be exposed at bonding and electrically interconnected as a result of the bonding. A via may be etched and filled after bonding to expose and form an electrical interconnect to interconnected first and second contact structures and provide electrical access to this interconnect from a surface. Alternatively, first and/or second contact structures are not exposed at bonding, and a via is etched and filled after bonding to electrically interconnect first and second contact structures and provide electrical access to interconnected first and second contact structure to a surface. Also, a device may be formed in a first substrate, the device being disposed in a device region of the first substrate and having a first contact structure. A via may be etched, or etched and filled, through the device region and into the first substrate before bonding and the first substrate thinned to expose the via, or filled via after bonding.
US09171752B1
One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, forming first, second and third fins that are arranged side-by-side, forming a recessed layer of insulating material in a plurality of trenches, after recessing the layer of insulating material, masking the first and second fins while exposing a portion of the axial length of the second fin, removing the exposed portion of the second fin so as to thereby define a cavity in the recessed layer of insulating material, forming an SDB isolation structure in the cavity, wherein the SDB isolation structure has an upper surface that is positioned above the recessed upper surface of the recessed layer of insulating material, removing the masking layer, and forming a gate structure for a transistor above the SDB isolation structure.
US09171750B2
A method of forming an electrically conductive buried line and an electrical contact thereto includes forming of a longitudinally elongated conductive line within a trench in substrate material. A longitudinal end part thereof within the trench is of spoon-like shape having a receptacle. The receptacle is filled with conductive material. Insulative material is formed over the conductive material that is within the receptacle. A contact opening is formed over the conductive material that is within the receptacle. Conductor material is formed in the contact opening in electrical connection with the second conductive material that is within the receptacle. Other method and device implementations are disclosed.
US09171741B2
A method for fabricating a packaging substrate includes: providing a carrier having a first metal layer and a second metal layer formed on the first metal layer; forming a first circuit layer on the second metal layer and forming a separating portion on an edge of the second metal layer such that the separating portion is spaced from the first circuit layer; forming a dielectric layer on the second metal layer and the first circuit layer such that the first circuit layer and the separating portion are embedded in the dielectric layer and portions of the dielectric layer are formed between the first circuit layer and the separating portion; forming a second circuit layer on the dielectric layer; and applying forces on the separating portion so as to remove the first metal layer and the carrier, thereby maintaining the integrity of the first circuit layer.
US09171739B1
An integrated circuit packaging system, and a method of manufacture thereof, including: a patterned first conductive plating; a molding on the patterned first conductive plating; a through via through the molding; a second conductive plating on the molding and the through via; a protection layer partially covering the first conductive plating, the second conductive plating and the molding; a device on the first conductive plating; and an external connector being attached to the second conductive plating.
US09171732B1
A method for manufacturing a thin film transistor according to the present disclosure may include the following steps of: performing a two-step etching on an active layer such that part of the active layer is consistent with a source-drain electrode layer, and etching the active layer within a photoresist-removed-area to form an active layer tail; ashing a photoresist layer such that a contour of the photoresist layer is consistent with that of the source-drain electrode layer; further etching the source-drain electrode layer to form a source-drain electrode layer pattern including a source electrode and a drain electrode, and etching off a doped semiconductor layer between the source electrode and the drain electrode, and meanwhile etching off the active layer tail.
US09171721B2
Techniques are described for directly bonding different substrates together. In some examples, a technique includes placing a first surface of a first substrate in contact with a second surface of a second substrate to directly bond the first substrate to the second substrate at a contact location. The contact location is defined where at least a portion of the first surface of the first substrate contacts at least a portion of the second surface of the second substrate. The technique may also include directing a laser beam on at least a portion of the contact location to strengthen the direct bond between the first substrate and the second substrate. In this manner, a direct bond may be heated with localized laser energy to strengthen the direct bond. Localized laser energy may create a strong direct bond while minimizing thermal defects in regions proximate the direct bond.
US09171720B2
Methods of treating the surface of a metal-containing hardmask used in the manufacture of semiconductors by contacting the hardmask surface with a composition capable of adjusting the water contact angle so as to substantially match that of subsequently applied organic coatings are provided.
US09171718B2
Methods of preparing a clean surface of germanium tin or silicon germanium tin layers for subsequent deposition are provided. An overlayer of Ge, doped Ge, another GeSn or SiGeSn layer, a doped GeSn or SiGeSn layer, an insulator, or a metal can be deposited on a prepared GeSn or SiGeSn layer by positioning a substrate with an exposed germanium tin or silicon germanium tin layer in a processing chamber, heating the processing chamber and flowing a halide gas into the processing chamber to etch the surface of the substrate using either thermal or plasma assisted etching followed by depositing an overlayer on the substantially oxide free and contaminant free surface. Methods can also include the placement and etching of a sacrificial layer, a thermal clean using rapid thermal annealing, or a process in a plasma of nitrogen trifluoride and ammonia gas.
US09171714B2
Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are described herein. A vacuum multi-chamber deposition tool can include a degas chamber with both a heating mechanism and a variable frequency microwave source. A method for degassing a substrate can include positioning a substrate comprising a polymer or an epoxy within a processing chamber maintained between a degas temperature and a glass transition temperature, exposing the substrate to variable frequency microwave radiation, exposing the substrate to a plasma comprising an inert gas, removing oxygen containing compounds from the chamber, raising the pressure of inert gas in the chamber, and maintaining the pressure of inert gas while cooling the substrate to a temperature lower than the degas temperature.
US09171704B2
A mass spectrometer of reduced size and weight is provided which is capable to conduct highly accurate mass spectroscopy. The mass spectrometer includes an ion source adapted to ionize gas flowing in from outside in order to ionize a measurement sample and a mass spectroscopy section for separating the ionized measurement sample. The ion source has its interior reduced in pressure by differential pumping from the mass spectroscopy section and ionizes the gas when the interior pressure rises as it inhales the gas, and the mass spectroscopy section separates the ionized measurement sample when its interior pressure falls after inhale of the gas. The mass spectrometer may further include a restriction device for suppressing a flow rate of the gas the ion source inhales and an open/close device for opening and closing a flow of the gas the ion source inhales.
US09171697B2
The present invention provides apparatus for an imaging system comprising a multitude of imaging elements upon a substrate. In some embodiments the substrate may be approximately round with a radius of approximately one inch. Various methods relating to using and producing an imaging system are discussed.
US09171696B2
Orientation imaging using wide angle convergent beam diffraction in transmission electron microscopy
Methods of orientation imaging microscopy (OIM) techniques generally performed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for nanomaterials using dynamical theory is presented. Methods disclosed may use a wide angle convergent beam electron diffraction for performing OIM by generating a diffraction pattern having at least three diffraction discs that may provide additional information that is not available otherwise.
US09171693B2
An X-ray window including a primary and a secondary window element. In order to evaporate debris by ohmic heating, current flows through the secondary (upstream) window element. Meanwhile, electric charge originating from electron irradiation and/or depositing charged particles is to be drained off the window element. To prevent large debris particles from short-circuiting the window element and changing the desired heating pattern, the current for heating the window element flows through a layer which is insulated from the charge-drain layer.
US09171689B2
A method for making carbon nanotube field emitter includes providing a carbon nanotube array formed on a surface of a substrate. A plurality of carbon nanotubes of the carbon nanotube array is selected and pulled out a carbon nanotube film by a drawing tool, wherein the carbon nanotube film includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes oriented along a fixed direction. The carbon nanotube film is cut to a plurality of uniform carbon nanotube sub-films along the fixed direction. The plurality of carbon nanotube sub-films is treated to a plurality of carbon nanotube yarns. The plurality of carbon nanotube yarns is fixed on a surface of a conductive base, and cutting off the plurality of carbon nanotube yarns by a laser beam, to form a carbon nanotube field emitter.
US09171688B2
Devices for use in cold-field emission and methods of forming the device are generally presented. In one example, a method may include providing a conductive base, dispersing carbon-filled acrylic onto the conductive base to form a conductive film, coupling a copper plate to a first side of the conductive film, and irradiating the conductive film. The method may further include dispersing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on a second side of the conductive film to form a substantially uniform layer of CNTs, removing excess CNTs from the second side, and curing the conductive film. In one example, a device may include a polycarbonate base, a layer of carbon-filled acrylic on one side of the polycarbonate base and a layer of irradiated carbon-filled acrylic on the other, a copper plate coupled to the carbon-filled acrylic, and a substantially uniform layer of randomly aligned CNTs dispersed on the irradiated carbon-filled acrylic.
US09171686B2
A bistable electric switch is described. The switch has as actuators a pair of opposing SMA wires acting on a drive element integral with a snap-action spring so as to toggle the snap-action spring between two stable positions corresponding to two operating positions of the switch, the drive element being shorter than the distance existing between the two opposing SMA wires when one of the SMA wires is contracted and the other SMA wire is uncontracted. The entire force exerted by the activated SMA wire is used to overcome the resistance of the snap-action spring.
US09171680B2
The present invention is directed to a nanoelectromechanical (NEM) switch comprising two electrodes (12, 18), wherein: at least one (18) of the electrodes comprises an active layer (10) thereon; and at least one (12) of the electrodes is movable along a given direction (z), from a: non-contact position to a contact position where one of the electrodes contacts the other one (18) of the electrodes, at the level of a contact point (P); and the active layer exhibits a conductive pathway (16), which pathway: extends along said given direction (z) to enable electrical conduction from one of the electrodes to the other one of the electrodes in the contact position; and is confined to a given region (R1) of the active layer, the region having nanoscale dimensions in a sectional plane (x, y) perpendicular to the given direction. The present invention is further directed to related devices, systems and methods.
US09171665B2
An integrated inductor assembly is provided. The integrated inductor assembly includes a magnetic core, a first inductor, and a second inductor. The magnetic core has a first side, an opposing second side, and an opening defined within the magnetic core. The opening extends into the magnetic core from at least one of the first side and the second side. The first inductor includes a first conductive winding inductively coupled to the magnetic core. The first conductive winding includes a first shorting segment positioned within the opening. The second inductor includes a second conductive winding inductively coupled to the magnetic core. The second conductive winding includes a second shorting segment positioned within the opening. The first and second inductors are configurable to operate independently of one another.
US09171664B2
An induction coil of a touch input device provided in the present invention includes a ribbon cable and a coupling device. The ribbon cable is disposed on a plane, and the ribbon cable has a first terminal and a second terminal and has a plurality of wires. The ribbon cable defines a sensing region on the plane by a plurality of bends. The coupling device is utilized to couple the wires at the first terminal and the second terminal such that the wires form a circuit with a plurality of turns wound by a single conducting wire. A touch input device is further provided in the present invention.
US09171658B2
A flat-conductor connection element for an antenna structure is described. The flat-conductor connection element is arranged in or on a pane and has: a flat conductor with a base layer, a conductor track, a first dielectric layer, a shield, and a second dielectric layer and a metal frame.
US09171657B2
The invention relates to a composition comprising mica and glass, said glass comprising: 10 to 30 mol % of SiO2 5 to 40 mol % of BaO 15 to 30 mol % of B2O3, the sum of the concentrations of zinc oxide, alkali metal oxide and alkaline earth oxide in the glass extending from 15 to 65 mol %. This composition is intended to be molded at a temperature above the Tg of the glass so as to form composite parts that can serve as an electrical insulator.
US09171648B2
An improved method of replacing at least a portion of a shroud apparatus of a BWR includes forming a cut in the shroud and removing at least a portion of the shroud apparatus that is adjacent the cut from a remaining portion of the shroud apparatus. The method also includes positioning a replacement shroud system adjacent the remaining portion of the original shroud apparatus and connecting a plurality of removable fastening devices between the new replacement shroud system and the remaining portion of the original shroud apparatus. The replacement shroud system thus can, in the future, be readily replaced by detaching the removable fastening devices, removing the replacement shroud system, and installing a new replacement shroud system with less effort than was required in cutting through the original shroud and replacing it with the replacement shroud system. An improved replacement shroud system is also disclosed.
US09171642B2
A circuit with a sampling network may include a pair of capacitors, where each of the capacitors has a first node and a second node; a first pair of switches communicatively coupling corresponding differential input voltage signals to the first node of each of the capacitors; and a second pair of switches communicatively coupling the second node of each of the capacitors to a common mode voltage source. Corresponding differential output voltage signals at the second node of each of the capacitors may be communicatively coupled using a differential switch. The second pair of switches may be coupled in parallel with the differential switch. A clock signal of the differential switch may be de-asserted prior to de-asserting corresponding clock signals for each of the second pair of switches.
US09171633B2
Memory devices and methods for operating a memory include filtering a histogram of sensed data of the memory, and adjusting a parameter used to sense the memory using the filtered histogram. Filtering can be accomplished by averaging or summing, and may include weighting the sums or averages.
US09171629B1
According to one embodiment, a storage device comprises a nonvolatile memory and a memory controller that performs reading and writing data from and into the nonvolatile memory. A number, not being 2n, of threshold areas can be set in the memory cells of the nonvolatile memory. The memory controller performs first writing based on first data value assignment, which sets 2n data values to correspond to 2n threshold areas, in first-time writing into a first memory cell of the nonvolatile memory and performs second writing on the first memory cell after the first writing without erasing data based on second data value assignment, which sets 2n data values to correspond to 2n threshold areas including threshold areas not used in the first data value assignment.
US09171611B2
A method operates a nonvolatile memory apparatus. The method includes performing a first write operation to store first data in first to third memory cells; and performing a second write operation to store second data in the first to third memory cells in which the first data has been stored, wherein, as a result of the first write operation and the second write operation, each of the first to third memory cells has one of first to third states.
US09171606B2
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor device comprising complementary pair of bit lines, memory cells connected to the bit lines, dummy cells having the same structure as the memory cells, a differential sense amplifier, an equalizing circuit equalizing potentials of the bit lines, and a control circuit. The memory cells are disconnected from the bit lines and the dummy cells are connected to the bit lines, and subsequently the bit lines are equalized by the equalizing circuit. When accessing a selected memory cell, the equalizing circuit is inactivated, a corresponding dummy cell is disconnected from the bit line, and subsequently the selected memory cell is connected to the bit line. Thereafter, the sense amplifier is activated so that potentials of the bit lines are amplified respectively.
US09171599B2
Circuits, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for oscillators. In one such example oscillator circuit, a plurality of delay stages are coupled in series. A variable delay circuit stage is coupled to the plurality of delay stages and is configured to delay a signal through the variable delay circuit stage by a variable delay. The variable delay increases responsive to a rising magnitude of a supply voltage provided to the variable delay circuit stage.
US09171595B2
A semiconductor device includes a bit line connected to memory cells, a negative bias voltage generation circuit generating a negative bias voltage that is to be applied to the bit line during writing, and a negative bias reference voltage generation unit generating a negative bias reference voltage based on a resistance ratio between a first resistor and a second resistor.
US09171592B2
Provided is a semiconductor integrated circuit according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention including a data transmitting circuit that transmits data in parallel through a plurality of signal lines and a data receiving circuit that receives the data. The data transmitting circuit includes a plurality of data output circuits that output the data in a data transmission mode or set an output to a high impedance state in a HiZ mode, a plurality of data selection circuits that select one of the data and fixed data and output the selected data to the data output circuits, and a control circuit that controls the data output circuits to output the fixed data during a period between a time when a mode is switched from the HiZ mode to the data transmission mode and a time when the data output circuits start to output the data.
US09171582B2
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus includes a sleeve configured to surround a hard drive. The sleeve includes a side portion, a bottom portion, a top portion, a front portion, and a back portion. At least one of the side portion, the bottom portion, the top portion, the front, or the back portion is made of an elastomeric material configured to absorb a portion of shock or vibration from being imparted on the hard drive. Additionally, at least one of the side portion, the top portion, or the bottom portion is tapered.
US09171580B2
Systems and methods for recording multiple copies of a program are provided. The method may include receiving a user instruction to record a program. A determination may be made to record multiple copies of the program. In response to the determination, multiple copies of the program may be recorded. A user instruction to display the recorded program may be received. A copy of the program may be played back. The user may switch to another copy of the recorded program if the original copy lacks desirable recording attributes, or the interactive television application may automatically switch to another copy of the program.
US09171577B1
A system and method disposed to enable encoding, decoding and manipulation of digital video with substantially less processing load than would otherwise required. In particular, one disclosed method is directed to generating a compressed video data structure that is selectively decodable to a plurality of resolutions including the full resolution of the uncompressed stream. The desired number of data components and the content of the data components that make up the compressed video data, which determine the available video resolutions, are variable based upon the processing carried out and the resources available to decode and process the data components. During decoding, efficiency is substantially improved because only the data components necessary to generate a desired resolution are decoded. In variations, both temporal and spatial decoding are utilized to reduce frame rates, and hence, further reduce processor load. The system and method are particularly useful for real-time video editing applications.
US09171569B2
A process may be utilized by the DVR. The process receives a plurality of segments of a set of content and a plurality of corresponding content rule sets. Further, the process provides one or more instructions to record and encrypt the plurality of segments of the set of content on a storage medium. In addition, the process provides the plurality of content rule sets to the DRM component to be inserted into a locally generated and secured content license associated with the encryption of the set of content. The secured content license includes a master key and a list of the plurality of corresponding content rule sets that have been received in order of reception. The process receives a plurality of marker tokens from the DRM component in order to facilitate trick mode playback.
US09171567B1
A data storage device is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk, and a spindle motor configured to rotate the disk. A speed of the spindle motor is sampled, and an error signal is generated based on a difference between the sampled speed and a target speed. A sliding mode control signal for controlling a speed of the spindle motor is generated based on a first non-zero gain when the error signal is greater than zero and less than a first positive threshold, and a second non-zero gain when the error signal is greater than the first positive threshold.
US09171557B1
A write head having a write pole with a tip portion defining a pole tip and a paddle portion extending from the tip portion away from the pole tip, the paddle portion defining a back edge. The write head also has a coil structure having at least two active turns crossing the paddle portion, wherein a back of the coil structure is no more than 1 micrometer past the back edge of the write pole. In some implementations, a length from the pole tip to the back edge is no more than 4.5 micrometers.
US09171556B2
A magnetic head includes a medium facing surface, a read head unit, a write head unit, and a protrusion device. The protrusion device causes part of the medium facing surface to protrude toward a recording medium. The read head unit has a first end face located in the medium facing surface and includes a first contact sensor for detecting contact of the first end face with the recording medium. The write head unit has a second end face located in the medium facing surface and includes a second contact sensor for detecting contact of the second end face with the recording medium. The first end face and the second end face are located at positions different from each other in a direction of travel of the recording medium.
US09171554B2
The magnetic disk unit includes: a magnetic recording medium; a thermally-assisted magnetic recording head including a magnetic pole applying a recording magnetic field to the magnetic recording medium and a heating element heating the magnetic recording medium; and a controller allowing the heating element to perform a continuous heating operation at a first temperature for a first time period, and halting the heating operation of the heating element or allowing the heating element to perform a heating operation at a second temperature lower than the first temperature for a second time period that follows the first time period, the first time period having a length substantially equal to or less than a length of a time required for the magnetic recording medium to rotate one turn, and the second time period having a length substantially equal to or more than the length of the first time period.
US09171552B1
An audio-based system may perform dynamic level adjustment by detecting voice activity in an input signal and evaluating voice levels during periods of voice activity. The current voice level is compared to a plurality of thresholds to determine a corresponding gain strategy, and the input signal is scaled in accordance with this gain strategy. Further adjustment to the signal is performed to reduce output clipping that might otherwise be produced.
US09171551B2
A unified microphone pre-processing system includes a plurality of microphones arranged within a vehicle passenger compartment, a processing circuit or system configured to receive signals from one or more of the plurality of microphones, and the processing circuit configured to enhance the received signals for use by at least two of a telephony processing application, an automatic speech recognition processing application, and a noise cancellation processing application. The method includes receiving signals from one or more of a plurality of microphones arranged within a vehicle passenger compartment, and enhancing the received signals for use by at least two of a telephony processing application, an automatic speech recognition processing application, and a noise cancellation processing application. A computer readable medium containing executable instructions to cause a processor to perform a method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is also described.
US09171544B2
Disclosed is a system for providing a sound source information management service. The system for providing a sound source information management service manages sound source information transmitted from a driver terminal and extracts the sound source information corresponding to voice input data via voice recognition according to the voice input data transmitted from the driver terminal and provides the extracted sound source information to the driver terminal.
US09171543B2
Methods and apparatuses to assist a user in the performance of a plurality of tasks are provided. The invention includes storing at least one care plan for a resident, the care plan defining a plurality of tasks to be performed for providing care to the resident. Capturing speech inputs from the user, and providing speech outputs to the user to provide a speech dialog with the user reflective of the care plan. Information is captured with a contactless communication interface and is used for engaging the care plan.
US09171537B2
The embodiments herein provide an apparatus and method for cancelling signal noise. According to one embodiment, an apparatus for cancelling signal noise has a sensor or receiver to capture the undesirable signals. A transducer converts the energy of the captured signals and modulates the captured undesirable signals. A signal inverting circuit is connected to the transducer to generate the inverse of the captured undesirable signals by inverting the amplitude of the undesirable signal while maintain the frequency at the same level. The generated inverse of the undesirable signal transmitted by a transmitter is received by a receiver and output through a speaker so that the output inverse of the undesirable signal is combined with the undesirable signal to produce a desired signal environment.
US09171533B1
A musical device that includes a housing with a flat top over which a band slides, in both directions, and co-acts with a sensor assembly to detect perforations on the band having predetermined lengths. An electronic simulated musical instrument assembly with inputs adapted to detect each of the sensed coded elements outputs to generate a note or sound for one or more electronically simulated instruments that in turn are amplified and connected to speaker output assemblies. Two or more instruments can play simultaneously and the melody accompaniment, base and percussion performed by the instruments can be changed at any time. A method for playing notes backward without distortion.
US09171532B2
A sound signal analysis apparatus 10 includes sound signal input portion for inputting a sound signal indicative of a musical piece; feature value calculation portion for calculating a first feature value indicative of a feature relating to existence of a beat in one of sections of the musical piece and a second feature value indicative of a feature relating to tempo in one of the sections of the musical piece; and estimation portion for concurrently estimating a beat position and a change in tempo in the musical piece by selecting, from among a plurality of probability models described as sequences of states q classified according to a combination of a physical quantity relating to existence of a beat in one of the sections of the musical piece and a physical quantity relating to tempo in one of the sections of the musical piece, a probability model whose sequence of observation likelihoods each indicative of a probability of concurrent observation of the first feature value and the second feature value in corresponding one of the sections of the musical piece satisfies a certain criterion.
US09171529B2
A tremolo device is provided. The tremolo device has a base plate with a leading edge that comprises a bearing surface. The base plate also comprises a bracket for attachment of a lever. The tremolo device also includes a pivot rail comprising a pivot bearing surface that matingly engages the bearing surface of the leading edge. When matingly engaged, the bearing surface of the leading edge and the pivot bearing surface defines 3 or more contact surfaces having a length of from about 20% to about 100% of the length of the leading edge.
US09171525B2
A processor and a system are provided for performing texturing operations loaded from a texture queue that provides temporary storage of texture coordinates and texture values. The processor includes a texture queue implemented in a memory of the processor, a crossbar coupled to the texture queue, and one or more texture units coupled to the texture queue via the crossbar. The crossbar is configured to reorder texture coordinates for consumption by the one or more texture units and to reorder texture values received from the one or more texture units.
US09171521B2
A technique comprising: determining a correction to a drive voltage for the front plane common electrode of a first display device according to the result of one or more measurements of an optical property for the first display device and the result of one or more measurements of said optical property for one or more other devices including an optical medium having the same optical response as the first display device.
US09171515B2
A liquid crystal panel, a scanning circuit and a method for generating angle waves are provided. A scanning circuit for generating angle waves includes a scanning module and a plurality of angle wave modules. The scanning module has a plurality of scan output ends for outputting scan driving signals respectively in order, wherein the scan driving signal includes a first voltage and a second voltage. The angle wave modules are electrically connected to the scan output ends respectively in order; wherein a second output end of each angle wave module is electrically connected a first output end of next one of the angle wave modules, whereby a part of electrical energy received by the second output end of the angle wave modules is transmitted to the first output end of the next one of the angle wave modules.
US09171485B2
A system is described for processing data of at least one location aware devices for obtaining geo-information. The system comprises an input means for obtaining vector-based data from at least one location aware devices, a data processor for inserting information from the vector-based data into a raster-based data structure so as to derive geo-information based on the raster-based data structure. A corresponding method as well as corresponding computer program products also are described.
US09171482B2
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for providing diet and exercise plans and for providing real time tracking and notifications of the user's conformance with a plan. The plan can be dynamically updated in real time based on the user's compliance with the plan. In some embodiments, the present invention can be implemented using a user's mobile phone that communicates with one or more other computing devices that are incorporated into exercise devices.
US09171480B2
Disclosed are manipulator devices for use in learning games, and kits utilizing the same. The manipulator devices may be a substantially elongated and flat body formed of flexible material and at least partially stuffed to resemble a bean bag. The body is adapted to be capable of manipulation between an unfolded position and a folded position, where the folded position conceals an identifiable attribute of the device selected from the group consisting of a number or a symbol. The kits may include three or more manipulator devices each having at least two attributes identifiable by children and allowing them to associate the plurality of devices into subsets according to shared types of these attributes.
US09171479B2
A training system for the solo operation of a powered vehicle, wherein the system includes: —providing means for electronic control of the speed and orientation of a ground vehicle or of the speed, orientation and height of a flying vehicle; —providing a virtual enclosure training area delineated by a plurality of spaced sensors; —providing means associated with said vehicle for communicating with, and receiving instructions from, each of said sensors; —whereby instructions received from said sensors may be used to control said means for electronic control such that movement of said vehicle is restricted to said virtual enclosure training area, and within said virtual enclosure training area, the speed and orientation of a ground vehicle or the speed, orientation and height of a flying vehicle controlled within preset parameters.
US09171477B2
A Method and System For Recognizing and Assessing Surgical Procedures from a video or series of still images is described. Evaluation of surgical techniques of residents learning skills in areas such as cataract surgery is an important aspect of the learning process. The use of videos has become common in such evaluations, but is a time consuming manual process. The present invention increases the efficiency and speed of the surgical technique evaluation process by identifying and saving only information that is relevant to the evaluation process. Using image processing techniques of the present invention, an anatomic structure of a surgical procedure is located on a video, timing of predefined surgical stages is determined, and measurements are taken from frames of the predefined surgical stages to allow the performance of a surgeon to be assessed in an automated and efficient manner.
US09171476B2
Described herein are systems and methods for surface management of an airport. One embodiment of the disclosure of this application is related to a method including receiving airport data from an airport network, receiving surface surveillance data for specific segments of an airport area, identifying predicted conflicts within one of the segments based on the airport data and surface surveillance data, and allocating a taxi time slot for the flight. Another embodiment of the disclosure of this application is related to a system comprising a user interface displaying information related to flight plan data and airport data received from an airport network, and a surface management module receiving the airport data and surface surveillance data for specific segments of an airport area, identifying predicted conflicts within one of the segments based on the airport data and surface surveillance data, and allocating a taxi time slot for the flight.
US09171475B2
The invention relates to a method for determining a potential conflict situation (2) between objects within a multidimensional traffic area (1), with the objects each moving on predetermined trajectories (T1 to T11), having the following steps: a) subdivision of the traffic area (1), with respect to at least one dimension (x, y, z, t) of the traffic area (1), into at least two partial traffic areas (11, 12, 13, 14, 41, 42, 51, 52, 53, 61), and b) repetition of steps a) and b) corresponding to those partial traffic areas (11, 12, 13, 14, 41, 42, 51, 52, 53, 61) which were subdivided in step a) and are influenced by at least two trajectories (T2, T3), with a potential conflict situation (2) between at least two trajectories (T2, T3) which jointly influence a partial traffic area (113) being determined as a function of an extent with respect to at least one dimension (x, y, z, t) of the partial traffic area (113).
US09171470B2
A wireless tracking device including a positioning system for determining a location of the device and a processor connected to the positioning system. The wireless tracking device further including a wireless radio connected to the processor for transmitting the location of the device across a wireless area network.A vehicle monitoring system including a sensor, a microcontroller configured to receive a sensor input from the sensor and determine a vehicle condition data, and a wireless transmitter in communication with the microcontroller. The wireless transmitter is configured to transmit the vehicle condition data to a remote data network access point.A method of monitoring a vehicle including determining a status of the vehicle, locating an available wireless data network access point, and transmitting the status of the vehicle though the access point.
US09171452B2
A method for removing noise from an electrical signal in an alarm system using a software filter, the method including the steps of converting the electrical signal from an analog signal into a digital signal, wherein the digital signal includes a series of sampled values, entering a most recent of the sampled values into a circular index containing a number of previously sampled values, multiplying each of the values in the circular index by a predetermined filter coefficient, and summing products of each of the multiplied circular index values and filter coefficients to arrive at a filtered digital signal value.
US09171443B2
A material for indelibly and uniquely marking an article for identification purposes includes a mixture including between about 1% and 10% by weight fluorescent identifier, DNA, and the remainder including predominantly a solvent.
US09171439B2
A security apparatus and method for protecting merchandise items is presented. In the preferred embodiment, a merchandise security device includes a housing with an access door that has an open position and a closed position, a primary power source, a secondary power source and alarm system. The alarm system determines when a voltage of the primary power source drops below a threshold value. When the voltage drops below the threshold value, the alarm system switches to the secondary power source for its power. When the alarm system is in a standby mode, it will not generate alarms when operating on the secondary power source. However, when the alarm system has not been placed into a standby mode, the alarm system will generate alarms when operating on the secondary power source and the access door is in the open position.
US09171435B2
A visual identification system and device for providing a light based identification alert. The device comprises a housing and a light source disposed within the housing for producing the light based identification alert. The device further includes a processor configured to control activation of the light source in response to receiving a light source control request from a remote source. The processor is further configured to receive an override command for overriding the light source control request so as to prevent the remote source from controlling the light source. In various embodiments, the light source includes one or more activation modes, including a visible light mode and an invisible light mode.
US09171433B1
A system and method for monitoring devices using near field communications (NFC) techniques is disclosed. A plurality of host devices each incorporates a NFC device. An audio or visual alert device is incorporated into each host device and is coupled to its associated NFC device. A detector has a detector NFC device. A monitor is incorporated in the detector and is coupled to the detector NFC device. An alert activator in each host device is coupled to the associated NFC device and associated alert device and activates the associated alert device when one of the host NFC devices moves out of communication range with another host NFC device. A monitor activator in the detector device coupled to the detector NFC device and the monitor activates the monitor when the one NFC device moves out of communication range with the other NFC device.
US09171430B2
A media item transporter which accommodates media items and bunches media items of various thicknesses. The media item transporter includes a first transport member and a further transport member located opposite the first transport member to transport a bunch of media items located between the transport members along a transport path, a drive mechanism to move a one of the first and further transport members towards or away from a remainder one of the first and further transport members to selectively locate the first and further transport members in a selectable spaced apart relationship, and at least one sensor to determine a position of the one transport member with respect to the remainder one transport member.
US09171429B2
Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for adjusting bonus winning odds while playing an online slots game. One method includes an operation for receiving user input during a session of an online slots game, where the user input is defined to spin wheels of the online slots game. In addition, the method includes an operation for defining an initial tier and one or more additional tiers for play of the online slots game during the session, each tier being assigned an odds value that changes with each assigned tier, and each tier being defined to have a set of spins. Further, the method includes operations for assigning tiers with changed odds when an option to play a bonus game is not presented during the predefined set of spins for each tier, and for assigning the initial tier upon determining that the bonus game was played during the session.
US09171428B2
Various embodiments concern a method for facilitating a gaming activity having specialty functionality comprising providing a grid formed by a plurality of elements and marking elements of the plurality with markings selected from a plurality of marking-types, the plurality of marking-types including a feature marking-type. A plurality of feature indicators can be positioned in the grid. Then, for each element of the plurality that is marked with the feature marking-type and positionally associated with a feature indicator of the plurality, the feature marking-type can be re-marked to a respective element of the plurality that is adjacent to the element marked with the feature marking-type and positionally associated with the feature indicator. An outcome can then be determined based on one or more combinations of the markings.
US09171427B2
Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing multiple spins during gaming events to provide increased opportunities to receive winning outcomes. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to have a plurality of reels with multiple symbols on each reel. A portion of the symbols on each reel are displayed on a game grid having a number of symbol positions. During a gaming event, the symbols are randomly arranged via a first spin on game grid to generate a first configuration and a determination is made as to whether the first condition satisfies a predetermined condition. When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the reels or symbols in the symbol positions associated with the predetermined condition are held while the remaining reels or symbol positions are subjected to a second spin to randomly generate a second configuration.
US09171422B2
Gaming systems and methods for operating a gaming system are provided. The gaming system includes a controller operable with a plurality of gaming devices. Based at least in part on wagering activity, the controller determines a ranking for a plurality of gaming devices in the gaming system. The controller determines a plurality of the ranked gaming devices that are eligible for a designated award and, for each of the plurality of eligible gaming devices, determines a probability of being selected to win the designated award. The controller selects at least one of the eligible gaming devices based part on the determined probability for said at least one eligible gaming device, and causes the at least one selected gaming device to provide the designated award.
US09171418B2
Gaming systems, gaming terminals, and multi-display arrangements for a wagering game terminal are presented herein. A gaming system for conducting a wagering game is disclosed which includes at least one input device, at least one processor, first and second electronic display devices, and an electronic display-transition device. The first and second electronic display devices are mounted in side-by-side, non-coplanar relationship and spaced a gap apart from each other. Each of the display devices is configured to dynamically display aspects of the wagering game. The electronic display-transition device extends across the gap from the first electronic display device to the second electronic display device. The electronic display-transition device is also configured to dynamically display aspects of the wagering game. The electronic display-transition device can have a curvilinear cross-sectional profile and/or a flexible display screen.
US09171405B1
The capture and alignment of multiple 3D scenes is disclosed. Three dimensional capture device data from different locations is received thereby allowing for different perspectives of 3D scenes. An algorithm uses the data to determine potential alignments between different 3D scenes via coordinate transformations. Potential alignments are evaluated for quality and subsequently aligned subject to the existence of sufficiently high relative or absolute quality. A global alignment of all or most of the input 3D scenes into a single coordinate frame may be achieved. The presentation of areas around a particular hole or holes takes place thereby allowing the user to capture the requisite 3D scene containing areas within the hole or holes as well as part of the surrounding area using, for example, the 3D capture device. The new 3D captured scene is aligned with existing 3D scenes and/or 3D composite scenes.
US09171401B2
A system for partitioning a set of assets, where each asset represents a computer-generated object associated with a computer-generated scene. A dependency graph comprising a plurality of interconnected nodes including an organizer node is accessed. The set of assets identified by an input of a predicate test of the organizer node are accessed. It is determined if the at least one predicate test can be evaluated using the set of assets. If the at least one predicate test can be evaluated, one or more partition assets are identified and passed to a next node. If the at least one predicate test cannot be evaluated, a conservative set of assets is identified and passed to the next node, wherein the conservative set of assets is the same set of assets identified by the input of the predicate test.
US09171393B2
Methods and systems for three-dimensional texture reprojection are provided herein. The method includes calculating an initial distance vector from a vertex within a 3D mesh of an object to each of a plurality of texture images. For each texture image, the method also includes determining coordinates of an intersection point of the initial distance vector with the texture image, determining a number of neighboring points within a specified distance from the intersection point, and calculating an overall distance vector from the neighboring points to any of the points within the 3D mesh. Furthermore, the method includes determining a number of texture images with a lowest difference between the initial distance vector and the overall distance vector.
US09171392B2
A method of integrating a radial zoom effect with a complementary radial image transition effect includes integrating the effects such that the two blended radial effects share a common center, and thereby share common displacement paths during the perceived transition. In addition to the visual appeal of the effect, the invention also resolves operational incompatibilities between the practice of commercial photography and the practice of lenticular printing. A lenticular product is formed in accordance with this method.
US09171388B2
In an object display device, in the case that a marker is not detected at present, a display complementing unit acquires a change in an image in real space displayed on a display unit between the past when the marker was detected and the present. Since a virtual object is displayed based on the position and shape of the marker in the image in real space, the display position and display manner of the virtual object are also to be changed in accordance with a change in the image in real space. A display decision unit can therefore decide the display position and display manner of the virtual object at present from the display position and display manner of the virtual object in the past, based on the change in the image in real space between the past and the present.
US09171385B2
Image processing apparatus capable of determining color amount, image processing method, and program
When a printing fee is changed, if a printing fee is changed to one for a color amount that is smaller than an actual color amount of an input image, an image processing apparatus automatically performs image processing in order to maximize the color amount at the selected printing fee and prints an image processing result.
US09171372B2
This disclosure describes techniques for estimating a depth of image objects for a two-dimensional (2D) view of a video presentation. For example, a plurality of feature points may be determined for a 2D view. The plurality of feature points may be used to estimate global motion, e.g., motion of an observer (e.g., camera), of the 2D view. For example, the plurality of feature points may be used to generate a global motion frame difference. The global motion frame difference may be used to create a depth map for the 2D view, which may be used to generate an alternative view of the video presentation that may be used to display a three-dimensional (3D) video presentation.
US09171367B2
An image processing apparatus includes a calculation unit configured to calculate information indicating similarity among a plurality of tomographic images, and a generation unit configured to generate a tomographic image from the plurality of tomographic images based on the calculated information indicating similarity.
US09171366B2
In a method for localizing a candidate foci in neuroimaging, two images are acquired, one being a baseline (interictal) image and another being an intervention (ictal) image. The two images are aligned and the intensities of the images are normalized. A difference image is calculated by subtracting the baseline (interictal) image from the intervention (ictal) image. The difference image is normalized and regions of interest are selected as candidate foci.
US09171360B2
The method of the invention comprises: obtaining a sequence of at least two images, with different levels of illumination; extracting the region containing the sign in the image; calculating the luminance values of the signs; and obtaining the difference in luminance of the sign corresponding to the two levels of illumination. The value obtained is the luminance of the sign (11) corresponding to an illumination equal to the difference between the illuminations, or additional illumination. This result is based on the additive property of luminance, according to which the luminance of a sign is the sum of the luminance produced by each source of illumination. A basic illumination device (5), an additional illumination device (7), at least one camera for taking images, and image recording, positioning and synchronism systems are required to implement the method.
US09171359B1
Auto-correcting perspective distortion in document images is described. Line segments are identified in a distorted document image. Line segments are combined to form candidate lines. Candidate lines are grouped into a substantially horizontal group of lines and a substantially vertical group of lines. Linear equations are calculated to fit the substantially horizontal group of lines. Linear equations are calculated to fit the substantially vertical group of lines. The distorted document image is transformed based on two linear equations associated with two substantially horizontal lines and two linear equations associated with two substantially vertical lines.
US09171358B2
An image editing device of the present invention, for editing a combined photographic image formed by combining a plurality of images, comprises a first image processing section for carrying out first image processing on the image and creating a first image, a second image processing section for carrying out second image processing on the first image to create a second image, a combined photograph processing section for creating a combined photograph by combining the second image in accordance combining position of the combined photograph, and a control section for, after the first image processing has been carried out, creating a combined photograph by combining the second image that has been subjected to the second image processing in accordance with combining position of the combined photograph by the combined photograph processing section, and storing the combined photograph and the first image as a single image file.
US09171351B2
An image processing device, includes: an obtaining unit which successively obtains a plurality of images; a synthesis unit which partially superimposes the plurality of images obtained by the obtaining unit to generate a synthesis image when the obtaining unit obtains the images; a first judgment unit which judges whether the synthesis image contains a feature region having a predetermined feature when the synthesis image is generated by the synthesis unit; and a control unit which makes predetermined processing be executed when the first judgment unit judges that the synthesis image contains the feature region.
US09171350B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to provide novel methods and a system for adaptive resolution rendering via scaling in a multiple graphics processor system. A method is described herein that maintains a constant framerate by reducing the resolution of the graphical output rendered in one graphics processor and using another graphics processor in the same computing system to scale the already-rendered output to its original intended resolution when the framerate drops below a desired threshold.
US09171349B1
Methods and apparatuses are described for application broadcasting. For one embodiment, pixel data being broadcast from a moderator to one or more participants is divided into tiles. Display data is generated for each tile. Each display data segment (segment) contains the pixel data for the tile, and also contains a tile identifier. The segments are periodically evaluated. If the pixel data has changed, the segment is replaced with the most recent segment corresponding to that tile. A time indicator is also included within each segment for each tile indicating the time at which the segment was updated. A participant DPS requests data from the server and provides the time indicator for the last segment it received. The server then transmits the current segment for each tile that has been updated subsequently. This allows presentation at the participant's DPS of the most current version of the moderator's display screen.
US09171345B2
A system and method for determining rail terminal capacity needs. In one embodiment, terminal railcar inventory is determined periodically throughout a specific time interval based on terminal traffic data. Train traffic data is accessed and indexed into discrete time periods, such as daily and hourly intervals. Dwell occupancy indexes are created with periodic intervals, and assigned dwell occupancy values based on said dwell occupancy definitions and traffic data. The railcar inventory of the train terminal at any particular time may then be determined by cross-tabulating the occupancy dwell values, and applying business rules. The number and size of tracks needed to accommodate a rail terminal may be determined by assigning blocks of railcars to terminal tracks. Using the railcar inventory, a list of railcar blocks, railcar block sizes, railcar block classifications, and track classifications is created. After specifying switch parameters, the list of railcar blocks is evaluated based on the list of railcar block sizes and the list of railcar block classifications. The list of railcar blocks is then assigned to the terminal tracks, based on the list of railcar block classifications, the list of track classifications, and the switching parameters. After assigning the blocks to tracks, a final list of tracks that have been assigned blocks is generated.
US09171339B2
A computer program product includes a tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and on which instructions are stored for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes, upon receiving utility consumption data of a group of elements, defining clusters of elements by like geography and like utility consumption, evaluating a significance of each cluster by comparing an average utility consumption within the cluster with utility consumption of elements neighboring the cluster and determining from a result of the evaluating which clusters exhibit significant differences in utility consumption from the neighboring elements and defining those clusters as regional outliers.
US09171328B2
A method is disclosed for allowing a customer to create a digital shopping cart on a mobile electronic device while shopping at a brick and mortar store. The customer may scan barcodes, e.g. UPC variants, from a product with the camera of the mobile electronic device and record these product barcodes into the mobile electronic device. The shopping cart contents may be transferred to a checkout register without a data connection between the register and the device. The mobile electronic device may create one or more 2D barcodes with the item information embedded into the 2D barcode and may display the barcode on the device screen. Multiple 2D barcodes may be displayed in sequence. The 2D barcode may be scanned at the checkout register to read the barcode and thereby transmit the shopping cart information to the checkout register.
US09171300B2
A self-service, self-checkout micro-market retail shopping system for disposition and use in an private or public office, factory or other workspace for use by employees, workers and the like. The micro-market may supply snacks, candies, beverages, other food items and various convenience items such as toiletries for use by employees, workers and other during the work day, lunch and break time. The micro-market may also supply work related items such as uniforms and apparel, tools, office supplies, travel accessories and the like. The devices and process also include enhanced vendor administration tools and functionality. The devices and process also include enhanced user ability to use mobile devices and apps, and on-line tools for creating and managing accounts and for purchasing items.
US09171289B2
The present invention relates to methods and systems for producing, previewing and publishing a video press release (“VPR”) over an electronic network. A video press release comprises multimedia information. A software transcoder that performs the function of removing incompatibilities between video file formats and text document file formats for producing, previewing and publishing a VPR is implemented. The present invention assures multimedia compatibility of a VPR across video file formats, web browser formats, computer operating systems, and text file formats by transcoding a video file, as well as compressing, resizing and juxtaposing/transposing the transcoded video file along with a text presentation received from a text file, and presenting the so-produced VPR to Internet audience. The invention operates with a webpage of a secure Internet website so that a single individual for a public or private company or other organizations may generate a video press release instantly and efficiently by an accurate, efficient, and time-sensitive method.
US09171282B2
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with complex event pattern building are described. One example method includes receiving, on a server-side, requests associated with user interactions with interactive menus. The method includes responding to the requests with commands that build a set of event-condition-action, data that describes an action to take in response to an occurrence of a complex event pattern. The example method may also include automatically converting the event-condition-action data into a programmatic construct that configures a complex event pattern engine to initiate the specified action in response to detecting an occurrence of the complex event pattern.
US09171281B1
A system includes N location indicators and a mobile scanning device. The N location indicators are configured to be arranged throughout a store that includes a plurality of stocked items for picking according to one or more electronic customer orders. Each of the N location indicators is configured to transmit a different location signal. The mobile scanning device includes a display. The mobile scanning device is configured to wirelessly receive an electronic customer order comprising a plurality of ordered items indicating which of the stocked items are to be picked, detect at least one of the N location signals, and arrange at least some of the plurality of ordered items on the display based on which of the at least one of the N location signals is detected.
US09171275B2
A method of determining which users are experts and which tags are appropriate without some of the disadvantages of the prior art is described. The level of a user's expertise is determined based on previous tags, the categorization of one or more tags, and the rating of the tags previously left by the user. The appropriateness of a tag is based on previous tagging of information by the user, by the number of times a user has tagged information with the same categorization, and the rating of a user.
US09171269B2
A method includes receiving, by a check-in device associated with the event management system, a ticket information for an attendee of an event, the check-in device comprising an access point, the access point being operable to connect by a wireless signal to one or more mobile devices, transmitting, from the check-in device to a gatekeeper system associated with the event management system, the ticket information for the attendee, wherein the gatekeeper system comprises a router, a switch, and a computing system, and wherein the check-in device is communicably connected to the gatekeeper system, validating, by the gatekeeper system, the ticket information for the attendee, and transmitting, from the gatekeeper system to the check-in device, an indication of validity of the ticket information for the attendee.
US09171267B2
The present disclosure provides for categorization of lists of words. The method comprises querying DBpedia to find the resources related to the given list of words. Once the resources are found, the corresponding media Wikipedia categories can be retrieved, as well as their ancestors, generating a graph of categories. A number of graph analysis algorithms can then be applied to the graph, each returning a selected category. For each algorithm a classifier is trained to decide whether the output of the algorithm is indeed the “best” category. An ensemble weighted majority voting can then be used to select the best category based on votes cast by each classifier. The disclosure demonstrates a more accurate selection of the best category and can include an ensemble majority rated voting algorithm comprising all voting members initially casting one vote; i.e., highest frequency, most frequently occurring word, least common ancestor and centrality measures.
US09171262B2
A directed expertise level-based discovery system, method, and device infers an expertise level associated with a system user from a plurality of usage behaviors and delivers one or more computer-implemented objects to the user that are selected in accordance with the inferred expertise level and a directionally distinct relationship between computer-implemented objects. The directed expertise level-based discovery system, method, and device may infer the expertise level from textual information and/or in accordance with calibration information such as test results. Geographic location awareness associated with a portable device may inform the selection of the computer-implemented objects to be delivered to the user. An explanation may be delivered to the user that references information that is used to inform the selection of the computer-implemented objects to be delivered to the user.
US09171261B1
Specification covers new algorithms, methods, and systems for artificial intelligence, soft computing, and deep learning/recognition, e.g., image recognition (e.g., for action, gesture, emotion, expression, biometrics, fingerprint, facial, OCR (text), background, relationship, position, pattern, and object), large number of images (“Big Data”) analytics, machine learning, training schemes, crowd-sourcing (using experts or humans), feature space, clustering, classification, similarity measures, optimization, search engine, ranking, question-answering system, soft (fuzzy or unsharp) boundaries/impreciseness/ambiguities/fuzziness in language, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Computing-with-Words (CWW), parsing, machine translation, sound and speech recognition, video search and analysis (e.g. tracking), image annotation, geometrical abstraction, image correction, semantic web, context analysis, data reliability (e.g., using Z-number (e.g., “About 45 minutes; Very sure”)), rules engine, control system, autonomous vehicle, self-diagnosis and self-repair robots, system diagnosis, medical diagnosis, biomedicine, data mining, event prediction, financial forecasting, economics, risk assessment, e-mail management, database management, indexing and join operation, memory management, and data compression.
US09171258B2
System and method related to a distributed collaborative knowledge generation system are disclosed. The distributed collaborative knowledge generation system includes one or more databases configured to store content information related to the distributed collaborative knowledge generation system, a search services module configured to search for the content information, a web services module configured to retrieve and gather the content information, a presentation services module configured to share the content data with multiple users, and a data services module configured to manage the content information by providing interfaces between the one or more databases, the search services module, the web services module, and the presentation services module.
US09171254B2
A method is disclosed for operating a programmable logic controller which executes program(s) based on cycles having a predetermined cycle time in a predefined memory. An automated reasoning method based on an ontology and a description logic is implemented in the programmable logic controller. To enable this, at least the concepts and roles of the ontology are encoded using index numbers and the axioms of the ontology are encoded using tuples of integral index numbers. The automated reasoning method is interrupted before the end of a cycle and subsequently resumed at the current status of program execution. This allows for the cyclic programming paradigm of a programmable logic controller. The method can be used for any types of programmable logic controller, e.g., controllers of devices belonging to an automation system or energy generation devices. In such scenarios the automated reasoning method may be used for diagnosing the corresponding devices.
US09171253B1
A plurality of classifiers is identified. A set of test cases is selected based on time. The set of test cases are grouped into a plurality of datasets based on time where each of the plurality of datasets is associated with a corresponding interval of time. Each of the plurality of classifiers is applied to each of the plurality of datasets to generate classifications for test cases in each of the plurality of datasets. For each of the plurality of classifiers, a classification performance score is determined for each of the plurality of datasets based on the classifications generated for the test cases of each dataset. A classifier is selected from among the plurality of classifiers for production based on the classification performance scores of each of the plurality of classifiers across the plurality of datasets.
US09171238B2
Image processing system for generating control signals for printing means, from source image data from an image source, comprising a raster image processing and layout module configured to convert said source image data into a first lane bitmap element and a second lane bitmap element; a streaming processor arranged to receive said first lane bitmap element and said second lane bitmap element, and position signals comprising position data for said first and/or said second lane image in the printed image; said streaming processor being configured to generate control signals for the printing means based on said first lane bitmap element, said second lane bitmap element, and said position signals in order to be able to adjust the position of said first lane image and/or the position of the second lane image in the printed image.
US09171233B2
Provided is a small-sized, flat, vein authentication device of high authentication accuracy by photographing a living body several times and thus obtaining as registration data plural images that are picked up at different positions. A biometric information processing device of this invention comprising an image pickup device, which picks up a vein image, an image computing unit, which processes the vein image picked up by the image pickup device, an interface on which a part of a living body to be picked up is placed, and a light source, which emits infrared light. The biometric information processing device is further comprised of a sensor unit, which detects the presence or absence of a subject picked up by the image pickup device, a unit to obtain plural images as registration data, and a unit to select optimum registration data out of images obtained as registration data.
US09171226B2
Determining a match between the subjects of first and second images as a function of decimal-number representations of regions of the first and second images. The decimal-number representations are generated by performing discrete transforms on the regions so as to obtain discrete-transform coefficients, performing local-bit-pattern encoding of the coefficients to create data streams, and converting the data streams to decimal numbers. In one embodiment, the first and second images depict periocular facial regions, and the disclosed techniques can be used for face recognition, even where a small portion of a person's face is captured in an image. Subspace modeling may be used to improve accuracy.
US09171225B2
Three-dimensional coordinates of feature points of an object to be measured are back-projected to a frame image photographed from a specific position, and image coordinates of the back-projected feature points and the feature points in this frame image are compared. In this case, the feature points, which are mismatched, are removed as feature points which are mistracked between plural frames. In this case, two processing systems, of which initial conditions of calculation for obtaining the back-projected coordinates are different from each other, are performed, and the detection of the above mistracked points is performed on each of the two back-projected coordinates. The mistracked points detected in at least one of the processing systems are removed, and are not succeeded to the following processing.
US09171213B2
Provided is a method and system for efficient localization in still images. According to one exemplary method, a sliding window-based 2-D (Dimensional) space search is performed to detect a parked vehicle in a video frame acquired from a fixed parking occupancy video camera including a field of view associated with a parking region.
US09171211B2
An example embodiment includes a method of measuring launch parameters of an object in flight. The method includes capturing images of an object in flight. A radius of the object and a center of the object are identified in each of the images. A velocity, an elevation angle, and an azimuth angle are calculated based on the radius of the object, the center of the object, and pre-measured camera alignment values. The method further includes cropping the images to a smallest square that bounds the object and flattening the images from spherical representations to Cartesian representations. The method also includes converting the Cartesian representations to polar coordinates with a range of candidate centers of rotations. Based on a fit of the polar image pair, the spin axis and spin rate are measured.
US09171210B2
The present invention provides method and apparatus for object classifier generation, and method and apparatus for detecting object in image. The method for generating a two-cell structure feature descriptor of a two-cell structure composed of a center cell and a neighbor cell in an image region, wherein the neighbor cell is one of eight cells around and adjacent to the center cell, the method comprising: calculating step for calculating statistics of gradients in the center cell and the neighbor cell respectively; and comparing step for comparing the calculated statistics of gradients in the center cell and the neighbor cell, so as to obtain a two-cell structure feature descriptor for describing the feature of the two-cell structure, andwherein the two-cell structure feature descriptor is one bit binary value.
US09171206B2
Described herein are implementations of various technologies for a method for mapping water table depths. In one implementation, a satellite image of an area of interest may be received. The satellite image may comprise a red spectrum, a green spectrum and a blue spectrum. A first map may be generated that identifies only water features on the satellite image. The first map may be convolved with a digital elevation model of the area of interest to generate a second map. The second map may identify elevations of the water features on the satellite image. An interpolation algorithm may be applied to the second map to generate a third map. The third map may identify water tables and elevations for the water tables on the satellite image.
US09171197B2
A facial tracking method for detecting and tracking at least one face image in a region during a time period. The facial tracking method includes a step of performing an image acquiring operation, a step of performing a facial detecting operation to detect whether there is any face image in the entire of a current photo image, and at least one step of performing a facial tracking operation. For performing the facial tracking operation, plural tracking frames are located around a face image of the current photo image, and a similarity between the face image of the current photo image and the image included in each tracking frame in order to judge whether the face image exists in the next photo image. By the facial tracking method of the present invention, the time period of tracking face images is largely reduced.
US09171192B2
A method for collecting data and a computer-readable medium are provided. The method includes determining, using a data collection unit, that the data collection unit is physically proximal to a machine, and receiving a tag identifier from a tag positioned in, on, or near the machine using a tag reader of the data collection unit. The method also includes taking one or more measurements of one or more operating conditions of the machine using a sensor of the data collection unit. The method also includes storing the one or more measurements, and associating the one or more measurements with the tag identifier.
US09171170B2
A computing system, comprising includes a first central processing unit (CPU) and a second CPU coupled with the first CPU and with a host processor. The second CPU and the host processor may both request the first CPU to generate keys that have access rights to regions of memory to access specific data. The first CPU may be configured to, in response to a request from the second CPU, generate a unique key with a unique access right to a region of memory, the unique key usable only by the second CPU, not the host processor.
US09171162B2
Technologies pertaining to attesting to computer-executable code residing on a robot are described herein. An attestation server includes a database that comprises file paths that correspond to files on the robot at a time of manufacture of the robot. The database also includes file digests that are indicative of content of the files on the robot. The attestation server randomly selects a file path and transmits the file path to the robot. The robot accesses the file at the file path and computes a file digest for that file. The robot then transmits the file digest to the attestation server, which compares the file digest from the robot with the file digest in the database. If the file digests match, then the attestation server attests to the computer-executable code on the robot.
US09171158B2
Techniques are provided for dynamic anomaly, association and clustering detection. At least one code table is built for each attribute in a set of data containing one or more attributes. One or more clusters associated with one or more of the code tables are established. One or more new data points are received. A determination is made if a given one of the new data points is an anomaly. At least one of the one or more code tables is updated responsive to the determination. When a compression cost of a given one of the new data points is greater than a threshold compression cost for each of the one or more clusters, the given one of the new data points is an anomaly.
US09171154B2
A computer-implemented method for scanning packed programs in response to detecting suspicious behaviors may include (1) executing a packed program that may include (i) malicious code that has been obfuscated within the packed program and (ii) unpacking code that deobfuscates and executes the malicious code when the packed program is executed, (2) monitoring, while the packed program is executing, how the packed program behaves, (3) detecting, while monitoring how the packed program behaves, a suspicious behavior of the malicious code that indicates that the unpacking code has deobfuscated and executed the malicious code, and (4) performing a security operation on the packed program in response to detecting the suspicious behavior of the malicious code. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09171152B1
A computer-implemented method for preventing chronic false positives may include (1) whitelisting a file based on a challenge notification that challenges a classification of the file as insecure, (2) obtaining attribute information about the file, (3) identifying, by analyzing the attribute information, a primitive that identifies a source of origin for the file, (4) determining, based on an analysis of files that originate from the source of origin, that the source of origin identified by the primitive is trustworthy, and (5) adjusting, based on the determination that the source of origin identified by the primitive is trustworthy, a security policy associated with the primitive to prevent future false positives for other files that originate from the source of origin. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09171151B2
A policy management system is described herein which generates rules based, at least in part, on reputation information provided by at least one reputation source and client event information forwarded by filtering logic. The policy management system then deploys the rules to the filtering logic. The filtering logic, which resides in-network between clients and at least one service, uses the rules to process client event information sent by the clients to the service(s). In one illustrative environment, the service corresponds to an ad hosting service, which uses the policy management system and filtering logic to help prevent malicious client traffic from reaching the ad host service, or otherwise negatively affecting the ad hosting service.
US09171148B1
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for a system for monitoring application development standards. The system, method, and computer program product are configured to access application code on a server associated with a network, wherein the application code is installed on the server; scan the application code to identify applications that are integrated into the application code; identify products in the application code based on the scan, wherein the products are identified based on a textual analysis of the application code; compare the products identified in the application code to a list of non-allowed products; identify non-allowed products in the application code based on the comparison of the products to the list; determine an allowed product as an alternative to the non-allowed product; and provide a report to a user comprising the non-allowed product and the alternative allowed product.
US09171146B2
A method and device for monitoring calls to an application program interface (API) function includes monitoring for a memory permission violation of a computing device caused by the API function call. If a memory permission violation occurs, control of the computing device is transferred to a virtual machine monitor to intervene prior to execution of the API function. The virtual machine monitor may perform one or more actions in response to the API function call.
US09171135B2
A method for acquisition of a software application stored on a software application distribution unit and intended to be supplied to a user computer unit is disclosed wherein, the user computer unit communicates an item of identification information identifying the software application to be acquired to an electronic security module connected to the user computer unit. The module generates, using a secret and identification information, an item of user information and transmits it with the identification information to the unit. The unit protects with the user information the software application identified by the identification information and the protected software application is transmitted to the user computer unit. Thus, the software application is protected with an item of information from the electronic security module of the user. The protected software application then has its protection removed on an electronic security unit equipped with an electronic security module.
US09171125B2
Methods and systems are provided for that are designed to impose an n-type to p-type device skew constraint that is beyond what normal technology limits allow in order to operate semiconductor devices at lower voltages while still achieving a similar performance at a lower power. More specifically, a method is provided for that includes setting device skew requirements for at least one library element, setting device skew test dispositions for the at least one library element based on the set device skew requirements, designing the at least one library element using device skew assumptions, fabricating the at least one library element on a product that includes at least one device skew monitor, determining an actual device skew of the fabricated at least one library element using the at least one device skew monitor, and determining whether the fabricated product meets target specifications.
US09171104B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for iterative refinement of cohorts using visual exploration and data analytics. A cohort comprised of multiple data objects is defined by obtaining an initial cohort seeding; visualizing the initial cohort using a selected view to present a current cohort; reducing the current cohort using one or more visual filters; visualizing the current cohort using a selected view; expanding the current cohort using one or more selected analytics; and determining whether the current cohort should be further modified using one or more of additional reductions and additional expansions. Cohorts can be passed between views and analytics via drag-and-drop interactions as an analysis unfolds.
US09171090B2
A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving a plurality of operating commands for controlling a first presentation of media content by a first media processor device at a first display device to generate a first viewing experience and transmitting the playback file to a second media processor device via a first network, where a second presentation of the media content by the second media processor device at a second display device according to the plurality of operating commands of the playback file recreates the first viewing experience at the second display device and where the first and second media processor devices are members of the first network based upon common membership in a social media network by a first subscriber associated with the first media processor device and a second subscriber associated with the second media processor device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09171087B2
The present invention describes a method and apparatus for the implementation of a real-time, sharable web browsing experience on a host device, utilizing the transfer of URL and form data information. The present invention further describes a method for establishing a synchronized browsing session, comprising sending a request to establish the synchronized browsing session to a synchronization server, receiving a confirmation message from the synchronization server including a session identifier associated with the established synchronized browsing session, and sending an invitation to an invitee to join the synchronized browsing session, wherein the invitation includes the session identifier. The present invention further describes a method for implementing a synchronized browsing session, comprising recording a shared web browsing interaction, and transmitting information related to the shared web browsing interaction to a synchronization server.
US09171084B1
Sorting information by relevance to individuals with passive data collection and real-time injection
In one aspect, data, such as information articles, is sorted and prioritized based on a plurality of factors, such as user interest and popularity of data with respect to other users. The data is sorted by initial personal (i.e., user) data, sorted by the most relevant to the user, while passive interaction data is used to continually reorder the articles in real-time, while new stories are being injected into the stream in real time, all while other articles are increasing/decreasing in stature based on popularity with regard to other users and time decay. As such, the system provides that the information is fed to users in an efficient manner, in a manner based on time relevance, assumed interest with regard to that given user based on past actions by that user or information otherwise known about that user, as well as interest in the articles demonstrated by other users.
US09171080B2
Described herein are techniques for extracting data records containing user-generated content from documents. The documents may be processed into document trees in which sub-trees represent the data records of the document. Domain constraints may be used to locate structured portions of the document tree. For example, anchor trees may be located as being sets of sibling sub-trees with similar tag paths that contain the domain constraints. The anchor trees may then be used to determine a record boundary (e.g., the start offset and length) of the data records. Finally, the data records may be extracted based on the anchor trees and the record boundaries.
US09171067B2
A method includes establishing a connection and subscribing to at least one channel of a High Level Architecture (HLA) federation and an Enterprise Service Bus (ESB). The method further includes receiving a text file defining the format of an HLA message; a first extensible Markup Language (XML) document conforming to a first schema that defines data within a first message type; and a second XML document conforming to a second schema that defines data within a second message type. The method further includes receiving a first HLA message over the at least one HLA channel, extracting at least one piece of data from the first HLA message, generating a first XML message, and publishing the first XML message over the at least one ESB channel. The method also includes receiving a second XML message over the at least one ESB channel, extracting at least one piece of data from the second XML message, generating a second HLA message conforming to the text file, and publishing the second HLA message over the at least one HLA channel.
US09171057B2
Techniques for data classification include matching one or more attributes of a commodity with one or more terms of a plurality of terms in a word matrix; generating, based on the matching, a vector for the commodity; and identifying, based on the vector, one or more classification regions that each define a classification of the commodity.
US09171052B2
Machine implemented method and system for generating a disaster recovery copy of an expandable storage volume having a namespace for storing information for accessing data objects stored at a data constituent volume is provided. A transfer operation for transferring a point in time copy of the expandable storage volume from a first location to a second location is generated. Information regarding the expandable storage volume from the first location is retrieved and a destination expandable storage volume is resized to match components of the expandable storage volume at the first location. Thereafter, the point in time copy of the expandable storage volume from the first location to the second location is transferred and configuration information regarding the point in time copy is copied from the first location to the second location; a data structure for storing information regarding the transferred point in time copy of the expandable storage volume is updated.
US09171051B2
Techniques are provided for data definition language (DDL) expression annotation. DDL expression text is captured. The DDL expression text corresponds to a DDL change in a source database. A component set is determined. The component set includes at least one component in the DDL expression text. An annotation set is generated. The annotation set includes at least one annotation for at least one component of the component set. Each annotation includes hierarchical data describing at least one hierarchical relationship in the component set. For example, an annotation may include a component ID, a component position, a component length, a component type, and a parent component ID. The annotation set and a change record comprising the DDL expression text are transmitted to a replication client.
US09171050B2
A data synchronization system includes a database, a management device, and a synchronization device. The database includes user folders, and the management device includes an authentication module and a data storage module. The authentication module authenticates the identification of the user who uses a client terminal device to log in the authentication module and output an authentication signal based on the result of the identification. The data storage module receives the authentication signal and output an index signal based on the authentication signal. The client terminal device is configured to connect to a corresponding user folder based on the index signal, and the corresponding user folder is used as a major user folder. The synchronization device logs in one of the accounts of a commercial database and synchronizes the data of the account to the major user folder. Furthermore, a method for synchronizing data is also disclosed herein.
US09171046B1
Relevant queries of a database may be determined by: receiving data from a table in a database and reviewing the data and forming a K=2 graph. A K=2 graph is one which identifies relationships between two items in rows of the table in the database. If two items occur in the a same row in a database, then these two items are considered to have a relationship represented by an arc between each node which represents each data item or point. Each arc may be assigned a weight equal to the number of rows in which the two items appear together. Next, the K=2 graph may be compacted. Subsequently, cliques of up to a predetermined number, like seven nodes from the K=2 graph may be identified. For each clique that is identified, it may be determined if the clique meets a super clique threshold. The resultant super cliques are ranked.
US09171044B2
Methods and systems are described for applying the use of shards within a single memory address space. A database request is processed by providing the request from a client to a processor, the processor then distributing the request to multiple threads within a single process but executing in a shared memory address environment, wherein each thread performs the request on a distinct shard, and aggregating the results of the multiple threads being aggregated and returning a final result to the client. By parallelizing operations in this way, the request response time can be reduced and the total amount of communication overhead can be reduced.
US09171043B2
A weight is determined for each of a plurality of join predicates for a join between one or more first database objects and one or more second database objects based on a join selectivity for each of the plurality of join predicates. The plurality of join predicates are sorted based on the determined weights. The join operation is performed joining the one or more first database objects with the one or more second database objects in accordance with an order of the sorted plurality of join predicates.
US09171032B2
Methods and arrangements for a radix sort with a read only key. A plurality of keys are received, an array and a link table are populated for the first digit of the keys based upon the keys; and an array and a link table are populated for each successive digit of the keys based upon the array and link table populated for the preceding digit of the keys. Embodiments may be implemented in both hardware (FPGAs, ASICs, information handling devices, etc.) and software. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
US09171030B1
In a method for populating a lookup table, a plurality of hash tables are provided. Each hash table is accessed by a respective hash function. A plurality of hashed values for a key are generated using the hash functions corresponding to the plurality of hash tables. The plurality of hashed values are used to determine whether the key can be inserted into one or more hash tables of the plurality of hash tables without colliding with keys previously stored at respective locations corresponding to the determined hashed values. When it is determined that the key can be inserted into multiple hash tables, it is then determined which one of the multiple hash tables is populated with the greatest number of keys. The hash table that is populated with the greatest number of keys is selected for insertion of the key, and the key is inserted into the selected hash table.
US09171029B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to processing queries. A query operation to be performed on a table of data is translated into a series of bit level logical operations using expansion and/or saturation operations. A mask is created from the series of bit level logical operations. This mask is then simultaneously applied to multiple rows from the table of data.
US09171028B1
A method of maintaining a large set of taint labels for tracking a flow of data through a program is provided, including identifying at least a first data and a second data, associated with a first taint storage element and a second taint storage element, respectively; joining the first taint storage element and the second taint storage element to generate at least one joined taint storage element commonly associated with the first data and the second data; processing the first data and the second data associated with the at least one joined taint storage element through the program from the entry point to an egress point; and defining a condition based on the joined taint storage element at the egress point.
US09171022B2
A method for modifying a mapping from at least one application path of a data system to a conceptual path of an ontology system, wherein the application path addresses a part of the structure of the data system and the conceptual path addresses a part of the structure of the ontology system. The method includes steps of detecting a change to a part of the structure of the ontology system one or more of the conceptual paths is addressing and updating the mappings to reflect the change to the part of the structure of the ontology system.
US09171017B2
In particular embodiments, one or more computer systems of a social-networking system determine information associated with a product displayed on a display device and access a database of known products. The one or more computer systems of the social-networking system determine, by comparing the database of known products with the determined information associated with the product, an identity of the product displayed on the display device. The one or more computer systems of the social-networking system provide one or more instructions to display media content related to the identified product.
US09171003B2
The embodiments relate to transcoding, cataloging, and extracting metadata about files stored in a storage device. In one embodiment, a crawler runs on the storage device and maintains a database that is stored in the volume with the data that has been cataloged by the crawler. The crawler may discover files of any type and extract associated metadata about the files. The crawler can extract metadata about client interaction with various files, such as edits, play counts, etc. The crawler may discover files of any type and extract associated metadata about the files automatically during a scan or at the request of a client. In one embodiment, the crawler may be responsive to file system events that indicate changes to the file system, such as additions, deletions, or other types of changes. In addition, the crawler may synchronize the database with the file system so that they indicated the same state for a particular file. Furthermore, the crawler may provide notifications to various entities regarding the state of a file.
US09170976B2
A mechanism is provided for resource management. A first network interface card in a set of network interface cards receives network data from one or more servers in a set of servers. Responsive to the first network interface card determining that a first threshold has been met indicating that an overload condition is imminent in the first network interface card, the first network interface card sends a resume signal to a second network interface card in the set of network interface cards. Responsive to the first network interface card determining that a second threshold is being met indicating that the overload condition has been met in the first network interface card, the first network interface card delegates the network data that caused the overload condition to be met to the second interface card.
US09170974B2
Methods and systems are disclosed for interconnecting die-to-die-port (DTDP) host devices and DTDP expansion devices for combined system-in-package (SiP) solutions. Interconnect circuitry having a plurality of ports is configured to provide communication from the host device to the expansion device so that the expansion device appears to be resident on the host device. Further, direct circuit interconnection blocks (e.g., using copper pillar (CuP) connectors) can be used to improve connectivity and performance. In addition, level shift circuitry can be utilized within expansion devices to allow for standardized interconnect signals and supply voltages to be provided by DTDP host devices to DTDP expansion devices.
US09170971B2
Implementations of discovery functionalities in accordance with the present invention are characterized by being exceptionally minimalistic. A primary reason and benefit for such minimalistic implementations relate to these discovery functionalities being implemented via a management processor and associated resources of a system on a chip (SoC) unit as opposed to them being implemented on data processing components of a cluster of nodes (i.e., central processing core components). By focusing on such a minimalist implementation, embodiments of the present invention allow discovery functionalities to be implemented on a relatively low-cost low-power management processor coupled to processing cores that provide for data serving functionality in the cluster of nodes.
US09170958B2
Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include copying, by a storage system having a volatile memory configured as a write cache, write cache data from the volatile memory to a solid state device, upon receiving a signal indicating a loss of power to the storage system. Subsequent to copying the write cache data, the solid state device is configured as the write cache.
US09170954B2
Translation management instructions are used in a multi-node data processing system to facilitate remote management of address translation data structures distributed throughout such a system. Thus, in multi-node data processing systems where multiple processing nodes collectively handle a workload, the address translation data structures for such nodes may be collectively managed to minimize translation misses and the performance penalties typically associated therewith.
US09170953B2
A system for storing data includes a plurality of clusters located remotely from each other in which the data is stored. Each cluster has a token server that controls access to the data with only one token server responsible for any piece of data. Each cluster has a plurality of Cache appliances. Each cluster has at least one backend file server in which the data is stored. The system includes a communication network through which the servers and appliances communicate with each other. A Cache Appliance cluster in which data is stored in back-end servers within each of a plurality of clusters located remotely from each other. A method for storing data.
US09170942B1
A computer-executable method, system, and computer program product for managing a data storage system, wherein the data storage system includes a host-cache and a data storage array, the computer-executable method, system, and computer program product comprising receiving an I/O request, processing the I/O request by locating data related to the I/O request and aligning the I/O request with the data to create an aligned portion of data, and updating the data storage array with the aligned portion of data.
US09170937B2
A data storage device and an operating method for a FLASH memory are disclosed. The disclosed data storage device includes a FLASH memory and a controller. The FLASH memory provides a storage space which is stored with a first storage type system information and a second storage type system information. Data recognition for the first storage type system information is stricter than that of the second storage type information. The controller reads the storage space of the FLASH memory and performs an error checking and correction process on data read from the storage space, and, based on the storage type system information, among the first and second storage type information, which first passes the error checking and correction process, the controller operates the FLASH memory.
US09170936B2
Embedded devices typically have an operating system, one or more file-systems, as well as a bootloader and other data components resident in flash memory. During software development and testing, there is frequently a need to selectively update a combination of such images. The described technique organizes the images in the flash memory such that one can speed up the update process by eliminating relocation of existing images. A command-driven update mechanism provides a flexible process—eg, one can upload the images back to a host, one can update the update code itself, etc. A start handshake is used that enables auto-detection of the embedded serial port that is used for the update.
US09170935B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory unit configured in page units, an error correction code (ECC) module for generating error correcting codes, a page information addition module for generating page information, and a controller for controlling the reading and writing of data to the memory unit. The controller is configured to associate error correction code information and page information with each frame unit of data written to the memory unit and to store the associated information with each frame unit. The controller is configured to output data to an external host in sizes less than one page unit, such as one frame unit.
US09170921B2
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a test for an application is created. An application is identified with functionality applied through a graphical user interface. A determination is made of expected characteristics of an application object that will be included in a version of the application once the version of the application becomes available for testing through the graphical user interface. A virtual object is created according to the expected characteristics of the application object. A step associated with the virtual object is incorporated into a test case to be used on the version of the application. The test case that includes the virtual object is executed on the version of the application when the version of the application becomes available for testing through the graphical user interface.
US09170911B1
Techniques and mechanisms detect deviations from a protocol being used to communicate between devices, for example, in hard logic (e.g., implemented as an ASIC or fixed circuitry) and soft logic (e.g., implemented in configurable logic of an FPGA). Techniques and mechanisms are described for detecting a variety of deviations from a protocol.
US09170910B2
A complex event processing system comprises a complex event processing engine (52) and an event harvesting system, wherein the event harvesting system is operable to monitor a computer network (10, 21, 22, 31, 32, 33), generate simple event reports in response to the result of monitoring the network and pass these to the complex event processing engine for processing. The event harvesting system comprises a central configuration control module (51, 53) and a plurality of capture node modules (41, 42) each of which is operatively connected to the central configuration control module. Each capture node module is operable to receive configuration instructions from the central configuration control module to determine what simple event reports are to be generated by the module and in response to what conditions detected on the monitored computer network. The central configuration control module includes an interface (51) in the form of a web server for receiving configuration instructions from a user of the system and for processing these configuration instructions and sending them to a specified capture node module for causing the module to operate in accordance with the specified configuration instructions.
US09170901B2
A system for testing or debugging a device under test having an embedded logic analyzer. In one embodiment, the system includes software stored in non-transitory memory for testing a device under test having an embedded logic analyzer, the software program product having instructions which, when executed by a computing device associated with the device under test cause the computing device to reconstruct signals of interest in the device under test based at least in part upon signals captured by the embedded logic analyzer during the test or debug session, and cause the computing device to display the reconstructed signals of interest to a user of the computing device.
US09170898B2
The present disclosure includes apparatus (e.g., computing systems, memory systems, controllers, etc.) and methods for providing data integrity. One or more methods can include, for example: receiving a number of sectors of data to be written to a number of memory devices; appending first metadata corresponding to the number of sectors and including first integrity data to the number of sectors, the first metadata has a particular format; generating second integrity data to be provided in second metadata, the second integrity data corresponding to at least one of the number of sectors (wherein the second metadata has a second format); and generating third integrity data to be provided in the second metadata, the third integrity data including error data corresponding to the second integrity data and the at least one of the number of sectors.
US09170893B2
Disclosed herein is a storage controlling apparatus, including: a status acquisition section configured to acquire status including a number of times of execution of verification after writing into a memory from the memory; a history information retention section configured to retain a history of the status as history information in an associated relationship with each of predetermined regions of the memory; and a region selection section configured to select a region which satisfies a condition in accordance with the history information when a new region is to be used in the memory.
US09170889B2
The invention is a method of operating a system having multiple finite state machines and a controller. Each finite state machine enters an offline state upon detection of anomalous operation. The controller detects whether all finite state machines are offline. The controller transmits an online activation event signal to each finite state machine when all are offline. Each finite state machine evaluates entering the online state if current conditions permit. Reentering the online state includes loading a predetermined set of operating parameters. The finite state machines are responsive only to a reset event and an online activation event when in the offline state.
US09170887B2
According to one embodiment, when being notified of an interruption of an external electric power supply, a second processor performs a saving operation for storing management information and data stored in a first volatile memory to a first non-volatile memory, and records a progress log, indicating a progress of the saving operation, into a second volatile memory. The first processor periodically checks whether the progress log is recorded in the second volatile memory or not, and when the progress log is recorded in the second volatile memory, the first processor stores the progress log into the second non-volatile memory.
US09170886B2
Relaxing of anchor validation in a distributed synchronization environment, in one aspect, updates a synchronization anchor during synchronization of data between computing devices only in response to determining that the data operation if repeated the second time on the computing device would change overall data stored on the computing device.
US09170878B2
A method for operating a DRAM device. The method includes receiving in a memory buffer in a first memory module hosted by a computing system, a request for data stored in RAM of the first memory module from a host controller of the computing system. The method includes receiving with the memory buffer, the data associated with a RAM, in response to the request and formatting with the memory buffer, the data into a scrambled data in response to a pseudo-random process. The method includes initiating with the memory buffer, transfer of the scrambled data into an interface device.
US09170849B2
Systems and methods are presented for providing resources by way of a platform as a service in a distributed computing environment to perform a job. Resources of the system, job performing on the system, and schedulers of the jobs performing on the system are decoupled in a manner that allows a job to easily migrate among resources. It is contemplated that the migration of jobs from a first pool of resource to a second pool of resource is performed by the system without human intervention. The migration of a job may utilize different schedulers for the different resources. Further, it is contemplated that a pool of resources may automatically allocate additional or fewer resources in response to a migration of a job.
US09170846B2
A distributed data-parallel execution (DDPE) system splits a computational problem into a plurality of sub-problems using a branch-and-bound algorithm, designates a synchronous stop time for a “plurality of processors” (for example, a cluster) for each round of execution, processes the search tree by recursively using a branch-and-bound algorithm in multiple rounds (without inter-processor communications), determines if further processing is required based on the processing round state data, and terminates processing on the processors when processing is completed.
US09170842B2
In an information processing terminal, a second screen activation monitoring unit that has received a focus OFF notification sends a domain switch request notification to a domain control unit, and the domain control unit that has received the notification sends a domain switch notification to a first OS. Then, the first OS sends a focus ON notification to a first screen activation monitoring unit and further sends the focus OFF notification to a first application. A resource is thereby released by the first application that is implemented to release an acquired resource upon receiving the focus OFF notification.
US09170837B2
A transaction concurrent execution control system carries out a control of concurrently executing a transaction. The transaction concurrent execution control system includes a transaction execution unit for executing the transaction, a back-off time determination unit for determining a waiting time until the transaction is re-executed when a commitment of the transaction has failed, and a transaction pooling unit for causing the transaction to stand by for re-execution until the waiting time has elapsed when the commitment of the transaction has failed.
US09170835B2
Method and apparatus for expedited virtual machine (VM) launch in VM cluster environment. In one embodiment, at least one VM is launched within a host platform. Once initialized, a VM may issue a hypercall to a VM monitor (VMM) of a VM host platform. In response, the VMM may capture a runtime image of the VM. In one embodiment, the VMM loads the runtime image of the VM within a node of the host platform as a child VM. In an alternative embodiment, the VMM issues a VM clone command to a VMM of a next host platform including the runtime image of the VM. In response, the VMM of the next platform loads the runtime image of the first VM within a node of the second host platform as a cloned VM. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09170831B2
While current solutions for cloning virtual machines can involve copying and duplicating files associated to a virtual machine (VM), systems and techniques can be devised to create thin clones of a VM using the VM's associated storage system to copy and deduplicate storage for the VMs. One can create a base VM in a directory of a storage container attached to a hypervisor, and then map the storage container to a volume on a storage system. One can clone the base VM using a snapshot of respective files associated to the base VM, which can comprise creating metadata that identified a physical storage location of the files. Further, the metadata can then be copied to a desired location on the storage container, to create a VM clone. Once copied, the cloned VM can be customized and registered within the hypervisor.
US09170830B2
An execution-target program is executed, via a program-execution control program, by converting a byte code in the execution-target program into a native code based on a predetermined condition. Upon activating the execution-target program, it is determined whether the execution-target program is an optimization-completed program having a past record of having been converted into an optimized state of the execution-target program, based on a profile including information identifying the optimization-completed program and optimized-code information indicating an optimized code for the optimization-completed program, where the profile is updated at a timing of executing the program-execution control program or another program-execution control program, and the optimized code is generated by converting a byte code into a native code. When the execution-target program is the optimization-completed program, upon activating the execution-target program, a byte code corresponding to the optimized-code information from among byte codes of the execution-target program is converted into a native code.
US09170826B2
A system, a method, and a computer-program product for providing multi-language support in applications are disclosed. A first textual expression contained within an application is obtained. The first textual expression is expressed in a first language. A unique key from a hash of the first textual expression is generated. A language code representative of a second language is determined. Based on the generated unique key and the determined language code, a second textual expression in the second language representative of a translation from the first language into the second language indicated by the language code is determined. The second textual expression is provided to the application to replace the first textual expression in a view presented to a user.
US09170823B2
A method for booting to an operating system stored on a solid state drive. The method comprises the steps of (A) determining if a boot list has one or more entries, (B) pre-reading one or more logical block addresses of each of the entries from the boot list, (C) receiving a command from a host, (D) reading the command from a memory internal to the solid state drive if the command is in a cache area of the pre-read logical block addresses and (E) reading the command from a main portion of the solid state drive if the command is not in the cache.
US09170813B2
A method and apparatus for including in a processor instructions for performing logical-comparison and branch support operations on packed or unpacked data. In one embodiment, instruction decode logic decodes instructions for an execution unit to operate on packed data elements including logical comparisons. A register file including 128-bit packed data registers stores packed single-precision floating point (SPFP) and packed integer data elements. The logical comparisons may include comparison of SPFP data elements and comparison of integer data elements and setting at least one bit to indicate the results. Based on these comparisons, branch support actions are taken. Such branch support actions may include setting the at least one bit, which in turn may be utilized by a branching unit in response to a branch instruction. Alternatively, the branch support actions may include branching to an indicated target code location.
US09170807B2
An approach to generating logical configuration commands for logical objects in a system. A method may involve receiving a command requesting the logical configuration commands to configure the specified logical object (subject logical object) and the logical objects that support the logical object (the support logical objects). The method may also involve determining what logical objects in the system support the subject logical object. This may require determining the support logical objects that directly support the subject logical object, and then recursively examining each support logical objects to find the logical objects on which they depend. For each logical object (whether the subject logical object or one of the support logical objects), the method may involve determining the logical configuration commands to appropriately create and modify the logical object. The logical configuration commands may then be presented to the user.
US09170802B2
A management server refers to a server information management DB that stores therein information on a plurality of virtual servers generated from a plurality of virtual images and information on software that operates on the virtual servers, and selects other virtual server in conjunction with a particular virtual server from the plurality of virtual servers based on information on the particular virtual server generated from a predetermined virtual image and information on software that operates on the particular virtual server. The management server extracts a patch to be applied to the particular virtual server based on patches applied to the other virtual server.
US09170786B1
Developer-composed context menus, e.g., composed by a developer in connection with use of a software development tool to create an application, are disclosed. In various embodiments, a definition of a context menu option and an associated action are received. Application code to implement the context menu at runtime, including by performing processing at runtime as defined in the definition to determine one or both of the context menu option and the associated action, is generated programmatically.
US09170783B1
A program file may include code blocks, such as properties and methods blocks. An assistant module may provide a contextual information tool, a class diagram tool, and a template tool. The assistant module may monitor the location of a user interface element as it is moved about the program file. The assistant may provide information regarding the current location of the user interface element through the contextual information tool. The assistant module also may track the construction of the program, and provide information through the class diagram tool regarding program elements, such as properties and methods, defined so far in the program file. The assistant module may present design information, such as a class construction template, in the template tool, and may dynamically update this information during the creation of the program file.
US09170781B2
A method and system are described for generating reference tables in object code which specify the addresses of branches, routines called, and data references used by routines in the code. In a suitably equipped processing system, the reference tables can be passed to a memory management processor which can open the appropriate memory pages to expedite the retrieval of data referenced in the execution pipeline. The disclosed method and system create such reference tables at the beginning of each routine so that the table can be passed to the memory management processor in a suitably equipped processor. Resulting object code also allows processors lacking a suitable memory management processor to skip the reference table, preserving upward compatibility.
US09170779B2
Aspects of the invention provide for managing an application development environment. In one embodiment, aspects of the invention include a computer-implemented method of managing an application development environment, the method including: receiving a request for an application build, wherein the application build has at least one dependency on at least one asset; and processing the request for the application build in response to receiving the request, the processing including: submitting at least one query to an asset management system for at least one asset containing a dependency needed for the build, wherein the asset management system separately manages the plurality of assets apart from the application development environment; and receiving at least one asset from the asset management system in response to submitting at least one query.
US09170774B2
A fast lookahead carry adder includes adder logic and lookahead carry-path logic coupled to the adder logic. The carry path logic has a main carry path, a carry entrance path and a carry exit path, the carry entrance path separate from the carry exit path.
US09170764B2
An image forming apparatus includes: a motor unit configured to give a rotary drive force to rotary members for conveying a recording medium; a switch circuit provided in a power supply line connecting a power source and the motor unit to supply electric power, connecting the motor unit to the power source upon closure of the body cover, and disconnecting the motor unit from the power source upon opening of the body cover; a power-off detecting section; a rate-of-voltage-change calculating section; and a control section. The control section deactivates each of mechanisms in the image forming apparatus when the power-off detecting section detects shutoff of power supply from the power source, and reactivates each of the mechanisms, provided that the rate of change of voltage calculated by the rate-of-voltage-change calculating section has reached a predetermined threshold, when the power-off detecting section detects electric power is supplied from the power source.
US09170756B2
System and method for dynamic storage tiering are disclosed. A storage hot-spot in a first storage pool is detected. A first point-in-time copy of a virtual volume including the storage hot-spot is created in a second storage pool according to the detecting. Write requests directed to the virtual volume are redirected to the second storage pool. When decreased I/O activity directed to the storage hot-spot in the second storage pool is detected, the point-in-time copy in the second storage pool is reintegrated into at least one of a second point-in-time copy or the virtual volume.
US09170753B2
A method of providing memory accesses for a multi-core processor includes reserving a group of pins of a multi-core processor to transmit either data or address information in communication with one or more memory chips, receiving memory access requests from the plurality of processor cores, determining granularity of the memory access requests by a memory controller, and dynamically adjusting the number of pins in the group of pins to be used to transmit address information based with the granularity of the memory access requests.
US09170751B2
A storage server receives a write request from a client system including new data and a location to store the new data. The storage server transmits a copy instruction to a storage subsystem to relocate old data at the location and transmits a write instruction to the storage subsystem to overwrite the old data with the new data. The storage subsystem includes fast stable storage in which the copy instruction and the write instruction are stored. After receiving each instruction, the storage subsystem sends an acknowledgement to the storage server. When both instructions have been acknowledged, the storage server sends an acknowledgement to the client system. The storage subsystem performs the instructions asynchronously from the client system's write request.
US09170748B2
A method performed in a network storage system, the method including receiving a plurality of data blocks at a secondary storage subsystem from a primary storage subsystem, generating a first log that includes a first plurality of entries, one entry for each of the data blocks, in which each entry of the first plurality of entries includes a name for a respective data block and a fingerprint of the respective data block, receiving metadata at the secondary storage subsystem from the primary storage subsystem, the metadata describing relationships between the plurality of blocks and a plurality of files, generating a second log that includes a second plurality of entries, and merging the first log with the second log to generate a change log.
US09170746B2
In one embodiment, a node is a member of a cluster having a plurality of nodes, where each node is coupled to one or more storage arrays of solid state drives (SSDs) that serve as main storage. The node executed a storage input/output (I/O) stack having a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) layer that organizes the SSDs within the one or more storage arrays as one or more RAID groups. Configuration information is stored as a cluster database. The configuration information identifies (i) one or more RAID groups associated with an extent store, (ii) SSDs within each RAID group, and (iii) an identification of a node that owns the extent store. The cluster database is stored separate and apart from the main storage.
US09170739B2
A management information storage section included in a relay apparatus stores first management information for managing an address of a first buffer which stores data transmitted from a first apparatus to a second apparatus and second management information for managing an address of a second buffer corresponding to the first buffer. An information processing section swaps the address of the first buffer managed by the first management information for the address of the second buffer managed by the second management information. A transmission section transmits to the second apparatus data stored at the address of the first buffer swapped between the first management information and the second management information.
US09170732B2
An information input device includes a display, an input unit, an input direction determining unit, a tag arranging unit and a movable direction determining unit. The movable direction determining unit specifies, based on a first operation position on an input area of the input unit, a division part including the first operation position from among plural division parts on the input area. The tag arranging unit displays a tag indicating a slide operation pattern of an operator associated with the specified division part in the vicinity of a selection operation object or on the selection operation object on a display area of the display. The input direction determining unit detects, based on a second operation position on the input area, a slide operation pattern of the operator, and determines whether or not the detected slide operation pattern matches the slide operation pattern indicated by the tag within a certain range.
US09170725B2
An information processing apparatus includes a reception unit that receives manipulation of a manipulator, which corresponds to an electronic document arranged on a screen, a detection unit that detects a manipulation related to a movement of the electronic document from the manipulation received using the reception unit, an extraction unit that extracts at least a location of a movement source, a location of a movement destination, a first electronic document which is a movement target electronic document, and a second electronic document which is an electronic document within a predetermined distance from the location of the movement destination based on the movement manipulation detected using the detection unit, and a relevant document determination unit that determines whether the second electronic document is relevant to the first electronic document based on information extracted using the extraction unit.
US09170720B2
A plumbing fixture includes a basin, a plumbing system configured to supply water to the basin, a processing circuit, and a housing containing the plumbing system and the processing circuit. The housing includes ports on the second face allowing access to a digital audio input, the plumbing fixture configured to output audio via a speaker based on the digital audio input. The plumbing fixture further includes a remote control configured to control the plumbing fixture and further configured to customize selectable audio sources for playback via the speaker.
US09170718B2
In some embodiments, a method comprises displaying a pre-registration invitation on a first digital device connected to a wireless network, determining one or more wireless network identifiers associated with the wireless network, generating a pre-registration code request, the request including the one or more wireless network identifiers, providing the pre-registration code request to a virtual network server, the server generating a pre-registration code in response to the pre-registration code request, the pre-registration code associated with the one or more wireless network identifiers, receiving the pre-registration code, providing a registration request from a second digital device, the registration request comprising the pre-registration code, and provisioning an account based on the registration request and the wireless network identifiers, the wireless network identifiers identified based on the pre-registration code.
US09170714B2
Systems, methods, and devices for extracting and distributing text of mixed types from displayed graphical data from a display of an electronic device are disclosed. The text types can include rendered text and text represented in rendered images. Displayed graphical data can be captured from data being displayed by an application on a display device. Text data can be extracted from the captured graphical data as text data at the rendering tree level, or by an optical character recognition process. In response to the extracted text data, a text selection tool with visual representations of selectable text can be applied to the displayed text data. Using the text selection tool, a user can select a subset of the text. In response to the user selection, one or more other applications can be determined and the selected text can be passed to at least one of the other applications for execution.
US09170713B2
An electronic device and a method of controlling the electronic device are provided.The electronic device may group items based on a drag input on a virtual bookshelf having the items.
US09170705B1
Determining interest in promotional content to be displayed at a mobile communication device is described. The promotional content, including a first portion that is visible and a second portion that is hidden in a first state, may be received. The first and second portions are each selectable only when visible. A promotional display that includes the promotional content in the first state is generated. Upon receipt of a first input from the user in relation to the first portion, the promotional content may be transitioned from the first state to a second state such the first portion becomes hidden and the second portion becomes visible. Upon failing to receive a second input from the user in relation to the second portion, the promotional content may be transitioned from the second state to the first state. Upon receipt of the second input, an interest in the promotional content may be indicated.
US09170699B2
An inductive touch screen is disclosed. Embodiments include a transparent substrate and a conductive layer. The conductive layer includes helical-shaped patterns, and inductive lines electrically connected with the patterns. The patterns form inductive electrodes and output inductive signals through the inductive lines, and the inductive lines include first and second inductive lines. The inductive electrodes includes rows of first sub-electrodes and rows of second sub-electrodes, where the first and second sub-electrodes are arranged alternately in a column direction. Each of the first inductive lines is electrically connected with a row of the first sub-electrodes, and each of the second inductive lines is electrically connected with the second sub-electrodes in a same column. The touch screen further includes a drive line on the substrate, and the drive line is electrically connected with the inductive electrodes to provide the touch screen with a drive signal.
US09170690B2
An actuator mechanism for actuating a capacitive touch screen of a digital device held in a waterproof housing includes an actuator shaft extending through an opening formed on the housing, a press button connected to an outer end of the shaft, a probe head connected to an inner end of the shaft, and a biasing member adapted to urge the probe head away from the touch screen, whereby pushing the press button against the biasing force moves the probe head towards and in contact with the touch screen. A waterproof housing having actuator mechanisms is also disclosed.
US09170686B2
Systems and related methods providing for touch sensors having segmented reflective arrays including waveguide cores are discussed herein. A touch sensor may include a substrate configured to propagate surface acoustic waves. The substrate may include two or more segmented reflective arrays. A segmented reflective array may include a major reflective array configured to propagate surface acoustic waves and a waveguide core configured to concentrate acoustic energy of the surface acoustic waves. Two segmented reflective arrays may further include adjacent portions that define an overlap region of the substrate. In some embodiments, the segmented reflective array may further include a beam dump configured to decrease intensity of surface acoustic wave propagation past the end of the segmented reflective array.
US09170679B2
There is provided a capacitance sensing apparatus including: a driving circuit unit applying a driving signal to a first capacitor; a first integrating circuit unit including a second capacitor charged by a change in capacitance generated in the first capacitor based on the driving signal to generate a first output voltage; and a second integrating circuit unit including a third capacitor charged by a change in capacitance generated in the second capacitor to generate a second output voltage, wherein a level of the second output voltage is changed at least twice during a single period of the driving signal applied to the first capacitor.
US09170660B2
An input function display device includes: a position information reading unit that is provided with an imaging element optically reading a position information pattern representing a coordinate position on a plane; and a display unit that performs display on the basis of marks read from the position information pattern recorded in a display area, wherein the display unit includes a transparent conductive film having a conductive pattern in which the position information pattern is applied onto the transparent substrate, and a display portion that performs display using the conductive pattern as a common electrode.
US09170658B2
The present invention provides a self-centering, tactile thumb joystick for use to control a virtual directional pad displayed on a touch screen of an electronic gadget. The thumb joystick is removeably mounted on the touch screen so that movement of a puck via a stem and a button operates the virtual directional pad to control a software running in the electronic gadget. A resilient member, in the form of an annular spring or garter spring, biasing inwardly against a wall element formed around an opening of a hollow housing of the thumb joystick centers the puck when a user releases activating the button.
US09170655B2
A tip element for a light-emitting touch pen includes: a solid transparent rod having a first rod portion disposed in a pen barrel, and an exposed second rod portion with a tip; and a light collecting unit including a first light-collecting structure formed coaxially in the first rod portion, and a second light-collecting structure formed, coaxially in the second rod portion and projecting toward the first rod portion. A part of light, which is emitted by a lighting unit in the pen barrel and propagates into the first rod portion, is reflected/refracted by the first light-collecting structure toward the second light-collecting structure to thereby radiate out of the second rod portion through reflection/refraction thereby.
US09170654B2
Search terms are derived automatically from images captured by a camera equipped cell phone, PDA, or other image capturing device, submitted to a search engine to obtain information of interest, and at least a portion of the resulting information is transmitted back locally to, or nearby, the device that captured the image.
US09170653B1
A motion recognition method includes: a light detecting step of detecting light reflected by the reflective body to measure a luminous intensity of the light by the light receiving element; a first coordinate setting step of setting a planar coordinate (X1, Y1) of the reflective body; a second coordinate setting step of setting a planar coordinate (X2, Y2) of the reflective body; and a direction determining step of obtaining an angle (θ) between a line segment connecting the origin and the planar coordinate (X1, Y1) in the first position and a line segment connecting the planar coordinate (X1, Y1) in the first position and the planar coordinate (X2, Y2) in the second position and determining that the reflective body moves in a direction passing through a ½ point of the angle (θ) in the first position by the data processing unit.
US09170649B2
Disclosed herein is an apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing section, electronic circuitry, a touch screen, and a user sensory feedback system. The electronic circuitry is mounted within the housing section. The touch screen is on the housing section. The touch screen is configured to sense a touch at an area of the touch screen. The electronic circuitry is configured to analyze a feature displayed at the area of the touch screen. The user sensory feedback system is proximate the housing section. The user sensory feedback system is configured to perform an operation based, at least partially, upon the touch at the area of the touch screen and upon an image analysis of the feature at the area of the touch screen.
US09170646B2
The present invention provides an energizable ophthalmic lens system capable of wirelessly interfacing with an external device. The energizable ophthalmic lens system may dynamically interact with a specified external device, wherein a user may operate one or more functionalities within the external device through the energizable ophthalmic lens system. The external device may be able to recognize eye gestures, which may comprise deliberate eye and lid movements. The external device may operate a functionality within the ophthalmic lens system, wherein the operation may be based on information received from the ophthalmic lens system. The ophthalmic lens system may comprise at least one energizable ophthalmic lens. Multiple ophthalmic lenses may be preferable where the functionality of either or both the ophthalmic lens system or the external device may occur based on relative position data or communication between lenses.
US09170643B2
The general field of the invention is that of display systems comprising an electronic calculator containing first image generation means and an associated semi-transparent display device, said display device intended to be arranged in front of an outside landscape. The display device according to the invention consists of two overlaid semi-transparent flat display screens, a photo-sensitive sensor and a position detection system. The first display screen is passive, its transmission rate being controlled by the first image generation means, the second display screen is active, its light emission being controlled by the first image generation means. The image generated is displayed either on the first display screen, or on the second display screen as a function of the outside landscape luminance information output by the photo-sensitive sensor and the position detection.
US09170636B2
Operating system management of network interface devices is described. In one or more implementations, a determination is made by an operating system that network traffic associated with one or more applications of the computing device has completed. Responsive to the determination, a network interface device is caused to transition to a mode to reduce power consumption of the network interface device by the operating system.
US09170633B2
The invention is directed towards minimizing power consumption in computer systems. One embodiment of the invention is a power management system that is used for a computer system that has at least one device and one power domain. This embodiment uses two different power managers to manage the power consumption of the device and the power domain. Specifically, this embodiment has (1) a first power manager that determines when to change power state of the device, and (2) a second power manager that determines when to change power state of the power domain. Each of these power managers decides to change the power state of its corresponding device or domain based on information from several different sources. These sources can include power-management clients and power managers of related domains or devices.
US09170625B1
An environmental monitoring device that includes a switching mechanism is described. During operation of the environmental monitoring device, the switching mechanism such as a switch) selectively electrically couples a first electrical-connection node and a second electrical-connection node. For example, using the switching mechanism, an electronic device that is electrically coupled to the first electrical-connection node may be selectively electrically coupled to a second electronic device that is electrically coupled to the second electrical-connection node. The selective electrical coupling may be based on one or more measurements of an environmental condition in an external environment that includes the environmental monitoring device. Moreover, a sensor mechanism in the environmental monitoring device may provide sensor data based on the one or more measurements. Alternatively, an antenna and an interface circuit in the environmental monitoring device may receive the sensor data from a third electronic device.
US09170620B2
A power supply unit includes a shell, a handle, and a latching assembly. The shell includes an end wall defining a receiving slot and a sidewall perpendicularly extending forward from a side of the end wall. The handle includes a rotating member rotatably installed in the receiving slot. The rotating member includes an operation portion. The latching assembly includes a resilient latching member received in the shell and a sliding member. A front end of the latching member is mounted to the sidewall. The sliding is slidably connected to a rear end of the latching member. The sliding member is capable being received in the latching member. The sidewall defines a through hole. A piece protrudes out from the latching member to extend through the through hole. The rotating member is rotatable such that the operation portion is received in the shell.
US09170619B2
A control network comprises a plurality of network nodes arranged in a plurality of tiers, with first-tier nodes and lower tier nodes. A master control bus interconnects the first-tier nodes, which are also connected to a power source. Lower-tier buses interconnect groups of the lower tier nodes. The lower-tier buses include both data lines and a power source line derived from the power source, allowing the lower tier nodes to selectively distribute power to local loads. A first-tier node may be embodied as a hub controller configured to be connected to one or more of said lower-tier buses. The hub controller may comprise a plurality of internal hub nodes (including a hub master node and hub slave nodes) integrated within the same physical unit.
US09170618B2
A server is provided in the present disclosure, and the server includes a power module, a motherboard circuit, and a power management circuit. The power management circuit is coupled to the motherboard circuit and the power module. The motherboard circuit receives a remote control signal through a network module and outputs a power-off command to the power management circuit according to the remote control signal. The power management circuit causes the power module to stop supplying power to the motherboard circuit for a predetermined time according to the power-off command. After the predetermined time, the power management circuit causes the power module to supply power again to the motherboard circuit to execute an initialization procedure.
US09170614B2
A touch input device is disclosed. In one aspect, the device includes a body, a conductive net and an elastic member. The body includes a conductive area with one open end. The conductive net covers a conductive area of the body and intersected with a plurality of conductive lines in a mesh shape. The elastic member is received in the body and supports the conductive net.
US09170612B2
There is provided a wristband for attaching to a computer device. The wristband includes a first end configured to attach to a first side of the computer device, a second end configured to attach to a second side of the computer device, a battery, a battery connection interface configured to connect to a battery port of the computer device for providing power from the battery to the computer device, and a charging port configured to connect to an interface of an external power source to receive power from the external power source for charging the battery.
US09170606B2
An information processing device, while in a first input mode for receiving a touchless operation as an input, receives a touchless operation as an input, and starts processing that corresponds to the received touchless operation. If the information processing device detects a switch operation, which is made with a touch on the information processing device for switching from the first input mode to a second input mode that is a mode for receiving a touch operation as an input, within a predetermined time period after the reception of the touchless operation, the information processing device sets an output status obtained as a result of the started processing to an output status which has been obtained before the start of the processing.
US09170604B2
A keyboard includes a first keyboard section, a second keyboard section, and a connection structure. The connection structure includes a hook portion, a first operation member, a drive portion, and at least one latch portion. The hook portion, the first operation member, and the drive portion are defined at the first keyboard section, and the at least one latch portion is defined at the second keyboard section. The first operation member is detachably clasped with the hook portion. The drive portion drives the hook portion moving along a first direction to protrude out of the first keyboard section when the first operation member is operated to detach the hook portion. The at least one latch portion is configured for latching with the hook portion to detachably engage the first keyboard section with the second keyboard section.
US09170598B2
An apparatus for use with a door adapted to lift and slide. The apparatus includes a base connected to the door and a lever hingedly connected to the base for maneuvering the door. The lever is positioned within the base such that the lever is fully recessed in the base. In use, the lever may be extended away from the base and folded into an operating position for moving the door.
US09170584B2
A valve assembly for a water circulation system includes a valve body defining a bypass passage between a hot water side and a cold water side of the valve body. The bypass passage has a valve seat therein. A bypass valve is received within the bypass passage. The bypass valve restricts the flow of water through the bypass passage based on a temperature of the water in the bypass passage. The bypass valve is variably positionable with respect to the valve seat to control a bypass shut-off temperature of the water.
US09170576B2
An energy conservation diagnosis system manages electrical device K which consumes electricity to operate based on control schedule information, and includes acquiring unit 14a, rule information generation unit 14b, operating determination unit 14c and display unit 12. Acquiring unit acquires operating information obtained by relating an operating condition of electrical device to a clock time. Rule information generation unit generates rule information by relating a rule on use of electrical device to a clock time, based on one or more predetermined time slots depending on a benefit of electricity consumed by electrical device. Operating determination unit acquires control schedule information of electrical device, and generates an image data by superimposing acquired control schedule information and rule information onto operating information so that each clock time is fitted to a clock time of operating information. Display unit displays the image data.
US09170569B2
A method includes electing an item of active master equipment from two redundant primary and secondary master items of equipment (10, 20), the primary and secondary master items of equipment (10, 20) being directly connected to a fieldbus (1) and linked together by a terminal cable (30) and each having an active operating mode and a standby mode. Each of the primary and secondary master items of equipment (10, 20) also has one and the same state machine (12, 22) for designating one of the primary and secondary master items of equipment (10, 20) as the active master item of equipment, and the terminal cable (30) used for establishing a directional relation of the primary master item of equipment (10, 20) to the secondary master item of equipment (10, 20).
US09170567B2
In a satellite radio-controlled wristwatch, a time to be spent on acquisition and tracking is reduced and also a reception success probability is increased. A satellite radio-controlled wristwatch according to the present invention includes: a satellite radio wave reception unit including an antenna for receiving a satellite radio wave, a high frequency circuit, and a decoder circuit; a clock circuit for holding and counting an internal time; and a controller for controlling timings of at least: an activation operation of supplying power to the satellite radio wave reception unit for activation thereof; an acquisition and tracking operation of acquiring and tracking a certain satellite radio wave by the satellite radio wave reception unit; and a time information acquisition operation of acquiring time information from the satellite radio wave received by the satellite radio wave reception unit, the controller being configured to: wait for arrival of an activation time point, which is inversely calculated by subtracting an acquisition and tracking time period and an activation time period from a time information receivable time point that is predicted based on the internal time, and then start the activation operation; and vary the acquisition and tracking time period depending on a predetermined condition.
US09170555B2
In an image forming apparatus, to provide a lubrication effect for an abutment portion of a transfer belt and a belt cleaning blade, when a control toner image is supplied, the control toner image is supplied to the abutment portion even when it is not necessary, thereby consuming a large amount of toner. In the image forming apparatus, the control unit changes a toner amount of the control toner image reaching the abutment portion of a photosensitive member and a photosensitive member cleaning blade and the toner amount thereof reaching the abutment portion of a transfer belt and a belt cleaning blade, based on a detection result of an environment detection unit.
US09170553B2
An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis, a cover, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt, primary-transfer members, a secondary-transfer roller, a first feed roller, a cleaner device, a waste toner container, which is movable along the predetermined direction to be removably installed in the chassis through a first opening and stores residual toner, a connector, a first feeding path, a second feeding path being a path for a recording sheet inserted through a sheet inlet and includes a sheet guide to guide the recording sheet, and a second feed roller. The second feed roller is movable along with at least a part of the sheet guide. The waste toner container is movable through space, which is occupied by the second feed roller in an upper position, and the first opening when the second feed roller is in a lower position.
US09170550B2
Part of a plurality of power levels of control patterns selected to control power supplied from an AC power source to a heater of an image forming apparatus include power levels of a) waveforms in which power is supplied in part of negative and positive half cycles in order after no power supply during a one half of a positive half cycle, and waveforms in which power is supplied in part of a positive cycle after no power supply during one half of a negative half cycle, or b) waveforms in which power is supplied in part of positive and negative half cycles in order after no power supply during one half of a negative half cycle, and waveforms in which power is supplied in part of a negative half cycle after no power supply during one half of a positive half cycle.
US09170538B2
An electronic device includes a power supply, a current measuring unit, a converter, a plurality of devices, and a control unit. The current measuring unit measures a current value of current that is output from the power supply. The voltage and the current from the power supply are input into the converter, and the converter converts the input voltage into voltage of a different voltage value, and outputs the voltage thus converted and the current. The control unit controls the converter to output voltage of a voltage value corresponding to a minimum current value measured by the current measuring unit, in which the voltage is voltage of a voltage value between a maximum value of lower limit voltage and a minimum value of upper limit voltage within an operating voltage range of one or a plurality of devices that operate in the energy saving mode.
US09170534B2
A fixing device may include: a nip member; an endless belt; a heater; a temperature detection unit; and a biasing member. The endless belt may circularly move such that an inner peripheral surface thereof may move in a sliding direction at a position in sliding contact with the nip member. The temperature detection unit may include: a temperature sensor and a holder. The temperature sensor may detect a temperature of the inner peripheral surface and may include: a base and a sensor element supported at the base. The holder may support the base and may have a guide surface for guiding the inner peripheral surface. The guide surface may be disposed on at least one of first and second sides of the temperature sensor in a first direction extending along an axis of the endless belt. The biasing member may bias the holder toward the inner peripheral surface.
US09170529B2
A process cartridge includes: a drum cartridge including a photoconductor; a development cartridge configured to be detachably attached to the drum cartridge and including a developer carrying member for supplying developer to the photoconductor; a locking member provided on the drum cartridge and configured to be switchable between a locking position in which the development cartridge attached to the drum cartridge is in a locked state and restrained from being moved in a removing direction in which the development cartridge is removed from the drum cartridge and a lifting position in which the locked state is released and the development cartridge is movable in the removing direction, and a retaining member configured to retain the development cartridge which has been moved from the locked state in the removing direction by switching the locking member from the locking position to the lifting position.
US09170527B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member and a developer replenishment device. In addition, a control portion executes a first mode of detecting a first toner image for control by a sensor and controlling an operation of the replenishment device so that a detection result from the sensor attains a first target value, a second mode of detecting a second toner image for control by the sensor and setting a development contrast of a maximum image density so that a detection result attains a second target value, and a third mode of detecting a third toner image for control by the sensor and changing, based on the detection result, at least one of the first target value and a development contrast of the first toner image for control, wherein the control portion executes the third mode according to a timing at which the second mode is executed.
US09170518B2
Disclosed is a closed-loop control method and system to control the nip width and transfer field uniformity associated with an image marking apparatus. According to an exemplary embodiment, a closed-loop control system senses the uniformity of the image transfer field and applies forces to a transfer nip based on the sensed field to provide a more uniform field.
US09170494B2
The present invention relates to a novel antireflective coating composition comprising a polymer obtained from a reaction product of at least one amino compound chosen from the group consisting of a polymer with repeat unit of structure (1), structure (2) and mixtures thereof reacted with a hydroxy compound chosen from the group consisting of structure (3), structure (4) and mixtures thereof, and, a thermal acid generator. The invention also relates to a process for using the novel composition in lithography.
US09170492B2
A silicon-containing film-forming composition includes a polysiloxane and organic solvent. The polysiloxane includes a first structural unit, a second structural unit, and a third structural unit. The first structural unit is derived from a tetraalkoxysilane. The second structural unit is derived from a compound shown by a formula (1), wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an electron-donating group, at least one R1 is an electron-donating group, R2 represents a monovalent organic group, and n represents 0 or 1. The third structural unit is derived from a compound shown by a formula (2), wherein R3 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and R4 represents a monovalent organic group.
US09170491B2
The present invention relates to a negative-type photoresist composition for thick film, comprising: (A) 20 to 50 wt % of an alkali-soluble resin which is polymerized from a plurality of kinds of monomers, wherein the monomers includes compounds represented by formulas (1A) and (1B), and based on the weight ratio of the monomers to the alkali-soluble resin, the sum of the formula (1A) compound and the formula (1B) compound are 20 to 60%, and X of the formula (1A) and (1B) may be independently H, methyl or ethyl. (B) 10 to 30 wt % of crosslinker which can be a bisphenol fluorene derivative monomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated double bond; (C) 5 to 15 wt % of photo initiator; and (D) residual solvent. The present invention also relates to use of the above-mentioned negative-type photoresist compound for thick film.
US09170486B2
Disclosed are a method of manufacturing a black column spacer that includes preparing a substrate; forming a first organic layer on the substrate; forming a second organic layer on the first organic layer; performing exposure on the substrate on which the first organic layer and the second organic layer are formed using a half-tone mask; and developing the substrate and curing the resultant product, a black column spacer manufactured using the manufacturing method, and a color filter including the black column spacer.
US09170484B2
A method of manufacturing a mask includes: providing a base substrate including light-absorbing layer patterns on a first surface thereof; providing a reflective layer on the light-absorbing layer patterns and the first surface of the base substrate; and providing reflective patterns by partially removing the reflective layer. The providing the reflective patterns includes removing the light-absorbing layer patterns and a portion of the reflective layer, by irradiating the light-absorbing layer patterns with laser light.
US09170480B2
According to example embodiments, a reflective EUV mask may include a mask substrate, a patterned structure and a non-patterned structure on the mask substrate. At least one of the patterned structure and the non-patterned structure may include a thermally treated region configured to reduce a reflectivity of the respective patterned and non-patterned structure.
US09170479B1
A zoetrope device having a plurality of panels is disclosed. Each of the panels may be formed with one or more indicia representing various objects such as people and things. The panels may be mounted to a rotatable platform that traverses the panels over a light source. When the panel is traversed over the light source, the light source may illuminate the edge of the panel and the indicia formed on the panel. The indicia may be formed at different depths to provide the viewer with an image that appears to be three dimensional. Moreover, the light source may have one or more different light colors for illuminating the indicia therewith and/or alternately illuminating the indicia with different light colors.
US09170477B2
A light emitting device includes a first layer that generates light by an injection current, the first layer is provided with a first optical waveguide extending from a first light emitting section disposed on a first side surface to a first light reflecting section disposed on a second side surface, a second optical waveguide extending from the first light reflecting section to a second light reflecting section disposed on a third side surface, and a third optical waveguide extending from the second light reflecting section to a second light emitting section disposed on the first side surface, and an element of the group II or the group XII is diffused in the first light reflecting section and the second light reflecting section.
US09170471B2
An optical system including integrated illumination and imaging optical systems, and a 3-dimensional (3D) image acquisition apparatus including the optical system. In the optical system of the 3D image acquisition apparatus, the illumination optical system and the imaging optical system are integrated to have a coaxial optical path. Accordingly, there is no parallax between the illumination optical system and the imaging optical system, so that depth information about an object acquired using illumination light may reflect actual distances between the object and the 3D image acquisition apparatus. Consequently, the depth information about the object may be more precise. The zero parallax between the illumination optical system and the imaging optical system may improve utilization efficiency of the illumination light. As a result, a greater amount of light may be incident on the 3D image acquisition apparatus, which ensures to acquire further precise depth information about the object.
US09170460B2
The present invention provides to an in-plane-switching (IPS) mode liquid crystal panel, which comprises: a first substrate, a second substrate, a coplanar transparent electrode layer and a liquid crystal layer. The first and second substrates have a first alignment film and a second alignment film, respectively. The coplanar transparent electrode layer is disposed onto the second alignment film. The liquid crystal layer is disposed in a space between the first alignment film of the first substrate and the coplanar transparent electrode layer of the second substrate. The liquid crystal layer comprises dual-frequency liquid crystal molecules and dual-frequency reactive mesogens/monomers. The liquid crystal panel of the present invention can overcome the problems of pollution and static electricity generated from the rubbing alignment in the in-plane-switching (IPS) mode, so as to simplify the manufacturing process and provide the advantages of high contrast, high response speed and wide viewing angle.
US09170458B2
A liquid crystal display device includes a TFT substrate having a first alignment film and an opposing substrate having a second alignment film with liquid crystals sandwiched therebetween. One of the first and second alignment films, comprises a first polyimide produced via polyamide acid ester containing cyclobutane as a precursor and a second polyimide produced via polyamide acid as a precursor. The polyamide acid has a higher polarity than that of the polyamide acid ester. The one of the first and second alignment films is responsive to photo-alignment. A first side of the one of the first and second alignment films is adjacent to the liquid crystals, and a second side thereof is closer to one of the TFT substrate and the counter substrate than the first side. The first side contains more of the first polyimide and less of the second polyimide than the second side.
US09170441B2
A fabricating apparatus of a flat panel display device includes lift pins for lifting a substrate, a susceptor through which the lift pins pass, and a static electricity quantity detector for detecting a quantity of static electricity on the substrate by sensing when the susceptor separates from the substrate by sensing a traveled distance of the susceptor when the susceptor is separated from the substrate.
US09170438B2
A device may include a number of optical waveguides, each of which being spaced from one another. The optical waveguides may each include at least one curved section and widths of the curved sections of the optical waveguides may be selected to reduce polarization conversion of light traversing the birefringent optical waveguides.
US09170431B2
Eyewear, lenses, and methods of forming lenses are disclosed. In an example eyewear, first and second temples are coupled to a lens. The lens includes a viewing portion, a mounting portion configured to be coupled to at least one of the first and second temples, a connecting portion connecting the mounting portion to the viewing portion of the lens. The lens further includes an elongated slot that defines at least in part the mounting portion and the connecting portion. The mounting portion and connecting portion are configured to effectively isolate the viewing portion from deflection of the mounting portion.
US09170430B2
Anti-vibration actuator, lens unit and camera furnished therewith, and manufacturing method for same
To provide an anti-vibration actuator capable of smooth transition to image-blur prevention control. The present invention is an actuator (10) furnished with a locking mechanism, including: a fixed portion (12); a movable portion (14) with an image-blur prevention lens (16); a movable portion support means (18); a drive means for driving the movable portion; a movable portion locking mechanism (42) for locking a movable portion by limiting the range over which the movable portion can move to be within a predetermined locked movable range; a memory section (36a), within which is stored the movable portion initial position to which the movable portion is moved upon startup of image-blur prevention control; and a control section (36) for moving the movable portion to the initial position and releasing the lock upon startup of control; whereby the predetermined position in the locked movable range is stored as an initial position.
US09170424B2
Provided are an illumination unit and a display capable of achieving size reduction in a case where a plurality types of light sources emitting light with various different wavelengths are in use. An optical-path conversion member 12 is provided for performing optical-path conversion to light (red laser light Lr, green laser light Lg, and blue laser light Lg) coming from three types of light sources (a red laser 11R, a green laser 11G, and a blue laser 11B) in a light source unit 11 in such a manner that, compared with an angle formed by center rays in the light, an angle formed by center rays in outgoing light becomes much smaller. Such optical-path conversion is performed without using a large-scale optical system (optical members).
US09170421B2
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing multi-level multi-state shutter assemblies. The shutter assembly includes at least a first shutter at a first height over a substrate and a second shutter at a second height over the substrate. Both the first shutter and the second shutter can be operated in an open or closed state for passing or partially blocking light propagating through an aperture. In some implementations, the shutter assembly can operate in four states: a fully transmissive state, a fully obstructive state and two partially transmissive states based on the open or closed states of the first and second shutters.
US09170420B2
A special record format used for commanding light pattern shapes and addressable light pattern shape generator. The command format includes a first part which commands a specified gobo and second parts which command the characteristics of that hobo. The gobo is formed by making a default gobo based on the type and modifying that default gobo to fit the characteristics.
US09170415B2
A removable optical loupe that is mountable to headwear is provided. The inventive loupe is configured to clip on to the brim of a hat, or the bill of a cap or visor. Embodiments of the inventive loupe have a pivoting joint for positioning the lens of the optical loupe into and out of the line of sight when not in use. The lens of the inventive optical loupe is used for magnifying objects for inspection.
US09170412B2
There is disclosed an apparatus for magnifying and capturing images of one or more samples, as well as an apparatus for changing objective lenses. Methods of using the apparatuses, and other embodiments, are also disclosed.
US09170407B2
A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side thereof, 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, and a fourth lens unit having a positive refractive power. A distance between adjacent ones of the lens units changes during zooming. The first lens unit consists of, in order from the object side to the image side thereof, one negative lens element and one positive lens element. Lengths of travel M1 and M2 of the first lens unit and the second lens unit, respectively, during zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, focal lengths f1 and f2 of the first lens unit and the second lens unit, respectively, and a zoom ratio Z of the zoom lens are set appropriately.
US09170406B2
A zoom lens includes: a first lens group having a positive refractive power which is fixed while changing magnification; a second lens group constituted by two or more magnification changing groups; an aperture stop; and a third lens group having a positive refractive power which is fixed while changing magnification, provided in this order from an object side. The magnification changing groups respectively move along an optical axis while changing magnification from a wide angle end to a telephoto end. The zoom lens satisfies the following conditional formula: u′/u<0.5 (1) wherein u is the angle of inclination of a paraxial chief ray of light that enters the lens surface most toward the object side within the first lens group, and u′ is the angle of inclination of the paraxial chief ray of light that exits the lens surface most toward an image side within the first lens group.
US09170403B2
An imaging lens is constituted by: a first lens having a positive refractive power and is of a meniscus shape with a convex surface toward the object side; a second lens having a negative refractive power; a third lens having a positive refractive power and a convex surface toward the object side; a fourth lens having a positive refractive power and a convex surface toward the object side; and a fifth lens having a negative refractive power, a concave surface toward the image side on the surface thereof toward the image side in the vicinity of the optical axis, and an inflection point on the surface thereof toward the image side, provided in this order from the object side.
US09170400B2
A photographing optical lens assembly includes a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element and a sixth lens element. The first lens element has positive refractive power. The second lens element with negative refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof and an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. The third lens element, the fourth lens element, the fifth lens element and the sixth lens element have refractive power. The sixth lens element has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof, wherein the image-side surface of the sixth lens element has at least one inflection point. The photographing optical lens assembly has a total of six lens elements with refractive power.
US09170397B2
The present invention relates to a supporting structure for a movable mirror of an interferometer, the supporting structure comprising a fixed frame (11), a movable frame (12) to which the movable mirror (42) is arranged to be attachable, and at least two flexible members (13), first ends of said members (13) being fastened to the fixed frame (11) and second ends of said members (13) being fastened to the movable frame (12) in such a way that the distance between fixing points of each flexible member (13) is essentially the same and the distance between the fixing points of the first ends essentially equals the distance between the fixing points of the second ends. The supporting structure comprises support members (16) attached to at least one side of at least two flexible members (13). The invention also relates to an interferometer and a method for reducing the tilting of a movable mirror of an interferometer.
US09170392B2
A telecommunications assembly includes a chassis defining an interior region and a tray assembly disposed in the interior region. The tray assembly includes a tray and a cable spool assembly. The cable spool assembly is engaged to a base panel of the tray. The cable spool assembly is adapted to rotate relative to the tray. The cable spool assembly includes a hub, a flange engaged to the hub and an adapter module. The flange defines a termination area. The adapter module is engaged to the termination module of the flange. The adapter module is adapted to slide relative to the flange in a direction that is generally parallel to the flange between an extended position and a retracted position.
US09170390B2
Cables have dielectric armors with armor profiles that provide additional crush and impact resistance for the optical fibers and/or fiber optic assembly therein, while retaining flexibility to aid during installation. The armored cables recover substantially from deformation caused by crush loads.
US09170389B2
Hybrid fiber optic cables including one or more electrical coaxial subassembly allowing for fiber movement to reduce attenuation during bending are disclosed. Related connectorized cables and systems are also disclosed. The hybrid fiber optic cables include both one or more coaxial subassembly and optical fibers to provide both optical and electrical connectivity as part of a connectorized system. Use of one or more coaxial subassembly reduces impedance variations and lowers cost. Each coaxial sub-assembly also includes multiple electrical conductors to increase electrical connectivity capacity (e.g., power and signals) of the hybrid cable, as needed or desired. Further, the hybrid cable may include a channel with optical fiber(s) of the hybrid cable disposed therein, free of attachment to the channel. The channel allows the optical fibers to move relative to the cable jacket and control bend radius to reduce optical attenuation when the hybrid fiber optic cable is bent.
US09170385B2
The present invention provides a plug for mounting on at least one cable having at least one optical conductor, the plug comprising a body and including at least one optoelectronic converter provided with connection means arranged inside the body in a manner that is removable and interchangeable.
US09170370B2
An optical printed circuit board includes a substrate, a first cladding layer, a core layer, and a second cladding layer. The first cladding layer is formed on the substrate and defines a receiving groove. The core layer is received in the receiving groove. The second cladding layer is formed on the core layer. The refractive index of the core layer is greater than that of the first cladding layer and that of the second cladding layer. The core layer includes a bottom surface, a first refractive surface, and a second refractive surface. An included angle between the bottom surface and the first refractive surface is about 135 degrees. An included angle between the bottom surface and the second refractive surface is about 135 degrees.
US09170369B2
A graded refractive index bending-resistant multimode optical fiber includes a core layer and claddings. The core layer has a radius in a range of 22.5-27.5 μm; refractive indexes being a gradient-graded refractive index distribution with a distribution exponent α in a range of 1.99-2.06; and a maximum relative refractive index difference (RRID) Δ1% max in a range of 0.9%-1.3%. The claddings has an inner cladding surrounding the core layer, an intermediate cladding surrounding the inner cladding and an outer cladding surrounding the inner cladding. The inner cladding has a radius in a range of 25.5-34.5 μm, and an RRID Δ2% in a range of −0.02%-0.02%. The intermediate cladding is a pure quartz glass layer, and has a radius in a range of 30.5-49.5 μm, and an RRID Δ3% in a range of −0.01%-0.01%. The outer cladding has a radius in a range of 61.5-63.5 μm, and an RRID Δ4% is in a range of −0.20%-0.30%.
US09170366B2
The invention relates to a sensor system comprising a waveguide, which waveguide comprises a grating in at least a part of the waveguide, which waveguide further comprises a coating, the coating comprising a polymer, which polymer comprises a chain, in which chain are present an aromatic group and a chemical group selected from the group of sulfonyl groups, carbonyl groups, carbonate groups, fluorocarbon groups, siloxane groups, pyridine groups and amide groups.
US09170360B2
A display device includes a side light type backlight for white color display by single color LEDs, an LED set is placed in a concave portion of a light guide plate, in which a first color LED is located in the center and a second or third color LED is located on the side of the first color LED. An incident slit with an arc shaped convex portion is formed facing the first color LED, and a saw tooth slit with a right-angled triangular concave portion is formed facing the second or third color LED. This allows directing the distribution axes of the lights from the second and third color LEDs to the center side, and adjusting orientation angles to allow effective mixing of the three color lights, in order to increase the white color area and effective display area.
US09170355B2
A reflective polarizer of the invention has excellent optical properties even though a very small number of polymer components per unit area is disposed inside a matrix thereof compared to reflective polarizers of the related art, which include birefringent polymer, since the polymer inside the matrix has a plate-like shape. This is advantageous for covering the entire range of visible light, since a plate-like polymer having a variety of optical thicknesses can be used. The additional processing of bonding the skin layer is not performed, since the skin layer is formed on at least one surface of the core layer in the state in which it is molten. This can greatly reduce manufacturing costs, and is advantageous in that it maximizes optical properties in a limited thickness.
US09170354B2
A retroreflective sheet and a fabrication method thereof are provided, the retroreflective sheet including a base, a bonding layer formed on the base, a colored layer formed to be thicker in a non-reflective region NRA2 than in a reflective region RA2 to have a concavo-convex surface on the bonding layer, and having a fluorescent function or a phosphorescent function or having the both fluorescent and phosphorescent functions, a reflective layer formed in the concave portion of the reflective region RA2 on the surface of the colored layer, and a light concentrating layer having a plurality of beads aligned therein on the reflective layer. Thus, since a step is not generated between the reflective region and the non-reflective region, the light reflective member can be prevented from being delaminated from the body when used, and also, the light reflective member can be simply formed in the reflective region of the colored layer.
US09170353B2
A light emitting mirror structure includes a casing caved in to form an accommodating space having a light guiding area and a mirror area, and at least one surface of the casing as a sidewall communicating with the accommodating space. The mirror structure includes a light guiding device having a light guide plate, and a light emitting member disposed on a side of the light guide plate, and the light guiding device is placed at the light guiding area of the accommodating space of the casing. A mirror body having a substrate and a mirror surface located on the substrate is provided for the disclosed mirror structure also. The mirror body is integrated on the mirror area of the accommodating space, the light guiding plate causes a light to be emitted through the sidewall at a first side of the mirror body, and the mirror surface is uncovered by the sidewall.
US09170340B1
A directional neutron detector has an ion chamber formed in a dielectric material; a signal electrode and a ground electrode formed in the ion chamber; a neutron absorbing material filling the ion chamber; readout circuitry which is electrically coupled to the signal and ground electrodes; and a signal processor electrically coupled to the readout circuitry. The ion chamber has a pair of substantially planar electrode surfaces. The chamber pressure of the neutron absorbing material is selected such that the reaction particle ion trail length for neutrons absorbed by the neutron absorbing material is equal to or less than the distance between the electrode surfaces. The signal processor is adapted to determine a path angle for each absorbed neutron based on the rise time of the corresponding pulse in a time-varying detector signal.
US09170333B2
Disclosed is a system of a dynamic range three-dimensional image, including: an optical detector including a gain control terminal capable of controlling an optical amplification gain; a pixel detecting module for detecting a pixel signal for configuring an image by receiving an output of the optical detector; a high dynamic range (HDR) generating module for acquiring a dynamic range image by generating a signal indicating a saturation degree of the pixel signal and combining the pixel signal based on the pixel signal detected by the pixel detecting module; and a gain control signal generating module generating an output signal for supplying required voltage to the gain control terminal of the optical detector based on the magnitude of the signal indicating the saturation degree of the pixel signal.
US09170330B2
An ultrasound imaging system includes a transducer array, with an array of transducer elements that transmits an ultrasound signal and receives a set of echoes generated in response to the ultrasound signal traversing a flowing structure. The ultrasound imaging system further includes a beamformer that beamforms the set of echoes, generating a beamformed signal. The ultrasound imaging system further includes a pre-processor that performs basebanding, averaging and decimation of the beamformed signal and determines an autocorrelation of the basebanded, averaged and decimated beamformed signal. The ultrasound imaging system further includes a velocity processor that generates an axial velocity component signal and a lateral velocity component signal based on the autocorrelation. The axial and lateral velocity components indicate a direction and a speed of the flowing structure in the field of view.
US09170328B2
Systems and methods for improving bearing initialization for a pair of two-element antennas. An exemplary system includes two-element antennas mounted on the bottom and top of an aircraft fuselage, an output device, and a processing device. The processing device receives phase-difference information based on phase of signals received at each element of a two-element antenna, determines if the received phase-difference information is within a predefined low-confidence region, and initializes bearing if the phase-difference information is not within the low-confidence region or the phase-difference information from a predefined number of consecutively received signals meets a predefined consistency requirement.
US09170327B2
An apparatus for providing obstacle information in an autonomous mobile vehicle and a method thereof, in which a target object is determined to be what obstacle by combining pieces of information received from a laser distance sensor and radars, thereby enabling the autonomous driving of a vehicle. The apparatus and method for providing obstacle information in an autonomous mobile vehicle, which is capable of providing robust obstacle information not only in environments normal times, but also dust environments by combining a laser distance sensor and radars. A problem that an obstacle through which a mobile unit can pass, such as dust, is mistaken for an obstacle through which the mobile unit cannot pass can be solved.
US09170312B2
A method for imaging a substrate and product over time is provided. The substrate and product are magnetically tagged with at least one magnetic gradient where magnetically tagging provides a tag-dependent signal phase for the substrate and a different tag-dependent signal phase for the product. At least one readout of magnetically tagged substrate and product is provided over time. The tag-dependent signal phase is used to determine product that has been transformed from magnetically tagged substrate and substrate that has been transformed from magnetically tagged product over time.
US09170310B2
A whole body RF coil array module configured for cryogenic cooling for use in magnetic resonance imaging. The RF coil array may be a superconducting coil array, such as a high temperature superconducting (HTS) array. The RF coil array module provides sufficiently high signal-to-noise ratio and large field of view such that the RF coil array may be used in an MRI whole body system for diagnostic imaging of all body parts without requiring using special-purpose RF coils for different body parts.
US09170307B2
Embodiments relate to multi-terminal sensor devices and operating methods thereof that can reduce or eliminate offset error. In embodiments, sensor devices can comprise three or fewer terminals, and multiple such sensor devices can be combined. The sensor devices can comprise Hall sensor devices, such as vertical Hall devices, or other sensor devices in embodiments. Operating modes can be implemented for the multi-terminal sensor devices which offer improvements over conventional spinning current techniques, including reduced residual offset.
US09170305B2
A battery management system (BMS) and a method of controlling the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the BMS includes a reference setup unit configured to set a charge completion value used to calculate a state of health (SOH) of the battery, wherein the battery comprises one or more battery packs each including a plurality of battery cells, and a charge amount calculation unit configured to calculate an amount actually charged in the battery from a first point in time when charging of the battery begins to a second point in time when the battery charging actually reaches the charge completion value. The BMS may further include an SOH calculation unit configured to calculate the SOH of the battery based on a ratio of i) the actual charge amount to ii) a preset charge amount expected to be charged from the first time point to the second time point.
US09170300B2
This disclosure describes a reduced pin bus that can be used on integrated circuits or embedded cores within integrated circuits. The bus may be used for serial access to circuits where the availability of pins on ICs or terminals on cores is limited. The bus may be used for a variety of serial communication operations such as, but not limited to, serial communication related test, emulation, debug, and/or trace operations of an IC or core design. Other aspects of the disclosure include the use of reduced pin buses for emulation, debug, and trace operations and for functional operations.
US09170299B2
A process and apparatus provide a JTAG TAP controller (302) to access a JTAG TAP domain (106) of a device using a reduced pin count, high speed DDR interface (202). The access is accomplished by combining the separate TDI and TMS signals from the TAP controller into a single signal and communicating the TDI and TMS signals of the single signal on the rising and falling edges of the TCK driving the DDR interface. The TAP domain may be coupled to the TAP controller in a point to point fashion or in an addressable bus fashion. The access to the TAP domain may be used for JTAG based device testing, debugging, programming, or other type of JTAG based operation.
US09170293B2
A power line indicator accessory configured to simultaneously determine an operating state of a plurality of conductors establishing a circuit connection to a plurality of circuit protection devices such as a fusible switch disconnect devices or modular fuse holders arranged side-by-side in an array. The accessory includes an onboard power supply and a thin, elongated body facilitating its use in tight spaces.
US09170290B1
A method for measuring acoustic impulse response of a Device Under Test (DUT) addresses sample rate variations by determining clock rate differences between the DUT and test system, and making adjustments to compensate for the different clock rates. An interrogation signal is generated with two “events” spaced a known number of samples apart, at the nominal sampling rate of the DUT. The interrogation signal is played through the DUT and recorded by a measurement system. The number of samples between the two “events” is measured in the sampled signal to determine the shift introduced by the different clock rates. The adjustment is then applied to either the original frequency response measurement signal by adjusting the sampling rate of a frequency response measurement signal to compensate for the different clock rates, or to the measured signal before averaging, to align the samples and prevent cancelling.
US09170288B2
The present invention provides a method for obtaining feedback parameters related to the state of a dielectric elastomer (DE). The method comprises introducing a small-scale oscillation to the voltage difference between electrodes of the DE, monitoring or repeatedly measuring several measurable electrical characteristics of the DE, deriving other relevant data from the measurements, deriving an equation for a plane of best fit through the relevant data when defined as orthogonal axes, and deriving the feedback parameters from coefficients of the plane equation. The method thus provides important feedback regarding the capacitance, leakage current and/or electrode resistance of the DE. Also disclosed are a computer program and a system adapted to perform the method.
US09170284B2
An A.C. power measuring apparatus includes a voltage detecting unit that detects voltage waveforms of each of phases of a set of insulated cables for supplying a three-phase A.C. power to a load, by performing a contactless measurement by electrostatic capacitance coupling, and a current detecting unit that detects current waveforms of the set of insulated tables, by performing a contactless measurement by electromagnetic induction coupling. The apparatus further includes a processing unit that computes a power to be supplied to the load, based on line-to-line voltage waveforms, the current waveforms, and prescribed voltage values, by normalizing the voltage waveforms of each of the phases so that as amplitude ratio of the voltage waveforms becomes in accordance with a grounding type of the three-phase A.C. power, and obtaining the line-to-line voltages of the set of three insulated cables based on the normalized voltage waveforms of each of the phases.
US09170283B2
A current detector includes a magnetic core that is molded by sintering powder made from a magnetic material, and a current detection busbar. The current detection busbar is a conductor including a penetrating portion that penetrates a hole portion of the magnetic core in a first direction in which a current flows, and terminal portions that are in connection with the penetrating portion on both sides in the first direction. The width of the terminal portions is larger than the maximum width of the hole portion, and the minimum width of the cross-sectional contour of the penetrating portion is larger than the thickness of the terminal portions. An insulating casing holds the magnetic core, the current detection busbar, and the Hall element, while keeping them from coming into contact with each other.
US09170277B2
An electrical connecting module includes a first electrical connection terminal with a first connection pole and a second connection pole; a module element with a second electrical connection terminal, which comprises a first connection pole and a second connection pole, and with a third electrical connection terminal, which comprises a first connection pole and a second connection pole. A test channel is provided for accommodating a test probe. wherein the test channel is intended for making electrical contact with the second connection pole of the first connection terminal by means of the test probe when there is an electrical connection between the first connection pole of the first connection terminal and the first connection pole of the third connection terminal and when the electrical connection between the second connection pole of the first connection terminal and the second connection pole of the third connection terminal is disconnected.
US09170267B2
A fluid-pressure regulator for regulating the pressure of a fluid. The regulator includes a variable-resistance fluid element and a variable-volume fluid element located downstream of the variable-resistance element. Pressure in the fluid at the outlet of the regulator is controlled by substantially simultaneously changing the resistance of the variable-resistance element and the volume of the variable-volume element. In one example, a decrease in pressure is effected at the outlet by simultaneously increasing the resistance of the variable-resistance element and increasing the volume of the variable-volume element. Some embodiments of the regulator are particularly useful to effect long-term and high-speed pressure changes in high-resistance fluidic channel networks.
US09170266B2
A compound represented by the formula (I) (one of substituents represented by R1 is a trapping group for an object substance for measurement; R2 and R3 represent hydrogen, alkyl, or halogen; R4 and R5 represent alkyl or aryl; R6 and R7 represent hydrogen, alkyl, or halogen; R8 represents hydrogen, alkylcarbonyl, or alkylcarbonyloxymethyl, and X represents silicon, germanium, or tin, which can be used as a fluorescent probe that enables red color bioimaging using intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer.
US09170262B2
Methods of qualitatively and/or quantitatively detecting the presence of mutations, modifications or impurities in a protein sample are provided. The methods utilize isotopically labeled variants of amino acids incorporated into proteins prior to protein digest to enable comparisons of two protein samples in bottom-up liquid chromatography.
US09170261B2
The present invention provides a novel peptide with high specificity for recognition of ovarian cancer. The peptide is selected using M13 phage display library and epithelial-enrich-conjugated magnetic beads. Only a small amount of the peptide is required to establish over 80% binding activity to ovarian cancer comparing to low binding activities to other cancers, showing high specificity for ovarian cancer. Thus the peptide of the present invention can be effective in early detection of ovarian cancer.
US09170260B2
Diagnostic tests for characterizing an individual's risk of developing or having a cardiovascular disease. In one embodiment the present diagnostic test comprises determining the level of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in a bodily sample obtained from the individual or test subject. In another embodiment, the diagnostic test comprises determining the level of MPO mass in a bodily sample obtained from the test subject. In another embodiment, the diagnostic test comprises determining the level of one or more select MPO-generated oxidation products in a bodily sample obtained from the test subject. The select MPO-generated oxidation products are dityrosine, nitrotyrosine, methionine sulphoxide or an MPO-generated lipid peroxidation products. Levels of MPO activity, MPO mass, or the select MPO-generated oxidation product in bodily samples from the test subject are then compared to a predetermined value that is derived from measurements of MPO activity, MPO mass, or the select MPO-generated oxidation product in comparable bodily samples obtained from the general population or a select population of human subjects. Such comparison characterizes the test subject's risk of developing CVD.
US09170249B2
The present invention provides methods of evaluating a glycoprotein preparation for the absence, presence or amount of an N-acetylhexosamine glycan, e.g., an N-acetylglucosamine glycan.
US09170244B2
A method and an arrangement for dynamic breakthrough detection is proposed. The arrangement comprises at least a transfer element, at least a memory unit in which sensor characteristic curves, at least a controller and an evaluation logic are stored.
US09170243B2
A method for evaluating an odor generated when using a self-tanning agent, wherein at least one compound selected from pyrazine compounds represented by the following general formula (1) is used as an indicator substance: wherein R1 represents a methyl group, an ethyl group or an acetyl group, and R2, R3 and R4 independently represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.
US09170239B2
A sensor for use in magnetostrictive testing of a structure. The sensor has a thin ferromagnetic strip with a series of parallel crimps across its width. A first wire coil is wrapped around the width of the strip and along its entire length, such that portions of wire that cross the bottom surface of the strip are located inside the crimps, and portions of wire that are wrapped across the top surface of the strip are between the crimps. The sensor further has a second coil wrapped around the length of the strip, or for pipeline applications, around the pipeline.
US09170230B2
Provided herein are Mycobacterium smegmatis porin nanopores, systems that comprise these nanopores, and methods of using and making these nanopores. Such nanopores may be wild-type MspA porins, mutant MspA porins, wild-type MspA paralog porins, wild-type MspA homolog porins, mutant MspA paralog porins, mutant MspA homolog porins, or single-chain Msp porins. Also provided are bacterial strains capable of inducible Msp porin expression.
US09170225B2
Systems and methods for discriminating among volatile compounds is provided using a semiconductor junction structure or sensor device. Sensor devices of the present disclosure employ a combination of hole carriers (p-type) and electron carriers (n-type) metal oxides deposited, for example, on a gold microspring array designed so that it has several leads that are at different distances from each other.
US09170217B2
A molecular structure determination facility includes a first X-ray source capable of emitting a pulsed coherent X-ray beam along a first emission direction and a plurality of first measurement stations aligned along the first emission direction. Each of the first measurement stations comprises a sample injector device for injecting a sample beam of a liquid into an interaction region, a focusing unit for focusing an X-ray beam, and a detector arranged around and comprising a central opening aligned with the emission direction, and being sensitive to X-rays emerging from the interaction region. A method uses the facility by emitting a coherent X-ray beam pulse using the first X-ray source, triggering the injector devices to inject sample beams of liquid into the interaction regions such that the coherent X-ray pulse intersects the sample beams of liquid in the interaction regions, and detecting X-rays emerging from the interaction regions using the detectors.
US09170214B2
A motion-based interlock apparatus, system, and method prevent an x-ray source in an x-ray machine from activating if the current relative motion between the x-ray source and an image receptor would compromise the quality of the resulting plain radiograph. The system activates the interlock based on either or both of the velocity and acceleration of the tubehead, as measured by instrumentation corresponding to any of the tubehead, the extension arm, or off board the x-ray machine. The system may preferably compare the measured motion against one or more acceptable motion thresholds. If the measured motion exceeds one or more of the acceptable motion thresholds, exposure may preferably be delayed until the motion of the tubehead subsides. By ensuring that the image is not exposed while the tubehead is moving substantially, the quality of the resultant radiograph is improved.
US09170213B2
The invention relates to a sensor device (30; 30a; 30b; 30c) for a packaging machine (100) designed as a capsule filling and sealing machine or for a capsule control device (100a), said device having a positioning element (35; 35a) for positioning a container (c) having a longitudinal axis (15) and filled with a filling material in the region of the sensor device (30; 30a; 30b; 30c) and at least one radiation source (31; 31 a; 3 b) and at least one detector (40; 40a; 40b) for detecting the radiation after said radiation radiates through the container (c). According to the invention, the at least one radiation source (31; 31a; 31b) radiates through the container (c) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (15) thereof and the positioning element is designed as a tubular or shaft-shaped conveying element (35; 35a) which can be penetrated by the radiation in a radiation cone (38) of the radiation source (31; 31a; 31b).
US09170212B2
A method, an apparatus and a system are provided for assessing at a security checkpoint the threat status of a liquid product comprised of a bottle at least partially filled with liquid. Generally, an X-ray image of the liquid product is obtained and processed to derive a level of fill of the bottle and the threat status of the liquid product is determined at least in part based on the level of fill of the bottle. In some examples presented, an X-ray image of the liquid product is processed to derive location information associated with a meniscus formed by the liquid in the bottle and an estimated length of a path followed by X-rays through the liquid held in the bottle is used to determine the threat status of the liquid product, the length of the path being derived in part based on the location information.
US09170206B2
An inspection apparatus for a sheet includes: white LED illuminators which irradiate a sheet of paper with light containing visible light: IR-LED illuminators which irradiate the sheet of paper with light containing infrared rays: two visible color cameras; one IR monochrome camera: an IR filter which eliminates the visible light in the light emitted from the white LED illuminators and the IR-LED illuminators and reflected off the sheet of paper, and makes only the infrared rays incident on the IR monochrome camera; and a control device which determines appropriateness of a pattern portion on the sheet of paper on the basis of the visible light made incident on the visible color cameras, and determines appropriateness of pattern portions on the sheet of paper on the basis of the infrared rays made incident on the IR monochrome camera.
US09170199B2
Various improvements to three dimensional imaging systems having inflatable membranes are disclosed. These improvements include, among other things, a proximity sensor that can be used to warn a user of the device when approaching a feature in a cavity, such as an eardrum in an ear canal; or optical sensors with an optical coating matching the refractive index of the medium in which the optical sensors are deployed, to improve data acquisition.
US09170194B2
A material property measuring apparatus includes a radiation source irradiator configured to irradiate a measurement target material with radiation beams having n different wavelengths, a detector configured to detect intensities of radiation beams having the respective wavelengths after the irradiation of the measurement target material, and a processing unit configured to correct the detected intensity of the radiation beam having at least a part of the respective wavelengths using a correction coefficient in which rows and columns are respectively represented by a matrix of an order of n or less, and to calculate an index value indicating a property of the measurement target material on the basis of relative intensities of the radiation beams having the respective wavelengths after the correction.
US09170184B2
A method of regulating the viscosity of a mixture containing at least two components having different viscosities, which includes the steps of: (a) determination of the viscosity of the mixture via ultrasound measurements, (b) standardization of the viscosity determined to standard conditions, (c) comparison of the standardized viscosity with a prescribed intended value, and (d) adjustment of the viscosity of the mixture by increasing or decreasing the proportion of at least one component of the mixture, where the ultrasound measurements in step (a) are carried out at or in a line conveying the mixture or in a vessel.
US09170181B2
Provided is a test jig including a jig main body having, at an end portion thereof, an insertion part into which an electrode lead is inserted and a fixing member detachably coupled to the insertion part to fix the electrode lead inserted to the insertion part, wherein the insertion part includes insertion faces outwardly extending from both end portions of the jig main body, and coupling faces extending from the insertion faces toward insides of the jig main body and brought into contact with the fixing member, and thus a tensile test is performed on an ultrasonic-welded portion of the electrode lead without an additional cell.
US09170172B2
A composite structure having an embedded sensing system is provided, along with corresponding systems and methods for monitoring the health of a composite structure. The composite structure includes composite material and an optical fiber disposed within the composite material. The optical fiber includes a plurality of quantum dots for enhancing its non-linear optical properties. The quantum dots may be disposed in the core, in the cladding and/or on the surface of the optical fiber. The optical fiber is configured to support propagation of the signals and to be sensitive to a defect within the composite material. The quantum dots create a non-linear effect, such as a second order effect, in response to the defect in the composite material. Based upon the detection and analysis of the signals including the non-linear effect created by the quantum dots, a defect within the composite material may be detected.
US09170155B2
A system and method for in-field near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) analysis of rubber and resin concentrations a guayule plant is provided. The system includes a wagon or other vehicle with the NIRS device mounted on the wagon. A computer or processor electrically coupled to the NIRS device is also housed within an area or extension of the wagon. During measurement of a guayule plant in the field, a guayule plant covering is placed over the guayule plant and a light shield coupled to the NIRS device is inserted into an opening on the guayule plant covering. The NIRS device is configured to perform a reading of the guayule plant within the plant covering and communicate results of the reading to the computer. A calibration equation is then preferably applied to the guayule plant readings to produce the rubber and resin concentrations of the guayule plant.
US09170137B2
A valve is provided having a valve housing/body configured to be arranged in, or form part of, a piping having a fluid flow, and configured with a pressure tap arranged at a location along the piping to allow pressure of the fluid flow of the piping to be measured, and also having a rotatable orifice plate configured to rotate in the valve body/housing on an axis of rotation positioned at a different location along the piping than the pressure tap for rotating between a first rotatable position for providing a normal fluid flow operation and a second rotatable position substantially perpendicular to the fluid flow for providing a direct flow measurement of the fluid flow determined based on signaling sensed by the pressure tap sensor containing information about a measured pressure at the pressure tap when the orifice plate is in the second rotatable position.
US09170128B2
A motion sensor has a vibration processor to set a flag in response to a plurality of test results provided by a plurality of tests being indicative of a passing condition. A corresponding method and computer-readable storage medium can be used by the motion sensor.
US09170127B2
An RF antenna bracket for placement through and under a utility meter pit lid for use in an AMR or AMI system that includes a transmitter bracket cap for placement in a hole disposed in a meter pit lid; a cylindrical threaded neck disposed under and depending downwardly from said cap; a female threaded collar threadably disposed on said threaded neck; first and second elongate parallel slide posts connected to and depending downwardly from said female threaded collar, said first slide post having teeth disposed linearly along the length of an interior side of said first slide post; and an antenna mount slidably affixed to said first and second slide posts, said antenna mount engaging said teeth on said first slide post for vertical adjustment and positioning.
US09170124B2
Variable step tracking is described in which a monitoring station is operable to receive data signals representative of step movement of an asset as detected by a monitoring device carried by the asset. A database stores a step length of the asset. A step length modification module modifies the step length based on at least one of energy, asset orientation, direction, and frequency associated with the step movement. An asset position is estimated with respect to a known location based on cumulative step lengths.
US09170118B2
A navigation system for an electric vehicle includes a telematics center, a display terminal, and a charging station. In response to a request from the display terminal, the telematics center sends a route search result, which is created based on information on an electric vehicle and the charging station and which includes base point information whose remaining battery capacity is to be confirmed, to the display terminal. The display terminal displays route guidance information, the current position, and a result of comparison between the current remaining battery capacity and the base point information to the user who is driving the electric vehicle.
US09170106B2
A shock-resistant device includes snubbers that may be selectively extended to selectively create a stiff attachment between a vibration-isolated component of the device, and another part of the device. The snubbers may be electromechanical or hydraulically driven. The device may be a sensor system for an unmanned aerial vehicle, with the snubbers extendible to create a stiff attachment between an inner gimbal and an outer shell of the sensor system, for example prior to landing the unmanned aerial vehicle on an aircraft carrier, or prior to transportation or storage of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The snubbers may be able to be manually actuated, even when the unmanned aerial vehicle has no power available.
US09170105B1
The present invention addresses performance limitation of gyros (e.g., MEMS gyros) by significantly reducing common-mode noise and bias effects. In one embodiment, an array of gyros, which may comprise four or more gyros, is configured so that common-mode error effects can be separated from the sensed rotational motion of the gyros and therefore removed. Removing the common-mode effects increases attitude estimation and spacecraft pointing accuracy, particularly during periods when the gyros must solely provide the attitude reference.
US09170103B2
A stereo camera device detecting a distance to a subject includes two cameras and a calculation unit that calculates a distance to the subject based on the images acquired by the two cameras. The calculation unit includes an image processing unit that searches for corresponding points of the images acquired by the two cameras and calculates two parallaxes based on differences in positional coordinates of the corresponding points on the images, an offset value calculation unit that calculates parallax offset values across the images based on the two parallaxes calculated by the image processing unit at least at two time points, and a statistical processing unit that performs a statistical analysis on a distribution of the parallax offset values and determines an optimum value of the parallax offset values, the optimum value being used as a correction parameter.
US09170097B2
A system and method is provided for imaging an article within a field of view, projecting an illumination field onto the article within field of view, and selectively projecting illumination structures onto the article within the field of view. Then, image data corresponding to the illumination field and the illumination structures may be received and a feature of the article may be analyzed based on the illumination field and the illumination structures.
US09170090B2
A cargo handling vehicle comprising a mast and a lifting device movable along said mast. The cargo handling vehicle comprises a range sensor located on said cargo handling vehicle at a position suitable for measuring the distance to the top of a piece of cargo. The cargo handling vehicle also comprises means for calculating a calculated height of said piece of cargo with respect based on said distance to the top of the piece of cargo, and means for calculating the estimated volume of said piece of cargo based on said known length and width and said calculated height. The cargo handling vehicle is used in a method for calculating the estimated volume of said piece of cargo.
US09170078B2
An expandable broadhead includes a number of fixed blades cumulating in a point, with each of the fixed blades having a channel for receiving a cammable deployable expansion blade, with the expansion blade having a slot which cooperates with a fixed retaining pin transverse to the channel that cams the deployable blade outwardly when a forward impact shoulder of the deployable blade strikes a target. This moves the blade relative to the fixed retaining pin and thus cams the deployable blade out to an expanded position for maximum blade cutting edge contact to effectuate maximum damage to the target and a quick kill.
US09170071B2
A flexible armor system adaptable to a garment suitable for extremity protection uses a planar array of polygon-shaped solid elements which detach upon projectile impact and combine their mass with the projectile for reduced velocity and increased impact area. The solid elements are bonded between an elastic strike-side spall cover and a high tensile strength flexible backer layer, and are further supported by a substantial fiber pack. In embodiments, the solid elements are ceramic, and are commutated but remain essentially intact after the projectile impact. Edge bars can cover junctures between solid elements, and center buttons can cover intersections between the junctures. Edge bars and center buttons can also be ceramic. The ceramic parts can include titanium backing layers. After formation, ceramic cores can be compressed upon cooling by an outer ceramic layer having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion, the outer layer being formed by glazing or doping.
US09170059B2
A heat transfer pad includes a pad inlet port for feeding a heat transfer fluid to the pad, a pad outlet port for discharging the heat transfer fluid from the pad and a bladder having an internal flowpath for the heat transfer fluid which extends from the pad inlet port to the pad outlet port. The internal flowpath is divided into a first flow channel and a second flow channel through which first and second flow streams of the heat transfer fluid, respectively, flow between the pad inlet and outlet ports. A first flow restrictor is positioned downstream in the first flow channel and a second flow restrictor is correspondingly positioned downstream in the second flow channel and the flow restrictors are configured to create substantial back pressures in the first and second flow channels, respectively.
US09170056B2
A method and system for cooling an electrical heat source is disclosed. A heat exchanger has two principal sub-assemblies. A closed-loop fluid flow is provided through a second sub-assembly, disposed next to a heat source. An open-loop fluid flow is provided though a first sub-assembly in communication with a second sub-assembly. Each of the first and second sub-assemblies has a rotational element. The fluid flow entering the first sub-assembly rotates the first rotational element, and magnetic communication between the rotational elements causes movement of the second rotational element, thereby achieving fluid movement within the second sub-assembly. Operationally, the closed-loop sub-assembly removes heat from the heat source and transfers it to the open-loop sub-assembly for subsequent heat transfer in a downstream fluid flow.
US09170051B2
A reflow oven used to join electronic components to a substrate includes a chamber housing having surfaces that are in contact with heated air mixed with contaminants, including flux, and an intermediate layer selectively applied to the surfaces of the chamber housing. The reflow oven may include fabricating the intermediate layer with a foam material, including foaming polymers, e.g., epoxy, polyurethane, polyester, and silicone, or a non-foam material, including non-foaming polymers, e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene and polyimide. A method of treating surfaces of a reflow oven exposed to contaminants, including flux, is further disclosed.
US09170036B2
A thermoelectric module includes a thermoelectric element and an electrode. The thermoelectric element has a rectangular end face. The electrode includes a first joint portion joined to a center portion of the end face; and a second joint portion joined to one end and a third joint portion joined to the other end. Each of the second joint portion and the third joint portion is disposed at a distance from each of four corners of the end face. A joint length in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction between the first joint portion and the end face is longer than each of a joint length in the second direction between the second joint portion and the end face, and a joint length in the second direction between the third joint portion and the end face.
US09170030B2
A storage hot water supplying apparatus provides heated water to a load circuit through which users uses water, and includes a water storage tank which stores water and has outlets for water to be heated at different heights, and an outlet selecting unit to select, from among the outlets, an outlet to take out the water, based on a provision temperature which is a temperature of water to be provided from the water storage tank to the load circuit and temperatures of the water to be taken out through the outlets. A heating unit heats the water taken out through the selected outlet and to be returned to the water storage tank.
US09170027B2
A steam dispersion system is disclosed. The steam dispersion system includes a header and a mounting plate spaced from the header. A steam dispersion tube including a first end and a second end and an interior cavity defined between the first end and the second end is mounted between the mounting plate and the header. The steam dispersion tube defines a longitudinal axis. A biasing structure is mounted between the mounting plate and the header, wherein the biasing structure applies a biasing force on the steam dispersion tube along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the steam dispersion tube when mounted between the header and the mounting plate.
US09170026B2
A heating element is provided that has at least one flat electrical heating device to heat at least one spatial region found on one side of the heating device. The heating device has a contact configured to connect to a power supply and control device of a baking and roasting oven. The contact is configured to alternately connect to an electronic mechanism external to the baking and roasting oven. In addition, an arrangement of the heating element with an electronic mechanism external to the baking and roasting oven is provided.
US09170011B2
A high-power LED lamp set is provided in the present invention. The high-power LED lamp set comprises: a power converting module; a power supply casing (2) for housing the power converting module; a light source casing (4), connected with the power supply casing; electrode rods (1), arranged at a rear end of the power supply casing (2) and connected with the power converting module; and LED lamps (7), mounted on a bottom surface of the light source casing (4); said light source casing (4) is provided with a lens board (5) at its opening end, wherein the lens board (5) is perforated with through holes at the positions corresponding to the LED lamps, and a high transmittance lens (8) is embedded in each of the through holes.
US09170009B1
A one-handed activation device includes a hand attachment assembly having an activatable device attachment portion securable to at least a portion of a user's hand and a first switch portion securable to at least a portion of one of a proximal phalanx of a user's thumb and a middle phalanx of a user's finger. The one-handed activation device further includes an activatable device configured to be selectively activated that is secured to the activatable device attachment portion and a first switch configured to selectively activate the activatable device. The first switch is secured to the first switch portion and it is positioned such that the first switch substantially overlies an extensor surface of one of the proximal phalanx of the user's thumb and the middle phalanx of the user's finger.
US09169994B2
A light emitting device including multiple kinds of light emission units with different emission colors; a driver which drives the light emission units; and a cover member which is commonly provided for the multiple kinds of light emission units. The multiple kinds of light emission units include solid state light emitting elements of the same kind, and wavelength converters which cover the solid state light emitting elements, respectively, and convert wavelengths of lights emitted from the solid state light emitting elements into different wavelengths from each other. Further, the cover member contains a correction phosphor for correcting a chromaticity of light obtained by mixing lights emitted from the light emission units, to a predetermined chromaticity.
US09169989B2
A method of manufacturing an optical element, the method comprising: growing a first layer of single crystal diamond material via a chemical vapor deposition technique using a gas phase having a first nitrogen concentration; growing a second layer of single crystal diamond material over said first layer via a chemical vapor deposition technique using a gas phase having a second nitrogen concentration, wherein the second nitrogen concentration is lower than the first nitrogen concentration; forming an optical element from at least a portion of the second layer of single crystal diamond material; and forming an out-coupling structure at a surface of the optical element for increasing out-coupling of light.
US09169981B1
An LED lamp or LED lighting assembly includes a light guide having opposed major surfaces configured to propagate light by total internal reflection and a light input edge extending between the major surfaces. A light source is adjacent to the light input edge and is configured to edge light the light guide. In some embodiments, the light source is moveable relative to the light input edge, and the spectrum of the light output from the light guide may be adjusted by movement of the light source relative to the light input edge.
US09169980B2
A lighting device includes a translucent member having the same cross sectional tubular shape throughout a longitudinal direction and including a lens that includes a light incident surface for receiving incident light and a pair of light exit surface for diffusing and emitting the light incident on the light incident surface to the outside, and a light-emitting portion mounted on a substrate and emitting the light toward a region including the light incident surface of the translucent member, where in the translucent member includes a pair of light guide portions for guiding the light incident on the light incident surface to a pair of the light exit surfaces so that the light incident on the light incident surface is diffused and emitted from the pair of light exit surfaces in a width direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.
US09169978B1
An intelligent light emitting diode lamp tube compatible to a T5/T8 electronic ballast comprises a tube body, a circuit board provided with at least one LED lamp string to be disposed in the tube body, an integrated circuit disposed on the circuit board, a selection circuit comprising a first conduction loop and a second conduction loop configured with an inductor, and a switch member connected to the integrated circuit. When the intelligent light emitting diode lamp tube is connected to a self-oscillating electronic ballast or an IC-controlled electronic ballast, the internal arithmetic of the integrated circuit can be utilized to conduct the selection circuit and the switch member to change resonance frequency of electrical circuit, so that effects of low power consumption, high adaptiveness and energy conservation can be attained.
US09169977B2
A LED lamp has an enclosure including an optically transmissive lens. LEDs are mounted on a plane in the enclosure and are operable to emit light through the lens when energized through an electrical path. A portion of the lens extends behind the plane of the plurality of LEDs such that a portion of the light is emitted as back light. Approximately between 5 and 25 percent of the total Lumen output of the lamp is emitted as backlight.
US09169971B2
A method and system for magnetically detecting thermal degradation of a component. A multiple of ferrous metal segments are attached to a component not within a lubrication circuit of a lubrication system with a thermally-affected bonding agent. The thermally-affected bonding agent is operable to detach at a threshold temperature at least one of the multiple of ferrous metal segments such that the at least one of the multiple of detached ferrous metal segments enters the lubrication circuit of the lubrication system. The at least one of the multiple of ferrous metal segments which detached are then detected within the lubrication system.
US09169969B2
A corner mountable housing (10) is provided for encasing an electronic device and for mounting the electronic device in a corner (12) of a wall or other mount surface (14) via at least one fastener (16) extending through the housing (10) to engage the corner (12). The housing (10) includes a surface-mountable housing portion (20) in the form of a rear cover, with the housing portion (20) being a one-piece molded construction and having first and second fastener retention features (22) and (24) formed therein.
US09169965B2
In an embodiment, a support arm includes: a thermoplastic material and a filler. A cross-section of the support arm taken along a line from an inner edge to an outer edge of the support arm comprises a modified I-shaped, a I/U-shaped, or a U-shaped cross-section.
US09169962B2
Systems and methods related to computer peripheral devices and mounts are described including device mounts with three linkages. A first linkage may include a body, an abutment piece approximately perpendicular to the body, and a device attachment mechanism disposed proximate to said abutment piece. A second linkage is rotatably connected to the first linkage and a third linkage is rotatably connected to the second linkage. The third linkage may at least partially overlaps the second linkage and extend beyond an end of the second linkage. A camera housing may also be attached to the first linkage, e.g. by a hinge or socket joint. The second linkage may be connected to the first linkage via a friction hinge, and the third linkage may be connected to the second linkage via another friction hinge. The third linkage may preferably include a substantially planar contact surface with a chamfered leading edge.
US09169955B2
A helical spline lock for securing an inlet duct to a portion of a combustor body includes a helical spline key having a helical shape defined at least in part by a shape of a combustor body. A first lug is disposed about the combustor body and has a first channel for at least partially receiving and interfacing with the helical spline key. A second lug is disposed about an inlet duct and has a second channel for at least partially receiving and interfacing with the helical spline key. The first lug and the second lug are configured to mate with one another to form a helical keyway from the first and second channels, and the helical spline key is insertable into the keyway to secure the inlet duct to the combustor body.
US09169951B2
In order to provide a tubular threaded joint constituted by a pin and a box each having threads and an unthreaded metal contact portion with excellent galling resistance and gas tightness even in extremely cold environments at −60° C. to −20° C. and rust preventing properties without using a compound grease, a thermoplastic solid lubricating coating containing low friction copolymer particles made from an acrylic-silicone copolymer and preferably further containing a solid lubricant (e.g., graphite) in a thermoplastic polymer matrix (e.g., selected from polyolefin resins and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resins) is formed on the surface of the threads and unthreaded metal contact portion of a pin and/or a box.
US09169940B2
A purge line changing block joint for enabling supply of different types of purge gas between lines without a significant remodeling of a fluid control apparatus and the fluid control apparatus is provided. A purge line changing block joint is connected to an upper side of a three-way valve channel portion in at least one line of the plurality of lines. The purge line changing block joint includes a process gas inlet channel communicating with a process gas inlet channel of the three-way valve channel portion, an outlet channel communicating the process gas inlet channel and an outlet channel of the three-way valve channel portion, a channel terminal not in communication with a purge gas inlet channel of the three-way valve channel portion but terminating the same, and a new purge gas inlet channel communicating with the outlet channel and opening on the top surface.
US09169937B2
The disclosed embodiments include check valves capable of improved dynamic performance (e.g., closing and opening times). The check valves may include an annular disc having an opening. The annular disc may be lightweight and present a reduced surface area to the flow, thus increasing the closure speed of the check valve as well as the opening speed of the check valve. Other components, such as a spacer component, may be reconfigured to modify the check valve for increased performance in a variety of applications, including low flow volume, medium flow volume, and high flow volume applications.
US09169933B2
A safety discharge valve includes a siphon-type open/close device (1), a valve cover assembly (2), a valve rod (3), a valve body (4), an extensible side-sealing top-pressing assembly (5), side rotary sealing plates (6), a tapered bottom valve plug (7) and a side water inlet emergency plug (10).
US09169929B2
A seal apparatus includes: (a) first and second machine elements defining a sealing interface between two zones subject to different fluid pressures, a boundary of which lies between the two elements; (b) a seal comprising rigid material carried by the first machine element and having an annular lip defining a first contact surface; (c) a second contact surface comprising rigid material, defined by the second machine element; (c) wherein both contact surfaces are wear resistant, and the first and second contact surfaces bear directly against each other, so as to seal against fluid leakage between the first and second zones, while allowing relative sliding motion between the first and second contact surfaces; and (d) wherein the seal is configured to allow the lip to deform elastically and permit the first contact surface to conform in a regular or irregular shape to the second contact surface.
US09169928B2
A filter setting and sealing apparatus includes a wobble plate mounted to press a filter edge into a plane defined by the top rim of a brew cup. A sealer defined by expandable sealer jaws is moveable into the filter. The jaws are actuated for radial outward expansion to seal the filter to the cup proximate the filter rim and cup edge. A second sealer is used to seal any gaps remaining in the seal after initial sealing. Methods are disclosed.
US09169924B2
A control device for controlling an automatic transmission determines whether a fluid pressure of the operation fluid acting on a friction engagement element that is switched from a released-state to an engaged-state is in a fully-decreased state. If determined that the fluid pressure is not in a fully-decreased state, control of a manual valve is delayed. In such manner, the hydraulic circuit is switched by the manual valve after the full decrease of the fluid pressure of the operation fluid acting on the just-engaged friction engagement element. As a result, an abrupt rise of the fluid pressure is prevented and a shock in the automatic transmission is reduced.
US09169919B2
An assembly includes a knob, a lever, and a spring clip. The knob includes a substantially cylindrical hollow part having a first inner diameter, and an accommodating groove extending along the hollow part and having a second inner diameter larger than the first diameter. The lever includes a substantially cylindrical body part having a diameter corresponding to the first diameter, and a seating groove formed in the body part at a position of the body part facing the accommodating groove when the knob is assembled to the lever. A spring clip is fitted onto the seating groove of the lever such that the spring clip is disposed in a space formed between the accommodating groove and the seating groove when the knob is assembled to the lever. The spring clip provides a coupling force between the knob and the lever.
US09169918B2
An integrated control shift lever device according to an exemplary embodiment provides M mode of +/− to feel a dynamic shift manipulation feeling together with automatic mode of P (parking), R (reverse), N (neutral), and D (driving) as a basic function and further provides integrated mode 6 to provide to engine control unit the electrical signal generated by positional change of automatic lever to control the engine, suspension device, or the steering device in addition to the transmission by driver's simple manipulation, thereby significantly improving convenience and in particular, further improving performance, quality, and merchantability of an automobile when the integrated control shift lever device may be applied to a vehicle.
US09169912B2
A drive device for the road wheels of a vehicle includes a stationary housing in which a rotatably drivable differential housing having an axle differential gear unit is rotatably mounted by differential bearings, at least one driveshaft being rotatably drivable by the differential housing. At least one driving gear wheel is arranged on the at least one driveshaft so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to the latter. The at least one driving gear wheel meshingly engage by oppositely directed helical teeth with at least one driven gear wheel for driving road wheels of the vehicle and generating axial forces directed toward the center of the axle differential gear unit. At least one thrust bearing arrangement is supported axially with respect to the at least one driveshaft at a radial supporting surface.
US09169907B2
A spindle drive (1), in particular for a linear actuator, having a spindle (3), a spindle nut (7) which interacts with the spindle (3), and a lubricating channel outlet (20) which opens into an intermediate space between the spindle (3) and the spindle nut (7) for lubricating the spindle (3) and the spindle nut (7), the spindle drive (1) comprising, moreover, a stationary channel system and a rotatable channel system which is connected to the stationary channel system for feeding lubricant to the lubricating channel outlet (20).
US09169905B1
A disclosed drive assembly is suitable for driving an actuatable component in a first direction and a second direction. The drive assembly includes a housing and a drive rod. The drive rod selectively extends and retracts to apply a driving force to the actuatable component in a first and a second direction, respectively. The driving force creates a reactive force on the housing. An override assembly includes a spring in communication with the housing. The housing pushes a first end of the spring toward a second end of the spring when the reactive force exceeds a predetermined limit and the drive rod applies the driving force in the first direction. The housing pulls the second end of the spring toward the first end of the spring when the reactive force exceeds the predetermined limit and the drive rod applies the driving force in the second direction.
US09169897B2
A friction drive belt (B) includes short fibers (14) and carbon black (18) both scattered so as to be exposed at a surface of at least a contact part (13) of a rubber belt body (10) with a pulley. The short fibers (14) include short, high modulus fibers made of polymers having a main chain which does not contain an aromatic compound and having an initial tensile resistance, measured according to JIS L 1013, of equal to or greater than 100 cN/dtex, and the carbon black (18) contain large-particle-diameter carbon black having an iodine absorption, measured according to JIS K 6217-1, of equal to or less than 40 g/Kg, and/or a specific surface area, measured by nitrogen adsorption according to JIS K 6217-2, of equal to or less than 40 m2/g.
US09169878B2
A torque transmitting assembly is provided. The torque transmitting assembly includes a generally cup shaped outer shell having a closed end and an open end. The closed end has at least one raised portion formed therein. The outer shell includes an outwardly extending lip surrounding the open end of the outer shell. The open end of the outer shell is adapted to be operatively engaged with a first rotating member. A generally disk shaped inner member has a central aperture and a central axis. The inner member includes at least one tab extending axially outwardly therefrom and engages the raised portion of the outer shell to facilitate a transfer of rotation between the outer shell and the inner member. The central aperture is adapted to be operatively engaged with a second rotating member. The inner member is received inside said outer shell.
US09169876B2
A bearing unit for a vehicle wheel is provided having an axis of rotation and a radially outer stationary ring including a tubular axial lug delimited by an outer cylindrical surface, and with a flange transverse to the axis of rotation and axially delimited. A radially inner rotatable ring defines, with the ring, a space. An encoder is fixed to the inner ring and extends outside of the space and in front of the axial lug. A protective cover mounted on the axial lug to protect the encoder and close off the space. The stationary ring includes a shaped annular channel formed across the axial surface and delimited axially by a bottom surface and the side wall with a bent edge arranged axially in abutment against the bottom surface of the annular channel. Sealing means are arranged between the bent edge and the bottom surface to seal the annular channel.
US09169875B2
A lip portion of an end seal is born against a metallic core to make no interference against an end cap. The metallic core controls deformation of the lip portion to improve the close engagement of the lip portion with a guide rail. The lip portion is composed of an outside lip extending outwards and an inside lip extending inwards of the slider. A root portion where the inside and outside lips are merged together is secured to the metallic core in such a relation that the metallic core bears stress exerted on respective center lines of the outside and the inside lips. The metallic core is composed of a mounting portion having a mounting surface, a bent portion extending widthwise of the slider and biased or deflected more outward of the slider to prevent the lip portion from make any interference with the end cap.
US09169868B2
A movable member of a linear slide assembly includes a slide member having two legs to mount the slide member to a rail. Two covers are respectively connected to two ends of the slide member. A track is formed between the legs of the slide member and the rail. Rolling members are installed in the circulation path of the slide assembly and drive the movable member along the rail back and forth. Two reinforcement plates are respectively connected to outside of the two covers and each reinforcement plate has a side plate and two bent extensions which are fixed to the legs of the slide member. The bent extensions each have an engaging portion which is engaged with the protrusion on the slide member. The engaging portions bear axial force applied to the rolling members to secure the connection between the covers and the slide member.
US09169867B2
A sleeve fits in a through-hole in a carriage to provide a return passage which makes sure of both the flexibility and the stiffness of the sleeve. The sleeve is constituted with fore and aft circular ends, a pair of columns and a pair of flexible columns lying lengthwise between the fore and aft circular ends to guide the roller, lengthwise slits lying between the flexible columns and the columns, and complementary ends made on the terminals of the fore and aft circular ends. The flexible columns have raised lands having curved outer surfaces, and recessions flanked by the raised lands and having rolling wall surfaces or the return passage. The raised lands and the recessions are arranged alternately in the lengthwise direction of the sleeve to give the sleeve the capability of elastic deformation.
US09169864B2
A lock ring for securing a threaded stud to a first member, the ring having a first surface defining the ring on the side facing a first axis of symmetry of the ring, and in which a toothed impression is formed when it is forced onto a toothed portion of the threaded stud; and a conical second surface defining the ring on the opposite side to the first axis, and which is forced inside the first member.
US09169861B2
A lock member shifts between a lock position for locking a cassette inserted in a device body and a lock release position for releasing the lock to enable the cassette to be removed from the device body. Further, a push-out member shifts between a push-out position for coming into contact with a catch member provided in the device body and pushing out the cassette in a removing direction and a retracted position. Then, in conjunction with rotation action from a first position to a second position of a lock release member attached to the surface of the cassette to be rotatable, the lock member shifts from the lock position to the release position, and the push-out member shifts from the retracted position to the push-out position.
US09169852B2
A power station system operable to generate energy and comprising a heat engine system and a hydraulic system connected thereto. The heat engine system comprises n number of energy cells, wherein n is an integer, and n≧2, a heat source connected to the energy cells, and a cooler means connected to the energy cells. Each energy cell is operable to generate a pressurized fluid when a phase change material (PCM), comprised in each energy cell, changes from solid phase to liquid phase, and the energy cells are operable between a first phase, and a second phase. During the first phase, a first n/2 of the energy cells produce pressurized fluid, and a second n/2 of the energy cells are cooling down, and during the second phase, the first n/2 of the energy cells are cooling down, and a second n/2 of the energy cells produce pressurized fluid. The hydraulic system comprises a pressure transducer, and a hydraulic motor connected thereto, and is operable to generate a constant rotation speed.
US09169838B2
A method for operating a liquid ring vacuum pump employs taking vibration measurements of the pump and comparing the measurements with a prescribed cavitation threshold. In addition, a measurement representing the liquid content in the gas to be conveyed is taken. This measurement is compared with a prescribed threshold. The rotational speed of the liquid ring vacuum pump is reduced if the prescribed cavitation threshold has been exceeded and the liquid content is less than the prescribed threshold. The rotational speed is increased if the prescribed cavitation threshold has been exceeded and the liquid content is greater than the prescribed threshold. A liquid ring vacuum pump is designed for implementing the method. Due to the regulation depending on the oscillations of the pump, the pump can be operated near the cavitation boundary without any risk of damage.
US09169836B2
A simplified inflation valve includes a base forming centrally a bore. The bore has a bottom to which a PU membrane is attached. The membrane includes at least one aperture in a location outboard the bore. An outer circumference of the membrane is fixed to the base through ultrasonic technique or die pressing. A squeezer is mounted on the base and has elasticity for elastically resuming shape after being pressed and has an interior space forming an air chamber. The air chamber has a top forming at least one through hole. The squeezer has a bottom including an outer circumferential portion forming a sealing rim, which is fixed, through ultrasonic technique or die pressing, to the base so as to form an inflation valve. The inflation valve can be connected to an air bladder, whereby through pressing the inflation valve, the air bladder can be inflated.
US09169833B2
A fuel pump assembly and method of making the same is disclosed. The fuel pump assembly includes a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor and a circuit board formed as a discrete component from the BLDC motor. The BLDC motor includes a stator with a plurality of windings. A screw, or some other fastener, extends through the circuit board and threadedly engages a portion of the BLDC motor. The screws serve the dual functions of attaching the circuit board to the BLDC motor and electrically connecting the BLDC motor to the circuit board to power the BLDC motor.
US09169829B2
There is provided a hydraulic pump startup control device in a hydraulic system, which avoids an overloaded state at startup to enable low-temperature, fast startup and maintaining of the temperature with low-cost means in order to improve low-temperature startability. A bypass path 19 is placed in parallel with a hydraulic main line from a hydraulic tank, and the downstream of the bypass path is made merged with the hydraulic main line. A bypass valve 3 that opens or closes the bypass path is provided in the bypass path, and a pressure sensor is provided in the inlet of a hydraulic unit in the hydraulic main line. Further, a control device 10 to which a pressure detection value in the hydraulic main line is input from the pressure sensor to open the bypass valve based on the pressure detection value upon startup of the hydraulic unit. The control device repeats on-off control to circulate oil in the bypass path while keeping the pump discharge pressure and the flow rate to open the bypass path at startup so that the actuation power of the hydraulic unit will become the maximum in order to rise the hydraulic temperature of the hydraulic main line.
US09169823B2
A device for generating electricity includes a buoyant structure, a heave plate, at least one load carrying structure that is mechanically coupled to both the buoyant structure and the heave plate, and at least one magnetostrictive element. The magnetostrictive element is configured to to experienceforce changes applied by the load carrying structure caused by hydrodynamic forces acting on the device.
US09169814B2
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for delivery a fluidic substance using Lorentz forces. In one aspect, a method to accelerate particles into a chamber includes distributing a fluidic substance between electrodes configured at a location proximate a chamber, in which electrodes include a low work function material, generating a current of ionized particles by applying an electric field between the electrodes to ionize at least some of the fluidic substance, and producing a Lorentz force to accelerate the ionized particles into the chamber. In some implementations, the method further includes applying an electric potential on an antenna electrode interfaced at the port to induce a corona discharge into the chamber, in which the corona discharge ignites the ionized particles within the chamber.
US09169808B2
In detection of a temperature of fresh air which is supplied to an intake manifold of an engine, by a fresh air temperature sensor, the invention aims at preventing precision of an engine control from dropping due to difference in an attached position of the fresh air temperature sensor. The engine device has an intake pipe for supplying fresh air to the intake manifold, a breather chamber for separating lubricating oil, the breather chamber being arranged within a head cover covering an upper surface side of a cylinder head, and a blow-by gas return pipe. The intake pipe and the breather chamber are connected via the blow-by gas return pipe. The fresh air temperature sensor detecting a temperature of the fresh air introduced into the intake pipe is attached to the intake pipe.
US09169806B2
A propulsion system including: a booster; a turbojet engine; the booster including a chamber which is fixed to a rear casing of the turbojet engine by being arranged along the longitudinal axis thereof, which chamber includes at a rear a jet pipe and includes at least one charge and a mechanism initiating the charge; and gas bleed tubes connected to the booster and which are configured either for igniting the combustion chamber of the turbojet engine on for starting the turbine of the turbojet.
US09169801B2
Embodiments for selectively filling a cylinder block cooling jacket with oil are provided. In one example, a control unit may be rotated among a plurality of working positions to open up and/or block flow of oil into and out of the cylinder block cooling jacket.
US09169792B2
An engine control apparatus works to determine target values of a plurality of combustion parameters which represent combustion states of fuel in a combustion engine and are needed to achieve required performances of the combustion engine, calculate a combustion parameter deviation that is a deviation of an actual value of each of the combustion parameters from the target value thereof, select at least one of controlled parameters correlating with the combustion parameters as a function of a degree of a selected one of the combustion parameter deviations for minimizing the selected one of the combustion parameter deviations. The controlled parameters are parameters for controlling operations of actuators working to control the combustion states of the combustion engine. The engine control apparatus controls the one of the controlled parameters, as selected by the controlled parameter selector, to minimize the selected one of the combustion parameter deviations.
US09169786B2
A control device of a vehicle engine comprises: an electric motor rotationally driving an engine to start the engine; a variable valve timing mechanism varying a valve timing of an intake valve of the engine; and an intermediate lock mechanism mechanically locking the valve timing at an intermediate position between a most delayed position and a most advanced position of the valve timing, if an output limitation of the electric motor is predicted at restart of the engine, the valve timing at the time of stop of the engine being locked at the intermediate lock position by the intermediate lock mechanism.
US09169784B2
A system and method is provided to analyze an intermediate pressure signal portion between an end of an injection event signal portion and a start of a subsequent injection event signal portion. The analysis is simplified by identifying a plurality of single cycle windows and calculating a single value, such as a mean or a median, for each of the windows. An intermediate portion single value is determined by averaging the single values for each of the windows. The intermediate portion single value may then be used to identify pumping events or leakage errors that occur during the intermediate pressure signal portion that affect further analysis of the intermediate pressure signal portion.
US09169776B2
A cylinder liner capable of oil storage and lubrication used for a model engine is provided. The cylinder liner is disposed in a cylinder of the model engine. A piston is provided in the cylinder liner to reciprocate axially. The inner wall of the cylinder liner is honed to form a plurality of grooves. The inner wall of the cylinder liner is further formed with at least one grooved trough. The grooved trough is adapted to store an oil film to provide a lubrication effect between the piston and the cylinder liner during the reciprocation of the piston. The present invention enhances the protection for the piston and the cylinder liner and lowers the temperature during the running of the model engine. The piston can be reciprocated smoothly for a long time at a high speed so as to enhance the efficiency and service life of the engine.
US09169775B2
A multi-link internal combustion engine generally includes a cylinder block, an oil pan mounted to the undersurface of the cylinder block to define a crank chamber, the oil pan being formed with a shallow bottom portion and a deep bottom portion for storing oil. The multi-link internal combustion engine further includes a multi-link, piston-crank mechanism disposed in the crank chamber, a pivotal link member of the piston-crank mechanism pivotal about a pivotal fulcrum located on the side of oil pan; and an oil guide wall provided on the shallow bottom portion in the crank chamber for guiding the oil displaced due to the movement of the pivotal link member to the side of deep bottom portion.
US09169773B2
A reformer-liquid fuel manufacturing system that utilizes an engine to generate hydrogen-rich gas is disclosed. The engine operates at very rich conditions, such as 2.5<φ<4.0. In doing so, it creates an exothermic reaction, which results in the production of syngas. In addition, the system utilizes the energy from the exothermic reaction to rotate a shaft and also utilizes the heat in the syngas to heat the reactants. A mechanical power plant is in communication with the rotating shaft and can be used to produce oxygen, provide electricity or operate a compressor, as require. The hydrogen-rich gas is supplied to a chemical reactor, which converts the gas into a liquid fuel, such as methanol.
US09169769B2
A gas-fired engine that supplies high-pressure liquefied gas (e.g., LNG) as fuel by a reciprocating pump. A gas fuel supply device includes: a reciprocating pump driven by a hydraulic motor to boost an introduced liquefied gas pressure to a desired pressure and discharge the liquefied gas; a hydraulic oil introduction line that introduces a portion of high-pressure hydraulic oil from a hydraulic oil line and supplies the high-pressure hydraulic oil to the hydraulic motor; a hydraulic oil return line that returns the high-pressure hydraulic oil to the hydraulic oil line; a heating unit that heats and gasifies the boosted liquefied gas; a control section that adjusts a rotational speed of the hydraulic motor to maintain constant a gas fuel outlet pressure of the heating unit; and an engine inlet gas pressure-reducing valve that regulates a gas fuel pressure injected into a combustion chamber.
US09169761B2
A control portion sets a total injection amount of a urea water injected from an injector to an exhaust gas, and controls to open or close the injector based on the injection amount. An injection-amount correcting portion estimates an injection characteristic of the injector from an injection-amount difference between the total injection amount and a decreased amount of the urea water in a tank, and corrects a command value of a control signal outputted to the injector based on the injection characteristic. Therefore, the injection amount is corrected by considering the individual differences or the age-related deterioration.
US09169751B2
Systems and methods for operating an engine that includes an exhaust gas heat recovery system are described. The system may reduce engine warm-up time and increase an amount of time an engine of a hybrid vehicle is deactivated while the hybrid vehicle is powered by a motor. In one example, a phase change material selectively stores and releases exhaust gas energy from and engine to improve vehicle operation.
US09169750B2
The structure for the reduction of noise occurring when a fluid flow passes over a surface is disclosed by the present application. The structure comprises a surface with a top face that is roughly parallel to the flow wherein the face has an array of multiple separate and discreet cavities inset into the surface. Each cavity may be tuned to mitigate the noise of a specific frequency of the flow by altering the size, shape, position, angle in relation to the flow and ratios of depth, width, and length of the cavity. The cavities may be divided by partitions into sub-cavities of differing sizes, shapes and positions to mitigate noise as well. The structures may be applied to any application where a flow exists over a surface including, but not limited to, aerospace, automotive, naval and electronics. The structure may be flat, curved, tubular or any other shape subject to fluid flow.
US09169743B2
A metallic annular connection structure between two parts for an aircraft turbomachine, with an arbitrary half-section including two primary branches and a base forming a first U opening up in the radial direction from a longitudinal axis, and two secondary branches forming a second U with one of the two primary branches opening up in the longitudinal direction. The primary and secondary branches and the base of the first U are made in a single piece.
US09169742B2
An electrical control system for distinguishing between an electrical fault and a shaft shear condition in a gas turbine engine, the control system including, in one aspect, a detection circuit including: two or more probes, each probe including an associated resistor having a predetermined range of resistance, and each probe being disposed in the engine adjacent a rotary mounted shaft component, where mechanical interference between one or more of the probes and the shaft component renders the associated resistor substantially non-conductive; sensor processor(s) in communication with each probe, determining a probe operational status based on a measured resistance to current conducted through each probe, and generating a fault code when the measured resistance of at least one of the plurality of probes is not within the predetermined range of resistance.
US09169741B2
A turbomachine which operates at enhanced operating temperatures includes a stationary component. A rotating component includes a clearance to avoid a rubbing contact between the stationary component and the rotating component, the clearance including a first value in a stationary state of the turbomachine and a second value in a steady-state operation of the machine, wherein during a transient operating phase between the stationary state and the steady-state operation, the clearance includes a value which traverses a curve having an extreme value on account of a different time variation of a rotational speed and a thermal expansion of different components. A compensating device includes a non-linear compensation mechanism configured to reduce or compensate the extreme value during the transient operating phase.
US09169738B2
A shaft seal of the rotating wheel shaft of a turbomachine includes a rotating wheel-side seal and a bearing-side seal between the bearing housing and the shaft. An oil outlet chamber is arranged between the rotating wheel-side seal and the bearing-side seal. The oil outlet chamber is delimited by a third seal between the bearing housing and the shaft, and a gas discharge chamber is arranged between the third seal and the rotating wheel-side seal. The construction is actively cooled by means of at least one splash oil bore in the region of the oil drain channel, as a result of which coking of the shaft seal can be prevented. The third seal separates the oil issuing from the oil outlet chamber from the gas issuing from the gas discharge chamber.
US09169737B2
A rotary seal for sealing a bladed rotor of a gas turbine engine to a stator thereof comprises a sealing element and a sealing element support comprising a radially outer edge portion on which the sealing element is fixed, a radially inner mounting portion adapted to be attached to a supported rotor hub, and a flexible, medial web portion extending between the radially outer edge portion and the radially inner mounting portion.
US09169733B2
A turbine airfoil assembly has an airfoil with an inner wall, an outer wall, a leading edge and a trailing edge. The airfoil has one or more chambers extending in a substantially chordwise direction of the airfoil. An insert has a plurality of impingement holes, and the insert is configured to be inserted within one of the chambers. The insert is configured to cool the airfoil via the plurality of impingement holes. A chambering element is attached only to the insert, the chambering element is configured to provide an increased cooling gas pressure inside a boundary area defined by the chambering element relative to an area outside the boundary area. A gap exists between the inner wall of the airfoil and the chambering element, and the gap allows cooling gas to exit the boundary area and enter the area outside the boundary area.
US09169732B1
A wind turbine blade may include a plurality of longitudinal composite members each having a fiber and resin layer around a predetermined cross-sectional shape and each comprising at least one longitudinal outer surface and at least one longitudinal mounting surface, each of the outer surfaces of the plurality of longitudinal composite members corresponding to a different portion of a desired airfoil shape, the plurality of longitudinal composite members assembled such that the outer surfaces of the composite members form at least a majority of the airfoil shape. An outer skin may be provided. The composite members may be made up of transportable segments. A method of assembly may include transporting the segments to a desired location such as an installation site for assembly of the wind turbine blade at the installation site.
US09169729B2
A gas turbine engine turbine diaphragm (460) includes an inner cylindrical portion (461), a mounting portion (463), and a disk portion (462). The mounting portion (463) is located radially outward from the inner cylindrical portion (461). The disk portion (462) extends radially between the inner cylindrical portion (461) and the mounting portion (463). The disk portion (462) includes a plurality of angled holes (464). Each angled hole (464) follows a vector which is angled in at least one plane. A component of the vector is located on a plane perpendicular to a radial extending from an axis of the diaphragm (460). The component of the vector is angled relative to an axial direction of the diaphragm (460).
US09169728B2
Bolted together first and second flanges include bolts disposed through first bolt holes in the first flange. The bolts extend at least partially through second holes in the second flange. Bolt include bolt heads, threads, and shanks therebetween. Crushable spacers disposed around the shanks of a first plurality of the bolts and contacting and axially extending between the bolt heads and the first flange. Bushings disposed around a second plurality of the bolts and contacting and axially extending between the bolt heads and the second flange. A shank outer diameter may be smaller than a thread diameter and heat shrink tubing may be disposed around the bolt shanks of at least some of the spacers. First bolt holes may extend into an open annular slot on first flange and second holes may extend partially through a forward extending annular rail of second flange with rail received within slot.
US09169727B2
Obtaining in-situ, at a first time, first optical spectral data associated with a formation fluid flowing through a downhole formation fluid sampling apparatus, and then obtaining in-situ, at a second time after the first time, second optical spectral data associated with the formation fluid flowing through the downhole formation fluid sampling apparatus. A wavelength-independent scattering intensity within the formation fluid flowing through the downhole formation fluid sampling apparatus is then determined based on the first and second optical spectral data, and a wavelength-dependent scattering intensity within the formation fluid flowing through the downhole formation fluid sampling apparatus is determined based on the first and second optical spectral data.
US09169715B2
A down hole well tool (1) comprising a tool unit comprising at least one first fluid conduit (2) and a return fluid conduit (3) in use forming a well annulus between the tool unit and a well bore, and at least one piston (4) dividing the well annulus into well annulus spaces. The piston comprises at least two piston bodies wherein a first piston body (4a) is arranged to rotate with the tool unit and a second piston body (4b) is arranged in a position in between the first piston body and the well bore. The first piston body is arranged to rotate relative the second piston body and first sealing means are arranged in between the first piston body and the second piston body.
US09169713B2
A lock assembly of a blowout preventer is provided. The blowout preventer includes a ram assembly slidably positionable in the channel and engageable with a tubular. The ram assembly includes a ram block, a ram cylinder, and a ram shaft. The lock assembly includes a lock cylinder and a lock piston. The lock cylinder is operatively connectable to the ram cylinder. The ram shaft has an end slidably extendable into a lock cavity of the lock cylinder. The lock piston is slidably positionable in the lock cylinder and separates the lock cavity into a lock and a closing chamber. The lock piston has a ram surface engageable with the end when the lock piston is in a locked position, and a ram hole therethrough to receive the end when the lock piston is in an unlocked position whereby the ram block is selectively lockable about the tubular.
US09169704B2
An expansion apparatus for anchoring a downhole tool in a well is provided. The expansion apparatus has a wedge, an expansion wedge and a slip ring. The wedge and expansion wedge interact so as to radially expand wedge segments of the expansion wedge. The slip ring and expansion wedge interact so as to radially expand the slip ring to grippingly engage the wellbore or casing.
US09169703B2
A rotatable tubing anchor for anchoring a tubing string to a casing in a well, wherein a lock pin extending radially inward from a cylindrical drag body interacts with a lazy T portion of a lock slot in a peripheral surface of a mandrel positioned in the cylindrical drag body limits vertical and rotational movement of the mandrel in relation to the cylindrical drag body in a manner that enables retaining, controlling, setting, and releasing anchor slips on the rotatable tubing anchor for lowering a tubing string equipped with the rotatable tubing anchor and a down hole pump into a well, anchoring the tubing string to casing in the well against upward tension on the tubing string while allowing rotation of the tubing string, and releasing the rotatable tubing anchor from the casing to enable pulling the tubing string, rotatable tubing anchor, and pump out of the well.
US09169697B2
Downhole abrading tools have one or more identification tags disposed in or on the cutting end of the tools, and a housing having a detector and a relay module. The identification tags emit one or more signals that are detected by the detector which is disposed in close proximity to the cutting end. The relay module is operatively associated with the detector. During operation of the tool, the cutting end is worn causing release or destruction of one or more identification tags. The release or destruction of one or more identification tags causes a change in the signal or signals being detected by the detector. The signal change(s) is/are communicated through the relay module to the operator so that the operator can identify in real-time the amount of wear of the cutting end and, in some embodiments, the location of the wear of the cutting end.
US09169694B2
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a tool string positionable in a wellbore that includes a spur gear driven by a source of input rotation, a planetary gearbox having an attachment structure to connect to the spur gear. The gearbox includes a central sun gear, a collection of planet gears disposed in a planet gear carrier disposed around the central sun gear, and a ring gear disposed around the planet gears and planet gear carrier. The attachment structure drives a hydraulic pump or electrical generator at a rotational speed different than a rotational speed of the source of input rotation.
US09169691B2
The present invention discloses a window blind within a multi-pane window. A window blind disposed between first and second panes includes a plurality of slats. Raise/lower and tilt lines are coupled to the slats. A carriage housing is disposed between the panes proximate a side edge thereof. A tilt strip is disposed within the carriage housing and coupled to the tilt lines. An inner carriage disposed within the carriage housing includes an upper portion coupled to the raise/lower lines to actuate raising and lowering the slats, and a lower portion coupled to the tilt strip to actuate tilting the slats. An external carriage is adjacent the exterior surface and aligned with and magnetically coupled to the inner carriage. The external carriage is linearly movable to move the inner carriage. A method of adjusting a window blind within a multi-pane window is also disclosed.
US09169687B2
A sound-damped insulating glazing is described. The glazing has a first pane and a second pane, a peripheral spacer between the first pane and the second pane, an externally encircling seal in a gap between the first pane, the peripheral spacer and the second pane, a vacuum insulating panel between the first pane, the second pane and the peripheral spacer, and at least one acoustic insulating plate is arranged on at least one surface of the vacuum insulating panel.
US09169683B2
A window lifter is provided. The window lifter having: first and second guide rails; first and second sliders for driving a window, the first and second sliders being guided in translation by the first guide rail and the second guide rail, respectively; a cable system for driving the sliders along the first and second guide rails, the cable system comprising a cable extending between the first and second guide rails for connecting to corresponding ends of the first and second guide rails, respectively, the first guide rail comprising a holder for fastening the cable between the two corresponding ends of the first and second guide rails that the cable connects.
US09169677B2
A locking device is disclosed for a door. In an embodiment, the locking device includes a locking slider which is slidable into at least two positions, wherein in the first position the door is locked and in the second position the door is released for opening; and includes a guide within which the locking slider is slidably arranged. The locking slider includes a door interrogator, wherein the door interrogator can be displaced by the door into at least two door interrogator positions, wherein in the first door interrogator position with the door closed the locking slider can be shifted into one of its at least two positions, and wherein in the second door interrogator position with the door open the locking slider cannot be shifted into the first position for locking the door.
US09169672B1
A building opening provides both a burglar protection and egress from the building during emergency such as fire. The system utilizes a protective cover having securable apertures for engaging and releasable securing a protective panel to the outer wall over the building by applying clamp fasteners configured for locking and releasing the securable aperture from the inside of the building. Also included is the method of utilization.
US09169668B2
The present disclosure includes a kit and method for operating or operably connecting an American locking cylinder into a European cylinder type mortise lock with the American locking cylinder functioning with the European cylinder mortise lock in place of the European locking cylinder itself. The present disclosure provides a door cylinder conversion kit that converts the European cylinder mortise lock to be operable with an American cylinder.
US09169667B1
A rekeying tool for a lock having a lock body, cylinder, upper and lower tumbler pins and upper springs, includes a cylindrically elongated follower having opposing ends. At least one of the ends is hollow and has a V-shaped or U-shaped groove. A cylindrically elongated solid piston having a corresponding V-shaped or U-shaped groove at an end is resiliently positioned in the hollow end of the follower. The solid piston includes a cut-through channel and a pin. The pin extends a cross-section of the hollow end of the follower and passing though the cut-through channel to guide reciprocating travel of the piston from an inwardmost position to an outwardmost extension. The V-shaped or U-shaped groove of the solid piston is substantially aligned with the corresponding V-shaped or U-shaped groove of the hollow end of the follower when the piston is at the outwardmost extension.
US09169657B1
The present invention relates to a modular attic flooring assembly comprising a plurality of coupling panels for providing a surface, wherein each coupling panel of the plurality of coupling panels defined as having opposing ends, wherein each coupling panel comprising a surface extending between the opposing ends; a first end having a first mating member; a second end having a second mating member; at least two support legs symmetrically coupled below the surface; at least one indentation arranged on the lower portion of each support leg; wherein the at least one indentation of each support leg faces the at least one indentation of the other support leg, thereby forming a channel for receiving a joist below the surface; and wherein the first mating member of each coupling panel mating with the second mating member of an adjacent coupling panel.
US09169653B2
A clip having a plurality of locking ribs disposed on a front surface for engaging a mounting surface; a mounting channel disposed in a rear surface; the mounting channel adapted to receive a securing member for securing the clip to the mounting surface; a flange extending outwardly from a side surface, wherein the flange includes an engaging surface having a ridge portion and a recess portion; whereby the ridge portion of the flange is received into a complementary recess portion of a flange on a second clip, and the recess portion receives a complementary ridge portion of the flange on the second clip for interlocking engagement between clips.
US09169652B2
A manufactured panel includes a body having a front, back, top, bottom and side walls, the side walls extend between the front and back, and an interior volume located between the front, back, top, bottom and side walls. An insert having an interior portion is embedded within the interior volume of the body, and an exterior portion extends from the interior portion to an exterior of the body. The exterior portion includes stand-offs protruding from the body, such that at least some of the stand-offs are connected to each other inside the interior volume of the body. At least some of the stand-offs are independent and detached from each other on the exterior of the body.
US09169636B2
A system for controlling water leakage and excess humidity in a basement, including a water leakage vacuum apparatus that includes a water vacuuming apparatus to collect a water leakage through a basement wall, an air dehumidifying apparatus, and a perimeter channel system having a plurality of flow channels, disposed along the perimeter of the basement wall. The perimeter channel system includes a water channel for conducting the water leakage away from a basement wall to the water vacuuming apparatus, a humid air channel for communicating humid air from the air space proximate to the outer wall of the basement to a dehumidifying apparatus, and a dehumidified air channel for communicating the dehumidified air discharged from the dehumidifying apparatus to the air space proximate to the outer wall of the basement.
US09169625B2
A water-saving management system for a sanitary facility and a water-saving management method for a sanitary facility are provided. A control device is connected to flush valves corresponding to sanitary facilities of one or more sanitary spaces. The control device outputs flush-associated data to a local server via a transmission network. The local server receives the flush-associated data and transfers mode setting data via the transmission network. The control device sets a flush mode according to the mode setting data, so as to flush the sanitary facilities.
US09169619B2
A wheel loader includes a cab, a ladder provided laterally of the cab, a vehicle body cover rear of the cab, an engine, an air cleaner and a platform disposed laterally of the cab. The engine is disposed inside an engine room defined by the cover. The air cleaner has an exchangeable filter to clean air supplied to the engine. The air cleaner is disposed outside of the cover and above/rear of the ladder. The ladder has a first top step projecting laterally relative to the platform, and steps below projecting laterally relative to the first step. Preferably at least one of the first and second steps has a larger projection amount than the step below. Preferably, a projection amount of a third step positioned at a bottom is smaller than a projection amount of at least one of the first and second steps.
US09169616B2
A spreader component for use with a dragline excavator. Two dumpblocks are connected to the component in a spaced apart manner. The spreader component may include an in-use upper coupling arrangement for enabling coupling of the component to a hoist link of the dragline, at least first and second spaced apart in-use anterior coupling arrangements each for enabling coupling of the component to a respective dump block, and at least first and second spaced apart in-use lateral coupling arrangements each for enabling coupling of the component to a respective lift chain for a bucket of the excavator. An elongate connector may connect each lift chain to a respective lateral coupling arrangement in use.
US09169609B2
An outdoor power equipment device may include a mobility assembly and a mounting receptacle. The mobility assembly may support a device frame of the outdoor power equipment device and enable an operator of the outdoor power equipment device to facilitate movement of the outdoor power equipment device. The mounting receptacle may be coupled to the device frame. The mounting receptacle may include a removable lamp operable to provide light at least when removed from the mounting receptacle.
US09169605B2
A system for determining a state of compaction of a work material includes a compactor and a compaction sensor system. A controller is configured to determine an empirical state of compaction of the work material based upon signals from the compaction sensor system and the characteristics of a machine associated with the compaction sensor system.
US09169600B1
A web product having a machine direction and a cross-machine direction orthogonal thereto and having at least one ply is disclosed. The at least one ply has a first plurality of knuckle regions having a first total area in the machine and cross-machine directions and a second plurality of knuckle regions having a second total area in the machine and cross-machine directions, where the first and second total areas have a different value. The said web product has a residual water value, RW, of less than about 0.12 g and a Wet Burst, WB, value greater than about 400 g. Alternatively, the web product has a residual water value, RW, of less than about 0.12 g and a Vertical Full Sheet, VFS, value greater than about 8.74 g/g.
US09169594B1
An indoor retractable fire extinguishing apparatus may include a portable fireproof casing adapted to be positioned inside the building structure. A spool may be rotatably situated inside the fireproof casing. A fire hose may be rolled up about the spool. A plurality of stabilizing plates may be statically mounted to the fireproof casing. A handle may be attached to the spool in such a manner that the handle and the spool may rotate in sync and thereby cause the fire hose to wind and unwind from the spool respectively while the stabilizing plates remain stationary exterior of the fireproof casing. The stabilizing plates may further be directly attached to an outer surface of the fireproof casing such that operating forces acting on the handle and the spool are absorbed and distributed along the stabilizing plates thereby maintaining the fireproof casing at a substantially stable position during winding and unwinding operations.
US09169574B2
The invention refers to an air supply system (1) for a group of cells (4) arranged for dosing the individual air demand of each electrolytic cell (2) that must be fed to its electrolyte through a system of controlled air diffusion. It comprises a low pressure blower (5), a central feed pipe (6) and a plurality of feed branches (7); a flow meter (8) and a flow regulator (9) are associated to each feed branch. The assembly is connected to a bent hose (12) arranged on the walls of said electrolytic cell (2) to allow connection with an isobaric ring (3), so that the fed air can be diffused homogeneously and sustainedly in time to the electrolyte through selectively perforated hoses (16). The present invention also refers to the process of installation, calibration and operation of the air supply system.
US09169567B2
A components comprising a plurality of tab members formed thereon are provided. The plurality of tab members include at least one dissimilar metallic layer applied to the component. The plurality of tab members are configured to extend away from or retract toward a surface of the component in response to a temperature change.
US09169565B2
Metallic substrates having a deformable vitreous coating, obtainable by applying an alkali metal silicate-containing coating sol to the substrate and thermally densifying the layer thus obtained in a two-stage heat treatment process, the heat treatment being carried out, in the first stage, either (A) in an oxygen-containing atmosphere or (B) in a vacuum at a residual pressure of ≦15 mbar and, in the second stage, in a low-oxygen atmosphere up to full densification with formation of a vitreous layer.
US09169560B2
A polycrystalline silicon producing method with preventing meltdown and maintaining a high growing rate and a high yield by increasing temperature of raw material gas before supplying them to a reactor in a high pressure state so as to lower convection heat transfer from a silicon rod, including: supplying electric current to a silicon seed rod in a reactor to make the silicon seed rod to generate heat; and supplying a large amount of preheated raw material gas including chlorosilanes to the silicon seed rod in the reactor in the high pressure state.
US09169554B2
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to apparatuses for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes. In one embodiment, a wafer carrier track for levitating and traversing a wafer carrier within a vapor deposition reactor system is provided which includes upper and lower sections of a track assembly having a gas cavity formed therebetween. A guide path extends along an upper surface of the upper section and between two side surfaces which extend along and above the guide path and parallel to each other. A plurality of gas holes along the guide path extends from the upper surface of the upper section, through the upper section, and into the gas cavity. In some examples, the upper and lower sections of the track assembly may independently contain quartz, and in some examples, may be fused together.
US09169553B2
A substrate processing device comprises a reaction vessel 11 forming a space receiving a substrate 1 and adapted to have a plurality of reaction gases supplied thereto to perform desired processing of the substrate, an exhaust port 16 formed in the reaction vessel 11 for exhausting the reaction vessel 11, and a gas supply system 70A, 70B for supplying at least a plurality of reaction gases into the reaction vessel 11, the gas supply system 70A, 70B including a cleaning gas supply unit for supplying a cleaning gas to perform desired processing of the substrate 1 to thereby remove adherents in the reaction vessel 11, and a post-processing gas supply unit for supplying a post-processing gas capable of removing the elements contained in the cleaning gas remaining in the reaction vessel 11 after the adherents have been removed by supplying the cleaning gas, the post-processing gas containing all of the reaction gases used in performing desired processing of the substrate.
US09169552B2
A process for the application of layers composed of ceramic or organoceramic materials on surfaces of metals, semimetals or compounds thereof and also components or assemblies made of these materials by a chemical deposition process from the gas phase at atmospheric pressure or 30% below this and process temperatures during deposition below 500° C. The deposition process is carried out in one operation, wherein the reactive chemical substances and the precursors are homogeneously backmixed in the common gas space, and the average residence time as a ratio of volume of the gas space to gas throughput is matched to the rate-determining step of the catalyzed gas-phase reaction of the coating process so as to achieve a deposition rate of from 10 to 2000 nm per hour.
US09169539B2
The fatigue resistance characteristics, particularly, fatigue resistance characteristics after retention at 150° C. for 1000 hours are improved while maintaining the characteristics in the related art. Provided is a copper alloy sheet having a composition containing 0.2% by mass to 1.2% by mass of Mg, and 0.001% by mass to 0.2% by mass of P, the balance being Cu and unavoidable impurities. When X-ray diffraction intensity of a {110} crystal plane is set as I{110}, and X-ray diffraction intensity of {110} crystal plane of a pure copper standard powder is set as I0{110}, a surface crystal orientation of the copper alloy sheet satisfies a relation of 4.0≦I{110}/I0{110}≦6.0.
US09169531B2
The present invention is a recycling method for aluminum dust collection and aluminum metallic smelting slag, where aluminum dross is processed into dross pellets having a particle diameter of larger than 200 meshes and smaller than 400 meshed, with which an aqueous solution of a binder is mixed to form a raw material. The raw material is then pressure molded to form a raw refractory material and sintered under a work temperature of 1050° C.˜1450° C., and reduced in temperature to finally form a refractory material.
US09169526B2
A nodular graphite cast iron, a method for fabricating a vane for a rotary compressor using nodular graphite cast iron, and a vane for a rotary compressor using the same are provided. The nodular graphite cast iron includes 3.4 wt % to 3.9 wt % of carbon (C), 2.0 wt % to 3.0 wt % of silicon (Si), 0.3 wt % to 1.0 wt % of manganese (Mn), 0.1 wt % to 1.0 wt % of chromium (Cr), 0.04 wt % to 0.15 wt % of titanium (Ti), less than 0.08 w % of phosphorus (P), less than 0.025 wt % of sulphur (S), 0.03 wt % to 0.05 wt % of magnesium (Mg), 0.02 wt % to 0.04 wt % of rare earth resource, iron (Fe) and impurities as the remnants, and includes a bainite matrix structure, nodular graphite, and 15 vol % to 35 vol % of carbide.
US09169507B2
The invention provides a novel truncated mutated T4 RNA ligase 2. In addition, methods are provided for ligating pre-adenlylated donor molecules to the 3′ hydroxyl group of RNA in the absence of ATP using the ligase.
US09169505B2
A reactor vessel including: a mixing chamber having a vertical length, an upper inlet, and a lower outlet; and a vertically oriented paddle within the mixing chamber and having a cross-sectional shape of a hydrofoil, wherein the paddle moves with respect to the mixing chamber.
US09169503B2
The present invention provides a method for in vitro producing an indole derivative in a one-pot reaction. The method for producing a rhamnosylated indolocarbazole compound includes the steps of transforming a plasmid carrying a gene encoding N-glycosyltransferase into a bacterial strain; expressing the gene encoding N-glycosyltransferase in the bacterial strain; lysing the bacterial strain to obtain a crude enzyme extract; and adding TDP-glucose, an indolocarbazole aglycone and a metal ion in the crude enzyme extract for performing an enzymatic reaction to form the rhamnosylated indolocarbazole compound. Alternatively, the method for producing an indole-3-carboxaldehyde analog includes the steps of transforming a plasmid carrying a gene encoding NokA of Nocardiopsis sp. K-252 into a bacterial strain; expressing the gene encoding NokA in the bacterial strain; lysing the bacterial strain to obtain a crude enzyme extract; and adding an L-tryptophan analog for performing an enzymatic reaction to form the indole-3-carboxaldehyde analog.
US09169494B2
This invention relates to modified parvovirus inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) that do not functionally interact with wild-type large Rep proteins, synthetic Rep proteins that functionally interact with the modified ITRs, and methods of using the same for delivery of nucleic acids to a cell or a subject. The modifications provide a novel Rep-ITR interaction that limits vector mobilization, increasing the safety of viral vectors.
US09169490B2
The invention provides methods for reprogramming somatic cells to generate multipotent or pluripotent cells. Such methods are useful for a variety of purposes, including treating or preventing a medical condition in an individual. The invention further provides methods for identifying an agent that reprograms somatic cells to a less differentiated state.
US09169487B2
Disclosed is a technique which is for duplicating across a wide region any large region on a chromosome of a fungus belonging to Aspergillus strain, and which enables the stable and systematic acquisition of a previously un-acquirable fungus belonging to the Aspergillus strain having novel traits. Disclosed is a transformant wherein a transformation marker gene sequence is arranged on the outside of terminals (5′, 3′) of a region so as to sandwich an arbitrary region of a chromosome, and chromosome duplication has taken place by means of homologous recombination after double strand breakage generated in a homologous region inside the gene. Also disclosed is a method for duplicating an arbitrary region of a chromosome of a fungus belonging to Aspergillus strain by culturing said transformant.
US09169485B2
The invention provides recombinant ethanologenic bacteria, methods of making the bacteria and methods of producing ethanol using the bacteria.
US09169482B2
A method for synthesizing cDNA characterized by preparing a reaction solution that does not allow an endodeoxyribonuclease to show its activity, without thermal deactivation of the endodeoxyribonuclease or removal of the endodeoxyribonuclease, and carrying out a reverse transcription reaction, wherein the reaction solution contains a treated sample and a reverse transcriptase, the treated sample being formed by treating a sample comprising RNA and DNA with the endodeoxyribonuclease to degrade DNA in the sample. The method and the kit for synthesizing cDNA of the present invention are widely useful in genetic engineering fields.
US09169478B2
This invention relates generally to enzymes, polynucleotides encoding the enzymes having isomerase activity, e.g., racemase activity, e.g., amino acid racemase activity, alanine racemase activity, and/or epimerase activity, and/or catalyze the re-arrangement of atoms within a molecule, catalyze the conversion of one isomer into another, catalyze the conversion of an optically active substrate into a raceme, which is optically inactive, catalyze the interconversion of substrate enantiomers, catalyze the stereochemical inversion around the asymmetric carbon atom in a substrate having only one center of asymmetry, catalyze the stereochemical inversion of the configuration around an asymmetric carbon atom in a substrate having more than one asymmetric center, and/or catalyze the racemization of amino acids.
US09169475B2
The present invention relates to methods for producing variants of a parent TY145 subtilase and of a parent BPN′ subtilase and to TY145 and BPN′ variants having altered properties as compared to the parent TY145/BPN′ subtilase.
US09169474B2
The present invention relates to a method for producing a yeast extract using an exogenous protease.
US09169472B2
The present invention relates to a polypeptide with an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 and fragments or derivatives thereof. The present invention further relates to fusion proteins comprising said polypeptide and an additional peptide stretch fused to said polypeptide at the N- or C-terminus. Moreover, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding said polypeptide or fusion protein, vectors comprising said nucleic acid molecules and host cells comprising either said nucleic acid molecules or said vectors. In addition, the present invention relates to said polypeptide or fusion protein for use as a medicament, in particular for the treatment or prevention of Gram-negative bacterial infections, as diagnostic means, as cosmetic substance or as sanitizing agent. The present invention also relates to the use of said polypeptide or fusion protein for the treatment or prevention of Gram-negative bacterial contamination of foodstuff, of food processing equipment, of food processing plants, of surfaces coming into contact with foodstuff, of medical devices, of surfaces in hospitals and surgeries. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising said polypeptide or fusion protein.
US09169468B2
The present invention provides methods and compositions suitable for use in the conversion of xylose to xylitol and xylulose, including nucleic acid constructs, recombinant fungal host cells, and related materials.
US09169466B2
Mesenchymal precursors cells have been isolated from perivascular niches from a range of tissues utilizing a perivascular marker. A new mesenchymal precursor cell phenotype is described characterized by the presence of the perivascular marker 3G5, and preferably also alpha smooth muscle actin together with early developmental markers such as STRO-1 and CD146/MUC18. The perivascular mesenchymal precursor cell is shown to induce neovascularization and improvement in cardiac function. Suitable administration of preparations of the mesenchymal precursor cells are useful for treatment of cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases and peripheral vascular diseases.
US09169459B2
The invention provides a composition comprising: a) a benefit agent (preferably perfume) delivery particle comprising a poly-xyloglucan or poly-galactomannan with a ratio of beta-1,4 to 1,6 linkages of 1:1 to 3:1, or a mixture thereof as a delivery aid, b) a mannanase, preferably in combination with one or more of lipase, protease and amylase. Preferably the delivery particle is a core-shell encapsulate.
US09169456B2
A composition for treating a hard surface. The composition has: (a) at least one adhesion promoter; (b) at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of: anionic, non-ionic, cationic, amphoteric, zwitterionic, and combinations thereof; (c) mineral oil; (d) a blend of linear primary alcohols, wherein each alcohol of said blend includes a carbon chain containing 9 to 17 carbons or an ethoxylated blend thereof; (e) water; (f) optionally, at least one solvent; and wherein the composition is self-adhering upon application to a surface to be treated, and wherein the composition provides a wet film to said surface when water passes over said composition and surface.
US09169455B2
A process for extracting fats and oils from plant and animal matter using a normally gaseous solvent in its liquid state. Use is made of gravity flow and pressure differential from one vessel to another to transfer solvent from an upper vessel to a lower vessel. The vessels comprise an outer jacket to allow cooling and heating fluid to flow there-through to achieve better control of the pressure within each vessel.
US09169449B2
A method to upgrade heavy oil feedstock using an ebullated bed reactor and a novel catalyst system is provided. The ebullated bed reactor system includes two different catalyst with different characteristics: an expanded catalyst zone containing particulate catalyst having a particle size of greater than 0.65 mm; and a slurry catalyst having an average particle size ranging from 1 to 300 μm. The slurry catalyst is introduced to the ebullated bed system with the heavy oil feedstock, and entrained in the upflowing hydrocarbon liquid passing through the ebullated bed reaction zone. The slurry catalyst reduces the formation of sediment and coke precursors in the ebullating bed reactor system. The slurry catalyst is prepared from at least a water-soluble metal precursor and pre-sulfided prior to being introduced with the heavy oil feedstock to the reactor system, or sulfided in-situ in the ebullated bed reactor in another embodiment.
US09169446B2
Methods for demulsifying an emulsified petroleum source having a predetermined resin-to-asphaltene ratio without substantial aggregation or precipitation of asphaltenes may include adding a resin supplement to the emulsified petroleum source to form a resin-supplemented emulsion having a resin-to-asphaltene ratio above a predetermined critical value. An acidic-to-basic ratio of acidic functional groups to basic functional groups in the supplemented emulsion may be adjusted to be from about 0.25 to about 4.0. The resin-supplemented emulsion may be contacted with carbon dioxide to form an initial mixture having an emulsified oil phase and an emulsified aqueous phase. The initial mixture may be stabilized to facilitate rupture of the resin-supplemented emulsion, to cause phase separation, and to allow removal of a separated oil phase. The resin-to-asphaltene ratio being above the predetermined critical value in the supplemented emulsion maintains asphaltene suspension during demulsification, such that asphaltene agglomeration and precipitation are avoided.
US09169439B2
A method of testing the coking qualities of sample quantities of coal in a test container and the structure of the test container are disclosed. A test container which is ideally reusable is adapted to receive one or more samples of coal to be tested and then the test container is inserted into a coking oven along with additional, conventional coal during a conventional coking operation. Following the completion or substantial completion of the coking operation, the test container is recovered and from the conventional converted coke and the sample(s) of coke are removed from the container for testing and evaluation. The container is recharged with one or more additional samples of coke and reused in another conventional coking operation.
US09169427B2
Heat transfer compositions, methods and use wherein the composition comprising: (a) from about 5 to about 20% by weight of HFC-32; (b) from about 70% to about 90% by weight of HFO-1234ze; and (c) from about 5% to less than about 20% by weight of HFC-152a and/or HFC-134a.
US09169418B2
Disclosed is a liquid thermosetting epoxy resin composition including a base resin, a curing agent (D), and curing accelerator (E) or including a base resin and a curing catalyst (D′), each base resin including an alicyclic epoxy compound (A) having at least one alicyclic skeleton and two or more epoxy groups per molecule; a polyester polyol and/or a polycarbonate polyol (B), each polyol having two or more terminal hydroxyl groups; and a phosphorous ester (C). The liquid thermosetting epoxy resin composition exhibits excellent viscosity stability and can give a cured article which is homogeneous even when having a large thickness, does not crack under heat cycle conditions, and is highly thermally stable and satisfactorily optically transparent.
US09169415B2
An ink for ink-jet recording apparatuses containing water and a pigment dispersion is provided in which a penetrating agent containing an alkane diol having 8 or 9 carbon atoms and a surfactant consisting of a compound represented by the following general formula (I) are blended in predetermined amounts.
US09169408B2
Provided is an active energy ray-curable inkjet ink containing at least photopolymerizable compounds. The photopolymerizable compounds include: at least one monofunctional monomer selected from the group consisting of a monofunctional monomer of which homopolymer has a glass transition temperature of 90° C. or higher, a monofunctional monomer having a ring structure, and a monofunctional monomer of which homopolymer has a glass transition temperature of 90° C. or higher and that has a ring structure; and urethane (meth)acrylate.
US09169406B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards coating compositions comprising from 50 to 85 percent of an aqueous dispersion based on a total weight of the coating composition, an abrasion reducing composition, a solvent, a basic water composition, and a crosslinker.
US09169396B2
The invention relates to a method for the production of a web composed essentially of a granulate and a polymer. In order for the web to have good suction against the substrate after it has been laid on a floor, the interstices between the granulate particles are not allowed to be filled with the polymer. According to the invention, this is brought about in that the polymer is applied to the top side of the granulate. After the polymer melts, the polymer seeps down through the granulate. By means of targeted control or regulation, this sinking process is influenced before the polymer reaches the underside of the web. The invention also comprises a sensor and the product as such.
US09169394B2
The present invention refers to a method of dispersing carbon nanotubes in a thermosetting resin. The method comprises: (a) contacting the carbon nanotubes with a dispersant in a solvent to form a dispersion mixture, wherein the dispersant is a graft polymer comprising a polymeric backbone and a side chain grafted to the polymeric backbone; and (b) adding the thermosetting resin to the dispersion solution to form a resin blend. The present invention also refers to a composition used for the method.
US09169387B2
Blends of a polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU); a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS); and, a polyetherimide and epoxy. The polyetherimide and epoxy are present in an amount effective to act as a compatibilizer for the polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU) and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). Methods of compatibilizing a blend of polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU) and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). The method can include melt mixing a polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU) and a polyetherimide; and melt mixing a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and an epoxy.
US09169383B2
This invention relates to the preparation and purification of high-X (“chi”) diblock copolymers. Such copolymers contain two segments (“blocks”) of polymers with significantly different interaction parameters and can be used in directed self-assembly applications.
US09169378B2
A polyethylene composition is disclosed which comprises from 45 to 55 wt % of an ethylene polymer (A) having a density of at least 968 kg/m3, and from 55 to 45 wt % of an ethylene polymer (B) having a density of 920 to 955 kg/m3, wherein the composition has a density of 952 to 961 kg/m3, a high load melt index HLMI of 18-28 g/10 min, a ratio of HLMI/ML of 80-150, and a melt elastic modulus G′ (G″=3000) of 1200-1600 Pa, where HLMI and ML2 are measured according to ISO1133 at a temperature of 190° C. under loads of 21.6 kg and 2.16 kg respectively.
US09169367B2
The present invention appreciates that compounds comprising nitrogen-containing moieties that are at least divalent (e.g., urea, urethane, amide, etc.) can be reacted with azides using at least radiation energy to initiate the reaction between at least a portion of the compounds and the azides to form membranes that have surprisingly high selectivities for acid gases relative to nonpolar gases such as hydrocarbons. The membranes are also resistant to CO2 plasticization and have high acid gas flux characteristics. The resultant membranes can be extremely thin (e.g., 10 micrometers or less), which promotes high permeability for the acid gas and can translate into high productivity on a scaled-up, industrial level.
US09169364B2
Binder compositions and methods for making and using same are provided. The binder composition can include at least one polyamidoamine prepolymer and at least one copolymer. The copolymer can include one or more vinyl aromatic derived units, and one or more unsaturated carboxylic acids, one or more unsaturated carboxylic anhydrides, or a combination thereof. The copolymer can be modified by reaction with one or more base compounds.
US09169363B2
In the present process, reversibly crosslinking composites or storage-stable prepregs are produced by means of a hetero Diels-Alder reactions (HDA,) for example of PMMA polymers. At slightly elevated temperature, these prepregs can be reversibly decrosslinked again by a retro hetero Diels-Alder reaction so that they become moldable. The back-reaction to products which are again crosslinked or high molecular weight then takes place at room temperature.
US09169359B2
Novel silicone polymers are provided which possess grafted pendant hydrophilic polyalkylene oxide side chains and, optionally, reactive functional end groups. These features make them well suited for use in chemical, marine, biomedical and industrial applications, particularly those involving surface modifications.
US09169351B2
Methods of forming multi-component reinforced composites are described. The methods may include forming a particle-reinforced component and a polymer-containing component where the particle-reinforced component and the polymer-containing component are in contact with one another. The particle reinforced component may be formed by a process that includes providing reactive particles that have a reactive polymerization promoter chemically bonded or coated on the surface of the reactive particles and contacting the reactive particles with a resin solution that includes monomers of a polymer. The polymerization promoter chemically bonded or coated on the surface of the reactive particles may promote the polymerization of the monomers. The resin solution may subsequently be polymerized forming a polymer matrix around the reactive particles.
US09169349B2
The present invention provides a polyester composition for a solar battery, which includes a dicarboxylic acid component having terephthalic acid as a main component and a diol component having ethylene glycol as a main component, the polyester composition satisfying the following Formulae (1) to (5): 0.65≦intrinsic viscosity≦0.90 (1); 0.7≦M/P≦1.3 (2); 200 ppm≦P≦600 ppm (3); amount of terminal carboxyl groups≦15 eq/t (4); and amount of terminal methoxy groups≦10 eq/t (5) (in the Formula (2), M represents the number of moles of an alkaline metal element and/or an alkaline earth metal element per 106 g of a polyester; and P represents the number of elemental phosphorus per 106 g of a polyester).
US09169347B2
Provided are an epoxy resin curing agent having excellent properties and high gas barrier capability that epoxy resin has and, in addition thereto, capable of realizing good adhesiveness to polyester and aluminum; an epoxy resin composition containing the curing agent; an adhesive for lamination including the composition as the main ingredient thereof; and a laminate film, a multilayer wrapping material and a wrapping bag using the adhesive. The epoxy resin curing agent comprises a reaction product of the following (A), (B) and (C): (A) meta-xylylenediamine or para-xylylenediamine, (B) a polyfunctional compound having one acyl group and capable of forming an amide group moiety through reaction with a polyamine and forming an oligomer, (C) a metal (meth)acrylate salt with a divalent or more polyvalent metal.
US09169346B2
Provided herein are, among other things, epoxy resin varnishes and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the epoxy resin varnishes comprise at least a filler such as silica. In certain embodiments, the epoxy resin varnishes provided herein are used for making laminates such as copper clad laminates. In farther embodiments, the copper clad laminates provided herein are used for making printed circuit boards (PCBs).
US09169344B2
Disclosed herein a process for the preparation of reactive solution of polymerizable polymers comprising polymerizable reactive functionality and wherein one approach discloses a polymerizable polymer comprising a (i) N-vinyl amide monomer; (ii) dual functional monomer; and (iii) polymerizable monomelic solvent. An additional approach reveals about polymerizable polymer comprising (i) a base polymer made from N-vinyl amide monomer and a co-monomer with the proviso for grafting; (ii) graft functional monomer; and (iii) a polymerizable monomelic solvent to enable a medium for polymerization. Also, discloses about the compositions comprising reactive solution of polymerizable polymer and its various possible applications.
US09169343B2
An ethylenic polymer comprising amyl groups from about 0.1 to about 2.0 units per 1000 carbon atoms as determined by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and both a peak melting temperature, Tm, in ° C., and a heat of fusion, Hf, in J/g, as determined by DSC Crystallinity, where the numerical values of Tm and Hf correspond to the relationship Tm≧(0.2143*Hf)+79.643. An ethylenic polymer comprising at least one preparative TREF fraction that elutes at 95° C. or greater using a Preparative Temperature Rising Elution Fractionation method, where at least one preparative TREF fraction that elutes at 95° C. or greater has a gpcBR value greater than 0.05 and less than 5 as determined by gpcBR Branching Index by 3D-GPC, and where at least 5% of the ethylenic polymer elutes at a temperature of 95° C. or greater based upon the total weight of the ethylenic polymer.
US09169338B2
This invention relates to certain photocrosslinkable fluoropolymers, processes for crosslinking the fluoropolymers using UV radiation, and the photocrosslinked fluoropolymers produced.
US09169337B2
Disclosed herein are ethylene-based polymers having a higher molecular weight component and a lower molecular weight component, and characterized by a density greater than 0.945 g/cm3, a melt index less than 1.5 g/10 min, and a ratio of high load melt index to melt index ranging from 40 to 175. These polymers have the processability of chromium-based resins, but with improved stiffness and stress crack resistance, and can be used in blow molding and other end-use applications.
US09169332B2
A photopolymerizable and photocleavable (P&P) resin monomer is derived from a reactive photoresponsible moiety via various linkages to form photopolymerizable monomers and/or oligomers.
US09169324B2
The invention features methods for inhibiting enhancement of expression of a FoxP3 gene in a cell, methods for inhibiting induction of differentiation of a cell into a regulatory T cell, methods for reducing immunosuppression, methods for stimulating tumor immunity, and methods for treating a patient with a tumor. The methods of the invention involve suppressing function of an FSTL1 protein in the cell. In the methods of the invention, function of an FSTL1 protein in the cell may be suppressed using an anti-FSTL1 antibody.
US09169322B2
Recombinant antibody-based molecules that trigger both T-cell and B-cell immune responses are disclosed. The recombinant molecules are comprised by at least one targeting unit and at least one antigenic unit connected through a dimerization motif. Also disclosed are nucleic acid molecules encoding the recombinant antibody-based molecule and methods of treating multiple myeloma or lymphoma in a patient using the recombinant antibody-based molecules or the nucleic acid molecules.
US09169320B2
Provided is a general-purpose technique capable of measuring the HbA1c content, which is comparable to the IFCC reference method. An antibody which reacts with a peptide or a protein having an amino acid sequence of VHLTPE (SEQ ID NO: 1) at the N-terminus in which the N-terminal valine is not modified, but does not react with a peptide or a protein in which the N-terminal valine of the relevant polypeptide or protein is modified.
US09169298B2
The invention relates to live attenuated VDV1 (VERO-Derived Dengue serotype 1 virus) strains which have been derived from the wild-type dengue-1 strain 16007 by passaging on PDK and sanitization on Vero cells and nucleic acids thereof. The invention further relates to a vaccine composition which comprises a VDV1 strain.
US09169294B2
The disclosure is generally directed toward the design and synthesis of peptide amphiphile (PA) molecules that comprises a peptide configured to inhibit angiogenesis. The peptide amphiphile comprises a hydrophobic tail, peptide sequence capable of beta-sheet formation; and a peptide, wherein the peptide is configured to inhibit angiogenesis. Optionally the PA further comprises a flexible linker between the peptide sequence capable of beta-sheet formation and the peptides. Further this disclosure is directed to nanostructures comprising peptide amphiphiles configured to inhibit angiogenesis.
US09169291B2
The invention relates to covalent conjugates between endoperoxides and small peptides and organic compounds that bind to molecular cavities on the transferrin or lactoferrin receptor, and the use of compositions comprising these conjugates to treat cancer, hyperproliferative disorders, inflammatory diseases, and infections.
US09169286B2
A method and compositions for sulfurizing at least one phosphite or thiophosphite linkage in an oligonucleotide. The addition of N-alkyl imidazole to the acetyldisulfide sulfurization solution enables the use of industrially preferred solvents or solvents that are derived from renewable resources.
US09169277B2
The present invention generally relates to methods for the synthesis of catalysts, including epoxidation catalysts, and related compounds and catalyst compositions. Embodiments described herein may provide efficient processes for providing catalysts (e.g., epoxidation catalysts) in large quantities and using simplified methods.
US09169275B2
Organopolysiloxanes containing a sulfide-containing organic group, a long-chain alkyl group, and a hydrolyzable group are novel. The organopolysiloxanes are effective for improving the shelf stability of epoxy resin compositions.
US09169268B2
The present invention provides a method of preventing, alleviating and/or treating depression, comprising the step of administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a 7-alkoxy fangchinoline compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof.
US09169267B2
The invention relates to a novel class of quaternary ammonium salts containing tetra-hydro[1,3]oxazolo[2,3-b][1,3]oxazol-4-ium moiety in the structure, in particular the new derivatives of 4-methyltetrahydro[1,3]oxazolo[2,3-b][1,3]oxazol-4-ium, 4-(2-oxoethyl)tetrahydro[1,3]oxazolo[2,3-6][1,3]oxazol-4-ium, bis{4-methyltetrahydro[1,3]oxazoio[2,3-6][1,3]oxazol-4-ium}, bis{4-(2-oxoethyl)tetrahydro[1,3]oxazolo[2,3-b][1,3]oxazol-4-ium} and tris{4-methyltetrahydro[1,3]oxazolo[2,3-b][1,3]oxazol-4-ium} salts, process for the preparation of a novel class of quaternary ammonium salts and applications thereof.
US09169249B2
This disclosure concerns compounds which are useful as inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) and are thus useful for treating a variety of diseases and disorders that are mediated or sustained through the activity of PKC. This disclosure also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, methods of using these compounds in the treatment of various diseases and disorders, processes for preparing these compounds and intermediates useful in these processes.
US09169246B2
The invention relates to compounds corresponding to formula (I) in which R1, R2 and R3 are as defined in Claim 1, and also to the process for preparing them and to their therapeutic use.
US09169243B2
The present application relates to compounds having the inhibitory activity to apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (ASK1), thus are thus useful in treating ASK1-mediated conditions, including autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, cardio-renal diseases, including kidney disease, fibrotic diseases, respiratory diseases, COPD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, acute lung injury, acute and chronic liver diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases.
US09169242B2
The present invention relates to compounds that are useful for treating, preventing and/or managing the diseases, disorders, syndromes or conditions associated with the modulation of CRAC and to processes for preparing these compounds. The invention further relates to methods of treating, preventing managing and/or lessening the diseases, disorders, syndromes or conditions associated with the modulation of CRAC by these compounds.
US09169240B2
The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I): as defined in the specification and compositions comprising any of such novel compounds. These compounds are endothelial lipase inhibitors which may be used as medicament.
US09169239B2
The present invention relates to a novel process for preparing ceftaroline fosamil as well as to intermediates of Formulae (1), (3) or (4) of this process.
US09169226B2
There is provided a process for manipulating the amount of alkyl alcohol in a product stream, e.g., such as an alkylene oxide product stream. More particularly, and in contrast to conventional processes wherein substantially all of the alkyl alcohol must be separated and desirably recycled, in the present process, a greater amount of alkyl alcohol may be allowed to remain in a partially refined alkylene oxide product stream. The residual alkyl alcohol is subsequently substantially entirely reacted to form a downstream product, e.g., a glycol ether, which is more easily separated from the alkylene oxide product stream. Indeed, the amount of alkyl alcohol in the partially refined alkylene oxide product stream can be selected based upon the output of glycol ethers, if desired.
US09169225B2
The present invention provides a novel method for producing hexafluoropropylene oxide, which can attain a high HFPO selectivity without using a phase transfer catalyst. Hexafluoropropylene (HFP), a water-soluble and aprotic organic solvent, and an aqueous solution of an oxidizing agent are introduced into a small space, thereby bringing into contact with each other and reacting hexafluoropropylene with the oxidizing agent to obtain hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO).
US09169220B2
The present invention relates to non-charged oxime compounds which are acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) reactivators of inhibited AChE and which protect against organophosphate poisoning both peripherally and in the central nervous system. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and methods for preparing the reactivator compounds and associated intermediates.
US09169210B2
The present invention relates to non-steroidal ligands for use in nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system, and a method to modulate exogenous gene expression in which an ecdysone receptor complex comprising: a DNA binding domain; a ligand binding domain; a transactivation domain; and a ligand is contacted with a DNA construct comprising: the exogenous gene and a response element; wherein the exogenous gene is under the control of the response element and binding of the DNA binding domain to the response element in the presence of the ligand results in activation or suppression of the gene.
US09169203B2
The present invention provides sulfoxide compounds comprising hydrophobic ester or amide moieties such that the compounds have surfactant properties. Also provided are methods for using the sulfoxide compounds or mixtures of the sulfoxide compounds in a variety of applications.
US09169202B2
A surface active agent comprising an arylated methyl ester of a fatty acid, or mixture of fatty acids, derived from biodiesel or a triglyceride source is disclosed. The fatty acid mixture is condensed to methyl esters and alkylated with aromatic substituents under Friedel-Crafts conditions. The alkylated methyl esters may be alkoxylated using a catalyst derived from fatty acids, alkaline earth salts, and strong acids. The resulting nonionic surfactant may also be sulfonated to produce one class of anionic surfactants. The alkylated methyl esters may also be directly sulfonated to produce another class of anionic surfactants.
US09169201B2
The present invention provides for novel compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and co-crystals thereof which have glucagon receptor antagonist or inverse agonist activity. The present invention further provides for pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same as well as methods of treating, preventing, delaying the time to onset or reducing the risk for the development or progression of a disease or condition for which one or more glucagon receptor antagonist is indicated, including Type I and II diabetes, insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. The present invention also provides for processes of making the compounds of Formula I, including salts and co-crystals thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same.
US09169197B2
An improved multi-reaction zone process provides improved nitrile product quality and yield. In a first reaction zone, 1,3-butadiene is reacted with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a catalyst to produce pentenenitriles comprising 3-pentenenitrile and 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile. In a second reaction zone, 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile, recovered from the first reaction zone, is isomerized to 3-pentenenitrile. In a third reaction zone, 3-pentenenitrile recovered from the first and second reaction zones is reacted with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a catalyst and a Lewis acid to produce adiponitrile. Unwanted production and build-up of dinitriles, including methylglutaronitrile, in the first reaction zone for the hydrocyanation of 1,3-butadiene is prevented by limiting the flow of Lewis acid into the first reaction zone.
US09169189B2
A process and a mixture for oxidizing an alkyl-aromatic compound comprises forming a mixture comprising the alkyl-aromatic compound, a solvent, a bromine source, a catalyst, and ammonium acetate; and contacting the mixture with an oxidizing agent at oxidizing conditions to produce an oxidation product comprising at least one of an aromatic aldehyde, an aromatic alcohol, an aromatic ketone, and an aromatic carboxylic acid. The solvent comprises a carboxylic acid having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms; and the catalyst comprises at least one of cobalt, titanium, manganese, chromium, copper, nickel, vanadium, iron, molybdenum, tin, cerium, and zirconium.
US09169183B1
This invention describes a method for co-producing isobutene and ethyl tert-butyl ether from tert-butanol mixture in a catalytic distillation column, wherein catalyzing the tert-butanol mixture with the ethanol undergoes dehydration and etherification. The tert-butanol mixture contains absolute ethanol or aqueous ethanol as the antifreeze agent. The isobutene and the ethyl tert-butyl ether withdrawn from the column top are further separated, thus high purity isobutene and ethyl tert-butyl ether for fuel-additive are obtained.
US09169182B2
Embodiments of antimicrobial chrysophaentin compounds, pharmaceutical compositions including the chrysophaentin compounds, methods for using the chrysophaentin compounds, and methods for synthesizing the chrysophaentin compounds are disclosed. Certain embodiments of the chrysophaentin compounds inhibit FtsZ protein, thereby inhibiting the growth of clinically relevant bacteria, including drug-resistant strains.
US09169178B2
This invention provides a process for obtaining propargyl bromide in high yield from propargyl alcohol and phosphorus bromide, in the form of a stable composition with alkylbromide.
US09169172B2
The present invention relates to hydrogenation processes including: contacting a first composition with hydrogen under hydrogenation conditions, in the presence of an eggshell hydrogenation catalyst, wherein the first composition has: (i) greater than about 50 wt % of cyclohexylbenzene, the wt % based upon the total weight of the first composition; and (ii) greater than about 0.3 wt % of cyclohexenylbenzene, the wt % based upon the total weight of the first composition; and thereby obtaining a second composition having less cyclohexenylbenzene than the first composition. Other hydrogenation processes are also described.
US09169162B2
A method of sintering large refractory ceramic articles is disclosed. The method includes supporting a green refractory body on a plurality of support plates, the support plates in turn being supported by a plurality of support members having arcuate upper and lower surfaces. A setter material is disposed between the green refractory body to be sintered and the support plates. As the refractory body is sintered, the density of the article increases. Concurrently, the dimensions of the body decrease, which shrinkage, unless otherwise accommodated, may cause fracture of the body. The support plates and the structure of the support members, move to prevent the development of detrimental stresses in the refractory body as it sinters.
US09169161B2
A ceramic material has the following composition: (Ba1-xMnx)O.z(Ti1-yMmy)O2.Dd.Ee. In this composition, (Ba1-xMnx)=A and (Ti1-yMmy)=B, where Mn stands for at least one element selected from: Mg, Ca, Sr, Pb and mixtures thereof; Mm stands for at least one element selected from: Sn, Zr and mixtures thereof; D stands for at least one element having donor properties; E stands for at least one element having acceptor properties. The following applies for the parameters: 0≦x≦0.6; 0≦y≦0.35; 0≦d≦0.02; 0≦e≦0.02; 1
US09169156B2
The present invention relates to an optical fiber containing a glass fiber and a coating layer in contact with the outer circumference of the glass fiber, and a method for manufacturing the optical fiber, in which the coating layer contains silane coupling agents represented by the following formulae (1) and (2): in the formulae, R1 represents a group capable of reacting with an acryl group or an acryl group, and R2 to R8 are each the same or different and represent an alkyl group.
US09169144B2
A ballasted flocculation system that chemically softens water and causes hardness particles to precipitate from the water and crystallize. In the course of crystallizing, the hardness particles grow and form ballasted floc that are separated from the water in the form of sludge by a clarification unit, producing a clarified effluent. The separated sludge including the hardness crystals is directed to a separator where the sludge is separated into two streams with each stream having hardness crystals contained therein. In one process design, one stream includes relatively small hardness crystals and the other stream includes relatively large hardness crystals. The stream having the relatively small hardness crystals is directed to a first reactor and mixed with the incoming water and a softening reagent. The stream having the relatively large crystals is directed to a second downstream reactor and mixed with water and a flocculant which facilitates the growth of the hardness crystals.
US09169142B2
The invention relates to a method for treating water laden with nitrogen in the form of ammonium by means of nitritation-denitritation, wherein said method includes at least: a first step (i) of supplying at least one sequential biological reactor (10) with said water; an aerated nitration step (ii); an anoxia denitritation step (iii); and a step (iv) of extracting treated water from said reactor. According to the invention, the method also includes the in-line measurement of the nitrite concentration of said water in said reactor, and at least one monitoring step of at least one step of the method, said monitoring step taking into account the results from said in-line measurement of the nitrite concentration.
