US09224061B1

A system estimates text orientation in images captured using a handheld camera prior detecting text in the image. Text orientation is estimated based on edges detected within the image, and the image is rotated based on the estimated orientation. Text detection and processing is then performed on the rotated image. Non-text features along a periphery of the image may be sampled to assure that clutter will not undermine the estimation of orientation.
US09224056B2

A system for gathering and storing biometric data relating to a portable biometric device that is configured to scan and save the footprint image of an infant, while also automatically compartmentalizing the footprint image into a designated file that also includes an employee identification information of the footprint taker, biometric data of the parent, and both infant and mother wristband identification information. The data and images are collected at the same time, and then time and date stamped, to ensure that no mistakes are made.
US09224052B2

A method for in-image periodic noise pixel inpainting is provided. It is determined whether a current frame includes periodic noise pixels, and locations of periodic noise pixels are identified. Non-periodic-noise pixels in a reference frame are utilized to inpaint the periodic noise pixels in the current frame.
US09224049B2

Foreground object image features are extracted from input video via application of a background subtraction mask, and optical flow image features from a region of the input video image data defined by the extracted foreground object image features. If estimated movement features indicate that the underlying object is in motion, a dominant moving direction of the underlying object is determined. If the dominant moving direction is parallel to an orientation of the second, crossed thoroughfare, an event alarm indicating that a static object is blocking travel on the crossing second thoroughfare is not generated. If the estimated movement features indicate that the underlying object is static, or that its determined dominant moving direction is not parallel to the second thoroughfare, an appearance of the foreground object region is determined and a static-ness timer run while the foreground object region comprises the extracted foreground object image features.
US09224046B2

View-specific object detectors are learned as a function of scene geometry and object motion patterns. Motion directions are determined for object images extracted from a training dataset and collected from different camera scene viewpoints. The object images are categorized into clusters as a function of similarities of their determined motion directions, the object images in each cluster are acquired from the same camera scene viewpoint. Zenith angles are estimated for object image poses in the clusters relative to a position of a horizon in the cluster camera scene viewpoint, and azimuth angles of the poses as a function of a relation of the determined motion directions of the clustered images to the cluster camera scene viewpoint. Detectors are thus built for recognizing objects in input video, one for each of the clusters, and associated with the estimated zenith angles and azimuth angles of the poses of the respective clusters.
US09224045B2

Embodiments provide a video camera that can be configured to allow tagging of recorded video and/or capture of video segments or sequences of images in response to user actuation of a camera control identifying an event of interest. For example, a user may press a button on the camera when an event of interest occurs, and in response the camera may tag a captured video file at a timestamp corresponding to the event. In another example, the user may initiate capture of video segments or sequences of images at an occurrence of an event of interest by pressing a button. The camera may include an image data buffer that may enable capture of video segments and/or sequences of images occurring before the user initiates capture of the event. User interfaces may enable the user to quickly review the captured video or sequences of images of the events of interest.
US09224044B1

A computing system receives a definition of a zone of interest within the scene depicted in the video steam. In response to receiving the definition of the zone of interest, the computing system determines, for each motion event detected in the video stream, whether a respective event mask of the motion event overlaps with the zone of interest by at least a predetermined overlap factor; and identifying the motion event as an event of interest associated with the zone of interest in accordance with a determination that the respective event mask of the motion event overlaps with the zone of interest by at least the predetermined overlap factor.
US09224025B2

A decodable indicia reading terminal can comprise a housing including a housing window, a multiple pixel image sensor disposed within the housing, an imaging lens configured to focus an image of decodable indicia on the image sensor, an optical bandpass filter disposed in an optical path of light incident on the image sensor, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter configured to convert an analog signal read out of the image sensor into a digital signal representative of the analog signal, and processor configured to output a decoded message data corresponding to the decodable indicia by processing the digital signal.
US09224018B1

Aspects of the technology relate to a swipe-guide attachment for use with a mobile card reader. In some aspects, the swipe-guide attachment is configured to facilitate insertion of a payment card into the card reader and prevent rotation of the card reader. A swipe-guide may include a harness for enclosing the card reader, and can include an aperture, for example, to permit passage of an audio plug of the card reader into a headphone port of a host mobile device.
US09224013B2

Systems and methods are provided that allow a secure processing system (SPS) to be implemented as a hard macro, thereby isolating the SPS from a peripheral processing system (PPS). The SPS and the PPS, combination, may form a secure element that can be used in conjunction with a host device and a connectivity device to allow the host device to engage in secure transactions, such as mobile payment over a near field communications (NFC) connection. As a result of the SPS being implemented as a hard macro isolated from the PPS, the SPS may be certified once, and re-used in other host devices without necessitating re-certification.
US09224004B2

Users may be presented with different viewing interfaces for a document based on a combination of factors relating to display rights possessed for the document and user specific information. In one implementation, the user's location is used to determine portions of the document that can be displayed to the user. More particularly, access privileges to a document for a user are determined based on geographical location information of the user and based on access rights possessed for the document. Portions of the document may then be formatted for display to the user based on the determined access privileges.
US09223999B2

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system provides secure access to a digital item and includes at least one processor. The system partitions the digital item into a plurality of segments each containing a portion of the digital item and associated with a corresponding sensitivity level. The portion of the digital item within each segment is encrypted in accordance with the corresponding sensitivity level, and the plurality of segments are randomly stored among a plurality of storage units. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and computer program product for providing secure access to a digital item in substantially the same manner described above.
US09223995B1

Systems and methods for automatically maintaining the anonymity or privacy of a stream of data as it is transmitted over a network or provided for other use, by receiving a data stream in real-time from an original source and identifying a data subset of interest within the original data stream. The data subset of interest is segregated from the data stream for either obfuscating at least a portion of the data subset in accordance with certain criteria or encrypting it. The data subset is obfuscated or encrypted for purpose of transmission over the network or for testing and reunited at a target source with the remainder of the data stream.
US09223986B2

Content validation on an electronic device comprises detecting information content on an electronic device and validating the information content in real time in the electronic device. Validating the information content includes analyzing the information content to detect selected content and preventing dissemination of the selected content via the electronic device. The information content comprises content originating and/or terminating on the electronic device. The electronic device may comprise a mobile electronic device.
US09223983B2

Technologies for improving platform initialization on a computing device include beginning initialization of a platform of the computing device using a basic input/output system (BIOS) of the computing device. A security co-processor driver module adds a security co-processor command to a command list when a security processor command is received from the BIOS module. The computing device establishes a periodic interrupt of the initialization of the platform to query the security co-processor regarding the availability of a response to a previously submitted security co-processor command, forward any responses received by the security co-processor driver module to the BIOS module, and submit the next security co-processor command in the command list to the security co-processor.
US09223968B2

Embodiments of the present application relate to a method of controlling user risk, a system for controlling user risk, and a computer program product for controlling user risk. A method is provided. The method includes retrieving association data of a first user and association data of a second user, the association data including multidimensional data, and data relating to each dimension identifying a user and serving as an association dimension, based on the association data, computing an association value between the first user and the second user for an association dimension, gathering the association value to obtain a degree of real association, and determining that the other user is malicious.
US09223959B2

This disclosure relates generally to authentication for an electronic device, and more particularly to systems and method for authentication based on user preferences. In one embodiment, an authentication method is disclosed, comprising: receiving, at the electronic device, a first input; determining a password theme based on the first input and user preferences associated with the password theme; displaying the password theme, the displayed password theme comprising a plurality of visual cues; receiving, at the electronic device, a second input comprising a sequence of visual cues selected from the visual cues; verifying the sequence of visual cues; and providing access to the electronic device based on the verification.
US09223949B1

The invention relates to generating and using secure transformable passwords. In one example, a user grants a third party access to an online account at a host server, and the user requests a transformed password from the host server. The host server associates an encryption key with the third party and generates a transformed password using the user's online account password and the encryption key. The user transmits the transformed password to the third party which may use the transformed password to access the online account. The host server generates a second transformed password and compares it to the password information received from the third party. If the received password information and the second transformed password are identical, access is granted. The invention also includes methods for invalidating the transformed passwords by changing the encryption keys to an invalid state.
US09223948B2

A method and system are disclosed whereby an activity launch modifier is combined with a passcode. The activity launch modifier is used to determine a portion of an application to activate upon valid authentication.
US09223947B2

An authentication apparatus may include a storage unit, an analysis unit, and an authentication unit. The storage unit may be configured to store pieces of authentication information and an authentication order of the pieces of authentication information. The analysis unit may be configured to compare pieces of input information with the pieces of authentication information and to compare an input order of the pieces of input information with the authentication order. The authentication unit may be configured to authorize the pieces of input information if the comparison shows that the pieces of input information match the pieces of authentication information as necessary to authenticate and the input order of the pieces of input information matches the authentication order.
US09223941B2

A method and/or system for using a URI whitelist may include receiving a request to approve an application for release in an application store. The request may comprise application data. The application data may comprise a resource manifest and/or a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) whitelist. The resource manifest may comprise, for example, one or more resource items. The URI whitelist may comprise, for example, one or more URI items. The request may be analyzed based on application data. A determination may be made whether the applications may be released in the application store based on the analyzing of the applications data. A request to access a particular URI may be received. A determination of whether to grant the request may be based on a resource manifest and/or a URI whitelist associated with the application.
US09223940B2

A machine performs an ownership audit on source media files whose media tracks are used, or proposed for use, in a mash-up media file. The machine may access a first group of media identifiers from a user's media library and identify authorized media files that the user is authorized to play or use in a mash-up. The machine may access a second group of media identifiers that identify source media files selected by the user for inclusion in a mash-up. The machine may determine whether all source media files are authorized and then present a notification that indicates whether the mash-up media file can be generated, or has been generated, exclusively from authorized media files. If a source media file is not authorized, the notification may include a suggestion that the user purchase an authorization to play the media file, use it in a mash-up, or both.
US09223935B2

An apparatus, system, and method for the measurement, aggregation and analysis of data collected using non-contact or minimally-contacting sensors provides quality of life parameters for individual subjects, particularly in the context of a controlled trial of interventions on human subjects (e.g., a clinical trial of a drug, or an evaluation of a consumer item such as a fragrance). In particular, non-contact or minimal-contact measurement of quality-of-life parameters such as sleep, stress, relaxation, drowsiness, temperature and emotional state of humans may be evaluated, together with automated sampling, storage, and transmission to a remote data analysis center. One component of the system is that the objective data is measured with as little disruption as possible to the normal behavior of the subject. The system can also support behavioral and pharmaceutical interventions aimed at improving quality of life.
US09223933B2

Certain examples provide systems, methods, apparatus, etc., to generate formlets for user review of and interaction with clinical data and associated functionality for one or more patients. An example method includes receiving one or more query criterion to retrieve data and generating a query result of data from one or more data stores based on the one or more query criterion. The example method includes applying a transform to the query result data. The example method includes applying a data template and binding instructions to the transformed query result data to generate a formlet including data and at least one of associated relationship and functionality information for display of and interaction with the data. The example method includes facilitating runtime configurability of the formlet by a user. The example method includes displaying the formlet for user review and interaction.
US09223930B2

Methods and systems for identifying a quantitation cycle (Cq) for a PCR reaction that includes fitting a line having a plurality of line segments to data points associated with a PCR amplification reaction. The data points include a cycle value associated with a PCR cycle and a product value associated with a PCR product. A baseline is identified and reaction segment associated with an exponential region of the PCR reaction is also identified. The reaction segment includes a subset of the plurality of line segments having a slope not less than a steepness criterion. A reaction line is fit to the data points associated with the reaction segment. The Cq is identified by calculating the cycle value for a data point defining the intersection of the baseline and reaction line.
US09223926B2

A method of lithography by radiation having critical dimensions of the order of some ten nanometers makes it possible to carry out the correction of the proximity effects by joint optimization of the dose modulation and geometric corrections. Accordingly, a deconvolution of the pattern to be etched is carried out by an iterative procedure modeling the interactions of the radiation with the resined support by a joint probability distribution. Advantageously, when the support exposure tool is of formed-beam type, the pattern to be etched is split into contrasted levels and then the deconvolved image is vectorized and fractured before carrying out the exposure step. In an advantageous embodiment, the method is applied to at least two character cells which are exposed in a multi-pass cells projection method.
US09223921B1

In an example implementation, a method is provided for compiling an HLL source file. The HLL source file checked for function calls to a set of hardware-accelerated functions having hardware implementations specified in a hardware library. For each HLL function call to a hardware-accelerated function, a circuit design is retrieved from the hardware library. The circuit design specifies a hardware implementation of the hardware-accelerated function. HLL interface code configured to communicate with the hardware implementation of the hardware-accelerated function is also generated. The HLL function call to the hardware-accelerated function in the HLL source file is replaced with the generated interface code. The HLL source file is compiled to generate a program executable on a processor of a programmable IC. Configuration data is generated that implements the retrieved circuit designs on the programmable circuitry of the programmable IC.
US09223915B1

Disclosed are various techniques that check, verify, or test multi-fabric designs by receiving a request for checking correctness of a multi-fabric design across at least a first design fabric and a second design fabric. A request for action is transmitted from a first EDA tool session to a second EDA tool session. Connectivity information of second design data in the second design fabric is identified by the second EDA tool session in response to the request for action from the first EDA tool session. These various techniques then check the correctness of the multi-fabric design in the first design fabric by using at least the connectivity information of the second design data. A symbolic representation may be used to represent design data in an EDA tool session to which the design data are not native.
US09223912B1

Systems, computer-readable storage media, and methods of providing RLCK parasitic extraction for electronic design of integrated circuits are presented herein. For one implementation, the method includes: importing a simulator netlist extracted from the schematic file that simulates the IC, the simulator netlist providing nets and devices in the schematic; importing the layout file which represents the physical layout of the IC; generating from the layout file a connectivity list with connectivity points in the IC for connecting generated RLCK parasitics; extracting from the layout file an RLCK netlist for the connectivity points; generating from the layout data file and the connectivity list a cross-reference between the connectivity points and the nets and devices in the simulator netlist; from the cross-reference, simulator netlist, and RLCK netlists, update the simulator netlist to includes RLCK parasitics for the connectivity points in the IC; and output an indication of the updated simulator netlist.
US09223907B2

Systems, methods and user interfaces for graphical configuration for ballasted roof mounts of non-rectangular solar arrays. A graphical interface may be provided to allow a user to view a roof grid, and place solar modules within the roof grid where desired, to account for various obstacles on a roof, to create a non-rectangular solar array. Using the layout of the array and various site parameters (building height, wind speed, etc.) and solar module parameters (wide, length, thickness, etc.), the system may calculate a complete bill of materials, customer pricing, ballasting requirements and overall roof loads for a complete solar project.
US09223903B2

An approach for analyzing data collected by a sensor-enabled device over a network is provided. Specifically, in a typical embodiment, a set of usage data will be received from a device over a network. The set of usage data may be collected via at least one sensor integrated with the device, and the set of usage data may pertain to use of the device by a user. Regardless, the set of usage data will be compared to a set of diagnostic information stored in at least one computer storage device. The set of diagnostic information typically pertains to a condition (e.g., medical) treated by use of the device (e.g., dental, cardiac, renal, etc.). Based on the comparison, at least one determination (e.g., diagnosis, treatment plan, level of compliance with applicable standards, etc.) will be made and a set of reports will be generated based thereon.
US09223900B2

A method, system, computer program product and computer readable media for matching using degree distribution information are disclosed. An embodiment of the method can include performing b-matching on a graph data structure expanded using degree distribution information in order to identify neighbors of a selected input node. The b-matching can be performed using belief propagation. The belief propagation method is adapted to use a compressed message update rule and to be suitable for use with distributed processing systems. An embodiment can also include enhancing a matching result by applying degree distribution information to a first matching result to generate a second matching result. Embodiments for online advertisement/search term matching, product recommendation, dating service and social network matching, auction buyer/seller matching and resource allocation, among other, are disclosed.
US09223898B2

In one embodiment, a method includes accessing a social graph comprising a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges connecting the nodes, receiving from a user an unstructured text query, generating a set of structured queries based on the text query, calculating a quality score based on the text query and the structured query for each structured query in the set, and filtering the set to remove each structured query having a quality score less than a threshold score.
US09223886B1

A present novel and non-trivial system, device, and method for reducing pilot interaction between pages presented on the screen of a display unit are disclosed. The system comprises a source for providing pilot input data, a window generator (“WG”), processor, and a display unit; the system could also comprise an aural alert unit. Data received from the pilot input source includes data responsive to a pilot's interaction with one or more graphical user interfaces (“GUIs”). After receiving the input data, the WG generates window image data representative of a window, one or more menus, a front page integrated with at least front page GUI, and one or more window GUIs. Then, the display unit receives the window image data and presents the information on the display unit. Additionally, the WG generates aural alert data. An aural alert unit receives the aural alert data and aurally presents the alert.
US09223885B2

Disclosed are methods, systems and computer program products for surveying a user using a scan-able information encoded graphic image, such as a bar code or a quick response (QR) code. In one embodiment, a mobile communication device such as a smartphone, tablet computer or other mobile computer is adapted to include a survey client module for scanning and communicating QR code information. QR code scanning is accomplished by a camera module that is associated with the smartphone or other mobile computing device. The survey client module communicates the scanned QR code information to an associated server application for collecting, processing and reporting survey data. The information encoded in the QR code includes information that is sufficient to identify a client entity (e.g., a local retailer or merchant) and a survey response.
US09223881B1

The invention relates to systems and methods for managing quotes. The system may facilitate a user search that relates one or more particular quotes, authors, categories of quotes, specific tag of a quote, and the like. A set of results may be provided based on a user search may be provided. A quote profile and an author profile may be generated providing information about a quote and an author respectively. A user profile page may display information including a user's favorite quotes.
US09223877B1

An information retrieval system uses phrases to index, retrieve, organize and describe documents. Phrases are extracted from the document collection. Documents are the indexed according to their included phrases, using phrase posting lists. The phrase posting lists are stored in an cluster of index servers. The phrase posting lists can be tiered into groups, and sharded into partitions. Phrases in a query are identified based on possible phrasifications. A query schedule based on the phrases is created from the phrases, and then optimized to reduce query processing and communication costs. The execution of the query schedule is managed to further reduce or eliminate query processing operations at various ones of the index servers.
US09223872B2

In various embodiments, methods and systems for dynamic validation of selectable data are provided. This may be accomplished by referencing search engine session data of a user. The search engine session data includes a plurality of search queries each having an entered-attribute and a resolved-attribute. A variation between the entered-attribute and the resolved-attribute, for each of the plurality of search queries, is determined based on analyzing the entered-attribute and the resolved-attribute. The entered-attribute is an input of the user and the resolved-attribute is a resolved-input for executing the search query. An input-precision score is generated for the user based on the variation between the entered-attribute and the resolved-attribute, for each of the plurality of search queries.
US09223869B2

A web browser agent or plug-in installed into a web browser of a client device provides translation services along with a search engine server. The system accesses a web page in one (local) language and then translates to another (foreign) language and displays the translated content in a web page for user's viewing. The web browser agent is an add-on software tool or plug-in, provided by the search engine server and installed into the web browser. As a result of installation, a toolbar appears on the top of the web browser's page. This toolbar provides the interface to enable local translation of web pages from a local/web language to a target/foreign language useful to the user. Centralized (cloud computing) translation services by servers of a third party may also be employed. Web pages in any number of languages may be accessed using this operations/structure.
US09223865B2

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method and system for creating and/or updating resource property-based indexes for Web Service Resources among multiple Web Services ServiceGroups is provided. In another aspect, a method and system for querying target WS-Resources with a certain property among multiple WS-ServiceGroups which have been connected with each other and have WS-Resource property indexes created therein is provided.
US09223864B2

A composite variable duration soundtrack for a user to play while reading a text source, the soundtrack duration being defined by a soundtrack timeline. The soundtrack comprises multiple sound layers configured to play concurrently through the soundtrack timeline, each sound layer having an arrangement of one or more audio features that are configured to play at preset start times in the soundtrack timeline. At least one sound layer is adapted for modifying the preset start and stop times of its audio features to match the reading speed of a user based on a reading speed input.
US09223863B2

Disclosed are various systems, methods, and programs embodied in a computer-readable medium for sound analysis. The sound analysis involves transforming a sound print into a frequency domain in a memory to generate a frequency spectrum. A plurality of signatures are identified in the frequency spectrum. Also, a plurality of frequency ranges associated with the signatures are identified in the sound print. The frequencies associated with a physiological profile are cross-referenced with the frequency ranges to determine if the physiological profile is applicable to the sound print.
US09223862B2

Embodiments described herein involve remote storage and provisioning of a local-media index. An example method may involve storing, by a computing system, a local-media index that identifies a plurality of multimedia items that are stored within a local area network and accessible within the local area network by a playback device of a media playback system within the local area network, and sending a message over a wide area network that indicates at least a portion of the local-media index to the media playback system. Another example method may involve, determining that a first local-media index is inaccessible over a wide area network to the media playback system, and then providing an identification of at least one multimedia item based on a second local-media index.
US09223860B2

A data decoding system that includes a server-side proxy component and at least two back-end computers, where the server-side proxy component is configured, when it receives an encoding request from a client, to select a back-end computer to forward the encoding request to, based on either a pre-defined rule, load estimates for the at least two computers, estimated network throughputs across network paths to the two computers. In response to receiving this request, the back-end computer that is selected is configured to encode the request.
US09223857B2

Systems and methods for generating a two-dimensional graphical grid representation of the treatment of a document are disclosed. A method includes receiving a request to generate the two-dimensional graphical grid representation of the treatment of the document with respect to at least one variable. In response to the received request, the method further includes retrieving, by a computer, treatment information associated with the document with respect to the at least one variable from a database. The method further includes generating a message containing the retrieved treatment information of the document with respect to the at least one variable, transmitting the generated message, and providing for display the two-dimensional graphical grid representation of the treatment of the document with respect to the at least one variable based on the transmitted message.
US09223854B2

Disclosed is a method and computer program product of determining the relevance of at least a part of an electronic document comprising a plurality of terms distributed over a plurality of regions of said document, comprising displaying the electronic document to a user; determining the gaze characteristics of the person on a region of the electronic document; assigning a relevance score to an individual term in said region based on said characteristics; and generating a term relevance label for said electronic document, said term relevance label comprising relevance scores for the respective individual terms in said document The relevance scores may also be used to define a user profile for the user that can aid in retrieving future documents of relevance to the user.
US09223852B2

Knowledge base is gaining popularity as a customer support tool. Customers search the knowledge base for solutions to their issues. Keywords searched in knowledge base are analyzed and reports are made available for managers and supervisors to understand the trends and requirements of customers. The number of keywords searched can be extremely large in some organizations. In this specification, storing the keywords in a meaningful way in order to generate report for further analysis is discussed. Efficient data storage helps in managing voluminous data and also reducing the amount of memory required to store the data. Any of the above embodiments can be used independently or together with any combination of other embodiments.
US09223850B2

A method of searching a plurality of data files, wherein each data file includes a plurality of features. The method: determines a plurality of feature groups, wherein each feature group includes n features and n is an integer of 2 or more; expresses each data file as a file vector, wherein each component of the vector indicates the frequency of a feature group within the data file, wherein the n features which constitute a feature group do not have to be located adjacent to one another; expresses a search query using the feature groups as a vector; and searches the plurality of data files by comparing the search query expressed as a vector with the file vectors.
US09223831B2

A system, method, and computer program product (e.g. mobile App) and/or web-based service is provided to enable users to research online reviews in order to assess the performance and functionality of mobile applications. The system extracts reviews from multiple online sources, including: mobile Apps “stores”, blogs, online magazines, websites, etc.; and, utilizes sentiment analysis algorithms and supervised machine learning analysis to present more informative summaries for each App's reviews. Summaries may include: a sentence that encapsulates a sentiment held by many users; the most positive and negative comments; and a list of features with average scores (e.g. graphics, fun, easy to use, etc.). Additionally, the user may view a separate review detail page per App that provides further summaries, such as a short list of other Apps that the same reviewer gave a very positive review for the features. The user is then able to purchase and download the App via a link.
US09223829B2

A computer-implemented system and method for performing distinct operations on multiple tables of shared memory of parallel computing environments are disclosed. A distinct operation is executed on each table of a plurality of tables, each distinct operation eliminating duplicate data from each table, the executing creating a hierarchy of table pairs and distinct results, the distinct results comprising a reduced row set for each table. Duplicates on each reduced row set are detected to complete the distinct operation on the plurality of tables.
US09223825B2

In one example embodiment, a processor-implemented method is described. The processor implemented method includes: associating a first notebook with one or more predetermined constraints; receiving input associating a data object with a notebook; and when the notebook associated with the data object is the first notebook, applying the one or more predetermined constraints associated with the first notebook to the data object.
US09223824B1

Methods and systems for scrubbing confidential insurance account information are provided. According to embodiments, a scrubbing server can receive a request to scrub confidential insurance data that includes the contents of an insurance account information database and an indication of the category of confidential data stored in the database. The scrubbing server can scrub the valid data contained in the received database, replacing confidential information with “scrambled” data that is not confidential. The scrubbing server can transmit the contents of the scrubbed database back to the requesting party.
US09223822B1

Described are techniques for performing indication management. Registration criteria is received that includes information identifying a first set data elements of a first data model about which a subscriber is registered to receive notifications. Operations are performed to a second set of data elements stored in a first table of a database in accordance with a second data model where the operations each modify an existing data element of the first table, add a row to said first table or delete a row from said first table. Information is recorded in a delta table regarding the operations. A query is executed that uses the delta table and the first table to generate a virtual table including information regarding the operations performed. First processing is performed using the virtual table to determine notifications for the subscriber regarding data elements of the first set in accordance with said registration criteria.
US09223819B2

A system and method for linking parent and child data records during data migration is disclosed. One embodiment comprises sequentially receiving a plurality of data records from an arbitrary source of records without running a query on the source of records, generating a destination store of records that contains the plurality of data records, and locating any records in the destination store of records that has a dangling key. In this way, the embodiment may correct dangling keys to generate a destination store of records with referential integrity.
US09223806B2

Batch processing machines, systems and methods are provided. The method comprises copying target data from a target location to a first data storage medium, wherein the target data stored in the first data storage medium is utilized by a batch process; executing the batch process; checkpointing state information for the batch process at one or more time intervals while the batch process is executing; determining whether a data record in the target data stored in the target location was updated while the batch process was executing; and reinstating the batch process from a point in time prior to an earliest point in the batch process when a representation of an updated data record in the target data in the target location was accessed by the batch process.
US09223802B2

Described herein are techniques related to automatic sharing of superlative digital images. Such techniques include an automatic selection of one or more superlative digital images from a set of digital images based, at least in part, upon weighted criteria regarding properties (e.g., metadata or content) of the digital images. Instead, interested parties (e.g., subscribers and/or persons with an association with a particular image) are notified automatically. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US09223801B2

An information management method to be executed by a computer, the information management method includes: accepting a registration request including information in which latitude and longitude are included, and correspondence information corresponding to the position information; generating one character string by alternately arraying one character of the latitude and another one character of the longitude, each of the one character and the other one character is in a same digit regarding all of the digits of each of the latitude and the longitude, or some digits from the least significant digit of each of the latitude and the longitude; and storing the correspondence information in a storage unit in a manner correlated with the character string as a key.
US09223800B1

A cluster file system includes a physical file system and a virtual file system arranged between the physical file system and multiple clients. The virtual file system comprises a data object processing module configured to receive multiple data files from each of one or more of the clients and to transform the data files into data objects for object-based storage in the physical file system. The virtual file system further comprises a metadata object processing module configured to receive metadata files associated with the data files and to transform the metadata files into metadata objects for object-based storage in the physical file system. The virtual file system thereby implements multiple object stores utilizing the physical file system for independent storage of data objects and metadata objects but presents a file-based interface to the clients. In some embodiments, the virtual file system illustratively comprises a parallel log-structured file system (PLFS).
US09223799B1

A storage processor having access to published logical unit numbers of a common block file system mounted on another storage processor processes requests for a particular file system object of the common block file system using metadata objects of the common block file system cached in both storage processors to access storage units shared between the two storage processors.
US09223791B2

A system and method for reading file blocks includes reading an inode associated with the file from the file system, the inode including one or more first block pointers, determining a height of a file tree associated with the file, and determining whether a value of a second block pointer selected from the one or more first block pointers is consistent with the file having been stored using a block allocation pattern. When the value of the second block pointer is consistent with the file having been stored using the block allocation pattern the method further includes pre-fetching a plurality of file blocks based on the block allocation pattern, verifying that the pre-fetched file blocks are consistent with the file tree, and retrieving one or more data blocks of the file. In some examples, the block allocation pattern corresponds to the file being stored in streaming order to consecutively and contiguously located blocks.
US09223786B1

A participant in a capture volume can speak through a microphone. The microphone can capture the speech and transmit it to a wearable computing device of the participant. The wearable computing device can process the speech to generate audio data. The wearable computing device can transmit the audio data to a simulator engine. The simulator engine can receive the audio data and processes the audio data to determine an attribute of the audio data (e.g., amplitude) at the location of a virtual character in a simulated virtual environment based on one or more attenuation factors. The attenuation factors can be calculated based on 3D motion data of the participant. Further, the simulator engine can drive an change in state of the virtual character in the simulated virtual environment based on the attribute of the audio data.
US09223782B2

A system for performing instructions determined by received media-based messages, the system including an interface for receiving a media-based message from a system user; a database associating a plurality of specifications of media-based messages with respective stored instructions; a recognition engine for identifying a correspondence between a received media-based message and a stored specification of a media-based message. The system may include an instruction engine for performing an instruction associated with a stored specification of an media-based message for which a correspondence has been identified; an interface for receiving an activation request; and a database manager configured to process the activation request to generate publication data for creating a publication that may be recorded by a user to define a new media-based message and configured to adapt the database to include a specification of the new media-based message. The system may include a database manager configured to arbitrate which of plural stored instructions is performed in response to an identified correspondence between the received media-based message and one or more specifications of media-based messages.
US09223777B2

A method, machine readable storage medium, and system for providing a self learning semantic search engine. A semantic network may be set up with initial configuration. A search engine coupled to the semantic network may build indexes and semantic indexes. A user request for business data may be received. The search engine may be accessed via a semantic dispatcher. And based on the access, search engine may update the indexes and semantic indexes.
US09223773B2

Systems and techniques for flexibly generating custom documents from data objects are described herein. Templates with embedded code instructions, which may be evaluated separate from a document reading or editing program, may be used to generate custom documents. The template system may use the embedded code instructions to dynamically access properties of data objects. An editing program may be used initially to generate a mockup document that may be used as the basis for a template.
US09223771B2

In some embodiments, an option to lock one or more associated cells is provided with respect to each different group of cells in a single sheet of a spreadsheet application. One or more locked cells of a group of cells do not scroll out of view at least while a portion of the group of cells is viewable in a given display view.
US09223758B1

Systems, methods and computer storage mediums automatically apply a language encoding data setting to a web page. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to equipping a web browser with the ability to automatically open web pages with an appropriate language encoding data setting applied to the web page so that the web page is displayed without garbled characters. The web browser is able to determine the appropriate language encoding setting by requesting the appropriate language encoding setting for the web page that is stored in a language encoding database that is updated each time the web page is successfully opened without displaying garbled characters.
US09223741B1

A circuit module is disclosed. The circuit module has a ground connection, a power connection, a shunt regulator coupled to the power connection and to the ground connection, a current measuring circuit that measures a current flowing between the power connection and the ground connection, one or more communication connections, and a digital logic circuit coupled to the one or more communication connections to send and receive communications. The digital logic circuit responds to communications addressed to a communication address with the communication address based on the current measured by the current measuring circuit. Other systems are disclosed.
US09223726B2

A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a preamble memory and a memory controller. The preamble memory is arranged to store a read preamble such that the read preamble includes a training pattern that is suitable for aligning a capture point for read data. Further, the training pattern is programmable such that the training pattern can be altered at least once subsequent to manufacture of the preamble memory. In response to a read command, the memory controller provides the read preamble stored in the preamble memory, as well as the read data.
US09223724B2

A device of one embodiment includes a host device including a first memory unit and host controller, and memory device. The host controller controls input/output accesses to the first memory unit. The memory device includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, second memory unit, protection circuit, and device controller. The second memory unit temporarily stores data to be transferred between the first memory unit and the nonvolatile semiconductor memory. The protection circuit protects data to be transferred from the second memory unit to the first memory unit by converting the data into an incomprehensible format. The device controller switches according to a control program whether or not to protect the data by the protection circuit.
US09223717B2

A computer cache system delays cache coherence invalidation messages related to cache lines of a common memory region to collect these messages into a combined message that can be transmitted more efficiently. This delay may be coordinated with a detection of whether the processor is executing a data-race free portion of the program so that the delay system may be used for a variety of types of programs which may have data-race and data-race free sections.
US09223711B2

Addition, search, and performance of other allied activities relating to keys are performed in a hardware hash table. Further, high performance and efficient design may be provided for a hash table applicable to CPU caches and cache coherence directories. Set-associative tables and cuckoo hashing are combined for construction of a directory table of a directory based cache coherence controller. A method may allow configuration of C cuckoo ways, where C is an integer greater than or equal to 2, wherein each cuckoo way Ci is a set-associative table with N sets, where each set has an associativity of A, where A is an integer greater than or equal to 2.
US09223710B2

A system and method to enforce read-write partitioning in an N-way, set associative cache may limit a number of ways allocated for storing modified data in a set to a value W and limit a number of ways holding read data to a value R. The cache may be configured where N=R+W. Furthermore, a number of ways storing prefetched read data may be limited to RP, while a number of ways storing prefetched modified data may be limited to WP. The values for W, R, WP, and/or RP may be determined using a prediction method to estimate cache miss rates for different values for W, R, WP, and/or RP and selecting values corresponding to a desired cache miss rate, and so allowing for selective application of the read-write partitioning.
US09223707B2

Examples of enabling cache read optimization for mobile memory devices are described. One or more access commands may be received, from a host, at a memory device. The one or more access commands may instruct the memory device to access at least two data blocks. The memory device may generate pre-fetch information for the at least two data blocks based at least in part on an order of accessing the at least two data blocks.
US09223702B2

A flash controller receives a read request for reading a page of data from the flash memory from a host system, and identifies, in a cache tag table stored in the random access memory, a virtual unit address associated with the page of data. In response to identifying the virtual unit address in the cache tag table, controller determines whether a valid tag line for the page of data is associated with the virtual unit address in the cache tag table. In response to determining that the valid tag line is associated with the virtual unit address in the cache tag table, the controller reads the page of data from the random access memory in accordance with the read request and returns the read data to the host system.
US09223688B2

A data storing method for a rewritable non-volatile memory module and a memory controller and a memory storage device using the same are provided. The data storing method includes moving or writing data into a physical erase unit of the rewritable non-volatile memory module and determining whether the physical erase unit contains a dancing bit. The data storing method further includes when the physical erase unit contains the dancing bit, restoring the rewritable non-volatile memory module to the state before the data is moved or moving the data from the physical erase unit to another physical erase unit. Thereby, the data storing method can effectively ensure the reliability of the data.
US09223683B1

The present document pertains to systems and methods of dependency framework analysis to automatically identify errors in the dependency framework of an application or software module. Variations discussed include devices and methods for identifying errors in an object dependency graph by techniques such as determining a module and module type associated with a method at a plugin point on the object dependency graph; automatically selecting, from a set of testlets, at least one testlet associated with the determined module type, where each testlet is associated with one or more common dependency errors; and automatically creating, with a processor, at least one test suite for each selected testlet, where automatically creating includes building an executable code module that, when executed with a processor, analyzes the dependency graph at the plugin point and generates data showing a location and severity of common dependency errors within the graph.
US09223678B2

Upon detecting an occurrence of a watchpoint event for debugging a computer processing system, at least a portion of at least one message in a trace message buffer is flushed when a characteristic of the at least one of the messages matches a specified characteristic.
US09223676B2

An electronic tracing process includes packing both stall (215) and reason (219) data into a single high priority timing information stream. An integrated circuit includes an electronic processor (110), and a tracing circuit (120) operable to pack both stall and events data into a single timing information stream. Other circuits, processes and systems are also disclosed.
US09223665B2

Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a first interface to communicate with a processing unit, a second interface to communicate with a memory device, and a module coupled to the first and second interfaces. In at least one of the embodiments, the module can be configured to obtain information stored in the memory device and perform at least one of testing and repairing of a memory structure of the memory device based at least in part on the information.
US09223662B2

Apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer program products for auto-commit memory are presented. A monitor module determines that a triggering event for an auto-commit memory has occurred. An identification module identifies a triggered commit action for an auto-commit memory. An auto-commit memory module performs a triggered commit action for an auto-commit memory in response to a triggering event occurring.
US09223658B2

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for configuring a plurality of storage devices for a RAID and setting a time-out value for the plurality of storage devices, determining whether a response time for a storage device of the plurality of storage devices exceeds the time-out value, and recovering data from the RAID in response to the storage device exceeding the time-out value.
US09223649B2

A method and apparatus for receiving data from a buffer of a non-volatile memory is described. An error correction coding (ECC) operation is initiated at a controller to correct bit errors in the data. Correction data is sent from the controller to the buffer of the non-volatile memory to correct the bit errors in the data; the correction data may correspond to a portion of the data in the buffer.
US09223648B2

A data processing method adapted for a rewritable non-volatile memory module is provided. The method includes receiving a first data stream and performing an error-correction encoding procedure on the first data stream to generate an original error checking and correcting (ECC) code corresponding to the first data stream. The method also includes converting the original ECC code into a second ECC code according to a second rearrangement rule, and the original ECC code is different from the second ECC code. The method further includes respectively writing the first data stream and the second ECC code into a data bit area and an error-correction code bit area of the same or different physical programming units in the rewritable non-volatile memory module.
US09223646B2

Error detection systems and methods are provided. An error detection system (100) can include a plurality of networked output devices (110) and a processor (130) coupled via a network (120) to the plurality of output devices. The processor can be configured to aggregate output data (135) from at least a portion of a plurality of parallel, networked, output devices. The processor can be further configured to compare (140) the aggregated output data with an output data sample selected from one of the plurality of output devices and detect (145) a discrepancy between the output data sample and the aggregated output data. The processor can also be configured to compare (150) the detected discrepancy to a predetermined threshold and signal (155) when the detected discrepancy exceeds the predetermined threshold.
US09223638B2

Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to enabling data transfer between data producers and data consumers. Implementations include generating a data structure, the data structure including a lockless spin buffer (LLSB), the LLSB including two or more lockless components, each of the two or more lockless components including a plurality of elements to be written to and read from, providing one or more write pointers to enable one or more data producers to write to each of the two or more lockless components, and providing one or more read pointers to enable one or more data consumers to read from each of the two or more lockless components, the one or more data producers being able to write to the LLSB concurrently with the one or more data consumers being able to read from the LLSB.
US09223637B1

Methods and apparatus provide for a busy resource encoder to allow for a finer control of spin versus yield decisions. Specifically, the busy resource encoder allows for the execution a first thread, where the first thread is using a particular resource. Additionally, the busy resource encoder allows for the execution of a second thread, where the second thread requires use of the resource which is locked due to first thread execution. The busy resource encoder creates a busy code to indicate the progress of the execution of the first thread in relation to use of the resource by the first thread. The second thread can then read the busy code to determine to execute one of a spin and a yield routine by the second thread.
US09223634B2

A method includes simulating network resources of a portion of a cloud in a simulated cloud within a enterprise network, the cloud being communicable with the enterprise network over a first communication channel, which may be external to the enterprise network. The method can also include simulating network behavior of the first communication channel in a second communication channel within the enterprise network, and validating application performance in the simulated cloud. Simulating network resources includes providing a cloud resources abstraction layer in the enterprise network, and allocating enterprise network resources in the enterprise network to the simulated cloud by the cloud resources abstraction layer. The method further includes adding a virtual network service appliance to the simulated cloud, and determining a change to a network topology of the enterprise network to accommodate the virtual appliance without materially impacting application performance.
US09223631B2

Some embodiments provide a method for distributing an operation for processing by a set of background services. The method automatically determines a number of background services for performing an operation. The method partitions the operation into several sub-operations. The method distributes the several sub-operations across the determined number of background services.
US09223620B2

A data processing apparatus and method for allocating data to processors, allowing the processors to process the data efficiently. The data processing apparatus may predict a result of processing data, based on a workload for the data, according to a number of processors, and may determine the number of processors to be allocated with the data, using the predicted processing result.
US09223617B2

Systems and methods for determining whether networked system migrations are successful are disclosed. In accordance with one method, a first set of properties of the networked system on a source platform in a first administrative domain is determined. Further, the method includes transferring the networked system to a destination platform in a second administrative domain. In addition, a second set of properties of the transferred system on the destination platform is determined, where the first and second sets of properties include functional properties and at least one of: performance properties, security properties or reliability properties. The method also includes outputting an indication that the transfer of the system to the destination platform is successful in response to determining that one or more of the properties of the second set are equivalent to corresponding properties of the first set.
US09223613B2

Described herein is a system and method for dynamically managing service-level objectives (SLOs) for workloads of a cluster storage system. Proposed states/solutions of the cluster may be produced and evaluated to select one that achieves the SLOs for each workload. A planner engine may produce a state tree comprising nodes, each node representing a proposed state/solution. New nodes may be added to the state tree based on new solution types that are permitted, or nodes may be removed based on a received time constraint for executing a proposed solution or a client certification of a solution. The planner engine may call an evaluation engine to evaluate proposed states, the evaluation engine using an evaluation function that considers SLO, cost, and optimization goal characteristics to produce a single evaluation value for each proposed state. The planner engine may call a modeler engine that is trained using machine learning techniques.
US09223612B1

Systems and methods are disclosed for object-based commands with quality of service identifiers. In an embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a memory device having a processor configured to store data as objects, each object including an object identifier field to track the object, and a user data field for user data of the object. The processor may be further configured to receive a command including an operation directed to an object, and a quality of service identifier that specifies a level of service associated with the operation. Commands may be directed toward put, get, and delete operations, among others.
US09223610B2

A virtual machine snapshot mechanism takes snapshots of virtual machines on a computer system, generates relationships between a snapshot and resources on the computer system, and provides a graphical display of one or more snapshots that allow visually determining which snapshots include which resources. A user may search the snapshots based on user-specified criteria. If an exact match is not available, and closest match is identified in the graphical display.
US09223609B2

Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to input/output (I/O) operations at a virtual block device of a storage server. Example embodiments include requesting an input/output (I/O) operation at an offset of a virtual block device of a storage server in response to a virtual machine request for an I/O operation at a virtual disk.
US09223608B2

Systems and methods for finding solutions exhaustively in distributed load balancing are provided. A plurality of virtual machines (VMs) is in communication with a virtual machine management server (VMMS). The VMMS is configured to generate a matrix that represents a mapping of a plurality of virtual machines (VMs) to a plurality of hosts and to calculate a first imbalance metric of the matrix. The VMMS is also configured to identify a plurality of candidate migrations the VMs. The VMMS searches through the solution space efficiently and can perform an exhaustive search to find the optimal solution. For each candidate migration, the VMMS is configured to alter the matrix to represent the candidate migration and to calculate a candidate imbalance metric based on the altered matrix. The VMMS is also configured to determine which candidate migration to perform based at least in part on the candidate imbalance metric for each candidate migration and the first imbalance metric.
US09223597B2

The data storage system according to certain aspects can manage the archiving of virtual machines to (and restoring of virtual machines from) secondary storage. The system can determine whether to archive virtual machines based on usage data or information. The usage information may include storage usage, CPU usage, memory usage, network usage, events defined by a virtual machine software or application, etc. The system may archive virtual machines that are determined to have a low level of utilization. For example, a virtual machine can be archived when its usage level falls below a threshold level. The system may create a virtual machine placeholder for an archived virtual machine, which may be a “light” or minimal version of the virtual machine that acts as if it is the actual virtual machine. By using a virtual machine placeholder, a virtual machine may appear to be active and selectable by the user.
US09223592B2

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a computer system for configuring a system with at least two different system components based on a target computing environment includes at least one processor. The computer system generates a profile to configure each of the different system components for the target computing environment. The profile identifies the corresponding tasks to be performed and properties to configure each of the different system components for the target computing environment. The computer system processes the profile and performs the tasks in the order listed in the profile and in accordance with the properties to configure the system for the target computing environment. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and computer program product for configuring a system with at least two different system components based on a target computing environment in substantially the same manner described above.
US09223591B2

Sizing a pane of a window presented on a display. The window is presented to a user on the display. Within the window, the pane is presented at a first pane size. A user input is detected from the user resizing the window. Responsive to detecting the user input resizing the window, a new size of the window resulting from the user input resizing the window is detected. Data is accessed from a machine-readable storage device corresponding to at least one user-defined pane size previously defined by the user to whom the window is presented, wherein the user-defined pane size corresponds to a particular window size. Based on the accessed user-defined pane size(s), a second pane size of the pane at which the pane is to be presented in the newly sized window is determined. The pane is presented in the newly sized window at the second pane size.
US09223581B2

A method for operating a system on chip includes receiving an acceleration request signal generated upon execution of an application program, in response to receipt of the acceleration request signal, comparing a current usage of a central processing unit (CPU) with a threshold value to generate a comparison signal, and performing switching between heterogeneous accelerators to accelerate a function executed by the application program in response to the comparison signal.
US09223576B2

A method of reducing a set of instructions for execution on a processor extracts information from a first instruction of the set of instructions. The method identifies unencoded space in one or more further instructions of the set of instructions and replaces the unencoded space of the one or more further instructions with the extracted information of the first instruction so as to form one or more amalgamated instructions. The method removes the first instruction from the set of instructions. A method of expanding a set of reduced instructions on a processor is also disclosed.
US09223567B2

In a method for sharing computer-generated search results, in an integrated development environment (IDE), a first computer inserts, into a message, a portion of search results of a search of one or more files accessible via the IDE. The portion of the search results includes a user-selectable file name. The first computer inserts metadata into the message. The metadata includes an identifier of a version of the file. The first computer displays the message in a graphical window such that the search results are visible in the graphical window and the metadata is invisible in the graphical window. The first computer sends the message to a second computer.
US09223563B2

Management of device firmware update effects as seen by a computing host enables continuously running an OS on the host across a device firmware update, e.g., via delaying visibility of at least a portion of effects of the firmware update, such as in a context where without the delay in visibility the OS would encounter an unrecoverable error and crash. For example, a device (e.g. an SSD) is coupled to a computing host running an unmodified version of Windows. Firmware on the device is updated/activated, such as by being booted. Visibility of a portion of information that would otherwise become immediately visible to the OS (upon activation of updated firmware) is delayed until a power cycle of the device. If the portion includes, e.g., a firmware revision identifier, then the delayed visibility enables continuously running the OS across the firmware update/activation without rebooting the OS.
US09223560B2

A method to manage an initial software installation and configuration script is provided. The method may include saving, by a plurality of collaboration tools, a new customization associated with the initial software installation and configuration script in an installation and configuration knowledgebase. The method may also include saving, by the plurality of collaboration tools, a new solution associated with the initial software installation and configuration script in the installation and configuration knowledgebase. The method may further include querying, by a search engine or a similarity engine, the installation and configuration knowledgebase for the new customization or the new solution based on a comparison between a criteria provided by an administrator and an index of vocabularies stored in the configuration knowledgebase related to the initial installation and configuration script. Additionally, the method may include returning a search result based on the querying the installation and configuration knowledgebase.
US09223559B2

A configuration information generation section 11 uses configuration information of an ECU 2 and configuration information of a new device 5 which is to be newly connected to the ECU 2, generates and outputs to the ECU 2, new configuration information after the new device 5 is connected to the ECU 2. An executable file generation section 12 links an object file of a control program implemented on the ECU 2, and an object file of a control program to control the new device 5, and generates and outputs to the ECU 2 an executable file of a new control program after the new device 5 is connected to the ECU 2.
US09223558B2

A method to manage an initial software installation and configuration script is provided. The method may include saving, by a plurality of collaboration tools, a new customization associated with the initial software installation and configuration script in an installation and configuration knowledgebase. The method may also include saving, by the plurality of collaboration tools, a new solution associated with the initial software installation and configuration script in the installation and configuration knowledgebase. The method may further include querying, by a search engine or a similarity engine, the installation and configuration knowledgebase for the new customization or the new solution based on a comparison between a criteria provided by an administrator and an index of vocabularies stored in the configuration knowledgebase related to the initial installation and configuration script. Additionally, the method may include returning a search result based on the querying the installation and configuration knowledgebase.
US09223554B1

Recovering structure from binaries is disclosed. A binary file having components including a plurality of linker objects is received. A cross reference map of linker objects is created. The linker objects are associated based on calls. An address space distance for each call is determined. Boundaries are defined in the cross reference map based on the address space distance. Subsets are defined as portions of the file that are separated by the boundaries.
US09223553B2

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to validate translated guest code in a dynamic binary translator. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a translator to generate a first translation of code to execute on a host machine, the first translation of the guest code to facilitate creating a first translated guest code, and the translator to generate a second translation of the translated guest code to execute on the host machine. The example apparatus also includes a translation versions manager to identify a first host machine state based on executing a portion of the first translation, and the translation versions manager to identify a second host machine state based on executing a portion of the second translation. The example system also includes a validator to determine a state divergence status of the second translation based on a comparison between the first host machine state and the second host machine state.
US09223544B2

A method, device and system for representing numbers in a computer including storing a floating-point number M in a computer memory; representing the floating-point number M as an interval with lower and upper bounds A and B when it is accessed by using at least two floating-point numbers in the memory; and then representing M as an interval with lower and upper bounds A and B when it is used in a calculation by using at least three floating-point numbers in the memory. Calculations are performed using the interval and when the data is written back to the memory it may be stored as an interval if the size of the interval is significant, i.e. larger than a first threshold value. A warning regarding the suspect accuracy of any data stored as an interval may be issued if the interval is too large, i.e. larger than a second threshold value.
US09223543B2

An arithmetic unit which includes: a data supply section which supplies floating-point type object data to which a sign is to be added and condition data which includes a condition under which the sign is added; a sign data generating section which extracts the condition included in the condition data and generates sign data for adding the sign to the object data on the basis of the extracted condition; and an integer arithmetic operation section which performs an integer arithmetic operation while treating the object data as integer type data so as to add the sign to the object data on the basis of the sign data and the object data.
US09223542B2

An interface includes a first hardware register field to store respective chunks of a command directed to a device and respective chunks of a response to the command from the device. The interface also includes a second hardware register field to store a size of the command and a size of the response. The first and second hardware register fields are accessible by the device and by a processor external to the device that generates the command, in response to memory not being available to buffer the command and the response.
US09223530B2

A method implemented in a print job management apparatus for processing print jobs in a multiple-printer print shop environment is described. When an operator manually assigns a print job to a printer, the print job requirements are compared with capabilities of the printer to detect any constraints (i.e. incompatibilities between printer capabilities and print job requirements). The job is printed if no constraint is detected. If a constraint of a first category is detected (e.g. incompatible color capabilities, paper size and type, layout, etc.), printing will not proceed and an error message is displayed. If a constraint of a second category is detected (e.g. inadequate finishing capabilities), a warning message is displayed with a request for operator instruction regarding whether to proceed with printing. If the operator chooses to proceed, the job will be printed, and a banner page containing instructions regarding uncompleted job requirements is generated.
US09223528B2

A method for managing an electronic document (ED) using an electronic content management (ECM) system. The method includes: receiving, by the ECM system, a submission having the ED; generating an archived document corresponding to the ED; storing, by the ECM system, the ED and the archived document; distributing, by the ECM system, the archived document to multiple users including a first user and a second user; receiving, by the ECM system and from the first user, a first request for the ED; sending, by the ECM system, the ED to the first user in response to the first user having access rights to the ED.
US09223523B2

An image forming method using an image forming system including a master RIP and at least one slave RIP is provided. The slave RIP stores a printer profile of every paper to be printed by a printer connected to the slave RIP, registers paper relating information associating the printer profile with the paper and including a storage place for the printer profile, and transmits the paper relating information and the printer profile respectively to the master RIP. The master RIP receives the paper relating information and the printer profile, sets a paper in a print job, acquires the printer profile from the storage place associated with the set paper in the paper relating information, conducts color conversion of the print job by the printer profile instead of the slave RIP, and transmits the print job subjected to the color conversion to the slave RIP.
US09223517B1

A method, system, and computer program product for providing, via a provisioning engine, a scalable set of indexed key-value pairs enabled to store objects in a data storage environment; wherein the data representing the objects is enabled to be spread across arrays in the data storage environment; wherein additional arrays are enabled to be added to the data storage environment and included in the indexed key-value pairs; wherein the data stored across the arrays may be balanced.
US09223515B2

The present invention discloses devices and methods for a connectivity hub, for connecting a plurality of storage devices to a host system, including: a plurality of ports, each port operative to electrically engage with a storage device; electrical paths joining the plurality of ports to a common point operationally connected to the host system; and a controller operative to associate a relative physical location with a logical identity for each port. Preferably, the controller is configured to perform the association by correlating an insertion time of the storage device in a respective port with a detection time of the logical identity. A connectivity hub, for connecting a plurality of storage devices to a host system, including: at least 23 ports, each port operative to electrically engage with a corresponding storage device; and electrical paths joining at least 23 ports to a common point operationally connected to the host system.
US09223513B2

A data storage system, and a method for accessing data in a data storage system, wherein the data storage system comprises at least a first volume and a second volume, and the first volume and the second volume remain consistent by a synchronous copy relationship, the method comprising: setting a virtual unique identifier of the second volume as a unique identifier of the first volume; creating a first path from a host to the first volume and a second path from the host to the second volume by using the unique identifier of the first volume; accessing data by using the first path from the host to the first volume; and setting the second path from the host to the second volume as unavailable.
US09223509B2

A file processing method and a storage device are disclosed. In the method, a storage device receives T files that are to be stored in the RAID, and determines a sequence number of a check block of a stripe of the RAID. The storage device obtains a data block of the Kth file in the T files as the Kth data block of the stripe, where a value of K progressively increases from 1 to T, and the value of K is not equal to the sequence number of the check block of the stripe. After computing the check block according to data blocks, the storage device writes, into the T disks, the data blocks and the obtained check block of the stripe. Using the foregoing method, one file can be written into one disk of the RAID while ensuring security of file storage.
US09223508B2

Disclosed is a storage system that suppress occurrence of a bottleneck in the storage system, efficiently uses a bandwidth of hardware, and achieves high reliability. A storage system includes a storage apparatus that stores data, a controller that controls data input/output with respect to the storage apparatus, and an interface that couples the storage apparatus and the controller. The storage apparatus has a plurality of physical ports that are couples to the interface. The controller logically partitions a storage area of the storage apparatus into a plurality of storage areas and provides the plurality of storage areas, or allocates the plurality of physical ports to the logically partitioned storage areas.
US09223506B2

A semiconductor storage device and a method of throttling performance of the same are provided. The semiconductor storage device includes a non-volatile memory device configured to store data in a non-volatile state; and a controller configured to control the non-volatile memory device. The controller calculates a new performance level, compares the calculated performance level with a predetermined reference, and determines the calculated performance level as an updated performance level according to the comparison result.
US09223498B2

A method for setting and a method for detecting a virtual key of a touch panel are provided. The method for setting the virtual key of the touch panel includes the following steps. A setting interface is provided. A key function is received via the setting interface by a processor. A key area is received via the setting interface by the processor. The key function and the key area are stored in a register. The register corresponds to the virtual key.
US09223494B1

A method for operating a wearable computer using a user interface system having a touch pad includes changing the behavior of the wearable computer in direct response to gestures received at the touch pad. The gestures are not used for graphical user interface selections and are not used for cursor operations but rather directly invoke communication, navigation, machinery operation, or other primary device features or operations.
US09223490B2

Methods and apparatus to manage zones of a multi-zone media playback system are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a user interface; a controller to configure one or more zone groups each associated with one or more media playback devices; a detector to monitor the user interface for a drag of an icon representative of a first one of the zone groups on the user interface from a first position to a second position; and a configuration implementer to change a configuration of the one or more zone groups in response to a detected drag of the icon.
US09223488B1

A system includes a computing device that includes a memory configured to store instructions. The computing device also includes a processor configured to execute the instructions to perform a method that includes defining a first portion of a display as a workspace for a graphical representation of a portion of a network of processing operations. The workspace provides a navigable view of the graphical representation for editing the displayed portion of the network. The method also includes defining at least a second portion of the display, different from first portion, for a compressed view of a portion of the network of processing operations external to the first portion of the display. The method also includes simultaneously presenting the first portion and the second portion on the display.
US09223483B2

A computer-implemented method of operating an electronic device having a display and means for receiving user input, the method comprises: displaying on the display a menu adjacent an edge of the display, the menu containing one or more icons, each icon representing a function and being selectable by the user; and in response to detection of a user input in relation to an icon, causing the device to display a description of the function of the icon, wherein the description is displayed to project from the menu.
US09223480B2

Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for providing a customized representation of a business process involving one or more organizational entities that are accessible through a network. A user interface that can display a customized representation of a business process is provided. User information, including user privileges associated with the business process, is stored in a central repository that is accessible through the network. A request to view the business process is received from a first user through the user interface. The user privileges for the first user are retrieved from the central repository. A customized representation of the business process is displayed with the user interface. The customized representation is in compliance with the retrieved user privileges for the first user.
US09223474B2

A method, in a computer system including an interactive display surface, of controlling the display of a user interface menu, the method comprising: displaying a menu option in each of a plurality of active display positions, each display position being located at one of a respective plurality of active radial positions radiating from a central position; detecting movement of a contact point on the interactive display surface; and changing the menu option displayed in each of the plurality of display positions in response to the detected movement of the contact point being inward or outward of the central position.
US09223460B2

Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and computer-storage media for organizing presentation of browser toolbars. In one embodiment, a toolbar of a web browser is presented. The toolbar has a search input box. Additionally, one or more application icons are presented on each of at least two sides of the search input box. An indication that a user has engaged an application icon of the toolbar is received. Further, an application window is presented beneath the search input box of the toolbar. The application window comprises content associated with the application icon.
US09223453B2

An in-cell touch display panel device includes an upper substrate, a lower substrate, and a display controlling and sensing structure layer including a data line sub-layer and a scan line sub-layer. The data line sub-layer has plural data lines and plural first dashed conductor lines, each first dashed conductor line being formed by continuing plural first conductor segments. The scan line sub-layer has plural scan lines and plural second dashed conductor lines, each second dashed conductor line being formed by continuing plural second conductor segments. The data lines are disposed at positions identical to those of the second dashed conductor lines, and the first dashed conductor lines are disposed at positions identical to those of the scan lines, so as to form a touch sensing pattern structure by using conductor parts to selectively connect the first dashed conductor lines and the second dashed conductor lines.
US09223451B1

Embodiments described herein may allow for the use of active capacitive sensing on a head-mountable device. An example method may involve: sending a first signal that has a first frequency from a signal transmitter positioned on a wearable computing device so that when the wearable computing device is worn, the signal transmitter couples to a part of a wearer of the wearable computing device, receiving a second signal at a capacitive sensor located on the wearable computing device, determining whether the second signal has the first frequency, if the second signal has the first frequency, outputting a third signal that is indicative of manual input on the capacitive sensor, and if the second signal does not have the first frequency, refraining from outputting the third signal.
US09223450B2

An apparatus performs proximity touch sensing, and includes a shield layer, an electrostatic capacity touch panel disposed with a specific distance above the shield layer, and a proximity touch controller for sensing a non-contact touch by supplying a voltage to the electrostatic capacity touch panel and the shield layer and thus by forming a first capacitance.
US09223448B2

A readout device for a capacitive sense matrix includes a computer readable storage medium configured to store capacitance data. The capacitance data represents capacitance values of the capacitive sense matrix. The readout device also includes a readout circuit configured to receive a signal from the capacitive sense matrix, the readout circuit being configured based upon the capacitance data. Also described are a readout method and a method of compensating for variations in capacitance.
US09223445B2

Disclosed is a touch position sensor. Force detection circuitry can be included with the position sensor, for example, to determine an amount of force applied to a touch panel of the sensor.
US09223443B2

According to an illustrative embodiment, an information processing apparatus is provided. The apparatus is used for processing a first image projected toward a target. The apparatus includes a processing unit for detecting that an object exists between a projector unit and the target, wherein when an object exists between the projector unit and the target, the apparatus determines an area of the object and generates a modified first image, based on the area of the object, for projection toward the target.
US09223434B2

A display device includes a display panel, a touch panel control unit, a plurality of scanning electrodes formed on the display panel, a plurality of detection electrodes formed on the display panel so as to intersect with the plurality of scanning electrodes, a drive signal supply unit for inputting a drive signal to each of the scanning electrodes, and a detection unit for detecting a detection signal from each of the detection electrodes. The touch panel control unit supplies the driving signal to each of the scanning electrodes from the drive signal supply unit to enable detection of a touch position of a detection object based on the detection signal detected, and supplies the driving signal to all of the scanning electrodes collectively from the drive signal supply unit to enable detection of approach of the detection object to the touch panel based on the detection signal detected.
US09223433B2

A display system is disclosed. The display system includes a display unit configured to include a sensor which detects an operation in a display area of the display unit, a determination unit configured to determine an effective area of the display area of the display unit, the effective area being an area on which an image is displayed, and a first control unit configured to disable the operation detection outside the effective area by the sensor.
US09223432B2

An embedded sensor of a touch panel includes at least a readout unit and a reset unit. The total readout length or the total reset length during each sensing period may be larger than the pixel refresh period by introducing other readout units, introducing other reset units, or increasing the enabling period of the gate driving signals, thereby enhancing the sensibility of the touch panel.
US09223431B2

A device includes a touch-sensitive display and a sensor configured to detect a force that results in depression of the touch-sensitive display. The sensor includes one or more wavelength selective optical carriers that carry optical signals. The force affects one or more optical paths of the optical signals.
US09223427B2

A cellular phone includes a first display, a second display, a first touch sensor which detects an input to the first display, a second touch sensor which detects an input to the second display, a CPU which sets and releases a keylock function for disabling the inputs, and a memory which stores a releasing condition of the keylock function including a combination of an input detected by the first touch sensor and an input detected by the second touch sensor. The CPU releases the keylock function with respect to at least one of the first touch sensor and the second touch sensor when inputs detected by the touch sensors and match with the releasing condition stored in the memory while the keylock function is being set.
US09223426B2

A dual-screen user device and methods for revealing a combination of desktops on single and multiple screens are disclosed. Selected desktops and/or running applications are displayed on dual screen displays. Desktops and applications can be shifted between screens by user gestures, and/or moved off of the screens and therefore hidden. Hidden desktops and screens can be re-displayed by yet other gestures. The desktops and applications are arranged in a window stack that represents a logical order of the desktops and applications providing a user with an intuitive ability to manage multiple applications/desktops running simultaneously. One user gesture launches an applications management window that provides visual indications of all of the applications and desktops running at the time, applications/desktops displayed on the screens. Other gestures can rearrange the order of all of the applications and desktops in the window stack.
US09223424B2

An electronic device may have structures that are coupled together using conductive adhesive such as anisotropic conductive film and other adhesives. The structures that are coupled together may include a touch sensor structure formed from electrodes on the inner surface of a display cover layer, a display module having display layers such as a thin-film transistor layer, and circuitry mounted on substrates such as printed circuits. Conductive signal path structures may be used in routing signals within the electronic device. The conductive signal path structures may be formed from pins that are embedded within injection molded plastic, from metal traces such as laser-deposited metal traces that are formed on the surface of a plastic member or other dielectric, from metal structures that run within channels in a plastic, printed circuit traces, and other signal path structures.
US09223420B2

A method of driving an electronic device easily and accurately controls a pointer displayed on a screen of the electronic device. The method of driving an electronic device including an input unit into which information is input by a touch and a screen display unit on which a pointer is displayed in response to the touch includes: a first step of moving the pointer from a point at which the touch is applied to the input unit first in an arbitrary direction in which drag of the pointer is performed; a second step of stopping the movement of the pointer when the drag is stopped; and a third step of additionally moving the pointer in a direction, which is directed from the point at which the touch is applied first to a point to which pressing pressure is applied, in response to pressing pressure when the drag is stopped.
US09223402B2

Disclosed is a method of receiving a gesture input of a user using a Head Mounted Display (HMD) and synthetically controlling a digital device using the received gesture input. The method includes detecting whether or not the HMD is worn by a user, detecting a positional state of an external digital device linked with the HMD, the positional state including a first state in which the external digital device is located in a preset view angle region of the HMD and a second state in which the external digital device is not located in the view angle region, detecting a gesture input of the user, determining at least one digital device to be controlled based on whether or not the HMD is worn by the user and the detected positional state, and controlling a display object of the determined digital device under application of the gesture input.
US09223400B2

A performing method of a device capable of adjusting images according to a body motion of a user, the device comprising a display unit, at least one camera unit, and a control unit electrically coupled to the display unit and the camera unit, the performing method comprising: capturing at least one motion image of the user by the at least one camera unit; receiving the at least one motion image of the user by the control unit; and adjusting the display unit according to the least one motion image of the user by the control unit, whereby the images displayed by the display unit moving as does the user.
US09223374B2

A power sourcing equipment (PSE) chip controls a powering channel of the PSE chip according to a value stored in a first register; the PSE chip changes, in response to a second instruction, the value stored in the first register into a calculated value, where the second instruction includes a second slave address and a second data byte, the second slave address is a virtual address of a virtual powering group, and the calculated value is a result obtained by calculation according to the second data byte and a channel indication value that is of the virtual powering group and stored in the PSE chip. Information indicating whether a powering channel is added to a virtual powering group is stored in a PSE chip, so that powering channels added to a virtual powering group can be controlled at a time.
US09223373B2

Aspects of the subject disclosure relate to a storage device including a flash memory, a controller coupled to the flash memory, wherein the controller is configured to store data to the flash memory and a power arbiter unit coupled to the controller and to the flash memory via a plurality of flash channels, wherein the power arbiter unit is configured to receive a plurality of power requests via one or more of the plurality of flash channels and process the plurality of power requests based on a respective priority identifier associated with each of the plurality of power requests. Additionally, a computer-implemented method and power arbiter unit (PAB) are provided.
US09223369B2

A software provisioning server can communicate with a power management system of the target machines to alter the power state of the target machines during actions requiring a change in the power state, such as power cycling the target machines during a software installation. The software provisioning server can communicate with the power management system of the target machines and instruct the power management systems to alter the power state of the target machines during the actions.
US09223368B2

The disclosure relates to a countermeasure method in an electronic microcircuit, comprising successive process phases executed by a circuit of the microcircuit, and adjusting a power supply voltage between power supply and ground terminals of the circuit, as a function of a random value generated for the process phase, at each process phase executed by the circuit.
US09223367B2

In accordance with some embodiments, margining routines to determine acceptable voltage command values for specific CPU implementations at one or more different operating levels may be provided.
US09223365B2

A system, semiconductor device and method for providing a controlled system reset sequence with lower power consumption without dependency on fuses, PLL's and external XTAL's. A method to simplify a boot sequence by using a ring oscillator that compensates for voltage and temperature variations while also removing the dependency on parallel fuses, PLL's and external XTAL's.
US09223364B2

A heat dissipation control system includes an angle detection module and a control module. The heat dissipation control system is adapted for a portable electrical device having a first body and a second body. The angle detection module senses an included angle of the first body and the second body and generates an angle signal corresponding to the included angle of the first body and the second body. The control module, in response to the angle signal, generates a heat dissipation control signal according to the angle signal for enabling at least one of a first heat dissipation policy and a second heat dissipation policy.
US09223354B2

A grid connected keyboard which includes a keyboard base; and a removable keyboard positioned with respect to the keyboard base. The removable keyboard include a keyboard grid having a plurality of spaces; a plurality of keyboard keys positioned within the spaces of the keyboard grid; and fastening means between the keyboard grid and each of the plurality of keyboard keys for maintaining the keyboard keys within the spaces of the keyboard grid. The fastening means allows movement of the keyboard keys in a direction perpendicular to a plane that contains the keyboard grid. The removable keyboard, including the plurality of keyboard keys, are removable from the keyboard base as a unit.
US09223353B2

Embodiments are provided for intelligently revealing selectable icons on a control panel of a playback device based on proximity detection. In one example, an ambient light level may be determined based on a detection of ambient light by a light sensor of a control area for a playback device. Based on the ambient light level, a sensitivity of an infrared (IR) proximity sensor and a sensitivity of a capacitive proximity sensor may be adjusted. The IR proximity sensor and the capacitive proximity sensor may each be configured to detect a physical movement. Based on the detection of the physical movement by at least one of the IR proximity sensor and the capacitive proximity sensor, a physical approach of an entity towards the playback device may be determined, and a control area of the playback device may be illuminated.
US09223351B2

The computing device includes a base portion including a keyboard, a display portion including a display. The display includes a viewable surface and a hinge configured to operably couple the base portion to the display portion. If the computing device is in a closed position the viewable surface faces in a first direction away from the base portion. Further, if the computing device is in a transition from the closed position to an open position, the hinge is further configured to rotate around a first axis of the base portion with a primary plane of the display portion being substantially parallel to a primary plane of the base portion and to rotate around a second axis of the display portion such that the viewable surface faces in a second direction toward a user plane extending from the keyboard and approaches a perpendicular position with respect to the base portion.
US09223348B2

A display device may have displayed a user input interface, such as a virtual keyboard, on a main display of the display device. Then as a secondary flexible display is pulled out from within the display device, various methods for handling the display of the user input interface between the main display and the secondary flexible display are described. The display of the user input interface between the main display and the flexible display will be controlled based upon a combination of user input touch gestures on the main display and the flexible display, as well as a measured length of the pulled out portion of the flexible display.
US09223341B2

A hinge assembly includes a guiding rail, at least one protruding block, a slidable element, and a rotatable element. The guiding rail includes a first side and a second side surface opposite to each other. The guiding rail further includes a first edge and a second edge in parallel to a longitudinal direction of the guiding rail. The protruding block is disposed on the first side surface. The width of the protruding block is smaller than that of the first side surface, and a gap exists between the protruding block and the first edge. The slidable element includes a sliding surface and a guiding surface opposite to each other. The first edge of the guiding rail inserts into a chute formed on the sliding surface to move the slidable element along the first edge. The rotatable element is pivoted to the slidable element to rotate on the slidable element.
US09223335B2

A semiconductor device includes a reference voltage generation circuit to which a power source voltage is applied; an output terminal for outputting an output voltage; a determining circuit connected to the reference voltage generation circuit and the output terminal for generating the output voltage according to a determination target voltage; and a constant electric current source connected to the determining circuit and a ground potential for generating a constant electrical current.
US09223331B2

In one example embodiment, a power control system includes one or more stages, a plurality of primary busbars operatively coupled to the one or more stages, and an intelligent controller operatively coupled to the one or more stages. Each of the one or more stages is configured to generate a lead current when coupled in parallel to a power distribution system, and at least one of the one or more stages comprises a notch filter and a power tank circuit. Each of the plurality of primary busbars is configured to carry one phase of a multiple phase power signal. The controller is configured to determine when to switch each of the one or more stages one and off, to count a number of times each stage is switched on, and to track one or more electrical parameters of the power distribution system, power control system, or both.
US09223325B2

Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to the estimation of temperature based on a fan control signal. Example embodiments include the estimation of temperature based on a fan control signal having a value based on a temperature reading of a temperature sensor.
US09223321B2

A method of reducing periodic disturbances in the feedback quantity of a controlled system is disclosed. The method includes receiving a feedback signal and repeatedly deriving respective magnitudes of harmonic components of the feedback signal to produce corresponding error signals. The error signals and harmonic components are used to generate harmonic control signals. The harmonic control signals are used to create a plurality of negative feedback loops acting to reduce the error signals. The present disclosure thus provides negative feedback control in the frequency domain. In one specific disclosed embodiment, the control is tied to the periodic domain resulting from the rotation of an actuator motor shaft.
US09223315B2

A system, apparatus, and method for use in delivery of items to a storage unit. The storage unit can include one or several storage receptacles and a control unit that controls and monitors the status of the one or several storage receptacles. The storage unit can be included in a storage unit system that can include one or several storage units and a central control unit. The central control unit can communicate with the one or several storage units, and can receive status and availability updates from the one or several storage units.
US09223309B2

A monitoring apparatus has: an abnormality detecting unit which can detect an abnormality of a self apparatus; a second communication unit for receiving state information through a second communication network; a plant information forming unit for forming plant information as information regarding the whole plant equipment based on a plurality of state information; a first communication unit for transmitting the plant information to a maintenance tool through a first communication network; and an abnormal-case control unit constructed in such a manner that when the abnormality detecting unit detects the abnormality, a substituting request is transmitted to the other control unit, when a response to the substituting request is affirmative, an operation of the self apparatus is stopped, and when the response to the substituting request is negative or when the response to the substituting request is not received, the state information is transferred to the maintenance tool.
US09223306B2

A method is provided for defining and utilizing an editing initialization block for a part program. The part program comprises a plurality of steps for taking measurements of a part and is displayed in an editing interface. An option is provided in the editing interface for selecting which steps are in an editing initialization block. After the part program has been saved, at a later time when the part program is recalled for editing, the editing initialization block may be run before additional steps are added to the part program. At least some of the data that would have been obtained by one or more of the initial part program steps that are not in the editing initialization block may be based on estimated data that is related to (e.g., modified based on) data determined from running the editing initialization block.
US09223301B2

A method includes receiving a measurement associated with a cloud point of a biofuel being produced in a refining system. The method also includes determining how to adjust the refining system based on a desired cloud point of the biofuel and the measurement associated with the cloud point. The method further includes outputting a control signal to adjust the refining system based on the determination. Determining how to adjust the refining system could include determining how to adjust an inlet temperature of a reactor in the refining system. The reactor could represent an isomerization reactor, and a heater could heat material entering the isomerization reactor. Determining how to adjust the inlet temperature of the reactor could include determining how to adjust operation of the heater. A model predictive control (MPC) technique could be used to determine how to adjust the inlet temperature of the isomerization reactor.
US09223286B2

An image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of developing units disposed in parallel with each other, a developer cartridge being detachably attached to each of the plurality of developing units, each of the plurality of developing units forming a developer image with a developer agent in the developer cartridge; a first cover covering at least one specified developer cartridge of a plurality of developer cartridges attached to the plurality of developing units, the first cover being openable to allow the at least one specified developer cartridge to be attached and detached; and a second cover covering at least one developer cartridge other than the at least one specified developer cartridge of the plurality of developer cartridges, the second cover being openable to allow the at least one developer cartridge other than the at least one specified developer cartridge to be attached and detached.
US09223285B2

An image forming unit includes a cartridge and a unit frame. The cartridge has a cartridge-grip. The unit frame is configured to accommodate the cartridge. The unit frame includes a first plate, a second plate, a first beam, and a second beam. The first plate has a through hole. The first beam extends between the first plate and the second plate. The first beam includes a frame-grip disposed between an upper end of the first beam and a lower end of the first beam. The second beam extends between the first plate and the second plate. When the cartridge is accommodated in the unit frame, a distance between the lower end of the first beam and an upper end of the frame-grip is smaller than a distance between the lower end of the first beam and an upper end of the cartridge-grip.
US09223268B2

A fixing device includes a first support and a second support to rotatably support a fixing rotator at a first lateral end and a second lateral end of the fixing rotator in an axial direction thereof. A first stopper is mounted on the first support. A second stopper is mounted on the second support. A first skew restraint projects from an outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator radially at the first lateral end of the fixing rotator in the axial direction thereof. A second skew restraint projects from the outer circumferential surface of the fixing rotator radially at the second lateral end of the fixing rotator in the axial direction thereof. The second skew restraint comes into contact with the second stopper as the fixing rotator moves in the axial direction thereof toward the first support.
US09223265B2

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a fixing unit having a heater, a temperature detection unit, a power control unit, and a conveyance control unit that controls conveying a recording material. The conveyance control unit executes, when the maximum power is greater than a threshold power, a first mode where conveyance is performed according to a time, and executes, in a case where the maximum power is less than the threshold power, a second mode where conveyance is performed according to the detected temperature. The power control unit sets a larger value to the threshold power when an option device is connected to the image forming apparatus as compared to when the option device is not connected to the image forming apparatus.
US09223259B2

According to one embodiment, a fixing device includes a fixing section including a fixing belt laid over a plurality of supporting rollers and an endless rotating section that forms a nip between the rotating section and the fixing belt, the fixing section being configured to nip and carry a recording medium in the nip, and a control section configured to control the fixing section at first fixing speed while a leading end of the recording medium is passing at least a part of the nip and control the fixing section at second fixing speed higher than the first fixing speed after controlling the fixing section at the first fixing speed.
US09223255B2

An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis having an opening, a cover, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt, a primary-transfer member, a secondary-transfer roller, a cleaner device, a waste toner container, which is movable along a predetermined direction to be removably installed in the chassis through the opening and stores residual toner, a connector, and a feed roller, which is arranged within the feeding path to feed the recording sheet in the feeding path. The feed roller is arranged in a position to at least partially fall within a vertical range of the waste toner container and to be aligned with the waste toner container along an axial direction of the second feed roller.
US09223249B2

An image forming unit includes an image carrier, a developer carrier carrying a developer for developing images by attaching the developer to electrostatic latent images on the image carrier, a developer supply member for supplying the developer to the developer carrier, a first developer container having an opening, for containing the developer, a second developer container reserving the developer supplied via the opening from the first developer container, and a stirring member disposed rotatably in a prescribed rotation direction around a rotation axis in the first developer container for stirring the developer. The stirring member comprises a first elastic member extending in a first direction, and a second elastic member extending in a second direction as different direction from the first direction, and the second elastic member is disposed on a downstream side of the first elastic member in the rotation direction of the stirring member.
US09223247B2

An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a developer storage portion; a developer bearing member; a toner replenishing device that replenishes toner to the developer storage portion; a power supply that supplies an AC voltage or a voltage in which a DC voltage and an AC voltage are superimposed to the developer bearing member at least during an image forming period; and a controller that performs control such that a scattering toner discharge control mode in which the DC voltage only is applied to the developer bearing member in a non-image forming period so as to generate force such that normally charged toner moves from the developer bearing member to the image bearing member so that the toner is discharged from the developer bearing member to the image bearing member.
US09223246B2

An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit including a containing unit; a replenishment unit replenishes the containing unit with the toner; a first determination unit determines an amount of the toner consumed in the containing unit; a detection unit detects a toner amount in the containing unit; a first calculation unit calculates a difference between the toner amount and a target amount; a second calculation unit calculates a cumulative value of the difference; a second determination unit determines a determination value; a prevention unit prevents the second calculation unit from accumulating the difference at second timing following the first timing; and a controller controls the replenishment unit, based on the determination value, in a case where the first determination value is less than a threshold, the second calculating unit is prevented from accumulating the difference at the second timing, on the cumulative value calculated at the first timing.
US09223238B2

A process is disclosed for making a resin emulsion suitable for use in forming toner particles including using a wiped film evaporator for removing residual solvents.
US09223237B2

A process for attaching additives onto toner particles using plasma is described.
US09223233B2

The photosensitive layer of an electrophotographic photosensitive member contains (a) a gallium phthalocyanine crystal, (b) a specific amine compound and (c) a specific polyvinylacetal resin.
US09223232B2

A method for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member including an undercoat layer includes preparing a coating liquid for an undercoat layer containing zinc oxide particles, a polyol, a blocked isocyanate compound whose isocyanate group is blocked with a specific structure, and a solvent mixture, in which the solvent mixture contains a monohydric alcohol in an amount of 1 chemical equivalent or more based on the specific structure and 90% by mass or less based on the total mass of the solvent mixture, and a ketonic solvent and/or a cyclic ether solvent in an amount of 7% by mass or more based on the total mass of the solvent mixture.
US09223217B2

Provided are sulfonamide-containing compositions, topcoat polymers, and additive polymers for use in lithographic processes that have improved static receding water contact angles over those known in the art. The sulfonamide-containing topcoat polymers and additive polymers of the present invention include sulfonamide-substituted repeat units with branched linking group as shown in Formula (I):
US09223212B2

An alkali-developing-type photosensitive resin composition comprising: a polycarboxylic acid resin (A) obtained by reacting a polybasic anhydride (c) with a reactant (ab) between a difunctional bisphenol epoxy resin (a) having an epoxy group at both terminals and an epoxy equivalent of 600-1300 g/eq., and a monocarboxylic acid compound (b) having an alcoholic hydroxyl group; an epoxy resin (B) having two or more epoxy groups in a molecule; and a photoacid generator (C), wherein the addition ratio the monocarboxylic acid compound (b) with respect to 1 equivalent of the epoxy group of the epoxy resin (a) is 80 equivalent % or more, and the addition ratio the polybasic anhydride with respect to one equivalent of the primary hydroxyl group of the reactant (ab) is 80 equivalent % or more.
US09223197B2

A lithography process in a lithography system includes loading a mask having multiple mask states and having a mask pattern consisting of a plurality of polygons and a field. Different mask states are assigned to adjacent polygons and the field. The lithography process further includes configuring an illuminator to generate an illumination pattern on an illumination pupil plane of the lithography system; configuring a pupil filter on a projection pupil plane of the lithography system with a filtering pattern determined according to the illumination pattern; and performing an exposure process to a target with the illuminator, the mask, and the pupil filter. The exposure process produces diffracted light and non-diffracted light behind the mask and the pupil filter removes most of the non-diffracted light.
US09223195B2

An exposure apparatus includes a light source, a mask, a blind, and a blind driver. The light source emits light in a light emitting cycle. The mask is disposed over a substrate and includes an exposure window. A pattern is formed in the exposure window. The blind is disposed over the exposure window. The blind moves in a first direction to block a non-exposed area in the substrate. The blind is returned to pass through the exposure window area in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The blind includes a plurality of blocking plates. The blocking plates include a blocking portion and an opening portion. The blind driver drives the blind.
US09223182B2

A liquid crystal display includes first and second sub-pixels charged with the same voltage during a first period. The voltage charged in the second sub-pixel is decreased after the first period. Since the voltage level of the first sub-pixel is different from the voltage level of the second sub-pixel after the first period, liquid crystal molecules disposed corresponding to the first sub-pixel are aligned in a direction different from that of liquid crystal molecules disposed corresponding to the second sub-pixel. Thus, a side viewing angle of the liquid crystal display is improved.
US09223174B2

A display device includes a display panel having a first transparent subpixel, a second transparent subpixel and a third transparent subpixel. A light source part provides light to the display panel. The light source part including a first light source configured to generate red light, a second light source configured to generate green light and a third light source configured to generate blue light. The third light source includes a blue light emitting diode and a wavelength shift layer. The wavelength of the blue light emitted from the third light source has a first peak within a range of about 445 nm to about 450 nm and a second peak within a range of about 450 nm to about 540 nm.
US09223173B2

A lighting unit may include a bottom cover having a plurality of sidewalls, a board, a plurality of light emitting diodes, and a light-transmitting resin layer over the plurality of light emitting devices and the board. One of the sidewalls includes a first fixing groove having an inside region greater than an opened inlet region. The light-transmitting resin layer may be provided within the first fixing groove in order to support the light-transmitting resin layer.
US09223154B2

A display device comprises: a first substrate (20), a first polarizer (10), a second polarizer (50), a first electrode (30), a second electrode (31), an electrically controlled birefringence crystal layer (40). The first polarizer (10) is attached to the first substrate (20). The second polarizer (50) is disposed to face the first substrate (20) and parallel to the first substrate (20). The first electrode (30) and the second electrode (31) are disposed between the first substrate (20) and the second polarizer (50) and separate from each other. The electrically controlled birefringence crystal layer (40) is disposed between the first electrode (30) and the second electrode (31) and has a primary electro-optic effect. The corresponding manufacturing method for a display is also provided.
US09223151B2

A method for determining reading distance for an individual made to observe a reading zone includes positioning the individual in front of an apparatus to learn their reading distance. The individual reads of a zone that is placed on a portable tablet and equipped with at least one location marker. At least one image is acquired allowing at least one facial reference point of the individual and each marker of the reading tablet. The images is processed taking into account the position of the facial reference point of the individual and the position of the at least one marker of the tablet and the indicating of the reading distance is conveyed.
US09223150B2

A pair of eyeglasses includes a lens and a frame. The frame has a holder and two temples connected to two ends of the holder. The holder has a clip slot able to fix the lens. A through hole is defined in the holder and communicates with the clip slot. A bead and a spring are accommodated in the through hole. A restriction member is connected to the holder and blocks the through hole at the inside of the holder. The spring is installed between the bead and the restriction member. The bead partially protrudes from the through hole. The lens has a positioning portion corresponding to the bead. The bead that partially protrudes from the through hole is engaged with the positioning portion. The lens is easily installed or removed by shifting the bead in the clip slot from the positioning portion of the lens.
US09223149B2

The invention relates to a sidepiece (3) comprising a reinforcement (5) that is to be hinged onto a frame (2). The sidepiece (3) includes: a first strip (11) for covering a first portion of the reinforcement (5); a second strip (12) for covering a second portion of the reinforcement (5); a first connection means (21) for guiding the first strip (11) in translation and holding same on the reinforcement (5); and a second connection means (22) for guiding at least the second strip (12) in translation and holding same on the reinforcement (5).
US09223131B2

An image forming apparatus includes an optical scanning device and one or more second driving motors. The optical scanning device includes a polygon mirror, an optical scanning system for forming an image of the beam light on a surface to be scanned, a folding mirror for returning the beam light so as to be led to a photosensitive drum, and a housing. The housing is provided with a first support portion, a second support portion, and a third support portion for supporting the reflective surface of the folding mirror. When a distance between the first support portion and the second support portion is set to L, the third support portion is disposed at the first support portion side from a position of L/4 in a direction of the second support portion from the first support portion and is disposed at the second support portion side from the first support portion.
US09223127B2

An electrowetting display device has a picture element having first and second support plates with a space in between, the space including first and second fluids immiscible with each other, the second fluid being electroconductive or polar. The first support plate includes a wall defining an extent of the picture element. An electric field is applied between an electrode and the second fluid, the electrode having an edge, a low portion and a high portion, the high portion being closer to the second support plate than the low portion, the high portion being arranged adjacent to the wall and having an area smaller than the area of the low portion. The high portion of the electrode has a cut-out causing an increased electric field in the space, and at least part of the edge of the electrode adjacent to the cut-out following the shape of the wall.
US09223124B2

A system is disclosed for measuring the crystallization of crystalline-amorphous mixtures. The system includes a sample holder. and a heating apparatus to melt a ink composition and to keep the melted ink composition at a first specified temperature for a first period of time. The system includes a cooling apparatus to receive the melted ink composition, to cool the melted ink composition and to maintain the cooled ink composition at a second specified temperature. The system includes a microscope and a video recording device to capture images of the cooled ink composition for a second period of time A video processing computer includes a memory, a processor and software instructions and the software instructions causes the computer to extract crystallization parameters about the cooled ink composition from the captured images. The crystallization parameters identify fast solidifying crystalline inks that have a short time duration from onset of crystallization until crystallization.
US09223120B2

An imaging lens includes: a positive first lens group; a positive second lens group which moves while focusing; and a third lens group. The first lens group includes a positive lens having a convex surface with a radius of curvature having a small absolute value toward the image side, a positive biconvex lens, a negative lens having a concave surface with a radius of curvature having a small absolute value toward the object side, and a positive lens having a convex surface with a radius of curvature having a small absolute value toward the object side, in this order from the object side. The second lens group includes a positive lens having a convex surface with a radius of curvature having a small absolute value toward the object side. The third lens group includes two positive lenses and one negative lens. The imaging lens satisfies a predetermined conditional formula.
US09223118B2

A compact telephoto lens system that may be used in a small form factor cameras. The lens system may include five lens elements with refractive power. Alternatively, the lens system may include four lens elements with refractive power. At least one of the object side and image side surfaces of at least one of the lens elements is aspheric. Total track length (TTL) of the lens system may be 6.0 mm or less. Focal length f of the lens system may be at or about 7.0 mm (for example, within a range of 6.5-7.5 mm). Lens elements are selected and configured so that the telephoto ratio (TTL/f) satisfies the relation 0.74
US09223113B2

An imaging optical system includes, in order from the object side to the image side, an aperture stop, a first lens element with a positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface, a second lens element with a negative refractive power having a convex image-side surface in the vicinity of an outer circumference, a third lens element with a positive refractive power having a concave object-side surface in a vicinity of an optical axis and a convex image-side surface in the vicinity of the optical axis, and a fourth lens element having a concave image-side surface in the vicinity of the optical axis and a convex image-side surface in the vicinity of the outer circumference. The sum of thicknesses of the first, second, third, and fourth lens elements and the sum of total air gaps therebetween satisfy specific conditions.
US09223106B2

Certain types of fiber termination enclosures include an enclosure and at least one of a plurality of plate module mounting assemblies. Example plate module mounting assemblies include a termination panel plate assembly; a splice tray plate assembly; a cable spool plate assembly; and a drop-in plate assembly. Example cable spool plate assemblies include a cable spool arrangement rotationally coupled to a mounting plate, which fixedly mounts within the enclosure housing. A stand-off mount element may be disposed on the front of the cable spool arrangement to rotate in unison with the cable spool arrangement. The stand-off mount element may include one or more termination adapters.
US09223099B2

An apparatus is disclosed comprising a planar optical waveguide structure which includes a substrate and two planar optical waveguides thereon. The apparatus further comprises a solid structure having a body and two branches connected to the body. Each of the two branches has a reflective surface area thereon. Each of the two planar optical waveguides is configured to optically couple light from an end thereof to the reflective surface area of a corresponding one of the branches. The planar optical waveguide structure further includes a third planar optical waveguide on the substrate. The third planar optical waveguide has a segment located between the solid structure and the substrate.
US09223094B2

A fiber optic cassette includes a body defining a front and an opposite rear. A cable entry location, such as a multi-fiber connector, is defined on the body for a cable to enter the cassette, wherein a plurality of optical fibers from the cable extend into the cassette and form terminations at one or more single or multi-fiber connectors adjacent the front of the body. A flexible substrate is positioned between the cable entry location and the connectors adjacent the front of the body, the flexible substrate rigidly supporting the plurality of optical fibers. Each of the connectors adjacent the front of the body includes a ferrule. Dark fibers can be provided if not all fiber locations are used in the multi-fiber connectors. Multiple flexible substrates can be used with one or more multi-fiber connectors.
US09223084B2

Optical analytical devices and their methods of use are provided. The devices are useful in the analysis of highly multiplexed optical reactions in large numbers at high densities, including biochemical reactions, such as nucleic acid sequencing reactions. The devices include optical waveguides for illumination of the optical reactions. The devices further provide for the efficient coupling of optical excitation energy from the waveguides to the optical reactions. Optical signals emitted from the reactions can thus be measured with high sensitivity and discrimination using features such as spectra, amplitude, and time resolution, or combinations thereof. The devices of the invention are well suited for miniaturization and high throughput.
US09223082B2

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a backlight assembly and a liquid crystal display device, and the backlight assembly comprises: a light guide plate; a base plate, disposed on an opposite side of a light emitting side of the light guide plate; and a back plate, disposed on a side of the light guide plate along an edge of the base plate, wherein an edge-type light source is disposed on a side facing the light guide plate of the back plate, the back plate is pivotally connected with the base plate via a rotation axis, and the back plate rotates about the rotation axis.
US09223081B2

Disclosed are an optical member and a display device including the same. The optical member includes a wavelength conversion layer to convert a wavelength of an incident light; a first anti-reflective layer on a first surface of the wavelength conversion layer; and a second anti-reflective layer under a second surface of the wavelength conversion layer opposite to the first surface.
US09223066B2

A patterned retarder is provided. A microstructure layer is disposed on a substrate of the optical retarder. The microstructure layer has a plurality of trapezoid protrusions. A bottom angel of the trapezoid protrusions is 12-85 degree. A conformal alignment layer and a liquid crystal phase retarder layer are sequentially disposed on the microstructure layer.
US09223062B2

A compact, wide view-field imaging lens with a small F-value which corrects aberrations properly. Its elements are arranged in order from an object side to an image side: an aperture stop, positive first lens having convex surfaces on the object and image sides, negative second lens having a concave object-side surface near an optical axis, positive meniscus third lens having a convex image-side surface, and negative meniscus double-sided aspheric fourth lens having a concave image-side surface near the optical axis. Its F-value is smaller than 2.4 and it satisfies conditional expressions (1) to (3) below: 0.15
US09223057B1

The platforms, systems, methods and computer readable media provided herein monitor a shore or near shore environment using a plurality of sensors, each sensor associated with a near shore water recreationist or near shore water recreationist equipment. The platforms, systems, methods and computer readable media provided herein include a server application configured to generate and transmit an environmental data report. The platforms, systems, methods and computer readable media provided herein include a device configured to receive the environmental data report.
US09223054B2

A proximity sensor detects an object to be detected. The proximity sensor includes a board; at least three light emitting portions which are mounted on a surface of the board such that not all the light emitting portions is arranged on a straight line, and which emits light; and a light receiving portion which is mounted on the surface of the board so as to have a predetermined positional relationship with the three light emitting portions, and which receives reflected light derived from light emitted from the light emitting portions and reflected by the object to be detected.
US09223045B2

Methods and apparatus to compare the size of a target from the first sensor information with the size of the target from the second sensor information to determine whether an anomaly exists based upon the size comparison. In one embodiment, the size of the target from the first sensor information is affected by dielectric constants for at least one material of interest associated with the target.
US09223038B2

An X-ray detector with photon-counting directly converting detector elements and a method for the temperature stabilization of at least one detector element of an X-ray detector of a CT system are disclosed, wherein the detector elements use a sensor material which converts incident photons of radiation directly into free-moving charge in the sensor material and wherein with the aid of a circuit arrangement (e.g. an ASIC), the number of incident photons in relation to predefined energy ranges (e.g., to imaging) is determined, wherein the total electrical power of at least one detector element is kept constant regardless of the incident intensity of radiation.
US09223022B2

A method for providing a combined linear and circular downscan sonar display may include receiving linear downscan sonar data from a linear downscan transducer, receiving conical downscan sonar data from a circular downscan transducer, and combining the linear downscan sonar data and the conical downscan sonar data to produce combined downscan sonar data. A corresponding computer program product and apparatus are also provided.
US09223018B2

A method for displaying an active radar image of an object on a handheld screening device is provided comprising taking a sequence of active radar images of an object, the different active radar images of the sequence being representative for different distances of the object from the handheld screening device; selecting an image of the sequence of active radar images; and displaying the selected image on a display. A corresponding handheld screening device is provided as well.
US09223013B2

A method for monitoring headway to an object performable in a computerized system including a camera mounted in a moving vehicle. The camera acquires in real time multiple image frames including respectively multiple images of the object within a field of view of the camera. An edge is detected in the images of the object. A smoothed measurement is performed of a dimension the edge. Range to the object is calculated in real time, based on the smoothed measurement.
US09223010B2

A receiver compensation system and method to operate the receiver compensation system are disclosed. The compensation sensor system includes at least one receiver and at least one control loop. The method to operate the receiver compensation system is characterized in that the receiver is adjusted in its sensitivity by a control signal such that in the case of changes of an input received by the receiver, a control signal of the control loop resets an associated receiver output signal, except for a control error. Further, at least one other signal of the control loop represents or contains a measurement of the change of the input received by the receiver.
US09222989B2

A sensor package includes a lead frame with a first portion extending and a second portion extending in a direction inclined with respect to the first potion. The sensor package also includes an application specific integrated circuit and a magneto resistive sensor and a ferrite provided with a molding body.
US09222986B2

A distributed battery management device and a method thereof are provided. The method comprises: receiving, by a battery management control module, a first identification distribution request from a first data acquisition module; activating, by the battery management control module, the first data acquisition module for monitoring one or more batteries; and sending, by the battery management control module, a first identification message corresponding to the first identification distribution request, to the first data acquisition module. The device comprises: a battery management control module; and a first data acquisition module communicatively coupled with the battery management control module, wherein the battery management control module and the first data acquisition module are configured to communicate with each other to identify the data acquisition module.
US09222982B2

A test apparatus includes a test apparatus may include a core suitable for accommodating a semiconductor device to be tested, a wrapper data register suitable for storing data used for testing the semiconductor device, and a bandwidth controller suitable for adaptively controlling a data bandwidth between the core and the wrapper data register according to the semiconductor device to be tested.
US09222977B2

A test controller applies test stimulus signals to the input pads of plural die on a wafer in parallel. The test controller also applies encoded test response signals to the output pads of the plural die in parallel. The encoded test response signals are decoded on the die and compared to core test response signals produced from applying the test stimulus signals to core circuits on the die. The comparison produces pass/fail signals that are loaded in to scan cells of an IEEE 1149.1 scan path. The pass/fail signals then may be scanned out of the die to determine the results of the test.
US09222975B2

A device test architecture and a reduced device test interface are provided to enable efficient testing of embedded cores and other circuits within devices. The reduced device test interface is achieved using a double data rate (DDR) signaling technique between the tester and the device. The DDR test interface allows the tester to interface to test circuits within the device, such as IEEE 1500 and/or IEEE 1149.1 test circuits, to provide high test data bandwidth to the test circuits using a minimum of test interface signals. The test architecture includes compare circuits that allow for comparison of test response data to be performed within the device. The test architecture further includes a memory for storing the results of the test response comparisons. The test architecture includes a programmable test controller to allow for various test control operations by simply inputting an instruction to the programmable test controller from the external tester. Additional features and embodiments of the device test architecture and reduced test interface are also disclosed.
US09222964B2

A cable detection apparatus comprises a cable connector, a signal generator, and a detection module. The cable connector is located on a first device and has an input-only pin that is coupled to a receiver and assigned for receiving a first signal from a driver on a second device. The signal generator is located within the first device and has an output driving a second signal onto the input-only pin, wherein the second signal has a frequency that is at least four times greater than the frequency of the first signal. The detection module has a detection input coupled to the input-only pin, wherein the detection module produces a negative cable detection output in response to detecting the second signal, and wherein the detection module produces a positive cable detection output in response to detecting a signal other than the second signal.
US09222959B2

The invention relates to a nanofiber fabrication method comprising nanofiber growth from a catalyst zone, furthermore comprising the following steps: producing at least one micropattern (11) on the surface of a substrate (1); producing a catalyst zone (50) on the surface of said micropattern; nanofiber growth from the catalyst zone, characterized in that the micropattern (11) comprises a base, at least partially convergent side walls and an upper face, said base being covered with a so-called “poison” layer (4) where no nanofiber growth catalysis effect can take place, the so-called “poison” layer not being present on said upper face; the base being covered with a catalyst layer (5) on the surface of the so-called “poison” layer; the thickness of the “poison” layer and the thickness of the catalyst layer being such that the nanofibers cannot grow either on the side walls or on the base of the micropatterns constructed beforehand.
US09222953B2

This disclosure is directed to a device and a system for aspirating and dispensing a target analyte, target material, or fluid. A picker may aspirate and dispense the desired material by introducing a pressure gradient. The picker may include a hydraulic fluid to hydraulically couple at least two components, such as a moveable pump component and a cannula.
US09222946B2

Provided are a composition of a diagnostic biomarker for stomach cancer and a method of diagnosing stomach cancer using the same. The composition of a diagnostic biomarker for stomach cancer and the method of diagnosing stomach cancer using the same may be useful to determine stomach cancer from a patient with suspected stomach cancer.
US09222945B2

The invention relates to a method and kit for identifying chronic or acute mammalian wound tissue or for determining the prognosis of mammalian wound tissue based upon the identification of at least one key set of molecular markers or genes whose expression pattern is indicative of a given wound type and so representative of a given prognosis.
US09222926B1

A system and method for tagging, tracking, locating and identifying people and vehicles transporting people using Perfluorocarbon tracers. An on-going problem faced by military as well as law enforcement personnel is that of friendly fire incidents. To prevent possible friendly-fire incidents, troops would separate the two layers of the uniform patch, thereby releasing a controlled release of the Perfluorocarbon vapors. Other “friendly” troops, equipped with sensors tuned to the specific perfluorocarbon characteristics would thus be able to literally view a plume around the tagged person or object. The system may conversely be used to tag enemies. Formulations of mixed perfluorocarbons may be used to provide coding of emissions.
US09222921B2

A real-time method and analytical system for determining haloacetic acids in water which operate by: (1) extracting samples on ion-exchange absorbent medium; (2) concentrating haloacetic acids on hyper-crosslinked medium; (3) eluting the analytes from the concentration medium for injection into an HPLC system; (4) separating individual haloacetic acid in reverse-phase chromatography performed by the HPLC system; and (5) measuring optical characteristics (UV-absorbance) of haloacetic acids, to determine concentration. The entire process can be performed using a completely self-contained, in-situ mechanism that sits at a water distribution point for 24/7 testing, with automated control, monitoring, reporting, and employment of remedial measures (e.g., automated adjustment of the water treatment process).
US09222919B2

A process to monitor unwanted formation of a polymer having internal mechanical strain is disclosed. The acoustic emission generated by polymer formation is detected by one or more acoustic sensors attached to a piece of equipment.
US09222916B2

A feed-through coil arrangement for an apparatus that tests long products via eddy current includes an exciter coil arrangement with an exciter coil having a passage opening for the long product, and a receiver coil arrangement around the opening. The receiver coil arrangement includes two segment coil arrangements distributed over the passage circumference, wherein each segment coil arrangement has a detection range covering only a circumferential section of the long product circumference. The segment coil arrangements are distributed over two shells surrounding the opening at different distances to a reference axis. First segment coil arrangements on a first shell are without reciprocal overlapping and second segment coil arrangements on a second shell are without reciprocal overlapping. The first and second segment coil arrangements are arranged circumferentially offset to one another such that the second segment coil arrangements detect circumferential sections not covered by the first segment coil arrangements.
US09222910B2

A biosensor system including the underfill management system determines the analyte concentration in a sample from the at least one analytic output signal value. The underfill management system includes an underfill recognition system and an underfill compensation system. The underfill recognition system determines whether the test sensor initially is substantially full-filled or underfilled, indicates when the sample volume is underfilled so that additional sample may be added to the test sensor, and starts or stops the sample analysis in response to the sample volume. The underfill recognition system also may determine the initial degree of underfill. After the underfill recognition system determines the initial fill state of the test sensor, the underfill compensation system compensates the analysis based on the initial fill state of the test sensor to improve the measurement performance of the biosensor system for initially underfilled test sensors.
US09222908B2

Described herein is a device comprising: a plurality of first reaction electrodes arranged in an array, the plurality of first reaction electrodes configured to be exposed to a fluid and having a capacitance; first circuitry configured to controllably set the plurality of first reaction electrode to a predetermined voltage and allow the capacitance of the plurality of first reaction electrode to charge or discharge through the fluid; and second circuitry configured to measure a rate of charging or discharging of the capacitance of the plurality of first reaction electrodes. Also described herein is a method of using this device to sequence DNA.
US09222907B2

Sensors include nano-porous alumina membranes that are sensitized by immobilization of antibodies in the nano-pores. The nano-membranes can be sensitized to respond to a single target compound, or different portions of the nano-membrane can be differently sensitized. Capture of the target compound can be detected based on a spectral signature associated with electrical conductance in the nano-pores.
US09222904B2

A railroad track monitoring system is described which detects changes in rail track geometry that could lead to derailments, The changes in geometry are detected via analysis of temperature and stress parameters that are collected at one or more sensors installed on the track. Methods are described which provide faster detection and reduced false alerts, thereby saving time and expense to the railroad system.
US09222899B2

An X-ray Talbot interferometer includes a first grating configured to diffract X-rays from an X-ray source and form an interference pattern, a second grating configured to block a portion of X-rays that form the interference pattern, and a detector configured to detect X-rays from the second grating. An inspection object is disposed between the X-ray source and the second grating. The second grating includes a first shield grating portion in which a shield portion and a transmissive portion are arranged periodically at a first period and a second shield grating portion. The first period is expressed as ps×n×Ls/(Ls+Lf), where ps denotes a size of pixels that the detector has, n denotes a positive integer, Ls denotes a distance from the X-ray source to the first shield grating portion, and Lf denotes a distance from the first shield grating portion to the detector.
US09222894B2

A detection device detecting a state of a toner image, an image forming apparatus including a detection device and method of detection are provided. The detection device includes a detector having a light window where light passes through and detecting a state of a toner image formed on an image bearing member via the light window, and a cleaner removing a pollutant attached to a surface of the light window. The cleaner includes an adsorption unit formed of a conductive material and reciprocating while being in contact with the surface of the light window and a voltage applying unit applying a voltage for adsorbing the pollutant to the adsorption unit.
US09222888B2

Chlorophyll fluorometry may be used for detecting toxins in a sample because of changes in micro algae. A portable lab on a chip (“LOAC”) based chlorophyll fluorometer may be used for toxin detection and environmental monitoring. In particular, the system may include a microfluidic pulse amplitude modulated (“PAM”) chlorophyll fluorometer. The LOAC PAM chlorophyll fluorometer may analyze microalgae and cyanobacteria that grow naturally in source drinking water.
US09222880B2

A probe for underground sensing of materials of interest, for example chemicals such as explosives, includes a probe body that is capable of being inserted into the ground, and one or more sensors that are able to sense one or more materials in the vicinity of at least a portion of the probe body. The sensor(s) may include a light source that directs light to the vicinity of the portion of the probe body, and a light detector, such as a photosensor or spectrometer, that detects reflected light from the material around the probe body. The reflected light may be analyzed to determine the presence of one or more materials of interest, such as chemicals used in explosive devices. The probe may be part of a vehicle used to detect and neutralize buried explosive devices, with the probe for example being on an articulable arm of the vehicle.
US09222872B2

A nozzle tip formed from a cylindrical body defining a longitudinal axis and a frustoconical body adjoining the cylindrical body on the longitudinal axis. The cylindrical body may be in fluid communication with the frustoconical body. The frustoconical body may end in a flat surface with a nozzle exit orifice which is transverse to the longitudinal axis. There may be a cutout at the edge of the frustoconical body and the flat surface. The flow cytometer system may also include a source of electromagnetic radiation for producing a beam incident upon the fluid stream and the particles and a detector for detecting light emitted or reflected from the particles within the fluid stream in response to the beam.
US09222867B2

A sensor system is formed from a micro machined resonant structure with multiple resonant elements, a tracking resonator control electronics, and signal processing algorithms. The moving elements of the resonator are coated with chemically active materials that change mass when exposed to the target chemical resulting in a change in frequency or period of oscillation. The changes in frequency or period are processed by multi-sensor chemical detection algorithms to identify chemical types and concentrations. In essence, the resonator and drive electronics form a closed loop oscillator operating at the resonator's natural frequency. The resonators are formed from silicon using photolithographic processes. The resonator design includes in-plane resonant motion combined with dynamic balance to operate with a high Q even in the presence of atmospheric pressure.
US09222864B2

An apparatus and method are provided for evaluating the backface signature of flat panel ballistic resistant composites with accuracy, repeatability and improved correlation to the expected backface signature of shaped ballistic resistant composites in actual field use. The apparatus separates the composite from a clay backing material with a suitable spacer so that the bulk of the backface deformation is inside an air gap space with minimal clay disturbance, thereby eliminating conventional testing error and producing an accurate test result.
US09222861B2

An apparatus (2) with a chain (1) that is arranged endlessly circulateable in the apparatus (2) includes a measuring apparatus (3) for measuring the stretching or elongation of the chain (1), with a first signal pick-up (4) and with a second signal pick-up (5), which are arranged at a spacing distance (D) relative to one another, which extends in the running direction over several chain links (6) of the chain (1). A first element for signal generation (7) is arranged on a first chain link (6.1) in such a manner so that with a circulating chain (1) a signal is produced upon running past the first signal pick-up (4). Several further elements for signal generation (8) are arranged on a second chain link (6.2) in such a manner so that with a circulating chain (1) a further signal is generated with each one of these further elements (8) upon running past the second signal pick-up (5). During one circulation of the chain (1), the number (NS2) of signals at the second signal pick-up (5) is counted, which are produced before a first signal is produced at the first signal pick-up (4).
US09222860B2

The present invention provides a tapping hammer for tapping test, which can help a user to accurately control the tapping force during a tapping test. The tapping hammer comprises a hammerhead and a handle supporting the hammerhead, and further comprises an alarm, a power source and a conductor, a hollowed-out region is provided in the interior of the hammerhead, the hammerhead is elastically deformable and electrically connected to a first electrode of the power source; the conductor is fixed in the interior hollowed-out region, not electrically connected to the hammerhead while no tapping force is exerted on the hammerhead and electrically connected to the hammerhead while a tapping force larger than a certain amount is exerted on the hammerhead; a first electrode of the alarm is connected to the conductor, a second electrode of the alarm is connected to a second electrode of the power source.
US09222857B2

This disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for spreading a fluid across a substrate. A spreader for spreading a fluid across a substrate includes a wiper and a frame. The wiper and the frame may mate to permit translation of the wiper across, and with respect to, the frame. The wiper spreads the fluid across the substrate and the frame supports the wiper and the substrate. The frame may also include a ramp to cause a portion of the wiper to lift away from the substrate.
US09222852B2

In a method for detecting the operational readiness of a jump lambda sensor associated with an internal combustion engine the internal resistance of the sensor is determined as the criterion for the operational readiness of the sensor. The internal resistance is measured by applying a pulsed current to the sensor, the frequency of the current being selected as a function of the state of the sensor (1, 2, 3, 4).
US09222851B2

A mass-airflow measurement conversion apparatus for internal combustion engine carburetors includes a plurality of pressure sensors disposed at different location along an air intake path of an internal combustion engine, each sensor adapted to sense a pressure of air flowing into the internal combustion engine and output an electrical signal as a pressure signal corresponding to the sensed air pressure; and a calculation section which receives the pressure signals and generates a mass air flow signal as an output signal based on the received pressure signals.
US09222846B2

A tactile sensor includes a first substrate including a plurality of first electrodes, a second substrate including a plurality of second electrodes corresponding to the plurality of first electrodes, and a dielectric substance disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein a second electrode corresponding to any one of the first electrodes is offset in one direction with respect to the any one of the first electrodes while a second electrode corresponding to another first electrode neighboring the any one of the first electrodes is offset in another direction.
US09222836B2

A system and method for improving the outcome and consistency of hair coloring is provided. In an example method, an image of hair having a sample color may be received. A color space characteristic associated with the hair sample may be determined. An indication of a target color may be received. A colorant formulation may be identified for changing the hair from the sample color to the target color.
US09222832B2

The invention relates to a device for detecting and monitoring ingredients or properties of a measurement medium, for example physiological blood values, wherein said device contains a light source (20) for generating broad-spectrum measurement light (2) and for acting on a measurement area (3), and means (9) for fanning out the analysis light (4) reflected by the measurement area (3). The device also has a sensor array (11) for picking up the fanned light. The sensor array (11), the light source (20) and the means for dispersing the analysis light (4) are arranged as a compact unit in a housing.
US09222824B1

A sensor system for determining the position of a gas-liquid interface on a surface includes a light source and photo detectors spaced along the surface and capable of detecting reflections from the light source. The photo detectors are joined to a processor which determines if the detectors have received a reflection when the gas phase of the gas-liquid interface contacts the surface. An optical guide can be provided having the light source and detectors positioned therein. The guide is positioned in the region of the gas-liquid interface. The guide can utilize total internal reflection to distribute light to the detectors where light strikes a gas-guide interface whereas light striking a liquid-guide interface is refracted through the interface.
US09222823B2

An oscillating device for a fill-level measurement system includes a drive element in operative connection with a diaphragm. The drive housing receives the drive element at an open-ended front side and includes a first housing part and a second housing part in an operative axially interfitting arrangement proximate the drive element. A flexible conductor in operative connection joins the drive element and extends in a sung-fit arrangement between the first housing part and the second housing part providing improved operative performance.
US09222822B2

A system and method for measuring oil level and quality is provided. The system and method uses an alternating current (AC) to determine oil level, and a lower frequency alternating current, or a direct current (DC), to measure oil quality. The system may comprise a single sensor that is used to measure both oil quality (by providing the lower frequency alternating current or direct current) and oil level (by providing the higher frequency alternating current). Using the lower frequency AC, or DC, enables the resistance of the oil to be determined, which gives an accurate indication of the oil quality.
US09222821B2

Disclosed is a method of determining a volume of liquid in a sample tube, comprising the steps of capturing an image of the sample tube, determining a first region of interest within the sample tube based upon pre-stored information concerning dimensional properties of the sample tube, scanning the first region of interest to detect the position of a meniscus indicative of an upper extent of the liquid, and using said meniscus position together with certain pre-stored properties of the sample tube to determine a volume of liquid in the tube, and outputting said volume. Also disclosed is an apparatus for performing the method.
US09222819B2

Electrochemical impedance may be used for accurate and real-time tracking and control of fluid delivery from fluid-filled chambers, such as from drug delivery devices. At least two measurement electrodes may be placed within the chamber in contact with the fluid to be sensed. Application of a small alternating current using these electrodes through the fluid/drug may allow measurement of electrochemical impedance. Volumetric changes of the compressible chamber due to movement of at least one surface within the compressible chamber (such as an actuating bellows or flexible diaphragm), may induce changes in the measured electrochemical impedance. Measuring these changes may allow for tracking of ejected liquid volumes from the compressible chamber. By taking the time-derivative of this signal, the rate of volume change can be tracked and therefore the rate of ejected fluid (flow rate) can be deduced.
US09222818B2

The invention relates to a fluid meter (27) comprising a housing (28) defining at least one crankcase (29) and two cylinders (25, 26), a crankshaft (11) disposed in the crankcase (29), two pistons (3, 4) respectively mounted in the cylinders (25, 26) for reciprocal movement, a first connecting rod (12) connected to one of the pistons (3) and to the crankshaft (11) for rotating the crankshaft (11) in response to the movement of the one piston (3), and a second connecting rod (13) connected to the other piston (4) and to the crankshaft (11) for rotating the crankshaft (11) in response to the movement of the other piston (4), wherein the first and second connecting rods (12, 13) have yoke slots (16, 17) for receiving a crank pin (19) radially offset from the crankshaft (11). The invention is characterised in that the first connecting rod (12) has a guiding rod (20) extending in a longitudinal direction of the cylinders, the guiding rod (20) being adapted to engage a corresponding cavity (22) in the second connecting rod (13) to support and guide the connecting rods (12, 13) in relation to each other during movement. The invention further relates to a multiple fluid meter assembly (61) comprising at least two fluid meters (27) as defined above, and to a fuel dispensing unit comprising a fluid meter (27) or a multiple fluid meter (61) as defined above.
US09222816B2

In some embodiments, an apparatus can be configured to detect gas usage. The apparatus can include: (a) a processing module configured to run on a computational unit; and (b) a sensing unit configured to be coupled to a gas regulator, the sensing unit having: (1) at least one acoustic sensor configured to detect two or more acoustic signals produced by the gas regulator and convert the two or more acoustic signals into one or more first data signals; and (2) a transmitter electrically coupled to the at least one acoustic sensor and configured to transmit the one or more first data signals to the computational unit. The processing module is configured to use the one or more first data signals to determine the gas usage. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09222793B2

A communication-based navigation system that detects a traffic volume change and searches for a route. The system comprises terminal retaining geographic information and generating a route request and a traffic condition check request; traffic analysis server having at least one database corresponding to and in communication with the terminal; and service server receiving route request from the terminal for searching for route and transmitting searched route to the terminal and traffic analysis server, and relaying the traffic condition check request from the terminal to traffic analysis server. Traffic analysis server stores in database the searched route from service server and traffic conditions in the searched route and is responsive to the traffic condition check request signal for detecting traffic condition change from comparing a current traffic condition in the searched route with a previous traffic condition stored in the database and for transmitting the traffic condition change.
US09222788B2

Various embodiments pertain to techniques for proactively delivering navigation options to a user via a mobile device. In various embodiments, one or more navigation options can be determined for the user and delivered to the user's mobile device at a relevant time. Navigation options can be selected based on the user's current location, the user's future plans, the time, and other locally relevant information, such as friends nearby or a nearby favorite location of the user. The navigation options can be delivered to the user's mobile device at a time that the navigation options are relevant.
US09222785B2

Navigation systems for use in indoor environments may include a navigation system that can calculate a time of flight of signals between a navigation device and a WiFi® Access Point. Such a calculation can be more accurate not just by using more accurate oscillators in devices, but by correcting a relative error between two devices. This relative error may be found by determining a timing offset correction, a difference in accuracy between the navigation device and the WiFi® Access Point. This may be performed by performing a fine frequency estimation on a long training field or by receiving a parts per million (ppm) offset from another device. Once the ppm offset is determined, the accuracy of the navigation device can be improved by a factor of 50 using a series of equations described in the disclosure.
US09222779B2

Provided herein is a method, apparatus and computer program product for the collaborative presentation of information relating to a travel route. In particular, the method may include providing for display of primary information on a display of a first device, providing for display of ancillary of information on a display of a second device, receiving location information at the first device, and updating the ancillary information provided for display on the display of the second device in response to receiving the location information at the first device. The primary information may include route-guidance information for a route. The ancillary information may include information associated with the route. The ancillary information may include additional information relative to the primary information. The ancillary information may include point-of-interest information along the route.
US09222774B2

Disclosed is a clinocompass for measuring a strike and a dip on an irregular geological outcrop and a method of measuring the strike and the dip by using the same. Since the level meter of the clinometer is supported by providing a support force and a fixing force on an irregular geological outcrop having no exposed flat plane, the clinocompass serves as a supporting member or a fixing member for the measurement of the strike and the dip on an irregular geological outcrop having no exposed flat plane. Accordingly, the clinocompass has a structure to measure the strike and the dip suitable for the geological structure and the orientation of the outcrop having no exposed flat plane, so that the strike and the dip are usefully measured.
US09222770B1

A gradient measuring apparatus includes a gimbal assembly operably supported in a construction vehicle for viewing by an operator to see gradient indications in fore-aft and sideways directions. The gimbal assembly includes an outer orb with pointer that moves with the vehicle, and an inner orb with concentric circles that stays in a true vertical by gravitational forces, the combination of which simultaneously accurately reflects a fore-aft and sideways grade at which a ground surface is being cut in an excavating process.
US09222753B2

The invention relates to a reticle with a visible pattern in a transparent substrate for a telescope. The pattern of the reticle is made of open grooves which are engraved in a surface of the transparent substrate, wherein the engraved open grooves define groove surfaces at an angle to said substrate surface in which the open grooves are engraved. The groove surfaces have a surface roughness which is large enough to scatter light directed onto the reticle perpendicular to the substrate surface when the reticle is illuminated in transmission mode, such that the pattern becomes visible relative to the remaining substrate surface by said light scattering at the groove surfaces in the transmission mode when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the substrate surface. The reticle is produced with direct laser engraving of the grooves.
US09222748B2

A projectile launcher containing a top mounted striker launching mechanism capable of propelling a projectile or object is disclosed. In one aspect, the projectile launcher includes a bolt, a valve, and a striker. The bolt containing an air channel and a bolt carrier is situated inside a receiver of the projectile launcher. The bolt is used to facilitate launch of a projectile. The valve, which is situated inside the receiver above a firing chamber away from ground, is operable to control the release of pressurized gas for propelling the projectile. The striker, which is coupled to the bolt via the bolt carrier and is physically situated above the bolt away from the ground, is able to strike a valve pin of the valve to release a predefined amount of pressurized gas for propelling the projectile from the firing chamber to a target.
US09222746B2

A trigger assembly for a fire arm including a breechblock moving between a base position and a charging position. The trigger assembly includes a catch lever moving between a resting position and a catch position. The trigger assembly includes a trigger element moving between a non-actuation and an actuation position to transfer the catch lever from the catch position into the resting position, and a release element moving between a hold position and a release position for releasing the catch lever. The release element is transferred from the hold position into the release position by the breechblock moving toward the charging position. The release element pivots about a release-element axis movable relative to the trigger element so the release element in the non-actuation position moves out of a movement space of the breechblock when the trigger is secured via a breechblock moving towards the base position.
US09222741B2

Safety system for a hand gun to prevent unauthorized use, with a blocking cartridge inserted and locked in the chamber of a hand gun, wherein upon manipulating said blocking cartridge in an internally located reaction chamber the individual components of an adhesive system are brought together, whereupon following the reaction of the components, the still-pasty adhesive system spreads and escapes through openings in the wall of the blocking cartridge and, after hardening, firmly adheres the blocking cartridge to the chamber. The blocking cartridge can be released only by an authorized institution or person equipped with a connection-releasing technology that is matched by the manufacturer to the composition of the adhesive system.
US09222740B1

A battery-powered trigger-locking device, which is configured to be disposed on a gun with a trigger for firing, includes a data receiver, a data memory and a logic device for determining whether data received by the receiver is the same, or substantially the same, as data stored in the memory. If a data match is indicated, the logic device causes an electromagnetic device to move a trigger-locking member to an unlocked position, permitting the gun to be fired. A separate electronic gun key is provided to transmit gun unlock data to the data receiver of the trigger-locking device. This gun unlock data may be a password, a long pseudo-random number or biologic data identifying the gun owner or some other person who is licensed or otherwise authorized to fire the gun.
US09222729B2

There is provided a heating device, in particular an austenitization device, for a plant for hot forming blanks, wherein the heating device is for locally heating, in particular austenitization, regions of the blanks and has at least one burner. Also included is means for moving the burner and/or the flame of the burner to the regions of the blank which are to be subjected to local heating.
US09222724B2

The method provides liquefaction of a natural gas by carrying out the following stages: cooling the natural gas; feeding the cooled natural gas into a fractionating column so as to separate a methane-rich gas phase and a liquid phase rich in compounds heavier than ethane; and liquefying the methane-rich stream so as to obtain the liquid natural gas. According to the invention, the operating conditions in the fractionating column are so selected that said liquid phase comprises a molar proportion of methane ranging between 10% and 150% of the molar proportion of ethane.
US09222709B2

A solar thermal air conditioning unit is provided. The solar thermal air condition unit includes a pressurized water tank with a water entrance port for receiving water. A copper coil tube may be within the pressurized water tank. The copper coiled tube may include a liquid refrigerant inlet and a gas refrigerant outlet. A solar heat converter may be connected to the pressurized water tank and may heat the water within the pressurized water tank, thereby heating the copper coil tube. The liquid refrigerant may be injected into the copper coil tube via the liquid refrigerant inlet and travels through the copper coil and is heated, thereby turning the liquid refrigerant to a gas refrigerant.
US09222708B2

According to one embodiment, a magnetic refrigeration device includes magnetic bodies, a magnetic field application unit, a thermal storage medium, and a heat transfer unit. The magnetic bodies are arrayed at an interval. The application unit applies and removes a magnetic field to and from the magnetic bodies, respectively. The medium is arranged to face at least one of the magnetic bodies. The medium has no Curie point within a range of a temperature change of the magnetic bodies and removal. The heat transfer unit selectively brings the medium into thermal contact with the magnetic bodies or thermally isolates the medium from the magnetic bodies, and transfers heat from the magnetic bodies to the medium or from the medium to the magnetic bodies in synchronism with magnetic field application and removal.
US09222706B2

A refrigeration cycle apparatus achieves efficient operation by constantly recovering power in a wide operating range. The refrigeration cycle apparatus regulates a pressure of a high pressure side by changing either one or both of an opening degree of the intermediate-pressure bypass valve and an opening degree of the pre-expansion valve on the basis of a density ratio that is obtained from an inflow refrigerant density of the expander and an inflow refrigerant density of the sub-compressor in an actual operating state and a design volume ratio that has been expected at the time of design and that is obtained from a stroke volume of the sub-compressor, a stroke volume of the expander, and a ratio of a flow rate of the refrigerant flowing to the sub-compressor.
US09222696B2

An integrated water heating system is comprised of a hot water holding tank having an outer jacket secured in spaced relationship therearound. An insulating space is defined about the hot water holding tank and the outer jacket. A connecting bracket is secured to an outer surface of the hot water holding tank and has a projecting formation provided with an arcuate connecting wall spaced a predetermined distance from the outer surface for close fit adjacent an inner surface of the outer jacket and disposed for alignment with an external support bracket adapted to be secured thereto through the outer jacket. Thermal insulating material is disposed in the insulating space and about the connecting bracket. An external water heating device is removably supported by the external support bracket. A pump circulates water through the water heating device and through the hot water holding tank.
US09222693B2

Systems and methods are described for interactively and graphically interfacing with a user on an HVAC system controlled by a thermostat. The user interface is implemented on a touch screen display on a remote wirelessly connected device such as smartphone or a tablet PC. The interface displays a screen that mimics the display on the thermostat including allowing one or more input methods that are analogous to input methods used on the thermostat. Touch screen gestures such as touch and drag, touch and hold and tapping are used in an intuitive way. The user experience is enhanced by allowing large-scale changes while reducing the risk of sudden unintended changes. The control signals are judiciously tailored to protect the HVAC equipment from unwarranted over-controlling, reduce unnecessary network traffic, and prevent the waste of energy.
US09222685B2

A method for controlling performance of an MCM capable support surface having a flowpath for guiding a stream of air along at least a portion of the surface, comprises specifying a desired evaporative rate greater than an evaporative rate achievable with unconditioned ambient air, chilling the unconditioned ambient air to a temperature at least as low as that required to achieve 100% relative humidity, thereby demoisturizing the air, and supplying the chilled, demoisturized air to the flowpath. The method may also include the step of heating the chilled, demoisturized air prior to step of supplying it to the flowpath. A system for carrying out the method includes a microclimate management (MCM) capable support surface 22, a chiller 60 for cooling air to be delivered to the MCM capable surface, a user interface 42 for receiving instructions concerning desired microclimate management performance, and a controller 50, responsive to the instructions, for operating the chiller.
US09222675B2

A combustion chamber head of a gas turbine has a base plate 113 provided with a centric recess 121 in which at least one burner 106 is arranged, with the base plate 113 being connected to walls of the combustion chamber 108 and to a burner seal 116 sealing the burner 106 towards the rim of the recess 121. The burner seal 116 is arranged upstream of the base plate 113 and can be brought into contact with a collar 118 provided on the base plate 113 and forming the rim of the centric recess 121. A holding element 117 of the burner seal 116 is formed as a ring and arranged upstream of the burner seal 116 and engages with at least one projection 114 of the base plate 113 in a tension-free state.
US09222669B2

The present invention relates to a gas combustor, comprising: a gas intake valve, the bottom of a valve tube axially formed in a valve member is installed with a filter member, a first spring is installed above the filter member and inside the valve tube, the top of a valve pin is protruded out of a tube opening formed at and communicated with the top of the valve tube, a plug outwardly protruded at the bottom of the valve pin is abutted against the first spring, the plug is enabled to seal the tube opening through the first spring being stretched, and when the top of the valve pin is axially subject to a force, the valve pin and the plug are downwardly moved, the first spring is compressed thereby enabling the tube opening to be opened.
US09222655B2

The invention proposes a lighting system comprising a plurality of modules, the modifies respectively comprising: a housing provided with an exit window; at least one light source provided in the housing; wherein the lighting system further comprises: a controller arranged to drive light sources, an electrical circuit arranged to connect light sources with the controller, the electrical circuit further comprising a first pair of electrical contacts provided in a first module and a second pair of electrical contacts provided in a second module, the first and second pair of contacts being arranged for a mutual electrical connection.
US09222654B2

A luminaire having a housing defining one or more unthreaded mounting holes therein, a connector having a head and a shaft, the connector shaft located at least partially in one of the one or more mounting holes, the connector shaft comprised of a pliable material, a circuit board mounted to the housing by the connector head, the circuit board populated with one or more LEDs, and a lens resting against and spaced form the circuit board by the connector head.
US09222653B2

A luminaire carried by a lighting fixture, having a generally concave-shaped housing defining an optical chamber and an aperture, and a plurality of lighting devices each having a heat sink, a light source, and a magnetic attachment member. Each lighting device may be positioned about the inner surface of the housing. The magnetic attachment member may magnetically bind a lighting device to pads proximate to ferromagnetic material in the housing. Light emitted by the light source may enter the optical chamber and pass through the aperture in a generally orthogonal direction in relation to the orientation of the device. Electrical power may be delivered by one or more power supply units of either an external or an on-board type, and by using either inductive or conductive coupling. Network interfaces may enable communication of control instructions among a multiple controllers located either within a single luminaire or distributed among multiple luminaires.
US09222651B1

An LED light fixture has an extruded base housing element defining an opening which is removably bridged by a metal heat sink to which is mounted at least one LED. A plastic cover lens has deflectable legs with axial concave elements which engage with outwardly facing convex elements on cover mount members which protrude from the heat sink on either side of the LED. The LED power supply may be supported in a compartment above the heat sink. The cover lens has a wrap-around connection to the heat sink cover mount members which is tolerant of variation in heat sink extrusion dimensions, and which is insensitive to variations in main housing element dimensions. Alternative trim elements and cover lenses allow field configuration of the fixture to various applications.
US09222644B2

The present invention provides an optical assembly, a backlight unit having the same, and a display apparatus thereof, and the optical assembly includes: a light emitting device; and a lens disposed above the light emitting device, and the lens has: a lower surface portion through which light emitted from the light emitting device travels inside; an upper surface portion that totally reflects at least some of the light traveling inside through the lower surface portion, downward to the side; and a side portion through which the light totally reflected from the upper surface portion is discharged to the outside.
US09222624B2

A fluid pressure reduction device includes a radial and axial fluid flow path in stacked disks. The stacked disks form a fluid flow path including at least two pressure reduction stages, a first pressure reduction stage being oriented so that the fluid flowpath is directed radially outward and a second pressure reduction stage being oriented so that the fluid flowpath is directed radially inward.
US09222621B2

To provide a gas filling system capable of optimizing filling of a gas tank depending on the cooling capability of a gas station. A gas filling system comprises: a vehicle having a gas tank; a gas station having a cooling device that cools a gas from a gas supply source, the gas station discharging the gas cooled by the cooling device to fill the gas tank with the gas, and a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the gas cooled by the cooling device on the upstream side of the gas tank. The vehicle has a first controller that determines the filling flow rate of the gas to the gas tank based on the gas temperature detected by the temperature sensor.
US09222617B1

A universal bird feeder hanger system is a low cost cable and pulley apparatus that allows a user to easily raise and lower a birdfeeder for maintenance. A metal plastic coated cable has a loop at each end that is routed through a pulley. The proximate end attaches to a ground screw anchor via a first carabiner and the distal end attaches to a birdfeeder via a second carabiner hook. In between, the pulley is attached to a support structure such as a gutter. The birdfeeder is raised and lowered by disconnecting the proximate end from the ground screw anchor and moving toward or away from the birdfeeder.
US09222616B2

Embodiments provide a counterbalancing lift mechanism for raising and lowering an electronic display. The lift mechanism includes a moving bracket in sliding engagement with a support bracket. As the moving bracket moves relative to the support bracket, a spring assembly deflects to provide a force to offset the weight of the load. A transition assembly manages the deflection of the spring assembly relative to movement of the moving bracket such that the necessary range of deflection is shorter than the moving bracket's desired range of travel. The lift mechanism also includes a cam assembly to convert the variable force from the spring assembly to a substantially constant force. In some cases the spring assembly, transition assembly, and cam assembly are all mounted to the moving bracket and move with the display. Methods for positioning an electronic display are also provided.
US09222609B1

A seal for use with a first coupling element and a second coupling element has an annular configuration. The seal has an inner wall and an outer wall. The seal has a first portion, a central portion and a second portion. The central portion extends outwardly of the first portion and the second portion. A channel is formed in the central portion so as to have one end opening to the outer wall at the first portion and an opposite end opening to the outer wall at the second portion. The seal is formed of a metallic material. The outer wall at the central portion has a generally V-shaped configuration.
US09222608B2

A resin pipe joint including: a synthetic resin-made joint body including an inner cylinder portion, an external thread portion, and a radial groove m into which an end of a tube enters; and a union nut that is made of a transparentable fluorine resin, and the union nut including an internal thread portion, a seal peripheral edge which presses a tip end portion of a tube flared portion, a slipping-off prevention peripheral edge which is actable on a large-diameter portion of a flaring changing region, and a pressing inner peripheral portion which is externally fittable to a flared straight portion.
US09222606B2

A supply hose includes a core tube, a first layer, a second layer, and a sheath. The core tube defines a hollow interior that surrounds a central axis and is configured to transport fluid therethrough. The first layer and/or the second layer provide tensile strength to the supply line. The first layer is disposed about the core tube and includes a plurality of first fibers. The first fibers are braided about the core tube at a first angle, relative to the central axis. The second layer is disposed directly on the exterior surface of the first layer and includes a plurality of second fibers. The second fibers are braided about the exterior surface of the first layer at a second angle, relative to the central axis. The sheath may be disposed about the second layer.
US09222604B2

Embodiments of seal device prevent migration of vapor into compartments that house electronics in a fuel dispensing unit. These embodiments deploy about conduits in a vapor barrier to seal gaps between the conduit and opening in plates of the vapor barrier and/or other components that separate the electronics from fuel-handing components. In one or more embodiments, the sealing device forms a radial seal about the conduit and a planar seal with the vapor barrier, where the sealing device is configured to maintain the planar seal and to allow relative movement of the conduit with respect to the vapor barrier in the opening. This relative movement can occur as a result of connection of the conduit to the fuel-handling components, e.g., a motor that can change position due to operation and/or natural settling of the support structure that supports the motor in the dispensing unit.
US09222603B2

Sleeves are attached to a bracket bar to support multiple chords. The solid sleeves are mounted to the bracket bar in a substantially parallel orientation. The sleeves are configured to receive and support cords. Clamps may be attached to the sleeves and may secure the cords within the sleeves.
US09222601B2

A processing machine for workpiece processing has a sliding member which can be moved relative to a machine body along a travel channel from a first position into a second position and vice versa. The sliding member is connected to the machine body by at least one energy guiding chain that is at least partially disposed within the travel channel. The energy guiding chain has a plurality of chain members coupled in a flexible manner and the chain members have edge projections supported on shoulders on either side of the travel channel.
US09222600B2

A valve assembly comprises a valve body comprising a plug chamber. A static seal is disposed adjacent an inner sidewall of the plug chamber, and a plug comprising a plug head is moveably positioned within the plug chamber, the plug head being configured to contact the static seal only when the plug is adjacent to a seat ring. Methods of using a valve and methods of forming a valve assembly are also disclosed.
US09222599B2

A self-closing water-saving valve assembly has a casing, a seat, a pushing rod, a closing member and a stand. When said valve assembly is switched off, the closing member and the stand slow down the closing movement into a gradual manner, which can effectively reduce positive and negative pressure waves generated in the water pipe. Noises and damage to the water pipe are also prevented. Besides, the pushing rod is moved down by gravity and slight water pushing, which eliminates the problems of wear and speeded-up movement of the pushing rod. Therefore, the valve assembly has prolonged lifespan. In addition, the water pressure is not directly applied on the pushing rod and only slight water pushes the pushing rod such that it is easier for a user to push the pushing rod to switch on the valve assembly.
US09222597B2

A transfer valve system includes an improved double block and bleed transflow valve system which uses six valves and uses one single spindle interconnecting the inlet and outlet transflow valves, which valves also drive a gear train mechanism connecting all six valve stems. As such, by operating one main spindle connected to the two inlet and outlet transflow valves, all six valves of this double block and bleed configuration operate simultaneously and assure an uninterrupted flow of fluid from one device to another standby device. The transflow valve system also is formed of separable components to form both single and double block and bleed configurations.
US09222588B2

A tip-resistant valve plug comprises a valve head, first and second retention legs, and an anti-tip fin. The valve head defines a fluid barrier. The anti-tip fin and the retention legs extend from the same side of the valve head. The anti-tip fin comprises a groove that allows the valve head to flex along a longitudinal fin axis; the anti-tip fin extends from the side of the valve head to a fin height dimension that is greater than a relief spring compression dimension caused by the tip-resistant valve moving between a closed position and an open position; or the valve head has a smaller moment of inertia evaluated in a direction the anti-tip fin extends across the valve head than a moment of inertia evaluated in a direction normal to the direction the anti-tip fin extends across the valve head.
US09222579B2

A belt-drive continuously variable transmission including a lock mechanism for locking a primary moveable sheave of a primary pulley in a highest transmission ratio position. The lock mechanism includes a fixed side axial groove extending on an outer circumferential surface of a primary fixed sheave shaft, a moveable side axial groove extending on an inner circumferential surface of a primary moveable sheave sleeve, an intervening member disposed between the axial grooves, an axial tapered groove formed as a part of at least one of the axial grooves which is disposed corresponding to a highest transmission ratio, and an intervening member displacement limiting member arranged to limit an amount of displacement of the intervening member relative to the primary fixed sheave shaft along the fixed side axial groove or the moveable side axial groove.
US09222576B2

A vehicle includes a transmission, an electrically-driven fluid pump which supplies pressure to a hydraulically-actuated clutch of the transmission, and pump motor sensors positioned with respect to a pump motor of the fluid pump. The sensors are configured to measure electrical properties of the pump motor, and to output the measured electrical properties as input signals. A controller detects when the hydraulic circuit is fully charged by determining an actual speed of the pump motor. The controller calculates an average pump torque and a slope of the average pump torque for the pump motor using the input signals. A flag is set via the controller indicating that a calibrated line pressure has been attained in the hydraulic circuit when the slope of the average pump torque reaches zero and the speed of the pump motor reaches a calibrated speed.
US09222574B2

A detent assembly for selectively engaging a gear in a transmission of a motor vehicle is provided. The detent assembly includes a lever having a first groove and a second groove formed therein. The lever is configured to selectively engage a gear. A ball is provided, which is configured to selectively seat in the first groove, the further, to selectively seat in the second groove. A plate is configured to selectively bias the ball into the first groove, and the plate is further configured to selectively bias the ball into the second groove.
US09222573B2

The structure and the installation of the mechanical transmission linkage to the parking lock is simplified in that the mechanical transmission linkage allows a smooth operation and serves also as an actuating devices having more than one shift gate without requiring complex modifications. An actuating device for selecting gear steps of a shift-by-wire gearshift transmission with a base housing, a selection lever, mechanical transmission for actuating a parking lock, and with a coupling system with a coupling element between the selection lever and the transmission. The transmission is selectively actuated by the coupling element only during selection and/or deselection of the parking lock position on the selection lever. The actuating device has includes the coupling element with a first end which is linearly guided in a slot and a second end which is in certain sections pivotally guided in a slot. The two ends of the coupling element are each supported on both sides in associated slotted tracks in the base housing. The coupling element is indirectly coupled to the selection lever.
US09222568B2

A debris venting cog particularly useful for belt driven bicycle power train systems. The cog includes an outer circumferential surface that is shaped to drivingly interact with a flexible drive member such as a belt. The cog includes a number of cavities that are each shaped to interact with a tooth of the belt. A vent fluidly connects at least one cavity to atmosphere and is shaped to direct debris that can accumulate in the cavity or the belt in a radially inward and lateral direction so as to maintain a desired driving interaction between the belt and the cog.
US09222564B2

A lock-up device basically includes a piston, a first plate, a second plate, a plurality of outer peripheral side torsion springs and a plurality of inner peripheral side torsion springs. The piston is configured to press a friction member that is fixed to a lateral surface of the piston onto a front cover or release pressing of the friction member. Further, the piston has a plurality of engaging portions formed by partially bending the piston towards the turbine. The second plate is coupled to the turbine. The outer peripheral side torsion springs are disposed between the piston and the first plate. The outer peripheral side torsion springs are configured to transmit torque from the piston to the first plate while the circumferential ends thereof are engaged with the engaging portions of the piston.
US09222552B2

A transmission includes a housing, four planetary mechanisms, four clutches, two brakes, plural connection members connecting elements of each of planetary mechanisms one another, an input shaft, and an output shaft. A first connection member at which the third clutch is positioned is positioned at an outer periphery side compared to a second connection member connecting a ring gear of the second planetary mechanism and a carrier of the third planetary mechanism. An installation surface to which a third brake braking a rotation of a connection part is addable and which is opposed to an inner periphery surface of the housing is formed at the connection part connecting the third clutch and a ring gear of the third planetary mechanism among the first connection member.
US09222546B2

An interlocking chain unit includes a stepped rod that determines the positions of case plates in a pair and those of guide plates relative to each other. The stepped rod has a small-diameter part that passes through passage holes of the guide plates respectively. The stepped rod has opposite end portions fitting in countersunk holes respectively formed in respective inner surfaces of the case plates. The stepped rod has a large-diameter part with a guide plate side step abutting on a rim of the passage hole of the guide plate, and a case plate side step abutting on a rim of the countersunk hole of the case plate.
US09222544B2

A device is disclosed for mechanical vibration decoupling having two bearing ends to which bodies for reciprocally decoupling vibrations are joined which are interconnected by couplings having a variably adjustable stiffness. The couplings comprise at least three spring beam elements each having a spring beam surface from which a normal vector extends and which are each dimensionally stable in a longitudinal direction and are elastical orthogonal to the spring beam surface. The at least three spring beam elements are disposed spatially relative to each other so that normal vectors thereof are each orientated at an angle α relative to each other with α=90°±30°.
US09222531B2

A vehicle includes a prime mover, transmission, and controller. The transmission, e.g., a DCT or 8-speed automatic transmission, includes an input member, an output member, gear sets, and a plurality of clutches. The controller monitors the transmission for a threshold tie-up condition via a method, which includes processing clutch control input signals and a gearbox status signal to identify the clutches involved in a present operating mode of the transmission, e.g., a shift, neutral, or fixed gear. The controller determines the torque capacity of each involved clutch, compares the determined clutch torque capacities to respective calibrated clutch torque capacities, and executes a control action in response to a threshold tie-up condition. The threshold tie-up condition is present when the determined clutch torque capacities exceed the calibrated clutch torque capacity for at least one of the involved clutches for longer than a calibrated duration.
US09222530B2

A drive train control arrangement for a motor vehicle drive train includes a main drive train, a first drive axle permanently driven by the main drive train, an auxiliary drive train and a second drive axle coupleable to the main drive train via the auxiliary drive train, which has a first clutch unit and a second clutch unit connected downstream in the power train of the first clutch unit for connecting the second drive axle to the main drive train, and a control unit, which in at least one operating mode that closes the at least one second clutch unit of the auxiliary drive train to shift into a standby operating mode when a defined operating condition is present, and with the standby operating mode activated, closes the first clutch unit of the auxiliary drive train to connect the coupleable second drive axle depending on at least one parameter.
US09222522B2

A device for coupling together two elements mounted to rotate about a common axis of rotation (X) in order to enable one of the elements to be selectively driven in rotation by the other. There are two members (3, 4), one per element, the elements being axially movable relative to each other between a remote decoupled position and an engaged position in which the members provide a rotary connection between the two elements. One of the members forms a plate (3) having a face (P) perpendicular to the axis of rotation and in which a plurality of housings (15) are formed. The other one of the elements carrying rollers (23) that are mounted to rotate about radial axes to project from said element so that each of them can penetrate into any one of the housings and provide a rotary connection between the two members.
US09222521B2

A torque limiting tolerance ring that is configured to be installed between an inner component and an outer component is disclosed. The torque limiting tolerance ring can include a generally cylindrical body that can have a sidewall. The sidewall can include an unformed section and a plurality of projections can extend from the unformed section of the sidewall. The projections can be configured to engage the inner component or the outer component. During use, the torque limiting tolerance ring can move from an engaged configuration, in which the inner component is statically coupled to the outer component, to a disengaged configuration, in which the inner component is disengaged from the outer component.
US09222517B1

A roller bearing system for use with a rotating shaft remains locked to the shaft during thermal expansion and vibrations generated by the rotating shaft. The system includes a first bearing assembly with a first bearing cone connected to the shaft, a tubular member disposed around the shaft and positioned against the first bearing assembly, a disc spring assembly connected to the shaft and positioned between the tubular member and a clearance ring, a second bearing assembly with a second bearing cone connected to the shaft and positioned against the clearance ring, and a locking assembly connected to the shaft and positioned against the second bearing assembly. The locking assembly rotatably adjusts to exert sufficient pressure to lock the first bearing cone to the shaft and enable the disc spring assembly to generate a compression force to lock the second bearing cone to the shaft.
US09222516B2

The sealing performance against positive and negative pressures is increased and sufficient air tightness against pressure fluctuations is maintained in a rolling bearing having a sealing function. Seal members are provided on both ends of a bearing. The seal members include a metal core and an elastic body, and are fixed to an outer ring. Outside and inside lip parts of the seal members contact an outer peripheral surface of an inner ring. When a positive pressure acts on the outside of the seal member, the outside lip part is pressed to the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring, and the air tightness is maintained. When a negative pressure acts, the inside lip part is pressed to the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring by the differential pressure between the outside and inside of the rolling bearing, and the air tightness is also maintained.
US09222513B2

The invention relates to a laminate composite comprising a main body, a porous layer disposed on the main body, and a further material that is or comprises a plastic and that is adhesively bonded to the porous layer, further comprising a fluorothermoplast disposed at a boundary between the porous layer and the further material for bonding the further material to the porous layer. The invention further relates to a method for producing said laminate composite and to a use of a fluorothermoplast for bonding a further material to a porous layer of a laminate composite.
US09222509B2

A wing foil bearing may include one or more wing or tab foil layers. A tab foil layer may comprise a thin material with a two-dimensional array of tab shapes. A tab shape may be defined by a boundary of material separated from the thin material and having an integral edge and a free edge. Tab shapes may include one or more free-state bends relative to the thin material, forming a two-dimensional array of cantilever wings or tabs. Tab arrays may be one or more of various types or two-dimensional arrays, and a tab foil layer may include additional tab arrays and tabs. One or more tab foil layers may be engaged with a mounting surface layer and a counter-surface layer to form a wing foil bearing. Tab foil layers may be stacked and or nested, including partial nesting and complete nesting.
US09222504B2

A deformable washer incorporated into a pivot assembly including a support sector and a rotatable sector pivotally mounted to the support sector by aligning apertures in the sectors which receive a widthwise inserting pin. The washer includes a disk shaped body defining an open interior and such that the body is supported by the pin in a desired sandwiching arrangement between the sectors. Protrusions extend from either or both of first and second annular extending faces of the body exhibiting deformable characteristics such that, a laterally applied compressive force associated with the stacking assembly results in collapse of the protrusions without otherwise affecting the structural integrity of the underlying body and allows for variations in material thickness resulting in a lateral gap at the pivot while reducing instances of lateral play.
US09222503B2

A support system for a support rail includes at least one clamping frame and at least one block-type fastening element. The at least one block-type fastening element is disposed on and fastened to a top surface of the support rail and is mounted in the at least one clamping frame.
US09222498B2

A patient lift connector for attaching and detaching a patient lifting bar to a load supporting member in a patient lifting system is described. The connector includes a connector body including a connecting block configured to be fixedly attached to the patient lifting bar. The connector also includes a pin holder coupled to the load supporting member and configured to be inserted through the connector body and into the connecting block, and an attachment latch secured to the connector body and configured to move between an open position and a closed position within the connector body. When the attachment latch moves from the closed position to the open position, the pin holder is allowed to be inserted into the connecting block and thereby allow the lifting bar to be attached to the load supporting member.
US09222491B2

Embodiments are directed to powering a hydraulic motor pump by powering the hydraulic motor pump from a main bus when power is available from the main bus, powering the hydraulic motor pump from an auxiliary power unit starter motor controller during a start-up of the hydraulic motor pump when power from the main bus is unavailable, and powering the hydraulic motor pump from a generator different than the auxiliary power unit subsequent to starting-up the hydraulic motor pump.
US09222489B2

A two-step hydraulic valve is described. In an implementation, a two-step hydraulic valve with retrograde spool action has a pilot spool that controls hydraulic force applied to a main spool to switch a rod of a hydraulic actuator back-and-forth between extension and retraction. The main spool is hydraulically driven in retrograde motion to the pilot spool, providing improved reliability and switching action for the valve. The pilot spool also has an overtravel feature that can be used to hyperextend the rod for various purposes. In an example system, the two-step hydraulic valve controls a hydraulic actuator connected to drive a submersible reciprocating pump, such as a diaphragm pump.
US09222479B2

A fan includes a fan frame and a fan wheel. The fan frame includes a frame body and at least two vibration-proof members. The frame body has at least two positioning ribs, wherein the at least two positioning ribs protrude from a side wall of the frame body and are distributed symmetrically. Each of the vibration-proof members has a positioning groove. The positioning rib of the frame body is capable of being embedded in the positioning groove of the vibration-proof member so as to position the vibration-proof member on the side wall of the frame body. The fan wheel is rotatably disposed in the fan frame.
US09222468B2

An apparatus harvests energy from motion of a human or animal body segment and provides the energy to an electrical load. The apparatus comprises a generator operatively coupled to the body segment such that particular movement of the body segment causes the generator to output a generator current and to oppose the particular movement of the body segment with a generator torque. An electrical load is coupled to receive the generator current. A control system is operatively connected between the generator and the electrical load and is configured to control the generator torque during the particular movement of the body segment. The apparatus corresponds to various methods for controlling generator torque while harvesting energy.
US09222465B2

In an embodiment of the invention, a non-rotating wind energy generator uses the fluid flow principles of vortex shedding and transverse galloping to generate oscillatory, linear motion of a beam, and linear alternators, optionally located near both ends of the beam, generate electrical power when the beam is in motion.
US09222462B2

A wind turbine includes a turbine housing, a turbine wheel system housed in the turbine housing, and a wind power converting system for converting kinetic energy generated by the turbine wheel system into electrical energy. The turbine wheel system includes a turbine rotor being driven to rotate circumferentially around an interior of the turbine housing, and a rail frame guiding a rotational movement of a turbine rotor. The wind turbine not only allows airflow to move across and through the turbine wheel system but also allows airflow to be directed and exhausted to maximize and control energy generation. The wind turbine is able to efficiently convert wind power to electrical power via a turbine wheel system which allows for the load generated to be distributed across the circumference of the turbine wheel system instead of localized in the center as the traditional wind turbine.
US09222458B2

A mooring system for a plurality of wave energy converters (WECs) includes a multiplicity of anchors coupled to form an array of contiguous hexagonal shaped cells. Each cell has 3 WECs and 3 anchors located at the vertices of the hexagon, with a WEC alternating with an anchor going around the perimeter of the cell. Except for the cells at the edges of the array, each WEC is connected to two anchors of its cell and an anchor of an adjacent contiguous cell. Each WEC is connected to three different anchors via 3 mooring lines spaced 120 degrees apart about the WEC. The ratio of the number of anchors per WEC is decreased by connecting each anchor to more than one WEC. The cells can be arranged to form many different patterns. In one embodiment a plurality of WECs and anchors are deployed in a generally triangular formation extending from an apex of the triangular formation to a base.
US09222456B2

A device for conversion of energy of a wave of water comprises a front (11) and a back (12) opposite the front (11), a top (13) and a bottom (14) opposite the top (13), an inlet chamber (15) which has a partition (16), an inlet valve (17) at the front (11) between the top (13) and the partition (16) and an inlet chamber vent (18), wherein the inlet valve (17) allows flow of water in one direction into the inlet chamber (15). An outlet chamber (19) has an outlet valve (20) between the partition (16) and the bottom (14), and an outlet chamber vent (21) positioned between the partition (16) and the top (13), adapted to maintain atmosperic pressure of air in the outlet chamber (19), wherein the outlet valve (20) allows flow of water in one direction out of the outlet chamber (19). A connecting duet (22) connects the partition (16) of the inlet chamber (15) to the outlet chamber (19), and a generator (41) positioned at least partially in the connecting duct (22) generates electricity in response to wave energy-induced flow of water into the inlet chamber (15).
US09222454B2

A capacitive igniter with a flameout time-delay function is provided. A first terminal of a flameout time-delay circuit is electrically connected with a common connecting point of a charge-discharge circuit and a charging coil L1. A second terminal of the flameout time-delay circuit is electrically connected with a trigger circuit. A third terminal of the flameout time-delay circuit is grounded through a flameout switch S1. By means of the capacitive igniter with the flameout time-delay function, it can be guaranteed that an engine is stably and reliably shut down under the action of the flameout time-delay circuit when the engine needs to be shut down even if the flameout switch S1 is switched off in the flameout process, and the potential safety hazards that the engine works again due to the fact that the flameout switch S1 is switched off in the flameout process can be effectively avoided.
US09222453B2

Methods and systems for controlling an engine that may be automatically stopped and started are presented. In one example, a method adjusts a position of an air inlet throttle according to engine position and in response to an operator change of mind to restart an engine that is being automatically stopped.
US09222437B2

A transition duct for use in a turbine engine is provided. The transition duct includes a radially inner wall and a radially outer wall positioned about the radially inner wall defining a flow passage therebetween. The radially outer wall extends and is contoured from an upstream end to a downstream end of the transition duct. As such, the slope of the radially outer wall increases from the upstream end to a predetermined axial location and decreases from the predetermined axial location to the downstream end.
US09222434B2

The invention relates to an engine housing (4) with a cylinder block (6) and a cylinder head unit (5) comprising a head portion (8) and at least one integrally cast cylinder portion (9) with an internally lying piston bearing surface (11). The cylinder portion (9) of the cylinder head unit (5) can be pushed at least partially in the axial direction of the cylinder portion (12) into the cylinder block (6). The cylinder head unit (5) can also be clamped in the axial direction of the cylinder portion (12) against the cylinder block (6) by means of at least one fixing element (23).
US09222433B2

An apparatus includes a recreational vehicle genset having an engine and a generator. The apparatus includes a fuel injection system having a primary fuel reservoir, a secondary fuel reservoir, and a fill pump that receives fuel from a primary fuel reservoir and is fluidly coupled to the secondary fuel reservoir at the pump outlet. The apparatus includes a reservoir fuel indicator that provides a fuel amount signal corresponding to the fuel in the secondary fuel reservoir, and a pressure regulator that relieves pressure in the secondary fuel reservoir at a threshold relief pressure. The apparatus includes an injection pump that provides pressurized fuel from the secondary fuel reservoir to a fuel injector for the engine. The apparatus further includes a controller having a pump regulation module that interprets the fuel amount signal, and that selectively provides a fill pump operation command in response to the fuel amount signal.
US09222427B2

A system includes a parameter module that determines at least one of a position of a throttle and a load of an engine. A cylinder status module generates a status signal indicating an activation status of each cylinder of the engine. The cylinder status module determines whether one or more of the cylinders are activated. A first pressure prediction module, when all of the cylinders are activated, predicts first intake port pressures for the cylinders of the engine according to a first model and based on the at least one of the position of the throttle and the engine load. A second pressure prediction module, when one or more of the cylinders is deactivated, predicts second intake port pressures for the deactivated cylinders according to a second model and based on the status signal and the at least one of the position of the throttle and the engine load.
US09222425B2

When a detected value for detecting a rich imbalance in air-fuel ratio among cylinders, in a state where an intake air amount of an engine falls within a low amount region, is lower than a first threshold corresponding to the intake air amount and is higher than or equal to a second threshold corresponding to the intake air amount, a hybrid electronic control unit controls the engine such that the intake air amount falls within a high amount region, and controls a motor generator such that electric power corresponding to a power increase amount is consumed. When the intake air amount falls within the high amount region, the hybrid electronic control unit detects a rich imbalance in air-fuel ratio among the cylinders by comparing the detected value with a third threshold corresponding to the intake air amount.
US09222421B2

An electronic control unit (1) stops output suppression control for an engine (6) at the time of simultaneous depression of an accelerator pedal (2) and a brake pedal (4) when the depression of the brake pedal (4) is erroneously detected due to an ON-failure of a stop lamp switch (5) even if the brake pedal is not depressed.
US09222419B2

A control apparatus which is capable of determining an abnormality of a stopping operation of an exhaust valve without using a dedicated sensor for detecting the abnormality in an internal combustion engine including a valve stop mechanism capable of maintaining the exhaust valve and an intake valve in a valve closed state is provided. It is discriminated whether or not there is a change to a rich side of a air fuel ratio of gas detected by a main A/F sensor at the time of a fuel cut for all the cylinders associated with a valve stop request for the exhaust valves and intake valves of all the cylinders. Then, when it is discriminated that there is the change to the rich side of the air fuel ratio of the gas, it is determined that the stopping operation of the exhaust valve is not performed in a normal manner in at least one cylinder.
US09222416B2

A gas turbine engine comprises a fan, a compressor, a combustor, and a fan drive turbine rotor. The fan drive turbine drives the fan through a gear reduction. The gear reduction includes at least two double helical gears in meshed engagement. Each of the at least two double helical gears are disposed to rotate about respective axes, and each have a first plurality of gear teeth axially spaced from a second plurality of gear teeth by a spacer. Each of the first plurality of gear teeth has a first end facing the spacer and each of the second plurality of gear teeth has a first end facing the spacer. Each first end of the first plurality of gear teeth is circumferentially offset from each first end of the second plurality of gear teeth. A method is also disclosed.
US09222410B2

A power plant is provided and includes a gas turbine engine to generate power, a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) to produce steam from high energy fluids produced from the generation of power in the gas turbine engine, a steam turbine engine to generate additional power from the steam produced in the HRSG and a thermal load reduction system to reduce thermal loading of components of the HRSG and/or the steam turbine engine during at least startup and/or part load operations, which includes an eductor by which a mixture of compressor discharge air and entrained ambient air is injectable into the HRSG and/or an attemperator to cool superheated steam to be transmitted to the steam turbine engine and a detector disposed within the HRSG to facilitate identification of hot spots therein.
US09222409B2

A gas turbine engine system includes a fan section, a low pressure compressor section downstream of the fan section, a first engine core downstream from the low pressure compressor section, a second engine core downstream from the low pressure compressor section, and a flowpath control mechanism configured to selectively restrict fluid flow through the second engine core. The first engine core includes a first engine core compressor section, a first engine core combustor downstream of the first engine core compressor section, and a first engine core turbine section downstream of the first engine core combustor. The second engine core includes a second engine core compressor section, a second engine core combustor downstream of the second engine core compressor section, and a second engine core turbine section downstream of the second engine core combustor.
US09222407B2

A fueling station dispenser for distributing a combustible gas that is lighter than air, and that includes electrical and gas handling sections in the same frame. A vapor barrier in the cabinet blocks fugitive gas that may be present in the gas handling section from entering the electrical section. According to most applicable codes, by isolating combustible gas from the electrical section gives it a Class I, Division 2 designation. Which eliminates the need to seal or air purge the electronics section as this designation allows for electronics that under normal intended operating conditions do not generate an arc with sufficient energy to initiate combustion.
US09222406B2

A wastegate assembly can include a plug configured to plug a wastegate opening where the plug includes a concave, at least partially spherical surface; a shaft configured for receipt by a bore in a wastegate chamber; and a rotatable arm extending from the shaft where the arm includes a convex, at least partially spherical surface configured for contacting the concave, at least partially spherical surface of the plug for a closed orientation of the plug with respect to the wastegate opening.
US09222402B2

A pre-chamber is provided. In one embodiment, the pre-chamber is part of a two-stroke combustion engine having a cylinder head with a sparkplug receptacle that has a generally frustoconical shape, and the pre-chamber is coupled to the sparkplug receptacle. The pre-chamber may include a cooling jacket with a generally frustoconical shape and a combustion chamber having an upper zone and a lower zone, which may be narrower than the upper zone.
US09222401B2

A pair of coolant receiving pipes (23) and (24) for respectively receiving a coolant from left and right engine heads of a V-engine are provided on a first body (21) side, and a collecting passage (27) for collecting the coolant, communication opening (30a) towards a radiator via the above-mentioned collecting passage (27) and communication opening (31a) towards a branch passage provided with a heater core part or the like are provided on a second body (22) side and these are individually resin molded. A coolant passage apparatus (10) is formed by joining the above-mentioned first body (21) and second body (22) for example by welding means.
US09222395B2

The present invention relates to a method for monitoring a pollutant conversion capacity of a catalytically coated, oxidizing exhaust gas aftertreatment component (29) in an exhaust gas system (13) of an internal combustion engine (15). A nitrogen oxide sensor (31, 32) is disposed in each case in the flow path of the exhaust gas upstream of and downstream of the oxidizing exhaust gas aftertreatment component (29), a capacity of said oxidizing exhaust gas aftertreatment component (29) for converting NO to NO2 being ascertained from a comparison of the two signals (Z′, Z″) of the nitrogen oxide sensors (31, 32). Additional independent claims relate to an open-loop and/or closed-loop control device (17), a computer program and a computer program product.
US09222391B2

An exhaust gas purification system for an internal combustion engine includes: an addition valve disposed in an exhaust pipe of the internal combustion engine to add a reducing agent to exhaust gas; a temperature obtaining portion that acquires a temperature of the addition valve; a cooling portion that cools the addition valve by circulating cooling fluid; a determining portion that determines whether the cooling portion is able to normally cool the addition valve; and an output limit portion that limits output of the internal combustion engine based on a heat-resistant temperature of the addition valve and the temperature of the addition valve acquired by the temperature obtaining portion.
US09222383B2

A working vehicle includes an engine, a vehicle body frame on which the engine is mounted, an exhaust gas treatment device for treating exhaust gas of the engine, and a fixing base for fixing the exhaust gas treatment device, and the fixing base is separated from the engine by a gap. Furthermore, a support body for connecting the fixing base to the vehicle body frame is also separated from the engine by a gap. A bellows pipe for absorbing solid-borne sound is provided in an area where a suction pipe of the exhaust gas treatment device is connected to an exhaust manifold of the engine.
US09222378B2

A cam phaser includes a rotor, a stator, and a cover. The rotor defines a first hole and a second hole and can rotate relative to the stator between a first intermediate position and a second intermediate position. The cover is mounted on the stator and defines a first lock pin seat and a second lock pin seat. The cam phaser includes a first lock pin and a second lock pin. The first lock pin can move along the first hole and into the first lock pin seat to lock the rotor relative to the stator at the first intermediate position. The second lock pin can move along the second hole and into the second lock pin seat to lock the rotor relative to the stator at the second intermediate position.
US09222375B2

A variable valve actuation system in one form includes a rocker coupled with a valve stem at one end and a cam follower at the other end. The rocker is operable to rotate about a fixed axis and the cam follower includes a set of lower rollers operable to follow one cam lobe and an upper roller operable to follow another cam lobe. A leaf spring can be used to couple the cam follower with the rocker. A cam shaft can have a nested configuration that includes an inner shaft, an intermediate tube, and an outer tube. Cam lobes can be fastened to the cam shaft by fastening through each of the inner shaft, intermediate tube, and outer tube. The cam lobes can be attached by at least two devices inserted from either side of the cam shaft and that are not inserted at least through the inner shaft.
US09222368B2

A turbomaehine casing assembly includes a first casing element, located radially outward of one or more rotating aerofoil elements of a turbomachine, and a second casing element, located radially distal to the first element. A void is provided at a first end of the first element, between radially proximal faces of the first and second elements. The first end of the first element is located against a corresponding first end of the second element by an energy absorbing element. The first element includes a cantilever, arranged in a region extending along the first element from the first end with a pivot axis at its mid-portion. Release of one of the rotating aerofoil elements, resulting in impact with the first element, further results in the cantilever bending into the void between the first and second elements, enabling the rotating aerofoil element to be trapped within the casing assembly.
US09222367B2

A turbocharger includes: a turbine wheel that is driven by exhaust gas from an engine and supported rotatably by a predetermined rotary shaft; and a turbine housing that forms an exhaust gas passage that leads the exhaust gas to the turbine wheel, wherein the turbine housing includes a housing main body constituted by a plate-form member and a reinforcement member that forms the exhaust gas passage together with the housing main body and reinforces the housing main body, the reinforcement member includes a pair of annular portions having a substantially annular shape and provided about an axial center of the rotary shaft at an interval in an axial direction of the rotary shaft, and a connecting portion that connects the pair of annular portions, and the pair of annular portions and the connecting portion are molded integrally by implementing deformation processing on the plate-form member.
US09222366B2

An exhaust-gas turbocharger (1), having a shaft (2) on which a compressor wheel (3) and a turbine wheel (4) are arranged, and a bearing housing (5) which has a turbine-side radial bearing bush (6) and which has an oil collecting chamber (7) arranged between the turbine-side radial bearing bush (6) and a turbine-side bearing housing end region (8). The shaft (2) has a shoulder (9) which extends outward in the radial direction (R) into the oil collecting chamber (7) and, together with a radial-bearing-side first delimiting wall (10) of the oil collecting chamber (7), delimits a gap (11).
US09222364B2

A component for a gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a platform having a first path side and a second path side and a platform cooling circuit disposed on one of the first path side and the second path side of the platform. The platform cooling circuit includes a first core cavity, a cavity in fluid communication with the first core cavity, and a cover plate positioned to cover at least the cavity.
US09222356B2

A drill bit exchange device for a shield tunneling machine includes: a housing with an aperture; a valve body housed in a chamber of the housing, the valve body being pivotable about a pivot axis (Ob) inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to an axis perpendicular to the front of a cutter head; a bit-housing hole formed in the valve body to detachably accommodate a bit; and an exchange seal recess located at the front of the chamber and at a symmetrical position from the aperture with respect to the pivot axis (Ob). The valve body is pivoted about the pivot axis (Ob) to move the bit, which faces the aperture, to the exchange seal recess, allowing the bit to be removed from the bit-housing hole and exchanged.
US09222341B2

An artificial lift device is useful for inducing artificial gas lift in a well bore fluid present in a horizontal well bore system using electrically conductive aqueous solution. The artificial lift device includes an ion exchange membrane, an electrode pair having an anode and a cathode separated by the ion exchange membrane, a sensor operable to detect the presence of solution and a power relay operable to selectively permit the electrode pair to receive electrical power. The artificial lift device is operable to form hydrogen product gas bubbles from hydrogen product gas. A method for providing artificial gas lift using the artificial lift device includes forming a horizontal well bore system having a well boot, introducing the artificial lift device into the well bore system, introducing electrical power to the electrode pair, and operating the device to introduce hydrogen product gas bubbles into the horizontal well bore system.
US09222337B2

Method and apparatus for forecasting curving of an hydraulic fracture to be initiated in the vicinity of one or more previously placed fractures along a bore hole. Physical parameters that will affect the growth of the hydraulic fracture are received by a dimensionless parameter deriver which derives a series of dimensionless parameters as groupings of the physical parameters that are selected as similarity parameters with respect to the shape of the hydraulic fracture path. The dimensionless parameters may comprise a dimensionless viscosity parameter, a dimensionless confining stress parameter, a coefficient of friction parameter and a dimensionless deviatoric stress parameter. A comparator sequentially compares the determined dimensionless parameters with predetermined threshold values to provide an indication as to possible curving of the hydraulic fracture.
US09222317B2

The present invention is directed to novel methods and apparatus for the design, installation, use, recovery, and reuse of a Self Supporting Riser (SSR) for wells that are not under a platform. The SSR of the present invention uses standardized joints that can be recovered, potentially warehoused, and recombined in different configurations for different purposes or locations. Emphasis is on methods and apparatus that use relatively small vessels subject to high motions in the installation, use and recovery of the SSR. The SSR is adapted for high current and/or deep water applications for purposes of downhole well intervention and subsea equipment installation. In contrast to the apparatus and processes of the prior art, this invention addresses a comprehensive system design.
US09222315B2

A rotary lock block type drilling riser connector has a main body connection part and control pipeline connection parts. A driving ring is set between flanges, a plurality of fan-shaped grooves are set on the lower end of the flange of the upper joint, each fan-shaped groove having a lock block therein; each lock block is slidably connected with a T-shaped elongated slot of the upper joint; the driving ring is fixedly connected with the flange upwardly, many segments of the horizontal T-shaped slots are evenly distributed in the inner surface of the driving ring, another screw hole is provided in the outer circumferential surface of the lock block, and the driving ring is slidably connected with the lock block in the circumferential direction.
US09222314B2

A drill pipe for oil and gas drilling comprises two tool joints and a main portion between the tool joints, with two upsets adjacent to the tool joints, and a central section between the upsets. The outer diameter of the central section of the main portion is less than the outer diameter of the main portion upsets, and the outer diameter of the central section of the main portion is between 4″ and 4½″.
US09222313B2

Arrangement in a hose connector of a riser provided between a wellhead and a floating surface installation. One or more hoses form a flexible fluid communicating connection between an upper portion of the riser and the floating surface installation. The first end portion of at least one fluid conduit is fixed to the riser by an upwardly directed, first pipe muzzle and is provided with a rotatable connecting sleeve. Each of one or more flexible hoses is connected to a conduit spool of a connecting assembly provided with a second and pipe muzzle that is arranged for releasable mating with the first end portion of the fluid conduit. A lifting yoke is connected to the connecting assembly and forms an actuator which is able to effect rotary motion to the connecting sleeve to enable engagement.
US09222311B2

A subsea drilling method and system controls drilling fluid pressure in the borehole of a subsea well, and separates gas from the drilling fluid. Drilling fluid is pumped into the borehole through a drill string and returned through an annulus between the drill string and the well bore and between the drill string and a riser. Drilling fluid pressure is controlled by draining fluid out of the riser or a BOP at a level between the seabed and the surface in order to adjust the hydrostatic head of drilling fluid in the riser. The drained drilling fluid and gas is separated in a subsea separator, where the gas is vented to the surface through a vent line, and the fluid is pumped to the surface via a subsea pump. A closing device and a choke line and valve can release pressure after a gas kick in the well.
US09222289B2

When a worm wheel is in a first stop position a locking surface of a first projecting portion and a locking surface of a second projecting portion, which is provided back to a pressing surface of a first projecting portion adjacent to the locking surface of the first projecting portion, are situated along concentric arc-shaped rotational loci of the rotational end faces of a first engagement arm and a second engagement arm, while when the worm wheel is in a second stop position a locking surface of the second projecting portion and the locking surface of the first projecting portion, which is provided back to a pressing surface of the second projecting portion adjacent to the locking surface, are situated along the concentric arc-shaped rotational loci of the rotational end faces of the first engagement arm and the second engagement arm.
US09222286B2

A multi-function door lock system, comprising in combination, a frame having opposite sides, and installable on a door openable between an interior space and an exterior space, a deadbolt and a door latch carried by the frame to move between retracted and extended positions, a first rotary control located at one level on the frame to control deadbolt movement between extended and retracted positions via primary cam mechanism, a second rotary control at another level on the frame to control latch movement between extended and retracted positions, via secondary cam mechanism, means operatively connected between said secondary cam mechanism and the primary cam mechanism to effect deadbolt movement as aforesaid, in response to operation of the second rotary control, as effected via rotary input to the second rotary control from only one side of the frame. Means is also provided to be responsive to reverse rotation of the first rotary control to effect latch retraction independently of deadbolt displacement.
US09222284B2

An electronic cam lock accessible either by PIN code or wirelessly transmitted code from a user's credential has a compact electronics housing that fits neatly and unobtrusively in office furniture, including metal or wood file cabinets. The housing has a rear-extending driver, which may be within a cylinder, preferably positioned where the driver of a cam lock of conventional keyed configuration would be located. One form of the lock is front-recess mounted. In another form the housing is inside-mounted, fitted within the usually one-inch top rail or vertical side rail of a file cabinet, with the electronic access terminal and a rotatable knob exposed for the user. The locks can be connected in a wired or wireless network for controlling access by time or by personnel, or for auditing entries.
US09222283B1

A combination lock, such as a dial combination cam lock, has a mechanical key override, the mechanical key extending through the manual knob of the cam lock. For a lost mechanical key situation, or to change the mechanical key, a special key or device can be inserted to enable the knob and key core or plug to be rotated to a further position not normally available. In this position the key, knob and core can be removed, then replaced with a different key and core, preferably using the same knob.
US09222271B2

The present invention relates to a formwork anchor receptacle as well as to a formwork anchor which are used in the field of construction. Furthermore, the invention relates to a formwork element. The formwork anchor receptacle is adapted to receive an anchor rod provided to connect formwork elements. The formwork anchor receptacle comprises a section with an opening for insertion of an anchor rod and a spherical section for providing support against a formwork element.
US09222270B2

An adjustable form having at least two elongated form parts which are capable of being attachable to each other in an adjustable manner relative to each other. A kit for an adjustable form having a package for containing at least two elongated form parts which are either or both adapted for or capable of being attachable to each other in an adjustable manner. A method for use of a form unit including assembling a form unit; disposing the form unit in the creation of an overall structure form for the creation of the ultimate structure; creating the ultimate structure.
US09222261B2

Building design data is input into a computer to make a series of wall frames for a building. Operational instructions from the computer are used to fabricate members of the frames, fill the frames with insulating material and apply and external waterproof coating.
US09222258B2

An improved cellular building block including a middle beam and two legs. The cellular building block having the first leg coupled to the middle beam such that the leg is perpendicular to the middle beam and a second leg coupled to the middle beam such that the leg is perpendicular to the middle beam and spaced apart from the first leg, the first leg and the second leg having an inside edge and an outside edge. Having at least one barb located on the inside edge of the first leg and on the inside edge of the second leg and further configured to lock into a recess. The cellular building blocks connect in a two dimensional or three dimensional pattern and a produce a structured material that holds itself together and exhibits beneficial characteristics.
US09222255B2

A reconfigurable space system and components therefore which can be reconfigured to accommodate sleeping space, entertainment space, work space, kitchen space, dining space and various combinations thereof.
US09222254B2

A structural assembly (20) providing both a surface (21) and an insulating stratum associated with the surface. The assembly (20) can comprise structural members (23-24) and pods (30) associated with the structural members (23-24). The pods (30) contribute to structural integrity, thermal insulation, and/or sound attenuation. The pods or pod-like material can be used in or on horizontal or vertical cavities, in or on horizontal or vertical surfaces, and/or incorporated into a structural assembly or equipment housing.
US09222246B2

In one aspect, a waste disposal for processing waste may generally include a housing and a motor disposed within the housing. The housing may define an inner sidewall surface extending around an inner perimeter of the housing and a discharge outlet. The motor may include a stator and a rotor at least partially surrounding the stator. The rotor may include a sidewall defining an outer surface. The motor may be disposed within the housing such that an annular gap is defined between the inner sidewall surface of the housing and the outer surface of the sidewall. When the rotor is rotated relative to the stator, water may be drawn through the annular gap towards the discharge outlet.
US09222244B2

A multi-piece wall faucet mounting sleeve that includes a tube and flange assembly having a longitudinal axis and a tube, and that includes a mounting bracket assembly configured to telescopically receive a portion of the tube and flange assembly such that the mounting bracket assembly is slidingly disposable about the tube of the tube and flange assembly. In addition, the components are configured such that the mounting bracket of the mounting bracket assembly is non-perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube of the tube and flange assembly when they are assembled together. Thus, the tube integrally provides a downward fall, or natural drain angle, with respect to a wall surface when assembled to the mounting bracket assembly, which fall allows for water to drain from a faucet, such as a freezeless faucet, disposed in the tube. Further, the tube is easily assembled and adjustable within and lockable to the mounting bracket assembly even after the mounting bracket assembly is disposed about the tube.
US09222241B2

The present disclosure provides a hydraulic system for controlling a load. The system includes a housing defining an inlet, a first port, and a second port. The system further includes a spool valve and a proportional control element. The spool valve is in fluid communication with the inlet and the second port and the proportional control element is in fluid communication with the first port. The proportional control element can be controllable to exhaust fluid from the first port to a reservoir. In this arrangement, the proportional control element and the spool valve are controlled independently of one another.
US09222230B2

A highway marking paint formed from a waterborne latex paint and porous silica having a pore volume in the range of 0.3 cc/g to 3.0 cc/g. The silica enables the paint to achieve sufficient viscosity to permit the application of a highway marking of at least 40 mil and preferably at least 120 mil. The highway marking paint can also include retroreflective glass beads. Optionally, the highway marking paint further includes an acrylic polymer emulsion. The porous silica can be mixed with an ion exchange resin to control the drying properties of the paint.
US09222228B2

In a road finishing machine with a primary power plant and a power transfer to a hydraulic pump and/or a generator for supplying power to hydraulically or electrically operated functional components, the power transfer comprises at least one clutch that can be optionally engaged and disengaged, and a clutch control device is provided by means of which, depending on at least the operator guidance and/or a detected clutch loading situation, a disengagement delay (Δt) automatically overriding the operator guidance can be set, and/or a clutch shifting number restriction can be set by means of a detection interval (dt) moving along in time. The clutch control device actually engages, within the frame of the respective overriding control strategy, the clutch only after the disengagement delay (Δt) has lapsed, if no operation command to the contrary is present, and/or keeps the clutch first engaged, although an operation command to the contrary is present.
US09222224B2

The disclosure provides tissue webs, and products incorporating the same, where the webs comprise wood and bamboo fibers. More specifically the disclosure provides soft and durable through-air dried tissue webs comprising at least about 10 percent bamboo fiber by weight of the web. In the through-air dried tissue webs of the present disclosure, bamboo typically replaces high average fiber length wood fibers, which increases the bulk of the through-air dried web without negatively effecting softness or durability.
US09222220B2

A refiner comprises at least one first refining surface (1′) and at least one second refining surface (2′), which refining surfaces (1′, 2′) are arranged opposite to one another and mobile in relation to one another. In the refiner (10, 11) either at least the first (1′) or the second (2′) refining surface comprises refining surface portions (15, 27) feeding material to be refined and/or refining surface portions (15, 27) discharging refined material as well as refining surface portions (16) grinding the material to be refined, on the upper surface of which there are blade bars (17) and between them blade grooves (18). Both in the first refining surface (1′) and in the second refining surface (2′) of the refiner (10, 11) the cross-sectional area (A) of at least some blade grooves (18) are arranged to change in the longitudinal direction of the blade grooves (18).
US09222210B2

A drum washing machine and washing method are provided. The washing machine directly sprays water to laundry inside the drum through a nozzle unit. The method includes passing some water through a detergent container and directly spraying some water to the inside of a drum through a nozzle unit such that a high concentration of detergent bubbles is generated while applying a force to the laundry. The washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub inside the cabinet, a drum inside the tub, a door on the cabinet, a diaphragm, and a nozzle unit installed so interference with the door is avoided and to receive water directly from an external source to spray water inside the drum during a washing cycle and a rinsing cycle. The nozzle unit adjusts water jetting according to a displacement of an actuator installed inside the nozzle unit.
US09222208B2

A rubber belt comprising at least one layer of a plurality of tightly packed elastic yarns or fibers and at least one layer of silicone rubber. A method of manufacturing a rubber belt is also disclosed. The method comprises the steps of wrapping one or more elastic yarns or fibers onto a mandrel, where the one or more elastic yarns or fibers form one or more layers on the mandrel; adding a liquid high viscosity silicone rubber on top of the one or more layers; and heating the mandrel in order to polymerize the silicone rubber.
US09222204B2

A fabric rolling apparatus is driven by a circular knitting machine to revolve and receive a knitted fabric. The fabric rolling apparatus comprises a bracket, a transmission rod set located on the bracket and a revolving fabric collection mechanism. The bracket includes two side boxes corresponding to each other and a drive mechanism located in each side box. Each side box has a top side and a bottom side. The drive mechanism drives the transmission rod set to guide movement of the fabric. The revolving fabric collection mechanism includes two revolving arms hinged respectively on the side boxes and a fabric rolling rod driven by the transmission rod set to revolve and roll the fabric. Each revolving arm has a revolving end hinged on the bottom side of the side box and a holding end connected to the fabric rolling rod at an elevation higher than the revolving end.
US09222201B2

Disclosed here are processes for preparing carbonized polymers (preferably carbon fibers), comprising sulfonating a polymer with a sulfonating agent that comprises SO3 dissolved in a solvent to form a sulfonated polymer; treating the sulfonated polymer with a heated solvent, wherein the temperature of the solvent is at least 95° C.; and carbonizing the resulting product by heating it to a temperature of 500-3000° C. Carbon fibers made according to these methods are also disclosed herein.
US09222197B2

Provided is a shield member and an apparatus for growing a single crystal equipped with the shield member. Such a shield member includes: a vessel for growing the single crystal; a raw material storage part positioned at a lower portion of the vessel for growing the single crystal; a substrate supporting part, positioned above the raw material storage part to support the substrate; and a heating apparatus positioned at a an outer periphery of the vessel for growing the single crystal, thereby sublimating the raw material from the raw material storage part to grow the single crystal of the raw material onto the substrate, in which a plurality of permeation holes through which the raw material gas passes is formed. The shield member is configured such that the heat capacity thereof increases from the center to the outer periphery.
US09222196B2

A directional solidification furnace includes a crucible for holding molten silicon and a lid covering the crucible and forming an enclosure over the molten silicon. The crucible also includes an inlet in the lid for introducing inert gas above the molten silicon to inhibit contamination of the molten silicon.
US09222180B2

A safe and low cost deodorization and sterilization apparatus is provided for continuously deodorizing in a restroom, around a garbage box, in an indoor room and the like for a long period of time, utilizing a deodorization power of a hypochlorous acid, not requiring frequent supplement of water. The deodorization and sterilization apparatus is adapted to control a electric current value ratio or a electric current amount ratio of an electrode with a diaphragm (a salt path with ion conductivity and very slight flow of water) and an electrode without diaphragm or to control a positive/negative electric current amount of the electrodes in electrolysis of an aqueous chloride salt solution, so that a PH value and the hypochlorous acid concentration are adjusted, thereby evaporating and diffusing the generated hypochlorous acid for deodorization and sterilization.
US09222179B2

A method for purification of carbon dioxide from a mixture of gases is disclosed. The method generally includes steps (A) and (B). Step (A) may bubble the gases into a solution of an electrolyte and a catalyst in an electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell may include an anode in a first cell compartment and a cathode in a second cell compartment. The cathode generally reduces the carbon dioxide into one or more compounds. The anode may oxidize at least one of the compounds into the carbon dioxide. Step (B) may separate the carbon dioxide from the solution.
US09222169B2

A solar call is provided along with a method for forming a semiconductor nanocrystalline silicon insulating thin-film with a tunable bandgap. The method provides a substrate and introduces a silicon (Si) source gas with at least one of the following source gases: germanium (Ge), oxygen, nitrogen, or carbon into a high density (HD) plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process. A SiOxNyCz thin-film embedded with a nanocrystalline semiconductor material is deposited overlying the substrate, where x, y, z≧0, and the semiconductor material is Si, Ge, or a combination of Si and Ge. As a result, a bandgap is formed in the SiOxNyCz thin-film, in the range of about 1.9 to 3.0 electron volts (eV). Typically, the semiconductor nanoparticles have a size in a range of 1 to 20 nm.
US09222158B2

A process for producing particle-reinforced composite materials through utilization of an in situ reaction to produce a uniform dispersion of a fine particulate reinforcement phase. The process includes forming a melt of a first material, and then introducing particles of a second material into the melt and subjecting the melt to high-intensity acoustic vibration. A chemical reaction initiates between the first and second materials to produce reaction products in the melt. The reaction products comprise a solid particulate phase, and the high-intensity acoustic vibration fragments and/or separates the reaction products into solid particles that are dispersed in the melt and are smaller than the particles of the second material. Also encompassed are particle-reinforced composite materials produced by such a process.
US09222154B2

A casting of a white cast iron alloy which includes the following alloy composition, in weight %: chromium: 12-25%; carbon: 1.5-6%; manganese: 2-7%; silicon: up to 1.5%; molybdenum: up to 2; nickel: up to 4%; microalloying elements selected from the group of titanium, zirconium, niobium, boron, vanadium, and tungsten: up to 2% of each of one or more of the elements; and iron: balance. The microstructure of the casting has 15-60 vol % eutectic carbides and primary carbides dispersed in a ferrous matrix of martensite and is at least substantially free of pearlite.
US09222153B2

Provided are Ti(C,N)-based cermets with Ni3Al and Ni as binder and a preparation method thereof. The Ti(C,N)-based cermets are prepared by raw materials subjected to ball-mill mixing, die forming, vacuum degreasing and vacuum sintering, wherein weight percentage of each chemical component of the raw materials is as follows: TiC 34.2˜43%, TiN 8˜15%, Mo 10˜15%, WC 5˜10%, graphite 0.8˜1.0%, Ni 20˜24%, and Ni3Al powder containing B 6˜10%. Ni powder and Ni3Al powder containing B are used as binder. The Ti(C,N)-based cermets feature in excellent corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance and mechanical properties at high temperature, has a hardness of 89.0˜91.9 HRA, a room temperature bending strength of 1600 MPa or more, and a fracture toughness of 14 MPa·m1/2 or more, and is applicable for manufacturing high-speed cutting tools, dies and heat-resisting and corrosion-resisting components.
US09222150B2

A process for making a finished or semi-finished article of silver alloy, said process comprising the steps of providing a silver alloy containing silver in an amount of at least 77 wt %, copper and an amount of germanium that is preferably at least 0.5 wt % and is effective to reduce tarnishing and/or firestain, making or processing the finished or semi-finished article of the alloy by heating at least to an annealing temperature, gradually cooling the article; and reheating the article to effect precipitation hardening thereof. The avoidance of quenching reduces the risk of damage to the article.
US09222143B2

A polypeptide comprises a mutated Bordetella pertussis CyaA (SEQ ID NO:1), Bordetella parapertussis CyaA (SEQ ID NO:7), Bordetella hinzii CyaA (SEQ ID NO:8), or Bordetella bronchiseptica CyaA (SEQ ID NO:9), or a fragment thereof lacking all or part of the N-terminal catalytic domain of the CyaA, or a polypeptide having at least 95% sequence identity with SEQ ID NOS: 1, 7, 8, or 9. The glutamic acid residue at position 570 of SEQ ID NO: 1, 7, 8 or at position 569 of SEQ ID NO:9 has been substituted by a conservative amino acid residue. The lysine residue at position 860 of SEQ ID NO: 1, 7, 8 or at position 859 of SEQ ID NO:9 has been substituted by a conservative amino acid residue. The polypeptide retains the binding activity of native CyaA to CD11b expressing cell, and has a pore-forming activity which is reduced or suppressed as compared to that of the native CyaA toxin.
US09222142B2

Baboon Adenovirus (BaAdV)-2/4 and BaAdV-3 are described herein. BaAdV-2/4 and BaAdV-3 polynucleotide, polypeptides and antibodies that specifically bind BaAdV-2/4 and/or BaAdV-3 are described. Methods are described for detecting BaAdV-2/4 and BaAdV-3. Methods are also described for treating, preventing, and inducing an immune response to BaAdV-2/4 and/or BaAdV-3. Kits are also provided.
US09222138B2

This invention identifies and provides a recurrent translocation t(4;8) (p16.2; p23.1) associated with Adrenocortical Carcinoma, and diagnostic methods using the translocation by FISH hybridization or PCR based assays.
US09222137B2

The present invention relates to hairy cell leukemia biomarkers and methods of utilizing these biomarkers to diagnose and/or treat hairy cell leukemia.
US09222120B2

Provided herein are methods of diagnosing or monitoring the treatment of abnormal glycan accumulation or a disorder associated with abnormal glycan accumulation.
US09222110B2

The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods for producing lactic acid using a lactic acid producing microorganism. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for producing lactic acid with high yield, high concentration and high volumetric productivity through biological fermentation by Enterococcus faecalis, or recombinant microorganisms transformed to produce lactate dehydrogenase using the lactate dehydrogenase-encoding genes derived from E. faecalis.
US09222102B2

A means for inhibiting the bolting and flowering of sugar beet plant, including an isolated nucleic acid, a vector or mobile genetic element which can be used to produce a sugar beet, in which stem elongation post-vernalization is inhibited. Further, a transgenic sugar beet plant comprising the nucleic acid, vector or mobile genetic element, in which bolting and flowering is inhibited after vernalization, a method for producing such transgenic sugar beet plant, and a process for the inhibition of bolting and flowering of sugar beet plant.
US09222091B2

This application relates to therapeutic siRNA agents and methods of making and using the agents.
US09222088B2

The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of Alpha-L-Iduronidase (IDUA), in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of Alpha-L-Iduronidase (IDUA). The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of IDUA.
US09222086B2

The present invention provides therapeutic nucleic acids such as interfering RNA (e.g., siRNA) that target the expression of genes associated with tumorigenesis and/or cell transformation, lipid particles (e.g., nucleic acid-lipid particles) comprising one or more (e.g., a cocktail) of the therapeutic nucleic acids, methods of making the lipid particles, and methods of delivering and/or administering the lipid particles, e.g., for the treatment of a cell proliferative disorder such as cancer.
US09222083B2

Described herein are methods and genetically engineered cells useful for producing an altered N-glycosylation form of a target molecule. Also described are methods and molecules with altered N-glycosylation useful for treating a variety of disorders such as metabolic disorders.
US09222077B2

The present invention is directed to the field of phage therapy for the treatment and control of bacterial infections. In particular, the present invention is directed to the novel bacteriophage F387/08, F391/08, F394/08, F488/08, F510/08, F44/10, and F125/10, isolated polypeptides thereof, compositions comprising one or more of the novel bacteriophage and/or isolated polypeptides, as well as to methods for the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections using same, either alone or in combination with other antibacterial therapies, e.g., antibiotics and/or other phage therapies.
US09222065B2

The present invention relates to a method for photoculturing and harvesting microalgae, and more particularly to a method for photoculturing and harvesting microalgae, in which a light emitting diode (LED) is used as a light source to increase the efficiency with which microalgae are cultured, and the cultured microalgae are harvested using a natural polymer flocculant and air microbubbles so that the operating cost is reduced and the range of application of microalgae is expanded, and also a semi-continuous culture method is applied so that the maximum concentration of microalgae can be produced again within a short time, even though the amount of microalgae harvested is small.
US09222064B1

Tetrahydro iso-α-acids and hexahydro iso-α-acids are prepared from β-acid resins in the presence of α-acids derivatives without the use of conventional organic solvents. Specifically, the hydrogenation and hydrogenolyzis step is performed using a liquefied hop resin composed of β-acids and α-acid derivatives, hydrogen, and a noble metal hydrogenation catalyst to form desoxytetrahydro α-acids and hydrogenated iso-α-acid derivatives (e. g., tetrahydroiso- and hexahydro iso-α-acids). The desoxytetrahydro α-acids are subsequently auto-oxidized and isomerized by the spent noble metal catalyst in an aqueous alkaline solution (without adding peracids, lead, calcium, or magnesium salts) into the desired tetrahydro iso-α-acids and hexahydro iso-α-acids.
US09222060B2

A method is described for delivering a species to a liquid, whereby porous particles are exposed to a condition such that the species is rapidly released into the liquid. Each of the porous particles comprises an agglomeration of primary particles so that outer surfaces of said primary particles define pores of said porous particles. The primary particles comprise silica and the species is disposed in the pores of the porous particles.
US09222054B2

The present invention provides a cylinder lubricating oil composition for a crosshead-type diesel engine, which is improved in oxidation stability and anti-scuffing properties besides the properties of the conventional cylinder lubricating oil composition and comprises a base oil having an aromatic content of 8.5 percent by mass or more and on the basis of the total mass of the composition (A) an alkaline earth metal phenate in an amount of 0.005 mole/kg or more on the basis of phenate soap content, (B) an aminic antioxidant in an amount of 0.1 to 5 percent by mass and (C) an oil-soluble molybdenum compound in an amount of 30 to 500 ppm by mass on the basis of molybdenum and having a base number of 20 to 100 mgKOH/g and a 100° C. kinematic viscosity of 12.6 mm2/s or higher.
US09222053B2

The present invention provides a lubricating composition comprising a base oil (A) and a hydroxyl group-added poly(meth)acrylate (B).
US09222036B2

This invention relates to a process for treatment of a gasoline comprising diolefins, olefins, and sulfur-containing compounds including mercaptans, in which: Gasoline is injected into a distillation column comprising at least one reaction zone to produce a desulfurized light gasoline; with the process also comprising the following stages: An intermediate gasoline fraction is drawn off at a level located above the reaction zone; A heavy gasoline comprising the majority of the sulfur-containing compounds is drawn off at the bottom of the column; In a demercaptization reactor, said intermediate gasoline fraction is brought into contact with a second catalyst to produce an effluent that contains sulfides; The effluent that is obtained from the demercaptization reactor is recycled in the distillation column (3).
US09222020B2

The disclosure relates to oxygen scavenging molecules, compositions, methods of making the compositions, articles prepared from the compositions, and methods of making the articles. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
US09222011B2

A self-adaptive cement formulation includes cement, water, block copolymer and asphaltite-mineral particles. The set cement demonstrates self-healing properties when exposed to methane, and is particularly suited for well-cementing applications. After placement and curing, the self-healing properties help maintain zonal isolation should bonding be disrupted between the set cement and the formation or a casing string, should cracks or defects appear in the set-cement matrix, or both.
US09222007B2

One embodiment of the invention includes a shape memory polymer which functions similar to a traditional mechanical clamp. A shape memory polymer may exhibit adhesive properties when heated above its glass transition temperature. The shape memory polymers may function as a reversible dry adhesive clamp.
US09221996B2

The present invention relates to a process for repairing top layers for roads, tracks, and other areas used by traffic, by applying an amount of at least 20 g/m2 of a polymeric material to the damaged site, applying an amount of at least 80 g/m2 of a first polyurethane reaction mixture (which can comprise additives) to the polymeric material, and applying, to the first polyurethane reaction mixture, a mixture comprising mineral aggregate and a second polyurethane reaction mixture, and allowing the material to harden. The present invention further relates to a repair kit for repairing top layers for roads, tracks, and other areas used by traffic.
US09221991B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a copolymer having the characteristic of developing high viscosity, and lowering its viscosity with an increase in rate of shear, particularly a copolymer having the characteristic of developing viscosity, and lowering its viscosity with an increase in rate of shear even in an aqueous coating composition that contains a surfactant. The present invention provides a copolymer obtainable by copolymerization of a monomer component (m) that includes: (m-1), a macromonomer having (i) a backbone that comprises a polymer chain having a number average molecular weight of 1,000 to 10,000 obtainable by polymerizing a monomer component (I) that contains 5 to 100 mass % of a C4-C24 alkyl-containing polymerizable unsaturated monomer (a), and (ii) a polymerizable unsaturated group; and (m-2) a polymerizable unsaturated monomer containing a hydrophilic group.
US09221990B2

Presently described are methods of making coating comprising aqueous fluoropolymer latex dispersions, aqueous fluoropolymer coating compositions, coated substrates, and (e.g. backside) films of photovoltaic cells. In one embodiment, the film comprises at least one fluoropolymer comprising repeat units derived from VF, VDF, or a combination thereof; inorganic oxide nanoparticles; and a compound that reacts with the repeat units derived from VF and VDF to crosslink the fluoropolymer and/or couple the fluoropolymer to the inorganic oxide nanoparticles. In another embodiment, the backside film comprises at least one fluoropolymer comprising repeat units derived from VF, VDF, or a combination thereof; and an amino-substituted organosilane ester or ester equivalent crosslinking compound.
US09221974B2

The present invention relates to reinforced polyamide molding materials which can be prepared from a polyamide blend and, for example, by compounding with cut fibers or continuous filaments on twin-screw extruders and have mechanical properties which are usually not compatible with one another, namely a combination of exceptionally high rigidity and strength and at the same time good toughness. Furthermore, a high heat distortion temperature (HDT) is achieved according to the invention.The thermoplastic polyamide molding materials according to the invention are suitable for the production of moldings or other semifinished products or finished articles, which can be produced, for example, by extrusion, injection molding, direct methods or direct compounding, in which the compounded polyamide molding material is processed directly by injection molding, or other deformation techniques.
US09221971B2

Co-polyester resin compositions and processes for manufacturing resin compositions are provided, said resin compositions being suitable for extrusion blow molding for the manufacture of containers with good color, clarity for both food, non-food applications and other applications such as profile extrusions and manufacture of blown films which require high melt strength polyester.
US09221967B2

Embodiments of the present invention disclose polymeric dispersants that are the reaction product of a polymeric acid and a hydrophilic amine.
US09221962B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a rubber composition capable of achieving both good rolling resistance properties and good wear resistance in a compatible manner when the rubber composition is applied to a component member, e.g. tread, of a tire. Specifically, the present invention provides a rubber composition comprising a rubber composition and hydrated silica, wherein “CTAB” (m2/g) as specific surface area by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide adsorption and “IB” as ink bottle-shaped micropore index, of the hydrated silica, satisfy a specific relationship and “weight loss on ignition” (mass %) as weight loss when the hydrate silicate is heated at 750 ° C. for 3 hours and “weight loss on heating” (mass %) as weight loss when the hydrate silicate is heated at 105 ° C. for 2 hours satisfy a specific relationship.
US09221956B2

Water-dilutable coating compositions comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) and/or ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, dispersed clay and polycarboxylic acid polymer that can be prepared using convention apparatus and that provide exceptional oxygen barrier along with good laminate bond strengths at high relative humidity when incorporated into adhesively formed laminates, particularly PET-PE laminate structures.
US09221950B2

A polyamide resin composition includes (a) a polyamide composed mainly of a polyamide backbone composed of diamine units composed mainly of 5-pentanediamine and dicarboxylic acid units, and (b) a compound with a molecular weight of 1,000 or less having a sterically hindered N atom and a nitrogen-containing functional group that can react with at least one of amino groups, carboxyl groups, and amide groups constituting the polyamide.
US09221949B2

The purpose of the invention is to provide a resin, which has a high refractive index, excellent heat resistance and moldability, and high transparency, and is useful as a material for configuring optical devices, etc. The invention provides a resin comprising acyl hydrazone bonds and having a number average molecular weight of 500-500,000, wherein the acyl hydrazone bond equivalent is 100-4000.
US09221947B2

The present invention relates to a process of preparing a double metal cyanide (DMC) complex catalyst with an improved catalytic activity useful for epoxide polymerization. It also relates to the DMC catalyst obtainable by said process, as well as to polyether polyols prepared by a polymerization reaction using said DMC catalyst.
US09221939B2

The invention provides a fluoro-containing ether monomer for fabricating contact lenses represented by following formula (I): In formula (I), R10 is fluoroalkyl group (CxFyHz, wherein x is an integer of 2-20, y to is an integer of 5-30, and y+z=2x+1), R11 is oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur; R12 is C1-C3 alkylene; n is an integer of 3-40.
US09221938B2

The invention relates to polymers carrying ester/hydroxyl groups, containing repetitive structural units of formulae (I) and (II) in a block-wise, alternating or statistical sequence, wherein D represents a direct bond between the polymer backbone and the hydroxyl group, a C1- to C6-alkene group, a C5- to C12-arylene group, an oxyalkene group of formula —O—R2—, an ester group of formula —C(O)—O—R2— or an amide group of formula —C(O)—N(R3)R2—, E represents a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 50 C-atoms, R2 represents a C2- to C10-alkene group, R3 represents hydrogen or a C1- to C10-alkyl group, which can carry substituents, k represents a number between 1 and 1000, n represents a number from 0 to 4999, m represents a number from 1 to 5000, and n+m represents a number between 10 to 5000, under the proviso that a) the molar portion of the structural units (I); on the polymer is between 0 and 99.9 mol-%, and b) the molar portion of the structural units (II) on the polymer is between 0.1 and 100 mol-% of the repetitive units. The invention also relates to a method for the production of said polymers using microwaves.
US09221935B2

Olefin polymerization is carried out with a supported phosphinimine catalyst which has been treated with a long chain substituted amine compound.
US09221928B2

A fluorine-containing sulfonate salt resin or fluorine-containing sulfonate ester resin having a structure of the following general formula (A) and a fluorine-containing N-sulfonyloxyimide resin having a repeating unit of the general formula (17). And a resist composition using the above resin such that the resist composition can attain high resolution, wide DOF, small LER and high sensitivity and form a good pattern shape.
US09221925B2

A functional TFE copolymer fine powder is described, wherein the TFE copolymer is a polymer of TFE and at least one functional comonomer, and wherein the TFE copolymer has functional groups that are pendant to the polymer chain. The functional TFE copolymer fine powder resin is paste extrudable and expandable. Methods for making the functional TFE copolymer are also described. The expanded functional TFE copolymer material may be post-reacted after expansion.
US09221924B2

A functional TFE copolymer fine powder is described, wherein the TFE copolymer is a polymer of TFE and at least one functional comonomer, and wherein the TFE copolymer has functional groups that are pendant to the polymer chain. The functional TFE copolymer fine powder resin is paste extrudable and expandable. Methods for making the functional TFE copolymer are also described. The expanded functional TFE copolymer material may be post-reacted after expansion.
US09221923B2

Carbanionic polymer chains that contain polyene mer can be coupled after being reacted to include, at their respective termini, at least one, and preferably one, unit that is the radical of a cyclic polysiloxane. The coupled polymers are useful in preparing rubber compounds from which vulcanizates are made.
US09221921B2

The present invention relates to an apparatus and process for polymerizing olefins. One embodiment comprises polymerizing at least one monomer in a first loop reactor in the presence of a catalyst to produce a first polyolefin fraction. A portion of the first polyolefin fraction is transferred to a second loop reactor, connected in series with the first loop reactor. The process further comprises polymerizing in the second loop reactor at least one monomer in the presence of a catalyst to produce a second polyolefin fraction in addition to the first polyolefin fraction. The combination of the first and second polyolefin fractions can produce a polymer resin fluff having bimodal molecular weight distribution.
US09221915B2

The present invention relates to antibodies including human antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof that bind to the extracellular domain (ECD) of activin receptor-like, kinase-1 (ALK-1) and that function to abrogate the ALK-1/TGF-beta-1/Smad1 signaling pathway. The invention also relates to heavy and light chain immunoglobulins derived from human anti-ALK-1 antibodies and nucleic acid molecules encoding such immunoglobulins. The present invention also relates to methods of making human anti-ALK-1 antibodies, compositions comprising these antibodies and methods of using the antibodies and compositions. The invention also relates to transgenic animals or plants comprising nucleic acid molecules of the present invention.
US09221902B2

Methods for making a combinatorial antibody library from human germline segments are provided. Also provided are libraries of nucleic acid molecules compiled from germline segments encoding VL chains and libraries of nucleic acid molecules encoding VH chains, and resulting antibody libraries. The libraries are provided as addressable libraries. Methods for screening antibody libraries against a target protein antigen, and the identified or selected antibodies are provided.
US09221898B2

An isolated or purified compound is provided, comprising A-GlcNAc[GlcNAc]-GalNAc-GalNAc-QuiNAc4NAc, wherein A is GlcNAc or Glc. There is further provided a vaccine based on such compound, having particular use to treat or prevent an infection caused by a Campylobacter organism. There is also provided an antibody or antisera against the compound, having particular use to diagnose the presence of an infection caused by a Campylobacter organism.
US09221894B2

Genetically modified non-human animals and methods and compositions for making and using them are provided, wherein the genetic modification comprises a deletion of the endogenous low affinity FcγR locus, and wherein the mouse is capable of expressing a functional FcRγ-chain. Genetically modified mice are described, including mice that express low affinity human FcγR genes from the endogenous FcγR locus, and wherein the mice comprise a functional FcRγ-chain. Genetically modified mice that express up to five low affinity human FcγR genes on accessory cells of the host immune system are provided.
US09221889B2

The present application provides biligand and triligand protein-catalyzed capture (PCC) agents that specifically bind VEGF, as well as the use of these capture agents as detection, diagnosis, and treatment agents.
US09221881B2

The invention relates to new peptides and to their use in the diagnosis of celiac disease.
US09221876B2

The invention provides compositions comprising immunogenic fragments of ApoB-100 for eliciting an immune response in a subject or vaccinating a subject, so as to treat, prevent, 5 inhibit and/or reduce symptoms of kidney diseases in the subject. The compositions include immunogenic fragments of ApoB-100, CD8+ T cells activated with immunogenic fragments of ApoB-100 or a combination thereof.
US09221873B1

A short-chain peptide capable of controlling spermatozoa fertilization performance is supplied in an in vitro culture medium of spermatozoa and oocytes to increase the success rates of in vitro fertilization. The short-chain peptide comprises an amino acid sequence H-Tyr-Asn-Trp-Asn-Ser-Phe-Gly-Leu-Arg-X-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 1), where X denotes Tyr or Phe, and the sequence ends with an amide. The short-chain peptide is conducive to adjustment of the concentration of free calcium ions inside the cells of the spermatozoa and thus enhancement of the success rates of in vitro fertilization.
US09221869B2

There is disclosed a method for isolation and purification of phytosterols from tall oil pitch comprising the steps of: a) contacting the tall oil pitch with a solvent to form a tall oil solvent mixture; b) separating the tall oil pitch solvent mixture in at least two separate streams wherein one process stream is enriched in acidic pitch components and a second stream enriched in free- and bound sterols in the form of steryl esters; c) subjecting the stream enriched in free- and steryl esters to treatment with an alcohol under transesterification conditions wherein a reaction mixture is formed and sterols comprising the steryl esters are liberated as free sterols; and d) separating the free sterols from the reaction mixture of step c) by crystallization and extraction with one or more solvents. There are disclosed free fatty acids and resin acids separated from the tall oil pitch. Moreover, there is disclosed a manufacture and separation of fatty acid alkyl esters by the method.
US09221864B2

The present disclosure provides tricyclic nucleosides and oligomeric compounds prepared therefrom. The tricyclic nucleosides each have a tricyclic ribosyl sugar moiety wherein a bridge between the 2′ and 4′ ribosyl ring carbon atoms further comprises a fused carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring. The tricyclic nucleosides are expected to be useful for enhancing properties of oligomeric compounds including for example binding affinity and nuclease resistance.
US09221863B2

The invention relates transiently attaching drag-tags to molecules during electrophoresis. The invention includes running buffers having drag-tags that transiently attach to lipophilic moieties attached to the molecules. The lipophilic moieties can be covalently or ionically bonded to the molecules. One particular aspect of the invention is a nucleoside analog or a nucleic acid analog comprising a lipophilic moiety. The invention is also directed to methods of separating molecules that comprise a lipophilic moiety. The methods generally comprise transiently attaching a drag-tag to the lipophilic moiety during a separation modality. These methods can be used to separate the molecules by size or weight, to measure a hydrodynamic radius of a drag-tag, or to separate a plurality of drag-tag by their hydrodynamic radius.
US09221862B2

An anti-infective drug-macrolide derivate, preparation and uses thereof. Macrolide derivate, namely erythromycin ethylsuccinate crystalline hydrate. Preparation of erythromycin ethylsuccinate crystalline hydrate medicaments for the treatment and prevention of human or animal infectious diseases caused by Gram-positive or negative bacteria.
US09221858B2

The present invention provides sialic acid analogs and their compositions useful for the treatment of sialic acid deficiencies.
US09221856B2

The present invention relates to a method for purifying a crude PNPNH compound by metalation and re-protonation.
US09221845B2

This invention relates to processes and intermediates for making {1-{1-[3-fluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)isonicotinoyl]piperidin-4-yl}-3-[4-(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]azetidin-3-yl}acetonitrile, useful in the treatment of diseases related to the activity of Janus kinases (JAK) including inflammatory disorders, autoimmune disorders, cancer, and other diseases.
US09221836B2

Compounds represented by the formulas wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, and a prodrug thereof have a superior renin inhibitory activity, and are useful as agents for the prophylaxis or treatment of hypertension, various organ damages attributable to hypertension and the like.
US09221834B2

Compounds having the structure of Formula I, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds, are CETP inhibitors and are useful for raising HDL-cholesterol, reducing LDL-cholesterol, and for treating or preventing atherosclerosis. In the compound of Formula I, A3 is a substituted phenyl group or indanyl group. Formula (I).
US09221827B2

The present invention relates generally to the field of antimicrobial compounds and to methods of making and using them. These compounds are useful for treating, preventing, and reducing the risk of microbial infections in humans and animals.
US09221823B2

Novel crystals of a pyrrolidylthiocarbapenem derivative having excellent stability is provided. According to the present invention, a crystal of (+)-(4R,5S,6S)-6-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]-4-methyl-7-oxo-3[[(3S,5S)-5-(sulfamoylaminomethyl)pyrrolidin-3-yl]thio]-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid having a diffraction pattern in powder X-ray diffraction having main peaks at diffraction angles (2θ) of about 6.62, 13.04, 15.44, 16.58, 17.64, 20.88, 23.26, 25.02 and 25.52 (degrees) are provided.
US09221817B2

The invention relates to a compound of formula (I), more specifically in the levorotatory form (1a) thereof, in particular the form having a rotatory power [α]D=−38.6+0.7 at a concentration of 0.698 mg/ml in methanol. The compound may be in the form of a base or an acid addition salt, in particular a pharmaceutically acceptable acid. The compound is a selective Aurora A and B kinase inhibitor and can be used as an anticancer drug.
US09221815B2

The present invention relates to Vemurafenib choline salt, solid state forms thereof, processes for preparation thereof and formulations thereof. The present invention also relates to the use of the solid state forms of Vemurafenib choline salt for preparing Vemurafenib or other Vemurafenib salts, and solid state forms thereof. Vemurafenib has the following chemical structure:
US09221811B2

Compounds or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof for promoting osteogenesis, improving bone metabolism, preventing or treating bone fracture, preventing or treating a disease associated with bone metabolism, or in the field of orthopedics for the promotion of healing of bone fracture, a bone defect, and bone diseases such as osteoarthritis as well as in the field of dentistry for the treatment of periodontal disease and the stabilization of artificial tooth root. The compounds are represented by formula (I) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof:
US09221809B2

This invention relates to aminopyrimidinone compounds of Formula (I) that are inhibitors of Interleukin receptor-associated kinases, in particular IRAK-4, and are useful in the treatment or prevention of inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
US09221808B2

Compounds and compositions having activity as inhibitors of Rho-associated proteinkinases (ROCKs), and methods of making and using the subject compounds are disclosed.
US09221800B2

The present invention relates to compounds and methods for inducing synthesis and secretion of insulin from pancreatic beta cells. The methods may take place in vitro, ex vivo such as in isolates from adult mammalian tissue, or in vivo. Compounds and methods described herein may find use in the treatment of diabetes.
US09221797B2

The invention is directed to compounds of Formula I: wherein Z, X, J, R2 and W are set forth in the specification, as well as solvates, hydrates, tautomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that inhibit protein tyrosine kinases, especially c-fms kinase. Methods of treating autoimmune diseases; and diseases with an inflammatory component; treating metastasis from ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, stomach cancer, hairy cell leukemia and non-small lung carcinoma; and treating pain, including skeletal pain caused by tumor metastasis or osteoarthritis, or visceral, inflammatory, and neurogenic pain; as well as osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and other diseases in which bone resorption mediates morbidity including arthritis, prosthesis failure, osteolytic sarcoma, myeloma, and tumor metastasis to bone with the compounds of Formula I, are also provided.
US09221788B2

Salts and solid forms of 3-(4-((4-(morpholinomethyl)benzyl)oxy)-1-oxoisoindolin-2-yl)piperidine-2,6-dione, or a stereoisomer thereof, are disclosed. Compositions comprising and methods of using the salts and solid forms are also disclosed.
US09221784B2

The present invention relates to compounds of the formula (I), wherein the residues A, R1 to R5, Z1 and Z2 have the meanings indicated in the claims. The compounds of the formula (I) are valuable pharmacologically active compounds for use in the treatment of diverse disorders, for example cardiovascular disorders like thromboembolic diseases or restenoses. The compounds of the invention are effective antagonists of the platelet LPA receptor LPAR5 (GPR92) and can in general be applied in conditions in which an undesired activation of the platelet LPA receptor LPAR5, the mast cell LPA receptor LPAR5 or the microglia cell LPA receptor LPAR5 is present or for the cure or prevention of which an inhibition of the platelet, mast cell or microglia cell LPA receptor LPAR5 is intended. The invention furthermore relates to processes for the preparation of compounds of the formula (I), their use, in particular as active ingredients in medicaments, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.
US09221774B2

A method for the epoxidation of an olefin comprising the steps of reacting a feed gas composition containing an olefin, oxygen, and a moderator having an optimal moderator concentration in the presence of an epoxidation catalyst at a first temperature and having a first selectivity; and increasing the optimal moderator concentration to a second moderator concentration and whereby the first selectivity is lowed to a second selectivity and the first temperature to a second temperature.
US09221772B2

The disclosure relates generally to methods for the preparation of a family of natural compounds, the syrbactins and their analogs.
US09221770B2

The invention provides new compounds of the formula I, II or III. These compounds can be used as electron transport materials in optical light emitting diodes (OLEDs). The compounds of the formula I, II and III are as follows:
US09221768B2

For the separation, removal, isolation, purification, characterisation, identification or quantification of fibrinogen or a protein that is a fibrinogen analogue, an affinity adsorbent is used that is a compound of formula II wherein one X is N and the other is N, C—CI or C—CN; Y is O, S or NR2; Z is O, S or NR3; R2 and R3 are each H, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, benzyl or β-phenylethyl; n is 0 to 6; A is a support matrix, optionally linked to the triazine ring by a spacer; R7 is a group bearing a positive charge at neutral pH; W is an optional linker; V is an aromatic group; and R8 and R9 are each H, OH, alkyl, alkoxy, amino, NH2, acyloxy, acylamino, CO2H, sulphonic acid, carbamoyl, sulphamoyl, alkylsulphonyl or halogen or a cyclic structure such as a morpholino group, or R8 and R9 are linked to form such a cyclic structure.
US09221767B2

The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I): or stereoisomers, tautomers, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein all the variables are as defined herein. These compounds are selective ROCK inhibitors. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and methods of treating cardiovascular, smooth muscle, oncologic, neuropathologic, autoimmune, fibrotic, and/or inflammatory disorders using the same.
US09221764B2

This invention describes the development of targeted small molecule inhibitors of the inv(16) fusion, the causative agent in ˜12% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The inv(16) fusion results in expression of the CBFβ-SMMHC fusion protein in the blood cells of afflicted patients. The present invention provides compounds which inhibit the function of both CBFβ and the CBFβ-SMMHC fusion. These compounds block the growth of an inv(16) leukemia cell line as well as increase its apoptosis, while showing minimal effects against non inv(16) cell lines. As a mechanism to develop inhibitors with selectivity for the CBFβ-SMMHC fusion protein, the present invention further provides dimeric derivatives of these compounds which show both increased potency as well as selectivity for CBFβ-SMMHC. These compounds show potent inhibition of an inv(16) leukemia cell line with minimal effects on non inv(16) cell lines. Analysis of the pharmacokinetics of the developed compounds has made it possible to improve the lifetime of the compound in the plasma of mice to a level commensurate with long-term treatment.
US09221758B2

Novel methods of preparing a compound of Formula I which is an inhibitor of Factor Xa and its maleate salt, are described herein.
US09221756B2

There are provided inter alia compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4a and R4b are as defined in the specification and their use in therapy, especially in the treatment of bacterial (e.g. pneumococcal) infections.
US09221754B2

The present invention relates to two novel crystalline forms of zofenopril calcium, to processes for their preparation and their use in pharmaceutical compositions.
US09221731B2

A method for producing a desired isomer of 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene or a desired isomer of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene at a high conversion ratio with no use of a solid catalyst is provided. Since no solid catalyst is used, a desired isomer of 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propene and a desired isomer of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene can be stably obtained with no undesired possibility that the solid catalyst is deteriorated due to coking or the like caused as a result of long-time use thereof.
US09221730B2

Disclosed herein is a process for conditioning natural gas containing C3+ hydrocarbons, so that it can be used as combustion fuel to run gas-powered equipment, including gas engines and turbine-driven compressors, in the gas field or the gas processing plant. The claimed process use glassy polymeric membranes that are preferentially permeable to methane over C2+ hydrocarbons to produce a partially purified methane stream. The process operates at a stage cut of at least about 5%.
US09221729B1

Extractive distillation for recovering aromatic hydrocarbons employs an extractive distillation column with a novel overhead system including a partial condenser. The process enables (i) efficient removal of heavy non-aromatics, particularly C8 naphthenic compounds, from the EDC bottom stream to increase the purity of aromatic products, especially of the mixed xylenes and (ii) reduction (or better control) of benzene loss to the raffinate product stream to maintain its quality as a gasoline blend stock and, as a result, enhance benzene recovery in the aromatic products. Feedstock includes a full-range feedstock, such as pyrolysis gasoline, or a narrow-range feedstock, such as reformate.
US09221721B1

The present invention is incorporated in a three-part primary nutrient system for facilitating the growth of a plant in any growing media. The first part of the nutrient system comprises calcium and nitrogen and is devoid of magnesium, sulfur, and trace minerals. The second part of the nutrient system comprises nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace minerals and is devoid of calcium. The third part of the nutrient system comprises potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium and is devoid of calcium.
US09221718B2

A pressure casting slip for producing a refractory ceramic for use as a heat shield, e.g. in the hot gas path of gas turbine units, includes a particulate mixture of at least two materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion and also organic and/or inorganic binders and floating agents. The particulate mixture has a multimodal particle size distribution divided into 10-20 percent by weight of coarse particles in the size range 1-5 mm in diameter, 10-20 percent by weight of medium particles in the size range 0.5-1 mm in diameter and 60-80 percent by weight of fine particles in the size range up to 0.5 mm in diameter which together make up 100 percent by weight of the particle mixture.
US09221714B2

An apparatus for chemically toughening glass which can toughen the surface of the glass by inducing compressive stress on the glass surface through ion exchange and a method of chemically toughening glass using the same. The apparatus includes a chemical toughening bath which chemically toughens the glass; a transportation part which transports the glass from upstream of the chemical toughening bath through the chemical toughening bath to downstream of the chemical toughening bath; and a microwave generator disposed above the chemical toughening bath, the microwave generator radiating microwaves to the glass.
US09221712B2

A method for using a temperature control loop in order to further develop process control during elongation of a cylindrical preform such that a component strand with high dimensional accuracy can be drawn even in the presence of temperature-effective defects during the elongation process: (a) the continuous measurement of a first temperature value, Ttop, at an upper measuring point on the surface of the cylindrical preform; (b) the continuous measurement of a second temperature value, Tbottom, at a lower measuring point; (c) calculation of a temperature distribution in the region between the measuring points Ttop and Tbottom, and determination of a modelled deformation temperature, Tmodel, using an algorithmic model taking with first and the second temperature values as model input parameters, and the modelled deformation temperature, Tmodel, as a regulating variable and the heating-zone temperature Toven as a manipulated variable for the temperature-control loop.
US09221709B2

An apparatus for producing a layer of vitreous silica adjacent at least a portion of an inner surface of a fused silica body is described, comprising a heat source disposed to apply sufficient heat to at least a portion of the inner surface to cause a layer of said at least a portion of the inner surface to vitrify. In certain embodiments the heat source is configured to heat at one time a relatively small area of the inner surface, and the apparatus comprises a positioning mechanism for moving the heat source with respect to the inner surface. In certain embodiments the heat source is a hydrogen-oxygen surface-mix fueled torch that is moved helically with respect to the inner surface of the body under the control of a programmed CNC motion control system.
US09221708B2

For a device for tempering flat glass, the glass panes (1) are supported by air bearings on both sides between a heating zone (2) and a quenching zone (3). The nozzles (7), from which pressurized air for forming the air bearings escapes, are placed at an angle in such a way that the nozzles point away from the heating zone (2) and toward the quenching zone (3), whereby cooled air is prevented from flowing from the quenching zone (3) toward the heating zone (2).
US09221707B2

Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to edge sealing techniques for vacuum insulating glass (VIG) units. More particularly, certain example embodiments relate to techniques for providing localized heating to edge seals of units, and/or unitized ovens for accomplishing the same. In certain example embodiments, a unit is pre-heated to one or more intermediate temperatures, localized heating via at least one substantially two-dimensional array of heat sources is provided proximate to the peripheral edges of the unit so as to melt frits placed thereon, and cooled. In certain non-limiting implementations, the pre-heating and/or cooling may be provided in one or more steps. An oven for accomplishing the same may include multiple zones for performing the above-noted steps, each zone optionally including one or more chambers. Accordingly, in certain example embodiments, a temperature gradient proximate to the edges of the unit is created, thereby reducing the chances of breakage and/or at least some de-tempering of the substrates.
US09221700B2

This invention relates to an improved method for inhibiting the formation and deposition of silica and silicate compounds in a water system. In particular, the method includes adding to the water system a relatively low molecular weight organic, anionic polymer. The polymer preferrably has an acrylic acid or methacrylic acid functionality and is preferrably selected from one or more of homopolymers of acrylic acid, a methacrylic acid/polyethylene glycol allyl ether copolymer, a homopolymer of methacrylic acid, an acrylic acid/polyethylene glycol allyl ether copolymer, and an acrylic acid/1-allyloxy-2-hydroxypropane sulfonic acid copolymer, homopolymers of maleic anhydride, copolymers of maleic anhydride and polyethylene glycol allyl ether, and combinations thereof.
US09221697B2

Discharge water from a coal mine, and/or water from an abandoned coal mine, is used as a source of sulfate ions to precipitate barium from gas well hydrofracture wastewater. A liquid comprising a gas well hydrofracture wastewater comprising barium is mixed with a coal mine water comprising sulfate ions. The amount of coal mine water in the liquid is sufficient to provide enough sulfate ions to precipitate at least 90% of the barium in the gas well hydrofracture wastewater. The ratio of gas well hydrofracture wastewater to coal mine water can be from 1:10 to 1:1.
US09221696B2

A wastewater treatment process by an electrochemical apparatus, said apparatus having at least an electrochemical electrode (30), and said electrochemical electrode (30) having suitable electrode plates comprises the following steps: passing high concentration wastewater containing undesirable solutes through at least one electrochemical electrode (30) to which a DC electrical current is applied to destroy the undesirable solutes in the water intake, so as to output water having a lower concentration of the undesirable solutes; the DC current applied to the electrochemical electrode (30) comprises at least a constant potential difference stage exerted on both ends of the electrochemical electrode (30), and followed by a constant current stage through the electrochemical electrode (30).
US09221685B2

Methods of capturing or sequestering carbon include introducing a reaction gas stream to a catalytic converter to convert a portion of the carbon in the carbon oxide to solid carbon and a tail gas stream containing water vapor, removing the solid carbon from the catalytic converter for use, disposal, or storage, and recycling at least a portion of the tail gas stream to the catalytic converter. Methods may also include removing a portion of the water from the tail gas stream. The tail gas stream includes a portion of the initial process gas stream and at least a portion of water vapor produced in the catalytic converter. Methods may also include removing water vapor from various streams and reacting the carbon oxide with a reducing agent in the presence of a catalyst. Systems for capturing or sequestering carbon from a gaseous source containing carbon oxides are also described.
US09221682B2

A process for producing NO gas from a feed flow of air or oxygen enriched air, by means of moving an electric arc through the air flow by using a magnetic field and AC or DC currents, in a reactor, wherein a pressure lower than 1 bar is applied, wherein the temperature in the exited arc is adjusted to be within the range of 3000 to 5000 Kelvin, and wherein the air flow is quenched by applying a spray of fine water droplets upstream or just downstream the arc, excess air feed or bypassed air to obtain a stable NO-containing plasma having a temperature below 2000 Kelvin.
US09221673B2

An electronic device includes a vibrating element that detects a predetermined physical quantity, an integrated circuit that is electrically connected to the vibrating element, and a ceramic package. The ceramic package is provided with a first external terminal and a second external terminal to which a constant potential is supplied. The first external terminal is electrically connected to the second external terminal in a first mode, and is electrically connected to an internal node of the integrated circuit in a second mode.
US09221672B2

An electronic device includes: a base member; a conductive film including a first end portion and a second end portion fixed to the base member, the conductive film being movable in a lateral direction of the base member between the first end portion and the second end portion; a first driving electrode, which is provided in the base member at a position opposed to a first main surface of the conductive film, and to which a first driving voltage is applied; a second driving electrode, which is provided in the base member at a position opposed to a second main surface of the conductive film, and to which a second driving voltage is applied; and a terminal provided in the base member at a position where the terminal enables to come into contact with the second main surface of the conductive film.
US09221669B2

A pumping system comprises an internal combustion engine, a generator, a pumping unit and a heat recovery system. The generator is driven by the internal combustion engine. The pumping unit is powered by the generator. The heat recovery system thermally couples the internal combustion engine with the pumping unit.
US09221659B2

A loading system that includes a transporter and a loader or a transporter is provided. It includes a load-amount measuring unit installed on the transporter that measures a load amount of an object loaded on the transporter; a difference computing unit computing a difference between the load amount measured by the load-amount measuring unit when the object is loaded, and a load amount measured by the load-amount measuring unit after a measurement when the object is loaded and at a time of traveling; a storage unit storing a difference value data indicating the difference computed by the difference computing unit; a correcting unit correcting the load amount measured by the load-amount measuring unit when the object is loaded, based on a correction rule calculated based on the difference value data stored in the storage unit; and a display unit displaying a corrected load amount obtained by correcting the load amount.
US09221657B2

Provided is a forklift equipped with a variable displacement traveling hydraulic pump driven by an engine, a hydraulic motor that forms a closed circuit with the traveling hydraulic pump therebetween and is driven by hydraulic oil discharged from the traveling hydraulic pump, and driving wheels driven by the hydraulic motor. An accelerator opening is calculated by correcting an accelerator opening detected by an accelerator opening sensor, using a greater one of a first cut-off frequency calculated from the accelerator opening detected by the accelerator opening sensor, and a second cut-off frequency calculated from a corrected accelerator opening calculated at a timing before the first cut-off frequency is calculated.
US09221655B2

A system for determining the position of at least one container in a vehicle and/or trailer in a container loading area. The at least one container is loaded and unloaded on the vehicle and/or trailer by a crane. The crane includes a spreader grabbing the containers from a top and a positioning system for the crane and the spreader. A container position determining apparatus is arranged in connection with the at least one lane and includes a fixed structure mounted alongside the at least one lane in a known location relative to the ground. An indicator is movable on the fixed structure and can be manually moved to indicate either end of a desired position of a container on a vehicle parked on the lane or on a trailer connected thereto. Information about the position of the indicator on the fixed structure is determined and transmitted to the crane.
US09221653B2

A fire service elevator includes an elevator cage with a cage roof, wherein the elevator cage is at least partly supported and driven by at least one support device, wherein the elevator cage is looped under by the at least one support device, wherein the elevator cage has a protective element, which is arranged at least partly around the at least one support means and disposed substantially on the cage roof. The protective element screens the at least one support device relative to a central region of the cage roof so that extinguishing water falling onto the cage roof in the case of fire is substantially prevented from wetting the at least one support device.
US09221642B2

A paper transport device includes a transport motor, a branch motor, and a processing unit. In order to generate a holding torque in the branch motor while the transport motor is rotating, the processing unit supplies the exciting current of a first current value to the branch motor in a first time period including the start of the rotation of the transport motor and an acceleration period of the rotation. In a second time period following the first time period and including a stable period in which a rotational speed of the transport motor is stable, the processing unit supplies the exciting current of a second current value, the absolute value of which is smaller than that of the first current value, to the branch motor.
US09221635B2

A sheet feeding roller 101 which feeds a sheet stacked on a sheet supporting plate 110 capable of being lifted and lowered is supported by a support portion as being linearly movable in an up-and-down direction, and a roller biasing member applies a force to the support portion in a direction in which the sheet feeding roller is pressed to s sheet stacked on the sheet supporting plate. A biasing direction 101b of the sheet feeding roller due to the roller biasing member is set within a range between a normal line of the sheet feeding roller at the upstreammost pressing position against the sheet feeding direction and a normal line of the sheet feeding roller at the downstreammost pressing position out of the pressing positions where the sheet feeding roller is pressed to the sheet as being varied in accordance with a sheet stacking state of the sheets.
US09221634B2

According to the present disclosure, a recording medium feeding device includes a pickup roller, a feed roller, a retard roller, a holding member, a pressing mechanism, a pressing force changing mechanism, and a driving force transmitting mechanism. The holding member is configured to rotatably support the feed roller and the pickup roller. The pressing mechanism is configured to press the pickup roller against a recording medium. The pressing force changing mechanism is configured to change the pressing force of the pickup roller. The driving force transmitting mechanism is configured to transmit a rotation-driving force to the feed roller. The pressing force changing mechanism obtains a driving force from the driving force transmitting mechanism, and increases the pressing force according to rotation time of the pickup roller.
US09221630B2

A trailer stabilizing device for stabilizing a parked freight trailer, the trailer stabilizing device comprising a frame separate from the support frame of the parked freight trailer, the stabilizing device frame having mounted thereto wheels and a hitch, the stabilizing device including a repositionable jack.
US09221626B2

A system and method provides for the identification and monitoring of carriers within a pneumatic carrier system. Each carrier which is to be employed within the system includes an identification device such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip which has stored thereon identification information for the carrier. Positioned throughout the system are communications devices such as antennas and readers which are employed to read and/or write identification information on the chip. When a carrier is put in the system, a destination location can be associated with the particular carrier ID. This associated information is then employed to, among many things, monitor and confirm identity of the carrier as it moves to its destination.
US09221625B2

A conveying pipe for transporting solids includes a pipe body and a pipe collar connected to at least one end of the pipe body. The pipe collar and the pipe end are coupled to each other by an interference fit at least in some sections in a coupling region in a longitudinal direction of the pipe body. In the coupling region, an anaerobically hardening adhesive is optionally arranged in craters or depressions. The conveying pipe is produced by roughening the pipe collar inner surface and/or the pipe end outer surface in a coupling region, cleaning the pipe collar inner surface and/or the pipe end outer surface, applying an anaerobic hardenable adhesive the pipe collar inner surface and/or the pipe end inner surface, and pressing the pipe collar onto the pipe end and/or pressing the pipe end into the pipe collar.
US09221624B2

A parts feeding device includes a magazine for housing pallets, a parts feeding table capable of supporting a plurality of pallets in a state where a tray mounted on a topmost pallet is positioned within a movable range of a parts retrieving head and in a state where an upside of the tray is open, and a relay device which inserts and removes the pallets into and from the magazine and the parts feeding table.
US09221622B2

Embodiments of a product orientor include a turner conveyor that defines conveying plan and direction for a product received thereon and that has an initial orientation relative to the conveying direction. The initial orientation is determined by a vision system that is positioned upstream from the turner conveyor. The turner conveyor is rotatable about an axis that is perpendicular to the conveying plan between a conveying orientation, wherein the product is in the initial orientation, and a rectifying orientation, wherein the product is in a predetermined orientation relative to the conveying orientation. The product orientor further includes pressure plates that are movable between a retracted configuration and a holding configuration wherein the product is maintained in the predetermined orientation while the turner conveyor is moved from the rectifying orientation to the initial conveying orientation.
US09221616B2

A conveyor includes a support frame, an inclined tube mounted to the support frame, a cleated belt that conveys the material from the hopper through the tube and a hopper at a lower end of the tube for receiving material, wherein the hopper comprises a cleanout unit with a detachable cover that is detachably mounted to the hopper.
US09221610B2

A conveyor belt (13) includes a main body rubber (14) extending in a belt longitudinal direction, tension members (15) embedded in the main body rubber throughout a circumference of the main body rubber (14) in the belt longitudinal direction, and loop coils (16) embedded in the main body rubber (14) and having an annular shape in plan view taken in a belt thickness direction (T). The loop coils (16) are embedded at one side of the main body rubber (14) in the belt thickness direction (T), and the tension members (15) are embedded at the other side of the main body rubber (14) in the belt thickness direction (T) relative to the loop coils (16). The loop coils (16) are disposed above a cloth-shaped reinforcement (17) embedded in the main body rubber (14), and a Young's modulus of the cloth-shaped reinforcement (17) in a belt width direction (H) is higher than that of the main body rubber (14) in the belt width direction (H), and is higher than that of the cloth-shaped reinforcement (17) in the belt longitudinal direction. According to the conveyor belt (13), vertical cracks can be detected with high accuracy.
US09221604B2

Disclosed is an article storage facility which can be downsized by minimizing the width of the travel path for a pair of stacker cranes, in which its configuration is simplified as much as possible, and in which its throughput can be efficiently improved. The control device is configured to perform a mutual avoidance vertical movement process in which a pair of vertically movable bodies are raised or lowered by a vertical movement operation for avoiding interference, which is different from the vertical movement operation in the article transporting operation to raise and lower the pair of vertically movable bodies, to the vertical positions for passing each other which are spaced apart in the vertical movement direction by a distance greater than or equal to the required separating distance which is defined as a separating distance which allows the pair of stacker cranes to pass each other without interfering.
US09221598B2

A method includes wrapping one or more pieces of fabric around at least one piece of shape memory material. The method also includes attaching outer edges of the one or more pieces of fabric to other portions of the one or more pieces of fabric. The method further includes depositing liquid-impervious material onto the one or more pieces of fabric to form free-standing flexible walls and a floor of a containment structure. The floor is formed seamlessly with the walls. The wrapping could include attaching a bottom of the at least one piece of shape memory material to the one or more pieces of fabric at locations spaced apart from the outer edges of the one or more pieces of fabric. The wrapping could also include attaching sides of the at least one piece of shape memory material to the one or more pieces of fabric.
US09221592B2

The present invention is a pouch assembly that can be used to store a carbonated beverage such as beer. The pouch assembly includes a pouch and a fitment. The fitment is mounted within an opening of the pouch. A thread is disposed around an outer surface of the first end of the tube spout. The tread disposed around the outer surface of the first end of the tube spout includes one or more slots. The fitment includes at least one alignment tab. The alignment tab extends away from the canoe portion and includes one or more notches.
US09221590B2

Resealable packaging for food products is provided with a flexible container having a top, bottom and side faces, a container aperture having lateral edges extending within the top face, and a flexible closure flap covered of repositionable adhesive on the lateral margins, which are peelable from a closed position in which they adhere around the aperture. The container having a supporting insert including a frame extending along the side faces and having a lower peripheral edge laying against the bottom face of the container. The frame may include foot portions and may have a top peripheral edge situated adjacent the top face and may have head portions between which two top panels extend. The insert covers the inner face of the container in the area on which the lateral margins adhere, to support it during the resealing. A method of manufacturing is also disclosed.
US09221586B2

A closure that includes a top panel and a skirt extending downwardly from a peripheral edge of the top panel is provided. The skirt terminates in a plurality of spaced thread engagement flanges for engaging the thread of the neck of a container. The closure includes a polymer-filled channel which connects the top panel to the skirt. When engaged with the threaded neck of a container, the neck is forced into the channel and engaged by the polymer so that the channel and polymer provide lateral rigidity to the neck. This rigidity prevents the neck from deflecting from the forces resulting between the threads and thread engagement lugs when the forces therebetween are increased to the level required to adequately seal the closure to the container.
US09221582B2

A collapsible container is provided. The collapsible container includes a substantially rigid upper rim, and a container portion that is made entirely of a flexible (collapsible) material. The flexible container has a base and side walls extending upward from the base. The side walls include at least one living hinge, and the base is formed with a structural ribbing configuration. The structural ribbing integrated into the base and formed of the flexible material creates a level of rigidity in the same that allows the entire container to collapse and extend without requirement any other materials incorporated into the container portion.
US09221579B2

A pull-tab sealing member for a container containing an upper laminate forming a pull-tab bonded to a lower laminate capable of being heat sealed to a container's mouth or opening. The upper laminate defines the pull tab wholly within a perimeter or circumference of the seal. The sealing member further includes a sub tab layer or member under the gripping tab for concentric structural support.
US09221577B2

A packaging system for toilet components, including a toilet bowl, a toilet tank and a tank lid. The packaging system includes an outer carton, a location fitment, a tank protection member, a toilet lid pack, a toilet end fitment, a toilet lid fitment, and a top bowl fitment.
US09221575B2

An eight-sided, octagonal carton having an increased width opening and strength as compared to a four-sided, rectangular carton, and providing for improved removal of a food product stored within the carton. The octagonal carton has a top panel, a bottom panel, and an octagonal sidewall comprising a pair of longitudinal segments and a pair of transverse end segments. The end segments further comprise a pair of individual panels that can fold at an angle to provide three sides along each end segment; two angled sides and one side perpendicular to the longitudinal segments. To gain access to the interior of the carton, only one of the panels needs to be opened creating an access opening through which the food product is extracted.
US09221571B1

A weighted bag support including a plurality of rectangular rigid support frames comprising a right support frame, a left support frame, a front support frame, and a back support frame. Each of the plurality of support frames has a top flap. The top flap has a lower edge and an upper edge. A plurality of covers comprising a right cover, a left cover, a front cover, and a back cover are continuously disposed within the right support frame, the left support frame, the front support frame, and the back support frame, respectively. A plurality of weighted rods comprising a right weighted rod, a left weighted, rod, a front weighted rod, and a back weighted rod are disposed within the upper edge of the top flap of the right support frame, the left support frame, the front support frame, and the back support frame, respectively.
US09221563B2

A device is for treating and packaging implants. The device includes a container including a chamber therein. The chamber is closed by a removable seal. The device also includes a carrier sized and shaped to be inserted into the chamber. The carrier includes a carrying structure configured to connect an implant thereto. A portion of the carrier may be formed of an electrically conductive material.
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