US09317775B2

The disclosure includes a system and method for identifying multiple items in an image. A image recognition application receives a query image of items, computes features of the query image, for each feature finds an indexed image with closest matched features in a database, determines that the shape of the matched features is geometrically consistent, determines whether the query image matches the indexed image, responsive to the query image matching the indexed image, returns inliers, determines a region of interest where the match was found in the query image, removes inliers from the set of features to reduce the set of features and returns all matches found when the query image fails to match the indexed image.
US09317767B2

A computer-implemented method for selecting at least one segmentation parameter for optical character recognition is provided. The method can include receiving an image having a character string that includes one or more characters. The method can also include receiving a character string identifying each of the one or more characters. The method can also include automatically generating at least one segmentation parameter. The method can also include performing segmentation on the image having the character string using the at least one segmentation parameter. The method can also include determining if a resultant segmentation satisfies one or more criteria and if the resultant segmentation satisfies the one or more criteria, selecting the at least one segmentation parameter.
US09317763B2

There is described a system and method for automatically discriminating between different types of data with an image reader. In brief overview of one embodiment, the automatic discrimination feature of the present image reader allows a human operator to aim a hand held image reader at a target that can contain a dataform and actuate the image reader. An autodiscrimination module in the image reader in one embodiment analyzes image data representative of the target and determines a type of data represented in the image data.
US09317752B2

A method for detecting parking occupancy includes receiving video data from a sequence of frames taken from an associated image capture device monitoring a parking area. The method includes determining at least one candidate region in the parking area. The method includes comparing a size of the candidate region to a size threshold. In response to size of the candidate region meeting and exceeding the size threshold, the method includes determining whether the candidate region includes one of at least one object and no objects. The method includes classifying at least one object in the candidate region as belonging to one of at least two vehicle-types. The method further includes providing vehicle occupancy information to a user.
US09317737B2

There is provided an input apparatus including an estimation unit configured to automatically estimate an attribute of a user, a setting unit configured to set an input mode based on the attribute of the user estimated by the estimation unit, and a control unit configured to control input based on the set input mode.
US09317736B1

Embodiments of methods, systems, and storage medium associated with providing user records associated with characteristics that may be used to identify the user are disclosed herein. In one instance, the method may include obtaining features of an individual, determining identifying characteristics associated with the obtained features, and initiating a search for a record associated with the individual based in part on the identifying characteristics associated with the obtained features, and, based on a result of the search, a verification of the record associated with the individual. The method may further include receiving at least a portion of the record associated with the individual, based at least in part on a result of the verification. The verification may be based in part on a ranking associated with the record. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US09317723B2

A passive tag embedded in a package includes multiple conductive coils. A first coil receives radio frequency (RF) energy used to power the tag. Additional coils receive and/or transmit data signals, clock signals, and carrier signals. The RF energy and other signals may be at different frequencies. An RF probe includes a first coil to emit the RF energy to power the tag. The RF probe includes additional coils corresponding to the additional coils in the tag. The RF probe may turn off the RF signal used for power during communication. The RF energy may be rectified to provide DC power to circuits in the tag, or may be used directly for adiabatic circuits. The RF probe and the package may have complementary shapes to facilitate alignment of the coils.
US09317721B2

A privacy indicator is provided that shows whether sensor data are being processed in a private or non-private mode. When sensor data are used only for controlling a device locally, it may be in a private mode, which may be shown by setting the privacy indicator to a first color. When sensor data are being sent to a remote site, it may be in a non-private mode, which may be shown by setting the privacy indicator to a second color. The privacy mode may be determined by processing a command in accordance with a privacy policy of determining if the command is on a privacy whitelist, blacklist, greylist or is not present in a privacy command library. A non-private command may be blocked.
US09317720B2

Provided is a method, system, and program for enabling access to data in a storage medium within one of a plurality of storage cartridges capable of being mounted into a interface device. An association is provided of at least one coding key to a plurality of storage cartridges. A determination is made of one coding key associated with one target storage cartridge, wherein the coding key is capable of being used to access data in the storage medium within the target storage cartridge. The determined coding key is encrypted. The coding key is subsequently decrypted to use to decode and code data stored in the storage medium.
US09317717B2

The disclosed embodiments provide a system that processes data. During operation, the system uses a first key to protect a write operation on the data. Next, the system uses a second key to protect a read operation on the data.
US09317716B2

An information providing apparatus for collecting data including personal information and distributing the data to a user terminal performs anonymization processing for converting data, which an individual who is an owner of personal information allows to use, into data with which the individual cannot be identified using multiple parameters, thus generating multiple anonymized data protecting the, privacy of the individual. Since each of the anonymized data is anonymized using a different parameter, the amount of information of each of the anonymized data is different. Then, when a request is received from a user terminal, anonymized data that can be provided to the user are identified from among multiple generated anonymized data on the basis of the reliability of the user who uses the user terminal.
US09317709B2

A cloud storage system provides remote access to a file associated with the cloud storage system. In response to a request to access the file, the cloud storage system identifies applications available to the request generator and capable of accessing the file, which may include both online web-based applications and applications installed on a device with which the user is accessing the file. The cloud storage system determines an application type of an identified application, and provides file access to the identified application based on the application type.
US09317704B2

Systems and methods for providing trust provisioning are disclosed. A utilization request requesting to utilize data stored by a secure element associated with the device may be processed by a software application. In response to processing the utilization request, a registration request message for registering the software application may be communicated to a management server. A validation code may be received from the management server in reply to the registration request message. The received validation code may be verified to match a second validation code. Subsequent to successful verification, a passcode and an identifier of the secure element may be communicated to the management server. In response to communicating the passcode and the secure element identifier, an acknowledgement may be received from the management server specifying whether registration of the software application was successful.
US09317700B2

A technique for preventing malicious observance of private information includes receiving an instruction of entering a mode of inputting private information; determining a correspondence between actual inputs and expected inputs; receiving an actual user input; and converting the actual input into an expected input as private information inputted by the user according to the correspondence. This security technique can prevent discovery of the private information of a user through observation.
US09317698B2

A system and method of providing information stored in a memory is provided. The system comprises an information repository for storing information and an access module for providing access to the information in response to a predetermined operation performed on a man-machine interface. The method includes the steps of storing information in a memory and providing access to the information in dependence upon at least one predetermined operation.
US09317696B2

Systems and/or methods for deploying and implementing data loss prevention (DLP) policy definition that may encapsulate the requirements, control objectives and directives, and/or the definitions of sensitive data types as stipulated directly or indirectly by the regulatory policy are disclosed. In one embodiment, DLP policies may be identified by an organization to run on top of a set of electronic file systems (e.g., email systems, file systems, web servers and the like). Organizations and their administrators may implement a set of DLP policy instance which are derived from DLP policy templates. DLP policy templates may comprise both structure and meaning—and may acquire a given DLP policy by the replacement of parameterized expressions with desired parameter values. In another embodiment, the state of the DLP policy instance may change according to the lifecycle of the policy instance deployment.
US09317688B2

A method and an apparatus for providing service are provided. A method of providing service by a Machine-to-Machine (M2M) device includes transmitting a request for a first authentication to a Network Security Capability (NSEC), the request for the first authentication including an identifier of the M2M device, performing an Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) authentication with the NSEC, and generating, if the first authentication is successful, a secret key using at least one of a Master Session Key (MSK) and the identifier of the M2M device.
US09317681B2

According to an aspect of the embodiment, an information processing unit includes a browser unit that receives page files and execute a web application; an application range management unit that receives application range information at the start of execution of the web application, and stores that information in a memory unit; a termination detecting unit that, when the page file being processed by the browser unit changes, determines whether or not the web application being executed has terminated depending on whether or not the new page file is included in the application range information; a usability determining unit that determines whether or not an add-on for which a call request is issued is allowed to be used in the web application being executed; and an add-on calling unit that calls an add-on when determined that the add-on is allowed to be used in the web application being executed.
US09317680B2

A method and system for protecting against unknown malicious activities by determining a reputation of a link are disclosed. A reputation server queries a database including reputation information associated with a plurality of links to retrieve a reputation of a redirected link. The reputation information may indicate whether the links are associated with a malicious activity. The reputation of the redirected link may be associated with the original link to create a reputation of the original link.
US09317675B2

According to an aspect of the invention, a smartcard is conceived that comprises at least two pre-installed applications and an application user interface selector, wherein said application user interface selector is arranged to select and configure a specific authentication user interface corresponding to a specific one of the pre-installed applications in dependence on encoded information received from a host application.
US09317674B2

Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for receiving a request from a user for access to at least one function associated with a first application; determining that access to at least one function requires user authentication; initiating sensing of an authentication validating carrier comprising a first credential; determining the first credential based at least in part on the sensed authentication validating carrier; validating the first credential, thereby resulting in a first successful user authentication; and granting access to at least one function associated with the first application based on the validation of the first successful user authentication.
US09317673B2

Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for providing authentication using previously-validated authentication credentials. An exemplary apparatus is configured to receive a request to access a framework application, request, from a user, one or more authentication credentials corresponding to a primary level of user authentication, receive and validate the one or more authentication credentials, create, using the framework application, an authentication token based at least partially on the validation of the primary level of user authentication, wherein the authentication token is accessible by a plurality of applications, receive a request, from the user, to access one or more non-framework applications; and authenticate the one or more non-framework applications, where authenticating the non-framework applications requires accessing the authentication token created by the framework application such that the authentication is at least partially based on the primary level of user authentication.
US09317671B2

A method includes receiving a request over a network from a user to mount a shared folder, which is configured to store electronic data to be selectively accessed based on a policy. The method also includes evaluating whether the user is authenticated. The method also includes generating a random mount point for mounting the shared folder, and redirecting the user to the random mount point if the user is authenticated.
US09317670B2

A method includes receiving usage data associated with a user device. The usage data includes information based on at least one usage activity associated with one or more applications on the user device. The method may also include analyzing the usage data based on predetermined criteria and determining a security question and a corresponding answer based on the usage data. The security question and the corresponding answer are stored in an associated database. The method further includes providing the security question and the corresponding answer in response to a request for the security question and the corresponding answer. Access is provided to a system based on an input of the corresponding answer in response to the security question.
US09317662B2

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods, devices, and computer systems thereof for automated data collection from a subject. In certain embodiments, one or more characteristics of a subject are sensed, and the subject is given a queue status indicator based on a comparison of the subject's one or more sensed characteristics with corresponding sensed characteristics from other subjects. In one embodiment, the subject is a healthcare worker and the system, methods, and devices are utilized to evaluate the overall health of the worker as part of the check-in process for work.
US09317659B2

A computer system obtains data from at least one sensor monitoring for health risk conditions, wherein a list of health risk conditions are pre-defined and stored in a server. The computer system determines that a health risk condition exists within an area based on the obtained data. The computer system determines a sanitization procedure for the health risk condition. The computer system initiates sanitization operations for the area according to the determined sanitization procedure.
US09317655B2

Systems and methods for identifying Methicillin resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a sample are used that are based on the fact that an MRSA positive sample should have roughly the same copy numbers of mecA, SCCmec, and a Staphylococcus aureus-specific target gene sequence. The systems and methods may further present the three assays simultaneously on a 2-D plot with each axis of the plot 120 degrees apart. According to one embodiment, a Y plot is used for the 2-D display. If a given sample has similar readings of mecA, SCCmec, and a Staphylococcus aureus-specific target gene sequence, the sample's measured copy numbers of mecA, SCCmec, and the Staphylococcus aureus-specific target gene sequence can plot close to the origin regardless of the sample's absolute assay readings. With the help of this transformation, a boundary function can be defined that can be used to distinguish MRSA-positive samples from MRSA-negative samples.
US09317650B2

One or more techniques or systems for determining double patterning technology (DPT) layout routing compliance are provided herein. For example, a layout routing component of a system is configured to assign a pin loop value to a pin loop. In some embodiments, the pin loop value is assigned based on a mask assignment of a pin of the pin loop. In some embodiments, the pin loop value is assigned based on a number of nodes associated with the pin loop. DPT compliance or a DPT violation is determined for the pin loop based on the pin loop value. In this manner, odd loop detection associated with DPT layout routing is provided because a DPT violation results in generation of an additional instance of a net, for example. Detecting an odd loop allows a design to be redesigned before fabrication, where the odd loop would present undesired issues.
US09317639B1

A method for reducing dynamic power consumption of an integrated circuit design having flip-flops with an EDA tool that initiates clock gating by gating a clock signal received by the flip-flops. A first set of positive-edge triggered flip-flops and a second set of negative-edge triggered flip-flops, and a first set of OR-type clock gating cells and a second set of AND-type clock gating cells are selected from a technology library. The OR-type clock gating cells are connected to clock input terminals of the first set of positive-edge triggered flip-flops and the AND-type clock gating cells to clock terminals of the second set of negative-edge triggered flip-flops.
US09317636B1

A system for simulating hardware is disclosed wherein stopping the simulating for investigating a state of the simulating is constrained to occur at points of simulation synchronization. A delta cycle may be inserted into a simulation to provide a point of simulation synchronization. The delta cycle may be inserted at the beginning of a simulation loop.
US09317631B2

A resection guide can be configured to guide a resection tool toward a graft source, and can include a resection guide body made from a first material, and a guide member made from a second material. The second material is harder than the first material.
US09317628B1

The present invention provides a method and system for automatic verification of automatically generated standalone code intended for execution on a target computing platform against its original design simulated in a simulation environment. The present invention also applies to execution comparisons between two implementations, such as two simulations, one simulation and one standalone code implementation, or two standalone code implementations. Block diagrams can be used to create a comparison model that compares two implementations. The comparison of different implementations can be performed at a block level, a subsystem level, a model level, or multi-model level. The present invention allows automatic comparison once a user supplies the intermediate outputs and/or signals that the user wants to compare and monitor. Reports can be generated to show the statistics of the comparison results.
US09317627B2

Patterns (e.g., such as images, waveforms such as sounds, electromagnetic waves, or other signals, etc.) are synthesized, modulated and/or analyzed through the use of a computer programmed with a novel mathematical formula. The formula acts as a linear operator and can be used to create a variety of shapes, waveforms, and other representations. The formula greatly enhances ability in computer operations and provides a great savings in computer memory and a substantial increase in computing power.
US09317626B2

The present invention discloses a method for combinatorial layout design, in particular family mold layout design, using a computer. The method starts with receiving design specific parameters and information about molding parts from user. A Genetic Algorithm module is then invoked to generate a population of layout designs which satisfies the design specific parameters. The Genetic Algorithm module first automatically generates a population of specially designed chromosome with three interdependent sessions. Crossover, mutation and replacement operation are applied on the population subsequently to evolve such towards a more optimal population over successive generations. In each generation step, a Genotype-Phenotype mapping module is utilized to decode the chromosome to corresponding layout design for fitness evaluation. A system for combinatorial layout design automation and optimization using this evolutionary design approach is also disclosed in the present invention.
US09317605B1

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for presenting forked auto-completions. In one aspect, a method includes receiving characters from a user device, obtaining an auto-completion that corresponds to the received characters, obtaining corpora and respective corpus scores associated with the auto-completion, selecting corpora based on the corpus scores, and providing the user device with data identifying the auto-completion and the selected corpora.
US09317603B2

A method for acquiring an interrelation between an item of data representing an item of information of a data inventory and an item of data representing an item of information of a request for an interrelation to the item of data representing an item of information of a data inventory by means of a data processing system with data representing information in a data inventory which can be accessed via a data source comprises a link being established by means of a syntactic comparison and/or by means of one semantic comparison of the item of data representing an item of information of a data inventory with the item of data representing an item of information of the request for interrelation with the item of data representing an item of information of a data inventory. According to the method, results of requests for an interrelation are grouped according to topics.
US09317585B2

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving a query initial input from a user, in response to receiving the query initial input, determining a set of personalized query suggestions based on the query initial input, the set of personalized query suggestions including one or more content-based query suggestions that reflect at least one of user data associated with the user within one or more computer-implemented services and use of the one or more computer-implemented services by the user, and transmitting instructions to display the set of personalized query suggestions to the user.
US09317580B2

A method includes obtaining electronically formatted information about previously performed imaging procedures, classifying the information into groups of protocols based on initially selected protocols for the previously performed imaging procedures and generating data indicative thereof, identifying deviations between the classified information and the corresponding initially selected protocols for the previously performed imaging procedures, and generating a signal indicative of the deviations. A method includes recommending at least one of a plurality of protocols for an imaging procedure based on at least one of a score, a probability, or a pre-determined rule, which is based on extracted medical concepts from patient information and extracted medical concepts from previously imaged patient information, and generating a signal indicative of the recommendation.
US09317575B1

Described herein is a computer implemented method for updating a hierarchical dataset using a hierarchical edit script. The dataset comprises a plurality of dataset nodes and the edit script comprises a plurality of edit script nodes. The edit script nodes comprise at least one source node and at least one target node defining a move operation in which one or more nodes from the hierarchical dataset are moved from an original location to a target location.
US09317570B2

A system and method for integrating data from a source application to a target application includes an interface module incorporating a publisher for publishing extracted data in an XML message and a subscriber for uncompressing the XML message. The method includes the steps of publishing an XML message of user data from the source application; receiving, decoding and uncompressing the XML message; and transforming the XML message into a workflow request for integrating the source data to the target application.
US09317559B1

A method, a system and a computer program product for ranking reviewable entities based on sentiment expressed about the entities. A plurality of review texts are identified wherein each review text references an entity. A plurality of sentiment scores associated with the plurality of review texts are generated, wherein each sentiment score for a review text indicates a sentiment directed to the entity referenced by the review text. A plurality of ranking scores for the plurality of entities are generated wherein each ranking score is based at least in part on one or more sentiment scores associated with one or more review texts referencing the entity. A plurality of search results associated with the plurality of entities are displayed based at least in part on the ranking scores.
US09317555B2

A method, system, and/or computer program product queries a distributed database system. In one embodiment, the query method comprises: parsing a query request; generating an access plan for the query request, wherein the access plan specifies therein a database table related to the query request, and the database table has a plurality of copies stored in different database devices respectively; selecting, based on status information of each of the plurality of copies of the specified database table, one copy from the plurality of copies as a target database table; and executing a query operation in the target database table according to the access plan.
US09317551B1

A device provides for display a technical computing environment (TCE)-based search engine user interface, and receives a query from a user via the TCE-based search engine user interface. The device divides the query into one or more query elements, and processes the one or more query elements based on at least one of query content, information requested by the query, a model associated with the query, or an execution result of the model. The device transforms the query into another query, different than the query, based on the processed one or more query elements, and provides the other query to the TCE-based search engine for further processing.
US09317547B1

Children backup applications communicating to parent backup applications via application program interfaces are described. A child backup task is executed by a child backup application. Backup information associated with an execution of the child backup task by the child backup application is communicated from the child backup application via an application program interface to a parent backup application. A parent backup task is executed by the parent backup application based on the backup information. The child backup application inherently lacks a functionality to execute the parent backup task as the parent backup application executes the parent backup task.
US09317546B2

A program identifier, a limit identifier, a minimum value, and an increment value are stored to limit data. The limit identifier identifies a first variable used by the program. In response to storing a data value to a second variable, the stored limit identifier is found and a determination is made whether the stored limit identifier identifies the second variable. If the stored limit identifier identifies the second variable, a determination is made whether the data value is greater than the minimum value. If the data value is greater than the minimum value, the data value is stored to a log if an absolute value of the data value minus a most recently logged data value that was previously stored to the second variable is greater than the increment value. The execution of the program is halted or a user is notified in response to the storing to the log.
US09317544B2

A fuzzy joins system that is integrated in a database system generates fuzzy joins between records from two datasets. The fuzzy joins system includes a tokenizer to generate tokens for data records and a transformer to find transforms for the tokens. The fuzzy joins system invokes a signature generator, running within a runtime layer of the database system, to generate signatures for data records based on the tokens and their transforms. Subsequently, an equi-join operation joins the records from the two datasets with at least one equal signature. A similarity calculator, running within a runtime layer of the database system, computes a similarity measure using the token information of the joined records. If the similarity measure for any two records is above a threshold, the fuzzy joins system generates a fuzzy join between such two records.
US09317543B2

Dropping of columns from a table with data availability, where the columns in the table are each associated with a column number, includes: executing a statement to drop a given column in the table and deferring an application of the statement until a reorganization of a current data set including the table. When the reorganization of the current data set is performed, the reorganization includes: updating column numbers for columns in each row of the table using a mapping data structure to remove the given column; loading the plurality of data rows with the updated column numbers into a shadow data set; applying to the shadow data set any changes to the table that are concurrent with the reorganization; updating a schema definition of the table with the updated column numbers; and switching the current data set to the shadow data set.
US09317542B2

A method for receiving a declarative specification including a plurality of stages. Each stage specifies an atomic operation, a data input to the atomic operation, and a data output from the atomic operation. The data input is characterized by a data type. Links between at least two of the stages are generated to create a data integration workflow. The data integration workflow is compiled to generate computer code for execution on a parallel processing platform. The computer code configured to perform at least one of data preparation and data analysis.
US09317541B2

A traditional data processing system is configured to process input data either in batch or in real-time. On one hand, a batch data processing system is limiting because the batch data processing often cannot take into account any data received during the batch data processing. On the other hand, a real-time data processing system is limiting because the real-time system often cannot scale. The real-time data processing system is often limited to dealing with primitive data types and/or a small amount of data. Therefore, it is desirable to address the limitations of the batch data processing system and the real-time data processing system by combining the benefits of the batch data processing system and the real-time data processing system into a single data processing system.
US09317536B2

This invention relates to a system and methods for determining the placement of an object in a distributed key-value store by mapping the object to nodes in multidimensional hyperspace. A search function supports efficient object retrieval, even when the search query requests multiple objects and specifies them through non-primary keys. In response to a search query, the search is translated into hyperregions in the hyperspace to determine the set of nodes that hold the queried data object. The number of contacted nodes and the number of scanned objects are significantly reduced in comparison to prior art techniques.
US09317531B2

The description relates to sentence autocaptioning of images. One example can include a set of information modules and a set of sentence generation modules. The set of information modules can include individual information modules configured to operate on an image or metadata associated with the image to produce image information. The set of sentence generation modules can include individual sentence generation modules configured to operate on the image information to produce a sentence caption for the image.
US09317527B2

Various embodiments provide a method and apparatus for obtaining a representative sample set of venues (i.e., places) within a geographic region in a location based network using a low cost and efficient sampling and estimating algorithm. In particular, a dynamic random region sampling algorithm randomly selects a target location within a geographic region and then determines a sub-region containing the target location within the geographic region based on venue density prediction. Venue density prediction is based on a weighted average of venue densities of two or more comparable locations within the geographic region.
US09317525B2

A technique includes receiving a request to restore a state of a file system. The request defines a rollback period, which extends from a restoration time that is specified by the request to a time at which the request was made. The technique includes reconstructing a state of the file system in response to a query using a preserved snapshot of the file system. The reconstruction including reconstructing the state at an arbitrary query time based at least in part on a dynamically inheritable attribute of an entity stored on the file system and the rollback period.
US09317524B2

A system and method for generating replication requests for objects in a distributed storage system is provided. For a respective object in a distributed storage system the following is performed. Replication policies for the object that have not been satisfied are determined. Replication requests are ranked for the object whose replication policies have not been satisfied based on a number of replicas of the object that need to be created in order to satisfy the replication policies for the object. Replication requests are generated for the object based at least in part on the replication policies for the object that have not been satisfied and on a current state of the distributed storage system. At least a subset of the replication requests for the objects in the distributed storage system are distributed to respective instances of the distributed storage system corresponding to the replication requests for execution.
US09317519B2

A storage system 103 carries out first and second de-duplication processes in response to receiving a write request from a client. First, a determination is made as to whether a write target data item overlaps with any of the stored data items of a part of a stored data item group, which is a user data item group stored in a storage device 209, and if so, the write target data item is prevented from being stored in the storage device. Second, a determination is made as to whether a target stored data item, which is not finished being evaluated as to whether it overlaps with the stored data item in the first de-duplication process, overlaps with another stored data item, and if so, the target stored data item or the same data item overlapping with the target stored data item is deleted from the storage device 209.
US09317518B2

An example of synchronizing data can include converting a data tree structure into a dependency graph and reconciling nodes with a target data structure. Synchronizing data can include merging any duplicate information. Furthermore, synchronizing data can include keeping identifiers of reconciled information with non-reconciled information to locate the reconciled information when the remaining information is reconciled.
US09317501B2

A method, computer system, and computer program product for translating information. The computer system receives the information for a translation. The computer system identifies portions of the information based on a set of rules for security for the information in response to receiving the information. The computer system sends the portions of the information to a plurality of translation systems. In response to receiving translation results from the plurality of translation systems for respective portions of the information, the computer system combines the translation results for the respective portions to form a consolidated translation of the information.
US09317498B2

Systems and methods for summarizing online articles for consumption on a user device are disclosed herein. The system extracts the main body of an article's text from the HTML code of an online article. The system may then classify the extracted article into one of several different categories and removes duplicate articles. The system breaks down the article into its component sentences, and each sentence is classified into one of three categories: (1) potential candidate sentences that may be included in the generated summary; (2) weakly rejected sentences that will not be included in the summary but may be used to generate the summary; and (3) strongly rejected sentences that are not included in the summary. Finally, the system applies a document summarizer to generate quickly readable article summaries, for viewing on the user device, using relevant sentences from the article while maintaining the coherence of the article.
US09317497B2

In an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, a computer-implemented method includes determining that a database query warrants a first projection operation to project a plurality of input rows to a plurality of projected rows, where each of the plurality of input rows has one or more variable-length columns. A first projection control block is constructed, by a computer processor, to describe the first projection operation. The first projection operation is offloaded to a hardware accelerator. The first projection control block is provided to the hardware accelerator, and the first projection control block enables the hardware accelerator to perform the first projection operation at streaming rate.
US09317496B2

Disclosed in some examples are systems, methods and machine readable media for the management of content creation. In some examples the system includes a content management component configured to store portions of an electronic content work and to implement version control of the electronic content work; a defect tracking component configured to store a defect record related to a stored portion of the electronic content work; a publication pipeline component configured to format the electronic content work for publication; and a integration component configured to present a graphical user interface which allows for editing the stored portions of the electronic content work, editing the defect record, and instructing the publication pipeline to format the electronic content work for publication.
US09317493B2

According to one embodiment, a handwritten document processing apparatus includes an inputter, classifier, divider, and determiner. The inputter inputs stroke data. The classifier classifies the stroke data into data of a plurality of ruled lines and stroke data other than ruled lines. The divider divides a region including the plurality of ruled lines into first regions each corresponding to a cell bounded by four ruled lines and second regions each including at most three ruled lines. The determiner determines whether a ruled line in the second region is a first ruled line, to one end point of which a ruled line is not connected, or a second ruled line, to one end point of which a virtual circumscribed ruled line is connected.
US09317488B2

Computer systems and computer-implemented methods for transcoding websites adapted for viewing on a personal computer to websites adapted for viewing on a mobile device are disclosed. A computer-implemented transcoding method is implemented on a website server. The computer-implemented transcoding method includes handling a request, selecting a controller, generating a response, and returning the response.
US09317475B2

A multiplexing auxiliary processing element (PE) performs a process that includes the operations of receiving signals of a plurality of upstream processing elements (PEs) including a plurality of pairs of PEs arranged on the input side; supplying the signals from the upstream PEs to a multiplex PE that is multiplexed and used so that the signals are subjected to a predetermined process by the multiplex PE; receiving the processed signals subjected to the predetermined process by the multiplex PE and sequentially supplying the signals to a plurality of downstream PEs arranged on the output side; and performing operations of the upstream PEs synchronously with the supply of the processed signals to the corresponding downstream PEs on the basis of setting of the multiplexing auxiliary PE.
US09317474B2

A semiconductor device of the present invention has processor elements each of which divides data that is contiguous in one direction into multiple data groups and processes them, a processor element control unit that issues a data shift instruction, and a data transfer network that performs data transfer between adjacent processor elements. The processor elements each have a data storage unit that stores one of the multiple data groups, a data selector that outputs transfer data obtained by selecting either of head data or end data of one data group according to a data shift instruction into a data transfer network, a data shifter that shifts a position at which the data group is stored to the right or to the left according to the data shift instruction, and a data connector that connects the data group which is shifted and the transfer data obtained through the data transfer network.
US09317469B2

A computer network with distributed shared memory, including a clustered memory cache aggregated from and comprised of physical memory locations on a plurality of physically distinct computing systems. The network also includes a plurality of local cache managers, each of which are associated with a different portion of the clustered memory cache, and a metadata service operatively coupled with the local cache managers. Also, a plurality of clients are operatively coupled with the metadata service and the local cache managers. In response to a request issuing from any of the clients for a data item present in the clustered memory cache, the metadata service is configured to respond with identification of the local cache manager associated with the portion of the clustered memory cache containing such data item.
US09317455B2

Systems, methods and products directed toward switching device components between multiple operating environments available on an information handling device. One aspect includes switching operation of an information handling device between at least two operating environments responsive to a trigger event, the at least two operating environments comprising a primary and a secondary operating environment; and switching one or more device components from one of the at least two operating environments to the other of the at least two operating environments via a virtual switch operation facilitated by one or more embedded controllers disposed within the information handling device responsive to switching between the at least two operating environments. Other embodiments are described herein.
US09317448B2

A cache includes a cache array and a cache controller. The cache array has a multiple number of entries. The cache controller is coupled to the cache array, for storing new entries in the cache array in response to accesses by a data processor, and evicts entries from the cache array according to a cache replacement policy. The cache controller includes a frequent writes predictor for storing frequency information indicating a write back frequency for the multiple number of entries. The cache controller selects a candidate entry for eviction based on both recency information and the frequency information.
US09317447B2

Storage tracks from at least one host are destaged from the write cache rank when it is determined that the at least one host is idle with respect to a first set of ranks, and storage tracks are refrained from being destaged from each rank when it is determined that the at least one host is not idle with respect to a second set of ranks such that storage tracks in the first set of ranks may be destaged while storage tracks in the second set of ranks are not being destaged.
US09317444B2

Latency reduction for direct memory access operations involving address translation is disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein to perform direct memory access (DMA) operations include initializing a ring of descriptors, the descriptors to index respective buffers for storing, in a first memory, data to be transmitted. Such example methods also include causing prefetching of a first address translation associated with a second descriptor in the ring of descriptors to be performed after a first DMA operation is performed to retrieve, for transmission, first data from a first buffer indexed by a first descriptor in the ring of descriptors and before second data is determined to be ready for transmission, the first address translation being associated with a second DMA operation for retrieving the second data from the first memory.
US09317441B2

Embodiments of systems, apparatuses, and methods for performing guest logical memory address to host physical memory address translation are described. In some embodiments, a system receives the guest logical memory address and determines an index page reference from the guest logical memory address. The system further retrieves a page index corresponding to the virtual machine. In addition, the system retrieves a first part of the host physical memory address from index page using the page index and a second part of the host physical memory address from the guest logical memory address. The system generates the host physical memory address from the first and second parts of the host physical memory address.
US09317423B2

The first storage apparatus provides a primary logical volume, and the second storage apparatus has a secondary logical volume. When the first storage apparatus receives a write command to the primary logical volume, a package processor in a flash package allocates first physical area in the flash memory chip to first cache logical area for write data and stores the write data to the allocated first physical area. And when the package processor receives journal data creation command form the processor, allocates the first physical area to second journal area for journal data without storing journal data corresponding to the write data.
US09317421B2

Apparatus, systems, and methods to manage memory operations are described. In one embodiment, an electronic device comprises a processor and a memory control logic to retrieve a global sequence number from a memory device, receive a read request for data stored in a logical block address in the memory device, retrieve a media sequence number from the logical block address in the memory device, and return a null response in lieu of the data stored in the logical block address when the media sequence number is older than the global sequence number. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
US09317419B1

A method, computer program product, and computing system for grouping storage blocks within a file system into a plurality of storage pools including a free-backed storage pool, a free-unbacked storage pool, and an allocated-backed storage pool. The free-backed storage pool identifies unused storage blocks within the file system that are already associated with physical storage space within a backend storage system. The free-unbacked storage pool identifies unused storage blocks within the file system that are not yet associated with physical storage space within the backend storage system. The allocated-backed storage pool identifies used storage blocks within the file system that are already associated with physical storage space within the backend storage system. A request is received for one or more unused storage blocks within the file system. The request is fulfilled by selecting one or more unused storage blocks identified within the storage pools while prioritizing the selection of unused storage blocks identified within the free-backed storage pool.
US09317418B2

A non-volatile memory storage apparatus having a connector, an energy storage circuit, a power regulator and supply circuit, a non-volatile memory module, a memory controller and a buffer memory is provided. The power regulator and supply circuit is configured for transforming an output voltage from the energy storage circuit into a first voltage used for the non-volatile memory module and a second voltage used for the memory controller and the buffer memory. The memory controller is configured for writing data stored temporarily in the buffer memory into the non-volatile memory module with a special writing mode when receiving a detecting signal indicating that an input voltage is continuously smaller than a predetermined voltage for a predetermined period or receiving a detecting signal indicating that an inactive status of the connector or receiving a suspend mode signal, a warm reset signal or a hot reset signal from a host system.
US09317413B2

A testing device and a testing method thereof are provided. The testing device is connected to a terminal device running a graphical user interface (GUI). The testing device runs a testing program to start a recording procedure to execute the following steps: detecting a plurality of actions generated in response to operations on the terminal device; detecting a foreground application of the GUI; reading a plurality of pieces of object information of the foreground application; and determining the actions to record an object property operation of the foreground application and a call command. The testing device further stops the recording procedure to generate and store a script file and a reference log file. The script file includes the object property operation and the call command.
US09317412B1

Utilizing data collected from users belonging to different organizations to select a test scenario template relevant for testing configuration elements involves the following: identifying runs of test scenarios run by users belonging to different organizations; clustering the runs of test scenarios to clusters that include similar runs; generating connections between the configuration elements and the clusters; weighting the connections based on the number of users that acted according to the connections; receiving certain configuration elements; selecting a certain cluster based on a subset of the certain configuration elements and the connections, where each element in the subset is connected to the certain cluster by a connection, and the sum of weights of connections between elements in the subset and the certain cluster, reaches a threshold; and selecting a test scenario template representing the certain cluster.
US09317403B2

A method for creating a text label for a first digital image includes a portion of a second digital image. The first digital image includes a plurality of pixels selected from the second digital image. The first digital image also includes at least one non-text string element. A computer processor is configured to search the first or second digital images for a text string and identify whether the text string is a candidate text string based on at least one first criteria associated with the said text string. Upon determining the text string is a candidate text string, the method creates a text label for the first digital image based upon the candidate text string.
US09317402B2

Systems and methods for generating test information from a source code are described. One of the methods includes accessing the source code. The method further includes receiving a modification of the source code to generate a modified source code. The modification includes one or more instructions that do not affect functions performed by executing the source code. The modification further includes one or more instructions for generating test information regarding each executable line of the source code.
US09317389B2

An apparatus and method for tracking stress on a processor and responsively controlling operating conditions. For example, one embodiment of a processor comprises: stress tracking logic to determine stress experienced by one or more portions of the processor based on current operating conditions of the one or more portions of the processor; and stress control logic to control one or more operating characteristics of the processor based on the determined stress and a target stress accumulation rate.
US09317375B1

A method is used for managing cache backup and restore for continuous data replication and protection. I/O operations are quiesced at a cache module. A first snapshot of a storage object and a second snapshot of an SSD cache object are taken. The I/O operations at the cache module are unquiesced. A single backup image comprising the first snapshot and the second snapshot is created. The single backup image is sent to a first data protection appliance (DPA) and recorded in a journal.
US09317368B2

A storage management application of a storage array is operable to create a new volume on the storage device array, and to automatically configure, responsive to user selection of an application protection profile, data protection services for application data to be stored on the volume, and/or, responsive to user selection of an application performance profile, application specific performance parameters. The application protection profile specifies scheduling and replication of snapshots for application data to be stored on the volume, and the application performance profile specifies performance parameters such as setting a block size, enabling or modifying a data caching algorithm, turning on or modifying data compression, etc. The scheduling, replication and/or application performance may be managed by a daemon associated with the storage management application which communicates with an agent associated with an application server on which the application executes.
US09317357B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method, system, and computer program product for managing a microcode error in a storage operation. The method includes receiving an error code that corresponds to the microcode error. The method also includes receiving a received error path signature for the error code. The method also includes identifying a metadata error path signature for the error code within a metadata table. The method also includes determining whether the received error path signature for the error code substantially matches the metadata error path signature for the error code. The method also includes initiating a mitigation action in response to the received error path signature for the error code substantially matching the metadata error path signature for the error code.
US09317352B2

A Galois field arithmetic operation circuit substituting (2^m−1) elements (m is an integer) expressed by m bits of Galois field GF(2^m) includes: a base calculation unit configured to calculate m linear independent elements out of the (2^m−1) elements; and a linear development unit configured to calculate the remaining (2^m−1−m) elements not included in the m linear independent elements by combination of the m linear independent elements respectively. The Galois field arithmetic operation circuit may be included in a memory device or other system.
US09317347B1

The disclosed computer-implemented method for facilitating atomic delivery of bundled data sets to applications within distributed systems may include (1) receiving, at a queue of an application, a data set from at least one other application, (2) determining that the data set is incorporated in a bundle whose contents have yet to completely arrive at the queue, (3) gating the data set at the queue until the bundle's contents have completely arrived at the queue, (4) receiving, at the queue, another data set incorporated in the bundle, (5) determining that the bundle's contents have completely arrived at the queue based at least in part on receiving the other data set, and then (6) notifying the application that the bundle is ready for atomic delivery such that the application is able to consume the bundle's contents on an as-needed basis. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09317340B2

Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system and computer program product for re-locating virtual machines (VM) in a data center environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for intelligent VM relocation includes selecting a set of VMs for relocation over a data communications network within a data center from one or more source physical machines to one or more target physical machines. The method also includes computing in memory of a computer in the data center a VM mobility cost for relocating the set of the VMs. The method yet further includes determining whether or not the VM mobility cost exceeds available resources in the data communications network. Finally, the method includes relocating the set of the VMs only it is determined that the VM mobility cost does not exceed the available resources of the data communications network.
US09317334B2

An application combines on-site and cloud-based calculations. The application selects a cloud computing broker from a list sorted by load. The broker receives computation requests from the application, sends corresponding load-balanced requests to local application service hosts and cloud proxies, receives responses, and sends the responses to the application without identifying the response source as local versus non-local. Each proxy has a logical-physical mapping of cloud-resident worker nodes. A scheduler receives session requests from applications, allocates local and cloud computing resources to a session, and tracks resource usage by session. An application previously run only on-premises can be executed partially on cloud worker nodes without modification. The proxy re-routes unfulfilled requests from a failed worker, undetected by the broker. If all workers assigned to that proxy fail, then the broker reassigns unfulfilled requests to another proxy, undetected by the application.
US09317328B2

Accepting a job having a job size representing a number or quantity of processors; computing an expected size, and a standard deviation in size, for the accepted job; adding the expected size to the standard deviation in size to determine a sum; comparing the sum to a number or quantity of available clusters at each of a plurality of non-leaf nodes of a tree representing a high-performance computing environment; and when the number or quantity of available clusters is more than the sum at a sub-tree of the tree and, going down one level further in the sub-tree, the number of available clusters is less than the sum, selecting the sub-tree for the accepted job such that the accepted job is placed on one or more clusters associated with the selected sub-tree.
US09317325B2

A mechanism for idling an application in a multi-tenant cloud hosting environment is disclosed. A method of the invention includes detecting, by a reverse proxy of a node of a cloud computing architecture, a lack of minimum usage of an application hosted on the node, the application being one of a plurality of applications being hosted on the node and instructing the node to shut down the application in response. The reverse proxy is then; and reconfigured to point to a restarter instead of the application, wherein the restarter restarts the application in response to detecting an access to the application.
US09317323B2

Scheduling and dispatching jobs for a plurality of different entities. A method includes receiving at a work coordinator, one or more actions associated with a job. The method further includes storing in a log at the work coordinator, keyed on a job key, state for the one or more actions and a list of the one or more actions. The method further includes making calls to one or more worker processes to cause the worker process to perform actions associated with the job. As a result of making calls to one or more worker processes, the method further includes receiving at least one of a change to the list of remaining actions or the state.
US09317322B2

A computer-implemented method is presented here. The method obtains a script to be executed, wherein the script includes instructions for an asynchronous operation, and wherein the asynchronous operation includes a request calling for a result. The method continues by performing a provisional iteration of the script, wherein the provisional iteration of the script is associated with at least a portion of the script, and wherein the provisional iteration of the script obtains and saves the result as a cached result. Thereafter, a final iteration of the script is performed using the cached result.
US09317321B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for determining distributions of virtual machine (VM) patterns across pools of VM instances based upon historical data (e.g., to achieve faster provisioning times). In a typical embodiment, a total pool size for a pool of VM instances is determined (e.g., based on historical data). Then, a distribution of a set of VM instance patterns across the pool is determined (e.g., also based upon historical data). Once the distribution has been determined, the pool of VM instances may be provisioned according to the distribution. In one embodiment, the VM patterns may be evenly distributed across the pool. In another embodiment, the VM patterns may be distributed according to percentages with which the VM patterns were previously requested. In yet another embodiment, the VM patterns may be grouped into two or more groups that are associated with particular user/customer level(s) (e.g., privilege and/or permission level, a service level purchased and/or specified by the consumer, etc).
US09317319B2

A cloud manager monitors running VM patterns, determines potential VM patterns that have a different configuration than the running VM patterns, and performs estimates of a plurality of metrics for the potential VM patterns. When the estimates for the potential VM patterns exceed the monitored VM patterns currently running by some threshold amount, the potential VM patterns may be automatically deployed to one or more clouds. The result is a cloud-based system that is automatically and dynamically tuned to changing conditions.
US09317312B2

A computer comprising: a processor; a memory; and an I/O device, the memory including at least one first memory element and at least one second memory element, wherein a memory area provided by the at least one second memory element includes a data storage area and a data compression area, wherein the computer comprises a virtualization management unit, and wherein the virtualization management unit is configured to: set a working set for storing data required for processing performed by a virtual machine in generating the virtual machine, and control data stored in the working set in such a manner that part of the data stored in the working set is stored in the data compression area based on a state of accesses to the data stored in the working set.
US09317307B2

The invention relates to a system and method for automating a system wherein an interpreter generates and executes an execution code based on instructions received in form of a tree sequence, and wherein the tree sequence comprises information of parallel operations to define the respective automation procedure. The definition of the tree sequence may be based on a standardized human and machine readable format, such as e.g. an XML document.
US09317304B2

A supervisor module manages multiple user selected applications. A first one of the multiple applications is launched in a first container. Allocation of a first process identifier by the first one of the multiple applications in the first container is detected. The first process identifier is unique within the first container. A first unique identifier is allocated to the first one of the multiple applications. The launch of a second one of the multiple applications is delayed but subsequently launched if the first unique identifier has been allocated to the first one of the multiple applications. A second unique identifier is allocated to the second one of the multiple applications. The first and second unique identifiers uniquely identify the respective first and second ones of the multiple applications within the supervisor module.
US09317303B2

A system, device and method for managing interactive content on a computing device are provided. In an embodiment, a computing device in the form of a portable computing device is configured to execute a web-browser application and a parser application. The web-browser application is configured to obtain and display a web page. The parser application is configured to detect an interactive element in the web page, the interactive element initiating execution of an application when activated. The parser application is further configured to populate the web page with a visual identifier indicating the application initiated by activation of the interactive element.
US09317299B2

A method and a device for cold starting an Android mobile terminal are disclosed. The method includes: the mobile terminal in standby state backs up data needing to be saved to a non-volatile storage device and then is powered off after a power supply of the mobile terminal is turned off in a fast cold starting mode; after the mobile terminal is restarted, the data backed up in the non-volatile storage device is restored to a corresponding physical memory. The advantage of the technical solution is that: by backing up the data needing to be saved, such as used pages, the efficiency of data backup and recovery is improved, and the time for cold starting of the Android mobile terminal is significantly shortened.
US09317295B2

Disclosed are an asynchronous pipeline system, a stage, and a data transfer mechanism. The asynchronous pipeline system having a plurality of stages based on a 4-phase protocol, includes: a first stage among the plurality of stages; and a second stage among the plurality of stages connected next to the first stage, wherein the first stage transmits and the second receives bundled data and control data through an always bundled data channel and on-demand data through an on-demand data channel according to need of the second stage.
US09317292B2

Branch instructions are managed in an emulation environment that is executing a program. A plurality of slots in a Polymorphic Inline Cache is populated. A plurality of entries is populated in a branch target buffer residing within an emulated environment in which the program is executing. When an indirect branch instruction associated with the program is encountered, a target address associated with the instruction is identified from the indirect branch instruction. At least one address in each of the slots of the Polymorphic Inline Cache is compared to the target address associated with the indirect branch instruction. If none of the addresses in the slots of the Polymorphic Inline Cache matches the target address associated with the indirect branch instruction, the branch target buffer is searched to identify one of the entries in the branch target buffer that is associated with the target address of the indirect branch instruction.
US09317291B2

A method and circuit arrangement utilize a register file of an execution unit as a local instruction loop buffer to enable suitable algorithms, such as DSP algorithms, to be fetched and executed directly within the execution unit, and often enabling other logic circuits utilized for other, general purpose workloads to either be powered down or freed up to handle other workloads.
US09317286B2

A processor including instruction support for implementing the Camellia block cipher algorithm may issue, for execution, programmer-selectable instructions from a defined instruction set architecture (ISA). The processor may include a cryptographic unit that may receive instructions for execution. The instructions include one or more Camellia instructions defined within the ISA. In addition, the Camellia instructions may be executable by the cryptographic unit to implement portions of a Camellia cipher that is compliant with Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Request For Comments (RFC) 3713. In response to receiving a Camellia F( )-operation instruction defined within the ISA, the cryptographic unit may perform an F( ) operation, as defined by the Camellia cipher, upon a data input operand and a subkey operand, in which the data input operand and subkey operand may be specified by the Camellia F( )-operation instruction.
US09317279B2

Techniques are described to allow substation of blocks into a virtual machine image of an executing virtual machine. A patch may be applied to a first virtual machine image. One or more blocks modified by the patch are identified and copied to a host having a virtual machine executing from a virtual machine image that is based on the first virtual machine image (prior to the patch). While the virtual machine is executing, the substitution blocks are applied (supersede) corresponding original blocks in the virtual machine image. A guest operating system in the virtual machine may either begin using an executable file in a substitution block. In addition, the guest operating system may be forced to flush from memory and cache executable code replaced by the substitution block.
US09317269B2

Systems and methods are disclosed for provisioning resources for an application according to an application manifest. The resources may include database, network, and processing resources. The application manifest may be organized as a manifest tree with provisioned resources having their own application manifests for provisioning sub-resources. The application manifest may also define provisioning and de-provisioning of the application in response to loading of the application. Root cause analysis may be performed in accordance with the manifest tree. Also disclosed are systems and methods for rolling out an upgrade across a node cluster. Systems and methods are disclosed for routing traffic to different workflow paths in order to implement an overloaded path and evaluate performance of the overloaded path.
US09317259B2

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for automatically generating a reusable software component for interfacing with a web service. The apparatus for automatically generating a reusable software component for interfacing with a web service is provided with a logic unit containing a plurality of module configured to functionally execute the steps of receiving a web service identifier, establishing communication with a web service, determining one or more functions provided by the web service, and automatically generating a reusable web service component configured to receive an application request and return a web service result. These modules in the described embodiments include a receiving module, a determination module, a communication module, and a generation module. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method would facilitate creation, test, and integration of web service components in application code without requiring a substantial time and resource investment.
US09317253B1

In one embodiment, a shift register is provided. The LFSR includes a plurality of processing stages coupled in series, each configured to implement N taps of the LFSR. N single-tap circuits are coupled together in series and arranged to implement the last N taps of the LFSR. Each coefficient(s) of a feedback polynomial of the LFSR is implemented by one of the taps of the plurality of processing stages or the N single-tap circuits. A feedback generation circuit is configured to provide, for each of the plurality of processing stages, a respective feedback signal as a function of polynomial coefficients implemented by the processing stage and output from one or more of the N single tap circuits.
US09317251B2

A method for correcting a shift error in a fused multiply add operation. The method comprises adjusting a normalized floating-point number before performing a shift error correction to produce an adjusted normalized floating-point number, and correcting a shift error in the adjusted normalized floating-point number. The correcting the shift error comprises shifting a mantissa of the adjusted normalized floating-point number in one direction. A fused multiply add module comprising a normalizer module, a compensation logic, and a round. The normalizer module is operable to normalize a floating-point number to produce a normalized floating-point number. The floating-point number is normalized based upon an estimated quantity of leading zeros. The compensation logic is operable to manage a correction of a shift error in the normalized floating-point number. The rounder is operable to correct the shift error with a mantissa shift in only one direction.
US09317249B2

An operations support system is provided for an engine with a turbine having a turbine inlet. The system includes a diagnostic engine model unit configured to receive engine data from the engine and to generate diagnostics data based on the engine data, the diagnostics data including scalars. The system further includes an engine-specific model unit coupled to the diagnostic engine model unit and configured to receive the scalars from the diagnostic engine model unit and configured to generate turbine inlet temperature information for the engine using a thermodynamic model. The thermodynamic model is based on component maps associated with the engine. The system further includes a storage unit coupled to the engine-specific model unit and configured to store the turbine inlet temperature information.
US09317248B2

An information processing device capable of performing external communication through a communication device for performing communication includes a subsystem arranged between the communication device and a main unit of the information processing device including a central processing unit and an operating system. The subsystem temporarily stores communication data between the communication device and the central processing unit when the central processing unit is in a power source turned-off state or a suspended state, and the subsystem transfers the communication data between the communication device and the central processing unit when the central processing unit is in a power source turned-on state. Accordingly, external communication is enabled without altering the connection manager of the OS even when the subsystem is placed between the communication device and the OS.
US09317245B2

Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for displaying images. The apparatus includes a first image output unit, a second image output unit, an image signal selection unit, and an image display unit. The first image output unit is set to master operation mode, and outputs an image signal to be displayed. The second image output unit is set to slave operation mode, and, if the first image output unit has failed, is switched to master operation mode and then continuously outputs the image signal or a new image signal. The image signal selection unit compares the IP source address of a received master message with previously stored address information, and then selects the image signal that is received from the first image output unit or the second image output unit that has a matching address. The image display unit displays the selected image signal.
US09317236B2

An information processing apparatus for creating drawing data based on a printing job including printing data and setting information, includes a drawing data creating unit configured to create drawing data based on the printing job; and a control data creating unit configured to create first control data and second control data, based on the printing data and the setting information, for controlling the drawing data creating unit to create the drawing data, in response to detecting that a predetermined setting is included in the setting information. The control data creating unit outputs the first control data to the drawing data creating unit to create first drawing data, and outputs the second control data to the drawing data creating unit to create second drawing data in which the first drawing data is used.
US09317234B2

A computer readable information recording medium stores a preview display program that performs, when executed by one or more processors, functions of a part configured to determine setting information for imposition type; a part configured to determine setting information for finishing; and a part configured to display preview images for a state after bookbinding in a case where the setting information for imposition type, determined by the part configured to determine setting information for imposition type, includes a setting of magazine or mini book and the setting information for finishing, determined by the part configured to determine setting information for finishing, includes a setting for carrying out the bookbinding, and display preview images for a state before the bookbinding in the other cases.
US09317220B2

A data management apparatus has a first storage unit, a first selecting unit, a second selecting unit, and a second storage unit. The first storage unit stores data associated with first identification information. When writing data out to a storage medium, the first selecting unit selects a first storage medium on which the first identification information corresponding to the data to be written out is displayed, from among a plurality of storage media. When the first storage medium is not available, the second selecting unit selects a second storage medium attached with a display unit configured to display stored information, from among the plurality of storage media, and stores the first identification information in the display unit of the second storage medium.
US09317213B1

Variably-sized data objects may be received for storage at a data store. The data store may have a minimum write size. In various embodiments, received data objects may be divided into one or more equally-sized portions that equal the minimum write size of the data store and a remainder of the data object. The one or more equally-sized portions of the data object may be stored in data blocks that are equivalent to the minimum write size of the data store in a fixed-size data storage area of the data store. The remainder of the data object may be stored in a variably-sized data storage area of the data store along with one or more other data portions in a same data block. The remainder of the data object may, in some embodiments, be linked to the one or more equally-sized portions of the data object.
US09317210B2

An approach is provided in which a storage system includes a first storage controller, a second storage controller, and multiple logical units. The storage system detects that a controller traffic load ratio between the first storage controller and the second storage controller has reached a threshold. As such, the storage system selects one of the logical units and partitions the selected logical unit into multiple logical units. The storage system, in turn, changes a preferred controller ownership of one of the logical unit partitions from the first storage controller to the second storage controller.
US09317194B2

An apparatus and user interface (155) for aiding in navigating and modifying delineations (117a-c) in or associated with 2D sub-volumes (110a-c) of a 3D or higher dimensional image dataset (100). States and position of the sub-volumes visualized. Both, states and position can be changed by using the functionalities of the user interface generated (155) by said apparatus. The apparatus can be used in medical image post-processing system.
US09317193B2

The invention relates to a computer-implemented graphical user interface (6) comprising a work area and multiple widgets (W13, W13a, W13b, W13c) that are arranged on the work area such that said widgets are visible to the user. Each output widget (W13) comprises one or more content windows (FI3) with data elements. The widgets (W13, W13a, W13b, W13c) and the content windows (FI3) are coupled such that a content window (FI3) and/or data elements that are selected in said window can be moved by the user from an output widget (WI3) in which said content window and/or data elements are arranged into one of multiple possible target widgets (W13a, W13b, W13c) that are visible to the user for processing.
US09317190B2

An electronic device including a display of a main surface area and a curved surface area extended from the main surface area, and a controller configured to control the electronic device operable in a first mode in which information is displayed only on the curved surface area and a second mode in which information is displayed on at least one of the main surface area and the curved surface area, control the display to present a first user interface (UI) for accepting or rejecting the incoming call only on the curved surface area, in response to receiving an incoming call while in the first mode, and control the display to present a second UI for accepting or rejecting the incoming call on at least one of the main surface area and the curved surface area, in response to receiving an incoming call while in the second mode.
US09317187B2

There is provided a web browser operation method and operation apparatus capable of preferably setting an access restriction function for restricting access of a web browser to be used by an unspecified number of users. First, content acquired from a web server is displayed on a display based on a format described in the content. An operation tool for performing operations related to processing of the content is also displayed on the screen. When an operation instruction is inputted by a user with the use of the operation tool, processing related to the displayed content is performed based on the operation instruction. In this case, restrictions are set on operation instructions by the user among operation instructions, and selection by the user of tool portions corresponding to the set restrictions, among tool portions which can be specified by the operation tool, are set as disabled.
US09317185B2

Disclosed are various embodiments of systems and methods for generating composite mediasets from mediasets, each comprising media items, associated with a plurality of users. In some embodiments, individual and/or group recommendations are provided for creating a group playlist by aggregating user taste data for a plurality of users in a group. In other embodiments, systems and methods are provided which allow for sharing and playing of a group playlist by users in a group, each of which has a media playback device. In still other embodiments, systems and methods are provided for dynamically building a composite playlist that may be updated as users enter and/or leave the group. One example of an interactive entertainment application also is described for use at a venue to entertain live guests with music selections that are dynamically influenced by the guests' individual tastes.
US09317183B2

Systems and methods for presenting a menu at a computing device are provided. In some aspects, an indication of a user touching a hardware menu button of the computing device is received, where the hardware menu button is separate and distinct from a touchscreen of the computing device. A menu on the touchscreen is presented in response to the user touching the hardware menu button, where the menu includes multiple menu elements, and where each menu element has a corresponding command. An indication of the user touching the touchscreen at a starting point within a dragging-start region of the touchscreen is received. An indication of the user dragging a touching device along the touchscreen from the starting point to a termination point is received, where the termination point is associated with a termination menu element. A signal is provided for execution of the corresponding command of the termination menu element.
US09317164B2

A capacitive position sensor system is provided for determining the position of an object, wherein the object is positioned within a sensitive area of the capacitive position sensor system and changes the capacitance of capacitors being arranged underneath the object.
US09317162B2

A protection circuit for a touch panel device includes a detection block and a protection block. The detection block is arranged for detecting occurrence of noise interference that affects touch event detection of the touch panel device, and asserting a protection signal when occurrence of the noise interference is detected. The protection block is arranged for enabling a protection mechanism for protecting the touch panel device from the noise interference when triggered by the asserted protection signal. Besides, a protection method for a touch panel device includes: detecting occurrence of noise interference that affects touch event detection of the touch panel device; and enabling a protection mechanism for protecting the touch panel device from the noise interference when occurrence of the noise interference is detected.
US09317158B2

Embodiments of the invention generally provide a method and system that is able to minimize or remove the affect of substantially non-random electrical interference on an input device's ability to reliably and accurately sense the position of an object. In one embodiment, the input device is configured to systematically correct for a cyclic variation in the electromagnetic interference (EMI) generated by components within the electronic system, such as interference generated by the process of refreshing or updating an image on a display module that affects the capacitive sensing measurements acquired from a plurality of capacitive sensing elements. However, in some embodiments of the invention, the performance of an input device is improved by reducing the affect that external interference generated outside of the electronic system have on the position sensing data acquired by the input device.
US09317155B2

Particular embodiments described herein provide for a wearable electronic device, such as a bracelet, watch, wristband or armband that includes a circuit board coupled to a plurality of electronic components (which may include any type of components, elements, circuitry, etc.). One particular implementation of a wearable electronic device may include a strap portion and a display portion. The display portion may include a display; one or more input elements configured to receive one or more interactions that may be associated with: selecting a preconfigured message to communicate and selecting one or more other electronic devices to which to communicate a preconfigured message. The wearable electronic device may further include wireless communication circuitry configured to communicate a selected preconfigured message to one or more selected other electronic devices.
US09317149B2

Disclosed are a method for detecting a touch position of a touch screen and the touch screen using the same. A method for detecting a touch position on a touch screen includes the steps of: detecting a touched touch screen block among touch screen blocks by using signals generated from at least one touch sensor among touch sensors included in a plurality of touch screen blocks into which an area of the touch screen is divided; and detecting a touch position in the detected touch screen block on the basis of a signal of a touch sensor included in the detected touch screen block. Thus, compared to an existing method of processing a signal by reading measurement values of all measurement sensors, the invention enables fast signal processing, thereby reducing measurement signal processing time for measuring a touch position of a touch screen.
US09317137B2

A touch module, a projection system, and a touch method of the touch module are provided. The touch module includes a laser scanner device, a photodiode, an image capturing device, and a processing unit. The laser scanner device sequentially provides a touch region with a laser beam at a plurality of angles in a first period. The photodiode is configured for receiving a reflection beam from a touch point in the touch region. The image capturing device captures an image having another reflection beam from the touch point in a second period. The processing unit determines a first angle corresponding to the touch point according to the reflection beam from the touch point received by the photodiode, determines a second angle corresponding to another reflection beam captured by the image capturing device, and calculates location information of the touch point according to the first angle and the corresponding second angle.
US09317118B2

A system for simulating materials using touch surfaces includes a touch surface, an actuator and/or an temperature control device, and a control unit. The control unit controls the actuator or the temperature control device to cause at least a portion of the touch surface to simulate a material. Such control may include utilizing the actuator to vibrate the surface to simulate the tactile sensation of texture. Such control may also include utilizing the temperature control device (such as a Peltier device) to control the temperature of the surface in order to simulate the thermal conductivity of a material. In some cases, the temperature control may be performed utilizing a temperature sensor to adjust the temperature of the surface. In various cases, the vibration and/or temperature may be varied over time, such as in response to one or more touches detected using one or more touch sensors.
US09317115B2

A digital instructional environment leverages an infrared eye-tracker to monitor a learner's reading and viewing of text and simulations for subject matter. The system detects out-of-order reading/viewing patterns that could lead to poor comprehension. The digital learning environment communicates with other tutorial components including simulation environments, pedagogical agents and may respond in real-time to such patterns with messages that guide learners (knowledge acquirers) to return to effective reading/viewing patterns so as to promote effective construction of mental model(s) developed during knowledge acquisition/learning.
US09317113B1

An electronic device can attempt to determine a gaze direction of a user, which can be used to determine an object of interest to the user. Determining the gaze direction helps to reduce the search space and reduce processing requirements for identifying the object. Image information can be captured that includes the object of interest, which then can be analyzed to recognize the type of object. Upon recognizing the object, the user can be provided with information about the object, which in some cases can depend at least in part upon a current context or location of the object. If the object is a networked device, the user can potentially be provided with input options for controlling the device.
US09317107B2

Image display systems and methods are provided. A plurality of pixel groups, each including a plurality of independent pixels, forms a display. A plurality of lenses (1251-N) forming an optical array and aligned along at least one axis (130), can be disposed proximate the display. Each of the plurality of lenses can provide a limited viewing arc (1501-N) for each of the plurality of independent pixels. A sample system can also include a detector (160) to detect the presence and location of a first user (165) and a second user (170) and logic (175), that when executed by a processor (180) coupled to the display, routes a first display signal (1451) based upon the viewing arc of a first portion of pixels; and routes a second display signal (1452) based upon the viewing arc of a second portion of pixels.
US09317104B2

A server cluster including a network switch and multiple server nodes is provided. The network switch is connected to an external network. Each server node includes a network port, a network chip and a control unit. The network port is connected to the network switch via a cable. The network chip detects the cable to obtain a connection state with the external network at the server node after the network switch is started, and accordingly outputs a connection state signal. The control unit turns on or shuts down the server node according to the connection state signal and an on/off state of the server node.
US09317099B2

A method and apparatus for reducing power consumption in an electronic device are provided. The method includes receiving media content from a server, establishing a control state based on the media content, controlling power of at least one of a communication connection device and a display according to the control state of the received media content, determining whether a reception of the media content is completed, determining whether the electronic device performs functions for playing and controlling a digital media, transitioning a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), when it has been determined that a reception of the media content and that the functions are not performed by the electronic device, to a power save mode, and disconnecting the WLAN, when it has been determined that receiving the media content is completed and that the functions are performed by the electronic device, wherein the electronic device comprises the communication connection device.
US09317093B2

A backup power supply device that is used as a backup for a normal power supply device that includes a first converter configured to convert a first alternating-current voltage into a first direct-current voltage and a second converter configured to convert the first direct-current voltage into a second direct-current voltage includes a first detector that is coupled to an output of the first converter and outputs a first detection signal when the first direct-current voltage is lower than a first predetermined value; a third converter that converts a second alternating-current voltage into a third direct-current voltage; a battery that is charged by the third direct-current voltage; and a first switch that connects an output of the battery or an output of the third converter to an input of the second converter based on the output of the first detection signal.
US09317073B2

A computing device includes a housing and a display assembly having a screen. The housing at least partially circumvents the screen so that the screen is viewable. A touch sensor is provided with a portion of the housing having a different planar orientation than a remainder of the housing. For example, the touch sensor may be provided with a portion of the housing that is off-plane with the screen of the display assembly. A processor is provided within the housing to detect a first user interaction with the touch sensor, and to interpret the first user interaction as a first user input. The processor further executes one or more instructions in response to the first user input.
US09317072B2

A hinge mechanism with preset positions is described. In at least some implementations, the hinge mechanism enables a support component to be adjustably attached to an apparatus, such as a computing device. The support component can be rotated via the hinge mechanism to various positions to provide support for different orientations of the computing device. In at least some embodiments, a hinge mechanism utilizes preset hinge positions that enable a support component to be placed at different preset positions. For instance, the hinge mechanism is configured such that an attached support component tends to “snap” into various preset positions.
US09317071B2

An electronic device includes a first body, a second body and a hinge module. The hinge module includes a first pivot component, a second pivot component and a sliding component. The first pivot component fixed on the first body has a positioning portion. The second pivot component is fixed on the second body. The first pivot component is pivoted to the second pivot component. The sliding component slidably disposed at the second pivot component has a positioning structure. When the positioning structure is on a moving path of the positioning portion and the first pivot component rotates and drives the positioning portion to arrive at the positioning structure, the positioning structure interferes with the positioning portion to position the first pivot component. When the first pivot component rotates reversely, the positioning portion pushes the sliding component and the positioning structure moves away from the moving path.
US09317054B2

A circuit may include a differential amplifier and a feedback network. The feedback network may have a chain of resistance sets coupled in series, with a first end terminal coupled to an output terminal of the differential amplifier and a second end terminal coupled to a power reference terminal of the differential amplifier. Respective nodes may be coupled between successive ones of the resistance sets. A feedback terminal may be coupled to an inverting input terminal of the differential amplifier. A controller may control a set of switches to electrically couple a given node to the feedback terminal. A first resistance set of the chain adjacent the first end terminal may be two resistance subsets coupled in series, with an intermediate node coupled therebetween. A programmable current generator may have a current output coupled to the intermediate node and may produce a controlled current flowing at the current output terminal.
US09317052B1

A calibration circuit of a semiconductor apparatus may include: a reference voltage generator suitable for generating first and second pull-up reference voltages based on a pull-up control signal, and generating first and second pull-down reference voltages based on a pull-down control signal; and a calibrator suitable for generating a pull-up resistor code corresponding to an external reference resistor based on the first and second pull-up reference voltages, and generating a pull-down resistor code corresponding to the external reference resistor based on the first and second pull-down reference voltages and the pull-up resistor code.
US09317050B2

A method and apparatus for controlling a converter of a fuel cell vehicle that uses a power control value generated based on an inverter DC terminal voltage as a reference value, and generates a current reference signal based on the reference value is provided. More specifically, the method and apparatus output a final reference signal that generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal by compensating for the current reference signal based on output terminal current of the converter. A peak value is then increased by amplifying a triangular wave signal, and the amplified triangular wave signal and the compensated final reference signal according to the current reference signal change rate are compared. A PWM signal having a predetermined duty ratio is then generated to control the converter.
US09317049B2

A voltage converter (FIG. 4) for a power supply circuit is disclosed. The voltage converter comprises a control circuit (400) coupled to receive an enable (EN) signal. The control circuit produces a first control signal (PWM) to provide a load current (IL) in response to the enable signal. A sample and hold circuit (408) is arranged to produce a third control signal (CSP) to emulate the load current and a fourth control signal (CSN′) to sample and hold value of the third control signal. A comparator circuit (416) is arranged to compare the third and fourth control signals and produce the enable signal in response to a result of the comparison.
US09317046B2

A variable output heating control system includes a user interface, an operating parameter sensor, a controller, a combination control valve, a plurality of variable flow valves, and a plurality of burners. The user interface allows a user to enter operating parameters, such as a set temperature. The operating parameters sensor provides measured parameters, such as a measured temperature. The controller receives the set temperature and the measured temperature and generates commands to control the flow of gas, based on the set temperature and the measured temperature. The combination control valve shuts off the flow of gas from an external gas source based on a command from the controller. The plurality of variable flow valves vary the flow of gas that is received from the combination control valve and supplied to the burners. The plurality of burners provide heat based on the combustion of gas that is received from the plurality of variable flow valves.
US09317042B2

Embodiments are directed to generating, by a processing device, a feedback command for an aircraft based on a reference input and an output response of the aircraft, and analyzing, by the processing device, the feedback command to allocate control to a plurality of control surfaces over a plurality of separate frequency bands.
US09317032B2

The invention relates to a method for operating a robot (R), and a correspondingly set-up robot. The robot (R) has a robot arm (M) having a plurality of members (1) following sequentially, an attaching device (3) for attaching an end effector (4, 46), and drives for moving the members (1), and a control device (S) connected to the drives. Stored in the control device (S) is a hierarchical regulating and control strategy having a plurality of differently prioritized regulating and control functionalities, and the method has the following process step: during the movement of the robot arm (M), switching over to a higher-prioritized regulating and control functionality, as soon as stable movement of the robot arm (M) by means of the higher-prioritized regulating and control functionality is possible, and an execution condition independent of the higher-prioritized regulating and control functionality is fulfilled.
US09317026B2

The invention provides an improved method for determining the natural thermal lag (NTL) of a building, where the improvement includes using the 15 minute interval energy usage data for the building, and data the external temperature to determine the NTL. This improved method has the advantage of being independent of any need to acquire data regarding internal temperature of the building in question.
US09317019B2

Disclosed herein are sinusoidal modulation control methods and circuits for PMSM. In one embodiment, a method can include: detecting rotor position information of the PMSM to obtain a rotor position signal and a rotor rotating speed measured value; comparing the rotating speed measured value against a reference rotating speed value to generate an error signal, and generating a first regulating voltage signal based on the error signal using a PI regulator; receiving the rotor position signal and the first regulating voltage signal, and generating a full-wave U-shaped modulation wave by using the rotor position signal as a time reference; generating a second U-shaped modulation wave by multiplying the full-wave U-shaped modulation wave with the first regulating voltage signal; comparing the second U-shaped modulation wave against a triangular wave to generate a PWM control signal that controls a switch of an inverter to regulate a current of the PMSM.
US09317018B2

Universal cards are used in place of all the other traditional cards which a person may want to carry. The universal card can include a short range communications transceiver to communicate with a mobile device. The mobile device can include a user interface and an e-wallet application so that the user can interface with the e-wallet application for programming the universal card via the short range communication link. Once programmed, the universal card emulates a function of a traditional card.
US09317017B2

A reception time period required for time adjustment is reduced in a satellite radio-controlled wristwatch. A satellite radio-controlled wristwatch according to the present invention includes: a satellite radio wave reception unit including an antenna for receiving a satellite radio wave, a high frequency circuit, and a decoder circuit; a clock circuit for holding and counting an internal time; and a controller for controlling a timing of at least a time information acquisition operation of acquiring time information from the satellite radio wave received by the satellite radio wave reception unit, the controller being configured to selectively execute, in the time information acquisition operation, based on error evaluation of the internal time: a shortened time adjustment operation of ending the time information acquisition operation at a stage at which head information representing a head of unit information is received, and adjusting the internal time based on a timing at which the head information is received; and a normal time adjustment operation of receiving the time information, and adjusting the internal time based on the time information.
US09317009B2

A system and method are provided for facilitating high quality communications in an image forming device by providing a mechanism that fixes a position of an electronically readable/writable memory module, such as a customer replaceable unit monitor (CRUM) for a rotatable customer replaceable unit (CRU), with respect to a CRUM reader in the image forming device. A ring-like mounting device is non-fixedly attached to the CRU in a manner that limits axial relative movement between the ring-like mounting device and the CRU along a rotating axis of the CRU. The non-fixed attachment of the ring-like mounting device to the CRU is effected in such a manner so as not to inhibit relative rotational movement. In operation, a projection from the ring-like mounting device stops rotation of the ring-like mounting device, and therefore the CRUM mounted thereon, with respect to the image forming device structure, and specifically the CRUM reader.
US09316996B2

Image forming apparatus includes conveyance portion, discharge portion, opening/closing portion, and toner storing portion. Conveyance portion conveys toner along axis direction of image carrier. In discharge portion, discharge outlet is formed such that toner conveyed by conveyance portion is dropped from discharge outlet. Opening/closing portion is provided on discharge portion and moves in axis direction in such way as to open and close discharge outlet. Toner storing portion includes opening portion, restriction portion, and cover portion. Opening portion has insertion opening into which discharge portion is inserted in conveyance direction in which toner is conveyed. Restriction portion contacts part of opening/closing portion and restricts movement of opening/closing portion when discharge portion is inserted into insertion opening. Cover portion is provided at predetermined position that corresponds to area under insertion area of opening/closing portion that is inserted in conveyance direction exceeding position at which opening/closing portion contacts restriction portion.
US09316995B2

A light scanning device includes a housing, a plurality of permeable members, a plurality of cleaning members, a plurality of cleaning holders, a linear member, and a driving unit. The plurality of permeable members close the respective plurality of the emission ports. The plurality of cleaning holders extend over the plurality of the permeable members adjacent to one another. The plurality of the cleaning holders each have a holding unit that holds at least the two cleaning members. The linear member is connected to the plurality of the cleaning holders. The driving unit causes the linear member to run circularly. The cleaning members each slide on the corresponding permeable member in association with the linear member running circularly. The cleaning holders each connected to the linear member at a center of the holding unit in an extending direction of the holding unit.
US09316985B2

An image forming apparatus includes a transfer unit configured to transfer a developing agent image onto a sheet, a fixing unit configured to fix the developing agent image onto the sheet, a discharge tray configured to receive the sheet having the developing agent image thereon, at least one pair of discharge rollers disposed downstream of the fixing unit in a conveying direction and configured to discharge the sheet toward the discharge tray, and at least one pair of conveying rollers disposed at a conveying path extending between the fixing unit and the at least one pair of discharge rollers. The at least one pair of conveying rollers is configured to convey the sheet toward the at least one discharge rollers in the conveying direction and to form the sheet into a corrugated shape having at least one of a ridge portion and a groove portion in a sheet thickness direction.
US09316984B2

It is a sealing member that seals a gap between one member and the other member, including: a mounting section that has a portion coming into contact with the other member; and an extension section that extends from a side of the mounting section to a side of the one member and is configured to approach the mounting section while coming into contact with the one member by receiving a force from the one member; and a recess that is provided between the mounting section and the extension section and is formed from a part of the mounting section to a part of the extension section, and is recessed from a surface of the mounting section on the side of the one member and a surface of the extension section on a side of the other member.
US09316980B2

Provided is an image forming apparatus made to shorten time of a first copy (first page copy of a manuscript.) In the image forming apparatus, primary feeding (feeding from a sheet paper cassette to a resist position roller) and secondary feeding (feeding from a resist position roller) are performed continuously. When a first copy is performed, based on warm-up information, print engine, such as a feed roller, a transfer part, a fixing part, and an ejection roller, is set up. Paper will be fed when the setup is completed. The setup of print engine that performs operation required for printing is performed before feeding by using the warm-up information. Therefore, the time of the first copy is shortened.
US09316974B2

A fixing device thermally fixes an unfixed image onto a sheet through heat of a heating body that is heated through electromagnetic induction, the fixing device including an excitation coil generating flux for heating the heating body; one or more core members disposed opposite the heating body with respect to the excitation coil; a thermo-electric conversion element disposed farther from the excitation coil than the core members; and a thermally conductive member connected to the excitation coil and to a heat-absorbing face of the thermo-electric conversion element, transferring heat from the excitation coil to the thermo-electric conversion element.
US09316970B2

An image forming apparatus for heating and fixing a toner image formed on a recording medium, includes: a feeding unit configured to respectively set recording media of different sizes; a plurality of heating units with heat generation parts, which generate heat by receiving a supply of power, each heat generation part being at a different position on the respective heating unit; a control unit configured to individually control the supply of power or a power interruption to the plurality of heating units in accordance with the size of the recording medium set in the feeding unit; and a detection unit configured to detect the current value of the heating unit to which power is supplied.
US09316910B2

Provided is a pattern forming method that is excellent in roughness performance such as line width roughness and exposure latitude, and an actinic-ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition and a resist film used for the pattern forming method.The pattern forming method includes (1) forming a film using an actinic-ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition containing a resin that includes 65 mol % or more of a repeating unit having a group which generates a polar group by being degraded by the action of an acid based on all repeating units in the resin and at least one kind of repeating unit represented by the following General Formula (I) or (II), (2) exposing the film, and (3) developing the exposed film using a developer that contains an organic solvent.
US09316905B2

The present invention relates to a cyclodextrin derivative, a method for preparing the same, a photoresist composition, a color photoresist and a display device. The cyclodextrin derivative particularly is a .alpha.-cyclodextrin modified polymerizable monomer represented by the following formula I or I′, wherein k is any integer selected from 2-6, n is any integer selected from 1-3, R is an aromatic ring having 5 to 30 carbon atoms, R′ is a multivalent straight or branched carbon chain having 5 to 30 carbon atoms which may optionally be interrupted by an oxygen atom. The α-cyclodextrin modified polymerizable monomer can be applied to a photoresist composition which has small aberration and high transmittance, thereby improving the display quality of the display apparatus.
US09316903B2

The present invention provides a flexible nanoimprint mold which can fabricate sub-15 nm ultra fine structures on either planar or curved substrates. The mold comprises a top ultra-thin rigid layer of imprint patterning features and a bottom thick flexible layer of polymer elastomer. The two distinct layers are preferably integrated via chemically bonding. The top layer of the mold enables a sub-15 nm resolution of pattern fabrication and the bottom layer affords a conformal contact to planar or curved surface of substrates. The methods for fabricating the same are disclosed.
US09316893B2

A projection display apparatus includes: a substantially box-shaped enclosure having a bottom surface portion, the bottom surface portion having an ventilation groove and an air inlet formed through a wall of the ventilation groove; an air sucking fan provided in the enclosure and forming an air flow flowing through the air inlet into the enclosure, and a filter through which the air flowing through the air inlet into the enclosure passes.
US09316887B2

An optical modulator includes a package that accommodates therein a first substrate and a second substrate different from the first substrate, and outside the package, a flexible circuit board. The first substrate has plural optical modulating units disposed thereon in parallel and each including a Mach-Zehnder optical waveguide. Plural first signal line paths corresponding to the optical modulating units are disposed on the second substrate. Plural second signal line paths corresponding to the optical modulating units are disposed on the flexible circuit board. Electrical lengths of the second signal line paths are different from one another. Electrical lengths of signal paths that span from input ends of the second signal line paths corresponding to the optical modulating units to base points on signal electrodes, via the first signal line paths, are equal to one another.
US09316878B2

The present disclosure is related to a liquid crystal display panel and a liquid crystal display device including: a first substrate including an active area and a non-active area which corresponds to a peripheral area of the active area; a static electricity absorbing pattern of a lattice pattern formed in the non-active area; and a second substrate facing the first substrate.
US09316877B2

A display apparatus includes first, second and third substrates, first and second liquid crystal layers, first and second polarizing elements and a phase retarding element. The first substrate includes a first electrode part. The first liquid crystal layer is disposed on the first substrate. The second substrate is disposed on the first liquid crystal layer and includes a color filter and a second electrode part on a first surface and a third electrode part on a second surface. The second liquid crystal layer is disposed on the second substrate. The third substrate is disposed on the second liquid crystal layer and includes a fourth electrode part on a first surface. The first polarizing element is disposed under the first liquid crystal layer. The second polarizing element is disposed over the first liquid crystal layer. The phase retarding element is disposed over the second liquid crystal layer.
US09316872B2

An array substrate includes a semiconductor layer, a first insulating film covering the semiconductor layer, a gate line extending in a first direction on the first insulating film, a second insulating film covering the gate line, a source line extending in a second direction orthogonally crossing the first direction on the second insulating film. A contact portion is formed on the second insulating film. The contact portion contacts with the semiconductor layer. A third insulating film covers the source line and exposing the contact portion and the second insulating film in a circumference of the contact portion.
US09316864B2

An LCD device includes a liquid crystal panel; a backlight unit disposed at a rear side of the liquid crystal panel and including an LED assembly and a light guide plate, wherein the light guide plate has a first surface facing the LED assembly and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a cover bottom including a horizontal plane over which the backlight unit is disposed and a side perpendicular to the horizontal plane; a guide panel including a side wall and a horizontal portion, wherein the side wall has a first vertical portion surrounding an outer surface of the side of the cover bottom, and the horizontal portion is vertically bent from the first vertical portion and supports the liquid crystal panel, wherein at least one elastic stopper is formed at the side wall and contacts the second surface.
US09316863B2

A display system with a distributed LED backlight includes: providing a plurality of tile LED light sources, each tile LED light source having a tile and a plurality of similar LED light sources on each tile connected for emitting light therefrom; orienting the plurality of tile LED light sources for illuminating a display from the back of the display; and integrating the plurality of tile LED light sources into a thermally and mechanically structurally integrated distributed LED tile matrix backlight light source.
US09316858B2

A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel, a functional panel, a photo curable adhesive, a transparent electrode, and a light blocking line. The liquid crystal panel includes a display area to display an image and a non-display area surrounding the display area. The functional panel is attached to the liquid crystal panel, and includes a display overlapping area overlapping with the display area and a display non-overlapping area overlapping with the non-display area in a plan view. The photo curable adhesive is arranged between the panels and cured by light applied thereto. The transparent electrode is arranged in the display overlapping area and made of light transmissive conductive material. The light blocking line is arranged in the display non-overlapping area and made of light shielding metal material. The light blocking line partially has a light-transmission cutout that is configured to allow the light to pass therethrough.
US09316855B2

In a liquid crystal display device including a TFT substrate and a counter substrate, when an organic passivation film is not formed in the TFT substrate, the distance between the TFT substrate and the counter substrate in the display area of a liquid crystal display panel is provided by a cylindrical spacer. Also, the distance in the area where pixels, scan lines, and image signal lines are not formed within the liquid crystal display panel is provided by the cylindrical spacer. In this case, it is necessary to form a mount. The layer structure of the mount is the same as that of the TFT substrate with which the cylindrical spacer in the display area comes into contact. This makes it possible to equalize the distance of the liquid crystal layer of the liquid crystal display panel without an increase in production cost, and to prevent uneven brightness or color.
US09316853B2

A combination backboard includes a main body to which a first bracket is coupled. The main body includes a base plate and first and second side plates perpendicularly mounted to the base plate and opposite to each other. The first and second side plates have an end forming a first coupling section adjacent to the first bracket. The first bracket includes a first bottom plate and a third side plate perpendicularly mounted to the first bottom plate. The third side plate has two ends forming resilient first coupling slots corresponding to the first coupling sections to receive and retained the first coupling sections therein for coupling the first bracket and the main body together. Also provided are a backlight module and a liquid crystal display device that use the combination backboard.
US09316851B2

A liquid crystal display device of a lateral electric field type performs display by rotating homogeneous-aligned liquid crystals by a lateral electric field substantially parallel to a substrate, which is applied across a pixel electrode and a common electrode, to increase the aperture ratio of a liquid crystal panel by narrowing the width of a black matrix provided along a data line. A source pixel electrode connected to a source electrode extends along the data line, a storage capacitance electrode formed by the same layer as the data line overlaps an adjacent scan line, the source pixel electrode is disposed so as to be connected to the storage capacitance electrode and a pixel along one side, an interlayer film is formed on the source pixel electrode, and a pixel electrode and a common electrode formed by a transparent conductive film are formed on the interlayer film.
US09316850B2

A reworking apparatus for a display module includes a chamber and a temperature control unit. The temperature control unit controls a temperature in the chamber to reduce an adhesive property of an adhesive material of the display module. The adhesive material couples a first layer of the display module to a second layer of the display module. A stage is disposed in the chamber and holds the display module. A separation unit is disposed in the chamber and is inserted in between first and second layers of the display module. A movement unit moves the separation unit.
US09316849B2

A system for attaching a device to a glasses frame includes a spring clip that applies pressure to two sides of the glasses frame, and a magnet for attaching the device thereto. The device may attach directly to the magnet, or via a slide-on attachment piece. The spring clip may include a spring arm having distal ends that assist the spring clip in applying pressure to the glasses frames.
US09316846B2

A high brightness, high power laser output is produced using a technique of splitting the outputs of multiple laser diode sources into two polarization states, wavelength combining the first polarization state from the multiple laser diodes, separately wavelength combining the second polarization state from the multiple laser diodes, and recombining the two polarized wavelength combined beams using a polarization combiner.
US09316845B2

There are provided an illumination unit capable of reducing formation of a double image in three-dimensional display and a display unit including the same. An illumination optical system configured to generate linear illumination light formed by two-dimensionally arranging a plurality of linear illumination light beams or a plurality of point-like illumination light beams, and a reflective plate configured to reflect the linear illumination light are included. The reflective plate reflects the linear illumination light to or close to a plane passing through a part that generates the linear illumination light and being perpendicular to a plane including the reflective plate.
US09316841B2

A multiview display device displays multiple views having respective viewing angles related to an object to be displayed. The display device includes an optical device for displaying multiple viewing cones. A first cone of the multiple viewing cones has different views so that a different view is observed by a right eye and a left eye of a viewer of the multiview display device. The different views of the first cone have an angular distribution relative to the display device, where sets of image data are provided such that the angular distribution has a first part of adjacent views with increasing viewing angle and a second part of adjacent views with decreasing viewing angle. Further, the angular distribution has a first one of the views in between a maximum view which corresponds to a maximum viewing angle and a minimum view which corresponds to a minimum viewing angle.
US09316837B2

A display stand is provided, the display stand comprising: a frame; a display holder attached to the frame, the display holder configured to hold a display in a substantially downward facing position; and, a mirror holder attached to the frame, the mirror holder located under the display holder, the minor holder configured to hold a mirror in a substantially upward facing position below the display and tilted at an angle thereto.
US09316836B2

A head-wearable device includes a center support extending in generally lateral directions, a first side arm extending from a first end of the center frame support and a second side arm extending from a second end of the center support. The device further includes an extension arm configured to present information to the user via a display element. The extension arm extends at least partially along the first side arm on a first side of the center support and further extends from the first side arm to a display end that supports the display element in a position on a second side of the center support. The extension arm has a joint therein configured for movement of the display element at least in a direction having a lateral component relative to the center support.
US09316835B2

A display device is described and includes a fixing unit, through which the display device is capable of being worn on a head of a user; a processing unit configured to obtain a first image to be displayed; an image transmission unit configured to transmit the first image to a display unit, which is configured to display the first image obtained by the processing unit; a connection unit configured to connect the fixing unit and at least a first portion of the display unit, wherein the connection unit at least has a first state, in which at least the first portion is located in the user's visual region and faces the user; an image capturing unit configured to capture a second image; and the processing unit being further configured to generate the first image based on the second image.
US09316818B2

In a zoom lens in which a first lens group having a negative refractive power and a second lens group having a positive refractive power are disposed in order from the object side and zooming is performed by moving the first and the second lens groups, the first lens group is formed of a first lens having a negative refractive power, a second lens, a third lens having a negative refractive power, and a fourth lens having a positive refractive power. Then, when the focal length of the second lens, the focal length of the entire system at the wide angle end, the focal length of the first lens group, and the focal length of the second lens group are taken as fG12, fw, f1, and f2 respectively, the zoom lens is configured to satisfy conditional expressions give below: 0.00
US09316816B2

An image pickup lens includes a first lens with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface, a second lens with negative refractive power, a third meniscus lens having a concave image-side surface, a fourth meniscus lens having a convex image-side surface, and a fifth lens with negative refractive power as a double-sided aspheric lens having a concave object-side and image-side surfaces near an optical axis; wherein following conditional expressions (9) and (12) are satisfied; 1.0<|(r3+r4)/(r3−r4)|<1.3  (9) −1.1
US09316804B2

A cable closure includes a housing that delimits an interior of the cable closure and seals off the cable closure toward the outside. The housing is formed by a covering body having shells hinged together and cable insertion regions provided on mutually opposite sides of the shells. Sealing elements are positioned at the mutually opposite sides of the covering body proximate the cable insertion regions. A closing mechanism having a latch and latch support is configured to lock the shells together. The latch support has a first end section pivotably attached to one of the shells and a second end section pivotably attached to the locking latch, which in turn has an end section serving as an actuating handle for closing and opening the cable closure.
US09316802B2

An optical fiber cable includes an optical fiber; a sheet of reinforcing tape rolled around a majority of an annular sidewall of the optical fiber; and a jacket surrounding the rolled sheet of reinforcing tape. The sheet has parallel longitudinal edges that are circumferentially spaced from each other to form a longitudinal slit along a length of the sheet of reinforcing tape. The reinforcing tape is formed of a polymeric material having uni-directionally oriented molecules along the length of the sheet. The jacket is heat-bonded to the sheet of reinforcing tape.
US09316801B1

Twisted pair communication cables incorporating twisted pair separators are described. A cable may include at least one twisted pair of insulated conductors extending lengthwise. A dielectric separator may also extend lengthwise within the cable, and a cross-section of the separator may include at least two portions positioned at an angle to one another. The portions of the separator may form one or more cavities in which one or more corresponding conductors of the twisted pair may be positioned or situated. A jacket may then be formed around the twisted pair and the separator.
US09316797B2

A latch mechanism for a pluggable optical module includes a slide disposed in the pluggable optical module, wherein the slide includes a front cylinder connected to a rear cylinder with a slide body therebetween and a post connected to the rear cylinder; a bail over a top of a front portion of the pluggable optical module and rotatably connected thereto, wherein the bail includes a first cutout portion on each side in which the front cylinder is moveably positioned therein; a ramp disposed within the pluggable optical module for sliding the rear cylinder thereon; and a notch disposed within the pluggable optical module for translating force from the post thereto responsive to the bail moving the front cylinder, the front cylinder applying force to the rear cylinder via the slide body, and the rear cylinder translating the force to the post.
US09316783B2

A waveguide including a top cladding layer, the top cladding layer including a material having an index of refraction, n1; an assistant layer, the assistant layer positioned adjacent the top cladding layer, the assistant layer including a material having an index of refraction, n2; a core layer, the core layer positioned adjacent the assistant layer, the core layer including a material having an index of refraction, n3; and a bottom cladding layer, the bottom cladding layer positioned adjacent the core layer, the bottom cladding layer including a material having an index of refraction, n4, wherein n1 is less than both n2 and n3, n3 is greater than n1 and n4, and n4 is less than n3 and n2.
US09316773B2

In a stretching zone (Z2) included in a plurality of zones for performing temperature control for heating or cooling of a film, the plurality of zones being arranged in the conveyance direction of the film, the film is stretched in a direction tilted in relation to the width direction of the film. The film is heated by a heating unit (11) having a heating region (H) positioned facing the conveyed film and positioned along a direction intersecting at an intersection angle φ with the conveyance direction in the plane of the film, in at least one zone including the stretching zone (Z2) and positioned further downstream in the conveyance direction from the stretching zone (Z2). At this time the intersection angle φ of the heating region (H) is adjusted in accordance with the orientation direction of the film stretched in the stretching zone (Z2).
US09316771B2

An etching process includes: forming a metal film on a substrate having a pattern formation region; forming a mask having a predetermined pattern on the metal film in the pattern formation region, and forming a resist film in part or all of a periphery of the pattern formation region; and dry-etching the metal film in the pattern formation region.
US09316768B2

A substrate for an optical device includes an optical device substrate including a plurality of conductive plates elongated along a length direction, wherein side surfaces of the conductive plates are bonded to each other with insulators interposed therebetween, the insulators being respectively formed on the side surfaces. A groove having a predetermined depth for preventing burrs is formed in a lower surface of the optical device substrate at each point where a cutting line is crossed with one of the insulators when the optical device substrate is cut in a length direction and in a vertical direction, the groove being formed in such a way that said one of the insulators is exposed to an inside of the groove.
US09316766B2

There is provided an optical filter or an anti-reflection structure with lower reflection in comparison with the conventional ones by comprising a gradient refractive index thin film 12 with continuous, periodic refractive index change in the film thickness direction and a fine periodic structure 151 lowering reflection, wherein the refractive index of the gradient refractive index thin film 12 in its thickness direction on the substrate side changes so as to become close to that of the substrate, while on the fine periodic structure 111 changes so as to become close to that of the fine periodic structure 151. The optical filter can be used in an optical device or an electronic device display.
US09316753B2

A neutron spectrometer that is more accurate, faster, and more-portable than conventional spectrometers includes an organic scintillator responsive to neutrons and gammas and an inorganic scintillator that captures neutrons. A processor receives signals representative of scintillations in the organic scintillator and in the inorganic scintillator and discriminates neutron signals from gamma signals. The processor also determines pulse areas for neutron moderating signals and performs unfolding based on the determined pulse areas to produce a neutron energy spectrum and/or dose information.
US09316752B2

A preclinical positron emission tomography (PET) imaging method includes acquiring time-of-flight localized PET imaging data from one or more non-human animal subjects and reconstructing the acquired data to form an image. In an illustrative PET scanner includes: radiation detectors (12) viewing an examination region; a subject support assembly (14) supporting a plurality of preclinical subjects in the examination region for simultaneous PET imaging; coincidence electronics (20) acquiring time-of-flight localized PET imaging data from the preclinical subjects using the radiation detectors; and reconstruction electronics (22) that (i) perform a filtering operation based at least in part on the time-of flight information, the filtering operation including at least one of discarding non-probative time-of-flight localized PET imaging data and associating time-of-flight localized PET imaging data with individual preclinical subjects and (ii) reconstruct the filtered data to form images of the preclinical subjects.
US09316751B2

An imaging apparatus (400) includes a detector array (412) with at least one detector tile (418). The detector tile includes a photosensor array (422) with a two dimensional array of individual photosensitive detector pixels (424) located within a non-photosensitive area (426). The imaging apparatus also includes readout electronics (432) coupled to the photosensor array and including individual readout channel wells (602, 604) corresponding to the individual detector pixels. The imaging apparatus also includes an anti-aliasing filter (800) for a detector pixel that is located in at least one of a region of the photosensor array corresponding to the detector pixel or a region of the readout electronics corresponding to the detector pixel.
US09316743B2

Radioimaging methods, devices and radiopharmaceuticals therefor.
US09316740B2

A method of determining a geographic position of a user terminal including a receiver of signals of a global navigation satellite system, the method including the user terminal: performing pseudo-range measurements related to a plurality of signals received from transmitters of the global navigation satellite system; calculating a first estimated position thereof by a weighted least square method; calculating post-fit residuals for the first estimated position; comparing the calculated post-fit residuals to a first threshold and: in case the first threshold is exceeded, calculating a second estimated position using a Monte-Carlo method, otherwise retaining the first estimated position as the geographic position of the mobile communications terminal.
US09316736B2

An electronic device for detecting presence and motion includes a housing, a first infrared (“IR”) sensor, and a second IR sensor. The housing includes a first corner having a first plurality of openings formed thereon, and a second corner having a second plurality of openings formed thereon. The first IR sensor is disposed proximate to the first corner and has an unobstructed path and line of sight to outside of the electronic device via the first plurality of openings. The second IR sensor is disposed proximate to the second corner and has an unobstructed path and line of sight to outside of the electronic device via the second plurality of openings. The openings of the first plurality of openings are oriented toward the first IR sensor in different directions. The openings of the second plurality of openings are oriented toward the second IR sensor in different directions.
US09316735B2

A proximity detector may include an array of single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) and an illumination source. Illumination from the illumination source may be reflected by a target to the array of single photon avalanche diodes. The SPADs may be operable to detect events. A number of events detected may be dependent on a level of illumination incident on the SPADs. The proximity detector may then determine a quality metric and calculate an output when the quality metric is at a predetermined level. A related method may include regulating the quality of the data on which such a proximity detector apparatus calculates its output.
US09316732B1

A walk-through screening station scans individuals to detect contraband such as a concealed weapon or improvised explosive device (IED) using ultra wideband (UWB) radar sensing and imaging systems employing wafer scale active array antennas. UWB radar and advanced imaging technology enable automated threat recognition and display for monitoring personnel. The station may scan subjects passing close to or within an aperture width of an array of radar transceivers. Direct calibration by use of reflectors positioned at known locations in the image may be used to implement scanning and imaging so close to the array. The scanning station may employ an easy-to-set-up pair of panels that may be readily deployed by security providers wherever access control—such as to a meeting place or transportation boarding—is needed. Imaging and display processing may provide an abstract display—such as a stick figure representation of anatomy—to address privacy issues and concerns.
US09316729B2

A system for providing signal trigger pulses comprises an equivalent time sampling unit providing transmit and receive trigger pairs, and a control unit controlling the equivalent time sampling unit to provide pseudorandom delay length variations between the trigger pairs.
US09316722B2

An embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for modulating a signal to include broadcast data, modulating the signal to include an overlay message comprising an address and data for an intended recipient, and transmitting the modulated signal including both the broadcast data and the overlay message including the address and data for the intended recipient. Another embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for modulating a plurality of signal transmissions to include broadcast data, modulating the plurality of signal transmissions with an overlay message wherein the overlay message comprises a respective plurality of data segments, and transmitting the plurality of signal transmissions including both the broadcast data and the overlay message including the respective plurality of data segments. Further embodiments of the present invention set forth additional methods and related systems.
US09316714B2

A test station for wireless devices and methods for calibration thereof. The test station includes a signal generator, a calibrator, a scanner having receiving and transmitting antennas, a signal analyzer, and a computer. Under the direction of the computer, the signal generator generates a calibration signal in accordance with a programmable calibration signal script. The calibrator may be used to emulate either a wireless device in transmit mode by transmitting the calibration signal to the scanner for analysis by the signal analyzer, or a wireless device in receive mode by receiving the calibration signal from the scanner for analysis by the signal analyzer. The behavior of the test station is calibrated by correlating signal parameters of the calibration signal as specified by the calibration signal script and as measured at the signal analyzer.
US09316712B2

In a method and system for acquiring magnetic resonance image data from a subject, using a data acquisition unit in which a basic magnetic field is generated, a division is designated in a planar section through the subject that divides the planar section into a first section and a second section, with the homogeneity of the basic magnetic field being better in said first section than in said second section. An echo planar imaging sequence is implemented to acquire the magnetic resonance imaging data, with magnetic resonance data being acquired from the first section only from gradient echo signals in the echo planar imaging sequence, and magnetic resonance data from said the second section being acquired from both gradient echo signals and spin echo signals in the echo planar imaging sequence. The method and apparatus are particularly suited for acquiring functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from the brain of a subject, in which the first section is an upper portion of the brain and the second section is a lower portion of the brain.
US09316711B2

A system and method for accelerated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using spectral sensitivity information are provided. The MRI system is used to acquire k-space data from a subject that when positioned in the main magnetic field of the MRI system causes inhomogeneities in the main magnetic field. Spectral sensitivity information is derived from the acquired k-space data. In general, the spectral sensitivity information relates specific resonance frequencies to distinct spatial locations in the main magnetic field of the MRI system. One or more images of the subject may be reconstructed from the acquired k-space data using the produced spectral sensitivity information to spatially encode the acquired k-space data. By using the spectral sensitivity information to provide spatial-encoding, the data acquisition can be accelerated, for example, by undersampling k-space. In addition, using the provided system and method, clinically viable images can be obtained in the presence of severe off-resonance.
US09316709B2

The inventive subject matter as a whole is an improved transceiver apparatus and system for diagnostic evaluations of living subject, human or animal; and is particularly effective as a clinical tool for the spectroscopic scanning or magnetic resonance imaging of humans suspected of being afflicted with a particular disease, disorder, or pathology. The improved transceiver apparatus is used as an essential component in a computer controlled system suitable for magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”), or nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (“MRS”), and/or nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (“MRSI”); and the present improvement of these electromagnetic signaling systems will provide far more accurate and precise visual images and accumulated data for the clinician or surgeon, as well as serve as a basis upon which to make a diagnosis and decide upon a mode of therapeutic treatment for that individual.
US09316708B2

A patient support apparatus for a medical imaging apparatus, such as a magnetic resonance apparatus, is proposed. The patient support apparatus has a couch, a lifting unit for vertical movement of the couch, a travel unit, and at least one sensor unit to detect at least one weight variable for determining the weight of a patient. The at least one sensor unit has at least one sensor element, which is disposed on the lifting unit and/or on the travel unit.
US09316697B2

The present invention relates to a battery parameter management system and a battery parameter estimation method which are capable of simply estimating parameters of elements forming a battery equivalent model having a simple structure. The battery parameter system includes an amperemeter, a voltmeter, a control switch unit, and a processor, and the battery parameter estimation method includes supplying a pulse current, estimating resistance of an internal resistor, estimating capacitance of an internal capacitor, and estimating parameters of dynamic elements.
US09316689B2

A method for testing a system-on-a-chip (SoC) is described. The method includes parsing a file to determine functions to be performed components of the SoC. The method further includes receiving a desired output of the SoC and generating a test scenario model based on the desired output of the SoC. The test scenario model includes a plurality of module representations of the functions and includes one or more connections between two of the module representations. The desired output acts as a performance constraint for the test scenario model. The test scenario model further includes an input of the SoC that is generated based on the desired output, the module representations, and the one or more connections. The test scenario model includes a path from the input via the module representations and the connections to the desired output.
US09316686B2

A handler for conveying a plurality of devices under test to a socket for a test that can reduce a test time includes: a test section provided with the socket; a heat applying section into which a tray having a plurality of devices under test placed on its surface is conveyed and that controls the temperature of the devices under test to a predetermined test temperature and conveys the tray into the test section; a device image capturing section that in the heat applying section, captures images of the respective devices under test by moving with respect to the surface of the tray in two non-parallel directions of a first direction and a second direction; and a position adjusting section that adjusts the positions of the devices under test with respect to the socket based on the images of the devices under test captured by the device image capturing section.
US09316677B2

Methods and devices for testing flex cable shielding of a consumer electronic device are provided. In one example, a method may include applying a signal across a first portion of the flex cable shielding and a second portion of the flex cable shielding. The method may also include detecting a parameter associated with the signal. The method may include determining a health of the flex cable shielding based at least partially on the detected parameter.
US09316675B2

A system includes a control module, a detection module, and a reaction module. The control module is configured to receive a sensor signal indicating a power characteristic of an output power provided from a power generator to a load. The load is separate from the control module and the power generator. The detection module is configured to (i) detect a shift parameter of the power characteristic based on the sensor signal, (ii) compare the shift parameter to a first threshold, and (iii) indicate whether the shift parameter has exceeded the first threshold and not a second threshold. The reaction module is configured to indicate that a low-level abnormality exists in the load in response to the shift parameter exceeding the first threshold and not the second threshold.
US09316665B2

An apparatus (36) includes a motion amplification structure (52), an actuator (54), and a sense electrode (50) in proximity to the structure (52). The actuator (54) induces an axial force (88) upon the structure (52), which causes a relatively large amount of in-plane motion (108) in one or more beams (58, 60) of the structure (52). When sidewalls (98) of the beams (58, 60) exhibit a skew angle (28), the in-plane motion (108) of the beams (58, 60) produces out-of-plane motion (110) of a paddle element (62) connected to the end of the beams (58, 60). The skew angle (28), which results from an etch process, defines a degree to which the sidewalls (98) of beams (58, 60) are offset or tilted from their design orientation. The out-of-plane motion (110) of element (62) is sensed at the electrode (50), and is utilized to determine an estimated skew angle (126).
US09316662B2

An automated analyzer includes a conveyance mechanism to convey a specimen, an analysis portion to analyze the specimen, and a device cover to cover a movable mechanism including the conveyance mechanism. The automated analyzer is provided with an interlock mechanism and an interlock release mechanism. The interlock mechanism stops an operation of the movable mechanism when the device cover is opened. The interlock release mechanism disables all or part of the interlock mechanism. The interlock mechanism is enabled when a lever 301 is in contact with a safety switch 302. The interlock mechanism is disabled or partially disabled when the lever 301 is not in contact with the safety switch 302. This enables to prevent a user from inadvertently touching the movable mechanism including a hazard region during analysis of the automated analyzer or a maintenance task. Only a specific maintenance task can be performed with the device cover opened.
US09316652B2

The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing Lyme disease in a subject, the method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a sample from said subject, (b) contacting said sample with a source of Borrelia antigens and (c) determining the expression level of a pro-inflammatory cytokine in said sample at the end of step (b).
US09316643B2

Salivary diagnostic systems are provided for improved disease diagnosis and overall health care. Salivary diagnostic systems are provided for the plurality of steps required in salivary diagnostic processes. The salivary diagnostic systems are interchangeably coupled by various methods and steps and include a collection system, a filter system, an evaluation system, and a reporting system. One or more salivary diagnostic systems are comprised in at least one salivary diagnostic device. Salivary diagnostic devices include a toothbrush, an implement, and a stand-alone system. The systems provide for the collection, filtration, and evaluation of saliva samples and the reporting of diagnostic data derived from the evaluation of saliva samples.
US09316640B2

The present invention provides methods and devices for detecting the presence of biomolecules in a biological sample, such as PVL, PBP2a and SPA.
US09316637B2

Embodiments of the invention include sensors comprising high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) with capture reagents on a gate region of the HEMTs. Example sensors include HEMTs with a thin gold layer on the gate region and bound antibodies; a thin gold layer on the gate region and chelating agents; a non-native gate dielectric on the gate region; and nanorods of a non-native dielectric with an immobilized enzyme on the gate region. Embodiments including antibodies or enzymes can have the antibodies or enzymes bound to the Au-gate via a binding group. Other embodiments of the invention are methods of using the sensors for detecting breast cancer, prostate cancer, kidney injury, glucose, metals or pH where a signal is generated by the HEMT when a solution is contacted with the sensor. The solution can be blood, saliva, urine, breath condensate, or any solution suspected of containing any specific analyte for the sensor.
US09316631B1

The invention relates to methods for identifying ER-stress inducing compounds that target cancer stem cells. In some aspects, the invention relates to treatment methods that use ER-stress inducing compounds that specifically target cancer stem cells for inhibiting the growth and/or survival of cancer stem cells in a subject in need thereof. Other aspects of the invention relate to the use of cancer stem cell biomarkers in the selection of a treatment for inhibiting the growth and/or survival of cancer stem cells in a subject in need thereof.
US09316628B2

A method and apparatus for field spectroscopic characterization of seafood is disclosed. A portable NIR spectrometer is connected to an analyzer configured for performing a multivariate analysis of reflection spectra to determine qualitatively the true identities or quantitatively the freshness of seafood samples.
US09316625B2

Every time a target sample is injected from an injector (12) of an LC unit (1) and a mass spectrometry for a target component in the sample is performed, a CD voltage applied to a conversion dynode of an ion detector (29) is switched. For each of the multiple CD-voltage levels, a data collector (32) collects noise data during a period of time where no component is present and intensity data of an ion originating from the target component, while the SN ratio calculator (33) calculates an SN ratio. After the actual measurement is completed, an optimum CD voltage determiner (34) compares the SN ratios calculated for each CD voltage, finds the CD voltage which gives the highest SN ratio, and stores this voltage in an optimum CD voltage memory (42) as an optimum CD voltage for the analysis conditions at that point in time and for the m/z of the analysis target. According to this method, even when the flow rate of the mobile phase is particularly high or when a hard-to-vaporize mobile phase is used, the CD voltage is appropriately set and a detection signal is obtained with high SN ratios.
US09316619B2

A scanning probe for an industrial nondestructive evaluation (NDE) ultrasound or eddy current scanning system. The scanning probe gathers reflected waveform data indicative of internal characteristics of the test object. The scanning probe also includes a self-contained multi-axis position encoder that correlates both multi-dimensional probe underside translation and rotation motion across the test sample surface with the multi-dimensional spatial location on the test object surface. The position encoder compensates for probe rotation that would otherwise negatively impact probe position determination accuracy. A data acquisition system combines sets of positional and waveform data for processing by an NDE analyzer.
US09316617B2

There is provided a probe apparatus. The probe apparatus has a first end configured to connect to a rotating scanner device. The probe apparatus further has a second end with two or more eddy current elements. The second end further has a positioning mechanism configured to position the two or more eddy current elements against cavity walls of an annular cavity of a structure to be inspected with the probe apparatus, when the probe apparatus is positioned within the annular cavity. The second end further has an aligning mechanism coupled to the positioning mechanism. The aligning mechanism is configured to align the two or more eddy current elements in a perpendicular position with respect to the cavity walls of the annular cavity, when the probe apparatus is positioned within the annular cavity.
US09316605B2

A monitoring unit (100) that determines parameters (p1, p2) of an attribute (P) of a liquid substance flowing (F) through a dielectric conduit (110) includes plural coil members (121, 122) encircling the dielectric conduit (110) that subjects a flow of the liquid substance to plural different electromagnetic fields (B(f)), and under influence thereof measuring circuitry registers corresponding impedance measures (z(f)) of the liquid substance. A processor (130) derives the parameters (p1, p2) of the attribute (P) based on the registered impedance measures (z(f)).
US09316604B1

A method and apparatus for non-destructively determining features in a planer specimen includes providing a heat impulse to the specimen, detecting temperatures in the specimen at a plurality of locations, and imaging the specimen from the detected temperatures. A laser can be used to provide a single or a plurality of heat impulses to the specimen. Temperatures in the specimen can be detected utilizing a contact sensor array or a remote infrared detector. These sensors are joined to a data processing device to image the specimen utilizing the detected temperatures.
US09316601B2

The invention relates to a detection values processing apparatus. Energy-dependent detection values are provided, which are indicative of polychromatic radiation (4) after having traversed an examination zone (5). The radiation is filtered by a filter (15) which comprises K-edge filter material. A component decomposition technique is applied to the detection values for determining K-edge attenuation values being first component attenuation values, which are indicative of an attenuation caused by the K-edge filter material, and additional component attenuation values, which are indicative of an attenuation caused by additional components of the examination zone, wherein an image of the examination zone is reconstructed from the additional component attenuation values. An image can therefore be reconstructed, which is not adversely affected by the filter, because the K-edge attenuation values are not used for reconstructing the image. This can improve the quality of the reconstructed image.
US09316594B2

A carbon dioxide detector including a sensor component, where the sensor component has a colorimetric indicator salt of a colorimetric pH indicator and a lipophilic phosphonium quaternary cation, a transparent polymer vehicle or a plasticizer not being in a mixture with the colorimetric indicator salt; and a porous memory, a porous polymer membrane in one instance, the colorimetric indicator salt being deposited on a surface of the porous polymer membrane; the colorimetric indicator salt deposited on the porous polymer membrane does not include a transparent polymer vehicle or a plasticizer, and carbon dioxide detection systems using the detector.
US09316593B2

A detection system includes a retroreflector and a layer of material over the retroreflector, the material being subject to change in transmission with respect to an optical property of radiation, e.g. wavelength or polarization, with exposure to a phenomenon. The retroreflector and layer are illuminated from a radiation source of multiple aspects of the optical property. A sensor senses radiation retroreflected back through the layer. The retroreflector may, for example, be an array of or individual prisms or an array of or individual cat's eye microspheres. The layer of material above the retroreflector can include a colorimetric dye. In an embodiment, the retroreflector and layer are on the surface of a carrier that moves through a medium, e.g. a projectile or vehicle moving through the air. In a method of detecting a phenomenon, retroreflective elements are distributed in an array, as in the atmosphere or across a region of ground.
US09316590B2

The present invention provides a reaction vessel and apparatus for performing heat-exchanging reactions. The vessel has a chamber for holding a sample, the chamber being defined by a plurality of walls, at least two of the walls being light transmissive to provide optical windows to the chamber. The apparatus comprises at least one heating surface for contacting at least one of the plurality of walls, at least one heat source for heating the surface, and optics positioned to optically interrogate the chamber while the heating surface is in contact with at least one of the plurality of walls.
US09316589B2

This method for evaluating an oxide semiconductor thin film includes evaluating the stress stability of an oxide semiconductor thin film on the basis of the light emission intensity of luminescent light excited when radiating an electron beam or excitation light at a sample at which the oxide semiconductor thin film is formed. The stress stability of the oxide semiconductor thin film is evaluated on the basis of the light emission intensity (L1) observed in the range of 1.6-1.9 eV of the luminescent light excited from the oxide semiconductor thin film.
US09316568B2

An experimental method for simulating an impact rock-burst, comprises the following steps: making a rock sample having a through hole or a half hole; loading initial static stresses of three directions onto the rock sample; then loading dynamic load(s) by 0.5-10 minutes, to determine whether a spalling phenomenon appears on an internal surface of the hole; if appears, and the rock sample is further damaged, determining and recording a failure course, if not appears, increasing the static stress(es) or the intensity of the dynamic load, then repeating the experiment procedure as far as the rock sample goes into the failure course, then determining and recording the failure course, and ending the expierment. The impact rockburst induced by dynamic load is simulated in the rock sample successfully, and by sudying mechanical mechanisms of the rock-burst, the present application lays foundations for gradually understanding and mastering the nature of real rock burst.
US09316559B2

The leak detection appliance has a test inlet to which a test chamber containing the test specimen can be connected. A high-vacuum pump produces a high vacuum in a test gas detector. A backing pump contains two pump stages. In order to evacuate the test chamber, the pump stages are operated in parallel mode, with their suction capabilities being added. When the necessary vacuum has been achieved, the pump stages are operated in series in order to produce the necessary high vacuum which is required for high detection sensitivity on the test gas detector.
US09316556B2

A knock control apparatus for an internal combustion engine can remove regularly generated noise vibration in a simple and appropriate manner. The apparatus includes a knock sensor, a crank angle sensor, a vibration waveform detection unit that detects a vibration waveform of a knock natural frequency component, a vibration waveform average value calculation unit that calculates a vibration waveform average value corresponding to a noise vibration waveform by filtering the vibration waveform over a plurality of ignition cycles, a noise vibration waveform removal unit that removes the noise vibration waveform by subtracting the vibration waveform average value from the vibration waveform, a knock determination threshold value calculation unit that calculates a threshold value based on a peak value of the vibration waveform after removal of the noise vibration waveform, and a knock determination unit that determines whether a knock has occurred, by comparing the peak value with the threshold value.
US09316555B2

A cold cathode ionization vacuum gauge, including: two electrodes disposed such that one of the electrodes is surrounded by the other electrode to thereby form a discharge space therebetween; and an electrode protection member disposed in the discharge space and configured to protect an inner wall surface of the other electrode, wherein the electrode protection member has electric conductivity and is elastically deformed along a shape of the inner wall surface to be electrically connected to the other electrode.
US09316547B1

A new method for determining heat transfer coefficient (h) and adiabatic effectiveness (η) waveforms h(t) and η(t) from a single test uses a novel inverse heat transfer methodology to use surface temperature histories obtained using prior art approaches to approximate the h(t) and η(t) waveforms. The method best curve fits the data to a pair of truncated Fourier series.
US09316544B2

Provided is an electronic thermometer that is inexpensive, has fast thermal response, and suppresses bending and directional misalignment of the lead of the temperature sensor during assembly of the electronic thermometer. The electronic thermometer includes: a temperature sensor that includes a temperature sensing unit that measures the body temperature of a measurement subject and a lead having one end that is fixed to the temperature sensing unit; a hollow housing that houses the lead, and in which the temperature sensing unit is arranged on the tip side; a printed circuit board to which the other end of the lead is fixed; and an assembly that includes the printed circuit board and is housed in the housing. The assembly includes an extension portion extending toward the tip side of the housing. The extension portion has a guide portion that orients the extending direction of the lead.
US09316530B2

A method and an apparatus for controlling an amount of light in a visible light communication system are provided. In the visible light communication system, a terminal measures an amount of light for a light signal received from a sensor, determines whether the measured amount of light is less than a threshold value, increases an amount of light for a light source signal to transmit to the sensor when the measured amount of light is less than the threshold value, and transmits, to the sensor, a light source signal according to the increased amount of light.
US09316529B2

There is provided an optical sensor device that, even when the frame is slimmed, can cause the sensor unit to leave or enter the frame smoothly, as well as can accommodate position shifts of the image display panel caused by activation and resulting heat generation thereof. An optical sensor device 1 includes a main body frame 2, a sensor unit 3 including an optical sensor 108, guide members 16 configured to guide the sensor unit 3, and drive means configured to move the sensor unit 3 to a measurement position. The sensor unit 3 is provided with, on both sides thereof, slide members 31. The sensor unit 3 moves obliquely forward along slopes 162 formed on front portions of the guide members 16, and a shading member 9 disposed on the sensor unit 3 contacts a display screen 101a of the image display panel. After making a measurement, the sensor unit 3 moves obliquely backward and is stored in the main body frame 2.
US09316522B2

A fluid level gauge includes a housing having a first end and a second end, and a window disposed in the housing, proximate to the first end. The fluid level gauge further includes an optical sensor disposed in the housing, proximate to the second end. A prism is disposed in the housing, between the optical sensor and the window, such that the prism and the window define a fluid chamber therebetween. The housing further includes a plurality of through holes that provides a fluid path from outside the housing to the fluid chamber.
US09316506B2

The advantageous embodiments provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for presenting terrain along a route of an aircraft. A display of a vertical profile side view of terrain data along the route of the aircraft on an aircraft display is provided. A number of graphical indicators of a position of terrain are displayed on the display relative to the aircraft along the route.
US09316492B2

Measuring a feature on a wafer, the feature including at least two edges. Scanning the wafer with an electron beam over the length of a first scan interval that includes at least a portion of a first edge of the feature. Preventing the electron beam from illuminating the wafer while moving the scan position of the electron beam across a portion of the wafer to a second scan interval that includes at least a portion of a second edge of the feature. Scanning the wafer with an electron beam over the length of the second scan interval. Determining a distance between the first and second edges of the feature.
US09316488B1

A system includes an emitter of electromagnetic radiation combined to the object and aligned with a detector for detecting the electromagnetic radiation from the emitter. A processor in communication with the detector is calibrated to recognize a change in alignment between the electromagnetic radiation from the emitter and the detector. The processor translates the change in alignment to the amount of force applied to the object.
US09316484B2

A fringe shift measurement system is provided and includes an optical phase mask configured to receive light fringes from optical flats. The optical phase mask has first and second halves, each half having alternating patterns of opaque rings and transparent rings. The first half pattern is phase-shifted with respect to the second half pattern. The first and second halves are configured to alternately block the light fringes or allow the light fringes to pass through the optical phase mask. A splitter is configured to direct the light fringes from the optical phase mask in desired directions. Concentrators are positioned to receive light fringes from the splitter and configured to focus the light fringes in a desired location. Detectors are configured to receive the focused light fringes from the concentrators and configured to convert the focused light fringes into digital signals. A control unit is configured to analyze the digital signals.
US09316481B2

Disclosed are a sensor for measuring a tilt angle based on electronic textile according to the present invention and a method thereof. A sensor for measuring a tilt angle based on electronic textile according to the present invention includes a plurality of textile electrodes disposed at predetermined uniform intervals on a textile surface; a textile conductive wire of which one end is connected to a center between the plurality of textile electrodes; and a metal bead connected to another end of the textile conductive wire to thereby be connected to the textile surface.
US09316474B2

In addition to other aspects disclosed, a caliper is configured to measure at least one physical dimension. The caliper has a display configured to present a first representation and a second representation of a measurement provided by the caliper. The format of the first representation is different from the format of the second representation, and the first representation is approximately simultaneously displayed with the second representation.
US09316471B1

A marking assembly that attaches to a surface of a tool in order to produce a mark at a point adjacent to that tool surface. A marking device is provided. A support plate is provided that supports the marking device. The support plate attaches to the tool using an attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism can be adhesive, mechanical and/or magnetic. The marking device obscures the point where it marks during its operation. A position indicator is provided to provide the user with a visual indication of where the marking device will mark. The visual indication can be a physical indicator and/or a beam of light.
US09316464B2

A firearm lead sight that is attached to the barrel of a firearm for assisting a shooter in leading a moving target. The firearm lead sight includes a mount, a first sight assembly, and a second sight assembly. A mount plate and a barrel grip form the mount and are clamped around the barrel of the firearm. A first sight bar and a second sight bar, of the first sight assembly and the second sight assembly respectively, are pivotally connected to the mount plate opposite each other. A first plurality of sight marks is positioned along the first sight bar, while a second plurality of sight marks is positioned along the second sight bar. A first detent of the first sight bar and a second detent of the second sight bar allow the first sight bar and the second sight bar to be locked in a variety of positions.
US09316463B2

A multimode seeker includes a radio-frequency antenna and a controller. The radio-frequency antenna comprises a substrate and an electrically conductive film deposited on the substrate. The substrate is transparent to short wavelength infrared radiation. The electrically conductive film is configured to transmit and receive radio-frequency radiation and is transparent to the short wavelength infrared radiation. The controller is configured to receive and interpret data from the radio-frequency antenna.
US09316460B2

A sight device includes a mounting base for detachably mounting on the firearm, a sight unit upwardly extended from the mounting base, and a sight arrangement provided at the mounting base at a position underneath the sight unit, wherein the sight arrangement includes first and second modules. The first sight module includes a first light housing frontwardly extended from the mounting base and a first light unit supported in the first light housing for generating a light beam parallel to a bore axis of the firearm and close to the bore axis of the firearm to reduce an off-axis bore height. The second sight modules includes a second light housing frontwardly extended from the mounting base and spaced part from the first light housing, and a second light unit supported in the second light housing for illumination.
US09316459B2

A stock and recoil system for a firearm includes a lower receiver, a bolt carrier, and a stock assembly. The bolt carrier is reciprocally movable along an axis within an upper receiver carried by the lower receiver and includes a tubular rearward end defining a cavity with a rearwardly directed opening. The stock assembly is coupled the lower receiver and includes a receiver extension coupled to the lower receiver and aligned on the axis. An action spring is carried within the receiver extension and extends therefrom into the tubular rearward end of the bolt carrier. The action spring is movable between a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration during the firing cycle of the firearm. A butt plate is adjustably coupled to the receiver extension and is movable between an extended position and a collapsed position.
US09316456B1

A firearm discharge gas flow control module is fluidly coupleable to a muzzle end of a firearm to allow a projectile to pass therethrough. The gas flow control module includes an inlet port, operable to receive at least a portion of a discharge gas generated by firing the projectile, and a gas chamber, bounded by at least one wall that at least partially defines a geometry of the gas chamber. The gas chamber extends both radially and longitudinally from the inlet port and translates circumferentially as the gas chamber extends longitudinally. The gas chamber terminates at a circumferential angle of rotation from the inlet port, the circumferential angle of rotation being less than 180 degrees.
US09316454B2

A gun lock device, which may be configured to be disposed on or adjacent a gun to alternatively prevent or enable firing, includes a data receiver, a data memory and a logic device for determining whether a potential gun user's biologic data received by the receiver is the same, or substantially the same, as biologic data stored in the data memory. A separate smartphone is provided to collect and transmit the biologic data to the data receiver of the gun lock device. The logic device also responds to a gun control signal transmitted by the smartphone to lock the gun when the smartphone is located in a proscribed area, such as within a school zone or outside a secured area such as an airport or shopping mall.
US09316452B2

Provided is a revolver with a two chambers cylinder, of the type having a low profile and with no protruding parts from the frame. The revolver includes a frame which has a grip at its rear portion, a trigger at its lower portion and a barrel at its front portion. The frame further includes a central opening that defines the cylinder housing. The cylinder has an oblong shape and has two chambers, radially opposite with respect to the rotation axis of the cylinder. The cylinder rotation before firing is obtained by means of the trigger actuation, which causes an upward movement of the cylinder impeller and the consequent rotation of the gear, due to interaction between the pinion and the teeth of the cylinder impeller. The transfer of the rotational movement of the gear to the cylinder is made from a ratchet, which is partially arranged within said cylinder.
US09316451B2

A buffer locking assembly comprised of a carrier insert and buffer assembly where the carrier insert is nested in the rearward end of a bolt carrier of a bolt carrier assembly of a rifle weapon, such as an AR15/M4 rifle, wherein a novel carrier insert and buffer assembly interact during firing to align the buffer recoil spring, buffer assembly, carrier insert, and bolt carrier assembly when the bolt carrier assembly is reciprocated as the rifle is fired. The invention also includes a method for maintaining longitudinal alignment of the buffer assembly with the bolt carrier assembly.
US09316443B2

In an apparatus and process for treating wafer-shaped articles, a spin chuck holds a wafer-shaped article in a predetermined orientation relative to an upper surface of the spin chuck. The apparatus includes a heating assembly having a housing that contains at least one infrared heating element. The heating assembly is mounted above an upper surface of the spin chuck and adjacent a wafer-shaped article when mounted on the spin chuck. The housing comprises a gas inlet connected to a gas supply, and at least one outlet for discharging gas from the housing.
US09316442B2

A dryer is provided. The dryer may include a main body having an inner space formed therein, a fixed drum provided in the inner space of the main body, and a tumbling device coupled to the drum. The fixed drum may have a non-circular cross-section as it is rotated. The tumbling device may tumble laundry items received in the fixed drum as it slides along an inner circumferential surface of the fixed drum.
US09316439B2

A dewatering machine for reducing moisture of a polymer or an elastomer includes a generally solid barrel and a pair of screws disposed in the barrel. At least a portion of the screws are intermeshing, and drive means are coupled to the screws. At least one mechanical filter is connected to the barrel. The machine includes means that enable particles of the polymer or the elastomer to fuse, which reduces the amount of fines that escape from the machine. In addition, the machine reduces the moisture of the polymer from up to about 20 percent water by weight to less than about 0.5 percent water by weight, and the moisture of the elastomer from up to about 50 percent water by weight to less than about 3.0 percent water by weight. A method of dewatering for reducing the moisture of a polymer or an elastomer is also provided.
US09316437B2

An apparatus 20 for microwave vacuum-drying organic materials such as foods and bioactives has a plurality of microwave generators 50 actuated so as to cause interference between their respective microwave streams and evenly distribute the microwave energy across the vacuum chamber 34. The microwave-transparent window 36 in the chamber is arranged so the organic material to be dried is moved across it on a conveyor belt 60 and the microwave energy passing into the chamber 34 immediately encounters the organic materials, thus attenuating the energy and reducing arcing.
US09316432B2

Soft drinks, beer, energy drinks, flavored drinks, fruit juices, wine, carbonated drinks and other refreshments are kept refrigerated for hours and sometimes days until served for consumption or sold. Energy is spent in chilling them from room temperature to the temperature at which they are to be served or sold and also energy is spent in conserving them at said serving or selling temperature. A process and equipment to rapidly chill beverages in their containers from ambient temperature to the temperature chosen for consumption or sale is presented.
US09316427B2

A refrigerator includes a direct contact ice making system in conjunction with a circulating liquid coolant. The ice making system includes a coolant loop and an air flow chamber on a portion of the loop. The air flow chamber includes channels formed by offset protrusions, which direct air back and forth over the portion of the cooling loop to cool ambient air within the ice making system. The cooled air is then directed by a fan and supply duct to an ice storage container to prevent ice cubes in the container from melting. Once the air has warmed in the container, it is directed by a return duct to the beginning of the air flow chamber to begin the process over once again, thus creating a recirculation of air within a refrigerator system to cool an ice storage container.
US09316426B2

Articulated water curtains for ice making machines include two portions, an upper portion hingedly connected to the upper portion of the machine, and a lower portion that includes a bottom edge of the two-piece water curtain and that is pivotally-mounted to a lower portion of the machine or to the lower portion of the water curtain.
US09316421B2

An air-conditioning apparatus including a check valve in a passage between a first flow switching device and a suction side of a compressor, an expansion valve midway of a liquid extension piping, and an additional unit having a first bypass and a second bypass that are branched off from a passage between an indoor unit and the liquid expansion valve, and are connected to a passage between the check valve and the suction side of the compressor. The first bypass has, midway thereof, a first bypass expansion valve capable of controlling a throughput of refrigerant and an auxiliary heat exchanger that has a heat source different from the refrigerant, the auxiliary heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator heating the refrigerant flowing in the first bypass. The second bypass has, midway thereof, a second bypass expansion valve capable of controlling a throughput of refrigerant.
US09316418B2

An apparatus for achieving a cryogenic temperature in a movable system, includes a rotating table, a vacuum chamber which is fixed on the rotating table, a cryogen-free refrigerator which has a cooling section inside the vacuum chamber, an inner cylinder which is fixed to a bottom of the rotating table, an outer cylinder which stores the inner cylinder such that the inner cylinder is rotatable and includes an outward and return gas port which is provided to be continuous with gas passages, a compressor which circulates gas to the cryogen-free refrigerator through the outward and return gas passages, and a rotary joint for wiring which is fixed to the inner cylinder and rotatably conducts electricity, wherein a piece of internal wiring is led through a through-hole and a hole, and electricity is supplied to a piece of equipment on the rotating table through the piece of internal wiring.
US09316416B2

A device for fastening panel-shaped mats, in particular flexible photovoltaic solar panels, to a supporting structure, has at least one clamping clip (10) in the shape of a section of a plastic profiled body. The clip has opposing profiled limbs (12, 14) forming a clamping space (18) for a holding region (8) of the mat received in it. In the clamping space, the profiled limbs (12, 14) rest with a resilient clamping force against the upper face and the lower face of the holding region (8). The profiled limb (14), which in the clamped state rests against the lower face of the holding region (8) facing the supporting structure, forms a fixing surface (26) on its outer face provided with a connecting element (30) for attaching to the supporting structure.
US09316415B2

There are disclosed a film mirror, which can be prevented from decrease in specular reflectance when a silver layer that serves as a reflective layer is deteriorated, is lightweight and flexible, can be produced at low cost, can have an enlarged surface area, can be produced on a large scale, exhibits excellent light stability and weather resistance, and exhibits good specular reflectance to solar light; a process for producing the film mirror; and a reflection device for solar power generation, which is equipped with such a film mirror. The film mirror comprises at least an adhesive layer, a silver reflection layer and an upper adjacent layer as constituent layers provided on the resin substrate sequentially in this order, in which at least the upper adjacent layer contains a binder and a corrosion inhibitor for silver.
US09316403B2

The concepts relate to reducing energy loss associated with hot water systems. One example includes a cold water line and a hot water line and an end use fixture in fluid flowing relation with the cold and hot water lines and configured to control water flow therefrom. This example also includes a water heater having an intake or inlet in fluid flowing relation to the cold water line and an outlet in fluid flowing relation to the hot water line. The example includes an automatic hot water recovery apparatus positioned in fluid flowing relation to the cold water line proximate to the water heater, the automatic hot water recovery apparatus configured to draw hot water back into the water heater from the hot water line subsequent to hot water usage at the end use fixture.
US09316392B2

Gas burner (1) for a cooking hob (14) comprising: a burner cup (2) constrained to the cooking hob, onto which at least one burner body (3) is mounted, and at least one superior cover (5), which can be removably coupled to said burner body, as well as at least one annular flame diffuser (4), designed to produce at least one flame crown. The burner is also provided with means (9, 9′, 10) for reversibly fixing the superior cover to the burner cup. The reversible fixing means comprise at least one male part (9, 9′) integral to the cup and at least one female part (10) integral to the cover, or vice-versa, in which the male part can be inserted into the female part and is movable within the female part between at least one reciprocal holding position and at least one reciprocal release position.
US09316389B2

A modular LED heat-dissipating device includes an LED circuit board, a heat-conducting adhesive layer, a heat-dissipating structure, and a wire terminal module. The LED light source illuminates by power supplied via the wire terminal module. Heat generated from the LED light source is dissipated by the heat-dissipating structure. This device does not dissipate heat by a lamp housing. So the lamp housing can be made of, but not limited to, plastic, thereby decreasing a production cost of the LED lamp. In addition, the modular LED heat-dissipating device can fit various kinds of lamp housings. When the LED light source breaks down, the modular LED heat-dissipating device and the lamp housing can be easily separated to replace or repair the LED light source.
US09316388B2

A device and kit for cooling a light emitting material are provided. The device comprises: a light emitting material; a cooling plate configured to cool the light emitting material; a window, the light emitting material sandwiched between the window and the cooling plate, the window configured to: transmit excitation light for exciting the light emitting material; transmit emitted light from the light emitting material; and, conduct heat away from the light emitting material to the cooling plate. The kit comprises the window and a holder there for.
US09316387B1

LED lights including a metal core printed circuit board (MCPCB) having a rear side and a front side are disclosed. At least one LED may be mounted to the front side of the MCPCB. A transparent window may be mounted and sealed to the front side of the MCPCB to enclose the LED. A portion of the MCPCB may extend from the transparent window so that it can be in heat exchange contact with water when the window of the lighting fixture is submerged in water or other fluids.
US09316382B2

Connector devices, systems, and related methods for connecting light emitting diode (LED) modules to thermal substrates and/or optical elements are disclosed. In some aspects, a connector device can include a connector body having a first side configured to engage an LED module and a second side configured to engage an optical element for mechanically coupling the LED module to the optical element. The connector device can further include a housing configured to receive a portion of an electrical wire for electrically coupling the LED module to the electrical wire. A connector system can include an annular body defining an opening and at least one LED module disposed in a portion of the connector. The connector can be configured to cover a portion of the LED module and leave another portion of the LED module exposed or visible.
US09316368B2

A luminaire including a thin phosphor layer applied to a remote reflector is disclosed. In some embodiments of the luminaire, LEDs illuminate and activate a thin remote phosphor coating applied to a reflective substrate. In some embodiments, the LED light source includes at least one LED with a GaN emitting layer. The LEDs can be packaged with or without a local phosphor. The thin remote phosphor can include red, red/orange, yellow, green or cyan emitting phosphor so that the luminaire produces white light. The thin remote phosphor layer can include two or more different color emitting phosphors. In some embodiments, the luminaire is a light fixture including a diffuser lens assembly and a pan to support the fixture when mounted in a ceiling.
US09316363B2

A lighting device may be provided that includes a light emitter including a plurality of LEDs; a reflective plate disposed on the light emitter; a diffuser plate disposed in a direction in which light emitted from the LED is irradiated; a case including the light emitter disposed therein and including a bottom plate and a side wall extending from both side ends of the bottom plate; and a connecting member extending from the side wall of the case and including a bracket coupler on at least one side thereof. The light emitter is disposed between the bottom plate of the case and the diffuser plate.
US09316348B2

A positioning device positions an ejection device for ejecting a movably mounted part of a piece of furniture from a closed end position in relation to a body of a piece of furniture. The ejection device can be fixed in relation to the body of the piece of furniture by an adapter plate. The adapter plate includes at least two guides, one of the guides being respectively connectable to a bearing part fixed to the body. The at least two guides can be used to position the ejection device in at least two different depth positions on or in the body of the piece of furniture.
US09316336B2

A penetration fitting unit for seal-connection between a wall and a pipe passing through a wall opening. The unit has a cylindrical sleeve having inlet and outlet ends which internally define a tubular passage. Between the inlet and outlet ends there is at least one limit stop element protruding outwardly from the outer surface of the cylindrical sleeve having a locking ring that can be coupled with the cylindrical sleeve at the outlet end thereby forming a seat for the wall. A heat transfer apparatus is interposed between the limit stop element and the sleeve outlet end. The heat transfer apparatus is placed at a portion of the cylindrical sleeve's outer surface and has a first area at least partially overlapping with respect to the seat for the wall and a second area overlapping with a portion of internal surface of the locking ring.
US09316327B1

A refrigerant valve has a body with a through bore. Multiple tubes have openings aligned in a ring around a middle of the bore. The tubes lead to larger channels in the body. A needle assembly inserted through an end of the bore reciprocates a needle with a stepper motor and speed reducer to precisely control sizes of the openings. Further advancing the needle shaft after closing the openings to the tubes, engages and slides a bypass sleeve against a return spring force to open a bypass in a side of the valve body. A connector connects the bypass in a first end of the bore to outward opening holes of the channels.
US09316321B2

Multi-piece flow control apparatus for use with fluid valves are described. An example flow control apparatus described herein includes a sleeve having first and second ends, the first end including a lip. A valve plug tip is disposed in the sleeve and has a shoulder engaged with an inner surface of the lip. An insert is disposed in the second end of the sleeve and engaged with the valve plug tip to urge the shoulder of the valve plug tip against the inner surface of the lip. The insert has an opening to receive a stem of the valve.
US09316316B2

Provided is a segmented seal that is capable of suppressing the progress of wear in a key groove and thereby attains improvement in the durability of a seal ring. The segmented seal includes a key groove (15), as seen in an axial direction, has a groove body portion (15a) extending in a radial direction and a pair of clearance groove portions (15b, 15c) expanding to both sides of the groove body portion (15a) so as to be away from a key (50) on the inner peripheral surface side, and among the pair of clearance groove portions (15b, 15c), the clearance groove portion (15c) on an upstream side in a rotating direction ® of the rotating shaft (200) is configured to expand to an outer peripheral surface side beyond a tip end (50a) on an inner peripheral surface side of the key (50).
US09316314B2

A sealing arrangement for placement between two components which have a planar contact surface, in particular two housing parts of a pump. The sealing arrangement has an elongate, flexible sealing element whose end region has a termination element thereon, which can carry out a sealing function. The sealing element and the termination element have an overlap region in the end region of the sealing element and thus form a first continuous sealing edge. The sealing edge is maintained also for a displacement of the end region of the sealing element in the direction of the start region within the overlap region. The termination element moreover has a first curvature. The curvature and the sealing element are configured so that the sealing element contacts the termination element along the curvature in a pressure-free state.
US09316311B2

A method of controlling a shift-by-wire transmission is provided. The method monitors a setting of a shift assembly that sets a select gear from gearing of the transmission. A motor is activated to adjust the setting of the shift assembly when the monitoring of the shift assembly indicates that the then current setting of the shift assembly is outside of a course window of a desired gear. The course adjustment window is centered about a nominal target position for the desired gear while being within an acceptable range of the select gear. The motor is shut off when the monitoring of the setting of the shift assembly indicates the setting is within a fine adjustment window of the desired gear. The fine adjustment window is also centered about the nominal target position for the desired gear. The fine adjustment window is narrower than the course adjustment window.
US09316310B2

A pressure control valve for controlling a travel primary side pressure that is a pressure of a primary side of a travel operation device is controlled by a control unit, thus the travel primary side pressure is controlled, and thereby a traveling speed is intended to be increased, preventing an engine stall.
US09316309B2

A method of controlling shifts in a multi-speed transmission includes beginning an initial shift, which changes the transmission from a starting gear to an initial target gear, and executing an adjusted shift, which changes the transmission to an adjusted target gear having higher speed ratio than the initial target gear, when transition conditions are satisfied. The transition conditions include a threshold increase in torque request, which is sufficient to require the transmission to be placed into the adjusted target gear. The transition conditions also include a common controlling clutch, which is partially engaged during the initial shift and the adjusted shift and is an off-going clutch to place the transmission in the adjusted target gear. Executing the adjusted shift does not include placing the transmission in a neutral mode. Furthermore, executing the adjusted shift does not include completing the initial shift.
US09316302B2

The invention relates to a guide wheel for a rear derailleur in a bicycle gear system for guiding a chain, including an annular wheel body with a central opening for rotatable bearing about a rotational axis of the guide wheel. The guide wheel includes a plurality of radially projecting teeth that are arranged on an outer circumferential surface of the wheel body. A tooth gap is arranged between each adjacent pair of teeth, individual teeth in the area of a root circle of the gear teeth having a predetermined tooth width matched to the chain. For improving the guiding properties, it is provided that the guide wheel has on at least some of the tooth gaps in the area near a tooth gap base and/or on at least some of the teeth at least one guide segment with a greater width than the tooth width of at least one of the adjacent teeth.
US09316295B2

A rack and pinion steering gear for a motor vehicle may include a steering pinion, which is connected to a steering shaft and is engaged with a gear rack that is movably mounted in a housing, and may further include a pressure piece arranged in the housing in a pressure piece bore, and which may keep the gear rack engaged free from play with the steering pinion. A pressure piece for a rack and pinion steering gear may include an outer metallic casing inserted with a press fit into the pressure piece bore, at least one elastomer damping element, in particular an elastomer casing, arranged in the metallic casing, with a metallic pressure piece core enclosed by the at least one elastomer damping element.
US09316291B2

A power transmission system of a hybrid electric vehicle may include an input shaft, an output gear disposed on the input shaft, a first planetary gear set having a first sun gear, a first planetary carrier, and a first ring gear; a second planetary gear set having a second sun gear, a second planetary carrier, and a second ring gear; a third planetary gear set having a third sun gear, a third planetary carrier, and a third ring gear; first to seventh rotation shafts, and three friction elements configured to selectively connect the respective rotation shafts to each other or selectively connect the respective rotation shafts to the transmission housing.
US09316279B2

A vibration isolator with low elevation seismic restraint comprises a support member, at least two vibration isolating members, a top plate, a seismic snubber and a snubber limit plate. The vibration isolating members, are seated on the support member opposing end portions. The top plate has a middle portion and opposing end portions, wherein the top plate spans over the vibration isolating members, such that the vibration isolating members are between the support member and the top plate. The seismic snubber has a shaft element that is mounted to the top plate on one end. A snubbing limit plate is mounted to the support member such that it spans the U shaped support member middle portion, wherein the shaft member second end is between the snubbing limit plate, and the support member. The shaft member passes through the support member via a through-hole, and a first snubber element mounted to the shaft element second end, such that seismic movement is limited by the snubbing limit plate and the support plate.
US09316276B2

A number of variations may include a brake disc may include a hub portion and a cheek portion. The hub portion may include a receiving flange for mechanically engaging the cheek portion. The cheek portion may include an upper cheek and a lower cheek connected and separated by a web, and an inner flange extending radially inward from the upper cheek to mechanically engage and communicate with the receiving flange of the hub portion such that the hub portion and the cheek portion form a single brake disc. The inner flange may include a at least one spline tooth circumferentially arranged around the inner flange and constructed and arranged to facilitate the mechanical engagement of the receiving flange and the inner flange.
US09316272B1

Viscous fan drive systems with wiper members positioned on the OD of the clutch disks, and which rotate at high speed. The fluid reservoir also rotates at input speed. The wiper member directs viscous fluid radially back to the fluid reservoir. The valves in the viscous fan drive systems can be activated by a bimetal mechanism or an electromagnetic mechanism.
US09316252B2

A method and a system for establishing and executing correct automatic relubrication for a number of bearings incorporated in a grease lubrication system. The system determines initial values for the relubrication interval tf and/or lubricant volume utilizing data collected from the different bearing assemblies during operation. The data includes bearing load, bearing temperature and bearing rotational speed. A processor calculates a correct lubricant volume and a value for current lubrication interval tf by comparing an initial value with a current value. The calculated correct lubricant volume and current lubrication interval tf are supplying to an automatic lubricating apparatus, which functions in accordance with the determined values. The data collection and calculation procedures are repeated after each application of lubricant to the bearings.
US09316248B2

A direct tension indicator (2), including a base element (11) and a cover element (13) that is arranged on the base element (11) and at least one indicator element (4) that is arranged between the base element (11) and the cover element (13) in order to display an axial force acting between the base element and the cover element. The indicator element (4) includes a dilatant material.
US09316247B2

An air-driven feeder tool is provided for presenting swagable collars one at a time for placement on the shanks of lockbolts and thereby made ready for the application of a swaging tool. The swaging tool breaks off a pintail from the lockbolt and a vacuum system draws the broken-off pintails through a vacuum device and into a receptacle for safe disposal. The feeder mechanism comprises a magazine holding a supply f side-by-side collars, a presentation piece holding a short working collars and a worker-actuable trigger mechanism between the two queues for transferring collars, one at a time, from the magazine to the presentation queue. Two embodiments of the feeder tool are disclosed, each with a unique trigger position.
US09316242B2

A fixture for fastening an attaching member to a mounting member includes a pin and a bushing, the bushing including a flange and a leg part. The leg part defines shaft-part receiving openings for receiving shaft parts of the pin, the shaft-part receiving openings being enclosed by an outer wall having a rectangular cross section. A pair of opposing elastic engagement claws are disposed at one pair of opposing outer wall portions of the outer wall. A leg center column is disposed between the shaft-part receiving openings. The leg center column connects the one pair of opposing outer wall portions with another pair of outer wall portions that are perpendicular to the one pair of outer wall portions.
US09316236B2

Provided is a hydraulic driving apparatus for a working machine, preventing an excessive decrease in pressure on a meter-in side and moving a load at a stable speed in a lowering direction. The apparatus comprises: a hydraulic pump; a hydraulic actuator; a manipulation device; a working hydraulic circuit including a meter-in flow passage and a meter-out flow passage; a control valve for changing a state of supply of hydraulic fluid to drive the hydraulic actuator at a speed designated by the manipulation device; a meter-in flow adjuster and a meter-out flow adjuster adapted to adjust a meter-in flow rate and meter-in flow rate respectively to respective value corresponding to the speed designated by the manipulation device; and a relief valve. The meter-in and meter-out flow adjusters have respective flow adjustment characteristics such that the meter-in flow rate is greater than the meter-out flow rate.
US09316226B2

A gas compressor can efficiently reduce an oscillation (damping) generated in a housing even if the oscillation generated in a cylinder is directly propagated to the housing during operating. Each of a plurality of ribs extends from a respective one of the fitting units to the vicinity of a position where an outer surface of a rear side block of a compressing mechanism unit received in the housing is fitted (pressingly fitted) to an inner surface of the housing. The ribs are integral formed on the outer surface of the housing.
US09316224B2

In a double rotation type scroll expander having double expansion chambers, a single integrated drive shaft is disposed to penetrate the interior of a housing, the double expansion chambers are formed by a drive scroll body and a driven scroll body, and a working medium introduction hole is provided in an axial direction of the drive shaft such that the working medium is supplied evenly to the double expansion chambers through the working medium introduction hole via a radial direction hole. The drive shaft and the drive scroll body formed integrally with the drive shaft rotate while the driven scroll body rotates synchronously with the drive scroll shaft via an interlocking mechanism.
US09316201B2

A laser spark plug for an internal combustion engine, in particular for a gas engine, includes a laser crystal integrated into the laser spark plug and a combustion chamber optical unit. Laser light pulses issuing from the laser crystal can be coupled by way of the combustion chamber optical unit into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. An optical laser light sensor is integrated into the laser spark plug, and the combustion chamber optical unit is provided with a preferably curved reflection surface which faces towards the laser light sensor and has a reflective mirroring. At least a part of a laser light reflected at the reflection surface during the duration of a laser light pulse can be detected by the laser light sensor.
US09316195B2

An engine starting system and technique include selecting a target engine speed profile from a plurality of engine speed profiles based on operator inputs and operating parameters of the vehicle. A feedback control strategy is used to substantially conform the engine speed with the target speed profile during starting until a target speed is reached in which fueling is initiated to start the engine.
US09316190B2

A high-pressure fuel injection valve may include a control valve having an actuator, a high-pressure fuel connection and a low-pressure fuel connection. A control plunger and nozzle needle are aligned longitudinally in the valve stem and the valve tip. Together with the control plunger, the receiving chamber of the control plunger forms a closing control chamber delimited by the upper control plunger surface, and an opening control chamber delimited by the lower control plunger surface. Each control chamber is hydraulically connected via a feed throttle to the high-pressure fuel connection and via a return throttle to the low-pressure fuel connection. The control valve opens and closes the fuel return between the return throttles and the low-pressure fuel connection depending on the operation. The flow values of the feed throttles and of the return throttles are selected such that the high-pressure fuel injection valve opens and closes based on actuation of the control valve.
US09316188B2

A direct-injection engine having a cylinder in which a combustion chamber is jointly formed by a piston crown of a piston, which is movable along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, and a cylinder head, and an injection nozzle, which is arranged in the cylinder head on the opposite side of the piston crown eccentrically, spaced apart from the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, for the direct injection of fuel, which injection nozzle has a nozzle needle movable in a nozzle body, wherein the needle in the open position of the nozzle is moved into the combustion chamber, opening up an annular gap arranged between the nozzle body and needle.
US09316185B2

A water-saving intake air cooling apparatus for a stationary internal combustion engine includes a primary intake air cooler, a high temperature side intake air cooler, and a low temperature side intake air cooler in an intake air passage upstream and downstream of a turbo charger. A first radiator transfers cooling water to an absorption chiller. The absorption chiller transfers cooling water to the primary intake air cooler and to the low temperature side intake air cooler. A second radiator transfers cooling water to the high temperature side intake air cooler. A third radiator cools lubricating oil flowing through a lubricating oil circulation space. Steam is generated by an exhaust heat boiler provided in an exhaust gas passage, and the steam is supplied to the absorption chiller as a heat source. Such use of the first, second, and third radiators, reduces the need for cooling water.
US09316183B2

An engine system including an air intake duct positioned upstream of an engine cylinder may include an ice ingestion feature for retaining condensation. An ice ingestion feature may include indents formed in the bottom of an air intake duct wall. As such, the ice ingestion feature may include compartments and/or grooves of varying depths, widths, and/or angles such that the ice retention rate may be based on the surface area of the compartment or grooves.
US09316182B2

A method for diagnosing a tank venting valve. This includes measuring a first pressure p1 in the induction pipe of an internal combustion engine; activating the tank venting valve so as to open; measuring a second pressure p2 in the induction pipe of the internal combustion engine after the opening activation of the tank venting valve; calculating a control value K by subtracting the first induction pipe pressure p1 from a second induction pipe pressure p2 and adding a correction pressure pK, which is calculated from the leakage air adaptation of an internal combustion engine; and detecting A defect of the tank venting valve, when the control value K falls below a threshold value.
US09316180B2

In an exhaust gas turbocharger system for charging an engine including a compressor arrangement at a charging fluid side LL and a turbine arrangement at an exhaust gas side AG, a further compressor which is driven by a separate controllable drive and whose primary side is connected to the charging fluid side LL while its secondary side is connected to the exhaust gas side is provided for compressing charge air taken from the charging fluid side and supply it to the exhaust gas side for assisting driving the exhaust gas turbines so as to maintain them at relatively high speeds in transition periods including engine idling.
US09316179B2

A secondary air supply device for an internal combustion engine, the secondary air supply device includes a secondary air supply passage, an air pump, a control valve, a pressure sensor and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to: (a) when the control valve is opened so that the secondary air supply passage is opened and the air pump is driven, control the air pump to maintain driving of the air pump and control the control valve to close so as to close the secondary air supply passage; (b) calculate a differential pressure between a maximum pressure and a convergence pressure of the pressures within the secondary air supply passage since just after the secondary air supply passage is closed; and (c) calculate a flow amount of secondary air supplied from the secondary air supply passage supplied to the exhaust gas passage based on the differential pressure.
US09316178B2

This application concerns systems and methods for compressing natural gas with an internal combustion engine. In a representative embodiment, a system for compressing a gas comprises a reciprocating internal combustion engine including at least one piston-cylinder assembly comprising a piston configured to travel in a cylinder and to compress gas in the cylinder in multiple compression stages. The system can further comprise a first pressure tank in fluid communication with the piston-cylinder assembly to receive compressed gas from the piston-cylinder assembly until the first pressure tank reaches a predetermined pressure, and a second pressure tank in fluid communication with the piston-cylinder assembly and the first pressure tank. The second pressure tank can be configured to receive compressed gas from the piston-cylinder assembly until the second pressure tank reaches a predetermined pressure. When the first and second pressure tanks have reached the predetermined pressures, the first pressure tank can be configured to supply gas to the piston-cylinder assembly, and the piston can be configured to compress the gas supplied by the first pressure tank such that the compressed gas flows into the second pressure tank.
US09316177B2

A saddle-ride type vehicle is capable of reducing influence of travelling wind on an open end of an air hose, thus preventing fluctuations in the internal pressure of a float chamber of a carburetor. The saddle-ride type vehicle includes a carburetor placed rearward of an engine and an air cleaner placed rearward of the carburetor. An air hose configured to regulate the internal pressure of a float chamber of the carburetor is connected to the carburetor. A recessed portion is provided at a side wall of an air-cleaner case of the air cleaner, the side wall being located along a lateral side of the vehicle. An open end of the air hose is placed at the recessed portion of the air-cleaner case.
US09316176B2

A carburetor including a one piece choke valve and shaft assembly including a shaft, a detent plate formed on a first end, a lever arm formed on a second end, a pair of opposing collars formed adjacent the detent plate and lever arm, a valve plate centrally positioned on the shaft, and opposing splines formed on the shaft enabling it to be inserted through an assembly slot cut into a shaft bore in the carburetor body. The detent plate includes a partial annular slot encompassing the angular range of travel of the choke valve. First, second and third detent pockets are formed along an outer edge of the slot. A positive positioning pin engages or interacts with the detent plate to positively position the choke valve in first, second or third angular positions corresponding to “close choke”, “half choke” and “open choke.”
US09316169B2

A method for operating an internal combustion engine, in particular a gas engine, having at least three cylinders, wherein a cylinder-specific signal (pmax, E) is acquired from each of the at least three cylinders, wherein a reference value (pmedian, Emedian) is generated from the cylinder-specific signals (pmax, E), wherein at least one combustion parameter (Q, Z) of one of the at least three cylinders is controlled as a function of a deviation of the cylinder-specific signal of the one of the at least three cylinders (pmax, E) from the reference value (pmedian, Emedian), whereupon the cylinder-specific signal of the one of the at least three cylinders (pmax, E) follows the reference value (pmedian, Emedian), wherein a median of the cylinder-specific signals (pmax, E) is generated as the reference value (pmedian, Emedian).
US09316160B2

The invention relates to a method for operating a thermal power plant, which includes a gas turbine and a generator driven directly by the gas turbine by means of a shaft and being connected to an electrical grid having a grid frequency (FG) via an electronic decoupling apparatus and a step-up transformer. A synthetic inertia response is achieved by said method includes the steps of: sensing said grid frequency (FG); detecting if in case of an excursion of said grid frequency (FG) additional inertial power is required or not; if inertial power is required, calculating the magnitude and duration of the additional inertial power; and releasing additional inertial power to said electrical grid in accordance with said calculations via said electronic decoupling apparatus.
US09316138B2

A secondary air supply system is arranged efficiently and compactly, in a V-type engine including a front-side cylinder and a rear-side cylinder. A motorcycle has a secondary air supply system which is provided between an air cleaner and an exhaust passage of an engine. The secondary air is supplied from the air cleaner into the exhaust passage of the engine. The secondary air supply system has a reed valve in a position for being exposed to the exhaust passage. The reed valve includes a front-side reed valve used for a front-side cylinder and a rear-side reed valve used for a rear-side cylinder. The front-side reed valve is disposed at a front portion of the air cleaner, with the longitudinal direction of the front-side reed valve set along the height direction.
US09316119B2

An exemplary turbomachine secondary ring seal assembly includes a base portion that extends circumferentially about an axis and a protrusion extending from the base portion toward the axis. The protrusion has a sealing surface that contacts a support to limit movement of a fluid from a first axial side of the base portion to a second opposite axial side of the base portion. The sealing surface faces the axis. The sealing surface may also face in a radial direction.
US09316110B2

An abradable coating for a gas turbine engine includes a bond coat, an intermediate layer, and a porous layer. The bond coat includes a metal coating and a thickness from 0.152 millimeters to 0.229 millimeters. The intermediate layer includes a ceramic material and a thickness from 0.051 millimeters to 0.381 millimeters. The porous layer includes a porous ceramic material. The porous layer also includes a porosity greater than thirty-five percent of a volume of the porous layer. The porous layer further includes a thickness from 0.127 millimeters to 1.524 millimeters.
US09316109B2

A turbine shroud assembly includes an inner shroud portion comprising a body portion having a first circumferential edge, and a discourager extending circumferentially past the first circumferential edge of the body portion, wherein the discourager is integrally formed with the inner shroud portion.
US09316106B2

An expanding lock pin for side entry turbine blades for turbines, including steam turbines compensates for worn or oversize mating pin grooves formed in rotor steeples and blade roots. The expanding pin expands circumferentially to fill the oversize mating groove. In one embodiment of the expanding lock pin a tapered plug mates with a mating tapered aperture formed in the pin. As the plug is driven into the pin its circumference increases. The expanding lock pin eliminates the need to re-machine worn or oversize pin grooves or machine new grooves.
US09316104B2

A cooling channel array carried by a component wall of a gas turbine engine is provided. The cooling channel array comprises a diffusion cavity and a metering section. The metering section comprises a main hole and two or more side holes. The side holes may be separate from the main hole or may branch off of the main hole. The diffusion cavity may incorporate a lobed configuration to help diffuse cooling fluid as it exits the cooling channel array.
US09316102B2

The present disclosure describes the use of involute curves for use in energy conversion devices, as well as timing or indexing gears. Several different embodiments are shown using rotors of several examples of lobe numbers and shapes.
US09316094B2

An apparatus that includes a guiding tool for transferring fluid pressure to movement of a cutting tool relative to the guiding tool while the cutting tool is cutting slots in a casing or formation via at least one nozzle disposed in the cutting tool. Furthermore, a method of cutting a slot in a casing or formation using the apparatus.
US09316093B2

A method is provided for sequestration of a greenhouse gas in a water-laden formation by injection of a fluid comprising greenhouse gas (GHG) into a formation under conditions suitable for generating an unstable front of said greenhouse gas within the formation. The injection may comprise a first stage wherein a gas phase comprising CO2 is injected into the formation, followed by a second stage comprising injecting an aqueous liquid into the formation, to thereby generate an unstable front within the formation that results in relatively rapid dissolution of the injected CO2 within the formation water. The cyclic nature of the injection, alternating between GHG and water injection, can be repeated for a number of times until the carrying capacity of the formation is deemed to have been reached.
US09316092B2

A marine vessel for hydrocarbon exploration and methods of utilizing the same. In some embodiments, the vessel is enhanced with deployable and adjustable land propulsion mechanisms controlled by an active system to maintain position when on top of a drifting ice floe, water propulsion devices connected to the vessel hull capable of station-keeping in open water and/or within broken sea ice, sufficient power and flexibility to enable riding an ice floe, and at least one deployable ice hole cutter to open a channel through the ice floe.
US09316088B2

A tubing mounted completion assembly that includes at least one downhole valve assembly and at least one contingency device. The contingency device or devices can be associated with and can be separate from the downhole valve assembly. The contingency device or devices can be adapted to operate upon failure of operation of the downhole valve assembly.
US09316085B2

The present invention relates to a downhole plug with an expandable elastomeric packer (1) having two ends, surrounding a main section (25). The intended application of the downhole plug is for sealing wellbores and tubulars (4). At least one expansion ring (13) adjoins at least one of said two ends of the elastomeric packer (1), and at least one support ring (15) applies an axial force (16) in a longitudinal direction of the downhole plug. At least one of said two ends of the elastomeric packer (1) is made with a tapered surface. The at least one expansion ring (13) is made with a tapered surface configured in such a manner that the application of the axial force (16) in a longitudinal direction of the downhole plug leads to the simultaneous expansion of the elastomeric packer (1) and the at least one expansion ring (13).
US09316080B2

A shearing device that torsionally shears an oilfield tubular by gripping the tubular at vertically spaced apart locations and exerting a torsional force at the locations. Tong assemblies are provided for gripping the tubular, where the tong assemblies include a tong member pivotally mounted on a tong arm. The tong assemblies may be housed in a blowout preventer mounted on a wellhead assembly; projecting the tong assemblies radially inward engages the tong members with the tubular, and moving the arm further radially inward imparts the torsional force onto the tubular. In an alternate embodiment, the shearing device includes holding rams that project radially inward to engage the tubular and a torque rack that tangentially engages the tubular thereby torqueing the tubular.
US09316072B2

A valve for communication of a measurement while drilling system includes a first structure having a central portion and one or more elongate portions radially extending from the central portion, and a second structure having one or more portions which substantially bound a central orifice region and one or more elongate orifice regions radially extending from the central orifice region. At least one of the first structure and the second structure is configured to be rotated about a rotation axis to produce a relative rotation between the first structure and the second structure such that a flow path through which mud can flow varies as the at least one of the first structure and the second structure rotates about the rotation axis. The central portion has a maximum inscribed circle encircling the rotation axis and having a first radius and the central orifice region has a maximum inscribed circle encircling the rotation axis and having a second radius greater than the first radius.
US09316062B2

A triple-sealed ESP connection provides a first seal at the upper end of a coiled tubing to limit the migration of vapors from the interior of the coiled tubing into the annulus at a wellhead and a second seal to prevent migration of the vapors from the annulus of the wellhead to the exterior surface of the wellhead. This triple-sealed arrangement can be accomplished by providing a threaded connection on an upper end of the coiled tubing to which is attached the sealable shroud for the electrical conductor splice which sealably connects with the wellhead thereby providing a sealed upper end to the coiled tubing and a second seal on the shroud and a seal at the wellhead. The second seal in both cases is the seal that can be either a metal-to-metal or other type of compressive seal arrangement or a sealed tubing arrangement.
US09316056B1

A drilling rig with bidirectional dual eccentric reamer which forms a larger wellbore than originally drilled and larger than the drill bit diameter. The bidirectional dual eccentric reamer has a shaft with a longitudinal axis supporting a plurality of reamer portions. The reamer portions have a plurality of helical blades of varying thicknesses. The plurality of helical blades can have a plurality of cutting nodes and cutting inserts. The plurality of helical blades have a center of eccentric rotation which is offset from the longitudinal axis, thereby creating an eccentric rotation which allows for the formation of a larger wellbore than originally drilled and larger than the drill bit diameter.
US09316054B2

A method for drilling a subsea well from a rig through a subsea wellhead below the rig includes employing a single gradient or dual gradient drilling system that includes a drill string that extends from the rig into the well and surface mud pumps for pumping drilling fluid through the drill string and into a well annulus of the well. The drilling system includes a subsea rotating device for conducting the drilling fluid from the well annulus and through a solids processing unit. A subsea pump then conducts the drilling fluid from the solids processing unit to a return line back to the rig. The surface mud pump and subsea pump are staged in coordination to trap pressure and/or remove pressure in the well annulus to maintain a selected pressure gradient in the well annulus.
US09316050B2

A cordless curtain assembly includes a head box, a control unit, a fixed part, a movable part, a spring, an operation cord and a bottom bar. The curtain body is connected between the head box and the bottom bar. The fixed part is fixed to the head box and the movable part is located between the fixed part and the spring which is connected between the movable part and a fixed member of the head box. The user pulls or pushes the bottom bar move the movable part and the spring so as to operate the operation cord to control the position of the curtain body.
US09316028B2

A vehicle door latch includes a lock plate, a catch which is rotatable about a first rotary axis, and a pawl which is rotatable about a second rotary axis, the first rotary axis and the second rotary axis being non-parallel. A connector connects both the catch and the pawl to the lock plate. One end of the connector connects the catch to the lock plate, and an opposite end of the connector connects the pawl to the lock plate. The connector is a dual rivet in that the connector has a first end face and a second end face, wherein the end faces are riveted outside of the lock plate. The lock plate includes a slot through which one end of the connector extends, and the slot extends in a direction of a projection of one of the rotary axes.
US09316025B2

An actuating motor set includes a mounting base; a motor; a transmission set including a worm gear formed with a tooth, wherein two opposite ends of the worm gear respectively defining are a pushing end and a restoring end; and a spring including an engagement part and an abutment part. The engagement part is engaged with the tooth, and an inner diameter of the abutment part is larger than an outer diameter of the tooth. The spring is pushed spirally by the tooth upon rotation of worm gear, and thus moving back and forth on an axial direction of the worm gear. The spring idles when it is moved to the pushing end due to lack of engagement therewith, and the spring also idles when it is moved the restoring end due to lack of engagement therewith.
US09316017B1

The invention provides a portable reconfigurable hunting blind assembly utilizing eight generally rectangular frames joined together side edge to side edge by seven hinges for accordion folding, and a camouflage covering mounted to each of the frames to define eight panel-shaped wall units, the camouflage covering defining a window in at least some of the wall units.
US09316014B2

A lever viscoelastic damping wall assembly includes a first wall, a second wall and a viscoelastic damper. The first and second walls are connected respectively to a first structural member and a second structural member. The viscoelastic damper includes a swing rod connected pivotally to the first and second walls, a first viscoelastic unit connected between the first wall and an end portion of the swing rod, and a second viscoelastic unit connected between the second wall and an opposite end portion of the swing rod. The swing rod is driven to pivot relative to the first and second walls, and to thereby generate shear deformations of the first and second viscoelastic units to damp a relative movement between the first and second structural members.
US09316009B2

The present apparatus and method relates in general to sealing a hole in a floor with a precast plug. A precast plug is created by pouring a wet aggregate mix into a form mold and thereafter inserting a pre bent rod into the uncured mixture, positioning it such that the center of the rod rests in the center of the form mold and the ends of the rod extend outward near the top of the form mold. The mix is then cured. The precast plug may then be transported to the hole that it is destined to fix. Grooves may be carved on either side of the hole to accommodate the rod's ends. The interior of the hole and the exterior of the plug may then be covered with a sealant, after which the plug may be inserted into the hole. Once the sealant cures, the hole is fully repaired.
US09315999B1

An improved solar panel attachment system for a roof and method for its use include a pedestal that has a plurality of protrusions and keyways located along its bottom wall surface and extending along the length of the pedestal. The pedestal is placed into a paddy of foam adhesive laid along a roof underlayment and the keyways receive and engage with the expanding adhesive for bonding the pedestal directly to the roof without the need for mechanical fastening. The protrusions provide spacing between the bottom wall surface and the roof so that an adequate amount of foam adhesive resides between these wall surfaces and those structures. Attaching means are secured to the top wall surface so that the pedestal may be used to securely mount (or secure) a solar panel or other object to a roof.
US09315998B1

A cable lock-off block for repairing a plurality of post-tensioned tendons including an anchor body having a front side with a recess, a flat back side, a first outer edge, a second outer edge, a third outer edge and a fourth outer edge connecting the front side and the back side, the first outer edge having an opening, at least one wedge-receiving hole arranged within the recess, at least one removable wedge arranged in the at least one wedge-receiving hole, a continuous slot arranged within the anchor body connecting the opening and the at least one wedge-receiving hole and having a width to accommodate the plurality of post-tensioned tendons under full tension and a member removably secured within the continuous slot and forming at least a portion of the at least one wedge-receiving hole.
US09315989B2

A wind bracing for a wall including an assembled collection of infill panels mounted on a bearing structure, the wind bracing including a glass panel and a mounting mechanism securing the glass panel to the wall. The mounting mechanism includes at least one mounting section piece with a shape that delimits a housing into which the glass panel is engaged and in which the housing is fixed by adhesive bonding. The mounting mechanism also includes adapting and fixing members for fixing the mounting section piece to an upright or to a cross member of the bearing structure.
US09315988B2

The web frame is a bonded assembly of panels and porous blanket layers, separated by an arrangement of isolated spacers. The panels and spacers are covered with a bonding means. A coating covers inner surfaces of the panels and spacers. The porous blanket is compressed and pinned between these panels, by spacers that are arranged as isolated nodes or columns The spacers have sharpened ends that penetrate the blanket and connect with the opposing panel. The web frame assembly provides thermal and sound insulation for buildings and other solid objects. These web frames are lightweight, durable, and permeable. Capillaries and passages throughout the panels and fibers of the blanket allow passage of moisture and air, thereby assisting in the management of condensation within the web frame.
US09315985B2

A modular wall with acoustic properties including one or more wall modules arranged in a desired configuration, and methods of forming the same. The wall module includes a frame configured to receive a plurality of wall elements, and a plurality of wall elements attached to the frame. An acoustic substrate is secured to the frame by a ladder or ladder frame including horizontal support members coordinated between retaining members configured for attachment to the frame or elements thereof. The frame and ladder or ladder frame can be used to sandwich one or more acoustic substrates therebetween. Exterior wall, finishing, and trim elements can be attached to the horizontal support members, frame or frame elements, and other wall elements for structural and/or aesthetic purposes.
US09315983B1

There is provided a modular observatory including an annular wall assembly and a roof assembly selectively engageable with the wall assembly. The assemblies include a plurality of interengageable panels. The panels of the wall assembly are generally curved and rectangular. A set of the panels of the roof assembly are generally curved and rectangular in shape. Selective ones of the panels of the roof assembly are removeable to form an elongate opening in the top thereof. There is further provided an unassembled modular observatory kit comprising a plurality of interengageable wall panels, each of which is similar in size and curved and rectangular in profile. The kit includes a plurality of interengageable roof panels, a first set of which are similar in size and curved and rectangular in profile and a second set of which are similar in size and curved and triangular in profile.
US09315980B2

A bracket for coupling a urinal to a soil pipe is provided. The bracket includes a body portion defining a first opening configured to be in fluid communication with the soil pipe, the body portion having a first surface configured to receive a resilient gasket. The bracket further includes an arm extending outwardly from the body portion, the arm having a structure configured to receive a fastener for coupling the bracket to the urinal, the structure having a first surface positioned forward of the first surface of the body portion.
US09315978B2

Food preparation sinks are disclosed which have an integral raised work area that is rinsed by an automatic system. Food waste or the like present in that area can be washed into a sump above a drain, and the weight of the waste and water in the sump is enough to automatically drive them through a baffle to a garbage disposal, without requiring the baffle to be manually opened. An automatic controller system coordinates water flow and garbage disposal operation, and the water supply can be linked to the sink below the sink rim to save counter top space. In some forms multiple rinsing nozzles are provided which pulse in altering fashion.
US09315976B2

A faucet includes a spout and a manual handle that controls a manual valve located in a passageway that conducts fluid flow through the spout. An electrically operable valve is also located within the passageway. The faucet also includes an insulator located between the spout and the manual handle so that the spout is electrically isolated from the manual handle, a first touch sensor on the manual valve handle, a second touch sensor on the spout, and a capacitive sensor directly coupled to one of the first and second touch sensors and capacitively coupled to the other of the first and second touch sensors. The faucet further includes a controller coupled to the capacitive sensor. The controller monitors an output signal from the capacitive sensor to detect touching of the spout and the manual valve handle. The controller is also coupled to the electrically operable valve to control the electrically operable valve in response to the output signal from the capacitive sensor.
US09315975B2

A faucet including a faucet head, a body and a magnetic coupling releasably coupling the faucet head to the faucet body.
US09315969B2

A work vehicle includes a vehicle main body, a work implement, an engine, an idle reduction execution portion, and a position determination portion. The work implement is provided in the vehicle main body and includes a boom provided to be drivable in a vertical direction, an arm provided to be drivable with respect to the boom, and a bucket attached to a tip end of the arm. The idle reduction execution portion can stop the engine in an idling state. The position determination portion determines whether or not the bucket may interfere with the vehicle main body, based on a position state of rest of the work implement. When the position determination portion determines that the bucket may interfere with the vehicle main body, the idle reduction execution portion does not stop the engine, and when it is determined otherwise, the idle reduction execution portion stops the engine.
US09315968B2

A hydraulic control system for a machine is disclosed. The hydraulic control system includes a pump configured to pressurize a fluid, and a swing motor selectively driven by pressurized fluid from the pump. The swing motor is configured to move a part of the machine. The hydraulic control system also includes a controller in communication with the pump. The controller is configured to receive an input indicative of a difference between a desired speed and an actual speed of the swing motor, and determine if the swing motor is accelerating, decelerating, or operating at neutral mode. The controller is configured to determine an amount of return fluid from an actuator of the machine that is available as makeup fluid for the swing motor if the swing motor is operating at neutral mode. The controller is configured to control the pump based on at least the amount of return fluid.
US09315965B1

A cover system for covering an entrance of an underground structure. The cover system comprises a frame structure attached to a foundation of the entrance; and a seal gasket configured to provide a seal between the frame structure and the foundation and between the frame structure and a panel of the cover system. The panel further includes a plurality of engagement members that engage the panel with the frame structure.
US09315960B2

Disclosed is a system for distribution of granular salt or brine from a vehicle. The system includes an auger assembly of a pair of powered independently rotating flighted auger sections disposed in an auger box and receiving salt stored by the vehicle. Each auger assembly has a discharge end surrounded by a choke fitting closely thereto and located at opposite ends. The system also includes a pair of powered spinner assemblies. Each spinner assembly is located beneath an auger discharge end for receiving salt from each auger assembly. Each spinner throws salt operates independently and rotates in an opposite direction. When salt is to be thrown from only one of the spinner assemblies, both of said auger assemblies rotate in the same direction for feeding the spinner assembly that is throwing salt. Nozzles directed onto each operating spinner assembly sprays brine thereonto.
US09315957B2

A height adjustable snow plow mounting apparatus includes an elongated member having a snow plow mounting member positioned at each end thereof. A vehicle mounting member positioned on the elongated member engages a receiver on the motor vehicle for the purpose of releasably connecting the snow plow mounting apparatus to the vehicle. A support member comprising an extended sleeve which substantially spans the length of the elongated member functions to secure the vehicle mounting member to the elongated member. By simply reversing the position of the elongated member relative to the support member, the snow plow mounting members may be positioned above or below the horizontal plane of the vehicle mounting member. In turn, the apparatus readily supports two different heights of the vehicle mounting member relative to the motor vehicle, which heights are based upon standard height differences in motor vehicle ground clearance.
US09315950B2

Generally L-shaped, square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, parallelogram and other-shaped paving stones with inter-fitting vertical spacers forming serpentine side contact surfaces that provide enhanced stone-to-stone interlocking in both water-permeable and water-impermeable paving installations.
US09315949B1

A mat having a core that provides strength and rigidity to the mat, and including a structure of a sheet, elongated members, a frame, compartments, or combinations thereof and at least one outer layer associated with the core and made of a sheet, elongated members or combinations thereof. The core and outer layer(s) are integral or are joined together, and the structure of the core is made of one or more environmentally resistant materials to provide an extended service life when encountering rain, snow or other weather conditions that would eventually degrade wood. The mat has a load bearing capacity that is able to withstand a load of at least 500 to 800 psi or even 1000 psi without permanently deforming the core. Bumpers are preferably provided upon sides of the mat to protect them from damage due to transport or installation of the mat.
US09315948B2

A cable transportation system configured to move transportation units along a designated or given track has a switch with a first movable guide having one degree of freedom, along an operating plane, between two designated or given positions; a second movable guide having one degree of freedom, along the operating plane, between two designated or given positions; and a third and a fourth movable guide connected rigidly to each other and having one degree of freedom, along the operating plane, between two designated or given positions; the first, second, third and fourth movable guide being configured so that the first and second movable guide each define a continuation of the third or fourth movable guide.
US09315947B2

In a railway rail fastening clip 1 for fastening a railway rail to an underlying rail foundation, which clip 1 is formed of an elongate plate shaped such that a central region 11 of the plate has in profile the form of a letter C, a first end region of the plate extending from one side of the central region 11 of the plate to form a substantially planar base portion 12 of the clip for engaging a rail fastening anchoring device secured to the rail foundation and a second end region of the plate extending from the opposite side of the central region 11 of the plate to form a toe portion 13 of the clip for bearing on a foot of the railway rail, such that in profile the second end region extends further than the first end region, the toe portion of the clip is provided with a throughhole 14 which is arranged such that, when the clip is in its operative configuration, part or all of the throughhole 14 lies above the foot of the rail, the throughhole being configured to receive a corresponding spigot 25 of a toe insulator 2 for electrically insulating the clip from the rail whereby the insulator can be retained on the toe portion of the clip.
US09315941B2

A sheet manufacturing apparatus is provided with a defibrating unit configured to defibrate a defibration object in the atmosphere, a mixing unit configured to mix additive agents including resin into a defibrated material, a moisture-adjusting unit configured to adjust moisture in a mixture of the defibrated material and the additive agents, and a heating unit configured to heat the moisture-adjusted mixture.
US09315940B2

A seamed press felt formed from a base fabric material including MD yarns arranged in two superimposed layers joined by the MD yarns at CD folds at opposing ends thereof to form a continuous unbroken tube-like structure. The MD yarns form loops at the folds to define a pintle channel. A generally planar yarn assembly including an array of polymeric yarns bonded to an elastic carrier material that is extensible by at least 1% is located inside the base fabric with the yarns of the array oriented in the CD. A high surface contact area material is bonded to the elastic carrier material at both exterior MD ends adjacent to the MD loops at the folds. Each of the MD ends is anchored in a fixed position adjacent to the loops at the folds. A pintle extends through the channel defined by intermeshing the loops from the opposing ends.
US09315933B1

A stitch regulation apparatus and method includes a material manipulation device. A movement detection device is connected with the material manipulation device and the movement detection device transmits the speed of movement of the material manipulation device. A receiver device receives transmissions from the movement detection device and a programmable speed regulation device containing stitch parameters, that is connected with a sewing machine and the receiver device, such that the speed regulation device receives movement data from the receiver device and regulates the speed of a sewing machine relative to movement data so as to produce the programmed stitch parameters in material to be stitched.
US09315931B2

A sheet of nonwoven fabric which has surface irregularities, the shape of the surface irregularities being less apt to be changed by external pressure, etc. The sheet has a machine, cross and thickness directions which are perpendicular to one another. The upper surface has a plurality of protrusions continuously extending, in parallel, in the cross direction and further has a plurality of recesses that are located between the adjacent protrusions and extend in the cross direction. The sheet includes first and second fibrous layers located on the upper-surface side and the lower-surface side, respectively. The first fibrous layer comprises heat-fusible fibers, and the second fibrous layer comprises coil-shaped three-dimensional crimp fibers that are oriented mainly in the machine direction and form a network by entanglement thereof without having been fused at the sites where the crimp fibers cross one another.
US09315917B2

Apparatus and method for a crucible-less production of silicon ingots, wherein a support with a seed layer and a liquid layer is gradually lowered in a temperature field with a vertical gradient to solidify the liquid layer in a controlled way.
US09315913B2

In a method for generating formic acid by reducing carbon dioxide, a formic acid generation apparatus is prepared. The apparatus includes: a cathode container for storing a first electrolyte solution containing carbon dioxide; an anode container for storing a second electrolyte solution; a solid electrolyte membrane sandwiched between the cathode and anode containers; a cathode electrode provided in the cathode container in contact with the first electrolyte solution, the cathode electrode having a gallium oxide region on a surface thereof; an anode electrode provided in the anode container in contact with the second electrolyte solution; and an external power supply for applying a negative voltage and a positive voltage to the cathode electrode and the anode electrode, respectively. A negative voltage and a positive voltage are applied to the cathode electrode and the anode electrode, respectively, using the external power supply to generate formic acid on the cathode electrode.
US09315912B2

An improved carbon supported-noble metal sulphide electrocatalyst suitable for being incorporated in gas-diffusion electrode structures, in particular in oxygen-reducing gas-diffusion cathodes for aqueous hydrochloric acid electrolysis. The noble metal sulphide particles are monodispersed on the active carbon particles and the surface area ratio of noble metal sulphide particles to active carbon particles is at least 0.20.
US09315906B2

To provide an anode, corrosion-protecting structure of a concrete constructions using this, and a corrosion protection method capable of protecting electrical corrosion, with little generation of gas due to electrolysis of water or chlorine compounds, by decreasing as far as possible the amount of processing performed on the structural body in on-site construction work and suppressing the voltage that is conducted therethrough to a low level. [Solution] A corrosion-protecting structure (1) is constituted by attaching an anode (10) to the surface layer (3) of a corrosion-protecting body (4) through a first electrolyte layer (12) on one face of a conductive layer (11) formed as a sheet. The electrolyte is formed as a sheet. The first electrolyte layer (12) having adhesiveness is attached to the conductive layer (11) and the surface layer (3) of the corrosion-protecting body (4).
US09315904B2

The loss of aluminum content during the laser (20) deposition of superalloy powders (16) is accommodated by melting pure aluminum foil (14) with the superalloy powder to increase a concentration of aluminum in the melt pool (24) so that the resulting layer of deposited material (26) has a desired elemental composition Foils, screens or strips of any material may be melted with powders to achieve any desired cladding composition, including a graded composition across a thickness of a clad layer (50).
US09315902B2

The present invention provide a composition for a chemical conversion treatment capable of forming a chemical conversion film having both an excellent black appearance such that the L-value of the film is 28 even when the film is formed from the composition which has been aged, and good corrosion resistance. The composition is a water-soluble composition and comprising a trivalent chromium-containing substance, a cobalt-containing substance, a sulfur compound, and an organic phosphonate compound consisting of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of organic phosphonic acids, ions of organic phosphonic acids, and organic phosphonates, and a nickel-containing substance as needed. It is preferable that the content of the trivalent chromium-containing substance be 1 to 10 g/L in chromium content equivalent, that the content of the cobalt-containing substance be 0.1 to 10 g/L in cobalt content equivalent, that the content of the sulfur compound be 0.1 to 10 g/L, and that the content of the organic phosphonate compound be 0.1 to 20 g/L. When the composition further contains a nickel-containing substance, the content in nickel content equivalent is preferably 0.10 to 10 g/L.
US09315892B2

One or more techniques or systems for ion implantation are provided herein. A pressure control module is configured to maintain a substantially constant pressure within an ion implantation or process chamber. Pressure is maintained based on an attribute of an implant layer, pressure data, feedback, photo resist (PR) outgassing, a PR coating rate, a space charge effect associated with the implant layer, etc. By maintaining pressure within the process chamber, effects associated with PR outgassing are mitigated, thereby mitigating neutralization of ions. By maintaining charged ions, better control over implantation of the ions is achieved, thus allowing ions to be implanted at a desired depth.
US09315886B1

A method for desensitizing an aluminum alloy is presented. A desired location on the surface of an aluminum alloy sample is exposed to a controlled pulsed electron beam. The pulsed electron beam heats a shallow layer of the metal alloy having a desired depth at the desired location on the surface of the sample to a temperature between a solvus temperature and an annealing temperature of the metal alloy to controllably reduce a degree of sensitization of the metal alloy sample at the desired location, an extent of a reduction in the degree of sensitization being controllable by varying at least one of a voltage, a current density, a pulse duration, a pulse frequency and a number of pulses of the electron beam.
US09315885B2

New heat treatable aluminum alloys having magnesium and zinc are disclosed. The new aluminum alloys generally contain 3.0-6.0 wt. % Mg, 2.5-5.0 wt. % Zn, where (wt. % Mg)/(wt. % Zn) is from 0.60 to 2.40.
US09315879B2

The present invention provides a system and method for recovering a precious metal from a geologic material. The system and method may include combining a geologic material containing a precious metal present in a non-bulk state with a first stage flux composition. The combination may be milled to provide a first stage mixture. The first stage mixture may be sintered for a first period of time at a first temperature and a second period of time at a second temperature. The second temperature may be greater than the first temperature. Sintering may promote the transition of a portion of the precious metal from a non-bulk state to a bulk state. A first stage sintered material may be recovered with a content of at least about 0.15 weight percent of the precious metal in the bulk state.
US09315875B2

In a molten iron refining method by charging molten iron and a cold iron source into a converter type refining vessel, supplying a material containing CaO with an oxygen source dissolving the cold iron source and conducting molten iron desiliconization, removing at least a part of the produced slag as an intermediate slag removal, and supplying a slag-forming agent and an oxygen source to the molten iron for dephosphorization, a silicon-containing material or a combination of it and carbonaceous material is added in the desiliconization then carried out under conditions such that the slag basicity (mass % CaO/mass % SiO2) in the desiliconization completion is more than 0.5 but less than 1.5 and a molten iron temperature in the desiliconization completion is more than 1280° C. but less than 1350° C. and more than 30 mass % of the slag produced in the desiliconization is removed from the vessel in the intermediate slag removal.
US09315869B2

The present invention relates to a marker for predicting a gastric cancer prognosis, a composition and a kit for predicting gastric cancer prognosis comprising an agent for measuring the expression level thereof, and a method for predicting gastric cancer prognosis using the marker. According to the present invention, gastric cancer prognosis may be predicted promptly and accurately, and an appropriate treatment plan can be determined based on the predicted prognosis, which has an advantage of contributing to significant reduction of death caused by gastric cancer. Particularly, according to the present invention, the survival rate can be remarkably increased by using the treatment method for a stage III gastric cancer patient to a patient who has been predicted to have a negative prognosis among stage Ib/II gastric cancer patients.
US09315867B2

The present invention provides methods and compositions involving detecting the presence of and/or assessing the risk of cancer in a subject. These methods include methods of detecting and diagnosing cancer in an individual; methods of identifying individuals at risk of developing a cancer; and methods of staging a cancer. The methods generally involve detecting a palladin gene nucleotide sequence alteration that has been found to be associated with cancer and/or detecting a level of a palladin mRNA and/or protein in a biological sample. The present invention further provides nucleic acid probes, nucleic acid primers, and antibodies, as well as kits comprising one or more of the same, for use in a subject method.
US09315861B2

In some embodiments, methods for ligating nucleic acid ends comprise: conducting a nucleic acid ligation reaction in the presence of at least one agent that generates a ligatable terminal 5′ phosphate group by removing an adenylate group from a terminal 5′ phosphate of a nucleic acid. In some embodiments, an aprataxin enzyme can catalyze removal of an adenylate group from a terminal 5′ phosphate of a nucleic acid. In some embodiments, methods for ligating nucleic acid ends comprise: conducting a nucleic acid ligation reaction in the presence of an aprataxin enzyme under conditions suitable for ligating nucleic acid ends.
US09315859B2

According to the present teachings, methods and compositions are provided that utilize at least one reference dye of formula (I): In some embodiments, a method comprises measuring a detection signal of a reporter dye and at least one reference dye of formula (I). In some embodiments, a composition comprises a reference dye of formula (1), a buffer, a selection of nucleotides and a protein.
US09315858B2

Provided herein are methods and apparatus for detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample and related methods and apparatus for diagnosing a condition in an individual. The condition is associated with presence of nucleic acid produced by certain pathogens in the individual.
US09315842B2

This invention covers processes for the isothermal amplification of DNA molecules having a preselected sequence. It is based on the unexpected discovery that primers having, at some positions, adenine substituted by 2-aminopurine or diaminopurine, guanine by inosine, thymine by 2-thiothymine, and cytosine by N4-ethylcytosine (“SAMRS nucleotides”) were accepted by enzymes used in the standard helicase-dependent amplification (HDA). Further unexpected was the discovery that target nucleotides are efficiently amplified in an HDA-like process (hereinafter abbreviated as simply HDA) using substituted primers. Also discovered was the diminution of spurious products through the use of SAMRS-substituted primers.
US09315839B2

The present invention relates to a process for producing reduced coenzyme Q10 which comprises obtaining microbial cells containing reduced coenzyme Q10 at a ratio of not less than 70 mole % among the entire coenzymes Q10, optionally disrupting the cells and recovering thus produced reduced coenzyme Q10. The present invention also relates to a process for producing oxidized coenzyme Q10 which comprises either recovering oxidized coenzyme Q10 after oxidizing the above-mentioned microbial cells or disrupted product thereof, or recovering reduced coenzyme Q10 from the above-mentioned microbial cells or disrupted product thereof to oxidize thus-obtained reduced coenzyme Q10 thereafter. According to the processes of the present invention, reduced coenzyme Q10 and oxidized coenzyme Q10 can be produced simply on the industrial scale.
US09315830B2

The invention provides a genetic tool to insert, replace, delete, or otherwise manipulate a nucleic acid sequence in a microorganism to produce a recombinant microorganism. Notably, the invention makes use of homologous recombination, a type of genetic recombination in which nucleotide sequences are exchanged between two similar or identical molecules of DNA. Since the invention involves three homologous recombination events, it is referred to as a “triple cross” method.
US09315824B2

The present invention provides a human artificial chromosome vector comprising a gene encoding the human antibody heavy chain, a gene encoding the human antibody light chain, and a gene encoding IgM heavy chain constant region derived from a nonhuman animal; and being capable of producing a human antibody with a higher efficiency when the vector is introduced into an animal. By immunizing the animal produced using a human artificial chromosome vector of the present invention with a desired antigen, a large quantity of human polyclonal antibodies can be supplied.
US09315819B2

This invention provides molecular constructs and methods for the temporally specific control of gene expression in plants or in plant pests or pathogens. More specifically, this invention provides plant miRNA genes having novel circadian expression patterns that are useful for designing recombinant DNA constructs for temporally specific expression of at least one gene. Also provided are non-natural transgenic plant cells, plants, and seeds containing in their genome a recombinant DNA construct of this invention.
US09315815B2

The invention provides a method of high-throughput sorting of high expression protein-producing cell, which utilizes linking a protein and a transmembrane domain with a self-processing cleavage site and regulating the secretion of the protein or expression of protein on the cell membrane by adding self-processing cleavage enzyme inhibitor. Then, the high expression cell line can be high-throughput sorted by a detection technique. The invention also provides a recombinant nucleotide sequence and a vector used in the method and a cell sorted by the method.
US09315812B2

The invention relates to a method for providing neuroprotection comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of a miRNA or a variant thereof. By providing neuroprotection, stroke or ischemic stroke can be prevented and/or treated.
US09315806B2

The invention relates to methods and compositions that enable the rapid generation of high-order combinations of genetic elements, and that provide a barcoded basis for rapid characterization of the specific combination of genetic elements encoded within a single cell or in a pooled population.
US09315805B2

The invention provides single-chain Alphabody library comprising at least 100 different-sequence single-chain Alphabody polypeptides, wherein said Alphabody polypeptides differ from each other in at least one of a defined set of 5 to 20 variegated amino acid residue positions, and wherein at least 70% but not all of said variegated amino acid residue positions are located either in the loop, helix surface or linker region of the Alphabody. The invention further provides methods for use of the Alphabody libraries and Alphabodies obtainable by the methods of the invention.
US09315800B2

The disclosure provides a composition and method for isolating nucleic acids, in which the composition includes at least one halocarbon, at least one salt and at least one surfactant. Mixing the composition and a biosample to form a homogenized solution, nucleic acids in the solution can be easily isolated with a simple treatment and good yield.
US09315799B2

The present invention provides a process for preparing an isotope-containing phosphate compound easily. The process for preparing an isotope-containing phosphate compound according to the present invention includes the step of: oxidizing a trivalent phosphorus compound with an oxidizing agent containing an isotope to synthesize a pentavalent phosphate compound to which the isotope has been introduced. The present invention preferably is applied to the synthesis of nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA, for example. The isotope preferably is a stable isotope. The oxidizing agent preferably is H218O, 3H-1,2-benzodithiol 3-one 1,1-dioxide having 34S, or a diisopropylethylamine-borane complex having 10B, for example.
US09315794B2

Provided are compositions comprising newly identified protein fragments of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, polynucleotides that encode them and complements thereof, related agents, and methods of use thereof in diagnostic, drug discovery, research, and therapeutic applications.
US09315791B2

The present invention relates to new metalloproteases derived from Alicyclobacillus and the use thereof in cleaning processes, such as laundry and dish wash, and in particular to the use in low temperature wash and in removal of egg stains. The invention also relates to detergent compositions and cleaning compositions comprising Alicyclobacillus sp. metalloproteases.
US09315785B2

An isolated novel polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding at least one polypeptide involved in biosynthesis of pyripyropene A, a recombinant vector comprising the polynucleotide and a transformant comprising the polynucleotide are disclosed. By the present invention, a pyripyropene A biosynthetic gene useful for production of a novel pyripyropene analog, improvement of productivity of a pyripyropene A-producing bacterium, production of an insecticidal agent for microorganisms, creation of a plant resistant to insect pests or the like are provided.
US09315781B2

The present invention belongs to the field of animal health and relates to a nucleic acid sequence which comprises the genome of an infectious genotype I (EU) PRRS virus clone useful for studying Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), a viral disease affecting swine, and in the development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics for the prophylaxis, treatment and diagnosis of PRRS.
US09315780B2

The present invention is directed generally to eukaryotic cells comprising single-celled organisms that are introduced into the eukaryotic cell through human intervention and which transfer to daughter cells of the eukaryotic cell, and methods of introducing such single-celled organisms into eukaryotic cells. The invention provides single-celled organisms that introduce a phenotype to eukaryotic cells that is maintained in daughter cells. The invention additionally provides eukaryotic cells containing magnetic bacteria. The invention further provides eukaryotic cells engineered with single-celled organisms to allow for multimodal observation of the eukaryotic cells. Each imaging method (or modality) allows the visualization of different aspects of anatomy and physiology, and combining these allows the imager to learn more about the subject being imaged.
US09315777B2

Disclosed are a culture medium, an additive, and a method for efficiently inducing the differentiation of mammalian somatic stem cells into cells having the characteristics of bone cells under conditions of serum-free or low-serum culture medium. The culture medium for inducing the differentiation of mammalian somatic stem cells into bone cells comprises a basal medium for culturing mammalian cells, an agent for inducing the differentiation of mammalian somatic stem cells into bone cells, a ligand for endothelial cell differentiation gene (Edg) family receptors and selenium, which culture medium is serum-free or contains a low concentration of serum. The method for inducing differentiation from somatic stem cells into bone cells comprises culturing the somatic stem cells that can differentiate into bone cells in the above-described culture medium.
US09315775B2

This document provides methods and materials for enhancing the storage capabilities of red blood cell preparations. For example, methods and materials for using CO2 to store red blood cells in a manner that (a) reduces the level of glucose or 2,3-DPG consumption of or reduces the level of 2,3-DPG production by a red blood cell preparation, (b) reduces the level of lactate formation by a red blood cell preparation, and/or (c) reduces the pH level of a red blood cell preparation are provided. Such methods and materials can result in prolonging the useful lifespan of the red blood cells of the red blood cell preparation. This document also provides methods and materials involved in prolonging useful storage of platelet preparations. For example, methods and materials for storing platelets in a manner that reduces platelet metabolism, that preserves platelet function, and/or that reduces the risk of bacterial contamination are provided.
US09315774B2

A closed system suitable for the aseptic culturing therapeutic cells comprises a vessel comprising: a gas permeable portion suitable for supporting cell growth and allowing delivery of gases to the cells during culturing, a vent comprising a conduit having an exterior orifice and an interior orifice spaced apart therefrom, the vent extending from the exterior of the system into the internal volume of the vessel and terminating therein with the interior orifice, wherein the interior orifice is arranged such that during filling and emptying of liquid medium it is not susceptible to blockage by liquid, the exterior orifice is adapted to connect to an aseptic filter thereby allowing passage of gases through the filter into the vessel or out of the vessel, as required to achieve the entry and exit of fluids and cells into the vessel, a port or ports adapted to allow introduction of fluids and cells aseptically into the vessel, and a port or ports adapted to allow fluids to exit the system without exposing the system to the external environment and adapted such that cells grown therein may exit the system under gravity when the system is orientated to put the cells in fluid communication with the exit port and the latter is opened. The present system facilitates the aseptic manufacturing of cells for use in therapy, without the need for a clean-room environment because no open processing steps are required.
US09315773B2

The present invention relates to a method for the production of a permanent human cell line, wherein isolated primary human cells are transfected simultaneously with a sequence allowing the expression of at least one cell transforming factor and a sequence allowing the expression of at least one recombinant polypeptide.
US09315771B2

Disclosed herein are transformed non-vascular photosynthetic organisms that are salt tolerant, nucleotides and vectors useful in conducting such transformations, and transformed strains produced by such transformations.
US09315768B2

A biological microfluidics chip comprising a substrate, a microfluidic inlet port defining an opening in a surface of the substrate, and a microfluidic outlet port defining an opening in a surface of the substrate. The biological microfluidics chip also comprises a plurality of wells extending from a top surface of the substrate, wherein each well is bounded by one or more walls, and an inlet opening and an outlet opening are provided in a wall of each of the plurality of wells. An inlet microfluidic channel is provided in the substrate to connect the microfluidic inlet port to each of the inlet openings in the walls of the wells, and an outlet microfluidic channel is provided in the substrate to connect each of the outlet openings in the walls of the wells to the microfluidic outlet port.
US09315764B1

The present invention provides methods of processing lipid materials such as soapstock, wet gums and dry gums. Enzymes are utilized to catalyze hydrolysis of the lipids materials to recover fatty acids. Addition of organic acids and/or polyols improved yield of fatty acids and reduced formation of emulsion. Lipid materials can be formulated with other agricultural products as new value-added animal fee products.
US09315761B2

This disclosure relates to a composition for use as an additive for fuels and lubricants including an amination product of an epoxidized vinyl terminated macromonomer (VTM) and an amino compound containing at least one —NH— group. The epoxidized VTM is reacted with the amino compound containing at least one —NH— group under amination conditions sufficient to give said composition. The epoxidized VTM is formed by reacting a VTM with an epoxidizing agent under epoxidation conditions sufficient to give an epoxidized VTM. An amination method for making a composition for use as an additive for fuels and lubricants. The method comprises reacting an epoxidized VTM with an amino compound containing at least one —NH— group under amination conditions sufficient to give the composition. The epoxidized VTM is formed by reacting a VTM with an epoxidizing agent under epoxidation conditions sufficient to give an epoxidized VTM.
US09315752B2

A diesel fuel composition comprising a performance enhancing additive, wherein the performance enhancing additive is the product of a Mannich reaction between: (a) an aldehyde; (b) a polyamine; and (c) an optionally substituted phenol; wherein the molar ratio of component (c) to component (b) in the reaction mixture used to prepare the performance enhancing additive is at least 1.5:1.
US09315744B2

The instant invention discloses a method for the improvement of flakes recovery from hydrocarbon processing units and in particular slurry reactors as well as slurry flakes obtained thereof.
US09315743B2

This invention describes a process for mild hydrocracking of heavy hydrocarbon fractions of the vacuum distillate type or the deasphalted oil type with optimized thermal integration for the purpose of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
US09315736B2

Presented are one or more aspects and/or one or more embodiments of catalysts, methods of preparation of catalyst, methods of deoxygenation, and methods of fuel production.
US09315726B2

The present invention relates to mixed oxide materials, methods for their preparation, detectors for ionizing radiation and CT scanners. In particular, a mixed oxide material is proposed having the formula (YwTbx)3Al5-yGayO12:Cez, wherein 0.01≦w≦0.99, 0.01≦x≦0.99, 0≦y≦3.5 and 0.001≦z≦0.10 and wherein w+x+3*z=1, whereby the mixed oxide material is doped with at least 10 ppm V.
US09315723B2

This invention provides a luminescent composition comprising a polymer and at least one phosphorescent compound, characterized in that the electronic conjunction chain coefficient Ze of the main repeating minimum unit of the polymer falls within the following range: 0
US09315719B2

A proppant having low surface friction is described, which is useful in hydrocarbon recovery. Methods of making low surface friction proppants are further described, as well as uses thereof.
US09315711B2

Disclosed herein is a heat transfer fluid concentrate comprising: greater than or equal to 85 weight percent of a freezing point depressant, based on the total weight of the heat transfer fluid concentrate; 50 to 2000 ppm of lithium ions; an azole compound; an inorganic phosphate; a carboxylic acid; and an acrylate based polymer, wherein the heat transfer fluid has a pH of 7.0-9.5. The heat transfer fluid concentrate can be used to make a heat transfer fluid.
US09315707B2

Provided is a lubricating oil composition for a refrigerator which uses a base oil including as the main component at least one kind of oxygen-containing compounds selected from polyoxyalkylene glycols, polyvinyl ethers, copolymers of poly(oxy)alkylene glycols or monoethers thereof and polyvinyl ethers, polyol esters, and polycarbonates. The lubricating oil composition for a refrigerator is used for a refrigerator that uses, as a refrigerant, a fluorine-containing organic compound, which is a refrigerant applicable to current car air conditioner systems or the like and has a specific polar structure, and has favorable sealing property, a low coefficient of friction factor in a sliding part, and excellent stability as well as excellent compatibility with the refrigerant.
US09315700B2

The invention relates to a tape-like packaging element made from a polyester-based plastic tape, the plastic tape comprising at least one splicing inhibitor, wherein the splicing inhibitor is a thermoplastic, styrene-based polymer.
US09315699B2

Provided is an adhesive composition comprising: a thermosetting epoxy resin formed with an epoxy copolymer containing a hydroxyl group; and a UV curable epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalence of 100 g/eq to 500 g/eq.
US09315698B2

The subject matter of the present application is a cold-curing two-component-epoxy adhesive, comprising (a) an epoxy-resin-component and (b) a curing agent-component, comprising a mercaptan curing agent, in which the epoxy-resin-component comprises a color change indicator. Also described is a method for monitoring the curing progress of cold-curing two-component-epoxy adhesive via color change of the adhesive.
US09315686B2

A water-based ink for ink-jet recording includes a pigment; water; an acetylene glycol-based surfactant contained by 0.1% by weight to 0.3% by weight in the water-based ink; tripropylene glycol methyl ether contained by 2.5% by weight to 4.5% by weight in the water-based ink; and tripropylene glycol n-butyl ether contained by 0.5% by weight to 1.5% by weight in the water-based ink.
US09315685B2

A process for preparing an aqueous ink composition including 1) preparing a colorant concentrate; 2) preparing a colorant wax dispersion by (a) melting and mixing a dry colorant with at least one wax to form a colorant concentrate, wherein the colorant concentrate contains at least 25 percent by weight of colorant; (b) milling the colorant concentrate of step (a) to form a milled colorant concentrate; (c) combining the milled colorant concentrate of (b) with water and dispersing to form a colorant wax dispersion comprising a plurality of colorant wax particles comprising a colorant core surrounded by a wax shell, wherein the colorant wax particles exhibit a particle size distribution of from about 150 nanometers to less than about 300 nanometers; wherein the melting and mixing of step (a) and the milling of step (b) is done in an immersion media mill; and wherein the combining of step (c) is done using a piston homogenizer; and 3) blending the colorant wax dispersion with an aqueous ink vehicle and optional ink additives to form an aqueous ink composition; and filtering the aqueous ink composition.
US09315670B2

The invention provides a composition for forming a resist underlayer film including: as a component (A), a silicon-containing compound obtained by hydrolysis and/or condensation of one or more kinds of silicon compounds represented by the following general formula (A-1). There can be provided a composition for forming a resist underlayer film having etching selectivity relative to a conventional organic film and a silicon-containing film and favorable pattern adhesiveness relative to fine pattern even in a complicated patterning process. R1Aa1R2Aa2R3Aa3Si(OR0A)(4-a1-a2-a3)  (A-1)
US09315669B2

Described herein is a method for producing UV-absorbing silicone hydrogel contact lenses, which is free or substantially free of internal stress and also is capable of blocking ultra-violet (“UV”) radiation and optionally (but preferably) violet radiation with wavelengths from 381 nm to 440 nm, according to a photocuring technology, preferably according to the Lightstream Technology™. This invention also provides UV-absorbing contact lenses made according to a method of the invention.
US09315656B2

Disclosed are a vibration isolating rubber composition that balances a low dynamic-to-static modulus with high durability, and a vibration isolating rubber that is formed by curing said rubber composition. The vibration isolating rubber composition is characterized by including a diene rubber, and a carbon black and a silica as fillers, and in that the mixing ratio of the carbon black (a) and the silica (b) is (a)/(b)=80/20 to 20/80 (weight ratio).
US09315651B2

The present invention relates to a polymerizable composition, containing at least one benzoxazine compound and certain oligomeric or polymeric urethane group-free polyether compounds. The present invention further relates to adhesives, sealants or coatings comprising the polymerizable composition according to the invention and the polymerization products of said composition.
US09315647B2

The present invention provides a rubber composition that can enhance the fuel economy, wet-grip performance, abrasion resistance, and processability in a balanced manner, and also provides a pneumatic tire using this rubber composition. The present invention relates to a rubber composition that contains a rubber component, silica, and a compound represented by formula (1) below, wherein the rubber component contains, based on 100% by mass of the rubber component, not less than 5% by mass of a conjugated diene polymer containing a constituent unit based on a conjugated diene and a constituent unit represented by formula (I) below, at least one terminal of the polymer being modified with a specific compound; and an amount of the silica is 5 to 150 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the rubber component.
US09315644B2

Cured perfluoroelastomers that contain high levels (i.e. greater than 50 phr) BaSO4 exhibit good thermal sealing performance such as reduced sticking and reduced tendency for splitting.
US09315643B2

A self-priming spackling compound includes between about 35% by weight and about 65% by weight acrylic latex resin, between about 20% by weight and about 50% by weight filler material, and between about 1% by weight and about 20% by weight water. In certain aspects, the latex resin may have an average latex particle size of less than about 0.18 microns, a minimum film formation temperature of less than about 15 degrees Celsius, and/or a glass transition temperature (Tg) of less than about 25 degrees Celsius. To further enhance the self-priming performance of the spackling compound, the formulation may further comprise a colorant such as titanium dioxide.
US09315635B2

The present invention provides a triblock copolymer and a viscoelastic biostable foam comprising the same.
US09315631B2

A method of making a saccharide siloxane copolymer includes reacting an amine functional saccharide with an epoxy functional silane containing at least one condensable or hydrolysable group. This product is reacted with an oligomer to form the saccharide siloxane copolymer.
US09315628B2

An embodiment of the present disclosure can include a compound, a structure bonded to the compound, and the like. In an embodiment, the compound can be a linker between an agent and a structure, where the agent can be a dye or a pigment and the structure can be a fiber, hair, or another structure. In an embodiment, the compound can be a linker between an agent and a structure, where the agent can be a fluorinated compound and the structure can be a counter top, metal, or the like.
US09315625B2

The invention relates to a polyamide comprising units derived from: A. a diamine comprising in its structure at least one cyclohexane fragment according to Structure I, in which the substituents are in the 1,4-trans-position (Structure I), with n a positive integer of at least 1, and the proviso that when n is 2 or higher the cyclohexane rings are connected to each other through the 1,4-trans position, B. an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid with at least 13 carbon atoms and optionally comprising units derived from: C. one or more aliphatic dicarboxylic acids other than B, D. one or more diamines other than A, E. one or more monofunctional carboxylic acids or monofunctional amines, F. one or more polyfunctional monomers comprising carboxylic acid and/or amine groups, G. one or more lactams or corresponding amino acids. The invention further relates to a composition comprising such a polyamide and its uses.
US09315623B1

A soluble n-type copolymer that is useful in electronic and photonic devices. Embodiments of the invention include an n-type copolymer having a soluble n-type perylene copolymer having base formula A, where R is a backbone segment, where R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, fluorinated alkyl, functionalized alkyl, aryl, fluorinated aryl, and functionalized aryl, and where n ranges from about 2 to 50,000.
US09315613B2

An MDI system non-temperature sensitive memory sponge suitable for a flat foam foaming process is made by using a polyol mixture, which includes a polyether polyol and a polymer polyol, to react with an isocyanate and an auxiliary agent mixture that includes: a chain extender, a foaming agent, a pore adjusting agent, and a catalyst. The polyether polyol includes a polyoxypropylene glycerol with a molecular weight of 700 and a polyoxypropylene trihydroxy ether with a molecular weight of 4800, the polymer polyol includes a graft polyether, and the isocyanate is methylene diphenyl diisocyanate.
US09315609B2

Methods for fabricating sub-lithographic, nanoscale microstructures utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided.
US09315604B2

The present application provides, among other things, novel compounds for metathesis reactions, and methods for preparing and using provided compounds. In some embodiments, the present invention provides compounds having the structure of formula I or II. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for preparing a compound of formula I or II. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for using a provided compound. In some embodiments, a provided compound is useful for stereoselective ring-opening metathesis polymerization. In some embodiments, a provided metathesis method provides cis and/or isotactic polymers.
US09315596B2

The present invention provides a method of preparing vinyl chloride polymer having excellent processability and high bulk density by the separate stepwise additions of vinyl chloride monomer during suspension polymerization.
US09315594B2

The invention relates to a catalyst system for the polymerization of olefins comprising a metal complex of formula CyLMD and an activating cocatalyst, wherein M is titanium, Cy is a cyclopentadienyl-type ligand, D is a diene, L is a guanidinate-containing ligand of the formula (I) wherein each A is independently selected from nitrogen or phosphorous and R, R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, silyl and germyl residues, substituted or not with one or more halogen, amido, phosphido, alkoxy, or aryloxy radicals, and Cy is a mono- or polysubstituted cyclopentadienyl-type ligand, wherein the one or more substituents of Cy are selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydrocarbyl, silyl and germyl residues, optionally substituted with one or more halogen, amido, phosphido, alkoxy, or aryloxy residues. The invention further relates to a process for the preparation of a polymer comprising at least one aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbyl C2-20 olefin wherein the at least one aliphatic or aromatic olefin is contacted with the catalyst system of the present invention.
US09315583B2

The invention provides methods and reagents useful for detecting anti-drug antibodies of IgE isotype to therapeutic anti-IgE antibodies, and methods for assessing risk of anaphylaxis to administration of a therapeutic anti-IgE antibody.
US09315579B2

There is disclosed compositions and methods relating to or derived from anti-CCR2 antibodies. More specifically, there is disclosed fully human antibodies that bind CCR2, CCR2-binding fragments and derivatives of such antibodies, and CCR2-binding polypeptides comprising such fragments. Further still, there is disclosed nucleic acids encoding such antibodies, antibody fragments and derivatives and polypeptides, cells comprising such polynucleotides, methods of making such antibodies, antibody fragments and derivatives and polypeptides, and methods of using such antibodies, antibody fragments and derivatives and polypeptides, including methods of treating or diagnosing subjects having CCR2 related disorders or conditions.
US09315569B2

Methods of treating or delaying onset of a neurodegenerative disorder with α-synuclein pathology in an individual comprise administering an antibody which is produced from a stabilized soluble α-synuclein oligomer and capable of binding a stabilized soluble α-synuclein oligomer, the stabilized soluble α-synuclein oligomer having a lower formation rate to a non-soluble aggregated form than a non-stabilized soluble oligomer of the α-synuclein. The antibody has been collected from a non-human animal to which stabilized soluble α-synuclein oligomer had been administered or has been produced by hybridoma technology, phage display, ribosome display, mammalian cell display or bacterial display, and the disorder with α-synuclein pathology is characterized by deposition of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites or is selected from the group consisting of Parkinson's disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), the Lewy body variant of Alzheimer's disease, and multiple system atrophy (MSA).
US09315564B2

Peptides of general formula (I): R1AA1-AA2-AA3-AA4-R2 stereoisomers thereof, mixtures thereof or the cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, a method for obtaining them, cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use for the treatment and/or care of those conditions, disorders and/or pathologies of the skin, mucosae and/or scalp resulting from matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) overexpression or an increase in the MMP activity.
US09315560B2

The present invention provides methods for purifying Von Willebrand factor (VWF) for increased removal of non-lipid enveloped viruses.
US09315556B2

The present invention is directed to a polypeptide which comprises: (i) an Rv1753c protein sequence; (ii) a variant of an Rv1753c protein sequence; or (iii) an immunogenic fragment of an Rv1753c protein sequence. In other aspects the invention is directed to associated polynucleotides, fusion proteins and methods for the treatment or prevention of tuberculosis.
US09315549B2

The present invention relates to a treatment method. This method involves contacting a subject with an isolated, physiologically active, atoxic derivative of a Clostridial neurotoxin. Contacting is carried out to treat the subject. The derivative of a Clostridial neurotoxin does not possess a cargo attachment peptide sequence at its N-terminus.
US09315528B2

An improved method for the manufacture of phosphonoalkyl iminodiacetic acid M2PO3—X—N—(CH2COOM)2 wherein X is a C1-6 linear or branched alkyl group; and M is selected from hydrogen, alkali, earth-alkali, ammonium and protonated amine is disclosed. The iminodiacetic acid starting material is reacted with a substantially stoichiometric amount of phosphorous acid, in the presence of a large excess of phosphoric acid to thereby yield a reaction medium insoluble reaction product (PAI-DA) which can be separated from the reaction medium. In a particularly preferred approach, the phosphorous acid is prepared in situ starting from liquid P4O6.
US09315525B2

A process for producing bortezomib N-(pyrazin-2-yl)carbonyl-L-phenylalanine-L-leucine boronic acid) comprising the step of deprotecting the compound of formula XII: to yield bortezomib.
US09315511B2

Special C-functionalized cyclic bisaminal compounds having formula (I) or (II), their salts or solvates, methods for their preparation, their uses, and methods for preparing functional tetraazacycloalkane compounds implementing such cyclic bisaminal compounds.
US09315501B2

The present invention relates to bicyclic heterocycles which are inhibitors of BET proteins such as BRD2, BRD3, BRD4, and BRD-t and are useful in the treatment of diseases such as cancer.
US09315499B2

Compounds of Formula (I) wherein n, m, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are defined herein, are useful for the treatment of cytomegalovirus disease and/or infection.
US09315498B2

The present invention relates to ethynyl compounds of formula I-C1 wherein R1, R2, R2′, R3, R3′, R6, U, V and W are as defined herein and to a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts, to a racemic mixtures, or to its corresponding enantiomers and/or optical isomers and/or stereoisomers thereof, which are allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5).
US09315496B2

The present invention relates to the field of pharmaceutical chemistry, and in particular, to a benzopyrone derivative and a use thereof. The benzopyrone derivative is compound having a structure of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. It has been found by experiments that, this type of compounds is useful in prevention or treatment of neuropsychical diseases.
US09315485B2

Cyclic acetals can be produced in a reactive distillation apparatus by combining a polyhydroxyl compound and an aldehyde. High concentrations of cyclic acetals are removed as liquid products from the column while water is removed as an overhead vapor stream.
US09315465B2

AIE (aggregation-induced emission)-active TPE derivatives, TPE-TPP, TPE-MitoR and TPE-IQ are contemplated. These specific TPE derivatives are useful as fluorescent agents for mitochondrial imaging and as apoptosis inducers. Possessing high specificity to mitochondria, superior photostability and appreciable tolerance to microenvironment change, TPE derivatives are well-suited imaging agents for mitochondrial targeting and morphological change tracking. Because of their synthetic flexibility, TPE derivatives can be further modified as dual-functional probes for an array of applications such as sensing of ROS, metal ions, or pH change in mitochondria.
US09315464B1

Compositions, compounds, and methods with significant antiviral effect against RNA viruses and especially orthomyxoviruses are contemplated, and target the viral promoter that is formed by the 5′ and 3′-UTR sequences of the viral genome.
US09315463B2

The present disclosure relates to novel compounds having β2 adrenergic agonist and M3 muscarinic antagonist dual activity, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them, to the process for their preparation and to their use in respiratory therapies.
US09315458B2

The present invention provides a compound having a cholinergic muscarinic M1 receptor positive allosteric modulator activity and useful as an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, pain, sleep disorder, Parkinson's disease dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and the like.The present invention relates to a compound represented by the formula (I) or a salt thereof. wherein each symbol is as described in the specification, or a salt thereof.
US09315453B2

[Problem] For example, 4-(3-benzyloxyphenylthio)-2-chloro-1-(3-nitropropyl)benzene (compound 1) is used as an intermediate for producing a 2-amino-2-[2-[4-(3-benzyloxyphenylthio)-2-chlorophenyl]ethyl]-1,3-propanediol hydrochloride which has excellent immunosuppressive activity. This compound 1 is traditionally obtained only as an oil and thus handling and refining were difficult.[Solution] A crystal of the compound 1 is obtained. A method of crystallizing the same is also established. Furthermore, a simple refining method is also found which comprises stirring in suspension the crystal in a solvent. Since the compound 1 can be obtained as a crystal, it is easier to handle and long term storage is possible.
US09315445B2

Photoreactive monomer which has (i) at least one free-radically polymerizable C—C double bond, (ii) at least one hydrophilic group selected from an ethylene glycol group and a polyethylene glycol group having at least 2 ethylene glycol units and (iii) at least one photoreactive group, the photoreactive group being a photoenolizable carbonyl group, and also a method for preparing the photoreactive monomers.
US09315433B2

Provided is a simple and industrially advantageous method for producing 2,7-octadien-1-ol, in which an expensive palladium catalyst is recovered in high efficiency and the reaction rate per atom of palladium is enhanced. Specifically, provided is a method for producing 2,7-octadien-1-ol by subjecting butadiene and water to a telomerization in the presence of a palladium catalyst containing a water-soluble triarylphosphine having two or more sulfonate groups in the molecule and a palladium compound, a tertiary amine, and carbon dioxide, including a step of mixing the telomerization solution obtained by the telomerization with an organic solvent having a dielectric constant at 25° C. of 2 to 18, followed by carrying out phase separation in the presence of carbon dioxide, thereby obtaining 2,7-octadien-1-ol from an organic phase while recovering an aqueous phase including the palladium catalyst. By this production method, the selectivity for 2,7-octadien-1-ol is enhanced.
US09315431B2

The present invention provides a process of fluorination in liquid phase in a solvent medium of a compound of formula (II) CX1X2=CZCX3X4X5, in which Z represents H, Cl or F, and each X1 represents independently hydrogen or chlorine, given that at least one of the X1 represents a chlorine.
US09315429B2

The present invention relates to ammonium nitrate fuel oil mixtures, and includes compositions comprising (a) ammonium nitrate, (b) a fuel component, (c) a functionalized polymer component, and (d) an oil-soluble anionic surfactant, wherein the mixture of components (b), (c) and (d) form a gel that will not readily flow. The compositions of the present invention provide improve fuel retention and/or water resistance properties, particularly when the compositions use low quality porous prills of ammonium nitrate.
US09315426B2

A temperature-specific compound applied to refractory substrates having molten metal-contacting surfaces creates a chemically active and viscous surface that dramatically increases the ability of the treated substrate to remove slag, dross and other inclusions from a base metal alloy as it passes through or contacts the substrate. The refractory substrates include molten metal filters used by foundries and metal casters such as reticulated ceramic foam, cellular/honeycomb, silica mesh, and others that rely on their physical or sieving ability to remove particulate impurities from the base alloy being cast. The chemically active surfaces significantly increase filtration efficiency through a treatment process tailored to the specific chemistry of the alloy being filtered, such as ferrous metals that include iron, steel and more. Other refractory substrates such as aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxide, aluminum silicate, silicon carbide (as common with reticulated ceramic foam filters) and the like may also include the coatings.
US09315421B2

The present invention provides an environment-friendly natural-like artificial stone containing fly ash. A formulation and a method of producing the artificial stone is compared with the existing artificial stone. The artificial stone produced by the present invention has characteristics of higher long-term strength and density, excellent weather resistance and corrosion resistance, and also of thermal insulation and sound insulation, in some degree. It has very strong durability and color stability under a variety of adverse weather conditions, without efflorescence and coming off, and with hardly any color change.
US09315411B2

A method of manufacturing an optical fiber preform includes: producing a core rod having a core rod diameter; inserting the core rod into a glass fluorine-doped intermediate cladding tube so as to form a core assembly, the intermediate cladding tube having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, wherein the inner diameter is larger than the core rod diameter, the radial difference between the inner diameter and the core rod diameter defining an annular gap; and applying a negative pressure inside the annular gap; and forming a core preform by heating the core assembly to collapse the intermediate cladding tube around the core rod while maintaining the negative pressure, wherein heating includes moving a heater outside the intermediate cladding tube and along an axial direction of the same, and forming an overcladding region surrounding the core preform so as to form an optical fiber preform.
US09315401B2

A system and method for the treatment of process streams. A catalyst mediates a wet oxidation process at elevated temperatures and pressures for treating at least one undesirable constituent in an aqueous mixture. The aqueous mixture may be contacted with a catalyst and an oxidizing agent at an elevated temperature and a superatmospheric pressure. At least a portion of the catalyst may be precipitated by a pH adjustment and recycled back to contact the aqueous mixture
US09315400B2

Glycine is an organic compound that can be used in the making of a synthetic acid that obviates all the drawbacks of strong acids such as hydrochloric acid. The new compound is made by dissolving glycine in water, in a weight ratio of approximately 1:1 to 1:1.5. The solution is mixed until the glycine is essentially fully dissolved in the water. Once dissolution is complete, hydrogen chloride gas is dissolved in the solution to produce the new compound, which can be referred to as hydrogen glycine. A method of solubilizing calcium carbonate in an aqueous suspension or dispersion includes adding to the aqueous suspension or dispersion an effective amount of a solution of hydrogen glycine sufficient to solubilize the aqueous suspension or dispersion of calcium carbonate.
US09315398B2

A device and process are disclosed for the separate removal of oppositely charged ions from electrolyte solutions and recombining them to form new chemical compositions. The invention provides the ability to create multiple ion flow channels and then form new chemical compositions therefrom. The process is accomplished by selectively combining oppositely charged ions of choice from different electrolyte solutions via the capacitive behavior of high electrical capacitance electrodes confined in insulated containers.
US09315394B2

A method for pre-separation of multi phase fluids of liquid-liquid phase and/or liquid-gas phases and/or gas-liquid phases, is disclosed, wherein one or more of the phases is suspended in water with bubble /drop/particle sizes in the sub micron and micron area and/or fine particular organic or inorganic matter is present in one or more of the phases, and where the device is placed in or in connection to a cyclone or flotation tank. The method is characterized by the fluid phases being made to flow through a tube which forms a spiral shape, in order to bring about an initial phase separation (coalescence) in the spiral shape, and the phases being led continuously tangentially out of the spiral shape in a cyclone—or flotation chamber wherein the further separation is generated. An apparatus to accomplish the method and applications thereof are also disclosed.
US09315384B2

The present invention provides a carbon nanomaterial production apparatus 1 that includes a reaction tube 2 into which raw material gas and carrier gas are supplied and accordingly in which carbon nanomaterial is grown, a connection tube 4 that is connected to the reaction tube 2 and through which an aerosol-like mixture of the carbon nanomaterial and the carrier gas passes, and a collection tube 3 that is connected to the connection tube 4 and collects the carbon nanomaterial from the mixture. The collection tube 3 includes a discharge section 32 that is located above a junction 33 with the connection tube 4 and discharges the carrier gas contained in the mixture to outside, and a trapping section 31 that is located below the junction 33 with the connection tube 4 and traps the carbon nanomaterial that is separated from the mixture by gravitational sedimentation.
US09315383B2

There is provided an oxygen absorbing agent that can have a capability of absorbing oxygen in an atmosphere even when the atmosphere is free or substantially free from moisture. The oxygen absorbing agent comprises a metal, the metal having been obtained by subjecting an alloy comprising (A) at least one transition metal selected from the group consisting of manganese, iron, platinum, and copper group metals and (B) at least one metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, zinc, tin, lead, magnesium, and silicon to treatment with an acidic or alkaline aqueous solution to elute and remove at least a part of the component (B).
US09315382B2

Method and apparatus for preparing at least one metal chloride from metal oxide containing material comprising calcining the metal oxide containing material under temperature conditions sufficient to obtain a calcined product comprising at least one metal oxide; and selectively chlorinating the calcined product to form at least one metal chloride.
US09315373B2

A nozzle module for a fuel dispensing unit is described. The nozzle module has a top section attachable to a column module of the fuel dispensing unit, a bottom section attachable to a base module of the fuel dispensing unit, at least one nozzle boot for holding a nozzle, which nozzle boot is arranged between the top section and the bottom section. The nozzle module has an internal channel enabling fluid communication through the nozzle module. A fuel dispensing unit is also described.
US09315371B2

A water dispenser includes a baffle which interferes with the downward flow of water introduced into a cold water tank through a water supply line. The baffle has a water transfer passage formed by a downwardly recessed surface portion formed on the top surface of the baffle and having a distal edge, and an edge portion having a predetermined thickness and located over the distal edge so as to overlap the distal edge. The water transfer passage is configured such that the recessed surface portion deflects the flow of water flowing down through the water transfer passage in a horizontal direction or a direction close to a horizontal direction. Water is thus discharged from the terminal end opening defined by the distal edge and the edge portion into the lower portion of the cold water tank in a direction close to a horizontal direction.
US09315367B2

A coordinated transport robot system according to an embodiment includes: first and second robots each including a mobile unit and a movement control unit; first and second position error absorption mechanisms provided on the first and second robots; an impedance model estimating an external force from the amount of displacement detected by the passive element unit; an external force estimating unit estimating respective external forces acting on the first and second robots based on external forces estimated with a dynamics model and estimated by the impedance model; a compliance model calculating respective position correction amounts of the first and second robots to make an external force zero; and a movement command calculating unit calculating movement commands to the first and second robots based on the position correction amounts. Each of the movement control units control the respective mobile units based on the respective movement commands.
US09315350B2

Sheet length data is received for printed media sheets passed through a printing device. A length difference between the printed media sheets is calculated, and in response to the length difference exceeding a specified threshold, an alignment correction in a finishing device is initiated to align the printed media sheets.
US09315345B2

A robotic carton unloader for automatic unloading of cartons from a carton pile. In various embodiments, a robotic carton unloader may comprise a mobile body, a movable robotic arm attached to the mobile body and comprising an end effector configured to unload a row of cartons in a side-by-side orientation from the carton pile, and a conveyor system mounted on the mobile body and configured to receive the row of cartons from the end effector in the side-by-side orientation. In various embodiments the conveyor system may comprise a front-end descrambler and a central descrambler coupled to the front-end descrambler. In various embodiments, the robotic arm may be configured to straddle at least a portion of the mobile body and at least a portion of the conveyor system such that the conveyor system conveys cartons from the carton pile through the robotic arm.
US09315342B1

In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed embodiment, a system for transporting wire components during the assembly of wire bundles includes an air-operated tube network connecting a transport source station to a plurality of transport destination stations, the air-operated tube network comprising a junction coupled between the transport source station and the plurality of transport destination stations, and a system controller that includes a wire bundle assembly program, the system controller programmed to automatically transmit wire components from the source station to at least one of the transport destination stations based on the wire bundle assembly program.
US09315340B2

A method for rejecting an article from a sequence of transported articles, wherein the establishment of a first contact between a pusher and the article to be rejected is detected by at least one measurement signal, and wherein a desired stroke is carried out for diverting the article, starting from the detected contact. Errors regarding a different lateral offset of the articles to be rejected and blind strokes caused thereby can thus be reduced.
US09315338B2

An article metering system is generally provided. The system is primarily comprised of a conveyor section, for receipt of a bulk flow of articles and conveyance of spaced apart metered article groups downstream of an ingress portion thereof, and an article metering station characterized by an article metering apparatus characterized by a drive assembly and a driven member driven thereby. The driven member includes an end effector for select positioning between adjacent articles of articles of the bulk flow of articles received by the conveyor section in furtherance of delimiting a downstream spaced apart metered article group characterized by a select number of columns. The drive assembly includes cooperatively driven servo drives to effectuate travel of the end effector in either of a downstream article flow direction or an upstream article flow direction, and an up/down direction in relation to articles of the bulk flow of articles received by the conveyor section.
US09315337B2

Device for automatic stacking of packages on a support in a predetermined spatial arrangement for formation of a stack, having at least one supply conveyor which provides the separated packages (W) in a predetermined succession, a lifting and lowering unit for lifting and lowering a support disposed in a stacking site in the Y direction and a displacement device which adjoin an output end of the supply conveyor and which receive packages (W) from the supply conveyor (2) and transport them to the predetermined position in the stack (S). The displacement device includes a positioning conveyor adjoining the output end of the supply conveyor and being disposed horizontally and longitudinally with respect to one side of the stacking site in order to position the packages (W) in the X direction, and at least one pushing plate and a pusher (14) in order to transport the packages (W) from the positioning conveyor in the Z direction to the predetermined position in the stack (S). The at least one pushing plate is formed as a flat strip-like plate, formed to be able to move horizontally and along the side of the stacking site and transverse thereto, in order to receive the packages (W) as the packages (W) are being pushed by the pusher off the positioning conveyor at the X direction position and to lay them in the Z direction on the support or in the stack (S). The pusher is formed as an arrangement of a plurality of individual pushers disposed horizontally and along the side of the stacking site, which push the packages (W) off the positioning conveyor in the direction of the stack (S), wherein the individual pushers can each move independently of the at least one pushing plate in the Z direction in order to retain the package (W) when the pushing plate is being withdrawn.
US09315335B2

A conveyance system includes a storage case, a lifting/lowering apparatus, a handover apparatus, and a conveying apparatus. The lifting/lowering apparatus lifts and lowers the storage case to position each substrate stored in the storage case to a receiving position sequentially. The handover apparatus receives the substrate at the receiving position, and hand over the substrate to the conveying apparatus at a handover position. The conveying apparatus includes a pair of belts. The pair of belts is provided such that the belts are spaced apart from each other in a left-right direction. A plurality of profiles associated with each other are provided on the pair of belts, respectively. The profiles associated with each other are configured to move together in a conveying direction, support outer edges of the substrate handed over at the handover position, and position the substrate to a prescribed position.
US09315334B2

An automation system for an in vitro diagnostics environment includes a plurality of intelligent carriers that include onboard processing and navigation capabilities. A central management controller can communicate wirelessly with the carriers to direct the carriers to carry a fluid sample to testing stations along a track within the automation system. The carriers control local motion and navigate decision points, such as forks in the track, to reach the appropriate testing station independently. The carriers can utilize landmarks and distance encoding to reach destinations accurately and quickly, including, for example, within less than the time for a single operation cycle of an automated clinical analyzer.
US09315331B2

A machine for processing sheets of different formats includes a pneumatic drum having an outer sleeve with pneumatic nozzle channels and an inner sleeve with a covering segment for covering the nozzle channels in a format-dependent way. A motor is provided to rotate the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve while the machine is running to carry out a flying format change of the pneumatic drum.
US09315329B2

A material transfer device is configured for transferring a number of molded products. The material transfer device includes a control box and a transfer mechanism. The transfer mechanism includes a receiving chamber, a driving device, and a supporting structure. The receiving chamber is located on the control box. The driving device is located on a side surface of the receiving chamber and extends into the receiving chamber. The supporting structure includes a holder, a rotating portion, and a number of supporting plates. The holder is located on the driving device to be driven thereby to move along the receiving chamber. The rotating portion is fixed on the holder. The supporting plates are fixed on the rotating portion. The rotating portion drives the supporting plates to rotate.
US09315327B2

A harvester is provided comprising a vessel for securing a crop therein and a crop delivery system. The crop delivery system has a first tube with a first angled orientation, a first end and an opposed second end, the first tube being configured to receive the crop from the vessel at the first end. A continuous belt is provided having a receiving region in close proximity to the first end of the first tube. A portion of the belt operable to carry the crop from the receiving region is structurally supported by and substantially covered by the first tube, while a portion of the belt operable to return to the receiving region after delivering the crop passes beneath the first tube.
US09315326B2

In an accumulation pallet conveyor (1) with an upper horizontal conveying run (1A) and a lower horizontal return run (1B) the pallets are carried by respective pallet-carrying members (P1) drawn by an endless chain (2). Each pallet-carrying member (P1) has at least one sprocket wheel (3) that engages without turning the chain (2) along the horizontal runs of the conveyor for drawing the respective pallet-carrying member (P1) together with the chain. In the case where a pallet-carrying member is stopped in position along a horizontal run of the conveyor (1) the aforesaid sprocket wheel carried by the pallet-carrying member (P1) starts to turn, enabling movement of the chain with respect to the pallet-carrying member (P1). In the curved stretches of the chain, at each end of the conveyor, the movement of the pallet-carrying member (P1) is caused by an engagement finger (F) that engages the chain and couples therewith only in said curved stretches of the chain. The engagement finger (F) is biassed against the chain by spring means (7) in such a way that in the case where the pallet-carrying member (P1) is stopped in position along the curved stretch of the chain, the chain can continue to move, causing a movement with multiple consecutive jumps of the engagement finger (F).
US09315319B2

Trash bags may be formed to include first and second sidewalls joined along a first side edge, an opposite second side edge, and a closed bottom edge to form an outer bag. A second inner bag may be inserted within the first bag to form a “bag-in-a-bag” type configuration in which the inner bag is bonded to the outer bag along side seals by a continuous process. The bags may also be bonded together along the hem and the draw tape. When the side seals of the inner bag and the outer bag are sealed together by a continuous rather than a reciprocating process, the inventors have surprisingly found that such seals require carefully controlled process conditions to prevent inadequate seals.
US09315316B2

A carton suitable for packaging a coil of wire with a payout tube has a cover for selectably closing the open side of a five-sided clamshell. The carton can be loaded by placing the coil and payout tube on the cover and then closing the clamshell over the coil. The clamshell has a payout tube aperture and an entryway that permits the clamshell to fit down over the payout tube with the tube extending through the clamshell. Doors open to permit initial access of the tube to the aperture during closure of the clamshell. The doors then close to prevent the tube from becoming dislodged from the aperture. Guide flaps constrain the coil during closure of the clamshell. The final panel of the carton to be closed is secured on all of its free edges to prevent inadvertent opening of the carton. Fold lines are reinforced with reinforcing tape. The carton blank is laid out to have a waste percentage of less than 20%.
US09315306B2

A composite closure which includes an end panel that is received in a circular plastic fitment having a central opening therein defined by an inwardly extending flange which overlies an outer periphery of the end panel and an integral skirt downwardly depending from the flange. The fitment includes a radially inwardly extending circumferential bead or bead segments which include a substantially non-deformable flat vertical surfaces that are substantially parallel to the axis of the closure and axially positioned to contact the radial outermost edge of the end panel when the closure is fully applied to a container. The bead or bead segments are configured to impart a predetermined radial force on the end panel which produces a perceptible resistance upon initial rotation of the fully applied closure and provides assurance to a person removing the closure from the container that it has been fully applied to the container.
US09315305B2

A device for sealing an opened canned beverage. The device may include a circular main body with a rim. The device may further include a sealing mechanism. The sealing mechanism may include a threaded stem having a knob on the top and running through an opening in the main body. The sealing mechanism may further include a live hinge bar that may include a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion and the bottom portion may be hinged together. The top portion may be connected to the inside surface of the main body and the bottom portion may be connected to a threaded ring that surrounds the threaded stem.
US09315301B1

A snack bottle with distensible dispensing cap that includes a deformable container portion attachable to a rubberlike dispensing cap, said dispensing cap having a slit opening rendered linearly therein, wherein deformation of the container portion by application of manual pressure thereto distends the slit opening in the dispensing cap, and snacks additional to the container portion are transmissible through the dispensing cap when the slit opening is distended, whereby snacks storable within the container portion are dispensable singlehandedly from said container portion.
US09315291B2

A pallet system may include at least one pallet having a tray portion and a pedestal portion. The tray portion may include a generally flat platform having a perimeter edge. The pedestal portion may form at least one receptacle extending beneath the platform for receiving a neck portion of a bottle positioned beneath the platform.
US09315289B2

A packaging member includes a cushioning member that holds a holding part of a to-be-packaged member different from a predetermined part of the to-be-packaged member without coming into contact with the predetermined part of the to-be-packaged member. The cushioning member cushions a shock transmitting to the to-be-packaged member, and the packaging member packages the to-be-packaged member via the cushioning member.
US09315285B2

A trolley for supporting a labelling station in a labelling machine, provided with front and rear wheels for resting on the floor, comprising a longitudinal rod which is provided, at the rear end, with elements adapted to cause its rotation about its own axis and with a threaded portion with a conical tip at its front end; the rod is associated with a bush which is pivoted to the trolley with a horizontal axis and able to at least rotate with respect to it. The threaded portion is adapted to mate with a portion of female thread provided with a conical guiding portion in an accommodation bush which is fixed to a surface that protrudes from the body of the labelling machine; the surface comprises at least one ramp which is adapted to be crossed by a respective wheel provided at the front end of the trolley, and means for abutment against centering means provided on the trolley.
US09315283B2

A mobile strapping device for strapping packaged goods with wrap-around strap, comprising a tensioner for applying a strap tension to a loop of a wrapping strap, and a connector for producing a connection in two areas of the loop of the wrapping strap disposed one on top of the other, and a chargeable energy storage means for storing energy that can be released as drive energy for motorized drive motions at least for the friction welder for producing a friction welded connection and/or for the tensioner, is intended to have high functional reliability and ease of handling despite the possibility of automated production of wrapped straps, at least to a large extent. To this end, it is proposed that the energy storage means of the strapping device comprise a lithium ion battery for providing energy for driving a connector designed as a friction welder.
US09315278B2

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for taking airport baggage. In an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a control apparatus for taking airport baggage comprising: a baggage information receiving part receiving baggage information in a tag from a tag reader which recognizes the tag attached to a baggage moving on a conveyor belt; a receipt information generating part generating receipt information with which a baggage owner is able to take the baggage on the basis of the baggage information; a receipt information providing part providing the receipt information to a terminal of the baggage owner; a movement request receiving part receiving a request for movement path of the baggage from the terminal of the baggage owner; and a movement controlling part moving the baggage to a particular location on the basis of the request for movement path of the baggage.
US09315273B2

An apparatus for supporting a parachute flight controller from a parachute comprises a bearing member, for example a pulley, a load-bearing coupling, for example a harness, connected to the bearing member and including a connector for connecting the coupling to a parachute flight controller. The coupling includes a load-bearing connector for connecting a payload thereto, and the bearing member is adapted to enable relative movement, controlled by the flight controller, between the bearing member and a support member, for example a flexible coupling line or web for supporting the bearing member connected between first and second suspension lines of a parachute. The flight controller may include one or more control lines connected to the support member or suspension lines which can be wound in or out of the flight controller to effect relative movement between the bearing member and the support member and thereby control the direction of the parachute.
US09315271B2

A lower leg restraint for a side-facing passenger seat including a restraint panel configured to deploy from a first position proximate a seat to a second position forward of the seat in response to an abrupt deceleration event, an actuator arranged to push the panel from the first position to the second position, and a sensor and trigger assembly configured to signal the actuator to fire in response to the abrupt deceleration event. A side-facing aircraft passenger seat having a deployable lower leg restraint.
US09315265B2

A control link disposed to transfer rotor shaft rotation from an elongate element rotatable with a shaft to a rotatable element is provided and includes a structure terminating at a first end thereof as a mating element, which is securable to the elongate element such that the elongate element is rotatable about an axis defined through the mating element and such that a moment reaction in opposition to structure rotation about the elongate element is generated and a rod coupled to the rotatable element being and configured to be coupled to a second end of the structure at variable distances relative to the rotatable element.
US09315261B2

Friction disks, such as rotors and stators, including keyed wear liners are disclosed. The friction disks may include a core and a replaceable wear liner coupled to each side of the core. The wear liners may include a plurality of keys which engage key notches in the core. The key notches may prevent the wear liners from rotating with respect to the core in response to a shear force, such as a force applied during braking.
US09315260B2

An electrical swivel system may have a movable swivel member adapted to connect to a landing gear and a fixed swivel member adapted to connect to an airframe. Each may have an interface apparatus whereby electrical signals may be conducted between components of the movable swivel member and the fixed swivel member. In this manner, electrical signals may be conveyed across a mechanically movable joint.
US09315258B2

A flight control system includes at least one flight domain protection module intended at least for manual piloting and an auxiliary element configured to automatically transmit to the protection module, upon a detection of automatic piloting of the aircraft using an automatic piloting device, a predetermined auxiliary position, representing a control stick position equivalent, the protection module using the auxiliary position as a control stick position to implement a flight domain protection during the automatic piloting.
US09315253B2

A drain mast includes a first fairing body defining a first fairing wall and a first drain portion. A second fairing body defines a second fairing wall and a second drain portion. The first and second fairing bodies are joined together as a fairing with the first and second fairing walls as opposed exterior fairing walls, and with the first and second drain portions joined to form a drain passage through the fairing from a drain passage inlet to a drain passage outlet.
US09315252B2

The present invention provides a composite for an aircraft or spacecraft, comprising: a skin portion; a stringer which is attached to the skin portion; and a former made from fibre composite material, which is attached to the skin portion and forms an opening therewith, through which the stringer extends, substantially transverse to the former.
US09315248B2

A modular system for building underwater robotic vehicles (URVs), including a pressure vessel system, modular chassis elements, a propulsion system and compatible buoyancy modules. The pressure vessel system uses standardized, interchangeable modules to allow for ease of modification of the URV and accommodation of different internal and external components such as sensors and computer systems. The system also includes standard, reconfigurable connections of the pressure vessel to the modular chassis system. A standardized, modular propulsion system includes a magnetic clutch, and a magnetic sleeve used to power the URV on or off.
US09315239B2

A mooring apparatus that includes an actuator connected to a mooring hook and the mooring base. The actuator provides translational movement of the mooring hook towards the mooring base. The mooring apparatus also includes a vessel motion detection system and a mooring apparatus control system. The mooring apparatus may include a mooring line tension gauge. The vessel motion detection system provides an input indicative of vessel motion to the mooring apparatus control system. The mooring apparatus control system then provides an output signal to the appropriate mooring system(s) which results in adjustment of the mooring line tension in the appropriate mooring system(s). Methods for use thereof are also disclosed.
US09315238B2

A lounge assembly includes a movable backrest to be positioned at multiple locations on its seating surface. The backrest is supported by plate supports extending into the seat below its seating surface to connect to a slidable carriage assembly used to move the backrest. The backrest can be locked into selected positions on the lounge assembly seating surface. The lounge assembly is especially adapted for a boat.
US09315233B2

A motorcycle includes a front wheel drive train that supplies power to a front wheel and a rear wheel drive train that supplies power to a rear wheel. The front wheel drive train is configured to drive the front wheel at a selected rate that is faster than a rate at which the rear wheel drive train drives the rear wheel. Driving the front wheel at the selected faster rate relative to the rear wheel provides enhanced steering capabilities in soft terrain, as the front wheel pulls the motorcycle in a direction that the front wheel is pointed.
US09315230B2

A bicycle. A front bicycle wheel and rear bicycle wheel are connected to a bicycle frame. A drive sprocket drives the rear bicycle wheel. Two hand grippable pivotally connected handles are each connected via a handle drive linkage to the drive sprocket. The pivoting of the handles in an approximately vertical plane controls the rotation of the drive sprocket and spins the rear bicycle wheel. In one preferred embodiment, the bicycle is a stationary bicycle. In another preferred embodiment the bicycle can be steered and taken on the street.
US09315228B2

A secondary air supply system is arranged efficiently and compactly, in a V-type engine including a front-side cylinder and a rear-side cylinder. A motorcycle includes an engine having a front-side cylinder and a rear-side cylinder with an air cleaner being disposed on the upper side of the engine. A secondary air supply system has a reed valve provided between the air cleaner and an exhaust passage of the engine and by which secondary air is supplied into the exhaust passage of the engine. Intake ducts for guiding air into the air cleaner are connected to left and right side surfaces of the air cleaner. The reed valve includes a front-side reed valve used for the front-side cylinder and a rear-side reed valve used for the rear-side cylinder.
US09315226B2

A reflector assembly is configured to reflect light from within the spokes of a rim on a bicycle. The reflector assembly includes a reflective material holder having a body, fit within the spokes of a bicycle rim. A window is mechanically coupled to the body; wherein the window has covered edges and an uncovered center. A highly reflective prismatic plastic inserted into the window. The window covers edges of the highly reflective prismatic plastic are inserted into the window. The light reflects off of the highly reflective prismatic plastic to illuminate the bicycle.
US09315209B1

A hydraulically assisted steering system comprises a fixed displacement hydraulic pump fluidly connected to a steering gear to deliver pressurized fluid to the steering gear. The flow of pressurized fluid includes pressure pulses produced by the pump. A bypass valve diverts a portion of the flow of pressurized fluid away from the steering gear before reaching the steering gear. Valve control apparatus electrically connected to the bypass controls operation of the bypass valve. The valve control apparatus includes a piezoelectric element to which the pressure pulses are applied. The piezoelectric element produces electrical signals in response to the applied pressure pulses. The valve control apparatus controls operation of the bypass valve in response to at least one parameter of the electrical signals.
US09315203B2

Leveling railway vehicles, leveling secondary suspension systems, lift-systems for suspension systems, and other related systems and methods are shown and described. In one example, a railway vehicle includes a superstructure, a bogey, and a leveling secondary suspension system. The leveling suspension system includes at least one spring positioned between the superstructure and the bogey, and a secondary suspension-mounting lift system (SMLS) interfaced with coil spring. The SMLS includes a spring-mount (SM) and a piston assembly. In operation, pressurized hydraulic fluid acts on the piston and lifts the superstructure, thereby allowing the superstructure's access to be raised to a desired height, e.g. a platform height.
US09315197B1

A touch vehicle control system having a gesture interface device with one or more touchless sensors that detect a position of a driver's appendage within a range of movement detected by the sensors. The touchless sensors send a signal to the controller that is indicative of the position of the driver's appendage within the range of movement which is then interpreted to be a vehicle command signal for a vehicle's mechanical system. Command signals include, but are not limited to acceleration, braking, parking brake, turn signals, etc.
US09315196B2

A method for controlling a functional unit of a vehicle involves detecting a gesture of a vehicle passenger and controlling the functional unit depending on the detected gesture, if a first predetermined condition is fulfilled. The first predetermined condition is that a movement sequence of a detected gesture coincides with a predetermined movement pattern that is similar to a movement of a functional unit to be controlled or is analogous to a manipulation of the functional unit to be controlled.
Patent Agency Ranking