US09356094B2
A method for making a silicon layer extending on an insulation layer, including the steps of forming a silicon-germanium layer on at least a portion of a silicon wafer; transforming portions of the silicon-germanium layer into porous silicon pads; growing a monocrystalline silicon layer on the silicon-germanium layer and on the porous silicon pads; removing the silicon-germanium layer; oxidizing the porous silicon pads; and depositing an insulation material on the silicon layer.
US09356092B2
A method includes providing a semiconductor wafer including multiple semiconductor chips, forming a first scribe line on a frontside of the semiconductor wafer, wherein the first scribe line has a first width and separates semiconductor chips of the semiconductor wafer, forming a second scribe line on the frontside of the semiconductor wafer, wherein the second scribe line has a second width and separates semiconductor chips of the semiconductor wafer, wherein the first scribe line and the second scribe line intersect in a crossing area which is greater than a product of the first width and the second width, and plasma etching the semiconductor wafer in the crossing area.
US09356087B1
There is provided a flexible display having a plurality of innovations configured to allow bending of a portion or portions to reduce apparent border size and/or utilize the side surface of an assembled flexible display.
US09356086B2
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes a substrate where a plurality of pixels are formed, a first pixel defining layer on the substrate, the first pixel defining layer dividing the plurality of pixels, a connection wire on the first pixel defining layer, the connection wire electrically connecting two adjacent pixels, and a second pixel defining layer on the first pixel defining layer, the second pixel defining layer covering the connection wire.
US09356085B2
An organic light-emitting display apparatus including a shield layer and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The organic light-emitting display apparatus includes a substrate having a display area and a peripheral area surrounding the display area. A plurality of first thin film transistors (TFTs) are disposed in the display area of the substrate and a plurality of second TFTs disposed in the peripheral area of the substrate. A shield layer is positioned above the second TFTs and extended to an edge portion of the substrate. The shield layer includes a plurality of through holes in a portion that does not overlap with the second TFTs.
US09356083B2
Provided is a method of manufacturing an organic light-emitting display apparatus which may reduce white angular dependency (WAD). The method includes forming a common layer on each of subpixel areas at the same time without discretion within one pixel area, the common layer not being formed on connection areas between pixel areas.
US09356078B2
The present disclosure relates to an organic light emitting diode display having high aperture ratio. The present disclosure suggests an organic light emitting diode display comprising: a substrate having a plurality of pixel area arrayed in a matrix manner; an anode electrode formed within the pixel area on the substrate; a first bank having an open area exposing most of the anode electrode and defining an emission area; a second bank exposing the open area exposed by the first bank and some upper surface of the first bank; an organic light emitting layer covering the some upper surface of the first bank by the second bank and the most of anode electrode exposed by the first bank; and a cathode electrode formed over the substrate having the organic light emitting layer.
US09356067B2
Image sensors are provided. The image sensors may include first and second stacked impurity regions having different conductivity types. The image sensors may also include a floating diffusion region in the first impurity region. The image sensors may further include a transfer gate electrode surrounding the floating diffusion region in the first impurity region. Also, the transfer gate electrode and the floating diffusion region may overlap the second impurity region.
US09356065B2
An image sensor includes a first pixel row including a plurality of first pixels configured to sense first wavelength light, the first wavelength light having a first wavelength, a second pixel row adjacent to the first pixel row, the second pixel row including a plurality of second pixels configured to sense second wavelength light and a plurality of third pixels configured to sense third wavelength light, the plurality of second pixels and the plurality of third pixels being alternately arranged, the second wavelength light having a second wavelength and the third wavelength light having a third wavelength and a plurality of first color separation elements in the plurality of second pixels, respectively, the plurality of separation elements configured to change a spectrum distribution of incident light.
US09356059B2
A device includes semiconductor substrate having a front side and a backside. A polysilicon layer is disposed on the backside of the semiconductor substrate. The polysilicon layer includes a portion doped with a p-type impurity. A dielectric layer is disposed on the backside of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the polysilicon layer is between the semiconductor substrate and the polysilicon layer.
US09356054B2
A semiconductor device that is suitable for miniaturization is provided. Alternatively, a highly reliable semiconductor device is provided. A semiconductor device including a capacitor and a transistor is provided. In the semiconductor device, the transistor includes a semiconductor layer, the semiconductor layer is positioned over the capacitor, and the capacitor includes a first electrode that is electrically connected to the transistor.
US09356044B2
A semiconductor device, comprising: a plurality of memory cell strings; a bitline; and an interconnection coupling at least two of the memory cell strings to the bitline. Memory cell strings can be coupled to corresponding bitlines through corresponding interconnections. Alternate memory cell strings can be coupled to different bitlines through corresponding different interconnections.
US09356039B2
A nonvolatile memory device includes a source line having a shape of a three-dimensional (3D) cap. The nonvolatile memory device includes a first vertical channel and a second vertical channel, a source contact disposed over the first vertical channel, a drain contact disposed over the second vertical channel, a source-line barrier disposed between the source contact and the drain contact, and a source-line plate coupling the source contact and the source-line barrier.
US09356036B2
A semiconductor apparatus according to an embodiment may include a first pipe gate divided by an isolation layer, a first pipe channel layer buried in the first pipe gate, a second pipe gate covering the first pipe channel layer, the first pipe gate and the isolation layer and a second pipe channel layer buried in the second pipe gate.
US09356033B2
Nonvolatile memory devices include a string of nonvolatile memory cells on a substrate. This string of nonvolatile memory cells includes a first vertical stack of nonvolatile memory cells on the substrate and a string selection transistor on the first vertical stack of nonvolatile memory cells. A second vertical stack of nonvolatile memory cells is also provided on the substrate and a ground selection transistor is provided on the second vertical stack of nonvolatile memory cells. This second vertical stack of nonvolatile memory cells is provided adjacent the first vertical stack of nonvolatile memory cells. A conjunction doped semiconductor region is provided in the substrate. This conjunction doped region electrically connects the first vertical stack of nonvolatile memory cells in series with the second vertical stack of nonvolatile memory cells so that these stacks can operate as a single NAND-type string of memory cells.
US09356029B2
A semiconductor device includes junction regions formed in upper portions of both sidewalls of a trench formed in a semiconductor substrate, a first gate electrode buried in the trench and having a stepped upper surface, and a second gate electrode formed on the first gate electrode to overlap a junction region.
US09356026B2
A semiconductor device has a p-type metal oxide semiconductor layer; a source electrode connected with the p-type metal oxide semiconductor layer; a drain electrode connected with the p-type metal oxide semiconductor layer; and a gate electrode arranged to oppose to a part of the p-type metal oxide semiconductor layer. The gate electrode and the drain electrode are separated from each other in a top view.
US09356014B2
Semiconductor structures and methods of manufacture are disclosed herein. Specifically, disclosed herein are methods of manufacturing a high-voltage metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor and respective structures. A method includes forming a field-effect transistor (FET) on a substrate in a FET region, forming a high-voltage FET (HVFET) on a dielectric stack over a over lightly-doped diffusion (LDD) drain in a HVFET region, and forming an NPN on the substrate in an NPN region.
US09356011B2
Junction-isolated blocking voltage devices and methods of forming the same are provided. In certain implementations, a blocking voltage device includes an anode terminal electrically connected to a first p-well, a cathode terminal electrically connected to a first n-well, a ground terminal electrically connected to a second p-well, and an n-type isolation layer for isolating the first p-well from a p-type substrate. The first p-well and the first n-well operate as a blocking diode. The blocking voltage device further includes a PNPN silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) associated with a P+ region formed in the first n-well, the first n-well, the first p-well, and an N+ region formed in the first p-well. Additionally, the blocking voltage device further includes an NPNPN bidirectional SCR associated with an N+ region formed in the first p-well, the first p-well, the n-type isolation layer, the second p-well, and an N+ region formed in the second p-well.
US09355999B2
A semiconductor device includes: a substrate having an insulating resin and a metal pattern provided on the insulating resin; a mounted component mounted on the metal pattern; and an epoxy resin encapsulating the metal pattern and the mounted component, wherein a slit is provided in the metal pattern around the mounted component, and the insulating resin exposed from the metal pattern and the epoxy resin are brought into intimate contact with each other in the slit.
US09355995B2
According to an exemplary implementation, a method includes utilizing a leadframe panel comprising a plurality of leadframe modules, each of the plurality of leadframe modules having a leadframe pad. The leadframe panel has a plurality of bars each having a plurality of grooves, where the plurality of bars connect the plurality of leadframe modules. The method further includes attaching a device to the leadframe pad. The method also includes molding the leadframe panel while leaving a bottom of the leadframe pad exposed. Furthermore, the method includes sawing through the plurality of grooves of the plurality of bars to singulate the plurality of leadframe modules into separate packaged modules.
US09355985B2
Microelectronic packages and methods for producing microelectronic packages having sidewall-deposited heat spreader structures are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a package body containing a microelectronic device. A heat spreader structure is printed or otherwise formed over at least one sidewall of the package body. The heat spreader structure is thermally coupled to the microelectronic device and is configured to dissipate heat generated thereby during operation of the microelectronic package.
US09355968B2
A surface mount semiconductor package, semiconductor device, and method for fabrication of the surface mount semiconductor package and electrical device are described that include a leadframe assembly, an integrated circuit device disposed on the leadframe assembly, a silicon shield disposed on the integrated circuit device, where the silicon shield is configured to mitigate packaging stress to the integrated circuit device, and a molding layer that encapsulates the integrated circuit device, the silicon shield, and at least a portion of the leadframe assembly.
US09355965B2
In one embodiment, methods for making semiconductor devices are disclosed.
US09355962B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit package stacking system including: forming a base frame includes: providing a support panel, and forming a coupling pad, a mounting pad, a base frame trace, a discrete component pad, or a combination thereof on the support panel; fabricating a package substrate; coupling an integrated circuit die to the package substrate; mounting the base frame over the integrated circuit die and the package substrate; and removing the support panel from the base frame.
US09355961B2
A semiconductor device having through-electrodes and methods for fabricating the same are provided. The semiconductor device may include a first semiconductor chip including a first active surface on which a first top pad is provided; a second semiconductor chip including a second active surface on which a second top pad is provided and a second inactive surface on which a second bottom pad is provided, the second semiconductor chip being stacked on the first semiconductor chip with the second active surface facing the first active surface; and a conductive interconnection configured to electrically connect the chips. The conductive interconnection includes a first through-electrode that penetrates the second semiconductor chip and electrically connects the second bottom pad to the second top pad; and a second through-electrode that passes through the second top pad without contacting the second top pad, and electrically connects the second bottom pad to the first top pad.
US09355959B2
A structure including a first semiconductor chip with front and rear surfaces and a cavity in the rear surface. A second semiconductor chip is mounted within the cavity. The first chip may have vias extending from the cavity to the front surface and via conductors within these vias serving to connect the additional microelectronic element to the active elements of the first chip. The structure may have a volume comparable to that of the first chip alone and yet provide the functionality of a multi-chip assembly. A composite chip incorporating a body and a layer of semiconductor material mounted on a front surface of the body similarly may have a cavity extending into the body from the rear surface and may have an additional microelectronic element mounted in such cavity.
US09355958B2
Semiconductor device having a corrosion-resistant metallization and method for manufacturing thereof
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, an active area, an outer rim, and an edge termination area arranged between the outer rim and the active area. A metallization structure is arranged on the first side of the semiconductor substrate and comprising at least a first metal layer comprised of a first metallic material and a second metal layer comprised of a second metallic material, wherein the first metallic material is electrochemically more stable than the second metallic material. The first metal layer extends laterally further towards the outer rim than the second metal layer.
US09355957B2
A semiconductor device includes subsurface structures extending from a main surface into a semiconductor portion, each subsurface structure including a gate electrode dielectrically insulated from the semiconductor portion. The semiconductor device further includes alignment plugs in a vertical projection of the subsurface structures, contact spacers extending along sidewalls of the alignment plugs tilted to the main surface, and contact plugs directly adjoining semiconductor mesas between the subsurface structures. The contact plugs are provided between opposing ones of the contact spacers.
US09355942B2
Gang clips (500) having a flat area (510), a ridge (510a), and tie bars (530b) extending from the flat area, the end portions of the ties bars aligned in a common x-direction; a plurality of gang clips having respective end portions of tie bars merged in x-direction to form an elongated chain (701) of clips; and a plurality of chains arrayed parallel to each other, free of tie bars between adjacent chains, the plurality having the chain ends tied at both ends (730a) to rails (740) normal to the chains to form a matrix (700) of clips having the rails as a stable frame.
US09355940B1
A semiconductor package comprises a die attach pad and an auxiliary support member at least partially circumscribing the die attach pad. A set of contact leads is formed extending outward from the die attach pad. A first set of contact pads is formed on the bottom surface of the distal ends of the contact leads. An optional second set of contact pads is formed at the bottom surface of the proximal end. The auxiliary support member prevents damage to the contact leads and prevents the leads from bending during the manufacturing process.
US09355935B2
Methods and devices for connecting a through via and a terminal of a transistor formed of a strained silicon material are provided. The terminal, which can be a source or a drain of a NMOS or a PMOS transistor, is formed within a substrate. A first contact within a first inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer over the substrate is formed over and connected to the terminal. A through via extends through the first ILD layer into the substrate. A second contact is formed over and connected to the first contact and the through via within a second ILD layer and a contact etch stop layer (CESL). The second ILD layer is over the CESL, and the CESL is over the first ILD layer, which are all below a first inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer and the first metal layer of the transistor.
US09355924B2
An integrated circuit includes a substrate having at least one depression on a top surface. At least one solder bump is disposed over the substrate. A die is disposed over the at least one solder bump and electrically connected with the substrate through the at least one solder bump. An underfill surrounds the at least one solder bump and is formed between the substrate and the die. The at least one depression is disposed around the underfill to keep any spillover from the underfill in the at least one depression.
US09355923B2
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor device that includes a plurality of segment regions arranged with a first distance, each of segment regions including a plurality of first grooves arranged with a second distance that is smaller than the first distance, and a second groove enclosing the plurality of the segment regions with a third distance that is larger than the second distance. The third distance may be substantially equal to the first direction.
US09355906B2
Packaging devices and methods of manufacture thereof for semiconductor devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of manufacturing a packaging device includes forming an interconnect wiring over a substrate, and forming conductive balls over portions of the interconnect wiring. A molding material is deposited over the conductive balls and the substrate, and a portion of the molding material is removed from over scribe line regions of the substrate.
US09355904B2
A semiconductor die including strain relief for through substrate vias (TSVs). A method for strain relief of TSVs includes defining a through substrate via cavity in a substrate. The method also includes depositing an isolation layer in the cavity. The method further includes filling the cavity with a conductive material. The method also includes removing a portion of the isolation layer to create a recessed portion.
US09355900B2
A semiconductor device of an embodiment includes: a substrate on which a semiconductor circuit is formed; an interlayer insulating film in which a contact hole is formed on the substrate; a catalyst metal film on a side wall of the contact hole; catalyst metal particles on a bottom of the contact hole; graphene on the catalyst metal film; and carbon nanotubes, which penetrates the contact hole, on the catalyst metal particles.
US09355897B2
Methods of forming semiconductor structures that include bodies of a semiconductor material disposed between rails of a dielectric material are disclosed. Such methods may include filling a plurality of trenches in a substrate with a dielectric material and removing portions of the substrate between the dielectric material to form a plurality of openings. In some embodiments, portions of the substrate may be undercut to form a continuous void underlying the bodies and the continuous void may be filled with a conductive material. In other embodiments, portions of the substrate exposed within the openings may be converted to a silicide material to form a conductive material under the bodies. For example, the conductive material may be used as a conductive line to electrically interconnect memory device components. Semiconductor structures and devices formed by such methods are also disclosed.
US09355894B2
An interconnect structure and a method of forming an interconnect structure are disclosed. The interconnect structure includes a lower conductive feature in a lower low-k (LK) dielectric layer; a first etch stop layer (ESL) over the lower conductive feature, wherein the first ESL comprises a metal compound; an upper LK dielectric layer over the first ESL; and an upper conductive feature in the upper LK dielectric layer, wherein the upper conductive feature extends through the first ESL and connected to the lower conductive feature. The interconnect structure may further include a second ESL between the upper LK dielectric layer and the first ESL, or between the first ESL and the lower conductive feature, wherein the second ESL comprises a silicon compound.
US09355891B2
A method for exposing a layer buried in a substrate via a trench having an insulated lateral wall and an insulated floor includes the steps of applying an oxide onto the substrate and anisotropic etching. Applying the oxide onto the substrate takes place at least in a region of the trench such that the oxide protrudes from an edge of the trench into the trench. The protruding oxide shields the insulated lateral wall of the trench when anisotropically etching at least the insulated floor of the trench.
US09355889B2
The disclosed technology generally relates to semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) devices and more particularly to SOI devices having a channel region comprising a Group III-V or a Group IV semiconductor material, and also relates to methods of fabricating the same. In one aspect, a method comprises providing a pre-patterned donor wafer, providing a handling wafer and bonding the pre-patterned donor wafer to the handling wafer by contacting the first oxide layer to the handling wafer. Providing a pre-patterned donor wafer comprises providing a donor substrate comprising a first semiconductor material, forming shallow trench isolation (STI) regions in the donor substrate, and forming fins in the donor substrate in between the STI regions, where each fin comprises a Group III-V or Group IV semiconductor material that is different from the first semiconducting material and laterally extends in a direction parallel to a major surface of the donor substrate and between the STI regions. Providing the pre-patterned donor wafer additionally includes providing a first oxide layer overlying the STI regions and the fins. After bonding the donor wafer to the handling wafer, at least part of the first semiconducting material of the pre-patterned donor wafer is removed and the STI regions and the fins are thinned thereby forming channel regions comprising the Group III-V or Group IV semiconductor material.
US09355882B2
A wafer grinding system includes a robot arm having a suction board at one end and a table within reach of the robot arm. An upper surface of the table has a vacuum surface for sucking and holding wafers. A pusher coupled to the robot arm extends about the periphery of the suction board. The pusher flattens wafers against the upper surface of the table, allowing the table to hold by suction wafers that would otherwise be too bowed to be held in that way. Additionally, a table can have a vacuum area that is small in comparison to the wafers, which is another way of increasing the magnitude of wafer bow that can be tolerated. A grinding system can use the reduced vacuum area concept to allow the positioning table to hold bowed wafers and the pusher concept to allow the chuck tables to hold bowed wafers.
US09355877B2
A carrier substrate includes: a base substrate; a first coating layer on a first surface of the base substrate; and a second coating layer on a second surface of the base substrate. The thermal expansion coefficients of the first coating layer and the second coating layer are greater than a thermal expansion coefficient of the base substrate, and a thickness of the first coating layer is different from a thickness of the second coating layer.
US09355876B2
A process load lock apparatus is disclosed. The process load lock apparatus includes a load lock chamber adapted to couple between a mainframe section and a factory interface, the load lock chamber including an entry and an exit each having a slit valve, and a load lock process chamber located at a different level than the load lock chamber at the load lock location wherein the load lock process chamber is adapted to carry out a process on a substrate, such as oxide removal or other processes. Systems including the process load lock apparatus and methods of operating the process load lock apparatus are provided. A lift assembly including a containment ring is also disclosed, as are numerous other aspects.
US09355861B2
A semiconductor device manufacturing method for etching a substrate having a multilayer film formed by alternately stacking a first film and a second film, and a photoresist layer to form a step-shaped structure is provided. The step-shaped structure is formed by repeatedly performing a first step of plasma-etching the first film by using the photoresist layer as a mask, a second step of exposing the photoresist layer formed on the substrate to a plasma generated from a processing gas containing argon gas and hydrogen gas by applying a high frequency power to a lower electrode while applying a negative DC voltage to an upper electrode, a third step of trimming the photoresist layer, and a fourth step of plasma-etching the second film.
US09355855B2
The present invention provides a plasma etching apparatus component 1 includes a base material 10 and an yttrium oxide coating 20 formed by an impact sintering process and configured to cover a surface of the base material. The yttrium oxide coating 20 contains at least one of particulate portions and non-particulate portions. The yttrium oxide coating 20 has a film thickness of 10 μm or above and a film density of 90% or above. The particulate portions have an area coverage ratio of 0 to 80% and the non-particulate portions have an area coverage ratio of 20 to 100%.
US09355854B2
A method of fabricating transferable semiconductor devices includes providing a release layer including indium aluminum phosphide on a substrate, and providing a support layer on the release layer. The support layer and the substrate include respective materials, such as arsenide-based materials, such that the release layer has an etching selectivity relative to the support layer and the substrate. At least one device layer is provided on the support layer. The release layer is selectively etched without substantially etching the support layer and the substrate. Related structures and methods are also discussed.
US09355852B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: preparing a Si substrate having a flat portion with flat front and back surfaces and a bevel portion located at a periphery of the flat portion; forming a III-V nitride semiconductor film on the front surface of the Si substrate by epitaxial growth; and after forming the III-V nitride semiconductor film, grinding the Si substrate from the back surface. Amounts of working at the bevel portion on the front surface and the back surface of an outermost end portion of the bevel portion are asymmetrical. A first thickness measured from the front surface of the flat portion to the outermost end portion is smaller than a second thickness measured from the back surface of the flat portion to the outermost end portion.
US09355841B2
A manufacturing method of a high electron mobility transistor includes: forming a GaN channel layer on a semi-insulating substrate in a first growth condition; forming a transition layer on the GaN channel layer while the first growth condition is changed to a second growth condition; and forming an AlGaN electron supply layer on the transition layer in the second growth condition, wherein the GaN channel layer, the transition layer, and the AlGaN electron supply layer are continuously formed without interrupting growth.
US09355839B2
Methods and apparatus for depositing continuous thin films using plasma-activated sub-saturated atomic layer deposition are provided herein. According to various embodiments, pin-hole free continuous films may be deposited at thicknesses thinner than achievable with conventional methods. The methods and apparatus also provide high degree of thickness control, with films a per-cycle thickness tunable to as low as 0.1 Å in some embodiments. Further, the methods and apparatus may be used to provide films having improved properties, such as lower wet etch rate, in some embodiments.
US09355836B2
In an apparatus and method for treating a wafer-shaped article, a spin chuck is provided for holding and rotating a wafer-shaped article. A first liquid dispenser communicates with a supply of an organic liquid and is positioned so as to dispense the organic liquid onto a surface of a wafer-shaped article. A degasifying unit is positioned upstream of the first liquid dispenser and downstream of the supply. The degasifying unit is configured to reduce a dissolved gas content of the organic liquid to less than 20% of a saturation concentration at a pressure of 1 bar.
US09355831B2
Certain embodiments described herein are directed to rod assemblies such as, for example, quadrupole, hexapole and octupole rod assemblies. In some instances, the rod assemblies include at least one pole comprising an integral fluid path configured to fluidically couple an ion volume formed by the assembly to an outer volume of the assembly to remove fluid within the ion volume to the outer volume while containing ions of a selected mass-to-charge range.
US09355813B2
A method and system is provided for automatically preparing transmission electron microscopy (TEM) samples for examination by depositing extremely small samples onto a grid without need for a blotting step. A sample liquid droplet is formed at the end of a capillary, wherein a portion of the liquid is transferred to the TEM sample grid by contact. The excess volume in the liquid droplet is then retracted by an adjacent capillary. After a predetermined time interval, the retraction capillary is moved toward the drop of the sample to remove the excess volume. As compared to a conventional machine, where the blotting procedure can deform the structure of the molecule of interest, the present invention utilizes a very low shear rate for removal of the excess sample fluid.
US09355812B2
A processing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a piezoelectric sensor unit, an irradiating unit, a calculating unit, a moving unit, and a controlling unit. The piezoelectric sensor unit is mounted with an object and outputs an electric signal corresponding to a pressure due to the weight of the object. The irradiating unit irradiates a portion of the object on the piezoelectric sensor unit with a beam. The calculating unit calculates a first amount of misregistration between the portion of the object which should be irradiated with the beam and an actual position irradiated by the beam on the basis of the electric signal from the piezoelectric sensor unit. The moving unit moves the irradiating unit. The controlling unit controls the irradiating unit or the moving unit in accordance with the first amount of misregistration.
US09355800B2
A control device for an enclosure is disclosed, where the control device includes a first portion positioned proximate to a back side of an enclosure surface of the enclosure, and a second portion positioned proximate to a front side of the enclosure surface. The first portion can include a plunger having a proximal end and a distal end, where the proximal end is adjacent to the enclosure surface. The first portion can also include a first magnet having a first polarity and disposed at the proximal end of the plunger. The first portion can further include at least one contact in communication with the distal end of the plunger, where the at least one contact has a first state and a second state. The second portion can include a second magnet having a second polarity, where the second magnet has an engaged position and a disengaged position.
US09355791B2
Embodiments are directed to a discrete input circuit comprising: a switch, a capacitor coupled to the switch, a first resistor connected in series with the capacitor and coupled to a power supply, and a second resistor coupled to the power supply and the switch, wherein a value of the capacitor, a value of the first resistor, and a value of the second resistor are selected to provide a wetting current from the power supply to the switch when the switch is closed in order to clean contacts associated with the switch.
US09355775B2
A ceramic electronic component includes an electronic component body and a pair of metal terminals. The electronic component body includes a ceramic element assembly and outer electrodes. The pair of metal terminals are connected to the outer electrodes by a bonding member. Each of the pair of metal terminals includes a terminal body and a plated film that is located on a surface of the terminal body. In addition, each of the pair of metal terminals includes a terminal bonding portion, a mounting portion, and an extension portion that is provided between the terminal bonding portions and the mounting portion. A plating-removal portion from which the plated film is removed is provided at least at a peripheral surface of the mounting portion, and thus a surface of the terminal body is exposed.
US09355764B2
A magnetoelectric composite device having a free (i.e. switchable) layer of ferromagnetic nanocrystals mechanically coupled a ferroelectric single crystal substrate is presented, wherein application of an electrical field on the composite switches the magnetic state of the switchable layer from a superparamagnetic state having no overall net magnetization to a substantially single-domain ferromagnetic state.
US09355758B2
A tensioner structured to shorten the effective length of a tension member is provided. The tensioner has a body with an outer surface and a generally helical path on the outer surface. The tension member is wrapped around the tensioner body and retained in the path. In this configuration, the tensioner acts to retain a first length of the tension member within a second, shorter length corresponding to the length of the tensioner body. When the effective length of a tension member is reduced, the amount of sag in the tension member is reduced.
US09355757B2
The invention relates to an electrical cable (1, 10) comprising at least two conducting strands (2, 3) and theft deterrence means in the form of a marking (8). The main characteristic of an electrical cable (1, 10) according to the invention is that the marking consists of a series of relief prints (8) akin to a bar code.
US09355754B2
An electroconductive polyamide/polyphenylene ether resin composition and a molded product for vehicle manufactured using the same includes a base resin (a) including polyphenylene ether (a-1) and polyamide (a-2); an impact modifier (b); a compatibilizer (c); and an electroconductive filler (d). The electroconductive filler (d) includes aromatic compounds having molecular weights of about 120 to about 1,000 g/mol, wherein the aromatic compounds are byproducts generated when preparing the electroconductive filler (d).
US09355749B2
A device for the dry handling of nuclear fuel assemblies is provided. The device includes a transfer basket which can be connected to a lifter and which includes a gripper for gripping the fuel assembly to be transferred, the gripper being supported by a lift built into the basket; and an indexing table which can be placed on a cask and which comprises a positioner for positioning the basket over a slot in the cask.
US09355746B2
Embodiments relate to built-in testing of an unused element on a chip. An aspect includes concurrently performing on a chip comprising a plurality of chip elements comprising a plurality of active elements, each active element enabled to perform a respective function, and at least one unused element that is disabled from performing the respective function and configured to be selectively enabled as an active element, the respective functions of the respective active elements and a built-in self test (BIST) test of the at least one unused element. Another aspect includes inputting an input test pattern to the unused element. Another aspect includes receiving an output test pattern based on the input test pattern from the unused element. Another aspect includes comparing the input test pattern to the output test pattern. Another aspect includes determining whether the unused element passed or failed the testing based on the comparison.
US09355741B2
A gate drive circuit includes a shift register having a plurality of stages, in which an n-th stage (‘n’ is a natural number) of the plurality of stages is connected to at least one subsequent stage. The n-th stage includes a pull-up part configured to output a high voltage of an n-th gate signal using a high voltage of a clock signal as in response to a high voltage of a control node, a control pull-down part configured to pull-down a voltage of the control node into a low voltage in response to a carry signal outputted from at least one of next stages of the n-th stage and receiving a back-bias voltage corresponding to the low voltage, and a carry part configured to output the high voltage of the clock signal as an n-th carry signal in response to a high voltage of the control node.
US09355730B2
The present disclosure includes methods and apparatuses for mapping between program states and data patterns. One method includes: programming a group of G memory cells such that a combination of respective program states of the group maps to a constellation point corresponding to a received N unit data pattern, the group used to store N/G units of data per memory cell; wherein the constellation point is one of a number of constellation points of a constellation associated with mapping respective program state combinations of the group of memory cells to N unit data patterns; and wherein the constellation comprises a first mapping shell and a second mapping shell, the constellation points corresponding to the respective first and second mapping shells determined, at least partially, based on a polynomial expression of order equal to G.
US09355719B2
A semiconductor device including a nonvolatile memory cell realizes enhancement of reliability and convenience. The semiconductor device includes a nonvolatile memory unit that includes plural overwritable memory cells (CL), and a control circuit that controls access to the nonvolatile memory unit. The control circuit allocates one physical address to a chain memory array CY in the nonvolatile memory unit, for example. The control circuit performs writing to a memory cell (for example, CL0) that is apart of the chain memory array CY according to a first write command with respect to the physical address, and performs writing to a memory cell (for example, CL1) that is another part thereof according to a second write command with respect to the physical address.
US09355718B2
For multi-level interconnect metallization, each metal level maintains a parallel line arrangement within a region, and the lines of each adjacent metal level are orthogonal or otherwise cross with one another. Vertical shunting among levels for routing in different directions employs short paddles that stay within the parallel scheme, and multiple paddles within a region at the same metal level can be co-linear. Parallel lines in the same metal level can be rotated with respect to one another in adjacent regions, for example to better interface with driver circuitry with orthogonal orientations in the different regions.
US09355717B1
Providing a memory array having an embedded source line driver is described herein. By way of example, the source line driver can comprise a dissipation line and a switching component that connects or disconnects the dissipation line with a source line of the memory array. When the switching component is activated, the dissipation line can provide a low resistance path from the source line to ground, as one example. Disclosed are circuits in which one or more dissipation lines are situated along a length of the source line, facilitating reduced variation in electrical characteristics (e.g., voltage drop) along the source line, improving regularity of memory operations for memory cells associated with the source line.
US09355713B2
In a Multi Level Cell (MLC) memory array block in which lower pages are written first, before any upper pages, the lower page data is subject to an exclusive OR (XOR) operation so that if any lower page becomes uncorrectable by ECC (UECC) then the page can be recovered using XOR. Lower pages in such blocks may be written in nonsequential order.
US09355711B2
A circuit includes a first data line, a first plurality of memory cells coupled with the first data line, and a data transfer circuit coupled with the first data line. The data transfer circuit includes an output logic gate. The data transfer circuit is configured to, in a first operation mode in which the first plurality of memory cells is in a standby mode, set an output node of the output logic gate to be free from electrically coupled with a reference voltage and a supply voltage through the output logic gate. The data transfer circuit is configured to, in a second operation mode in which a memory cell of the first plurality of memory cells is selected to be read, set the output node of the output logic gate to be either electrically coupled with the reference voltage or with the supply voltage through the output logic gate.
US09355709B2
A method of equilibrating digit lines, a memory array, device, system and wafer for digit lines configured in an open digit line architecture. The digit lines are equilibrated by coupling a terminated end of a first digit line to an equilibration reference and coupling an unterminated end of a second digit line to the terminated end of the first digit line. The memory array is configured with the first and second digit lines arranged directly adjacent to each other.
US09355701B2
A data write method of a nonvolatile memory device is provided which includes receiving write data to be stored in selected memory cells; reading data stored in the selected memory cells; processing the write data according to a plurality of data modulation manners to generate a plurality of modulated data values; calculating the number of flip bits and the number of switching bits when the write data and the plurality of modulated data values are overwritten on the selected memory cells, each flip bit indicating that a logical value of a selected memory cell is reversed and each switching bit indicating that a logical value of a selected memory cell is switched from a first logical value to a second logical value; and selecting one of the write data and the plurality of modulated data values according to calculating the number of flip bits and the number of switching bits.
US09355696B1
In an example, a control device includes a data path, a clock path, a multiplexing circuit, and a calibration unit. The data path comprises a data delay unit coupled to a data input of a sampling circuit. The clock path comprises a clock delay unit coupled to a clock input of the sampling circuit. The multiplexing circuit selectively couples a reference clock or a data bus to an input of the data delay unit, and selectively couples the reference clock or a source clock to an input of the clock delay unit. The calibration unit is coupled to a data output of the sampling circuit. The calibration unit is operable to adjust delay values of the data delay unit and the clock delay unit based on the data output of the sampling circuit to establish and maintain a relative delay between the data path and the clock path.
US09355693B2
Embodiments include systems, methods, and apparatuses for reading a data signal from a memory, such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). In one embodiment, a memory receiver may include a differential amplifier to receive a data signal from the memory and pass a differential output signal based on a voltage difference between the data signal and a reference voltage. The data signal may have a first direct current (DC) average voltage level, and the differential amplifier may shift the differential output signal to a second DC average voltage level that is substantially constant over a range of values of the first DC average voltage level. In another embodiment, a voltage offset compensation (VOC) circuit may apply a compensation voltage to the output signal that is based on an activated rank or an identity of the memory module. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US09355680B1
The disclosure is related to systems and methods of On the Fly Formatting. Various parameters that influence aerial density of hard disc regions can be changed on the fly based on storage capacity and reliability needs. Further adjustments can be made to the formatting of the region to fine tune achievable storage capacity and reliability values. In some cases, the formatting can include error correction code strength, gap widths between user data sectors and servo data sectors, other characteristics or parameters, or any combinations thereof.
US09355676B1
A data storage device is disclosed comprising a disk, a spindle motor configured to rotate the disk, wherein the spindle motor comprises a plurality of windings, and a head actuated over the disk. The windings of the spindle motor are commutated based on a commutation sequence while applying a periodic driving voltage to each winding, wherein the periodic driving voltage comprises an operating amplitude during normal operation. When a supply voltage falls below a threshold, the spindle motor is configured into a power generator by at least adjusting the amplitude and a phase of the periodic driving voltage so that a periodic current flowing through each winding is substantially opposite in phase from a sinusoidal back electromotive force (BEMF) voltage generated by each winding.
US09355671B2
A method of controlling laser output in a heat assisted magnetic recording device can be performed by control circuitry in a data storage device. The method includes measuring a temperature, measuring laser output power of a laser, determining a power error by subtracting an optimal laser output power from the measured laser output power and comparing the power error to at least one threshold to determine whether an applied current to the laser needs to be adjusted. The at least one threshold is related to how great the power error can be while maintaining the integrity of data on a recording medium.
US09355670B2
Techniques are provided for increasing spectral efficiency over data channels in a storage or communication system. In some embodiments, data may be encoded and transmitted over multiple channels. The transmitted data from the multiple channels may be considered together as a channel bundle, thereby increasing the edge transitions of the group of signals to improve clock recovery and reduce coding constraints. In some embodiments, the channel bit size is reduced to maximize data rates based on the reduced coding constraints. Furthermore, the channel bundle has only one channel with timing markers, so that a receiver may receive information from the channel bundle and recover clocking based on the timing markers in the one channel.
US09355667B1
A data storage device is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of tracks defined by servo sectors, wherein each servo sector comprises a plurality of servo bursts and the servo sectors define a plurality of servo wedges. A first write operation is executed to a first track and a first absolute position for the head is generated corresponding to a first servo wedge. A second write operation is executed to a second track and a second absolute position for the head is generated corresponding to the first servo wedge. An off-track write condition is detected when executing the second write operation based on the first absolute position and the second absolute position. The first absolute position comprises a track address of the first track and a position error measurement based on the servo bursts in the first servo wedge.
US09355665B2
Aspects of the present invention relates generally to apparatuses with transducer arrays having offset transducers. Various embodiments are particularly suited to tilting for tape dimensional instability compensation. Some embodiments include dual servo readers in a given array.
US09355664B2
An apparatus according to one embodiment includes first and second arrays of transducers, each array having a longitudinal axis defined between outermost transducers thereof. The longitudinal axes of the arrays are not parallel to one another. At least one servo track reader is associated with each array for reading servo data from the medium. The transducers are for reading and/or writing data in data bands of the magnetic medium. A computer program product for writing data to a magnetic recording tape, according to one embodiment, includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The program instructions are executable by a controller to cause the controller to determine an extent of tape dimensional instability, cause adjustment of a tilt angle of a first array of transducers to perform a readback operation based on the determined extent, and cause performance of the readback operation.
US09355662B2
A polarization rotator for a recording head. The polarization rotator comprises a first waveguide coupled to an input coupler at a first end and a second waveguide. The first waveguide is offset from the second waveguide and a second end of the first waveguide is coupled to a second end of the second waveguide.
US09355657B1
A method, apparatus, and system are provided for implementing spin-torque oscillator (STO) erasure prevention for microwave assisted magnetic recording (MAMR) hard disk drives (HDDs). A first voltage is applied to an STO element in the MAMR head at the time of write operation. A second voltage is applied to the STO element at the time of read operation, or not write operation, to prevent STO erasure otherwise resulting from remnant magnetization of STO at the time of read operation.
US09355656B1
A tape write transducer includes a first yoke member, a second yoke member and a shield member arranged in a row so that row includes two gaps: an inter-yoke-member gap (between the two yoke members), and a shield-member gap (between one of the yoke members and the shield member). In operations using an underlayerless tape, the magnetic field in the inter-yoke member gap causes magnetic transitions to be written to the underlayerless recording medium in a point along the tape that is in vicinity to the inter-yoke-member gap. In operations using an underlayer tape, the magnetic field in the shield-member gap causes magnetic transitions to be written to the underlayer tape recording layer at a point along the tape that is in vicinity to the shield-member gap.
US09355655B1
In one embodiment, a magnetic recording head includes: a main pole configured to generate a magnetic field for recording data on a magnetic recording medium; an oscillation device positioned above the main pole in a track direction, the oscillation device being configured to generate a high-frequency magnetic field; a magnetic capping layer positioned above the oscillation device in the track direction, the magnetic layer having a front region at a media facing side (MFS) of the magnetic recording head and a rear region positioned behind the front region in an element height direction, wherein a thickness of the front region of the magnetic capping layer is less than a thickness of the rear region thereof; and a trailing shield positioned above the magnetic capping layer in the track direction.
US09355647B2
An apparatus for decoding data segments representing a time-domain data stream, a data segment being encoded in the time domain or in the frequency domain, a data segment being encoded in the frequency domain having successive blocks of data representing successive and overlapping blocks of time-domain data samples. The apparatus includes a time-domain decoder for decoding a data segment being encoded in the time domain and a processor for processing the data segment being encoded in the frequency domain and output data of the time-domain decoder to obtain overlapping time-domain data blocks. The apparatus further includes an overlap/add-combiner for combining the overlapping time-domain data blocks to obtain a decoded data segment of the time-domain data stream.
US09355646B2
A method and apparatus to encode and decode an audio/speech signal is provided. An inputted audio signal or speech signal may be transformed into at least one of a high frequency resolution signal and a high temporal resolution signal. The signal may be encoded by determining an appropriate resolution, the encoded signal may be decoded, and thus the audio signal, the speech signal, and a mixed signal of the audio signal and the speech signal may be processed.
US09355642B2
Speaker recognition method through emotional model synthesis based on neighbors preserving principle
A speaker recognition method through emotional model synthesis based on Neighbors Preserving Principle is enclosed. The methods includes the following steps: (1) training the reference speaker's and user's speech models; (2) extracting the neutral-to-emotion transformation/mapping sets of GMM reference models; (3) extracting the emotion reference Gaussian components mapped by or corresponding to several Gaussian neutral reference Gaussian components close to the user's neutral training Gaussian component; (4) synthesizing the user's emotion training Gaussian component and then synthesizing the user's emotion training model; (5) synthesizing all user's GMM training models; (6) inputting test speech and conducting the identification. This invention extracts several reference speeches similar to the neutral training speech of a user from a speech library by employing neighbor preserving principles based on KL divergence and combines an emotion training speech of the user using the emotion reference speech in the reference speech, improving the performance of the speaker recognition system in the situation where the training speech and the test speech are mismatched, and the robustness of the speaker recognition system is increased.
US09355639B2
A candidate selection apparatus utilizing voice recognition includes an association unit that associates target candidates with candidate numbers so that numerals of the target candidates coincide with numerals of the candidate numbers when the target candidates to be displayed in list form are character strings representing the numerals of the candidate numbers, and a display control unit that displays the target candidates and the candidate numbers in list form in accordance with the associations made between the target candidates and the candidate numbers.
US09355638B2
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for improving speech recognition accuracy using textual context. The method includes retrieving a recorded utterance, capturing text from a device display associated with the spoken dialog and viewed by one party to the recorded utterance, and identifying words in the captured text that are relevant to the recorded utterance. The method further includes adding the identified words to a dynamic language model, and recognizing the recorded utterance using the dynamic language model. The recorded utterance can be a spoken dialog. A time stamp can be assigned to each identified word. The method can include adding identified words to and/or removing identified words from the dynamic language model based on their respective time stamps. A screen scraper can capture text from the device display associated with the recorded utterance. The device display can contain customer service data.
US09355636B1
Features are provided for selectively scoring portions of user utterances based at least on articulatory features of the portions. One or more articulatory features of a portion of a user utterance can be determined. Acoustic models or subsets of individual acoustic model components (e.g., Gaussians or Gaussian mixture models) can be selected based on the articulatory features of the portion. The portion can then be scored using a selected acoustic model or subset of acoustic model components. The process may be repeated for the multiple portions of the utterance, and speech recognition results can be generated from the scored portions.
US09355632B2
An apparatus for reverberation time extension is provided. The apparatus includes a module for calculating wave field synthesis information, and a signal processor for generating a plurality of audio output signals for a plurality of loudspeakers based on the audio input signals that have been recorded by a plurality of microphones, and based on the wave field synthesis information. Further, the apparatus includes an operating unit for determining a virtual position of one or several virtual walls. The module for calculating wave field synthesis information is implemented to calculate the wave field synthesis information based on the virtual position of the one or several virtual walls. Further, the virtual position is adjustable by the operating unit for at least one of the virtual walls.
US09355626B2
Cases for the protection of musical instruments each with a neck and a body are disclosed. The case includes a case body having an elongated upper portion for receiving the instrument neck and a lower enveloping portion with a far end for receiving the instrument body. The cases also include a selectively releasable cover hingedly affixed to the case body to permit selective access to the case body so that the instrument may be inserted into and removed from the case. The cases also include a protective boot attached to the far end of the case body. Optionally, such boots may include a central region disposed between a pair of opposing regions wherein the central region transfers less shock to the stringed instrument body than the opposing regions.
US09355625B1
A cymbal mounting assembly is provided. The cymbal mounting assembly includes a cymbal mounting shaft having an annular groove formed in an outer surface of the cymbal mounting shaft. The cymbal mounting shaft is configured to receive a cymbal. In addition, the cymbal mounting assembly includes a quick release locking mechanism removably coupled to the shaft. The quick release locking mechanism includes a quick release locking mechanism housing and a pair of locking elements. Each locking element includes a distal release portion and a proximal coupling portion. The proximal coupling portion of each locking element engages the annular groove of the shaft when the quick release locking mechanism is in a locked position.
US09355611B1
Video signals for a mobile terminal are converted to accommodate reproduction by an alternative display terminal. The video signal is processed to provide a converted video signal appropriate for an alternative display terminal that is separate from the mobile terminal. This converted video signal is then provided for the alternative display terminal to accommodate the corresponding video display on a screen provided by the alternative (e.g., external) display terminal.
US09355605B2
Vertical cross-talk is reduced. A correction circuit includes a correction amount calculation unit that calculates a correction amount on the basis of input image data Din and that generates correction amount data U; a correction coefficient generation unit that generates correction coefficient data C which represents a correction coefficient decided upon in accordance with a position in a horizontal scanning direction of a data line to which input image data Din to be corrected is supplied; and a correction unit that corrects the input image data Din on the basis of the correction amount data U and the correction coefficient data C and thereby generates correction image data Dh.
US09355601B2
Processing data for a display including pixels, each pixel having color sub-pixels, comprises receiving pixel data. Once the pixel data is received, processing data for a display includes converting the pixel data to sub-pixel rendered data, the conversion generating the sub-pixel rendered data for a sub-pixel arrangement including alternating red and green sub-pixels on at least one of a horizontal and vertical axis. Next processing data for a display includes correcting the sub-pixel rendered data if a condition exists and outputting the sub-pixel rendered data.
US09355592B2
Disclosed are a source driver provided in a display device that displays an image and a bias current adjusting method thereof, and a bias current deviating from a prescribed range is adjusted so that a source driver is driven by a bias current within the prescribed range.
US09355587B2
A driving method for rendering subpixels of each pixel of a display is provided. The display has a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels. Each second pixel has a first color subpixel and a second color subpixel, but lacks a third color subpixel. Each first pixel has a second color subpixel and a third color subpixel, but lacks a first color subpixel. The first color subpixel, second color subpixel and third color subpixel are used to represent gray levels of a first color, a second color and a third color respectively. Processes of rendering the subpixels of each pixel are performed based on positions, saturations and brightness of neighboring pixels, such that quality of image displayed on the display could be ensured even though each first pixel lacks the first color subpixel and each second pixel lacks the third color subpixel.
US09355583B2
The technology described herein includes a see-through, near-eye, mixed reality display device for providing customized experiences for a user. The personal A/V apparatus serves as an exercise program that is always with the user, provides motivation for the user, visually tells the user how to exercise, and lets the user exercise with other people who are not present.
US09355572B2
The system and method to advance human performance in sighting, tracking, recognizing, and reacting to (collectively “engaging”) moving and stationary stimuli, for example, advancing skill in engaging targets with a firearm. System components include software and hardware that provide target and non-target image stimuli that can be manually or automatically generated as stationary or moving stimuli in a blank, gridded, or a rendered scene environment. The methods including an initial phase providing increasing stimuli rigor, for example, movement speeds and/or reducing the interval between or the time for which stimuli are displayed, a plateau level of stimuli rigor which is above that which any trainee can properly engage the stimuli, and then a reduced stimuli rigor level, for example, the movement speeds and/or increase the interval time to levels at which the trainee properly engages the stimuli. By repeating training methods with increasing rigor, the trainee will be conditioned to achieve proper stimuli engagement with increasingly elevated speed and accuracy.
US09355564B1
Systems and methods for use in navigating aircraft are provided. A method includes transmitting messages from a plurality of aircraft within time slots of a data transmission using a data link radio of each of the aircraft. The time slots of the data transmission are divided by time. The master aircraft transmits a message within a first time slot. Each message includes position data, time data, aircraft orientation data, and intended flight path data for the aircraft transmitting the message. The method further includes, for each of the plurality of aircraft, receiving a plurality of received messages transmitted by the other aircraft within the data transmission, and generating a representation of an environment around the aircraft based on the data within the received messages. The representation includes a current position and an intended path for one or more of the other aircraft.
US09355562B1
Methods and devices for controlling a vehicle in an autonomous mode are disclosed. In one aspect, an example method is disclosed that includes obtaining, by a computer system, lane information that provides an estimated location of a lane of a road on which a vehicle is travelling, where the computer system is configured to control the vehicle in an autonomous mode. The example method further includes determining, by the computer system, that the lane information has become unavailable or unreliable and, in response to determining that the lane information has become unavailable or unreliable, the computer system selecting a predetermined trajectory from a plurality of predetermined trajectories and controlling the vehicle to travel along the selected predetermined trajectory.
US09355555B2
Embodiments are described herein that provide a device that is bonded to a zone player or zone to cause an adjustment to be made by the zone player or zone.
US09355548B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and method for collision avoidance. As an example, a system for collision avoidance is disclosed that includes: a first monitoring device, a second monitoring device, and a monitoring system. The monitoring system is operable to: receive information from the first monitoring device and the second monitoring device, identify a first zone around the first monitoring device and a second zone around the second monitoring device, and identify an intersection of the first zone and the second zone.
US09355538B2
Systems and methods for home automation and security are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein include detecting an entrant at a first location at a first time. Disclosed example methods also include determining, according to an occupancy schedule, that a person is expected to be at the first location at the first time. Disclosed example methods further include, in response to an indication from a device at a second location different than the first location that the person is located at the second location at the first time, activating an alarm without initiating a prompt for the entrant to enter a security pass code.
US09355529B2
A gaming system is provided, the gaming system including an entertainment software engine constructed to provide an entertainment game and display a received wager result separately of the entertainment game; a first and second real world engine constructed to provide a wager result in response to a wager request; and a game world engine connected to the entertainment software engine, the first and second real world engine using a network, the game world engine constructed to: receive a request for a wager for a player of the entertainment game, each request being triggered by a player action taken while playing the entertainment game in head-to-head competition; communicate, the first and second wager requests; receive a first and second wager result; and generate, based on the first and second wager result, a controlled sequence of a portion of the entertainment game, the controlled sequence changing the state of the entertainment game.
US09355526B2
Disclosed are games, gaming machines, gaming systems and methods including a primary game award at least partially based on the outcomes of one or more sub-games. The outcomes are related according to a pay table associated with the primary game.
US09355523B2
A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include causing at least one event to occur during play of a wagering game. In some embodiments, the operations can further include determining a difference between occurrence of the at least one event and a theoretical expectation of occurrence associated with the at least one event. In some embodiments, the operations can further include computing a luck factor based on the difference. The luck factor represents luck for occurrence of the at least one event.
US09355514B2
The invention relates to a device (10, 50) for handling notes of value, which comprises a radio unit (20) for sending data from the device (10, 50) to a service unit (34) via mobile radio (36). Further, the device (10, 50) has an authentication data memory (28) in which authentication data for the unambiguous authentication of the device (10, 50) by the service unit (34) are stored. The radio unit (20) transmits the authentication data and maintenance data stored in a maintenance data memory (30) to the service unit (34) via mobile radio (36).
US09355510B2
A biometric access control system includes an equipment structure in communication with an identification station, which includes a processor, a user biometric reader, an equipment identification reader, a user interface to display categories of equipment authorized for use by a user and to receive input from the user including an indication to acquire or return the piece of equipment and a selection of an equipment category and a selection of a specific piece of equipment of the selected equipment category. The equipment structure includes storage locations for storing pieces of equipment assigned to the storage locations, and locks corresponding to the storage locations for individually securing the pieces of equipment to the structure, wherein an authorization signal from the identification station is receivable to release a lock containing the selected specific piece of equipment to permit removal of the selected specific piece of equipment.
US09355500B2
Embodiments of the invention set forth a technique for animating objects placed across a surface of a graphics object. A CAD application receives a set of motions and initially applies a different motion in the set of motions to each object placed across the surface of the graphics object. The CAD application calculates bounding areas of each object according to the current motion applied thereto, which are subsequently used by the CAD application to identify collisions that are occurring or will occur between the objects. Identified collisions are cured by identifying valid motions in the set of motions that can be applied to a colliding object and then calculating bounding areas for the valid motions to select a valid motion that, when applied to the object, does not cause the object to collide with any other objects.
US09355494B1
A system and method may model physical geological structures. Seismic and geologic data may be accepted. A three-dimensional (3D) transformation may be generated between a 3D present day model having points representing present locations of the physical geological structures and a 3D past depositional model having points representing locations where the physical geological structures were originally deposited. An indication may be accepted to locally change the 3D transformation for a subset of sampling points in a first model of the models. The 3D transformation may be locally changed to fit the updated subset of sampling points. A locally altered or updated version of the first model and, e.g., second model, may be displayed where local changes to the first model are defined by the locally changed 3D transformation. The transformation may also be used to extract geobodies in the past depositional model.
US09355490B2
Texture filter logic suitable for determining a minimum or maximum texel value from a plurality of texel values associated with a filter footprint of arbitrary shape and size. In embodiments, logic circuitry includes a plurality of min/max comparison block stages is configured to perform comparisons and determine a min/max value of predetermined number of texel groups. In embodiments, the logic circuitry further includes a number of min/max collectors to accommodate filter footprints having more texel groups than the predetermined number accommodated by the min/max comparison block stages. Iterative comparisons may be performed until all texel groups in the given footprint have been compared. In further embodiments, the logic circuitry outputs four min/max texel values, which may then be further processed with a final comparison stages to arrive at one min/max value for a footprint.
US09355487B2
A digital template animation kit is provided for generating a three-dimensional animation corresponding to a captured two-dimensional template. In embodiments, a template animation kit includes a template portfolio having template designs for coloring in by a user. A computing device executing a template animation kit application, such as a digital fashion portfolio kit application, may then capture an image of the user-completed drawings on each template design. In some embodiments, capturing an image of a template design includes identifying a coloring figure identifier, an upper page guide identifier, and a lower page guide identifier. In further embodiments, the captured images of two-dimensional template designs are applied to three dimensional digital templates for animation within a digital template animation environment.
US09355483B2
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for shading primitive fragments. A target buffer may be recast when shaded samples that are covered by a primitive fragment are generated at a first shading rate using a first sampling mode, the shaded samples are stored in the target buffer that is associated with the first sampling mode and the first shading rate, a second sampling mode is determined, and the target buffer is associated with the second sampling mode. A sampling mode and/or shading rate may be changed for a primitive. A primitive fragment that is associated with a first sampling mode and a first shading rate is received and a second sampling mode is determined for the primitive fragment. Shaded samples corresponding to the primitive fragment are generated, at a second shading rate, using the second sampling mode and the shaded samples are stored in a target buffer.
US09355476B2
Some embodiments provide a method for a mapping service. For a set of road segments that intersect at a junction in a map region, the method generates an initial set of geometries for use in generating downloadable map information for the map region. For each corner formed by the geometries at the junction, the method determines whether to perform a smoothing operation. When a particular corner meets a set of criteria, the method modifies the geometries of at least one road segment to smooth the corner.
US09355474B2
An automatic or semiautomatic method of processing intravascular Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) images, comprising: pre-processing the primary image by segmenting the guidewire in the lumen to exclude it from the image, determining whether the lumen is open or closed; if the lumen is determined to be closed, performing a first automatic lumen segmentation procedure on the pre-processed image to define a perimeter line of the lumen, corresponding to the inner edge of the vessel wall, and determine a centroid CL of the lumen area; if the lumen is determined not to be closed, sequentially performing an automatic lumen closing procedure on the pre-processed image, and a second automatic lumen segmentation procedure, to define a perimeter line of the lumen, corresponding to the inner edge of the vessel wall, and determine a centroid CL of the lumen area; automatically finding an outer edge of the vessel wall and defining a first region of interest ROI1 between the inner edge and the outer edge of the lumen; automatically segmenting a fibrous plaque in the first region of interest ROI1 thereby defining a second region of interest ROI2 that contains the fibrous plaque, and segmenting a hyporeflective plaque, contained in a radial region that falls within ROI1 and is external to ROI2.
US09355458B2
A path detection-use graph structure is generated based on a plurality of nodes representing the plurality of linear structures, and a path that is included in the generated path detection-use graph structure and connects a plurality of root nodes representing points of origin of the plurality of linear structures to each other is detected. Then, based on a predetermined condition representing a feature of an erroneous connection edge erroneously connecting two nodes that are to belong to different graph structures to each other, a connection cost is set for each of edges forming the path so that the erroneous connection edge is hard to connect, and based on the set connection costs, the plurality of graph structures corresponding respectively to the plurality of linear structures are generated.
US09355456B2
A red-eye detection and correction method includes computing a first difference image based on a difference between red pixel intensity and green pixel intensity of a set of pixels. The set of pixels are associated with a first eye region of an image. The method further includes processing the first difference image for computing at least one gradient and at least one projection associated with the at least one gradient. Furthermore, the method includes determining at least one central point based on the at least one projection; and thereafter computing the first eye color defect region based on the at least one central point and a plurality of red pixels of the set of pixels. The method also includes mapping an eye color defect location information computed from a low resolution image to be applicable on the original high resolution image, thereby avoiding recomputation.
US09355454B2
A hierarchical multi-object active appearance model (AAM) framework is disclosed for processing image data, such as localizer or scout image data. In accordance with this approach, a hierarchical arrangement of models (e.g., a model pyramid) maybe employed where a global or parent model that encodes relationships across multiple co-located structures is used to obtain an initial, coarse fit. Subsequent processing by child sub-models add more detail and flexibility to the overall fit.
US09355453B2
A three-dimensional measurement apparatus generates a plurality of view-point images obtained by observing a measurement object from a plurality of different view-points using a three-dimensional geometric model, detects edges of the measurement object from the plurality of view-point images as second edges, calculates respective reliabilities of first edges of the three-dimensional geometric model based on a result obtained when the second edges are associated with the first edges, weights each of the first edges based on the respective reliabilities, associates third edges detected from a captured image with the weighted first edges, and calculates a position and an orientation of the measurement object based on the association result.
US09355450B2
A method and apparatus for utilizing mammogram images for verification, including obtaining one or more mammogram image of a patient; determining a first set of breast characteristics from the one or more mammogram image, wherein the first set of breast characteristics include breast landmark, breast tissue density, tissue pattern and breast finding; comparing the first set of breast characteristics with a second set of breast characteristics to yield a comparison, wherein the second set of breast characteristics is from one or more previous mammogram image identified as potentially belonging to the patient using an identification not related to content of a mammogram image; and determining based on the comparison whether the one or more previous mammogram image belongs to the patient.
US09355446B2
This invention provides an image processing apparatus which allows an operator to easily recognize relevance between morbid portions, which exist in a plurality of layers, according to a disease. An image processing apparatus according to this invention includes an ophthalmic feature acquisition unit which acquires ophthalmic features as anatomical features of the tomogram, a layer designation unit which designates at least two layers required to detect morbid portions corresponding to a disease of a predetermined type from a plurality of layers specified by the ophthalmic features, a morbid portion acquisition unit which detects morbid portions corresponding to the disease of the predetermined type respectively from the layers designated by the layer designation unit, and a composite display unit which generates a composite image by projecting the morbid portions respectively detected from the layers by the morbid portion acquisition unit onto a predetermined two-dimensional image, and displays the composite image.
US09355429B1
A client computing system in a client-server computing environment includes a client display driver that receives a transmission from a server, decodes graphics commands from the transmission using a client application, executes the functions using a client 3D library stored in a memory of the client, and renders the resulting image data to a display. The client may transmit capability information to the server, allowing the resolution of differences between the graphics application programming interfaces (APIs) supported on the server and the client.
US09355423B1
System and methods are disclosed for determining, through vehicle-to-vehicle communication, whether vehicles are involved in autonomous droning. Vehicle driving data and other information may be used to calculate a autonomous droning reward amount. In addition, vehicle involved in a drafting relationship in addition to, or apart from, an autonomous droning relationship may be financially rewarded. Moreover, aspects of the disclosure related to determining ruminative rewards and/or aspects of vehicle insurance procurement/underwriting.
US09355419B2
Disclosed are various embodiments for a catalog mapping tool application. The application is executable in at least one computing device and comprises logic that identifies a system catalog of an item and a user catalog of the item. The system catalog may include a system acceptable format for a value of an attribute associated with the item, and the user catalog may include a user defined format for the value of the attribute associated with the item. The application further comprises logic that receives a selection of one of a plurality of recommended metadata maps for translation from a client device associated with the seller. In addition, the application comprises logic that facilitates translating the user catalog to the system catalog based at least in part on the one of the plurality of recommended metadata maps.
US09355417B2
Systems and method for managing a construction payment process. When instructions are executed by a processor, an application server determines a date on which a draw is to occur for a construction project and generates a notification. The notification includes an indication of the date on which the draw will occur and an invitation to initiate a request for payment to be included in the draw. The application server then determines a plurality of participants associated with the construction project to be included in the draw and transmits the notification to the determined plurality of participants. The application server initiates the draw on the determined date and at least one participant of the determined plurality of participants receives a payment in the draw.
US09355413B2
Techniques are described for incorporating advertisements into content in a content retrieval application. Embodiments receive a request to view content retrieved from source content containing one or more advertisements. In response to receiving the request, a timer is initiated. The timer is configured to expire after a period of time has elapsed. Embodiments determining whether to display any of the one or more advertisements, based upon whether the timer has expired.
US09355412B2
Systems, methods and computer readable products are provided for enabling dynamic loading of one or more digital image branding functions associated with one or more distribution rules. A distribution rule is used to target a group of end users that are selected from a dataset mapping a plurality of end-users according to one or more distribution rules. Instructions are forwarded to present an indication the digital image branding function to each member of the end users group.
US09355409B2
Disclosed is a system and method for exchanging information between a mobile device and a physical advertising medium, such as a billboard. The method and system enables a pluggable device, coupled with the mobile device, to detect the mobile device within its vicinity of the physical advertising medium. On detection of the mobile device, the pluggable device establishes a handshake communication channel with the mobile device by authorizing the mobile device. Upon authorizing the mobile device, the pluggable device initiates the advertisement information exchange between the physical advertising medium and the mobile device in a non-intrusive manner. In one aspect, the method and system further enables the mobile device to relay the advertisement information to other mobile devices or any other physical advertisement mediums within its vicinity.
US09355406B2
Systems and methods are provided for determining the safety of an image, which may be used to determine whether an image is appropriate for a given purpose or for use in a given context. Determining the safety of the image may include analyzing the image to determine the amount of skin exposed in various key body areas of each human represented in the image, such as a photograph.
US09355403B2
A mobile device including one or more linked memories to store a mobile application and customer data, the mobile application downloaded from a rewards server associated with a retailer, the customer data associated with a loyalty program of the retailer. The mobile device further includes a processor to display the mobile application via the user interface. The processor displays a log-in page permitting a customer to access at least one retailer account associated with the customer and displays a purchase price, via the mobile application, for at least one product associated with the retailer. The processor updates, upon reception of the customer input indicating selection of a payment option, the at least one retailer account to indicate a deduction of the displayed purchase price from at least one payment account.
US09355401B2
A method for retrofitting a vending machine with a video communications device includes securing a video communications device with a mounting feature of the video communications device removably coupled with a mounting location on a vending machine. The video communications device includes a video communications module for real-time interactions with a ticket office. The video communications module includes a display, a camera, a speaker, and a microphone. The video communications device includes a video communication device communications interface. The method includes electronically coupling the video communications device with a power supply of the vending machine and communicatively coupling the video communications device with the vending machine such that functions of the vending machine are controllable using the video communications device. The method includes communicatively coupling the video communications device with the ticket office for real-time video communications with the ticket office.
US09355398B2
An account is managed using information read from a dual frequency transponder. Information stored on the dual frequency transponder can be read by a NFC-enabled device and by a UHF RFID reader. The information links, corresponds, or otherwise provides access to account information stored at a remote server. For example, a NFC-enabled device can read the information from the dual frequency transponder and use that information to enable instant and on-the-spot recharging of a toll account. In addition, a UHF RFID toll reader can scan information from the dual frequency transponder and use that information to debit toll charges from the correct toll account. The dual frequency transponder can be embedded in a license plate and read using a reader placed in the road. Additionally, the transponder can be configured to function at the correct frequency only when a valid vehicle registration sticker is applied to the license plate.
US09355395B2
In accordance with one embodiment, a POS terminal apparatus comprises a first interface and a control section. The first interface receives image data obtained by capturing a commodity purchased by a customer. The control section extracts a commodity belonging to a first group from a plurality of pre-registered commodities, compares feature amount of each commodity in the first group with that of an object in the image data, and compares, if a commodity corresponding to the object in the image data is not in the first group, feature amount of a commodity not belonging to the first group with that of the object.
US09355394B2
Systems, apparatuses and methods for enabling a group of people to share the cost of an event, such as a meal, the purchase of a gift, or the rental of a car. Embodiments of the invention provide the tools needed to enable a group to participate in a shared event or activity, where one of the participants pays for the event or activity using their payment device and the other members of the group pay their portion of the cost to the participant who made the payment. Embodiments of the invention provide an ecosystem where a person can pay for an event, goods, or services using a single payment device (such as a credit or debit card) and then settle the amounts owed to them by other members of a group using the tools provided by the invention.
US09355385B2
An application programming interface (API) method for providing location related search capability to clients of an email and calendaring service is disclosed. In response to a request message from a client, a find place method defined in an API provided by an API service is invoked. The find place method parses the request message for parameters such as a query string or source-related identifier indicating a place name or address of a location to be searched, the culture/format for the search and results, a maximum number of results to be provided, the source of the location to search, and geo-coordinates of the place and/or the user. The parameters are used to query specified source(s). The results of the search are filtered and formatted to provide location information to the client.
US09355377B2
Systems and method for deploying CO2 emission and financial cost optimized secured algorithms to cloud computing environments are disclosed. Algorithms are converted into a single state assignment representation that includes a combination of statements that represent sub operations of the algorithm. Runtime and power consumption cost values associated with executing the statements in the cloud are calibrated by executing the statements in a particular configuration of a cloud some number of time with multiple security protocols and then analyzing the results. CO2 emission and financial cost values are mapped to the calibrated runtime and power consumption cost values. The mapped CO2 emission and financial cost values and the calibrated runtime and power consumption cost values are used by a linear program to optimize a partitioning vector of indicators that define which security protocol will be used to execute each statement in the cloud when the algorithm is deployed.
US09355370B2
A system and method for the automated generation of documents for a legal transaction over a network using probabilistic prediction of customary usage. The predictions are generated by user experience, expert rules and machine learned classifiers based on user input of transaction data. The classifiers are constructed and tested on a partitioned dataset consisting of transaction data and legal document and clause selections in previous transactions. In one embodiment, such dataset is collected in a document management system.
US09355369B2
A computer-implemented method is disclosed for efficiently processing records with unseen data. In the method, a computer system may obtain a plurality of records and a decision tree generated in a learning process. The decision tree may include a distinction node having multiple paths extending therefrom. After arriving at the distinction node with one or more records, the computer system may determine that the one or more records correspond to data of a type not seen by the distinction node in the learning process. Thereafter, the computer system may depart the distinction node via each of the multiple paths and eventually reach multiple leaf nodes of the decision tree. Each of the multiple leaf nodes may correspond to a probability distribution. Accordingly, the computer system may combine the probability distribution of each of the multiple leaf nodes to obtain a hybrid probability distribution corresponding to the one or more records.
US09355367B2
A system and method for extending partially labeled data graphs to unlabeled nodes in a single network classification by weighting the data with a weight matrix that uses a modified graph Laplacian based regularization framework and applying graph transduction methods to the weighted data. The technique may be applied to data graphs that are directed or undirected, that may or may not have attributes and that may be homogeneous or heterogeneous.
US09355366B1
Apparatuses and methods for measuring audience response to a presentation such as an advertisement. Software is trained using a feedback loop to correlate biometric data, such as eye tracking, facial recognition, or pupil dilation, with emotion, attention, memory, and/or meaning remembered by a viewer as measured by methods related to the Picture Sorts technique. The trained software then enables a device that uses biometric measurement to detect and measure such qualities in a viewer as the presentation is being viewed. In this way, unlike existing systems, the attention, memory and both primary and compound emotions of the viewer can be measured, enabling key moments of the presentation to be detected.
US09355364B2
One aspect of the present invention includes a reciprocal quantum logic (RQL) readout system. The system includes an input stage on which a read pulse is provided and an output stage configured to propagate an output pulse. The system also includes an RQL comparator comprising a first Josephson junction and a second Josephson junction that are coupled to a qubit. A bias current switches between a first Josephson junction in a first quantum state of the qubit and a second Josephson junction in a second quantum state of the qubit. The first Josephson junction triggers to provide the output pulse on the output stage in the first quantum state in response to the read pulse and the second Josephson junction triggers to provide no output pulse on the output stage in the second quantum state in response to the read pulse.
US09355363B2
A virtual parallel computing system and method represents bits with matrices and computes over all input states in parallel through a sequence of matrix operations. The matrix operations relate to logic gate operators to carry out a function implementation that represents a problem to be solved. Initial matrices are prepared to encode the weights of all input states, which can be binary states. Intermediate results can be simplified to decrease computational complexity while maintaining useful approximation results. The final matrices can encode the answer(s) to the problem represented by the function implementation. The system and method are particularly useful in speeding up database searches and in counting solutions of satisfiability problems.
US09355353B2
A method and apparatus are provided for aiding diagnosis of an object showing a disorder and for selecting a finding characterizing the state of the object. Each finding is described as a visual pathology by a severity, a symptom constellation of multiple symptoms and by a graphic representation of the symptom constellation. A dialog-based, visual modelling of the state of the object is provided wherein the state of the object is modelled by a current symptom constellation represented by a symbol. The resulting, current object image is immediately graphically output on the display device. Following each case of modification a comparator immediately compares the current symptom constellation against the symptom constellations of stored findings and updates the list of findings of potentially applicable findings. A list of suggestions for examining further symptoms is output, sorted by their differentiation so as to interactively facilitate diagnosis.
US09355352B1
The search engine optimizer transforms input information interactively and works independently and in parallel with a browser and search engine supercomputer. The optimizer reorganizes the input, and provides an optimized version as an output. The output (Optimized, reorganized input) is sent to the search engine, which responds to the end user with search results. The optimizer recognizes each request as a pattern and stores the pattern in an advanced Glyph format. This permits the optimizer to use left brain English language and right brain geospatial key featured association equation to gain factor the best results, and then using deductive reasoning feedback equation attenuate content with confounding variables in order to stabilize and reduces sensitivity parameter variations due to the environment and identify a left and right side human brain checkmate combination required to achieve certitude.
US09355341B2
In a case where image processing, in which a ratio of the number of color pixels greatly fluctuates, is executed after performing charging determination, an output result might not match a result of the charging determination. There is provided a device for determining a color of an output image in a case where an image to be printed is printed with an additional image attached thereto, the device including: a unit configured to divide the image to be printed into blocks of a predetermined size; a unit configured to calculate an average value of color components of pixels included in the block; a correction value calculation unit configured to correct a calculated average value using a correction value corresponding to the additional image; and a color/monochrome determination processing unit configured to determine, based on the corrected average value, whether the block is a color block or a monochrome block.
US09355335B2
The present disclosure relates to an image filtering method for detecting an orientation component of an edge and an image recognizing method using the same. The image filtering method includes receiving an original image, generating a plurality of first images by filtering the original image with filters respectively generated along a plurality of channels, generating a second image by selecting a channel having a maximum value for each image unit, from the generated first images, and generating an output image whose edge is detected so as to maintain the consistency of channel by filtering the second image with filters respectively generated along the plurality of channels to generate a plurality of third images and comparing the channel of the second image with the channels of the third images.
US09355330B2
A system provides product annotation in a video to one or more users. The system receives a video from a user, where the video includes multiple video frames. The system extracts multiple key frames from the video and generates a visual representation of the key frame. The system compares the visual representation of the key frame with a plurality of product visual signatures, where each visual signature identifies a product. Based on the comparison of the visual representation of the key frame and a product visual signature, the system determines whether the key frame contains the product identified by the visual signature of the product. To generate the plurality of product visual signatures, the system collects multiple training images comprising multiple of expert product images obtained from an expert product repository, each of which is associated with multiple product images obtained from multiple web resources.
US09355326B2
An image processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a first image extraction portion and a first determination portion. The first image extraction portion is configured to extract, from image data, a plurality of linear images in each of which reference pixels each having a tone in a predetermined range are continuous so as to form a straight line. The first determination portion is configured to determine, when the plurality of linear images extracted by the first image extraction portion include linear images that are spaced by a uniform distance, the linear images that are spaced by the uniform distance, as ruled lines.
US09355313B2
One or more components of an image document may be detected and extracted in order to create a flow document from the image document. Components of an image document may include text, one or more paths, and one or more images. The text may be detected using optical character recognition (OCR) and the image document may be binarized. The detected text may be extracted from the binarized image document to enable detection of the paths, which may then be extracted from the binarized image document to enable detection of the images. In some examples, the images, similar to the text and paths, may be extracted from the binarized image document. The extracted text, paths, and/or images may be stored in a data store, and may be retrieved in order to create a flow document that may provide better adaption to a variety of reading experiences and provide editable documents.
US09355307B2
An apparatus for monitoring performance comprises two elements: a first element (4) for attaching to a human or animal, containing two or more of physiological, biochemical, kinematic, and/or environmental sensors and a processing means which records in memory signals or derivates of signals from said sensors and contains a means of re-transmitting this data to a second element, and a second element (13, 16) containing a display (12, 17) or audio output to present the processed live or previous recorded data to the user.
US09355306B2
A method for recognizing abnormal behavior is disclosed, the method includes: capturing at least one video stream of data on one or more subjects; extracting body skeleton data from the at least one video stream of data; classifying the extracted body skeleton data as normal behavior or abnormal behavior; and generating an alert, if the extracted skeleton data is classified as abnormal behavior.
US09355300B1
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a computer-implemented method that includes receiving a plurality of images having human faces. The method further includes generating a data structure having representations of the faces and associations that link the representations based on similarities in appearance between the faces. The method further includes outputting a first gender value for a first representation of a first face that indicates a gender of the first face based on one or more other gender values of one or more other representations of one or more other faces that are linked to the first representation.
US09355299B2
A method and system for authenticating financial transactions is disclosed wherein biometric data is acquired from a person and the probability of liveness of the person and probability of a match between the person or token and known biometric or token information are calculated, preferably according to a formula D=P(p)*(K+P(m)), wherein K is a number between 0.1 and 100, and authenticating if the value of D exceeds a predetermined value.
US09355291B1
A barcode reader and an accessory are disclosed. The accessory may include an interface system and a wireless and/or wired interface for communication with a host computer such that the barcode reader may communicate with the host computer via the accessory. The interface system includes an authentication coprocessor such that the barcode reader may establish mutual authentication with the host computer using the authentication coprocessor of the interface system. The barcode reader may send a request for an accessory identifier, and the accessory may then query the authentication coprocessor for the accessory identifier and provide the accessory identifier to the barcode reader. The barcode reader may send an authentication challenge to the accessory, and the accessory may then present the authentication challenge to the authentication coprocessor to obtain an authentication response, and provide the authentication response to the barcode reader.
US09355287B2
A system and method comprising an RFID scanner, a reader or an interrogator for interrogating a transponder of a desired RFID tag to be interrogated; a transmission device for transmitting a desired carrier signal toward the RFID tag to be interrogated; a receiving device for receiving an RFID signal from the RFID tag to be interrogated; a processing device for removing the carrier signal from the RFID signal and thereby leaving an encoded data field of the RFID tag to be interrogated and processing the encoded data field for determining a start bit sequence of the encoded data field for at least one scan; and an averaging device for averaging the encoded data fields of at least two scans with one another and facilitate reading the encoded data field of the RFID tag to be interrogated.
US09355283B2
An integration circuit according to one embodiment includes a first capacitance element, a capacitance circuit, a comparison circuit, a memory circuit and an operation circuit. The first capacitance element receives a current signal. The capacitance circuit includes a first switch and a second capacitance element, and is connected in parallel to the first capacitance element. The second capacitance element receives a current signal via the first switch. The comparison circuit compares a voltage of the first capacitance element with a reference voltage to obtain a comparison result. The memory circuit stores the comparison result, and opens or closes the first switch based on the comparison result. The operation circuit outputs a residual signal based on a difference between the integrated value obtained by the first capacitance element and the second capacitance element and a value based on the comparison result.
US09355280B2
A technique to provide a hardware security module that provides a secure boundary for retention of a secure key within the secure boundary and prevention of unauthorized accesses from external sources outside of the secure boundary to obtain the secure key. The hardware security module includes a security processor to unwrap and authenticate a secure key within the secure boundary to decrypt or encrypt data and to provide data through a single interface that communicates with external sources, so that all data transfers between the secure boundary, formed by the hardware security module, and external sources are transferred only through the interface. The hardware security module ensures no unwrapped key leaves the secure boundary established by the hardware security module.
US09355270B2
A computer-implemented system and method includes method includes receiving a data request for data in a database from a user; determining if the user is an internal user or a portal user; consulting, if the user is the internal user, a first security setting associated with the data to determine if the requested data is public or private, and if the user is the portal user, consulting a second security setting separate from the first security setting to determine if the requested data is public or private; providing, if the requested data is public, access information to the user; performing, if the requested data is private, additional processing to determine if the user has access to the requested data.
US09355265B2
An information handling system includes a lock, a switch, and a south bridge. The lock is configured to receive a key and to alternate between a locked position and an unlocked position. The switch is in communication with the lock. The switch is configured to receive a signal from the lock, to close if the lock is in the locked position, and to open if the lock is in the unlocked position. The south bridge is in communication with the switch. The south bridge is configured to disable a plurality of communication ports of the information handling system when the switch is closed, and configured to enable the communication ports when the switch is opened.
US09355263B2
A document processing system allows specifying disposition of a paper document at the time a reservation for the document is created in the document processing system. Quality assurance processing after scanning assures all needed processing is performed for the paper document and the corresponding electronic document. Once the quality assurance processing is complete, the disposition of the paper document is scheduled according to the specified disposition policy for the paper document. When the specified disposition policy for a document indicates the document needs to be destroyed, a user scans the unique identifier on the physical document at a first location, receives verification the document should be destroyed, and places the document in a container for documents to be destroyed. At a second location, a user scans the unique identifier on the document and receives verification the document should be destroyed. The physical document may then be destroyed.
US09355255B1
The present invention provides a system and method of facilitating compliance to one or more information sharing regulations. The present invention provides a computer system equipped with a processing unit capable of receiving input information and extracting one or more data sharing guidelines. The present invention utilizes the relationship between the parties and the data at issue to construct a data sharing arrangement. Each data sharing arrangement may be cross-referenced to one or more data sharing guidelines designed to assist the user to determine what privacy regulations apply and how to comply with same.
US09355242B2
Managing and accessing personal data is described. In one example, an apparatus has an application processor, a memory to store data, a receive and a transmit array coupled to the application processor to receive data to store in the memory and to transmit data stored in the memory through a wireless interface, and an inertial sensor to receive user commands to authorize the processor to receive and transmit data through the receive and transmit array.
US09355235B1
In one example, a method for controlling access to data includes receiving, by an authenticator, a request from a user for access to a backup of data associated with a computing device. The authenticator then transmits a request that the user identify a shared secret that is unique to the computing device and that is known to the authenticator. When the user is a member of a permissible class of user, the shared secret is accessible by the user. The authenticator then receives a response from the user purporting to identify the shared secret, and the authenticator compares the shared secret identified in the response from the user with the known shared secret. When the shared secret identified in the user response matches the known shared secret, the authenticator grants user access to the backup.
US09355232B2
Described is a method, whereby a creator of an asset at an asset management system selects an identifier corresponding to information related to the asset. The information is stored at a target repository. The asset creator is authenticated with the target repository. An authorization token is output to the asset management system for authorizing one or more users to access the information related to the asset.
US09355231B2
A frictionless multi-factor authentication system and method (“FMFA system”) that facilitates verification of the identity of a website user, registrant or applicant. The FMFA system reduces or removes the burden on the user by eliminating the additional manual second step traditionally required by two-factor authentication methods, and replacing the second step with an automated authentication step based on the location of a mobile device that is associated with the user. The FMFA system may be utilized for authenticating users to access sensitive data on online accounts, applications and websites, download files, perform online transactions, store information through websites or data stores, or the like. The FMFA system allows registration information obtained from a previously-registered user to authenticate the user on subsequent visits or logins to the website.
US09355222B2
Item-management systems, apparatus, and methods are described, preferably for management of items such as medicaments. In embodiments, an item-management system comprises a holder defining plural cells, a docking station configured to receive the holder, at least one indicator selectively-operable to indicate the holder cell into which an item is to be loaded, and at least one controller operable to selectively operate each at least one indicator to indicate the cell into which the item is to be received. In embodiments, indicators are provided on the holder. In other embodiments, the indicators may by on a guide associated with the docking station to assist the user in loading the holder. The contents of the loaded holder may be easily loaded, for example, into an automated dispensing machine for packaging and subsequent administration to a patient or for another use.
US09355208B2
Systems and methods for detecting defects on a wafer are provided. One method includes determining locations of all instances of a weak geometry in a design for a wafer. The locations include random, aperiodic locations. The weak geometry includes one or more features that are more prone to defects than other features in the design. The method also includes scanning the wafer with a wafer inspection system to thereby generate output for the wafer with one or more detectors of the wafer inspection system. In addition, the method includes detecting defects in at least one instance of the weak geometry based on the output generated at two or more instances of the weak geometry in a single die on the wafer.
US09355202B2
A method of designing integrated circuits includes forming a restricted cell library from a first cell library by selecting only those cells in the first cell library that are most efficient according to predetermined efficiency criteria and executing an integrated circuit design operation in an electronic design automation program while directing the electronic design automation program to make cell selections exclusively from the restricted cell library. The integrated circuit design operation is one that can be directed to make cell selections from any of the cells in the first cell library without changing its essential purpose. The method improves QoR for the resulting circuit design.
US09355197B2
Design software can be configured to allow a user in real-time to adjust a depth of field of a perspective of the user within a design space. In one implementation, for example, the design software can receive one or more inputs from a user regarding a layout of one or more objects in a design space. The design software can also render a three-dimensional model of the layout of the design space for display on a computerized display. The software can then receive from the user one or more input selections regarding a desired depth of field of the perspective of the user relative to one of the one or more objects rendered within the three-dimensional model. In addition, the design software can calculate revised rendering instructions that blur at least a portion of the design space. Furthermore, the design software can display, in real-time, the three-dimensional model with the desired depth of field to the user.
US09355189B2
In certain embodiments, a parser parses a formula to yield one or more functions, at least one function comprising a dependent value of a dependent object. One or more macro handlers configured to execute the functions are determined. At least one macro handler is instructed to register with one or more dominant objects on behalf of the dependent object, where the dominant objects are used to evaluate the dependent value.
US09355185B2
An online article is enhanced by displaying, in association with the article, supplemental content that includes entities that are extracted from the article and/or entities that are related to entities that are extracted from the article. The supplemental content further includes information about each of the entities. The information about an entity may be obtained by searching for the entity in one or more searchable repositories of data. For example, the supplemental content may include, for each entity, video, image, web, and/or news search results. The supplemental content may further include information such as stock quotes, abstracts, maps, scores, and so on. The entities are selected using a variety of analysis and ranking techniques based on contextual factors such as user-specific information, time-sensitive popularity trends, grammatical features, search result quality, and so on. The entities may further be selected for purposes such as generating ad-based revenue.
US09355163B2
In a computer-implemented method for providing management of a virtualization infrastructure, a query related to the virtualization infrastructure is received. A graph database of the virtualization infrastructure is accessed, the graph database including nodes associated with members of the virtualization infrastructure and edges associated with relationships of the members of the virtualization infrastructure, wherein the nodes and the relationships include types. An answer to the query is received from the graph database.
US09355162B2
An operation arrangement work is accelerated by improving efficiency of generating an operation arrangement proposal and confirming whether the operation arrangement proposal is good or not. An operation support system has an operation arrangement proposal generation part (1110) which executes automatic generation of an operation arrangement proposal, a diagram prediction part which executes simulation of train operation in the future, a diagram display part (1120) which displays an operation schedule and the operation arrangement proposal as a diagram, and a user input part which receives input of a parameter from the user. System has a snapshot restoration part (1130) which restores snapshots of the operation arrangement proposal in an automatic generation process on the basis of a diagram change history outputted by the operation arrangement proposal generation part (1110), and a snapshot display input part (1140) which displays to the user a snapshot according to input from the user.
US09355159B2
A method for adaptive data visualization includes accessing business intelligence data stored in a database, providing an interactive web browser having a filter pane and a result display pane, the filter pane containing a list of characteristics and/or key figures, receiving a user's selection of a parameter associated with the characteristics or the key figures, adaptively filtering the accessed data the selection, where the first selection triggers the adaptive filter to filter the data, displaying results of the adaptive filtering in the result display pane, receiving a second selection from among the parameters, adaptively filtering the accessed data based on the first selection and the second selection, the second selection triggering the adaptive filter, and modifying the displayed results based on the adaptive filtering results of the first and the second selections. A system to implement adaptive data visualization and a computer readable medium containing executable instructions are also described.
US09355149B2
An apparatus and a method for efficiently processing multiple continuous aggregate queries in data streams are provided. The apparatus includes a first operation result sharing unit configured to generate a common window including first aggregate areas, and store a first operation result of each of the multiple continuous aggregate queries for each of the first aggregate areas. The apparatus further includes a second operation result sharing unit configured to determine a second aggregate area including at least one of the first aggregate areas, and store a second operation result of each of the multiple continuous aggregate queries for the second aggregate area. The apparatus further includes a query processing unit configured to process the multiple continuous aggregate queries based on the first operation result and the second operation result.
US09355138B2
Example audience measurement methods disclosed herein include accessing demographic information and identification information for subscribers of a service provider based on first data received from an audience measurement entity. Such disclosed example methods also include accessing network log data stored by the service provider for the subscribers using the identification information. Such disclosed example methods further include determining audience measurement data for the subscribers based on the network log data, the demographic information and the identification information, and removing the identification information from the audience measurement data to determine anonymous audience measurement data to send to the audience measurement entity.
US09355135B2
Provided are techniques for data movement. An activity is created that overrides existing security, that is associated with a user, that defines one or more source tables in a relational database and one or more target tables that are available to the user for the activity, and that provides security credentials of an author of the activity for use by the user, wherein the one or more target tables represent data in one or more target files in a file system. The activity is executed using the security credentials of the author to move data in a source table of the one or more source tables to a target file of the one or more target files, wherein a target table of the one or more target tables is defined over the target file. Access is provided to the user to the moved data using the target table.
US09355120B1
Systems and methods that allow operators to configure how files and directories are placed within file system views into a storage system, and how these configured file placements are performed by the distributed system. Possible features include a mechanism by which the desired placement of files and directories can be specified, a mechanism by which the placement goals can be realized in a given topology of a distributed system, and a mechanism by which changes to the placement of objects can applied retroactively. The disclosed embodiments may be able to scale to managing hundreds of billions of files spanning thousands of file system views, especially in the presence of disconnected operation.
US09355116B2
Methods, systems and techniques for synchronizing content, such as a file, between one or more clients and one or more servers are provided. Example embodiments provide a Cross-File Differential Content Synchronization System (CDCSS) to synchronize files between remote systems in a nearly instantaneous manner without necessitating the transfer of the entire contents of a file. These components cooperate to transfer only the differences in data content wherever possible to a recipient system by providing a patch mechanism that instructs the recipient to build the modified or new data content based upon content it already has access to. In addition, in one embodiment the CDCSS synchronization solution provides a client-based index, rather than a server-based index, for tracking patches and files, which reduces the amount of computational and I/O overhead on the server and which does not require a negotiation between a client and a server to provide an update.
US09355101B2
A media player is presented that scans the media files stored on an external memory card in order to update the internal database of the player. Media manager software on a personal computer sets a dirty bit in the internal memory of the media player whenever the media files on the external memory card are altered. The media player checks the dirty bit on start up or when the memory card is inserted. If the dirty bit is set, the media player scans the media files on the memory card, updates its database, then clears the dirty bit. If the dirty bit is not set, the media player does not scan the memory card. The dirty bit is associated in the internal memory with an identifier for the memory card, allowing the use of multiple memory cards.
US09355098B2
A technique for restoring file systems by applying full and incremental backups together while streaming them from multiple devices provides a faster system restore from a full backup where incremental backups must also be applied. A first storage device streams the full backup while at least one second storage device streams at least one incremental backup. As files are detected in the incremental backup, they are written instead of the corresponding file in the full backup. Incremental backups can be pre-merged to reduce their number to one less than a number of storage devices available to stream the backups, so that the full backup can be streamed along with the pre-merged incremental backup(s) to restore the file system.
US09355094B2
A data processing apparatus receives data indicating a movement of a client device by a first user. The apparatus determines that the movement of the client device is a delimiter motion for switching between a first mode, in which the client device is configured to (i) provide a first interface for a first user speaking in a first language and (ii) perform speech recognition of the first language, and a second mode, in which the client device is configured to (i) provide a second interface for a second user speaking in a second language and (ii) perform speech recognition of the second language, the second interface being different from the first interface. Based on determining that the movement is a delimiter motion, the apparatus switches between the first mode and the second mode without the second user physically interacting with the client device.
US09355093B2
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are described herein that are configured to perform referring expression generation. In some example embodiments, a method is provided that comprises identifying an intended referent to be referred to in a textual output. The method of this embodiment may also include determining that a salient ancestor of the intended referent is lower in a part-of hierarchy than a lowest common ancestor. The method of this embodiment may also include causing the salient ancestor to be set as a current target referent and a new salient ancestor to be determined for the current target referent. In some example embodiments, the default descriptor of each current target referent is added to the referring noun phrase and the part-of hierarchy is traversed via salient ancestor links until the new salient ancestor of the current target referent is higher than or equal to the lowest common ancestor.
US09355085B2
A data cell included in a document supporting cell structured data is conditionally formatted according to data that is stored in a separate location from the document. A user is allowed to select from a drop-down menu of related data sets a particular data set for conditionally formatting the data cell. The data cell is formatted according to the data set and the condition without requiring that the data set be stored locally in the document.
US09355084B2
Systems, computer-program products and methods for annotating electronic text documents by resolving abbreviated text of concepts defined in a controlled vocabulary. In one embodiment, a method of annotating an electronic text document includes evaluating, by a computer, the electronic text document for one or more multi-word expressions having a first word and a second word. The method further includes, if a multi-word expression is found in the electronic text document, storing an abbreviation of the multi-word expression and evaluating the electronic text document for occurrences of the abbreviation after a location of the multi-word expression. The method further includes, if an occurrence of the abbreviation is found following the multi-word expression, annotating the occurrence of the abbreviation with the multi-word expression.
US09355083B1
Described herein is a computer implemented method for generating a hierarchical edit script describing operations which can be applied to a first dataset to generate a second dataset. The method comprises: generating a first linear sequence representing the first dataset and a second linear sequence representing the second dataset; processing the first linear sequence and the second linear sequence using a difference algorithm to generate a linear edit script; processing the linear edit script with reference to the first dataset to generate a first delta; processing the second linear edit script with reference to the second dataset to generate a second delta; and processing the first and second deltas to generate a hierarchical edit script.
US09355073B2
Embodiments provide content attribute adjustment controls that enable the use of a variety of input types when adjusting content attributes such as font sizes, but the embodiments are not so limited. In an embodiment, a computer-based method uses a font size control interface that is configured to accept a variety of input types to adjust font sizes. A handheld device of an embodiment includes at least one application that uses a font size control interface configured with first and second incremental controls, a direct entry control, and/or a scrollable control. Computer storage of an embodiment includes executable instructions that operate to display a font size control interface that accepts inputs via one or more of first and second incremental controls, a direct entry control, and/or a scrollable control. Other embodiments are included.
US09355071B2
A computer-implemented method of determining actions outside of a norm is provided. The method comprises: generating an actor state vector and a peer group state vector, wherein the actor state vector identifies a characteristic for an actor in each of a plurality of categories and the peer group state vector identifies a characteristic for a peer group in each of the plurality of categories, transforming the actor state vector into a first sampled wave series representation using a first wave series transformation, transforming the population state vector into a second sampled wave series representation using a second wave series transformation, and filtering the first sampled wave series representation and the second sampled wave series representation to identify a deviation of the first wave series representation from the second wave series representation in a phase or a magnitude.
US09355070B2
A system and method, implemented on a computer, for determining the uncertainty of soft-data debiasing of property distributions of spatially correlated reservoir data are provided. The method includes inputting, into the computer, soft-data at a plurality of spatial locations on a grid and hard-data at a plurality of location along well paths that intersect the grid. Each location of the hard-data is collocated with soft-data values of one or more types. The method further includes calculating, using the computer, a variogram of the hard-data and creating subsets of independent hard-data using the variogram and the soft-data values that are collocated with each of the hard-data location; applying, using the computer, a bootstrap process on each of the plurality of subsets of independent hard-data to obtain a plurality of bootstrap data sets from each of the plurality of subsets of independent hard-data; calculating soft-data debiased histograms for each of the obtained plurality of bootstrap data sets using a binary decision tree and the collocated soft-data; and characterizing the uncertainty of the soft-data debiased histograms.
US09355062B2
An initial (near-field) spray generated by a sprinkler under study is fully characterized using a laser-supported Shadowgraphy/PTV system. Near-field spray characteristics are established from local measurements, which are mapped in a spherical coordinate system consistent with the kinematics of the spray. A novel data compression scheme is introduced to generate analytical functions describing the sprinkler spray based on the measurements. These analytical functions are useful for initiating the sprinkler spray in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based spray dispersion and fire suppression modeling. The near-field spray measurements and associated data compression approach are validated by comparing volume density measurements 1 meter below the sprinkler with volume density predictions generated from spray dispersion calculations initiated with the analytical spray functions.
US09355051B2
A memory controller is provided. In response to a burst read command that includes a target address, the memory controller provides, to one or more busses, data stored in memory at the target address after dummy clock cycles have occurred. The memory controller also provides a preamble on the bus(ses) during some of the dummy clock cycles. The preamble includes a data training pattern.
US09355043B2
A system, computer readable medium and method for managing objects in a cache. The method includes receiving a request for a desired object that is not stored in the cache; determining, based on an admission policy, whether one or more segments of a least popular existing object need to be removed from the cache for admitting one or more segments of the desired object into the cache; removing, when there is no space in the cache for the desired object, the one or more segments of the least popular existing object from the cache based on a replacement policy, wherein the replacement policy includes a caching priority function for determining that the least popular existing object is the least popular object of all objects stored by the cache; and admitting at least one segment of the desired object into the cache.
US09355034B2
According to one general aspect, a method of performing a cache transaction may include transmitting a cache request to a target device. The method may include receiving a cache response that is associated with the cache request. The method may further include completing the cache transaction without transmitting an exclusive cache response acknowledgement message to the target device.
US09355033B2
A system configuration is provided that includes multiple partitions that have differing translation mechanisms associated therewith. For instance, one partition has associated therewith a single level translation mechanism for translating guest virtual addresses to host physical addresses, and another partition has a nested level translation mechanism for translating guest virtual addresses to host physical addresses. The different translation mechanisms and partitions are supported by a single hypervisor. Although the hypervisor is a paravirtualized hypervisor, it provides full virtualization for those partitions using nested level translations.
US09355023B2
A virtual address pager and method for use with a bulk erase memory is disclosed. The virtual address pager includes a page protection controller configured with a heap manager interface configured to receive only bulk erase memory-backed page requests for a plurality of memory pages. A RAM object cache controller is configured to store and bulk write data for a portion of the bulk erase memory. The page protection controller may have an operating system interface configured to generate a page memory access permission for each of the plurality of memory pages. The page protection controller may be configured to receive a virtual memory allocation request and generate the page memory access permission based on the virtual memory allocation request.
US09355010B2
Performance of a data center is predicted using a computer analysis model. Operational measurements of components of computing nodes of the data center are received as input to the computer analysis model. An operational state of the data center is derived via the computer analysis model responsive to the operational measurements.
US09355009B2
In a method for improving escalation performance, a computer monitors performance of an escalation in a production environment. The computer identifies a characteristic of the escalation based on the monitored performance. The computer creates a recommendation for improving escalation performance based on the characteristic. In response to an approval of the recommendation, the computer applies the recommendation to the escalation to form one or more recommended escalations. Furthermore, the computer deploys the one or more recommended escalations into the production environment.
US09355004B2
A universal performance monitor includes an abstraction layer for managing multiple disparate monitoring tools on one or more computing devices. During runtime of the universal performance monitor on a first computing device, the universal performance monitor establishes a secure channel between the first computing device and a second computing device. The universal performance monitor queries the second computing device via the secure channel to determine whether the second computing device includes a specified monitoring tool. Upon determining that the second computing device does not include the specified monitoring tool, the universal performance monitor causes the second computing device to obtain the specified monitoring tool from a designated location, to install the specified monitoring tool with a particular configuration, to execute the specified monitoring tool and to redirect an output of the specified monitoring tool to the first computing device via the first secure channel.
US09354995B2
A server cluster has a plurality of application servers. During failover of a failed node of the application servers, right to use of internet protocol (IP) address of the failed node is transferred to a surviving node of the server cluster according to a failed-link index of the failed node, the total number of surviving nodes of the server cluster, and successful link indexes of the surviving nodes.
US09354991B2
An “erasure code” is an encoding of multiple different sets of data. Redundant copies of data are maintained in such erasure codes, thereby utilizing only a fraction of the storage capacity of unencoded copies. Erasure codes are efficiently generated, with a minimum of processing resources utilizing XOR functionality. Additionally, erasure codes are generated from local data, thereby avoiding the consumption of network resources. At least one unencoded copy of a set of data is maintained, while the remaining, redundant copies are encoded into erasure codes. Requests for data are provided from the unencoded copy. Should it fail, a new unencoded copy can be generated by another computing device having access to both an erasure code as well as unencoded copies of the other data that was also pressed into that erasure code. Multiple failures can be survived through recursive application of such a decoding of encoded data.
US09354987B2
Systems and methods are provided that may be implemented for out-of-band backup and/or restore of information handling system components. Such out-of-band backup and restore operations may be performed, in one embodiment, to backup and/or restore hardware profile information such as firmware images and corresponding system configuration information.
US09354984B2
Systems and methods for providing automated computer support are described herein. One described method comprises receiving a plurality of snapshots from a plurality of computers, storing the plurality of snapshots in a data store, and creating an adaptive reference model based at least in part on the plurality of snapshots. The described method further comprises comparing at least one of the plurality of snapshots to the adaptive reference model, and identifying at least one anomaly based on the comparison.
US09354978B2
A system and method for recovering from a configuration error are disclosed. A Basic Input Output System (BIOS) configures a memory associated with a node of an information handling system and enables a progress monitoring process during configuration of the memory. The memory is disabled if the BIOS determines that a configuration error occurred and a memory reference code associated with the memory is modified in order to prevent a reset of the information handling system.
US09354970B2
A method and device are described for encoding erroneous data in an error correction code (ECC) protected memory. In one embodiment, incoming data including a plurality of data symbols and a data integrity marker is received. At least one extra symbol is used to mark the incoming data as error-free data or erroneous data (i.e., poison) based on the data integrity marker. ECC may be created to protect the data symbols. The ECC may include a plurality of check symbols, a plurality of unused symbols and the at least one extra symbol. In another embodiment, an error marker may be propagated from a single ECC word to all ECC words of data block (e.g., a cache line, a page, and the like) to prevent errors due to corruption of the error marker caused by faulty memory in the erroneous ECC word.
US09354967B1
Error-handling in a computing environment at an input/output (I/O) level is facilitated by associating a control element with an input/output (I/O) operation based on a command to perform the I/O operation between an adapter and memory. Based on detection of an error for the I/O operation, the control element is updated to indicate an error state, and completion of any uncompleted I/O request for the I/O operation is blocked, while other I/O requests for one or more other I/O operations are allowed to proceed between the adapter (or adapter function) and the memory. By way of example, the control element may be a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) control element used, for instance, by an I/O hub of the computing environment to accumulate during performance of the I/O operation an accumulated CRC value for the I/O operation to facilitate error checking of the operation.
US09354962B1
An automatic technique for a timely diagnostic uses a cloud service and includes (1) after a memory dump file is generated, uploading the dump file and system configurations to an analysis server, (2) extracting key call stacks from the dump file in the server, (3) searching a cloud-based knowledge base for entries corresponding to contents of the call stack and the system configurations (like model, SW version, etc.), these entries representing known issues having similar call stack contents and/or system configurations. If relevant knowledge base entries are found, then they are used to identify a root cause and suggest solutions. If no relevant knowledge base entries are found, this result is reported along with any other potentially useful data from the dump file analysis, such as an identification of a product area for a program identified by the dump file name.
US09354961B2
A computer analyzes the root cause of an event, which has occurred in any of multiple management-target apparatuses, based on one or more rules in a storage device, that denote an association between one or more condition events corresponding to one or more events capable of occurring in any of the multiple management-target apparatuses and a conclusion event, which is the cause in a case where the one or more condition events have occurred. The computer, based on an event occurrence log including contents and an occurrence date and time of an event, determines a first event group, which is multiple events presumed to occur as a result of the same cause, creates a new rule in which the multiple events of the first event group are the condition events and one event of the first event group is the conclusion event, and stores the created new rule.
US09354960B2
Virtual machine resources may be monitored for optimal allocation. One example method may include generating a list of virtual machines operating in a network and surveying the virtual machines to determine their current resource usage data. The method may also include ranking the virtual machines based on their current resource usage data to indicate available resources of the virtual machines, and assigning the virtual machines to at least one business application service group (BASG) that requires the available resources of the virtual machines.
US09354959B2
A computer-implemented method to processes issue data in a system is provided. A network is monitored for a violation of a parameter defined by rules. The violation is reported in an issue report categorized by a predefined issue type. Issue description and location identifying information where an issue of the issue report occurs are identified. A predefined response activity for responding to the issue is determined. An action based on the predefined response activity is triggered. The issue and the response activity is logged.
US09354956B2
A method and associated systems for a resource-utilization monitor with self-adjusting sample size. A processor monitors availability of a resource-limited entity by analyzing a set of samples that each identify, at the time the sample was recorded, an unused amount of resource available to the entity. The processor computes a Chi-square statistic of the sample set. If the statistic reveals that the number of samples in the sample set is too small to produce valid results, the processor adjusts the sample size to specify a larger number of samples and repeats these steps. If the number of samples is large enough to produce statistically valid results, the processor analyzes the sample set to determine whether the current amount of remaining resource is undesirably low, is likely to become undesirably low during a short-term period of time, or is likely to become undesirably low during a longer-term period of time.
US09354949B2
A computer readable storage medium containing a program which, when executed by a processor, performs an operation of emulating static thread local storage of an executable software code at runtime, is disclosed. The operation includes executing the executable software code within a process memory space. During the execution of the executable software code, an occurrence of an event that is associated with a thread create operation is monitored. When the monitored event occurs, a thread data block duplicate is established within the process memory space and associated with a thread created by the thread create operation. The thread data block duplicate is configured to be accessed by executing a thread local storage callback function.
US09354947B2
A method for a static linker to resolve a function call can include identifying, during link time, a first function call of a calling function to a callee function, determining whether the callee function is a local function, determining whether the callee function has a plurality of entry points, and whether an entry point of the plurality of entry points is a local entry point. The method can include resolving, during link time, the first function call to enter the local entry point, which can include replacing a symbol for the function in the first function call with an address of the local entry point during link time. If the callee function cannot be determined to be a local function, the method can include generating stub code and directing the first function call to enter the stub code during link time.
US09354943B2
According to an aspect, power management of a multi-core processing system includes determining workload characteristics in the multi-core processing system. A power adjustment scenario is identified based on the workload characteristics. A predetermined actuation order for at least two power adjustment actuators is identified based on the power adjustment scenario. Based on the predetermined actuation order, it is determined whether there is an adequate adjustment capacity for a power adjustment action associated with one of the at least two power adjustment actuators. The power adjustment action is initiated based on the predetermined actuation order and determining that the adequate adjustment capacity is available.
US09354941B2
When a load balancer detects that a virtual address is associated with a single destination address, the load balancer sets a flag to distinguish the virtual address from virtual addresses that are associated with a plurality of destination addresses. The load balancer instructs the router to bypass the load balancer for network packets that are addressed to the virtual address, and refrains from storing subsequent flow state for the virtual address. When the virtual address is to be scaled up with an additional destination address, the load balancer sets a flag to distinguish the virtual address from virtual addresses that are associated with a single destination addresses. The load balancer instructs the router to route network packets that are addressed to the virtual address through the load balancer, instead of bypassing the load balancer, and starts storing flow state for the virtual address.
US09354940B2
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing a tenant provisioning system in a multi-tenancy architecture using a single provisioning master in the architecture, and a data center provisioner in each data center in the architecture. The provisioning master receives user requests to provision a tenant of a service and routes such requests to an appropriate data center provisioner. Each service in the multi-tenancy architecture implements a common interface by which the corresponding data center provisioner can obtain a common indication of load from each different service deployed in the data center thus facilitating the selection of a scale unit on which a tenant is provisioned. The common interface also enables a service to dynamically register (i.e. without redeploying the tenant provisioning system) with the provisioning master as a multi-tenancy service by registering an endpoint address with the provisioning master.
US09354933B2
In an embodiment of the present invention, a method includes partitioning a plurality of remote direct memory access context objects among a plurality of virtual functions, establishing a remote direct memory access connection between a first of the plurality of virtual functions, and migrating the remote direct memory access connection from the first of the plurality of virtual functions to a second of the plurality of virtual functions without disconnecting from the remote peer.
US09354924B2
Embodiments are directed to establishing registration objects for distributed processes, to managing memory on worker processes of a distributed software application and to using object serialization to communicate references to shim objects. In one scenario, a computer system accesses distributed process instances in a distributed runtime and creates a registration object for each of the process instances in the distributed runtime. The registration object includes a key value pair, where the key includes a unique identifier (ID) that identifies a distributed array instance associated with the distributed process, and the value includes a reference to a local portion of the distributed array instance. The computer system then maintains a mapping between the unique ID and the distributed array instance using the registration object. As such, the key value refers to the local portion of the same distributed array instance on each distributed process of the distributed runtime.
US09354923B2
According to an embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a banked register determiner and a saving register determiner. The banked register determiner is configured to hold register information indicating which of a banked register and a non-banked register a register which is used by the operating system is, receive an acquisition instruction for the non-banked or banked register and the information about the mode of the operating system, and return a list of the non-banked or banked registers. The saving register determiner is configured to acquire the mode in which the operating system is capable of operating, determine that saving of the banked register for the mode is necessary when another operating system is capable of operating in the mode, acquire a list of the banked registers, and acquire a list of the non-banked registers from the banked register determiner.
US09354922B2
Systems, methods and computer program products configured to provide and perform metadata-based workflow management are disclosed. The inventive subject matter includes a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program instructions embodied therewith. The computer readable program instructions are configured to: initiate a workflow configured to process data; associate the data with metadata; and drive at least a portion of the workflow based on at least some of the metadata. The metadata include anchoring metadata; common metadata; and custom metadata. Inventive subject matter also encompasses a method for managing genomic data processing workflows using metadata includes: initiating a workflow; receiving a request to manage the workflow using metadata comprising: anchoring metadata, common metadata, and custom metadata, associating the metadata with the data; and driving at least a portion of the workflow based on the metadata. The workflow involves genomic analyzes.
US09354906B1
Managing the guest operating system's eviction of memory pages from a virtual machine. A guest operating system or a hypervisor may cause one or more memory pages within a guest physical frame to become unlikely or ineligible for selection as a candidate for eviction by the guest operating system. Each of the one or more memory pages may also reside, or be intended to reside, in the memory of one or more other virtual machines. In this way, memory pages that are shared across multiple virtual machines may become less likely to be evicted, thereby using memory more efficiently.
US09354897B2
The invention relates to a method for processing information in an apparatus having one or more interfaces to one or more peripheral components, said method comprising obtaining information about resources of the one or more peripheral components from at least one peripheral component, forming a policy basing at least partly on the information about the resources of the at least one peripheral component, forming a cost function basing at least partly on the information about the resources of the at least one peripheral component, determining an entry combination of the resources forming the cost function such that the entry combination is at least in part compliant with the policy and changing configuration of the apparatus to at least partly comply with the determined entry combination.
US09354891B2
A processor may include a vector functional unit that supports concurrent operations on multiple data elements of a maximum element size. The functional unit may also support concurrent execution of multiple distinct vector program instructions, where the multiple vector instructions each operate on multiple data elements of less than the maximum element size.
US09354881B2
Embodiments of systems, apparatuses, and methods of performing in a computer processor dependency index vector calculation in response to an instruction that includes a first and second source writemask register operands, a destination vector register operand, and an opcode are described.
US09354876B2
A processor includes a processor core. The processor core includes a first execution unit and a second execution unit. The first execution unit is configured to 1) execute a complex instruction that requires multiple instruction cycles to execute; 2) generate a wait signal that when asserted suspends execution of instructions by the second execution unit for at least a portion of the execution of the complex instruction; and 3) maintain information defining parameters of the wait signal generation across interruption of the complex instruction by execution of a different instruction in the first execution unit.
US09354875B2
An enhanced loop streaming detection mechanism is provided in a processor to reduce power consumption. The processor includes a decoder to decode instructions in a loop into micro-operations, and a loop streaming detector to detect the presence of the loop in the micro-operations. The processor also includes a loop characteristic tracker unit to identify hardware components downstream from the decoder that are not to be used by the micro-operations in the loop, and to disable the identified hardware components. The processor also includes execution circuitry to execute the micro-operations in the loop with the identified hardware components disabled.
US09354873B2
Optimizations are provided for frame management operations, including a clear operation and/or a set storage key operation, requested by pageable guests. The operations are performed, absent host intervention, on frames not resident in host memory. The operations may be specified in an instruction issued by the pageable guests.
US09354870B2
A processor-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product maintain integrity of output of a code generator. One or more processors determine a generated output that has been generated by a specific code generation application based on an original model, where the original model is a structured model used to construct a software program. The generated output is analyzed to infer contents of an inferred version of the original model. The inferred version of the original model is compared with a current version of the original model to detect differences in source elements. Detected differences are thus used to identify redundant elements in the generated output.
US09354867B2
The various embodiments herein provide a system and method for identifying, analyzing and integrating the risks associated with a source code. The system comprises a code coverage module for collecting and transforming the code coverage information by a file name, a source code analyzer module for collecting and transforming source code violations information by the file name, a software configuration management module for collecting and transforming the source code commit information by the file name, a risk analyzer processing module for receiving and relating the collected code coverage information, source code violations information and source code commit information with each other by the file name and a report generation module for publishing the processed result of the collected code coverage information, source code violations information and source code commit information in a report. The report is reviewed for identifying, analyzing and integrating risks associated with source code.
US09354861B2
A software update system includes an administration server, a wireless communication terminal, and a wireless-communication key station. The wireless communication terminal is configured to be connected to the administration server through a communication network. The a wireless-communication key station is configured to be positioned between the administration server and the wireless communication terminal, and to perform processing of distributing software of an update object transmitted from the administration server to the wireless communication terminal.
US09354857B2
A system, method, and program product is provided that updates the firmware on a hybrid drive by reserving a memory area within the hybrid disk drive's nonvolatile memory buffer. The firmware update is then stored in the reserved memory area. The next time the platters of the hybrid disk drive spin up, the firmware update that is stored in the reserved memory area is identified. The identified update is then written to a firmware memory of a firmware that controls the operation of the hybrid drive. In one embodiment, the update is written to the firmware memory by flashing the firmware's memory. After the firmware is updated, the hybrid drive is reset. Resetting of the hybrid drive includes executing the updated firmware.
US09354854B2
A management server is provided comprising a user interface unit to receive UI information to provide a new service and a selection of a plurality of functions to perform the new service, a generation unit to generate a virtual bundle including information of a bundle pre-installed in an OSGi framework corresponding to the selected plurality of functions, and an installation unit to install the generated virtual bundle in the OSGi framework.
US09354846B2
A method, performed by a computer device, may include selecting one or more input and output points in an executable graphical model in a modeling application and simulating the executable graphical model over a plurality of time points. The method may further include generating a time domain response plot for the executable graphical model based on the simulating; obtaining matrices of partial derivatives based no the selected one or more input and output points at particular time points of the plurality of time points; generating a frequency domain response plot for the executable graphical model based on the obtained matrices of partial derivatives; and generating a bidomain simulator user interface, the bidomain simulator user interface including the generated time domain response plot and the generated frequency domain response plot.
US09354843B2
An apparatus and a method for generating a partial product for a polynomial operation are provided. The apparatus includes first encoders, each of the first encoders configured to selectively generate and output one of mutually exclusive values based on two inputs. The apparatus further includes a second encoder configured to generate and output two candidate partial products based on an output from a first one of the first encoders that is provided at a reference bit position of the inputs, an output from a second one of the first encoders that is provided at an upper bit position of the inputs, and a multiplicand. The apparatus further includes a multiplexer configured to select one of the candidate partial products output from the second encoder.
US09354841B2
Systems, devices, and methods are provided for wirelessly communicating configuration data from mobile devices for use by interactive display devices. In some aspects, a processing device can identify two or more mobile devices participating in a session for utilizing an interactive display device. The processing device can receive configuration data from each of the mobile devices via a wireless transceiver. The processing device can configure an interactive display device to present outputs during the session using attributes that the processing device identifies from the received configuration data. In additional or alternative aspects, a processing device can identify at least one mobile device participating in a session for utilizing an interactive display device. The processing device can associate outputs presented by the interactive display device with an entity that is identifiable from configuration data that is received from the mobile device.
US09354836B2
Provided is an image forming system that has a portable terminal and an image forming apparatus. The portable terminal includes a preview image data request notice transmitting circuit, a preview image data receiving circuit, a preview image display circuit, a preview image confirmation input circuit, and a preview image data deletion notice transmitting circuit. The image forming apparatus includes a preview image data request notice receiving circuit, a preview image data generating circuit, a preview image data transmission circuit, a preview image data deletion notice receiving circuit, and an image forming apparatus preview image data deletion circuit. The portable terminal transmits a preview image data deletion notice to an image forming apparatus, when it inputs that the preview image is confirmed. Then, the image forming apparatus deletes preview image data.
US09354835B2
A communication device may communicate a first establishing command with an external device via a NFC interface so as to establish a first communication link, receive first target data from the external device via the NFC interface by using the first communication link, process a specific command included in the first target data so as to create second target data, select one type of disconnection method according to information included in the first target data from among plural types of disconnection methods for disconnecting the first communication link, and disconnect the first communication link by using the selected one type of disconnection method. The communication device may communicate a second establishing command with the external device via the NFC interface so as to establish a second communication link, and send the second target data to the external device via the NFC interface by using the second communication link.
US09354833B2
A device and method for obtaining information of a capability of an apparatus that is connected with a computer or a capability of an apparatus that is used in a printing process in which the computer is used; determining functions that become invalid, from among functions that have been set in a received print job, based on the information of the capability of the apparatus and printing conditions that a print job editing program has; and displaying a list of the functions that become invalid, and is used to confirm a cancellation of the setting of the functions that become invalid.
US09354830B2
If an information processing apparatus detects that a shift condition for shifting from a normal power mode to a power saving mode has been satisfied, the information processing apparatus determines whether a session with an external apparatus has been established. If it is determined that the session has been established, the information processing apparatus shifts to a first power saving mode while maintaining the session. On the other hand, if it is determined that the session has not been established, the information processing apparatus shifts to a second power saving mode in which less power is consumed than in the first power saving mode.
US09354823B2
A system includes a host device that may be configured to initiate memory requests to a system memory. The system also includes a memory controller that may be configured receive the memory requests and to format the memory requests into memory transactions that are conveyed to the memory device via a memory interface. The memory transactions include a memory write burst command having a first frame that includes a corresponding opcode positioned in one of a first command slot or a second command slot. The memory write burst command may also include a number of subsequent frames for conveying a data payload, as specified for example, by the opcode. The control unit may be configured to generate a number of concurrent sequential memory write operations to the memory in response to receiving the memory write burst command.
US09354822B2
A method of reading host data from a storage device including a central processing unit (CPU), a self-organized fast release buffer (FRB), and a non-volatile memory, the storage device being in communication with a host, the method including receiving, by the FRB, a command to read host data stored in the non-volatile memory from the CPU, the host data being stored in the non-volatile memory as one or more codewords (CWs), allocating space, by the FRB, in a buffer memory of the FRB for storage of the one or more CWs, storing, by the FRB, the one or more CWs into the allocated space in the buffer memory, extracting, by the FRB, the host data from the stored one or more CWs, and transferring, by the FRB, the host data to the host.
US09354816B2
An apparatus includes a plurality of memory dies and a controller. The controller may be communicatively coupled to the plurality of memory dies and configured to utilize multiple copies of a root record containing system data during a boot-up process. The multiple copies of the root record are stored using at least two of the plurality of memory dies.
US09354802B2
The present invention provides an information input device, in which information is inputted by easy operations, even if a display unit size is limited. An information input device of the present invention has: a display unit displaying a plurality of figures; a detecting unit arranged in front of the display unit or behind the display unit, and detecting whether a physical contact from an outside exists or not and a contacted position at which the physical contact exists; and a control unit deciding a figure displayed on the display unit and a position at which the figure is displayed, and inputting information based on a signal from the detecting unit, and when the detecting unit detects the physical contact exists, the control unit determines a first figure displayed at a nearest position to the contacted position in the plurality of figures based on the contacted position and decides a second figure displayed at a position surrounding the contacted position based on a kind of the first figure.
US09354788B2
This specification related to a mobile terminal and a control method thereof. The mobile terminal includes a display unit to output an electronic document page including at least one object, and a controller to select one area on the page in response to a touch input applied onto the display unit, and control the display unit to display the selected one area in a distinguishing manner from the page.
US09354785B1
A system for entering text into a computing device is disclosed, the system includes an on-screen displayed (OSD) keypad having a first predetermined number of lines of keys, and a remote control unit having the same predetermined number of shift buttons, each of the shift buttons corresponding to a unique one of the lines of keys, wherein a press of one of the shift buttons immediately causes a selection of a key in the line of keys corresponding to the pressed shift button regardless which key is previously selected.
US09354775B2
An interaction method for a dynamic wallpaper and a desktop component including providing a dynamic wallpaper and at least one desktop component on a terminal screen, with the dynamic wallpaper including a background image, providing a screen capturing module for capturing the background image loaded with the desktop component to form a buffer file, and coding the same as an image format for storage, providing an edge detection module for performing pixel scanning comparison on the background image and the stored buffer image, circularly performing pixel scanning comparisons until the edge location data of the at least one desktop component is obtained, and changing the dynamic effects of the dynamic wallpaper according to the data obtained.
US09354772B2
Provided is a method for the movement of an image object. In the method: A. determining the direction of movement of an image object to be moved, and a module X corresponding to same; B. moving the module X along the direction of movement by one unit; determining whether or not an overlap exists between the module X and another module; if no overlap exists, making the post-movement state as a movement result, and terminating the process; if an overlap exists, restoring the module X to the original position; determining a minimum mirror area comprising the module X; flipping the minimum mirror area; C. determining whether or not the module X can continue to move along the direction of movement; if not, then the movement has failed, terminating the process; if yes, then moving the module X upwards by one unit from the direction of movement; determining whether or not an overlap exists between module X and another module; if no overlap exists, making the post-movement state as the movement result, and terminating the process; if an overlap exists, repeating step C. Also provided is a device for the movement of the image object. The user experience is enhanced by using the method and the device.
US09354771B2
Systems and methods are provided for controlling the appearance of application windows on a computer display screen. A user identifies either an application window currently running on the computer or a new application to be started. The user also identifies a size, shape, and screen location by inputting a geometric shape, such as by drawing a rectangle with a pen or stylus input device, on the display screen. The appearance of the application window is set based on the geometric shape. The application window is resized and moved, for a currently running application, or created, for a new application, on the display screen.
US09354768B2
A method of providing a widget includes displaying a first widget indicating time, and displaying first information indicating an attribute of a second widget and second information specifying the first information based on a user's selection on the first widget. The second widget includes the first information and the second information.
US09354767B2
A multi-document application that includes a multi-document interface that includes a view area that displays one document at a time and includes a tab group element that displays tabs, each tab having a control that permits a corresponding document to be visualized in the view area. When a new document is opened in the multi-document application, the multi-document interface adds a new tab to the tab group element to represent the newly opened document. The user may configure the hiding criteria that is used to determine which tabs are hidden when there are too many tabs to be visualized in the tab group element, the sorting criteria for ordering the tabs that are visualized and/or the type of navigation control that may be used to change the subset of the tabs that are visualized in the tab group element.
US09354766B2
Systems and methods for creating and using composite images are provided. An online design customization tool receives user-supplied text and automatically combines the text with a user-selected image to create horizontal and vertical composite images. The aspect ratios of the composite images are compared to the aspect ratio of an image container in an electronic product design template to determine which composite image version is appropriate. The appropriate composite image is automatically incorporated into the electronic product design template and displayed the user.
US09354761B2
A touch screen including display pixels with capacitive elements is provided. The touch screen includes first common voltage lines connecting capacitive elements in adjacent display pixels, and a second common voltage line connecting first common voltage lines. Groups of pixels can be formed as electrically separated regions by including breaks in the common voltage lines. The regions can include a drive region that is stimulated by stimulation signals, a sense region that receives sense signals corresponding to the stimulation signals. A grounded region can also be included, for example, between a sense region and a drive region. A shield layer can be formed of a substantially high resistance material and disposed to shield a sense region. A black mask line and conductive line under the black mask line can be included, for example, to provide low-resistance paths between a region of pixels and touch circuitry outside the touch screen borders.
US09354758B2
The present invention provides a mutual capacitive touch panel, including: a plurality of driving lines; a plurality of sensing lines intersecting with the plurality of driving lines; a signal output unit disposed at input ends of the driving lines is configured to output driving signals with different frequencies to all the driving lines; a preamplifier disposed at output ends of the sensing lines is configured to capture sensing signals from the sensing lines, and amplify and then output the sensing signals to a signal separation unit; the signal separation unit connected to the preamplifier is configured to separate the sensing signals with different frequencies and obtain addresses of the driving lines corresponding to the sensing signals. In the present invention, driving signals with different frequencies are outputted by the signal output unit to all the driving lines, respectively.
US09354756B2
A touch screen panel includes a substrate, first sensing patterns formed in a first direction on the substrate, and second sensing patterns formed in a second direction intersected with the first direction on the substrate. The first sensing patterns include first sensing cells formed in an independent shape, respectively, between the second sensing patterns, and first connection patterns, the first connection patterns including a plurality of island patterns and a plurality of bridge patterns, the island patterns being separated and patterned in island shape in the second sensing patterns, the plurality of bridge patterns connecting between the first sensing cells and the island patterns or connecting between two adjacent island patterns, the first connection patterns connecting to the first sensing cells in the first direction.
US09354755B2
A projected capacitive touch panel, including a substrate, a silver-inclusive transparent conductive coating which forms a plurality of row electrodes, a plurality of column electrodes, and a plurality of conductive traces, and a signal processor which sequentially measures a capacitance between each of row electrodes and an adjacent column electrode. The row electrodes, the plurality of column electrodes, and the plurality of traces are on a plane substantially parallel to the substrate. Each of the row electrodes is electrically connected to the signal processor by one of the plurality of conductive traces. The plurality of traces are at least partially substantially parallel to the column electrodes.
US09354748B2
Optical stylus interaction techniques are described. In an implementation, a display of a computing device includes optical sensors capable of detecting images projected by a stylus. A stylus may include a projection system to project various images used to convey interaction information that may be interpreted by the computing device. Based on recognition of different projected images, a context for interaction of the stylus may be ascertained and corresponding operations may be performed by the computing device. This may include resolving a spatial position of the stylus relative to the display device as well as movement of the stylus and images that defines various stylus-based gestures. In addition, the environment for optical stylus interaction enables a writing mode that emulates natural writing by mapping different projectable images to changes in pressure applied to the stylus when in contact with the display.
US09354742B2
A foldable electronic device and a method of managing visible regions thereof are provided. The method includes determining that an operation mode of the foldable electronic device is a fragment mode; determining at least two visible regions of the foldable electronic device in a fragment mode, in response to determining that the operation mode is the fragment mode; activating touch sensitivity in the determined at least two visible regions; and providing one or more user interfaces in the determined at least two visible regions. The foldable electronic device can identify the visible regions on a touch sensitive display body, based on events, such as a roll, a squeeze, a press, etc., triggered by a user.
US09354718B2
Modifying perspective of stereoscopic images provided by one or more displays based on changes in user view, user control, and/or display status. A display system may include a housing, a display comprised in the housing, and one or more tracking sensors comprised in the housing. The one or more tracking sensors may be configured to sense user view and/or user control position and orientation information. The one or more tracking sensors may be associated with a position and orientation of the display. The user view and/or user control position and orientation information may be used in generating the rendered left and right eye images for display.
US09354716B1
An example system includes a computing device located proximate to a physical activity surface, a video capture device, and a detector. The video capture device is coupled for communication with the computing device and is adapted to capture a video stream that includes an activity scene of the physical activity surface and one or more interface objects physically intractable with by a user. The detector processes the video stream to detect the one or more interface objects included in the activity scene, to identify the one or more interface objects that are detectable, to generate one or more events describing the one or more interface objects, and to provide the one or more events to an activity application configured to render virtual information on the one or more computing devices based on the one or more events.
US09354710B2
An electronic device is provided in the disclosure. The electronic device includes a body, a display unit, and a projecting unit; where the body comprises a first surface and a second surface which intersects the first surface, where the second surface supports the body in a standing position on a support surface at a first angle which is not zero degrees between the second surface and the support surface; the display unit is disposed on the first surface and displays content; and the projecting unit is supported by the body and projects content externally when the body stands on the support surface.
US09354705B2
An integrated haptic feedback simulating device using a kinesthesia providing module including a magnetorheological fluid and a thin-film-type tactile sensation providing module. The integrated haptic feedback simulating device includes a motion controlling section providing kinesthetic feedback and tactile feedback to a hand of a user, a system controlling section detecting motions of the hand and providing an integrated haptic feedback control signal to the motion controlling section, and a display section visually rendering a graphic object according to the detected motions of the hand. The integrated haptic feedback simulating device can provide synesthetic haptic feedback to the user in cooperation with a graphic interface displayed on the display section, thereby increasing the virtuality of the graphic object simulated on the display section.
US09354703B2
A tactile control arrangement (10) for at least one electronic device (W, P) including a touch control interface (12) based on a capacitive sensor matrix (S) and a electronic processing module (16) associated to the sensor matrix (S) and arranged to receive therefrom a plurality of electrical signals indicative of the touch or the pressure of an external body on at least one sensor (S) of the matrix and consequent commands to be transmitted towards the above-mentioned electronic device (W, P) is described. The sensor matrix (S) comprises a plurality of active sensor electrodes (E) and a corresponding plurality of conductive tracks (T) for the connection of the active electrodes (E) with the processing module (16). The sensor matrix (S) is formed by a plurality of flexible functional layers (32-48) including a first layer (32) of conductive elastomeric material forming the active electrodes (E) and a second layer (42) of conductive elastomeric material forming the conductive tracks (T) on a plane parallel to the layer (32) of active electrodes (E), which first and second layers (32, 42) of conductive elastomeric material are separated by a flexible layer (40) of insulating material comprising a non-conductive fabric bearing a plurality of vias at the active electrodes (E) of the first layer (32) and the corresponding conductive tracks (T) of the second layer (42), wherein the layers (32, 42) of active electrodes (E) and conductive tracks (T) are deformed so as to directly contact through the vias of the non-conductive textile layer (40).
US09354697B2
In an example embodiment disclosed herein, there is described methods and a system for sharing of content in collaborative computing sessions. The methods and the system are operable to maintain a collaborative computing session between a plurality of participant devices, wherein at least one participant device operates as a presenter device to share data with at least one other participant viewer device. The methods and system are further operable to designate data to be shared with at least one viewer device and to identify at least one active region contained within the shared data. The methods and system are also operable to transmit the designated shared data to the at least one viewer device, render the shared data for display on at least one viewer device to maximize the display of the at least one active region, and display the rendered shared data on the at least one viewer device.
US09354695B2
Each of the power supply units in a power supply apparatus includes a voltage conversion circuit that converts input voltage into output voltage within a predetermined voltage range an output capacitor that outputs supply power while accumulating charges according to the voltage converted by the voltage conversion circuit, and an overload detection circuit that detects an overload of the output capacitor and when the overload is detected, notifies an apparatus operated using the power supplied from the power supply apparatus of an overload signal requesting a suppression of power consumption.
US09354690B1
A system for adjusting core voltage of an integrated circuit to optimize power savings has a ring oscillator on the integrated circuit for providing a ring oscillator signal. The system also has compare logic on the integrated circuit configured to compare the ring oscillator signal with a clock signal from a clock external to the integrated circuit. The compare logic is configured to make a determination whether a frequency of the clock signal is within a predefined margin of a frequency of the ring oscillator and to adjust the core voltage of the integrated circuit based on the determination. Through such adjustments, the core voltage is lowered while ensuring that the core voltage does not reach a point that causes timing errors.
US09354674B2
An equipment saddle is provided. The equipment saddle may include a plurality of cases attached to a drapable skirt. Each case forms a compartment for retaining and stabilizing electronic equipment, such as an external hard drive, wherein at least one case provides a port aperture for sliding a data wire therethrough for interconnecting the electronic equipment and a computer while the electronic equipment is positioned within the compartment. The equipment saddle may provide at least one cinching strap so that the skirt can be as easily draped and secured to, say, the corners of the computer's screen as they are draped and secured to the shoulders of a user. As a result, the equipment saddle facilitates the stabilization, storage and transportation of electronic equipment from computer to computer without the need to take such electronic equipment out of the plurality of cases.
US09354667B2
A supporting mechanism for supporting a first module on a second module is disclosed. The first module is pivoted to the second module via a hinge assembly. The supporting mechanism includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes a sliding end slidably installed on the first module. The second member is connected to the first member in a relatively slidable manner. The second member includes a pivoting end pivoted to the second module. When the first module is rotated along an expanding direction with respect to the second module, the sliding end of the first member slides along a first direction toward the hinge assembly such that the first member slides along a second direction further away from the second member.
US09354665B2
An electronic apparatus includes a cover panel and a case, and at least a board disposed therebetween. A plurality of components are disposed on a board and have heights different from one another. A gap reduction member is disposed so as to face the plurality of components. Steps are formed on the gap reduction member in accordance with the heights of the plurality of components which faces the plurality of components to reduce breakage of a cover panel of the electronic apparatus.
US09354663B2
A portable electronic device includes a first module, a second module, a housing, and a plurality of fasteners. The first module is configured to be coupled to a first side of the main housing, and the second module is configured to be coupled to a second side of the main housing opposite the first side. The fasteners configured to secure the first module to the main housing and the second module to the main housing. One of the main housing or the first module defines a plurality of recesses, the other one of the main housing or the first module comprises a plurality of hooks configured to latch to a respective recesses.
US09354662B2
An electronic apparatus includes a first casing component that is provided with a through hole and made of metal, a second casing component that is integrally molded with the first casing component and made of resin, and a third casing component that covers the second casing component, wherein the second casing component is provided so as to extend from a face on one side of the through hole of the first casing component to a face on the other side of the first casing component through the through hole. The second casing component includes a fixing portion that fixes the second casing component to the first casing component, and a rib that is provided so as to stand over the first casing component in a position away from the through hole, and the third casing component being supported by the rib.
US09354661B2
An embodiment provides an apparatus, including: a housing; a processor operatively coupled to a memory; and a display device displaying output from the processor; the display, the processor and the memory being disposed in the housing; said housing substantially forming a quadrilateral and including a shaped edge at one end thereof; said housing further comprising a contoured input device substantially matching the shaped edge. Other aspects are described and claimed.
US09354657B1
A computing device may operate in various modes, which may include a full operational mode and a reduced operational mode. When operating in the reduced operational mode, the computing device may reduce power, reduce radiation output, and/or power off various components to achieve operation in accordance with an operational policy. While operating in the reduced operational mode, the computing device may restrict user access to or adjustment of the impacted components thereby preventing the user from restoring the computing device to the full operational mode, at least temporarily. In some aspects, the device may initiate or terminate the reduced operational mode in response to a signal from a beacon, parameters from a monitored environment, or in response to user commands. In various aspects, the device may provide messaging to inform the user about the modes of operation.
US09354653B2
A power supply circuit includes a first power amplifier that amplifies an input signal; a high pass filter that removes frequency components that are lower than a predetermined first cutoff frequency from an output signal of the first power amplifier; a current detector that detects a current value of the output signal of the first power amplifier; a composite signal generation circuit that combines the input signal and an output signal of the current detector; a second power amplifier that amplifies an output signal of the composite signal generation circuit; a low pass filter that removes frequency components that are higher than a predetermined second cutoff frequency from an output signal of the second power amplifier; and a signal output terminal that combines a current of an output signal of the high pass filter and a current of an output signal of the low pass filter and then outputs the resultant signal.
US09354648B2
A constant-voltage circuit having an overcurrent protection circuit which includes: a first sense transistor, one main terminal connected to an input terminal of the constant-voltage circuit and a control terminal connected to a control terminal of an output transistor generates a current corresponding to an output current from the output transistor; a voltage level adjusting circuit configured to generate a voltage corresponding to a voltage of a main terminal of the output transistor at an output terminal side of the constant-voltage circuit by extracting a current that is not affected by a change in the output current from the output transistor, and adjust a voltage of another main terminal of the first sense transistor such that the adjusted voltage becomes equal to the generated voltage; and a protection circuit to control a control voltage applied from an error amplifier to the control terminal of the output transistor.
US09354644B2
Practical electronics such as amplifiers or voltage references can have circuit imbalances due to manufacturing imperfections. For example, amplifiers can have an undesirable offset voltage. The offset voltage might also drift with temperature making the design of these devices difficult. Disclosed are techniques which decrease the amount of offset voltage which provide predictability of device parameters over a range of temperatures.
US09354640B2
A system and method of monitoring and controlling the open and close states of a manifold diaphragm type valve includes using an actuator mechanism with feedback control. A pressure transducer and/or force gauge located on the contact end of the actuator mechanism monitors the pressure and/or force applied to the end of the actuator mechanism. A controller instructs the actuator mechanism to move forward or backward an appropriate distance based on the monitored pressure and/or force. Temperature and pressure changes in the system and material changes to the diaphragm are sensed immediately and positioning correction is applied to the actuator in real-time, thereby maintaining the same valve state while monitoring pressure separately. The linear actuator functions as a ‘smart’ actuator, capable of fine tune adjustments without additional outside monitoring and providing a more accurate and reliable method of closing the valve in a dynamic environment.
US09354633B1
A method for determining a heading, velocity, and/or position of an aircraft includes receiving a first radar return at a radar antenna for mounting to a first wing of the aircraft and receiving a second radar return at a radar antenna mounted to a second wing of the aircraft where the first wing and the second wing extend from opposite sides of the aircraft. The method also includes determining a velocity of each wing based on the radar returns using processing electronics and calculating the heading, velocity, and/or position of the aircraft based on the determined wing velocities using the processing electronics.
US09354630B2
Embodiments of flexible laser manufacturing systems are disclosed herein. A flexible laser manufacturing system configured in accordance with one embodiment includes a plurality of laser processing stations. Each laser processing station can include a laser source configured to generate a laser beam for processing target material, and a first controller coupled to the laser source. The flexible laser manufacturing system also includes a second controller coupled to the first controller of the individual laser processing stations. The second controller is configured to monitor and instruct each of the first controllers for processing target material of each of the corresponding laser processing stations.
US09354626B2
A method for restarting a robot after a premature interruption of a processing program, which controls it, at an interruption point. The robot has an atomizer apparatus for automatic coating of workpieces, and the processing program is used to preset a nominal movement of the atomizer apparatus with respect to a workpiece, which is to be coated and can be moved by means of a feed device, and to preset the associated nominal atomizer parameters. After the interruption of the processing program, the atomizer apparatus is first of all moved to a restarting point, which is located on the nominal movement path and is located ahead of the interruption point. After this, the atomizer apparatus is then moved on the nominal movement path, corresponding to a predeterminable velocity function, to a transfer point which is located on the nominal movement path and is located behind the interruption point. The atomizer apparatus is switched on again between the restarting point and the transfer point. The nominal atomizer parameters which are provided by the processing program are matched and are applied at least once, between the restarting point and the transfer point, to the respective current velocity of the atomizer apparatus, in relation to the nominal velocity preset, and all of the nominal movement parameters and nominal atomizer parameters in the processing program are used when the transfer point is reached.
US09354616B2
A system for monitoring and/or controlling equipment in a hazardous area can include at least one sensor disposed within the hazardous area. Each sensor can be non-electrical and can be adapted to interact with the equipment and generate at least a first sensor output and second sensor output. The first sensor output can be indicative of a first equipment state and a second sensor output can be indicative of a second equipment state. The system can also include at least one converter disposed outside the hazardous area. Each converter can be in communication with at least one of the sensors. Each converter can be configured to receive the first and second sensor output and generate a converter output signal based on at least one of the first and second sensor outputs.
US09354612B1
A system and method is disclosed for synchronizing device time on various electronic devices. The method and system weigh various factors such as origin of timing signals and elapsed time since last update to determine the most accurate synchronization time.
US09354609B2
Coupling mobile member for synchronising two resonators, each including an interface pin periodically following a plane, closed trajectory, including grooves for holding the pins equidistant from an axis on a structure subjected to a torque about the axis, on which the grooves are coplanar grooves, radial with respect to the axis, for reception of the pins in symmetrical pairs with respect to a main, straight groove passing through the axis, in a plane perpendicular to the axis, and in which slides a main slide-block, which cooperates with a plurality of bars, each hinged on one side to one of the pins, and hinged on the other side to the main slide-block.
US09354600B2
A process cartridge includes: a developer cartridge; and a photosensitive-member cartridge. A casing of the photosensitive-member cartridge includes: a photosensitive-member accommodating portion; and a cartridge-accommodating portion disposed next to the photosensitive-member accommodating portion in a first direction. The cartridge-accommodating portion includes a first wall and a first portion. The first wall extends in the first direction and confronts the developer cartridge in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The first wall has a first end and a second end positioned farther away from the photosensitive-member accommodating portion in the first direction than the first end from the photosensitive-member accommodating portion. The first portion extends from the second end in the second direction and protrudes further than the developer cartridge in the second direction. The photosensitive-member accommodating portion includes a second portion protruding in the second direction further than a center region in the axial direction of the developer cartridge.
US09354595B2
An apparatus body of an image forming apparatus is provided with a drive transmission mechanism including a first rotation portion and a second rotation portion. An operation portion of a toner container includes a first connection portion to be connected to the first rotation portion. An opening and closing mechanism of the toner container includes a second connection portion to be connected to the second rotation portion. The opening and closing mechanism opens and closes a toner outlet by the second connection portion being rotated.
US09354594B2
An image forming apparatus having a casing, a first cover and a second cover. The first cover is rotatable between a first opened position to expose a first opening and a first closed position. The second cover is rotatable between a second opened position to expose a second opening and a second closed position. The first cover is sized and positioned relative to a toner cartridge to rotate to the first opened position to permit removal of the toner cartridge that is detached from a developing unit while the second cover is maintained in the second closed position. The first cover and the second cover are sized and positioned relative to the developing unit and a photosensitive body to rotate respectively to the first opened position and the second opened position to permit removal of the developing unit and the photosensitive body integrally.
US09354593B2
A cabinet structure includes multiple cover members configured to spatially partition an inside from an outside of a cabinet, and a clearance communicating between the inside and the outside of the cabinet is left between two cover members, the two cover members being adjacent to each other, of the cover members, and a passage defined by the clearance and leading from the inside to the outside of the cabinet through the clearance has a shape with multiple bends.
US09354587B2
An image forming apparatus, including: a rotatable image bearing member; a developing unit configured to supply a developer onto the image bearing member; a transfer unit configured to transfer the developer on the image bearing member to a recording medium by a transfer voltage being applied to the transfer unit by a voltage applying unit; and a cleaning unit configured to remove the developer on the image bearing member, wherein when the apparatus stops an image forming operation halfway, the apparatus executes a recovery operation in which the image bearing member is rotated while the voltage applying unit applies a voltage to the transfer unit so that a part of the developer remaining on the image bearing member is once transferred from the image bearing member to the transfer unit, transferred again from the transfer unit to the image bearing member, and then removed by the cleaning unit.
US09354583B2
An information processing apparatus is connected to a print control apparatus for generating image data. The information processing apparatus includes a generating unit configured to generate gloss control plate data for specifying a type of a surface effect imparted to a recording medium and a region in the recording medium to which the surface effect is imparted; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit the gloss control plate data to the print control apparatus.
US09354578B2
Methods and systems of forecasting consumption of a consumable for a machine are disclosed. A computing device receives consumption time series data for a consumable for a plurality of machines. The consumption time series data for each machine includes an amount of the consumable consumed by the machine during each of multiple time periods. For at least one of the plurality of machines, the computing device determines a model consumption forecast for the machine for each of multiple dynamic linear models based on the consumption time series data for the consumable for the machine and the dynamic linear model. The computing device further determines, for at least one of the machines, a final consumption forecast based on the model consumption forecasts. An amount of the consumable is provided for the at least one machine based on the final consumption forecast.
US09354575B2
Disclosed is a tandem-method image forming system that makes it possible to share operations for forming images onto different areas of the recording paper sheet between the image forming apparatuses included therein. Each of the image forming apparatuses includes an image forming section that forms an image onto a paper sheet; and a control section that is provided with a function for adjusting a process condition to be employed when forming the image onto the paper sheet corresponding to a target density currently established, and another function for outputting a test chart under the process condition above-adjusted.Corresponding to the target density, each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, which are operated in conjunction with each other through the network, revises the process condition for a plural number of times within an adjustable range, and outputs the test chart at every time when the process condition is revised.
US09354570B2
A heater includes a substrate, electrode portions, electrical contact portions, heat generating portions, and electroconductive line portions. The electrode portions include first group electrode portions and second group electrode portions. The electroconductive line portions include a main line portion extending from the electrical contact portions in the longitudinal direction, a first branch line portion branching from the main line portion so as to electrically connect with a first electrode portion of the first group electrode portions, and a second branch line portion branching from the main line portion so as to electrically connect with a second electrode portion of the first group electrode portions. The second electrode portion is spaced farther from the electrical contact portions than the first electrode portion in the longitudinal direction, and the electric resistance of the first branch line portion is larger than the electric resistance of the second branch line portion.
US09354562B2
An image heating apparatus includes: an image heating unit including a pair of rotatable members between which a sheet is nipped and fed while heating a toner image thereon; and a retracting unit retractable from the image heating unit. The retracting unit includes an air discharging portion configured to discharge air for separating the sheet from the rotatable member, and a feeding portion provided with a pair of rotatable members and configured to nip and feed therebetween the sheet heated by the image heating unit.
US09354548B2
A power transmitting apparatus includes a shaft, first and second passive members mounted on the shaft to be rotatable, and a driving member that is mounted on the shaft and rotates in connection with a driving source, and that according to a rotation direction, slides toward the first and second passive members along the shaft, so as to selectively establish a power connection with the first and second passive members.
US09354542B2
An image forming apparatus includes at least one developing device which may include a photoconductor and a developing roller, a light source configured to generate light to form an electrostatic latent image, a light scanner including a light window through which the light generated by the light source is transmitted, a shutter configured to open or close the light window, and a pressure member moved in response to the opening or closing operation of the shutter or the contact or separation between the photoconductor and the developing roller. The image forming apparatus can easily control the shutter without additional structures, resulting in implementation of a simplified structure.
US09354540B2
An image forming apparatus includes a control unit configured to form electrostatic latent images for correction on a photosensitive member; a voltage application unit configured to apply a voltage to a process unit; a current detection unit configured to detect a current to the voltage application unit via the process unit when the voltage is applied to the process unit; and a conversion unit configured to convert an output value detected by the current detection unit such that a variation range of the output value detected by the current detection unit at a formation period of the electrostatic latent image for correction becomes larger than a variation range of the output value detected by the current detection unit at a one-rotation period of the photosensitive member on which the electrostatic latent image is not formed.
US09354532B2
A method of producing an electrophotographic toner includes aggregation and fusion steps. The aggregation step includes obtaining aggregates by mixing a first dispersion that contains pigment particles with a second dispersion that contains fine resin particles, and aggregating the pigment particles and the fine resin particles. The fusion step includes fusing the pigment particles and the fine resin particles by heating the aggregates. When the first dispersion is mixed with the second dispersion, the sign of the mean of zeta potential of the pigment particles in the first dispersion is set to be opposite to the sign of the mean of zeta potential of the fine resin particles in the second dispersion. In the first dispersion, the proportion of the pigment particles out of the total, having a sign opposite to the sign of the mean of zeta potential of the pigment particles is 10% or less.
US09354530B2
The present disclosure describes a polyester that contains plural pendant adjacent carboxylic acid or acid salt side groups for use in making a toner for use in imaging devices.
US09354529B2
An arrangement for use in a projection exposure tool (100) for microlithography comprises a reflective optical element (10; 110) and a radiation detector (30; 32; 130). The reflective optical element (10; 110) comprises a carrier element (12) guaranteeing the mechanical strength of the optical element (10; 110) and a reflective coating (18) disposed on the carrier element (12) for reflecting a use radiation (20a). The carrier element (12) is made of a material which upon interaction with the use radiation (20a) emits a secondary radiation (24) the wavelength of which differs from the wavelength of the use radiation (20a), and the radiation detector (30; 32; 130) is configured to detect the secondary radiation (24).
US09354525B2
A liquid immersion exposure apparatus in which a substrate is exposed with an exposure beam, includes a projection optical system by which the substrate is exposed to the exposure beam, a first inlet disposed at a first position, which is capable of supplying a first liquid to a space adjacent to a bottom surface of the projection optical system, and a second inlet disposed at a second position which is different from the first position, the second inlet being capable of supplying a second liquid that is different from the first liquid to the space.
US09354520B2
A method of making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of a) image-wise exposing a lithographic printing plate precursor, including a support including a hydrophilic surface or a hydrophilic layer and, thereon, a light or heat sensitive coating including a photopolymerizable composition, b) processing the precursor, consecutively, with a first solution and a second solution, to remove the coating from the support in the non-printing areas, wherein the first and second solutions are provided by a cascade system, the second solution overflows into the first solution and the first solution overflows into a container to be treated as waste, and the second solution is regenerated by adding a replenishing solution or a mixture of replenishing solutions at a rate of at least 5 ml/m2 of treated precursor and at most 100 ml/m2 of treated precursor.
US09354519B2
A method of forming patterns includes: forming guide patterns on an underlying layer, forming a self-assembling block copolymer (BCP) layer on the guide patterns and the underlying layer, annealing the self-assembling BCP layer to form first polymer block domains and second polymer block domains which are alternately and repeatedly arrayed, and selectively removing the first polymer block domains. The guide patterns are formed of a developable antireflective material. In addition, the guide patterns are spaced apart from each other such that a width of each of the guide patterns is less than a distance between the guide patterns.
US09354511B2
A method and apparatus of a novel modeling scheme for performing optical lithography simulation for a multi-tone mask with a plurality of mask tones is described. The method generates a transmission function matrix based on a setting of the multi-tone mask. The method applies the transmission function matrix to transform a formula for calculating light intensity from Abbe's form to Hopkins' form while maintaining the accuracy of Abbe's form. The method then computes the light intensity using the transformed formula.
US09354508B2
Planarized extreme ultraviolet lithography blank, and manufacturing and lithography systems therefor
An integrated extreme ultraviolet (EUV) blank production system includes: a vacuum chamber for placing a substrate in a vacuum; a first deposition system for depositing a planarization layer having a planarized top surface over the substrate; and a second deposition system for depositing a multi-layer stack on the planarization layer without removing the substrate from the vacuum. The EUV blank is in an EUV lithography system includes: an extreme ultraviolet light source; a mirror for directing light from the EUV source; a reticle stage for placing a EUV mask blank with a planarization layer; and a wafer stage for placing a wafer. The EUV blank includes: a substrate; a planarization layer to compensate for imperfections related to the surface of the substrate, the planarization layer having a flat top surface; and a multi-layer stack on the planarization layer.
US09354501B2
This projector includes a laser light generation portion, a projection portion scanning laser light, and a projection screen. The projection screen includes a lens member including a plurality of lens portions splitting the laser light and a diffusion member arranged to be opposed to the lens member, having an incident surface and a diffusion portion. The diffusion portion of the diffusion member is arranged at a position apart by a distance larger than the focal length of the lens member along an optical axis with respect to the optical principal surface of the lens member.
US09354489B2
An autofocus metric approach for focusing video images, automatically, based on images taken during a focus sweep in which a focus cell is repositioned for each of the images is provided. The approach includes, given an edge detected image from the focus sweep and an associated focus cell position in the focus sweep, an autofocus engine dividing the edge detected image into sub-images. For each sub-image, the autofocus engine calculates a normalized edge detection strength and compares it to a threshold. Based on the comparison, the autofocus engine determines whether an edge is present in the sub-image. Based on the determinations of edges in the sub-images, the autofocus engine calculates an autofocus metric associated with the given focus cell position. The autofocus engine provides the autofocus metric together with autofocus metrics associated with other focus cell positions to focus the video images.
US09354487B2
An image-pickup apparatus includes an image-pickup element photoelectrically converting an object image, a light-receiving sensor outputting a signal in accordance with a phase difference between a pair of object images, and a controller performing first focus control of controlling drive of a focus adjusting member based on a focus evaluation signal representing a contrast state of a video signal produced with the image-pickup element and second focus control of controlling drive of the focus adjusting member based on the signal in accordance with the phase difference. The controller stops the second focus control or switches focus control from the second focus control to the first focus control in response to a predetermined change found in the focus evaluation signal during the second focus control. The apparatus is capable of achieving an in-focus state smoothly and accurately with a hybrid AF.
US09354483B2
An optical limiter includes a nonlinear medium that changes its own refractive index in accordance with an intensity of incident light, and outputs the incident light in a different direction depending on the refractive index, a first incident section by which reference light with a predetermined intensity and an optical signal with a modulated intensity is made incident on the nonlinear medium, a second incident section by which auxiliary light is made incident on a portion in the nonlinear medium through which the reference light and the optical signal pass, and an inverse output section that is provided at an incident position of the reference light outputted from the nonlinear medium when the optical signal is off, and outputs an optical signal obtained by inversion of the intensity of the incident light.
US09354468B2
A liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first display panel and a second display panel which are opposite to each other, a driving unit connection line which is formed in the first display panel, a driving circuit portion which is connected to the driving unit connection line, a backlight unit which is disposed so as to be adjacent to the first display panel, a polarizer which is disposed on a surface of the second display panel and overlaps the driving unit connection line and the driving circuit portion, and a reinforcement unit that overlaps the driving unit connection line, and the polarizer may be disposed on the reinforcement unit.
US09354461B1
A method of manufacturing a display panel, the method including attaching a first carrier substrate to a first substrate; attaching a second carrier substrate to a second substrate; forming a thin film transistor (TFT) array on the first substrate; forming a color filter (CF) array on the second substrate; and coupling the first substrate with the second substrate to provide coupled first and second substrates, the first substrate being bonded to the first carrier substrate with a first intermediate layer therebetween, the second substrate being bonded to the second carrier substrate with a second intermediate layer therebetween, and an adhesive force of the first intermediate layer being weaker than an adhesive force of the second intermediate layer.
US09354456B2
In an embodiment, a hinge for a fluid-filled lens assembly includes a base having a first end configured to connect to a temple arm of the lens assembly and a second end configured to connect to a frame of the lens assembly, wherein the base includes a gap that is shaped to allow for tubing to pass from the first end to the second end of the base. In an embodiment, the first end of the base includes a cammed surface configured to engage a surface of the temple arm. In an embodiment, the first and second ends of the base are configured to flex around a rotation axis of the hinge.
US09354454B1
An eyeglass tether attachment system is a device that is used in pairs to attach to the ear-pieces of a pair of glasses that each end of a tether can be securely attached to. In addition, the exterior facing surface of the device can display a picture, sports indicia, or initials. The device has a spool and a cap that snap together and spring-rotate in relation to each other to open a passageway for inserting the eyeglass ear-piece. The cap has an integrally formed ring for attaching to the ends of a tether.
US09354450B2
A display apparatus comprising a display panel and a light module is provided. The light module comprises a light guide plate, a plurality of light guide elements and at least a light emitting unit. The light guide plate comprises at least one light incident surface, a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface opposite to the first lateral surface. The plurality of light guide elements are disposed at the first lateral surfaces. A plurality of cross-section parallel to the first light incident surface in the plurality of light guide elements. The farther the distance from the cross-section to the first light incident surface, the larger the area of the cross-section. After emitting from the light emitting unit, the light is guided by the plurality of light guide elements, and emitted from one of the first and the second lateral surfaces of the light guide plate.
US09354448B2
The invention relates to a lighting apparatus comprising a laser source (2) for emitting laser light (3). The lighting apparatus further comprises a first laser light modification unit (7) for modifying an optical characteristic of the laser light, which first laser light modification unit (7) is situated at a first location, and a second laser light modification unit (8) for modifying an optical characteristic of the laser light, which second laser light modification unit (8) is situated at a second location. The lighting apparatus further comprises a laser light distribution modification unit (4) for modifying a laser light distribution (5, 6) directed onto at least one of the first and second laser light modification units (7, 8) from a first to a second laser light distribution which is different from the first laser light distribution.
US09354443B2
An optical scanning device includes a mirror that oscillates to scan incident visible light. The mirror includes a substrate, a metal film formed on the substrate, and an reflection enhancing film stacked on the metal film.
US09354442B2
A scanning rate is increased without causing the light utilization efficiency to decrease. An optical scanning device includes a polarization switching unit that switches the polarization direction of a beam at a predetermined switching timing; at least one polarization beam splitter that splits the beam into two optical paths in accordance with the polarization direction switched by the polarization switching unit; a reflecting optical system that causes the beams split by the polarization beam splitter to have relative angles in the same plane so as to make the beams meet at the same location; and a scanner that scans the beams made to meet at the same location by means of the reflecting optical system in a direction parallel to the plane in synchronization with the switching timing of the polarization switching unit.
US09354439B2
Provided are an integral imaging type 3-dimensional (3D) image display apparatus and a 3D image pickup apparatus for increasing a depth by using an electrowetting lens array. The 3D image display apparatus includes a display panel and an electrowetting lens array having an electrically adjustable variable focal distance. The 3D image display apparatus displays a plurality of images having different depths on different focal planes and thus a depth of a 3D image by using one display panel.
US09354438B2
The invention relates to an adjustment turret comprising a base, a rotary control element, which can be rotated relative to the base about an axis of rotation, a display element, which can be rotated about the axis of rotation, and a mechanical coupling mechanism coupling the rotary control element together with the display element, the mechanical coupling mechanism being configured such that the display element can be rotated about the axis of rotation by the rotary control element into at least one rotational position of the rotary control element, wherein the coupling mechanism is configured such that during a full rotation of the rotary control element about the axis of rotation the display element can be rotated by the rotary control element relative to the base only about an angle of rotation which corresponds to part of a full rotation.
US09354436B2
The present invention relates to a method for illuminating a sample (10) in a microscope (26), the sample (10) being analysed in transmitted light bright field illumination or in incident light fluorescence illumination, wherein a white light LED (4) is used as the light source for the transmitted light bright field illumination, and a shutter (6) is activated at a location in the illumination beam path of the transmitted light bright field illumination during incident light fluorescence illumination and this shutter (6) is deactivated during transmitted light bright field illumination.
US09354431B2
A zoom lens includes a negative first lens group, an aperture, and a positive second lens group. The first lens group includes a negative first lens, a negative second lens, and a positive third lens. The second lens group includes a positive fourth lens, a negative fifth lens, a negative sixth lens, and a positive seventh lens, wherein the fifth lens is formed by adhering a positive lens and a negative lens, and the sixth lens is a meniscus lens. The zoom lens can be switched toward a telephoto mode from a wide mode by moving the second lens group from the image side toward the object side.
US09354428B2
An imaging lens elements are arranged from an object side as follows: a positive first lens having a convex object-side surface; a meniscus negative second lens having a concave object-side surface; a double-sided aspheric third lens; a double-sided aspheric fourth lens; a positive fifth lens having a convex image-side surface near an optical axis; and a double-sided aspheric negative sixth lens having a concave image-side surface near the axis. Each element is arranged with an air gap from a neighboring element. The sixth lens image-side surface has an off-axial pole-change point. The imaging lens satisfies conditional expressions below: 20<νd1−νd2<50 (1) 20<νd1−νd3<50 (2) where νd1: First lens Abbe number at d-ray νd2: Second lens Abbe number at d-ray νd3: Third lens Abbe number at d-ray. A clean copy of the abstract follows the last page of this response.
US09354426B2
An optical image lens system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element and a sixth lens element. The first lens element has positive refractive power. The second lens element has positive refractive power. The third lens element has refractive power. The fourth lens element has refractive power. The fifth lens element with refractive power has a convex object-side surface, wherein at least one of two surfaces of the fifth lens element is aspheric. The sixth lens element with negative refractive power has a concave image-side surface, wherein at least one of two surfaces of the sixth lens element is aspheric, and the sixth lens element has at least one inflection point on at least one of the surfaces thereof.
US09354424B2
A lens module (10) for image capture comprises a first positive meniscus lens (16) having a focal length F1 and comprising a first convex optical surface (18) facing the object side (12), and a second concave optical surface (20) facing the image side (14), and a second positive meniscus lens (22) having a focal length F2 and comprising a third concave optical surface (24) facing the object side (12), and a fourth convex optical surface (26) facing the image side (14). The four surfaces follow the equations: Zi=CURViYi2/(1+(1−(1−Ki)CURVi2Yi2)1/2)+(Ai)Yi2+(Bi)Yi4+(Ci)Yi6+(Di)Yi8 and Mi=1−(1+Ki)(CURVi)2(Ri)2 wherein: i is the surface number, Ki is the conic constant of the i-th surface, CURVi is the curvature of the i-th surface at the optical axis, Ai, Bi, Ci, and Di are aspheric coefficients of the i-th surface, and Ri is the effective radius of the aperture of the i-th surface. The following relations can be satisfied: 0.70
US09354420B2
A projection lens includes lens frames each of which holds a lens group and has cam pins, a guide barrel which has linear grooves through which the cam pins are inserted and into which the lens frames are sequentially fit and inserted, and a cam barrel into which the guide barrel is fit and inserted, which has cam grooves with which the cam pins protruding through the linear grooves engage, and which is rotated relative to the guide barrel to guide the cam pins along the linear grooves and the cam grooves and hence move the lens frames along the linear grooves. A protrusion is provided on the inner surface of the guide barrel, and the protrusion comes into contact with one of the lens frames so that the cam pins of the lens frame are positioned at the ends of the corresponding cam grooves.
US09354417B2
Multi-port optical connection terminal assemblies, related terminals and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a multi-port optical connection terminal assembly may include an enclosure including an internal cavity, an input orifice, and optical connection nodes. The multi-port optical connection terminal assembly may also include an optical splitter comprising a body, an input optical fiber, and output optical fibers. At least a portion of the body of the optical splitter may be disposed outside the internal cavity of the enclosure. The input optical fiber of the optical splitter may be disposed outside the internal cavity of the enclosure, and the plurality of the output optical fibers of the optical splitter may be disposed inside the internal cavity. In this manner, the enclosure of the multi-port optical connection terminal assembly is not required to be sized to completely contain the optical splitter.
US09354413B2
In some aspects, polymeric yarns and communications cables incorporating the same are provided herein. Additionally, in some aspects, methods of producing polymeric yarns and communications cables incorporating the same are provided.
US09354411B2
Embodiments disclosed herein include receiver optical assemblies (ROAs) having a photo-detector remotely located from a differential transimpedance amplifier (TIA). Related components, circuits, and methods are also disclosed. By providing the photo-detector remotely located from a TIA, additional costs associated with design constraints of providing the photo-detector intimate with a TIA may be avoided, thereby reducing cost of the ROA. In this regard as a non-limiting example, the ROAs according to the embodiments disclosed herein allow shorter haul active optical cable applications for use in consumer applications from a cost standpoint with the added benefits of increased bandwidth and low noise performance of optical fiber. In this regard, the ROAs disclosed herein provide higher input impedance differential TIA circuits and transmission circuits inhibiting or reducing ringing effects and maintain a sufficiently low resistance-capacitance (RC) time constant for differential TIA circuit to allow for higher bandwidth operation of the ROA.
US09354406B2
An optical subassembly includes an optical device assembly including an active device and an optical fiber cable operably connected to the active device that sends optical signals to the active device and receives optical signals from the active device. A carrier module has a cable receiving space that receives the optical fiber cable therein. The carrier module includes a device support structure that supports the active device for placement on a mating surface during controlled manufacturing.
US09354403B2
A ferrule of an optical communications module is allowed to float to a limited degree within the module housing. Consequently, if a force is exerted on the connector that mates with the optical communications module, the mated ferrules of the module and of the connector moves, or floats, within defined limits so that the ferrules move together rather than relative to one another. In this way, the end faces of the ferrules remain in precise alignment to prevent wiggle losses from occurring due to movement of the connector relative to the module housing.
US09354401B2
An optical connector includes a lens assembly that has at least one lens and a surface. A cleaning element is provided to clean the surface or a surface of another optical connector.
US09354400B2
An clip-together optical signal coupling assembly includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector includes a first main body and first optical coupling lenses. The second connector includes a plurality of second optical coupling lenses. The first connector includes a cover matched with the first main body, the first main body comprising a first top surface, a first bottom surface and a first outside surface connecting the first top surface and the first bottom surface together. The first top surface defines a first recess, with a first inner side surface defining a first fixing portion. The cover includes a second outside surface with a second fixing portion which functions with the first fixing portion to fix the cover to the first main body.
US09354399B2
An optical fiber connector assembly for mounting on a substrate includes a housing and a receptacle opening in a direction generally perpendicular to the substrate. A multi-fiber ferrule receives optical fibers with one of the optical fibers defining an optical fiber axis. A ferrule carrier with the ferrule is positioned within the receptacle. A locking member locks the ferrule carrier within the receptacle. In one embodiment, the locking member move generally parallel to the optical fiber axis. In another embodiment, the locking member rotates relative to the optical fiber axis.
US09354395B2
An optical waveguide element includes a cladding portion made of a silica-based glass, and an optical waveguide positioned in the cladding portion and made of a silica-based glass in which a ZrO2 particle is dispersed.
US09354388B2
A composite wafer includes a molded wafer and a second wafer. The molded wafer includes a plurality of first components, and the second wafer includes a plurality of second components. The second wafer is combined with the molded wafer to form the composite wafer. At least one of the first components is aligned with at least one of the second components to form a multi-component element. The multi-component element is singulatable from the composite wafer.
US09354371B2
Azo compounds represented by formula (1) or (2) (In the formulas, A represents a phenyl group or naphthyl group that has at least 1 substituent. R1-R4 represent a hydrogen atom, lower alkyl group or lower alkoxy group, with at least one of R1-R4 being a lower alkoxy group that has a sulfone group. X represents an optionally substituted amino group, optionally substituted benzoylamino group, optionally substituted phenylamino group, optionally substituted phenyl azo group or optionally substituted naphthotriazole group) and salts thereof.
US09354363B2
A sub-wavelength grating device having controlled phase response includes a grating layer having line widths, line thicknesses, line periods, and line spacings selected to produce a first level of control in phase changes of different portions of a beam of light reflected from the grating layer. The device also includes a substrate affixed to the grating layer that produces a second level of control in phase changes of different portions of a beam of light reflected from the grating layer, the second level of control being accomplished abrupt stepping of the substrate in a horizontal dimension, ramping the substrate in a horizontal dimension, or changing the index of refraction in a horizontal dimension.
US09354358B2
A light guiding liquid glue and a touch sensitive display using the same are provided. The light guiding liquid glue includes a liquid glue and a plurality of light guiding particles dispersed in the liquid glue, wherein volume percent of the light guiding particles in the light guiding liquid glue ranges between 10% and 50%. The light guiding particles have a light scattering property, which can transfer a linear light into a flat light, and therefore the light guiding liquid glue of the present disclosure has a light guiding property. The touch sensitive display includes a display panel and a touch panel. The light guiding liquid glue is disposed between the display panel and the touch panel, which can transmit evenly lights emitted from the display panel to outside of the touch sensitive display.
US09354352B2
Provided is a photoelectric sensor that detects a workpiece by measuring light transmission time. A photoelectric sensor includes: a light emitting element which repeatedly generates detection light; a light receiving element which receives reflected light of the detection light; a binarization processing section which binarizes a light receiving signal; a waveform detection section which detects waveform data indicating a temporal change of the binarized light receiving signal; a waveform integration section which matches light emitting timing of the light receiving element to integrate two or more pieces of waveform data and generates integrated waveform data; and a workpiece discrimination section which discriminates presence or absence of a workpiece based on the integrated waveform data, whereby the reflected light is sampled at a high speed while a circuit scale is suppressed, to detect the workpiece.
US09354350B2
A magnetometer includes a sensor housing having an internal bore formed therethrough and a magnetic field sensor disposed within the internal bore of the sensor housing. The magnetic field sensor is fixedly mounted within the internal bore of the sensor housing. A magnetic flux concentrating block is disposed proximate to an end of the at least one magnetic field sensor. An electronics unit is disposed within the internal bore of the sensor housing and is operatively and communicatively connected to the magnetic field sensor. The electronics unit is configured to receive a signal from the magnetic field sensor.
US09354345B2
A method controls a delay of an air-gun in an aquatic seismic source. The method includes a step of receiving an attribute of the air-gun during the aquatic seismic survey; a step of calculating, based on a time-delay algorithm that uses the attribute, the asynchronization time of the air-gun; a step of determining whether the asynchronization time is smaller than a given time threshold; a step of instructing a controller to (1) wait for a predetermined time before calculating again the asynchronization time of the air-gun if the asynchronization time is smaller than the given time threshold, or (2) calculate an updated asynchronization time for the air-gun based on the attribute if the asynchronization time is larger than the given time threshold; and a step of sending the updated asynchronization time to a gun controller of the air-gun for adjusting a delay time for firing the air-gun.
US09354337B2
Embodiments of a system are provided for forming enhanced seismic array traces using virtual seismic sensors in addition to the real seismic sensors to form a virtual seismic array. The system receives the signal responses from the real sensors, processes the signal responses from the sensors to define virtual signals using a narrowband decomposition of the complex envelope of the sensor signal responses, calculates second- and fourth-order statistics to derive steering vectors for the array of real sensors, and forms a virtual seismic array in response thereto. Machines, computer program product, and computer-implemented methods are provided for forming enhanced seismic array traces by receiving the array responses from sensors, processing the signals to define virtual sensor signals and a virtual seismic array, and forming an array response for the virtual seismic array to form a seismic trace of enhanced resolution.
US09354333B2
A radiation detection apparatus, comprising a housing including a first plate portion and a second plate portion arranged to face each other, a scintillator configured to convert radiation into light, supported by a supporting portion arranged in a side of the second plate portion in the housing, a sensor panel including a sensor array in which a plurality of sensors for detecting light are arrayed, interposed between the scintillator and the first plate portion in the housing, and a member interposed between the first plate portion and the sensor panel in the housing, wherein the sensor panel is arranged to position an outer edge of the sensor panel outside an outer edge of the scintillator, and the member is arranged to position an outer edge of the member inside the outer edge of the scintillator.
US09354331B2
According to one embodiment, an X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes an X-ray tube, a detector, a first DAS, and a second DAS. The radiation detector includes a plurality of detection elements. Each detection element repeatedly detects X-rays generated by the X-ray tube and transmitted through a subject and repeatedly generates an electrical signal corresponding to the energy of the repeatedly detected X-rays. The first DAS acquires the electrical signal detected by part of the imaging region of each detection element in the integral mode. The second DAS acquires the electrical signal detected by the other part of the imaging region of each detection element in the photon count type mode.
US09354324B2
Various methods, apparatuses and/or articles of manufacture are provided which may, for example, be implemented to compute one or more inferences from signals generated by one or more inertial sensors or environmental sensors, detect an erroneous condition responsive to a comparison of the computed inference(s) with an initial position or a position fix, and, in response to the detection of the erroneous condition, affect at least one process at the mobile device that is used, at least in part, to obtain a position fix.
US09354322B2
A telematics unit incorporating an antenna for receiving Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals from GNSS signal sources, and a GNSS receiver supporting over-the-air configuration is described herein. The telematics unit is configured with a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions for facilitating the over-the-air configuration of the GNSS receiver by acquiring GNSS status information relating to multiple supported GNSS signal sources. Thereafter, the telematics unit forwards GNSS selection information, including at least GNSS requirements information and the GNSS status information, to a GNSS control center. In response, the GNSS receiver receives a GNSS type selection notification message from the GNSS control center. The GNSS receiver applies information contained within the GNSS type selection notification to configure GNSS type-specific components to operate according to a GNSS type-specific mode.
US09354316B2
A system and method are provided for leveraging emitted polarized electromagnetic radiation as a means to track relative orientation and position of an object with regard to another object. Six basic degrees of freedom including three angular and three translational are determined based on making multiple polarization-based measurements and then determining the corresponding geometry that would yield those measurements.
US09354298B2
A radar system including a plurality of mini radars may be conformable to a structure that it is attached or built into. A radar system includes a clock, a plurality of frequency modulated/continuous wave (FM/CW) radar units in signal communication with the clock and a processor in signal communication with the plurality of FM/CW radar units. Each of the plurality of FM/CW radar units includes a row of antenna elements.
US09354297B2
Systems and methods are provided for determining position location information in a wireless network. In one embodiment, timing offset information is communicated between multiple transmitters and one or more receivers. Such information enables accurate position or location determinations to be made that account for timing differences throughout the network. In another embodiment, transmitter phase adjustments are made that advance or delay transmissions from the transmitters to account for potential timing differences at receivers. In yet another embodiment, combinations of timing offset communications and/or transmitter phase adjustments can be employed in the wireless network to facilitate position location determinations.
US09354294B2
A real-time solar tracking system includes: a microcontroller, a light-resistant box, a motor for changing a direction angle of a solar collection board, and a diver for controlling operating condition of the motor. The light-resistant box has a loophole disposed at a top surface of the light-resistant box, a convex lens plane array is disposed parallel to a bottom surface of the light-resistant box, and a photosensitive element array is disposed at a bottom of the light-resistant box. The microcontroller is used for calculating a solar direction angle according to a solar direction angle signal obtained from the photosensitive element array, and sending directions to the driver. With advantages of high detecting accuracy, high degree of automation and intelligence, well environmental adaptability, high reliability, low cost, the present invention is particularly suitable for solar power system.
US09354293B2
The system and method uses a one or more pilot beacons to more accurately locate the position of an indoor mobile device. Modulation and level control of the co-pilot beacons provides a third dimension, z-axis, of positioning. An augmented Position Determining Entity (“aPDE”) can be used which does not modify the existing PDE in the network, and facilitates and ensures high-integrity information during a 2D to 3D positioning upgrade.
US09354291B2
A dynamically self-adjusting magnetometer is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first sample module periodically generates an electronic signal related to at least one magnetic field characteristic of a monitored environment. A second sample module periodically generates an electronic signal related to at least one magnetic field characteristic of a monitored environment. A summing module sums the absolute value of the electronic signal from the first sample module and the electronic signal from the second sample module. A delta comparator module receives the electronic signals from each of the first sample module, the second sample module and the summing module and compares each of the electronic signals with a previously received set of electronic signals to establish a change, wherein an output is generated if the change is greater than or equal to a threshold.
US09354288B2
A magnetic resonance apparatus is provided. The magnetic resonance apparatus includes a scanner configured to execute a plurality of pulse sequences each including a plurality of RF pulses for generating magnetization transfer of protons and a data acquisition sequence for acquiring data from a region in which proton magnetization transfer occurs, wherein the phases of the plurality of RF pulses are cycled so as to make a phase difference between the phase of a pth RF pulse of the plurality of RF pulses and the phase of a p+1th RF pulse of the plurality of RF pulses different for each pulse sequence, and a controller configured to control operations that include processing for determining a spectrum indicative of a relationship between a signal intensity of each signal obtained from the region and the associated phase differences based on data obtained by executing the plurality of pulse sequences.
US09354283B2
According to embodiments of the present invention, a sensor is provided. The sensor includes a substrate, a beam suspended from the substrate, and a plurality of conductive lines arranged on the beam, wherein the beam is adapted to be displaced in response to a current flowing through the plurality of conductive lines, and a magnetic field interacting with the beam, and wherein the sensor is configured to determine a property of the magnetic field based on the displacement of the beam. According to further embodiments of the present invention, a method of controlling a sensor is also provided.
US09354282B2
This method of compensation in the measurement of a magnetic field comprises: the determining of a position and of a magnetic moment of an image of the source situated on the other side of the magnetic disturber using one or more measurements of the emitted magnetic field, performed by at least one magnetic sensor whose position and orientation relatively to the source are known, and the subtraction of the magnetic field emitted by this image from the measurement of the magnetic field made by the sensor in the presence of the magnetic disturber to obtain compensation in this measurement.
US09354280B2
A current sensor including: a current bar through which a current flows; a magnetic substance core configured to cover at least a part of the current bar; a magnetic field measurement element that measures a magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the current bar; a substrate to which the magnetic substance core and the magnetic field measurement element are fixed; and a magnetic substance cover that covers the magnetic substance core, and aligns the magnetic substance core by being fixed to the substrate; wherein slits corresponding to a width of the current bar are formed on side surfaces of the magnetic substance cover, and the current bar is aligned with the magnetic substance cover by protruding from the slits.
US09354278B2
This device and method use the complex impedance of a rechargeable battery to detect the state of the rechargeable battery. A computer determines the slope of the complex impedance at least two different frequencies in a diffusion region of the rechargeable battery when a straight-line approximation has been made, and compares the slope with a threshold value. If the slope is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the computer determines that the battery has a normal capacity balance, and if the slope is less than the threshold value, the computer determines that the battery has an abnormal unbalanced capacity. Furthermore, if the magnitude of an imaginary axis component of the complex impedance in the diffusion region of the rechargeable battery is greater than the threshold battery, the computer determines that the battery has an abnormal capacity balance, and if said magnitude is less than or equal to the threshold value, the computer determines that the battery has a normal capacity balance.
US09354266B2
A device and method for measuring jitter includes a capacitive element capable of being selectively charged, wherein the selection is made by a received signal from which an accumulated jitter value is to be determined. An analog-to-digital converter is coupled to the capacitive element to determine a voltage across the capacitive element after a number of cycles of the received signal. A determination module is coupled to the analog-to-digital converter to output the accumulated jitter value of the received signal using the voltage, wherein the accumulated jitter value is accumulated over the number of cycles.
US09354265B2
Exemplary systems and methods are directed to establishing a signature for a device emitting electromagnetic radiation (EMR). The system includes a radio frequency (RF) receiver, a signal processor, and a signature generator. The RF receiver samples detected EMR, generate pulses having characteristics that are a function of the EMR, and select generated pulses in a spectral band having energy above a predetermined threshold. The signal processor establishes a set of correlated pulses, computes a vector space associated with the set of correlated pulses, and compares each pulse in the set of correlated pulses to a basis of the vector space for establishing a device signature, and associates pulses having a threshold percentage of energy within the basis in a database with a device identifier.
US09354260B2
A system includes a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit includes a first MOS transistor having a gate and a drain. The first circuit is configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal at the gate of the first MOS transistor. The drain of the first MOS transistor is configured to output a first current that is proportional to the square of the input voltage of the RF signal while receiving the RF signal. The second circuit includes a second MOS transistor having a source configured to receive a first current from the first circuit. The second MOS transistor is biased in a triode region and has a channel resistance between the source and a drain. The second circuit is configured to output a voltage proportional to the value of the power of the RF signal received by the first circuit.
US09354259B2
A wireless energy transmission apparatus wirelessly transmits energy through resonance between a source resonator and a target resonator. The apparatus scans an amount of energy stored in the source resonator for a scanning period, calculates a total amount of energy stored in the source resonator and the target resonator during an off-resonant interval between the source resonator and the target resonator based on the amount of energy scanned, and estimates an amount of energy induced in the target resonator based on the amount of energy stored in the source resonator and the total amount of energy calculated.
US09354258B2
A device including: a conductor through which a current to be measured flows; multiple coils arranged around the conductor; a first magnetic body provided to face one of end surfaces of each of the multiple coils and configured to magnetically short-circuit the multiple coils; and a second magnetic body provided to face another one of the end surfaces of each of the multiple coils, configured to magnetically short-circuit the multiple coils, and including through-holes through which coil wires from the multiple coils are passed, respectively, the through-holes being provided at positions facing the other end surfaces of the multiple coils, respectively.
US09354256B1
An electrical circuit tester including a resistive load and a testing station for detecting the variable load. The testing station includes at least one electrical current transducer capable of detecting the variable load in an adjacent electrical power circuit. The detection of the variable load is communicated to the testing station and a variable load detection function.
US09354254B2
A testing apparatus with reduced warping of the probe card and a method of reducing warping of a probe card of a testing apparatus are disclosed. The testing apparatus can include a testing head and a platform opposite the testing head, where the testing head and platform move relative to one another to bring a sample into contact with probing tips of the testing apparatus. The testing head can include a probe card printed circuit board, a stiffener, a discontinuous backer and a plurality of probing tips. The stiffener can be coupled to and reinforcing the probe card. The discontinuous backer can extend from the probe card to the stiffener, and can include at least one unfilled void extending from the stiffener to the probe card. The plurality of probing tips can extend from a distal end of the testing head.
US09354252B2
A wafer probing system includes a probe card assembly having a plurality of individual probe structures configured make contact with a semiconductor wafer mounted on a motor driven wafer chuck, with each probe structure configured with a pressure sensing unit integrated therewith; and a controller configured to drive the probe card assembly with one or more piezoelectric driver units response to feedback from the pressure sensing units of the individual probe structures.
US09354251B2
An integrated circuit test socket is adapted to use with Kelvin connectors by creating closely spaced connectors and counter-rotating links that are nested to conserve space. The connectors are shaped to make contact with a chip and communicate force and sense signals to a tester, allowing a measure of the chip's actual resistance.
US09354243B2
In some embodiments, the invention provides methods for detecting fibrinolysis or hyperfibrinolysis in a blood sample from a patient. The method includes subjecting a first portion of a blood sample comprising reduced platelet function to viscoelastic analysis in the absence of an inhibitor of fibrinolysis to obtain a coagulation characteristic of the first portion at a time point; and subjecting a second portion of the blood sample comprising reduced platelet function to viscoelastic analysis in the presence of an inhibitor of fibrinolysis to obtain a coagulation characteristic of the second portion at the time point; wherein a difference between the coagulation characteristic of the first portion and the coagulation characteristic of the second portion indicates fibrinolysis or hyperfibrinolysis in the blood sample.
US09354239B2
In this invention, a novel protein interaction domain is provided along with several of its variants. This domain is involved in protein-protein interactions with the Bcl-2 family of proteins. It is named BLID (Bcl2 family of proteins Like Interaction Domain). Use of BLID and its variants for modulating cellular activity is presented. BLID, its variants and or anti-BLID antibodies could be useful as a screening tool as well as for discovery of drugs that help fight pathological states like degenerative diseases, cerebral or cardiac ischemic hypoxic disorders, cancer and autoimmunity.
US09354235B2
The invention is generally directed to a system and process for fluorometrically quantifying potentially mineralizable nitrogen for agricultural crop production. The soil analysis process measures potentially mineralizable nitrogen and calibrates the application of soil-based nitrogen for site or field specific management of nitrogen fertilizers for crops grown on a wide variety of soil textures including sandy loam, silt loam and clay soils. The spectrofluorometric system and process may be utilized for routine soil testing with a lower sample to sample variability, and the automation of the spectrofluorometric system and process allows for simultaneous determination of potentially mineralizable soil organic nitrogen, ammonium and nitrate.
US09354225B2
The invention provides methods for detection in stored biological samples of PrPsc and other analytes that are present in exosomes.
US09354219B1
A method of detecting stannous ions that includes providing a zincon-containing indicator having a color, contacting the indicator with a sample, and detecting any resulting change in the color of the indicator, wherein a change in the color of the indicator from the color to colorless indicates that stannous ions are present in the sample. The method is useful for the analysis of oral care compositions. Also provided is the use of zinc on as an indicator for detecting stannous ions.
US09354211B2
The invention relates to a method for determining whether two plastics components (1, 2) to be welded to each other in a joint plane are welded to each other after a welding process has been carried out, characterized in that the position of a reference plane is determined from a reference point before the welding process is carried out, then the welding process is carried out, and the position of the joint plane or the thickness of the components (1, 2) welded to each other is determined from the reference point during or after the welding process.
US09354208B2
A fluidic apparatus for a sample separation system includes a fluid inlet path for supplying a fluid, an inlet sensor adapted for measuring a flow rate of the fluid in the fluid inlet path, a splitting point arranged downstream of the fluid inlet path and adapted for splitting the fluid into a first path and into a second path, and a second path sensor adapted for measuring a flow rate of a part of the fluid conducted into the second path.
US09354205B2
For ultrasonic measurement of pipe seam peaking, optionally with simultaneous ultrasonic wall thickness measurement using ultrasonic probes mounted on sensor holders on a sensor mount, it is proposed to use a sensor mount with sensor holders mounted on movable skids, which are pressed outward by spring elements and bear against the internal pipe surface, and skids having a large skid breadth greater than the seam peak breadth measured in the pipe's circumferential direction in the region of a measured seam peak, and sensor holders equipped with sensors only in a measuring region situated half way between two skid contact surfaces, wherein the measuring region breadth is less or equal to half of the skid breadth such that the stand off deviation of the sensors resulting in the seam peak region remains below a threshold value.
US09354196B2
A particulate matter sensor unit including a sensor on one side of an exhaust line and configured to employ an electrostatic induction for generating electric charges by a particulate matter contained in an exhaust gas when the particulate matter passes the sensor. The sensor includes a body portion, an electrode portion formed in a front of the body portion on one side of the front and adjacent to the particulate matter, a heating portion in a rear of the body portion on one side of the rear corresponding to the electrode portion, a power input portion in the rear of the body portion on the other side of the rear and to supply a power to the heating portion, and connection lines to connect the power input portion to the heating portion, which use the supplied power to generate heat for burning and removing the particulate matter.
US09354195B2
Highly selective coated-electrode nanogap transducers for the detection of redox molecules are described. In an example, an analyte detection system includes one or more transducer electrodes having a surface for analyte detection. The surface includes a coating to inhibit direct contact of analyte with the surface of the one or more transducer electrodes.
US09354166B2
A method and apparatus for irradiating a scattering medium with increased resolution. The method includes transmitting EM radiation from an Electromagnetic (EM) radiation source to a target inside a scattering medium, wherein the target encodes the EM radiation with a variance structure to form encoded EM radiation; measuring, in a detector, transmitted EM radiation comprising at least a portion of the encoded EM radiation transmitted through and exiting the scattering medium; decoding the transmitted EM radiation, comprising EM fields, in a computer, comprising selecting one or more of the EM fields having the variance structure; and irradiating the scattering medium with time reversed EM radiation from a spatial light modulator (SLM), the time reversed EM radiation generated from time reversing the EM fields having the variance structure, thereby forming a focus of the time reversed EM radiation in the scattering medium with the increased resolution.
US09354163B2
Downhole spectrometer tools are provided with two ways to increase the number of filters on an optical path. A first approach employs multiple filter wheels that rotate alternately in a common plane to intersect the optical path. Portions of the wheels are cut out to avoid mechanical interference between the wheels. A second approach drives the one or more filter wheels with a wobble that causes the filters to trace one or more hypocycloidal curves that each intersect the optical path.
US09354152B2
Rheometry apparatus comprises a block of substantially rigid material having an external surface and at least a first internal flow channel, the first internal flow channel being arranged inside the block and substantially in a plane and the block further comprising a plurality of holes, each hole communicating with the first internal flow channel at a respective position along the first internal flow channel and extending from the respective position to said external surface so as to provide access to the first internal flow channel from the external surface, the plurality of holes comprising a first hole communicating with a first said position, for connection to pumping means to drive fluid flow along said first internal flow channel, a second hole communicating with a second position and in which a sensor may be located to measure a property of fluid at the second position, and a third hole communicating with a third position and in which a sensor may be located to measure a property of fluid at the third position.
US09354146B2
A sample is cleaned up for spectroscopic analysis by receiving a slide substrate having the sample thereon, fixing the sample to a substrate surface of the slide substrate by applying heat to the slide substrate for a predetermined heating time and incubating the sample on the slide substrate for a predetermined incubation time after fixing the sample to the slide substrate. The sample is further cleaned by washing the sample on the slide substrate after the sample has been incubated and drying the sample by applying heat to the slide substrate for a predetermined drying time, wherein the sample on the slide substrate after drying has retained particles of interest and interferant particles are removed from the substrate. A substrate is also provided for sample collection, which is culturable and Raman silent.
US09354145B2
Contemplated herein is an automated microscope slide antigen recovery and staining apparatus and method that features a plurality of individually operable miniaturized pressurizable reaction compartments for individually and independently processing a plurality of individual microscope slides. The apparatus preferably features independently movable slide support elements each having an individually heatable heating plate. Each slide support element preferably supports a single microscope slide. Each microscope slide can be enclosed within an individual pressurizable reaction compartment. Pressures exceeding 1 atm or below 1 atm can be created and maintained in the reaction compartment prior to, during or after heating of the slide begins. Because of the ability to pressurize and regulate pressure within the reaction compartment, and to individually heat each slide, each slide and a liquid solution or reagent thereon can be heated to temperatures that could not be obtained without the enclosed pressurized environment of the reaction compartment. A reagent dispensing strip having a plurality of reconfigurable reagent modules may also be used.
US09354144B2
Solid beads each containing a selected quantity of analyte are combined and a liquid base matrix that contains attributes of a biological fluid that is to be assayed, together constitute a kit from which a laboratory technician can, at the point of use, prepare a liquid control for a particular analyte, and preferably a series of such controls at different levels of the same analyte customized for a particular assay.
US09354142B2
Disclosed is a gas sensor including a metal shell, a ceramic holder placed in an axial inner hole of the metal shell and a sensor element inserted through an insertion hole of the ceramic holder. The ceramic holder has a recessed hole recessed toward the rear from a front-facing surface of the ceramic holder. The sensor element has, at a front end part thereof, a detection portion covered with a porous protection layer such that a rear end part of the protection layer is accommodated in the recessed hole with a space left therebetween. Further, the ceramic holder has a front circumferential edge defined between an inner circumferential surface of the recessed hole and the front-facing surface of the ceramic holder such that the whole of the front circumferential edge is located radially inside of a radially innermost position of the axial hole.
US09354139B2
A headlamp aimer box includes a housing defining an opening and a tunnel, a window disposed within the opening, and a whiteboard disposed at one end of the tunnel. The box further includes a mirror disposed within the tunnel. The mirror redirects a beam passing through the window from a headlamp toward the whiteboard. A length of the tunnel is such that light patterns directed by facets of the headlamp sufficiently cross a median line associated with the headlamp to form a developed beam on the whiteboard.
US09354135B2
The present invention relates to an oil leak detection device. In an aspect, the oil leak detection device includes a base film layer 200 configured in a tape form, a pair of polymer lines 220, 230 formed on a top surface of the base film layer in parallel in a length direction, a pair of conductive lines 210, 240 formed on the top surface of the base film layer in parallel to the pair of polymer lines in the length direction, and an upper protection film layer 300 attached to the top surface of the base film layer and configured to have a plurality of sensing holes 310 formed at specific intervals in the length direction at locations through which only one of the pair of polymer lines is exposed.
US09354131B2
Method and apparatus for measuring torque transmitted by driven wheel of a cycle or the like vehicle
There is provided an apparatus and method for measuring and monitoring the torque exerted by a cyclist during pedaling of a human-powered vehicle, as for example a bicycle, including an electromagnetic emitter which is adapted to be fixed securely to a rear wheel hub, for generating and directing a beam of electromagnetic radiation towards a rim of the wheel, and a detector mounted on the wheel for detecting the movement of the beam when torque is applied to the wheel, the movement being indicative of an angular displacement of the hub with respect to the rim and directly proportional to the torque. Either alone or using optical elements, the beam is directed to travel at least a distance between the emitter and the rim before detection. The measurement can be used to provide a power output.
US09354125B2
A sensor arrangement for wirelessly measuring temperature and vibration is disclosed. The sensor arrangement includes a sensor element and a sensor coil affixed on the device. A readout coil is configured to be magnetically coupled to the sensor coil configured to energize the sensor coil with an energizing signal, configured to provide the natural frequency of the sensor element, the sensor coil, and the readout coil, and configured to provide amplitude modulations of the energizing signal, the amplitude modulations being induced by changes in the coupling factor of the readout coil and the sensor coil. An energizing circuit is configured to energize the readout coil with the energizing signal. A readout circuit is configured to store or display information regarding the natural frequency and the amplitude modulations.
US09354124B2
A circuit includes a comparator unit, a capacitive device, and a switching network. The comparator unit is configured to set a control signal at a first logical value when an output voltage reaches a first voltage value from being less than the first voltage value, and to set the control signal at a second logical value when the output voltage reaches a second voltage value from being greater than the second voltage. The capacitive device provides the output voltage. The switching network is configured to charge or discharge the capacitive device based on the control signal.
US09354122B2
A zero-heat-flux, deep tissue temperature measurement system measures internal body temperature by way of a probe having a heater and thermal sensors arranged in a zero-heat-flux construction. The measurement system includes control mechanization that determines heater and skin temperatures based upon data obtained from the probe and uses those temperatures to calculate a deep tissue temperature. The measurement system includes a signal interface cable having a connector where a probe can be releasably connected to the system. The cable and attached connector are a removable and replaceable part of the system, separate from the probe. The measurement system provides an output signal imitating a standard input signal configuration used by other equipment.
US09354121B2
A corrosion resistant thermowells with thin wall tips for use in unusually difficult industrial applications such as pharmaceutical and chemical process plants and semiconductor manufacturing facilities. These facilities have process environments that may include at least one of the following: highly corrosive fluids, difficult mechanical conditions such as rapid or turbulent fluid flows, and/or reasonably high process temperatures and/or pressures. The corrosion resistant thermowells provide isolation between a temperature sensor and a fluid to be measured.
US09354120B2
Disclosed is an autocorrelator for generating an autocorrelation signal for an ultrashort pulse to measure the ultrashort pulse. The autocorrelator comprises: a light source unit for generating an optical pulse; a double wedge interferometer in which a first wedge and a second wedge serving as a wedge-shaped optical medium are arranged such that facing surfaces of the first and second wedges are parallel to each other, so as to separate the optical pulse provided by the light source unit to generate two optical pulses; a harmonic light medium for receiving the generated two optical pulses to generate second harmonic light; and a measurement unit for detecting the second harmonic light to generate an autocorrelation signal. Thus, the time width of an ultrashort pulse can be measured by an interferometer using only two wedge-shaped optical components.
US09354116B1
A multi-channel double-pass imaging spectrometer based on a reimaging or relayed all-reflective optical form, such as a four-mirror anastigmat (4MA) or five-mirror anastigmat (5MA). In one example, such a spectrometer includes a slit through which incident electromagnetic radiation enters the spectrometer, an imaging detector positioned at an image plane of the spectrometer co-located with the slit, and double-pass all-reflective reimaging optics configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the slit and to output a collimated beam of the electromagnetic radiation, and further configured to produce a reimaged pupil positioned between the double-pass all-reflective reimaging optics and the image plane. The spectrometer further includes at least one dispersive element configured to spectrally disperse the infrared electromagnetic radiation in each channel and being oriented to direct the dispersed output through the double-pass all-reflective reimaging optics to the image plane.
US09354104B2
A combination of a hardware-secured reject bin and a programmed controller that together function to create an interlock that limits access to a reject bin to only those users with specific access rights. Access is gained by entering a user ID or some other authorized reject bin user access information into the user interface of a checkweigher controller or another controller in communication with a checkweigher controller. Access attempts and events may be tracked and the removal of objects from an interlocked bin may be recorded to provide for improved object traceability.
US09354103B2
A level sensing device is disclosed that provides a lightweight but robust design and incorporates the use of an LVDT to determine the level of a fluid in a container.
US09354097B2
The present invention relates to a system, method, and computer program product for generating a drive signal for a vibrating measuring device (5). A drive chain (C1, C2, C3, CN) is selected from at least two drive chains (C1, C2, C3, CN). Each drive chain (C1, C2, C3, CN) modifies at least one pick-off signal to generate the drive signal. Each drive chain (C1, C2, C3, CN) generates a different mode of vibration in the at least one conduit (103A). The drive signal generated by the selected drive chain (C1, C2, C3, CN) is provided to a drive (104) of the vibrating measuring device (5).
US09354092B2
The Application discloses an in-line, high capacity apparatus and method for measuring a flowable component, such as seed, grain or other material. The apparatus and method generally function by measuring the pressure applied to a rounded cap by the flowing material. In certain embodiments, the apparatus and method comprise a housing containing a sensing unit, with the housing further comprising a rounded cap in mechanical communication with a load cell. In certain exemplary embodiments, the apparatus and method also comprise a processor, wherein the sensing unit is in communication with the processor so as to measure the flow rate of material passed through the housing by measuring the pressure of the material on the rounded cap. In certain embodiments, the apparatus and method allow the user to regulate the flow rate.
US09354091B2
A method of determining a calibration time interval for a calibration of a measurement device for measuring a quantity to be measured, which allows a safe optimization of calibration time intervals between consecutive calibrations. Performing a first calibration of the device at a first calibration time; adjusting, repairing or replacing the device and restarting the method from the beginning in case the first measurement error exceeds a predetermined error range including zero; performing a second calibration of the device at a second calibration time, adjusting, repairing or replacing the device and restarting the method from the beginning in case the second measurement error exceeds a maximum permissible error; determining the calibration time, at which a third calibration of the device shall be performed, and which is determined based on the first and the second measurement error, a probability density function for determining a measurement error of the device solely due to a calibration uncertainty inherent to the first calibration, a probability density function for determining a measurement error of the device solely due to a calibration uncertainty inherent to the second calibration, and the first and the second calibration time.
US09354081B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a battery-operated stationary sensor arrangement with a unidirectional data transmission. The battery-operated stationary sensor arrangement has a sensor, a means for generating data packets and a means for transmitting data packets. The transmitter is implemented to determine sensor data and provide a sensor data packet based on the sensor data, wherein the sensor data has an amount of data of less than 1 kbit. The means for generating data packets is implemented to divide the sensor data packet into at least two data packets, wherein each of the at least two data packets is shorter than the sensor data packet. The means for transmitting data packets is implemented to transmit the data packets with a data rate of less than 50 kbit/s and a time interval via a communication channel.
US09354078B2
Methods and systems are provided for displaying visually distinguishing characteristics if an aircraft is below a minimum altitude or beyond a maximum distance when executing a procedure turn. A procedure turn icon, an aircraft icon indicating the aircraft's present location, terrain/obstacles, and the visually distinguishing characteristics are displayed on a moving map.
US09354076B2
A guiding server according to this application includes an image storing unit, a retrieving unit, and a generating unit. The image storing unit stores a signboard image of a signboard. The retrieving unit retrieves, from the image storing unit, a signboard image of a signboard on a way to a destination based on location information and destination information of a user terminal. The generating unit generates guiding information including the signboard image based on the retrieved signboard image, the location information and the destination information and transmits the guiding information to the user terminal.
US09354074B2
In one example, a method includes outputting, by a computing device, media, and performing, by the computing device and prior to output of a first navigation instruction from a plurality of navigation instructions, an adjustment to the outputting of the media. In this example, the method also includes determining, based at least in part on a second navigation instruction from the plurality of navigation instructions, that an interruption condition will be satisfied until after output of the second navigation instruction, and responsive to the determining, maintaining the adjustment to the outputting of the media until after output of the second navigation instruction.
US09354071B2
Systems and methods may provide turn-by-turn directions to a group of users who wish to meet one another. The systems and methods make use of a client application running on client-side devices such as smart phones in conjunction with a server-side application running on a server. The identity of the final meeting place may not be determined until the users are in close proximity to it, as its location is subject to continuous updating using the geo-coordinates of the users as they travel. Additionally, the meeting place may be determined in part by the users' individual preferences. These preferences, along with the locations of the users, may be kept hidden from other users.
US09354062B2
Method and apparatus embody a rotation sensor including one or more ring lasers designed to utilize a nonlinear Sagnac effect, a passive waveguide arrangement, and a photodetector arrangement to receive the outcoupled light and to detect rotation of the sensor; wherein these components are arranged into a monolithically integrated optoelectronic integrated circuit on a single substrate. The method and apparatus can include seeding a stable, rotation -insensitive, strong (driving) wave using a single-frequency edge emitting laser monolithically integrated on the same substrate.
US09354055B2
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for tilt detection and indication is disclosed. The tilt indicator includes a first member having a reservoir for retaining a granular indicating media therein; and a second member coupled to the first member and having an adhesive portion located corresponding to an indicating area of the first member. Responsive to a tilt event, at least a portion of the indicating media exits the reservoir and travels to the indicating area where the adhesive portion retains at least a portion of the indicating media within the indicating area. A blocking element located within a buffering area located between the reservoir and the indicating area is configured to impede travel of the indicating media from the reservoir toward the indicating area when the tilt indicator is in an activated state.
US09354050B2
In some embodiments, apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to acquire borehole standoff data (321), segregate the standoff data into a plurality of azimuthal bins (363), derive a plurality of diameters from the standoff data in the bins, determine an average borehole diameter from the plurality of diameters (367), calculate a standard deviation from the average borehole diameter (375), and compute a caliper measurement (383), a major elliptical axis length, and a minor elliptical axis length based on the average borehole diameter and the standard deviation (387).
US09354048B2
A method for measuring a substrate in the form of a lithography mask or a mask blank for producing a lithography mask comprises the alignment of a substrate coordinate system (SKS), predetermined by a first marker structure, relative to a position measurement system, a measurement of actual position data (IST) of a second marker structure with predetermined intended position data (POS) in the substrate coordinate system (SKS), and an establishment of a transformation (T) of the substrate coordinate system (SKS) into a transformed substrate coordinate system (tSKS), wherein the transformation (T) is established in such a way that deviations between the actual position data (IST) and the intended position data (POS) of the second marker structure are reduced.
US09354036B2
A diagnosis system and method to detect wear between a first set of teeth of a first gear and a second set of teeth of a second intermeshing gear, the diagnosis system having a first target associated with the first set of teeth, a second target associated with the second set of teeth, a first sensor adapted to detect the location of the first target, a second sensor adapted to detect the location of the second target, and a processing system in data communication with the first sensor and the second sensor, the processing system being adapted to process a spatial relationship between the first target relative to the second target after a time lapse of rotation between the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth.
US09354034B2
A positive location system is disclosed for a locomotive consist including at least two locomotives. The system may include a first locator element on a first locomotive and a second locator element on a second locomotive. Each locator element may include a receiving device and a transmitting device communicatively coupled with each other locator element. Each locator element may be configured to determine its own location, relay information on its location to at least one other locator element on another locomotive, receive location information on the at least one other locator element, and determine its own location relative to the location of the at least one other locator element. Each locator element may also provide location information for the at least one other locator element as though it were the at least one other locator element when the at least one other locator element is non-functional.
US09354033B2
An array of induction coil sensors is used to monitor, from multiple locations, the strength of a magnetic field generated by a wire to be traced. The magnetic field strength data is used to determine the location and orientation of the wire. In one embodiment, the sensor array is incorporated into a test instrument. The screen of the test instrument provides a graphical user interface that shows the orientation of the wire and indicates the location of the wire relative to the instrument.
US09354031B1
A system measures and marks a measurement. The system has a body. A measurement tape is coiled within the body which, when extended from the body, is held in place by engaging a lock button attached to the body. A chalk line is coiled within the body which, when extended from the body is held in place by engaging a chalk line lock. A chalk reel handle is attached to the body and configured to wind the chalk line into the body. The measurement tape makes the measurement and the chalk line marks the measurement.
US09354030B2
A method of machining holes on a metal plate contains steps of: providing a metal plate and an auxiliary working sheet; contacting the auxiliary working sheet with a first face of a drilling area; drilling a hole on the auxiliary working sheet and the drilling area; and removing the auxiliary working sheet from the drilling area. The metal plate includes the drilling area, and the drilling area has the first face and a second face opposite to the first face, a hardness value of the auxiliary working sheet is 0.7 times more than the metal plate, and a rotating speed of a driller is more than 8,000 rpm/min, thereby machining the hole on the metal plate smoothly and uniformly.
US09354027B2
Embodiments of a fragmenting projectile are disclosed herein. According to various embodiments, a fragmenting projectile includes a substantially solid core of a material, and two or more petals attached to the core. The two or more petals can be formed from the same material used to form the core and can include a trocar tip. A cavity can be bound by the core and inner surfaces of the plurality of petals.
US09354023B1
An assembly structured for removably mounting armor on a user's body in a protective orientation including a base having an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion is structured to retain the armor, preferably but not exclusively, in the form of an armor plate on the base in substantially facing relation to the body of the user, wherein the outer portion is disposed in overlying, covering relation to the armor. Preferably the base is formed of a rigid material and an attachment assembly is connected to the base and structured to facilitate the operative and removable mounting of the base and the armor on the user in a predetermined protective orientation. The attachment assembly may also include a plurality of connectors and a common release mechanism, wherein the base and the armor can be quickly and easily removed from its protective orientation and operative mounting on the user.
US09354015B2
A string guide for a bow having a reverse draw configuration with a draw string located adjacent a down-range side of the bow in a released configuration. First and second string guides rotate around first and second axes, respectively, as the draw string is displaced from the released configuration to the drawn configuration. A first power cable take-up journal on the first string guide rotates around the first axis to take up a power cable. The first power cable take-up journal includes a width measured along the first axis at least twice a width of the first power cable. The first power cable is biased away from at least the draw string. The first power cable is translated along the first power cable take-up journal as the bow is drawn from the released configuration to the drawn configuration.
US09353995B2
A temperature control module for a socket is provided with of an upper docking plate and a lower docking plate. The upper docking plate has a recess for accommodating a socket and two temperature-controlling fluid passages. One end of the passages communicates with the recess, and the other end thereof is connected to a temperature-controlling fluid source. The lower docking plate is disposed under the upper docking plate and covers the recess. A fluid chamber is formed of the recess of the docking plate, the lower docking plate and the socket. The temperature-controlling fluid source outputs a temperature-controlling fluid to the fluid chamber via the temperature-controlling fluid passages for maintaining the socket at a specific temperature.
US09353991B2
A pivoting center hanger for a grain stirring machine has a top plate connected to a vertical member. A pair of braces are connected to and extend between the top plate and the vertical member. Pivotally connected to the vertical member is a base member that permits a gear motor shaft and a cross tube shaft to stay in alignment when the cross tube shaft bows downwardly.
US09353988B2
A shelf assembly and a refrigerator including the same. The shelf assembly includes: a shelf plate having first to fourth mounting members, and first to fourth brackets each having a fitting slot, in which the first and second brackets are disposed at a left and right side of the shelf plate respectively. The fitting slot of each of the first and second brackets includes a first sliding groove and a plurality of first receiving grooves. The first and second mounting members are slidable within the first sliding groove of the first and second brackets along the vertical direction so as to selectively fit within one of the plurality of the first receiving grooves. The third and fourth mounting members are fitted within the fitting slot of the third and fourth brackets and a position of the third and fourth mounting members are adjustable along the vertical direction.
US09353984B2
A refrigerator includes a first door that is rotatably provided so as to open/close a storage compartment, a second door that is rotatably provided in the front of the first door so as to open/close the first door, and a door anti-opening unit that prevents or allows opening of the second door depending on whether the first door is opened or closed. The door anti-opening unit prevents the second door from being unintentionally opened when the first door is opened.
US09353978B2
An adsorber includes: two or more adsorbents with different coolant vapor-pressure conditions and different coolant temperature conditions corresponding to a lower limit value for a coolant adsorption amount and an upper limit value for the coolant adsorption amount; a container that contains at least one of the adsorbents and in which a coolant is sealable; and a channel pipe that extends through the container, is thermally in contact with the two or more adsorbents, and functions as a channel.
US09353976B2
An object of the present invention is to keep an appropriate amount of a refrigerant to be circulated through a refrigerant circuit and prevent an overload operation of compression means due to high pressure abnormality in a refrigerating apparatus which obtains a supercritical pressure on a high pressure side. The refrigerating apparatus which obtains the supercritical pressure on the high pressure side comprises a refrigerant amount regulation tank connected to the refrigerant circuit on the high pressure side via a communicating circuit; a communicating circuit which connects the upper part of this tank to a medium pressure region of the refrigerant circuit; a communicating circuit which connects the lower part of the tank to the medium pressure region of the refrigerant circuit; an electromotive expansion valve of the communicating circuit; an electromagnetic valve of the communicating circuit; an electromagnetic valve of the communicating circuit; and control means for controlling these valves to collect a refrigerant circulated through the refrigerant circuit in the tank and discharging the refrigerant to the refrigerant circuit.
US09353975B2
A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a refrigeration cycle formed by a first compressor, a radiator, an expander that expands a refrigerant that has passed through the radiator, and an evaporator. A bypass piping has one end connected to a discharge piping of the expander and the other end connected to a suction piping of the first compressor. A pressure sensor and a temperature sensor detect the suction pressure and suction temperature of the expander as physical quantities of the refrigerant to be sucked into the expander. A bypass valve controls the flow rate of the refrigerant. A control device determines the appropriate discharge pressure of the expander on the basis of the suction pressure and suction temperature of the expander, and opens the bypass valve when the pressure at which the expander discharges the refrigerant is higher than the determined appropriate discharge pressure.
US09353965B1
A thermostat may include a user interface configured to display at least a first graphical display and a second graphical display, a first proximity sensor having a first responsive range, and a second proximity sensor having a second responsive range. A processing system may be programmed to control the user interface by receiving an indication of a user presence within the second responsive range from the second proximity sensor while not receiving an indication of a user presence within the first responsive range from the first proximity sensor and causing the user interface to display the second graphical display. The processing system may also be programmed to receive an indication of a user presence within the first responsive range from the first proximity sensor and an indication of the user presence within the second responsive range from the second proximity sensor and cause the user interface to transition from the second graphical display to the first graphical display.
US09353962B2
A roof vent used to cover a vent opening in the ridge of a roof that includes a base portion configured to extend generally longitudinally along the ridge of a roof; a plurality of vent extension members extending down from the base portion, the vent extension members forming vent passages to vent air exiting the vent opening and direct the air beneath and out of the sides of the vent, the vent extension members set at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the vent; and generally V-shaped filter members attached to said vent with the small end of the V adjacent said base portion.
US09353961B2
A steam dispersion system including insulation is disclosed. The steam dispersion system may include a steam dispersion tube with at least one opening defined on an outer surface of the steam dispersion tube and a hollow interior. The insulation covers at least a portion of the steam dispersion tube, the insulation defining an opening aligned with the opening of the steam dispersion tube, wherein the insulation meets 25/50 flame/smoke indexes for UL723/ASTM E-84 and has a thermal conductivity less than about 0.35 Watts/m-K (2.4 in-hr/ft^2 deg F.). A nozzle defining a throughhole may be placed within the opening of the steam dispersion tube, the throughhole being in fluid communication with the hollow interior of the steam dispersion tube to provide a steam exit.
US09353960B2
The present invention relates to a humidifier. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a humidifier comprising: a main body including a water reservoir for storing water; an upper body disposed above the water reservoir for covering the water reservoir; and a vibration unit including a vibrator for atomizing the water in the water reservoir, wherein the upper body includes a first hinge part for hinge-coupling with the main body and a second hinge part for hinge-coupling with the vibration unit, the upper body is capable of being lifted from the main body using the first hinge part as a shaft, the vibration unit is capable of rotatably moving in the water using the second hinge part as a shaft, and the vibration unit further includes a vibrator receiving unit for the vibrator.
US09353953B1
A horizontal venturi burner has at least one burner ring, if not several, supplied by respective ports which supply air/fuel mixture thereto. The ports are directed at orifice holders which are received in receivers preferably formed in cast top and bottom pots. The receivers may have openings on either side which allow single direction installation of the holders and preferably prevent rotation by having adjacent and cooperating flats/faces therein, as well as openings which properly position the holders in a desired axial arrangement.
US09353929B2
A beam diffusing module including a light incident terminal, a light emitting terminal, a first reflective plate and a second reflective plate is provided. The first reflective plate and the second reflective plate are disposed on a transmission path of a laser beam. At least one of the first reflective plate and the second reflective plate has a plurality of reflective micorstructures. The reflective micorstructures are arranged along a second direction from the light incident terminal towards the light emitting terminal. At least a part of the laser beam enters the beam diffusing module through the light incident terminal and emerges from the light emitting terminals after being reflected repeatedly by the first reflective plate and the second reflective plate to cause an M squared of the laser beam to be redistributed along a first direction. A beam generating system is also provided.
US09353912B2
A dispensing system and a method for dispensing a fluid such as hydrogen to a hydrogen powered vehicle. The dispensing system contains a source of fluid, a valve block, a programmable logic controller and a dispenser. The dispensing system can be expandable by including a second valve block which during normal operation remains closed. When the operator desires to add a second dispenser, the second valve block is opened and connects the fluid source with the second dispenser. The dispensing system can be set up and operated as set up and operated both indoors and outdoors.
US09353908B2
The present application relates to a lubrication system (S) comprising dosing means (1-1) for feeding lubricant to a lubrication point. The invention is based on the idea that computerized control means (1-5, 1-6) are arranged to control the operation of the lubrication system (S). The dosing means (1-1) are configured to operate responsive to a control signal provided by the control means (1-5, 1-6) to adjust the amount of lubricant to be fed by the dosing means (1-1, 1-2) to a lubrication point as required by the control means, wherein the amount of lubricant can be adjusted lubrication-point-specifically.
US09353905B2
A device for holding a container comprising a stationary jaw and a movable jaw mounted on the stationary jaw to be movable between a closed position for holding the container and an open position for releasing the container. A resilient element connecting the two jaws together to urge the movable jaw towards the closed position. The resilient element is a leaf spring having an end portion secured to the stationary jaw and an end portion secured to the movable jaw in order to carry the movable jaw. A container treatment installation is also provided including at least one such holder device.
US09353895B2
A reusable aseptic connector is provided. The connector may be used to provide fluid communication between a bag-in-box (BIB) container and a beverage dispenser. The connector may provide aseptic properties of the connection by insulation of an inner volume of a first part and an inner volume of a second part, with the beverage component kept from contacting any of the part of the connector structure that are exposed to the environment and have a risk of induced contamination. The connector may comprise a resilient membrane and a sliding tube wherein the sliding tube is configured to have a portion move toward and through the resilient membrane to establish fluid communication between the first part and the second part, and for the portion to move away from the resilient membrane to destablish fluid communication between the first part and the second part when desired.
US09353893B2
Pipe sections and methods for forming pipe sections are disclosed. A pipe section includes a hollow body formed from a metal material, the hollow body having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining an interior. The pipe section further includes a barrier layer surrounding and bonded to the hollow body, the barrier layer having an inner surface and an outer surface. The barrier layer is formed from a continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic material. Such pipe sections may be lightweight and flexible while exhibiting improved strength characteristics.
US09353886B2
A solenoid valve includes a plunger head, an actuating device, a seal sheet and an air tap assembly. The actuating device has a connection member coupled with the plunger head. The seal sheet is disposed on the actuating device. The air tap assembly is secured to the actuating device and has a cavity. The air tap assembly includes a main body, a first and a second tubes. The first tube protrudes from the main body and defines a first through hole. The main body defines a second through hole communicated with the first through hole and the cavity. The second tube defines a third through hole. The main body defines a fourth through hole extended from the third through hole and a fifth through hole extended from the fourth through hole to the cavity. The plunger head is used to seal the second and fifth through holes.
US09353884B2
Provided is a flow regulating apparatus 100 including a flow regulating mechanism including: a flow regulation knob 3; a screw rod 10 that adjusts an insertion amount of a diaphragm needle 5 into a valve hole 32; and a spring roll pin 13 that is fixed to the flow regulation knob 3, wherein the screw rod 10 includes a first male threaded portion that is fastened to a female threaded portion 9a formed on an inner circumferential surface of a cover section 9, and a through hole 10d penetrating in the direction substantially perpendicular to the center axis C and having a predetermined width in the direction of the center axis C, and the spring roll pin 13 is inserted into the through hole 10d.
US09353879B2
A float actuated valve assembly for battery electrolyte replenishment is disclosed. A housing engages an opening in a battery cell. An inlet in the housing is connectable to a water source. A valve in the housing controls the water flow to the cell. The valve is connected by a link to a four bar mechanism that is attached to a float. The float is buoyantly supported and rises and falls in response to the electrolyte level within the cell opening and closing the valve to admit or halt the flow of water to the cell. A baffle prevents fouling of the mechanism by splashing electrolyte. A flash arrester is positioned between the valve and the inlet to quench hydrogen-oxygen explosions between cells. The float is adjustable for different sized cells. A side viewable electrolyte level indicator is provided in the housing. Flash arresters for venting gas are also mounted.
US09353878B2
A dual plate backflow and breakaway check valve that features a warning system to alert individuals when fire hydrants are dislocated. The dual plate check valve comprises an upper surge protection valve assembly and a lower backflow protection valve assembly. When fire hydrant or pipes conveying fluids are damaged, the locking mechanism enables a plurality of upper witness stream holes to generate at least one plume of fluid to indicate and readily visualize location of damage and allows an upper barrel assembly to operate in a closure mode. In this mode, a high pressure spray of fluid emits from the upper valve barrel and an optimum inclination of the lower portion of the upper valve barrel enables the upper witness stream holes to collide with an inner side wall of the upper valve barrel which causes the plurality of upper witness stream holes to disperse into a warning signaling mist.
US09353876B2
A variable boost pressure control system for turbocharged internal engine systems comprising an adjustable charge air vent valve connectable with the charge air input to an internal combustion engine to provide selection and adjustment of the charge air pressure to the internal combustion engine, either at the site of the charge air vent valve or at a location remote from the charge air vent valve and to provide, if desirable, a flow of cool charge air to a turbocharger cooling jacket.
US09353875B2
An insert is provided for insertion through an opening in the surface of a conduit, the insert comprising an insert body having first and second open ends defining an axis of flow therebetween. The insert further comprises a valve flap connected to the insert body. The valve flap is movable between a closed position in which it creates a closure, thereby preventing flow along said axis, and an open position in which the valve flap allows flow along the axis. The valve flap is arranged so that, when in the open position, it is substantially U-shaped in side cross-section and is oriented with respect to the insert body so that said U-shape arches over the axis of flow.
US09353869B2
A control valve for connection units for flexible hoses comprises a plurality of petals rotatable between a position of complete opening and a position of complete closing, wherein rotatable petals of different shape and sizes alternate in pairs along the circumference of the connection unit. The petals of smaller size have a substantially triangular shape with straight lateral sides and a rounded end which fluid-tightly abut against corresponding straight lateral, sides and curved parts of the petals of larger size when the valve is closed.
US09353862B2
The piston is provided with a pair of radial holes opened to an external circumferential recess and lodging and retaining one respective end of a pin, to which is coupled a driving mechanism to reciprocate the piston inside a cylinder. The radial holes are completely sealed in order that the axial extension of a bottom radial gap provided by a bottom bearing surface of the piston work together with the axial extension of a top radial gap provided by a top bearing surface to provide the required leakage restriction of the refrigerant gas and also the required bearing of the piston inside the cylinder. The axial extension of each of the top bearing surface and of the bottom bearing surface is insufficient to provide by itself said required leakage restriction of the refrigerant gas.
US09353861B2
A coupling structure for a piston used in a fluid-pressure cylinder. The piston in the fluid-pressure cylinder includes a piston hole that runs through a central part of the piston in an axial direction thereof. One end of a piston rod and a coupling body coupled to the one end are inserted into the piston hole. The coupling body includes: a main part that contacts the one end of the piston rod; and an angled part formed around the main part and inclined at a prescribed angle with respect thereto. When the coupling body is subjected to pressure inside the piston hole, the diameter of the coupling body increases and a pointed edge of the angled part engages with an inner surface of the piston hole such that the coupling body couples the piston and the piston rod.
US09353858B2
An abnormality detection device for a continuously variable transmission includes: an acquisition module that acquires a control variable for controlling an operation of a forward and reverse switching mechanism that is provided between an engine and a driving wheel to switch between forward rotation and reverse rotation of the driving wheel; and a determination module that determines the control variable for the forward and reverse switching mechanism to be abnormal in the case where a traveling range is selected by the selection unit, a vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection unit is higher than or equal to a predetermined speed, and the control variable for the forward and reverse switching mechanism, acquired by the acquisition module has a value that does not allow a driving force of the engine to be transmitted.
US09353850B2
A device for ensuring the supply of oil to the secondary circuit of a transmission of a hybrid drive-train of a motor vehicle, having an electrically operated auxiliary oil pump, which comprises a bypass valve that is connected between the outlet of the auxiliary oil pump and the secondary circuit of the hybrid circuit of the transmission, such that the valve opens at a predetermined opening pressure, closes at a predetermined closing pressure which is lower than the minimum system pressure, and, at a predetermined pressure between the opening and closing pressures, the valve permits flow a predetermined volume flow into the secondary circuit.
US09353841B2
The invention relates to a drive device (10) for an automotive work machine, wherein the drive device (10) includes a first hydraulic motor (12a) coupled to a driven shaft (16), a second hydraulic motor (12b) and a coupling device (18), by means of which the second hydraulic motor (12b) can be coupled to the driven shaft (16) for torque addition in a first shift state, and can be decoupled from the driven shaft (16) in a second shift state. The coupling device (18) in turn includes at least one synchronizing body (20) with a conical friction surface (22) coupled to the second hydraulic motor (12b) and a gear wheel (24) with a corresponding friction surface (26) movable relatively to the synchronizing body (20) and coupled to the driven shaft (16).
US09353839B2
An actuating device is provided for the rotation of a turbine shaft train and includes a principal turning gear electrically operated and an auxiliary turning gear hydraulically operated. Also provided is a turbine-generator set for the generation of electricity including the actuating device.
US09353835B2
A continuously variable transmission device includes an input shaft, an output shaft, an input roller, an output ring, a transmission ring, a plurality of planetary rollers including a first conical portion externally contacted to the input roller and internally contacted to the output ring and a second conical portion internally contacted to the transmission ring, a movable holder which holds the plurality of planetary rollers to be capable of rotating about each rotating axis line and revolving about the center axis line, and a loading cam mechanism (CM1, CM2) which generates a thrust load. The input roller, the output ring, and the transmission ring are formed so that each face being contacted to the planetary roller is formed to have a convex curved face. The planetary rollers are supported by the movable holder so that an inclination angle of a rotation axis line against the center axis line is variable.
US09353833B2
The multi-speed transmission comprises four planetary gear sets eight rotatable shafts and six shifting elements. The sun gear of the first planetary gear set is connected to the fifth shaft, which is attachable to the housing through a third brake. The input shaft is, through a first coupling, connectable to the seventh shaft connected to the sun gear of the third planetary gear set, which is connected to the bar of the first planetary gear set and is connectable to the fourth shaft through a third coupling, which is connected to the sun gear of the second planetary gear set and is attachable to the housing through a second brake. The input shaft is, through a second coupling, connectable to the eighth shaft connected to the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set and the third shaft is connected to the ring gear of the first planetary gear set, the bar of the second planetary gear set, and the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set, and is attachable to the housing through a first brake. The sixth shaft is connected to the ring gear of the second planetary gear set and the ring gear of the third planetary gear set. The output shaft is connected to the bar of the third planetary gear set and the bar of the fourth planetary gear set.
US09353832B1
An apparatus with the multi-stage power shifting means applied to a machine tool includes a housing body, a first transmission device and a second transmission device disposed in the housing body, a coupling device connected to the transmission devices and a controller controlling the gear shifting motion of the transmission devices. The controller includes two control units pivotally connected to respective engaging parts of the transmission devices and a driving system capable of moving the control units. When a power is sequentially transmitted from an external power source to the first transmission device, the coupling device, the second transmission device and then to a power transmission mechanism, the controller adjusts the mode of meshing the engaging parts with other correlated elements in the transmission devices to attain different output torque and speed values, the multi-stage shifting effect and the torque multiplying effect without increasing the bulk.
US09353814B2
A drum brake assembly with a camshaft and a wear monitoring device for measurement of the wear status, the wear monitoring device and the camshaft including alignment mechanisms which enable and ensure that only one particular angular position between the camshaft and a rotating element of the wear monitoring device is possible.
US09353810B2
A disc brake assembly comprises an anchor bracket having a pair of arms, a caliper supported on the bracket and a non-rotatable vehicle component having a pair of lugs, each of the lugs provided with a non-threaded opening formed therethrough. The non-threaded openings receive fasteners installed in threaded openings of the bracket to secure the vehicle component to the bracket. The bracket includes on at least one of the arms a first shoulder at a transition between the first and second portions thereof. The vehicle component includes on at least one of the lugs a second shoulder having a shape which is generally complimentary to the shape of the first shoulder. When the vehicle component and bracket are secured together, selected surfaces of the first and second shoulders contact each other to substantially prevent movement of the bracket relative to the vehicle component.
US09353798B2
A torsional vibration damping arrangement, particularly for the drivetrain of a vehicle, includes an input region (12) to be driven in rotation around an axis of rotation (A) and an output region (20), wherein a first torque transmission path (14) and parallel thereto a second torque transmission path (16) and a coupling arrangement (18) for superposing the torques conducted via the torque transmission paths (14, 16) are provided between the input region (12) and the output region (20), wherein a phase shifter arrangement (26) is provided in the first torque transmission path (14) for generating a phase shift of rotational irregularities conducted via the first torque transmission path (14) relative to rotational irregularities conducted via the second torque transmission path (16), and wherein the coupling arrangement (18) includes a coupling lever arrangement (54; 54a).
US09353797B2
A bearing ring, in particular of a rolling bearing or a sliding bearing, including a body made of a magnetostrictive material, having a first raceway (2) and a second, axially spaced apart, raceway (2′) and a permanent magnetization (3) which is impressed into the material of the body between the raceways (2, 2′) and which runs around an axis of rotation (9) of the body. According to the invention, the bearing ring achieves the object of improving the structural integration of a torque sensor into a bearing, which torque sensor generates a torque-dependent magnetic field by utilizing the inverse magnetostrictive effect.
US09353796B2
A sensor-bearing unit, adapted for implementation in an oil lubricated environment and comprising: a bearing including at least one rotating ring movable in rotation around a central axis, and a detection device for tracking the rotation of the rotating ring. The detection device is locked to the bearing and includes at least one target and at least one sensor associated with the target. At least one axial side of the bearing includes a passage opened along an axial direction parallel to the central axis and allowing an oil flow through the bearing. The detection device includes an air gap defined radially to the central axis between a maximum outer radius of the target and a minimum inner radius of the sensor.
US09353795B2
A rolling bearing includes inner and outer races rotatable relative to each other, a plurality of rolling elements interposed between the inner and outer races, and a retainer arranged between the inner and outer races for retaining the plurality of rolling elements equiangularly. Flange portions are formed on a radially inner side and a radially outer side of an axial end portion of the retainer so as to extend radially. Recessed grooves are formed in a region of the inner race and a region of the outer race corresponding to the respective flange portions so as to form labyrinths together with the flange portions. Inner side surfaces of the flange portions and axial end surfaces of the recessed grooves, which are opposed to the inner side surfaces of the flange portions, are inclined radially so as to generate a flow of lubricant.
US09353785B2
An assembly of parts, at least one of which is made of composite material, includes at least one fastener including a body and also two stops, between which the parts held by the fastener are disposed, holes formed in the parts held by the fastener, the body of the fastener being accommodated in the holes, the holes having a diameter adapted to that of the body of the fastener so as to allow transmission of forces by the parts and the fastener hammering together. The stops of the fastener exert a compressive force C that makes it possible to obtain transmission of forces by adhesion between the parts held by the fastener.
US09353779B2
An encapsulated retainer comprises a barrel that defines a fastener-securing void. The barrel has a flange that extends about its periphery. The encapsulated retainer further comprises an outer shell that has a top wall with a fastener-receiving aperture and a bottom wall that has a barrel-receiving aperture. The barrel extends into the barrel-receiving aperture. The encapsulated retainer further comprises first and second side walls which connect the top wall with the bottom wall. A connecter connects the outer shell with the flange.
US09353770B2
A hydraulic system for a work vehicle is disclosed. A preferential flow-dividing valve supplies a fixed amount of oil discharged from a variable displacement pump preferentially to a preferential hydraulic oil section and a surplus oil flow from the pump to a non-preferential hydraulic oil section. A plurality of electromagnetic proportional control valves are provided in the non-preferential hydraulic oil section for controlling oil flows relative to a plurality of hydraulically operated devices provided in the non-preferential hydraulic oil section. A necessary flow rate calculating module calculates a necessary oil flow rate in each of the preferential hydraulic oil section and the non-preferential hydraulic oil section based on a preferential oil flow rate of the preferential flow-dividing valve supplied to the preferential hydraulic oil section and an amount of current distributed to each of the plurality of electromagnetic proportional control valves in the non-preferential hydraulic oil section.
US09353769B2
The present disclosure provides embodiments directed towards a system for the control of hydraulic output by a hydraulic power source. In one embodiment, a system is provided. The system includes a hydraulic supply system having a drive, a hydraulic pump coupled to the drive, a first hydraulic output configured to supply a first flow of a hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to a hydraulic lift, a second hydraulic output configured to supply a second flow of the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to a first hydraulic tool, and a controller configured to adjust a speed of the drive in response to a feedback indicative of a first load by the hydraulic lift, a second load by the first hydraulic tool, or a combination thereof.
US09353765B2
A centrifugal compressor assembly for compressing refrigerant in a 250-ton capacity or larger chiller system comprising a motor, preferably a compact, high energy density motor or permanent magnet motor, for driving a shaft at a range of sustained operating speeds under the control of a variable speed drive. Another embodiment of the centrifugal compressor assembly comprises a mixed flow impeller and a vaneless diffuser sized such that a final stage compressor operates with an optimal specific speed range for targeted combinations of head and capacity, while a non-final stage compressor operates above the optimum specific speed of the final stage compressor. Another embodiment of the centrifugal compressor assembly comprises an integrated inlet flow conditioning assembly comprising a flow conditioning nose, a plurality of inlet guide vanes and a flow conditioning body that positions inlet guide vanes to condition flow of refrigerant into an impeller to achieve a target approximately constant angle swirl distribution with minimal guide vane turning.
US09353763B2
The present invention relates to a centrifugal pump, a shaft sleeve and a stationary seal member for a static seal used in connection with a dynamic sealing of a centrifugal pump. The invention relates to a static seal the clearance of which may be adjusted while the pump is running. Especially the invention discusses the novel structure of such a static seal. A characterizing feature of a centrifugal pump comprising a pump housing (8), a shaft (6), an impeller attached on the shaft, a dynamic sealing (4) having a sealing chamber (12) and a repeller (14) mounted on the shaft (6), and a static seal (2) arranged in a shaft space (42) behind the dynamic sealing (4) as seen from the direction of the impeller, said static seal (54, 54′) comprising an axially adjustable seal cover (56) including a stationary seal member; and a rotary seal member arranged on the shaft (6), is that the seal cover (56) is provided with a flexible seal member (77, 92), whose counter member (68) is arranged in connection with a shaft sleeve (60) arranged on the shaft (6).
US09353754B2
A multi-stage axial compressor for counter rotation. A first series of rotor blade assemblies are mounted on and rotate with the driveshaft, each rotor blade assembly of the first series comprising a rotating stage of the multi-stage axial compressor. A second series of rotor blade assemblies provide a counter-rotating stage of the multi-stage axial compressor. An accessory drive links the second series of rotor blade assemblies to the driveshaft and causes counter-rotation of the second series of rotor blade assemblies.
US09353748B2
The present invention relates to a scroll pump (10) comprising two scrolls (20, 22) which are co-operable for pumping fluid from an inlet (24) to an outlet (26) on relative orbiting motion of the scrolls. Each scroll comprises a scroll base (30, 36) from which a spiral scroll wall (28, 34) extends generally axially towards the base of the opposing scroll. The pump comprises a tip seal arrangement comprising an axial end portion of one or both of the scroll walls which locates a tip seal (508) for resisting the passage of pumped fluid across the or both scroll walls between the or both scroll walls and the scroll base of the opposing scroll. The tip seal arrangement limits axial movement of the tip seal towards the scroll base of the opposing scroll along a first spiral region (507) of the or both scrolls between the inlet and the outlet.
US09353734B2
A load-carrying active material assembly and a method of preparing such an active material assembly suitable for attachment to a movable component of a mechanism is described. The assembly includes a shape memory alloy (SMA) element, a connector adapted to engage the moveable component mechanically crimped to the SMA element, and a filler material disposed intermediate the connector and SMA element. The filler may be a solder or a polymer. Methods for appropriately distributing the filler material and for promoting good adhesion of the filler to the SMA element and the connector are described.
US09353730B2
Wind energy systems and devices include a nacelle, a rotor driven alternator housed in the nacelle, a rotor connected to the alternator, and a load control system in communication with the alternator. The rotor includes a rotor hub and three or more rotor blades, and each blade has a foil shape and is connected to the rotor hub by a full foil attachment mechanism. The alternator is configured to operate at low rpm and to increase rotation speed without a step-up mechanism. The load control system is configured to anticipate changes in wind speed and adjust alternator load such that when wind speed increases the load control system adjusts the alternator load to optimize rotor rpm and optimize tip-speed ratio.
US09353728B2
A rotor blade is provided, in particular for wind turbine generators including a means for the modification of the camber, wherein the modification of the camber is realized by means of elements passively coupled to one another, i.e. without external energy supply (apart from the energy contained in the airflow surrounding the rotor blade). One of the elements is therefore arranged at the leading and the trailing edge of the airfoil of the rotor blade, respectively. The coupling of the elements, the stiffness of the airfoil and the strength of the damping are hereby arranged in a manner suitable to be modified.
US09353724B2
A generator includes: an upper housing and a lower housing; a water inlet and a water outlet provided in the upper housing; an impeller rotatably fixed inside the upper housing; a magnet provided in the lower housing, connected to a rotating shaft of the impeller, and rotated integrally with the impeller; and a bobbin positioned outside the magnet. A bearing through which the rotating shaft passes and a communication hole connecting a space for housing the impeller to a space for housing the magnet are disposed in an intermediate surface between the space for housing the impeller and the space for housing the magnet.
US09353715B2
A fuel injector for injecting fuel into an internal combustion engine includes: a housing having at least one spray orifice; a magnet armature movable linearly in the housing; a magnetic coil acting magnetically on the magnet armature; and a valve element movable linearly with respect to the housing and with respect to the magnet armature, the valve element, together with the at least one spray orifice, forming a valve seat, a first stop on the valve element, and a tension spring pulling the magnet armature against the first stop.
US09353713B2
A fuel water separator (FWS) filter that is configured to permit water to be drained from the water sump of the FWS filter without shutting off fuel flow to the FWS filter. A check valve is positioned between the water sump and the filter element. When the FWS filter is under vacuum (e.g. as in operation), the check valve can be closed to allow water to drain from the sump. The check valve can close automatically by floating on accumulated water in the sump until the water rises to a level where the check valve is closed. The check valve can also close by opening the drain valve of the FWS filter, which causes a differential pressure between the sump and the vacuum created in the filter element chamber, which forces the check valve to close.
US09353704B2
An inlet arrangement is disclosed herein for use with a supersonic jet engine configured to consume air at a predetermined mass flow rate when the supersonic jet engine is operating at a predetermined power setting and moving at a predetermined Mach speed. The air inlet arrangement includes, but is not limited to, a cowl having a cowl lip and a center body coaxially aligned with the cowl. A protruding portion of the center body extends upstream of the cowl lip for a length greater than a conventional spike length. The protruding portion is configured to divert air flowing over the protruding portion out of a pathway of an inlet to the supersonic jet engine such that a remaining airflow approaching and entering the inlet matches the predetermined mass flow rate.
US09353700B2
A method for operating a hybrid drive train involves operating an internal combustion engine using a low-NOx operating method in a range of low and average rotational speeds and/or loads, and operating the internal combustion engine using a spark ignition operating method in a range of higher rotational speeds and/or loads.
US09353692B2
A start-up method for a hybrid powertrain in which hydraulic pressure is generated in a casual start-up by an electric oil pump motor where certain predetermined conditions are satisfied and the casual start-up is abandoned and hydraulic pressure is generated by an engine where the predetermined conditions are not satisfied. The casual start-up is also abandoned where a vehicle operator seeks propulsion shortly after start-up and before an oil pump is rotating within a predetermined threshold of an oil pump target RPM.
US09353685B2
An assembly for a turbine engine including a nosecone that extends along an axis between a tip end and a second end. The nosecone includes a base region and a deformation region configured integral with the base region. The base region is arranged axially between the deformation region and the second end. The deformation region is adapted to deform relative to the base region upon impact of an object, and includes a stress concentrator.
US09353674B2
An ignition system for an internal combustion engine having at least one combustion chamber where the ignition system includes a housing, an ignition device, an injector, and a pre-chamber having a nozzle disposed spaced from the proximal portion of the pre-chamber. The igniter portion of the ignition device and the nozzle of the injector are operatively supported in the proximal portion of the pre-chamber and disposed flush therewith. The igniter portion ignites the fuel in pre-chamber such that partially combusted pre-chamber products are forced through orifices in the pre-chamber nozzle and extinguish, but dispersed through the combustion chamber so as to ignite the main fuel charge therein.
US09353649B2
A wear liner for a stator vane includes a shaped member, comprising a U-shaped portion that receives a foot of a stator vane. A first end of the wear liner is biased into contact with the stator vane. A spring seal extends from the U-shaped portion and into bias contact with an inner surface of the support structure to further prevent leakage between the stator foot and case support structure.
US09353647B2
Oil sump seal pressurization apparatus for turbine engines are disclosed. An example oil sump seal pressurization apparatus may include a non-rotating oil sump housing a bearing; an oil seal isolating an interior of the oil sump; a passage arranged to supply pressurization air to an outward side of the oil seal; a drain arranged to allow draining of oil and venting of at least some of the pressurization air, the drain being positioned axially between the passage and the oil seal; a wide discourager tooth disposed on the shaft and extending radially outward towards a non-rotating land, which may be disposed axially between the passage and the drain, the wide discourager tooth being spaced apart from the land in a radial direction by a gap, the wide discourager tooth including an upper surface; and/or an adjacent tooth disposed on the shaft and extending radially outward from the shaft.
US09353646B2
The present disclosure describes a strategy to create self-healing, slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS). Roughened (e.g., porous) surfaces can be utilized to lock in place a lubricating fluid, referred to herein as Liquid B to repel a wide range of materials, referred to herein as Object A (Solid A or Liquid A). SLIPS outperforms other conventional surfaces in its capability to repel various simple and complex liquids (water, hydrocarbons, crude oil and blood), maintain low-contact-angle hysteresis (<2.5°), quickly restore liquid-repellency after physical damage (within 0.1-1 s), resist ice, microorganisms and insects adhesion, and function at high pressures (up to at least 690 atm). Some exemplary application where SLIPS will be useful include energy-efficient fluid handling and transportation, optical sensing, medicine, and as self-cleaning, and anti-fouling materials operating in extreme environments.
US09353643B2
A stator assembly for a turbine engine includes a support structure, such as an outer case, providing a bore. A non-metallic bushing is arranged in the bore and extends radially between inner and outer diameters providing a one-piece structure. The outer diameter of the bushing engages the bore in a press-fit relationship, in one example. A stator includes a trunnion arranged within and engaging the bushing inner diameter. In one example, the non-metallic bushing is constructed from an electrographitic carbon. The bushing is installed into the bore such that an end of the bushing is generally flush with or recessed from a wall on the support structure.
US09353642B2
An aircraft (1) having a rotary wing (2) and turboshaft engines (11, 12, 13) for driving said rotary wing (2). The aircraft then includes two main engines (11, 12) that are identical, each capable of operating at at least one specific rating associated with a main power (maxTOP, OEIcont), and a secondary engine (13) capable of operating at at least one specific rating by delivering secondary power (maxTOP′, OEIcont′) proportional to the corresponding main power (maxTOP, OEIcont) in application of a coefficient of proportionality (k) less than or equal to 0.5, said aircraft having a control system (20) for driving the rotary wing by causing each main engine (11, 12) to operate continuously throughout a flight, and by using the secondary engine (13) as a supplement during at least one predetermined specific stage of flight.
US09353640B2
A turbine includes a blade, a structure installed at a tip section side of the blade via a gap and configured to relatively rotate with respect to the blade, a step section formed at the tip section of the blade, having at least one step surface, and protruding toward a portion opposite to the tip section of the structure, a seal fin formed at the portion opposite to the tip section of the structure, extending toward the step section, and configured to form a micro gap between the step section and the seal fin, and a cutout section formed at the step surface to be connected to an upper surface of the step section. The cutout section guides a separation vortex separated from a main stream of a fluid passing through the gap toward the seal fin on the upper surface of the step section.
US09353635B2
A seal end attachment is provided and includes a vessel through which a working fluid flows, the vessel being formed to define a recess with a mating surface therein, a seal contacting the mating surface and a pressing member being more responsive to a high temperature condition associated with the flow of the working fluid than the vessel and being disposed within the recess to press the seal against the mating surface responsive to the condition being present.
US09353633B2
The present application includes a rotor blade having an erosion protective coating, the coating being a cermet material configured to protect against erosion during the operation of the rotor blade. Further, the present application includes a method of selectively applying the erosion protective coating, a method of selectively repairing/reapplying the erosion protective coating, and a process of developing an erosion surface model map of an optimized erosion protective coating pattern and thickness.
US09353631B2
An airfoil includes an airfoil wall having an exterior airfoil surface and an interior surface. The interior surface provides an airfoil cavity. A baffle is arranged in the airfoil cavity and provides a baffle wall having first and second portions spaced from one another on first and second sides. A tube interconnects the first and second portions and is configured to convey fluid through the tube between the first and second sides. The airfoil is cooled by supplying cooling fluid to a baffle arranged within an airfoil. The cooling fluid is passed through baffle cooling holes to a gap between the baffle and airfoil to cool an interior surface of the airfoil. A portion of cooling fluid is conveyed from one gap location to another gap through a tube in the baffle. Another portion of the cooling fluid is passed through film cooling holes in the airfoil.
US09353629B2
A turbine blade is disclosed. The turbine blade may include a platform, an airfoil extending from one side of the platform, and a neck extending from another side of the platform, wherein the neck includes a forward buttress and an aft buttress. The turbine blade may further include a root extending from the neck, a pocket defined by a plurality of walls and located between the forward buttress and the aft buttress, and a variable radius fillet. The variable radius fillet may be disposed within the pocket and extend between the forward buttress and the aft buttress, wherein a radius of the variable radius fillet increases from the forward buttress to the aft buttress.
US09353618B2
An apparatus for cooling a downhole device is provided that in one embodiment includes a refrigerant having a saturation vapor pressure and stored in a chamber, an outlet configured to allow the refrigerant to discharge from the chamber and vaporize to cool the downhole device, and a force application device configured to apply pressure on the refrigerant in the chamber to maintain the refrigerant in the chamber at or above the saturation vapor pressure of the refrigerant. In another aspect, a method of cooling a device is provided that in one embodiment includes providing a chamber containing a refrigerant therein, the refrigerant having a saturation vapor pressure, discharging the refrigerant from the chamber to cause the refrigerant to evaporate to cause a cooling effect proximate the device to be cooled, and maintaining the refrigerant at or above the saturation vapor pressure of the refrigerant.
US09353617B2
There is provided a method and system to determine the position of a sucker rod pumping system without a position sensing device during production pumping. A pump control system of the sucker rod pumping system includes a controller coupled to a database, with the controller configured to access an rxless torque value in the database. With the stored rxless torque value representative of toggle points of the crank arm during an initial calibration pumping cycle, the controller further is configured to continuously sample the rxless torque value of the system and determine the crank arm position in relation to the sample rxless torque value. The controller adjusts the pumping system for optimal operations, without a crank arm position sensor during production pumping by identifying a toggle point and setting the crank arm position estimate equal to the value corresponding to the crank position at the identified toggle point.
US09353615B2
A down hole surveying tool (10) is for directional surveying of boreholes. The tool (10) includes a body (11) which accommodates a two-axis gyroscope (13) and a two-axis accelerometer (15). The gyroscope (13) and accelerometer (15) are rigidly fixed with respect to each other to provide a composite sensor device (17). The sensor device (17) is supported in a rotary mount (31) for rotation about an indexing axis (4). The sensor device (17) can be indexed about the indexing axis between two indexing positions which are 180 degrees apart. An indexing mechanism (70) is provided for selectively indexing the sensor device (17) about the indexing axis (4). The indexing mechanism (70) includes a drive portion (71) and a driven portion (72) adapted for selective interaction to impart indexing motion to the sensor device (17). The driven portion (72) is movable into and out of engagement with the drive portion (71) upon rotation of the rotary mount (31) about a pitch axis (1) using a pitch drive mechanism (51).
US09353598B2
A specially designed rotary indexing system and associated operational methods are incorporated in a downhole control device, representatively a sliding sleeve valve, having an outer tubular member in which an annular plug seat is coaxially disposed. The plug seat is resiliently expandable between a first diameter and a larger second diameter and is illustratively of a circumferentially segmented construction. The rotary indexing system is operative to detect the number of plug members that pass through and diametrically expand the plug seat, and responsively preclude passage of further plug members therethrough when such number reaches a predetermined magnitude. Such predetermined magnitude is correlated to the total rotation of an indexing system counter ring portion rotationally driven by axial camming forces transmitted to the rotary indexing system by successive plug member passage-generated diametrical expansions of the plug seat.
US09353591B2
A production assembly includes a tree body, in which the tree body includes a main production bore formed about an axis and a wing bore extending through the tree body from the main production bore. The tree body may further include a wing valve in fluid communication with the wing bore to control the flow of fluid through the wing bore, in which at least a portion of the wing bore is angled from perpendicular with respect to the axis of the main production bore.
US09353584B2
A layer of permeable material is positioned on an area of lost circulation lithology in a wellbore. An example of the permeable material includes a planar member with perforations that is rolled into and retained in an annular configuration. The permeable material is lowered into the wellbore adjacent the area of lost circulation and allowed to unroll and expand radially outward against walls of the wellbore. The wellbore wall along the area of lost circulation lithology can be reamed out so the layer of permeable material is out of the way of a drill bit. A bridging agent can be applied on the interface where the permeable material contacts the wellbore wall.
US09353582B2
A well drilling tubulars bin system comprises a well drilling tubulars bin and control device. The bin comprises a frame structure, and an elevator mechanism, for holding multiple layers of a plurality of well drilling tubulars. The elevator mechanism comprises a liftable support structure, and a left and right hydraulic cylinder. The support structure is liftable from a lower position to an upper position. The support structure is raised and lowered in a level manner, or with a tilt angle. The elevator mechanism comprises a first left lift arm and a first right lift arm. The first left and right lift arms are at a first end rotatably connected to the support structure, and at a second end opposite from the first end rotatably connected to the frame structure. The left and right hydraulic cylinders are connected to the respective lift arms for rotating the respective lift arm.
US09353574B2
A well tool can include multiple sections, one section having a mating weld surface formed thereon, and another section having another mating weld surface formed thereon. Engagement between the mating weld surfaces can prevent lateral displacement of the well tool sections relative to each other. The mating weld surfaces are welded to each other. A method of constructing a well tool can include engaging a mating weld surface on a section of the well tool with another mating weld surface on another section of the well tool, an interface between the mating weld surfaces being inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of the well tool extending through the sections, and welding the mating weld surfaces to each other along the interface.
US09353571B2
A paint can support box adapted to surround and selectively seal a paint can. A hinged top with a seal is affixed to the box and is movable between an open and a closed position. A mounting system attaches the box to rungs of a ladder. A retaining pin prevents the mounting system from inadvertently becoming detached from the ladder rungs. The box is swivelably attached to the mounting system so that the box remains level regardless of the lean angle of the ladder. The box and its contents may be left on the ladder when the ladder is moved to a new location without risk of paint spilling or the apparatus becoming detached from the ladder. Caulk tubes may also be stored and retained within the box. Multiple size paint cans (e.g. gallon, quart, etc.) may be securely accommodated and sealed with appropriate can adapters.
US09353567B2
A system for mounting a secondary panel within a window frame of an existing window. The system includes a rigid panel, an elongated deformable bulb, and an elongated carrier. The bulb has a resilient, rounded portion and a base section with at least one tongue extending from the base section. The carrier is configured to receive at least a portion of an edge of the panel within a panel gap and to receive, between opposing resilient prongs, the tongue of the bulb. The resilient prongs are configured to diverge to allow a distal end of the tongue to pass between the resilient prongs. Also disclosed is a system for mounting a flexible sheet within a window frame of an existing window.
US09353562B2
Provided is a door opening and closing device that includes: a main opening and closing device body attached to a housing; a mounting member attached to a door; an arm pivotably provided to the main opening and closing device body, the arm applying force to the door via the mounting member in an opening direction and/or a closing direction; a slider provided to the main opening and closing device body to be slidable in one direction; an urging unit for urging the slider in the one direction; a transmission mechanism for transmitting urging force of the urging unit to the arm; and a door restraint link pivotably linked to the arm at a position away from the center of pivot of the arm, pivotably linked to the mounting member, and slidably linked to the main opening and closing device body so that the door moves in a certain manner.
US09353553B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image; a drawer unit configured to be pulled out from a body of the image forming apparatus; a first lock unit configured to receive power from a power supply and perform at least one of lock and unlock of the drawer unit with respect to the body; and a second lock unit configured to perform lock and unlock of the drawer unit with respect to the body by a mechanical operation performed by an operator.
US09353547B2
An outer operating device for a door lock includes a mounting plate mounted to an outer side of a door. A driving wheel is pivotably mounted in a mounting seat fixed to the mounting plate. A driving member is pivotably mounted in the mounting seat and meshes with the driving wheel. A distal end of the driving member is operably connected to a latch of a latch device. A handle is pivotably mounted to the mounting seat and includes a lever. A movable block is slideably received in the driving wheel and includes a notch. When a pressing end of the lever is not aligned with the notch of the movable block, the latch can be retracted to an unlatching position by pivoting the handle. When the notch is aligned with the notch of the movable block, the latch cannot be retracted by pivoting the handle.
US09353545B2
A portable enclosure quick exchange framing system having a plurality of adjustable securing elements and a fence operable to be secured to the securing elements. The securing elements are operable to be anchored in the ground or a support base. The portable enclosure system is easily configurable to fit in any yard or area.
US09353538B1
A stiffening strut to be used in conjunction with a rear surface of a garage door panel having a given width-wise length, formed in a generally U-shaped body. First and second sidewalls each with a bottom side edge and a top side edge, a front edge and a rear edge, the bottom side edge extends to first lengthwise mounting sleeve having an interior edge aligned with said bottom side edge, the first mounting sleeve having an outer edge parallel to the inner edge, the first lengthwise mounting sleeve having a given width, the first lengthwise mounting sleeve having a multiplicity of spaced apart openings by which fastening means affix the stiffening strut to the top of a garage door panel.
US09353534B2
A deck drainage system includes a first bracket. The first bracket has an elongate axis and a transverse axis substantially transverse to the elongate axis. A leg extends along the transverse axis. A first arm extends from the bracket, as does a second arm, where the second arm is substantially parallel to the first arm.
US09353531B2
A clip connector seaming apparatus having upstanding projections arranged in sections to point inwardly on the lateral and longitudinal axes adapted to join a plurality of modular floor covering units comprising a modular floor covering is provided. The clip connector may comprise a releasable silicone backing and a pressure sensitive tape to affix or “tack” the clip connector to a supporting surface. The clip connector does not require any spray adhesives or additional glue to affix floor covering units to a support surface and is resistant to wear, moisture, excessive force. The clip connector may also be reusable to provide for replacing individual floor covering units.
