US09666392B2
An electric switching device contains a first contact piece and a second contact piece. The first contact piece can be driven by a first kinematic chain. The second contact piece can be driven by a second kinematic chain. The electric switching device contains a first switching point and a second switching point, which are electrically connected in series, the first contact piece being associated with the first switching point and the second contact piece with the second switching point.
US09666384B1
A portable actuator system enables the remote operation of electrical disconnect switches with a portable actuator device that is temporarily installed at the disconnect switch location. An embodiment, among others, of the portable actuator device has an electric motor having a drive shaft that can be controlled to rotate about a longitudinal axis. The actuator device also has elongated movable first and second arms that are controlled by the drive shaft. The first arm engages and moves the disconnect handle in a first rotational direction so that the disconnect handle is switched to the open position. The second arm engages and moves the disconnect handle in a second rotational direction so that the disconnect handle is switched to the closed position.
US09666375B2
A voltage smoothing circuit includes a first multilayer capacitor, a second multilayer capacitor, and a regulator including an input terminal electrically connected to the second multilayer capacitor and an output terminal electrically connected to the first multilayer capacitor. The regulator calculates a first voltage applied to the first multilayer capacitor based on a second voltage applied to the second multilayer capacitor from the input terminal such that a potential difference which is applied to the first multilayer capacitor decreases or increases when a potential difference which is applied to the second multilayer capacitor increases or decreases, and outputs the first voltage from the output terminal.
US09666371B2
A multilayer ceramic capacitor has a laminate comprising dielectric layers stacked alternately with internal electrode layers of different polarities, wherein: the dielectric layers contain ceramic grains whose primary component is BaTiO3; the ceramic grains contain at least one type of donor element (D) selected from the group that includes Nb, Mo, Ta, and W, and at least one type of acceptor element (A) selected from the group that includes Mg and Mn; and the ratio of the concentration of the donor element (D) and that of the acceptor element (A) (D/A) is greater than 1 at the center parts of the ceramic grains, while the D/A ratio is less than 1 at the outer edge parts of the ceramic grains (if A=0, then D/A=∞ and D=A=0 never occurs).
US09666369B2
There are provided a dielectric ceramic composition and a multilayer ceramic capacitor containing the same. The dielectric ceramic composition according to the present disclosure may contain a main base material ingredient and a first accessory ingredient, wherein the first accessory ingredient contains samarium (Sm) and other rare earth (RE) elements, and a ratio (a/b) of a content (a) of samarium (Sm) to a content (b) of other rare earth elements in the first accessory ingredient satisfies 0.1≦a/b≦2.0.
US09666368B2
A film capacitor having: a stack of at least one dielectric resin film formed of polypropylene and a plurality of vapor-deposited metal films which are superposed on each other such that the at least one dielectric film and the plurality of vapor-deposited metal films are alternately arranged; and two external electrodes formed on a pair of side surfaces of the stack; wherein cover films are formed of a polyolefin-based hot-melt resin on a pair of side surfaces of the stack other than the side surfaces on which the two external electrodes are formed, such that the cover films cover entireties of those side surfaces and are fusion-bonded to end faces of the at least one dielectric film exposed at those side surfaces.
US09666365B2
A laminated film capacitor that includes a laminated body of first capacitance electrodes and second capacitance electrodes stacked to be opposed to each other with dielectric films interposed therebetween. A first external electrode is electrically connected to the first capacitance electrodes and a second external electrode is electrically connected to the second capacitance electrodes. The laminated film capacitor includes heat dissipators that are connected to the external electrodes, and higher in heat dissipation performance than at least one of the first capacitance electrodes and second capacitance electrodes. The heat dissipators are larger in thickness than at least one of the first capacitance electrodes and second capacitance electrodes.
US09666363B2
A surface-mount inductor having a coil formed by winding a wire and a molded body for accommodating the coil, wherein the coil includes: a pair of first rolls of wire of a rectangular section which are wound in a two-roll arrangement, both ends of the wire being positioned at their outermost turns; and a pair of second rolls wound in positions adjacent to and each on opposite sides of the first rolls to partially overlap the first rolls, whereby the ends of the wire are brought out from the outermost turns of the second rolls as lead ends, with winding axis of the coil being parallel with the molded body and the lead ends extending over the surface of the mounting face.
US09666362B2
A three-dimensional (3D) orthogonal inductor pair is embedded in and supported by a substrate, and has a first inductor having a first coil that winds around a first winding axis and a second inductor having a second coil that winds around a second winding axis. The second winding axis is orthogonal to the first winding axis. The second winding axis intersects the first winding axis at an intersection point that is within the substrate.
US09666357B2
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for wireless power transfer. In one aspect, an apparatus is provided that includes a first conductive structure configured to wirelessly receive power via a magnetic field generated by a transmitter conductive structure having a length greater than a width. The first conductive structure has a length greater than a width and includes co-planar loops enclosing first and second areas. The first conductive structure has first and second edges each intersecting a first geometric line running along the length of the first conductive structure. The apparatus includes a second conductive structure configured to wirelessly receive power via the magnetic field. The second conductive has a length greater than a width. The first geometric line runs along the length of the second conductive structure. The first geometric line is substantially perpendicular to a second geometric line running along the length of the transmitter conductive structure.
US09666354B2
A transformer includes a primary winding unit, a secondary winding unit and a magnetic core. The primary winding unit includes a first input primary winding part and a first shielding winding part. The first input primary winding part is electrically connected to at least one switch component, and the first input primary winding part is electrically connected to the first shielding winding part. The secondary winding unit is inductively coupled to the primary winding unit, and the first shielding part is disposed between the first input primary winding part and the secondary winding part. Then, the primary winding unit and the secondary winding unit are assembled to the magnetic core.
US09666351B2
A device including a high voltage apparatus enclosing a fluid for providing cooling and/or electrical insulation of the apparatus, and a detector for one or more physical properties of the fluid positioned spaced apart from the housing. The device includes a pipe assembly for housing a fluid, whereby the pipe assembly is arranged between the detector equipment and the housing such that the fluid is extended without interruption in the pipe assembly. The fluid in the pipe assembly is in communication with the fluid in the housing, and the detector equipment is in direct communication with the fluid in the pipe assembly. The detector equipment is positioned below a top level of the housing and at a safe distance from the housing of the apparatus, which makes it possible to carry out inspection, testing, maintenance, and calibration of the detector equipment without taking the high voltage apparatus out of operation.
US09666346B2
Disclosed is a magnet plate assembly that includes a plurality of magnetic bodies, each magnetic body having a first surface formed to correspond to a flat surface of a substrate and to contact the flat surface of the substrate and a second surface formed in a different direction from that of the first surface, and a support frame which supports the plurality of magnetic bodies and has a plurality of grooves in which the plurality of magnetic bodies are respectively seated.
US09666339B2
The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for forming an oriented nanowire material as well as a method for forming a conductive structure, which can be used to solve the problem of imperfect process for forming oriented nanowire material in prior art. The method for forming an oriented nanowire material of the present invention comprises: forming a liquid film in a closed frame by a dispersion containing nanowires; expanding the closed frame in a first direction so that the liquid film expands in the first direction along with the closed frame; contracting the closed frame in the first direction so that the liquid film contracts in the first direction along with the closed frame; transferring the contracted liquid film to a substrate; and curing the liquid film to form an oriented nanowire material on the substrate.
US09666334B2
A method is provided for applying a field grading layer to a power cable includes preparing a polymer composition having a polymer matrix, at least one conductive filler different from a non-linear conductive organic filler, and at least one crosslinking agent. The method includes extruding the polymer composition into a crosslinkable field grading tape and winding the crosslinkable field grading tape onto a section of power cable in need of field grading. The crosslinkable tape is crosslinked to obtain a field grading layer.
US09666332B1
A shielded electrical ribbon cable includes adjacent first and second longitudinal conductor sets where each conductor set includes two or more insulated conductors. The first conductor set also includes a ground conductor that generally lies in the plane of the insulated conductors of the first conductor set. At least 90% of the periphery of each conductor set is encompassed by a shielding film. First and second non-conductive polymeric films are disposed on opposite sides of the cable and form cover portions substantially surrounding each conductor set, and pinched portions on each side of each conductor set. When the cable is laid flat, the distance between the center of the ground conductor of the first conductor set and the center of the nearest insulated conductor of the second conductor set is σ1, the center-to-center spacing of the insulated conductors of the second conductor set is σ2, and σ1/σ2 is greater than 0.7.
US09666330B2
The invention provides a polyurethane resin composition for electrical insulation that has excellent compatibility between an isocyanate component and a polyol component, and that exhibits excellent heat resistance, moisture resistance, and insulation properties. The polyurethane resin composition for electrical insulation comprises (1) Part A comprising a polyisocyanate component obtained from at least one member selected from the group consisting of aliphatic diisocyanates and alicyclic diisocyanates, and containing one or more isocyanurate groups and one or more allophanate groups; and (2) Part B comprising a polyol component, wherein the polyisocyanate component has a molar ratio, (a)/(b), of isocyanurate groups (a) to allophanate groups (b) of 85/15 to 15/85.
US09666328B2
The invention relates to compositions including esters of polyvalent alcohols that are esterified with fatty acids, partially unsaturated, from plant oils, and to the use thereof as cooling and insulating fluids for transformers.
US09666317B2
A radiation attenuation shield, method, and system are disclosed. The shield includes a polymer, a radiation attenuating material, and a magnetic material. The radiation attenuating material and the magnetic material may be dispersed within the polymer to form an attenuation layer. Further, a magnetic material layer may be positioned adjacent to the attenuation layer or encase the attenuation layer. The radiation attenuation shield may be made by combining the components to create a mixture and then inserting the mixture in a mold until a solidified shape is formed. Moreover, the radiation attenuation shield of the present invention may be mechanically secured to a structure to contain radiation. Further, the shield may be secured to a structure by using the magnetic properties of the shield.
US09666315B2
A spent nuclear fuel is reprocessed by dissolving a spent nuclear fuel in an aqueous nitric acid solution and separating and recovering nuclides contained in the resulting fuel solution by solvent extraction. A spent nuclear fuel reprocessing method includes: an electrolytic valence adjustment step in which nuclides contained in the fuel solution is electrolytically reduced without removing fission products or minor actinides until valence of plutonium is at a level at which solvent extraction efficiency is low by using the valence of plutonium contained in the fuel solution as a parameter; and a nuclide separation step in which, by using an extraction solvent which extracts uranium contained in the fuel solution, uranium is distributed from the fuel solution subjected to the electrolytic valence adjustment step to the extraction solvent.
US09666314B2
A device of repairing a damaged area in an underwater wall region of a container or tank, in particular in the wall region of a tank of a nuclear reactor installation. The device has a guide system that can be mounted along a side wall, at a distance therefrom, and can be secured thereto. At least one first carriage is fitted onto the track of the guide system and movable in a longitudinal direction of the guide system. On the carriage there is displaceably mounted a receptacle for a repair overlay, which can be applied with an adhesive surface to the wall region containing the damaged area. At least one suction mount that is connected to a suction line is disposed on the first carriage and can be suctioned to the side wall.
US09666304B2
A method of testing a semiconductor memory device is provided. The method includes performing a test according to a plurality of cases corresponding to a first generation and generating modeled test results for the plurality of cases, determining optimum cases from among the plurality of cases based on the modeled test results, and generating a plurality of cases corresponding to a second generation based on the optimum cases.
US09666301B2
An example scannable register file includes a plurality of memory cells and, a shift phase of a scan test shifts data bits from a scan input through the plurality of memory cells to a scan output. The shifting can be performed by, on each clock cycle, reading one of the plurality of memory cells to supply the scan out and writing one of the plurality of memory cells with the data bit on a scan input. To perform sequential reads and writes on each clock cycle, the scannable register can generate a write clock that, during the shift phase, is inverted from the clock used for functional operation. The write clock is generated without glitches so that unintended writes do not occur. Scannable register files can be integrated with scan-based testing (e.g., using automatic test pattern generation) of other modules in an integrated circuit.
US09666267B2
A semiconductor device including a charge storage element present in a buried dielectric layer of the substrate on which the semiconductor device is formed. Charge injection may be used to introduce charge to the charge storage element of the buried dielectric layer that is present within the substrate. The charge that is injected to the charge storage element may be used to adjust the threshold voltage (Vt) of each of the semiconductor devices within an array of semiconductor devices that are present on the substrate.
US09666249B1
A data storage device includes a nonvolatile memory device including a memory cell region which is divided into a first region and a second region; and a controller configured to control a program operation of the nonvolatile memory device according to a write request of an external device, wherein the controller provides a temperature compensation off command to the nonvolatile memory device before providing data, a program command for commanding program of the data and an address of the first region to the nonvolatile memory device, and wherein, while programming the data in a memory cell corresponding to the address of the first region according to the program command for commanding program of the data, the nonvolatile memory device omits a temperature compensation operation of changing a program verify operation to be applied to the memory cell, according to a temperature variation.
US09666245B2
An apparatus includes a first channel, a second channel and a calibration circuit. The first channel includes a first command control circuit. The second channel includes a second command control circuit independent of the first command control circuit. The calibration circuit is shared by the first channel and the second channel to generate a calibration code responsive to a calibration command generated responsive to a first calibration command from the first command control circuit and a second calibration command from the second command control circuit.
US09666243B2
A memory device having: a cross-point memory array; a current supply circuit adapted to supply a programming current to a selected row line of the array during a programming operation to change the resistive state of a selected memory cell coupled between the selected row line and a selected column line of the array; a leakage current detection circuit coupled to the column lines except the selected column line and adapted to detect leakage currents during the programming operation; and a current limit generation circuit adapted to generate a current limit based on the sum of the leakage currents and on a reference current, and to supply the current limit to the current supply circuit to limit the programming current.
US09666239B2
According to an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a plurality of wiring patterns of wiring lines disposed in parallel in a line-and-space pattern in a predetermined pitch and extend in a first direction in a first region, first bending patterns that extend pairs of the wiring lines in a second in a second region adjacent to the first region, second bending patterns extend the pairs of wiring lines in opposite directions along the orientation of the first direction in the second region, and dummy patterns separated from the two second bending patterns at a predetermined distance.
US09666233B2
A browser efficiently extracts media from a video presented through a web application having a different domain from a media server providing the web application while complying with cross-origin resource restrictions. A video portion is selected, and a header portion of the video is identified. A truncated video portion, which includes the selected video portion and a video portion contiguous to the selected video portion, is loaded into memory. A truncated video file is generated including the truncated video portion and a truncated video header. The truncated video file is encoded as a video tag included in the web application, and the media corresponding to the selected video portion is extracted by transcoding the truncated video file in the video tag. A server may also extract the media by loading the truncated video portion, generating the truncated video file, and transcoding the truncated video file to obtain the media.
US09666232B2
Video and corresponding metadata is accessed. Events of interest within the video are identified based on the corresponding metadata, and best scenes are identified based on the identified events of interest. In one example, best scenes are identified based on the motion values associated with frames or portions of a frame of a video. Motion values are determined for each frame and portions of the video including frames with the most motion are identified as best scenes. Best scenes may also be identified based on the motion profile of a video. The motion profile of a video is a measure of global or local motion within frames throughout the video. For example, best scenes are identified from portion of the video including steady global motion. A video summary can be generated including one or more of the identified best scenes.
US09666211B2
There is provided an information processing apparatus including an information acquiring unit that acquires information to identify an editing point of content including a voice, on the basis of language analysis of the content, and an information output unit that outputs the acquired information.
US09666208B1
The present disclosure includes a hybrid waveform system that displays a hybrid waveform to a user. In general, the hybrid waveform system provides a hybrid waveform to a user that uses converted readable text and waveforms to represent an audio segment. By providing a user with a hybrid waveform, the hybrid waveform system offers users with a number of benefits, such as providing an audio display that enables a user to quickly ascertain context information and audio information typically missing from audio transcriptions.
US09666204B2
A device includes a receiver, a memory, and a processor. The receiver is configured to receive a remote voice profile. The memory is electrically coupled to the receiver. The memory is configured to store a local voice profile associated with a person. The processor is electrically coupled to the memory and the receiver. The processor is configured to determine that the remote voice profile is associated with the person based on speech content associated with the remote voice profile or an identifier associated with the remote voice profile. The processor is also configured to select the local voice profile for profile management based on the determination.
US09666198B2
Audio objects are associated with positional metadata. A received downmix signal comprises downmix channels that are linear combinations of one or more audio objects and are associated with respective positional locators. In a first aspect, the downmix signal, the positional metadata and frequency-dependent object gains are received. An audio object is reconstructed by applying the object gain to an upmix of the downmix signal in accordance with coefficients based on the positional metadata and the positional locators. In a second aspect, audio objects have been encoded together with at least one bed channel positioned at a positional locator of a corresponding downmix channel. The decoding system receives the downmix signal and the positional metadata of the audio objects. A bed channel is reconstructed by suppressing the content representing audio objects from the corresponding downmix channel on the basis of the positional locator of the corresponding downmix channel.
US09666195B2
Decoding of Ambisonics representations for a stereo loudspeaker setup is known for first-order Ambisonics audio signals. But such first-order Ambisonics approaches have either high negative side lobes or poor localization in the frontal region. The invention deals with the processing for stereo decoders for higher-order Ambisonics HOA. The desired panning functions can be derived from a panning law for placement of virtual sources between the loudspeakers. For each loudspeaker a desired panning function for all possible input directions at sampling points is defined. The panning functions are approximated by circular harmonic functions, and with increasing Ambisonics order the desired panning functions are matched with decreasing error. For the frontal region between the loudspeakers, a panning law like the tangent law or vector base amplitude panning (VBAP) are used. For the rear directions panning functions with a slight attenuation of sounds from these directions are defined.
US09666192B2
Methods and apparatus for reducing latency in speech recognition applications. The method comprises receive first audio comprising speech from a user of a computing device, detecting an end of speech in the first audio, generating an ASR result based, at least in part, on a portion of the first audio prior to the detected end of speech, determining whether a valid action can be performed by a speech-enabled application installed on the computing device using the ASR result, and processing second audio when it is determined that a valid action cannot be performed by the speech-enabled application using the ASR result.
US09666191B1
Laser-based system and optical microphone having increased bandwidth. The system includes a laser microphone to transmit a laser beam towards a human speaker; to receive an optical feedback signal reflected back from the human speaker; and to perform self-mixing interferometry. An optical feedback signal bandwidth enhancer improves the bandwidth of the optical feedback signal, to improve the quality of remote speech detection that is based on the optical feedback signal. The bandwidth enhancement utilizes takes into account one or more of: the identity of the face-region hit by the laser beam; the skin color or shade; obstruction of the skin by hair or by accessories; ability to allocate increased processing resources for processing of the optical feedback signal; ability to modify modulation frequency of the optical feedback signal; Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) estimation; bandwidth estimation; acoustic-optical transmission channel estimation; or other suitable parameters.
US09666189B2
A vehicle and a method of controlling the vehicle are provided. The method includes recognizing a user speech to acquire a voice command and searching for a shortcut instruction that corresponds to the voice command. Further, the method includes executing a plurality of control instructions based on a control process of the shortcut instruction.
US09666176B2
A processing circuit may include: (i) an adaptive filter having a response that generates an anti-noise signal from a reference microphone signal, wherein the response is shaped in conformity with the reference microphone signal and a playback corrected error, and wherein the playback corrected error is based on a difference between an error microphone signal and a secondary path estimate; (ii) a secondary path estimate filter configured to model an electro-acoustic path of a source audio signal and having a response that generates a secondary path estimate from the source audio signal; (iii) a secondary coefficient control block that shapes the response of the secondary path estimate filter in conformity with the source audio signal and the playback corrected error by adapting the response of the secondary path estimate filter to minimize the playback corrected error; and (iv) a noise injection portion for injecting a noise signal into the source audio signal, wherein the noise signal is shaped based on the playback corrected error.
US09666167B2
A method and device which provide and manage an image to be displayed on display screens of a portable device and a separate image output device, when the separate image output device is connected to the portable device is provided. Accordingly, an image frame is generated by excluding a specific surface from image frames to be output in the portable device, to the image output device, or constitutes and provides an image frame including a surface to be displayed on the image output device, to the image output device.
US09666156B2
A two-stage digital-to-analog converter for outputting an analog voltage in response to a M-bit digital input code includes a one-bit serial charge redistribution digital-to-analog converter having a high reference voltage input node for receiving a high reference voltage and a low reference voltage input node for receiving a low reference voltage. A voltage selector sets the high reference voltage and low reference voltage to selected levels depending on at least a portion of the M-bit digital input code.
US09666154B2
A liquid crystal display includes: a signal controller configured to receive an input image signal corresponding to a gray from the outside, and an image signal corrector configured to correct the input image signal. The image signal corrector is configured to shift a first input image signal value corresponding to a black gray by a first value based on a common voltage, is configured to shift a second input image signal value corresponding to a halftone gray by a second value based on the common voltage, and is configured to shift a third input image signal value corresponding to a white gray by a third value based on the common voltage. The first value and the second value are larger than a kickback voltage of each of the black gray and the halftone gray, and the third value is the same as a kickback voltage of the white gray.
US09666149B2
A method of driving a display panel, the method including generating a data signal including a black voltage signal and a white voltage signal, measuring brightness levels of pixels, converting differences between the measured brightness levels into direct current (DC) voltages, resetting the black voltage signal to reduce a difference between the DC voltages, generating a data voltage based on the data signal to output the data voltage to the display panel, and displaying an image on the display panel based on the data voltage.
US09666147B2
A data driving apparatus includes a first data driver and a second data driver. The first data driver is configured to generate data signals to data lines of a display panel, and includes data pads configured to output the data signals, a first common voltage pad configured to output a common voltage to the display panel, and a gate driving signal pad configured to output a gate driving signal to a gate driver, which is configured to output a gate signal to a gate line of the display panel. The second data driver is disposed between two first data drivers; is configured to generate the data signal provided to the data line; and includes a second common voltage pad configured to output the common voltage to the display panel. Thus, a width of a bezel of the display apparatus may be decreased.
US09666144B2
A image display method is disclosed including: providing a liquid crystal panel including a plurality of pixel units; dividing the liquid crystal panel into a plurality of display units including a first display area which includes a pixel unit, a number of which is a, and a second display area which includes a pixel unit, a number of which is b, wherein, the a and the b are integers larger than 0; providing a data signal of an image; dividing a grayscale G of the data signal of the image corresponding to the pixel unit into a first grayscale Gm and a second grayscale Gs; inputting the first grayscale Gm to the pixel unit of the first display area, inputting the second grayscale Gs to the pixel unit of the second display area, and displaying the image. An image display system realizing the above display method is also provided.
US09666142B2
A display has a panel, a plurality of first traces and a plurality of second traces. The panel has a first passive matrix and a first coupling capacitor group. The first passive matrix has a plurality of first pixels, and the first coupling capacitor group has a plurality of first coupling capacitors. Each of the first pixels is coupled to a first storage capacitor and corresponds to at least a specific first coupling capacitor of the plurality of first coupling capacitors. The first storage capacitor is coupled to a specific first trace of the plurality of first traces and a specific second trace of the plurality of second traces. The specific first coupling capacitor is coupled to another first trace and the specific second trace, and the specific first coupling capacitor is not directly connected to any of the first pixels.
US09666136B2
An array substrate includes: a scanning driving unit for providing a row scanning signal to a plurality of gate lines, and a data driving unit for providing a data signal to a plurality of data lines, the plurality of gate lines and the plurality of data lines being horizontally and vertically crossed to form an array of pixel units arranged in an matrix form, and further including: a control unit electrically connected with the scanning driving unit and the data driving unit respectively, for controlling the scanning driving unit turn on each of the pixel units when the display device is powered off, such that charges stored in the pixel units are rapidly discharged through the data lines, so as to eliminate the shutdown image sticking of the AMOLED display. There have disclosed also a method for driving array substrate and a display device.
US09666130B2
A pixel circuit, display device, and method of driving a pixel circuit enabling source-follower output with no deterioration of luminance even with a change of the current-voltage characteristic of the light emitting element along with elapse, enabling a source-follower circuit of n-channel transistors, and able to use an n-channel transistor as an EL drive transistor while using current anode-cathode electrodes, wherein a source of a TFT 111 as a drive transistor is connected to an anode of a light emitting element 114, a drain is connected to a power source potential VCC, a capacitor C111 is connected between a gate and source of the TFT 111, and a source potential of the TFT 111 is connected to a fixed potential through a TFT 113 as a switching transistor.
US09666127B2
A display apparatus includes a display panel including a plurality of scan lines and a plurality of pixels connected to the plurality of scan lines, and a scan driving unit to supply a scan signal to each of the plurality of pixels via the plurality of scan lines, the scan driving unit including a scan signal generation unit to generate the scan signal supplied to each of the plurality of scan lines, and a plurality of buffers respectively corresponding to the plurality of scan lines, each one of the plurality of buffers outputting a scan signal to a corresponding one of the plurality of scan lines, wherein each of the plurality of buffers includes a transistor having a size corresponding to a load of a circuit connected to an output end of a corresponding buffer.
US09666121B2
Provided is a display control apparatus including: a display control unit configured to distribute brightness information to a plurality of display devices in accordance with external light amount information from a sensor; and a plurality of drive units configured to drive the plurality of display devices on a basis of the brightness information distributed by the display control unit.
US09666106B2
One or more frame bodies are provide for attachment to a display device. The one or more frame bodies are formed by a backing and edging frame, with a display region being created between the backing and the edging frame. The display region is accessible through an item-receiving slot, the item receiving slot cutting through the edging frame. More specifically, the display region is bounded by the backing and an interior surface of the edging frame, while the item-receiving slot cuts through an exterior surface of the edging frame. Advertisements are created by means of a printed graphic, which can be positioned on the removable insert as well as the edging frame. The removable insert is placed in the display region, and can be protected by a transparent cover. Advertisements can be enhanced by illumination sources and ocular-stimulating accessories.
US09666099B2
An arrangement for training a vehicle driver or improving driving ability having a sensor located in a position beneath a motor vehicle brake pedal. A warning indicator is connected to the sensor to provide a signal when the sensor detects that a driver's heel is not in contact with a floor of the vehicle during braking.
US09666098B2
A systems, methods, and products for language learning software that automatically extracts text from corpora using various natural-language processing product features, which can be combined with custom-designed learning activities to offer a needs-based, adaptive learning methodology. The system may receive a text, extract keywords pedagogically valuable to non-native language learning, assign a difficulty score to the text using various linguistic attributes of the text, generate a list of potential distractors for each keyword in the text to implement in learning activities, and topically tag the text against a taxonomy based on the content. This output is then used in conjunction with a series of learning activity-types designed to meet learners' language skill needs and then used to create dynamic, adaptive activities for them.
US09666095B2
Methods and systems for training an operator. One system includes a computing device including a processing unit and computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium stores a training simulator application that is configured to receive an operating command from the operator, generate a simulated working environment and a simulated wheel loader having a simulated bucket, and generate an indicator providing depth-related information to an operator relating to a position of at least a portion of the simulated wheel loader with respect to a point-of-reference within the simulated working environment. The training simulator application is further configured to output the simulated working environment and the indicator for display to the operator, and automatically modify the indicator based on a position of the simulated wheel loader with respect to the point-of-reference.
US09666091B2
The invention provides a computerized assessment system, as well as a method, that can be used for diagnosing driving skills in a driver of the class of vehicle drivers having impaired abilities. The system utilizes a) at least one prerecorded audio/visual training session capable of diagnosing the visual cognition, visual memory and visual recall abilities of a motor vehicle driver, where the training session comprises interactive driving simulations presented through four active visual zones; b) computerized means for digitally assessing driver actions in response to simulated driving situations presented by the interactive driving simulations; c) a database that records the driver actions; and d) a computer program capable of developing a diagnostic assessment of the visual cognition, visual memory and visual recall abilities of the driver.
US09666086B2
A method and apparatus for teaching power distribution with an educational board game includes providing a game board that includes a power station location, power pole locations, and a target building location. A power pole indicator is placed at a power pole location and a power line indicator is connected from the power station location to the power pole indicator during the player's turn. Additional power pole indicators are positioned at additional power pole locations during the player's subsequent turns and the power line indicator is connected from the power station location to the target building location via the power pole indicator and the additional power pole indicators.
US09666084B2
Methods and systems for identifying and displaying potentially hazardous segments on a planned route of a vehicle are disclosed. A method may include: predicting a movement of a condition of concern; analyzing the movement of the condition of concern and a movement of a vehicle traveling along a planned route to generate a projection of the condition of concern onto the planned route, wherein the projection indicates conditions the vehicle is predicted to encounter at a plurality of positions along the planned route; determining whether a portion of the planned route is potentially hazardous based on the projection of the condition of concern; and visually identifying the portion of the planned route that is potentially hazardous to a user. The method may also be utilized to facilitate a reroute process.
US09666081B2
This method for managing messages exchanged between a ground station and an aircraft is implemented by an electronic device. Each message includes an identifier, a dialogue number and data. This method comprises acquiring a message, determining the identifier of the acquired message, and comparing the determined identifier with identifiers contained in a table of current sequences. When the identifier corresponds to a sequence of said table, the method comprises associating the acquired message with said sequence, and otherwise, it comprises generating a new sequence using a list of sequences, associating the acquired message with the new generated sequence, and updating the table of current sequences with the new generated sequence. Each sequence includes one or several dialogues, each dialogue including at least two messages.
US09666080B2
A method for providing an aircraft display includes the steps of receiving an indication of a current position and altitude of the aircraft, receiving air traffic information for another aircraft within a predetermined range of the current position of the aircraft, and determining whether an element of the traffic information for the another aircraft is missing from the received air traffic information. If an element is missing, the method further includes beginning a timer to determine a length of time that the element is missing. Still further, the method includes the step of, after a predetermined time has elapsed that the element is missing according to the timer, displaying an indication of the another aircraft along with the length of time that the element is missing.
US09666077B2
A collision determination device includes: a radar detection unit that detects an object around a vehicle using a radar wave; an image detection unit that captures an image of the surroundings of the vehicle and detects the object using the captured image; and a collision determination unit that determines a collision between the vehicle and the object on the basis of a composite target which is generated using a detection result of the radar detection unit and a detection result of the image detection unit. When the object is detected by the radar detection unit and the image detection unit after being detected only by the image detection unit of the radar detection unit and the image detection unit, the collision determination unit performs the collision determination, preferentially using the detection result of the image detection unit over the detection result of the radar detection unit.
US09666076B2
A warning method and a system are provided. The warning system includes a wireless communication unit that is connected to a wearable device via short range communication. In addition, an information collection unit is configured to collect information regarding at least one of a danger of collision of a vehicle, a velocity of the vehicle, and lane departure of the vehicle. A controller is then configured to transmit a predetermined signal for a warning to the wearable device via the wireless communication unit, based on the information collected by the information collection unit.
US09666072B2
A variable speed limit is calculated based on weather. A computing device identifies an incident probability threshold indicative of an acceptable rate of incident for vehicular transportation. A weather condition indicator is determined for a road segment. The weather condition indicator describes current or future weather conditions at the road segment. The computing device calculates the variable speed limit, or a safety speed, for a vehicle traveling on the road segment based on a function of the incident probability threshold and the weather condition indicator.
US09666058B2
Apparatus and methods for detecting stray voltage anomalies in electric fields are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for detecting an electrical field may comprise: at least one sensor probe for generating data corresponding to an electrical field detected by the at least one sensor probe, wherein the at least one sensor probe comprises at least one electrode; a processor, coupled to the at least one sensor probe, for analyzing the data to identify a voltage anomaly in the electric field; and an indicator, coupled to the processor, for alerting a user to a presence of the voltage anomaly in the electric field.
US09666040B2
A keyless entry device includes a user interface configured to receive an input from a user of the device; a haptic output device configured to generate a haptic effect to the user; and a processor configured to receive a command based on the input from the user through the user interface, to communicate the command to another entity, to receive information from the another entity, and to output a control signal to a drive circuit coupled to the haptic output device to cause the haptic output device to generate the haptic effect to the user based on the information received from the another entity.
US09666029B1
An online gaming system providing dynamic delivery of advertisements to users of an online game. The system may dynamically select advertisement for delivery based on one or more user parameters which characterize the user's activity with the online game. The system may comprise one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules. The system may include a game module configured to execute an instance of an online game and to implement the instance of the online game to facilitate participation of users in the online game. The system may include a user monitor module configured to monitor user activity parameters. The system may include a potential offer module configured to manage multiple incentive offers which are available for delivery to the users of the online game. The system may include an offer determination module configured to select incentive offers to be delivered to the users of the online game from the multiple incentive offers based on the monitored activity parameters of the users.
US09666019B1
A system and method for determining paylines in a slot game based on player characters are disclosed. A given player character may correspond to distinctive paylines along which symbols in a pull outcome may be assessed for rewards, for gameplays to be implemented in a game space, and/or any for other types of results provided by a slot game. In some examples, the number of the paylines corresponding to the given player character may correlate with various aspects regarding the given player character such as, without limitation, a class, a level, a race, a number of experience points, one or more skills, virtual items, and/or any other aspects regarding the given player character. In some examples, the combinations of symbols appearing on active paylines in a pull outcome may trigger one or more gameplays for implementation in a game space associated with the slot game.
US09666018B1
A system and method for garrisoning virtual units in virtual structures such that the attributes of the virtual structure are modified to reflect the garrisoning of the virtual unit inside the virtual structure.
US09666013B2
In a general aspect, a computer-implemented method can include receiving, at a computing device, a beacon signal including a vending device identifier and sending, to a cloud-based vending service, the vending device identifier. The method can further include receiving, from the cloud-based vending service, an indication of at least one product available for purchase from the vending device and receiving, at the computing device, an indication of a selected product of the at least one product available for purchase. The method can also include sending, to the cloud based service, a request to purchase the selected product and receiving, from the cloud-based vending service, a purchase token for the selected product. The method can still further include sending, to the vending device, the purchase token and receiving, from the vending device, an acknowledgment that the purchase token has been used to purchase the selected product.
US09666008B2
A security device and method are provided for verifying the authenticity of articles, tracking articles, detecting the diversion of articles, and detecting the production of unauthorized articles. The security device includes a substrate and an optically variable security code. The security device may further include a machine-readable representation of the security code. The security device may still further include a unique serial number, which may be machine-readable. The substrate may be an article or, alternatively, the security device may be affixed to an article. An article including at least one of the security devices is also disclosed.
US09666006B2
A wireless radio frequency switch controller may be capable of being retrofit on to any existing parent system such as a thermostat, security system, garage door, and the like. The switch controller may have an external housing, a contact penetrating clip, a processor capable of being connected to a network, and a computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs for execution by the processor. The bottom of the contact penetrating clip preferably has at least one cutting surface. The cutting surface being capable of cutting an insulative covering for an electrical wire, once the contact penetrating clip is secured to the switch controller. The switch controller requires no batteries and harvests/stores energy from the parent system's existing wiring. The switch controller may be capable of being paired with a wireless receiver/transceiver by which the operation of the switch controller and subsequently the parent system may be manipulated.
US09666001B2
Method and system for detecting passages by vehicle at a virtual gantry controlled by a GNSS system comprising an OBU in every vehicle to be surveyed by the system, said OBU receiving signals from satellites to consistently and frequently estimate positions for the vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: defining a virtual gantry in terms of a number of ordered passage lines across a road; determining intersection points from the intersection between the GNSS trace and the passage line; calculating a value representing probability of a true passage at that passage line; for each vehicle for which intersection points have been determined for at least two different passage lines, calculating a total probability value based on the individually calculated probability values; concluding of a true passage by the vehicle in question only if the total probability value is exceeding a predefined minimum value.
US09666000B1
Systems and methods for access control management designed for multi-unit buildings are provided. The disclosed systems can use mobile devices, a local mesh network, access control devices, and wireless communication to facilitate multi-unit real estate management. Mobile devices can download and use credentials to access appropriate areas and units in a building through local wireless communications with access control devices.
US09665997B2
Providing feedback based on driving behavior. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: determining an indication of driving behavior of a driver, the determining by: identifying the driver in a vehicle; detecting movement of the vehicle; collecting data related to the driving behavior of the driver; and issuing an alert related to the driving behavior of the driver for the purpose of providing feedback related to the driving behavior.
US09665995B2
A method and system for crash analysis of one or more vehicles involved in a crash is disclosed. The method may comprise capturing data samples such as a plurality of GPS samples and a plurality of acceleration samples. The method may further comprise generating a trajectory. Moreover, the method may comprise segmenting the trajectory into a macro level segment and further into a micro level segment. The method may further comprise computing at least one macro level score based on the plurality of acceleration samples and the GPS samples. Based on the at least one macro level score, the method may be configured to compute a crash responsibility score for ascertaining crash responsibility.
US09665991B2
In one aspect, a tolling system is operable to perform operations, which may include: receiving, over a network and from a mobile device application operating on a mobile processing device, an identifier and road usage data collected by the mobile device application; identifying a profile based on the identifier; accessing a toll pricing model applicable to an entity associated with the identified profile; and determining a tolling charge incurred by the entity based on the road usage data collected by the mobile device application, the identified profile, and the accessed toll pricing model. In another aspect, a mobile device application is operable to perform operations that may include: collecting road usage data; communicating, over a network to a tolling system, the collected road usage data and an identifier; and receiving, from the tolling system, tolling charge data computed based on the communicated road usage data.
US09665989B1
Methods and apparatus for aligning objects are provided. A computing device can receive first and second object representations that are respectively associated with first and second surface representations. The computing device can apply an object transformation to the respective first and second object representations to modify geometric features of the respective first and second object representations based on one or more values of one or more characteristics of the respective first and second surface representation. The computing device can align the first object representation and the second object representation using an alignment of the transformed first object representation and the transformed second object representation. The computing device can provide an output based on the aligned first object representation and second object representation.
US09665984B2
Method to create try-on experience wearing virtual 3D eyeglasses is provided using 2D image data of eyeglasses. Virtual 3D eyeglasses are constructed using set of 2D images for eyeglasses. Virtual 3D eyeglasses is configured onto 3D face or head model and being simulated as being fittingly worn by the wearer. Each set of 2D images for eyeglasses includes a pair of 2D lens images, a frontal frame image, and at least one side frame image. Upon detection of a movement of the face and head of wearer in real-time, the 3D face or head model and the configuration and alignment of virtual 3D eyeglasses are modified or adjusted accordingly. Features such as trimming off of portion of the glasses frame, shadow creating and environment mapping are provided to the virtual 3D eyeglasses in response to translation, scaling, and posture changes made to the head and face of the wearer in real-time.
US09665982B2
There is provided an information processing apparatus including an image acquisition part configured to acquire an image captured by an imaging part, and a display controller configured to cause a virtual object to be displayed in accordance with a recognition result of a real object shown in the image. The display controller controls the virtual object on a basis of a size of the real object in a real space.
US09665979B2
Method and computer system for rendering damaged-enhanced images in an interactive computer simulation comprising an interactive computer generated environment. During the simulation, an input is received from a user of the simulation for triggering a virtual impact having an effective radius and coordinates of the virtual impact are determined on at least one 3D polygon mesh of the interactive computer generated environment. Thereafter, simplified calculation of at least one newly formed 3D polygon mesh from the virtual impact at the coordinates is performed by removing a portion of a sphere, computed from the effective radius, from the at least one 3D polygon mesh, thereby defining the newly formed 3D polygon mesh(es). At least one damaged-enhanced image is then rendered for display of the newly formed 3D polygon mesh(es) from a field of view of the user of the interactive computer simulation.
US09665977B2
Provided is an apparatus and method for controlling rendering quality. The method for controlling rendering quality includes a thermal sensor sensing a temperature of a chip, a hull shader determining a level of detail (LOD) based on the temperature; and a tessellator tessellating segments that are divided according to the level of detail.
US09665972B2
A framework includes a scene display section configured to display a scene that includes a background layer, a video layer, and a three dimensional graphics layer on top of the video layer; and a rendering module configured as a gatekeeper that adds and removes objects to be included for rendering in the three dimensional graphics layer. The framework includes a video module configured to track playback timing of the video; and a moment module, for creating a data model for a moment having a start time, end time, identifier, and a state, configured to update the state of the moment based on the video playback timing, identified by the identifier and in accordance with the start time and the end time. Objects that are added to be included in rendering, check the state of an associated the moment, and when the state of the moment is enabled, update their display state.
US09665964B2
To display images by suitably superimposing a graphics image on a high-dynamic-range image in an easily visible manner.A dynamic range converter (311) converts a SDR graphics image to an HDR graphics image based on metadata. An image combiner (312) combines the graphics image of which the dynamic range has been converted to HDR with HDR content. A dynamic range converter (313) performs display mapping on the HDR content combined with the graphics image based on metadata.
US09665961B2
A rearview mirror housing of an automobile includes an apparatus that allows for efficient projection of images on a windshield of a vehicle, and/or includes an apparatus that allows for interaction between a human and a computing or communication system using a touchscreen.
US09665960B1
Systems and methods are provided for augmenting or annotating image data to help a user locate an item among a number of items in a physical environment. The systems disclosed herein can access an image of a location that includes a number of items. The systems may then identify the items and the location of the items within the image. Further, the systems may create an interactive alternative visualization of the identified items to facilitate a user locating a particular item. For example, the alternative visualization may include presenting an ordered set of thumbnails corresponding to the items. The user can select the desired item using the alternative visualization and the systems can annotate a location within the image where the item can be located, thereby enabling the user to locate the item in the physical environment.
US09665950B2
An X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray imaging device and an image processing device including a reconstruction unit and an estimation unit. The X-ray imaging device uses a Talbot or Talbot-Lau interferometer including gratings disposed in a line. The X-ray imaging device obtains sets of moire fringe images by fringe scanning multiple times between which arrangement of the gratings is changed. In the fringe scanning, one of the gratings is moved relatively to the remaining grating. The reconstruction unit generates, on the basis of the sets, a reconstructed image which is a differential phase image, an X-ray absorption image and/or a small-angle scattering image. The estimation unit estimates, on the basis of the reconstructed image, a relative position of the moved grating from a reference position of the grating at each imaging in the fringe scanning.
US09665945B2
Techniques for image segmentation can include receiving image data of an image including a background and a face of a person in a foreground, and determining a respective a priori probability of a head-shoulder foreground pixel appearing per pixel of the plurality of pixels, according to a positioning result of a plurality of exterior contour points of the face. The techniques can also include selecting foreground and background pixels of the plurality of pixels, according to at least the a priori probabilities, and determining respective color likelihood probabilities of the foreground and the background, according to color feature vectors of the selected pixels. The techniques can also include determining respective posteriori probabilities of at least part of the foreground and at least part of the background, according to the a priori probabilities and the respective color likelihood probabilities. The techniques can also include performing segmentation on the plurality of pixels, according to the respective posteriori probabilities.
US09665922B2
Provided is a picture display device having greater ease of use even when shared by a plurality of users. A picture display device comprising: an individual information storage unit for correlating and storing individual setting information and operator information; an operator identification unit for identifying an operator operating the picture display device; an operation confirmation unit for confirming whether the information of the operator identified by the operator identification device and who will operate the picture display device matches the operator information stored in the individual information storage unit; and a control unit for reading out the individual setting information correlated and stored with the operator information in the individual information storage unit and applying to the picture display device the setting modification based on the individual setting information thus read out.
US09665913B2
Provided is a system, having: a lost-and-found system, implemented with one or more processors, the lost-and-found system having a server and a data repository, the data repository storing venue records; and a plurality of mobile devices each having a lost-and-found mobile application, the lost-and-found mobile application being operative to report a found or a lost item and associate the found item or the lost item with one of the venue records.
US09665905B2
The present invention generally relates to web based electronic commerce systems. In particular, embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods configured to provide a three dimensional shopping cart for the display of items to be ordered by a user or group of users.
US09665904B2
There is provided an order entry system including: a first microphone that picks up speech regarding order details of a first speaker; a second microphone that picks up speech regarding the order details of a second speaker for checking the order details of the first speaker; a speech recognizer that recognizes the speech regarding the order details of the first speaker which is picked up by the first microphone and the speech regarding the order details of the second speaker which is picked up by the second microphone; and an order data output that displays on a display, a display screen of order data regarding the order details of the first speaker, including a first speech recognition result of the speech regarding the order details of the first speaker and a second speech recognition result of the speech regarding the order details of the second speaker.
US09665903B2
A system and method for ordering various types of articles includes: an input device for each person enabling the person to order designated articles to be delivered to a designated seat and row in a seat section; an article source for supplying articles designated in each order; a conveyor system having a first conveyor section extending along a first axis from the article source, and a second conveyor section extending along a second axis from the first conveyor section to the seats of the seat section; and a central control in communication with the input devices for receiving orders therefrom and for controlling the conveyor system to convey the articles designated in each order to a compartment at a convenient location to the occupant of the seat and row designated in the respective order.
US09665897B2
A system, methods, and apparatus for performing automobile transactions are disclosed. In an example embodiment, automobile market data representative of current automobile market characteristics is stored. The automobile market data may include pricing, inventory, and consumer interest information received from manufacturers, dealers, and consumers. A consumer may provide a request for a manufacturer response indicating whether a specific automobile can be provided. Automobile market data may be provided to a manufacturer based on the request and a manufacturer response provides a verification, confirmation, or offer indicating that the specific automobile can be provided for the consumer. Bids to sell the specific automobile may be requested from dealers based on the manufacturer response. Dealer bids may be provided to the consumer with prices and a delivery options. The consumer may select a bid which specifies a pickup location at a first dealer.
US09665896B2
A system and method for forecasting sales is presented. A transmission by a customer is received indicating an intention for a customer to purchase an item from a retailer via a mobile device. An embodiment determines if the item is subject to an age-restriction. This can be accomplished by using location data of a retailer. Biometric data is received from the customer intending to purchase the item. The biometric data is compared to verified biometric data to confirm the identity of the customer. The age of the customer is determined. Thereafter, the transaction is allowed to proceed if the age of the customer satisfies the age-restriction for the item. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.
US09665895B2
A computer system receiving audiovisual information, geographic information, and a seller term from a seller computer, said audiovisual information disclosing a seller offer at a seller location captured via said seller computer, said geographic information associated with said location, said audiovisual information associated with said geographic information, said system providing said audiovisual information to a buyer computer for an acceptance of said offer via said buyer computer, said system conditioning said acceptance upon said buyer computer being geographically positioned in compliance with said term based on said geographic information.
US09665892B1
Techniques for facilitating one or more operating modes for monitoring of an intelligent home system are disclosed. The techniques facilitate detecting an adverse condition in a building, generating an alert based on the detection, sending a notification about the alert to a user (e.g., to a mobile device), awaiting a user response, and determining whether to send the alert to a central monitoring system to facilitate notification of an appropriate responder for the adverse condition. Determining whether to send the alert to the central monitoring system may be based on an affirmative command from the user or a failure to receive any command from the user. The user may be billed for the service of notifying an appropriate responder provided by central monitoring system regularly, intermittently when the user is away from the building, or on a per-alert basis.
US09665886B2
The present invention relates to an interactive system enabling audience participation at a live event taking place in a venue. The system includes use of an interactive device that presents a promotional message (that is displayed on an electronic display) to an audience member, wherein said audience member is capable of responding to said message by entering feedback into said interactive device. Said interactive device having the capability to transmit messages to another audience member. Said feedback is transmitted to a central processor, where said feedback is stored as audience data and subsequently processed into results.
US09665883B2
A method and system for bringing together online and offline advertising uses anonymous links that are associated with consumer data. The anonymous links allow processing without personally identifiable information (PII) in a secure environment. Data is matched using the anonymous links, and further using identifiers that are encrypted for use in connection with individual match distribution partners. The method and system allows a marketer to utilize offline data to precisely target advertisements without the use of PII, and to perform analytics concerning the use of the online advertisements to more precisely determine the effectiveness of multichannel marketing efforts.
US09665880B2
A system and method provide rewards or loyalty incentives to card member customers. The system includes an enrolled card member customer database, an enrolled merchant database, a participating merchant offer database and a registered card processor. The registered card processor receives a record for charge for a purchase made with an enrolled merchant by an enrolled card member customer and uses the record of charge to determine whether the purchase qualifies for a rebate credit in accordance with a discount offer from the enrolled merchant. If the purchase qualifies for a rebate credit, the registered card processor provides the rebate credit to an account of the enrolled card member customer. The system provides a coupon-less way for merchants to provide incentive discounts to enrolled customers.
US09665876B2
A system for publication and distribution of instructional materials comprises a host computer capable of receiving and storing educational works having one or more segments over a communications network, receiving one or more selections of at least one of the segments, producing a compilation of educational course materials containing at least the selected segments, receiving a request for access rights to a selection of one or more segments of the compilation, and providing access rights to the selected segments in response to the request.
US09665865B1
Provided are computer implemented methods and systems for messaging, calling, and one-touch and one-scan payments and buying via mobile and wearable devices. An exemplary system comprises a processor and a database in communication with the processor. The processor is configured to provide a haptic control associated with the system. The haptic control is shown on a display of a mobile and wearable device overlapping other visual elements. The haptic control provides mode selection elements associated with a payment, messaging, and calling modes. The processor receives a selection of the payment mode via the mode selection elements from a user. Upon the selection, context is extracted from the display. Based on the context, a payment transaction type which the user intends to perform is determined. The payment transaction type includes a payment receiving transaction and a payment sending transaction. Based on the determining, a transaction request is sent to a financial institution using the extraction.
US09665854B1
Methods and systems are provided for generating alerts in association with a request to open an account for an individual. For example, information identifying an individual may be received from a financial entity in association with the financial entity receiving a request to open an account for the individual from a requesting entity. The requesting entity may be a vendor or service provider associated with the financial entity. An electronic notification may then be sent to the individual, which may include a selectable option to indicate that the individual does not authorize opening of the account. In response to receiving an indication that the individual does not authorize opening of the account, notifications may be sent to both the financial entity and the requesting entity indicating that the individual has not authorized opening of the account.
US09665853B2
Described herein is an apparatus that includes a minimum equipment list (MEL) data module and an impact assessment module. The MEL data module determines at least one operational limitation associated with deferred maintenance on a vehicle. The impact assessment module determines an operational impact associated with the deferred maintenance based on the at least one operational limitation.
US09665851B2
Systems and methods of conducting status updates may incorporating a text summary of an image into a status update message, and determining whether to incorporate the image into the status update message based on a network condition associated with a network. In addition, the status update message can be sent via the network wherein, in one example, the status message is sent only to remote parties having a status that satisfies a relevance condition with respect to the content of the text summary.
US09665850B2
Technologies are described herein for a user interface uniting two primary components, a list view and a reading pane, within a message reading application. Technologies are also described for synchronizing status and parameters between the two primary user interface components. In particular, a user interface for reading messages can represent all components of a conversation with both a list view for presenting a message map, and a reading pane for presenting a content view. The list view can present a list of messages grouped by conversation. The reading pane window can contain smaller windows or frames. Each of the smaller windows or frames can contain a message within a given conversation. Synchronization provided between the list view and a reading pane can allow message selection in one of the user interface components to cause display and selection of the corresponding message in the other user interface component.
US09665849B2
A mechanism for employing dependency graph in software build projects is disclosed. A method of implementation of the invention includes receiving a first build script file associated with a software project, the first build script file identifying a plurality of project dependencies associated with the software project. The method also includes parsing the first build script file to generate a project dependency graph corresponding to the first build script file. The project dependency graph includes a plurality of vertices representing to the plurality of software project dependencies and further includes a plurality of edges representing relationships between the plurality of the software project dependencies. The method also includes determining a build order of the plurality of software project dependencies using the project dependency graph.
US09665839B2
Generating and presenting electronic media content to employees of a subscriber are provided. An aspect includes a service provider computer having a network connection, a service provider storage accessible by the service provider computer, and software executing on the service provider computer providing a web page allowing a subscriber to log in to the service provider computer. The software provides a plurality of electronic media to the subscriber. The subscriber selects from among the electronic media to generate an electronic media collection that is saved on the service provider storage. The software allows the subscriber to set access to the electronic media collection by a user via the web page, and the software executing on the service provider computer provides a web page allowing a user to log in to the service provider computer. The software identifies the user and presents the electronic media collection to the user.
US09665830B2
A system for forecast modeling includes at least one processor and at least one database that is operably coupled to the at least one processor. The database includes a time series data module that is configured to store time series data for a domain, an exogenous data module that is configured to store exogenous data associated with multiple exogenous factors and a feedback module that is configured to collect and store feedback data from multiple online users, where the feedback data is related to the exogenous data and the exogenous factors. The system includes a data pre-processor module that is configured to use the at least one processor to identify and select a portion of the exogenous factors using the feedback data collected from the online users for use in a forecast model in combination with the time series data for the domain.
US09665827B2
A method includes, using at least one processing device, obtaining multiple diagnostic indicators associated with at least a portion of an industrial process system and combining the diagnostic indicators to form a generalized indicator. Each diagnostic indicator has a value, and the generalized indicator is associated with a position on a continuous scale. The continuous scale could include a color gradient, and the method could include displaying the generalized indicator along the color gradient with a color based on its position. Multiple generalized indicators associated with multiple portions of the process system could be displayed within a torus or circle, and different portions of the torus or circle can be associated with different portions of the process system. Different concentric tori or circles could be associated with different periods of time, and at least one concentric torus or circle could identify a predicted behavior of the process system.
US09665820B2
A load modulation circuit for radio frequency identification including a first load modulation module and a second load modulation module connected to a coupling circuit. Under weak field intensity, load modulation is mostly realized by the first load modulation module, with the second load modulation module contributing far less than the first load modulation module as regards to the load modulation waveform and load modulation depth. As field intensity increases, the first load modulation module contributes less and less to the load modulation waveform and load modulation depth. While field intensity increases, the second load modulation module contributes more and more to the load modulation waveform and load modulation depth under the control of a variable voltage. Under strong filed intensity, load modulation is mostly realized by the second load modulation module.
US09665817B2
A computer-implemented technique can receive, at a computing device, a uniform resource locator (URL) for a web page and an image. A number of pixels corresponding to a desired resolution for encoding the image is determined and the image is converted to a modified image having the desired resolution. The technique can then generate a two-dimensional barcode by: (i) generating first data representative of the modified image, (ii) appending the first data to either an end of the URL to obtain a first modified URL or after a terminator bit of the two-dimensional barcode, (iii) generating second data representative of the second modified URL or the URL, and (iv) generating third data representative of an error correction code (ECC) based on the first data and the second data, wherein the two-dimensional barcode is generated based on the first data, the second data, and the third data.
US09665808B2
A printing method is provided, in which character sizes are enlarged gradually as going from a lower portion to an upper portion of a printing surface which may be a page of a book or an article region on which an article of a newspaper is printed. The longitudinal size (height) of characters at a lowest portion in each page of the book or in the article region is k times larger than a longitudinal size of characters at a highest portion, and wherein a value of k is about 1.28˜1.79. The horizontal size (width) of characters at the lowest portion in each page of the book or in the article region is k′ times larger than a longitudinal size of characters at a highest portion, and wherein a value of k′ is about 0.7˜1.0 times larger than the k.
US09665807B2
Provided are a raster processing method and apparatus of a transparent Form. The method comprising: determining a reusable transparent Form in a page description file; performing syntax interpretation on the transparent Form to obtain a reuse type and position information of the transparent Form; generating a color block lattice, an Alpha block lattice, a Shape block lattice and their corresponding block attribute tables and block memory tables for the transparent Form, according to the reuse type and the position information, and establishing association relationships between different transparent Forms in the page description file; computing on the generated data information to obtain and buffer assembling information of the transparent Form, according to the reuse type of the transparent Form; determining an assembling manner of the transparent Form according to the reuse type of the transparent Form and assembling the transparent Form into the page to be outputted.
US09665798B2
The purpose of the present invention is to provide an image analysis technique enabling a detection subject to be rapidly detected from image data. This image analysis device generates metadata for a query image containing the detection subject, and using the metadata, narrows down the image data serving as the search subject beforehand and then conducts object detection.
US09665783B2
The present invention discloses a night parking-monitoring device. It monitors the state change of a parking space at night by tracking at least a light of a vehicle.
US09665782B2
The present invention relates to an obstacle detecting apparatus and an obstacle detecting method and an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an obstacle detecting apparatus, including: a stereo camera which photographs a front of a vehicle to generate a left image and a right image; an image matching unit which applies a block matching algorithm to the left image and the right image to extract a plurality of feature points having a similarity which is equal to or larger than a reference value and calculate a coordinate and a depth of the plurality of extracted feature points; a plane calculating unit which connects every three feature points of the plurality of feature points to calculate a plurality of triangles, based on the coordinate and the depth of the plurality of feature points; a normal calculating unit which calculates directions of normal of the plurality of triangles, based on the coordinate and the depth of three feature points corresponding to vertexes of the plurality of triangles; and an obstacle detecting unit which detects an obstacle in front of the vehicle based on a result of comparing a photographing direction of the stereo camera with the normal directions of the plurality of triangles.
US09665777B2
A system for identifying objects and events of interest uses one or more cameras with image processing capabilities. The system is includes multiple cameras configured to perform image processing of a scene from multiple angles to extract and transmit meta-data corresponding to objects or people in the scene. The cameras transmit the meta-data to a processing station that is configured to process the stream of data over time to detect objects and events of interest to alert monitoring personnel of objects or events in the scene.
US09665762B2
A biometric authentication apparatus and method is disclosed which may comprise a biometric authentication unit which may comprise: a biometric object sensor comprising sensor elements and a sensor computing device; a wake-on-event logic controller maintaining the sensor computing device in one of a powered-off or powered down mode, and including a bulk biometric object detector configured to detect a biometric object on or in the vicinity of the sensor elements and to power-on or power-up the sensor computing device responsive to the detection of the biometric object on or in the vicinity of the sensor elements; the sensor computing device configured to analyze one or more lines of biometric object image comprising a partial biometric object image and determine if the partial biometric image belongs to a biometric object desired to be imaged to obtain a complete biometric object image, and to provide a power-on or power-up signal to a host electronic device computing device when the partial biometric image is determined to belong to a biometric object desired to be imaged.
US09665758B1
Disclosed systems and methods for a data reader having an ESD shield with integrated optical characteristics to improve illumination features of the data reader. The data reader includes an illumination module configured to generate illumination, and an ESD shield having high ESD resistance for protecting electronic and other sensitive components of the data reader. The ESD shield further includes a reflective interior surface and a spatial filter, where the reflective surface and filter together are operable to provide a uniform distribution of illumination along the body of the data reader.
US09665748B1
A helical physical unclonable function is disclosed. The helical physical unclonable function may be used to authenticate a supply item for an imaging device. Measurements of the magnetic field adjacent a helical flight are stored in a non-volatile memory to be used by an imaging device to authenticate the supply item. Other systems and methods are disclosed.
US09665743B2
a storage device wiping system and method that is activated from a remote server or other site when a computer is reported lost or stolen. The wipe technique selectively wipes all data files and free space before beginning to wipe the entire storage device. This causes any personal data files, photos, videos, and the like to be wiped first. Once the wiping process starts, it will continue until complete. The process starts or continues whenever the computer is booted. Only when all personal and sensitive data is wiped, will the system then change the encryption key (if there is one) and begin wiping the entire storage device.
US09665741B1
A security device for a universal emergency power-off (UEPO) switch of a computer system enclosure involves a plate body having a first and second portion, the first portion has a length and width sufficient to allow it to be rigidly constrained, the second portion has: a hand grip near an end of the second portion including surface texturing sufficient to capture and retain epithelial cells from a person who grips the hand grip to gain access to the UEPO switch. The plate body also has a deformation region such that, when the first portion is rigidly constrained, application of a force, directed within a range from 0° to about 45° from a right angle to the surface, will cause plastic deformation of the plate body within the deformation region.
US09665737B2
A web-based method and system for applying a legally enforceable signature of a user on an electronic document. The user accesses a web environment from a secure electronic system having verified his identity. Once in this web environment, the user is presented with a web-based representation of the document, and with legal disclosure and consent information related to the signing process. The user must agree with all of the information presented to him before his signature is applied to the document. A process log of the signing is kept for future reference.
US09665736B2
Systems and methods to safeguard data and hardware may include a memory configured to store a first image and sensitive data, and an optical sensor configured to capture a second image. A sensor signal comprising the captured second image may be generated. A controller having access to the memory may be configured to receive the sensor signal. The controller may be further configured to compare the stored first image to the captured second image, and based on the comparison, to determine whether the sensitive data is accessed.
US09665733B1
A system and method are provided for setting access controls for a content item, the method comprising receiving a content item generated in association with a first online profile, determining contextual information associated with the content item, identifying, based on the determined contextual information, a second online profile associated with the content item, obtaining a first access control policy of the first online profile and a second access control policy of the second online profile, wherein each of the first access control policy and the second access control policy is associated with controlling access to the content item, determining, based on the obtained first access control policy and the second access control policy, a third access control policy for controlling access to the content item, and controlling access to the content item based on the determined third access control policy.
US09665727B2
An information processing system including at least one computer and connected to an apparatus through a network includes a receiving unit that receives a request in which address information related to data is designated to a predetermined destination; a generating unit that generates authority identifying information for identifying operation authority of the apparatus in response to the request; a first memory unit that stores the authority identifying information and the address information by associating the authority identifying information with the address information; and a sending unit that sends the authority identifying information to a transmission source of the request, wherein the apparatus performs a process using the data related to the address information stored in the first memory unit in association with the authority identifying information when the authority identifying information is input.
US09665726B2
Encrypted print content is to be decrypted to produce decrypted print content. The decrypted print content is then printed.
US09665725B2
Gesturing is used to enter a unique combination of hand positions and/or movements for accessing a secured device having a security entry system requiring that a correct code be entered before allowing access thereto. An authorized user places his/her hand(s) over a gesture sensing structure and executes a series of movement/gestures to unlock and gain access to the secured device. The gesture sensing structure may be placed inside of a visual shield so that visually intercepting the coded positions/movements may be prevented. Left and right gestures may be used to allow using traditional tumbler lock combinations to unlock and gain access to the secured device. A combination of gestures may be used to create a plurality of security combinations.
US09665720B2
An image forming apparatus which is capable of properly updating firmware. Update firmware is downloaded into a download area of an HDD and expanded and stored in a temporary expansion area of the HDD. A CPU determines whether or not the update firmware expanded and stored in the temporary expansion area has been tampered with. The update firmware stored in the temporary storage area is applied to the image forming apparatus when the CPU determines that the update firmware has not been tampered with.
US09665718B2
An approach is provided for controlling a task. A change ticket is received. A task to perform the change ticket is correlated with command(s) to perform the task, user(s) who are authorized to initiate execution of the command(s), and an authorized location to initiate the execution of the command(s). A request is made by a requestor to execute one of the command(s). It is determined whether (a) the requestor is currently located at the authorized location correlated with the task and (b) the requestor is one of the user(s) correlated with the task. Based in part on (a) and (b) being true, the requested command is executed. If (a) or (b) is false, then execution of the requested command is prevented.
US09665717B2
Mitigating return-oriented programming (ROP) attacks. Program code and associated components are received and loaded into memory. From the program code and associated components, a predetermined number of sequences of machine language instructions that terminate in a return instruction are selected. The sequences of machine language instructions include: machine language instruction sequences that are equivalent to a conditional statement “if-then-else return,” sequences of machine language instructions corresponding to known malicious code sequences, and sequences of machine language instructions corresponding to machine language instructions in known toolkits for assembling malicious code sequences. For each selected machine language instruction sequence, memory blocks containing the selected machine language instruction sequence are rearranged using address space layout randomization (ASLR); then, upon expiration of an expected time interval required to locate the selected machine language instruction sequence by inspecting the rearranged memory blocks, the rearranging is repeated, thereby mitigating ROP attacks.
US09665712B2
A method and apparatus for scanning for or removing malware from a computer device. Under normal circumstances, the computer device is controlled by a first operating system installed in a memory of the device. In order to scan for or remove the malware from the computer device, control of the computer device is passed from the first operating system to a second operating system and, under the control of the second operating system, the device is either scanned for malware or the malware is removed. This allows malware to be detected or removed, even if it has affected the first operating system in some way in order to evade detection or removal.
US09665706B2
A password creating device and method is provided. In this method, two keyboard layouts are employed. Each key location of each layout is mapped onto an information unit comprising a plurality of information elements. The information units are different from each other among a specific layout. The two keyboard layouts are displayed, and two series of key location selections based on the respective keyboard layouts are received to obtain two information unit sequences. The two series of information units are compared with each other in accordance with the order of occurrence of each information element, an information element shared by two corresponding information units associated with a same key location is taken as an information element selected by the user as part of his password, and a password is created by joining all of the shared information elements together in sequence.
US09665704B2
Biometric data are obtained from a biometric sensor on a stand-alone computing device, which may contain an ASIC, connected to or incorporated within it. The computing device and ASIC, in combination or individually, capture biometric samples, extract biometric features and match them to a locally stored, encrypted template. For extra security, the biometric matching may be enhanced by the use of an entered PIN. The biometric template and other sensitive data are encrypted using hardware elements of the computing device and ASIC, together with a PIN hash. A stored obfuscated Password is de-obfuscated and may be released to the authentication mechanism in response to a successfully decrypted template and matching biometric sample. A different de-obfuscated password may be released to authenticate the user to a remote computer and to encrypt data in transit. This eliminates the need for the user to remember and enter complex passwords on the device.
US09665699B2
A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium encoded with instructions for execution by a keyed encryption operation by a cryptographic system mapping an input message having an encoded portion and a padding portion to an output message, including: instructions for receiving a padding value k; instructions for receiving the input message, wherein the padding portion has a size indicated by the padding value k; instructions for computing a first portion of the encryption operation to produce a first portion output; instructions for computing a compensation factor corresponding to the padding portion of the input message; and instructions for compensating the first portion output based upon the compensation factor.
US09665698B2
Systems and methods for payload encoding and decoding are disclosed. An example method to decode audio data includes receiving audio data having protected information embedded in the audio data; receiving a license file containing a first portion of a set of information required to access the protected information embedded in the audio data; processing the license file to obtain at least one of decoding information, message codes, a decoding algorithm or diagnostic information; producing a stream of symbol values for each code symbol included in the received audio signal; accumulating the stream of symbol values in a storage device; detecting the presence of an encoded message; outputting the detected message.
US09665683B1
An example method of implementing a system design for a programmable system-on-chip (SOC) having a processing system and programmable logic includes receiving a description of performance objectives for the system design. The method further includes accessing a characterization database that relates parameter settings of the processing system to performance under different traffic profiles as generated by an emulation system comprising the processing system and one or more circuit blocks implemented in the programmable logic. The method further includes obtaining a parameter set from the characterization database based on the description of the performance objectives. The method further includes generating a parameter image for setting registers of the processing system based on the parameter set.
US09665682B1
Disclosed are techniques for enhancing formal verification with counter acceleration for electronic designs. These techniques identify at least a portion of an electronic design including a counter having a current counter value and intercept next counter values transmitted to the counter with a counter abstraction module. These techniques further determine whether to accelerate the counter from the current counter value to an engine synthesized next counter value, rather than to an original next counter value based at least in part on a set of critical values. The counter is accelerated from the current counter value to the engine synthesized next counter value when the counter abstraction module determines to accelerate the counter.
US09665681B2
Methods and apparatus for repeater count reduction via concurrent gate sizing and repeater insertion
Techniques for circuit concurrent gate sizing and repeater insertion considering the issue of size conflicts are described herein. Certain of these techniques can be directed to coupled gates within levels of a levelized circuit falling within a coupling window defined by a minimum slack gate and adjacent gates coupled to the minimum slack gate with an adjacency parameter less than a predefined adjacency limit.
US09665671B1
Emulating power gating includes identifying an isolation circuit having a first input coupled to an output of a first power domain, a second input coupled to an isolation signal, and an output coupled to an input of a second power domain; removing a power gate circuit configured to selectively decouple the first power domain from a power supply responsive to a power gate signal; and decoupling the first input of the isolation circuit from the output of the first power domain. A power gate emulation circuit is inserted using a processor. The power gate emulation circuit is coupled to the isolation signal, the power gate signal, and the output of the first power domain.
US09665669B2
Techniques for estimated compound probability distribution are described. An apparatus comprising a configuration component, perturbation component, sample generation controller, an aggregation component, a distribution fitting component, and statistics generation component. The configuration component operative to receive a compound model specification and candidate distribution definition. The perturbation component operative to generate a plurality of models from the compound model specification. The sample generation controller operative to initiate the generation of a plurality of compound model samples from each of the plurality of models. The distribution fitting component to generate parameter values for the candidate distribution definition based on the compound model samples. The statistics generation component to generate approximated aggregate statistics.
US09665667B1
Editing features of a history-based computer-aided design (CAD) model may be difficult and may require redesigning much of the CAD model modify features. The solutions described herein allow a design engineer to modify an existing history-based CAD model by automatically determining history-based features that need to be converted to direct-edit features, creating a body of direct-edit features from the determined features, and creating a model containing both the direct-edit feature body and remaining history-based features. Such a CAD model containing both kinds of features may be referred to as a hybrid model.
US09665661B2
The present disclosure includes a system, method, and article of manufacture for generating an entity graph. The method may comprise determining a relationship between a first entity and a second entity based upon internal data, external data, and/or online data associated with the first entity, and generating the entity graph comprising at least two nodes and an edge connecting the at least two nodes. The method may further comprise, in various embodiments, tailoring marketing to the first entity based upon the entity graph, detecting fraud against the first entity based upon the entity graph, periodically updating the entity graph based upon new internal data and new online data, and/or adjusting the edge based upon a change in the relationship between the first entity and the second entity.
US09665656B2
A group of software update uniform resource locators (URLs) that each reference software support information related to one of a group of initial logical components of a deployed software package are hosted at a software update server. The group of initial logical components represent problem reporting domains of the deployed software package. A request, initiated by a selection at a computing device of one of the software update URLs, for the software support information referenced by the selected software update URL for the one of the group of initial logical components of the software package is detected. The software support information referenced by the selected software update URL for the one of the group of initial logical components is downloaded.
US09665654B2
A method and system is described securely capturing up-to-date data and presenting the up-to-date data in an analytic visualization. An update server receives a data request from a container that can display the analytic visualization. The update server generates a data processing instruction and transmits it to a data server. The update server then receives a processed data set from the data server, generates a visualization update based on the processed data set, and transmits the visualization update to the container. The container can then display the analytic visualization with up-to-date data from the data server. Because the data processing is performed at the data server, the remaining data on the data server is never moved through the network and remains secure. The update server can also receive from the container, and transmit to the data server, an identifier whose permissions limit data access from the data server.
US09665651B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a process that reduces a sampling size of a total population of on-line social network users based on a comparison of seed information to a population of on-line social network users. The reduced sampling of on-line social network users is compared to a social graph of the on-line social network users, wherein the social graph is obtained from an algorithm applied to the reduced sampling of the on-line social network users. An outlier is determined in the reduced sampling of on-line social network users based on a characterizing of a cluster of social network users. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US09665648B2
Methods and apparatuses are provided for user interest modeling. A method may include receiving an input from a user for specifying one or more topics from among a predetermined hierarchy of topics and subtopics. The method may additionally include retrieving one or more documents associated with the user and extracting language tokens from the documents based, at least in part, on the specified topics. Corresponding apparatuses are also provided.
US09665646B1
The technique for the delivery of a media file is adjusted based on current constraints on a channel being used by a device requesting the media file. The media file is copied and the various copies are optimized for different constraints. Then, the media file is delivered by examining the current constraints on the channel and transmitting the media data from the copy of the media file that is most suitable for the current constraints. In some implementations, the constraint is the bandwidth of the channel and the copies of the media file are based on different bit rate adjustments.
US09665645B2
A system for managing a communications log of audio data transmissions received and/or transmitted by an ownship aircraft includes a display screen, a memory operable to store audio signals and data associated with audio data transmissions, and a processor coupled to the display screen and to the memory. The processor determines the transmission frequency and time of receiving each received audio data transmission and creates a plurality of discrete display messages that include text identifying the determined frequency and time of receiving each received audio data transmission. The processor causes the discrete display messages to be displayed on the display, where they are selectable for playback by a user. Once selected, the processor generates an audio reproduction of the stored audio signals associated with the selected discrete display messages.
US09665623B1
A processing platform of an information processing system comprises one or more processing devices and implements a key-value store that utilizes a skip list data structure having a plurality of layers each having two or more nodes, with each of at least a subset of the nodes of the skip list data structure storing a corresponding ranged key having a range of keys associated therewith. A given one of the ranged keys corresponds to a single value stored in the key-value store and comprises a lower key and an upper key of the range of keys but does not explicitly include intermediate keys in the range of keys. A burst buffer appliance may be associated with the key-value store and configured to process ranged keys of one or more skip list data structures for storage in or retrieval from the key-value store.
US09665622B2
The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for publishing product information. The present disclosure provides a method for publishing product information. Based on a stored search click log of buyers, correlation information between inquiry words and categories in the search click log is calculated. A keyword input by the seller is matched to the inquiry words. The keyword may be a word or a phrase that includes one or more words. If the keyword is matched to at least one inquiry word, at least one category corresponding to the matched inquiry word is obtained based on the correlation information. The product information is stored under one or more categories of the obtained categories. The present techniques improve the accuracy rate of recommended categories to the seller and the return rate of the published product information.
US09665616B2
A system, method and user interface for providing media or content recommendations are provided. More specifically, the system, method and user interface provide media recommendations including enabling a user to select a first media object, the first media object having a first set of characteristics, enabling the user to select a second media object, the second media object having a second set of characteristics, and recommending a plurality of additional media objects, each of the plurality of additional media objects having at least one characteristic in common with the first set of characteristics and at least one characteristic in common with the second set of characteristics.
US09665615B2
A search system, separate from a relational database, generates an index of information in the relational database that can be used to look up business records (or entities). A search system, that is also separate from the relational database, receives typing or other character inputs in a search user input mechanism and generates queries against the index based on the typing inputs, or other character inputs, received. The search system returns results and modifies those results as additional typing inputs, or characters, are received.
US09665613B2
Provided are to a computer program product, system, and method for determining linkage metadata of content of a target document to source documents. In response to a determination that a target fragment in a target document matches a source fragment in a source document, linkage metadata is generated for the target fragment
US09665612B2
A method can include initiating execution of a database command, the database command associated with a base table with at least one row to copy to a target table, the database command associated with a non-bulk insert mode; making a run-time decision on whether to automatically convert the insert mode from the non-bulk insert mode to a BULK insert mode based on the number of row buffers filled with rows from the base table during execution of the database command; and inserting at least one row into the target table using an insert mode based on the run-time decision.
US09665598B2
A method and apparatus for storing an image file in a mobile terminal using a file name automatically generated when an image that matches an input image file is already stored in a phone book are provided. The method includes comparing an input image file with phone book image files that correspond to contacts stored in a phone book, and storing the input image file using a contact name corresponding to a matching phone book image file if a phone book image file matches the input image file.
US09665596B2
Embodiments of the invention are directed to using image data and contextual data to determine information about a scene, based on one or more previously obtained images. Contextual data, such location of image capture, can be used to determine previously obtained images related to the contextual data and other location-related information, such as billboard locations. With even low resolution devices, such as cell phone, image attributes, such as a histogram or optically recognized characters, can be compared between the previously obtained images and the newly captured image. Attributes matching within a predefined threshold indicate matching images. Information on the content of matching previously obtained images can be provided back to a user who captured the new image. User profile data can refine the content information. The content information can also be used as search terms for additional searching or other processing.
US09665595B2
An image recognition approach employs both computer generated and manual image reviews to generate image tags characterizing an image. The computer generated and manual image reviews can be performed sequentially or in parallel. The generated image tags may be provided to a requester in real-time, be used to select an advertisement, and/or be used as the basis of an internet search. In some embodiments generated image tags are used as a basis for an upgraded image review. A confidence of a computer generated image review may be used to determine whether or not to perform a manual image review.
US09665589B1
Described are techniques for generating a combined property file. A plurality of individual property files may be provided which specify a plurality of property values for properties of user interface elements for an application. The plurality of property values may include a first value for a first property of a user interface element for the application. A combination property file generator may be executed to perform first processing that includes combining at least a first portion of the plurality of individual property files into the combined property file.
US09665586B2
A first entry is received at an event log interface. The event log interface is configured to store received entries in an event log. It is determined that there is not enough storage space to store the first entry in the event log. A second entry is identified. The second entry is the oldest entry in the event log based on when the second entry was written to the event log. It is determined that the second entry contains an indicator to preserve. A copy of the second entry is sent to the event log interface to be written to the event log. One or more entries are deleted from the event log. The one or more entries includes the second entry. The first entry is written to the event log. The copy of the second entry is written to the event log.
US09665584B2
A device, system, and method may include an electronic data storage configured to store social network data related to use of the social network by users. A processor, coupled to the electronic data storage, may be configured to determine a recommended action that a member of the social network may take to increase a likelihood of at least one of the uses of the social network to access a social network content item related to the member and determine an estimated statistical change in a rate at which the users may access the social network content item if the recommended action were implemented by the member based, at least in part, on the social network data stored in the electronic data storage.
US09665580B1
Synchronizing data is disclosed, including: generating a snapshot index associated with a first set of data; generating a set of difference data between a snapshot index associated with a second set of data and the snapshot index associated with the first set of data; and applying the set of difference data to a set of metadata associated with the first set of data, wherein the set of metadata reflects a current state of the first set of data.
US09665573B2
A system and method for parallelizing document indexing in a data processing system. The data processing system includes a primary processor for receiving a list of data having embedded data associated therewith, at least one secondary processor to process the data as provided by the primary processor, a data processor to determine a characteristic of the embedded data and process the embedded data based upon the characteristic, and a messaging module to exchange at least one status message between the primary processor and the at least one secondary processor.
US09665568B2
Methods, apparatus and systems, including computer program products, for creating subject matter synonyms from definitions extracted from a subject matter glossary. Confidence scores, each representing a likelihood that two terms defined in the subject matter glossary are synonyms, are determined by applying natural language processing (e.g., passage term matching, lexical matching, and syntactic matching) to the extracted definitions. A subject matter thesaurus is built based on the confidence scores. In one embodiment, a statement containing a first term is created based on an extracted definition of the first term, a modified statement is created by substituting a second term in the statement in lieu of the first term, a corpus is searched, and a confidence score is determined based on evidence in the corpus that the modified statement is accurate. The first and second terms are marked as synonyms if the confidence score is greater than a threshold.
US09665565B2
A semantic similarity evaluation method includes performing word vectorization processing separately on words in a first sentence and a word in a second sentence to obtain a first word vector and a second word vector; performing, in a preset word vector compression order, compression coding processing on the first word vector according to a first compression coding parameter to obtain a first statement vector; performing, in the preset word vector compression order, compression coding processing on the second word vector according to a second compression coding parameter to obtain a second statement vector; and determining a vector distance between the first statement vector and the second statement vector, and evaluating a semantic similarity between the first sentence and the second sentence according to the vector distance. The method is used to evaluate a semantic similarity.
US09665564B2
Mechanisms are provided for processing logical relationships in natural language content. Natural language content is received, upon which a reasoning operation is to be performed. A first parse representation of the natural language content is generated, by a parser, by performing natural language processing on the natural language content. A logical parse of the first parse is generated by identifying latent logical operators within the first parse indicative of logical relationships between elements of the natural language content. A reasoning operation on the logical parse is executed to generate a knowledge output indicative of knowledge associated with one or more of the logical relationships between elements of the natural language content.
US09665562B1
According to an aspect, a first word in a first language and a second word in a second language in a bilingual corpus are stemmed. A probability for aligning the first stem and the second stem and a distance metric between the normalized first stem and the normalized second stem are calculated. The first word and the second word are identified as a cognate pair when the probability and the distance metric meet a threshold criterion and stored as a cognate pair in a set of cognates. A candidate sentence in the second language is retrieved from a corpus. The candidate sentence is filtered by the active vocabulary of a user in the second language and the set of cognates. A sentence quality score is calculated for the candidate sentence; and the candidate sentence is ranked for presentation to the user based on the sentence quality scorer.
US09665561B2
A system for analyzing text-based information is presented. Each datum of information includes an author, a description and a timestamp. A fetcher fetches the raw information according to keywords. A parser parses the raw information to refine the results. A lexicon management module extracts lemmas from the raw information, and creates an edited lexicon containing the raw data and the lemmas for each datum. A data manager correlates lemmas in the edited lexicon and identifies clusters of lemmas that are correlated between each other. The results can be visually displayed to a user, and clusters of lemma that are less correlated than the other clusters can be visually identified. In one aspect, the user is able to excise the less correlated clusters, in order to further refine the results of the keyword search.
US09665559B2
A word processing tool is disclosed for checking the substance and not merely the spelling of words provided by a user. The word checker is capable of identifying potentially inappropriate word choices so that unintentional errors are not introduced into electronic text documents. The word checker can be implemented as a stand-alone procedure, or integrated into a conventional spell-checking program.
US09665557B2
A system is provided that includes a localization module configured to receive and process range measurements and odometry data relative to a physical instance of a complex system to calculate an unknown location within a coordinate system of the complex system. A search engine configured to identify a document component that depicts an element of the complex system at or within a volume about the location. The document component is from a collection for which at least some components depict elements of the complex system and have associated metadata that includes information reflecting the 3D geometry of at least some depicted elements. A layout engine configured to generate a layout of panoptically-arranged document components including the identified document component and other document component(s) identified according to the associated metadata for the identified document component, which further includes information identifying a link between the respective document components.
US09665548B2
[Problem] To provide a website creation system wherein a plurality of websites can be set up and web pages created therefor, using mobile phones. [Solution] A website creation system that has: a first email-address registration means that registers the email addresses of intermediate-user mobile phones (12) belonging respectively to a plurality of intermediate users; a website setup means that uses intermediate-user mobile phones (12) that logged in to the system to set up a plurality of websites corresponding respectively to preregistered domain names; a first web-page creation means that uses mobile emails, sent from the intermediate-user mobile phones (12) that logged in to the system, to create web pages for the websites corresponding respectively to the aforementioned domain names; and a first website output means that outputs, via the internet, the websites containing the web pages created by the first web-page creation means.
US09665547B1
A computer-implemented method, computer program product, and computing system is provided for assisting a user navigating a webpage or website. In an implementation, a method may include identifying a plurality of navigation options associated with a webpage. The method may also include determining visitor navigation patterns associated with the plurality of navigation options. The method may further include providing a visual indicator based on, at least in part, the visitor navigation patterns, the visual indicator associated with a rendering of the webpage.
US09665543B2
Systems and methods are provided for supporting the use of hypertext links in documents such as word processor documents. A given word processor document is scanned for link representations to sources that are external to the word processor document. These identified link representations are then checked for validity and functionality, and the external sources are also checked for content and accessibility. In order to facilitate checking the content of the external sources, the word processor document is appended to include all or part of the content of each linked external source. The appended information is then used for subsequent content comparisons. Checking of the link representations and external sources is used to produce a current validity status for each link representations. The validity status of the links within a given document are indicated to an author or reader using visual queues by modifying non-link aspects of the word processor document, by modifying the appearance of a file name or file folder associated with the word processor document or by modifying the appearance of a cursor used in conjunction with the word processor document.
US09665536B2
Systems and methods for providing a cloud flowmeter are provided by certain embodiments of the disclosure. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, there is disclosed a method, which can include receiving, from a meter device, at least one flow signal via at least one network; determining, based in part on the at least one flow signal, at least one flow characteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic; and storing the at least one flow characteristic, data characteristic, or meter characteristic in a data storage device remote from the meter device.
US09665534B2
An example method of providing deduplication support for remote direct memory access (RDMA) memory includes detecting that a first memory page and a second memory page are identical. A first mapping maps a first virtual memory address (VMA) to a first physical memory address (PMA) of the first memory page. A second mapping maps a second VMA to a second PMA of the second memory page. An RDMA memory region includes the first memory page. The method also includes updating the first mapping to map from the first VMA to the second PMA. The method further includes re-registering the RDMA memory region for RDMA.
US09665528B2
A serial bus is provided with a device (sometimes herein referred to as an I2C serializer device) including circuitry and machine logic that operates as follows: when one of the master devices is using the bus for data communication, then the other master(s) will receive a wait signal until the bus becomes available again. This wait signal allows the master devices to wait as a “hardware response,” rather than requiring the master devices to be equipped with software and/or firmware to control the operation of waiting until the serial bus is available. In some embodiments, the use of the I2C serializer device allows a bus operating under a bus serialization protocol (for example, I2C) to be simultaneously connected to multiple master devices even in the case that one, or more, master device(s) do not include any currently conventional form of multi-master support.
US09665521B2
A system includes first and second processing nodes and a network switch coupled to the first and second processing nodes via respective first and second interfaces. The network switch includes a management controller coupled to the interfaces to provide management functions to the processing nodes, first and second network interfaces coupled respectively to the first and second interfaces to provide network access for the processing nodes, a message passing interface between the first processing node and the second processing node, a storage interface coupled to the first and second interfaces to provide a storage capacity to the processing nodes, and a remote component controller coupled to the interfaces.
US09665516B2
The present invention provides a computer and a method to realize the coupling between computers. The computer includes: a first interface used to connect with a second computer; a data interactive module, connected with the second computer through the first interface, which is used to enable the second computer to access the data interactive module when the first interface is connected with the second computer, in which the access includes fetching data from the data interactive module and storing data in the data interactive module; a processing module connected with the data interactive module, which is used to communicate data to the second computer through the data interactive module when the first interface is connected with the second computer. It can conveniently utilize two computers to form a hybrid computer system using this technical solution.
US09665515B2
A bus arbiter (101) is provided to a bus (107). The bus (107) is connected to a plurality of bus masters, such as a CPU (410) and a serial I/F (413), to each of which a priority is given. The bus arbiter (101) changes the priorities of the plurality of bus masters at cycles determined in advance. The bus arbiter (101) receives a request signal for making a request for use of the bus (107) from at least one bus master. Based on the priorities of the respective bus masters at a time when the request signal is received, the bus arbiter (101) identifies one bus master given the highest priority among the at least one bus master that has transmitted the request signal. The bus arbiter (101) transmits a grant signal for permitting the use of the bus (107) to the identified one bus master.
US09665514B2
A bus network passes pending messages from bus interface to bus interface until they are downloaded at a target bus interface by a target device connected to the target bus interface. The messages are tagged with at least one download control bit. The download control bit has a priority state indicating that a message has already passed the target bus interface at least once without being downloaded. When controlling selection of messages for downloading by the target device, the target bus interface selects messages with the download control bit in the priority state with a greater probability than messages not having a download control bit in the priority state.
US09665513B2
Systems and methods consistent with the present disclosure include techniques for automatically switching a non-transparent bridge enabled root port (NeRP) device from a non-transparent bridge configuration state and a root port configuration state. A NeRP agent consistent with the present consistent includes a root port agent within a computing fabric network coupled to a first multiplexer and to a second multiplexer. The root port agent includes training circuitry to initiate a root port configuration state upon detection of a root port. Furthermore, the training circuitry also initiates a device configuration state upon detection of an endpoint port. A non-transparent bridge device is coupled to the first multiplexer and second multiplexer. In addition, an input/output (I/O) connector is coupled to the root port agent during the root port configuration state and coupled to the local NTB device and root port agent during the device configuration state.
US09665508B2
A method and an apparatus embodying the method for converting interrupts into scheduled events, comprising receiving an interrupt at an interrupt controller; determining a vector number for the interrupt; determining properties of an interrupt work in accordance with the vector number; and scheduling the interrupt work in accordance with the properties of the interrupt work, is disclosed.
US09665505B2
A motherboard includes multiple sockets, each socket configured to accept an integrated circuit. A first integrated circuit in a first socket includes one or more cores and at least one buffer. A second integrated circuit in a second socket includes one or more cores and at least one buffer. Communication circuitry transfers messages to buffers of integrated circuits coupled to different sockets. A first core on the first integrated circuit is configured to send messages corresponding to multiple types of instructions to a second core on the second integrated circuit through the communication circuitry. The buffer of the second integrated circuit is large enough to store a maximum number of instructions of a second type that are allowed to be outstanding from cores on the first integrated circuit at the same time, and still have enough storage space for one or more instructions of a first type.
US09665495B2
A storage device includes a flash memory-based cache for a hard disk-based storage device and a controller that is configured to limit the rate of cache updates through a variety of mechanisms, including determinations that the data is not likely to be read back from the storage device within a time period that justifies its storage in the cache, compressing data prior to its storage in the cache, precluding storage of sequentially-accessed data in the cache, and/or throttling storage of data to the cache within predetermined write periods and/or according to user instruction.
US09665494B2
A data processing apparatus includes a cache memory supporting parallel data loads involving both a first address and a second address. The first address is compared with TAG values stored within a first value store and the second address is compared in parallel with TAG values stored within a second value store. The second value store contains a proper subset of the data value stored within the first value store.
US09665482B2
Embodiments of present disclosure disclose method and system for selecting victim memory block for garbage collection. A memory block having minimum valid unit count is identified. Wear count bit of memory block to be null wear count or non-null wear count is determined. Memory block is selected as victim memory block for garbage collection upon determining memory block having null wear count. A plurality of memory blocks are divided into first set of memory blocks and second set of memory blocks upon determining memory block having non-null wear count. Minimum valid unit count and wear count bit are identified for each memory block in each set. Division is iterated until a first target memory block having minimum valid unit count and null wear count from one of first set of memory blocks and second set of memory blocks is identified. Final target memory block is selected as victim memory block for garbage collection.
US09665473B2
A device may be configured to receive, from a first device, first test scripts for testing an application. The first test scripts may include information for reproducing interactions with the application on the first device. The device may generate second test scripts, for testing the application on a second device, that reproduce the interactions with the application on the second device. The second test scripts may be generated based on the first test scripts and mapping information that maps resources of the first device to resources of the second device. The first device and the second device may be different device types. The device may provide the second test scripts to the second device. The device may receive and store test results of executing the second test scripts on the second device that indicate results of reproducing the interactions on the second device.
US09665471B1
A device may receive an indication to evaluate a first portion of program code and a second portion of program code provided in a first section of a user interface. The device may evaluate the first portion of program code and the second portion of program code. The device may generate a first result corresponding to the first portion of program code and may generate a second result corresponding to the second portion of program code based on evaluating the first portion of program code and the second portion of program code. The device may provide the first result and the second result in a second section of the user interface. The second section may be separate from the first section. The device may provide a correspondence indicator that indicates a correspondence between the first result and the first portion of program code.
US09665469B2
A system includes a baseboard management controller (BMC) and a remote computing device communicatively connected to the BMC via a network. The BMC includes a processor, a volatile memory, and a non-volatile memory storing a firmware. The remote computing device includes first and second computer executable code. The firmware, when executed at the processor, is configured to: in response to a debug command, request, receive, and execute the first computer executable code. The first computer executable code, when executed at the processor, is configured to mount a remote file system to the BMC corresponding to the second computer executable code, such that the second computer executable code is accessible to the BMC, retrieve the second computer executable code, and execute the second computer executable code at the BMC to perform an on-site debug process without interrupting operation of the firmware.
US09665468B2
Methods for invasive debug of a processor without processor execution of instructions are disclosed. As a part of a method, a memory mapped I/O of the processor is accessed using a debug bus and an operation is initiated that causes a debug port to gain access to registers of the processor using the memory mapped I/O. The invasive debug of the processor is executed from the debug port via registers of the processor.
US09665465B1
This disclosure describes, in part, a system and process that allows for the automated review of a submitted application to determine the actually requested permissions and identify differences between the requested permissions and a submitted permissions list associated with the application. For example, when an application is submitted for review or approval it may include a submitted permissions list identifying the permissions that are to be associated with the application. In some instances, the permissions included in the submitted permissions list may not correspond with the permissions actually needed for proper operation of the application—there may be omitted permissions that should be included and/or permissions included in the permissions list that are never requested by the application. This disclosure describes, in part, a system and process for confirming that the appropriate permissions are included in the submitted permissions list.
US09665464B2
An information handling system includes a memory and a processor. The memory to store a script and an exemption list for a validation process, and the script and the exemption list are received from a server. The processor is in communication with the memory, and configured to send a validation process pass indicator in response to a validation process error file being empty; in response to the validation process error file not being empty: to read a line of the validation process error file, to determine whether an error on the line of the validation process error file is found in an exemption list, and to add the error to an error log in response the error not being found in the exemption list; and to send the validation process pass indication in response to the error log being empty, otherwise sending a validation process fail indication.
US09665460B2
A system for identifying abnormal resource usage in a data center is provided. In some embodiments, the system employs a prediction model for each of a plurality of resources and an abnormal resource usage criterion. For each of a plurality of resources of the data center, the system retrieves current resource usage data for a current time and past resource usage data for that resource. The system then extracts features from the past resource usage data for that resource, predicts using the prediction model for that resource usage data for the current time based on the extracted features, and determines an error between the predicted resource usage data and the current resource usage data. After determining the error data for the resources, the system determines whether errors satisfy the abnormal resource usage criterion. If so, the system indicates that an abnormal resource usage has occurred.
US09665458B2
A method and system of making information from an application accessible to an electronic device, comprising: checking, via a log monitor, a third party log file for a new log entry; sending any new log entries in the third party log file to a rules engine, the rules engine comprising at least one rule; determining if any of the new log entries violate any rules in the rules engine; making accessible any new log entries that violate any rules to the electronic device; creating an alert based on the new log entry that violates at least one rule; and notifying users of the alert using alert criteria to determine who should receive the alerts and when, wherein different users receive different alerts based on the alert criteria.
US09665449B2
An apparatus is installed in a main-unit device and used for transmission, where the main-unit device stores first setting information for setting the main-unit device and the apparatus, and the apparatus stores second setting information for setting the main-unit device and the apparatus, and determines whether one of the main-unit device and the apparatus has been replaced, based on the second setting information stored in the apparatus. When the apparatus has been replaced with a new apparatus having the same configuration, the apparatus copies the first setting information stored in the main-unit device into the new apparatus as the second setting information for the new apparatus. When the main-unit device has been replaced with a new main-unit device having the same configuration, the apparatus copies the second setting information stored in the apparatus into the new main-unit device as the first setting information.
US09665448B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit pertaining to the present invention comprises a plurality of storage elements for storing and holding an input signal, a majority circuit that outputs a result of a majority decision of outputs from the plurality of storage elements; an error detector circuit that detects a mismatch among the outputs of the plurality of storage elements and outputs error signals; and a monitor circuit that monitors the error signals from the error detector circuit, wherein the monitor circuit, based on the error signals, orders a refresh action that rewrites data for rectification to a storage element in which an output mismatch occurs out of the plurality of storage elements and, if rewrite and rectification by the refresh action are unsuccessful, sends a notification to an external unit or process.
US09665445B1
Techniques for virtual proxy based backup of virtual machines in a cluster environment are disclosed. In some embodiments, each of a subset of virtual machines hosted by physical nodes in a cluster environment is configured as a virtual proxy dedicated to backup operations. During backup, data rollover of each virtual machine in the cluster environment that is subjected to backup is performed using a virtual proxy.
US09665439B2
Operating a data processing and storage apparatus to perform continuous backup monitoring for a collection of stored file system objects. In response to changes respective to a number of the file system objects, a set of Data Management Application Program Interface (DMAPI) events is created. For each of the events, accessory file system object information relative to a file system object subject to the change is determined. The events are grouped into an event group and a unique group identifier and an overall group size count are assigned to each of the events included in the event group. The events are sent together with the respective accessory file system object information, the respective group identifier and the respective group size to a number of backup clients registered as applications. The backup clients are to process the events together with the respective accessory file system object information, the respective group identifier and the respective group size into a number of backup requests.
US09665435B2
A storage control apparatus controls storage units in a storage apparatus and includes a memory unit that stores group information identifying a copy-source volume group belonging to a consistency group; and a control unit that creates based on the group information, snapshots of respective volumes of the volume group for a given time point; creates respective difference storage areas to store, as difference data, update data for the respective volumes after the given time point; and transfers to a copy-destination storage apparatus, data of the snapshots of the respective volumes. The control unit further creates snapshots of the respective volumes at an arbitrary time point after the given time point; creates respective difference storage areas to store, as difference data, update data for the respective volumes after the arbitrary time point; and transfers to the copy-destination storage apparatus, the difference data of the respective volumes for the arbitrary time point.
US09665427B2
Technology is disclosed for a data storage architecture for providing enhanced storage resiliency for a data object. The data storage architecture can be implemented in a single-tier configuration and/or a multi-tier configuration. In the single-tier configuration, a data object is encoded, e.g., based on an erasure coding method, to generate many data fragments, which are stored across many storage devices. In the multi-tier configuration, a data object is encoded, e.g., based on an erasure coding method, to generate many data segments, which are sent to one or more tiers of storage nodes. Each of the storage nodes further encodes the data segment to generate many data fragments representing the data segment, which are stored across many storage devices associated with the storage node. The I/O operations for rebuilding the data in case of device failures is spread across many storage devices, which minimizes the wear of a given storage device.
US09665423B2
A technique for providing end-to-end error detection coding between a requesting module and a memory module have been disclosed. A method includes translating a first logical address of a memory request to a physical address. The method includes translating an error control code and data associated with the memory request between a first format and a second format. The error control code and data having the first format is generated based on the first logical address. The error control code and data having the second format is generated based on a second address. The method includes generating an error indicator based on the error control code, the data, and one of the first logical address and the second address.
US09665418B2
Devices, systems and methods for replacing a factory installed or similar air suspension controller in a vehicle with an augmentor, which sends correct status messages to the vehicle main computer when the air suspension is replaced with coil springs or shocks. The augmentor can includes a voltage regulator, an indicator and bus interface. At power on, the program initializes the microcontroller registers, timer registers, and control registers, then loop until an inquiry or command is received, then responds with status messages that are the same as the status messages sent by the original factory installed air suspension controller until power is removed.
US09665414B2
A runtime environment executing on a card computing device may handle communication of APDU messages received by a card computing device according to the HCI communication protocol over an APDU gate. APDU messages may be encapsulated and transmitted within multiple HCI messages and the runtime environment may be configured to extract and verify the APDU messages from within the received HCI messages, according to some embodiments. The runtime environment may be configured to receive commands to open an APDU pipe, manage multiple open pipes, receive incoming HCI commands, and route the encapsulated APDU messages to an appropriate application executing within the card computing device. The runtime environment may also be configured to receive APDU messages from the application, encapsulate the APDU messages within HCI messages and send the HCI messages over the same APDU pipe.
US09665412B2
The present invention provides an event-driven programming method of programmable logic controller (PLC), including: registering at least one event to be detected; storing at least one event handler segment corresponding to the at least one event to be detected respectively; detecting the occurrence of the at least one event to be detected; adding the detected event into an event queue; extracting events from the event queue; and executing the event handler segment corresponding to the extracted event.
US09665411B2
A mechanism for an interface between a server orchestration system and a messaging system is disclosed. In one embodiment a message being broadcast from a server orchestration system to a plurality of nodes that comprise a node layer of a platform as a service (PaaS) application hosting infrastructure is intercepted and introspected to extract an identifier of the first node of a plurality of nodes. Then, a targeted message compatible with a messaging system is generated, the targeted message including the identifier of the first node. The targeted message is then sent to the messaging system to be routed to the first node.
US09665410B2
A method and system for processing application programming interface (API) traffic includes determining corresponding API traffic at a time interval, assigning a corresponding priority value and allocating a cache memory to store a data set that corresponds to a high priority value. The method also includes receiving a plurality of sets of API requests, comparing corresponding precedence value associated with the sets of API requests, determining a set of API requests and allocating bandwidth to the set of API requests. The method further includes receiving a first set of API requests, determining a total number of processed API requests and predicting a second constant number API requests that is included in a second set of API requests. The system includes an electronic device, a communication interface, a memory and a processor.
US09665404B2
A shuffler receives information associated with partition segments of map task outputs and a pipeline policy for a job running on a computing device. The shuffler transmits to an operating system of the computing device a request to lock partition segments of the map task outputs and transmits an advisement to keep or load partition segments of map task outputs in the memory of the computing device. The shuffler creates a pipeline based on the pipeline policy, wherein the pipeline includes partition segments locked in the memory and partition segments advised to keep or load in the memory, of the computing device for the job, and the shuffler selects the partition segments locked in the memory, followed by partition segments advised to keep or load in the memory, as a preferential order of partition segments to shuffle.
US09665379B2
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein relate to a method of booting a computer system using preboot data. A method in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises transmitting a boot request and receiving, in response to the boot request, a boot loader that is adapted to read preboot data. The exemplary method may additionally comprise transmitting a request for boot data corresponding to the preboot data, receiving boot data corresponding to the preboot data, and booting the computer system using the boot data.
US09665372B2
A processor core having multiple parallel instruction execution slices and coupled to multiple dispatch queues by a dispatch routing network provides flexible and efficient use of internal resources. The dispatch routing network is controlled to dynamically vary the relationship between the slices and instruction streams according to execution requirements for the instruction streams and the availability of resources in the instruction execution slices. The instruction execution slices may be dynamically reconfigured as between single-instruction-multiple-data (SIMD) instruction execution and ordinary instruction execution on a per-instruction basis, permitting the mixture of those instruction types. Instructions having an operand width greater than the width of a single instruction execution slice may be processed by multiple instruction execution slices configured to act in concert for the particular instructions. When an instruction execution slice is busy processing a current instruction for one of the streams, another slice can be selected to proceed with execution.
US09665364B2
A method of upgrading firmware in a dual-bank telecommunication apparatus which includes first and second flash banks each configured to store a firmware image includes receiving, by the dual-bank telecommunication apparatus, an upgrade command from a server to download a new firmware image; deleting, by the dual-bank telecommunication apparatus, the firmware image from the first bank in response to the upgrade command, and downloading and writing the new firmware image into the first bank; and loading, by the dual-bank telecommunication apparatus, the new firmware image from the first bank, when a switchover command is received from the server.
US09665361B2
A controller corresponding to production equipment, requiring upgrade can be selected automatically, thereby reduction in operating rate can be reduced. When software is upgraded, version upgrade software relating to a predetermined action description and version information are transferred to a controller management apparatus (S1). A version change determination unit selects a controller including the predetermined action description described in the version information (S2 and S3). The selected controller downloads the new version of software to change the software (S4 and S5) after stopping operation of the production equipment. On the other hand, a controller not selected does not download the software, and the operation of the production equipment is not stopped.
US09665360B2
A computer implemented method for updating configuration data in at least one automated banking machine is configured to execute configuration update steps embodied with a computer readable medium. The method includes identifying one or more sub-systems implemented within the automated banking machine, receiving an update to configuration data for at least one of the identified sub-systems, generating a restore point based on a current implementation of the sub-systems for the automated banking machine, and installing the configuration data in the automated banking machine. The identified sub-systems can include at least two of roll storage modules, a note handling module controller, a note detector module, and an interface controller.
US09665358B2
A system for adapting virtual computing resource (e.g., virtual machine) templates for use with new software platforms without modifying, or otherwise requiring recertification of, the template itself is disclosed. The system enables the installation of a software agent to be bootstrapped to the installation and execution of an agent already included in a template. Installation of the bootstrapped software agent may be performed automatically during initial provisioning of a virtual machine with little or no additional effort required from an administrator. Accordingly, embodiments of the disclosure enable preexisting templates to repurposed for use with new and/or more advanced cloud management platforms.
US09665351B2
Various embodiments of systems and methods for generating a light weight in-memory database application are described herein. Application modules included in an application modules repository may be displayed on a user interface of the IDE tool. The application modules includes an in-memory database specific application module operable to communicate with the in-memory database and operation specific application modules operable to execute operations related to the in-memory database. A user may select application modules from the displayed application modules. A build operation may be executed on the selected application modules to generate the light weight in-memory database application. The in-memory database application may include the in-memory database specific application module and at least one of the operation specific application modules.
US09665346B2
Mechanisms are provided for performing a floating point arithmetic operation in a data processing system. A plurality of floating point operands of the floating point arithmetic operation are received and bits in a mantissa of at least one floating point operand of the plurality of floating point operands are shifted. One or more bits of the mantissa that are shifted outside a range of bits of the mantissa of at least one floating point operand are stored and a vector value is generated based on the stored one or more bits of the mantissa that are shifted outside of the range of bits of the mantissa of the at least one floating point operand. A resultant value is generated for the floating point arithmetic operation based on the vector value and the plurality of floating point operands.
US09665345B2
Systems and methods for controlling a flight deck multifunction control display unit are disclosed. In various embodiments, the systems may comprise a flight management system or other MCDU driven devices, a command database that stores a plurality of voice commands and a plurality of multifunction control display unit commands. In various embodiments, each voice command is associated with one of the plurality of multifunction control display unit commands. The systems may further comprise a pilot voice interface configured to receive a voice command from a pilot and transmit the voice command to the multifunction control display unit. The multifunction control display unit can receive the voice command from the pilot voice interface and, in response, access the command database to identify a multifunction control display unit command in the command database that is associated with the voice command.
US09665344B2
A system and method for providing voice prompts that identify task selections from a list of task selections in a vehicle, where the user employs an input device, such as a scroll wheel, to activate a particular task and where the speed of the voice prompt increases and decreases depending on how fast the user rotates the scroll wheel.
US09665340B2
Systems and methods presented herein may allow a sending user to stream audio to recipients without providing a permanent audio file, facilitating sharing of audio while retaining control over the audio file and reducing the chances of users copying the file. The sending user may specify number of plays, duration of time audio will be available for streaming, and the number of times the audio can be re-shared in one embodiment. The sending user and recipients may all execute a common client software on their computing devices that causes the computing devices to delete the audio when the streaming is complete and detect attempts to copy the audio at the device.
US09665337B2
A feedback application may be executing on a data processing system to transmit a screen update to at least two computers. The feedback application receives an indication of completion from a first computer, in response to transmitting the screen update. The feedback application updates a completion gauge to indicate a partial completion among participants, in response to receiving the indication of completion from the first computer. The feedback application receives a second indication of completion from a second computer, in response to transmitting the screen update. The feedback application updates the completion gauge to indicate a completion among participants, in response to receiving the indication of completion from the second computer.
US09665327B1
Disclosed is a print job management method that provides efficient managing, routing and processing of print jobs amongst multiple printers. By first ranking the printers based on one or more positive and negative history factors as well as a user intention associated with a print job, and then selecting a destination printer from the ranked printers, the print job management method disclosed herein significantly reduces the evaluation workload in locating the best printer for each print job.
US09665324B2
In one embodiment, a method for the simulation of preprinted forms is disclosed. The method includes receiving a first image as a back drop of a form, the image including a plurality of printable features corresponding to positions of the image. A second image is received as data to be filled in to the form, the second image including a second plurality of printable features corresponding to positions of the image, wherein the second plurality of printable features each have an assigned ink transparency. A feature of the first image is blended with a corresponding feature of the second image based on the assigned ink transparencies to form a blended feature. The blended features are combined to form a blended image that blends the first and the second images and is suitable for printing.
US09665316B2
An information processing apparatus includes a first accepting unit, a second accepting unit, a process performing unit, a memory, and a display controller. The first accepting unit accepts specified document data. The second accepting unit accepts a specified processing function to be executed on the document data. The process performing unit performs, on the document data, a process corresponding to the accepted processing function. The memory stores information about processing function groups each constituted by plural processing functions indicating processes to be performed on document data, and stores, in association with each other, the accepted document data and a processing function group to which the accepted processing function belongs. The display controller performs control to display, in a case where the first accepting unit accepts again the specified document data, the processing function group that is stored in the memory in association with the specified document data.
US09665309B2
A method, system and computer program product for providing a guest with access to a virtual storage on a physical storage using a peripheral component interface hub. In one embodiment, the method comprises the guest sending to the peripheral component interface hub a request to access the physical storage, the request including physical addresses of the physical storage, and the peripheral component interface hub sending specified information about the request to a hypervisor. This method further comprises the hypervisor determining whether to grant or to reject the request; and when the hypervisor grants the request, the hypervisor sending a configuration command to the peripheral component interface hub. This command includes a mapping of addresses from the physical storage to addresses from the virtual storage. In an embodiment, the peripheral component interface hub uses this mapping to replace the addresses in the request with translated virtual addresses.
US09665308B2
A command is received to copy a first extent in a source volume to a second extent in a target volume, wherein the source volume and the target volume are in a copy relationship. In response to determining that it takes longer to copy all changed data of the first extent to the second extent than to copy all of the changed data of the first extent to a third extent and to copy all other data from the second extent to the third extent, operations are performed to copy all of the changed data of from the first extent to the third extent and to copy all of the other data from the second extent to the third extent. Operations are also performed to assign the third extent to replace the second extent in the target volume.
US09665298B2
Methods and apparatuses for applying different voltages to an I/O interface (such as to the pads of the I/O interface) and determining the data integrity of communicating data (either transmitting to or receiving data from) to another device is disclosed. Data integrity may be measured in one of several ways, such as the window (or timing) at which data can be transmitted correctly using the different voltages. The determined data integrity may be compared with a minimum data integrity, such as a minimum window. In the event that the determined data integrity is greater or better than the minimum data integrity, then the voltage may be reduced and the data integrity determination may be performed again. In this way, the voltage applied to the I/O interface may be reduced while still meeting the minimum data integrity requirements.
US09665296B2
The following embodiments generally relate to the use of a “swap area” in a non-volatile memory as an extension to volatile memory in a computing device. These embodiments include techniques to use both volatile memory and non-volatile swap memory to pre-load a plurality of applications, to control the bandwidth of swap operations, to encrypt data stored in the swap area, and to perform a fast clean-up of the swap area.
US09665293B2
A method for managing data in a hierarchical storage device which includes primary storage disks and secondary storage disks. The primary storage disks have higher performance than the secondary storage disks. The storage device detects an access frequency of a data block stored in the secondary storage disks. Based on the access frequency of a data block, the storage device determines that the access frequency of the data block reaches an access threshold value. And then, based upon the determination, the storage device moves the data block to the primary storage disks. After that, the storage device divides the data block into a plurality of sub-blocks and detects an access frequency of each of the sub-blocks. Finally, the storage device moves one or more of the sub-blocks of which access frequencies are less than the access threshold value back to the secondary storage disks.
US09665291B2
A method and an apparatus for tiered storage processing of data, and a storage device. The method includes: splitting the migration unit into multiple migration subunits when a migration unit of low-tier disks is migrated to high-tier disks, and detecting a data access frequency of each migration subunit respectively; migrating the migration subunit to the low-tier disk when detecting that the data access frequency of the migration subunit is lower than a set threshold; and combining the multiple migration subunits into the migration unit when detecting that the multiple migration subunits are all migrated to the lower-tier disk. The present invention improves usage of storage media, and controls metadata storage resource consumption effectively.
US09665286B2
A storage device comprises plural memory units and a storage controller that controls the memory units as a RAID group. Each memory unit is provided with a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (e.g. flash memory) chip and a memory controller that compresses data and stores the compressed data into the nonvolatile semiconductor memory chips. The memory controller makes a logical memory area available to the storage controller. The storage controller divides the logical memory area into plural entries each of which is a logical memory area of a prescribed size, acquires from respective memory unit capacity information on the data capacity stored into the nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and exchanges data of entries between the semiconductor memory units on the basis of the capacity information.
US09665277B2
The present invention discloses a method for implementing control of keys of a virtual keyboard on a touch screen with two thumbs including conventional technical processes of arranging keys on a preset virtual keyboard according to a key layout and setting, and displaying the preset virtual keyboard and the keys on the touch screen according to the key arrangement of the preset virtual keyboard and corresponding setting and parameters. In this way, without changing the key layout of the preset virtual keyboard, the key position setting, and the current width of the virtual keyboard determined according to the current screen width, when the preset virtual keyboard is displayed and runs on the wide touch screen, the keys are at positions touchable by both thumbs of an operator.
US09665274B2
An apparatus and method for controlling a virtual keypad in an electronic device. The method includes determining whether a touch is sensed, determining whether the touch is held during a reference time when the touch is sensed, determining whether a coordinate of the touch is included in a reference region when the touch is held during the reference time, and displaying the virtual keypad based on the coordinate of the touch when the coordinate of the touch is included in the reference region.
US09665271B2
A method, system, and/or computer program product adjust values of a plurality of conditions. A processor receives a user input, which is a movement across a user interface. A tendency of the movement, which describes a direction and velocity of the movement, is determined. According to the tendency of the movement, a processor adjusts a value of at least one of the plurality of conditions by using a plurality of graphs representing the plurality of conditions, where the plurality of conditions describe search criteria, where the user input describes the search criteria, and where the plurality of graphs representing the plurality of conditions have a common starting point and are radial.
US09665262B2
An active color interface can include a first fader, where the first fader includes a first selector and a first range of selections. The active color interface can also include a second fader, where the second fader includes a second selector and a second range of selections. The first range of selections can be altered when the second selector moves among the second range of selections. The second range of selections can be altered when the first selector moves among the first range of selections. A light source of a lighting device can emit an overall color that corresponds to a first selection among the first range of selections by the first selector and a second selection among the second range of selections by the second selector.
US09665259B2
The description relates to an interactive digital display. One example includes a display device configured to receive user input and recognize commands relative to data visualizations. The system also includes a graphical user interface configured to be presented on the display device that allows users to interact with the data visualizations via the user commands.
US09665257B2
Methods, devices and systems are described for implementing interactive modification of spacing constraints of genealogical charts. The method includes displaying, on a display device of a computer system, a user interface for displaying one or more genealogical charts including one or more nodes. The user interface includes a horizontal slider and a vertical slider for manipulating the one or more geological charts' size. The one or more geological charts include page breaks representing a number of pages. The method further includes receiving, from an input device of the computer system, manipulation input for one or more of the vertical slider or the horizontal slider. Then, in response to receiving the manipulation input, providing real-time graphical feedback representing the manipulation in the display of the one or more genealogical charts. The real-time graphical feedback includes expanding and/or contracting the one or more genealogical charts such that the number of page for the one or more geological charts is automatically increased or decreased to accommodate the size of the one or more geological charts.
US09665239B1
A system and method for facilitating user progression in a virtual space based user purchases of virtual currency are disclosed. The facilitated user progression may include user progression a virtual space ability or abilities based on purchases of the virtual currency with real world money. Such user progression in those abilities may be distinct and separate from user progressions in other virtual space abilities based on gameplays by the users.
US09665237B1
An interactive presentation environment for eMeetings or the like that provides participants with more control over what they see and hear. The interactive presentation environment may comprise a meeting recorder adapted to create a recording of a live meeting and a navigation control for selecting a portion of the recording to view during the live meeting. The interactive presentation environment may further comprise a timeline control containing a first graphical indicator associated with a live position and a second graphical indicator associated with a current position, a bookmark control adapted to mark a portion of the recording for archiving, and a display operatively connected to the meeting recorder and the navigation control.
US09665225B2
A touch display device comprises a display module, a polarizer, a first patterned electrode layer and a first transparent adhesive layer. The first patterned electrode layer is disposed between the polarizer and the display module and includes a patterned portion and a non-patterned portion. The first transparent adhesive layer is disposed on the first patterned electrode layer. The refractive index of the first transparent adhesive layer is greater than or equal to 1.65 and less than or equal to 1.72, wherein reflectivity of the patterned portion is substantially the same as reflectivity of the non-patterned portion.
US09665218B2
A touch panel with a single-layer low-complexity transparent electrode pattern includes a substrate, N sensing electrodes, and M conductive traces. The N sensing electrodes and the M conductive traces are formed on the substrate, where N and M are each a positive integer. Each conductive trace has a specific impedance value and is connected with two sensing electrodes. Any one of the N sensing electrodes is connected with at least another one sensing electrode through at least one conductive trace, such that each sensing electrode has a different RC time constant. N driving signals with different frequencies are sequentially applied to the N sensing electrodes via one of the N sensing electrodes to measure capacitance changes of the N sensing electrodes for detecting one touched sensing electrode.
US09665216B2
A proximity detection unit detects the proximity of a finger to a screen and outputs a proximity detection signal. A contact detection unit detects the contact of the finger to the screen and outputs a contact detection signal. On the basis of the proximity detection signal, a display control unit magnifies and displays a predetermined range around a proximity corresponding position. On the basis of the contact detection signal depending on the contact operation of the indicator for the predetermined range, the display control unit fixes the magnified display of the predetermined range and does not change the display position of the magnified predetermined range depending on the movement operation of the finger on the screen.
US09665214B2
The embodiments described herein provide devices and methods that facilitate improved sensor devices. In one embodiment, a capacitive input device is provided that includes a processing system, a plurality of sensing electrodes configured to sense objects in a sensing region, a conductor, and a shield layer comprising at least one shield electrode, where the at least one shield electrode is disposed between the plurality of sensing electrodes and the conductor. The processing system is configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode. When operating in the first mode the processing system is configured to determine position information for objects in the sensing region using the plurality of sensing electrodes. When operating in a second mode the processing system is configured to electrically float the at least one shield electrode and to determine force information for objects in the sensing region using the plurality of sensing electrodes.
US09665212B2
A 3D (Three-Dimensional) infrared touch system includes an infrared module for establishing two layers of infrared nets over a display device for sensing a user touch operation; and an infrared recognition module for recognizing the user touch operation sensed by the two layers of infrared nets. 3D touch is carried out by virtue of the infrared and as such, it is easy to be compatible with large-sized and oversized terminals. 3D touch for large-sized terminals is realized and great convenience is brought to the users.
US09665210B2
A touch panel includes a substrate, a sensing electrode on the substrate, wires to electrically connect the sensing electrode, a first ground electrode between the sensing electrode and the wire, and an overlap area where the first ground electrode overlaps with the sensing electrode. A touch panel of another embodiment includes a substrate on which an active area and an unactive area are defined, a sensing electrode on the active area, a wire disposed on the unactive area to electrically connect the sensing electrode, and a first ground electrode provided on the active area between the sensing electrode and the wire.
US09665195B2
A mobile phone is provided which includes a liquid crystal display device in which a front window and a touch panel are bonded together with an adhesive sheet, wherein a logo having plural layers is formed on a back side of the front window. A touch-panel flexible wiring substrate is mounted to the touch panel. A plane distance between an end portion of the plural layers of the logo and an end portion of the touch panel is set to greater than zero. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent a peeling stress on the adhesive sheet, even if a thickness of the adhesive sheet is smaller than the sum of a thickness of the touch-panel flexible wiring substrate and a thickness of the logo.
US09665194B2
In a seal part where a translucent opposite substrate and an element substrate are bonded together, a peripheral member is provided in such a manner as to be buried in a sealing member. This prevents the sealing member from breaking, thus making it possible to make the seal part durable to improve the strength of the panel. Further, an output wiring connected to an electrode pattern of a sensing unit can be protected by being covered with a protective insulating layer. The peripheral member and the protective insulating layer can be formed by the same insulating material. This makes it possible to simplify the process to reduce production costs.
US09665192B2
The present disclosure illustrates an active stylus having switching function including a stylus body, a control apparatus and a pushing member. An accommodating space is formed inside the stylus body that includes a hollow part communicated with the accommodating space. The control apparatus has a circuit board disposed in the accommodating space and is connected electrically with a conductive elastomer of the hollow part. The pushing member is disposed on the surface of the stylus body and has control region thereof. Using the longitudinal displacement of the pushing member outside of the stylus body can change contact status between the conductive elastomer and the stylus body, further drive the circuit board to send different signal to the predetermined touch sensing device for switching touch control operations of different functions, and prevent user from mistakenly touching and opening the unexpected function operation while griping the stylus.
US09665191B2
User input devices with variable pressure buttons are configured. A user may specify a range of pressure to be associated with a pressure level. In some embodiments, a user may also associate a command or other instruction to an application with an identity of a variable pressure button and a pressure level of the button. In some embodiments, the associations may be represented in a configuration profile. In further embodiments, a microcontroller for a mouse may translate signals from variable pressure buttons into pressure levels based upon the configuration file. In many embodiments, a user may associate a reporting rate with a variable pressure button. A legacy application may receive reports of the state of the variable pressure button at the associated reporting rate.
US09665190B2
A position indicator includes: a chassis; a substrate disposed inside the chassis; a coil; capacitors disposed on the substrate; interconnects disposed on the substrate such that each at least partially connects a respective one of the capacitors to the coil in parallel; and pairs of land patterns. Each pair of land patterns includes a first land pattern and a second land pattern. Each of the interconnects has a first end connected to a first end of the coil and a second end connected to a second end of the coil, and is connected to one of the capacitors. The pairs of land patterns are disposed such that each of the interconnects is at least partially interposed between the first land pattern and the second land pattern of one of the pairs of land patterns.
US09665187B2
A color input device includes a stylus, a color input unit installed in the stylus. The color input unit includes a circuit board, an MCU, a color sensor, a color display device, a Bluetooth module, a memory, a control interface and a power supply device respectively connected to the MCU. Through the control interface, the color sensor can be activated to capture nature colors and to store intake colors in the memory, and the colors stored in the memory can be displayed on the full color LED display and selected and transmitted to a computing device via the Bluetooth module, enabling the APP of the computing device to temporarily store the inputted colors and synchronously display them on the display device of the computing device. Furthermore, the color input device can receive colors or patterns from the computing device for establishing a diversified color database.
US09665184B2
A position detector includes a position pointer having an AC signal generation circuit that is disposed in a housing and that transmits an AC signal, and a sensor that receives the AC signal. The position detector detects the position pointed to by the position pointer on the sensor. The position pointer includes at least three electrodes electrically isolated from each other, and a control circuit that controls so that the AC signal is selectively supplied to the electrodes, and so that identification information identifying the electrode to which the AC signal is selectively supplied is generated and transmitted to the sensor. The position detector further includes a position detection circuit that detects the position based on the AC signal, and an angular information calculation circuit that calculates the rotation angle and/or the tilt angle of the position pointer based on the AC signal and the identification information.
US09665178B2
An electronic device, such as a mobile communication device, and a method are provided for selective access to certain homescreen panels displayable by the device. The device is provided with a homescreen display, which includes a plurality of panels. The panels include at least one panel that is a fullscreen view of a first application executing on the device. This first application can be a messaging application, and the fullscreen view can be a unified inbox view for a plurality of different message types. The panels also include at least one launch panel having a number of graphical user interface elements, such as icons, representing access points to a corresponding application on the device. When navigating from one of the launch panels to the fullscreen view, an intermediate lock interface for receiving an unlocking input is displayed. The unlocking input is received before the fullscreen view is displayed.
US09665163B2
An example method is provided to perform distributed power management for a distributed storage system accessible by a cluster in a virtualized computing environment. The method may comprise a first host from the cluster determining to initiate entry into a partial suspend mode and sending a request message to the cluster to take control of a storage controller of the first host. The method may comprise the first host receiving a response message from a second host from the cluster indicating availability to take control of the storage controller, and transferring control of the storage controller to allow the second host to control the storage controller via a network controller of the first host. The method may further comprise the first host entering into the partial suspend mode to suspend operations of one or more components while the storage controller remains controllable by the second host via the network controller.
US09665160B1
An integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed having a unified control scheme and a unifying architecture for different types of retention flip-flops (RFFs). In an example aspect, an IC includes a constant power rail to provide power during a power collapse period and a collapsible power rail to cease providing power during the power collapse period. The IC also includes a positive-edge-triggered (PET) RFF and a negative-edge-triggered (NET) RFF. The PET RFF includes a master portion and a slave portion, with the slave portion coupled to the constant power rail and the master portion coupled to the collapsible power rail. The NET RFF includes master and slave portions, with the master portion coupled to the constant power rail and the slave portion coupled to the collapsible power rail. In another example aspect, a control signal based on a clock and a retention signal may be routed to both RFFs.
US09665159B2
A method of saving the power of a portable electronic device is provided. The method includes starting a power saving mode, identifying an application executed in a foreground, and changing operation settings of the portable electronic device for the identified application.
US09665148B2
A port extender includes a chassis with uplink ports that are operable to receive power and data from a power sourcing device, and user device ports that are operable to connect to user devices. A power management processor is coupled to each of the uplink ports and the user device ports. The power management processor is operable to determine a power budget using power received by the uplink ports. The power management processor is also operable to detect a port configuration event such as the removal of a connection of a user device to a user device port, the inactivity of a user device port, or the addition of a connection of a user device to a user device port, and in response, selectively provide power to one or more of the plurality of user device ports based on the power budget and the port configuration event.
US09665146B1
The disclosed apparatus may include (1) a power distribution unit that distributes electric power to a network device, the power distribution unit including (A) a first set of power inputs that are compatible with a first type of power source and (B) a second set of power inputs that are compatible with a second type of power source that is different from the first type of power source, and (2) a set of power supply modules electrically coupled to the power distribution unit, each power supply module within the set of power supply modules being capable of outputting electric power to the network device upon receiving current via either the first set of power inputs or the second set of power inputs. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
US09665144B2
Systems and methods for entry and exit latency reduction for low power states are described. In one embodiment, a computer implemented method initiates an energy-efficient low power state (e.g., deep sleep state) to reduce power consumption of a device. The method sets a power supply voltage that provides sufficient power to a dual power supply array for retention of states. Logic is powered down in this low power state.
US09665140B2
An electrical device having thermal isolation function includes a housing, a heat-generating source, a heat-conductive member, and a thermal isolation plate. The housing includes an accommodation space therein, an inner surface and an outer surface which is opposite to the inner surface. The heat-generating source is disposed in the accommodation space. The heat-conductive member is disposed in the accommodation space, and is in contact with the heat-generating source. The thermal isolation plate is disposed between the heat-conductive member and the inner surface of the housing, and the thermal isolation plate is formed with a vacuum chamber therein.
US09665128B2
A more efficient component shielding system is provided for a portable electronic device. The system includes a metal shield covering multiple electronic components on the device PCB, including two or more electronic components requiring shielding. The metal shield includes a top portion and one or more descending side walls encompassing the periphery of the metal shield except at one or more edges where the metal shield contacts the housing. In addition, one or more internal walls attached to the shield top portion form internal walls separating the two or more electronic components requiring shielding from one another. In an embodiment, a plurality of spring clips soldered to the PCB are used to hold the side walls and internal walls to the PCB.
US09665122B2
A semiconductor package includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a chip bonded to the PCB, a mold protecting the chip and exposing a backside surface of the chip, via openings extending in the mold to expose first contacts bonded to the PCB, and at least one first marking inscribed in a marking region of the mold between the backside surface of the chip and the vias. The mold has an exposed molded underfill (eMUF) structure covering the sides of the chip while exposing the backside surface of the chip. A PoP package includes a top package stacked on and electrically connected to the semiconductor package.
US09665117B2
A method to provide high resolution power control in SCR based power supplies utilizing dithering designed to introduce perturbations in the control signal to the power supply controller or firing circuit+, and to thereby control the output of the power supply with increased resolution.
US09665116B1
A proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) generator generates a current PTAT (IPTAT) and a fractional VBE in a first regulation loop. A level shifting voltage-to-current converter is arranged as a second regulation loop and is operable to generate a current ZTC (IZTC) and/or a voltage ZTC (VZTC). Both regulation loops are nested into each other. In an embodiment, the voltage-to-current converter is operable to sum a scaled voltage PTAT (VPTAT/Y) with the fractional VBE (VBE/X) to generate the ZTC signal. In another embodiment, the voltage-to-current converter is operable to sum a delta voltage threshold (ΔVTH) with the fractional VBE (VBE/X) to generate the ZTC signal.
US09665113B2
The circuit of the present disclosure is a high-speed precision clamp (voltage limiter) for overvoltage or undervoltage protection. One aspect of the circuit includes using a peak detector in the feedback path of a clamp having a super-diode architecture. The resulting circuit performs well for high-speed applications. The peak detector can be replicated (at least in part) to accommodate a multiplicity of phase-shifted input voltages by using only one common peak detection capacitor and ensuring area savings in integrated-circuit implementations.
US09665106B2
An integrated actuator coil and decoder module for use in decoder-based irrigation control systems, and related methods of manufacture and installation, are provided herein. In one implementation, an irrigation control device comprises a body, decoder circuitry located within the body, a coil located within the body and coupled to the decoder circuitry, the coil adapted to develop an electromagnetic flux sufficient to cause actuation of a device controlling irrigation equipment in response to signaling from the decoder circuitry. Also included is an electrical connection coupled to the decoder circuitry and adapted to couple to a control wire path of a decoder-based irrigation control system. The decoder circuitry and the coil are integrated into a single device.
US09665103B1
An example computer-implemented method involves determining that an aerostat is located within a first atmospheric layer. A first wind-velocity measure is indicative of wind velocity in the first atmospheric layer. The method also involves determining an altitude of an atmospheric layer boundary between the first atmospheric layer and a second atmospheric layer. A second wind-velocity measure is indicative of wind velocity in the second atmospheric layer, and the second wind-velocity measure differs from the first wind-velocity measure by at least a threshold amount. The method further involves determining a desired location for the aerostat, and during at least a portion of a flight towards the desired location, causing the aerostat to traverse back and forth across the atmospheric layer boundary while remaining within a predetermined vertical distance from the atmospheric layer boundary in order to achieve a desired horizontal trajectory.
US09665095B1
Robots or other machines may be used for retrieving errant objects from the floor of an automated warehouse. A system can include one or more reporting methods to alert a central control to the existence and location of an object on the warehouse floor. The central control can establish a safety zone around the object to avoid contact with normal warehouse traffic (e.g., standard warehouse robots). The system can route a cleanup robot to the location to retrieve the object. The system can include a cleanup pod comprising a convertible shelving unit with a robotic arm. The cleanup pod can have a similar form factor as shelving units used for storing inventory in the warehouse, thereby enabling standard warehouse robots to lift and transport the cleanup pod to retrieve an object.
US09665092B2
Provided is a method and apparatus for managing failure modes for condition based maintenance in marine resource production equipment. The apparatus includes a distributed control system (DCS), monitoring, and performance evaluation module that constructs a distributed control system for the systematic collection and management of maintenance data, develops a real-time data management and monitoring system, and develops an offshore plant performance monitoring level performance evaluation system, a condition based maintenance platform that maps data from a real-time sensor database of the distributed control system (DCS), monitoring, and performance evaluation module, stores the mapped data, and manages learnable failure modes based on normal mode and failure mode data, a diagnosis, prediction, maintenance, and shape management module that develops technology for automatically improving the reliability of condition based maintenance based on the learnable failure mode management according to data transmitted from the distributed control system (DCS), monitoring, and performance evaluation module to the condition based maintenance platform, develops an offshore plant diagnosis, prediction, and maintenance system, and develops a diagnosis and condition based maintenance operating platform and a shape management system, and a virtual offshore plant simulator that constructs a virtual offshore plant simulator, constructs a scenario based operation training system, and develops a condition based maintenance solution and an input and output virtualization system for interoperation with a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system for an offshore plant.
US09665091B2
In one embodiment, a manifold apparatus may include a number of housings. The housings may receive an electrical or a fluid conduit. The manifold apparatus may also include an actuation mechanism of each of the number of housings configured to control a supply of electricity or fluid from the respective electrical or fluid conduit to one or more industrial automation equipment, and a locking mechanism including a number of armatures. Each of the number of armatures is associated with a respective housing of the plurality of housings, and each of the number of armatures is configured to physically prevent a respective actuation mechanism of the respective housing from changing states.
US09665085B2
A numerical controller controls a spindle and/or a movable axis of a finishing machine based on a machining program. A cutting condition display device configured to display a cutting condition for the numerical controller calculates cutting conditions including a cutting speed, a feed per spindle revolution per cutting edge of a tool, and a depth of cut for each fixed time during an operation of the finishing machine, based on any or a combination of data on the spindle, the movable axis, a cutting tool, and an object to be cut, which are held by the numerical controller. The calculated cutting condition is stored for each tool and displayed in a graph.
US09665084B2
An apparatus (10) for winding a screen (12) comprises a winding drum (14) for winding the screen (12) which can rotate about an axis of rotation (16) with respect to a fixed frame of reference over more than one revolution between at least one first end-of-travel position and a second end-of-travel position, a motor assembly (30) comprising a motor (32) equipped with a stator (32.1) intended to be fixed to a fixed support (23, 26) and a rotor (32.2) kinematically connected to the winding drum (14). A first measurement assembly (51) comprises a first encoder (46) secured to the rotor (32.2), a first sensor for reading the first encoder (46) and generating a first counting signal when the first encoder (46) turns. First processing means (50) generate, as a function of the first counting signal, a first signal indicative of the position of the screen, which signal is monotonous when the drum moves from the first end-of-travel position to the second end-of-travel position. A second measurement assembly (64) makes it possible to detect at least one indexed position of the drum (14) per revolution of the drum in the fixed frame of reference. A calibration memory (56) stores at least one first calibration value for the first signal indicative of the position of the screen in the indexed position of the drum and at least one first quantitative algebraic comparison between a current value of the first signal indicative of the position of the screen as measured on passing through the indexed position during an observation phase and the first calibration value is delivered.
US09665078B2
A system having a utility, a communications intermediary and demand response resources. The utility may be connected to the communications intermediary via a network. The demand response resources may be connected to the communications intermediary via another network. A single dispatch destined for the demand response resources may be sent to the communications intermediary. The dispatch may be disaggregated at the communications intermediary into a multitude of dispatches which may be dispersed to their respective destined demand response resources. The demand response resources may send telemetries to the communications intermediary that aggregates the telemetries into a single telemetry. The single telemetry may be sent to the utility.
US09665073B2
The present invention generally pertains to a sensor (101), more particularly the present invention pertains to sensors for saving energy, wherein the sensor (101) comprising at least one input (11) for receiving signal, at least one output (12) for transmitting signal, and at least a sensing module (14) for sequentially sensing at least one activity of a user and determining power supply to at least one appliance by tracking a sequential predetermined period of time and detecting at least one activity.
US09665071B2
An electronic timepiece has a tubular outside case of which at least part is a conductive material, a transparent crystal, a dial housed in the outside case, an annular antenna body disposed around the dial, a feed part that feeds the antenna body, and a dial ring made of a non-conductive material covering the antenna body. The antenna body includes an annular dielectric base, and an arc-shaped fed element feed by the feed part, an annular parasitic element disposed between the dial ring and crystal, and receives circularly polarized waves.
US09665065B2
Systems and methods for infrared laser holographic projection. In one example, an optical apparatus includes a first laser source configured to generate a first laser beam having a first wavelength in an infrared spectral range and a holographic medium optically coupled to the laser source and having a transmittance range including the first wavelength. A diffraction pattern formed in the holographic medium encodes an input image and is configured to diffract the first laser beam responsive to being illuminated by the laser beam so as to construct an image in the infrared spectrum, the image being a reconstruction of the input image. The diffraction pattern may further be configured to diffract a second laser beam having a second wavelength in a visible spectral range to construct an image including a first portion in the infrared spectral range and a second portion in the visible spectral range.
US09665047B1
A fuser assembly comprising an endless fuser belt having positioned internally within a first metal roll having a heat pipe, a second metal roll having a first heating element, and a second heating element disposed between the first and the second metal rolls. The endless fuser belt is disposed proximate to a backup roll for forming a fusing nip therewith, wherein a rotation of the backup roll moves the fuser belt and rotates the first and the second metal rolls. The second metal roll is positioned upstream of the first metal roll relative to a media process direction. The first heating element has a rated heating power greater than the rated heating power of the second heating element.
US09665028B2
An electrophotographic member having a high conductivity and having high adhesiveness to other layer, and a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus using the electrophotographic member as a developer carrying member are provided.The electrophotographic member is an electrophotographic member including an electro-conductive mandrel and an electro-conductive layer, wherein the electro-conductive layer has a resin having a structure represented by the following structural formula (1), and an anion.
US09665020B2
A charge transporting layer of an electrophotographic photosensitive member contains a polysiloxane resin having a terminal structure represented by the formula (1), at least one selected from the group consisting of a polycarbonate resin A having a structural unit represented by the formula (A) and a polyarylate resin B having a structural unit represented by the formula (B), and a charge transporting substance, wherein the content of the siloxane structure in the polysiloxane resin is not less than 0.5% by mass and not more than 10% by mass based on the total mass of whole resin in the charge transporting layer.
US09665016B2
A positioning apparatus in a lithographic apparatus for projecting a patterned beam of radiation onto a substrate has a first table connected to a first positioning system that displaces the first table into and out of a path of the patterned beam, and a second table connected to a second positioning system that displaces the second table into the path of the patterned beam when the first table is displaced out of the path of the patterned beam. The first and second tables, one of which is positioned in the path of the patterned beam of radiation, are moved relative to an immersion region formed with the supplied liquid under the projection system such that the immersion region is maintained under the projection system by the other of the first and second tables positioned in the path of the patterned beam in place of the one table.
US09665008B2
A mirror serves for use for guiding illumination and imaging light in EUV projection lithography. The mirror has a reflective surface, the reflective surface forming a magnetic field in such a way that at least one polarization property of the illumination and imaging light is influenced via the magnetic field upon reflection. A mirror system has, besides the mirror, additionally a magnetization predefining device for predefining a magnetization of the reflective surface of the mirror. An illumination optical unit has at least one mirror of this type or at least one facet mirror device comprising at least one individual mirror constructed in this way. In the case of a mirror of this type, the illumination and/or imaging properties of illumination and/or imaging light guided via the mirror are improved.
US09665006B2
A projection exposure method for exposing a radiation-sensitive substrate with at least one image of a pattern of a mask is provided. The method includes determining at least one light quiver parameter which describes a property of a light quiver, and controlling the operation of the projection exposure apparatus taking account of the light quiver parameter.
US09665005B2
Pattern treatment methods comprise: (a) providing a semiconductor substrate comprising a patterned feature on a surface thereof; (b) applying a pattern treatment composition to the patterned feature, wherein the pattern treatment composition comprises a block copolymer and a solvent, wherein the block copolymer comprises a first block and a second block, wherein the first block comprises a unit formed from a first monomer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group and a hydrogen acceptor group, wherein the hydrogen acceptor group is a nitrogen-containing group, and the second block comprises a unit formed from a second monomer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group and an aromatic group, provided that the second monomer is not styrene; and (c) rinsing residual pattern treatment composition from the substrate, leaving a portion of the block copolymer bonded to the patterned feature. The methods find particular applicability in the manufacture of semiconductor devices for providing high resolution patterns.
US09665001B2
New photoresist are provided that comprises an Si-containing component and that are particularly useful for ion implant lithography applications. Photoresists of the invention can exhibit good adhesion to underlying inorganic surfaces such as SiON, silicon oxide, silicon nitride and other inorganic surfaces.
US09664993B2
A light module comprises first excitation radiation source emitting first excitation radiation having a first optical property value, second excitation radiation source emitting second excitation radiation having a second optical property value which differs from the first value. At irradiation region (P), a phosphor and an optical element, which is at least partly reflective with maintenance of the optical property, are arranged alternately or simultaneously. A first dichroic mirror is arranged between the first excitation radiation source and irradiation region (P), and a second dichroic mirror is arranged between the second excitation radiation source and irradiation region (P). The first optical path proceeding from the first excitation radiation source successively comprises the first dichroic mirror, irradiation region (P) and the second dichroic mirror. The second optical path proceeding from the second excitation radiation source successively comprises the second dichroic mirror, irradiation region (P) and the first dichroic mirror.
US09664988B2
A light source system includes a laser module and at least one light coupling module. The laser module includes a plurality of laser sources, each of which provides a light beam. The light coupling module has a light incident surface, a plurality of total reflection surfaces and a light output surface. The light incident surface includes a plurality of light incident zones, and the light incident zones are disposed corresponding to the laser sources, respectively. The total reflection surfaces are disposed corresponding to the light incident zones, respectively. The projected areas of the total reflection surfaces on the light output surface have no overlap with each other.
US09664977B2
Disclosed is an electrophoretic display device manufacturing method including bonding a substrate including a pixel electrode and a stacked film including a transparent electrode layer and an electrophoretic display layer, and forming a color filter layer having a pixel pattern corresponding to a pattern of the pixel electrode above a base material surface of the stacked film. The substrate has a region where the electrophoretic display layer is not arranged when the substrate and the stacked film are bonded, a pixel alignment pattern is drawn in the region, and in the forming the color filter layer, the color filter layer is formed while performing alignment using the pixel alignment pattern.
US09664975B2
In an electrochromic device, upper and lower electrodes are formed respectively on upper and lower substrates, and an electrochromic laminate is sandwiched between upper and lower central regions of the upper and lower electrodes. A looped spacer is disposed between the upper and lower electrodes to surround the electrochromic laminate. A rib member extends from the looped spacer and is fitted in a slot of the upper electrode. An upper electrode contact is disposed between the looped spacer and an upper marginal region of the upper electrode. A lower electrode contact is disposed between the looped spacer and a lower marginal region of the lower electrode.
US09664974B2
Prior electrochromic devices frequently suffer from high levels of defectivity. The defects may be manifest as pin holes or spots where the electrochromic transition is impaired. This is unacceptable for many applications such as electrochromic architectural glass. Improved electrochromic devices with low defectivity can be fabricated by depositing certain layered components of the electrochromic device in a single integrated deposition system. While these layers are being deposited and/or treated on a substrate, for example a glass window, the substrate never leaves a controlled ambient environment, for example a low pressure controlled atmosphere having very low levels of particles. These layers may be deposited using physical vapor deposition.
US09664970B2
Disclosed is an LCD panel. The LCD panel comprises a display area (13), and a first signal line, a second signal line . . . an Nth signal line which are connected to the display area (13), wherein the LCD panel further comprises a TFT area (14). One side of the display area (13) is provided with a first signal output port, a second signal output port . . . an Nth signal output port. The TFT area (13) comprises a first TFT unit, a second TFT unit . . . an (N+1)th TFT unit; and both the first TFT unit and the (N+1)th TFT unit comprise one TFT, and the second TFT unit to the Nth TFT unit respectively comprise two TFTs, i.e. a first TFT and a second TFT. Further disclosed is a display device. By adopting the LCD panel, a circuit of a gate driver can be made to be more simple and occupy less space on the basis of not changing gate signal characteristics.
US09664967B2
In an element substrate of an electro-optical device, a data line on a first metal layer with light shielding properties overlaps a semiconductor layer in a planar view, and a relay electrode on the first metal layer with light shielding properties has an end on the first wire side which extends along the semiconductor layer in the Y direction (first direction) and faces the data line through a first gap. A second metal layer with light shielding properties is formed between the first metal layer and a layer of a pixel electrode, and a first shielding section, which overlaps the first gap in a planar view by a first projection section of a constant potential line, is configured on the second metal layer. Both the first metal layer and the second metal layer include an aluminum layer, have a small electrical resistance and a substantially infinite OD value.
US09664962B2
A pixel electrode formed into a slit structure with striped electrodes opposed to each other for a zero rubbing angle can provide fast response since rotational directions of the liquid crystals become opposite at both sides of the slit in the striped electrodes. The electrode structure, however, poses a problem of low transmittance. Provided is a liquid crystal display device of IPS-Pro scheme including a pixel electrode with one pair of striped electrodes. The first striped electrode includes a short electrode section and long electrode sections, and the second striped electrode also includes a short electrode section and long electrode sections. The long electrode sections of the first striped electrode are disposed adjacently to those of the second striped electrode. Liquid crystals are aligned in a lengthwise direction of the striped electrodes.
US09664959B2
In the case of a pixel including four and more sub pixels, the area of one pixel is larger than that in the case of a pixel including three sub pixels; therefore, high definition becomes difficult. When a central display area has a structure of four and more sub pixels, in a display device, the pixel structure in a peripheral display area for use in creating a virtual image is reduced to three sub pixels, to allocate the vacant space for high density assignment. Only the pixel density in the vicinity of a frame of a lens portion is compressed, in order to apparently resolve the discord with the image of a non-lens portion. The pixel side in the peripheral display area may be even or gradually narrowed.
US09664952B2
A moisture-proof structure includes: a sealing layer surrounding or covering a moisture-proof target between a first base material and a second base material; a moisture-proof material provided in contact with an outer side of the sealing layer and in a peripheral section of the first base material and the second base material, in which the peripheral section is located outside the sealing layer; and an uneven structure provided in a part of the first base material that makes contact with the moisture-proof material and in a part of the second base material that makes contact with the moisture-proof material.
US09664948B2
A liquid crystal display includes: first and second substrates; a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first and second substrates and comprising a polymer network liquid crystal (PNLC) or a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC); a common electrode provided on the first substrate; transistors provided on the second substrate for respective pixels; a reflective film provided on the transistors; a color filter provided on the reflective film; and pixel electrodes provided on the color filter and electrically connected to drain electrodes of the respective transistors.
US09664945B2
A display apparatus including a display panel, a first polarizer and a second polarizer is provided. The display panel includes a pixel array substrate, an opposite substrate and a display medium. The pixel array substrate includes a plurality of pixel units. Each pixel unit includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are alternately arranged and a lateral electric field is existed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The opposite substrate is disposed opposite to the pixel array substrate. The display medium is disposed between the pixel array substrate and the opposite substrate. The first polarizer is disposed on the pixel array substrate. The second polarizer is disposed on the opposite substrate. An included angle between an optical axis of the first polarizer and an optical axis of the second polarizer is 90°±θ, and θ is 1° to 9°.
US09664942B2
Provided is a liquid crystal display, including a first substrate including a plurality of pixel regions including a transmissive light area and a non-transmissive light area, a second substrate facing the first substrate and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the pixel regions includes color filters disposed on a base substrate, a pixel electrode disposed on each of the color filters at the transmissive light area and a black column spacer at a region except a region corresponding to the transmissive light area, wherein the each of the color filters has substantially rectangular shape with a long side and a short side, and wherein the long side has a recess portion in which a part of a long side corresponding to the non-transmissive light area is removed.
US09664938B2
A display device of this disclosure: a display element; a first frame holding the display element; a second frame having an opening and engaged with the first frame to arrange therein the display element, and a transparent member arranged on a front surface of the display element with an adhesive material being interposed therebetween. The transparent member is accommodated in an opening without overlapping with the opening of the second frame.
US09664935B2
A method of manufacturing a flexible display panel includes forming an adhesive layer by depositing an inorganic material on a flexible substrate, forming a hydroxyl group on a surface of the adhesive layer by modifying the surface of the adhesive layer, laminating a glass substrate to the modified surface of the adhesive layer and forming a heat-treated layer by heating the glass substrate and the adhesive layer.
US09664932B2
An object of the present invention is to protect exposed inspection pads with a conductive tape when the application of resin is ceased and to enhance the reliability of the inspection pads. A liquid crystal display device is provided with a transparent electrode formed on a superficial side of a CF board, a grounded electrode, an inspection pad and a switching device between the inspection pad and a signal line or a scanning line respectively formed in a terminal area a TFT board and a conductive tape that electrically connects the transparent electrode of the CF board, the grounded electrode and the inspection pad respectively of the TFT board.
US09664930B2
The invention provides an In situ polymerization process which does not require the use of polymerization initiators or solvents for obtaining an electro-optical apparatus wherein a compound having a polymerizable group, preferably an acrylate or methacrylate, is introduced into a cell formed of 1 to 100 microns thick, wherein said compound having a polymerizable group is maintained at a temperature which is above its melting temperature, and a direct current electric field is applied of at least 2.5 V/μm and for a time ranging between 5 minutes and 24 hours until the polymerization of the compound with the polymerizable group is achieved, an then cooled down to room temperature and removing the applied field. Also the polymer that is obtained from the in situ polymerization is provided, as well as the electro-optical apparatus containing the polymer which is obtained after the in situ polymerization process and the use of the electro-optic apparatus wherein the apparatus works as a polarizer, as a pixel in a liquid crystal display and as a ferroelectric, magnetic, piezoelectric or pyroelectric sensor.
US09664924B2
A method of processing an unfinished optical lens member having a finished surface with a center reference point, and first and second surfaces, includes providing contour data defining the contour of the first surface in a finished cut state, the maximum distance between two points of the contour defined by Cmax; determining, an optical reference point of the first surface with respect to the contour, the optical reference point corresponding to a user's line of sight in the finished cut state, the maximum distance between the optical reference point and the contour defined by Mmax, providing a first surface dataset defining the second surface with respect to the optical reference point; and providing an unfinished optical lens member having a minimum distance RSF between the center reference point and the boundary of the unfinished lens member such that 2 RSF≧Cmax and RSF
US09664923B2
This invention provides for the fabrication of ophthalmic lenses via the utilization of DMD shows and/or DMD files. More specifically, the use of the DMD shows and/or DMD files to generate lens precursor designs comprising described features to form part of a substructure for the fluid reactive media portion of the lens precursor and wherein the lens precursor can generate particular ophthalmic lens designs in a free-form manner using methods described herein.
US09664918B2
A depth-fused 3D (DFD) display device, including: a first display panel and a second display panel which are provided in parallel with each other and separated with a field depth in between; and a circular polarizer, provided between the first display panel and the second display panel. The first display panel is a transparent organic light-emitting display panel and used to display a foreground image, the second display panel is used to display a background image, the second display panel has at least one light-emitting surface which faces the first display panel, and a forward direction of the circular polarizer coincides with the direction from the first display panel to the second display panel.
US09664917B2
A liquid crystal display panel and a liquid crystal display device are disclosed. The liquid crystal display panel has first pixel units and second pixel units, when the liquid crystal display panel displays odd frames, a polarity of each of the first pixel units is changed, and a polarity of each of the second pixel units is maintained. Otherwise, when the LCD panel displays even frames, a polarity of each of the second pixel units is changed, and a polarity of each of the first pixel units is maintained. Since each frame of the liquid crystal display panel only changes the polarity of the partial pixel units, image sticking and 3D ghosting phenomena can be effectively eliminated.
US09664903B2
An optical device includes a light input part and a light output part. The light input part includes a micro display; a first and a second polarizing beam splitters configured to reflect or transmit incident light including an image displayed on the micro display; and a first quarter wavelength plate configured to receive light transmitted by the first polarizing beam splitter or the second polarizing beam splitter and change a polarized state of the received light. The light output part includes a third and a fourth polarizing beam splitters configured to transmit or reflect light including the image received from the light input part; a second quarter wavelength plate configured to receive the light transmitted by the third polarizing beam splitter or the fourth polarizing beam splitter and change the polarized state of the received light, and a light condenser configured to condense the polarized light.
US09664902B1
Disclosed are methods and devices for varying functionality of a wearable computing device. An example device includes a first sensor and a second sensor. An example method includes, while a device is operating in a first state, receiving an indication of a touch input at the first sensor. The second sensor is configured in an idle mode based on the device operating in the first state. The method further includes, in response to receiving the indication of the touch input, triggering the second sensor to operate in an active mode and receiving data from the second sensor. The method further includes determining, based on the data, whether the device is being worn.
US09664900B2
A projection apparatus including a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) mirror module and a control unit is provided. The MEMS mirror module drives an image beam to scan along a first direction and a second direction on an imaging region. The control unit is electrically connected to the MEMS mirror module and outputs a driving signal with a corresponding pulse width according to a projection position of the image beam in the second direction of the imaging region. A projection method is also provided.
US09664899B2
Provided is an optical scanning device that can be downsized and improve the reading rate of a laser-type image reading system. This is an optical scanning device that includes a torsion beam, and a variable focus mirror that is supported by the torsion beam. Furthermore, the variable focus mirror is supported at two symmetrical positions with respect to the axis of rotation of the torsion beam.
US09664885B2
A zoom lens includes, in order from object side to image side, a first lens unit having positive refractive power; a second lens unit having negative refractive power; a third lens unit having positive refractive power; and a rear lens group including one or more lens units. During zooming, three or more lens units move to change an interval between adjacent lens units. The third lens unit includes, in order from object side to image side, a first lens subunit having positive refractive power, a second lens subunit having negative refractive power, and a third lens subunit having positive refractive power. The second lens subunit moves in a direction having a component perpendicular to the optical axis regarding image blurring correction, a focal length of the zoom lens at the telephoto end and a focal length of the third lens unit are set to satisfy specific mathematical conditions.
US09664881B2
An imaging optical system includes a positive first lens element having a convex surface on the object side, a negative second lens element having a concave surface on the image side, a third lens element, a positive fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, and a negative sixth lens element provided with at least one aspherical surface that has inflection points other than at an optical axis thereof. The following conditions (1) and (2) are satisfied: 0.86
US09664880B2
An imaging lens substantially consists of, in order from an object side, five lenses of a first lens that has a biconvex shape, a second lens that has a negative refractive power, a third lens, a fourth lens that has a positive refractive power, and a fifth lens that has a negative refractive power and has an object side surface and an image side surface which have aspheric shapes. Further, the imaging lens satisfies predetermined conditional expressions.
US09664877B2
To compensate for a focal plane shifting away from an image plane due to a temperature change, an integrated image sensor and lens assembly includes an optical component and an optics compensator including passively actuating elements. The passively actuating elements couple the optical component to the inner surface of the lens mount. The passively actuating elements and the optics component are configured such that the focal plane is maintained to coincide with or substantially coincide with the image plane. The passively actuating elements and the optics component adjust the distance an incident ray travels in the optics compensator when the temperature changes to thereby maintaining the focal plane to coincide with or substantially coincide with the image plane.
US09664872B2
Cables are constructed with embedded discontinuities in the cable jacket that allow the jacket to be torn to provide access to the cable core. The discontinuities can be longitudinally extending strips of polymer material coextruded in the cable jacket.
US09664867B2
An opto-electronic package having two enclosures in which a first non-hermetic enclosure provides the structural rigidity required to maintain the alignment of the optical components for a predetermined environmental range, and second flexible enclosure that provides a hermetical seal for the opto-electronic package.
US09664865B2
A crimp connector is disclosed for enhancing pull-retention of a fiber optic cable in a fiber optic connector assembly housing. The connector has a flange for engaging with the housing and crimp member for engaging with the cable.
US09664864B2
Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to a method for mating a first high fiber count optic cable including a first plurality of optical fiber ribbons with a second high fiber count optic cable including a second plurality of optical fiber ribbons. The method can include: stripping a portion of the first and second high fiber count optic cables; cutting-off each of the first and second pluralities of optical fiber ribbons at different lengths such that cut ends of each of the first and second pluralities of optical fiber ribbons are staggered relative to one another; installing a first and second plurality of multi-fiber connectors respectively on the cut ends; optically coupling the first and second plurality of multi-fiber connectors; and mounting a protective sleeve over exposed portions of the first and second pluralities of optical fiber ribbons of the first and second high fiber count optic cables.
US09664853B2
A waveguide device that includes a first waveguide, a second waveguide and a transition region. The first waveguide has a first height and the second waveguide has a second height different from the first height. The transition region is between the first waveguide and the second waveguide and includes an asymmetrical taper of the first waveguide.
US09664851B2
An optical device has a first frame element and second frame element. At least portions of a plurality of optical fiber pairs of an array each including an exposed end are arranged between the two frame elements. A region is defined between opposing surfaces of the two frame elements to hold the optical fibers. When holding the fibers, the two frame elements cooperate to positionally align and orient the exposed ends of each of the optical fibers for at least one of transmitting and receiving light. An optical system with the device includes a TAP photodiode array such that a portion of light is transmitted from at least a pair of input optical fibers to a corresponding pair of photodiodes of the array, and a portion of light is reflected back from an optical filter to output optical fibers corresponding to the input optical fibers.
US09664843B2
Disclosed is a display device. The display device includes a light source; a wavelength conversion member converting a wavelength of light output from the light source; a display panel to which the light is incident; a heat transfer part adjacent to the light source and the wavelength conversion member; and a heat dissipation part connected to the heat transfer part.
US09664841B2
Disclosed is a display device. The display device includes a light source; a wavelength conversion member converting a wavelength of light output from the light source; a display panel to which the light is incident; a heat transfer part adjacent to the light source and the wavelength conversion member; and a heat dissipation part connected to the heat transfer part.
US09664830B2
An optical filter including a near infrared absorbing layer on a glass substrate, in which adhesiveness between the glass substrate and the near infrared absorbing layer is firm, high reliability is enabled in uses under a high temperature and high humidity environment, and manufacturing yield is secured, and a high reliability solid-state imaging device having the optical filter are provided. An optical filter includes: a glass substrate; and a near infrared absorbing layer formed on one principal surface of the glass substrate, wherein the near infrared absorbing layer is obtained by reacting a composition for forming the near infrared absorbing layer on the glass substrate and the composition contains a transparent resin having a fluorene skeleton and a reactivity group; a near infrared absorbing dye; and a silane coupling agent and/or oligomer thereof having a hydrolyzable group and a functional group which have reactivity for the reactivity group.
US09664818B2
Provided is a polycarbonate resin composition capable of providing a molded body that has a high light transmittance and high light-diffusing property, can be inhibited from yellowing, and has high thin-wall flame retardancy, and a polycarbonate resin molded body obtained by molding the polycarbonate resin composition. The flame-retardant light-diffusing polycarbonate resin composition has a viscosity-average molecular weight of 17,000 or more and includes, with respect to 100 parts by mass of a polycarbonate (A) formed of 10 to 100 parts by mass of a branched polycarbonate (A-1) and 90 to 0 parts by mass of an aromatic polycarbonate (A-2), 0.1 to 5 parts by mass of a light diffuser (B), 0.01 to 1.0 part by mass of a flame retardant (C), 0 to 0.5 part by mass of a polytetrafluoroethylene (D), and 0 to 2 parts by mass of a polyorganosiloxane (E), and the polycarbonate resin molded body is obtained by molding the polycarbonate resin composition.
US09664816B2
An example method for fracture identification and characterization may include positioning a magnetic dipole transmitter and a magnetic dipole receiver within a borehole in a subterranean formation. At least one of the magnetic dipole transmitter and the magnetic dipole receiver may be tiled with respect to an axis of the borehole. The magnetic dipole transmitter may generate a time-varying electromagnetic (EM) signal. The magnetic dipole receiver may measure a response of the formation to the time-varying EM signal; the response may include at least two depths of a formation and at least two azimuthal orientations of the formation with respect to the axis of the borehole. An image of the formation may be generated based, at least in part, on the response, and at least one fracture characteristic may be determined based, at least in part, on the first image and a synthetic fracture image.
US09664812B2
A method of quantifying borehole properties, comprising: injecting an electric current from an outer button and an inner button disposed on an equipotential pad into a subterranean formation surround by the borehole, measuring an apparent conductivity or a scaled current for each button, modeling the measurements at a sequence of standoff locations, and, using an inversion technique to determine at least one of the following borehole properties: mudcake thickness, mudcake resistivity, diameter of invasion, flushed zone resistivity and true formation resistivity.
US09664801B2
An embodiment of the invention relates to the use of the spectral composition of X-ray radiation in addition to the intensity thereof in order to determine the attenuation caused by an object. Another aspect of an embodiment of the invention is a device, particularly a radiation monitor for an X-ray or CT system, which is suitable for performing the aforementioned procedure according to an embodiment of the invention.
US09664800B2
A scintillator element is disclosed where the scintillator element includes a scintillator formed of a scintillation material capable of converting non-visible radiation into scintillation light, wherein the scintillator has a plurality of laser-etched micro-voids within the scintillator, each micro-void having an interior surface, and an intrinsic reflective layer is formed on the interior surface of at least some of the micro-voids, wherein the intrinsic reflective layer is formed from the scintillation material.
US09664791B2
A person-detecting sensor includes: a range-finding unit that decides whether distance to a detection object falls within a predetermined detection distance range; and a specular reflection decision unit that decides whether reflected light is specularly-reflected light. The specular reflection decision unit performs a threshold determination regarding the count of pixels or the proportion of pixels exhibiting a received-light quantity of a predetermined proportion or greater with respect to the maximum received-light quantity among received-light quantities from the reflected light and decides that the reflected light is specularly-reflected light when the count of the pixels or the proportion of the pixels is a predetermined threshold or less.
US09664790B2
A light propagation time camera system and a method for operating such a system, in which—in a distance measurement a first range-related variable is ascertained using a phase shift in an emitted and received signal for a first modulation frequency,—and in a control measurement a second range-related variable is ascertained, wherein the control measurement is performed at a second modulation frequency, which differs from the first modulation frequency, and the control measurement is performed with a smaller number of phases than the distance measurement is provided.
US09664784B2
A device and methods are provided for detecting data points using an integrated radar sensor. In one embodiment, a method includes determining position of a device, detecting data points by an integrated radar sensor of the device, wherein the data points are determined for one or more points in space associated with one or more objects, and generating a spatial model of the one or more objects based on the detected data points. The device and methods may advantageously be employed for one or more of mapping, modeling, planning, machine control, navigation and object tracking.
US09664783B2
A marine sonar display device comprises a display, a sonar element, a multi axis sensor, a memory element, and a processing element. The display presents sonar images. The sonar element generates a sonar beam. The multi axis sensor determines an orientation and a tilt of the sonar element and present a sensor signal indicating the orientation and the tilt. The processing element is in communication with the display, the sonar element, the multi axis sensor, and the memory element. The processing element further determines an operating mode of the marine sonar display device, wherein the operating mode varying according to the orientation and the tilt of the sonar element.
US09664774B2
Embodiments include a method comprising providing a primary transceiver, and a plurality of secondary transceivers spatially distributed throughout a transceiver field; and executing a setup-routine comprising a wave-routine including: the primary transceiver transmitting a cascading identification command to at least one initial secondary transceiver, wherein the identification command holds instructions for the secondary transceiver to short-range retransmit a same or modified copy of the identification command indiscriminately to neighboring secondary receivers, provided no such retransmission of the identification command was effected during a wave period immediately preceding reception of the identification command by the secondary transceiver, so as to effect a travelling wave of secondary transceivers retransmitting the identification command.
US09664766B2
A local coil with a plurality of magnetic resonance antenna elements and a plurality of test signal coupling units assigned individually or in groups to the plurality of magnetic resonance antenna elements is provided. In order to transmit a test signal, each test signal coupling unit of the plurality of test signal coupling units is connected via a star connection unit to a joint test signal connector and/or to a transmission cable of a transmit and/or receive chain of an assigned magnetic resonance antenna element of the plurality of magnetic resonance antenna elements.
US09664765B2
In order to obtain a highly reliable image with no image distortion or no artifacts, such as ghosting, by compensating for the distortion of an output gradient magnetic field waveform caused by various factors with high accuracy, an input gradient magnetic field waveform and an output gradient magnetic field waveform corresponding to the input gradient magnetic field waveform are calculated, a response function that is a sum of response functions of a plurality of elements affecting the output gradient magnetic field waveform is calculated using the input gradient magnetic field waveform and the output gradient magnetic field waveform, an output gradient magnetic field waveform is calculated from an input gradient magnetic field waveform of a gradient magnetic field pulse set in the imaging sequence using the response function, and various kinds of correction are performed using the calculated value of the calculated output gradient magnetic field waveform.
US09664762B2
A method for reduced field of view magnetic resonance (MR) imaging includes applying a pulse sequence using a plurality of gradient coils and at least one RF coil of a magnetic resonance imaging system. The pulse sequence includes a two dimensional (2D) echo-planar RF excitation pulse with a plurality of side lobes along a slice select axis and a multiband RF refocusing pulse. MR data is acquired in response to the application of the pulse sequence and at least one MR image is reconstructed based on the MR data. The at least one MR image may then be displayed.
US09664761B2
An example implementation of a method for mapping tissue magnetic susceptibility includes acquiring magnetic resonance (MR) images acquired at multiple echo times, where the MR images correspond to a subject comprising at least two species of protons, and where each species has a different chemical shift in its respective resonance frequency. The method also includes determining, for each species, an estimated chemical shift value, determining an estimated map of magnetic field inhomogeneity based on the estimated chemical shift values, determining an estimated susceptibility distribution of the subject and an error of each estimated chemical shift value based on the estimated map of magnetic field inhomogeneity and prior information regarding the subject, and generating an image of the subject based on the estimated susceptibility distribution.
US09664759B2
The disclosed embodiments provide a method for acquiring MR data at resolutions down to tens of microns for application in in-vivo diagnosis and monitoring of pathology for which changes in fine tissue textures can be used as markers of disease onset and progression. Bone diseases, tumors, neurologic diseases, and diseases involving fibrotic growth and/or destruction are all target pathologies. Further the technique can be used in any biologic or physical system for which very high-resolution characterization of fine scale morphology is needed. The method provides rapid acquisition of selected values in k-space, with multiple successive acquisitions of individual k-values taken on a time scale on the order of microseconds, within a defined tissue volume, and subsequent combination of the multiple measurements in such a way as to maximize SNR. The reduced acquisition volume, and acquisition of only select values in k-space along selected directions, enables much higher in-vivo resolution than is obtainable with current MRI techniques.
US09664749B2
Disclosed is a resonant magnetic field sensor, comprising a detector structure including a mass block and displacement detection electrodes; capacitance to voltage converter and amplifier to convert detection signals of the detection electrodes into voltage signals, as output signals of the magnetic field sensor; and a vibration driving circuit to provide the output signals to the mass block in the form of a current, to drive the mass block to vibrate. The vibration driving circuit may be a comparator.
US09664732B2
In an RF device, an RF circuit includes at least two RF transmitting/receiving elements; and an RF switch controlled to selectively electrically couple to one of the RF transmitting/receiving elements for transmitting/receiving an RF signal in response to a control signal. In addition, a testing circuit includes a first filter unit having a first external terminal electrically coupled to a testing signal and a second external terminal electrically coupled to the RF circuit, wherein the first filter unit is configured to allow the testing signal to enter the RF circuit while blocking an RF signal transmitted in the RF circuit from entering the testing circuit; and a testing-result informing unit having an external input electrically coupled to the first external terminal, and determining contents of the control signal according to an electric level at the external input.
US09664730B2
A system for measuring soft starter current includes a current monitoring system having a controller and a current transfer device that includes a first solid state switching device. A first current sensor is coupled to the first solid state switching device and the controller to sense off-state current of the first solid state switching device. The controller is configured to determine an operational status of the first solid state switching device.
US09664723B2
An arc fault detection system includes a first current sensor, a second current sensor, a band-pass filter, and a comparator module. The first current sensor, the second current sensor, and the comparator module are each connected to the comparator module by direct leads for biasing a current differential between the first current sensor and the second current sensor using a bias calculated from a frequency component indicative of arc events received from the frequency selector.
US09664718B1
A high speed tuning and measuring algorithm is used for production level testing on-wafer a large number of chips. It applies to a hybrid active injection load pull test system. Using a pre-calibration of the passive tuner and the amplitude and phase settings of the active power injection signal and employing fast harmonic receiver VNA the test system is capable of executing frequency and time domain load pull measurement sets including more than 50 impedance points in a total of 1 second for quantities such as delivered input and output power, PAE, power gain and other. Overall test time, including device hoping and biasing on the automatic probe station is less than 1.5 seconds. This enables production level load pull operations.
US09664687B2
The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits for the detection of neurodegenerative disease specific autoantibodies for the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases and risk for developing neurodegenerative diseases, and for the generation of patient-specific neurodegenerative disease diagnostic autoantibody profiles.
US09664684B2
Described is a diagnostic method for predicting the response of a patient to chemovirotherapy or radiovirotherapy, comprising exposing primary tumor cells from a patient, e.g., tumor cells obtained from a brain tumor or pancreatic cancer, to (i) a parvovirus and/or (ii) a chemotherapeutic agent or radiotherapy, and determining the reduction of the expression or concentration of ISG15.
US09664683B2
The present invention provides methods for detecting, measuring and quantitating the activation states of components of the PI3K signaling pathway in cells such as tumor cells. In particular embodiments, the present invention enable the determination of tumor adaptation to anticancer therapy. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for improved cancer therapy selection/adjustment and disease monitoring.
US09664678B2
An analyzer provides conditions suitable for a reagent for performing latex immunoassay with a high sensitivity using a method of measuring scattered light. Irradiation light having a wavelength in the range of 0.65 to 0.75 μm is used, and scattered light generated from a reaction solution is received at a light-receiving angle of 15° to 35° with respect to the irradiation direction during the rotational movement of the reaction container. The reagent contains latex particles the average peak particle diameter of which ranges from 0.3 μm to 0.43 μm and to which antibodies are sensitized. The reaction solution contains latex particles at a concentration at which the absorbance to irradiation light having a wavelength of 0.7 μm is 0.25 abs to 1.10 abs, and a change in the amount of scattered light caused by the aggregation of the latex particles through antigens in a sample is measured and quantified.
US09664677B2
A composition can include a complex, where the complex includes a photoluminescent nanostructure and a polymer free from selective binding to an analyte, the polymer adsorbed on the photoluminescent nanostructure, and a selective binding site associated with the complex.
US09664669B2
Disclosed is a urine specimen analyzing method which improves the detection of casts in a urine specimen by flowing a measurement sample containing a urine specimen through a flow cell, irradiating light on the measurement sample flowing through the flow cell, generating a signal waveform indicating a temporal change of intensity of light given off by the measurement sample, and detecting casts distinguishably from mucus threads contained in the urine specimen, based on information related to respective slope at both end sides of the signal waveform corresponding to each formed element contained in the urine specimen.
US09664662B2
Methods are provided for determining whether a chicken egg, or a chicken egg pool, belongs to a class of organic chicken eggs. The yolk scyllo-inositol and myo-inositol concentrations, or concentration-related signals or values, are measured and the ratio between the scyllo-inositol concentration or concentration-related signal or value and the myo-inositol concentration or concentration-related signal or value is determined.
US09664653B2
The invention relates to a method for feeding a sample into an analysis branch of a liquid chromatography system, in particular a high-performance liquid chromatography system. A solvent or a solvent mixture from at least one solvent branch is supplied as volume flow {dot over (A)} into the analysis branch. At least one sample from at least one sample branch is fed as volume flow Ė into the analysis branch within a predetermined time interval. The volume flow {dot over (A)} is reduced to an extent during the predetermined time interval, and a volume flow Ċ resulting from the sum of the volume flows {dot over (A)} and Ė remains substantially constant in the analysis branch. The invention further relates to a sampler for carrying out a method of this kind.
US09664648B2
The present invention relates to a method for determining mechanical parameters of a cementitious system, on the basis of time, and on the basis of the fineness of the cementitious system, pressure and/or temperature, representative of the in situ conditions found in wellbores. The initial composition of the cementitious system, the fineness Φ thereof and the speed of the compression waves on the basis of time Vp(t) are the only input data of the method. Said method comprises: ▪ a step A of estimating the degree of hydration of the cementitious system on the basis of time α(t) from Vp(t), at a pressure P1 and a temperature T1; ▪ a step B wherein α(t) is determined on the basis of desired values of fineness Φn of the cementitious system, pressure Pn and/or temperature Tn; ▪ a step C wherein the composition of the cementitious system is determined on the basis of time C(t) and on the basis of desired values of fineness Φn of the cementitious system, pressure Pn and/or temperature Tn from α(t) determined in step B; ▪ and a step D of determining at least one mechanical parameter of the cementitious system on the basis of time and on the basis of desired values of fineness Φn of the cementitious system, pressure Pn and/or temperature Tn, from C(t) determined in step C. According to the method of the invention, these parameters can be determined while the cementitious system is still very young. In particular, the parameters of static deformability and hydro-mechanical coupling parameters are determined by the method according to the invention.
US09664647B2
An ion source for a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ultrasonic transducer which focuses ultrasonic energy onto a surface of a sample fluid without directly contacting the sample fluid.
US09664638B2
A biosensor system for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample includes a plurality of test sensors, and includes a container including a desiccant and the plurality of test sensors, sealed in the container. When the container is stored for two weeks at a temperature of 50° C., and each test sensor is subsequently removed from the container, connected through the at least two conductors to a measurement device and then contacted with one of a plurality of samples including an analyte, where the plurality of samples has analyte concentrations that span the range of 50 mg/dL-600 mg/dL, and the analyte concentration in each sample is determined by the test sensor and the measuring device, the bias of each determined analyte concentration may be within ±10 mg/dL or ±10%, and the coefficient of variation of the determined analyte concentrations may be at most 2.5%.
US09664633B2
A resistive hydrogen sensor has at least two electrical connections and at least one resistance layer containing at least one suitable material for incorporating hydrogen, via which the electrical connections are connected to each other. The resistance layer adjoins at least one interface on a contact layer, which contains at least one chemical element from the fourth subgroup of the periodic table and/or carbon. The contact layer connected in series between the electrical connections to the resistance layer.
US09664630B2
Disclosed is a humidity sensor including: a conductive material in which electric charges are charged; a charger which charges the electric charges in the conductive material; and a measurer which measures a change amount of the electric charges charged in the conductive material.
US09664624B2
A device for testing an application state of a plurality of strips of fiber reinforced plastic tape affixed in rows on a surface of a structure, the device includes an illumination component emits observation-use illuminating light beams toward a test region of the fiber reinforced plastic tape, an observation component observes reflected light from the test region, and a testing component tests the application state of the fiber reinforced plastic tape based on an image observed by the observation component. The illumination component includes a plurality of irradiation units that light simultaneously and are disposed such that a pair of the observation-use illuminating light beams are emitted from directions that are mutually symmetrical with respect to a normal line of the test region, and an illumination direction change component that changes the directions of the pair of observation-use illuminating light beams emitted from the illumination component about the normal line.
US09664612B2
A method and apparatus for generating three-dimensional image information is disclosed. The apparatus includes a lens having a single imaging path operable to direct light captured within a field of view of the lens to an aperture plane of the lens. The apparatus also includes a polarizer located proximate the aperture plane, the polarizer including a first portion disposed to transmit light having a first polarization state through a first portion of the single imaging path and a second portion disposed to transmit light having a second polarization state through a second portion of the single imaging path, the first and second portions of the single imaging path providing respective first and second perspective viewpoints within the field of view of the lens. The apparatus further includes a modulator disposed in the single imaging path, the modulator being operable to selectively change a polarization state of light passing through the modulator to alternate between forming a first image through the first portion of the single imaging path and forming a second image through the second portion of the single imaging path, the first image representing objects within the field of view from the first perspective viewpoint and the second image representing the objects from the second perspective viewpoint, the first and second images together being operable to represent three dimensional spatial attributes of the objects.
US09664603B2
An improved measurement method and a corresponding measurement device are provided that measure the edge strength of plate-shaped elements made of brittle-fracture material. For this purpose, a long sample is drawn apart at the short edges, wherein the force transmission points lie next to the center of gravity of the base surface of the sample.
US09664599B2
Methods and apparatuses for laser microdissection are provided. For example, by a user at least one first system parameter is adjusted, for example varied, and at least one second system parameter of the laser microdissection system is adjusted automatically by the laser microdissection system such that a cut line has a desired cut line parameter.
US09664597B2
A liquid collection device is provided. The device includes an input conduit, an output conduit, a plurality of product collection containers, and a valve block. The input and output conduits are connectable to a liquid processing line. The valve block has a valve block input in fluid communication with the input conduit, a valve block output in fluid communication with the output conduit, and a plurality of valves. The valves correspond in number to product collection containers and each valve places the input conduit in liquid communication with a different one of the product collection containers. An automated liquid collection workstation for use with the liquid collection device and a method of automatically collecting liquid from a processing line or vessel are also provided.
US09664596B2
A system may include an imaging device configured to acquire at least one image of a vehicle that emits exhaust, and an emissions test unit configured to receive the image(s) of the vehicle. The emissions test unit may include at least one processor configured to detect exhaust data from the image(s) and determine a vehicle emissions test result through an analysis of the exhaust data.
US09664595B2
An ERM method is provided that uses a mode of priority, when engine monitoring is performed during a key on. In addition, engine stall and RPM sudden increase are determined based on a revolution per minute (RPM) of an engine. A storage priority decision of a first D_RPM Data associated with the engine stall and a second D_RPM Data associated with the RPM sudden rise is performed and a prioritized one of the first D_RPM Data and the second D_RPM Data is stored as new data of an engine RPM monitoring data memory 30. Further, utilization of ERM data memory is increased by deleting previously stored data, and in particular, second D_RPM Data B1-B10 and first D_RPM Data A1-A10 subdivided after and before the RPM sudden increase and after and before the engine stall are used to more accurately determine causes of the engine stall.
US09664594B2
Various method for operating an engine responsive to transmission shifts under non-fueling conditions are provided. In one example, a method of operating an internal combustion engine comprises deactivating at least one engine cylinder, performing a diagnostic while the at least one engine cylinder is deactivated and while the engine is operating under high load, predicting a transmission shift, and responsive to the predicted transmission shift, reducing engine load below the high load and terminating the diagnostic.
US09664592B2
A planetary gear carrier pack transmission error inspection device is provided. The device includes a planetary gear carrier pack that outputs a rotation speed input to an input side through a planetary gear, a sun gear and a ring gear at a predetermined gear ratio to an output side. An input unit is arranged on an upper side of the planetary gear carrier pack to input a predetermined input rotation speed to the input side of the planetary gear carrier pack. A load unit is arranged on a lower side of the planetary gear carrier pack connected to the output side of the planetary gear carrier pack to apply a predetermined output load to the output side. In addition, an adjusting block is arranged to adjust the planetary gear carrier pack to secure the planetary gear carrier pack.
US09664590B2
A container has a tube-like or tubular shell, which is sealed against the surrounding atmosphere and has a weld seam at at least one end. For checking the tightness of the container the internal pressure in an interior space of the container is increased by means of external action and the thereby ensuing deformation of the weld seam is detected. Provisions are made in this connection for the weld seam to be clamped between clamping elements before increasing the internal pressure only in a partial area of its surface, which has a distance from the end of the weld seam facing the interior space.
US09664589B2
A fluid monitoring system has a plurality of sensors, the sensors being acoustically coupled to a pipe system containing interconnected fluid-transporting pipes. The sensors collect sensor data that is analyzed by an analysis system to provide leak identification on the pipe system. Each sensor in the plurality of sensors is configured to be programmed adaptively by the analysis system to improve system performance parameters. A method for analyzing fluid flow is also described in which data from a plurality of acoustic sensing devices is analyzed using learning algorithms.
US09664585B2
A method for calibrating a pressure sensor includes connecting the pressure sensor to first and second fluid storage vessels; providing an initial fluid pressure at the pressure sensor and at the fluid storage vessels; and carrying out a pressure measurement of the initial fluid pressure at a time t0. The method then disconnects the second fluid storage vessel from the pressure sensor and the first fluid storage vessel; provides a first fluid pressure at the second fluid storage vessel; and carries out a pressure measurement of the first fluid pressure at a time t1. The method then connects the second fluid storage vessel with the pressure sensor and the first fluid storage vessel, so that a second fluid pressure between the initial and first fluid pressures is provided at the pressure sensor; and carries out a pressure measurement of the second fluid pressure at a time t2.
US09664584B2
There is provided a method of monitoring a change in height of a device, the device comprising a sensor for measuring the air pressure at the device, the method comprising determining a pressure change threshold from a predetermined height change and an estimate or measurement of air pressure; obtaining a plurality of measurements of the air pressure at the device; determining a change in the air pressure from two or more of the measurements; and determining if the height of the device has changed by more than the predetermined height change using the determined change in the air pressure and the determined pressure change threshold.
US09664581B2
A pressure sensor includes a sensor chip that detects a pressure and generates an electric signal; a package that has an opening and an internal space in which the sensor chip is accommodated; and flying leads that protrude from the package into the internal space. The sensor chip is connected to the flying leads. Then, the sensor chip is disposed away from an inner wall of the package.
US09664580B2
A sheet material, contoured sheet material, or interface liner which is formulated and fabricated such that, when pressure is applied to said sheet material, contoured sheet material, or interface liner, said sheet material, contoured sheet material, or interface liner indicates the spot at which the pressure has been applied by effecting a change in the color or appearance of said sheet material contoured sheet material, or interface liner itself.
US09664578B2
A device for carrying out a test on a fluid circuit of an aircraft including a test unit which includes, at the inlet, at least one means of connection to a pressurized gas supply connected to means for regulating the pressure of the gas provided by the supply as a function of the test to be carried out and, at the outlet, at least two connection means connected to the means for regulating the pressure of the gas, wherein at least two connection means have different dimensions tailored to a range of pressures or a given pressure.
US09664575B2
A variable resistance flexure sensor, and a system and method of controlling an appliance using a variable resistance flexure sensor are provided. The sensor can include a substrate having a flexible portion and a non-flexible portion. A plurality of electrically resistive elements, such as a first resistive element and a second resistive element, can be disposed on the substrate where at least one resistive element is exclusively within the non-flexible portion of the substrate and at least one resistive element is within the flexible portion of the substrate. The resistive element within the non-flexible portion of the substrate can act as a reference resistance for the flexure sensor and can be used as, or as part of, a biasing network for the electrically resistive element within the flexible portion of the substrate. The flexure sensor can be used within an appliance to detect various conditions such as temperature, moisture, etc.
US09664573B2
A sensor device comprises an array of spaced apart sensor elements disposed in a pattern on a substrate. Each sensor element is connected electrically so that a physical variable measured by each sensor element independently can be recorded and/or displayed by an external instrument. The sensing device may be a temperature sensing device, in which case the sensor elements are temperature sensing elements such as negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors. Alternatively the sensing device may be a strain or pressure sensing device, or an optical imaging device, in which case the sensor elements include piezoresistors or photoresistors. The sensor elements may be connected in a common source or write all-read one configuration, in a common output or write one-read all configuration, or in an array comprising X rows and Y columns, in a write X-read Y configuration.
US09664562B1
A system includes a focal plane array (FPA), support structure, optical assembly, flexing structure, and drive actuator. The FPA includes multiple pixels. The FPA captures an image as image data during an integration time interval. The optical assembly is fixed to the support structure and forms an image of a scene at the FPA. The flexing structure is mechanically coupled to both the support structure and the FPA, and allows the FPA to move relative to the support structure. The actuator is mechanically coupled to the FPA, and drives the FPA to move relative to the support structure. Some FPA have all readout elements arranged in a first regular grid with constant spacing, while some detector elements are on that grid and other detector elements are on a different grid offset by less than the constant spacing to provide sub-pixel resolution.
US09664560B2
A double-grating surface-enhanced Raman spectrometer. The spectrometer includes a substrate; a plurality of nanofingers carried by the substrate, the nanofingers arranged to define a first optical grating; a light source oriented to project a beam of light toward the first optical grating; a second optical grating oriented to receive a beam of light scattered from the first optical grating; and a detector oriented to receive a beam of light scattered from the second optical grating.
US09664552B2
A system for sensing a fluid. The system including a fixed object; a first transducer generating a first sound wave in a horizontal direction and to detect a first echo of the first sound wave from the fixed object; a second transducer generating a second sound wave in a vertical direction; a temperature sensor detecting a temperature of the fluid; and a controller. The controller configured to produce a first signal to drive the first transducer to produce the first sound wave, produce a second signal to drive the second transducer to produce the second sound wave, receive a first indication of the detected first echo, receive a second indication of the detected second echo, receive a temperature indication, determine a quality of the fluid based on the first indication and the temperature indication, and determine a quantity of the fluid based on the second indication.
US09664544B2
A flowmeter of the thermal type, having a heated flow-sensing element and a temperature-sensing reference element, the elements constructed and arranged to be installed in a pressurized pipe. The flowmeter has one probe with the heated element and a separate second probe with the reference element. The probes are constructed and arranged to pass through the pipe wall in separate through-holes. There is a mounting structure such as a split ring that is adapted to be mounted to the pipe. Two valves operatively coupled to separate locations of the mounting structure, where one probe passes through each valve and into the pipe.
US09664543B2
The invention relates to a method for determining the flow or the flow rate of a medium in an electrically conductive object, in particular a pipe (1) or a pipeline, through which a medium flows. At least one ultrasonic wave (16) is produced by means of a transmitting transducer (11) in the object and is injected into the medium as a longitudinal wave (8) on an inner side of the object, and an ultrasonic signal, coming at least partially from the longitudinal wave (8), is received by the receiving transducer (12), at a spatial distance from the injection point and is used to evaluate the flow or the flow rate. Said transmitting transducer (11) produces, preferably in the absence of an acoustic coupling with the surface of the object, a first variable magnetic field in an area close to the surface of the object, in particular metallic, and a first ultrasonic wave is produced in said area by means of the interaction of said variable magnetic field with a static or quasi-static magnetic field. Said transmitting transducer (11) also produces an additional variable magnetic field in the area of the object and an additional ultrasonic wave is produced in said area by means of the interaction of the variable magnetic field with a static or quasi-static magnetic field, said other ultrasonic wave is superimposed on the first ultrasonic wave such that an amplitude of a resulting wave in the direction of the receiving transducer (12) is increased and is reduced in the direction away from said receiving transducer (12). Preferably, the first and the second magnetic fields are produced by two high frequency bobbins (18, 19) of the transmitting transducer (11). The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said inventive method.
US09664540B2
A device including an optical sensor is provided. The device includes a window including a first region, a second region and a partial region located between the first region and the second region, an optical sensor located inside one region among the first region and the second region, and a light blocking part formed in the partial region of the window.
US09664539B2
Methods and devices for determining a timestamp that represents a time a sensor sample was generated are described. In one aspect, a method includes: obtaining a sampling rate estimate for the sensor; determining an expected sample time based on the sampling rate estimate; detecting a sensor sample and assigning a reporting time to the detected sensor sample, the reporting time representing the time when the sensor sample was detected; and determining the timestamp for the sensor sample based on the expected sample time and the reporting time.
US09664536B2
A calibration system having an actuator with a rotatable shaft and a switch box housing a proximity switch and a calibration mechanism. The calibration mechanism is coupled to the shaft and includes a base, a target carrier, a driver, and an actuating button having a cam. The base includes a locating magnet, and the target carrier includes a primary magnet and a bias magnet polarized in the same direction as the locating magnet. The driver is shiftable between a first position in which the driver engages the target carrier and a second position disengaged from the target carrier. The cam engages the driver and shifts the driver between the first and second positions. Upon rotation of the shaft, the bias magnet automatically moves to a position aligned with the locating magnet when the driver is in the second position.
US09664534B2
Electromechanical apparatus including a wheel set and an analogue indicator member which are integral in rotation, a stepping motor, and a capacitive device for detection of the angular position of the wheel set, including a rotor, a stator and an electronic measuring circuit, the stator including a first pair of electrodes having a first capacitance and a second pair of electrodes having a second capacitance, the rotor being adapted such that the values of the two capacitances depend on the angular position of the rotor, and an electronic measuring circuit being provided for generating an output signal representative of a difference between the respective values of the first and of the second capacitance.
US09664533B2
A magnetic field generator disposed on one surface side of a sheet-shaped object-to-be-detected contains a magnetic component. The magnetic field generator includes a first magnetic pole part that forms a first magnetic pole, and a second magnetic pole part that forms a second magnetic pole with reverse polarity of the first magnetic pole. The magnetic field generator generates a cross magnetic field that crosses the object-to-be-detected. An MR element is disposed between the first magnetic pole part and the object-to-be-detected. The resistance value of the MR element changes according to a change in a component of the cross magnetic field in a conveying direction. The position of the MR element in the conveying direction is position shifted along the conveying direction from the center position of the first magnetic pole part in the conveying direction, and located between both ends of the first magnetic pole part in the conveying direction.
US09664524B1
A method, apparatus and non-transitory computer readable storage medium, in one embodiment, associating at least one wireless device and at least one user, requesting audio information from at least one remote source by the at least one wireless device, receiving the audio information from the remote source, broadcasting an audio identifier to the at least one wireless device, using the audio information, authenticating the association between the at least one wireless device and at least one transport, based on the audio information, determining at least one characteristic of the at least one user based on at least one of at least one user search history and at least one user preference selection and determining at least one probable route of the at least one transport based on the at least one characteristic and at least one of at least one route history and at least one input destination.
US09664520B2
Assistance data for indoor positioning is generated with vertical access areas, such as stairs, elevators, and escalators, identified along with predicted vertical movement models for the vertical access area. The predicted vertical movement models provide probabilities of movement to different floors by the vertical access areas. The assistance data may be generated by acquiring a floor plan data for a structure having multiple floors and analyzing the floor plan data to detect vertical access areas. The predicted vertical movement model for the vertical access area may then be generated and included in the assistance data along with the vertical access area. Mobile devices using the assistance data may provide vertical access area feedback information that may be used to modify the assistance data. For example, the probability of movement to different floors by a vertical access area may be modified, or additional vertical access areas identified.
US09664515B2
Micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) sensors and methods for detecting rates of rotation thereof. The MEMS sensor has at least one driving mass that oscillates along the x-axis, and at least one sensing mass coupled to the driving mass so that the sensing and driving masses move relative to each other in the x direction and are coupled for rotation together about the y and/or z axes. At least one anchor spring couples the driving or sensing mass to an anchor secured to a substrate. Rotation of the MEMS sensor is sensed by sensing relative movement between the substrate and sensing mass. During its oscillation, the driving mass generates an imbalance of the driving and sensing masses with respect to the anchor, and Coriolis forces cause the sensing and driving masses to rotate together about the y or z axis when the MEMS sensor rotates about the y or z axis.
US09664510B2
Method of tracking moveable objects (typically tagged objects that are moved by actors e.g. people, vehicles) by combining and analyzing data obtained from multiple types of sensors, such as video cameras, RFID tag readers, GPS sensors, and WiFi transceivers. Objects may be tagged by RFID tags, NFC tags, bar codes, or even tagged by visual appearance. The system operates in near real-time, and compensates for errors in sensor readings and missing sensor data by modeling object and actor movement according to a plurality of possible paths, weighting data from some sensors higher than others according to estimates of sensor accuracy, and weighing the probability of certain paths according to various other rules and penalty cost parameters. The system can maintain a comprehensive database which can be queried as to which actors associate with which objects, and vice versa. Other data pertaining to object location and association can also be obtained.
US09664485B1
An aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle with an improved control system, an improved control system, or a method of maneuvering an aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle uses control surfaces that are movable along a track. The control system on a track (or “tracked control surface”) advantageously enables the aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle to have an unlimited number of configurations, each configuration being tailored to the specific stability or maneuverability requirements during a specific portion of the flight by adjusting the center of pressure of the aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle relative to its center of gravity.
US09664479B1
An adjustable stock for a firearm having a first side, a second side, and a bottom side. The stock includes a fixed body attachable to the firearm and a moveable body slideably connected to the fixed body. The second body includes a butt of the stock. A position selector is disposed to selectively fix the relative position of the moveable body to the fixed body. The position selector is disposed on one of a first side and a bottom side. A position retention device provides a second point of selective fixation between the fixed body and the moveable body. The position retention device is disposed on one of a first side and a bottom side.
US09664473B2
A handle for manipulating a firearm rod, such as a firearm cleaning rod, and methods of using same. The handle is selectively movable along the length of the rod to desired positions along the length of the rod. The handle can be releasably secured to the rod at the desired positions. When the handle is releasably secured to the rod, the rod can rotate with respect to a body of the handle about the longitudinal axis of the rod.
US09664470B2
A drum-type magazine in which a cartridge loading space for being loaded with cartridges can be formed in a drum unit when rotating a cartridge guide unit by an operation of a cartridge loading unit, and the cartridge loading unit can be immediately returned to an initial position thereof, so a user can easily load the magazine with cartridges using a small force. The drum-type magazine is also configured such that, even when the magazine is repeatedly used over a lengthy period of time and the elasticity of a tension member is reduced, the elasticity of the tension member can be increased by rotating a tension control unit, so the magazine can be efficiently loaded with cartridges and can efficiently support the loaded cartridges.
US09664464B2
Invention refers to a breech mechanism of a pistol with a barrel which is tilting during the recoil. Barrel (1) ledge (3) at the bottom has long slots (7), placed along its lateral surfaces, which intrude in corresponding guides (8), performed in frame (5), and the front side of the barrel (1) is placed in the slide (4) guiding hole 6.Besides that, barrel (1) ledge (3) has opened transverse slot (9) with radial edges, situated with bottom-upward tilt and close lateral hole (13). In the long slot (9) the roller (10) is placed, which is pressed up by the spring (11), situated at the closed hole (13), closed by the socket (12). On the inner sidewalls of the frame (5) bevels (14) are performed, on which the roller (10) ends are sliding and on the inner sidewalls of the slide (4) cuts (15) are performed, wherein the roller (10) ends intrude, when the slide (4) is on the forward position.
US09664463B2
A cleaning apparatus comprising a first fluid delivery system configured to eject a first fluid through a first nozzle toward a surface to be cleaned; a second fluid delivery system configures to eject a second fluid through a second nozzle toward the surface to be cleaned, wherein the second fluid comprises a compressed gas at a pressure greater than 345 kilopascals (50 pounds per square inch); a housing configured to partially surround and mount the first and second nozzles; a connector configured to couple the first fluid delivery system to a first fluid source; and a connector configured to couple the second fluid delivery system to a second fluid source.
US09664453B2
An aluminum pipe and heat pipe package is formed by inserting a heat pipe into a hollow aluminum pipe, and then processing the combination of the heat pipe and hollow aluminum pipe through a series of extrusion molding steps. The extrusion molding steps are performed by means of opposing top and bottom extrusion dies and opposing left and right necking dies to reduce the gap between the hollow aluminum pipe and the heat pipe. Consequently, the hollow aluminum pipe and the heat pipe are peripherally tightly fitted together, and the two opposite open ends of the hollow aluminum pipe are completely blocked up.
US09664449B2
A heat exchanger system containing a heat exchanger coupled to a fitting. The fitting contains a tube having a heat exchanger attachment end and an opposing end. The fitting further having a sleeve, having a sleeve body connecting a first end of the sleeve to an overlapping end. The first end of the sleeve being coupled to an outer surface of the tube and the sleeve body and the second end of the sleeve being spaced from the outer surface of the tube defining a space for receiving a conduit and adapted for coupling the fitting to the conduit. Also described is a fitting that can be attached to a conduit.
US09664447B2
Disclosed are a fibrous insulation block which can improve work efficiency of lining construction in various types of refractory furnace in iron works, and a construction method for a heated furnace-surface lining using the same. Specifically disclosed is a fibrous insulation block which comprises: a unit block (2) formed by laminating fibrous insulation blankets under pressure; a packing material (3) which has a pressing surface abutting section (5) covering at least a part of each pressing surface (2a, 2b) which are the side surfaces of the unit block in the direction in which the blankets are laminated, and a heating surface protection section (6) connected to the pressing surface abutting section so as to cover at least a part of a heating surface (2c) of the unit block, and in which a boundary section (7) between the pressing surface abutting section and the heating surface protection section covers an angle section formed by the pressing surfaces and the heating surface of the unit block; and a binding band (4) which maintains the shape of the unit block (2) using the packing material (3). The heating surface protection section (6) of the packing material (3) can be moved by the removal of the binding band and disposed on the same plane as the pressing surface abutting section, and has handhold sections (10) provided therein.
US09664437B2
A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a freezer compartment, a fresh food compartment, a door providing access to the refrigerator, and a beverage dispensing system. The beverage dispensing system includes a beverage cartridge. The beverage cartridge includes a filter, a pump, and a beverage medium, wherein the beverage medium is combined with water to produce a flavored beverage. The beverage medium may be a powder or a syrup, which when mixed with water, produces a desired flavored beverage. The beverage cartridge is combined and connected with the beverage dispensing unit to filter and pump water in to pass through and mix with the flavor medium to produce a flavored beverage which may be passed through the refrigerator to an output where a user can fill a container with the flavored beverage.
US09664435B2
A door of a refrigerator includes a front panel formed of a metal material, a display unit including a display portion which is disposed at a rear side of the front panel and on which operating information of the refrigerator is displayed when the display portion becomes bright or dark, and a plurality of through holes formed in a region of the front panel corresponding to the display portion. Although the display unit is hidden inside the door, information displayed on the display unit can be seen to a user through the plurality of through holes.
US09664427B2
Various embodiments of multi-step snowmaking guns are disclosed. More particularly, embodiments of a six-step, a four-step and a single step snowmaking gun are disclosed. Embodiments of the multi-step snowmaking guns may generally characterized by having a bottom manifold connected to a main mast, which is connected to a nozzle manifold, which in turn may be connected to a multi-step fluid nozzle. Embodiments of the multi-step snowmaking guns may further be generally characterized as having a nucleator head connected to a nucleator mast which is in turn also connected to the nozzle manifold.
US09664421B1
A solar-thermal refrigerant compression system employing refrigerants, such as R410a and R500, and a method of employing the system in refrigeration and air-conditioning units. The system includes a refrigerant storage tank, an evaporator, a mixing chamber, a condenser and an isochoric thermal compressor comprising a condensate heat exchanger and a heating coil connected to a solar collector field.
US09664420B2
A secondary coolant refrigeration system powered primarily by a photovoltaic source and by an alternating current (AC) source as a backup is disclosed. The secondary coolant refrigeration system has a pump for pumping secondary coolant fluid through a secondary coolant fluid loop. The system includes a variable frequency drive for controlling the speed of the pump. The variable frequency drive includes drive circuitry configured to provide variable frequency power to the pump via an output interface. The variable frequency drive also includes a first interface configured to receive power from the photovoltaic source and a second interface configured to receive power from the AC source. The circuit is further configured to cause the variable speed drive to be powered by the photovoltaic source when the power received from the first interface is adequate and by the AC source when the power received from the first interface is not adequate.
US09664419B2
A heat pump device for a vehicle capable of effectively utilizing the heat of structural members. This heat pump device for a vehicle comprises: an electric compressor for compressing and discharging refrigerant and a high-temperature water-refrigerant heat exchanger for conducting heat exchange between the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged by the electric compressor and a first cooling liquid which is antifreeze, the high-temperature water-refrigerant heat exchanger surrounding and being in contact with the electric compressor so as to be capable of heat exchange with the electric compressor.
US09664418B2
A variable-efficiency screw compressor for use in a closed-loop system configured to perform refrigeration is provided. The variable-efficiency screw compressor includes an inlet port to draw refrigerant into the variable-efficiency screw compressor, one or more rotating screws in fluid communication with the inlet port to compress the refrigerant, forming a compressed refrigerant, a discharge port in fluid communication with the rotating screws to receive the compressed refrigerant and discharge the refrigerant, wherein the discharge port includes an adjustable piston movable within the discharge port from a first position in which volume is higher to a second position in which volume is lower, the adjustable piston arranged and disposed to adjust volume of the discharge port in response to a change in demand.
US09664416B2
A mirror (31) that reflects solar light, a rear plate (35) that supports a rear surface of the mirror (31), and a support frame (36) that is disposed on a rear surface of the rear plate (35) are prepared. Next, the rear plate (35) and the support frame (36) are joined to each other. Moreover, an adhesive agent is disposed between the mirror (31) and the rear plate (35), the mirror (31), the rear plate (35), and the support frame (36) are elastically deformed so that a reflecting surface of the mirror (31) forms a target three-dimensional curved surface, using a lower mold (51) and an upper mold (52), and the elastically deformed state is maintained until the adhesive agent is cured.
US09664410B2
A rack device includes a housing at which an electronic device and an air conditioner are installed; a partition plate that divides a space in the housing into a first space in which the electronic device is disposed and a second space in which the air conditioner is disposed; and a shielding member that divides the second space into a space in which an outlet of the air conditioner is disposed and which is coupled to a suction side of the electronic device in the first space and a space in which an inlet of the air conditioner is disposed and which is coupled to a discharge side of the electronic device in the first space.
US09664404B2
Device for thermal energy exchange between a first medium flow and a second medium flow, including a heat exchanger that facilitates alternating of the direction of the media flows therethrough, a first supply duct for conducting the first medium flow connecting to the heat exchanger, a first exhaust duct for conducting the first medium flow connecting to the first exhaust duct, a second supply duct for conducting a second medium flow connecting to the heat exchanger, and a second exhaust duct for conducting the second medium flow connecting to the heat exchanger. The device also includes a first heat exchanger element placed in one of the ducts and a second heat exchanger element placed in one of the ducts, wherein the heat exchanger elements are both included in a Carnot circuit having an expansion device and a compressor. The heat exchanger exchanges both thermal energy and phase transition energy.
US09664394B2
A multi-ring gas burner includes a burner head positioned on a burner base such that the burner base and the burner head define a fuel chamber of an outer burner ring. A cap is positioned on the burner head. The cap has a ledge that extends over a plurality of flame ports of the outer burner ring.
US09664390B2
The invention refers to burner arrangement for producing hot gases to be expanded in a gas turbine, including a burner inside a plenum, where the burner has means for fuel injection, means for air supply and means for generating an ignitable fuel/air mixture inside the burner, and a combustion chamber following downstream said burner having an outlet being fluidly connected to the gas turbine. The invention is characterized in that the means for air supply includes at least two separate flow passages, and that the one of the two flow passages is fed by a first supply pressure and the other flow passage is fed by a second supply pressure.
US09664380B2
A gas cutting tip includes a flow path connector coupled to an outlet of a cutter head; an oxygen nozzle coupled to a center of a lower end of the flow path connector; a gas nozzle, wherein a first front end part of the oxygen nozzle protrudes to the outside farther than a second front end part thereof, a semispherical recess is formed inside the second front end part, a waterproof protrusion is formed at an upper end of the gas nozzle, a waterproof groove is formed at a lower end of the flow path connector, a first screw part is formed along an upper periphery of the flow path connector, a coupling nut is coupled to the first screw part, an insertion groove is formed at a center of an upper surface of the coupling nut, and a sealing pad is inserted into the insertion groove.
US09664379B2
A heat recovery apparatus recovers steam drain including at least one of steam used in a different device and drain where the steam used in the different device is condensed so as to recover heat contained in the steam drain. The heat recovery apparatus includes a pump, which circulates water accumulated in a tank through circulation pipes, an ejector, which is interposed in the circulation pipes and suctions the steam drain and mixes the steam drain with the circulating water so as to recover the steam drain, and a ball tap and a temperature controller, which perform temperature control of the water in the tank by replenishing the tank with tap water after a part of the water in the tank is discharged in the case where the water in the tank has reached a preliminarily set first temperature.
US09664378B2
An energy efficient electrically operated steam generator is capable of producing pressure less high temperature as well as superheated steam. It comprise of main body (14) defined by side wall, roof (2) and open bottom, securely fixed to the rim of water holding tray (7). Said roof is provided with steam outlet nozzles (16) to allow the steam to emerge out of the steam generator. A porous ceramic honeycomb (3) with plurality of parallel channels (4), and grooves (5) or holes (23) are created therein for inserting heating element (6). One end of all the channels (4) is always submerged in water (11) in tray (7), and the other end of most of the channels is open to the roof and both ends of the heating element are connected to the power source for heating the water to generate steam.
US09664372B1
An illumination harness with sliding vertical track support has an adjustable waist belt, an adjustable shoulder strap, a forward facing illumination light and a vertical track that the light is frictionally mounted on. The vertical track is mounted at the front midpoint of the waste belt and extends upward. The light is frictionally mounted so that its vertical position can be adjusted by hand, but it will remain in place when hanging by its own weight.
US09664359B2
An object of the present invention is to preventing the propagation of light to improve the display quality of the light emitting device. A light emitting device according to an embodiment has a case, a base member disposed at a front side of the case, a plurality of light emitting elements mounted at the front side of the base member, and a cover covering the light emitting elements. The cover has a light transmissive member integrally covering the plurality of light emitting elements, and a light-blocking member disposed at a front side of the light transmissive member and having openings anterior to the light emitting elements respectively. Further, the light transmissive member has, on its back surface, a back-side rough surface portion in a region different from the region facing the front surfaces of the light emitting elements.
US09664352B2
The invention relates to a headlight lens for a vehicle headlight, in particular for a motor vehicle headlight, wherein the headlight lens has an, in particular blank-pressed, integral body which is composed of a transparent material and has at least one light entry surface and has at least one optically active light exit surface, characterized in that the integral body comprises a light tunnel which merges with a bend in a light conduction part for forming the bend as a light/dark boundary, wherein the radiation power of the light which enters the headlight lens through the light entry surface and exits from the light exit surface (for forming the bend as a light/dark boundary) is at least 80% of the radiation power of the light which enters the headlight lens through the light entry surface.
US09664350B2
A vehicle lamp includes an optical unit and a light source control circuit part. The optical unit is unitized by attaching a light source and an optical member to an attachment part. In a state where the optical unit is unitized, the light source control circuit part is attachable to the attachment part in a direction in which the light source and the optical member are not disposed.
US09664343B2
A unitary heat sink that includes fins and roots configured to provide improved thermal management for solid state light sources. In an embodiment, the unitary heat sink includes a central hub portion composed of a thermally conducting metal, a plurality of fins projecting away from the central hub portion in a first direction, and a plurality of roots projecting away from the central hub portion in a second direction generally opposite from the first direction.
US09664339B2
A semiconductor incandescent lamp retrofit lamp may include: at least one semiconductor light source, at least one light scattering body, and at least one optical waveguide, into which light of the at least one semiconductor light source can be coupled, wherein the at least one light scattering body is configured and arranged for the purpose of diffusely emitting light supplied thereto from the at least one semiconductor light source by way of the at least one optical waveguide.
US09664337B2
Apparatus for transporting a device along a tower, which comprises a rail susceptible of being fixed to a tower and extended according to a substantially rectilinear guide direction, and a trolley slidably constrained to the rail and adapted to support a device to be transported provided with at least one power cable. The rail comprises at least one hollow shaped profile with elongated form, which is longitudinally extended according to the guide direction between a lower edge thereof and an upper edge thereof, and is provided with an internal surface which defines a guide seat in which the trolley is slidably housed and in which the power cable of the device is susceptible to pass.
US09664336B2
An apparatus, a system and a method secures, attaches and/or detaches a device to a fixture. A post with an interior secures a retractable reel. The retractable reel has a cable that attaches, connects and/or secures the device to the fixture. The cable extends from the retractable reel and/or extends through the post. A head unit attaches to the device and has a fastening mechanism for connecting and/or for disconnecting the cable to the device. The post has a recession for receiving a head unit and/or for aligning the head unit and/or the device. A fastener and/or an adhesive connects, secures and/or attaches the device to the head unit. A key disconnects the cable from the head unit.
US09664326B2
A tool is provided for closing and sealing the open end of a pipe in connection with hydraulic pressure testing. The tool is inserted into the pipe lumen and can be operated from outside. It comprises inner and outer, opposed circumferential clamps; a front plate braced against the pipe end face; a movable back plate internal of the pipe lumen; and an O-ring, carried by the back plate, which can be squeezed by pressing the back plate against the inner clamp. Ports extend through the back plate to the upper and lower ends of its peripheral surface, for bottom filling and top venting of the pipe lumen.
US09664325B2
A pipe connecting device having a joint body including a fitting cylinder to which a flared synthetic resin-made tube is to be externally fitted, an external thread formed on a radially outward side of the fitting cylinder; and a union nut including an internal thread screwed with the external thread, and a tube pressing portion that presses a diameter changing portion formed between a flared portion in the tube, and a non-flared portion, in the direction of the axis. In a fastening completion state in which the tube pressing portion is caused to press the diameter changing portion by a screw advancement of the union nut, the screw advancement being produced by screwing the internal thread to the external thread, positions of a basal end of the external thread and a tip end of the union nut in the directions of axes coincident with each other.
US09664317B2
A connection having at least one double-walled pipe of stainless steel connected to an LNG tank is disclosed, the LNG tank having an inner shell of stainless steel and an outer shell spaced at a distance from the inner shell, the inner and outer shells defining an isolation space therebetween. The at least one double-walled pipe includes a common outer wall and at least one inner pipe. The outer wall of the pipe is connected to the inner shell of the tank in such a way that the outer wall and/or a pipe fitting of cold resistant material between the inner shell and the outer wall is arranged to compensate for changes in the length of the outer wall of the pipe and/or of the pipe fitting due to temperature differences between the outer wall of the pipe and the inner shell of the tank.
US09664312B2
The present invention relates to a multilayer hose for compressed air comprising, in this order:an outer layer (1) made of polyamide,optionally an intermediate layer (2) of a polymer having a flexural modulus of less than 500 MPa,an inner layer (3) of a polymer having a flexural modulus of greater than 1100 MPa, the inner layer (3) being in contact with the compressed air.
US09664305B1
A pipe pulling technique where an adaptor is attached to the end of the pipe prior to the pipe being pulled underground, for example through a drilled hole. Attaching the adaptor to the pipe end prior to the pipe being pulled underground is faster and reduces danger to workers compared to the conventional process of attaching the adaptor to the end of the pipe after the pipe has been pulled underground.
US09664304B2
A normally closed valve for microfluidic components includes a polymer substrate and a polymer membrane film arranged on the polymer substrate. The polymer substrate has a first chamber, a second chamber, and a fluidic barrier element configured to separate the first chamber from the second chamber. The first chamber is fluidically coupled to the second chamber by the polymer membrane film, and, in an initial configuration, a connection of the polymer membrane film to the fluidic barrier element prevents a fluidic communication of the first chamber to the second chamber. The first chamber is at least partially filled with a substance in the initial configuration, and a transfer of the substance from the first chamber into the second chamber takes place by applying a pressure to the substance. The pressure is chosen to be great enough to disconnect the connection of the polymer membrane film to the fluidic barrier element.
US09664302B2
A flow rate control device includes a needle valve mounted within a body section and is configured such that the needle valve is advanced and retracted within the body section by the rotation of a handle, thereby adjusting the flow rate of fluid flowing between a first port and a second port. The handle is surrounded by a cover to prevent a change in the adjusted flow rate.
US09664289B2
Described is a device (1) for sealing a power station pump. The device (1) includes a pump housing (10) with first and second ducts (15, 16) for passage of a fluid, and a shaft (20) including a first passage (51) for the fluid, a mechanical packing (70) mounted between the shaft (20) and the pump housing (10) and friction elements for rubbing-together a rotating part (71) and a stationary part (72).
US09664288B2
A lip seal-type shaft seal device that exhibits no leakage when at rest; operates under fluid lubrication and prevents leakage when rotating, including during initial rotation; and enables a balance between seal integrity and lubrication is provided. The device includes a plurality of discontinuous pumping areas for generating pumping action via the relative rotational sliding of a lip seal and a rotating member is formed in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating member. The plurality of pumping areas is provided with suction portion of pumping areas operating in a direction in which a sealed fluid is drawn in and discharge portion of pumping areas operating in a direction in which the sealed fluid is expelled. A lip of the lip of the lip seal extends in an axial direction towards an atmosphere side, leaving part of the pumping areas uncovered on a sealed fluid side.
US09664286B2
A gasket includes: a spiral wound gasket; a first O-ring member located inner side of the spiral wound gasket; a second O-ring member located outer side of the spiral wound gasket; a first core spring located inside the first O-ring member; a second core spring located inside the second O-ring member; a first jacket formed with an opening portion and accommodating the spiral wound gasket, the first O-ring member, and the second O-ring member inside thereof through the opening portion; a second jacket formed with an opening portion at the one end thereof and accommodating the spiral wound gasket, the first O-ring member, and the second O-ring member, and the first jacket inside thereof through the opening portion; a first sealing layer being formed on the first jacket; a second sealing layer to cover the first sealing layer; and a third sealing layer being formed on the second jacket.
US09664285B2
A flat seal having at least one single-piece sheet-metal seal layer is provided, which has at least one first layer region provided with at least one medium through opening and, outside the first layer region, at least one second layer region and, with the flat seal installation-ready, has a pre-determined outer contour, wherein the flat seal for the medium through opening has a medium-sealing device. In order to reduce the material requirement for manufacturing the seal layer, the seal layer is configured so that at least one sub-region of the second layer lying outside the medium-sealing device region of the seal layer is formed by a region of the sheet-metal layer that is stretched in the layer plane to achieve the pre-determined outer contour.
US09664283B2
A captivated seal assembly is disclosed. The seal assembly may include a metal seat shield, an annular elastomeric seal and a metal bonding ring. The metal bonding ring is preferably bonded to and fully encapsulated within the annular elastomeric seal. The composite metal bonding ring and elastomeric seal is contained in an annular recess formed in the metal seat shield. The metal bonding ring is secured to the metal seat shield, thereby retaining the elastomeric seal within the annular recess of the metal seat shield. The metal bonding ring may include a plurality of support pads for engagement with an annular back wall of the metal seat shield.
US09664273B2
A power-assisted steering system includes an intermediate housing, a motor cone housing coupled to the intermediate housing, and a control shaft arranged along a control shaft axis for rotation about the control shaft axis. The system further includes an assist drive shaft arranged in a plane that is substantially transverse to the control shaft axis, the assist drive shaft being supported relative to the vehicle structure by a first bearing assembly and a second bearing assembly and defining a drive shaft axis, a worm disposed about the assist drive shaft, and a worm gear coupled to the control shaft. The worm gear and control shaft are configured for rotation about the control shaft axis.
US09664268B2
A ball screw device includes a ball circulation part having a ball circulation path. The ball circulation part is formed by combining a first split body and a second split body. The first split body has a fixing section fixed to an outer surface of a nut member. The second split body has a pair of leg sections configured to scoop up balls moving along a ball load rolling path and return the balls to the ball load rolling path, a connecting section configured to connect the pair of leg sections and disposed between the first split body and the nut member, and a pair of shoulder sections facing side surfaces of the first split body in two directions so as to sandwich the first split body between the pair of shoulder sections.
US09664262B2
A force transmission mechanism for a teleoperated surgical instrument may include a gear, a push/pull drive element, and a connection element. The push/pull drive element may be configured to transmit force to actuate an end effector of the surgical instrument and to rotate with a shaft of the surgical instrument when the shaft is rotated by the force transmission mechanism. The connection element may operatively couple the gear and the push/pull drive element. The connection element may be configured to convert rotational movement of the gear to a substantially linear movement of the push/pull drive element. The connection element may be configured to rotate with the push/pull drive element and relative to the gear.
US09664255B2
In a power unit for a saddle-type vehicle a locking pin on a shift drum side is fixed to a shift spindle and a detection shaft of a shift position sensor is interlocked and connected with the shift drum, the friction surface between the shift arm and the locking pin is reduced with suppression of the lowering of the rigidity of the shift arm to enable smooth gear shifting. An engagement hole in a shift arm allows insertion and engagement of a locking pin and has an elongated hole shape extending along one diameter line of a shift spindle. An insertion hole in the shift arm has an arc shape centered at the center axis line of the shift spindle to allow insertion of an interlocking shaft coaxially connected to the shift drum to be incapable of rotation relative to it.
US09664254B2
A split ring planetary drive of an electric phaser includes at least one planet gear adjuster and at least one load generator. The load generator biases the planet gear adjuster, such that at a low rotational speed, the planet gear adjuster applies a force on the planet gear to take up the backlash between the planet gear and the ring gears. As the rotational speed increases, the inertia of a mass of the planet gear adjuster generates an increasing force opposing the force of the load generator, causing the planet gear adjuster to move at least one planet gear to a position where the at least one planet gear no longer takes up the backlash. In some embodiments, the planet gear adjuster includes an eccentric pin and an extension arm. In other embodiments, the planet gear adjuster includes a pivot support for a pair of inner and outer planet gears.
US09664244B2
A pad includes: a lining; a plate; a first shim installed at a surface of the plate which is opposite to the lining; and a second shim installed at a surface of the first shim which is opposite to the plate, a first hook overhanging at an outer circumferential edge section of the plate and hooked to the outer circumferential edge section of the plate is formed at the first shim, a second hook is formed at the second shim at an outer side of the first hook in a disk radial direction, and the second hook is configured to be hooked to a part of the plate with which the first hook does not come in contact.
US09664236B2
A constant velocity joint includes an outer member defining a plurality of outer member ball tracks and an inner member defining a plurality of inner member ball tracks. The outer member ball tracks and the inner member ball tracks cooperate to define a plurality of uniform funnels having a uniform width along a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of diverging funnels having a diverging width along the longitudinal axis. A drive ball is disposed within each of the uniform funnels and the diverging funnels. A cage is disposed between the outer member and the inner member, and defines a plurality of windows with one of the drive balls disposed within each of the windows. The diverging funnels urge the drive balls along the longitudinal axis to pre-load the cage, while the uniform funnels do not urge the drive balls along the longitudinal axis, thereby reducing the amount of heat generated between the cage and the drive balls.
US09664229B2
A connecting rod for a device includes a rod having a large end, and a cap attached to the large end. The large end of the rod and the cap cooperate to define a first side surface and a second side surface disposed opposite to each other. The large end of the rod and the cap further define a crankshaft bore that extends along a crank axis between the first side surface and the second side surface. A thrust surface is defined by at least one of the first side surface or the second side surface, and is disposed on a thrust plane. The thrust surface includes at least one recessed region that extends inward away from the thrust plane of the thrust surface. Each of the thrust surfaces include ramps that extend between the recessed regions and the flat regions at the thrust plane of the thrust surface.
US09664228B2
A connection between two components and a method for connecting two components. The two components have plug-together portions with profiles which can be plugged into one another, the plug-together portions of the two components being plugged into one another in an overlapping region, and a winding region of the two components which at least partially coincides with the overlapping region being wound around by a winding of fiber-reinforced plastic.
US09664224B2
A ring nut. A suspension ring includes a base having a sleeve with a threaded bore that is rotatably mounted in a penetration opening. The sleeve is supported by a circumferential annular collar at a bearing surface, surrounding the penetration opening, that is on an exterior at the end of the sleeve facing away from the underside of the base with a non-rotationally symmetrical head profile. The sleeve protrudes at the lower end into a central opening of a disc resting against the underside of the base and is connected thereto in a rotationally fixed manner but does not project at the underside from the disc. A locking member on the base can be brought into a locking position, cooperating with the head profile for locking in the rotational direction, and into a neutral position where the head profile is released in the direction of rotation.
US09664215B2
Disclosed is a removable compact hinge for pivotal connection between a furniture piece and a door. The apparatus incorporates a clamping attachment mechanism in order to avoid permanent mounting holes and to provide quick installation and adjustable installation location. The apparatus comprises a hinge cup pivotally connected to an attachment mechanism ion with a hinge arm. The attachment mechanism comprises a base slidably engaged with a sliding body, the sliding body including an adjustable pressure plate. A lever works with a set of links to slide the sliding body with respect to the base towards the furniture piece and mechanically and releasably clamp the attachment mechanism to the furniture piece without the use of typical wood screws thereby preserving the integrity of the furniture piece. The apparatus further includes adjustability in the vertical, horizontal, and lateral directions.
US09664207B2
The method of safely handling compressed gas in a dual bottle subsea accumulator during service operations comprising providing a gas bottle for the primary purpose of storing gas which will be compressed to provide accumulated energy, providing a hydraulic bottle with the primary purpose of converting the energy stored in the gas bottle into pressurized hydraulic supply fluid, providing interconnecting plates at the top and bottom of the gas bottle and the hydraulic bottle with porting to communicate the gas from the gas bottle to the hydraulic bottle, providing a first closure valve in a protected position within the top of the gas bottle, providing a second closure valve in a protected position within the bottom of the gas bottle, expelling a majority of the gas from the hydraulic bottle into the gas bottle, closing the first closure valve and the second closure valve, and removing the interconnecting plates from the gas bottle and the hydraulic bottle, and servicing the hydraulic bottle.
US09664204B2
A structural assembly for a fluid-flow machine includes a main flow path boundary a row of relatively rotating blades with a gap existing between the blade ends and the main flow path boundary. A secondary flow duct is connected to the main flow path via two openings. A structural assembly has at least one support component and at least one insertion component. A structure extending in the circumferential direction and receiving or holding at least one insertion component along the circumference is provided in the support component. Each insertion component forms with at least some of its faces at least part of the main flow path boundary. Each secondary flow duct is jointly limited along at least part of its course by faces of at least two components of the structural assembly.
US09664203B2
A fan serial connection structure includes a series fan assembly and a connection member assembly. The series fan assembly includes a first fan frame and a second fan frame serially connected with the first fan frame. The connection member assembly includes a first connection member and a second connection member. The first connection member has a first locating section and two first side sections respectively connected with two ends of the first locating section. The second connection member has a second locating section and two second side sections respectively connected with two ends of the second locating section. The first and second locating sections are respectively assembled and connected with two opposite sides of the series fan assembly in the serial connection position. The first and second side sections are respectively assembled and connected with two other opposite sides of the series fan assembly in the serial connection position.
US09664188B2
A variable displacement vane pump includes: a rotor to be rotatively driven; a plurality of vanes slidably housed in the rotor; a cam ring allowed of eccentric with respect to a center of the rotor, the cam ring having an inner circumferential cam surface in sliding contact with a distal end portion of the vane; a pump chamber defined by the adjacent vanes, the rotor, and the cam ring; a suction port to guide hydraulic fluid to be suctioned to the pump chamber; and a discharge port to guide hydraulic fluid to be discharged from the pump chamber. An outer circumference of an opening portion of the suction port is formed so as to be positioned along the inner circumferential cam surface of the cam ring or at an outside of the inner circumferential cam surface regardless of eccentricity of the cam ring with respect to the rotor.
US09664182B2
An SMA wire actuating element is described, having a shape memory alloy wire intended to be operably connected to an actuatable element of an actuator device, and a first and a second elongated elements made of a non-SMA material. The elongated elements are respectively restrained at a first end thereof to the ends of the shape memory alloy wire by way of crimping means of the SMA wire actuating element. The SMA wire actuating element further has a first and a second connection means intended to be operably connected to a body of the actuator device. The elongated elements are respectively restrained at a second end thereof to the connection means, whereby the portion of each elongated element comprised between its first and second ends is free to move between the crimping means and the connection means.
US09664178B2
Embodiments relate to integrated circuits, systems and methods for combined sensing and heating functions in structures suitable for use in deicing, heating and other applications. In an embodiment, an integrated circuit is coupled to a heating element and configured to control operation of the heating element to provide heat as well as to utilize the heating element as at least part of a sensing structure to sense the presence of ice, water or air on or near the heating element. In embodiments, the heating element comprises a conductive polymer structure, and the presence of ice, water or air is sensed based on a capacitance, impedance or other spectroscopy of the structure sensed and analyzed by integrated circuitry coupled to the structure.
US09664177B2
The invention is directed to a method for cleaning a brake of a wind turbine. The brake has a brake disc and at least one brake unit, wherein the brake disc and the brake unit can be moved relative to one another via a drive. The method includes fastening a cleaning plate to the brake disc; releasing at least one brake unit; moving the brake disc and the brake unit relative to one another so that the cleaning plate is moved past a brake pad of the brake unit while making applied contact engagement to the brake pad; and, dismounting the cleaning plate from the brake disc.
US09664172B2
The invention relates to a wind power station (1) for energy generation with an axial-flow, rotating, vortex-generating wind concentrator (2) pivot-mounted on a shaft (3), covered by a ring-shaped outer jacket (4) which on its outside features flow channels distributed over 360° and which is equipped concentrator blades (7) in a circular arrangement between the shaft (3) and the ring-shaped outer jacket (4). To create favorable conditions, it is proposed to include sawtooth-shaped, curved edge-vortex-generating guide profiles (5) producing a downstream vortex coil across the entire cross-section of the ring-shaped outer jacket (4).
US09664171B2
A system including at least one tunnel is configured for immersion in a moving mass. An energy collector is disposed in the at least one tunnel. The energy collector has at least an open state and a collapsed state where the collector in the open state collects at least an energy of at least a part of the moving mass passing through the at least one tunnel. Alternate activation of an actuator device joined to the energy collector and an activator joined to a weight implement alternately transitions the energy collector to the open and closed state. The alternate transition of the energy collector imparts a reciprocating motion of the energy collector and the weight implement. A cable system joins the actuators for transferring the reciprocating motion. A pulley system translates the reciprocating motion to a rotational force for driving rotational mechanisms.
US09664163B2
Provided is a terminal structure of a high-pressure fuel pipe for a direct injection engine which can prevent stress concentration to a brazed portion between a pipe and a connection part effectively. In the terminal structure of a high-pressure fuel pipe for a direct injection engine where a connection head is brazed to an end of a fuel pipe, the end of the fuel pipe continued to a fuel pipe insertion portion of the connection head is provided with a drawn portion, an outer diameter D1 of the drawn portion to a fuel pipe diameter D satisfies 0.8D≦D1≦0.9D, and a length L1 of the drawn portion having the outer diameter D1 in a pipe-axial direction from an end of the fuel pipe insertion portion satisfies L1≧0.06D.
US09664162B2
A sealing device exhibits a sealing function even when it is in a state in which squeeze of a seal ring is reduced and in a low-temperature condition. A sealing structure is provided with a cylinder head (300) for an engine which has an injector mounting hole (310) and is exposed to high pressure gas; an injector which is mounted in the injector mounting hole (310); and a seal ring (100) made of resin which seals an annular gap between the injector mounting hole (310) and the injector (200), wherein a step having a larger diameter on a combustion chamber side (E) where the high pressure gas is present is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the injector mounting hole (310), and the seal ring (100) is attached to a position where the seal ring is in close contact with a step surface (310c) of the step.
US09664160B2
Disclosed herein is a vehicular high pressure direct injection type injector with valve seat body for fuel-atomization. A nozzle hole has an elliptical cross-section so that the fuel injection speed can be increased, whereby a fuel atomization effect can be maximized. Furthermore, a stepped hole is formed under the nozzle hole so that the nozzle hole can be fundamentally prevented from becoming clogged with combustion byproducts.
US09664159B2
A method for parameter estimation in an electromagnetic actuator having a main coil and a search coil includes driving a current through the main coil, determining a main coil voltage, determining a search coil voltage, determining a main coil current, and estimating at least one parameter of the actuator based on the main coil voltage, the search coil voltage and the main coil current.
US09664152B2
An induction system for a supercharged internal V-type combustion engine includes a monolithic continuous unitary casting housing a supercharger with a rotor and gear assembly operative to discharge pressurized air to a common bounding receiving plenum, through a first slidably-removable intercooler providing a first cooling, and then to a pair of second side intercoolers providing a second cooling within the bounded plenum and in fluid communication therewith. First and second intercoolers are secured within the monolithic housing. The monolithic housing provides a robust and stable housing of light weight and allows an exterior air cooling as well. Side walls of the supercharger are separate from and are spaced from air intake runners of a cylinder block. Air in the plenum is additionally cooled by convective surface cooling while being guided in an appropriate direction. The intercoolers are plumbed in parallel allowing for enhanced temperature management of the air flow in combination with the convective cooling. The monolithic housing includes rib elements for sound attenuation and strength while minimizing weight. This arrangement allows for enhanced cooling, and simplifies manufacture and service.
US09664149B2
An insert type expansion pipe-integrated air cleaner may include an air cleaner body having a filter chamber in which air is introduced from an outside, the filter chamber having a chamber space provided with a filter, the chamber space being covered by an air cleaner cover, an expansion pipe chamber connected to the filter chamber such that the introduced air is discharged from the expansion pipe chamber to the outside, and a female passage boss through which the introduced air passes from the filter chamber to the expansion pipe chamber by having a cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-sectional area of the expansion pipe chamber while the female passage boss divides the filter chamber and the expansion pipe chamber.
US09664137B2
A piston for an internal combustion engine may include a piston head and a piston skirt. The piston head may include a circumferential ring part. In a region of the ring part, the piston head may include a circumferential cooling channel and a circumferential ring support. The ring support may define a wall section of the cooling channel and thereby be directly in contact with the cooling channel. The cooling channel may have a cross-section that may define a contraction disposed in a central area.
US09664136B2
A stop/start vehicle includes an engine and a stop/start system that prevents an auto stop of the engine when a speed of the vehicle is approximately zero in response to the vehicle being located within a specified distance from a body of water or in response to the vehicle being located in a user identified geographic region.
US09664129B2
Methods and systems are provided for determining changes in a flow area of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve for EGR flow estimates due to a change in temperature difference between a stem and body of the EGR valve. In one example, a method includes adjusting an EGR valve based on an estimate of EGR flow, the EGR flow estimated based on a pressure difference across the EGR valve and an adjusted valve flow area. The adjusted valve flow area may be based on the temperature difference between the stem and body of the EGR valve.
US09664128B2
Methods and systems are provided for improving engine knock tolerance, in particular when rapidly ramping in LP-EGR from low levels of EGR. Until a desired LP-EGR rate is achieved, fuel may be delivered as a split injection with at least an intake stroke injection and a compression stroke injection to compensate for the transport delay in EGR filling the intake system. Subsequently, single fuel injection may be resumed.
US09664123B2
A vehicle control device for controlling a vehicle with an engine includes a target engine output calculation unit configured to calculate a target engine output based on a target drive force, a vehicle speed and an air density, and a target engine torque calculation unit configured to calculate a target engine torque based on the target engine output and the air density. The target engine output calculation unit is configured to set a smaller target engine output when the air density is low than when the air density is high, and the target engine torque calculation unit is configured to set a larger target engine torque when the air density is low than when the air density is high.
US09664110B2
The invention relates to a method for operating a gas turbine which includes a compressor with annular inlet area, at least two burners, a combustion chamber and a turbine. According to the method, at least one first partial intake flow, consisting of oxygen-reduced gas which has an oxygen concentration which is lower than the average oxygen concentration of the compressor intake flow, and at least one second partial intake flow, consisting of fresh air, are fed to the compressor in an alternating manner in the circumferential direction of the inlet area. In addition, the invention relates to a gas turbine power plant with a gas turbine, the compressor inlet of which includes at least one first segment and at least one second segment which are arranged in an alternating manner around a compressor inlet in the circumferential direction, wherein a feed for an oxygen-reduced gas is connected to the first segment and a fresh air feed is connected to the second segment of the compressor inlet.
US09664100B2
Disclosed is an outboard motor including an exhaust manifold having a plurality of first openings connected to exhaust ports to form a first passage vertically extending, and an exhaust passage having a second passage extending upward along the exhaust manifold, a third passage that is connected to an upper end portion of the second passage and passes over the exhaust manifold, a fourth passage that is connected to the third passage, turns over to the downside, and then extends downward along the exhaust manifold, so that a lower end portion thereof communicates with a fifth passage provided in the engine holder, the second, third, and fourth passages being arranged in one side of the left-right direction of the cylinder block, wherein the exhaust passage is arranged in a swirling shape, and an exhaust gas cleaning catalyst is installed in a middle portion of the second passage.
US09664099B2
An apparatus for discharging exhaust gas of a vehicle may include an exhaust port forming a first confluence part at which at least two runners among runners of an exhaust manifold connected with a cylinder are joined, and a second confluence part at which the remaining runners are joined, and a connector member having an inlet port through which exhaust gas discharged through the exhaust port is introduced, and having a partition which is formed toward the exhaust port in the inlet port so as to partition the first confluence part and the second confluence part.
US09664094B2
A system for controlling an air/fuel ratio in an engine based on catalyst deactivation includes an NH3 detector disposed downstream from the three way catalyst, and a subsystem that compares measured values of NH3 concentration with a nominal value of NH3 concentration at rich operating conditions. A subsystem adjusts the air/fuel ratio based on the measured value of NH3 concentration and estimated CO concentration.
US09664093B2
A method for calculating exhaust gas temperature indirectly at points in or around an engine exhaust after treatment system for use in determining an amount of unburned hydrocarbons resident therein at a given point in time.
US09664092B2
An SCR system may include a controller configured to diagnose errors with a dosing system. The controller may control a pump to compensate for a loss in pressure when dosing reductant and may maintain the pressure as close to a target pressure by modifying a parameter affecting the operation of the pump. The modification of the parameter may be used to determine an estimated flow feedback. The controller may use the estimated flow feedback data and commanded dosing amount data to calculate a percentage error in response to and using an integrated commanded flow and an integrated estimated flow feedback to detect errors of the dosing system. The errors may include an injector stuck closed error, a blocked pressure line error, a partial blockage of a pressure line or injector error, an injector stuck open error, a disconnected pressure line error, a leakage of a pressure line or injector error.
US09664089B2
A fault diagnosis method of an exhaust gas post-processing system may include a detection step detecting any one or more of an operating state of a lean NOx trap or a state of an urea tank, a determination step determining whether the state of the lean NOx trap or the urea tank detected at the detection step satisfies a corresponding condition to block monitoring of a purification efficiency of the exhaust gas post-processing system, and a blocking step blocking the monitoring of the purification efficiency of the exhaust gas post-processing system when the state of the lean NOx trap or the urea tank at the determination step satisfies the corresponding condition to block the monitoring of the purification efficiency of the exhaust gas post-processing system.
US09664075B2
A modified rocker assembly having an offset end is designed for engine heads having an obstruction preventing use of a symmetric switching rocker arm. The modified rocker assembly has an obstructed side and a non-obstructed side and has an outer structure with a first end, and an inner rocker structure fitting within the outer structure, the inner structure also having a first end. The modified rocker assembly has an axle pivotally connecting the first ends of inner structure to the outer structure, such that the inner structure pivots within the outer structure around the axle. At least one torsion spring on one side of the axle rotationally biases the inner structure relative to the outer structure. The outer structure is offset on the obstructed side as it extends from the second end toward the first end, creating the first offset portion to provide additional clearance on the obstructed side.
US09664068B2
A support block for a steam turbine casing, a related assembly and apparatus. Various embodiments include a steam turbine casing support block having: a body portion sized to substantially fill a pocket in a steam turbine casing, the body portion having a greater length than a depth or a width; a set of tabs extending from the body portion, each of the set of tabs sized to substantially fill a corresponding slot in the steam turbine casing, wherein the set of tabs are located at a radially outwardly facing wall of the body portion; and a pin hole on a bottom surface of the body portion for receiving a retaining member.
US09664064B2
An exhaust-gas turbocharger (1) having a turbine (2) which is provided with a variable turbine geometry (18) and/or a wastegate; and having an actuator (11) which is connected to the variable turbine geometry (18) and/or the wastegate via a coupling rod (14). The coupling rod (14) is connected at its end regions (21, 22) at one side to a pin of the actuator (11) by means of a lock washer (25) and at the other side to a pin (33) of an adjusting shaft (5) of the variable turbine geometry (18) and/or of the wastegate by means of a lock washer (26). The lock washers (25, 26) are integrated in the coupling rod (14).
US09664062B2
An attachment system for attaching at least one exhaust diffuser downstream from a turbine assembly in a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The attachment system may include at least one attachment flange extending from a downstream edge and attached to a spring plate diffuser support structure and at least one attachment flange extending from side edges of the exhaust diffuser to couple sections of the exhaust diffuser together. The diffuser may also include a thermal barrier/cooling system for controlling a temperature of an outer case of the gas turbine engine. The thermal barrier/cooling system may form a flow path for an ambient air flow cooling.
US09664055B2
An impeller and a rotary machine include an inner diameter portion, a disk portion, a blade portion, and a cover portion. The disk portion includes a main body portion adjacent to the blade portion, and a fixing portion disposed at a radially inward side of the main body portion and fitted at a radially outward side of an outer peripheral surface of the inner diameter portion. The fixing portion is formed so as to protrude from the main body portion toward another side in an axial direction.
US09664018B2
A method of hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation is provided. The method comprises generating a primary fracture using a fracturing fluid. The method further comprises extending the primary fracture and/or creating micro fractures about the primary fracture by initiating a chemical reaction such as an exothermic reaction at about the primary fracture. In one embodiment, the fracturing fluid is used to convey one of the reactive components participating in the chemical reaction.
US09664016B2
The artificial lift system comprises a downhole tool suspended by a power conductive cable in a wellbore. The downhole tool comprises an atomizing chamber for conversion of the liquid into droplets having an average diameter less than or equal to 10,000 microns. Natural gas produced by a producing zone of the subterranean reservoir transports the vaporized liquid molecules to the well surface. In operation, the atomizing chamber is located above the liquid column in the wellbore.
US09664006B2
A device for control of return flow from a borehole, wherein drilling fluid is supplied from a drilling platform through a drill string disposed in a borehole includes an annulus formed between a pipe and the drill string. The annulus is in fluid communication with or forms part of a return path for the drill fluid. A choke is positioned in the annulus. An automatically operated annular seal element is disposed in the pipe above the drill fluid return path. The automatically operated annular seal element is configured to close the annulus to fluid communication when at least one of a predetermined fluid flow rate in the pipe and a predetermined pressure differential across the automatically operated annular seal element is reached.
US09663985B2
An arched window covering comprising a panel (e.g., having a series of elongated cells) positioned in a fan arrangement defining a central space near a center of rotation of the fan arrangement, a base positioned in the central space, and a support member supported by the base and positioned to provide support to the panel. Preferably, the arched window covering further comprises a rail secured to at least one of two ends of the panel. In one embodiment, the base defines an opening adapted to receive the support member. The support member preferably comprises an elongated member extending from the base toward a radially outer portion of the panel, and a spacer member supported by the elongated member and adapted to hold the elongated member spaced from the panel. In one arrangement, a position of the spacer member relative to the elongated member is adjustable.
US09663983B2
A novel and useful frameless supplemental window for fenestration incorporating infiltration blockers suitable for use with existing windows. The supplemental window, in one embodiment, comprises plastic sheet material with bullnose edging around it. Corner braces add rigidity and strength to corners in several embodiments. An attachment mechanism secured either to the sheet material or the bullnose edge functions to fasten and/or seal the supplemental window to an existing window. Infiltration blockers fastened to the sheet or bullnose prevent or minimize air leakage around various window elements. The bullnose edging and infiltration blockers function to substantially enclose (i.e. trap) a volume of air between the window pane and the plastic sheet material. The supplemental window is configured such that the layer of air enclosed is of an optimum thickness within a preferred range of 0.15 to 0.75 inches to maximize thermal insulation properties of the supplemental window.
US09663982B1
A domestic cooling appliance has a housing and at least one receiving space for receiving food and first and second doors for closing the receiving space in the front. A first door is pivotally arranged at the housing a second door is pivotally arranged at the housing. The two doors are adjacent one another for closing the at least one receiving space at the front. The two doors are coupled to each other by a moving device, by which, upon operation of one of the two doors, automatically a concurrent movement of equal type of the other door is achieved.
US09663974B2
A storage assembly including a frame at least partially defining a plurality of storage compartments that are accessible from a front of the storage assembly. The assembly further includes a plurality of doors, each door being associated with at least one storage compartment and movable between a closed position in which the door generally prevents access to the associated storage compartment and an open position in which the door allows access to the associated storage compartment. The assembly further includes a plurality of accessory components. Each accessory component is operatively associated with at least one of the doors, and each accessory component is operatively coupled to a controller via control wiring. The storage assembly includes a front-facing channel in which the control wiring is at least partially positioned.
US09663970B1
A lock includes a core, a driving member, a rotary member, a push member and a dial unit. When a TSA key is used to rotate the core clockwise, the rotary member contacts the driving member until the inclined face of the rotary member contact the push member which is pushed by a first spring toward the rotary member so that the shackle is removed from the reception hole of the push member to unlock the lock. When a correct key is used to rotate the core counter clockwise, the rotary member is rotated counter clockwise to engaging member of the rotary member is engaged with the slide slot. The driving member is pushed upward by the resilient member to contact the rotary member. The block of the driving member is removed from the recessed area of the pawl member to allow the user to set the correct combinations.
US09663967B2
An illuminated latch system for a vehicle is disclosed herein. The illuminated latch system includes an engine compartment having a latch configured to open the compartment. A light source is configured to emit light at a first wavelength and is disposed between the compartment and latch. A light guide is optically coupled to the light source and configured to direct light towards the latch and the compartment. A first photoluminescent structure is disposed within the light guide and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light source. A second photoluminescent structure is disposed within the compartment that luminesces in response to the light at the first wavelength.
US09663964B2
A basket includes a net apparatus having an annular structure and netting. The basket also includes an annular bottom piece having a top and defining a slot having a vertical portion and a horizontal portion and an annular cavity for receiving the annular structure of the net apparatus. The basket also includes an annular top piece having a horizontal component and a vertical component coupled to the horizontal component and that includes a tab for coupling to the vertical portion of the slot. The adaptable basket can be assembled by positioning the annular structure of the net apparatus within the annular cavity of the annular bottom piece, positioning the annular top piece above the annular bottom piece such that the tab is received by the vertical portion of the slot, and rotating the annular top piece such that the tab rotates away from the vertical portion of the slot.
US09663962B1
A pole mount includes a telescoping, length-adjustable pole having a head end and a foot end, a coarse length-adjustment mechanism, and a fine length-adjustment mechanism. The fine length-adjustment mechanism is proximal to the foot end of the pole and the coarse length-adjustment mechanism is at an end of a segment of the telescoping pole nearest the head end of the pole.
US09663952B2
The web frame is a bonded assembly of panels and porous blanket layers, separated by an arrangement of isolated spacers. The panels and spacers are covered with a bonding means. A coating covers inner surfaces of the panels and spacers. The porous blanket is compressed and pinned between these panels, by spacers that are arranged as isolated nodes or columns. The spacers have sharpened ends that penetrate the blanket and connect with the opposing panel. The web frame assembly provides thermal and sound insulation for buildings and other solid objects. These web frames are lightweight, durable, and permeable. Capillaries and passages throughout the panels and fibers of the blanket allow passage of moisture and air, thereby assisting in the management of condensation within the web frame.
US09663949B1
A slat ceiling apparatus includes a frame and a plurality of slats spanning the frame. The frame includes first and second frame members, each having an inner side and an outer side. A plurality of slots are defined in the inner side of each frame member. Each slat includes first and second longitudinal ends. The first longitudinal end is positioned in a slot on the first frame member, and the second longitudinal end is positioned in a slot on the second frame member. A plurality of slats are arranged spanning the first and second frame members, each having longitudinal ends received in corresponding slots on the first and second frame members. The slats are arranged in a substantially parallel orientation in some embodiments, and a gap is provided between each slat.
US09663943B2
A building product having improved fire resistance by virtue of solid fire-resistant cladding material attached to at least a portion of one or more surfaces of the building product. The solid fire-resistant cladding material includes wood fiber and binder. The building product can be a wood-based building product, and can be in the form of an I-joist. When an I-joist is used, the solid fire-resistant cladding material can be attached to, for example, the web of the I-joist.
US09663938B2
A hanger for connecting a bracing panel to a truss having a chord member includes a first portion having opposite upper and lower edge margins. The first portion is configured to be positioned between the chord member and the bracing panel. A second portion extends from the upper edge margin of the first portion in a first direction. The second portion is configured to overlie and engage a portion of the chord member. A third portion extends from the lower edge margin of the first portion in a second direction opposite the first direction. The third portion is configured to underlie and support a portion of the bracing panel.
US09663933B2
A toilet apparatus includes a toilet bowl with a seat, a reservoir for containing water for flushing the toilet bowl, and a water jet device including a conduit with an inlet, an outlet, and a nozzle at the outlet and located in the toilet bowl for generating a water jet to clean a user. A thermoelectric heat pump having a cold side in thermal communication with water in the reservoir extracts heat from the water in the reservoir and a hot side in thermal communication with a conduit section of the conduit supplies heat extracted from water in the reservoir and increases the temperature of water flowing through the conduit.
US09663928B2
A sanitary insert unit which is fittable on the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting and has a flow-restricting or control device with a flow-restricting or control element. The flow-restricting or control device or at least the flow-restricting or control element thereof is guided displaceably under pressure of inflowing water from a starting position counter to a restoring force into a flow-restricting or control position. A jet splitter is connected downstream on an outflow side of the flow-restricting or control device. The jet splitter divides the water flowing therethrough into a multiplicity of individual jets. A guide pin protrudes from the jet splitter on an inflow side. The flow-restricting or control element of the flow-restricting or control device is displaceably guided on the guide pin. The sliding path is limited between the jet splitter and a sliding stop on a pin end region of the guide pin facing away from the jet splitter.
US09663927B2
A faucet diverter is revealed. The faucet diverter includes at least one outlet and a control part for switching direction of water flow discharged. The faucet diverter is connected to a faucet.
US09663926B2
In the case of a sanitary fixture with a jet and/or flow regulator unit, it is proposed forming, on the inlet opening on the inflow side, a tube receptacle to which a connecting tube can be connected with a push fit. A fastening means with which the connecting tube, which is connected with a push fit, can be fastened in, and can be released from, the tube receptacle is arranged on a basic body forming the tube receptacle.
US09663923B2
A valve stack assembly includes a first valve assembly having at least one valve and defining a first plurality of fluid passageways. The valve stack assembly also includes a second valve assembly having at least one valve and defining a second plurality of fluid passageways. An end block defines a third plurality of fluid passageways. The end block is mechanically and fluidly coupled to the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly, such that the third plurality of fluid passageways fluidly couples the first plurality of fluid passageways and the second plurality of fluid passageways to one another. The first valve assembly is disposed along a first valve axis and the second valve assembly is disposed along a second valve axis. The first valve axis is offset from the second valve axis.
US09663910B2
A snow clearing machine is configured for operation on flat roofs and is designed to not damage the roof on which it is operated. The snow clearing machine is configured to leave a layer of snow beneath it, clearing the remainder, so that the machine avoids contact with the roof. As such, the snow clearing machine may be used on a flat roof or other fragile surface without damaging it.
US09663899B2
Enzyme compositions comprising laccase, lipase, cationic polymer, and optionally laccase activator, for papermaking application are disclosed. It also relates to the use of the enzyme composition to improve dry strength property of a paper product made from lignocellulosic-containing materials before or after mechanical refining in a papermaking process.
US09663894B2
A water supply device for a drying machine and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. The water supply device includes a common hose having one end connected to at least one water supply source, a drying machine water supply hose having one end connected to the common hose and the other end connected to a steam generator of the drying machine, and a washing machine water supply hose having one end connected to the common hose and the other end connected to a washing machine. With the provision of the water supply device, the drying machine has the effects of preventing wrinkles, creases, or the like from being generated in an object to be dried, such as clothes, and the like, or eliminating wrinkles, creases, or the like in clothes, and the like.
US09663893B2
A laundry treating appliance may comprise a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber and having an opening at least partially aligned with an opening in the appliance front panel, thus providing access to the treating chamber through the front panel opening and the tub opening. A bellows may connect the front panel and the tub at their respective openings, and a treating chemistry dispenser may be located on the bellows.
US09663880B2
A knitting machine that is capable of: knitting a knitted product of high gauge while effectively preventing increase in the number of components in a needle selection mechanism, and performing knitting methods such as inlaid knitting easily and reliably. The knitting machine comprises a plurality of knitting needles each of which have a protrudingly provided butt and which are arranged substantially parallel to each other so as to be able to perform a knitting operation independently, a plurality of selectors that move the knitting needles toward a protruding side of the butt, and a carriage having a cam groove along which the butt of the knitting needle, which has been moved by the selector to the side where the butt is protrudingly provided, can slide, in which the selector moves at least two adjacent knitting needles simultaneously to the side where the butt is protrudingly provided.
US09663862B2
A method of smoothing a solid surface with a gas cluster ion beam includes irradiating the solid surface with the gas cluster ion beam. The irradiating includes, when scratches which can be likened to a line-and-space pattern structure with widths and heights on the order of a submicrometer to micrometer are present on the solid surface, a process of emitting the gas cluster ion beam so as to expose substances, which remain on side-walls of the scratches due to lateral transferal caused by collisions with gas clusters, to other gas clusters, and the gas cluster ion beam diverges non-concentrically and/or non-uniformly.
US09663860B2
Disclosed in the invention are a silicon-carbon composite anode material for lithium ion batteries and a preparation method thereof The material consists of a porous silicon substrate and a carbon coating layer. The preparation method of the material comprises preparing a porous silicon substrate and a carbon coating layer. The silicon-carbon composite anode material for lithium ion batteries has the advantages of high reversible capacity, good cycle performance and good rate performance. The material respectively shows reversible capacities of 1,556 mAh, 1,290 mAh, 877 mAh and 474 mAh/g at 0.2 C, 1 C, 4 C and 15 C rates; the specific capacity remains above 1,500 mAh after 40 cycles at the rate of 0.2 C and the reversible capacity retention rate is up to 90 percent.
US09663859B2
Apparatus and methods for measuring the proximity between two components using a hardstop, an actuator and an emitter/detector passing light through a passage in the actuator are disclosed. The passage provides attenuation to the light which changes as the gap between the components changes allowing the measurement and control of the gap. Methods of determining the topology of the components using the apparatus are also described.
US09663841B2
The present invention published a large walled field conditions P92 long pipeline local heat treatment processes. Firstly, according to the specific conditions for the on-site grade heat-resistant steel (P92 pipe), combining of the finite element method and test, the Heated Band (HB) width and Gradient Control Band (GCB) was calculated. The pipe was then locally heated using the flexible ceramic resistive heater. When the temperature reaches 80-100° C., the pipe was heated to constant temperature at 80-100° C. for 2 h. The pipe was heated to 300° C. at the rate of 150° C./h. When the temperature reaches 300° C., rising the temperature to 765° C. at the rate of 80° C./h. Holding time is calculated by the wall thickness (5 min/mm, no less than 4 h). Lowering the temperature to 300° C. at the rate of 100° C./h and then natural cooling to room temperature, finally removing the heating device. Finally, the local heat treatment process can be obtained. The present invention can effectively decrease the temperature difference between the outer and inner wall, the residual stress in the welded joints. Thus the service properties can be guaranteed.
