US10482553B2
An embodiment method for managing geographic information includes receiving, at a service portal, executed lease data for mineral rights leases on associated first land parcels, generating first map data according to the executed lease data, and sending the first map data through a network interface to a client application for display to a first user at a first remote terminal. The method further includes receiving, from the first remote terminal, data for a proposed division order boundary, determining one or more of the first land parcels having boundaries that at least partly overlap the proposed division order boundary, generating division order data related to portions of the one or more first land parcels, and sending the division order data to the first remote terminal for display to the user.
US10482551B2
Computer-implemented methods and systems of estimating wait times and food serving times at a restaurant using wearable devices include identifying from portions of sensor data that a user is seated at a restaurant table at an estimated sitting time. In addition, portions of sensor data can be used to identify that a user has started eating at a given restaurant. Time-correlated location data can be used to determine an estimated arrival time of the user at a current location. An estimated wait time can be determined from the difference between the estimated sitting time and the estimated arrival time. An estimated food serving time can be determined from the difference between estimated eating time and arrival time or eating time and sitting time. Data indicative of the estimated times can be communicated to other computing devices, evaluated across multiple users, and/or used to develop relevant notifications for surfacing to other users.
US10482544B2
A system for masking tax data during collaborative preparation of an electronic tax return, the system includes a server computer having a tax return preparation program running thereon. The system also includes a tax return preparation computer having a first browser program running thereon. The system further includes a support computer having a second browser program running thereon. Moreover, the system includes a network operatively coupling the server computer, tax return preparation computer, and the support computer. The first browser includes a masking module configured to automatically mask a tax datum without user intervention before transmitting the tax datum to the server computer for subsequent transmission to the support computer. The tax datum is masked in real time during collaborative preparation of the electronic tax return.
US10482537B2
A computer-implement method may bundle insurance and financial products, and visually depict a current status for an application for each product within the bundle, such as applications related auto, home, life, or renters insurance, and/or vehicle loans. In one aspect, the method may determine a standard status icon or message for each product. A data server may receive a customer identification and selection of a first product offered, and determine a context of an application for the first product, wherein the context represents a state of progress of the application for the first product, and determine a standard status of the application corresponding to the context. The status is selected from a group of statuses standardized across two or more product lines sold by the company. The data server may further generate a status message including the status of the application and transmit the status message to a client device.
US10482535B1
Techniques for dynamically and remotely generating a business intelligence cube from an impact-on-demand or mapping system include an intelligence cube module configured to receive a user indication of a client portfolio stored at a remote mapping system. The module may receive user selections of cube dimensions and boundaries of the client portfolio for inclusion in a draft business intelligence cube definition. The module may validate the selected dimensions and boundaries, determine the presence of any anomalies, and in some cases, automatically modifying the draft to resolve the anomalies. A validated, approved cube definition may be delivered to the mapping system for storage. The mapping system may, in real-time and based on a user request, populate the cube definition with a selected dataset and return the populated business intelligence cube for analysis and utilization in reports and other business intelligence tools.
US10482532B1
A credit report system is disclosed which may provide credit data to a consumer in the consumer's search results or at other times when credit data may be useful to a consumer. Searches relevant to credit data may be determined based on the search terms entered, or based on the results of the search. Credit data may be provided if the consumer accesses webpages relevant to credit reports or credit scores. The credit report system may also authenticate the consumer's identity before providing credit data to the consumer. Credit data may include the consumer's credit score as well as other information such as credit report data that may be useful to a consumer.
US10482523B1
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing purchase recommendations. According to some examples, a method may include: determining respective frequency distributions of a plurality of vehicle attributes, the frequency distributions being determined based on occurrences of values of the plurality of vehicle attributes in a set of vehicles; selecting a vehicle attribute from the plurality of vehicle attributes based on the frequency distributions of the plurality of vehicle attributes; transmitting, to a user device, an inquiry for user preference regarding the selected vehicle attribute; receiving, from the user device, a response indicating the user preference; and presenting, to the user device, a recommendation of one or more vehicles determined based on the received response.
US10482521B2
User intent is identified while the user browses online and recommendations are provided to the user. The recommendations are based on the identified intent, interests, and preferences of the user who is performing the searches. The determination of user intent and interests is based on a statistical model derived from data compiled from the user and a plurality of other users. Other resources may also be determined to be relevant, for example, because of past interactions of the user, memberships of the user in ecommerce websites, the user's interests and preferences are similar to those of other users, and so on. The result of the user search is a ranked set of recommendations that is provided to the user.
US10482520B2
A machine is configured by appropriate software, such as software modules, to function as recommendation machine configured to receive an incoming value from a submitter for an allocable region of a graphical user interface. The allocable region is associated by a first data-structure to a data-string. The recommendation is configured to identify an available correlation of the data-string within a second data-structure, and the recommendation machine is further configured to recommend an outgoing value to be offered by an operator of the machine for the available correlation.
US10482519B1
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth techniques for generating recommendation sets for a first client device. A recommendation system receives, from the first client device, a first selection of a first recommended item included in a plurality of recommended items. The recommendation system identifies a second recommended item included in the plurality of recommended items that has not been selected. The recommendation system retrieves an authenticated negative item from a plurality of authenticated negative items. The recommendation system stores one or more entries in a log file comprising a plurality of entries, based on at least one of the first recommended item, the second recommended item, and the authenticated negative item. One advantage of the disclosed techniques is that the use of authenticated negative examples, also referred to herein as authenticated negative items, provides a more relevant set of recommendations for the user.
US10482518B2
According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a router having a first I/O terminal and a second I/O terminal, wherein the first I/O terminal is configured to be in communication with at least one client via a first network, wherein the second I/O terminal is configured to be in communication with a plurality of remote servers via a second network, and wherein the router is configured to receive, at the first I/O terminal via the first network, a web services request from the at least one client, identify, based on the web services request from the at least one client, a group of the plurality of remote servers that are capable of fulfilling the web services request, and transmit, in parallel via the second I/O terminal and the second network, the received web services request to each one of the plurality of remote servers within the group.
US10482517B2
A user may simulate wearing real-wearable items, such as virtual garments and accessories. A virtual-outfitting interface may be provided for presentation to the user. An item-search/selection portion within the virtual-outfitting interface may be provided. The item-search/selection portion may depict one or more virtual-wearable items corresponding to one or more real-wearable items. The user may be allowed to select at least one virtual-wearable item from the item-search/selection portion. A main display portion within the virtual-outfitting interface may be provided. The main display portion may include a composite video feed that incorporates a video feed of the user and the selected at least one virtual-wearable item such that the user appears to be wearing the selected at least one virtual-wearable item in the main display portion.
US10482516B2
A networked communication system allows a vendor that maintains a website to prioritize, select, and establish human-assisted interaction with customers interacting with the website or navigating a brick-and-mortar store. The system maintains databases populated with customer-specific data, including experiential information that reflects past and current customer activity. The vendor's human help agents are provided with intuitive interfaces that rank customers using agent-specific ranking rules applied to user data and experiential information. The databases are updated responsive to user activity. Agents can manage ranking rules to optimize their performance in responding to customers and thus improve customer experience.
US10482513B1
A request for shopping is placed from inside a procurement system. Intelligent agents are launched to retrieve information from catalog sources web-enabled over the internet or within the intranet. Retrieved catalog information is aggregated and associated with other data items. Business rules are applied to make decisions on what part of aggregated information will be rendered to a User. Sorting/multi-level refining operations are enabled. The User selects one or more catalog results, whereupon an XML shopping cart is created and submitted to the procurement system through published interfaces. The procurement system is enabled to place an order on supplier web-enabled transaction systems.
US10482507B2
There is provided a computer-implemented logic circuit, also referred to as ad-handling logic, configured to handle advertisements when a web page is downloaded from a web site or a web portal in a communication network. The computer-implemented logic unit comprises processing circuitry and associated memory. The processing circuitry is configured to identify an executable script related to an advertisement, also referred to as an ad script, in the web page code corresponding to the web page. The processing circuitry is further configured to insert an advertisement-delaying script-based executable patch in relation to the ad script to enable a delay of the download of objects related to the advertisement. As an example, the computer-implemented logic unit may be configured for connection to or implementation with a proxy server in the network.
US10482502B2
An information provision system includes a first history collection device, a second history collection device, and a specific-information generation device. The specific-information generation device includes a history collector that acquires first history information and second history information, and a specific-information generator that generates specific information regarding an attribute and a preference of a user, based on the first history information and the second history information. The specific-information generator disposes, on a map of a thesaurus prepared in advance, a first keyword obtained from an access history of a Web terminal, and a second keyword obtained from a manipulation history of a household electric appliance terminal, and generates first specific information, based on the second keyword having a distance smaller than a predetermined distance from a disposed position of the first keyword disposed on the map.
US10482492B2
A method and system for determining attribution for a computing device, which includes receiving an attribution request, wherein the attribution request includes at least a specific computing device identifier and an indication of an advertisement; identifying a digital token number associated with the specific computing device identifier; identifying a primary account number corresponding to the identified digital token number and one or more alternative digital token numbers also corresponding to the identified digital token number; identifying a transaction data entry related to an electronic transaction, wherein the transaction data entry includes transaction data and one of: the digital token number, the primary account number, and one of the one or more alternative digital token numbers; and electronically transmitting an attribution message to the third party entity, wherein the attribution message includes attribution of the indicated advertisement to the related electronic transaction.
US10482478B2
A method of dynamically generating loyalty program communications based on a monitored physiological state includes: monitoring, with at least one processor, input data detected with at least one sensor coupled to an electronic device associated with a member profile; based on the monitored input data, for one or more of the at least one sensor, generating a baseline sensor input level associated with a baseline physiological state for the member profile; upon detection of a deviation of the monitored input data for one or more of the at least one sensor from the baseline sensor input level, identifying a non-baseline physiological state for the member profile; and based on the identified non-baseline physiological state, generating signals for communicating a loyalty program communication to the electronic device associated with the member profile.
US10482475B2
An advertising provider may be obligated to ensure that its advertising directs users to the correct business entity (e.g., dealer or franchise). The advertising provider may maintain a datastructure comprising a plurality of “areas of responsibility” (AOR), each of which may be assigned to a respective dealer. When generating advertising content to be provided to a user, the advertising provider may access location-identifying information about the user. The location-identifying information may comprise a zip code, street address, or the like, which is sufficiently specific to allow the advertising provider to identify an AOR in the AOR datastructure. Accordingly, generalized location information, such as city, state, and/or country may not be sufficient. The location-identifying information may be used to identify the dealer that is assigned to the user. The advertising provider may access dealer-specific information, which may be used to generate dealer-targeted advertising for the user.
US10482472B2
An extraction component extracts one or more batteries such that the sum total of the full charge capacity falls within an exclusion target range. An index calculator calculates an index value indicating the usage status of the batteries included among the one or more extracted batteries. An exclusion candidate determination component determines which batteries to exclude from those to be loaned out, on the basis of the ranking of the index value.
US10482462B1
In an example, a method for implementing gamification in user authentication operations for a customer financial transaction device such as an automatic teller machine (ATM) or kiosk may be provided to improve security and enable enhanced electronic display and user interface features. In one example, the electronic operations for implementing gamification may include associated actions in a user interface authentication screen with defined gamification functions, receiving and evaluating input in the user interface authentication screen, and enabling or performing certain authentication actions based on an expected gamification action. In further examples, the gamification may be implemented based on themes for the user interface that match entertainment themes, individual games, or customizations to graphical and text content established by the user.
US10482453B2
A dynamic transaction card that includes a transaction card having a number of layers, each of which may be interconnected to one another. For example, a dynamic transaction card may include an outer layer, a potting layer, a sensor layer that may be utilized to activate a dynamic transaction card by authenticating the card user as authorized to use the card through user authentication input recognition, which may be gesture and voice recognition processing, a display layer (including, for example, LEDs, a dot matrix display, and the like), a microcontroller storing firmware, Java applets, Java applet integration, and the like, an EMV™ chip, an energy storage component, one or more antenna (e.g., Bluetooth™ antenna, NFC antenna, and the like), a power management component, a flexible printed circuit board (PCB), a chassis, and/or a card backing layer.
US10482452B1
An apparatus is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a first liner, a second liner, one or more fastening components, and one or more prongs. The one or more fastening components couples the first liner to the second liner, defining an opening between. The one or more prongs are positionable between a closed position within the opening and an open position exterior to the opening. The one or more prongs include a payment prong. The payment prong includes a body free, a payment chip receptacle, and a payment chip. The body is free from any personal identification information. The payment chip receptacle is attached to the body. The payment chip is positioned in the payment chip receptacle. The payment chip is removable therefrom.
US10482444B2
A computer system includes an inventory management server, a plurality of point-of-sale (POS) terminals communicating with the inventory management server over a first network, a face recognition computer having a camera communicating with the inventory management server over the first network, and a portable terminal communicating wirelessly with the inventory management server over a second network. The inventory management server is configured to generates alerts that are displayed on the portable terminal based on first data from the POS terminals and second data from the face recognition computer.
US10482432B1
Remote deposit of checks can be facilitated by a financial institution. A customer's general purpose computer and image capture device may be leveraged to capture an image of a check and deliver the image to financial institution electronics. Additional data for the transaction may be collected as necessary. The transaction can be automatically accomplished utilizing the images and data thus acquired.
US10482427B2
Provided are systems and methods for referencing intent-based taxonomies to enable more natural approaches for users to specify problems to be solved, questions to be answered, and other content requests that can be delivered within online communities. In the medical setting, physicians and medical personnel are accustomed to provide medical information and ask questions of other physicians in the form of a narrative which can be organized around medical cases. Intuitive user interfaces are provided that facilitate definition of intent during case generation and case searching. Linking UI displays and narrative data structures associated with intent information can enable definition and navigation of intent-based models of the cases. Intent-based models can reflect standardize concepts (e.g., medical diagnoses and medical concept ontologies) facilitating their navigation based on intent. Further, the intent-based models of cases can include additional close-ended selections in the UI to further interact with intent-based models of cases.
US10482418B2
Paired drone-based systems and methods are described that inspect a delivery vehicle. For example, a system may include a docking station within the vehicle and a sensor-enabled inspection drone paired to the vehicle and that aerially inspects targeted inspection points corresponding to respective parts of the delivery vehicle. In response to an activation command, the inspection drone transitions to an active power state, uncouples from the docking station, identifies the targeted inspection points as corresponding to respective parts of the vehicle, moves to respective aerial positions proximate each of the targeted inspection points, automatically identifies an out of range inspection condition about a targeted inspection point based upon sensor-based inspection information detected from at least one of the aerials positions, and responsively transmits an inspection notification message to a vehicle receiver on the vehicle to indicate the targeted inspection point is outside an acceptable range for operation of the vehicle.
US10482416B2
A terminal apparatus includes a reading unit that reads an identifier of at least one predetermined object and a display that includes a first display, which displays the identifier read by the reading unit, and a second display, which displays management information including an information item that identifies the object and an information item that indicates whether the identifier of the object has been read by the reading unit.
US10482413B2
A client-side data transfer tool may be used to encrypt customer data and store the encrypted data onto a shippable data storage device. The shippable storage device is provided to the client by a remote storage service provider for importing the customer data into the service provider. The data transfer tool receives client-keys from the service provider, separate from the shippable storage device. The data transfer tool generates keys to encrypt the customer data. The data transfer tool then uses the client-keys received from the service provider to encrypt the tool-generated keys. The encrypted data and the encrypted tool-generated keys are transferred onto the shippable storage device. Data transfer techniques may take into account characteristics of the data source and the data destination. For multiple shippable storage devices, data transfer may occur in parallel. The shippable storage device is then shipped back to the service provider, which imports the data.
US10482410B2
In an airport baggage handling system bag information, flight information and airport topology information are provided to a central processor which determines a path for the bag through the handling system. The bag is scanned at various points along the path and the scan time is compared with a predetermined arrival time for the bag at the scan point. A bag is marked at risk if it arrives at a scan point after the predetermined time and the system may suggest an alternative handling path for the bag if it is determined that the risk of the bag not making an outbound flight is too high.
US10482409B2
The disclosed embodiments include product picking systems and methods to pick products. In one embodiment, the system includes a work order module configured to receive a work order to obtain at least one product, obtain a virtual stack of the at least one product based on the work order, the virtual stack being a 3D representation of the at least one product, and determine a set of business rules for selecting each product of the at least one product. The system also includes a vision module configured to identify a first product of the at least one product. The system further includes a processor configured to determine whether the first product satisfies business rules for selecting the first product is satisfied, and configured to operate a robotic arm to select the first product and to arrange the first product to form a physical stack corresponding to the virtual stack.
US10482405B2
A computer-implemented method for allocating services among a plurality of service operators where each capable of providing at least one service and each service operator operating a respective computer to receiving at a support server a request for service from at least one computer being operated by a user, generating a questionnaire to be answered by the user operating the at least one computer, selecting at least one service operator based upon the answered questionnaire, and establishing a service session between the at least one computer being operated by the user and the computer being operated by the at least one selected service operator for providing the requested service.
US10482398B2
The SECURE ANONYMOUS TRANSACTION APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“SAT”) transform hardware-verified user authentication requests via SAT components into secure transaction notifications. In one implementation, the SAT obtains a secure anonymous transaction user authentication request. The SAT verifies the authenticity of a user, using the secure anonymous transaction user authentication request. The SAT obtains an authenticated purchase order, in response to which it generates a one-time anonymous card account. Using the one-time card account, the SAT generates an anonymized purchase order for a merchant, and provides the anonymized purchase order. On obtaining a purchase notification for the anonymized purchase order, the SAT provides real-time notification for a user of the purchase notification. Also, on obtaining notification of a shipment related to the anonymized purchase order to an anonymized address, the SAT generates an order to re-route the shipment from the anonymized address to an actual shipment address of the user.
US10482393B2
Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for analysis of raw data and conversion of the raw data to searchable data objects. In one embodiment, a formatted searchable data object is generated in a first interface portion of a user interface in conjunction with the corresponding raw data displayed in a second interface portion of the user interface.
US10482390B2
Systems, device and techniques are disclosed for an information discovery system. An element of data may be retrieved. A knowledge point may be extracted from the element of data. The knowledge point may include an aspect of the element of data. The element of data and the knowledge point may be linked with a traversable link. The knowledge point may further be linked to a second element of data. Natural language processing analysis, linguistic analysis, sentiment analysis, and metadata analysis, may be used to determine the aspect of the element of data.
US10482381B2
Artificial intelligence methods and systems for triggering the generation of narratives are disclosed. Specific embodiments relate to real-time evaluation and automated generation of narrative stories based on received data. For example, data can be tested against data representative of a plurality of story angles to determine whether a narrative story incorporating one or more such story angles is to be automatically generated.
US10482375B2
A method of deep graph representation learning includes: calculating a plurality of base features from a graph and adding the plurality of base features to a feature matrix. The method further includes generating, by a processing device, a current feature layer from the feature matrix and a set of relational feature operators, wherein the current feature layer corresponds to a set of current features, evaluating feature pairs associated with the current feature layer, and selecting a subset of features from the set of current features based on the evaluated feature pairs. The method further includes adding the subset of features to the feature matrix to generate an updated feature matrix.
US10482373B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for implementing grid Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks that includes a plurality of N-LSTM blocks arranged in an N-dimensional grid. Each N-LSTM block is configured to: receive N input hidden vectors, the N input hidden vectors each corresponding to a respective one of the N dimensions; receive N input memory vectors, the N input memory vectors each corresponding to a respective one of the N dimensions; and, for each of the dimensions, apply a respective transform for the dimension to the memory hidden vector corresponding to the dimension and the input hidden vector corresponding to the dimension to generate a new hidden vector corresponding to the dimension and a new memory vector corresponding to the dimension.
US10482369B2
Methods, systems, apparatus, and tangible non-transitory carrier media encoded with one or more computer programs that can determine the path or route most likely navigated by a mobile target are described. In accordance with particular embodiments, the most likely path or route is determined based on path-based scoring of position estimates obtained from different types of complementary locationing signal sources. Instead of fusing the position data derived from the different types of signal sources, these particular embodiments determine the most likely path navigated by the mobile target based on an independent aggregation of the position estimates derived from complementary signals of different source types.
US10482363B1
A card exhibiting enhanced detection is provided. A plurality of detector shapes that may be associated with a detection system increases detection effectiveness, while reducing adverse effects of detection systems that may be operating within a electromagnetic field environment.
US10482359B2
The present disclosure provides image capture devices and associated methods of operation that enable the interactive editing of imagery, including, for example, removal and/or addition of non-stationary objects from and/or to captured imagery. According to one example aspect of the present disclosure, an image capture device can capture a plurality of frames of imagery that depict a scene and, while capturing the plurality of frames of imagery, provide a composite image within a viewfinder of the image capture device, where non-stationary objects included in the scene are removed from the composite image. According to another example aspect of the present disclosure, the image capture device can allow a user to edit a final composite image directly within the viewfinder. Thus, the present disclosure provides systems and methods that enable enhanced capture and interactive editing of imagery.
US10482346B2
A method for controlling an electronic device is provided. The method includes obtaining an image, detecting at least one object in a facial area from the image, and applying a virtual light source effect to the image based on an attribute of the detected object and displaying the image.
US10482343B1
Systems and methods for pre-validating a digital image of an identification (ID) card (e.g., a government-issued passport, driver's license, etc.) are disclosed. A mobile computing device captures image(s) of an ID card. In response, a pre-validation system in communication with the mobile computing device analyzes one or more quality features of the image(s), which includes determining, utilizing a trained neural network (trained using a dataset including images that have been accepted by a post-validation platform and images that have been rejected by the post-validation platform) and based on the one or more quality features, whether at least a first image of the captured image(s) is usable by a remote post-validation process. Responsive to the determining that the at least a first image is usable, the mobile computing device transmits the first image to a remote server for post-validation of the identification card.
US10482340B2
Provided is a disclosure for detection and recognition of objects using a projected array of light shapes of one or more frequencies, where the light may be structured or non-structured.
US10482339B2
A method of quantifying computer vision algorithm performance. The method includes receiving a first image and a second image from an imaging system. Each of the first and second images is characterized by an image intensity value. Iteratively, an evaluation value of a noise profile is applies to the first and second images to form respective first and second composite images, and algorithm performance using the first and second composite images is measured. The measured performances are compared and an operational range of the algorithm determined. The noise profile includes at least one source of noise inherent to the imaging system.
US10482335B1
Provided, in an aspect, is a method for improving security in an automated teller machine (ATM) network, which includes prompting a user, via the ATM, to provide a biometric sample; receiving the sample from a biometric device of the ATM; determining that the sample is not blacklisted; and allowing the user to complete a transaction. Because the method includes storing anonymized event details, which include the biometric sample separate from user-identifying information, the method both improves privacy for law-abiding users and deters malicious use by others.
US10482330B2
A system comprising a temperature measurement device for continuously detecting temperature values of a pavement laid by means of a paver. The system further comprises an image recording unit and an evaluation unit. The evaluation unit is configured to determine an area of the laid pavement as a deviation area, if, based on temperature values detected for the area, one or more deviation criteria are fulfilled, wherein the determination is carried out during laying and in temporal proximity to the detection of the temperature values for the area. The system is additionally configured to generate, making use of the image recording unit, an image assigned to the deviation area.
US10482329B2
There is provided a system including a non-transitory memory storing an executable code and a hardware processor executing the executable code to receive a plurality of training contents depicting a plurality of activities, extract training object data from the plurality of training contents including a first training object data corresponding to a first activity, extract training scene data from the plurality of training contents including a first training scene data corresponding to the first activity, determine that a probability of the first activity is maximized when the first training object data and the first training scene data both exist in a sample media content.
US10482314B2
A method of image classification is used for classifying images of stained cell nuclei. For each nucleus, the total integrated optical density is calculated and a histogram calculated. The image is then classified by automatically identifying peaks, identifying the lowest peak as a 2C peak and classifying the image as at least one of diploid, tetraploid, aneuploid or polyploid based on the number of peaks and the count at an integrated optical densities above the 2C peak.
US10482309B2
The present application discloses a method for controlling fingerprint acquisition based on a display screen and a related apparatus, which are applied to a display screen with a fingerprint acquisition function. In the disclosure, by detecting a fingerprint acquisition triggering instruction generated in an electronic device in real time, a preset fingerprint acquisition region of the display screen is controlled to emit light and a fingerprint sensor is triggered to acquire a fingerprint image, if and only if the fingerprint acquisition triggering instruction is detected. When the fingerprint acquisition triggering instruction does not exist, the display screen is not affected and the fingerprint sensor is in a non-operating state so as to save energy. Moreover, only the preset fingerprint acquisition region on the display screen is controlled to perform the fingerprint acquisition, and other regions on the display screen are not affected in fingerprint acquisition, therefore, the original display or the black screen state of the display screen is not affected, and it is ensured that the user can accurately touch the region with a finger to acquire a fingerprint image accurately and quickly. In this way, the cost of hardware integration may be reduced, the appearance may be simplified and the user experience may be improved.
US10482299B1
A universal, parent-to-dependent manufacturing recycling product code is provided for use on various types of manufactured goods. The recycling product code represents a tool that can be used to process a significant volume of disposed finished products, to capture and communicate essential information about finished products and their components and materials, and to make consistent repair or recycle determinations for the products. Multiple components of the finished product may be associated with dependent recycling product codes (e.g., children and grandchildren codes) which are related to the parent recycling product code.
US10482292B2
Systems, devices and methods for performing inventory management using RFID technology. The system includes a box for receiving one or more items containing RFID tags. Items are scanned against a baseline content data to confirm all items are present and whether any items have expired. The box has security features to prevent unauthorized access to its contents and create an audit trail of access. Access to the box may be granted when a user presents an authorized RFID-enabled card, wrist band, or other item. Multiple locking features provide for additional security. Scanning, authorization, and notification functions may be controlled locally by a processing unit contained within the box itself or remotely by an outside server.
US10482280B2
Structured text and pattern matching may be performed for data loss prevention in object-specific image domain. According to some embodiments, a method may include receiving an image, identifying one or more objects in the image based on attributes of the one or more objects, and determining an object type of a first object of the one or more objects by a computing device. The method may include identifying, by the computing device, one or more specific regions of the first object for recognition based on the object type of the first object and recognizing text in the one or more specific regions of the first object. In some embodiments, the method may then include providing, by the computing device, the text recognized in the one or more specific regions of the first object to a security engine, wherein the security engine may be configured to evaluate whether the text comprises sensitive information.
US10482276B2
A user permission allocation method includes acquiring currently collected facial feature information of a user; determining a difference degree of the current facial feature information of the user according to the acquired facial feature information of the user and facial feature information included in stored standard sample information; and allocating a user permission to the user according to the determined difference degree. Compared with a manner of using a fixed face threshold, a difference degree of current facial feature information of the user is determined, and when a user permission is allocated to the user, an external factor that affects the collected facial feature information is used as a reference factor, which means that a higher difference degree of the collected facial feature information indicates a lower user permission allocated to the user, so that the user permission of the user is dynamically allocated.
US10482274B2
A terminal device includes: a condition checking unit to monitor an operation state of the terminal device by executing a terminal managing program, and determine whether the terminal device is in a state of a preset condition for terminal protection; a communication control unit to control the communication unit to be connected to the terminal management server using the location information when the condition checking unit determines that the terminal device is in a state of the condition for terminal protection, and control the communication unit to send the identification information to the terminal management server; and a lock control unit configured to lock the terminal device by executing the terminal managing program when a lock command is issued by, and received from, the terminal management server.
US10482272B2
Disclosed are systems and methods for receiving user input using a data entry mechanism activated for an application. An example method comprises detecting, by a hardware processor, an activity state of the application during an execution of the application on a user device, determining security requirements associated with the activity state, wherein the security requirements comprise properties for the data entry mechanism, selecting a data entry mechanism corresponding to the determined security requirements associated with the activity state, activating the selected data entry mechanism for receiving user input for the application, wherein the selected data entry mechanism is governed according to the properties of the security requirements associated with the activity state, receiving the user input in accordance with the activated data entry mechanism, and displaying a modified version of the user input according to the properties of the security requirements.
US10482271B2
A method for displaying content is disclosed. One method includes displaying, via an electronic device, a first content corresponding to a first privilege level of a first user. The method also includes acquiring biometric information of a current user. The method includes determining, based on the biometric information, whether the current user is a second user having a second privilege level different from the first privilege level of the first user. The method includes, in response to determining that the current user is the second user, transitioning from displaying the first content to displaying a second content via the electronic device, wherein the second content corresponds to the second privilege level of the second user.
US10482261B2
A computer-implemented method improves the security of a system. One or more processors identify changes in source code, resulting in changed code in the source code. The one or more processors associate the changed code with affected application program interfaces (APIs) that are used by the changed code, and then manipulate parameters within the affected APIs based on the changes in the source code. The one or more processors execute a dynamic security scan on only the affected APIs using the manipulated parameters, in order to identify security vulnerabilities in only the affected APIs. The one or more processors then modify the source code to remove the security vulnerabilities in only the affected APIs, thus improving the security of the system on which the source code is running.
US10482253B2
In some examples, a computing device may receive (i) settings associated with one or more features of a basic input output system (BIOS) of the computing device and (ii) a device identifier that uniquely identifies the computing device. The computing device may determine a policy identifier that identifies a policy being implemented by the settings associated with the one or more features of the BIOS. The computing device may retrieve a public key associated with an organization that acquired the computing device and sending a request to a service to validate the policy. The request may include the policy identifier and the public key. After the computing device receives a response from the service indicating that the policy is valid, the computing device may initiate a reboot and modify, during the reboot, the one or more features of the BIOS of the computing device based on the settings.
US10482252B2
Method for protecting the confidentiality and integrity of firmware for an Internet of Things device
A method is provided for secure firmware provisioning of a device. In the method, an integrated circuit (IC) is manufactured by a first entity for use in the device. The IC is provided to a second entity for manufacturing the device using the IC. The IC has a unique identifier (UID) and secret key derivation data (KDD). A secure memory is provided to a third entity. The secure memory has a first key pair, and the secure memory is used with a firmware provisioning toolchain of the second entity. During manufacturing of the device by the second entity, the secure memory is enabled to verify the IC by verifying the UID. The secure memory stores a firmware decryption key, and is enabled to encrypt the firmware decryption key. The encrypted firmware decryption key is then provided to the IC, and the IC decrypts the encrypted firmware decryption key for use by the IC in decrypting the firmware.
US10482247B2
Systems and methods are provided in example embodiments for mitigating malicious calls. The system can be configured to determine a series of checksums for a file, compare the series of checksums to a checksum tree, where the checksum tree includes a plurality of nodes that each include a fuzzy checksum of known malware, and assign one or more classifications to the file, where each of the one or more classifications is based on each node of the checksum tree that matches a checksum in the series of checksums and includes whether the file includes malware or benign checksums.
US10482234B2
Techniques for controlling the provision of data to a requester use a local device communicating with a personal computing device. The personal computing device has an authorized state and an unauthorized state. If the personal computing device is proximal to the local device when the local device receives the request for data from the requester, then the personal computing device uses permission data it stores to determine whether the request is or is not a permitted request. If the request is a permitted request, then the personal computing device sends a message to a token issuing device to issue a token request to the requester. The requester then uses this token to access a third party device holding the data to which it seeks access.
US10482233B2
A first creator creates a first priority user information. When an installer installs a program that has a user authentication function, a second creator creates a second priority user information for use in the installed program separately from the first priority user information. An authenticator performs user authentication of the installed program using the created second priority user information.
US10482216B2
A system and method that permits a user to utilize a means of capturing and managing one or more images containing protected health information (PHI) on a mobile device, as disclosed herein. The user of the system and method may be required to undergo authentication and authorization to access the system and use the method.
US10482214B2
Methods and apparatuses for designing custom footwear are disclosed. An apparatus for designing custom footwear may include a data collection system, a data processing system, and a manufacturing system, where the manufacturing system includes an additive manufacturing device. A method for designing custom footwear may comprise receiving user-specific data, generating a user model, identifying issues in the user model, determining corrective features, generating a custom footwear model, and manufacturing the custom footwear.
US10482209B1
A field-programmable operation array includes an interconnect network and a plurality of operation blocks, including a first operation block and a second operation block, electrically connected to the interconnect network. Each operation block includes an arithmetic logic unit and a plurality of logic gates. A pass signal output by the arithmetic logic unit of the first operation is received by the arithmetic logic unit of the second operation block.
US10482208B2
The present invention provides theoretical bases and practical schematic diagrams for a state machine which is coded in HDL and synthesized to generate a circuit that comprises one or more state groups each of which has an independent clock gating device. A state group will receive a clock pulse on the next cycle when either a synchronous initialization input signal for a state machine is asserted on the current cycle or the state group will change states on the next cycle, reducing power consumption and simplifying the final logic, compared with a traditionally generated state machine circuit. In addition the invention also provides a code designer with a proposed method for HDL standard on how to divide all states in a state machine into state groups at his discretion.
US10482207B2
A design verification support apparatus includes, a memory that stores circuit information and test pattern information, and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor performs a process including, acquiring the circuit information and the test pattern information from the memory, calculating a delay time occurring until the first clock signal reaches each of a plurality of memory circuits coupled in series and included in the scan chain from the clock source, based on the circuit information, selecting a first memory circuit whose first output value is to be changed by a shift operation among the plurality of memory circuits, based on the test pattern information at the cycle, and calculating the first output value of the first memory circuit when a second clock signal is supplied to the first memory circuit, the second clock signal being obtained by delaying the first clock signal by a delay time.
US10482204B2
Data processing method for analysis of the energy consumption of a site on the basis of measurements including: selection of data time series, segmentation of the time series into segments, projection of the segments, display of the projections of the data segments, e) selection of at least one first group of data segments, establishment of a digital model of classification characterising the first group of data segments, selected on the basis of calendar metadata establishment of a digital model of classification characterising the first group of data segments, selected on the basis of the segments' profiles (FIG. 5B).
US10482190B2
A topography simulation apparatus includes a processor and a memory connected to the processor. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to set topographies of a material at N times T1 to TN (N is an integer of two or more) within a calculation region. The memory further stores instructions executable by the processor to develop the topographies of the material at the times T1 to TN over time independently, calculate first to N-th values respectively representing a change in a topography of the material from the times T1 to TN to times T1′ to TN′, and calculate a topography of the material at time TN+1, based on the first to N-th values.
US10482184B2
A method for context-based natural language processing is disclosed herein. The method comprises maintaining a plurality of dialog system rules, receiving a user request from a Dialog System Interface, receiving one or more attributes associated with the user request from the Dialog System Interface or a user device, and identifying a type of context associated with the user request based on the user request and the one or more attributes. A context label is assigned to the user request associated with the type of context. Based on the context label and the user request, a particular dialog system rule is selected from the plurality of dialog system rules. A response to the user request is generated by applying the dialog system rule to at least a part of the user request.
US10482174B1
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for generating synthetic documents. In one implementation, a system for generating synthetic data from a plurality of documents may include at least one processor and at least one non-transitory memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor cause the system to: receive a plurality of documents, individual documents of the plurality of documents having a same document type; generate a distribution of values for a corresponding pixel in the individual documents of plurality of documents; determine, based on the distributions, one or more common features of the plurality of documents; determine, based on the comparison, one or more input fields; generate a template including the one or more common features and the one or more input fields; and input synthetic data into the one or more input fields of the template thereby generating a plurality of synthetic documents.
US10482171B2
Digital form optimization techniques are disclosed which reduce the number of segments in empty digital forms that consumers of the empty digital forms need to complete. In some examples, a method may include determining potentially linkable segments in an empty digital form, determining a type of link to create for a potentially linkable segment of the potentially linkable segments, and providing a recommendation to create the determined type of link for the potentially linkable segment. The method may also include creating the determined type of link for the potentially linkable segment in response to a determination of an acceptance of the recommendation.
US10482166B2
The present invention provides an image forming apparatus, and a method for controlling the same. Display data corresponding to a plurality of languages for displaying by a web browser is stored in advance in a first storage unit in a compressed manner, and display data in a language corresponding to a place of destination information of the image forming apparatus is read out from the display data corresponding to the plurality of languages stored in the first storage unit, expanded, and developed to a second storage unit. Web page data is generated using the display data, corresponding to a language designated by a client, developed in the second storage unit.
US10482149B2
The present disclosure relates to method and computing device for classification of web browsing history by classification system. The classification system receives web browsing history from web browser associated with user, where web browsing history comprises details about one or more web pages browsed by user, extracts one or more keywords from each of one or more web pages browsed by user based on trained keyword dataset, determines a plurality of classifications for each of the one or more web pages based on one or more keywords, generates relevancy matrix between one or more keywords of web pages and corresponding plurality of classifications and identifies a classification from plurality of classifications for each of one or more webpages based on relevancy matrix, where snapshot of classification is stored in non-volatile storage unit of web browser. The use of non-volatile storage unit in present disclosure provides no restriction on storage space.
US10482145B2
Among other things, embodiments of the present disclosure discussed herein may be used to receive, analyze, and distribute queries about various topics from a member of an online social network to other members of the social network. The embodiments of the present disclosure may additionally assess the quality of responses to queries by members, as well as expand or narrow the distribution of the query among the social network based on various events and criteria.
US10482137B2
A system and method includes receiving a search query and obtaining, from a database, member data of a member. For each of a plurality of nonlinear models, the nonlinear model is traversed based on a comparison of characteristics to conditions to obtain a score, wherein, among the nonlinear models, at least one characteristic is an inferred characteristic based on at least one of: activities by the member in an online networking system; and connections by the member in the online networking system. The score obtained from each of the nonlinear models is combined to obtain a combined score and a user interface to displays information related to the member based, at least in part on the combined score.
US10482131B2
The present invention is a method for organizing information. The invention discloses a novel and useful way of employing text analytics or other grouping mechanisms for organizing a large volume of incoming documents in a way that a user can quickly find information that the user considers interesting. Some of the best embodiments of the invention allow older information that has not been marked as interesting to expire while grouping information that has been marked as interesting with newer and similar items.
US10482130B2
In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for improved computer-based visualization of a tree structure comprises: receiving a dataset defining the tree structure, the tree structure comprising a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges; analyzing the dataset to determine constraint information for the tree structure; generating a first plurality of graphical objects corresponding to the node; positioning the first plurality of graphical objects within a three-dimensional coordinate space based on the constraint information, wherein all child nodes of a given node are arranged within a corresponding two-dimensional matrix; generating a second plurality of graphical objects corresponding to the edges; positioning the second plurality of graphical objects based on the positioning of the first plurality of graphical objects; and outputting a three-dimensional tree diagram of the tree structure comprising the first plurality of graphical objects and the second plurality of graphical objects.
US10482122B2
A system for modular image mining and search, comprising a plurality of image capture devices, a search engine, an indexing engine, a database, and user interface software. A plurality of image capture devices capture images and store them to a database. The indexing engine indexes images to create image data for each image with associated metadata and stores the information to the database. The interface software is used to request search queries via a search engine. The search engine accesses the image data to find images or parts of images that satisfy the search query.
US10482121B2
A system and method for employing a user interface to facilitate user access to games. The example method includes displaying a band of plural adjacent tiles, wherein each tile represents a game, and wherein the band is scrollable in response to a specific user input; and arranging adjacent tiles based on a sorting rule, wherein the sorting rule includes arranging each tile according to a time of use and/or a time of download of a game associated with each tile. In a more specific embodiment, the method further includes illustrating, via the adjacent tiles, one or more games corresponding to one or game recommendations obtained in response to accessing a social network associated with a user of the user interface. Menu selections can allow access to recommendations; access to related games; access to games based on social network usage, and so on.
US10482119B2
A method for assigning a topic to a collection of microblog posts may include, by an acquisition module, receiving from at least one messaging service server, a plurality of posts, wherein each of the plurality of posts comprise post content; by a generation module, analyzing the posts and extract, from at least one of the posts, a link with an address to an external document; and, by the acquisition module, accessing the external document that is associated with the address and fetch external content associated with the document. The method may also include by the generation module: analyzing the post content to identify at least one label for each post, for each post that includes a link, analyzing the external content to identify a topic, and using a topic modeling technique to generate a trained topic model comprising a plurality of topics and a plurality of associated words.
US10482114B2
Systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for asking and searching for the answer to given questions, retrieving answers to such questions, as well as presenting such answers in a user-generated content style framework on a search engine. The system of the present invention comprises a question processor, operative to determine whether a question entered by a user has been previously answered, an answer data store storing answers to previously asked questions stored therein, an answer repository storing questions not yet answered by another user, and an editor tool operative to format an answer stored in the answer data store into user-generated content style and migrate the answer to a user-generated content style web page.
US10482112B2
Techniques facilitating automatic feature extraction from a relational database are provided. In an embodiment, a method can include generating an entity graph based on a relational database, wherein the entity graph comprises a first node associated with a first table in the relational database and a second node associated with a second table in the relational database. In another embodiment, the method can include joining the first table and the second table based on an edge between the first table and the second table defined by the entity graph, wherein a resulting joined table is connected by a column of data. In another embodiment, the method can include extracting a feature from the column of data using a data mining algorithm selected from a set of data mining algorithms based on a type of data in the column of data.
US10482102B2
Methods and apparatus for conditional master election in a distributed database are described. A plurality of replicas of a database object are stored by a distributed database service. Some types of operations corresponding to client requests directed at the database object are to be coordinated by a master replica. Client access to the database object is enabled prior to election of a master replica. In response to a triggering condition, a particular replica is elected master. The master coordinates implementation of operations with one or more other replicas in response to client requests.
US10482099B2
Systems and methods are provided for facilitating the transformation of data from a tabular data set organized according to a data schema to an object based data set organized according to data ontology. The data schema and the data ontology may be used to generate a custom coding language suitable for facilitating the creation of a transform script. Error checking, type checking, autocomplete, and preview tools may be provided to permit the verification of the transform script as it is created.
US10482096B2
Computer systems, devices, and associated methods of providing distributed index searching are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, at a database server, search terms included in a search query for content from a member and in response to receiving the search terms, determining a subset of the distributed indices to be searched in response to the search query based on the received search terms and one or more records of searching features on the database server. The method also includes providing the determined list of distributed indices to be searched based on the search terms in the search query.
US10482094B2
Embodiments regard conditional selection of compound fields of structured objects. An embodiment of a method for conditionally selecting compound fields from structured objects includes: receiving a query at a database system to select a compound field from any structured object that satisfies a condition; determining by the database system whether a structured object stored in a database satisfies the condition; generating automatically by the database system a plurality of accessors that correspond to a plurality of columns in the compound field associated with the structured object in response to a determination that the structured object satisfies the condition; and providing a result of the query, the result including the plurality of accessors.
US10482089B2
Methods and computer program products relate to indicating search result relevancy that includes accepting a first set of query terms from a user, providing the user with a first set of search results corresponding to the first set of query terms, accepting from the user at least one indication of result relevancy from the first set of search results, accepting a second set of query terms from the user, the second set of query terms including the same or similar query terms to the first set of query terms, providing the user with a second set of search results corresponding to the second set of query terms, the second set of search results including one or more search results from the first set of search results, and including the indication of result relevancy in the second set of search results.
US10482087B2
A storage system includes a data storage including a nonvolatile memory device configured to store data classified into tables, and a storage controller configured to control the nonvolatile memory device; and a host configured to generate a query plan based on the tables according to a query request, and to execute the query plan to thereby read filtered data from the data stored in the nonvolatile memory device, and the storage controller includes a pattern matcher configured to generate and output the filtered data from the data stored in the nonvolatile memory device by performing a filtering operation.
US10482067B2
A method of synchronizing shared folders and files within a remote and local file system includes determining a remote and local file system state. The remote file system state includes remote hash values for remote instances of shared folders, shared sub-folders, shared files, shared sub-level files, and shared shortcuts. The local file system state includes a local hash values for local instances of shared folders, shared sub-folders, shared files, shared sub-level files, and shared shortcuts. The method also includes comparing the remote file system state and the local file system state to determine any differences in the hash values within the remote file system state and the local file system state and synchronizing any shared folder, shared sub-folder, or shared file having a differing value in the remote file system state and the local file system state across the local file system and the remote file system.
US10482057B2
Systems, methods and apparatus are described that offer improved performance of a sensor bus. A first command is transmitted to devices coupled to a serial bus operated in a first mode in accordance with a first protocol to cause the serial bus to be operated in a second mode. After communicating in accordance with a second protocol while the serial bus is operated in the second mode, a second command is transmitted to the plurality of devices in accordance with the first protocol to terminate the second mode. In the second mode, extra symbols inserted into a sequence of symbols transmitted on the serial bus prevent the occurrence of an unintended signaling state on the serial bus. Pulses transmitted on a wire of the serial bus in the second mode may have their duration limited such that a filter of a second device suppresses the limited-duration pulses.
US10482054B1
The coherent accelerator processor interface (CAPI) provides a high-performance when using heterogeneous compute architectures, but CAPI is not compatible with the advanced extensible interface (AXI) which is used by many accelerators. The examples herein describe an AXI-CAPI adapter (e.g., a hardware architecture) that converts AXI signals to CAPI signals and vice versus. In one example, the AXI-CAPI adapter includes four modules: a low-level shim, a high-level shim, an AXI full module, and an AXI Lite module which are organized in a hierarchy of hardware elements. Each of the modules outputs can output a different version of the AXI signals using the hierarchical structure.
US10482049B2
Configuring NVMe devices for redundancy and scaling includes: identifying, by a first SSD (‘Solid State Drive’) driver executing on a first CPU (‘Central Processing Unit’), address space of a first SSD coupled to the first CPU by a first PCI (‘Peripheral Component Interconnect’) switch, the first PCI switch including one or more non-transparent bridges (‘NTBs’); partitioning, by the first SSD driver, the address space of the first SSD amongst the NTBs of the first PCI switch and the first CPU, where each NTB is configured to translate CPU memory addresses received from a CPU into a drive address in the address space partitioned to the NTB; and partitioning, by the first SSD driver, a plurality of namespaces of the first SSD amongst the first CPU and the NTBs.
US10482048B2
Asymmetric power states on a communication link are disclosed. In one aspect, the communication link is a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) express (PCIe) link. PCIe is a point-to-point communication link between two termini. Exemplary aspects of the present disclosure allow the two termini to be in different power states. By allowing the two termini to be in the different power states, an individual terminus may be put into a low-power state even though the other terminus is maintained at a higher-power state. The different power states are enabled by providing switches between a reference clock and respective termini such that the reference clock may selectively be provided to only one terminus of the communication link, allowing that terminus to remain in the higher-power state while the other terminus enters a low-power state that does not require the reference clock.
US10482028B2
A mechanism is described for facilitating optimization of cache associated with graphics processors at computing devices. A method of embodiments, as described herein, includes introducing coloring bits to contents of a cache associated with a processor including a graphics processor, wherein the coloring bits to represent a signal identifying one or more caches available for use, while avoiding explicit invalidations and flushes.
US10482027B2
This application relates to a cache management method and apparatus, so as to improve cache efficiency and reduce waste of cache resources. The cache management method provided in this application includes: after receiving a to-be-processed command, determining a quantity of cache units needed by the to-be-processed command; if the quantity of cache units needed by the to-be-processed command is one, searching for, based on a cache unit pair first state table, a pair of cache units in which only one cache unit is idle, and allocating the idle cache unit in the pair of cache units to the to-be-processed command; and if the quantity of cache units needed by the to-be-processed command is two, searching for and allocating, based on a cache unit pair second state table in a clock cycle, a pair of cache units in which two cache units are both idle to the to-be-processed command.
US10482022B2
Methods and systems are presented for custom caching. Application threads define caches. The caches may be accessed through multiple index keys, which are mapped to multiple application thread-defined keys. Methods provide for the each index key and each application thread-defined key to be symmetrical. The index keys are used for loading data from one or more data sources into the cache stores on behalf of the application threads. Application threads access the data from the cache store by providing references to the caches and the application-supplied keys. Some data associated with some caches may be shared from the cache store by multiple application threads. Additionally, some caches are exclusively accessed by specific application threads.
US10482021B2
In an aspect, high priority lines are stored starting at an address aligned to a cache line size for instance 64 bytes, and low priority lines are stored in memory space left by the compression of high priority lines. The space left by the high priority lines and hence the low priority lines themselves are managed through pointers also stored in memory. In this manner, low priority lines contents can be moved to different memory locations as needed. The efficiency of higher priority compressed memory accesses is improved by removing the need for indirection otherwise required to find and access compressed memory lines, this is especially advantageous for immutable compressed contents. The use of pointers for low priority is advantageous due to the full flexibility of placement, especially for mutable compressed contents that may need movement within memory for instance as it changes in size over time.
US10482016B2
Providing private cache allocation for power-collapsed processor cores in processor-based systems is provided. In one aspect, a processor-based system provides multiple processor cores, each residing within its own processor core power domain. Each processor core is provided with a private cache residing within its own private cache power domain, configured to be power-controlled independently of the corresponding processor core power domain. When a first processor core is placed in a power-collapsed state, a snoop controller corresponding to the private cache of the first processor core maintains power to the private cache power domain of the private cache, allowing the private cache to remain online. The snoop controller also enables allocation and snooping of the private cache by a second processor core while the first processor core remains in the power-collapsed state. In this manner, each private cache may be used for data-caching operations while its corresponding processor core is power-collapsed.
US10482012B1
Disclosing a storage system, method of operating thereof and data structures usable for the operating. The method includes: accommodating a plurality of data structures informative of location of allocation chunks, each allocation chunk characterized by a predefined number K of available consecutive physical addresses; wherein the predefined number K is equal for all allocation chunks indicated by the same data structure and wherein there are at least two data structures informative of location of allocation chunks with a different predefined number K; identifying, prior to writing a data chunk, a data structure associated with respective logical group and informative of location of allocation chunks with the predefined number K equal to number M of consecutive physical addresses required for storing the data chunk; and allocating for the data chunk M consecutive physical addresses in accordance with the location of the allocation chunk, the location obtained from the identified data structure.
US10482011B2
A memory apparatus includes at least one non-volatile memory element, which includes a plurality of physical blocks. A method for managing the memory apparatus includes: obtaining a first host address from a received first access command; linking the first host address to a first page of the physical block; obtaining a second host address from a received second access command; linking the second host address to a second page of the physical block; and selectively erasing a portion of the blocks according to a valid/invalid page count of the physical block corresponding to accessing pages of the physical block. A difference value of the first host address and the second host address is greater than a number of pages of the physical block.
US10482007B2
Techniques for allocating memory on non-volatile storage mediums, rather than on RAM storage mediums, are provided. In some embodiments, first functions in program code for allocating memory on RAM storage are replaced with corresponding second functions for allocating memory on non-volatile storage. Library files corresponding to the second functions may be stored in programming language libraries, such that the second function may be defined in order to allocate memory on non-volatile storage. In some embodiments, a library file for allocating memory on RAM storage may be modified such that it instead causes allocation of memory on non-volatile storage. Allocating memory, storing data in memory, or retrieving data in memory may, in some embodiments, include providing instructions for a processor to communicate via a bus associated with non-volatile storage rather than a bus associated with RAM storage.
US10482002B2
A system and method for developing a multi-layered test suite for an operating platform including a framework layer and a system layer includes executing a first test suite against a version of the operating platform modified based on a software faults. A first counter is incremented if a first test suite executed against the modified version of the operating platform fails. A second test suite can be executed against the modified version of the operating platform and test cases may be added to the first test suite based on whether the second test suite passes or fails.
US10481993B1
A computing function may be executed on a computing node by a computing services provider. Execution of the computing function may generate diagnostic information. A first set of diagnostic information may be analyzed to identify an operational state associated with an elevated risk of an error condition. The identified operational state may be mapped to a property associated additional diagnostic information that may be generated and stored in response to the identification of the operational state. Diagnostic information not associated with the operational state may be discarded.
US10481986B2
Recovery of a database system by taking the database system offline is initiated. Thereafter, recovery operations specified by a redo log of the database system are replayed. A cleanup log is generated that identifies cleanup operations occurring during the replay of the recovery operations for garbage collection. Concurrent with the startup of the database, garbage collection of the cleanup operations as specified in the database savepoint is initiated. In addition, concurrent with the replay of the recovery operations, garbage collection of the cleanup operations specified by the cleanup log is initiated. The amount of parallelization of the garbage collection can be varied based on utilized processor resources. The database system is later brought online after all of the recovery operations are replayed.
US10481984B1
A method for minimizing VMWARE™ snapshot lifetime, by reading data from a storage snapshot created on the VM storage side. The reading is performed by mounting the storage snapshot as a new datastore on an ESX(I) host and accessing the host using a standard VMWARE™ VDDK (vStorage API) method. A pre-configured source ESX(I) host contains a VM that needs to be backed up. A SAN storage connected to the ESX(I) host over iSCSI or FibreChannel or NFS protocols is used. The backup agent, which contains the proprietary code, is installed on a physical or a virtual machine connected to an ESX(I) host. This backup agent maintains the operations with the ESX(I) host and the SAN storage and coordinates the VM virtual disks data read and write operations. The backup agent contains the executable code, which provides compatibility with SAN storage and ESX(I) host.
US10481983B1
A snapshot analysis system analyzes a plurality of data snapshots taken in connection with data stored on a block device allocated by a data storage system. The snapshot analysis system may include an ingestor capable of initially detecting new snapshots and adding a root node for the snapshots. The system may include a block device analyzer that analyzes each snapshot to determine its contents, the relationship within data structures extant within the snapshot, and the snapshot's relationship to other snapshots and/or that of other block devices. The system may also include a clustering analyzer capable of determining whether snapshots are associated with multipart block devices, such as LVM or MD RAID devices. The system may further include a block device emulator that exposes data associated with a given snapshot as an addressable block device without necessitating retrieval or exposure of the full block device to which the snapshot is associated.
US10481969B2
Systems and methods to conduct data-driven, system wide tests are disclosed. Instructions for testing an operating system are associated with one or more modules associated with the computing system. When a failed test is identified, a second set of instructions that accounts for the failed test is generated and executed, in order to efficiently identify and target specific issues. Results from these fully configurable testing methods can be communicated and utilized in further applications.
US10481966B2
Methods and systems are directed to quantifying and prioritizing the impact of problems or changes in a computer system. Resources of a computer system are monitored by management tools. When a change occurs at a resource of a computer system or in log data generated by event sources of the computer system, one or more of the management tools generates an alert. The alert may be an alert that indicates a problem with the computer system resource or the alert may be an alert trigger identified in an event message of the log data. Methods described herein compute an impact factor that serves as a measure of the difference between event messages generated before the alert and event messages generated after the alert. The value of the impact factor associated with an alert may be used to quantitatively prioritize the alert and generate appropriate recommendations for responding to the alert.
US10481964B2
Method, product and system for analyzing an execution of a program which uses Software Development Kits (SDKs), wherein the program is configured to invoke execution units, wherein a portion of the execution units are SDK execution units that are comprised by the SDKs. The method comprises: obtaining a stack trace of the execution of the program, wherein the stack trace comprises addresses of execution units; iterating over the stack trace to identify an address of an SDK execution unit, wherein said iterating comprises: comparing an address from the stack trace to a set of addresses associated with SDK execution units; and in response to determining the address is comprised by the set of address, identifying the address as an address of the SDK execution unit; and sending a report to a server, wherein the report identifies an SDK comprising the SDK execution unit.
US10481953B2
Leakage of detailed information for implementing a virtual server to execute a communication process on virtualization resources is prevented. There is provided a management system (10) included in a mobile communication system (1) configured to include an NFVI (60) which is virtualization resources including a physical server generated by a VNF (70) to execute a communication process, and the system includes a VNFM (30) for managing the VNF (70), a VIM (40) for managing the virtualization resources of the NFVI (60), an orchestrator (20) for managing all the virtualization resources of the NFVI (60), wherein the VNFM (30) includes a retention section (31) configured to retain detailed information for implementing the VNF (70) and a virtual server generation request section (32) configured to request the VIM (40) to generate the VNF (70) using the detailed information.
US10481942B2
A method and system for suspending operation of a virtual machine executed by a processing device of a host computing system. The method and system include storing state information of the virtual machine to a memory of the guest operating system. A notification is sent to an application of the virtual machine to enable the application to flush data prior to suspension of the operation of the virtual machine. Upon receipt of a confirmation that the state information is stored in the memory of the guest operating system, the state information is migrated to storage of the host computing system.
US10481940B2
The method includes post copy migrating a guest virtual machine from a migration source host to a migration target host, executing the instruction stream of the guest virtual machine on the migration target host, and determining, by the migration target host, when the guest virtual machine encounters the page fault. When the guest virtual machine encounters the page fault, the method includes requesting, by the migration target host, the not-present page from the migration source host for loading on the migration target host, and emulating, on an emulator executing on or in communication with the migration target host, continued execution of the instruction stream of the guest virtual machine. The method also includes identifying, by the emulator, future page references to future pages from the emulated continued execution of the instruction stream, and requesting the future pages from the migration source host in parallel with the not-present page request.
US10481937B2
A shadow command ring is described for graphics processor virtualization. In one example a command batch is loaded from a virtual machine of a general purpose processor into a physical command ring of a graphics processor. A physical tail pointer register of the graphics processor is set and the command batch and the physical tail pointer are trapped at a mediator. The mediator copies the trapped command batch and the physical tail pointer in a shadow command ring and sets a virtual tail pointer. The execution of the physical command ring is monitored and if an error is determined then the physical command ring is cleared and reloaded using the shadow command ring.
US10481934B2
An embodiment includes a system, comprising: a communication interface configured to communicate with a remote system external to the system; a memory; and a processor coupled to the communication interface and the memory and configured to: receive performance data from the remote system through the communication interface; maintain a virtual performance register in response to the performance data; receive a performance register access associated with the remote system through the communication interface; and respond to the performance data access through the communication interface based on the virtual performance register.
US10481930B1
a device configured to emulate a foveal mechanism in a correlithm object processing system comprises a memory and one or more processors. The memory stores a correlithm object mapping table that includes multiple source image elements and multiple corresponding target correlithm objects. The processors receive an image having a bitmap format and identify a first focus block of the image that includes multiple sub-blocks. The processors then compute a composite score for the first focus block that indicates a matching level between the first focus block and the source image. The processors then identify a direction to move the first focus block to a second focus block. The processors then compute a second composite score for the second focus block with respect to the source image and compare the second composite score to the first composite score to determine whether the matching level improves.
US10481929B1
A distributed execution environment can provide access to field-programmable device resources. The field-programmable device resources can be provided in association with one or more instances that are instantiated within the distributed execution environment upon request from a computing system. The computing system can be associated with a customer of the distributed execution environment. The customer can program the field-programmable device resources using designs created by or for the customer.
US10481917B2
Various embodiments include a first memory configured to store a first operating system and a second operating system; a second memory; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: check situation information associated with the electronic device based on execution of the first operating system in the second memory; when the situation information satisfies a predetermined condition, store, in the first memory, as a snapshot image, data associated with the execution of the first operating system and stored in the second memory; and execute the second operating system in the second memory.
US10481909B2
Setting or updating of floating point controls is managed. Floating point controls include controls used for floating point operations, such as rounding mode and/or other controls. Further, floating point controls include status associated with floating point operations, such as floating point exceptions and/or others. The management of the floating point controls includes efficiently updating the controls, while reducing costs associated therewith.
US10481904B1
Code creation and revision requires optimal error detection and correction and collaboration among programmers. One example method of operation may include receiving and processing a comment associated with a first user profile, identifying a software code context of the comment based on a software code data file, identifying a number of other user profiles associated with the software code context of the comment, and transmitting request messages to the other user profiles to provide feedback regarding the software code context of the comment.
US10481884B2
The present application is directed towards systems and methods for automated analysis and transformation of applications and automated pushdown of code from application layer to database layer, or from a data-to-code to code-to-data paradigm, including analyzing and extracting application layer code, relocating to and restructuring the code for the database layer, optimizing the code for better performance at the database layer, and adding communication interconnections between other applications and the pushed down code.
US10481882B2
A computer-implemented method is presented for removing overlap character array of a programming language where a part of the character array is used as a value of a string. The computer-implemented method includes, when comparison of a first string and a second string succeeds, modifying the string using a larger character array to use a smaller character array. The computer implemented method further includes collecting the larger character array in a subsequent GC process. When the offset of the string's value in the character array needs to be used, it is atomically accessed with the value field by using the two-word compare and swap instruction or by allocating the value and offset field in the same word.
US10481876B2
Rendering an application is provided. An application script file having scripts corresponding to functions of an application may be retrieved. The application script file may be decomposed into a first script file and a second script file. The first script file may be created by removing at least one script corresponding to at least one function determined for deferred rendering from the application script file. The second script file may be created to include the removed at least one script. The first script file may be sent to a user device to be executed to provide an initial render of the application. The second script file then may be transmitted to the user device for execution of the removed at least one script as part of a deferred rendering of the application.
US10481875B2
Examples of the disclosure provide for receiving a template at a design surface, the template representing a visual layout, logic, and data schema for an application. Received source data is bound to the template based on the data schema. At least one data storage location is selected from identified data storage locations. Based on the selection of the one data storage location, at least a portion of the source data is extracted and sent to the data storage location for storage. The extracted data is rewired to bind the extracted data at the data storage location to the template such that access of the application generated using the template provides access to the extracted data at the data storage location.
US10481871B2
Various embodiments are described that relate to random number generation. When a desire arises for a random number a circuit can be completed with a reverse biased semiconductor-junction element. When the circuit is completed an analog voltage spike can be produced that is random due to properties of the reverse biased semiconductor-junction element. This analog voltage spike can be converted into a digital value that serves as the random number. The digital value can be outputted and used as the random number.
US10481866B2
Systems and methods for creating mechanical computing mechanisms and Turing-complete systems which include combinatorial logic and sequential logic, and are energy-efficient.
US10481853B2
An information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus which transmits data to a different information processing apparatus, the method includes: receiving a granularity capable of expressing a change of the data in the different information processing apparatus; and when the data changes, transmitting the data after change to the different information processing apparatus according to the granularity received in the receiving and an extent of the change of the data.
US10481850B2
A controller to control an apparatus (e.g. a printer) can include multiple secondary sub-controllers and a main sub-controller. Each of the secondary sub-controllers can have an operator process and one or more executable control processes. Each of the control processes can be configured to exchange data with one or more other of the control processes. The main sub-controller can be communicatively coupled to the secondary sub-controllers via a data network. Each of the main and secondary sub-controllers can include at least one processor and an operating system. The respective operator processes can be configured to communicate via the data network, and the control processes of each of the secondary sub-controllers can be configured such that the control processes communicate exclusively with the operator process of their respective secondary sub-controller to communicate via the data network.
US10481841B2
A print system includes a print device and a processor comprising programming instructions. The processor is configured to launch a first application that causes a display device to output a user interface via which a user may select a document to print via the print device. The user interface includes user interaction fields that, when actuated, will initiate actions that are unrelated to operation of the print device. The processor is further configured to launch a second application that causes the display device to generate and output a graphical overlay that is at least in part displayed over one or more of the user interaction fields to prevent the user from actuating the user interaction fields while presenting a user interaction field that permits the user to cause the print device to print a document.
US10481840B2
Previous printers were designed to print a paper copy of data and/or receipts which causes a disconnect with modem day data manipulation. This printer interface can print data to and receive data from the internet and hand held devices which will open up extremely fast data exchange and data manipulation for consumers, cities, states and the federal government without the expense of having to purchase complete new systems. By simply changing out an old printer we can connect all old computer systems with modem day systems that now have the ability to manipulate data automatically.
US10481835B2
Methods and systems for dynamic hashing in cache sub-systems are provided. The method includes analyzing a plurality of input/output (I/O) requests for determining a pattern indicating if the I/O requests are random or sequential; and using the pattern for dynamically changing a first input to a second input for computing a hash index value by a hashing function that is used to index into a hashing data structure to look up a cache block to cache an I/O request to read or write data, where for random I/O requests, a segment size is the first input to a hashing function to compute a first hash index value and for sequential I/O requests, a stripe size is used as the second input for computing a second hash index value.
US10481826B2
An information management system according to certain aspects uses backup copies or other secondary copies of production data for the purposes of replicating production data to another client. The secondary copies can be deduplicated copies. By utilizing available secondary copies of the data for replication, the system can reduce the impact on the production machines associated with replication. Utilizing deduplicated copies not only reduces the amount of stored data, but also reduces the amount of data that is communicated between the source and the destination, increasing the speed of the replication process.
US10481820B1
A method is used in managing data in storage systems. A request is received to write data. A determination is made as to whether the data associated with the request can be relocated to a storage tier of a set of storage tiers based on a policy. The set of storage tiers includes first and second storage tiers. The first and second storage tiers are configured such that performance characteristics associated with the first storage tier is different from the second storage tier. Relocation of the data is managed to the storage tier of the set of storage tiers.
US10481818B2
A computer system having a host coupled to a storage device via a peripheral component interconnect express bus. The host communicates with the storage device in accordance with a non-volatile memory host controller interface specification. The storage device stores versions of meta data sequentially in a portion of a volatile memory that is protected against power failure using a power hold-up module. In response to a sudden power loss, the power hold-up module provides sufficient energy to support operations to copy the content from the portion of the volatile memory into a non-volatile memory. During a startup process, the content is retrieved from the non-volatile memory; and a binary search is performed to locate, within the content, the latest, valid version of the meta data to continue operations interrupted by the power loss.
US10481815B2
CNN based digital IC for AI contains a number of CNN processing units. Each CNN processing unit contains CNN logic circuits operatively coupling to a memory subsystem. A first subsystem includes an array of first magnetic random access memory (RAM) cells for storing weights and an array of second magnetic RAM cells for storing input signals. A second subsystem includes an array of first magnetic RAM cells for storing one-time-programming weights and an array of second magnetic RAM cells for storing input signals. A third subsystem includes an array of first magnetic RAM cells for storing weights, an array of second magnetic RAM cells for storing input signals and an array of third magnetic RAM cells for storing one-time-programming unique data pattern for security identification. Either MLC STT-RAM or MLC OST-MRAM containing at least two MTJ elements can be configured as different memories for forming memory subsystem.
US10481787B2
A touch interface includes a display screen and detects an approach and a position of a user's finger with respect to the screen. The interface displays at least one first graphical element associated with a first touch selection zone and lying in a first region and at least one second graphical element superimposed on a second touch selection zone, and lying in a second region distinct from the first region. The interface estimates a trajectory of a point of the finger and a point of impact of the trajectory on the screen. The interface displaces, when the point of impact is detected in one of the regions, the graphical element of the region and the associated touch selection zone in the direction of the point of impact, and then, when the point of impact exits the region, restore the display of the graphical element to an initial state.
US10481780B2
A smart-home device includes a user interface including an electronic display having a first display mode and a second display mode, the first display mode generally requiring more power than said second display mode. The device also includes a processing system in operative communication with one or more environmental sensors for determining at least one environmental condition. The device additionally includes at least one sensor configured to detect a physical closeness of a user to the at least one sensor. The processing system may be configured to cause the electronic display to be in the first display mode when a closeness threshold has been exceeded, where the processing system is further configured to automatically adjust the closeness threshold based at least in part on a historical plurality of physical closeness events as detected by the at least one sensor.
US10481779B2
A method for providing a graphical user interface on a display of a device includes: displaying a photograph image on the display of the device; receiving a touch input made on the display; superimposedly displaying a plurality of control guides at a location corresponding to the touch input over the displayed photograph image in response to the touch input; receiving a drag input corresponding to one of the plurality of control guides displayed on the display; adjusting a display characteristic of the photograph image corresponding to the one of the plurality of control guides, in response to the drag input; and displaying the photograph image having the adjusted display characteristic on the display, wherein the display characteristic is a magnification of the photograph image.
US10481774B2
This document describes techniques and apparatuses for area-dependent image enhancement. These techniques are capable of enabling selection, through a touch-enabled mobile-device display, of an area of a photographic image through movement of a spatially-variable implement, such as brush icon moved over the image. Selected areas can be enhanced differently than other areas, such as to apply sharpening to the selected area and blurring to a non-selected area.
US10481772B2
The present disclosure provides a widget displaying method and apparatus, and a storage medium, which pertain to the field of flexible display technology. The method comprises: acquiring pressure bearing capacity information of the flexible display device, the pressure bearing capacity information indicating pressure bearing capacities of a plurality of areas on the flexible display device; determining a force bearing area on the flexible display screen, based on the pressure bearing capacity information; and displaying a touchable widget, based on the force bearing area. The present disclosure addresses the problem that the flexible display device bends under gravity, which makes it difficult for the user to perform touch operations on the flexible display screen, and achieves the effect that a touchable widget can be displayed on an area with a high pressure bearing capacity, thereby ensuring the stability when the user performs touch operations on the flexible display device and improving success rate and accuracy of the touch operations.
US10481770B2
An exemplary system and method for displaying technical equipment of an industrial plant includes a graphical display unit and a user interface for receiving image handling parameters. A data storing unit provides data relating to the technical equipment in the form of device data and network data describing a communication network of the industrial plant. The device data describes network devices which are all connected to the communication network and belong to the industrial plant, and the network data describes all the communication connections between the network devices. A data processing unit is arranged for retrieving the provided data, transforming all the device data and all the network data into displayable information, and providing the image representations together with other displayable information to the graphical display unit. The graphical display unit is arranged to display the image representations and other displayable information according to the image handling parameters.
US10481763B2
A computer implemented method and a mobile stamp creation and communication system (MSCCS) dynamically creates, renders, and transforms a digital stamp for a stamped communication and media interactions. The MSCCS creates digital stamps by integrating media content, data elements, and dynamic functional elements received from multiple sources. The MSCCS renders the digital stamps to a user device for user selection based on dynamic rendering criteria, generates a stamped communication with the selected digital stamps, and marks the selected digital stamps with a visual usage marker that indicates use of the selected digital stamps in the stamped communication. The MSCCS transforms the marked digital stamps into dynamic content on the user device using data elements and functional elements imbedded in the marked digital stamps and inherent elements of the user device for performing actions on the marked digital stamps and invoking media interactions for creation and rendering of enhanced digital stamps.
US10481757B2
A system and method for controlling an electronic system is presented. An icon is displayed on a display. The icon is associated with a function of the electronic system and has an entrance zone about a center of the icon and an exit zone about the center of the icon. The exit zone is larger than the entrance zone. A location of a gaze of a user upon the display is detected using an eye gaze detection system. When the location of the gaze of the user is within the entrance zone, an indication that the icon is selected is presented. When the location of the gaze of the user is outside the exit zone, an indication that the icon is deselected is presented.
US10481755B1
A system configured to present virtual content in an interactive space may comprise one or more of a light source, an optical element, one or more physical processors, non-transitory electronic storage, and/or other components. The light source may be configured to emit light. The optical element being configured to provide the light emitted from the light source to an eye of the user. The non-transitory electronic storage may be configured to store virtual content information defining virtual content. The virtual content may include one or more of a virtual presentation area, one or more virtual tools, one or more virtual object, and/or other virtual content. The virtual presentation area may be provided for generating and/or displaying presentations of virtual content. The presentation may include a set of scenes. An individual scene may include one or more virtual objects posed on the virtual presentation area.
US10481752B2
A device can be configured to provide a request for assistance with performing a task, receive instructions, launch, using the instructions, an application associated with the task, and cause display of a transparent overlay on top of a display of the application. The transparent overlay can include an instruction for a user, and the device can receive user input that corresponds to the instruction and perform an action based on the user input and the received instructions.
US10481748B2
A display panel and a display apparatus are provided. The display panel includes a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area. The display panel includes at least one semiconductor pressure sensor disposed in the non-display area. Each semiconductor pressure sensor has a planar structure and is provided with a hollow-out zone. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the pressure detection accuracy of the pressure sensors is improved and the user experience is enhanced.
US10481746B2
Embroidered sensor assemblies are described that are formed on a flexible substrate, such as a suitable fabric material. The embroidered sensors can be configured as a pattern of wires that enable measurement of strain based on positional relationships between nodes formed by the pattern of wires. As a pipe or other object flexes, the positional relationships are altered and can be detected to facilitate computation of strain. Strain can be deduced at each individual node, which can then be used to create a strain profile or map for the object.
US10481744B2
A computer system and method are proposed for solving physical problems governed by Poisson or Helmholtz equations. Values of at least one unknown physical quantity at points are determined using known values of at least one second physical quantity. The points are clustered into a hierarchical skeleton structure using a clustering algorithm based on distances between the points. Interactions between distant clusters are approximated, to give a system of equations which can be solved more efficiently.
US10481743B2
Provided are a high-performance touch sensor and a method of manufacturing the same. The touch sense includes a substrate, a sense electrode part formed on the substrate, and an insulating layer formed on the sense electrode part. A pitch of a unit sense cell including the sense electrode part is in a range of 50 μm to 70 μm. A dielectric constant of the insulating layer is in a range of 6 to 10. A unit sense cell pitch and a mutual capacitance sufficient for stably identifying a user's fingerprints may be achieved and both light transmittance and visibility may be improved.
US10481736B2
In one embodiment, one or more systems may include multiple emitters and receivers of electromagnetic radiation. Each emitter and each receiver may correspond to a different field of view respectively. The one or more systems may activate at least some of the emitters according to an illumination pattern. One or more receivers may then detect at least part of the electromagnetic radiation that is reflected from an object. The one or more systems may further detect a presence of the object or a motion of the object in the field of view of at least one of the receivers based at least on the illumination pattern and on electromagnetic radiation detected by the one or more receivers.
US10481734B2
Embodiments of an apparatus and system are described for a hybrid computing device. Some embodiments may comprise a computing device having an enclosure arranged to support a display on a front of the enclosure, a projector adjustment ring integrated into a portion of the perimeter of the enclosure, and a projector module adjustably coupled to the projector adjustment ring. In various embodiments, the projector module may be arranged for dual-axis rotation within the projector adjustment ring. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US10481733B2
In an example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a method may include receiving, on a touch sensitive mat of a computing system, a touch input associated with a first event type. The method further includes determining whether to transform the touch input associated with the first event type to a different event type, and sending, to an application, the touch input associated with an event type based according to the determination.
US10481719B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a display device comprising a display panel, a force sensing unit and a processing unit, the display panel comprises a display portion and a non-display portion; the force sensing unit is provided in a non-wiring portion of the non-display portion, and the force sensing unit is configured to sense a force applied on the display panel and output a force signal corresponding to the force; and the processing unit is connected to the force sensing unit and is configured to control the display portion to display a preset functional interface according to the force signal output from the force sensing unit.
US10481717B2
A display device comprising: a display area, a driving circuit formed in a peripheral area, a touch sensor, overlapping the display area, having a first touch electrode extending in a first direction and a second touch electrode extending in a second direction that crosses the first direction; wherein each of the plural pixels has pixel electrode layer, the counter electrode layer over the pixel electrode layer, the display element layer formed between the pixel electrode layer and the counter electrode layer; the touch sensor is formed over the counter electrode via an insulating layer; lead wirings from the first touch electrode or from the second touch electrode extend to an area to overlap the driving circuit formed in the peripheral area; the counter electrode layer extends to cover the area that the lead wiring and the driving circuit overlap to each other in the peripheral area.
US10481713B2
A display device may include a display panel, a window member provided above the display panel, a housing accommodating the display panel and the window member and including at least one protrusion on an inner surface thereof, and a pressure sensor including a first conductive layer provided on the at least one protrusion and a second conductive layer provided at a peripheral area of the first conductive layer to be spaced apart from the first conductive layer.
US10481709B2
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a substrate, a first contacting element, a second contacting element and a connecting element. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface. The substrate has a through hole located between the first surface and the second surface. At least a part of the connecting element is disposed in the through hole. The first contacting element is disposed on the first surface. The second contacting element is disposed on the second surface. The first contacting element electrically connects the second contacting element through the connecting element.
US10481706B2
A touch panel including a touch region, a border region, a signal transmission device, and a light transmission pattern is provided. The border region is disposed on at least one side of the touch region. The signal transmission device is disposed in the border region. The light transmission pattern is disposed in the border region. The light transmission pattern partially overlaps the signal transmission device along a vertical projection direction. The signal transmission device includes at least one transparent conducting line. The transparent conducting line overlaps partial the light transmission pattern in the vertical projection direction.
US10481700B1
Methods, systems, and devices for gesture detection are described. A device may identify a set of configured gestures and determine a set of minimum frame rates, where each minimum frame rate may correspond to at least one configured gesture in the set of configured gestures. The device may set an initial frame rate for a sensor based at least in part on the set of minimum frame rates. For example, the device may identify a maximum frame rate of the set of minimum frame rates and set the initial frame rate to be equal to or greater than the maximum frame rate. The device may capture a set of images using an initial frame rate and detect a configured gesture of the set of configured gestures based on the set of images.
US10481698B2
A method and an electronic device implementing the method are disclosed. The electronic device may include sensors, a memory and a processor executing instructions stored in the memory to: select at least one sensor of the one or more sensors to detect movement of the electronic device and select a sampling frequency of the selected at least one sensor based on usage state information of the electronic device, detect the movement of the electronic device using the selected at least one sensor at the selected sampling frequency, and when the detected movement corresponds to at least one preset condition of the one or more preset conditions, execute a specific application of the one or more applications associated with the at least one preset condition.
US10481697B2
A system includes: a sensor that detects motions of a first portion and a second portion of a body of a user; a controller that sets a base point of the second portion in response to the motion of the first portion and receives a prescribed input in response to the motion of the second portion with respect to the base point; and a notification device that contactlessly notifies a third portion of the body that the base point is set.
US10481689B1
A motion capture glove may use a set of sensors to detect the motion of fingers. Pairs of magnets and magnetic sensors may be positioned along portions of a hand that are capable of movement or bending. For example, a magnet may be positioned on one side of a top of the joint and a magnetic sensor on the opposite side of the top of the joint. As a user bends the finger, the sensor is moved further away from the magnet. An electrical signal generated by the sensor may vary as the distance between the sensor and the magnet varies. The strength of the electrical signal may be used to determine a configuration of the joint. A determination of the configuration of each joint may be used to determine a configuration of a hand, which can be used to generate an animation of motion capture clip.
US10481687B1
An eye tracker for determining a position of an eye, which may be integrated into a head-mounted display. The eye tracker includes a waveguide, switchable Bragg gratings (SBGs) that selectively out couple light from the waveguide, light sources coupled to the waveguide, a detector coupled to a return path of the waveguide, and a controller. The controller instructs at least one light source to emit at least one light beam propagating through the waveguide, and activates at least one SBG to out-couple the at least one light beam from the waveguide toward the eye. The waveguide in-couples at least one reflected light signal reflected from the eye that originates from the at least one light beam out-coupled from the waveguide. The detector detects the at least one reflected light signal. The controller determines a position of the eye using the detected at least one reflected light signal.
US10481684B2
A method, computer readable medium, and system are disclosed for generating foveal images. The method includes the steps of redirecting first light rays towards an eye, where the first light rays are redirected by an optical combiner and produce a peripheral image and generating second light rays by a light engine. The second light rays are redirected towards the eye, where the second light rays intersect a first region of the optical combiner and converge at a nodal point within the eye and produce an inset foveal image positioned within at least a portion of the peripheral image. An origin of the second light rays is offset to intersect a second region of the optical combiner in response to a change in a gaze direction of the eye.
US10481676B2
The systems and methods provided herein acquire a command over multiple clock cycles and fires it. When a chip select signal (CS) transitions, a first portion of a command address is captured in a first clock cycle after the CS transitions. Then, a second portion of the command address is captured in a second clock cycle immediately after the first clock cycle or in a third clock cycle immediately following the second clock cycle. An internal command is fired, using the first portion of the command address and the second portion of the command address.
US10481674B2
Self-configured, power-aware circuitry configured to enhance power efficiency within integrated circuitry by self-calibrating the power consumption utilized within the integrated circuitry according to the requirements of an application program running within the integrated circuitry. The power consumption is self-calibrated within the integrated circuitry on a per application-based manner so that the integrated circuitry can be implemented with a plurality of various generalized functionalities, each of which may or may not be utilized while a specific application program is running within the integrated circuitry. Power consumption within the integrated circuitry is reduced by independently and dynamically controlling multiple power sections delineated within the integrated circuitry.
US10481672B1
There is provided a near-zero-power wakeup system in which a MEMS sensor for mechanical or acoustic signals is coupled to a very-low-power complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Power consumption can be minimized by operating the ASIC with sub-threshold gate voltages.
US10481671B2
A computer system, comprising a plurality of computers, each of the plurality of computers including at least one processor chip each including a plurality of processor cores, the at least one processor chip constructing a plurality of regions each constructed by at least one processor core, each of the plurality of processor cores carries out calculation processing for executing a predetermined program and inter-core communication processing, which is communication between the plurality of processor cores, the computer system comprising: a regulation module which controls a voltage and a frequency that are supplied to each of the plurality of regions; and a determination module which determines a power mode of each of the plurality of regions, to output an instruction to the regulation module.
US10481667B2
An electronic device performs a method for adjusting a sleep mode display mechanism. The method includes determining, responsive to a trigger, whether a trusted device is proximate to the electronic device. The method further includes adjusting a sleep mode display mechanism of the electronic device when the trusted device is determined to be proximate to the electronic device.
US10481666B2
Embodiments herein disclose a method and system for optimizing communication in a heterogeneous network. The method includes forming, by a non-constrained device, an association between the non-constrained device and a constrained device, wherein the association is formed by the non-constrained device in response to receiving an association request broadcasted by the constrained device. Further, the method includes sending, by the non-constrained device, sleep information to the constrained device, wherein the sleep information for the constrained device is computed at the non-constrained device based on at least one parameter associated with the heterogeneous network.
US10481663B2
Systems and methods for managing the operation of Power Supply Units (PSUs) are described. In some embodiments, a method may include: identifying a mismatch between a first Power Supply Unit (PSU) and a second PSU in an Information Handling System (IHS), disabling the first PSU, determining that a voltage at an input line of the first PSU follows a predetermined pattern while the first PSU receives a secondary bias from the second PSU, and enabling the first PSU.
US10481654B2
A holder and a mobile terminal including the holder are disclosed. The holder is located in the mobile terminal, the holder includes a heat conduction area and a heat insulation area, the heat insulation area is close to an edge of the holder, the heat insulation area is adjacent to the heat conduction area, and a heat emitting element in the mobile terminal is proximate to the heat conduction area. The heat insulation area is provided on the holder, and the heat insulation area is close to the edge of the holder and is adjacent to the heat conduction area, so that, in a process of transferring heat in the heat conduction area to the edge of the holder, the heat is impeded by the heat insulation area, thereby reducing heat at the edge of the holder.
US10481653B2
Provided herein are compositions made from a matrix and encapsulated phase change material particles dispersed therein, and electronic devices assembled therewith.
US10481640B2
A display device including a display panel that displays an image, and a supporting layer positioned on one surface of the display panel. The supporting layer includes a plurality of magnets that are engageable with each other.
US10481636B2
A computer docking station for supporting a portable computer includes a body with a cradle portion configured to support a portion of the portable computer, and an arm portion spaced from the cradle portion. A latching member is coupled with the arm portion and movable between a first position relative to the arm portion, in which the portable computer can be removed from the docking station, and a second position relative to the arm portion, in which the portable computer cannot be removed from the docking station. The computer moves the latching member from the second position to the first position, in a direction toward the cradle portion, as the computer is inserted into the docking station and the latching member automatically moves from the first position to the second position, in a direction away from the cradle portion, as the computer is fully inserted into the docking station.
US10481626B1
A fault-tolerant multiphase voltage regulator includes a plurality of power stages, each of which is configured to deliver a phase current to a processor, and a controller. The controller is configured to: control the plurality of power stages to regulate an output voltage provided to the processor; detect and disable a faulty power stage; generate a throttling signal to indicate if one or more of the power stages is faulty and disabled; and communicate the throttling signal to the processor over a physical line running between the processor and the controller. A corresponding method of operating a fault-tolerant power distribution system is also described.
US10481602B2
A system for sensor fusion for autonomous driving transition control includes a sensor fusion module and a decision making module. The sensor fusion module fuses a plurality of steering sensor data from one or more sensors of a steering system with a plurality of driver state data from a plurality of driver state sensors as a plurality of fused state data aligned in time. The decision making module determines whether to transition from an autonomous driving mode to a manual driving mode based on the fused state data.
US10481601B2
The present application discloses a delivery method and a delivery control device. The delivery method includes steps S1 to S3. In the step S1, request information sent by a user is acquired, the request information including user location information which indicates a current position of the user. In the Step S2, a delivery apparatus for the user is selected among at least two types of delivery apparatuses according to the user location information. In the Step S3, the selected delivery apparatus is controlled to deliver an article or service to the user.
US10481598B2
A motion control system provides optimized communications within and between an amplifier and a profile generation subsystem. In particular, the communications can provide data streams between components of the motion control that are derived from observed variables of the motion system. An amplifier subsystem drives a motor and output motor data indicating status of the motor. The profile generation subsystem issues motor control commands to the amplifier subsystem and generates motor summary data based on the motor data. The profile generation subsystem selectively output an error signal based on at least one of the motor data and motor summary data.
US10481596B2
A control device includes a receiving unit that receives output signals from a plurality of manufacturing machines, via a communication network; a noise-component extracting unit that extracts a common noise component that is contained in the output signals; and a noise-component removing unit that removes the extracted noise component from at least one of the output signals.
US10481591B2
A machine tool controlled by a numerical controller includes a feed handle for driving a drive-shaft for moving a tool and a workpiece relatively by using a mechanical mechanism and a motor for driving the drive shaft. The numerical controller generates an automatic feed command for driving the motor when a specific handle operation performed on the feed handle is detected.
US10481585B2
A spatial model of a printed circuit board assembly is generated based on an input file. The spatial model is used to determine a spatial feature not directly specified in the input file. A manufacturing parameter is determined based at least in part on the determined spatial feature. A proposal to manufacture the printed circuit board assembly is generated programmatically based at least in part on the determined manufacturing parameter.
US10481578B2
A drivetrain for linear movement of a machine component along a linear guide of a machine includes a motor with a motor-measuring system. A length-measuring system is assigned to the linear guide for determining a position of the machine component. To determine rigidity of the drivetrain, a constant acceleration for the machine component is predetermined by a numerical controller for performing closed-loop control of the movement of the machine component. The numerical controller determines a difference between a position of the machine component derived from the motor-measuring system and a position of the machine component measured at the same time by the length-measuring system during the acceleration phase, and the difference is assigned to the acceleration or to a force required for the acceleration and storage in the numerical controller of the pair of values established in this way and/or of a rigidity value emanating from the pair of values.
US10481575B2
A thermal compensation control system for a machine tool having a milling cutter and a cutter driver includes a tool setting probe, a temperature sensor, a workpiece touch probe, and a controller. The cutter driver is connected to the milling cutter to drive the milling cutter to process the work piece based on a control signal. The tool setting probe is configured to detect a cutter length of the milling cutter. The temperature sensor is configured to sense a measured temperature of the cutter driver or the milling cutter. The workpiece touch probe is configured to measure processing errors of the processed work piece. The controller is configured to generate the control signal based on a processing instruction, a temperature compensation model, the cutter length, and the measured temperature. The controller is further configured to determine whether to modify the temperature compensation model based on the processing errors.
US10481571B2
A robot controller able to automatically set an motion range for a robot, in which the robot and an obstacle, such as a peripheral device, do not interfere with each other. The robot controller includes a depth acquisition section acquiring a group of depth data representing depths from a predetermined portion of the robot to points on the surface of an object around the robot, a robot position acquisition section acquiring three-dimensional position information of the predetermined portion, a depth map generator generating depth map information including three-dimensional position information of the points with using the group of depth data and the three-dimensional position information, and an interference region setting section estimating the range occupied by the object from the depth map information and setting the range as an interference region.
US10481565B2
Methods, systems and methods for designing a system that provides adaptive control and adaptive predictive filtering using nonlinear components. A system design is described that provides an engineered architecture. This architecture defines a core set of network dynamics that carry out specific functions related to control or prediction. The adaptation systems and methods can be applied to limited areas of the system to allow the system to learn to compensate for unmodeled system dynamics and kinematics. Two types of adaptive modules are described which are configured to account for the unmodeled system dynamics and kinematics.
US10481564B2
A system is provided for controlling a first switch terminal of a building occupied by one or more building occupant. The system includes a plurality of switch terminals at the building. A first computer system is coupled to the first switch terminal or equivalent of the building at a first location of the building. The first computer system runs on at least one platform. A first plurality of sensors is coupled to the first switch terminal and the first computer system. At least a portion of the sensors provide signal data to the first computer system. The first computer system produces a command or data output that relates to at least one of: a command output for a local control system, a command output for a different system, a data output for a different system, a command output for a non-local device or a data output that is a non-local device, each of an output including learned data from that is based on machine intelligence from previous data collected about patterns of a building occupant. A motion detection sensor is included.
US10481555B2
A dual bellows system and method that includes a main bellows which interacts with a thermally compensating bellows, whereby interaction of the main bellows with the thermally compensating bellows results in a transfer of force and/or displacement that is insensitive to temperature changes.
US10481554B2
There is provided a near-eye device for augmenting a real world view. The near-eye device comprises a spatial light modulator comprising an array of phase modulating elements arranged to apply a phase delay distribution to incident light. The device further comprises a beam combiner comprising a first optical input arranged to receive spatially modulated light from the spatial light modulator and a second optical input having a field of view of the real world.
US10481545B2
An image forming apparatus includes multiple image bearers, multiple image bearer gears, a drive source, an output gear, a drive transmission body, multiple relay gears, and multiple drive gears. A center of rotation of each of the multiple drive gears to which a driving force is transmitted from the drive source is located downstream from a corresponding one of the multiple relay gears in a rotation direction of the corresponding one of the multiple relay gears, relative to a virtual line segment connecting a center of rotation of the corresponding one of the multiple relay gears connected to the multiple drive gears and the center of rotation of a corresponding one of the multiple image bearer gears.
US10481544B2
Disclosed herein is a sheet binding apparatus that comprises a first binding unit provided and a second binding unit configured to perform needle binding on sheets, and a second binding unit configured to perform non-needle binding on sheets. A needle replenishing position where needles are replenished in the first binding unit is set in the vicinity of the second binding unit.
US10481539B2
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus that is capable of performing a first image forming mode that performs image formation at a first peripheral speed ratio representing a ratio of a peripheral speed of a developer bearing member to a peripheral speed of an image bearing member and a second image forming mode that performs the image formation at a second peripheral speed ratio different from the first peripheral speed ratio, and that detects an amount of a developer consumed in the image formation, based on an estimate of the amount of the developer consumed by one pixel and the number of pixels at a part at which the developer is consumed. The estimate of the amount of the developer consumed by the one pixel in the first image forming mode is different from that in the second image forming mode.
US10481537B2
An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a transfer material in an image forming mode, includes: a photoreceptor rotatable in a predetermined rotation direction; a developer that forms a toner image on the photoreceptor using a two-component developing agent including toner and a carrier; a transferor that transfers the toner image on the photoreceptor onto the transfer material; a carrier collector that applies an electric field corresponding to a collecting bias to a carrier adhering to the photoreceptor to collect the carrier; a carrier detector that detects a carrier remaining on the photoreceptor after collecting the carrier by the carrier collector; and a hardware processor that sets the collecting bias in the image forming mode on the basis of the amount of carriers detected by the carrier detector when a carrier adhesion detecting mode for forcibly causing a carrier to adhere to the photoreceptor is executed.
US10481534B2
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device configured to fix a toner to a recording medium, a cooling device disposed so as to cool the fixing device with forced air, and a rotatable guide configured to guide the recording medium towards a first location when in a first position and towards a second location when in a second position. The rotatable guide partially blocks the forced air at the first position and forms a pathway for the forced air when at the second position. A control unit rotates the guide unit to the second position if an operating mode of the fixing device is changed from a first mode having a fixing temperature set point at a first temperature to a second mode having a fixing set point temperature lower than the first temperature.
US10481530B2
A separation member that is used to separate a conveyance object from two rotation members, the conveyance object having been sent out from a nip that is formed by the two rotation members that are in contact with one another, the separation member includes a wavy part directed toward the nip and inclined from a normal to a center line of the two rotation members at a predetermined angle. The wavy part covers a contact zone where the conveyance object can come into contact with the separation member along a conveyance direction and along a width direction of the conveyance object, and the wavy part has a plurality of depressions parallel to each other and extending in a direction inclined from the conveyance direction and inclined from the width direction, at least two of the depressions overlapping along the conveyance direction.
US10481522B2
A developing device includes a developing roller and a layer thickness regulating member. The developing roller includes a fixed magnet and a sleeve. The layer thickness regulating member includes a regulating body portion and an upstream regulating portion, and the upstream regulating portion includes an upstream magnetic member and a nonmagnetic member. Developer is hardly strongly jammed in an area between a first magnetic field concentration point of the regulating body portion and a second magnetic field concentration point of the upstream regulating portion. Thus, even if the sleeve of the developing roller is rotated at a higher speed than before, the developer is stably regulated by the layer thickness regulating member.
US10481519B2
A print head includes: current-driven non-single crystal light emitting elements arranged in a line; thin film transistors that are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the light emitting elements and each supplies a driving current to a corresponding one of the light emitting elements; a detector that detects, when one of the light emitting elements corresponding to one of the thin film transistors emits light, an output voltage of the one of the thin film transistors; and a hardware processor that determines a control voltage to be applied to each of the thin film transistors when next light is emitted according to the output voltage of the one of the thin film transistors detected by the detector and a driving current to be supplied by each of the thin film transistors to cause each of the light emitting elements to emit light with a target light amount.
US10481512B2
An improved organic photoconductor drum used in an electrophotographic image forming device and method to make the same is provided. The organic photoconductor drum contains a protective overcoat. The protective overcoat is prepared from a curable composition including a charge transport molecule containing four radical polymerizable hydrophilic functional groups containing an oxygen atom of the general structure shown below: where R1 and R2 contain a spacer group and a radical polymerizable hydrophilic functional group containing an oxygen atom, R3 and R4 are a non-radical polymerizable functional group, and R5 and R6 contain a spacer group and a radical polymerizable hydrophilic functional group containing an oxygen atom. The curable composition may also contain at least one curing agent. This organic photoconductor drum has excellent wear resistance without negatively altering the electrophotographic properties, thus protecting the organic photoconductor drum from damage and extending its service life.
US10481503B2
A substrate has first and second target structures formed by a lithographic process. Each target structure has a two-dimensional periodic structure formed in a single layer using first and second lithographic steps. The first target structure has features defined in the second lithographic step displaced relative to features defined in the first lithographic step by a first bias amount. The second target structure has features defined in the second lithographic step displaced relative to features defined in the first lithographic step by a second bias amount. An angle-resolved scatter spectrum of the first target structure and an angle-resolved scatter spectrum of the second target structure is obtained. A measurement of a parameter of a lithographic process is derived from the measurements using asymmetry found in the scatter spectra of the first and second target structures.
US10481500B2
An imaging optical system has a plurality of mirrors which image an object field in an object plane in an image field in an image plane. The imaging optical system has a pupil obscuration. The last mirror in the beam path of the imaging light between the object field and the image field has a through-opening for the passage of the imaging light. A penultimate mirror of the imaging optical system in the beam path of the imaging light between the object field and the image field has no through-opening for the passage of the imaging light. The result is an imaging optical system that provides a combination of small imaging errors, manageable production and a good throughput for the imaging light.
US10481492B2
The present invention provides an imprint apparatus including a supply device including discharge ports which discharge a imprint material, and configured to supply the imprint material onto a substrate via the discharge ports, and a controller configured to cause, if there is a defective discharge port of the discharge ports, the supply device to discharge the imprint material from another discharge port, different from the defective discharge port, of the discharge ports, wherein a mold for the molding includes a line pattern, and the controller is configured to control the supply device such that an interval between supply positions of the imprint material do not become larger in a direction orthogonal to a direction along the line pattern than that before change from the defective discharge port to the other discharge port.
US10481489B2
A mask plate is provided. The mask plate includes a first transparent substrate. A first transparent electrode, an electrochromic layer and a second transparent electrode are arranged sequentially on the first transparent substrate. The first transparent electrode is configured to be selectively powered so as to form energized regions with different shapes. A method for manufacturing the mask plate, a device including the mask plate, and a method for using the mask plate are further provided.
US10481482B2
A method and a device for generating panoramic images. The method includes capturing images from positions in a circular array, projecting the captured images into corresponding equirectangular images, extracting a set of intermediate images from the equirectangular images, and blending the set of intermediate images to generate panoramic images.
US10481473B2
An image projection apparatus includes a first light modulation element configured to modulate first light from a light source and to generate second light, a second light modulation element configured to modulate second light, an imaging optical system configured to image the second light on the second light modulation element and disposed on an optical path from the first light modulation element to the second light modulation element. The image projection apparatus is configured to project an image formed by light from the second light modulation element onto a projection surface and satisfies a predetermined condition.
US10481466B2
The present application discloses an optical switch, including a first optical waveguide, a second optical waveguide, and a first heater, where a place at which a distance between the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide is the smallest is a junction; the first heater is adjacent to the third optical sub-waveguide; and there is a first dielectric material between the first heater and the third optical sub-waveguide, and there is a second dielectric material between the third optical sub-waveguide and the fourth optical sub-waveguide, where a thermal conductivity of the first dielectric material is greater than a thermal conductivity of the second dielectric material. The optical switch has advantages such as high heating efficiency, a small quantity of heaters, and simple control.
US10481465B2
According to one embodiment, an illumination device includes a light source unit which emits light, a modulation element includes a modulation portion which modulates incident light, and a non-modulation portion which is adjacent to the modulation portion, and a liquid crystal element located between the light source unit and the modulation element, the liquid crystal element forming a lens between the light source unit and the modulation portion.
US10481464B2
The objective of the present invention is to provide an optical modulator adapted for use with various modulating units and various modulation regions, and with which variability in optical losses is limited as far as possible. An optical modulator in which an optical waveguide and a control electrode for controlling an optical wave propagating through the optical waveguide are provided in a substrate, characterized in that: the optical waveguide is provided with a first branching portion which causes one input light beam to branch into two light beams; each of a first and a second modulating portion connected to two branched waveguides which branch at the first branching portion is provided with a structure in which one or more Mach-Zehnder type optical waveguides are combined; the control electrode comprises signal electrodes which apply modulated signals to the first and second modulating portions; input portions of all the signal electrodes are disposed on either the left or the right of the substrate relative to the direction in which the optical wave propagates; and in relation to output portions of the signal electrodes, the output portions of the signal electrodes led out from each modulating portion are disposed on the side on which the first or second modulating portions are disposed, relative to the direction in which the optical wave propagates.
US10481462B2
In example implementations, an apparatus includes a serializer, a re-timing buffer coupled to the serializer, and a plurality of segments coupled to the re-timing buffer. The plurality of segments may be used for controlling a timing of an electrical signal. Each one of the plurality of segments may include a segment serializer, a timing control coupled to the segment serializer and a driver coupled to the timing control. In addition, a phase clock may be coupled to the segment serializer and the timing control of each one of the plurality of segments.
US10481456B2
An energy storage device includes a cathodic material in an activated state; and an anodic material in an activated state; wherein: the cathodic material is a viologen covalently attached to, or confined within, a first polymer matrix, the first polymer matrix is configured to prevent or minimize substantial diffusion of the cathodic material in the activated state; and the anodic material is a phenazine, a phenothiazine, a triphenodithiazine, a carbazole, a indolocarbazole, a biscarbazole, or a ferrocene covalently attached to, or confined within, a second polymer matrix, the second polymer matrix is configured to prevent or minimize substantial diffusion of the anodic material in the activated state.
US10481450B2
A liquid crystal display device is provided. The liquid crystal display device comprises a substrate, a thin-film transistor (TFT) disposed on the substrate, an insulating layer disposed on the TFT, and a pixel electrode disposed on the insulating layer and connected to a drain electrode of the TFT via a contact hole formed in the insulating layer. The pixel electrode includes a stem electrode which extends in a first direction and a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, branch electrodes which extend from the stem electrode, and an extension electrode which is disposed to overlap the contact hole and which is connected to the branch electrodes. The extension electrode includes a slit.
US10481448B2
A liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of pixel units, an electrode line surrounding the pixel units, at least one gate driver coupled with the pixel units via a plurality of gate lines, and at least one electrostatic discharge protection circuit coupled with the at least one gate driver and the electrode line.
US10481443B2
A display panel is provided. The display panel includes a first substrate; a second substrate; a shielding layer; a first color filter; and a spacer. The second substrate is disposed opposite the first substrate. The shielding layer is disposed over the second substrate, wherein the shielding layer includes two shielding pattern rows projected onto the second substrate. The first color filter is disposed over the second substrate and the shielding layer. The spacer is disposed over the first color filter, wherein the spacer includes a spacer pattern projected onto the second substrate, and the spacer pattern overlaps one of the two shielding pattern rows, and the one of the two shielding pattern rows includes an expansion portion, wherein the expansion portion has an edge and at least part of the edge is curved.
US10481437B1
A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a first alignment film formed over the first substrate, a second substrate, a second alignment film formed aver the second substrate, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first alignment film and the second alignment film, and a projecting portion formed over the second substrate. The first alignment film is a photo alignment film, and a thickness “d2” of the second alignment film over the projecting portion and a film thickness “d1” of a portion of the first alignment film facing the projecting portion satisfy formula (2), d2
US10481433B1
An optical/RF apparatus comprising a liquid crystal (LC) layer placed above or below a plasmon layer (e.g., a periodic array of graphene ribbons) to enable the tuning of the surface plasmons by varying the voltage applied to the LC to realize thereby devices such as tunable mid-IR, far-IR or THz modulators and filters.
US10481430B2
Provided is a display device that makes it possible to enhance the uniformity of brightness distribution with a display surface. The display device is provided with: a display panel having one surface on which an image is displayed; a substrate that is arranged facing the other surface of the display panel and that has a plurality of light sources mounted thereon; a rectangular diffuser plate arranged between the display panel and the substrate; and two support members that comprises an opening through which light from the light sources passes and that support the diffuser plate by sandwiching the peripheral edge of the diffuser plate from the display panel side and the substrate side. Light-transmitting sections through which light that has passed through the diffuser plate passes are provided to the four corners of the support member on the display panel side.
US10481424B2
A laminated automotive glazing including a PDLC film powered electrically by an AC current or a frequency lower than 100 Hz. The voltage varies non-sinusoidally, and a maximum of an effective voltage does not exceed 80 Vrms.
US10481417B2
An electronic wearable device may include a device body including at least one electronic component, the device body having an attachment side configured to movably attach the electronic wearable device directly to an eyewear temple by magnetic attraction between the electronic wearable device and the eyewear temple, wherein a first magnet or ferromagnetic material is located on or within the electronic wearable device and a second magnet or ferromagnetic material is located within or on the eyewear temple, wherein the device body is positionable at a first position along a length of the eyewear temple and in a second position along the length of the eyewear temple while remaining attached to the eyewear temple, and wherein the first magnet or ferromagnetic material does not contact a surface of the second magnet or ferromagnetic material.
US10481416B1
Generally, the invention involves a post-operative care system configured to lift an eyewear frame away from the face, and more specifically, away from the nose. The system may include glasses having one or more extending legs that protrude away from each lens rim of the eyewear frame and have a length substantially perpendicular to each lens of the eyewear frame. In some embodiments, the leg is integral with the eyewear frame. In exemplary embodiments, each leg is removable from the eyewear frame and includes a first terminal end that receives a portion of the rim of each lens of the frame, and a second terminal end having a flat support surface configured to rest substantially flat against a portion of the wearer's face, such as against a portion of the wearer's cheek bone. In some exemplary embodiments, a length of the leg of the device is adjustable.
US10481413B2
This invention relates to an ophthalmic lens comprising a transparent substrate with a front main face and with a rear main face, at least one of the main faces being coated with a multilayered antireflective coating comprising a stack of at least one high refractive index layer (HI) having a refractive index higher than or equal to 1.55 and at least one low refractive index layer (LI) having a refractive index lower than 1.55, characterized in that said multilayered antireflective coating has: a mean light reflection factor in the visible region for photopic vision Rv lower than or equal to 2.5%, preferably lower than or equal to 0.9%, for at least an angle of incidence lower than 35°; a mean light reflection factor in the visible region for scotopic vision Rv′ lower than or equal to 0.5%, preferably lower than or equal to 0.4%, for at least an angle of incidence lower than 35°.
US10481408B2
There is provided an an apparatus for reducing coherence of a laser beam, which apparatus comprises a rectangular chamber having a first, second, and third walls each comprising a reflective inner surface, and a fourth wall comprising a beam splitter. The fourth wall is configured to transmit a portion of the laser beam into the chamber to form an input beam incident upon the first wall. The first wall is configured to reflect the input beam onto the second wall, which is configured to reflect the input beam onto the third wall, which is configured to reflect the input beam onto the fourth wall. The fourth wall is configured to reflect a portion of the input beam to form a further input beam incident upon the first wall and to transmit another portion of the input beam out of the chamber to form an output laser beam.
US10481403B2
A contact lens contains an inward pointing camera, which will be referred to as a retinal camera since it images light reflected from the retina. These can be reflections of physical features of the retina, of images of an external scene imaged by the eye onto the retina, or images projected onto the retina for example from small projectors contained in the contact lens (femtoprojectors). The field of view (FOV) of the retinal camera is sufficiently large that these reflections can be tracked relative to each other and/or relative to their position within the retinal camera's FOV. This information can be processed to track eye gaze and movement relative to the outside world, to align images from the femtoprojector with the eye and/or to align images from the femtoprojector with images from the outside world, among other tasks.
US10481401B2
Systems, devices, and methods for eyebox expansion in wearable heads-up displays (WHUD) are described. A WHUD includes a support structure, a scanning laser projector (SLP), a split mirror, an optical splitter, and a holographic combiner. When the WHUD is worn on the head of a user the holographic combiner is positioned in a field of view of the user. The SLP scans light signals onto the split mirror which reflects the light signals onto the optical splitter. The optical splitter redirects the light signals towards the holographic combiner such that subsets of the light signals originate from spatially-separated virtual positions. The holographic combiner redirects the light to the eye resulting in spatially-separated exit pupils. The spatial separation of the exit pupils results in an expanded eyebox. The indirect path of light from SLP to optical splitter enables a smaller and therefore more aesthetically desirable design for the WHUD.
US10481400B2
The present disclosure discloses a lens shielding mechanism, a lens shielding method and a head-mounted display using the lens shielding mechanism. The lens shielding mechanism is used for shielding an area exposed from a front housing (21) due to leftward and rightward movements of a lens (22). The lens shielding mechanism comprises: a group of shielding sheets (23) having a certain width. The group of shielding sheets (23) is arranged on left and right sides of the lens (22) and is fixedly connected to the lens (22). When the lens (22) moves leftwardly and rightwardly, the lens drives the group of shielding sheets (23) to move, and an area exposed from the front housing (21) due to the leftward and rightward movements of the lens (22) is shielded by the group of shielding sheets (23). The lens shielding mechanism has a good shielding effect and a simple structure, and occupies a small space.
US10481395B2
A combined head up display and instrument cluster arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a substantially planar liquid crystal display having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. A first area of the liquid crystal display is viewable as an instrument cluster display by a human viewer who is disposed closer to the first side than to the second side. A backlight is disposed closer to the first side than to the second side. The backlight is aligned with a second area of the liquid crystal display such that a light field is emitted by the backlight through the second area. Head up display optics are positioned to receive the light field.
US10481386B2
An optical element, wherein axially symmetric or not, an output surface of which contains a plurality of indentations configured to increase a degree of divergence of light that is incident onto such surface through an input surface of the optical element. In one implementation, each of the indentations defines a corresponding aspheric lenslet the plurality of which encircles the central opening in the optical element. The optical element can he configured as a lightguide having the specified output surface. An illumination system for a laparoscope employing such optical element as an addition to the optical fiber bundle of the laparoscope or as a fiber bundle itself that has the specified output surface.
US10481385B2
In one aspect of the present disclosure, improved end optics are disclosed that maximize the numerical aperture focused at a sample point while minimizing unwanted artifacts such as vignetting. The configurations also maintain centering of the excitation/collection beam on the objective if the probe tilts or bends. The disclosed configurations are particularly suited to probes wherein the excitation and/or collection paths between the probe and the laser/analyzer are coupled through multimode fibers, such as in Raman and other forms of laser spectroscopy. The disclosure includes the insertion of one or more additional lenses between the probe head and the focusing objective at the probe tip.
US10481384B2
An endoscope having a viewing direction aligned obliquely with respect to a longitudinal axis, the endoscope including: a shaft with a cladding tube and a fiber tube arranged therein; an object lens arranged in the shaft; and a prism module arranged in the shaft for deflecting the beam path, wherein the prism module is arranged eccentrically with respect to the object lens.
US10481381B2
An object of the present invention is to widen a range in which line of sight change is possible, particularly in a pan direction. According to the present invention it is possible to acquire high line of sight changing speed. A pan mirror is capable of rotation in forward and reverse directions about a third rotational axis. Also, the third rotational axis extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to a line of sight direction directed from a tilt direction control section to the pan mirror. An angle α formed by the pan mirror and the third rotational axis is set in a range 0°<α<90°. The tilt direction control section can scan line of sight direction with respect to a virtual plane formed by a rotation locus of the pan mirror. The tilt direction control section can also control tilt angle of the line of sight direction from the pan mirror to a physical object. The pan mirror can control pan angle of the line of sight direction from the pan mirror to the physical object by being rotated about the third rotational axis.
US10481377B2
Real-time autofocus. In an embodiment, a scanning apparatus includes an imaging sensor, a focusing sensor, an objective lens, and processor(s) configured to analyze image data captured by the imaging and focusing sensors, and move the objective lens. Real-time autofocus during scanning of a sample is achieved by determining a true-Z value for the objective lens for a point on a sample and for each of a plurality of regions on the sample. The true-Z values and/or surfaces calculated therefrom are used to determine a predicted-Z value for an unscanned region of the sample. The objective lens is adjusted to the predicted-Z value at the beginning of the unscanned region. After scanning the region, a true-Z value is determined for the region and compared to the predicted-Z value. A rescan of the region is initiated if the comparison exceeds a predetermined threshold.
US10481372B2
A lens and a flash are disclosed. In an embodiment a lens includes a light entrance side having a plurality of Fresnel elements, a light exit side having a plurality of exit lenses having a second focal length and an optical axis, wherein the Fresnel elements and the exit lenses are optically associated with one another in a one-to-one manner, wherein each Fresnel element has an entrance surface which is convex in shape and which forms an entrance lens having a first focal length, wherein each Fresnel element has a deflection surface arranged directly downstream of the entrance surface, wherein the deflection surface is configured to deflect the light which entered the lens through the entrance surface by total internal reflection towards an associated exit lens, and wherein, with a tolerance, each entrance surface and the associated exit lens are located in the interrelated focal points.
US10481356B2
In submarine communications cables having a copper tube surrounding optical conductors, an armoring that surrounds the tube and is made of braided strands, a jacket layer made for example of a copper tube and external insulation, the jacket layer of copper or copper tube is complicated and expensive to produce and the copper jacket layer impairs the flexibility of the submarine communications cable. The invention provides for the copper jacket layer around the strands of the armoring to be replaced by a wrapped layer formed by at least one thin, flexible band that can be easily wrapped like a tape around the strands of the armoring, and the wrapped layer formed from the at least one thin, flexible band increases the flexibility of the submarine communications cable.
US10481355B2
An embodiment of the invention relates to an optical assembly comprising an optical emitter configured to generate a beam of optical radiation, a cap unit holding the optical emitter, a photonic chip comprising a coupler, and an intermediate chip arranged between the cap unit and the photonic chip, wherein the cap unit comprises a recess having a bottom section and a sidewall, wherein the optical emitter is mounted on the bottom section of the recess, wherein a section of the sidewall forms a mirror section angled with respect to the bottom section and configured to reflect said beam of optical radiation towards the coupler, and wherein the intermediate chip comprises a lens formed at a lens section of the intermediate chip's surface that faces the cap unit, said lens being configured to focus the reflected optical beam towards the coupler.
US10481353B2
The problem addressed by the present invention is to provide: an optical receptacle that can be easily positioned with a photoelectric converter having a light-emitting element and a detection element. In order to solve the problem, an optical receptacle is provided, said optical receptacle being positioned between a light transmission medium and a photoelectric converter having a substrate, a photoelectric conversion element and a detection element, and the purpose of the optical receptacle being to optically couple the photoelectric conversion element and the end surface of the light transmission medium. The optical receptacle comprises a filter, a holding member for holding the filter, and a receptacle body. In the optical receptacle the holding member and the receptacle body are separate bodies, and the filter reflects towards the detection element side, as monitor light, part of the light emitted from the photoelectric conversion element, and transmits the remainder as signal light.
US10481348B2
There is provided an optical system for coupling light into a waveguide. The optical system comprising a coupler arranged at a portion of the waveguide. The coupler has a surface with a grating structure for directing light into the waveguide formed therein. A cladding layer embeds the coupler and an optical path changing structure is formed in the cladding layer. The optical path changing structure has a refractive surface and a reflective surface, each forming an acute angle with respect to the surface of the coupler. Light which enters the optical path changing structure through the refractive surface will be refracted and directed towards the reflective surface. The reflective surface is arranged to reflect the light such that it is directed towards the grating structure of the coupler along a direction suitable for efficient coupling of light into the waveguide.
US10481342B1
A dust protector of a fiber optic connector according to the present disclosure includes a dust cap and a cleaning component. The dust cap includes a frame and a cover. The frame is configured to cover the front end of a fiber optic connector. The cover is pivotally coupled to the frame. The cleaning component is disposed on the frame to clean the fiber optic connector. The cover is configured to be closed to cover the cleaning component and to be flipped open to expose the cleaning component. The present disclosure further provides another dust protector of a fiber optic connector. In addition to being used to protect the fiber optic connector from contamination, the dust protector of the present disclosure provides additional value that avoids the need to use a separate component to clean a fiber end of a fiber optic connector.
US10481340B2
An optical connector ferrule comprises a body and a spacer. The body has a flat ferrule end surface facing a corresponding optical connector, and an optical fiber retaining hole opened in the ferrule end surface, an optical fiber being inserted and retained in the optical fiber retaining hole. The spacer is joined to the body, and at least a portion of the spacer is disposed on the ferrule end surface. The spacer defines an interval between the ferrule end surface and the corresponding optical connector, and includes an opening that allows an optical path extending from the optical fiber to pass therethrough.
US10481330B2
An electrical discharge, suitable for heating optical fibers for processing, is made in a controlled partial vacuum, such that saturation of available ionizable gas molecules is reached. The workpiece temperature is thereby made to be a stably controlled function of the absolute air pressure and is insensitive to other conditions. A system and method accomplishing the foregoing are provided.
US10481326B2
Embodiments herein describe a photonic chip which includes a coupling interface for evanescently coupling the chip to a waveguide on an external substrate. In one embodiment, the photonic chip includes a tapered waveguide that aligns with a tapered waveguide on the external substrate. The respective tapers of the two waveguides are inverted such that as the width of the waveguide in the photonic chip decreases, the width of the waveguide on the external substrate increases. In one embodiment, these two waveguides form an adiabatic structure where the optical signal transfers between the waveguides with minimal or no coupling of the optical signal to other non-intended modes. Using the two waveguides, optical signals can be transmitted between the photonic chip and the external substrate.
US10481324B2
The present invention is directed to an optical fiber grating having a core, that is capable of controlling the light signal transmission therethrough by causing at least one of: at least one spectral peak, and/or at least one spectral dip in its core light transmission spectrum, corresponding to at least one predetermined wavelength. The inventive optical fiber diffraction grating comprises at least one longitudinally positioned structural element of a predetermined geometric profile and that is configured for diffracting a portion of the transmitted light signal at at least one predefined wavelength thereof, from at least one core mode into at least one of: at least one cladding mode and/or at least one radiating mode. Various embodiments of a number of novel techniques for fabrication of the inventive optical fiber diffraction grating are provided, inclusive of a novel technique for fabricating the inventive grating from a single material. Advantageously, such novel fabrication techniques rely on configuration of a desired geometric profile for the at least one structural element portion of the novel grating, each profile comprising a number of readily configurable parameters that can be selected and/or adjusted during fabrication, to produce a variety of novel fiber diffraction gratings, each having a corresponding specific desirable core transmission spectrum having at least one of: least one spectral peak, and/or at least one spectral dip therein, corresponding to at least one specific desired wavelength, dependent on the configuration of the applicable geometric profile.
US10481313B2
An image capturing apparatus that includes a polarizing filter of a slit type in which polarization characteristics are improved is realized. A polarizing unit (10) of an image capturing apparatus (100) includes a first polarizer layer (120a) and a second polarizer layer (120b) that hold a dielectric layer (14) therebetween, and a plurality of slits (13) that are arranged at regular intervals in a predetermined direction are formed in each of the first polarizer layer (120a) and the second polarizer layer (120b). A forming material of each of the first polarizer layer (120a) and the second polarizer layer (120b) and a forming material of a wiring layer that controls an operation of a light receiving unit (11) are selected from Al, Si, Cu, Au, Ag, Pt, W, Ti, Sn, In, Ga, Zn, and a compound or alloy that contains at least one of the foregoing.
US10481310B2
Functional optical equipment such as lenses, prisms, optical flats, and color filters are made from hard candy, resulting in working optics that can be treated as either experimental equipment or confectionaries. These hard candy optics are manufactured by an extremely precise casting process, which avoids the need to polish or reshape the candy after casting and allows for the production of a wider selection of optical equipment. This process also allows the inclusion of features that expand the applications of the hard candy optics, but are not themselves optically functional.
US10481308B2
Provided are an optical film, a method for manufacturing an optical film, and a liquid crystal display. An optical film includes: a polarizer, a diffusion sheet adhered to a bottom surface of the polarizer, the diffusion sheet including: a first diffusion member, and a second diffusion member adhered to the first diffusion member, and a prism sheet adhered to a bottom surface of the diffusion sheet.
US10481305B2
The present invention discloses a visible near-infrared ultra-broadband absorber and its preparation method, comprising a substrate and a five-layer optical film, wherein the bottom film is a bottom metal absorbing layer; a top germanium layer is provided on the top of the bottom metal absorbing layer; and remaining three layers are provided on the top of the top germanium layer with gradually decreasing refractive indexes from the bottom to the top. The present invention is based on the blocking effect of the metal absorbing layer and broadband anti-reflection film stack of the germanium layer, which has realized visible near-infrared ultra-broadband absorption with high efficiency and good angle insensitivity, and has fully surpassed traditional absorbers in terms of performances. Compared with conventional broadband absorbers and artificial electromagnetic absorbers proposed in recent years, the compact multilayer film structure in the present invention is simpler and avoids complicated nano-fabrication techniques. Therefore, it can significantly reduce production cost and shorten the production cycle, and is thus suitable for large-scale mass production.
US10481300B2
The present invention provides a mirror surface decorative sheet having excellent specularity, excellent surface properties, and excellent processability in which neither springback nor cracking occurs during the processing steps, and a mirror surface decorative plate using this mirror surface decorative sheet. The present invention relates to a mirror surface decorative sheet comprising at least a base sheet and a surface-protecting layer, and having a crack elongation as measured by a predetermined method of 10 to 20%, the base sheet being formed of a polypropylene resin, the base sheet having a thickness of 150 to 500 μm, and the base sheet having a ten-point mean roughness (Rzjis) of a surface as measured according to JIS B 0601: 2001 of 5 μm or less, the surface-protecting layer being a cured product of an ionizing radiation-curable resin composition, the surface-protecting layer having a thickness of 7 to 17 μm.
US10481295B2
Imaging systems and methods are provided for detecting objects that may be hidden under clothing, ingested, inserted, or otherwise concealed on or in a person's body. An imaging assembly, e.g., X-ray source and X-ray detector, and mechanisms, e.g., a translational mechanism for vertically moving the imaging assembly, may be configured to reduce the overall form factor of such imaging systems, while still retaining an ability to perform full/complete imaging of a subject.
US10481288B2
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods for improving performance of ultrasonic transducers, particularly those used in borehole environments, are provided. The disclosed ultrasonic transducers all feature a backing element that is a ceramic backing material. The ceramic backing material may include a solid piece of ceramic material that is disposed on a back end of a piezoelectric element used in the ultrasonic transducer. The disclosed ceramic backing material may be used to mechanically match the backing element to the piezoelectric source element, while minimizing the amplitude of reflections of the ultrasonic pulse generated by the piezoelectric element and reflected at the far end of the backing element. This ceramic backing material may provide consistent performance regardless of the surrounding pressure and temperature, making it particularly useful in borehole applications.
US10481285B1
A detector assembly is provided that includes a semiconductor detector, plural pixelated anodes, and at least one processor. The plural pixelated anodes are disposed on a surface of the semiconductor detector. Each pixelated anode is configured to generate a primary signal responsive to reception of a photon and to generate at least one secondary signal responsive to an induced charge caused by reception of a photon by at least one surrounding anode. The at least one processor is operably coupled to the pixelated anodes and is configured to acquire a primary signal from one of the anodes responsive to reception of a photon; acquire at least one secondary signal from at least one neighboring pixel; and determine a depth of interaction in the semiconductor detector for the reception of the photon by the one of the anodes using the at least one secondary signal.
US10481284B2
One embodiment provides an imaging device, including: an enclosure comprising a casing and a radiation lining arranged within the casing to provide a radiation shield, wherein the enclosure comprises a removable portion; a plurality of modular components being in communication with calibration code, wherein the calibration code calibrates the imaging device based upon information of the plurality of modular components; each of the plurality of modular components comprising a plurality of gamma detectors including semiconductor crystals and being removable from the imaging device; the plurality of modular components being arranged such that the plurality of gamma detectors are configured in an array configuration with each of the plurality of gamma detectors having a predetermined spacing from each other gamma detector; a plurality of electronic communication components, wherein the plurality of electronic communication components facilitate communication from each of the gamma detectors using a hierarchical communication technique; and a cooling system.
US10481280B2
A radiation detecting apparatus includes a scintillator, a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels that each converts visible light converted by the scintillator into electric signals is arranged in a two-dimensional array form on a first surface of a substrate, a plurality of connection terminal portions arranged on a periphery of the pixel array on the first surface of the substrate, and a conductive member to which a constant potential is supplied, wherein the conductive member, the pixel array, and the scintillator are arranged in this order from a side irradiated with radiation, and the scintillator is arranged on a first surface side, and wherein the conductive member is arranged in a region of a second surface opposite to the first surface of the substrate except for a region opposite to the plurality of connection terminal portions.
US10481279B1
A large-area directional radiation detection system may include a large number of slab-shaped detectors stacked side-by-side and alternately displaced frontward and rearward, thereby providing a longitudinally-staggered array of protruding and recessed detectors. The protruding detectors collimate or restrict the lateral field of view of the recessed detectors, thereby enabling the angular position and distance of a source to be determined. The high detection efficiency and large solid angle of the staggered detector array enable rapid detection of even well-shielded threat sources at substantial distances, while simultaneously determining the positions of any sources detected. This detector array will be essential for guarding against clandestine delivery of nuclear materials in the coming century.
US10481278B2
Radiation dosimeters are disclosed whereby a passive multilayer substrate is provided to confer tissue equivalence. In an example embodiment, a multilayer substrate is formed over a semiconductor-based radiation sensing layer, where the multilayer substrate includes at least one low-atomic-number layer of having an effective atomic number that is smaller than that of water, and at least one high-atomic-number layer having an effective atomic number that is greater than that of water. The low-atomic-number layers and high-atomic-number layers are provided with respective thicknesses and compositions for modulating the dependence of the signal produced by the radiation dosimeter on photon energy, such that the signal, when calibrated to provide a measure of dose, exhibits approximate tissue-equivalence over a prescribed photon energy range. The multilayer substrate may be configured such that tissue equivalence is provided over an energy range including diagnostic and therapeutic energy ranges, spanning, for example, 20 keV to 5 MeV.
US10481275B2
A moveable object determines a preliminary position for the moveable object using received satellite navigation signals and satellite orbit correction information and satellite clock correction information. A position correction is determined by identifying which cell, of a predefined set of geographical cells, corresponds to the determined preliminary position, and obtaining from a database, pre-computed tectonic terrestrial plate position information for the identified cell. Based on the information for the identified cell, a tectonic terrestrial plate, corresponding to the determined preliminary position of the moveable object is identified. Based on the identified tectonic terrestrial plate, a position correction is determined, the position correction corresponding to the identified tectonic terrestrial plate and a reference epoch, and a corrected position of the moveable object is generated in accordance with the determined preliminary position of the moveable object and the determined position correction.
US10481274B2
The invention, in some embodiments, relates to the field of global navigation satellite systems, and more particularly to the field of methods and devices for improving accuracy of position determination by receivers of global navigation satellite systems. Some embodiments of the invention relate to methods for generating a three-dimensional (3-D) representation of an urban area by a receiver of a global navigation satellite system using blocked lines of sight to satellites of the system. Additional embodiments of the invention relate to methods for transmitting a three-dimensional (3-D) representation of an urban area by a receiver of a global navigation satellite system for improving calculation of location by the global navigation satellite system receiver.
US10481269B2
A light ranging system including a shaft; a first circuit board assembly that includes a stator assembly comprising a plurality of stator elements arranged about the shaft on a surface of the first circuit board assembly; a second circuit board assembly rotationally coupled to the shaft, wherein the second circuit board assembly includes a rotor assembly comprising a plurality of rotor elements arranged about the shaft on a surface of the second circuit board assembly such that the plurality of rotor elements are aligned with and spaced apart from the plurality of stator elements; a stator driver circuit disposed on either the second or the first circuit board assemblies and configured to provide a drive signal to the plurality of stator elements, thereby imparting an electromagnetic force on the plurality of rotor elements to drive a rotation of the second circuit board assembly about the shaft; and a light ranging device mechanically coupled to the second circuit board assembly such that the light ranging device rotates with the second circuit board assembly.
US10481256B2
Example shopping cart corral systems and associated systems and methods are described. The example shopping cart corral system includes a corral structure, a radio-frequency transmitter, a radio-frequency receiver, and a controller coupled to the radio-frequency transmitter and the radio-frequency receiver. The controller estimates a quantity of shopping carts disposed in the shopping cart corral based on at least one property of the reflected radio-frequency signal. An example shopping cart counter system includes an elongated structure, first and second electrical contacts, a power source and a processing device. The power source applies a voltage or an electrical current to the first electrical contact and the shopping carts complete an electrical circuit between the first and second electrical contacts. The processing device estimates the quantity of shopping carts disposed in the elongated structure based on an electrical resistance associated with the shopping carts.
US10481252B2
A sensor device includes a radio wave sensor and a signal processor. The signal processor includes an identifier and a noise remover configured to remove, from a second sensor signal, at least one frequency component determined as a noise component by the identifier. The identifier compares a signal intensity of each of the frequency components with one or more signal intensities of other frequency components. When a signal intensity of a first frequency component is greater than signal intensities of one or more second frequency components located in the vicinity of the first frequency component by an extent exceeding a threshold range, the identifier determines the first frequency component as the noise component.
US10481248B2
A Continuous Transmission Frequency Modulated (CTFM) detection apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a projector, a sensor, and a hardware processor. The projector is configured to transmit a frequency modulated transmission wave at a given transmission period. The sensor is configured to receive a reflected wave, the reflected wave comprising a reflection of the transmission wave on a target object. The hardware processor is programmed to at least generate a beat signal based at least in part on the transmission wave and the reflected wave, extract asynchronously from the transmission period a processing signal from the beat signal, and generate information related to the target object based on the processing signal.
US10481246B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an optical range finder that includes a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) and a photodiode emulation circuitry for testing the TIA. The photodiode emulation circuitry may be coupled to an input port of the TIA and configured to receive one or more parameters specifying one or more characteristics of a test current signal to be provided to the TIA. The photodiode emulation circuitry may further be configured to provide the test current signal in accordance with the one or more parameters to the input port of the TIA while the photodiode is also coupled to the input port of the TIA.
US10481235B2
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes sequence control circuitry and processing circuitry. The sequence control circuitry conducts, on a subject, first imaging and second imaging that is subsequent to the first imaging. The processing circuitry estimates, based on a magnetic resonance image related to the first imaging and an imaging condition set with regard to the second imaging, information about an image quality in a case in which the second imaging is conducted. The processing circuitry presents, on a display, an estimation result, superimposing the estimation result on the magnetic resonance image. The processing circuitry receives a designation operation on the magnetic resonance image from an operator, and changes a setting of the imaging condition related to the second imaging based on the designation operation.
US10481233B2
Edema invariant tractography methods are provided. The methods include acquiring data using a multishell, high angular resolution diffusion imaging sequence; (ii) modeling the data using a multi-compartment model; and (iii) reconstructing the fibers through a probabilistic tracking algorithm using a fiber orientation distribution which has streamlines fitted to the output of said probabilistic tracking algorithm.
US10481219B2
A sensor circuit may include one or more feedback loops to process and attenuate ripple and/or a test signal. The sensor circuit may comprise at least one magnetic field sensing element to generate a magnetic field signal representing a magnetic field to be measured, a test signal generator circuit configured to generate a test signal and combine the test signal with the magnetic field signal to generate a combined signal, and a signal path for processing the combined signal. The signal path may comprise an amplifier circuit to amplify the combined signal, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to convert the combined signal to a digital combined signal, and a feedback circuitry coupled to receive the digital combined signal and extract the test signal. A test comparator circuit compares the extracted test signal to a reference signal.
US10481212B2
A secondary battery status estimation device includes a sensor unit configured to detect a terminal voltage of a secondary battery, and an internal resistance calculator configured to calculate a direct current internal resistance of the secondary battery based on the terminal voltage and the charge-discharge current detected by the sensor unit. The internal resistance calculator calculates a direct current internal resistance based on the terminal voltage and the charge-discharge current detected by the sensor unit, in a stable period that is before starting a driving source for driving a vehicle and in which the terminal voltage and the charge-discharge current of the secondary battery fall within a predetermined fluctuation range, and in a high-current output period in which electric power for starting the driving source is output from the secondary battery and the terminal voltage of the secondary battery is brought to substantially minimum.
US10481206B2
A system that can include a computing device, upon implementing a host test program, can be configured to generate compiled host test instructions based on a non-host test program code that has been prepared in accordance with performance characteristics of a non-host automatic test equipment (ATE) and based on calibration data and/or offset data associated with a host ATE. The system can further include a hardware adapter that can be configured to generate non-host test signals based on host test signals generated by a host ATE and with substantially similar characteristics as test signals generated by the non-host ATE, wherein the host test signals are generated by the host ATE based on the compiled host test instructions.
US10481202B2
A self-test controller includes a memory configured to store a test patterns, configuration registers, and a memory data component. The test patterns are encoded in the memory using various techniques in order to save storage space. By using the configuration parameters, the memory data component is configured to decode the test patterns and perform multiple built-in self-test on a multitude of test cores. The described techniques allow for built-in self-test to be performed dynamically while utilizing less space in the memory.
US10481200B2
Apparatus for testing semiconductor devices comprising die stacks, the apparatus comprising a substrate having an array of pockets in a surface thereof arranged to correspond to conductive elements protruding from a semiconductor device to be tested. The pockets include conductive contacts with traces extending to conductive pads, which may be configured as test pads, jumper pads, edge connects or contact pads. The substrate may comprise a semiconductor wafer or wafer segment and, if the latter, multiple segments may be received in recesses in a fixture. Testing may be effected using a probe card, a bond head carrying conductive pins, or through conductors carried by the fixture.
US10481199B2
Implementations described herein generally relate to detecting excursions in intended geometric features in an integrated circuit substrate. In one implementation, a method includes determining a set of suspect contours in a design window of the integrated circuit substrate based on proximities of a plurality of points of interest in the design window to intended geometric features. The method further includes obtaining a set of imaged contours from one or more images of a defect-free integrated circuit substrate. The method further includes comparing the set of imaged contours to the set of suspect contours to obtain a set of potential excursions from the imaged contours. The method further includes determining a probability that a potential excursion from the set of potential excursions is a valid excursion. The method further includes taking a corrective action based on the determined probability.
US10481197B2
A circuit board testing device able to apply tests to the front and reverse surfaces of the circuit board includes a control unit, at least one testing unit, and a chassis. The chassis includes a bottom frame, a plug member slidably mounted to the bottom frame, a side frame connected to an edge of the bottom frame and a back plate which includes at least two installation parts. The back plate is fixed to the side frame, and the testing unit is installed to the chassis. A chassis is also disclosed.
US10481188B2
Disclosed herein is a system for non-contact measurement of an optoelectronic property. The system includes a sensing element configured to amplify an electromagnetic wave having a specific frequency, a thin film disposed on the sensing element such that an optoelectronic property of the thin film is measured, and an optoelectronic property measuring server configured to extract a physical property of the thin film based on the optoelectronic property of the thin film obtained when the electromagnetic wave amplified by the sensing element passes through the thin film.
US10481185B2
A semiconductor device, a semiconductor system, and a control method of a semiconductor device are capable of accurately monitoring the lowest operating voltage of a circuit to be monitored. According to one embodiment, a monitor unit of a semiconductor system includes a voltage monitor that is driven by a second power supply voltage different from a first power supply voltage supplied to an internal circuit that is a circuit to be monitored and monitors the first power supply voltage, and a delay monitor that is driven by the first power supply voltage and monitors the signal propagation period of time of a critical path in the internal circuit.
US10481183B2
Traceable cables (e.g., networking cables, power cables, etc.). Some embodiments include a traceable power cable with a battery (e.g., that may be rechargeable from current from an external power source to which the power cable is electrically connected). Some embodiments include a traceable networking cable configured to draw power from power-over-Ethernet (POE) power sourcing equipment (PSE) even if the networking cable is not connected to a separate powered device (PD).
US10481171B2
An automated sample specimen storage system including a tube holding microplate including a plate frame, a predetermined array of tube holding receptacles formed in the plate frame, the receptacles having a SBS standard pitch corresponding to the predetermined array, and being configured for holding therein sample store and transport tubes, each disposed so as to contain sample specimen in a sample storage of the storage system and to effect, with the sample tube, delivery from the sample storage to a workstation, the predetermined array of receptacles defining a volume capacity of the tube holding microplate, and each of the receptacles being shaped to conformally engage walls of the sample tubes and hold a respective one of the sample store and transport tubes, wherein the receptacles are arranged so that the tube holding microplate volume capacity defined by the predetermined array is an under optimum volume capacity.
US10481167B2
The present invention provides methods for measuring the absolute concentration of a biomolecule of interest in a subject. Such biomolecules may be implicated in one or more neurological and neurodegenerative diseases or disorders. Also provided is a method for determining whether a therapeutic agent affects the in vivo metabolism of a central nervous system derived biomolecule. Also provided are kits for performing the methods of the invention.
US10481166B2
We describe a method of monitoring the state of a cell, tissue, organ or organism. The method comprises establishing, for a sample of micro-particles from the cell, tissue, organ or organism, a ratio. The ratio is of a selected polypeptide in microparticles which comprise GM1 gangliosides, preferably which bind to Cholera Toxin B (CTB) (“GM1 ganglioside microparticle polypeptide”) to the selected polypeptide in microparticles which comprise exposed phos—photidylserine, preferably which bind to Annexin V (“Annexin V microparticle polypeptide”). The GM1 ganglioside microparticle polypeptide to Annexin V microparticle polypeptide ratio so established may be indicative of the state of the cell, tissue, organ or organism.
US10481161B2
Described herein are methods, compositions and articles of manufacture involving neutral conjugated polymers including methods for synthesis of neutral conjugated water-soluble polymers with linkers along the polymer main chain structure and terminal end capping units. Such polymers may serve in the fabrication of novel optoelectronic devices and in the development of highly efficient biosensors. The invention further relates to the application of these polymers in assay methods.
US10481141B2
A method for measuring pollution that includes providing a plurality of analyte sensors arranged in a grid over a sensing area, wherein the analyte sensors measure a pollutant, and positioning at least one current sensor in the sensing area. A pollution source is localized using a pollution source locator including a dispersion model and at least one hardware processor to interpolate a location of a pollution source from variations in current measured from the current sensors and measurements of pollutants from the analyte sensors.
US10481138B2
Regarding a chromatogram data processing device configured to process three-dimensional chromatogram data collected on a target sample in which dimensions are made up of time, wavelength, and absorbance, and the chromatogram data processing device includes a differential spectrum generating means configured to generate a differential spectrum that represents a change in a wavelength differential coefficient, which is a differential coefficient in a wavelength direction in a predetermined wavelength range, based on the three-dimensional chromatogram data, with respect to an absorbance spectrum representing a relation of the wavelength and the absorbance at each time in an entire temporal range or a predetermined temporal range, and a determination means configured to determine whether or not one or plural other components are included in a peak of a target component, based on a temporal change in a waveform of the differential spectrum, so that the determination on whether or not a target sample includes impurities can be performed with high accuracy without the requirement of complicated computation processing.
US10481133B2
A system and method of predicting impending failure of a pressure vessel include a pressure vessel, a fluid source, a line coupled to the pressure vessel and to the fluid source, an apparatus, a sensor and a controller. The apparatus includes a conduit and a containment structure. The containment structure includes a cavity separated from an interior of the conduit by a portion of a conduit wall of the conduit. The sensor is configured to determine a value of a physical property in the cavity. The controller is in signal communication with the sensor and configured to detect a change in the value. The method includes determining a first value of a physical property in the cavity, experiencing a failure of the conduit wall, determining a second value of the physical property in the cavity, and detecting a difference between the first and second values.
US10481122B2
A gas sensor element comprises a solid electrolyte layer; a detection electrode provided on one surface of the solid electrolyte layer; a reference electrode provided on another surface of the solid electrolyte layer; a first layer provided on a side where the other surface of the solid electrolyte layer is present, and having a reference gas flow path; and a heater layer provided on a side opposite to a side where the solid electrolyte layer is provided. In the gas sensor element, an introduction flow path is formed as a flow path for guiding the reference gas from outer surfaces of the gas sensor element to the reference gas flow path. The introduction flow path has an opening provided at an outer surface that is perpendicular to a stacking direction of the gas sensor element and is provided on a side opposite to the heater layer.
US10481111B2
Methods and systems for calibrating the location of x-ray beam incidence onto a specimen in an x-ray scatterometry metrology system are described herein. The precise location of incidence of the illumination beam on the surface of the wafer is determined based on occlusion of the illumination beam by two or more occlusion elements. The center of the illumination beam is determined based on measured values of transmitted flux and a model of the interaction of the beam with each occlusion element. The position of the axis of rotation orienting a wafer over a range of angles of incidence is adjusted to align with the surface of wafer and intersect the illumination beam at the measurement location. A precise offset value between the normal angle of incidence of the illumination beam relative to the wafer surface and the zero angle of incidence as measured by the specimen positioning system is determined.
US10481110B2
A device that uses a grating to carry out high sensitivity radiographic image shooting using the wave nature of x-rays or the like can shoot a sample that moves relative to a device. A pixel value computation section determines, using a plurality of intensity distribution images of a sample that moves in a direction that traverses the path of radiation, whether or not a point (p, q) on the sample belongs in a region (Ak) on each intensity distribution image. Further, the pixel value computation section obtains a sum pixel value (Jk) for each region (Ak) by summing pixel values on the each intensity distribution image for point (p, q) that belongs to each region (Ak). An image computation section creates a required radiographic image using the sum pixel values (Jk) of the region (Ak).
US10481107B2
A scanning apparatus for measuring the attenuation of radiation passing from a radiation source along a radiation path to a radiation detector includes a source of radiation; at least one radiation detector capable of detecting radiation emitted by the source a data processor associated with the at least one radiation detector for calculating a property of material present in a linear radiation path between the source and the at least one detector; and a spacer arranged between the source and the at least one detector. The spacer defines a space which is capable of excluding water and having an average density which is less than 1 gcm−3. The provision of a spacer in the radiation path enables more radiation to be passed along the radiation path because water can be replaced with a material which is less attenuating to radiation.
US10481101B2
An illumination module that includes a pair of anamorphic prisms that comprises a first anamorphic prism and a second anamorphic prism; wherein the pair of anamorphic prisms is configured to (a) receive a first radiation beam that propagates along a first optical axis, and (b) asymmetrically magnify the first radiation beam to provide a second radiation beam that propagates along a second optical axis that is parallel to the first optical axis; and a rectangular prism that is configured to receive the second radiation beam and perform a lateral shift of the second radiation beam to provide a third radiation beam; and a rotating mechanism that is configured to change an asymmetrical magnification of the pair of anamorphic prisms by rotating at least one of the first anamorphic prism and the second anamorphic prism.
US10481100B2
Increasing the precision of process monitoring may be improved if the sensors take the form of traveling probes riding along with the flowing materials in the manufacturing process rather than sample only when the process moves passed the sensors fixed location. The probe includes an outer housing hermetically sealed from the flowing materials, and a light source for transmitting light through a window in the housing onto the flowing materials. A spatially variable optical filter (SVF) captures light returning from the flowing materials, and separates the captured light into a spectrum of constituent wavelength signals for transmission to a detector array, which provides a power reading for each constituent wavelength signal.
US10481098B2
A luminometer apparatus includes, inside a light-shielded room, a container rack loaded with holding containers, a dispensation mechanism that dispenses a liquid, a rotary plate that turns, while holding a plurality of reaction containers which accommodate a mixture liquid of a sample and a luminescent reagent on a concentric annular plate, and is provided with a gap allowing the container rack to pass therethrough between at least a pair of adjacent ones of the reaction containers, and a photodetection unit that performs luminescence measurements. The light-shielded room has an insertion opening having a width allowing for insertion of the container rack and provided to be openable and closable. The rotary plate is provided with a region in which the container rack can be installed inside a region of passage of the reaction containers, when turning, and is provided to be turnable where the light-shielded room is in a closed state.
US10481097B1
A method and/or system is provided for detecting and/or identifying inclusions (e.g., nickel sulfide based inclusions/defects) in glass such as soda-lime-silica based float glass. In certain example instances, during and/or after the glass-making process, following the stage in the float process where the glass sheet is formed and floated on a molten material (e.g., tin bath) and cooled or allowed to cool such as via an annealing lehr, energy such as infrared (IR) energy is directed at the resulting glass and reflectance at various wavelengths is analyzed to detect inclusions.
US10481089B2
A detection system includes a planar plasmonic element for analyzing an analyte, the plasmonic element having dielectric and metallic regions, the plasmonic element emitting light that carries detected information; and a planar two-dimensional image sensor positioned in non-parallel angled relationship with respect to a plane of the plasmonic element to enhance a spatial image resolution for the light that carries detected information with respect to at least a portion of the light.
US10481085B2
A glucose sensor comprising an optical energy source having an emitter with an emission pattern; a first polarizer intersecting the emission pattern; a second polarizer spaced a distance from the first polarizer and intersecting the emission pattern, the second polarizer rotated relative to the first polarizer by a first rotational amount Θ; a first optical detector intersecting the emission pattern; a second optical detector positioned proximal to the second polarizer, the first polarizer and the second polarizer being positioned between the optical energy source and the second optical detector, the second optical detector intersecting the emission pattern; a compensating circuit coupled to the second optical detector; and a subtractor circuit coupled to the compensating circuit and the first optical detector.
US10481071B2
Systems and methods for analyzing blood samples, and more specifically for performing a white blood cell (WBC) differential analysis. The systems and methods screen WBCs by means of fluorescence staining and a fluorescence triggering strategy. As such, interference from unlyzed red blood cells (RBCs) and fragments of lysed RBCs is substantially eliminated. The systems and methods also enable development of relatively milder WBC reagent(s), suitable for assays of samples containing fragile WBCs. In one embodiment, the systems and methods include: (a) staining a blood sample with an exclusive cell membrane permeable fluorescent dye, which corresponds in emission spectrum to an excitation source of a hematology instrument; (b) using a fluorescence trigger to screen the blood sample for WBCs; and (c) using measurements of (1) axial light loss, (2) intermediate angle scatter, (3) 90° polarized side scatter, (4) 90° depolarized side scatter, and (5) fluorescence emission to perform a differentiation analysis.
US10481066B2
The present disclosure relates to exhaust gas emissions in motor vehicles. The teachings thereof may be embodied in soot sensors. For example, a soot sensor may include: a first electrode; a second electrode; an insulation body between the first electrode and the second electrode configured to allow soot particles to pass with a gas flow into a space defined between the first electrode and the second electrode; a meter evaluating a current between the first electrode and the second electrode resulting from an electrical voltage applied between the first electrode and the second electrode; and elements concentrating the electric field strength formed on at least one of a surface of the first electrode or a surface of the second electrode.
US10481064B2
A ballast water monitoring device and a method for detecting live phytoplankton are disclosed. The device comprises a chamber for receiving a sample, at least one light source to emit light towards the sample, a light detector to receive light from the sample and generate a light signal, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the at least one light source to emit a single pulse of light, calculate the variable fluorescence [Fv] of the sample in response to the pulse of light, at time intervals less than the duration of the pulse of light, compare the calculated variable fluorescence to a predetermined reference limit, and perform an action if the calculated variable fluorescence is greater than the predetermined reference limit.
US10481056B2
A bond test apparatus, and a cartridge and a light guide for the bond test apparatus are disclosed. The bond test apparatus includes a stage for supporting a bond for testing, a test tool having a test tool tip, a drive mechanism for providing relative movement between the stage and the test tool during the bond test, one or more light sources fixed relative to the test tool, a light guide for directing light to the test tool tip. The cartridge includes a test tool having a test tool tip to contact the bond during a bond test, one or more light sources fixed to the test tool, and a light guide for directing light s to the test tool tip. The light guide includes a tubular body to fit around a test tool, and to direct light, using total internal reflection, from a proximal end of the light guide to a distal end of the light guide.
US10481043B2
A method for small leak testing of an evaporative emissions system includes monitoring a vacuum pressure level of the evaporation emissions system with the engine on and actuating a canister vent valve to regulate the vacuum pressure level to a predetermined minimum vacuum pressure level. Upon turning the engine off, the canister vent valve and a canister purge valve are closed to seal the evaporative emissions system. Next, the vacuum pressure level is recorded over a predetermined time period after turning off the engine and a fault code is set when the vacuum pressure level becomes less than the predetermined minimum vacuum pressure level.
US10481042B2
The invention relates to a method for monitoring the function of a machine element lubricated by a lubricant. The method includes receiving measured values concerning the lubricant, determining a current chemical composition of the lubricant on the basis of the measured values, comparing the current chemical composition with chemical compositions known in advance, which are stored in a database, wherein function failure tendency values for the use of lubricants having the chemical compositions known in advance in connection with machine elements composed of materials known in advance are stored in the database, identifying a function failure tendency value on the basis of the comparison step, and outputting the function failure tendency value.
US10481040B2
A boundary layer suction system adapted to a surface exposed to the circulation of a fluid. The system comprises a portion of the surface, a bifurcation element for bifurcating a mass of fluid flowing along the front face of the surface, comprising an airfoil-shaped cross-section such that the fluid is bifurcated into a first and a second flow, a slot located on the portion of the surface and downstream of the leading edge of the bifurcation element, the slot communicating the front and the rear faces of the portion of the surface, and an arrangement to provide a pressure difference between the front and the rear faces of the surface around the slot, such that a suction of the boundary layer is performed through the slot by the pressure difference.
US10481039B2
A pipe testing apparatus is described. The apparatus comprises two pipe end holders, respectively to hold a first and a second end of a pipe section under test; a reeling former; a straightening former; and a translator to effect relative translational movement of the pipe and the reeling former and of the pipe and the straightening former to cause the pipe to move selectively into and out of contact with and to apply a contact force against one or other of the reeling former and the straightening former. Each pipe end holder comprises a pipe end connector and an extending arm extending beyond the pipe end connector in a pipe longitudinal direction; and a lateral actuator is provided in association with each extending arm to apply a transverse load to the arm at a point distal from the pipe end connector. A pipe testing method is also described.
US10481036B2
This disclosure is related to the in-service detection of a leak in a flow line, whether the medium is a fluid, liquid or gas, a mixture of fluids (gas and liquids). More particularly, the invention is related to a device or devices in series and interconnected that monitor the flow and detects immediately the occurrence of a leak, accurately pinpointing its location and calculating the quantity of the leak.
US10481026B2
The piezoresistive pressure sensor (1) comprises a rigid flat support (2), a flat flexible membrane (3) having a flat external face (4) exposed to a pressure of a fluid and a flat internal face (5) delimiting in cooperation with a flat internal face (7) of the support (2) a chamber (9) accommodating the deformation of the membrane (3), an electrical measuring circuit comprising a resistive Wheatstone bridge (10) applied on the flat internal face (5) of the membrane (3) for detecting the deformation of the membrane (3), and at least an electrical resistor (Rc) for calibrating the value of the output signal when the fluid is at a reference pressure, the calibration resistor (Rc) being applied on the flat internal face (5) of the membrane (3).
US10481024B2
Embodiments relate generally to a sensor device, method, and system are provided for housing a sensor. A pressure sensor assembly having a printed circuit board (PCB) with a pressure sensor and a ring mounted on the PCB. The pressure sensor assembly may include a force transmitting member positioned at least partially within the ring. The force transmitting member may transfer a force applied to a front side of the force transmitting member to a front side of the pressure sensor. A reservoir includes an extension that define an opening. The first side of the force transmitting member is exposed to the interior of the reservoir. The extension engages the first side of the force transmitting member to seal the opening.
US10481023B2
A mechanical quantity measuring device includes: a sensor chip having a strain detector formed on a surface of a semiconductor substrate and a plurality of electrodes connected to the strain detector; a stem having ascot that protrudes from an adjacent peripheral portion and has an upper surface that is attached to a lower surface of the sensor chip by a bonding material formed from a metallic material or a glass material; a lead-out wiring part including a plurality of wires that are electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes; and a fixing part for fixing the stem, wherein: the stem and the fixing part are integrally molded or fixed through metallic bonding or mechanical bonding.
US10481021B2
A fabric-based pressure sensor assembly utilizing in ionic material and conductive material is disclosed. The sensing device can be applied in several various wearable health and biomedical applications on complex body topologies. As an alternative to conventional flexible sensors, the fabric-based sensor assembly yields high device sensitivity and desirable parameters for pressure sensing in a wearable construct. The sensor assembly enables rapid mechanical responses (in the milliseconds range) for high-frequency biomechanical signals, e.g., blood pressure pulses and body movements. The fabrication process for the device is low-cost highly compatible with existing industrial manufacturing processes.
US10481020B2
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for establishing residual stresses in objects, in particular in coated objects, and to a method and an apparatus for coating objects. The method comprises: impinging a surface (8) of the object (5) with laser light and generating a hole or a pattern of holes and/or locally heated points in the object (5); establishing the surface deformations by an optical deforming measuring method after the object (5) is impinged by laser light; establishing the residual stresses present in the object (5) from the measured surface deformations, wherein the generation of the hole pattern is carried out by an optical scanning apparatus which comprises an optical deflection and/or modulation arrangement for controllable deflection and/or modulation of the laser light, and/or a focusing arrangement for controllable focusing of the laser light.
US10481017B2
A temperature probe and method for determining a temperature in a gas flow are disclosed. The probe includes a probe body. A free flow temperature sensor a free flow temperature of the gas flow and a total temperature sensor measures a total temperature of the gas flow. The method includes measuring a flow temperature in a free gas flow, providing a static gas volume in which essentially all kinetic energy of the flowing gas is recovered and converted into thermal energy, and measuring a total temperature in the static gas volume. An accurate determination of the total temperature of a gas flow, which is representative of a specific total enthalpy, can thereby be achieved while detecting fast and transient temperature changes.
US10481012B2
A heat exchanger (3) having a temperature sensor (16) detecting a temperature of a water passage (300) including heat-transfer pipes (32), (33), a connecting portion (34), an inlet pipe (11), and an outlet pipe (12), and a sensor bracket (6), wherein the sensor bracket (6) is joined and fixed to the connecting portion (34) in a state in which at least a part of a base portion (60) of the sensor bracket (6) forming a mounting surface of the temperature sensor (16) is in surface contact with a planar portion (340) provided in the connecting portion (34), and the temperature sensor (16) is secured to a joint portion (600) of the base portion (60) joined and fixed to the planar portion (340).
US10481007B2
An electromagnetic-radiation detection system is equipped with an electromagnetic-radiation sensor, which has a plurality of detectors sensitive to electromagnetic radiation, allowing images composed of pixels to be obtained, each pixel being represented by at least one value issuing from at least one detector of the sensor. These sensors should generally be cooled. Because of dispersion of the individual responses of each detector of a sensor, each detector of said sensor is calibrated for gain and offset value. A calibration of a detector includes acquiring at least two values issuing from said detector in order to estimate a gain and an offset value to be applied to the values issuing from said detector. A bandpass electromagnetic-radiation filter may have a predefined transmission coefficient in said system in order to vary the electromagnetic radiation reaching said sensor and thus to obtain, for each detector, the two values necessary for implementing calibration.
US10481006B1
The thermal sensing layer for a microbolometer includes a Ge1-xSnx film layer, where 0.17≤x≤0.25. The Ge1-xSnx film layer may be deposited on a substrate layer, such as pure silicon. An additional layer of silicon dioxide may be added, such that the silicon dioxide layer is sandwiched between the silicon substrate and the Ge1-xSnx film, In order to make the Ge1-xSnx thin film layer, germanium (Ge) and tin (Sn) are simultaneously sputter deposited on the substrate, where the atomic ratio of germanium to tin is between 0.83:0.17 and 0.75:0.25 inclusive. The sputter deposition may occur in an argon atmosphere, with the germanium having a deposition rate of 9.776 nm/min, and with the tin having a deposition rate between 2.885 nm/min and 4.579 nm/min.
US10480988B2
A calibration unit is for a capacitive measuring system in a metering installation, or a metering installation for in particular solid pharmaceutical dosage units, and to an associated method for metering. The calibration unit includes a test body, a drive for the test body, and a guide for the test body. The guide has a first terminal position, a second terminal position, and a guided section that runs between the two terminal positions. The drive is configured for moving the test body along the guided section in a reciprocating manner between the two terminal positions. The capacitive measuring system is calibrated via the calibration unit. The dosage units are then metered via the metering installation and checked for a properly metered mass via the calibrated capacitive measuring system.
US10480986B2
A method of estimating a quantity of a liquid fuel in a fuel tank of an aircraft is disclosed. A surface of the fuel is illuminated with light so that the light is reflected or scattered by the surface of the fuel onto an array of sensors. The light travels to and from the surface of the fuel via a measurement path containing a transmission medium. A measured time of flight is made at each sensor for the light which travels via the measurement path to that sensor. At least one of the sensors is illuminated with light via a reference path containing a transmission medium with substantially the same refractive index as the transmission medium in the measurement path, the reference path having a known reference distance which does not vary in accordance with the quantity of the fuel.
US10480980B2
Various implementations described herein are directed to a petrochemical measurement system. A remote terminal unit includes a network data server. A human machine interface may be an autonomous network data client in communication with the remote terminal unit. The human machine interface may include: a memory having configuration parameter software stored thereon; a user interface configured to receive configuration parameter input using the configuration parameter software; and a processor configured to send the configuration parameters received from the user interface of the HMI to the remote terminal unit.
US10480979B2
A flow meter for measuring a flow rate of a fluid may include a cartridge containing certain components such as a flow sensor. The cartridge is removable from the flow meter such that it may be replaced with a new cartridge, allowing calibration of the flow meter while enabling the flow meter to continue to be operated with another cartridge in the place of the removed cartridge. The flow meter may be configured to direct fluid flow away from selected components of the flow meter.
US10480978B2
A method according to an aspect includes outputting gas continuously from a flow rate controller, closing a valve, obtaining a first pressure rise characteristic, outputting the gas intermittently from the flow rate controller, closing the valve, obtaining a second pressure rise characteristic, obtaining a third pressure rise characteristic, obtaining a fourth pressure rise characteristic, obtaining a first required time required from the third pressure rise characteristic, obtaining a second required time from the fourth pressure rise characteristic, obtaining an estimated time until a predetermined pressure is reached, in a case where the intermittent output of the gas is performed assuming that there is no delay time, and obtaining a parameter representing a difference between the estimated time and the second required time.
US10480976B2
The flowmeter having at least one measuring tube and having at least one inlet element, wherein the inlet element is connected to the at least one measuring tube and is arranged before the at least one measuring tube in respect to flow direction. The flowmeter that is also suitable for the verification of erosive media is achieved in that at least one inflow element is provided, wherein the inflow element is arranged at least partly within the inlet element and wherein the inflow element is detachably connectable to the inlet element.
US10480975B2
The mass flow rate of milk flowing in a pipe in pulsed milk slugs is determined by sampling a signal from a microphone indicative of sonic signals produced by the milk flow. A microprocessor applies a Fast Fourier Transform to the sampled signal to produce the frequency domain of the sampled signal. The microprocessor computes the average energy value of the sampled signal in a relevant frequency band during consecutive monitoring periods. The average energy values are inserted into a calibration equation to convert the average energy value to a mass flow rate. The total mass flow of milk flowing through the pipeline during a period T1-T2 is determined by integrating the determined mass flow rate of milk from T1-T2. Disengagement of a milking cluster from the animal teats during milking is determined when the monitored microphone signal transitions to a continuous relatively high energy noise signal indicative of air.
US10480974B2
The present invention disclosed a micromachined composite silicon flow sensor that is comprised of calorimetric flow sensing elements, time-of-flight sensing elements as well as independent temperature sensing element on a silicon-on-insulator device where the device layer is used for the thermal isolation membrane. The disclosed composite silicon flow sensor can measure mass flowrate, volumetric flowrate and flow medium temperature simultaneously, from which a full spectrum of flow parameters including flow pressure can be obtained. The sensor can be further used to alert any changes in physical properties of flow medium during operation. The disclosed manufacture process details the micromachining process of making such a sensor.
US10480968B2
A pump system has at least one fluid container (2) which comprises an inlet (4) and an outlet (6), at least one pump (8) arranged in the inlet (4) or the outlet (6), and a control device (16) which includes a flow evaluation device for determining a flow through the fluid container (2) of the pump system. The flow evaluation device is configured such that the flow evaluation device uses a system model for determining the flow. The system model includes at least two different sub-models, a sub-model which describes the inflow behavior of the fluid container (2) and a sub-model which describes the outflow behavior of the fluid container (2). A corresponding pump flow evaluation method is provided.
US10480963B2
An absolute position readout apparatus includes an encoder device and a readout device. The readout device includes multiple first and second magnetic sensing components that correspond to an absolute track of the encoder device, and a third magnetic sensing component and a fourth magnetic sensing components that correspond to an incremental track of the encoder device. The third magnetic sensing component is configured to be spaced apart from the fourth magnetic sensing component by a specific distance, so as to prevent misreading of absolute position information from the first or second magnetic sensing components being at positions corresponding to boundaries between adjacent magnetized regions of the absolute track.
US10480960B2
A position sensing system is disclosed. The position sensing system may include a hollow sensor body. A magnet may be disposed in the hollow sensor body. The magnet may be movable within the hollow sensor body.
US10480959B2
Methods, devices and systems for three-dimensional location of the disposition of a sensor coil in a subject including are disclosed. The systems include an array of three or more quadruplet drive coil sets, where each quadruplet drive coil set include at least four discrete drive coils, at least one moveable sensor coil configured to provide one or more sensor coil response signals, a first system component providing AC drive signals to energize the discrete drive coils, a second system component for receiving the one or more sensor coil response signals from the at least one moveable sensor coil, and a processor configured to determine a sensor coil disposition of the at least one moveable sensor coil in the subject relative to the quadruplet drive coil sets based on the one or more sensor coil response signals.
US10480944B2
A gyroscope includes: a mass, which is movable with respect to a supporting body; a driving loop for keeping the mass in oscillation according to a driving axis; a reading device, which supplying an output signal indicating an angular speed of the body; and a compensation device, for attenuating spurious signal components in quadrature with respect to a velocity of oscillation of the mass. The reading device includes an amplifier, which supplies a transduction signal indicating a position of the mass according to a sensing axis. The compensation device forms a control loop with the amplifier, extracts from the transduction signal an error signal representing quadrature components in the transduction signal, and supplies to the amplifier a compensation signal such as to attenuate the error signal.
US10480927B2
The present disclosure provides an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system for characterising first and second areas of interest of a material. The OCT system comprises first and second optical elements in use positioned at the first and second areas of interest of the material. The first and second optical elements are at least partially transmissive for electromagnetic radiation. The system further comprises first and second scanning heads in use positioned at the first and second optical elements, respectively, to receive electromagnetic radiation that has interacted with the material at the first and second areas of interest. In addition, the system comprises at least one detector optically coupled to the first and second scanning heads. The first and second optical elements are arranged such that respective reference radiation associated with the first and second optical elements is generated by reflection at interfaces of or at the first and second optical elements, respectively, and the first and second optical elements are arranged or positioned such that an optical path length difference between the reference radiation associated with the first optical element reference radiation and electromagnetic radiation that interacted with the material associated with the first optical element differs from an optical path length difference between the reference radiation associated with the second optical element and electromagnetic radiation that interacted with the material associated with the second optical element.
US10480926B2
A fiber housing includes multiple shape sensing cores and a single optical core. A distal end of the fiber housing is positionable to direct the single optical core to a current point of an anatomical target. Collimated light over a first range of frequencies is projected from the single optical core to the current point. OFDR is used to detect reflected light scattered from the current point and to process the detected light to determine a distance to the current point. Light over a second range of frequencies is projected through the multiple shape sensing optical cores to the distal end of the fiber housing. OFDR is used to measure light reflected from the distal end of the fiber housing back through the multiple shape sensing optical cores and to process the measurement to determine a position in three dimensional space of the distal end of the fiber housing and a pointing direction of the distal end of the fiber housing. A position in three dimensional space of the current point is determined based on the determined position in three dimensional space of the distal end of the fiber housing, the pointing direction of the distal end of the fiber housing, and the determined distance.
US10480914B2
Herein we describe embodiments of shotgun shells, methods for loading such shotgun shells, and methods for using them. In some embodiments, the shotgun shells utilize a multi-component wad system with a biodegradable powder wad that stays intact through the firing process, and a separate and chemically distinct biodegradable shot wad that breaks apart within one meter after being shot out of the barrel of a shotgun. A clean release of the shot can be obtained, providing both high performance and biodegradability. The biodegradable shot wad can be a biodegradable polyester.
US10480913B1
A blood draining arrow for increasing lethality and enhancing a blood trail includes a shaft, an arrowhead, a fletching, and a nock. The arrowhead and the nock are coupled to and extend from a first end and a second end of the shaft, respectively. The fletching is coupled to and extends radially from the shaft proximate to the second end. A channel extends axially through the shaft from proximate to the first end to proximate to the second end. Each of a plurality of holes is positioned in the shaft and extends to the channel. Holes in a first section of the shaft that is inserted into flesh of an animal are configured for blood to enter. The blood flows through the channel to drain from holes that are positioned in a second section of the shaft to prevent clotting of the blood and to enhance a blood trail.
US10480908B2
There is disclosed an energy absorption device comprising a plurality of pillars mountable to a ceiling of a hull, each pillar having a fixed portion and a movable portion, the movable portion slidable relative to the fixed portion; a deformable material disposed between the fixed portion and movable portion such that the deformable material resist the sliding movement of the movable portion in one direction; the deformable material further adapted to permanently deform when a blast energy is directed towards the ceiling; and a seat assembly attached to the movable portion, the seat assembly adapted for an occupant.
US10480907B2
A ballistic art shield that includes an outwardly-facing surface, an inwardly-facing surface, and a ballistic resistant material. The outwardly-facing surface has a generally planar configuration and the inwardly-facing surface is oriented in an opposing direction to the outwardly-facing surface. The inwardly-facing surface has a generally planar configuration and includes at least one handle that is adjustable to a low profile position with respect to the inwardly-facing surface. The ballistic resistant material is disposed between the outwardly-facing surface and the inwardly facing surface. The outwardly-facing surface includes a shroud for concealing the ballistic resistant material and has a disguised appearance resembling a wall-hung interior wall décor item.
US10480902B2
A point of aim shows where a weapon is aimed on a target. An electronic device determines an impact location on the target of a projectile fired from the weapon, determines a distance from the point of aim to the impact location, and moves the point of aim in order to sight the weapon to the target.
US10480901B2
A riflescope having a display that provides information to a user of the riflescope, along with related methods, is provided herein. In one embodiment, a riflescope includes an objective system and an ocular system, wherein a focal plane is defined between the objective system and the ocular system. A display system, comprising a display and a mirror, is positioned at a location between the focal plane and the ocular system. In one embodiment, the distance between the focal plane and the ocular system is equal to a sum of a distance between the display and the mirror and a distance between the mirror and the ocular system.
US10480891B2
The invention relates to a rifle comprising a barrel, a stock, a bipod and bipod housing formed within the stock of the rifle and in which one or more legs of the bipod may be housed when the bipod is in a storage position. The forestock may comprise a body and a tip. The tip may be configured to support one or more legs of the bipod and may also be configured to hinge away from the body to cause the legs to project toward a supporting surface when the bipod is in an operational position.
US10480888B2
A silencer assembly for a firearm in one embodiment includes a support tube and plurality of baffles defining combustion gas expansion chambers. A coupling member including a ratchet mechanism removably mounts the silencer on a muzzle device on a firearm barrel. The ratchet mechanism comprises first and second arrays of teeth each disposed on the coupling member. The first array is infinitely rotatable on the coupling member when not coupled to the muzzle device and locks in rotational position when the coupling member is coupled to the device. The second array is rotationally fixed in position on the coupling member. In one embodiment, the muzzle device and coupling member have interlocking rotational stops which prevent the first array of teeth from rotating when the coupling member is coupled to the muzzle device.
US10480864B2
Configurations and related processing schemes of direct or indirect inter-plants (or both) heating systems synthesized for grassroots medium grade crude oil semi-conversion refineries to increase energy efficiency from specific portions of low grade waste heat sources are described. Configurations and related processing schemes of direct or indirect inter-plants (or both) heating systems synthesized for integrated medium grade crude oil semi-conversion refineries and aromatics complex for increasing energy efficiency from specific portions of low grade waste sources are also described.
US10480861B2
The present invention relates to a process of making power-saving electric stoves, particularly having a large size and outer shapes similar to the conformations of traditional Tyrolean heaters or stoves, while having a very light weight and being easily movable to multiple locations of a house. The main characteristic of the present invention is that it includes making a hollow stove body, particularly having a large size, from expanded polystyrene or a similar thermoplastic polymer, with the application of an electric resistor, particularly a constant-power, and hence low-power consuming heating cable arranged around its outer surface in one or more coil loops with the interposition of a layer of adhesive material with at least one thread formed therein for supporting the resistor, with contiguous insulating grooves, and with later application of a final coating layer, made e.g. of tire-resistant cement mortar, whose outer surface may be provided with decorative designs or finishes and ornaments made of wood or other materials, which designs and ornaments may be similar to those formed on the outer surfaces of traditional Tyrolean stoves, whereas the basement of the hollow body is preferably supported by a smooth metal plate, allowing displacement thereof to any location of the house, proximate to a power outlet.
US10480860B2
A conveyor furnace includes a muffle having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, with a heating device for heating a volume delimited by the muffle, and a closed conveyor belt manufactured at least partially from metal. The conveyor furnace includes another heating device which is arranged so that, during the operation of the conveyor furnace, the heating device heats a section of the conveyor belt extending outside of the muffle.
US10480852B2
A liquefaction system and method for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) is provided. The liquefaction system may include a heat exchanger to cool natural gas to LNG, a first compressor to compress and combine first and second portions of a single mixed refrigerant from the heat exchanger, a first cooler to cool the single mixed refrigerant from the first compressor to a first liquid phase and a gaseous phase, and a first liquid separator to separate the first liquid phase from the gaseous phase. The liquefaction system may also include a second compressor to compress the gaseous phase, a second cooler to cool the compressed gaseous phase to a second liquid phase and the second portion of the single mixed refrigerant, a second liquid separator to separate the second liquid phase from the second portion of the single mixed refrigerant, and a pump to pressurize the first liquid phase.
US10480848B2
A joint for an outer cabinet of an enclosure is provided. The joint includes a first panel having a first flange extending away from the first panel in a substantially perpendicular manner; a second panel having a first flange extending away from the second panel in a substantially perpendicular manner; and a slide channel that defines a channel structured to receive the first flange of the first panel and the first flange of the second panel to couple the first panel to the second panel.
US10480838B2
A refrigeration cycle apparatus controller includes an expansion-valve controller configured to output an opening-degree command for an expansion valve based on a deviation between a discharge temperature of refrigerant discharged from a compressor and a set discharge temperature, and at least two control parameters including a proportionality coefficient and an integral coefficient, a flow-rate-correction-coefficient calculator configured to calculate a flow-rate correction coefficient from a refrigerant flow rate of refrigerant circulating through a refrigerant circuit and a preset flow-rate reference value, and a coefficient corrector configured to calculate the proportionality coefficient by correcting a preset proportionality-coefficient reference value based on the flow-rate correction coefficient, and calculate the integral coefficient by correcting a preset integral-coefficient reference value based on the flow-rate correction coefficient. The proportionality coefficient and the integral coefficient are calculated such that a variation range of the integral coefficient rate is larger than a variation range of the proportionality coefficient.
US10480836B2
Apparatus for filling an automobile air conditioning system with refrigerant in a liquid state is disclosed. R744 refrigerant is pumped in a liquid state from a storage tank to a refrigerant filling station having an inlet and two outlets. A first outlet is connected to a first refrigerant return line back to the storage tank. A second outlet is connected to an adapter for attaching to a service port of the air conditioning system during filling. An adapter support that has a connection port substantially the same as the service port receives the adapter when it is in a storage position. A valve is connected to the inlet and the first outlet and a temperature sensor measures a temperature of the refrigerant at the inlet. When the temperature is above a threshold, the valve closes the inlet and connects the refrigerant supply line to the first refrigerant return line.
US10480832B2
The thermoacoustic energy converting element part is provided with a plurality of through holes extending along a direction to penetrate the thermoacoustic energy converting element part to form travelling routes of acoustic waves. The thermoacoustic energy converting element part includes a wall surrounding each of the through holes to extend in an extending direction of the through hole and configured to exchange heat with the fluid. The through hole includes a hole that has a hydraulic diameter of 0.4 mm or smaller, and an open area ratio of the through holes in the thermoacoustic energy converting element part is 60% or higher. Thermal conductivity of the thermoacoustic energy converting element part in fluid atmosphere is 0.4 W/m/K or lower, and heat capacity of the thermoacoustic energy converting element part at 400° C. in the fluid atmosphere is higher than 0.5 J/cc/K.
US10480827B2
A solar heat collector with high heat collection effect is provided. The solar heat collector includes a first heat collection pipe and a second heat collection pipe. The first heat collection pipe receives reflected light from a single-axial tracking solar type reflective mirror group to collect heat. The second heat collection pipe receives reflected light from the single-axial tracking solar type reflective mirror group and dual-axial tracking solar type reflective mirror groups to collect heat. The second heat collection pipe has an amount of heat collection per unit area larger than the first heat collection pipe. Therefore, compared with the use of only the first heat collection pipe, this ensures obtaining larger energy.
US10480825B1
An automatically flushing water heater maintenance system may be provided, the system including a water heater and a water heater controller. The water heater may include an inlet, an outlet, and a flush outlet having a first control valve in flow communication therewith. The first control valve may be configured to control a flow of water and sediment through the flush outlet out of the water heater. The water heater controller may be configured to communicate with the first control valve by transmitting a first control signal to the first control valve, the first control signal configured to cause the first control valve to open or close as part of an automatic flushing process. As a result of the flushing, the useful life of the water heater may be extended, and/or water heater leakage alleviated. Insurance discounts may be provided based upon using the automatic water heater flushing functionality.
US10480821B2
A water heater includes a vessel (20) provided with a burner (3) having a downward combustion surface, a fan casing (10) accommodating a fan (10a) for supplying a mixture gas of primary combustion air and fuel gas to the burner, an annular packing connecting a first connection end surface at a downstream end of a first passage forming a downstream-side passage of the fan casing with a second connection end surface at an upstream end of a second passage forming an upstream-side passage of the vessel in airtight state, and a check valve (5) disposed near the upstream end in the second passage (2).
US10480819B2
A heating apparatus comprising a tank having a tank inlet, a tank outlet, a heat exchanger inlet and heat exchanger outlet. A heat exchanger is located in the tank and comprises a hollow body having a mouth coupled to the heat exchanger inlet and a flue outlet coupled to the heat exchanger outlet. A burner device has a burner head that is located at least partly located in the mouth inside said hollow body.
US10480817B2
The duct-type indoor unit of an air conditioner includes: a casing including a first surface and a second surface opposing each other, an inlet duct connection part which is formed in the first surface and to which an inlet duct is connected, and an outlet duct connection part which is formed in the second surface and to which an outlet duct is connected; a partition member partitioning interior of the casing into a first space on an inlet side and a second space on an outlet side, the partitioning member having an opening communicating the first space with the second space; a heat exchanger arranged inside the first space; and a centrifugal fan having an impeller with backward curved blades, the impeller being positioned inside the second space to suck in air in the first space through the opening. The impeller has a rotating shaft parallel to the first surface.
US10480815B2
A panel for self-supporting ducts, in particular air-conditioning ducts, made up of a core of mineral wool or the like, covered on its external face and on its internal face with an exterior covering and an interior covering, respectively. The interior covering includes or preferably is made up of an aluminum sheet, a layer of a glass fabric or a layer of a glass web. The exterior covering includes the succession of a first layer of plastics material, an aluminum sheet, and a second layer of plastics material. The layers of plastics material are bonded to the aluminum sheet directly or via an adhesive. The exterior covering is bonded to the external surface of the core by glue.
US10480814B1
An apparatus and a process for forming an oval shaped duct, as well as a round duct for all required sizes and thicknesses for an AC system, in one continuous operation where two driving rolls advance a flat metal sheet to a multi-positioning bending roll, where the bending roll is moveable to a bending position for different curvatures and a non-bending position. The driving rolls advance the sheet through while the bending roll bends the sheet to form the curved sides, and the bending roll in the non-bending position form the flat sides of the oval shaped duct. A position sensor detects the position of the flat metal sheet in the rolls to control the location along the sheet where the bending roll is moved to either of the bending or non-bending positions while the driving rolls are stopped.
US10480813B2
Pliable-wall air ducts with internal expanding structures are disclosed. An example air duct system includes an air duct including a pliable sidewall. The example air duct system further includes a shaft including a first end and a second end. The shaft extends in a longitudinal direction along a length of the air duct with the first end coupled to a first point of the air duct and the second end coupled to a second point of the air duct. The first point is downstream of the second point. The pliable sidewall is to be held in tension in the longitudinal direction between the first and second points in response to compression in the shaft between the first and second ends.
US10480812B2
A clamp assembly is provided for use in a duct system. The clamp assembly includes a clamp member including a base portion and first and second lateral portions. The first and second lateral portions extend less than the full circumferential length of the base portion. The clamp assembly may include a first member, a second member, and a hinge operatively coupling the first member to the second member. A damper access assembly includes an adapter, a damper access duct section, and an annular clamp member. A first flange of the adapter and a second flange of the duct section are configured to form a generally T-shaped joint between the adapter and the damper access duct section. The clamp member is configured to removably secure the adapter to the damper access duct section. The damper access duct section is configured to be removable relative to the damper enclosure and the ductwork.
US10480811B1
A safety gas valve relay driving circuit for an HVAC system includes a gas valve relay including an output for selectively enabling and disabling a gas valve in an HVAC system according to an energization state of the gas valve relay, and a charge pump circuit to control energization of the gas valve relay. The charge pump circuit includes a charge pump capacitor. The driving circuit also includes first and second inputs for receiving first and second driving signals from at least one controller, a low-pass filter coupled between the first input and the charge pump circuit to filter the received first driving signal, and a high-pass filter watchdog circuit coupled between the second input and the charge pump circuit to filter the received second driving signal. Example methods of driving a gas valve relay for an HVAC system are also disclosed.
US10480807B2
Systems and methods are disclosed that involve detecting a flammable refrigerant associated with a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. In one instance a damper covers an access port allowing a single sensor to monitor at least two separate spaces. In another instance, a multi-probe sensor allows a single sensor to monitor at least two separate spaces.
US10480804B2
A building management system (BMS) includes a plurality of devices controllers, a BMS database, and a BMS controller. The device controllers are configured to monitor and control one or more HVAC devices and to store and process time-series data associated with the HVAC devices. The BMS database is configured to store a master-index, the master-index identifying the time-series data stored by each of the device controllers. The BMS controller is configured to receive a processing request that requires the time-series data stored by one or more of the device controllers. The BMS controller is further configured to generate one or more processing sub-requests. The device controllers are further configured to handle the processing sub-requests and provide processing results to the BMS controller. The BMS controller is further configured to combine processing results from the device controllers.
US10480803B2
A vapor management system includes a monitoring service system configured to communicate one or more system parameters with at least one vapor mitigation system. The monitoring service system is further configured to generate a user interface. The user interface is configured to display and permit adjustment of the one or more system parameters.
US10480798B2
Provided is a cooking appliance that includes an oven cavity and an oven door pivotally mounted to a front surface and configured to selectively provide access to an interior of the oven cavity. A cooktop includes a heating element and an inlet of a downdraft system exposed at a top surface of the cooking appliance. An outlet is provided through which air drawn into the downdraft system through the inlet is exhausted to an ambient environment of a room in which the cooking appliance is located. An air duct system conveys air between the inlet and the outlet, and a blower draws air from the ambient environment of the cooking appliance adjacent to the cooktop into the inlet and through the air duct system to be expelled through the outlet back into the ambient environment.
US10480782B2
A fire construction (10) comprising a firebox (12) defining a combustion chamber (14) in which fuel (not shown) can be burnt, a first air supply means (16) for delivering air into the combustion chamber (14) to support combustion of fuel therein, and a second air supply means (18) for supplying additional air to support combustion of fuel within the combustion chamber (14), the second air supply means (18) comprising a supply conduit (20) connecting the combustion chamber (14) with an air supply (22), the supply conduit (20) having a cross section (24) that increases as the supply conduit (20) opens into the combustion chamber (14).
US10480780B2
An apparatus and method for commissioning steam turbine generator power plants to advance the cleanliness of the complete steam cycle by the conditioned discharge of steam to the plant surface condenser.
US10480771B1
The present invention relates to a method for preparing a carbon nanotube-based heat-dissipating material and an LED lighting device. The LED lighting device comprises second LED substrates and a heat-dissipating frame. The heat-dissipating frame comprises: a frame body formed in a polygonal column shape being open at its upper and lower ends, in which substrate contact surfaces, with which the second LED substrates respectively come into contact, are formed on outer sides of the frame body; and auxiliary heat sinks made of a carbon nanotube-based heat-dissipating material and attachably and detachably provided on inner sides corresponding to the substrate contact surfaces of the frame body.
US10480769B2
An LED lamp includes: a heat sink; a light-emitting module positioned on the heat sink, the light-emitting module including an LED unit positioned on the heat sink, a reflection cup, and a first diffuser covering the reflection cup, the reflection cup encircling the LED unit and defining at least one first ventilation hole; a heat-conducting support positioned on the heat sink and encircling the reflection cup, the heat-conducting support defining at least one second ventilation hole; and a second diffuser secured to and clamped by the heat-conducting support.
US10480767B2
An air-cooled high intensity LED light system includes an air-cooled LED array coupled to a blower device via a conduit. Each segment of the array includes a radiator thermally coupled to the LED elements to transfer heat from the LED elements to the environment. Airflow through the radiators is accomplished by creating a vacuum within the array by drawing air out of the manifold through the conduit. A blower provides the desired vacuum pressure to draw air from the environment through the radiator fins and out of the manifold. The conduit branches into individual segments so that an inlet corresponds to each of the segments of the array.
US10480762B2
A lighting fixture is provided. The lighting fixture includes a fixture body including an elongated shape, a first end, and a second end. First and second body mounts are connected to the fixture body and configured to be mounted on first and second lighting ducts. A light source is accommodated in the fixture body and configured to emit laser light. A power supply is accommodated in the fixture body and electrically connected to the light source. A light guide includes an entrance end and an exit end. The entrance end is optically connected to the light source. The light guide is configured to guide the laser light from the light source to the exit end. A lamp is attached to the fixture body and optically connected to the exit end of the light guide.
US10480761B2
A pot light assembly includes a rail and a pot light housing for housing a pot light. The rail has end portions for resting on upwardly facing surfaces of a pair of ceiling joists and a central portion between the end portions. The central portion is secured to a side wall at a top portion of the housing for supporting the housing between the ceiling joists. The pot light assembly further includes a pair of fastening brackets for securing the rail to the ceiling joists. Each bracket has a fastening plate positioned below the rail. The fastening plates have respective fastening holes through which a fastener can be secured to respective ceiling joists to fasten the fastening plates to the ceiling joists.
US10480757B1
A lighting system may include a plurality of suspenders and a beam configured to provide light in at least one direction. The suspenders may structurally support the beam from a ceiling and may provide electrical power and dimming control signals to the beam. The beam may include a plurality of light engines for emitting light. The light engines may be single sided or dual sided, and may transmit electrical power among each other. The dual sided light engines may emit light upwardly and downwardly from the beam, and the single sided light engines may emit light downwardly.
US10480754B2
An illumination device includes: a laser light source; a cylindrical body disposed such that light emitted from the laser light source enters the cylindrical body at a first end portion side of the cylindrical body and passes through the cylindrical body; a reflector disposed so as to reflect light passing through the cylindrical body; and a ring assembly comprising a ring-shaped inner circumferential surface configured to reflect and propagate light from the reflector. The reflector includes: a first reflecting surface configured to reflect a first portion of light emitted from the laser light source, and a second reflecting surface configured to reflect a second portion of light emitted from the laser light source. The ring assembly further includes a fluorescent surface adapted to emit fluorescence by light reflected and propagated at the inner circumferential surface.
US10480733B2
Lighting systems, devices, methods and apparatus for simulating a candle flame are disclosed. The systems and methods employ spatially distributed, disjointed sets of light-emitting elements that are independently controlled with randomized control signals to simulate a candle flame by forming spatially and temporally varying lighting effects. Further, the disjointed sets are controlled such that the total light intensity is essentially maintained. In addition, systems and methods employ a transition probability model to adjust intensities of light-emitting elements in a way that accurately mimics a candle flame.
US10480732B2
A gobo with a substrate having at least one peripheral edge a body extending from the peripheral edge, the body having two faces and a structural network on at least one of the two faces, the structural network generally extending to the peripheral edge. An optical pattern is disposed on or through the body, with the structural network extending on the body only to an edge of the optical pattern. The structural network is integral with the substrate.
US10480730B1
A sustainable solar system device monitors watt production, consumption and deterioration of the components within a plurality of configured by designed solar panels, a solar light fixture and a solar lamp shade models configured within a plurality of solar cells and/or the plurality of solar-cell modules. The sustainable light system generates watt power manipulating by design the light spectrum rays to subsequent chambered layers, control gates power distribution to internal and external devices, managed by a smart solar system controller complex determining end of life cycle factors, efficiency levels and generate system analytics.
US10480728B2
The electrical cover comprises a friction-held electrical cover for a recessed light fixture. Embodiments of the electrical cover described herein provide flexible finish material covers that guard recessed “can” light fixtures from paint, spackling, and other foreign materials. The frictionally-held finish material covers utilize specifically shaped features on the surfaces, such as negative draft, that contact the electrical components to increase the hold on the electrical device. Some of the shaped features of the frictionally-held covers also help minimize stress in the cover. Features are also molded into the parts to assist and strengthen the cover once installed, and thus protect against the intrusion of finish material behind the cover.
US10480727B1
A tree illumination device includes at least one (1) illumination source secured beneath a hemispherical dome on a platform. The dome further has a reflective portion disposed capable of reflecting incident illumination generated from the illumination source towards the tree. The device is capable of being secured about the trunk of a tree.
US10480707B2
Orientable support (1) for video-photographic apparatus, comprising an articulation device (4) with a first (5) and a second articulation member (6) provided with respective attachment means for being attached respectively to a supporting member (2, 20) of said support (1) and to a video-photographic apparatus, or vice versa, and reciprocally movable in order to orient said video-photographic apparatus with respect to said supporting member (20), said first articulation member comprising an internally hollow shell-shaped body (5) defining a housing cavity (10) for said second articulation member (6), said second articulation member comprising a spherical ball (6) capable of sliding in said housing cavity (10), said ball (6) and said housing cavity (10) being shaped in such a way that a gap (11) is formed therebetween, said gap containing a viscous fluid (V) suitable for regulating the rotations of said ball (6) in said housing cavity (10).
US10480706B2
An adjustable electronic device holder. The adjustable electronic device holder includes a bracket slidably connected to a center plate for receiving an electronic device. An elongated arm extends from the center plate to a base for supporting the adjustable electronic device holder in an upright position. Two opposing brackets are connected so as to allow for selective lateral movement relative to the center plate. The opposing brackets form a planar backing that is adapted to rest flush with the center plate. Each bracket includes a perpendicular edge extending from three sides of a perimeter. A flange extends from the perpendicular edge to define a channel wherein tablet computers and other electronic devices may be received and removably secured.
US10480704B2
A pulsation damper includes an upper diaphragm, a lower diaphragm configured to form a sealed space having a predetermined pressure with the upper diaphragm, in which an inert gas is filled; and a deformation suppressing member formed of an elastic material, and comprising an inner cylindrical portion, and an extension portion extending from a center portion on an outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion such that the extension portion extends outward from a center axis of the inner cylindrical portion, wherein the deformation suppressing member is arranged inside the sealed space such that an outer periphery of the extension portion abuts against inner walls of the upper diaphragm and the lower diaphragm.
US10480696B2
A locking collar quick union connection comprises a split ring and a locking collar sub assembly. The locking collar sub assembly includes a collar, a locking ring, and a locking screw. The locking ring includes outer threads that engage inner threads formed on a larger inner diameter portion of the collar. The split ring includes outer threads that engage inner threads formed on a smaller inner diameter portion of the collar. The locking screw rotationally locks the locking ring to the locking collar.
US10480694B2
The invention concerns a clamp (1) for joining two connecting elements (2, 3) with abutting faces oriented transverse to a centre axis of the connecting elements. The clamp comprises a first and a second clamp element (4, 5) which are connected to each other by a pivot arrangement (6) and arranged for positioning around an area where the two connecting elements are to be joined. The clamp is provided with a locking device (9) to secure the connecting elements together when used, and the clamp is provided with an actuating device (10) which is arranged to actuate the locking device in between a locking position and a release position. The invention also concerns methods for releasing a clamp.
US10480691B2
A water pipe includes a pipe body (1), a woven layer (2) sleeved around the pipe body (1), a first joint assembly (3) arranged at one end of the pipe body (1) and secured to the pipe body (1), and a second joint assembly (4) arranged at another end of the pipe body (1) and secured to the pipe body (1); the woven layer (2) includes bamboo charcoal fibers and polypropylene filaments. The woven layer (2) is sleeved around the pipe body (1) and is not connected with the pipe body (1), and the woven layer (2) includes bamboo charcoal fibers and polypropylene filaments. Bamboo charcoal fibers have the functions of resisting bacteria and removing peculiar smell and can effectively prevent the generation of bacteria on the water pipe and the emission of peculiar smell when the water pipe is used in humid outdoor environments.
US10480688B2
A cable tie includes a flexible elongate strap and a head attached to a first end of the strap. The head has a front wall, side walls and a rear wall defining an aperture. The front wall has at least one fixed tooth formed thereon and the rear wall has a flexural element formed thereon opposite the at least one fixed tooth, wherein the at least one fixed tooth and the flexural element are configured to permit a second end of the strap opposite the head to be inserted through the head aperture in a first direction and being further configured to prevent movement of the second end of the strap from the head aperture in a second direction opposite the first direction.
US10480687B2
A pipe rack and a method for making a pipe rack where the pipe rack may include at least one foundation, two legs, and a horizontal support. The two legs are supported by the at least one foundation. Each of the two legs includes at least one aperture. The horizontal support has two ends. The first end is located in an aperture in a first leg of the two legs and a second end of the horizontal support is located in an aperture in a second leg of the two legs. A rod forms a joint between the foundation and one of the two legs. The rod is located in the aperture in the upper surface of the foundation and in an aperture in a lower surface in the one of the two legs.
US10480680B2
A tamper resistant locking device for securing fire hydrants. The device is simple to install, easy to remove by the fire department using securing fasteners commonly available. The locking device prevents unauthorized use of a fire hydrant. A collar assembly is dimensioned to encircle a barrel of a fire hydrant. A tab protrudes from ends of the collar assembly each having at least one slot. A retainer leg has an aperture dimensioned to receive an operating nut of the fire hydrant. A bottom end of the retainer leg is oriented to be received in the coaxially aligned slot of the collar assembly, such that the aperture prevents rotation of the operating nut.
US10480678B2
A handle for a beverage dispensing faucet, having an ergonometric size and shaped body that is easy to grasp and lightweight, the handle being configured to allow quickly and easily changing or selecting from different shape ergonometric bodies using specially shaped adapters having mounting elements shaped to the different shape bodies.
US10480673B2
The solenoid valve according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a filter member accommodated in a bore of a modulator block, a valve seat including an orifice, and a plunger configured to open and close the orifice, wherein the boss in which a connecting path is formed is inserted into the valve seat located at a center of the filter member, a plunger valve configured to be vertically moved due to a pressure of supplied oil and including a vertical hole formed to pass through a center of the plunger valve is disposed below the connecting path, and a plunger valve seat having a diameter greater than that of the connecting path is provided at a lower portion of the connecting path to selectively come into contact with an outer surface of the plunger valve when the plunger valve is moved upward.
US10480664B1
An intake manifold with an internal check valve that operates in coordination with a Positive Crankcase Valve has a check valve retainer that is mounted within the manifold and contacts the check valve to maintains the check valve in position and avoid dislodgement.
US10480663B2
The present invention relates to a valve for controlling the volume and flow characteristics of a fluid in a predictable controllable manner. Specifically, the invention relates to an air valve design for an internal combustion engine throttle body that proportionately manages air flow, pressure, and velocities through all stages of opening with consistent and measurable parameters through a concentric or near-concentric opening.
US10480661B2
A sealing assembly includes a flow control body and a sealing device configured to engage the flow control body to prevent fluid flow through the sealing assembly. The sealing device includes a primary engagement feature configured to contact the flow control body upon engagement of the sealing device with the flow control body, the primary engagement feature having a front surface exposed to the fluid, and a secondary engagement feature disposed behind the primary engagement feature relative to the exposed surface, the primary engagement feature and the secondary engagement feature forming a cavity therebetween, the cavity configured to create a pressure drop in response to a leak of the fluid through the primary engagement feature.
US10480659B2
A coupling device, for the rotary coupling of a pivot shaft of a flap diaphragm of an exhaust gas flap with a drive element, includes at least one coupling element (36) with a first coupling area (40) configured for coupling to the pivot shaft (18), with a second coupling area (42) configured for coupling to the drive element (34) and with at least one connection area (52, 58) connecting the first coupling area (40) to the second coupling area (42). In the coupled state, the first coupling area (40) and the second coupling area (42) are prestressed in a direction towards one another or in a direction away from one another. The at least one coupling element (36) is formed with sheet material.
US10480658B2
The invention relates to a mechanical seal arrangement, comprising a rotating slide ring and a stationary slide ring which define a sealing gap therebetween, and a bellows unit with a bellows element and an intermediate disk, wherein the bellows element has a first connection region, a second connection region and a bellows intermediate region, wherein the bellows element is produced from an elastomer material and provides a connection between the rotating slide ring and a rotating component, wherein the intermediate disk is arranged between the bellows element and the rotating slide ring, and wherein an inner peripheral region of the intermediate disk is arranged for support on the rotating component.
US10480655B2
In order, in the case of an intermediate plate for mounting between housing parts of a fluid-operated control unit, in particular a gear unit, including a central unit that is constructed in the shape of a plate and, on either side of the central unit, a respective sealing system for sealing between the central unit and the housing part opposed thereto, this sealing system including sealing elements which are arranged on the respective side of the central unit and provide sealing around passages, to achieve the best possible seal between the central unit and the respective housing part, it is proposed that the respective sealing system should include as the sealing element at least one layer of an elastomer material that is resilient and is appliable adhesively to stick to the respective housing part.
US10480651B2
A transmission includes a hydraulically actuated park valve with two spools in a common housing. One of the spools engages and disengages the park mechanism in response to manipulation of line pressure and engagement of specified shift elements. A pin selectively engages this spool to hold it in position. The valve is designed such that friction holds the spool in position in the absence of hydraulic pressure or electric power. The second spool controls an out-of-park circuit such that the park mechanism remains disengaged when desired. The two spools are separated by a compression spring.
US10480649B2
A vehicle includes a transmission having a torque converter, a device configured to generate line pressure, and at least one fluid path connecting the device in fluid communication with the torque converter. A controller is programmed to, responsive to an engine-off time exceeding a threshold and a parameter indicative of departure being present, command the device to generate line pressure so that fluid is supplied to the torque converter. The device may be a transmission pump or an accumulator.
US10480647B2
A transmission control system and method involve receiving, by a controller and from a turbine shaft speed sensor, a rotational speed of a turbine shaft of an automatic transmission, receiving, by the controller and from an output shaft speed sensor, a plurality of rotational speeds of an output shaft of the transmission, determining, by the controller, a shift time modifier based on the turbine shaft speed and a gradient of the output shaft speed, modifying, by the controller, a shift time for a pedal-off downshift of the transmission based on the shift time modifier to obtain a modified shift time, and controlling, by the controller, the pedal-off downshift of the transmission based on the modified shift time.
US10480642B2
A multi-speed transmission with hydraulically actuated shift rods, wherein an actuating pressure (p_B) is applicable by a valve device (15) and shuttle valves (2C to 6D) to piston chambers (2A to 6B) of pistons (2 to 6), the actuating pressure being adjustable by valves (16, 17). The piston chambers (2A to 6B) can be brought into operative connection with a low-pressure region (52) by the shuttle valves (2C to 6D) and a prefilling valve (32, 33) or by the shuttle valves (2C to 6D), the valve device (15), and the valves (16, 17). Each of the shuttle valves (2C to 6D) has a spring assembly (2E to 6F), by which the shuttle valves (2C to 6D) are held below a pressure threshold of the actuating pressure (p_B) in an operating state that connects the piston chambers (2A to 6B) to the low-pressure region (52) by the prefilling valve (32, 33).
US10480638B2
A drive transmitter includes a group of gears to which grease is applied, at least one gear of the group of gears being an internally toothed gear, multiple pulleys, and a drive belt wound around the multiple pulleys to drive the group of gears. An image forming apparatus includes the drive transmitter.
US10480628B2
An electric actuator to be primarily used on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) having implements such as snow plow is disclosed. The main purpose of the actuator is to allow the driver to rotate the blade when it is not touching the ground without having to get out of the vehicle. The actuator is composed of a stator assembly and a motor assembly. An electric motor is concealed in the motor assembly and drives a screwed or grooved part that engages the threaded or grooved inner surface of the stator assembly. Rotation of the screwed or grooved part induces a translational movement alongside the longitudinal axis of the actuator assembly. The translation movement induces the elongation or the retraction of the actuator depending on the rotating direction of the electric motor.
US10480627B1
Motorized rack-and-pinion sliding support mechanisms are disclosed. One or more shafts are coupled to pinions configured to engage with one or more racks and configured to be driven by one or more motors. The shaft(s) are configured to be manually disengageable from the motor(s), allowing the mechanism to slide freely in the event of a motor failure. The mechanism is further configured to reduce premature component wear leading to poor gear mesh caused to by forces on the mechanism during use.
US10480625B2
An emergency steering system for a vehicle, may include a planetary gear mounted in an inlet space of a gear box for a steering apparatus so that the planetary gear is ordinarily operated at a gear ratio of 1:1 and has an increased gear ratio in the event of failure of a main steering device; and a gear ratio increasing device mounted to an upper plate portion of the gear box to increase the gear ratio of the planetary gear.
US10480623B2
A multi-speed automatic transmission includes a housing, a transmission input shaft, and a plurality of clutches. Different combinations of a predetermined number of clutches of the plurality of clutches generate respective different gear ratios corresponding to respective forward or rearward speeds of the automatic transmission. The plurality of clutches includes a first clutch comprising a multi-plate clutch portion and a selectable one way clutch portion. The selectable one way clutch is utilized for generating one forward speed and one rearward speed of the automatic transmission.
US10480617B2
A bicycle chain comprises a first outer link plate. The first outer link plate comprises a first outer-link end portion, a second outer-link end portion, a first outer-link intermediate portion, and a first outer-link longitudinal centerline. The first outer-link end portion, the second outer-link end portion and the first outer-link intermediate portion define a first outer-link outer peripheral edge. The first outer-link outer peripheral edge comprises a first outer-link end edge, a second outer-link end edge, and a pair of first outer-link intermediate edges. A first radial distance is defined from a first outer-link center axis to the first outer-link end edge in a perpendicular direction. A minimum distance is defined between the pair of first outer-link intermediate edges in the perpendicular direction. The minimum distance is smaller than 200% of the first radial distance and is equal to or larger than 5 mm.
US10480614B2
An inertial deflector (1) for a motor vehicle transmission system. The inertial deflector comprises a support member (7) intended to be associated with an element (3) of the transmission system and to be driven rotationally around an axis X, an inertia mass (8) mounted rotationally movably on the support member (7) around the axis X, and helical springs (9) arranged along a circumferential direction and elastically rotationally coupling the support member (7) and the inertia mass (8). Each of the helical springs (9) is received in a receiving space that is delimited between on the one hand a recess (22) configured in the inertia mass (8) and radially and axially guiding the helical spring, and on the other hand a rim zone (23) of the support member (7) covering the recess (22) in order to axially retain the helical spring (9) in the recess (22).
US10480613B2
An isolator device comprises a first mount coupleable to an input structure subject to shock and/or vibration energy, a second mount coupleable to an object to be isolated (e.g., an electronics device). A flexure structure is coupled between the first and second mounts, and comprises a plurality of parallel flexures, a series of flexures, and a plurality of transition portions, all defining an isolation path between the first and second mounts. The parallel flexures are tuned to resonant frequency to attenuate shock and/or vibration in an axial direction relative to a normal axis. The series of radial flexures are tuned to resonant frequencies to attenuate shock and/or vibration energy in both radial directions relative to the normal axis. The isolator device can be a single piece of metallic material. An elastomeric damping material can be disposed within openings defined by the flexure structure to dampen response at the isolator's resonant frequency. Associated systems and methods are provided.
US10480608B2
A machine base (4) comprising a lower base portion (8) and an upper base portion (10) with the upper base portion including a downwardly projecting portion (14) extending to, into or through the lower base portion with no contact between the upper and lower base portions. The machine base further includes at least two vibration and/or shock isolation sub-systems (22, 24).
US10480603B2
The present invention relates to an shock absorber based on the cutting, inward-folding and crushing of composite tube, comprising a destructing cap, a flat-pressing cap, a cutter and a positioning tube. The cutter is positioned in the destructing cap, and has a lower end connected to an inner flange of the destructing cap and an upper end connected to the positioning tube. The positioning tube is positioned in the destructing cap and closely connected to the inner wall of the destructing cap, and has a lower surface in contact with the cutter. The destructing cap, the positioning tube and the composite tube are respectively provided with aligned pin holes, and bound together with a pin. Energy is absorbed through destruction generated due to cutting and inward-folding of the composition tube. Energy can also be absorbed through destruction generated due to the inward-folding of the composite tube, without using the cutter. Compared to existing technology, the device may be used as a structural component in a normal working state. In the colliding and crushing state, the device fully destructs the composite. The present invention has the following advantages: the energy-absorption ratio is high; and the energy absorbing device only bears an axial force in the process that the composite is being destroyed, does not bend or rupture, keeps the structure stable, and avoids spattering of scraps.
US10480593B2
A Sprague carrier for use in a front differential is provided. The Sprague carrier includes an armature plate having a plurality of concentrically located connector apertures. The Sprague carrier also includes a spring-less bearing cage. The spring-less bearing cage includes bearing apertures, bearings coupled within the bearing apertures without springs, and concentrically located connector recesses corresponding to the concentrically located connector apertures of the armature plate. The Sprague carrier further includes connectors engaging the connector apertures of the armature plate and the connector recesses of the bearing cage to couple the armature plate to the bearing cage.
US10480587B2
A self-aligning driveshaft coupler includes a receiving clutch mounted to a driveshaft and a locking clutch assembly mounted to an implement. The locking clutch assembly includes a collar and a yoke that rotate together, and a spring between the collar and the yoke. A locking pin may be pivotably attached to the yoke to move a projection on the locking pin in and out of the retaining groove. A plurality of drive pins extend axially from the collar. The spring biases the drive pins into engagement with the receiving clutch when the locking pin projection is in the retaining groove and the output shaft and receiving clutch are rotated less than 180 degrees.
US10480582B2
The present invention includes a rolling element bearing system and method of using the same, comprising: a ball bearing comprising an inner race coupled to an inner shaft (journal) at an outer surface of the inner shaft, an outer race coupled to an outer shaft at an inner surface of the outer shaft, and a roller element disposed between the inner race and the outer race, wherein the inner race and the outer surface of the inner shaft form a pocket between a portion of the inner race and the outer surface, and the inner race comprises an orifice through the inner race to fluidly connect the pocket and the rolling element.
US10480576B2
The present invention improves the drainability of lubricating oil. The present invention comprises: a rotating shaft (14); a journal bearing that is provided to the rotating shaft (14) and rotationally supports the rotating shaft (14); a bearing housing part that houses the journal bearing; and a drain oil space chamber (47) that acts as an oil drainage passage that communicates with the bearing housing part, is provided along the periphery of the rotating shaft (14), and is formed to open downward. Within a region that is in and above a horizontal plane H that passes through the center of the rotating shaft (14), the smallest cross-sectional area of the oil drainage passage in a radial-direction cross-section thereof is on the anterior side in the rotational direction of the rotating shaft (14) with respect to a vertical plane P that passes though the center (O) of the rotating shaft (14), and the largest cross-sectional area of the oil drainage passage in the radial-direction cross-section is on the posterior side in the rotational direction of the rotating shaft (14) with respect to the vertical plane that passes through the center (O) of the rotating shaft (14).
US10480569B2
A trunnion bearing includes an inner ring having exterior and interior surfaces; and an outer ring having interior and exterior surfaces. A portion of the inner ring is disposed in the outer ring. A lubricious liner is disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring. The trunnion bearing includes a bushing disposed in the inner ring. The bushing has a lubricant reservoir formed therein to dispense a lubricant therefrom.
US10480568B2
Particles (23) are supplied to a bearing gap of a foil bearing. A step (24) is formed in a top foil portion (12a1), to thereby generate an air flow from both end portions (121 and 122) in a direction (N) along a surface of the top foil portion (12a1) and orthogonal to a rotation direction (R) of a shaft (6) toward a region between the both end portions.
US10480560B2
Wood screw for predrilling-freely inserting into a wood base, in particular into a massive wood base, wherein the wood screw comprises a shaft portion with a thread which is self-cutting in wood, a screw head which is connected to the shaft portion directly or indirectly at a back side, and a screw tip which is connected to the shaft portion directly or indirectly at a front side, for predrilling-freely penetrating into the wood base, wherein at the shaft portion between neighboring thread turns, portions are formed which taper towards the screw tip.
US10480559B2
A fastener includes a shank having a point at a first end and a second, head end. A head structure at the head end includes a top portion and having a cutting structure, the cutting structure comprising four planar walls, each wall engaging the shank at an angle, each wall adjoining an adjacent wall by a rounded edge.
US10480553B2
A shaft assembly includes a yoke defining a first bore that extends from a first face towards a second face along a first axis. The first bore has an inner surface that defines a key that extends towards the first axis and a first bore first flat that extends along the first axis and is spaced apart from the key. A second bore that extends from a third face towards a fourth face along a second axis that is disposed transverse to the first axis. The third face and the fourth face each extend between the first face and the second face.
US10480547B2
An electro-mechanical actuation system for a piston-driven fluid pump. The electro-mechanical actuation system includes a plurality of electro-mechanical actuators, and a control system electrically connected to the plurality of electro-mechanical actuators. Each electro-mechanical actuator is configured to operatively couple with a piston of the fluid pump. The control system is configured to determine a target output of fluid to be pumped by the fluid pump, individually control a speed and a phase at which each electro-mechanical actuator actuates the piston, such that the plurality of cylinders collectively pump fluid at an actual output that corresponds to the target output, and in response to detecting an operating condition, individually adjust the speed and/or the phase at which one or more of the electro-mechanical actuators actuates the piston based on the operating condition to thereby cause the actual output of the fluid pump to correspond to an updated target output.
US10480540B2
Disclosed and claimed is a double-acting cylinder comprising a cylinder housing, a first floating piston, a second floating piston and a central piston which is movable to three stationary positions along an actuation direction of the cylinder. A movement of the floating pistons in the cylinder bore is delimited by end stop arrangements. A movement of the central piston in the cylinder bore is delimited by the first and the second floating piston. Each floating piston comprises a first section and a second section. A circumferential length of the floating pistons is greater in the first section than in the second section. In the first sections a first seal is arranged for a sealing engagement with an inner wall of the cylinder bore. In the second sections a second seal is arranged for a sealing engagement with the inner wall of the cylinder bore or an inner wall of the central piston.
US10480525B2
A fan blade with improved structure includes a hub, a plurality of blades. The hub has a lateral side having two ends, one of which is formed a top side and the other end is extended to form an extended section, and a plurality of connecting slots located on the periphery of the extended section. Each blade has a first end correspondingly engaged in respective connecting slot and a second end. With these arrangements, the fan blade with improved structure can increase structural strength of thin fan blades and be easy to connect the hub to the blades.
US10480521B2
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for detecting and preventing compressor surge. A transmitter determines a derivative process value of a compressor. A controller obtains the derivative process value from the transmitter. The transmitter is separate from the controller. The controller compares the derivative process value to a threshold value. The threshold value is indicative of the initiation of a surge event in the compressor. In response to determining that the derivative process value fails to satisfy the threshold value, the controller actuates a valve operatively coupled to the compressor to enable an additional derivative process value of the compressor determined by the transmitter to satisfy the threshold value.
US10480517B2
A method of monitoring the condition of a volute casing of a centrifugal pump, the method includes determining, in a wall of the volute casing, at least one point, which, in view of the material forming the volute casing, is critical to wear, providing, from outside the volute casing, a blind hole in the wall of the volute casing at the at least one point, the blind hole having a depth, receiving information from the blind hole, and taking predetermined actions to replace the volute casing with a new casing after the information indicates the opening of the blind hole into the interior of the volute casing.
US10480509B2
A scroll compressor includes a compression mechanism having fixed and movable scrolls to form a fluid chamber. The fixed scroll has an end plate, an outer peripheral wall, and a wrap. The movable scroll has an end plate and a wrap. A scroll oil groove is formed in a sliding contact surface of the outer peripheral wall. Lubricating oil having a high pressure corresponding to a discharge pressure of the compression mechanism is fed into the scroll oil groove. A scroll oil groove is formed in a sliding contact surface of the movable scroll, which slides on the outer peripheral wall. The fixed and movable scroll oil grooves communicate with each other without communicating with the fluid chamber in a first operation. The movable scroll oil groove simultaneously communicates with the fixed scroll oil groove and the fluid chamber in a second operation after the first operation.
US10480508B2
A scroll compressor includes a compressing mechanism unit including a fixed scroll that is fixedly provided in a shell and an orbiting scroll that moves around the fixed scroll, the compressing mechanism unit compressing fluid; a main shaft including an eccentric shaft portion at one end thereof that transmits a rotational driving force to the orbiting scroll; a slider having a slide groove in which the eccentric shaft portion is slidably fitted; and an orbital bearing provided to the orbiting scroll that rotatably supports the slider. The slider is provided on the inner peripheral side of the orbital bearing when seen in a direction of a center axis of the slider. The center axis of the slider is eccentric in one direction from an axis of rotation of the main shaft and a center of gravity of the slider is eccentric in an opposite direction.
US10480504B2
A rotational speed control apparatus for an engine is provided. The engine configured to drive a compressor that compresses a cooling medium for air conditioning. The rotational speed control apparatus includes electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to: (a) correct a torque of the engine through feedback in accordance with a deviation between a rotational speed during idle operation and a target rotational speed; (b) (i) calculate a load torque of the compressor, and (ii) correct the calculated load torque through feedback in accordance with a deviation between the rotational speed of the engine and the target rotational speed and correct a required value of the torque of the engine in accordance with the corrected load torque, in a predetermined period from a start of a changeover between a driven state of the compressor and a stopped state of the compressor.
US10480500B2
A bubble pump having a steel tube pump body having an interior formed from a ceramic material that resists attack by molten metal. The pump further has a nitrogen supply line attached to a lower portion of the pump body. The pump body and nitrogen supply line are covered with a ceramic cloth material that resists attack by molten metal. The pump also includes a discharge head attached to the top of the pump body. The discharge head is formed of a cast ceramic material that resists attack by molten metal and includes a distribution chamber therein which has an ellipsoidal dome shape with a generally flat bottom and an ellipsoidal top. The discharge head also includes two discharge nozzles which have a square cross section. These features provide the inventive pump with extended service life and reduced discharge turbulence of the molten metal.
US10480496B2
A three-stage variable color paste pump, comprising: a differential pump, which includes: a rodless cavity, a rod containing cavity, and a piston rod; configuring a control valve, which comprises a valve body and a valve core, wherein the valve body is provided with a rod containing cavity opening which is in communication with the rod containing cavity; configuring a rodless cavity opening as in communication with the rodless cavity, configuring a color paste tank opening as in communication with a color paste tank, and configuring an injection outlet; configuring a channel on the valve core, moving the valve core to different positions may form three communication structures. The pump uses one differential pump to achieve three-stage injection output, thus ensuring the accuracy of the injection output of the color paste pump. The pump has a simple structure, takes up a small surface area, and is easy to use.
US10480491B2
Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate torsional actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize coiled yarns/polymer fibers and can be either neat or comprising a guest. In some embodiments, the torsional fiber actuator includes a first polymer fiber (exhibiting a first polymer fiber diameter) and a torsional return spring in communication with the first polymer fiber. The first polymer fiber is configured to include a first plurality of twists in a first direction to produce a twisted polymer fiber. The first polymer fiber is further configured to include a plurality of coils in the twisted polymer fiber in a second direction each coil having a mean coil diameter. In some embodiments, the torsional nanofiber actuator includes a first carbon nanofiber yarn (having a yarn diameter) and a torsional return spring in communication with the first carbon nanofiber yarn. The first carbon nanofiber yarn includes a plurality of twists in a first direction to produce a twisted carbon nanofiber yarn. The first carbon nanofiber yarn further includes a plurality of coils in the twisted carbon nanofiber yarn, with each coil having a mean coil diameter greater than the yarn diameter.
US10480490B2
A lightning current transfer unit for a wind turbine, the wind turbine comprising a first part and a second part being rotatable relative to each other, wherein the lightning current transfer unit is arranged to provide electrical contact between the first and second parts, the lightning current transfer unit comprising: a first current transfer portion comprising a first slider and configured to be electrically coupled to a first electrically conducting slideway of the first part of the wind turbine, the first slider being rotatable relative to the first slideway; a second current transfer portion configured to be electrically coupled to an electrically conducting portion of the second part of the wind turbine; a first main spring biasing the first slider towards the first slideway; wherein the first slider comprises: a primary contact biased towards the first slideway by the first main spring; a secondary contact arranged to move relative to the primary contact; and a secondary spring arranged between the first main spring and the secondary contact such that the secondary spring biases the primary contact away from the first slideway and biases the secondary contact towards the first slideway.
US10480482B1
A wave energy collector placed in ocean water a given distance from a shoreline, the wave energy collector formed by at least one parallelogram structure with an even number of mechanical actuators are positioned within the parallelogram structure. Each mechanical actuator has a respective hose with a check valve to suck ocean water in and blow ocean water out under pressure for energy conversion.
US10480480B2
A hydraulic turbine includes a rotor with a runner, which is concentrically surrounded by a stator, whereby the runner comprises a plurality of runner blades arranged and distributed in a ring around a rotor axis, and each runner blade extends between a runner crown and a runner band; whereby the stator comprises a plurality of guide vanes arranged and distributed in a ring around the rotor axis, and each guide vane extends between an upper stator ring and a lower stator ring; and whereby a predetermined clearance is provided at least between the runner band and the lower stator ring. A substantial reduction of pressure pulsations in the vane-less gap between said runner blades of said runner is achieved by substantially increasing said predetermined clearance.
US10480476B2
A starter system includes a brushless electric starter motor and a battery power pack, the motor operatively connectable to an internal combustion engine of a powertrain. A power inverter converts direct current provided from the battery power pack to multi-phase alternating current to drive the motor. A pinion gear with one-way clutch is rotatably driven by the motor and movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position in which the pinion gear is meshingly engaged with a ring gear operatively connected to a crankshaft of the engine. A solenoid is operatively connected to the pinion gear. An electronic control system controls the motor to crank the engine using power provided from the battery power pack, and to separately command the solenoid to a disabled or an enabled state. A method of controlling the starter system controls the motor to crank the engine in a restart following an autostop.
US10480475B2
A starting power generation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a starter generator including a field portion having a permanent magnet, and an armature unit including a first multi-phase winding and a second multi-phase winding which are arranged in parallel; a first power conversion unit including a first positive-side DC terminal connected to a battery and a plurality of first AC terminals connected to the first multi-phase winding, the first power conversion unit being configured to convert a power bidirectionally between DC and AC; a second power conversion unit including a plurality of second AC terminals connected to the second multi-phase winding, the second power conversion unit being configured to control a current to be input and output via the second AC terminals; and a control unit configured to detect a positional relationship between the field portion and the armature unit based on an output voltage of the second multi-phase winding, and control the first power conversion unit and the second power conversion unit in accordance with the positional relationship detected. The control unit is configured to detect the positional relationship when the starter generator is stopped, based on time widths of two or more predetermined voltages generated in two or more windings constituting the second multi-phase winding in a case that an output voltage of the battery is applied to the first multi-phase winding for a predetermined time in a state where current input and output via the second AC terminals is off.
US10480461B2
A combustion assist device is provided in an internal combustion engine provided with a fuel injector for injecting at least a portion of fuel into an intake manifold. Further, the combustion assist device is provided with an electrode element which is provided in the intake manifold and to which a high frequency high voltage is applied. The electrode element includes a dielectric material plate, a first metal conductor, and a second metal conductor. The dielectric material plate includes a first surface and a second surface, and divides a portion of the intake manifold into a first flow path on a first surface side and a second flow path on a second surface side. The first metal conductor is provided on the first surface. The second metal conductor is provided on the second surface.
US10480456B2
A gas injector for injecting a gaseous fuel, in particular directly into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, including: a valve closing element for opening or closing a pass-through opening, a valve body, and a sealing seat between the valve body and the valve closing element, in the case of a maximum lift of the valve closing element a flow cross section between the valve body and the valve closing element being smaller in the flow direction upstream from the sealing seat than a flow cross section between the valve closing element and the sealing seat and being smaller than a flow cross section in the flow direction downstream from the sealing seat.
US10480449B2
A cylinder head includes a pair of intake ports and a pair of exhaust ports disposed to face each other and disposed to surround a fuel injection valve, a first coolant path through which coolant flows from a position between the intake ports toward the fuel injection valve, a second coolant path through which coolant flows from a position between the exhaust ports toward the fuel injection valve, and a junction. The junction includes a facing wall that extends from a top surface of the junction toward the combustion chamber disposed on a lower side of the top surface and that faces a flow of coolant in at least one of the first and second coolant paths.
US10480447B2
A system and method of inducing an operational response change in an operating direct-injection internal combustion engine is provided such that the engine includes a cylinder into which liquid fuel injection is directly performed. The method starts by operating the direct-injection engine using a start of injection (SOI) protocol. At some point during operation, it is determined that a change is desired for a first parameter of engine operation that is at least partially a function of a charge provided to the cylinder (such as the torque output). In response an operational response in the engine is induced by altering the SOI protocol via a first SOI alteration that alters the volumetric efficiency of the cylinder and changes the first parameter.
US10480445B2
A gas engine drive system includes: a gas engine; a turbocharger including a compressor and a turbine connected to the gas engine; a fuel injection valve provided on the gas engine; a fuel supply line leading a fuel gas to the fuel injection valve, the fuel supply line having a pressure regulating valve; a first pressure meter detecting an intake air pressure; a second pressure meter detecting a fuel supply pressure being a pressure at a pressure regulating valve downstream side; and a controller controlling the pressure regulating valve such that a pressure difference between the fuel supply pressure and the intake air pressure is a target value. The controller changes the target value from a first to a second setting value higher than the first when a load on the gas engine increases rapidly or when a calorific value of the fuel gas is less than a threshold.
US10480444B2
A method is provided for operating a three step camshaft system during engine position sensor fault conditions. The three step camshaft has multiple cam actuators each having an actuator pin. The method includes: disposing multiple camshaft barrels on a camshaft, each barrel having a slot receiving the actuator pin of a cam actuator during camshaft barrel rotation axially displacing each camshaft barrel to a high lift lobe position, a low lift lobe position and an active fuel management (AFM) lobe position; determining if an engine position sensor is in a fault condition; identifying if the fault condition occurs simultaneously with any of the camshaft barrels positioned in the AFM lobe position; energizing selected cam actuators in communication with the camshaft barrels positioned in the AFM lobe position to axially displace the camshaft barrel away from the AFM lobe position and to the low lift lobe position.
US10480441B2
A system and method for controlling a temperature of an exhaust gas at an inlet of a selective catalytic reduction system during at least certain low air density conditions. The system may detect an air density value upstream of an internal combustion engine of an engine system, such as, for example, at an inlet of a compressor. Using the detected air density, one of a plurality of relationships between an engine speed and an outputted engine power, as a function of the detected air density value, may be selected for use in determining what combination of engine speed(s) and/or engine power(s) will produce an exhaust gas that is within a target exhaust gas temperature. Using the selected relationship, at least one of the engine speed and the engine power may be adjusted to at least assist in attaining the target exhaust gas temperature.
US10480425B2
A method and system of diagnosing a lubrication system of an engine includes determining a lubrication system fault and controlling an engine in response to the fault. The method is operative to first determine a poor state of health for a lubrication system, then determine an oil degradation or lube system fault. In response to a lube system fault, engine operation is altered in order to reduce the negative effects of the lube system fault such as increasing minimum idle speed in response to reduced oil pressure.
US10480417B2
An air turbine starter device comprises a rotor arranged in a cavity of a housing, a first manifold having a cavity with a port operative to direct compressed air to the rotor, a second manifold having a cavity with a port operative to direct compressed air to the rotor, wherein the first manifold is larger than the second manifold.
US10480406B2
By using a combustion flue gas (18) from a power turbine (16), a high-pressure secondary compressed air (12C) is subjected to heat exchange in a first heat exchange unit (19A) of an exhaust heat recovery device (19), and by using resultant heat-exchanged flue gas (18A), a low-pressure primary compressed air (12A) is subjected to heat recovery in a second heat exchange unit (19B) of a saturator (31). Then, a primary compressed air (12B) that has been subjected to heat recovery in the second heat exchange unit (19B) is introduced into a secondary air compressor (22) to increase the pressure of the air, and then the high-pressure air is subjected to heat recovery in the first heat exchange unit (19A), producing a secondary compressed air (12D). The secondary compressed air (12D) is introduced into a combustor (14) and combusted using fuel.
US10480405B2
A method for coupling a first sub-shaft, which has a first turbomachine and a generator connected to a mains supply, to a second sub-shaft, which has a second turbomachine, by means of an overrunning clutch, has the following steps: a) rotating the second sub-shaft with a starting rotational speed which is lower than the rotational speed of the first sub-shaft; b) measuring the mains frequency of the mains supply; c) measuring a differential angle between the first sub-shaft and the second sub-shaft; d) accelerating the second sub-shaft with an acceleration value which is produced using the mains frequency measured in step b), the differential angle and the starting rotational speed, and therefore the overrunning clutch couples the two sub-shafts to each other with a previously determined target coupling angle.
US10480397B2
A system for controlling a variable turbocharger includes: a first controller outputting a duty value for adjusting an opening degree of a vane of a turbocharger, and a second controller checking opening or closing operations of the vane when the first controller adjusts the opening degree of the vane. In particular, the second controller outputs a corrected duty value by correcting the output duty value, based on a correction map, in consideration of a back pressure according to whether the vane is opened or closed.
US10480392B2
The present disclosure provides an engine cooling system having a coolant temperature sensor, including a radiator disposed to release heat of coolant circulated in an engine; a coolant control valve unit controlling the coolant circulated in the radiator through opening rate of a valve having a coolant passage corresponding to the radiator; a second coolant temperature sensor sensing a coolant temperature at a coolant outlet side of the engine; a third coolant temperature sensor sensing the coolant temperature at the coolant outlet side of the radiator; and a control unit sensing second and third coolant temperatures through the second and third coolant temperature sensors, calculating a first coolant temperature at a coolant inlet side of the engine by calculating the second and third coolant temperatures, and calculating valve opening rate of the coolant control vale by using the first, second, and the third coolant temperature.
US10480391B2
A coolant control system of a vehicle includes first and second target flowrate modules, a target speed module, and a speed control module. The first target flowrate module determines a first target flowrate of coolant through an engine. The second target flowrate module, when a change in heat input to the engine is greater than a predetermined value, sets a second target flowrate to greater than the first target flowrate. The target speed module determines a target speed of an engine coolant pump based on the second target flowrate. The speed control module controls a speed of the engine coolant pump based on the target speed.
US10480387B2
A housing for an aftertreatment system is disclosed. The housing includes a wall that defines an interior cavity. The interior cavity is configured to enclose at least one aftertreatment component. Moreover, the wall has at least one corrugated panel having alternating grooves and ridges.
US10480381B2
A vehicle includes: an internal combustion engine; a filter collecting particulate matter contained in exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine; a heater core configured to be able to heat up a vehicle cabin; and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to execute regeneration cut control and heating control. The regeneration cut control is a control for regenerating the filter by stopping a fuel supply to the internal combustion engine and supplying oxygen to the filter in a state where an output shaft of the internal combustion engine rotates. The heating control is a control for bringing the internal combustion engine into a combustion state and heating by the heater core. The electronic control unit is configured not to execute the heating control but to execute the regeneration cut control when the heating control is requested and the regeneration cut control is requested.
US10480377B2
A system and method are disclosed for improving the performance of an aftertreatment system by elevating its temperature above an activation temperature. According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, the method includes injecting a quantity of a fuel into certain fueled cylinders of a plurality of combustion cylinders of an internal combustion engine, the plurality of combustion cylinders further including non-fueled cylinders. Exhaust from the fueled cylinders is directed through the aftertreatment system while uncombusted gas from the non-fueled cylinders is directed away from the aftertreatment system. In certain embodiments, the uncombusted gas may be directed into an intake manifold in fluid communication with the plurality of combustion cylinders through an orifice. The system includes an engine having exhaust valves to control flow of the exhaust and uncombusted gas and a controller configured to perform the operations of the method.
US10480376B2
A urea sensor protection assembly for protecting a fluid sensor of a urea sensor system comprises an inner cage supporting the fluid sensor and an outer cage. The inner cage has a first fixation element fixing the inner cage to a common holder. The outer cage has a filter capable of blocking a plurality of air bubbles and/or allowing a fluid to pass and a second fixation element fixing the outer cage to the common holder. The inner cage is at least partially arranged in an inner volume of the outer cage in an assembled state.
US10480372B2
The disclosure refers to a static mixer for use in an exhaust system for a combustion engine and for the mixing of an additive injected into an exhaust system. The mixer consists of a tubular housing encircling a central axis X. The housing comprises an input opening at the end in the direction of central axis X and at the opposite end an outlet opening, whereby the inlet opening is used for the supply of additive injected into the exhaust system. The housing is closed in the section of the inlet opening and in the section of the outlet opening in circumferential direction around the central axis X. The static mixer is designed to generate little counterpressure, to guarantee rapid and complete reducing agent preparation and at the same time to be resistant to production tolerances. For this purpose, housing forms a tubular segment related to an XY plane parallel to central axis X of mixer and at right angles to a main flow direction S downstream of the XY plane, which features several openings as perforations orientated in radial direction to central axis X and a tubular segment downstream of the XY plane which features a recess in which several guiding plates are arranged.
US10480370B2
Methods and apparatuses are provided for controlling an electrically-heated catalyst system of a vehicle. A method includes that a power request is received. The method includes determining whether to use a high power voltage net or a low power voltage net based upon the received power request. The electrically-heated catalyst system is controlled using the determined high power voltage net or the low power voltage net.
US10480357B2
A variable valve train is provided with cylindrical cam carriers axially slidably and co-rotatably supported on camshafts. The cam carriers have thereon, respectively, plural cam lobes different in cam profile and axially adjacent to each other. Cam changeover mechanisms are provided for axially shifting the cam carriers and for changing over the cam lobes for operating on engine valves. At least one of the cam changeover mechanisms is disposed between axes of the two camshafts and on the side of an engine crankshaft relative to the axes.
US10480355B2
Certain aspects of natural gas liquid fractionation plant waste heat conversion to simultaneous power, cooling and potable water using modified Goswami Cycle and new modified MED system can be implemented as a system. In an example implementation, the system includes a waste heat recovery heat exchanger network coupled to multiple heat sources of a Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) fractionation plant, the heat exchanger network configured to transfer at least a portion of heat generated at the multiple heat sources to a first buffer fluid and a second buffer fluid flowed through the first heat exchanger network. The system includes a first sub-system configured to generate power and sub-ambient cooling capacity, the first sub-system thermally coupled to the waste heat recovery heat exchanger. The system includes a second sub-system configured to generate potable water from brackish water, the second sub-system thermally coupled to the waste heat recovery heat exchanger.
US10480347B2
Divided baffles for a gas turbine engines are provided. The divided baffles include a baffle body having a first end and a second end, at least one divider located within the baffle body and extending from the first end to the second end arranged to divide an interior of the baffle body into two or more feed cavities, at least one cap arranged at the first end to bound a first feed cavity of the two or more feed cavities, and at least one cap arranged at the second end to bound a second feed cavity of the two or more feed cavities.
US10480343B1
A super-heated self-compressed air rotary turbine driving a built-in, outside-in axial flux generator is provided for providing power to heaters in thermal communication with the walls of the turbine chambers. Moisture within the working fluid is thus heated, making steam and thereby increasing the pressure of the working fluid. The compression caused by the turbine rotation also increases temperature. The discharge of each turbine chamber is feeding a nozzle. The shaft power drives a main generator, and after passing over the turbine the air stream maintains a portion of its initial energy. The remaining energetic air stream left is then cycled to the compressor, thereby completing the cycle. A main generator driven by the turbine can remain approximately constant, regardless of the load. Input to the compressor can be regulated with the rpm of the compressor motor and the current to the heaters in the turbine.
US10480342B2
A gas turbine engine includes a turbine having a plurality of vanes, a plurality of blades, a turbine shroud arranged around the vanes and blades, and a turbine case arranged around the turbine shroud. The turbine shroud is sized to block combustion products from passing over the blades without pushing the blades to rotate. The turbine shroud includes a runner arranged around the blades and a carrier arranged around the runner.
US10480339B2
A sealing assembly includes a first sealing member disposed on a fixed body and a second sealing member disposed on a rotating body while facing the first sealing member, such that when the second sealing member rotates, the first sealing member and the second sealing member work in conjunction with each other to generate flow of fluid in a reverse direction and form a fluid barrier, thereby preventing leakage of the fluid.
US10480332B2
A method of joining a first work piece and a second workpiece. The first and second workpieces may be rotor wheels of a rotor for a turbomachine. At least one of the workpieces includes an oxide dispersion strengthened alloy material and the first and second work pieces may be joined by welding a cladding on at least one of the workpieces to the other of the workpieces, without welding a substrate of the at least one workpiece which includes an oxide dispersion strengthened alloy material.
US10480322B2
An apparatus and method for cooling a portion of a turbine engine comprising an outer casing defining an axial centerline, a turbine section through which a flow of combustion gasses flows in a forward to aft direction, an outer drum located between the outer casing and the turbine section defining an annular cavity therebetween. A set of seals extends between the outer casing and outer drum to define at least one cooled cavity.
US10480320B2
The present invention is a manually bendable rebar bolt for use in ground reinforcement, particularly in mining operations. The rebar bolt is a steel rod having a length and a width. The cross-sectional area of the bolt taken along the width generally perpendicular to said length has a long axis and a short axis. The bendable rebar bolt can be manually bent in a direction generally perpendicular to said long axis.
US10480311B2
Methods and systems for generating intervention programs for a downhole formation including collecting mud-logging data during a drilling operation, wherein the drilling operation forms a borehole through the formation, generating zone characterization of one or more zones along the borehole based on the collected mud-logging data, defining targeted zones of the one or more zones along the borehole, generating a treatment characterization for each targeted zone based on the collected mud-logging data, and generating an intervention treatment design based on the targeted zones and associated treatment characterizations.
US10480301B2
Disclosed herein are embodiments of precursor components (or compositions thereof) that can be combined with one or more additional components (or compositions thereof) to form an explosive composition. The disclosed precursor components (or compositions thereof) can be handled and transported safely to a particular location where they can be mixed with liquid fuel to form an explosive composition. In particular disclosed embodiments, the precursor components (or compositions thereof) can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of an oxidizer component, a metal component, or combinations thereof.
US10480299B2
A chemical injection pump is installed below an electric submersible pump. In general, the chemical injection pump is either driven by an electric motor that draws power from the electric submersible pump motor or from energized fluid leaving the electric submersible pump output port. The electric submersible pump provides electric or hydraulic power to run the chemical injection pump.
US10480295B2
An explosive charge assembly comprises a housing, a liner disposed on a face of an explosive charge, an opening through the liner disposed at the apex, and a lip disposed around the perimeter of the opening. The liner forms an apex and a mouth opposite the apex, and the liner and the explosive charge are disposed in the housing. The explosive charge is disposed between the liner and the housing, and the lip extends from the liner in a direction towards the mouth.
US10480294B2
There is provided a method for effecting at least partial interference of a fluid passage extending between a casing, disposed within a wellbore that is penetrating a subterranean formation, and the subterranean formation. The method includes detecting the fluid passage, and effecting an operative displacement of a casing section of the casing such that at least partial interference of the fluid passage is effected.
US10480292B2
A method of drilling multiple boreholes within a single caisson, for recovery of methane gas from a coal bed, including the steps of drilling first and second vertical boreholes from a single location within a single caisson; drilling at least one or more horizontal wells from the several vertical bore hole, the horizontal wells drilled substantially parallel to a face cleat in the coal bed; drilling at least one or more lateral wells from the one or more horizontal wells, the lateral wells drilled substantially perpendicular to one or more face cleats in the coal bed; continuously circulating water through the drilled vertical, horizontal and lateral wells to recover the water and entrained methane gas from the coal bed; applying friction or choke manifold to the water circulating down the well bores so that the water appears to have a hydrostatic pressure within the well sufficient to maintain an equilibrium with the hydrostatic pressure in the coal bed formation; and drilling at least a third vertical borehole within the single caisson, with one or more horizontal boreholes and one or more lateral boreholes for returning water obtained from the lateral wells into a water zone beneath the surface.
US10480288B2
Articles comprising carbon composites are disclosed. The carbon composites contain carbon microstructures having interstitial spaces among the carbon microstructures; and a binder disposed in at least some of the interstitial spaces; wherein the carbon microstructures comprise unfilled voids within the carbon microstructures. Alternatively, the carbon composites contain: at least two carbon microstructures; and a binding phase disposed between the at least two carbon microstructures; wherein the binding phase comprises a binder comprising one or more of the following: SiO2; Si; B; B2O3; a metal; or an alloy of the metal; and wherein the metal is at least one of aluminum; copper; titanium; nickel; tungsten; chromium; iron; manganese; zirconium; hafnium; vanadium; niobium; molybdenum; tin; bismuth; antimony; lead; cadmium; or selenium.
US10480287B2
An epoxy-based insulation material and a method of thermally insulating a subsea production apparatus are disclosed. The epoxy-based insulation material has an amine-cured epoxy elastomer matrix and a plurality of non-metallic beads suspended in the matrix. The epoxy-based insulation material is located on the subsea production apparatus to thermally insulate a hydrocarbon fluid from sea water.
US10480285B2
A method for operating a pressure operated device in a wellbore includes conducting pressurized gas to a power fluid inlet port of a valve at a first pressure. The first pressure is selected to cause a shuttle in the valve to be positioned to enable flow of the pressurized gas through the valve to a power fluid flow port in communication with a power fluid inlet of the pneumatic device. Pressure of the pressurized gas is increased to a second pressure greater than the first pressure, whereby the shuttle moves to close the power fluid inlet port to flow and to vent the power fluid flow port to ambient pressure in the wellbore.
US10480283B2
Disclosed herein are embodiments of a fail-safe surface controlled electric subsurface safety valve for use in a well. For example, in one embodiment, an electric sub-surface safety valve (eSSSV) system is disclosed that includes a master control system; a subsea control module; and an electric sub-surface safety valve having dual, redundant electronic modules that are configured to control power to dual electromagnetic actuators that move a single valve.
US10480279B2
A method of sealing a well comprises creating one or more openings in a tubing installed in a wellbore, in a location for a well seal; using a wireline to locate a stinger in that location; setting the stinger in that location; and forming a seal in the well in that location, by injecting sealant through said stinger.
US10480278B1
A method of cementing a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation comprises: injecting into the wellbore a cement spacer fluid comprising a carrier fluid, a quaternary surfactant, a viscosifier, and a proppant; injecting a cement slurry into the wellbore; and allowing the cement slurry to set.
US10480276B2
A wellbore plug isolation system and method for positioning plugs to isolate fracture zones in a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore is disclosed. The system/method includes a wellbore casing laterally drilled into a hydrocarbon formation, a wellbore setting tool (WST) that sets a large inner diameter (ID) restriction sleeve member (RSM), and a restriction plug element (RPE). The WST is positioned along with the RSM at a desired wellbore location. After the WST sets and seals the RSM, a conforming seating surface (CSS) is formed in the RSM. The CSS is shaped to engage/receive RPE deployed into the wellbore casing. The engaged/seated RPE isolates heel ward and toe ward fluid communication of the RSM to create a fracture zone. The RPE's are removed or left behind prior to initiating well production without the need for a milling procedure. A large ID RSM diminishes flow constriction during oil production.
US10480271B2
A system and method for covering a cellar at a wellhead to prevent and control fluids and gases from the cellar. The covering includes a mat that circumscribes a wellhead tubular that projects upward from the cellar. A split seam in the mat extends radially from the opening to the mat outer periphery which allows the mat to be placed around the wellhead tubular. A fastener joins the ends of the mat that meet at the split seam. The mat includes a collar, which mounts to the mat along the opening and extends axially away from an upper surface of the mat. The collar is secured to the wellhead tabular with a strap. Two discharge lines project through the mat into the cellar, one for pumping into the cellar, and one for withdrawing fluid that has collected in the cellar.
US10480268B2
Aspects of the present disclosure include a system and a method for sealing at least one opening of a wellbore equipment arranged in a wellbore of a subterranean formation in order to improve the recovery of formation fluids and/or gases. The method includes the steps of positioning a metal patch between the wellbore equipment and a shock wave generation device. The metal patch faces the at least one opening to be sealed and the method further including generating, using a shock wave generation device, at least one electrical discharge into said wellbore in order to propagate toward said metal patch at least one shock wave adapted to deform and fix the metal patch onto the wellbore equipment, sealing therefore the at least one opening.
US10480263B1
The method of using friction dogs for the skewed force amplifying gripping engagement of a circular member including positively prepositioning the friction dog in a predetermined position on a force wedging angled surface before the engagement with the circular member and the freedom to move along a skewed surface after the engagement to allow the force amplifying wedging action to occur.
US10480247B2
A method and system for coupling a drive unit to a tool adapter includes joining a first plate to a second plate; stabbing a stabbing member of the first plate into a hollow of the second plate; and rotating a bar of the second plate from an open position to a closed position to secure the stabbing member in the hollow. An embodiment includes positioning the tool adapter below the drive unit; stabbing a coupling head into a coupling recess; moving a fixation ring vertically; and securing bolts of the drive unit in notches of the coupling head.
US10480244B2
An adjustable cord winder includes a winding unit, two cord-winding gears, two glide units, and two driving cords. The winding unit has two coil spring gears. A coil spring is connected between the coil spring gears. Each cord-winding gear meshes with one of the coil spring gears and thus rotates synchronously with the coil spring gear. Each glide unit has a roller unit capable of rotating by a specific angle and rollers freely, rotatably disposed at the roller unit. Each driving cord has one end connected to the cord-winding gear to allow the driving cord to wind on or let out from the cord-winding gear. The driving cords wind on at least one roller. The adjustable cord winder is characterized by the rollers for enhancing stability and smoothness of the driving process of the driving cords, and the roller unit for adjusting the tension on the driving cords.
US10480232B2
A sliding door structure includes a door body, a vehicle body rail, a vehicle body rail support member, a door rail, and a door rail support member. The vehicle body rail support member includes a vehicle body-side end portion coupled to the vehicle body rail and capable of moving along the vehicle body rail, and a door-side end portion coupled to the door body. The vehicle body rail support member is capable of rotating about the vehicle body-side end portion, and of rotating about the door-side end portion. The door rail support member is configured to include a door-side end portion coupled to the door rail and capable of moving along the door rail, and a vehicle body-side end portion coupled to the vehicle body. The door rail support member is capable of rotating about the door-side end portion, and of rotating about the vehicle body-side end portion.
US10480230B2
An improved hinge (1; 100; 150; 200; 250; 300) for revolving shutters (A), especially of shower boxes, comprising a structural assembly which includes a strike block (2; 201) defining a substantially vertical main axis (Y) and suitable to be made integral with a fixed or bearing auxiliary structure (A′), a pair of shaped flanges (3, 4; 103, 104; 203, 204; 203, 204) opposite, facing and coupled each other through fastening means (5) in such a way as to define a side recess (6) in which the strike block is substantially housed (2; 201), a side groove (7) which communicates with the outside and develops for at least part of the perimeter of the shaped flanges (3, 4; 103, 104; 203, 204; 253, 254) and is suitable to receive a peripheral portion of a revolving shutter (A) of a shower box, and an inner seat (8) hidden from view in which rotation means (9) are stably housed defining an auxiliary axis (Y′) parallel to the main axis (Y) of the strike block (2; 201) and cooperating, on one hand, with the strike block (2; 201) itself in such a way as to define a first operative position, in which the revolving shutter (A) closes, remaining stable in position, a room of the shower box, and at least one second operative position, in which the rotating shutter (A), as a result of rotation around the main axis (Y) imparted by a user, opens fully, remaining stable in position, the room of the shower box, and, on the other side, with elastic means (10) suitable to retain the rotation means (9) stably against the strike block (2; 201) at each of aforesaid operative positions. In particular, the elastic means (10) comprise an elastically yielding laminar body (11) shaped in such a way as to substantially embed in its own overall encumbrance the rotation means (9) which include a single idle roller (12; 156) extending for the entire height (H), defined parallel to said main axis (Y), of a head portion (13) of the strike block (2; 201), opposite to the base portion (14) associated with the fixed or bearing auxiliary structure (A′).
US10480228B2
A hinge supporting apparatus is provided, which includes a connection member configured to hinge-connect a door to a main body, a cam member configured to vary an installation position of the connection member in order to control a gap between the main body and the door, and a fixing member configured to fix the connection member to the main body.
US10480221B2
A closure system for a handleless door of a motor vehicle equipped with a power release latch assembly, a power opening presenter assembly, and an illumination assembly configured to illuminate a grasp area (virtual handle) of the handleless door upon the handleless door being moved to a partially-open position via the power opening presenter assembly.
US10480220B2
A lock in a motor vehicle, in particular a side-door lock, comprising a Bowden cable, a receiving element in the lock for the Bowden cable, a counter-bearing, a lock case and a lock housing, the counter-bearing being designed as a separate receiving element for the Bowden cable.
US10480216B2
A smart security device comprising: a housing, and electronics provided in the housing, the electronics comprising a tag uniquely associated with the smart security device and configured to automatically and periodically emit a first signal, the first signal being a Bluetooth signal configured to be sent and received via a Bluetooth low energy wireless personal area network; and a NB-IoT module configured to send and receive signals via a NB-IoT network.
US10480209B2
The invention addressed in this application is non-injurious restraint type form of fencing designed to be used a perimeter or security fence. The fence is constructed of hollow polymer tubes arranged in horizontal rows affixed to a vertical post. The hollow tubular horizontal fence rails contain fibers that are coated with a moisture cured adhesives and the fibers are secured at one end to the end cap of the tubes. The tubes are sealed and slightly pressurized with a dry inert gas, so that upon breakage of the tubes by a person attempting to scale the fence, the fibers are expelled out of the tubes and entangle the would be climber. The tubes are constructed of a brittle material, like polystyrene, or material which will become brittle upon treatment with ultra violet (UV) radiation or heat.
US10480200B2
A double floor member is provided with: a guide rail 24 affixed to the upper face side; a first connection member 27 movable in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 24 and engaged with the guide rail 24 so as not to be dislodged upward from the guide rail 24; and a second connection member 34 connected to the first connection member 27 so as not to lift upward from the first connection member 27. The second connection member 34 can be moved in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 24 by horizontally moving the position where the second connection member 34 is connected to the first connection member 27.
US10480196B2
Building panels provided with a mechanical locking system including a tongue, at an edge of a first panel, cooperating with a tongue groove, at an edge of an adjacent second panel, for vertical locking of the building panels. The edge of the first panel is provided with a displacement groove, which is downwardly open, and includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and an upper wall. The tongue is formed out of the edge of the first panel. A resilient and displaceable and part of the tongue is displaceable into the displacement groove.
US10480194B1
The gutter cover is placed on top of the gutter and protects the gutter from leaves and debris flowing into the gutter while allowing water to pass into the gutter. The material used to make the gutter cover is a nonwoven fiber material that is a half inch or more in thickness with a width slightly larger than the opening of a gutter. The material allows water to pass easily but will not allow debris and leaves to pass. The material is placed on top of the gutter and deflects leaves and debris over the gutter. As stated above the material's width is slightly larger than the width of the gutter. The installer bends the material and places it on top of the gutter between the fascia board and the lip of the gutter. The material forms a convex surface over the top of the gutter.
US10480191B2
A fixture for setting rebar at a predetermined distance from the rim of an excavated pit includes elongated first and second legs each having a proximal end and a distal end, the first and second legs rigidly joined at their mutual proximal ends to form an L-shape; an angle adjustment device carried by the first leg, comprising a foot movable towards or away from the first leg along an axis generally parallel to the second leg; a support bracket carried by the first leg at a predetermined offset distance from the proximal end thereof; and a hook extending from the distal end of the second leg, generally parallel to the first leg.
US10480190B2
The present disclosure provides a structural member (10), such as a beam, a stud or a joist, presenting a predetermined bending direction (B). The structural member comprises a plurality of glued-together wood lamellae (20a, 20b), each having a lamella cross section which is parallel with a cross section of the structural member (10) and a longitudinal direction which is parallel with a longitudinal direction of the structural member and with a principal grain direction of the wood lamellae (20a, 20b). In the structural member, the lamellae (20a, 20b) are formed as radial sections of a log and present cross sections which are triangular or trapezoidal and present a respective base surface (bs1) that is formed at a radially outer part of the log. The lamellae (20a, 20b) are arranged as at least one layer in which base surfaces (bs1) of a pair of immediately adjacent lamellae (20a, 20b) face opposite directions. The base surfaces (bs1) are perpendicular to the bending direction (B).
US10480167B2
A float-position adjusting member is circumferentially rotatable around an axis thereof so that a relative position between an arm and a float is adjustable. A small-tank-position adjusting member is also circumferentially rotatable around an axis thereof so that a vertical position to which a small tank is supported is adjustable. These adjusting members are coaxially arranged. When the float-position adjusting member is rotated in one direction, a first contact part of the float-position adjusting member comes in contact with a first contact part of the small-tank-position adjusting member for their corotation. When the small-tank-position adjusting member is rotated in the other direction, second contact parts of the adjusting members come in contact with each other for their corotation. There is no corotation between the contact state of the first contact parts and the contact state of the second contact parts, whose rotational angle is 10 degrees or more.
US10480149B1
The system for constructing a retaining wall can be used to construct a segmental retaining wall for retaining earth, on either side, at two different levels. The system includes a plurality of blocks. Each block has laterally opposed first and second end portions, a central portion and a neck portion. The central portion is positioned between the first end portion and the neck portion, and the neck portion is positioned between the second end portion and the central portion. The central portion has a longitudinal length less than a longitudinal length of the first end portion, the second end portion has a longitudinal length less than the longitudinal length of the central portion, and the neck portion has a longitudinal length less than the longitudinal length of the second end portion. A plurality of pegs can vertically interlock adjacent blocks. Tie connectors can connect the blocks to an external pipe.
US10480144B2
Disclosed in this specification is a method and apparatus for placing an auger grouted displacement pile or helical pile in soil. The pile has an elongated shaft with at least one lateral compaction protrusion which establishes a regular circumference in the supporting medium. The pile also has a helical blade configured to move the pile into the supporting medium. The bottom of the shaft includes means for forming irregularities in the circumference after compaction by the lateral compaction protrusion. The bore is filled with grout while leaving the pile in the soil.
US10480127B2
An illustrative lubricant applicator includes a body comprising an inner surface defining a lumen, an outer surface, and a connector fluidly connected to the lumen. The connector is configured to receive a lubricating fluid and convey the lubricating fluid to the lumen. A plurality of openings connects the lumen to the outer surface of the body. The lubricant applicator is configured for connection to a coater blade at a position such that the plurality of openings are configured to deliver the lubricant to an edge region of paper and a backing drum during coating of the paper.
US10480126B2
Wood fibers possess natural unique hierarchical and mesoporous structures that enable a variety of new applications beyond their traditional use. For the first time we dramatically modulate the propagation of light through random network of wood fibers. A highly transparent and clear paper with transmittance >90% and haze <1.0% applicable for high-definition displays is achieved. By altering the morphology of the same wood fibers that form the paper, highly transparent and hazy paper targeted for other applications such as solar cell and anti-glare coating with transmittance >90% and haze >90% is also achieved. A thorough investigation of the relation between the mesoporous structure and the optical properties in transparent paper was conducted, including full-spectrum optical simulations. We demonstrate commercially competitive multi-touch touchscreen with clear paper as a replacement for plastic substrates, which shows excellent process compatibility and comparable device performance for commercial applications. Transparent cellulose paper with tunable optical properties is an emerging photonic material that will realize a range of much improved flexible electronics, photonics and optoelectronics.
US10480122B2
The invention relates to the use of mixtures that contain an aqueous dispersion of a vinyl acetate polymer and an aqueous dispersion of a vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer for carpet coating compositions, and corresponding carpet coating compositions, as well as carpets which are coated with such carpet coating compositions.
US10480114B2
A drum washing machine, including: a driving part, capable of operating in a uniaxial driving form and a biaxial driving form; a heater configured to heat water stored in the outer drum for washing; and a control part which at least performs washing operation of a first washing mode and a second washing mode. In a washing process of the first washing mode, the control part enables the driving part to operate in the uniaxial driving form and also enables the heater to operate. Further, in a washing process of the second washing mode, the control part enables the driving part to operate in the biaxial driving form and also enables the heater to operate in such a manner that heat applied to the water is reduced compared with the first washing mode.
US10480103B2
The invention provides an insulation material that includes exothermic fibers, heat capturing fibers capable of retaining heat, and synthetic fibers. The heat capturing fibers having a density of at least 1.17 g/cm3 or 2.0 Dtex linear density. Also provided are articles comprising, and methods of making the inventive insulation material.
US10480096B2
A diamond substrate is formed of diamond single crystals by preparing a base substrate; forming plural pillar-shaped diamonds formed of diamond single crystals on one side of the base substrate; causing a diamond single crystal to grow from a tip of each pillar-shaped diamond and coalescing the diamond single crystals growing from the tips of the pillar-shaped diamonds to form a diamond substrate layer; separating the diamond substrate layer from the base substrate; and manufacturing a diamond substrate from the diamond substrate layer, a shape in an in-plane direction of the diamond substrate is a circular shape or a circular shape having an orientation flat plane formed therein and has a diameter of two inches or more.
US10480064B2
Metallic layers can be selectively deposited on one surface of a substrate relative to a second surface of the substrate. In some embodiments, the metallic layers are selectively deposited on a first metallic surface relative to a second surface comprising silicon. In some embodiments the reaction chamber in which the selective deposition occurs may optionally be passivated prior to carrying out the selective deposition process. In some embodiments selectivity of above about 50% or even about 90% is achieved.
US10480061B2
A sputtering target includes an indium cerium zinc oxide represented by In2CexZnO4+2x, wherein x=0.5˜2. A relative density of the sputtering target is larger than or equal to 90%. A bulk resistance of the sputtering target in a range from about 10−2 Ωcm to about 10 Ωcm. A weight percentage of crystalline In2CexZnO4+2x in the sputtering target is larger than 80%.
US10480052B2
A permanent magnet of the embodiment includes: a composition represented by a composition formula: R(FepMqCurCtCo1-p-q-r-t)z (R is at least one element selected from rare-earth elements, M is at least one element selected from Ti, Zr and Hf, 0.27≤p≤0.45, 0.01≤q≤0.05, 0.01≤r≤0.1, 0.002≤t≤0.03, and 6≤z≤9); and a metallic structure including a main phase containing a Th2Zn17 crystal phase, and a sub phase of the element M having an element M concentration of 30 atomic % or more. The sub phase of the element M precipitates in the metallic structure. A ratio of a circumferential length to a precipitated area of the sub phase of the element M is 1 or more and 10 or less.
US10480050B2
A titanium sheet has a chemical composition containing, in mass %, Cu: 0.1 to 1.0%, Ni: 0.01 to 0.20%, Fe: 0.01 to 0.10%, O: 0.01 to 0.10%, Cr: 0 to 0.20%, the balance: Ti and unavoidable impurities, and satisfying 0.04≤0.3Cu+Ni≤0.44%. The average grain size of α phase is 15 μm or larger, and an intermetallic compound of Cu and/or Ni, and Ti is at 2.0 volume % or less. This titanium sheet has excellent workability and high strength.
US10480049B2
A copper alloy having the following composition (in % by weight): from 10.6 to 18% of Al, from 10.5 to 14.5% of Ni, optionally up to 2% of Fe, optionally up to 1% of Co, optionally up to 0.5% of Ti, optionally up to 0.5% of Mn, optionally up to 0.15% of B, optionally up to 0.1% of Ca, and optionally up to 0.1% of C, with the balance being copper and unavoidable impurities. Nickel aluminides of the NiAl type are embedded as precipitates in the microstructure of the alloy.
US10480045B2
Processes, systems, and methods for selectively regenerating an ion exchange resin generally comprises washing the ion exchange resin with an elution agent that encourages only selected contaminants, and especially selected radioactive isotopes, to disengage or decouple from the resin and enter solution in the elution agent, which thereafter is identified as the elution agent solution. The elution agent solution is then passed through a column of isotope-specific media (ISM). When the selected radioactive isotopes within the elution agent solution come into contact with the constituent media isotopes of the ISM, the selected radioactive isotopes are retained on the reactive surface areas of the ISM or within the interstitial spaces of the porous structures of the constituent media isotopes of the ISM. In some embodiments, the constituent media isotopes of the ISM are embedded, impregnated, or coated with the specific radioactive isotope that the particular ISM are adapted to separate.
US10480044B2
A resistance annealing furnace for annealing a metal wire, strand, string, wire rod or strap having at least two electric axes provided with respective pulleys to convey the metal wire and a DC voltage generator suppliable with an AC voltage to generate an annealing voltage applied between the two electric axes so as to provoke the annealing due to Joule effect. The DC voltage generator has active supplying means supplied with the AC voltage so as to generate an intermediate DC voltage, a pulse width modulator to transform the intermediate voltage into a first PWM voltage with the same amplitude, a voltage transformer to transform the first PWM voltage into a second PWM voltage with a smaller amplitude, and a voltage rectifier stage to transform the second PWM voltage into the annealing voltage.
US10480039B2
A method of generating a refined sugar stream that comprises xylose from a biomass hydrolysis solution, including contacting a biomass hydrolysis solution that includes a population of mixed sugars comprising xylose, an acid, and impurities, with a thermally-phase separable solvent such as a glycol solvent to form an extraction mixture; and separating from said extraction mixture a first stream including the thermally-phase separable solvent, acid, and impurities and a second, refined sugar stream that comprises xylose. The thermally-phase separable solvent is an ethylene glycol or a propylene glycol ether, such as 2-butoxyethanol or 1-propoxy-propanol or any combination thereof.
US10480025B2
Nucleosides and nucleotides are disclosed that are linked to detectable labels via a cleavable linker group.
US10480022B2
The present invention provides assays and assay systems for use in spatially encoded biological assays. The invention provides an assay system comprising an assay capable of high levels of multiplexing where reagents are provided to a biological sample in defined spatial patterns; instrumentation capable of controlled delivery of reagents according to the spatial patterns; and a decoding scheme providing a readout that is digital in nature.
US10480021B2
Methods of identifying DNase I Hyper-Resistant Sites (DHRS), or in board sense, highly compact chromatin and characterizing the DNA methylation status of DMRs such as CpG islands and CpG island shores are provided. The methods are particularly useful for analysis of genomic DNA from low quantities of cells, for example, less than 1,000 cells, less than 100 cells, less than 10 cells, or even one cell, and can be used to generate chromatin and methylation profiles. The downstream analyses include in parallel massive sequencing, microarray, PCR and Sanger sequencing, hybridization and other platforms. These methods can be used to generate chromatin and DNA methylation profiles in drug development, diagnostics, and therapeutic applications are also provided.
US10480018B2
Disclosed herein are three geneses of proteins herein established to exhibit a fructose to allulose epimerase activity that are useful for production of allulose from fructose at high temperatures and at low pH in the range of 4.5 to 6.0. Two of the three geneses descend phylogenetically from a common ancestral protein defined herein, and these geneses are distinguished from each other by different parental descendant proteins also defined herein. The proteins with high levels of sequence identity to the parental nodes defining from these two geneses generally exhibit higher levels of specific fructose to glucose epimerase activity than prior known fructose to allulose epimerases and exhibit such activity at low pH. A third genus is not defined by phylogenetic origin except by not descending from the same ancestor as the first two geneses but generally exhibit similar levels of fructose to allulose epimerase activities as prior art epimerases described to be useful for fructose to allulose conversion.
