Document	Document Title
US09153787B2	Electron transporting compounds and organic electroluminescent devices using the same The present invention discloses a novel compound of Formula 1, and an organic electroluminescent device using the same. In Formula 1, X and Y independently represents an aromatic or a hetero aromatic hydrocarbon having a carbon number of from 5 to 10. Ar1 to Ar7 each independently represents an unsubstituted or substituted aromatic hydrocarbon having a carbon number of from 4 to C12, or an unsubstituted or substituted condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon having a carbon number of from 4 to 12; Ar1 to Ar7 can form an annulated or fused aromatic ring system with the adjacent aromatic hydrocarbons. When the compound of Formula I is used in the device, high luminous efficiency, longer lifetime and low driving voltage can be achieved.
US09153781B2	Method for manufacturing resistive random access storage unit A manufacturing method of a resistive random access storage unit, includes: forming a resistance layer on a first metal layer having a flat surface; forming a passivation layer on the resistance layer; performing an etching process to obtain a plurality of basic units, a basic unit comprising a first metal layer, a resistance layer, and a passivation layer, which are laminated sequentially; depositing a insulating dielectric layer, and flattening the insulating dielectric layer; etching the insulating dielectric layer and the passivation layer to form contacting holes corresponded to the basic units; filling metal wires in the contacting holes; forming a second metal layer. According to the above method, a uniformly distributed resistance can be formed on a whole wafer.
US09153779B2	Resistance change memory element and resistance change memory According to one embodiment, a memory element includes: a first electrode layer; a second electrode layer; and a memory layer provided between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, and the memory layer including a plurality of first oxide layers in a second oxide layer, a resistivity of each of the plurality of first oxide layers being higher than a resistivity of the second oxide layer.
US09153778B2	Resistive switching devices and memory devices including the same A resistive switching device includes a first material layer between a first electrode and a second electrode. The first material layer has a first region and a second region parallel to the first region. The first region corresponds to a conducting path formed in the first material layer, and is configured to switch from a low-resistance state to a high-resistance state in response to an applied voltage that is greater than or equal to a first voltage. The second region is configured to switch to a first resistance value that is less than a resistance value of the first region in the high-resistance state when the applied voltage is greater than or equal to a second voltage. The first region remains constant or substantially constant when the second region has the first resistance value.
US09153767B2	Ultrasonic probe and manufacturing method thereof Disclosed herein are an ultrasonic probe having a backing layer formed of a structure which varies acoustic impedance and a manufacturing method thereof. The ultrasonic probe includes a piezoelectric layer and a backing layer provided on a rear surface of the piezoelectric layer, and the backing layer includes a plurality of kerfs formed on a front surface thereof in a lengthwise direction, the front surface being adjacent to the rear surface of the piezoelectric layer, and the kerfs are formed such that the intervals between the kerfs are varied.
US09153761B2	Thermally-conductive sheet, LED mounting substrate, and LED module The present invention provides a thermally-conductive sheet excellent in heat dissipation properties. The thermally-conductive sheet includes a polymer matrix and a thermally-conductive filler dispersed in the polymer matrix. The present invention is a thermally-conductive sheet including a polymer matrix and non-spherical particles of a thermally-conductive filler that are dispersed in the polymer matrix. At least a part of the thermally-conductive filler particles are oriented in a thickness direction of the sheet. When a portion of the sheet where the thermally-conductive filler particles have the highest degree of orientation in the thickness direction of the sheet is defined as a center of orientation, and an axis passing through the center of orientation and perpendicular to sheet surfaces is defined as a central axis of orientation, the thermally-conductive sheet has a region where the thermally-conductive filler particles are oriented toward one point on the central axis of orientation and where the degree of orientation of the thermally-conductive filler particles in the thickness direction of the sheet decreases from the center of orientation toward a periphery of the sheet.
US09153758B2	Method of attaching a light emitting device to a support substrate A method according to embodiments of the invention includes providing a wafer of semiconductor light emitting devices, each semiconductor light emitting device including a light emitting layer sandwiched between an n-type region and a p-type region. A wafer of support substrates is provided, each support substrate including a body. The wafer of semiconductor light emitting devices is bonded to the wafer of support substrates. Vias are formed extending through the entire thickness of the body of each support substrate.
US09153753B2	Polymeric matrix with organic phosphor and manufactory thereof A method for manufacturing a wavelength converting element (202, 301, 302, 303, 310, 312) the method comprising providing (100) a polymeric carrier material (200) having a first wavelength converting material (201) dispersed or molecular dissolved therein; the first wavelength converting material (201) is adapted to convert light of a first wavelength to light of a second wavelength, deforming (101) the polymeric carrier material at a first temperature at or above the glass transition temperature thereof such that at least part of the polymeric carrier material (200) is crystallized; and annealing (102) the polymeric carrier material(200) at a second temperature below the melting temperature thereof. Treatment of a polymeric material(200) according to the invention improves the stability and lifetime of a wavelength converting material (201) comprised in a such a treated polymeric material. A polymeric material (200) treated according to the invention may comprise polymeric molecules having a degree of crystalline being 10% by volume or more.
US09153752B2	Method of manufacturing light-emitting device A method of manufacturing a light-emitting device including a light-emitting element which emits light with a predetermined wavelength and a wavelength conversion portion including a fluorescent substance which is excited by the light emitted from the light-emitting element to emit fluorescence with a wavelength different from the predetermined wavelength, includes the followings. First, spraying so as to apply a liquid mixture containing a layered silicate mineral and a translucent ceramic precursor on the light-emitting element from a nozzle is performed while the nozzle is moved relative to the light-emitting element. Subsequently, forming of the wavelength conversion portion by heating the sprayed and applied liquid mixture is performed.
US09153751B2	Color filter on array substrate and a manufacturing method for the same A color filter on array (COA) substrate and a manufacturing method for the same are proposed. The COA substrate includes a transparent substrate, a thin film transistor (TFT), a color filter unit, and a pixel electrode. The color filter unit is disposed in a groove of the transparent substrate for transforming a beam of light sent to the color filter unit into the beam of light of a predetermined hue. The pixel electrode is disposed on the color filter unit and coupled to a drain of the TFT. The pixel electrode is used for controlling the rotational alignment of liquid crystals in a liquid crystal layer based upon the electrical level of an electrical signal transmitted to the drain when a scan impulse is received by a gate of the TFT. In addition, the color filter unit is formed in the groove, and the pixel electrode is formed on the color filter unit, implying that it is unnecessary to form a via on a passivation layer so that the drain could be connected to the pixel electrode through the via. Thus, etching the passivation layer for forming the via is omitted in the present invention.
US09153750B2	Wafer-level light emitting diode package and method of fabricating the same A light emitting diode (LED) package includes a plurality of light emitting cells each including a first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer; a plurality of contact holes arranged in the second conductive type semiconductor layer and the active layer of each of the light emitting cells, the contact holes exposing the first conductive type semiconductor layer of each of the light emitting cells; a connector located arranged on a first side of the light emitting cells and electrically connecting two adjacent light emitting cells to each other; a first bump arranged on the first side of the light emitting cells; and a second bump arranged on the first side of the light emitting cells.
US09153748B2	Light emitting apparatus and surface light source apparatus having the same Provided are a light emitting apparatus and a surface light source apparatus having the same. The light emitting apparatus comprises a package body, a first color light emitting part in a first cavity of the package body, and a second color light emitting part in a second cavity of the package body. The package body comprises a plurality of cavities.
US09153746B2	Semiconductor light emitting device and method for manufacturing same According to an embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes a semiconductor layer having a light emitting layer. The device also includes a p-side electrode provided on a first region including the light emitting layer; an n-side electrode provided on a second region layer not including the light emitting layer; and a first insulating film having a first opening communicating with the p-side electrode and a second opening communicating with the n-side electrode. A p-side interconnection is provided on the first insulating film and electrically connected to the p-side electrode through the first opening. An n-side interconnection is provided on the first insulating film and electrically connected to the n-side electrode through the second opening. The p-side interconnection has a plurality of protrusive parts protruding toward the n-side interconnection, and the n-side interconnection has a plurality of portions extending between the protrusive parts of the p-side interconnection.
US09153742B2	GaN-crystal free-standing substrate and method for producing the same A GaN-crystal free-standing substrate obtained from a GaN crystal grown by HVPE with a (0001) plane serving as a crystal growth plane and at least one plane of a {10-11} plane and a {11-22} plane serving as a crystal growth plane that constitutes a facet crystal region, except for the side surface of the crystal, wherein the (0001)-plane-growth crystal region has a carbon concentration of 5×1016 atoms/cm3 or less, a silicon concentration of 5×1017 atoms/cm3 or more and 2×1018 atoms/cm3 or less, and an oxygen concentration of 1×1017 atoms/cm3 or less; and the facet crystal region has a carbon concentration of 3×1016 atoms/cm3 or less, a silicon concentration of 5×1017 atoms/cm3 or less, and an oxygen concentration of 5×1017 atoms/cm3 or more and 5×1018 atoms/cm3 or less.
US09153739B2	Light emitting devices with textured active layer A device includes a textured substrate having a trench extending from a top surface of the textured substrate into the textured substrate, wherein the trench comprises a sidewall and a bottom. A light-emitting device (LED) includes an active layer over the textured substrate. The active layer has a first portion parallel to the sidewall of the trench and a second portion parallel to the bottom of the trench.
US09153729B2	Atomic layer deposition for photovoltaic devices A photovoltaic device and method include a substrate, a conductive layer formed on the substrate and an absorber layer formed on the conductive layer from a Cu—Zn—Sn containing chalcogenide material. An emitter layer is formed on the absorber layer and a buffer layer is formed on the emitter layer including an atomic layer deposition (ALD) layer. A transparent conductor layer is formed on the buffer layer.
US09153728B2	Ion implanted solar cells with in situ surface passivation Solar cells and methods for their manufacture are disclosed. An example method may include providing a substrate comprising a base layer and introducing n-type dopant to the front surface of the base layer by ion implantation. The substrate may be annealed by heating the substrate to a temperature to anneal the implant damage and activate the introduced dopant, thereby forming an n-type doped layer into the front surface of the base layer. Oxygen may be introduced during the annealing step to form a passivating oxide layer on the n-type doped layer. Back contacts may be screen-printed on the back surface of the base layer, and a p-type doped layer may be formed at the interface of the back surface of the base layer and the back contacts during firing of the back contacts. The back contacts may provide an electrical connection to the p-type doped layer.
US09153727B2	Optoelectronic device An optoelectronic device having an optoelectronic component that receives or generates radiation and has a main radiation passage surface, wherein the component is assigned an aperture which defines a radiation cone for radiation passing through the main radiation passage surface, and the aperture has an inner surface having a region inclined away from the main radiation passage surface.
US09153723B2	Luminescent photovoltaic generator and a waveguide for use in a photovoltaic generator The present invention relates to a luminescent photovoltaic generator (1) and a waveguide for use in such a photovoltaic generator. The photovoltaic generator comprises a photovoltaic cell (4) and a waveguide comprising a transparent matrix (2) having particles of an inorganic luminescent material dispersed therein and/or an inorganic luminescent material disposed at at least one side thereof (6). The waveguide is associated with the photovoltaic cell (4), such that, in use, at least some of the light emitted from the luminescent material passes into the photovoltaic cell (4) to generate a voltage in the cell. In preferred embodiments, the inorganic luminescent material is a line emitter and the emission is due to a forbidden electronic transition within the material. The inorganic luminescent material may be selected from an inorganic phosphor, an inorganic fluorescent material and quantum dots, quantum rods and quantum core/shell systems. The photovoltaic generator (1) is an alternative to or an improvement upon known photovoltaic generators, which generally suffer from a lack of power yield per area.
US09153721B1	Solar cell assembly, solar cell panel, and method for manufacturing the same A solar cell assembly, a solar cell array, and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The solar cell assembly may include a solar cell and an interconnection member, the interconnection member comprising a first portion and a second portion attached to the first portion with an angle formed therebetween. The solar cell array may comprise at least two said solar cell assemblies. In an embodiment, the top surfaces of the first solar cell and the second solar cell are arranged such that the second portion of the first interconnect member and the second portion of the second interconnection member are adjacent to each other, and at least the end portion of the second portion of the first interconnection member is bended together with at least the end portion of the second portion of the second interconnection member.
US09153718B2	Arcuate-winged solar canopy assembly A solar canopy structure mounted in ground to receive solar energy and convert the solar energy to electrical energy. The solar canopy structure has support columns, solar canopies retained in opposition by the support column, photovoltaic material retained by the solar canopies, and a block of material establishing a point of fixation along the body portion of the support column spaced from the first and second ends of the support column. At least approximately one-half of the support column can be embedded in the ground with the block of material fixed to the support column adjacent to the ground surface. The solar canopies can be have decking supported by wing arms that are joined by a central portion to form a unified, continuous wing arm structure, and the central portion can be received in and secured to a channel in the support column by first and second brackets.
US09153713B2	Solar cell modules and methods of manufacturing the same Back contact solar cell modules and methods of manufacturing the same. The solar cell module comprises a back surface with a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes formed thereon, the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes being of opposite polarities, the back surface being configured to form an electric field thereon of the opposite polarity as the plurality of first electrodes; a first connecting strip electrically connecting the plurality of first electrodes; and an insulative member between the back surface and the first connecting strip.
US09153710B2	Systems and methods for wiring solar panel arrays A solar power system may include a combiner module, one or more rows of solar panels connected to the combiner module, and one or more wiring circuits connecting the one or more rows of solar panels to the combiner module. Each circuit may include an inter-module wiring arrangement that connects individual solar panels to each other in series, and a return wiring arrangement that connects the inter-module wiring arrangement to the combiner module. Each inter-module wiring arrangement may be arranged such that at least some solar panels are wired to other solar panels in the same row in a substantially alternating manner, such that non-adjacent solar panels in the same row are wired directly in series to each other. This arrangement may reduce the total length of harness wires needed to connect the one or more panel rows to the combiner box, as compared with conventional wiring schemes.
US09153706B2	Film-covered open-cavity sensor package Techniques for covering open-cavity integrated-circuit packages in a batch process are disclosed. In an example method, a plurality of open-cavity packages are molded on a single batch leadframe or substrate, each open-cavity package comprising a floor and a plurality of walls arranged around the floor to form a cavity, each of said the walls having a bottom end adjoining said floor and having a top side opposite the bottom end. At least one semiconductor device is attached to the floor and within the cavity of each of the open-cavity packages, and a single flexible membrane is affixed to the top sides of the walls of the plurality of open-cavity packages, so as to substantially cover all of the cavities. The flexible membrane is then severed, between the packages.
US09153705B2	Vertical memory devices and methods of manufacturing the same A memory device includes a plurality of channels, a plurality of first charge storage sites coupled to first sides of respective ones of the channels, and a plurality of second charge storage sites coupled to second sides of respective ones of the channels. The first charge storage sites correspond to first memory cells and the second charge storage sites coupled to second memory cells. At least one of the channels is a dummy channel not connected to a bit line, and a blocking layer is contiguously formed around the first and second charge storage sites and the channels.
US09153697B2	Surrounding gate transistor (SGT) structure The semiconductor device according to the present invention is an nMOS SGT and is composed of a first n+ type silicon layer, a first gate electrode containing metal and a second n+ type silicon layer arranged on the surface of a first columnar silicon layer positioned vertically on a first planar silicon layer. Furthermore, a first insulating film is positioned between the first gate electrode and the first planar silicon layer, and a second insulating film is positioned on the top surface of the first gate electrode. In addition, the first gate electrode containing metal is surrounded by the first n+ type silicon layer, the second n+ type silicon layer, the first insulating film and the second insulating film.
US09153693B2	FinFET gate with insulated vias and method of making same An intermediate semiconductor structure of a FinFET device in fabrication includes a substrate, a plurality of fin structures coupled to the substrate and a dummy gate disposed perpendicularly over the fin structures. A portion of the dummy gate is removed between the fin structures to create one or more vias and the one or more vias are filled with a dielectric. The dummy gate is then replaced with a metal gate formed around the dielectric-filled vias.
US09153691B1	High voltage MOS transistor In one aspect, a MOS transistor includes a first diffusion region of a first doping type, a tap region of a second doping type configured to contact the first diffusion region, a channel region configured to substantially surround the first diffusion region and the tap region, and a second diffusion region of the first doping type configured to substantially surround the channel region. In another aspect, a method for manufacturing a MOS transistor includes, forming a first diffusion region of a first doping type, forming a tap region of a second doping type contacting the first diffusion region, forming a second diffusion region of the first doping type substantially surrounding the first diffusion region and the tap region, and forming a gate electrode substantially surrounding the first diffusion region and the tap region.
US09153683B2	Semiconductor device A transistor SEL is formed by using a compound semiconductor layer (channel layer CNL). The channel layer CNL is formed over a buffer layer BUF. In a first direction where a drain electrode DRE, a gate electrode GE, and a source electrode SOE of the transistor SEL are arranged, at least a portion of the buried electrode BE is situated on the side opposing the source electrode SOE with reference to the gate electrode GE. The buried electrode BE is connected to the source electrode SOE of the transistor SEL. The top end of the buried electrode BE intrudes into the buffer layer BUF.
US09153675B2	Power semiconductor and manufacturing method thereof A power semiconductor includes a semiconductor substrate, a metal oxide semiconductor layer, a N-type buffer layer and a P-type injection layer. The semiconductor substrate has a first surface and a second surface. The metal oxide semiconductor layer is formed on the first surface for defining a N-type drift layer of the semiconductor substrate. The N-type buffer layer is formed on the second surface through ion implanting, and the P-type injection layer is formed on the N-type buffer layer through ion implanting. By utilizing the semiconductor substrate having drift layer and forming the N-type buffer layer and the P-type injection layer on the second surface of the semiconductor substrate through ion implanting, the ion concentration is adjustable. As a result, the electron hole injection efficiency and the width of depletion region are easily adjusted, the fabricating processes are simplified, and the fabricating time and cost are reduced.
US09153672B2	Vertical BJT for high density memory Some aspects of this disclosure relate to a memory device. The memory device includes a collector region having a first conductivity type and which is coupled to a source line of the memory device. A base region is formed over the collector region and has a second conductivity type. A gate structure is coupled to the base region and acts as a shared word line for first and second neighboring memory cells of the memory device. First and second emitter regions are formed over the base region and have the first conductivity type. The first and second emitter regions are arranged on opposite sides of the gate structure. First and second contacts extend upwardly from the first and second emitter regions, respectively, and couple the first and second emitter regions to first and second data storage elements, respectively, of the first and second neighboring memory cells, respectively.
US09153669B2	Low capacitance finFET gate structure Low capacitance finFET gate structures and methods of manufacturing. The method includes forming a layer of material on a substrate. The method further includes forming a dummy gate structure on the substrate which abuts the layer of material. The method further includes forming at least one spacer adjacent to the dummy gate structure and the layer of material. The method further includes removing the dummy gate structure and at least a portion of the layer of material to form an opening with a varying length. The method further includes forming a replacement gate structure with varying length by depositing gate material in the opening with the varying length.
US09153657B2	Semiconductor devices comprising a fin A semiconductor device may include a fin disposed over a workpiece. The fin may include: a first semiconductive material disposed over the workpiece; an oxide of the first semiconductive material disposed over the first semiconductive material; a second conductive material disposed over and spaced apart from the oxide of the first semiconductive material; a first insulating material disposed around and lining the second semiconductive material; a conductive material disposed around the first insulating material; and a second insulating material disposed between the oxide of the first semiconductive material and a portion of the conductive material facing the workpiece, the second insulating material further lining sidewalls of the conductive material.
US09153654B2	Semiconductor device with buried bit line and method for fabricating the same A semiconductor device includes an active body having two sidewalls facing each other in a lateral direction, a junction formed in a sidewall of the two sidewalls, a dielectric layer having an open portion to expose the junction and covering the active body, a junction extension portion having a buried region to fill the open portion, and a bit line coupled to the junction extension portion.
US09153651B2	Thin film transistor and method for manufacturing the same Provided are a thin film transistor and a method for manufacturing the same. The thin film transistor manufacturing method includes forming a gate electrode on a substrate, forming an active layer that is adjacent to the gate electrode and includes an oxide semiconductor, forming an oxygen providing layer on the active layer, forming a gate dielectric between the gate electrode and the active layer, forming source and drain electrodes coupled to the active layer, forming a planarizing layer covering the gate electrode and the gate dielectric, forming a hole exposing the active layer, and performing a heat treatment process onto the planarizing layer in an atmosphere of oxygen.
US09153638B2	Integrated decoupling capacitor utilizing through-silicon via A semiconductor device may include a through substrate via (TSV) conductive structure that may extend vertically through two or more layers of the semiconductor device. The TSV conductive structure may be coupled to a first voltage supply. The semiconductor device may include substrate layer. The substrate layer may include a first dopant region and a second dopant region. The first dopant region may be coupled to a second voltage supply. The second dopant region may be in electrical communication with the TSV conductive structure. The semiconductor device may include a first metal layer and a first insulator layer disposed between the substrate layer and the first metal layer. The first metal layer may laterally contact the TSV conductive structure. The first and second voltage supply may be adapted to create a capacitance at a junction between the first dopant region and the second dopant region.
US09153637B2	OLED display device An OLED display device includes a first substrate including a plurality of pixels located in a matrix and a second substrate facing the first substrate. The plurality of pixels each include a pixel circuit to which a data voltage is written and an OLED display element including a first electrode supplied with a current from the pixel circuit in accordance with the data voltage, and a second electrode supplied with a power supply voltage. The first substrate and the second substrate each include a plurality of power supply lines; the plurality of power supply lines of the first substrate and the plurality of power supply lines of the second substrate are respectively connected to each other via a conductive member; and each of the plurality of power supply lines is connected to the second electrode of the OLED display element.
US09153626B2	Thin film transistor having at least two carbon nanotube patterns formed in a channel and connected by at least one floating electrode and a display device including the same A thin film transistor includes a gate electrode configured to receive a control voltage, a source electrode insulated from the gate electrode, and configured to receive an input voltage, a drain electrode insulated from the gate electrode, and configured to receive an output voltage, at least two carbon nanotube patterns formed in a channel region between the source electrode and the drain electrode, wherein the carbon nanotube patterns are separated from each other, and at least one floating electrode connecting the two carbon nanotube patterns to each other.
US09153621B2	Process of forming a back side illumination image sensor A process of forming a back side illumination (BSI) image sensor is disclosed. An n-type implant is formed in a semiconductor substrate, and a p-type implant region, surrounding n-type in each pixel, is formed in the n-type implant such that in cross sectional view an n-type implant region is sandwiched between the two p-type implant regions. A transfer gate is formed on the semiconductor substrate such that the transfer gate entirely covers the n-type implant region and at least partially covers each of the p-type implant regions. A floating diffusion is formed in one of the p-type implant regions.
US09153618B2	Photoelectric conversion apparatus, imaging apparatus using the same, and manufacturing method thereof A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes: an active matrix-type TFT array substrate on which photoelectric conversion elements and thin film transistors are arranged in a matrix shape, wherein the photoelectric conversion element connects with a drain electrode via a contact hole opened through a first interlayer insulation film provided above the thin film transistor, wherein a data line and a bias line are connected with the source electrode and the photoelectric conversion element via respective contact holes opened through the second interlayer insulation, and wherein at least a part of the photoelectric conversion element is fixed to have a shape different from a normal pixel between pixels adjacent to each other in an extending direction of the gate line, and an electrical connection between the photoelectric conversion element and the data line is cut off in the transistor of the pixel having the different shape.
US09153617B2	Imaging apparatus, and imaging system An embodiment is an imaging apparatus including a plurality of unit cells. The imaging apparatus includes a first conductive member electrically connected to gates of the plurality of first transfer transistors, a second conductive member electrically connected to gates of the plurality of second transfer transistors, a third conductive member disposed adjacently to the first conductive member in a same wiring layer as the first conductive member and electrically connected to a plurality of nodes each included in respective one of the plurality of unit cells, and a fourth conductive member disposed adjacently to the second conductive member in a same wiring layer as the second conductive member. An opposing length of the first conductive member and the third conductive member is longer than an opposing length of the second conductive member and the fourth conductive member.
US09153615B2	Method of fabrication of an array of graded refractive index microlenses integrated in an image sensor Methods and devices that incorporate microlens arrays are disclosed. An image sensor includes a pixel layer and a dielectric layer. The pixel layer has a photodetector portion configured to convert light absorbed by the pixel layer into an electrical signal. The dielectric layer is formed on a surface of the pixel layer. The dielectric layer has a refractive index that varies along a length of the dielectric layer. A method for fabricating an image sensor includes forming an array of microlenses on a surface of the dielectric layer, emitting ions through the array of microlenses to implant the ions in the dielectric layer, and removing the array of microlenses from the surface of the dielectric layer.
US09153614B2	Method and apparatus for lens alignment for optically sensitive devices and systems implementing same Non-symmetrically located lenses are employed with semiconductor devices comprising optically active regions which are non-symmetrically located on a surface thereof. The optical axes of the lenses are aligned with the centers of the optically active regions. Wafer-level assemblies of semiconductor devices and lenses may be fabricated, mutually secured with the non-symmetrically placed lenses aligned over the non-symmetrically placed optically active regions, and singulated to form packages, such as image sensor packages. Related methods, and systems incorporating devices with non-symmetrically placed optically active regions and aligned lenses are also disclosed.
US09153613B2	Image sensor having lens type color filter and method for fabricating the same The image sensor includes lens-type color filters having a uniform shape for a plurality of pixels. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixels formed in a substrate, a plurality of color filter housings formed over outer boundaries of the respective pixels, and a plurality of color filters filled in spaces defined by the respective color filter housings, wherein the clock filter housings surround edges of the respective color filters with a given curvature.
US09153608B2	Photodiode array, method for determining reference voltage, and method for determining recommended operating voltage A reverse bias voltage is applied to a photodiode array provided with a plurality of avalanche photodiodes operated in Geiger mode and with quenching resistors connected in series to the respective avalanche photodiodes. Electric current is measured with change of the reverse bias voltage applied, and the reverse bias voltage at an inflection point in change of electric current measured is determined as a reference voltage. A voltage obtained by adding a predetermined value to the determined reference voltage is determined as a recommended operating voltage.
US09153605B2	Thin film transistor array substrate, organic light emitting display device comprising the same, and method of manufacturing the thin film transistor array substrate A thin film transistor array substrate may include a thin film transistor including an active layer, a gate electrode, source and drain electrodes, a first insulation layer arranged between the active layer and the gate electrode, and a second insulation layer arranged between the gate electrode and the source and drain electrodes, a pixel electrode arranged on the first insulation layer and comprising the same material as the gate electrode, a capacitor comprising a first electrode arranged on the same layer as the active layer and a second electrode arranged on the same layer as the gate electrode, a pad electrode arranged on the second insulation layer and comprising the same material as the source and drain electrodes, a protection layer formed on the pad electrode, and a third insulation layer formed on the protection layer and exposing the pixel electrode.
US09153603B2	Thin film transistor array panel and method of manufacturing the same A thin film transistor array panel includes a substrate; a gate line located over the substrate and including a gate pad portion; a data line located over the gate line and including a source electrode and a data pad portion; a drain electrode; a first passivation layer located over the data line and the drain electrode; an organic insulating layer located over the first passivation layer and having a contact hole; a first field generating electrode located over the organic insulating layer and having an opening; a second passivation layer located over the first field generating electrode; and a second field generating electrode located over the second passivation layer. The contact hole coincides with or is smaller than the opening, and the contact hole has a tapered structure.
US09153593B1	Nonvolatile memory device having single-layer gate, method of operating the same, and memory cell array thereof A nonvolatile memory device includes a single-layer gate, a first area, and a second area. The first area includes a first well region, a first contact region arranged in the first well region, and source and drain regions arranged at both sides of the single-layer gate in the first well region. The second area includes a second well region, a second contact region arranged to overlap a part of the single-layer gate in the second well region, and a third contact region arranged in the second well region.
US09153592B2	High density vertical structure nitride flash memory A charge trap type of memory having a memory channel with vertical and possibly horizontal components is described. The invention includes a new operation method of simultaneous hole and electron injection operation for high speed and high reliability non-volatile memories, as well as high-density non-volatile memories. Array implementations for high-density memory arrays and high-speed memory arrays and their fabrication methods are also described.
US09153588B2	Semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device There is provided a readily manufacturable semiconductor device including two transistors having mutually different characteristics. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a multilayer wiring layer disposed over the substrate, a first transistor disposed in the multilayer wiring layer, and a second transistor disposed in a layer different from a layer including the first transistor disposed therein of the multilayer wiring layer, and having different characteristics from those of the first transistor. This can provide a readily manufacturable semiconductor device including two transistors having mutually different characteristics.
US09153587B2	Fin-type semiconductor device An apparatus comprises a substrate and a fin-type semiconductor device extending from the substrate. The fin-type semiconductor device comprises means for providing a first fin-type conduction channel having first and second regions, means for providing a second fin-type conduction channel having a fourth region above a third region, and means for shielding current leakage coupled to at least one of the first region and the third region. The first region has a first doping concentration greater than a second doping concentration of the second region. The first fin-type conduction channel comprises first ion implants implanted into the substrate at a first depth and second ion implants implanted into the substrate at a different depth. The third region has a third doping concentration, and the fourth region has a fourth doping concentration.
US09153581B2	Vertical tunneling field-effect transistor cell and fabricating the same A method of making a tunneling field-effect transistor (TFET) device is disclosed. A frustoconical protrusion structure is disposed over the substrate and protrudes out of the plane of substrate. Isolation features are formed on the substrate. A drain region is disposed over the substrate adjacent to the frustoconical protrusion structure and extends to a bottom portion of the frustoconical protrusion structure as a raised drain region. A source region is formed as a top portion of the frustoconical protrusion structure. A series connection and a parallel connection are made among TFET devices units.
US09153576B2	Semiconductor device A semiconductor substrate comprises an IGBT region and a diode region. The IGBT region comprises: an n-type emitter region; a p-type IGBT body region; an n-type IGBT barrier region; an n-type IGBT drift region; a p-type collector region; a first trench; a first insulating layer; and a first gate electrode. The diode region comprises: a p-type diode top body region; an n-type diode barrier region; a p-type diode bottom body region; an n-type cathode region; a second trench; a second insulating layer; and a second gate electrode. An n-type impurity density of a specific part of the diode barrier region making contact with the second insulating layer is higher than an n-type impurity density of the IGBT barrier region.
US09153574B2	Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same Provided is a semiconductor device including a deep doped region of a first conductivity type, a well region of a second conductivity type, a base region of the first conductivity type, an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) and a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS). The well region is disposed in the deep doped region. The base region is disposed in the well region and is not connected to the deep doped region. The IGBT is disposed on the well region at the first side of the base region, and includes a first doped region of the second conductivity type disposed in the base region. The MOS is disposed on the well region and the deep well region at the second side of the base region, and includes a second doped region of the second conductivity type disposed in the base region.
US09153571B1	Stacked electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device A stacked electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device includes a substrate; a deep well with a first conductive type formed in the substrate, the deep well defining a plurality of element regions with a second conductive type therein; and a plurality of ESD protection elements, each of which is formed in one of the element regions. A current path is formed by connecting the plurality of ESD protection elements in series.
US09153560B2	Package on package (PoP) integrated device comprising a redistribution layer Some features pertain to an integrated device that includes a first package, a set of interconnects, and a second package. The first package includes a first substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface. The first package includes a redistribution portion comprising a redistribution layer. The first package includes a first die coupled to the first surface of the first substrate. The set of interconnects is coupled to the redistribution portion of the first package. The second package is coupled to the first package through the set of interconnects. The second package includes a second substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface; and a second die coupled to the first surface of the second substrate, where the second die is electrically coupled to the first die through the second substrate of the second package, the set of interconnects, and the redistribution portion of the first package.
US09153550B2	Substrate design with balanced metal and solder resist density A package includes a package substrate, which includes a middle layer selected from the group consisting of a core and a middle metal layer, a top metal layer overlying the middle layer, and a bottom metal layer underlying the middle layer. All metal layers overlying the middle layer have a first total metal density that is equal to a sum of all densities of all metal layers over the middle layer. All metal layers underlying the middle layer have a second total metal density that is equal to a sum of all densities of all metal layers under the middle layer. An absolute value of a difference between the first total metal density and the second total metal density is lower than about 0.1.
US09153546B2	Reliable electrical fuse with localized programming and method of making the same An electrical fuse has an anode contact on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The electrical fuse has a cathode contact on the surface of the semiconductor substrate spaced from the anode contact. The electrical fuse has a link within the substrate electrically interconnecting the anode contact and the cathode contact. The link comprises a semiconductor layer and a silicide layer. The silicide layer extends beyond the anode contact. An opposite end of the silicide layer extends beyond the cathode contact. A silicon germanium region is embedded in the semiconductor layer under the silicide layer, between the anode contact and the cathode contact.
US09153540B2	Semiconductor die connection system and method A system and method for connecting semiconductor dies is provided. An embodiment comprises connecting a first semiconductor die with a first width to a second semiconductor die with a larger second width and that is still connected to a semiconductor wafer. The first semiconductor die is encapsulated after it is connected, and the encapsulant and first semiconductor die are thinned to expose a through substrate via within the first semiconductor die. The second semiconductor die is singulated from the semiconductor wafer, and the combined first semiconductor die and second semiconductor die are then connected to another substrate.
US09153534B2	Semiconductor fuse with enhanced post-programming resistance Post programming resistance of a semiconductor fuse is enhanced by using an implantation to form an amorphous silicon layer and to break up an underlying high-κ/metal gate. Embodiments include forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) region in a silicon substrate, forming a high-κ dielectric layer on the STI region, forming a metal gate on the high-κ dielectric layer, forming a polysilicon layer over the metal gate, performing an implantation to convert the polysilicon layer into an amorphous silicon layer, wherein the implantation breaks up the metal gate, and forming a silicide on the amorphous silicon layer. By breaking up the metal gate, electrical connection of the fuse contacts through the metal gate is eliminated.
US09153533B2	Microelectronic elements with master/slave configurability A semiconductor chip that may be configured to function as either a master chip or a slave chip. The semiconductor chip may be included in a microelectronic assembly including a plurality of vertically stacked semiconductor chips, with each of the chips containing functional circuit blocks that enable each semiconductor chip to function as either a master chip or a slave chip under in accordance with a state input stored on the same chip, or received from another chip in the stacked assembly or from another component of a system in which the stacked assembly is configured to operate.
US09153531B1	Methods and apparatus for reducing crosstalk and twist region height in routing wires An integrated circuit may have interconnect circuitry which may include a sequence of tiles. Each tile may be associated with a given tile type, and each tile type may include a predetermined routing of multiple wires on multiple tracks. Wires may change tracks within a given tile, which is sometimes also referred to as wire twisting. Wire twists may reduce the overlap between pairs of adjacent wires, thereby reducing the coupling capacitance between the respective wires. Reducing the coupling capacitance may result in reduced crosstalk between the wires which may speed up the signal transition along those wires. At the same time, the twist region height (i.e., the region in the tile in which wires are twisted) may be reduced compared to conventional interconnect circuitry.
US09153525B2	Semiconductor device A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor element that includes an electrode layer on a surface of the semiconductor element; a low-strength layer that is provided on a surface of the electrode layer; a bonding layer that is provided on a surface of the low-strength layer; and a conductive plate that is provided on a surface of the bonding layer. Strength of the bonding layer is higher than strength of the electrode layer, and strength of the low-strength layer is lower than the strength of the electrode layer.
US09153522B2	Semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating the same Provided are semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating the same. The device may include a substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposing each other, a through-silicon-via (TSV) electrode provided in a via hole that may be formed to penetrate the substrate, and an integrated circuit provided adjacent to the through electrode on the first surface. The through electrode includes a metal layer filling a portion of the via hole and an alloy layer filling a remaining portion of the via hole. The alloy layer contains at least two metallic elements, one of which may be the same as that contained in the metal layer, and the other of which may be different from that contained in the metal layer.
US09153520B2	Stacked semiconductor die assemblies with multiple thermal paths and associated systems and methods Stacked semiconductor die assemblies with multiple thermal paths and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor die assembly can include a plurality of first semiconductor dies arranged in a stack and a second semiconductor die carrying the first semiconductor dies. The second semiconductor die can include a peripheral portion that extends laterally outward beyond at least one side of the first semiconductor dies. The semiconductor die assembly can further include a thermal transfer feature at the peripheral portion of the second semiconductor die. The first semiconductor dies can define a first thermal path, and the thermal transfer feature can define a second thermal path separate from the first semiconductor dies.
US09153517B2	Electrical connector between die pad and z-interconnect for stacked die assemblies Methods for forming connectors on die pads at a wafer level of processing include forming spots of a curable electrically conductive material over die pads and extending to or over the interconnect die edge; curing the conductive material; and in a wafer cutting procedure thereafter severing the spots. Also, die pad to z-interconnect connectors formed by the methods, and shaped and dimensioned accordingly. Also, stacked die assemblies and stacked die packages containing die prepared according to the methods and having die pad to z-interconnect connectors formed by the methods and shaped and dimensioned accordingly.
US09153513B2	Epoxy resin composition and semiconductor apparatus prepared using the same An epoxy resin composition includes an inorganic filler, an epoxy resin, and a curing agent. The inorganic filler has an average particle diameter D50 from about 2 μm to about 10 μm, an average particle diameter D10 of about 3 μm or less, and an average particle diameter D90 from about 6 μm to about 15 μm. Inorganic filler particles having a particle diameter of about 25 μm or more constitute about 0.1 wt % or less of the inorganic filler.
US09153512B2	Semiconductor device with an insulating terminal table A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor-element substrate in which a front-surface electrode pattern is formed on a surface of an insulating substrate and a back-surface electrode is formed on another surface; semiconductor elements affixed to the surface of the front-surface electrode pattern opposite the insulating substrate; and a sealing resin member which covers the semiconductor element and the semiconductor-element substrate, wherein at a position of the front-surface electrode pattern where the position has potential equivalent to that of the front-surface electrode pattern at a position where a semiconductor element is bonded, an insulating terminal table formed with a conductive relay terminal and an insulating member that insulates the relay terminal and the front-surface electrode pattern from each other are provided, and wiring from the semiconductor element to the outside is led out via the relay terminal.
US09153502B2	Semiconductor chip testing method and semiconductor chip testing device A semiconductor chip testing method includes: (a) testing the electrical characteristics of each of semiconductor chips in the form of wafers or in the form of chips formed on a predetermined number of semiconductor wafers having certain relationship, and determining if the semiconductor chip is non-defective or defective; (b) calculating a percentage of semiconductor chips determined to be defective as a fraction defective for each of wafer addresses based on determination results about the semiconductor chips on the predetermined number of semiconductor wafers, the wafer addresses indicating the respective positions of the semiconductor chips on the semiconductor wafers; and (c) changing a determination result about a semiconductor chip determined to be non-defective to defective, the semiconductor chip being at a wafer address determined to have a fraction defective at a threshold or higher than the threshold.
US09153494B2	Semiconductor die and method of forming Fo-WLCSP vertical interconnect using TSV and TMV A semiconductor device has a TSV wafer and semiconductor die mounted over the TSV wafer. A channel is formed through the TSV wafer. An encapsulant is deposited over the semiconductor die and TSV wafer. Conductive TMV are formed through the encapsulant over the conductive TSV and contact pads of the semiconductor die. The conductive TMV can be formed through the channel. A conductive layer is formed over the encapsulant and electrically connected to the conductive TMV. The conductive TMV are formed during the same manufacturing process. An insulating layer is formed over the encapsulant and conductive layer. A plurality of semiconductor die of the same size or different sizes can be stacked over the TSV wafer. The plurality of semiconductor die can be stacked over opposite sides of the TSV wafer. An internal stacking module can be stacked over the semiconductor die and electrically connected through the conductive TMV.
US09153485B2	Methods of processing substrates and methods of forming conductive connections to substrates Embodiments disclosed include methods of processing substrates, including methods of forming conductive connections to substrates. In one embodiment, a method of processing a substrate includes forming a material to be etched over a first material of a substrate. The material to be etched and the first material are of different compositions. The material to be etched is etched in a dry etch chamber to expose the first material. After the etching, the first material is contacted with a non-oxygen-containing gas in situ within the dry etch chamber effective to form a second material physically contacting onto the first material. The second material comprises a component of the first material and a component of the gas. In one embodiment, the first material is contacted with a gas that may or may not include oxygen in situ within the dry etch chamber effective to form a conductive second material.
US09153483B2	Method of semiconductor integrated circuit fabrication A method of fabricating a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed. A first conductive feature and a second conductive feature are provided. A first hard mask (HM) is formed on the first conductive feature. A patterned dielectric layer is formed over the first and the second conductive features, with first openings to expose the second conductive features. A first metal plug is formed in the first opening to contact the second conductive features. A second HM is formed on the first metal plugs and another patterned dielectric layer is formed over the substrate, with second openings to expose a subset of the first metal plugs and the first conductive features. A second metal plug is formed in the second openings.
US09153480B2	Interconnect structure and fabrication method An interconnect structure and fabrication method are provided. A substrate can include a semiconductor device disposed therein. A porous dielectric layer can be formed on the substrate. A surface treatment can be performed to the porous dielectric layer to form an isolation layer on the porous dielectric layer to prevent moisture absorption of the porous dielectric layer. An interconnect can be formed at least through the isolation layer and the porous dielectric layer to provide electrical connection to the semiconductor device disposed in the substrate.
US09153477B2	Directed self assembly of block copolymers to form vias aligned with interconnects A method of an aspect includes forming an interconnect line etch opening in a hardmask layer. The hardmask layer is over a dielectric layer that has an interconnect line disposed therein. The interconnect line etch opening is formed aligned over the interconnect line. A block copolymer is introduced into the interconnect line etch opening. The block copolymer is assembled to form a plurality of assembled structures that are spaced along a length of the interconnect line etch opening. An assembled structure is directly aligned over the interconnect line that is disposed within the dielectric layer.
US09153474B2	Semiconductor device manufacturing method An objective of the present invention is to increase production efficiency of high-performance flexible semiconductor devices. A semiconductor device manufacturing method includes: a step of forming an insulating substrate (10) which is configured of glass substrates (11, 13) with a thermal expansion coefficient which approximates the thermal expansion coefficient of a single-crystal silicon substrate (20) and a plastic substrate (12) which is positioned between both of the glass substrates; and a step of, after bonding the insulating substrate (10) with the single-crystal silicon substrate (20), separating a portion of the single-crystal silicon substrate (20) with heat processing, and forming a single-crystal silicon layer (14) upon the glass substrate (11).
US09153467B2	Substrate processing apparatus, substrate processing method and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium A substrate processing apparatus includes a control unit performing loading substrates into a second unit block when a trouble occurs in a module of a first unit block; determining whether it is before a leading substrate of a next lot of the lot where a standby substrate positioned in upper stream side than the troubled module belongs is loaded into the module in the uppermost stage of the second unit block; loading the standby substrate into the module in the uppermost stage of the second unit block when determined it is before the loading of the leading substrate and loading the standby substrate into the module in the uppermost stage of the second unit block after a rearmost substrate of the next lot is loaded into the module in the uppermost stage of the second unit block when determined otherwise; and performing a series of processing on the standby substrate.
US09153463B2	Substrate support device A substrate support device formed of a metal and having a high withstand voltage and a high thermal resistance is provided. A substrate support device according to the present invention includes a plate section formed of a metal; a shaft section connected to the plate section and formed of a metal; a heating element provided in the plate section; and an insulating film formed on a first surface of the plate section, the first surface opposite to the shaft section, by ceramic thermal spraying. The substrate support device may further include an insulating film formed on a second surface of the plate section which intersects the first surface of the plate section approximately perpendicularly.
US09153462B2	Spin chuck for thin wafer cleaning A device and system for thin wafer cleaning is disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises a spin chuck having at least three holding clamps. A thin wafer with a wafer frame is mounted on the spin chuck through a tape layer. When the holding clamps are unlocked, there is no interference with the removal and placement of the wafer frame. On the other hand, when the holding clamps are locked, the holding clamps are brought into contact with the outer edge of the wafer frame so as to prevent the wafer frame from moving laterally. Furthermore, the shape of the holding clamps in a locked position is capable of preventing the wafer frame from moving vertically.
US09153458B2	Methods of forming a pattern on a substrate A method of forming a pattern on a substrate includes forming a repeating pattern of four first lines elevationally over an underlying substrate. A repeating pattern of four second lines is formed elevationally over and crossing the repeating pattern of four first lines. First alternating of the four second lines are removed from being received over the first lines. After the first alternating of the four second lines have been removed, elevationally exposed portions of alternating of the four first lines are removed to the underlying substrate using a remaining second alternating of the four second lines as a mask. Additional embodiments are disclosed and contemplated.
US09153447B2	Replacement metal gate FinFET A field effect transistor device includes a fin including a semiconductor material arranged on an insulator layer, the fin including a channel region, a hardmask layer arranged partially over the channel region of the fin, a gate stack arranged over the hardmask layer and over the channel region of the fin, a metallic alloy layer arranged on a first portion of the hardmask layer, the metallic alloy layer arranged adjacent to the gate stack, and a first spacer arranged adjacent to the gate stack and over the metallic alloy layer.
US09153439B2	Method for etching a group III nitride semiconductor, method for producing a group III nitride semiconductor crystal, and method for producing a GaN substrate A mask layer is formed on a Ga polarity surface of the GaN substrate as a growth substrate. Subsequently, a protective film PF is formed on a N polarity surface of the GaN substrate. Then, a plurality of concave portions is formed from the mask layer extending to the GaN substrate, to thereby form a seed crystal. The seed crystal is etched in a Na melt, and a plurality of concave portions having a facet plane exposed. The seed crystal and the raw materials are placed in a crucible, and the pressure and temperature inside the crucible are increased. Thus, a target GaN layer is grown in the upward direction on the surface of the mask layer and the lateral direction over the concave portions.
US09153432B2	Modification of silicon layers formed from silane-containing formulations The invention relates to a process for producing an oxygen-containing surface or interface of a silicon layer, which is arranged on a substrate, especially in the production of photovoltaic units.
US09153418B2	Charged particle radiation apparatus A charged particle radiation apparatus includes a control device that switches between a first charged particle beam and a second charged particle beam, the first charged particle beam being scanned to acquire an image and a waveform signal, the second charged particle beam being scanned over a sample before the scan of the first charged particle beam and used to charge the sample more than the first charged particle beam; wherein the control device is configured to acquire at least one of signal waveform data and image data about a pattern formed on the sample in accordance with a scan performed on the sample by the second charged particle beam, and to stop, when the acquired data has proved to be indicative of a predetermined state, the scan of the second charged particle beam.
US09153414B2	Particle optical apparatus with a predetermined final vacuum pressure The invention relates to a particle-optical apparatus with a predetermined final vacuum pressure. To that end a vacuum chamber of said apparatus is via a first restriction connected to a volume where vapor or gas is present at a known pressure and via a second restriction to a vacuum pump. By making the ratio of the two conductances, associated with said restrictions, a calibrated ratio, the final pressure of the vacuum chamber is a predetermined final pressure. This eliminates the need for e.g. vacuum gauges and control systems, resulting in a more compact design of such apparatus.
US09153408B2	Microfocus X-ray tube for a high-resolution X-ray apparatus An apparatus is provided for a micro focus X-ray tube for a high-resolution X-ray including a housing, an electron beam source for generating an electron beam and a focusing lens for focusing the electron beam on a target. The micro focus X-ray tube includes a substantially rotationally symmetrical, ring-shaped cooling chamber configured to circulate a liquid cooling medium.
US09153401B2	Protective device A protective device for protecting equipment includes an insulation base substrate, a fusible conductor arranged on the insulation base substrate and connected to a power supply path for the equipment so that the fusible conductor is fused off by a preset abnormal current or voltage, an insulation cover mounted on the insulation base substrate to overlie the fusible conductor via a preset spacing, and a flux coated on a surface of the fusible conductor and disposed in the spacing. The fusible conductor is fused off to break a current path when the abnormal voltage is applied to the equipment. The fusible conductor is secured to a conductor layer and to pair electrodes provided on the insulation base substrate via an electrically conductive paste containing a metal component exhibiting wettability with respect to the fusible conductor in the fused state.
US09153399B2	ARC baffling device An arc baffle includes a first baffle member having a number of first venting holes disposed therein, each being structured to receive ionized gases produced by an arcing event; a second baffle member having a number of second venting holes disposed therein; a section of porous material disposed between the first baffle member and the second baffle member; and a cover disposed adjacent the second baffle member on the opposite side of the section of porous material. The first venting holes are laterally spaced from the second venting holes by a predetermined distance such that ionized gases produced by the arcing event passing through one of the first venting holes must travel at minimum the predetermined distance generally along the section of porous material before passing through one of the second venting holes.
US09153398B2	Portable actuator assembly A portable actuator and safety switch assembly wherein the portable actuator includes a housing and an actuator for selectively engaging with a control mechanism of said safety switch. The actuator is at least one of partially located within the housing, forms a part of the housing, or is attached to the housing. The assembly includes a controller that controls a configuration of the actuator assembly, such that the actuator assembly can selectively and controllably attain a first configuration wherein the actuator is able to interact with the control mechanism of the safety switch and a second configuration wherein the actuator is unable to manipulate the control mechanism of said safety switch.
US09153396B2	Keyboard module and electronic device having the same A keyboard module adapted to be used in an electronic device. The electronic device has a casing. The casing has a containing opening. The keyboard module contained in the containing opening includes a bottom plate, an elastic component, a cover and a key cap disposed on the elastic component. The bottom plate disposed within the casing has a circuit. The elastic component is disposed on the bottom plate or the circuit. The cover movably disposed in the containing opening is located above the bottom plate. The cover has an opening aligned to the elastic component. A portion of the key cap protrudes from the opening. Another portion of the key cap interferes with the opening, such that the key cap resists elasticity of the elastic component and moves to shorten a distance between the key cap and the bottom plate when the cover moves toward the bottom plate.
US09153390B2	Switch arrangement for an electrical switchgear A switch arrangement for an electrical switchgear includes: a terminal arrangement including an insulating housing, the insulating housing including a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact which are spaced apart along an axial direction; and a breaker moveable along the axial direction in the housing to a first position. When the breaker is in the first position and closed it electrically connects the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact. The insulating housing is split into a plurality of separate sections along the axial direction. At least one of the electrical contacts is in a first section and at least another of the electrical contacts is in a second section.
US09153387B2	Photoelectric conversion element The photoelectric conversion element of the present invention includes: a pair of electrodes facing one another; a oxide semiconductor layer provided on one of the pair of electrodes; an electrolyte disposed between the electrodes; and a sealing part that connects the electrodes, and surrounds and seals the oxide semiconductor layer and the electrolyte. At least a portion of the sealing part comprises an inorganic sealing part formed of an inorganic material and on a surface of at least one of the electrodes and a resin sealing part that is connected to the inorganic sealing part along the direction connecting the electrodes and comprises a material including a resin. A region on a surface of the inorganic sealing part on a side closer to the electrolyte than a region connected to the resin sealing part is covered with a protective resin layer that is resistant to the electrolyte.
US09153360B2	Wire harness and method for producing wire harness An object is to achieve excellent wear resistance in a case where a flexible portion is partially formed in a protection member formed by hot-pressing a nonwoven fabric. A wire harness has a wire harness main body including at least one electric wire and a protection member. The protection member includes a path regulating portion formed by hot-pressing a nonwoven member in a state of covering at least a portion of the wire harness main body, and a bendable portion formed by covering the wire harness main body with the nonwoven member, adjacent to the path regulating portion along an extending direction of the wire harness main body, the bendable portion being more readily bent than the path regulating portion and being more depressed than the path regulating portion.
US09153359B2	Continuously transposed conductor In order to be able to industrially produce a transposed conductor having jointly transposed partial conductors located next to one another, the invention proposes that the rounding of at least one edge (15) of a single conductor (11) of a single conductor group (12) that limits a contact surface (14) between two single conductors (11) located next to one another is embodied with a smaller radius (r2) than the radii (r1) of the roundings of the outer edges (13) of the single conductor group (12).
US09153346B2	Code coverage circuitry A method with a circuit that includes a memory (130) coupled to an analog line coverage circuit (104). The analog line coverage circuit includes a plurality of buffers (151-154) in which each buffer is coupled to one memory location of the memory, a plurality of bin cells (161-164) in which each bin cell is coupled to a buffer, a multiplexer (170), each input terminal of which is coupled to a bin cell, and an analog-to-digital converter (180) coupled to the multiplexer and to an output terminal of the analog line coverage circuit. The analog line coverage circuit stores an analog voltage that is representative of a number of occasions that a memory location is accessed, and outputs a signal indicative thereof. A processor (102), coupled to the memory and to the analog line coverage circuit, enables the analog line coverage circuit when the processor is in a debug mode.
US09153339B2	Semiconductor device and semiconductor memory device A semiconductor device includes a fuse array having a plurality of fuse sets suitable for outputting a plurality of fuse status signals having different levels according to whether fuses of the plurality of fuse sets are cut or not, a code counter suitable for counting selection codes in a preset order in response to an enable signal and an operation clock, and storage blocks suitable for receiving and storing the plurality of fuse status signals in a preset order in response to the selection codes.
US09153337B2	Fatigue management system and method for hybrid nonvolatile solid state memory system A solid state memory system comprises a first nonvolatile semiconductor memory having a first write cycle lifetime and a first set of physical addresses, and a second nonvolatile semiconductor memory having a second write cycle lifetime and a second set of physical addresses. The first write cycle lifetime is greater than the second write cycle lifetime. The system further comprises a fatigue management module to generate a write frequency ranking for a plurality of logical addresses. The fatigue management module maps each of the plurality of logical addresses to a physical address of the first set of physical addresses or the second set of physical addresses based on the write frequency rankings.
US09153334B2	Memory devices including capacitor structures having improved area efficiency Semiconductor structures including a plurality of conductive structures having a dielectric material therebetween are disclosed. The thickness of the dielectric material spacing apart the conductive structures may be adjusted to provide optimization of capacitance and voltage threshold. The semiconductor structures may be used as capacitors, for example, in memory devices. Various methods may be used to form such semiconductor structures and capacitors including such semiconductor structures. Memory devices including such capacitors are also disclosed.
US09153321B2	Resistance change memory cell circuits and methods The gate of the access transistor of a 1 transistor 1 resistor (1T1R) type RRAM cell is biased relative to the source of the access transistor using a current mirror. Under the influence of a voltage applied across the 1T1R cell (e.g., via the bit line), the RRAM memory element switches from a higher resistance to a lower resistance. As the RRAM memory element switches from the higher resistance to the lower resistance, the current through the RRAM cell switches from being substantially determined by the higher resistance of the RRAM device (while the access transistor is operating in the linear region) to being substantially determined by the saturation region operating point of the access transistor.
US09153310B2	Dynamic random access memory for communications systems An integrated circuit may comprise a digital logic circuit, a memory refresh circuit, a first one or more dynamic random access memory (DRAM) cells, and a second one or more DRAM cells. The first DRAM cell(s) may be refreshed by the memory refresh circuit whereas the second DRAM cell(s) is not refreshed by any memory refresh circuit. Each of the first DRAM cell(s) and the second DRAM cell(s) may be a one-transistor cell. The first DRAM cell(s) may be used for storage of data which is overwritten at less than a threshold frequency. The second DRAM cell(s) may be used for storage of data which is overwritten at greater than the threshold frequency. A rate at which the first DRAM cell(s) are refreshed may be adjusted during run-time of the integrated circuit.
US09153302B2	Memory and method of operating the same A memory includes a plurality of memory blocks, a plurality of global bit lines, a common pre-charging circuit, and a selection circuit. Each memory block includes a pair of bit lines, and a plurality of memory cells coupled to the pair of bit lines. Each global bit line is coupled to at least one of the memory blocks. The pre-charging circuit is configured to pre-charge the global bit lines, one at a time, to a pre-charge voltage. The selection circuit is coupled between the pre-charging circuit and the global bit lines, and configured to couple the global bit lines, one at a time, to the pre-charging circuit.
US09153301B2	DRAM and access and operating method thereof An access method for a DRAM is provided. A row address is partitioned into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the row address is provided via an address bus and a first active command is provided via a command bus the DRAM. The second portion of the row address is provided via the address bus and a second active command is provided via the command bus to the DRAM, after the first active command is provided. The address bus is formed by a plurality of address lines, and a quantity of the address lines is smaller than the number of bits of the row address.
US09153286B2	Information processing apparatus, data division method, and data division program An information processing apparatus includes an operation unit, and a control unit that displays, on a display unit, a data image representing the contents of temporally continuous data along a time axis. Here, when a gesture operation for cutting the data image perpendicularly to the time axis is performed through the operation unit, the control unit divides the data at a position on the time axis in accordance with the position cut by the gesture operation.
US09153285B2	Content play device having content forming function and method for forming content thereof A content play device capable of forming content and a method for forming content thereof. The method for forming content of the content play device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, comprises providing a content forming user interface (UI) which reflects a plurality of data to be played, receiving a play time of each of the plurality of data via the content forming UI, and forming content in which the plurality of data is reproduced according to a received play time of each data. Accordingly, a user may easily form content in which background music is set for each image file.
US09153281B2	Magazine drop-out for a robotic gripper Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for providing gripper recovery using a magazine drop-out feature. Embodiments operate in context of a data storage library having a number of media cartridges physically located within slots of one or more magazines. A robotic hand assembly uses a gripper mechanism to retrieve and ferry the cartridges between the magazines and one or more media drives. In some instances, the gripper mechanism is unable to disengage from the cartridge or to disengage the cartridge from its magazine slot. Embodiments detect this condition and direct the robotic hand assembly to drop out of engagement with the cartridge through the drop-out region of the magazine slot, allowing the gripper mechanism to recover.
US09153276B2	Laser optical power monitoring using thermal sensor of a head transducer A light source is configured to produce light, a waveguide is optically coupled to the light source and configured to direct the light to an intended focus location, and a slider is configured to use the light as an energy source for heating a region of a magnetic recording medium. A thermal sensor is situated on the slider at a location outside of a light path that includes the intended focus location. The thermal sensor is configured for sensing a short time constant change in temperature resulting from light source heating of the thermal sensor, wherein the sensed change in thermal sensor temperature is representative of optical intensity of the light delivered to the intended focus location.
US09153271B2	Optical disc device The optical disc device has a circuit which forms a focus error signal for focus servo control based on reflection light from an optical disc exposed to laser light. Also, the device has a data processing unit which can control by feedback a position to which an objective lens is moved by a focusing actuator based on a focus error signal. In label printing, the data processing unit controls, by feedforward, a position to which the objective lens is moved by the focusing actuator based on control data for label printing. The operation resolution of the focusing actuator in feedforward control is made higher than that in feedback control. Thus, an intended position control accuracy is achieved in feedforward control. For instance, in feedforward control, the gain of the driver circuit for the focusing actuator is switched to a smaller one in comparison to that in feedback control.
US09153269B2	Method for manufacturing glass substrate for magnetic disk A method for manufacturing a glass substrate for magnetic disk, the internal strain of which is reduced without performing annealing treatment, is provided. The method includes a forming process of forming a plate-shaped glass blank by pressing a lump of molten glass using a pair of dies, wherein the method includes: a removing process of removing at least a part of a residual stress layer formed on the principal face of the glass blank press-formed in the forming process; and a process of forming a donut-shaped glass substrate by subjecting the glass blank after the removing process to machining.
US09153268B1	Lubricants comprising fluorinated graphene nanoribbons for magnetic recording media structure A novel lubricant comprising a fluorinated graphene nanoribbon for a magnetic recording media structure is disclosed. The magnetic recording media structure includes a substrate, a magnetic recording layer for recording information disposed over the substrate, a protective overcoat layer for protecting the magnetic recording layer disposed over the magnetic recording layer, and a lubricant layer disposed over the protective overcoat layer and comprising a fluorinated graphene nanoribbon.
US09153266B1	Data storage device measuring laser protrusion fly height profile A data storage device is disclosed comprising a disk comprising a plurality of tracks, where each track comprises a plurality of servo sectors and at least one data segment between consecutive servo sectors. The data storage device further comprises a head actuated over the disk, the head comprising a laser configured to heat the disk during write operations based on a laser power. During a first revolution of the disk, the laser power is first increased over a first interval to cause at least part of the head to protrude toward a first data segment of the disk. After the first interval, the laser power is decreased and a fly height pattern is read from the first data segment to first measure a fly height of the head.
US09153259B2	Magnetic media access head with metal coating Embodiments disclosed herein provide magnetic media access heads with metal coatings. In a particular embodiment, a magnetic media head for accessing magnetic media comprises a base substrate configured to support a magnetic head layer. The magnetic head layer is formed on the base substrate and configured to magnetically access the magnetic media. A metallic layer formed over the magnetic head layer and disposed between the magnetic head layer and the magnetic media when the magnetic media is positioned for access by the magnetic head layer.
US09153247B1	Far field interference mitigation by relative frequency ordering A method is disclosed for improved operation of a data storage device such as a hard disk drive, wherein the overhead for data rewriting is reduced or eliminated by the grouping of logical zones in proximity to other zones with similar writing frequencies. Thus cold zones are written near other cold zones, and hot zones near other hot zones, within a multiplicity of realms on the data storage surface. Substantial reductions in FTI writes are achievable in comparison with previous FTI mitigation algorithms.
US09153240B2	Transform coding of speech and audio signals In a method of perceptual transform coding of audio signals in a telecommunication system, performing the steps of determining transform coefficients representative of a time to frequency transformation of a time segmented input audio signal; determining a spectrum of perceptual sub-bands for said input audio signal based on said determined transform coefficients; determining masking thresholds for each said sub-band based on said determined spectrum; computing scale factors for each said sub-band based on said determined masking thresholds, and finally adapting said computed scale factors for each said sub-band to prevent energy loss for perceptually relevant sub-bands.
US09153231B1	Adaptive neural network speech recognition models Neural networks may be used in certain automatic speech recognition systems. To improve performance of these neural networks, they may be updated/retrained during run time by training the neural network based on the output of a speech recognition system or based on the output of the neural networks themselves. The outputs may include weighted outputs, lattices, weighted N-best lists, or the like. The neural networks may be acoustic model neural networks or language model neural networks. The neural networks may be retrained after each pass through the network, after each utterance, or in varying time scales.
US09153228B2	Wireless telephone sending speech data in second packet secondary stage An IC processor circuit has an interface for a microphone and a packet switched network. A memory holds bits for converting audible speech from the microphone into digital data in each of successive frames. For each frame the converting includes forming LPC data, LTP lag data, parity check data, adaptive and fixed codebook gain data, and fixed codebook pulse data. The digital data representing the audible speech for the frames is placed into sequential packets, with each packet having a primary stage and a secondary stage. The placing includes arranging data from a first frame of speech in the primary stage of a first packet and arranging data from the first frame of speech in the secondary stage of a second packet, which follows the first packet. The data in the secondary stage includes only LPC data, LTP lag data, parity check data, and adaptive and fixed codebook gain data.
US09153224B2	Enhanced sonar mount systems, structures and processes Enhanced sonar mount structures, systems, and associated processes provide accurate, precise, and repeatable alignment of a sonar head in relation to a vessel, whether in or out of water. The enhanced mount typically comprises a tilt mechanism, wherein the sonar head can be lifted to a stowable position, e.g. for any of vessel maneuvering, mooring, or trailering. The mount typically comprises a cross tube coupled to a clamp mechanism and to a Z tube. The clamp mechanism is operable to establish and maintain any of Z direction or pitch. The enhanced mount provides repeatable positioning of both the cross tube and the Z tube, and may preferably provide any of ship to ship interchangeability, lateral and vertical adjustability, break away clamping of the cross tube, quick release mechanisms, hingeable stowage, or manual or remote pan or tilt. An optional modular mounting kit aids in situ installations.
US09153213B2	Adjustable plectrum An adjustable pick or plectrum for a stringed musical instrument is characterized by a top grip portion and a bottom tip portion, the top grip portion adapted to matingly receive the bottom tip portion through an engagement means. The top grip portion preferably has at least one slot or channel which is adapted to receive and retain at least one leg from the bottom tip portion. Preferably, each leg has one or more protrusions, so that selective holes or slots in the top grip portion are adapted to selectively receive, engage and retain each protrusion. The pick is adapted for height adjustability and/or angular adjustability as desired by the musician. The height adjustability can be set in selected positions for different flexibilities. It is seen that this pick has a multi use capability, adjustable from a solid pick through several different flexibilities, heights and angles.
US09153204B2	Display device Disclosed herein is a display device, including: a display panel having a display area having a plurality of pixels each composed of one or more sub-pixels, a first image and a second image being alternately displayed adjacent to each other in the sub-pixels, the first image and the second image being displayed in visual directions different from each other so as to be adapted to be discriminated from each other; and a crosstalk correcting portion having a crosstalk correcting table, configured to carry out crosstalk correction for images different from one another by using the crosstalk correcting table; wherein the display area is divided into a plurality of areas, and gamma correction which differs so as to correspond to the plurality of areas obtained through the division, respectively, is carried out for an image as an object of the crosstalk correction.
US09153196B2	Display device and driving method thereof A display device includes a display panel including a gate line, a data line, and a pixel connected to the gate line and the data line, a data driver connected to the data line, a gate driver connected to the gate line, and a signal controller controlling the data driver and the gate driver, wherein a circuits powering power source voltage that is normally used for driving the data driver is selectively not applied during a new-image blanking time when the signal controller is not supplying image data to the data driver.
US09153191B2	Power management circuit and gate pulse modulation circuit thereof capable of increasing power conversion efficiency A power management circuit for a liquid crystal display device is disclosed. The power management circuit includes one or more power generating circuits, for receiving one or more input voltages and generating one or more output voltages, respectively; a gate pulse modulation circuit, coupled between a gate high-level voltage source and a discharging control terminal, for generating a gate control signal; and a discharging controller, coupled to the discharging control terminal, for providing a discharging path for the gate pulse modulation circuit, wherein one of the gate pulse modulation circuit and the discharging controller is further coupled to a power supply such that the gate pulse modulation circuit discharges to the power supply during a gate discharging period, and the power supply is one of the one or more input voltages and the one or more output voltages.
US09153184B2	Method of processing data and display apparatus for performing the method A display apparatus includes a display panel, a timing control part and a data driving part. The display panel is divided into N display areas. The timing control part includes a serializing part to serializing N data received in parallel to generate an N-th frame data, a overdriving part to select one of the N-th frame data and a previous frame data stored depending on whether the received data are normal and to compensate the selected frame data to generate a compensation frame data, and an interface part to divide the compensation frame data and to output the N compensation data. A data driving part includes N data driving circuits to generate data driving voltages corresponding to the N compensation data to output the data driving voltage to the N display areas where N is a natural number.
US09153182B2	Electrophoretic panel and driving method thereof An electrophoretic display includes an electrophoretic panel, a timing control circuit, a source driver, a gate driver, and a gate line enable circuit. The timing control circuit generates a timing control signal corresponding to a refresh area of a frame according to the refresh area. The gate driver generates output enable signals corresponding to the refresh area according to the timing control signal, and the gate line enable circuit transmits scan signals of first gate lines corresponding to the refresh area to second gate lines corresponding to the refresh area according to the enabled output enable signals. The source driver drives data lines corresponding to the refresh area according to the timing control signal to charge/discharge pixels corresponding to the refresh area.
US09153179B2	Display systems with handshaking for rapid backlight activation A system may include a graphics controller and a display. The graphics controller may generate video data to display on the display. The display may include a display panel for displaying the video data, a backlight unit for providing the display panel with backlight, and a display timing controller for communicating with the graphics controller over a communications path. The communications path may include a video data path for conveying video data bits, an interrupt path for conveying interrupts, and a sideband control path for conveying control signals such as a backlight enable signal for the backlight unit. The graphics controller and timing controller may perform link training operations to assess link quality between the graphics controller and timing controller. The timing controller may use interrupts to inform the graphics controller of system status. Use of the interrupts may help the system minimize the time consumed during display power-up operations.
US09153177B2	Apparatus for generating gray scale voltage in organic light emitting display device An apparatus for generating a gray scale voltage in an organic light emitting display device is disclosed. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a gamma reference voltage generator, a gray scale voltage output unit and a gray scale voltage selector. The gamma reference voltage generator outputs a gamma reference voltage. The gray scale voltage output unit outputs N first gray scale voltages, based on the gamma reference voltage. The gray scale voltage selector has a lookup table in which voltage values respectively corresponding M reference gray scales are previously set, and outputs second gray scale voltages by selecting M of the N first gray scale voltages.
US09153176B2	Display device and method of driving the same A display unit including pixels which display an image according to an image data signal transferred corresponding to each of the pixels, and a controller to receive and convert an external input video signal to transfer a luminance conversion data signal corresponding to the respective pixels. The controller includes: an input image data to receive the external input video signal; a scale factor calculation unit to determine at least one control factor for luminance conversion with respect to an input video signal corresponding to the pixels received from the input image data receiving unit; and a luminance data conversion unit to convert luminance data with respect to the respective pixels using the at least one determined control factor and to output the luminance conversion data signal.
US09153173B2	Pixel structure and driving method thereof A pixel structure and a driving method thereof are disclosed. The driving method includes following steps. During a first displaying frame period, a threshold voltage of a transistor for driving a light-emitting diode is stored in a first capacitor, and a first data voltage is stored in a second capacitor. The threshold voltage stored in the first capacitor is utilized for compensation during the first displaying frame period. During a second displaying frame period, a second data voltage is stored in the second capacitor, and the threshold voltage stored in the first capacitor during the first frame displaying period is still utilized for compensation during the second displaying frame period.
US09153172B2	Method and system for programming and driving active matrix light emitting device pixel having a controllable supply voltage Method and system for programming and driving active matrix light emitting device pixel is provided. The pixel is a voltage programmed pixel circuit, and has a light emitting device, a driving transistor and a storage capacitor. The pixel has a programming cycle having a plurality of operating cycles, and a driving cycle. During the programming cycle, the voltage of the connection between the OLED and the driving transistor is controlled so that the desired gate-source voltage of a driving transistor is stored in a storage capacitor.
US09153166B2	Method and apparatus for user interaction data storage A method on an electronic device is described. A touch screen display of the electronic device is actively controlled in a higher-power mode of operation. Actively controlling the touch screen display in the higher-power mode is discontinued to enter a lower-power mode of operation. In the lower-power mode: at least one first control signal is provided to the touch screen display; in response to the at least one first control signal, a first portion of the touch screen display is activated and a first portion of a graphic is displayed on a first area of the touch screen display within the first portion; occurrence of a first user interaction that corresponds to the first portion of the graphic during the display of the first portion of the graphic is determined; and user interaction data is stored for the first portion of the graphic based on the first user interaction determination.
US09153162B2	Pixel, display device comprising the pixel and driving method of the display device A display device includes a data driver; a scan driver; a compensation control signal unit configured to reset voltages of data signals transmitted to a plurality of pixels during a previous frame at a current frame, and configured to generate and transmit a first control signal to compensate for threshold voltages of driving transistors of the pixels and a second control signal to control simultaneous light emission of the pixels; a power controller configured to control and supply the voltage levels of a first and second power source voltages; a display unit including the plurality of pixels coupled to corresponding data lines, scan lines, first control lines, second control lines, first voltage lines, and second voltage lines; and a timing controller configured to generate a plurality of data signals by processing external image signals and generate a plurality of driving control signals for controlling driving of the drivers.
US09153158B2	Light emitting display device capable of minimizing a current driving capability deviation among driving switching elements Disclosed is a light emitting display device capable of minimizing a current driving capability deviation among driving switching elements. The light emitting display device includes pixels each including a first TFT for supplying data voltage to a first node in response to a scan signal, a second TFT for forming a current path between first and second nodes in response to an emission control signal, a driving TFT for forming a current path between a first driving voltage supply line and a third node in accordance with a voltage level of the second node, a third TFT for supplying a reference voltage to a fourth node in response to a sensing signal, a fourth TFT for supplying an initialization voltage to the third node in response to an initialization signal, and a fifth TFT for supplying the reference voltage to the second node in response to the initialization signal.
US09153151B2	Sign ventilation system An electronic sign includes a planar lighting module emitting visible light. A cabinet supportingly engages the lighting module. An air chamber is between the cabinet and the lighting module. A vertical partition is within the air chamber and extends between a bottom wall and a top wall of the cabinet, and between the lighting module and a rear wall of the cabinet. The partition divides the air chamber into first and second sections. An electric fan is within the cabinet and transfers air from the first to the second section. The cabinet and/or the lighting module include a plurality of throughholes fluidly interconnecting the air chamber to ambient air. A first subset of the throughholes are more closely fluidly connected to the first section than to the second section. A second subset of the throughholes are more closely fluidly connected to the second section than to the first section.
US09153150B2	Lighting assembly having enhanced visual appearance A lighting assembly includes a housing assembly, a first light source located within the housing assembly, and a second light source located within the housing assembly. A first cover is positioned relative to the first light source so that the first light source is able to illuminate the first cover. A second cover is positioned relative to the second light source so that the second light source is able to illuminate the second cover. A light barrier is disposed between the first and second covers. The light barrier is configured to prevent interference between the first light source and the second light source.
US09153149B1	Illuminated hand-held road sign An illuminated road sign has reflective lettering on each side, a plurality of illumination devices, and a battery-powered controller. The illumination devices are arranged along the perimeter of each face of the sign, are powered by the battery or with solar cell in an alternate embodiment, and are controlled by switches located on the handle of the sign assembly. The sign may be supported by a tripod structure portion that enables the sign to be utilized in a stand-alone state.
US09153147B2	Rolling information display for roller grill A rolling information display system includes a heated roller grill having at least a first coated, heated roller positioned adjacent a second coated, heated roller, said at least first and second coated, heated rollers rotating together; and a tube comprising a plastic material resistant to temperatures at which the heater roller grill operates, the tube being open on both ends and further comprising rolling surfaces at opposing ends of the tube for rolling in contact with heated rolling surfaces of the heated roller grill and one or more recessed surfaces for bearing information about products provided on the heated roller grill. Information is printed in the one or more recessed surfaces, or is applied directly to or molded directly into the recessed surfaces. The rolling surface at opposing ends of the tube are integral with the tube. The products provided on the heated roller grill are food items.
US09153145B2	Kit of building blocks for constructing educational electronic circuits Kit of building blocks for constructing educational electronic circuits comprising a ferromagnetic base plate (10) with the diagram (21) of the circuit to construct. A transparent plastic sheet (30) covers the diagram. A group of magnets (40, 41) rest on the plastic sheet attracted by the plate (10). The surface of the magnets (40, 41) is electrically conducting. A plurality of building blocks can be detachably mounted on the magnets (40, 41), each magnet (41) connecting the steel sheets (702) of the building blocks that rest on it. The steel sheets of the blocks are designed so that the attraction forces that arise between the magnets and the sheets drive the modules exactly to a desired equilibrium position.
US09153140B2	Electronic device, control program, recording medium, and control method Provided are an electronic device, a control program, a recording medium, and a control method that enable a user to efficiently learn a word to be learned. If search processing for searching for detailed information of a headword based on a received input is performed while an image is being displayed, the electronic device causes the headword corresponding to the detailed information searched for by the search processing and image information identifying the image being displayed to be stored in an associated manner. When the image identified by the image information is displayed, the electronic device causes the headword associated with the image information to be further displayed.
US09153115B1	Fall impact signal transmitter A fall impact signal transmitter device is associated with a fall arrest harness to provide an alert signal when a user has experienced a fall event and is suspended in the fall arrest harness. A transmitter is disposed within a housing and is caused to issue a distress signal when actuated by an engagement member when a fall event occurs. The transmitter may be Bluetooth® enabled to permit a distress signal to be communicated by the user's own cell phone, or to permit two-way communication through the cell phone between the user and a called number.
US09153111B2	Image surveillance and reporting technology Image surveillance and reporting technology, in which an event that is indicative of potential physical activity within an area corresponding to a location of a camera unit is detected. In response to detection of the event, the camera unit is controlled to capture one or more images of the area corresponding to the location of the camera unit. The one or more images captured by the camera unit are analyzed to determine whether the one or more images include image data that is indicative of relevant physical activity within the area corresponding to the location of the camera unit. The one or more images are handled based on the determination of whether the one or more images include image data that is indicative of relevant physical activity within the area corresponding to the location of the camera unit.
US09153108B2	Alert systems and methods for a vehicle Methods and vehicles are provided for providing haptic feedback to a vehicle occupant. In one embodiment, the method includes selecting a pattern of active haptic periods during which a controller will command a plurality of haptic actuators disposed in a seat of a vehicle to generate haptic pulses, determining a desired voltage of a signal supplied to the haptic actuators that indicates the active haptic periods to generate a desired intensity of haptic pulses, determining an actual voltage of an energy storage device of the vehicle, calculating a pulse width modulation (PWM) pattern that simulates the desired voltage when applied to the signal using the actual voltage, and generating a signal that indicates the active haptic periods based on the PWM pattern to command the haptic actuators to generate the desired intensity of haptic pulses.
US09153092B2	Prize merchandiser The invention relates to a prize merchandiser comprising a cabinet, a see-through monitor extending through a front wall of the cabinet, a touch screen overlay mounted over the see-through monitor, a coin acceptor attached to the cabinet, a prize dispenser mounted inside the cabinet, and a computer unit connected to the coin acceptor, the prize dispenser, the see-through monitor and the touch screen overlay. The prize dispenser has a prize storage area extending behind the see-through monitor so that prizes in the prize storage area are visible through the see-through monitor during game play and when nobody plays a game. The computer unit is configured to run an interactive video game that displays on the see-through monitor and is controlled by player interactions with the touch screen overlay, and to operate the prize dispenser so as to dispense a prize based on an outcome of the video game.
US09153091B2	Gaming method and apparatus for portioning a play area A method and apparatus for use in gaming activities, such as in a slot machine. A first grid comprising a plurality of elements overlayed a second grid comprising a plurality of elements is presented. At least some of the elements of the first grid and the second grid are marked. Marked elements of first grid are then used to form a subportion, the subportion boundary enclosing an area and having a correspondingly marked element of the first grid at each corner. Payouts are issued for marked elements and element combinations of the second grid within the subportion. The payouts may be administered according to a pay table.
US09153085B2	Voting system that allows voters to securely verify their votes Various election methods are provided wherein voters are able to verify their votes through public means. In one embodiment, each of the ballots includes a ballot identifier and each of the choices thereon is associated with a selection identifier. After the completed ballots are received by the voting authority, the authority publishes the ballot identifiers obtained from the ballots in association with the selection identifiers of the selected choices to enable each voter to verify his or her vote. In another embodiment, the voter provides the ballot identifier and the selection identifiers of the selected choices on a delivery mechanism (e.g., envelope). The relevant identifiers are then obtained by the authority from the delivery mechanisms and published. In another embodiment, the voters generate their own selection identifiers on the ballot which are then published by the authority to enable each voter to verify his or her vote.
US09153082B2	Method and apparatus for zoned admission to performance events A method and a device are disclosed including a software or physical admission certificate configured to allow admission of a spectator to a special admission zone with a view to a performance stage for a predefined duration of time. The special admission zone is usable by multiple spectators in multiple successive time periods during the same performance. In various embodiments, the special admission zone is created by partitioning a general admission zone adjacent to the performance stage. In other embodiments, the special admission zone may be constructed as a “catwalk” around the stage to provide elevated viewing. In still other embodiments, the special admission zone may be formed near indoor or outdoor stages. In various embodiments, the admission certificate may be embodied in a computing device such as a smartphone, while in other embodiments the admission certificate may be in the form of a RFID equipped wristband.
US09153080B2	Computer system for remote testing of inflatable personal restraint systems A system for testing a number of electronic module assemblies (EMAs) that control one or more personal restraint systems. A programmed processor with a computer system transmits signals that instruct the EMAs to perform a diagnostic self-test. The results of the self-test are received by the computer system and stored in a computer readable memory. In one embodiment, the computer system is a cabin management computer system for use on an aircraft.
US09153079B1	System and method of automated 3D scanning for vehicle maintenance System and method for using automated 3D scans to diagnose the mechanical status of substantially intact vehicles. One or more processor controlled 3D scanners utilize optical and other methods to assess the exposed surfaces of various vehicle components. Computer vision and other computerized pattern recognition techniques then compare the 3D scanner output versus a reference computer database of these various vehicle components in various normal and malfunctioning states. Those components judged to be aberrant are flagged. These flagged components can be reported to the vehicle users, as well as various insurance or repair entities. In some embodiments, the 3D scans can be performed using time-of-flight cameras, and optionally infrared, stereoscopic, and even audio sensors attached to the processor controlled arm of a mobile robot. Much of the subsequent data analysis and management can be done using remote Internet servers.
US09153071B2	Game apparatus, game program and game system A game apparatus generates control point data for forming a contour of each part of a character, generates a line model of a body being a line polygon model along the body on the basis of the control point data, then generates a line model of a foot being a line polygon model along a contour of one foot, and arranged at the back of the line model of the body Bd in a Z direction, and generates a mask model of the body being a transparent polygon model arranged at the back of the line model of the body in the Z direction and in front of the line model of the foot in the Z direction, and having the contour along the line of the body. Then, when the respective models are depicted with a Z comparison performed after depicting a background, the mask model of the body, the line model of the foot, the line model of the body are depicted in this order.
US09153054B2	Method, apparatus and computer program product for processing of images and compression values In accordance with an example embodiment a method, apparatus and computer program product are provided. The method comprises facilitating receipt of a source image and compressing a plurality of images based on the source image. The plurality of images is associated with compression values generated on compression of the plurality of images. The method further comprises identifying an at least partially matching image to the source image from among the plurality of images based on the compression values.
US09153051B2	Visualization of parallel co-ordinates Parallel co-ordinates associated with a business scenario represent underlying data of the business scenario. Based upon associated categorical variables, the parallel co-ordinates are divided into a plurality of segments. Each segment includes a pair of continuous variables represented as a pair of axes of the parallel co-ordinates. The pairs of axes of the parallel co-ordinates are fragmented to generate bi-variant bins. The bi-variant bines include continuous values corresponding to each fragment of the pair of axis. An associated backend database is queried to determine aggregated tuples of continuous values between each bi-variant bin of the corresponding pair of axes. Based on the aggregated tuples, a statistical visualization of the aggregated tuples between the bi-variant bins for the axes is generating. The statistical visualization includes a distribution of the tuples for the plurality of segments corresponding to the parallel co-ordinates.
US09153047B1	Systems and methods for data and model-driven image reconstruction and enhancement Systems and methods are disclosed for image reconstruction and enhancement, using a computer system. One method includes acquiring a plurality of images associated with a target anatomy; determining, using a processor, one or more associations between subdivisions of localized anatomy of the target anatomy identified from the plurality of images, and local image regions identified from the plurality of images; performing an initial image reconstruction based on image acquisition information of the target anatomy; and updating the initial image reconstruction or generating a new image reconstruction based on the image acquisition information and the one or more determined associations.
US09153044B2	Image signal processing device, display device, and television for reducing uneven luminance image signals A liquid crystal display device 10 according to the present invention includes a processing device 12 configured to process an image signal D to be input into a pixel P of a liquid crystal panel 40 configured to provide a display based on light applied from LEDs 54 arranged in a peripheral area R2. The process device 12 includes a receiving section 22, a correction section 24, and a calculation section 28, for example. The calculation section is configured to calculate luminance components to be provided by the respective LEDs 54 to the pixel P based on a distance between each LED 54 and the pixel P, add a total luminance that is a sum of the luminance components to be provided by the LEDs 54 to a predetermined expected luminance to calculate an added luminance, and calculate a correction coefficient HP with respect to the pixel P based on a luminance ratio between the added luminance and the reference luminance.
US09153041B2	Image coding device, image decoding device, methods thereof, and programs An image coding device including: an edge detecting section configured to perform edge detection using an image signal of a reference image for a coding object block; a transform block setting section configured to set transform blocks by dividing the coding object block such that a boundary between the blocks after division does not include an edge on a basis of a result of the edge detection; and a coding processing section configured to generate coded data by performing processing including an orthogonal transform of each of the transform blocks.
US09153034B2	Image processing of images that include marker images An image processing method, includes: obtaining an image, the image having marker images and a background image; identifying presence of an object in the background image using a processor; and providing a signal for stopping a procedure if the presence of the object is identified. An image processing apparatus, includes: a processor configured for: obtaining an image, the image having marker images and a background image; identifying presence of an object in the background image; and providing a signal for stopping a procedure if the presence of the object is identified. A computer product having a non-transitory medium storing a set of instructions, an execution of which causes an image processing method to be performed, the method includes: obtaining an image, the image having marker images and a background image; identifying presence of an object in the background image; and providing a signal for stopping a procedure if the presence of the object is identified.
US09153032B2	Conversion method and apparatus with depth map generation A conversion method and apparatus with a generating of a depth map for two dimensional (2D)-to-three dimensional (3D) conversion. A depth order may be restored based on a line tracing and an edge map generated from an input image, and a stereo image may be generated using depth information.
US09153031B2	Modifying video regions using mobile device input Apparatus and methods are disclosed for modifying video based on user input and or face detection data received with a mobile device to generate foreground regions (e.g., to separate a user image from background in the video). According to one disclosed embodiment, a method comprises receiving user input and/or face regions generated with a mobile device, producing an initial representation for segmenting input video into a plurality of portions based on the user input, where the initial representation includes probabilities for one or more regions of the input video being designated as foreground regions or background regions. Based on the initial representation, input video is segmented by designating one or more of the regions of the input video as foreground regions or background regions.
US09153024B2	Method and system for predicting spatial and temporal distributions of therapeutic substance carriers A method and system for predicting spatial and temporal distributions of therapeutic substance carriers within a body of a user, comprising: at a computing system, receiving an image dataset and a spectra dataset of a therapeutic substance carrier generated from at least one of an imaging model and a spectra-generating module; transforming the image dataset and the spectra dataset into a set of characteristics, wherein the set of characteristics comprises electrotopological characteristics and geometrical characteristics; generating a set of pharmacokinetic parameters and a set of pharmacodynamic parameters for the therapeutic substance carrier based upon the set of characteristics and a transformation model; and transforming the set of pharmacokinetic parameters and the set of pharmacodynamic parameters into a spatial distribution and a temporal profile of the therapeutic substance carrier, based upon a predictive model incorporating physiological parameters of the body, thereby predicting distributions of the therapeutic substance carrier within the body.
US09153022B2	Method and system for analyzing craniofacial complex images In a method of analysis, a target image is registered to define a plurality of keypoints arranged in sets corresponding to polygons or linear segments in the target image. A database of registered and annotated images is accessed and a polygon-wise comparison between the target image and each database image is employed. The comparison is used for projecting annotated locations from the database images into the target image.
US09153021B2	Estimating risk of future bone fracture utilizing three-dimensional bone density model A novel approach for analyzing a patient's body part of interest to assess bone strength and/or risk of future fracture includes obtaining a priori information regarding the body part of interest, performing X-ray absorptiometric scans of the patient's body part of interest and collecting X-ray absorptiometry data from the scans, constructing a three-dimensional model of the patient's body part of interest, by utilizing the a priori information along with the X-ray absorptiometric data, and performing measurements of various geometric parameters on the three-dimensional model for determining geometric and structural properties.
US09153015B2	Image processing device and method For each pixel in an image (Din), a contrast correlation value (CT) is detected for peripheral areas centered around the pixel to be corrected (1), a contrast enhancement coefficient (Ken) is determined in accordance with the contrast correlation value (CT) (2), and in accordance with the enhancement coefficient (Ken), local contrast is enhanced for each pixel and an intermediate image (D3) is generated (3). When performing noise reduction (5) by smoothing the intermediate image (D3) in the time direction, the degree of noise reduction is controlled in accordance with a noise reduction coefficient (Knr) that is large where the enhancement coefficient (Ken) is large. With respect to a low-contrast image such as one captured under fog, haze or other poor weather conditions, the contrast in areas having reduced contrast is appropriately improved, and the noise that is enhanced in conjunction with contrast improvement is reduced, enabling a high quality image to be obtained.
US09153012B2	Diagnostic image features close to artifact sources When correcting for artifacts on an attenuation map caused by an artifact source in a computed tomography image, nuclear images are reconstructed two or more times, each time using a different correction technique or uncorrected attenuation data. Corresponding voxels in the reconstructed images are compared to identify local areas that change, i.e., are fragile and therefore low-confidence, and areas that do not vary or exhibit little variance among the plurality of reconstructed images and are thus accorded a higher confidence. The reconstructed nuclear image is overlaid with color encoding indicative of the amount of confidence accorded to each voxel value obtained by attenuation-corrected tomographic reconstruction.
US09153010B2	Image processing device and image processing method generating a high-resolution image from a low-resolution image An image processing device that, even when a degradation model differs from a real degradation process of an obtained low-resolution image, generates a high-resolution image while restricting noises from occurring due to differences between the degradation model and the real degradation process. The image processing device includes: an enlargement interpolation unit generating a first high-resolution image that is higher in resolution than the low-resolution image; a super resolution processing unit generating, from the low-resolution image, a second high-resolution image; a feature generating unit generating features by using the low-resolution image; a difference calculating unit calculating difference values between values of pixels; an adjustment unit calculating corrected difference values by correcting the difference values by using the features; and a combination unit generating a third high-resolution image by adding corrected difference values to values of corresponding pixels in the first high-resolution image.
US09153006B2	Circumvention of watermark analysis in a host content Methods and devices are provided to thwart analysis of a watermarking system by preventing analysis of watermarks in a host content. Upon receiving a content at a watermark embedding device, the content is analyzed to ascertain whether one or more test features are present in at least a first portion of the received content. When the analysis reveals that one or more test features are present, embedding of watermarks in at least the first portion of the received content is disabled. The test features of interest include a temporal, a spatial and/or a frequency characteristic such that, if a region of the content that includes test feature is embedded with a watermark, at least one characteristic of the embedded watermark is detectable upon analysis of that region. The test feature can, for example, approximate an impulse signal, a step function signal or a pure sinusoidal signal.
US09153001B2	Approach for managing distribution of automated demand response events in a multi-site enterprise An approach for managing distribution of automated demand response events in a multi-site enterprise. Event distribution may be controlled by an auto demand response gateway. At an enterprise level, the gateway may be implemented as a supervisor service and configured to connect with an auto demand response system. At a site level, event distribution may be managed in several ways. One is that the auto demand response service may be configured to utilize a gateway connection. The auto demand response service's client settings may be modified to select the site's energy management and command system supervisor as a host station. Another way of managing event distribution may incorporate adding auto demand response gateway functionality to the auto demand response service. When the gateway functionality is enabled, the auto demand response service may route events to other energy management and command system site controllers within a facility.
US09153000B2	Presenting content items shared within social networks Within a social network, a user may establish a set of contacts who share with the user various content items and comments related thereto. However, these content items are often hosted by a content source outside of the social network, and the user may have to transition to the content source to view the content item, and then transition back to the social network to submit a comment. Instead, a device may monitor the social network to record shared content items. When the user requests a presentation of the content source, the content items hosted by the content source that have been shared with the user may be included in the presentation. The presentation of the content source may also accept comments from the user regarding a content item, and send the comments to the social network where the content item was shared with the user.
US09152994B2	Systems and methods for managing global warning A closed end financial instrument for the monetization of greenhouse gases is disclosed. The closed end security has unique features providing for the securitization of greenhouse gas reductions (e.g., avoidance, sequestration, transformation) on global and sub-global scales. A universal carbon index based on the computed value for metric tons fossil fuel derived CO2 from measurements of the carbon 14 isotope, directly linked to fossil fuel emissions, is also disclosed. The 14C based universal index provides a unique and novel market mechanism to value and track fossil fuel carbon across all reduction genres and measurement platforms. Sub-global indexes for 14C and other GHGs representing partial carbon budgets for specific regions are accounted for within the global budget. The global and sub-global GHG indexes may operate in real time across all GHG currency transactions constituting a live GHG trading regime. An asset allocation system, based on trace gas emissions over small to large scales is also disclosed providing a means to manage and reduce GHG emissions with market-based risk assessment versus return and modern portfolio theory paradigms. Features such as small, mid and large, growth and value are applied to GHG reduction efforts by trace gas type. The unique elements of financial mechanism, global and sub-global carbon indexes and asset allocation options provide a means to manage, reduce and monetize the burden of GHGs to the atmosphere and resultant global warming.
US09152989B2	Business event processing In one example embodiment, a system comprises an event processing module accessible over a network; an event producer module associated with the event processing module and configured to monitor an action or directive of a consumer resource and, in response to a detected action or directive, generate an event and event metadata. The system further includes a conversion module associated with the event processing module and configured to acquire the event metadata and generate a generic event based on the acquired event metadata, and a transport module configured to distribute the generic event to a plurality of consumer resources.
US09152985B2	System and method for encrypting and rewarding users for sharing streaming media between mobile devices over an ad-hoc network A processor-implemented method includes: acknowledging, using a first affiliator identifier obtained from content assigned the first affiliator identifier, an application from a user other than an owner of the content for the same type of content as the accessed content, an affiliator identifier being used to identify an affiliator for the purpose of providing affiliate service, embedding, in the content provided to the other user, a second affiliator identifier identifying the other user; providing the content assigned the second affiliator identifier to the other user; and identifying an affiliator owning the content assigned the first affiliator identifier, based on the first affiliator identifier.
US09152982B2	Method of compensating a provider for advertisements displayed on a mobile phone A method and apparatus for advertising on a mobile phone. In one embodiment the method includes the steps of downloading an advertisement to the mobile phone using an advertisement server; selecting the downloaded advertisement on the mobile phone by a user of the mobile phone; providing by a server additional information in response to the user selection; and tracking the selection and additional information by the server. In another embodiment the compensation provided is in response to the display screen of said advertisement. In another embodiment the step of providing additional information includes the step of using space reserved, in the user interface of the mobile phone, for advertisements. Another aspect the invention relates to a system for displaying advertisements on a mobile phone. In one embodiment the system includes a server; and a mobile phone in communication with said server.
US09152980B2	Email-based e-commerce An electronic commerce (e-commerce) system may send advertisement emails to customers that are registered with the e-commerce system. The advertisement emails may include mailto hyperlinks. Each mailto hyperlink may be associated with a product that is being offered for sale, and each mailto hyperlink describes an email message that may be generated when that hyperlink is selected. When a mailto hyperlink is selected, the generated email message may include one or more parameters related to the product associated with the hyperlink, such as an identifier of the product. The generated email message may then be transmitted to the e-commerce system. The e-commerce system may receive the message and, based on the parameters in the received message, execute a transaction to purchase the identified product on behalf of the customer.
US09152972B2	Data importer for a sales prospector A data importer for a sales prospecting system imports one or more data tables that each may include one or more records. The data importer first (a) imports a data table into an intermediate table. The data importer then (b) determines if the imported data table depends on another data table and moves one or more records from the imported data table that have no missing dependencies to a corresponding working table; and (c) determines a set of previously imported data tables that refer to the imported data table. The data importer then, for each previously imported data table, repeats (b) and (c) above.
US09152969B2	Recommendation ranking system with distrust A recommendation ranking system that computes trust for entities based on negative expressions of trust. Negative expressions of trust are used to reduce the trust of entities. However, the system may discount entities that in the aggregate are distrusted. The system may be used with a social network to provide accurate, personalized recommendations for members of the social network. The network may be modeled as a voting network, with each member of the social network represented as a node and expressions of trust between members represented as weights on edges between nodes. Values of trust may be computed for nodes in the network and used to generate a recommendation. Opinions expressed on a topic may be weighted by trust in the node expressing the opinion. The system may be applied in other settings that can be modeled as a voting network, including ranking of Internet search results.
US09152948B2	Method and system for providing a structured topic drift for a displayed set of user comments on an article A method and system for providing a structured topic drift for a displayed set of user comments on an article. The method includes determining an ordered sequence of topical recommendations based on one or more properties of the displayed set of user comments and user characteristics using a sequential recommendation model. The method also includes sampling one or more user comments for each of the topical recommendations. Further, the method includes appending, one by one, the one or more user comments for each of the topical recommendations to bottom of the displayed set of user comments. Moreover, the method includes updating the sequential recommendation model based on a user response to the one or more user comments for each of the topical recommendations. The system includes one or more electronic devices, a communication interface, a memory, and a processor.
US09152942B2	Using a group list server as a syndication feed server The present invention discloses a solution for modifying a group list server to perform syndication feed operations. A syndication feed creation software component, a content gathering component, and a content extraction converting component can be added to a group list server. The modified group list server can continue to function as a traditional list server and can also function as a traditional feed server that is able to interoperate with standard, client-side feed readers. In one embodiment, the modified list server can repurpose syndication groups as to operate as syndication feed channels and can repurpose group members to operate as feed items.
US09152939B2	Method and system for measuring quality of performance and/or compliance with protocol of a clinical study A method is proposed for determining clinical study compliance. The method includes obtaining criteria for the clinical study and accessing stored clinical data relating to the clinical study. Thereafter, the criteria and clinical data are correlated to determine a measure of compliance with the criteria of the clinical study.
US09152937B2	Message sequence management of enterprise based correlated events A message sequence management of enterprise based correlated events incorporates the changing and unique business of a telecommunications service provider with minimal configurations. The design identifies and manages related service requests and ensures that related service requests follow a precise execution sequence as defined by the business logic. The design's robust features allows for simplified integration and management to changing business processes and needs.
US09152936B2	Methods for interactively exchanging graphical objects between networked users Systems and methods for media interaction include transmitting web-based objects, including media objects, between users. For example, a first user may select a media object in response to a prompt and send the media object to a second user. Media objects may be dynamic and customizable to further personalize interactions between the first user and the second user. For example, a usemame of the first user or custom text may be automatically inserted into a media object sent to the second user. In an exemplary embodiment, display of the packaged media object on the second user's client computer may be purposely delayed until a predetermined even occurs. For example, a pulse, or heartbeat, may be generated and fired by a web client to inform the server of a current state of the web client, for example, readiness to receive media objects based on the user activity.
US09152933B2	Fleet management system Position dependent operation of a materials handling vehicle, comprises utilizing a processor on the materials handling vehicle to communicate across a wireless computing environment to a corresponding server computer via a transceiver on the materials handling vehicle. Operation further comprises obtaining from at least one device on the materials handling vehicle, information relating to the position of the materials handling vehicle and communicating the obtained position related information to the server computer. The operation still further comprises receiving a command from the server computer to perform a predetermined action, wherein the command is based upon the position related information of the materials handling vehicle relative to a position of a point of interest known by the server, and communicating information across a vehicle network bus to at least one component of the materials handling vehicle to perform the predetermined action in response to the received command.
US09152931B2	Service engagement management using a standard framework A solution for managing a service engagement is provided. A service delivery model for the service engagement is defined within an engagement framework. The engagement framework, and consequently the service delivery model, can include a hierarchy that comprises a service definition, a set of service elements for the service definition, and a set of element tasks for each service element. The set of element tasks can be selected from a set of base tasks, each of which defines a particular task along with its input(s), output(s), and related asset(s). As a result, service engagements can be managed in a consistent manner using a data structure that promotes reuse and is readily extensible.
US09152928B2	Context parameters and identifiers for communication In one aspect, a method related to communication. In addition, other method, system, and program product aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and/or text forming a part of the present application.
US09152918B1	Resource forecasting using Bayesian model reduction A predictive model forecasts a medical resource need by making use of empirical Bayes estimation methods to determine a Dynamic Bayes Network (DBN) model. Exemplary resource needs that may be forecast include nurses, ventilators, hospital rooms, etc. The DBN model is estimated from retrieved data that is related to the resource to be forecast. The DBN model is simplified and a predictive model is generated based on the simplified model. The predictive model runs to forecast the predicted need for the resource. Embodiments are directed toward a predictive model development system that instructs an operator as to the structure of the data so that a model may be tailored based on the understanding of the operator. Embodiments are directed toward a model running system that indexes available models and also employs powerful statistical analysis techniques on behalf of a user to generate a predictive model with little or no user involvement in low-level modeling details.
US09152915B1	Apparatus and methods for encoding vector into pulse-code output Optical flow for a moving platform may be encoded into pulse output. Optical flow contribution induced due to the platform self-motion may be cancelled. The cancellation may be effectuated by (i) encoding the platform motion into pulse output; and (ii) inhibiting pulse generation by neurons configured to encode optical flow component optical flow that occur based on self-motion. The motion encoded may be coupled to the optical flow encoder via one or more connections. Connection propagation delay may be configured during encoder calibration in the absence of obstacles so as to provide system specific delay matrix. The inhibition may be based on a coincident arrival of the motion spiking signal via the calibrated connections to the optical flow encoder neurons. The coincident motion pulse arrival may be utilized in order to implement an addition of two or more vector properties.
US09152913B2	Uniquely identifiable drug dosage form units The present invention provides products, systems, and methods for the unique identification of individual drug dosage form units. The invention includes: random integrated optical identification marking of an individual drug unit; a lack of direct surface-to-surface contact between a marking instrument and the drug unit, i.e., deposition of a mark; drug unit image data based on the identification mark; a secondary product identifier associated with the individual drug unit; and comparing the marked drug unit to drug unit image data.
US09152907B2	Method and memory card for wireless digital content management A memory card is described, the memory card having a wireless transceiver module, a central processor, and a storage module. The memory card when physically and operably engaged in and with a digital camera, is configured to export digital data captured by the digital camera to a remote camera through the wireless transceiver module in response to an instruction received by the central processor from an inbuilt processor of the digital camera, and receive digital data from the remote camera through the wireless transceiver module in response to an instruction received by the central processor from the inbuilt processor.
US09152898B2	Image forming apparatus, information processing method in image forming apparatus, and storage medium storing program Attribute information representing the attributes of a printing medium is stored for each printing medium. Upon receiving a print job which designates the attributes of a printing medium, it is determined whether attribute information representing the attributes designated by the print job is stored. When it is determined that the attribute information is not stored, the attribute information representing the attributes designated by the print job is newly registered.
US09152896B2	Image forming apparatus and image forming method An image forming apparatus includes an image density detector, an image forming device, a rotator, an image density controller, and a timing correction data obtainer. The image density detector detects a toner density of an image formed on an image bearing member. An image forming device forms the image using a density adjustable element that adjusts the density of the image. The rotator forms an image pattern while the density adjustable element is changed, and a density thereof is detected by the image density detector. The image density controller controls the image forming device using a density correction data for the density adjustable element corresponding to a rotational period of the rotator. The timing correction data obtainer obtains timing correction data for correction of driving timing of the image forming device based on a change in the density of the image pattern detected by the image density detector.
US09152895B2	Image processing apparatus, method thereof, and storage medium An image processing apparatus that outputs, in the recording of a fine line image, an image having high fine line reproducibility by performing image processing according to a paper frequency characteristic. This image processing apparatus includes an input unit configured to input image data representing an image to be formed on a recording medium, an acquisition unit configured to acquire a frequency characteristic of surface unevenness of the recording medium, and a correction unit configured to correct the image data based on the frequency characteristic acquired by the acquisition unit.
US09152888B2	System and method for automated object detection in an image A contour/shape detection model may use relatively simple and efficient kernels to detect target edges in an object within an image or video. A co-occurrence probability may be calculated for two or more edge features in an image or video using an object definition. Edge features may be differentiated between in response to measured contextual support, and prominent edge features may be extracted based on the measured contextual support. The object may then be identified based on the extracted prominent edge features.
US09152879B2	Keypoint descriptor generation by complex wavelet analysis The present application relates to a method of generating a keypoint descriptor for identifying an object in an image or a sequence of images, the keypoint descriptor being substantially invariant to a transformation of the object in the image. The method includes receiving object data representing an object for identification in an image; processing the object data to generate at least one basis function representing a feature having undergone at least one transformation or a transformation sequence across several consecutive frames, optionally using transformations that are out of a plane of the image to recognize objects from multiple views; modifying a prototype wavelet function based on the at least one basis function to generate a plurality of modified wavelet functions; comparing the plurality of modified wavelet functions with the at least one basis function; selecting a modified wavelet function of the plurality of modified wavelet functions based on the comparison of the plurality of modified wavelet functions with the at least one basis function; and processing an input image or input orientation field according to the selected modified wavelet function to generate the keypoint descriptor. The present application further relates to a method of identifying an object in an image using a keypoint descriptor; and processing apparatus and computer program products for implementing a method of the present application.
US09152869B2	Biometric authentication systems and methods Biometric authentication devices, systems and methods are provided. The authentication device includes biometric reader configured for generating raw biometric data indicative of a physiological characteristic of a user; and processor operatively coupled to the biometric reader, the processor being configured for: receiving the raw biometric data, generating derivative biometric data by processing a portion of the raw biometric data relating to a pre-selected aspect of the physiological characteristic, the pre-selected aspect being suitable for identifying the user, the derivative biometric data being indicative of a plurality of instances of the pre-selected aspect in the raw biometric data, generating biometric identification data from the derivative biometric data, the biometric identification data being based upon relationships between the plurality of instances of the pre-selected aspect in the raw biometric data, and using the biometric identification data to identify the user.
US09152862B2	Object identification and inventory management A method/apparatus for identifying an object based on a pattern of structural features located in a particular region wherein the pattern comprises at least one fingerprint feature. The region may be recognized and used to identify the object. A first feature vector (FV) may be extracted from a first image of the pattern and may be mapped to an object identifier. To authenticate the object, a second FV may be extracted from a second image of the same region. The FVs may be compared and difference(s) determined. A match correlation value (MCV) may be calculated based on the difference(s). The difference(s) may be dampened if associated with expected wear and tear reducing the impact of the difference(s) on the MCV. The differences may be enhanced if associated with changes that are not explainable as wear and tear increasing the impact of the difference(s) on the MCV.
US09152859B2	Property record document data verification systems and methods A data verification system is configured to verify machine-recognized data elements acquired during a machine-implemented data acquisition process. The system includes a data verification workstation, an image server, and a data entry server. The data verification workstation is configured to obtain document images from the image server, present portions of document images to an operator, wherein the document images include text, and receive input from the operator based on the text. The input includes data elements. The data verification workstation is also configured to acquire machine-recognized data elements from the data entry server. The machine-recognized data elements were acquired from the document image during a machine-implemented data acquisition process based on the text. The data verification workstation is also configured to compare the data elements received from the operator to the machine-recognized data elements and selectively prompt the operator to re-input the data elements based on the comparison.
US09152858B2	Extracting card data from multiple cards Extracting financial card information with relaxed alignment comprises a method to receive an image of a card, determine one or more edge finder zones in locations of the image, and identify lines in the one or more edge finder zones. The method further identifies one or more quadrilaterals formed by intersections of extrapolations of the identified lines, determines an aspect ratio of the one or more quadrilateral, and compares the determined aspect ratios of the quadrilateral to an expected aspect ratio. The method then identifies a quadrilateral that matches the expected aspect ratio and performs an optical character recognition algorithm on the rectified model. A similar method is performed on multiple cards in an image. The results of the analysis of each of the cards are compared to improve accuracy of the data.
US09152856B2	Pedestrian detection system and method A pedestrian detection system of detecting whether there is a pedestrian in a scene, the pedestrian detection system includes an image-capturing module, a preprocessing module, a human detection module, an image-stitching module and a decision module. The image-capturing module is configured for generating a plurality of first detection image data according to a contrast decision result. The preprocessing module is configured for generating a plurality of first image skeleton data according to the first detection image data. The human detection module is configured for generating a plurality of second image skeleton data. The image-stitching module is configured for stitching the plurality of first detection image data to generate at least one third detection image data. The decision module is configured for generating and outputting a detection result according to the third detection image data. A pedestrian detection method is disclosed herein as well.
US09152848B2	Information processing apparatus including a face dictionary, control method therefor, and storage medium An information processing apparatus generates, for each person, a first face dictionary storing face data concerning a face of the person included in an image. The apparatus receives, from an imaging apparatus, a second face dictionary which is stored face data of a person corresponding to the first face dictionary and which may be updated the face data using images obtained on the imaging apparatus, and stores. The information processing apparatus transmits the first face dictionary to the imaging apparatus when an update date and time of the second face dictionary is older than a date and time of the first face dictionary. The information processing apparatus does not transmit the first face dictionary to the imaging apparatus when the first face dictionary includes face data of the person included in an image captured outside of a predetermined period.
US09152847B2	Facial landmark localization by exemplar-based graph matching Systems and methods are discussed to localize facial landmarks using a test facial image and a set of training images. The landmarks can be localized on a test facial image using training facial images. A plurality of candidate landmark locations on the test facial image can be determined. A subset of the training facial images with facial features similar to the facial features in the test facial image can be identified. A plurality of shape constraints can be determined for each test facial image in the subset of test facial images. These shape constraints graphically relate to one landmark location from a linear combination of the other landmark locations in the test facial image. Shape constraints can be determined for every landmark within each test facial image. A candidate landmark can be chosen from the plurality of candidate landmarks using the shape constraints.
US09152845B2	Human attribute estimation system, human attribute estimation apparatus and human attribute estimation method To provide a human attribute estimation system capable of improving estimation accuracy irrespective of an environment-dependent attribute is provided. An age/gender estimation system as a human attribute estimation system is provided with: a monitoring camera photographing a human targeted by attribute estimation and generating an image; an age/gender estimating section estimating an attribute of the human shown in the image generated by the monitoring camera using an estimation parameter; and an environment-dependent attribute specifying section specifying an environment-dependent attribute, which is an attribute dependent on an installation environment of the monitoring camera. The age/gender estimating section uses a parameter generated on the basis of learning data having an environment-dependent attribute within a predetermined distance from the environment-dependent attribute acquired by the environment-dependent attribute specifying section in an environment-dependent attribute space, as the estimation parameter.
US09152829B2	Method and system for determining information related to a drug reservoir using an electronic sensor A medical delivery device may include at least one electronic sensor and a decoding module. The at least one electronic sensor and the decoding module are configured to (i) identify a coding feature of a drug reservoir inserted in the medical delivery device and (ii) determine information related to the drug reservoir based on the identified coding feature.
US09152811B2	Transparent real-time access to encrypted non-relational data Embodiments include a computer system, method and program product for encrypted file access. An access program module, connected to at least one file system, intercepts a data request for accessing a plaintext file with information stored physically and consecutively on a hard disk and having a pre-determined order and length expected by a program that sends the data request, wherein the plaintext file includes a plaintext record having a key field and a plaintext data field. The access program module determines an encrypted file, associated with the plaintext file, based on a configuration file and the data request, wherein the configuration file indicates the encrypted file associated with the plaintext file. The access program module determines one or more encryption keys based on the configuration file. The access program module accesses an encrypted data field within the encrypted file based on the encryption keys and the key field.
US09152803B2	Optimized policy matching and evaluation for hierarchical resources Improved techniques are provided for processing authorization requests. In some embodiments, an authorization request specifying a hierarchical resource can be processed without having to sequentially process the various security policies configured for a collection of resources.
US09152795B2	Security vulnerability correction Systems and methods for addressing security vulnerability in a program code are described. The method comprises detecting a security vulnerability. The method further comprises identifying a set of security solutions specified within a specification repository, wherein each security solution is associated with the detected security vulnerability. The method further comprises presenting the set of security solutions to a user for selection. The method further comprises transforming a program code portion associated with the detected security vulnerability in conformance with a security solution selected by the user from the set of security solutions.
US09152794B1	Secure key handling for authentication of software for a system-on-chip A method relating generally to generating a boot image, as performed by an information handling system, for an embedded device is disclosed. This method includes a public key obtained by a boot image generator. A first hash for the public key is generated by the boot image generator. The first hash is provided to a signature generator. A first signature for the first hash is generated by the signature generator. A first partition for the boot image is obtained by the boot image generator. A second hash for the first partition is generated by the boot image generator. The second hash is provided to the signature generator. A second signature for the second hash is generated by the signature generator. The boot image generator and the signature generator are programmed into the information handling system. The boot image includes the public key, the first signature, and the second signature. The boot image is output from the information handling system.
US09152777B2	Electronic authentication document system and method In one embodiment a controller comprises logic configured to receive a document copy, wherein the document copy comprises an identifier which uniquely identifies an electronic device and an authentication algorithm logic, generate, with the authentication algorithm logic, a security key for the document copy based on at least one input from the user, transmit the security key to a remote device, and store the document copy and a computer-readable code which uniquely associates the document with the electronic device in a memory. Other embodiments may be described.
US09152772B2	Device and portable storage device which are capable of transferring rights object, and a method of transferring rights object A device and a portable storage device which are capable of transferring a rights object (RO) and a method of transferring an RO are provided. The method includes enabling a device to transmit an installation request message to a portable storage device for installing a copy of an original RO present in the device in the portable storage device, enabling the device to install the copy of the original RO in the portable storage device, and enabling the device to receive an installation response message indicating that the copy of the original RO has been successfully installed in the portable storage device from the portable storage device.
US09152758B2	Method and system for determining whether a drug will be effective on a patient with a disease A process of determining whether a patient with a disease or disorder will be responsive to a drug, used to treat the disease or disorder, including obtaining a test spectrum produced by a mass spectrometer from a serum produced from the patient. The test spectrum may be processed to determine a relation to a group of class labeled spectra produced from respective serum from other patients having the or similar clinical stage same disease or disorder and known to have responded or not responded to the drug. Based on the relation of the test spectrum to the group of class labeled spectra, a determination may be made as to whether the patient will be responsive to the drug.
US09152754B2	Sub-module physical refinement flow A computer system is provided that enables a designer of a circuit design to fracture and reconstitute a larger design for both computer modeling of the functionality and the physical implementation or rendering of the circuit design. More particularly, the designer may refine or re-work a sub-module of the larger sub-circuit without having to create a corresponding sub-module in the physical implementation. This capability thus avoids the significant complexity required for sub-module refinement in the current state of the art, and provides the designer with a much simpler flow.
US09152753B1	Incrementer absorption into multiplier logic for programmable logic devices Various techniques are provided to efficiently implement user designs in programmable logic devices (PLDs). In one example, a computer-implemented method includes receiving a design identifying operations to be performed by a PLD. The computer-implemented method also includes synthesizing the design into a plurality of PLD components. In the computer-implemented method, the synthesizing includes detecting an incrementer-multiplier operation in the design and merging an incrementer portion of the incrementer-multiplier operation with a multiplier portion of the incrementer-multiplier operation to reduce the plurality of PLD components.
US09152750B2	Methods for manufacturing integrated circuit devices having features with reduced edge curvature A structure, such as an integrated circuit device, is described that includes a line of material with critical dimensions which vary within a distribution substantially less than that of a mask element, such as a patterned resist element, used in etching the line. Techniques are described for processing a line of crystalline phase material which has already been etched using the mask element, in a manner which straightens an etched sidewall surface of the line. The straightened sidewall surface does not carry the sidewall surface variations introduced by photolithographic processes, or other patterning processes, involved in forming the mask element and etching the line.
US09152746B2	Quantum annealing simulator A quantum annealer simulator approximates unitary quantum dynamics of a quantum annealer on a non-quantum computing device such as a conventional computing device. The quantum annealer simulator may utilize algorithms that may efficiently approximate unitary time evolution of a quantum system, where the quantum system corresponds to a problem for which an optimized solution is sought.
US09152743B2	Computer process for determining best-fitting materials for constructing architectural surfaces A computer process for fitting construction materials to an architectural surface modeled in CAD divides the surface into domains. Sample points are defined on each domain surface. A surface portion of a regular curved solid is matched to the sample points. The surface portion of the curved solid is defined in terms of a central reference and boundary conditions. The result is compared to stored specifications to identify construction materials capable of forming the domain. At least one construction material is identified that can form each domain.
US09152737B1	Providing notifications to a user Electrical usage of devices in a building may be monitored to determine information about the operation of the devices in the building, and the information about the devices in the building may be used to provide notifications to a user. An electrical signal may be processed to determine a state change of a device. A notification score may then be determined using information about the state change of the device and a notification event model. A notification may then be sent to the user based at least in part on the notification event score.
US09152729B2	Auditing of webpages A method of performing an audit of auditable objects within webpages of a website includes identifying an auditable object marker and crawling a portion of a website to identify multiple webpages of the website that each include the auditable object marker. The method may further include configuring an audit rule to determine a property of an auditable object of each of the webpages where the auditable object marker is associated with the auditable object. The method may further include performing an audit of each of the webpages according to the audit rule to determine the property of the auditable object for each of the webpages and grouping the webpages based on the property of the auditable object for each of the webpages.
US09152727B1	Systems and methods for processing consumer information for targeted marketing applications Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods that enable the association and aggregation of consumer data gathered from online and offline sources. In particular, several embodiments are directed to linking consumer data in a data source controlled by an entity (e.g., such as a company's CRM (customer relationship management) database) to offline data sources such as demographic data, and/or online data sources such as online interaction data. The linking may be based on several identifiers (IDs) associated with the data sources. The systems and methods disclosed herein thus facilitate the association of these disparate data sources and enable various entities to better tailor interactions with the consumers. In other embodiments, a shared cookie data management system and method is disclosed. The shared cookie serves as a vehicle through which entities can selectively share consumer information with other entities in a system with uniform format and technical infrastructure.
US09152725B2	Computer implemented methods and apparatus for configuring and performing a custom rule to process a preference indication Disclosed are systems, apparatus, methods and computer-readable media for processing a preference indication for a feed item of an information feed. In some implementations, a preference indication associated with a feed item is received. In some instances, it is determined whether the feed item is associated with a custom rule, where the custom rule defines one or more actions to modify information associated with feed items of designated one more content types. In some instances, one or more actions are selected to perform based on an identified content type of the feed item in response to the determination that the feed item is associated with the custom rule.
US09152723B2	Method and apparatus for providing internet service in mobile communication terminal A method and apparatus provide an Internet service in a mobile communication terminal. The method includes determining a user interest subject from user data existing within the mobile communication terminal, collecting service items through network access, determining a subject for each of the collected service items, determining relevance between the user interest subject and each of the service items, and recommending a service item according to the relevance.
US09152721B1	Prompt for query clarification Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for query clarification. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in computer-implemented methods that include the actions of receiving in a search interface a user input associated with a search query; determining whether the associated search query is a trigger query, the trigger query being a query identified for clarification; when the search query is a trigger query, prompting the user for additional information to form a clarified search query, the clarified search query including the additional information, the prompting occurring prior to submission of the search query to a search system; and submitting the clarified search query to the search system.
US09152704B2	System and method for adaptive text recommendation Network system provides a real-time adaptive recommendation set of documents with a high statistical measure of relevancy to the requestor device. The recommendation set is optimized based on analyzing text of documents of the interest set, categorizing these documents into clusters, extracting keywords representing the themes or concepts of documents in the clusters, and filtering a population of eligible documents accessible to the system utilizing site and or Internet-wide search engines. The system is either automatically or manually invoked and it develops and presents the recommendation set in real-time. The recommendation set may be presented as a greeting, notification, alert, HTML fragment, fax, voicemail, or automatic classification or routing of customer e-mail, personal e-mail, job postings, and offers for sale or exchange.
US09152697B2	Real-time search of vertically partitioned, inverted indexes Provided are techniques for processing a query. A query including constraints for at least two vertically partitioned, inverted indexes is received. The constraints in the query are separated based on the vertically partitioned, inverted indexes. A document identifier iterator is obtained for each of the constraints, wherein each document identifier iterator is associated with a posting list, and wherein each posting list is ordered by document identifier order. A run-time join of the posting lists is performed to obtain a final result set.
US09152693B1	System and method for visual representation and selection of hierarchical data Access to hierarchical data arranged in parent/child data levels is obtained and each data level is assigned a data level display symbol. The data level display symbols associated with a common parent data level are then identified and grouped into sets of related data level display symbols. Each of the data level display symbols within each set of related data level display symbols is then assigned a weighting value that determines one or more visual emphasis parameters to be associated with the data level display symbols. All the sets of related data level display symbols are then displayed on a single user interface display screen in accordance with their assigned weighting value and associated visual emphasis parameters. Any of the data level display symbols can then be activated through the user interface display screen.
US09152683B2	Database-transparent near online archiving and retrieval of data Method, program products and apparatus are disclosed for optimizing access to a data table. A value-existence structure is used to determine whether the data table contains rows for a given database query. The value-existence structure may be useful, for example, for managing transparent access to an online database and a nearline database.
US09152681B2	Social media identity discovery and mapping for banking and government A server executing a social media identity and discovery application and method are provided that scan social networking sites for communications. The target content is found with content indicators when communications are put on a social networking site. The content is recorded and evaluated. If the identified content is contextually significant, the alias and the user account data and/or user data from public records are correlated based on keywords and/or events, and a notification of the correlation is sent to an agency, agent, or a contact center system. The agent or agency may verify that the identity of a poster has been accurately correlated with a customer record in the database or with user data from public records. The agent, the agency, or the system has the opportunity to respond to the communication, despite the anonymity of the poster on the social networking site.
US09152680B1	Systems and methods for providing leads and appointments Methods disclosed for lead generation relate to matching prospective applicants with educational institutions. Prospective applicants provide personal information and educational background information which are used to find matching educational institutions. Methods include enhancing connections between education institutions and prospective applicants by setting up mutually agree appointments. Systems and apparatuses are also disclosed to implement the disclosed methods.
US09152660B2	Data normalizer A data normalizer for processing data for use by a CDM system which is capable of dynamically updating user-defined normalization criteria and which is further capable of operating in a multi-tenant environment in which each tenant has distinct data normalization policies.
US09152659B2	Systems and methods for migrating database data In one aspect, a computer-implemented method for ensuring a source database (e.g., target space or index space) has correct version information before a migration includes executing, using at least one processor, instructions recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. The instructions include determining whether a table has been changed since a most recent alter of the table, performing an update on the table when it is determined that the table has not been changed since the most recent alter, and performing a rollback on the table after the update. The method may also include creating an image copy of the data in the source database and refreshing data in a target database with the image copy of the data in the source database. The method may also include automatically repairing the target database when the version information of the target does not correspond with the version information for the source.
US09152652B2	Sub-query evaluation for image search Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying images responsive to a search phrase are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes identifying a set of responsive images for a search phrase that includes two or more terms. Interaction rankings are determined for images in the set of responsive images. Two or more sub-queries are created based on the search phrase. Sub-query model rankings are determined for images in the set of responsive images. A search phrase score is determined for the image relevance model. Based on the search phrase scores for the sub-queries, one of the sub-query models is selected as a model for the search phrase.
US09152649B2	Maintaining order and fault-tolerance in a distributed hash table system Data storage systems and methods for storing data are described herein. The storage system includes a first storage node is configured to issue a first delivery request to a first set of other storage nodes in the storage system, the first delivery request including a first at least one data operation for each of the first set of other storage nodes and issuing at least one other delivery request, while the first delivery request remains outstanding, the at least one other delivery request including a first commit request for each of the first set of other storage nodes. The first node causes the first at least one data operation to be made active within the storage system in response to receipt of a commit indicator along with a delivery acknowledgement regarding one of the at least one other delivery request.
US09152642B2	Systems and methods for on-demand data storage Systems and methods provide on demand data storage by creating an unpartitioned storage pool; generating a unique volume identifier for a data storage volume at a predetermined location; pre-provisioning the data storage volume in a volume queue ready for use on-demand; and storing data on the data storage volume at the predetermined location on-demand.
US09152641B2	Method and system for providing storage device file location information A method and system are disclosed that permit a host application to obtain cluster location data, for example logical addresses associated with the clusters of a file, and to allow a host application to communicate the logical block address mapping information to firmware of a storage device. The method includes the host transmitting one or more clusters or partial clusters having a signature to the storage device where the storage device knows or has been instructed by the host to look for the signature. The storage device may receive clusters having a signature and, responsive to a host request, return logical address information to a host for the location in the storage device of the marked clusters. The host may parse a data structure on the storage device to obtain remaining cluster location information using a file's first cluster location or may request that the storage device return the cluster location information.
US09152633B2	Device and process for remote management of a network of audiovisual information reproduction systems Management device for a network of audiovisual information reproduction systems or jukeboxes, including a database with a plurality of sets of arrays, each array containing grouped information either about the composition of a jukebox, or the use of the jukebox, or the payment of fees. The database is managed by a computer server connected with the audiovisual information reproduction systems to receive messages sent by each audiovisual information reproduction device and containing information necessary to update determined sets of arrays in the database, and update data or the program for each audiovisual information reproduction device with information stored in at least one set of arrays in the database and transmitted in this message.
US09152630B1	Modified database transaction scopes during software testing While testing a software application that is associated with a database during a testing technique, a computer system may take over transaction scopes of transactions with the database so that data generated by the software application during the testing and communicated to the database is not persisted in the database (even though this data may be persisted in the database during normal operation). Furthermore, after the testing is completed, the computer system may restore the database to an initial state prior to the testing by rolling back the data which was not persisted.
US09152628B1	Creating copies of space-reduced files in a file server having a redundant data elimination store A file server having a redundant data elimination store responds to requests from clients for copies of space-reduced files. For reduced storage requirements and reduced processing time, a baseline version of unshared data blocks is created in the file server, and then the baseline version is space reduced by conversion to a stub version of shared data blocks, and then the file server responds to a request from a client for creation of one or more space-reduced copies by cloning the stub version. The file server may also respond to a request for creation of a modified space-reduced copy having specified data written at a specified offset. For example, the file server creates a respective modified copy of a virtual server image file for use by each client of the file server.
US09152626B2	Transactional-consistent cache for database objects A system and method for providing a transactional-consistent cache for database objects is disclosed. New data is received by a cache manager. The cache manager updates an entry of a cache with the new data received by the cache manager, by registering the updating of the entry with the new data with an invalidator. The registering includes a timestamp. An invalidation event is then generated by the invalidator. The invalidation event includes a notification about the updating of the entry of the cache with the new data received by the cache manager according to the timestamp.
US09152625B2	Microblog summarization Various embodiments provide summarization techniques that can be applied to blogs or microblogs to present information that is determined to be useful, in a shortened form. In one or more embodiments, a procedure is utilized to automatically acquire a set of concepts from various sources, such as free text. These acquired concepts are then used to guide a clustering process. Clusters are ranked and then summarized by incorporating sentiment and the frequency of words.
US09152622B2	Personalized machine translation via online adaptation Personalizing machine translation via online adaptation is described herein. According to some embodiments, methods for providing personalized machine translations may include receiving translator feedback regarding machine translations generated by a machine translation system for a translator, determining translator feedback that improves translations generated by the machine translation system, and incorporating the determined translator feedback into the translation methodology of the machine translation system to personalize the translation methodology.
US09152621B2	Method and system of obtaining contact information for a person or an entity Methods and systems are provided for obtaining and using status information associated persons and/or entities. A name of a person or an entity may be detected in a frame (e.g., from a screen of a device); and status information associated with the detected name may be determined, based on information associated with the detected name in one or more applications and/or one or more databases. Each of applications or databases may operate on or be accessible using the device from which the frame originates. The status information may be displayed on the screen of the device, such as to enable the user to perform one or more particular actions based on the status information and/or by interacting with the displayed status information.
US09152620B2	System, method, and computer-readable medium for plagiarism detection A system, method, and computer-readable medium for detecting plagiarism in a set of constructed responses by accessing and pre-processing the set of constructed responses to facilitate the pairing and comparing of the constructed responses. The similarity value generated from the comparison of a pair of constructed responses serves as an indicator of possible plagiarism.
US09152608B2	Detection of power train oscillations A method for damping a power train oscillation in a vehicle provided with a prime mover which rotates at a speed ω. A vibration change S in the rotation speed ω of the prime mover is determined. There is deemed to be a power train oscillation if for a predetermined number of times the amplitude of the vibration change S is alternately above a positive threshold value Th1 and below a negative threshold value Th2 and if all of the consecutive upward crossings of the positive threshold value Th1 and downward crossings of the negative threshold value Th2 are separated by a time shorter than a predetermined period T.
US09152594B2	Semiconductor memory device for high speed reading and writing A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array section including a plurality of memory cell arrays, a peripheral circuit section, and an internal bus connecting the plurality of memory cell arrays and the peripheral circuit section. The peripheral circuit section includes external input/output buffers, and bus interface circuits. The bus interface circuits execute conversion between data inputted/outputted in parallel to/from the memory cell arrays through the internal bus and data inputted/outputted in serial through the plurality of external input/output buffers. The bus interface circuits are densely arranged between the internal bus and the input/output buffers, so that a width d1 of the area of the plurality of bus interface circuits being arranged is narrower than a width d2 of the area of the external input/output buffers being arranged and a bus width maximum value d3 of the internal bus.
US09152580B1	Method and apparatus for transferring data between a host and an embedded device Methods, systems and computer program products are described for transferring aggregated data packets over an I/O interface from a host to a multiport embedded device. For example, a method includes receiving, by the device from the host, a single write command that (i) specifies two or more ports from among multiple ports of the device, and (ii) includes two or more data packets to be respectively written to the specified ports. The multiple ports of the device are mapped to corresponding locations of memory of the device. The method further includes saving, by the device in response to the single write command, the two or more data packets at two or more memory locations to which the specified ports are mapped. Additionally, the method includes sending, upon saving the data packets, a single notification to the host indicating that the device is ready to receive another write command.
US09152556B2	Metadata rebuild in a flash memory controller following a loss of power A method of rebuilding metadata in a flash memory controller following a loss of power is provided. The method includes reading logical address information associated with an area of flash memory, and using time stamp information to determine if data stored in the flash memory area are valid.
US09152553B1	Generic command descriptor for controlling memory devices The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to controlling memory devices with a generic command descriptor. In some implementations, an apparatus, systems, or methods can include a memory controller including an interface configured to connect with a NAND memory device and circuitry configured to receive a descriptor of a command sequence including multiple segments for managing the NAND memory device. The descriptor can include option information corresponding to each segment of the command sequence. The circuitry can also be configured to generate the command sequence for managing the NAND memory device based, at least in part, on the option information of the descriptor.
US09152550B1	Storage system with dynamic transfer of block file system ownership for load balancing A storage system uses a block-level file system to manage physical storage of data blocks of logical units, the file system being mounted on an owning one of a set of storage processors. The storage processors redirect received storage requests to the owning storage processor, and periodically the amount of redirection is evaluated. If the amount of redirection is higher than a threshold, then the file system is dismounted at the owning storage processor and mounted at another storage processor to reduce the amount of redirection.
US09152549B1	Dynamically allocating memory for processes A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for dynamically allocating memory for processes is presented. A first request to allocate memory for a first process is received, where the first process is associated with a first quality-of-service class in a plurality of quality-of-service classes. A first memory allocation for the first quality-of-service class is calculated as a function of a current amount of free memory on the server and a first minimum memory allocation for the first quality-of-service class. An amount of memory currently used by processes associated with the first quality-of-service class is determined. The first request is rejected when the amount of memory currently used by the processes associated with the first quality-of-service class is greater than or equal to the first memory allocation.
US09152548B2	Controlling access to a privileged resource in user-mode system level mobile virtualization using a ptrace () system call One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates user-mode system-level virtualization in a mobile device. During operation, a hypervisor intercepts a virtual machine's attempt to access a privileged resource. The hypervisor manages the virtual machine and runs on a host system in a user mode. Furthermore, the hypervisor emulates the privileged resource using a user-mode system call provided by the host system. In addition, the hypervisor provides access to the emulated privileged resource to the virtual machine, thereby allowing the virtual machine to operate with the emulated privileged resource without directly accessing actual privileged resources on the host system.
US09152545B1	Read-write access in a read-only environment In one example, a method for reading data, includes receiving a read request that is directed to a data object, where the read request includes both an offset and an end. Next, the data object is examined to determine if a previously written data block is present that has an offset which is the same as one of the offset or the end of the read request. If there is no previously written data block present which has the same offset or end as the read request, a previously written data block whose offset immediately precedes one of the offset or the end of the read request is then returned.
US09152544B2	Method and system for upgrading a firmware of a chip and baseboard management controller by waiting until an idle state of a connected system to finish upgrade The present invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a method and a system for dynamically upgrading a chip and a baseboard management controller. The method includes: obtaining an upgrade file that is used for upgrading a chip; upgrading, based on the upgrade file, data in a flash memory that is used for storing data of the chip, and not performing a reset operation on the chip at this time; and when it is acquired through detection that the state of a service system that is connected to the chip is a service idle state, replicating the upgraded data in the flash memory to a random access memory in the chip, and performing a reset operation on the chip. According to the present invention, the availability and maintainability of the system are improved.
US09152542B2	Automatic generation of test scripts Systems and methods for automatically generating test scripts are described. The systems and methods may access information from a template that includes at least one entry associated with a test case to be applied to a system under testing, apply a translation scheme to the accessed information, and generate a test script in a language that is associated with the translation scheme and that is based on the information accessed from the template. The systems and methods may then utilize the test script to test the functionality of a system under testing, among other things.
US09152535B2	Programmatic identification of root method Embodiments relate to a computer implemented process, system and program product for identification of a root method for a thread. In one aspect of the embodiment the process includes instrumenting code to form instrumented code and creating stack sample data. It also includes creating method stack sample data in a case that the stack sample data exceeds a stack sample data threshold. It also includes, determining whether a root method is identified, the determining based on using the method stack sample data; and reporting any root method identified for a respective thread.
US09152532B2	System and method for configuring a cloud computing system with a synthetic test workload The present disclosure relates to a method and system for configuring a computing system, such as a cloud computing system. A method includes selecting, based on a user selection received via a user interface, a workload for execution on a cluster of nodes of the computing system. The workload is selected from a plurality of available workloads including an actual workload and a synthetic test workload. The method further includes configuring the cluster of nodes of the computing system to execute the selected workload such that processing of the selected workload is distributed across the cluster of nodes. The synthetic test workload may be generated by a code synthesizer based on a set of user-defined workload parameters provided via a user interface that identify execution characteristics of the synthetic test workload.
US09152529B2	Systems and methods for dynamically altering a user interface based on user interface actions A plurality of user interface (UI) actions from a particular user is detected via a user interface of the application. The plurality of UI actions is analyzed to determine a usage pattern for the particular user. A modification to the user interface is determined based on the determined usage pattern. The determined modification in the user interface is implemented to customize the user interface of the application for the particular user. The determined modification may be stored in a user profile for subsequent use.
US09152528B2	Long term load generator A method and system for long-term load generation is described.
US09152521B2	Systems and methods for testing content of mobile communication devices The embodiments described herein relates to systems and method for testing user content of given mobile communication devices. According to one aspect, there is provided a method for testing user content of given mobile communication devices that includes the steps of providing at least one model image associated with at least one graphical user interface (“GUI”) screen of a model mobile communication device corresponding to the given mobile communication device, obtaining at least one test image associated with at least one GUI screen of the given mobile communication device, comparing the test image with the model image, and determining whether the user content of the given mobile communication device is different from the desired content of the model mobile communication device.
US09152520B2	Programmable interface-based validation and debug A programmable interface-based validation and debug system includes, for example, a test connector that is arranged to communicatively couple a design under test to the test fixture. A programmable logic interface is communicatively coupled to the test connector and is arranged to receive a downloadable test bench, where the downloadable test bench is arranged to apply test vectors from a first set of test vectors to a first test control bus. A multiplexer is arranged to selectively couple one of the first test control bus and a second test control bus to a shared test bus that is coupled to the test connector, where the second test control bus is arranged to apply test vectors from a second set of test vectors provided by, for example, a debugger that is operated by a human.
US09152519B2	Storage control apparatus, method of setting reference time, and computer-readable storage medium storing reference time setting program With a command delay time measurement unit that issues a first test command while the medium error status generator generates the medium error status, and measures a delay time of a command response for the first test command as a command delay time, and a response interval measurement unit that issues a plurality of second test commands to the storage apparatuses to be examined under a higher load when no error occurs, and measures an interval of each command response for the plurality of second test commands as a response interval, and by calculating, for each of the plurality of types of the storage apparatuses, a reference time for each storage apparatus type by adding the command delay time and the response interval, an error can be detected more efficiently.
US09152504B1	Staged restore of a decremental backup chain Staged restore of a decremental backup chain. In one example embodiment, a method includes, first, restoring a first backup of a source storage to a restore storage. Next, a second backup of the source storage in a decremental backup chain of the source storage is identified. Then, a third backup of the source storage in the decremental backup chain of the source storage is identified. Next, blocks in the decremental backup chain that were newly allocated in the source storage between the first point in time and the second point in time are identified. Then, the newly-allocated blocks are restored to the restore storage. Next, blocks in the decremental backup chain that were changed in the source storage between the first point in time and the second point in time are identified. Lastly, the changed blocks are restored to the restore storage.
US09152503B1	System and method for efficiently calculating storage required to split a clone volume A system and method efficiently calculates an estimated amount of storage required to split a clone volume from its parent volume. The system and method is illustratively embodied as a command line interface (CLI) command, i.e., a clone split estimate command, executed by an estimation module of a storage system. Notably, the estimation module cooperates with a file system of the storage system to quickly access data structures containing information used to perform the storage calculation without the need to access each block of the clone and parent volumes.
US09152494B2	Method and apparatus for data packet integrity checking in a processor In an embodiment, a method of handling data packets within a processor includes intercepting, by a hardware packet integrity checking module, one or more data fields associated with a current segment of a data packet being forwarded from a first hardware entity operating in a cut-through mode to one or more processing clusters, where at least one data field of the one or more data fields is indicative of an operation associated with the data packet. At the hardware error detection module, integrity of the current segment of the data packet is checked based on the one or more data fields and parameters corresponding to the operation associated with the data packet. At least one data field of the one or more data fields is modified upon detecting an integrity error. The data fields are forwarded to the one or more processing clusters.
US09152491B2	Job continuation management apparatus, job continuation management method and job continuation management program A job continuation management apparatus according to an exemplary aspect of the invention includes, job execution units that carrying out jobs; a job management information memory unit storing job identification information, identification information on the job execution unit, job execution information and job continuing execution priority in unit of the job; and a job continuation management unit referring to the job management information memory unit when a failure occurs in the job execution units, and, about records having identification information of the job execution unit identical with identification information of the failed job execution, sends the job identification information and the job execution information to one of the job execution units except for the failed unit sequentially in a order starting from a job having highest the job continuing execution priority to lowest, and making the job execution unit of a receiving party perform continuation execution of the job.
US09152486B2	Evaluating reliability of a software module using development life cycle Reliability of one or more software modules is projected according to a current state in a development life cycle of the software modules and any of various additional indicators. Preferably, a data processing support provider separate from the service-providing enterprise maintains historical field support data concerning significant field defect events with respect to various resources, and uses this data for projecting reliability of the resources. Preferably, software module reliability projections are used to support an analysis of risk of degradation of a service specified in a service requirements specification when provided by a configuration of data processing resources specified in a configuration specification.
US09152481B2	Processing posted receive commands in a parallel computer Processing posted receive commands in a parallel computer, including: posting, by a parallel process of a compute node, a receive command, the receive command including a set of parameters excluding the receive command from being directed among parallel posted receive queues; flattening the parallel unexpected message queues into a single unexpected message queue; determining whether the posted receive command is satisfied by an entry in the single unexpected message queue; if the posted receive command is satisfied by an entry in the single unexpected message queue, processing the posted receive command; if the posted receive command is not satisfied by an entry in the single unexpected message queue: flattening the parallel posted receive queues into a single posted receive queue; and storing the posted receive command in the single posted receive queue.
US09152473B2	Table driven multiple passive trip platform passive thermal management Methods and apparatus relating to table driven multiple passive trip, platform passive thermal management are described. In one embodiment, the power consumption limit of one or more components of a platform is modified based on one or more thermal relationships between one or more power consuming components of the platform and one or more heat generating components of the platform. Furthermore, a first relationship of the one or more thermal relationships indicates a mapping between a plurality of temperature thresholds and a corresponding plurality of performance limits. Other embodiments are also claimed and disclosed.
US09152461B1	Management of computing devices processing workflow stages of a resource dependent workflow Systems and method for the management of resource dependent workflows are provided. One or more resource control devices monitor usage of a computing resource by server computing devices. Each resource control device may direct a server computing device to proceed with a workflow or to pause processing a workflow. A resource control device may further direct a server computing device to take resource conserving actions. When a computing resource is determined to be available, a resource control device may direct a paused server computing device to resume a workflow.
US09152450B2	Offloading service requests to a second guest hypervisor in a logical partition shared by a plurality of guest hypervisors Embodiments relate to a method for encapsulating a virtual server in a hypervisor subpartition of a single logical partition to provide additional hardware support and advanced virtualization functions. An aspect includes running a first hypervisor and one or more additional hypervisors over a single logical partition. A request to manage a virtual server is received at the first hypervisor. The request is then analyzed to determine what resources are necessary to manage the virtual server. Based on the analyzed request, one of the first hypervisor or the one or more additional hypervisors is selected to complete the request.
US09152444B2	Techniques used by a virtual machine in communication with an external machine and related virtual machine system A method used by a virtual machine in communication with an external machine includes providing a single sharing page that is shared between a plurality of virtual machines and a particular virtual machine, wherein the particular virtual machine and the plurality of virtual machines run on a same physical machine; writing into the single sharing page a data packet to be sent by the virtual machine to the external machine; scheduling a page swap between the single sharing page and a blank memory page of the particular virtual machine; and sending, to the external machine, the data packet in the memory page of the particular virtual machine subsequent to the page swap.
US09152439B2	Method and device for customizing software A method of configuring software on a computer is disclosed herein. The software comprises at least one module and the computer comprises a nonvolatile storage having at least one address. An embodiment of the method comprises loading a flag into the address; reading the flag using the software; and activating the module in the software depending on the state of the flag, wherein activating the module causes at least one program to be installed on the computer.
US09152437B2	Dynamically installing image processing Methods, computer-readable media, and systems are provided for dynamically installing an image processing filter. One method for dynamically installing an image processing filter includes starting to obtain image information by infrastructure of an image processing device and processing the obtained image information with an application. After starting to obtain image information, receiving an operating system (OS) application programming interface (API) allowing just-in-time (JIT) bytecode to be executed as a filter during processing the obtained image information.
US09152432B2	System and method to accelerate access to network data using a networking unit accessible non-volatile storage In some embodiments, the invention involves a network controller having a pattern matching unit to identify whether boot file requested from a network accessible storage device for booting are stored locally in non-volatile memory accessible to the network controller. When required boot files are stored locally, the locally stored files are sent to the processor to boot the operating system. In an embodiment, retrieved boot files are automatically cached by the network controller in the accessible non-volatile memory. In other embodiments, a service operates to ensure coherency between locally store boot files and the boot filed stored on the network accessible storage. In another embodiment, data other than boot files may be stored and retrieved from the non-volatile memory. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09152430B2	Method for low power boot for microcontroller A microcontroller includes a clock generator having an internal reference clock, a system mode controller establishing an operating mode, a flash memory having an internal clock and a non-volatile option register, and a boot mode selection logic circuit coupled to the system mode controller and the flash memory. The logic circuit outputs a boot mode selection signal instructing the microcontroller to boot in a very low power run (VLPR) mode or a RUN mode. The system mode controller enters the VLPR or RUN mode in response. The flash memory bypasses and disables its internal clock prior to calibration of the flash memory in the VLPR mode and prior to initialization of the flash memory in the RUN mode. The flash memory subsequently uses an external clock signal based on the output of the internal reference clock.
US09152420B2	Bitstream buffer manipulation with a SIMD merge instruction Method, apparatus, and program means for performing bitstream buffer manipulation with a SIMD merge instruction. The method of one embodiment comprises determining whether any unprocessed data bits for a partial variable length symbol exist in a first data block is made. A shift merge operation is performed to merge the unprocessed data bits from the first data block with a second data block. A merged data block is formed. A merged variable length symbol comprised of the unprocessed data bits and a plurality of data bits from the second data block is extracted from the merged data block.
US09152418B2	Apparatus and method of exception handling for reconfigurable architecture A processor including a coarse grained array including a plurality of processing elements, a central register file including a first plurality of register files, a shadow central register file including a second plurality of register files, each of the second plurality of register files corresponding to each of the first plurality of register files included in the central register file, and a plurality of shadow register files, each of the plurality of shadow register files corresponding to each of a third plurality of register files included in predetermined processing elements selected from the plurality of processing elements.
US09152403B2	Virtual software application deployment configurations Configuration items for a software application can be automatically and/or manually discovered, and the application can be packaged to form a virtual application package. A deployment configuration can include settings for the configuration items. The deployment configuration can be set after packaging the software application. For example, a selected configuration item in the deployment configuration may be changed in response to user input. The virtual application package can be deployed to instantiate the application one or more times, and the deployment configuration can be applied in the instantiated application.
US09152402B2	Automated deployment and servicing of distributed applications Deployment and servicing tasks associated with multi-tier, distributed applications, application environments and data centers are automated so that a person does not have to manually perform these tasks. All of the information describing and defining the distributed service is modeled and stored in a re-useable service template that can be used to drive an automated system to programmatically deploy and manage the service over time. Deployment and servicing of a distributed application can be automated using re-useable models that capture hardware and workload definitions. The re-useable models in the form of service templates enable delta-based servicing of the application. The service can be deployed to one or more physical machines, one or more virtual machines or to a combination thereof. A default deployment plan can be customized with instance-specific customizations of service parameters.
US09152399B2	Extracting stream graph structure in a computer language by pre-executing a deterministic subset Compile-time recognition of graph structure where graph has arbitrary connectivity and is constructed using recursive computations is provided. In one aspect, the graph structure recognized at compile time may be duplicated at runtime and can then operate on runtime values not known at compile time.
US09152393B1	Dynamic entities for a model of a graphical modeling environment A device receives a dynamic system model for a graphical modeling environment, and associates an entity with the dynamic system model, the entity including an entity model. The device defines at least one of a parameter, a configuration, or a solver setting for the entity model, and performs a simulation of the dynamic system model. The device generates a system event during the simulation of the dynamic system model, and modifies at least one of the parameter, the configuration, or the solver setting for the entity model based on the system event.
US09152392B2	Systems and methods for realtime creation and modification of a dynamic media player and disabled user compliant video player Methods and systems for a disabled user compliant video player for an end-to-end streaming web video solution affording accessibility for disabled users, including blind users and those with partial or poor vision, colorblind users, deaf users and those limited to only keyboard/voice input. Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to systems and methods for real-time creation and modification of specialized media players, to be used as stand-alone applications or as embedded data display applications.
US09152383B2	Method for encrypting a message through the computation of mathematical functions comprising modular multiplications An embodiment concerns a method for encrypting a message through a cryptographic algorithm including a computation of a mathematical function including the computation of one or more modular multiplications. Such a cryptographic algorithm has a respective module. The method, carried out with an electronic device, includes: providing a first parameter; generating a random number; calculating a Montgomery parameter based on said first parameter and on a integer multiple of said random number; generating a representation of the message to be encrypted in a Montgomery domain through a Montgomery conversion function applied to the message and to the Montgomery parameter; carrying out the calculation of the mathematical function on the message represented in the Montgomery domain.
US09152379B2	Efficient sorting of large dimensional data Various embodiments sort data. In one embodiment, a matrix D including a set of data values is received. A matrix Q is received, and includes a set of columns and a set of rows. The matrix Q further includes a sorting of each column of the matrix D. Each of these rows corresponds to a sorting. Each of a set of values in each of the set of columns in the matrix Q identifies a row in the matrix D. At least one sub-matrix D′ of the matrix D is identified. A set of columns of the sub-matrix D′ is restricted to one or more columns of the matrix D. A processor sorts the sub-matrix D′ by rows based on the sorting of the set of columns of the matrix D as given in the matrix Q, and based on the set of data values in the matrix D.
US09152372B2	Method and system for enabling multiple VGA cards to process image data A method and system for enabling multiple video graphics array (VGA) cards to process image data are disclosed. Specifically, one embodiment of a graphics system includes a first video graphics array (VGA) card having a first and a second connection ports, a second VGA card having a first and a second connection ports, a third VGA card having a first and a second connection ports, and a connecting device for electronically connecting the first, the second, and the third VGA cards via connections that transfer data. The connecting device is further configured to connect the first connection port of the first VGA card to either the first or the second connection port of the second VGA card and connect the second connection port of the first VGA card to either the first or the second connection port of the third VGA card.
US09152371B2	Desktop application manager: tapping dual-screen cards Methods and devices for selecting a card from an application stack, wherein the card represents a corresponding application that a user would like to make active or bring focus to. The selecting includes one or more of a dragging and a tapping action, with these actions being triggers for transitioning the device to an optional drag state or tapped state, respectively. Transitioning through this state executes the activating of a corresponding application or other action on the device to facilitate window/application/desktop management. The selecting further allows a user to specify which a touch screen (or portion hereof) on which a particular application should be launched.
US09152366B2	Remote printing management for cloud printing A print server may include an application manager configured to receive a print job from a user and associate the print job with a printer. The print server may include a presence manager configured to provide a presence code for the print job and the printer, and to receive the presence code from the user in conjunction with a physical presence of the user at the printer, and a print job router configured to release the print job for printing by the printer, based on the receipt of the presence code.
US09152364B2	Media processing device, control method for a media processing device, and recording medium storing a program executed by a control unit that controls a media processing device Media processing devices, media processing device control methods, and computer-readable recording mediums storing programs that can be executed by control units that control media processing devices are provided. In one embodiment, a media processing device has a plurality of operation units that process roll paper and checks as a plurality of recording media, and a central processing unit (CPU) that controls the operation units by executing commands received from a host computer. When the CPU detects during a normal operating mode that commands for any of the operation units cannot be executed, the CPU switches to a limited operation mode in which commands for that operation unit cannot be executed, but commands from the host computer can be received and commands for other operation units can be executed.
US09152358B2	Printer, print processing program, and print processing method This disclosure discloses a printer comprising a USB port, memory, a printing device, and a processor configured to control the printing device and the memory, wherein the regular storage area includes a first memory area, and at least a second memory area in which at least an instruction file including the print data, and wherein, the processor executes a plurality of processing while concurrently performing at least one processing thereof, the plurality of processing including file write processing for updating a content of original instruction file stored in the second memory area by writing the instruction file in the second memory area, update preparation processing for enabling to be updated later a content of the instruction file stored in the second memory area, and print processing for making the printing device execute printing of print data corresponding to the instruction file written in the second memory area.
US09152355B2	System and method for printable document job submission In some embodiments, a method which includes receiving an indication of the presence of a first message from a first client device, the first message including a first specification file and a first network address associated with a first print data file. The method includes retrieving the first print data file from the first network address. The method includes processing the first specification file and the first print data file by a raster image processor.
US09152353B1	Verifying the consistency of slice allocation metadata A technique for verifying the consistency of slice allocation metadata includes accessing, from user space of an operating system running on the data storage apparatus, a set of drivers running in kernel space of the operating system to obtain slice allocation metadata from the set of drivers, and identifying discrepancies in slice allocation metadata returned from the set of drivers on a per-file-system basis.
US09152349B2	Automated information life-cycle management with thin provisioning A system for managing data includes providing at least one logical device having a table of information that maps sections of the logical device to sections of at least two storage areas. Characteristics of data associated with at least one section of the logical device may be evaluated. The at least one section of the data may moved between the at least two storage areas according to a policy and based on the characteristics of the data. The table of information is updated according to the movement of data between the at least two storage areas.
US09152344B2	Facilitation of simultaneous storage initialization and data destage Various embodiments for storage initialization and data destage in a computing storage environment are provided. At least a portion of data on a storage device is initialized using a background process, while one of simultaneously and subsequently destaging the at least the portion of the data to the storage device using a foreground process is performed. A persistent metadata bitmap, adapted to indicate whether the at least the portion of the data has been initialized, is staged to cache, the cache operable in the computing storage environment. The background process maintains a volatile bitmap indicating a status of the initialization of the at least the portion of the data in direct correspondence to the metadata bitmap. As the background process initializes the at least the portion of the data, an applicable bit on the persistent metadata bitmap is cleared and a corresponding bit is set on the volatile bitmap.
US09152343B2	Information processing system that includes multiple information processors and executes process according to request received via network, and information processing method therein An information processing system includes multiple information processors. Each of the information processors includes a control part configured to periodically store a duplicate copy of at least part of predetermined information stored inside the information processor in a first storage part. The control part is configured to cause the first storage part to be operable from the information processor prior to storing the duplicate copy in the first storage part, store the duplicate copy after causing the first storage part to be operable, and cause the first storage part to be inoperable from the information processor after completion of storing the duplicate copy.
US09152340B2	System and method for managing and producing a dataset image across multiple storage systems An application may store data to a dataset comprising a plurality of volumes stored on a plurality of storage systems. The application may request a dataset image of the dataset, the dataset image comprising a volume image of each volume of the dataset. A dataset image manager operates with a plurality of volume image managers in parallel to produce the dataset image, each volume image manager executing on a storage system. The plurality of volume image managers respond by performing requested operations and sending responses to the dataset image manager in parallel. Each volume image manager on a storage system may manage and produce a volume image for each volume of the dataset stored to the storage system. If a volume image for any volume of the dataset fails, or a timeout period expires, a cleanup procedure is performed to delete any successful volume images.
US09152314B2	Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof A mobile terminal and controlling method thereof are disclosed, by which a terminal can be used in further consideration of user's convenience. The present invention includes displaying at least one object on a display unit of a touchscreen type provided to a front side of a housing of a bar type, if a first touch gesture is performed on the object, enabling the object to move from the main display unit via a first subdisplay unit provided to one lateral side of the housing to a second subdisplay unit of the touchscreen type provided to a backside of the housing, and if a second touch gesture is performed on the object displayed on the second subdisplay unit, enabling the object to move to the main display unit via the first subdisplay unit from the second subdisplay unit. Accordingly, when a touchscreen is attached to at least two sides of a mobile terminal, a terminal user is facilitated to use the mobile terminal in a manner of utilizing how to display the touchscreen provided to the at least two sides.
US09152306B2	Techniques for touch and non-touch user interaction input Various embodiments are generally directed a method and apparatus having a touch screen module to receive first input data from a touch screen sensor based on one or more detected touch inputs at a first location of a virtual object displayed on a display. In addition, an ultrasonic module may receive second input data from an ultrasonic sensor based on detected non-touch motion associated with the virtual object. The detected non-touch motion may be tracked from the first location to a second location in a direction away from the first location based on the second input data and used to determine the second location for the virtual object based on the tracking.
US09152303B2	Systems and methods for efficient video analysis Systems (100) and methods (300) for efficient video analysis. The methods involve: automatically identifying features of at least one feature class which are contained in a first video stream; simultaneously generating a plurality of first video chips (904) using first video data defining the first video stream; displaying an array comprising the first video chips within a graphical user interface window; and concurrently playing the first video chips. Each of the first video chips comprises a segment of the first video stream which includes at least one identified feature.
US09152299B2	Activity management tool A method for providing an activity management tool includes receiving a user request for an activity overview, identifying currently running applications, applications that are likely to be run in the future, and open windows of the currently running applications. The method further includes presenting an activity overview graphical user interface (GUI) having a first area and a second area. The first area includes visual indicators of the currently running applications and the applications likely to be run in the future. The second area includes the open windows of the currently running applications, where the open windows are resized and positioned in such a way as to be simultaneously viewable by the user.
US09152295B2	Triage tool for problem reporting in maps A graphical user interface (GUI) of a triage tool for triaging reported problems is described. The GUI includes a first set of UI items for viewing reported problems of maps. The GUI includes a second set of UI items for viewing map data related to the reported problems. The GUI includes a third set of UI items for sending triaged problems to a set of sources of the map data.
US09152293B2	Server IP addressing in a computing-on-demand system A method and system may provide a graphical user interface to a user via a web portal. A representation of a provisioned server device may be provided via the graphical user interface, wherein a primary Internet protocol (IP) address is associated with the provisioned server device. A selection of the provisioned server device may be received. A request to assign a secondary IP address to the selected server device may be received, wherein the secondary IP address is different from the primary IP address. The secondary IP address to the selected server device may be assigned based on the request.
US09152292B2	Image collage authoring A user interface that includes a catalog area, a collage mock-up area, and a mode select interface control operable to select an operational state of the user interface is displayed. Thumbnails of respective images are shown in the catalog area. A layout of a subset of the images is presented in the collage mock-up area. In response to the receipt of a user input gesture and a determination that the user interface is in a first operational state, a first action type is performed based on the type of the received user input gesture and the object type of the target object. In response to the receipt of the user input gesture and a determination that the user interface is in a second operational state, a second action type is performed based on the type of the received user input gesture and the object type of the target object.
US09152285B2	Position detection of an object within proximity of a touch sensor In one embodiment, a method includes applying a drive signal to a first electrode of a sensor to generate an electric field extending at least in part from the first electrode toward a second electrode of the sensor. The electric field includes a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion extends farther away from a plane of the first electrode than the second portion. The method also includes shunting the second portion of the electric field away from the second electrode and receiving a sense signal from the second electrode produced at least in part by the first portion of the electric field. The sense signal indicates whether an object has come within proximity of the sensor.
US09152280B2	Touch device and fabrication method thereof The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a touch device having a sensing area and a peripheral area around the peripheral area. The touch device comprises a sensing electrode layer, a shading layer, and a signal transmission line, wherein the shading layer is disposed on the peripheral area and the sensing electrode layer. The shading layer has a hollow part and wholly overlays the peripheral area. The signal transmission line is disposed on the shading layer and filled in the hollow part. The signal transmission line is electrically connected to the sensing electrode layer through the shading layer beneath the hollow part. In addition, a fabrication method of the touch device is also provided.
US09152272B2	Multipoint positioning method for touchpad A multipoint positioning method for a touchpad including the steps of: scanning a touchpad to retrieve two-dimensional data; calculating an object area and a number of maxima of local maxima in the two-dimensional data; comparing the object area with an area threshold when the number of maxima is larger than 1; and identifying positions of the local maxima as a plurality of contact positions when the object area is larger than or equal to the area threshold.
US09152270B2	Methods and systems for improving touch sensitivity of touch-based devices The present disclosure discloses methods and systems for improving touch detection of a touch screen device. The method includes determining touch coordinates when the touch screen device is touched. Subsequently, a sampling time is adjusted, depending on the touch coordinates relative to initial coordinates of the touch screen device.
US09152265B2	Touch sensitive display A touch sensitive display includes: an upper substrate, a lower substrate, an organic light-emitting component, and a touch sensing component. The lower substrate is disposed below the upper substrate and the organic light-emitting component is disposed above the lower substrate. The touch sensing component designed by a single layer structure is disposed under or above the upper substrate. Therefore, the present invention can achieve the purpose of lightening the touch sensitive display and simplifying manufacturing process of the touch sensitive display.
US09152247B2	Computing device with force-triggered non-visual responses In one example, a method includes receiving, by a computing device, an indication of a detected force applied to the computing device. The method further comprises determining, by the computing device, that the detected force matches a corresponding input that the computing device associates with a corresponding function that is executable by the computing device. The method further comprises generating, by the computing device and in response to determining that the detected force matches the corresponding input and, a non-visual output based on the corresponding function.
US09152236B2	Apparatus for remotely controlling another apparatus and having self-orientating capability An apparatus for communicating with a target device includes: a sensing portion for sensing points of user contact with the apparatus and user gestures; a transmitting device for sending signals representative of user commands to the target device; a controller; and a memory including instructions for configuring the controller to perform a self-orientation process to determine a forward direction of a plane of operation for defining the user gestures.
US09152233B2	Touch panel support structure A touch panel support structure that can transfer vibration of a touch panel to the operator even though a transparent protective plate is in tight contact with the surface of a case is provided. A rectangular touch panel is sandwiched at four corners between the transparent protective plate that is fixedly attached to the case near the four corners and backside support members so that the four corners act as the nodes of vibration. The antinode of waveform of vibration is located in an input operation area inside the four corners so that the touch panel can vibrate with a certain amplitude together with the transparent protective plate that covers the input operation area, even though the touch panel is fixed to the frame-like case along its periphery via the transparent protective plate, and thus vibration can be transferred to the operator.
US09152230B1	Tactile user interface device A computer system includes a computer processor, an operating system operative in connection with the computer processor, and a display responsive to the operating system. The system also has a pointing device that includes a position sensor and a tactile actuator. A pointing device driver is responsive to the position sensor, and the tactile actuator is responsive to the pointing device driver. A general-purpose application is responsive to the pointing device driver and to the operating system and in communication with the display, and the pointing device driver is also responsive to the general purpose application. The system further includes a profile that maps region changes associated with material displayed on the screen to tactile signals to be sent to the tactile actuator.
US09152227B2	Method and apparatus for controlling presentation of media content A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining a viewing orientation of a first viewer in a viewing area from a plurality of images captured from the viewing area during a presentation of media content, determining whether an attentiveness level of the first viewer during the presentation of the media content is below a threshold by correlating the viewing orientation with the presentation of the media content, and performing an operation associated with the presentation of the media content at a display, where the operation is selected from a first viewer profile associated with the first viewer according to the viewing orientation responsive to determining that the attentiveness level is below the threshold. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09152222B2	Method, apparatus, and system for facilitating cross-application searching and retrieval of content using a contextual user model A method, apparatus, and system for facilitating cross-application searching and retrieval of computer-stored content using a contextual user model includes using passive and/or active interaction data to formulate a user-specific search query. In some embodiments, inferences relating to the user's current interaction context may be used to automatically retrieve relevant information for the user.
US09152218B2	Framework for runtime power monitoring and management Systems and methods of managing power in a computing platform may involve monitoring a runtime power consumption of two or more of a plurality of hardware components in the platform to obtain a plurality of runtime power determinations. The method can also include exposing one or more of the plurality of runtime power determinations to an operating system associated with the platform.
US09152211B2	Electronic device with enhanced notifications There is disclosed an electronic device comprising a receiver, a display, an application processor and a sensor hub. The receiver is configured to receive notifications from a remote device. The display is configured to provide information including notifications. The application processor and the sensor hub are in communication with the display. The application processor is configured to provide instructions for displaying full screen information at the display during a non-sleep mode of the electronic device. The full screen information includes a first notification associated with information received by the electronic device during the non-sleep mode. The sensor hub is configured to provide instructions for displaying partial screen information at the display during a sleep mode of the electronic device. The partial screen information includes a second notification associated with information received by the electronic device during the sleep mode.
US09152206B2	System and method for reducing power consumption Systems and methods are disclosed for operating an interface of an electronic device in an active mode or a power save mode based, at least in part, on a condition of a data exchange module buffer. When buffer space is available, incoming data may be stored locally and the interface used to access remote memory storage may be in a power save mode. The interface may revert to active mode to transfer data to the remote memory, such as after a configurable reception interval. Outgoing data may also be stored in a buffer, allowing the interface to be in a power save mode with information transmitted from the buffer.
US09152202B2	Mobile device operations with battery optimization Techniques for conserving battery power in devices are provided. One or more deferrable tasks are queued for later execution. An initiation of a subsequent charging event for a battery of the device is detected. The queued deferrable task(s) are enabled to be executed during the charging event. For instance, the queued deferrable task(s) may be enabled to be executed if the charging event is predicted to be a long duration charging event, such as by referring to a charging profile of the mobile device. In this manner, battery power is conserved while the device is in use and not connected to a battery charger.
US09152200B2	Resource and power management using nested heterogeneous hypervisors A server includes a plurality of processors, at least some of the processors being partitioned into virtual partitions using a virtual partition hypervisor. At least one of the virtual partitions executes a virtual machine hypervisor to implement a plurality of virtual machines within said at least one of said virtual partitions. The server also executes a workload manager application configured to dynamically reallocate the processors among the virtual partitions.
US09152199B2	Power state dependent wake-up alarm A method of operating a computing device to allow events to be conditionally executed based on a power state of the device at the time of execution of the events. Conditional execution may be implemented using multiple timers, each associated with a power state. A timer such as an “AC timer” or a “DC timer” associated with a respective power state may be used to wake up the device when, upon expiration, or time-out, of the timer, a current power state of the device and the power state associated with the timer match. An Advanced Configuration Power Interface (ACPI) may be employed to abstract implementation of the timers from underlying hardware of the device. The operating system and software applications may request establishing wake-up behavior of the device as commands to program conditional events, which may then be translated into commands to embedded controller to set the timers.
US09152195B2	Wake on cloud A method can include receiving a request to access a specified resource associated with a user account; and, in response to the request, transmitting, to a network address associated with the user account, instructions for waking a system or device from a sleep state and for accessing the specified resource. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
US09152186B2	Notebook computer and cell phone assembly A notebook computer including a controller for controlling operation of the notebook computer, a pouch in which to insert a cellular communicator, an amplifier connected to the controller, a speaker connected to the amplifier, a power supply connected to the controller, and circuitry, connected to the pouch and to the amplifier, for enabling the amplifier when the controller is powered off, in response to the cellular communicator being inserted in the pouch, and for causing the amplifier to generate a call alert when an incoming call arrives at the cellular communicator while the cellular communicator is inserted in the pouch.
US09152178B2	Environmental controls for mobile electronic devices A mobile computing device is described. The mobile computing device includes an enclosure. A humidity sensor senses humidity inside the enclosure and generates humidity data. An internal temperature sensor senses a temperature inside the enclosure and generates internal temperature data. An external temperature sensor senses a temperature exterior to the enclosure and generates external temperature data. An environmental control apparatus adjusts at least a temperature inside the enclosure of the mobile electronic device. A processor receives the humidity data, the internal temperature data, and the external temperature data and activates the environmental control apparatus in response to the humidity data, the internal temperature data, and the external temperature data to minimize condensation from forming inside the enclosure due to rapid changes in external ambient temperature.
US09152174B2	Computer system A computer system includes a desk, and a first display and a first keyboard arranged on a desk panel of the desk and flexibly connected to the desk panel. The panel board includes at least two layers; an edge of a top layer of the panel board is flexibly connected to a second layer of the panel board; a lower surface of the top layer of the panel board is used as a second display and an upper surface of a second layer of the panel board is used as a second keyboard; and the first display, the first key board, the second display, and the second keyboard are all connected to the computer. The computer system of the present disclosure effectively protects eye sights, reduces the probability of shortsightedness, greatly increases the amount of exercise, consumes unnecessary energy, reduces the storage of energy and production of fat, further results in loss of weight, and at the same time strengthens physical exercise and improves health states.
US09152171B1	Spheroidal pivot for an electronic device A multi-positionable computer comprises a user interface portion and a processing portion. The user interface portion includes a path along its back surface. The user interface portion can include a slot for receiving computer peripherals. The processing portion includes a connecting member for slidably coupling the processing portion to the user interface portion, and a rolling surface for contacting an external surface. The processing portion allows the user interface portion to be oriented in one of a plurality of positions along the path. In one orientation of the user interface portion, content is automatically displayed to align with the orientation of the user interface portion. In some embodiments, a virtual keyboard is displayed when the user interface portion is oriented in a predetermined position. The processing portion includes sides adjacent to the rolling surface. In some embodiments, ports and/or connections are accessible from at least one of the sides.
US09152170B2	Rotation module with linked plugging and unplugging design A rotation module with a linked plugging and unplugging design is applied to a host case for installation and disassembly. The rotation module includes: a housing, for accommodating a data storage unit electrically connected to a cable; a placement assembly, for guiding the housing along a first direction to install or disassemble the housing; a rotation assembly, for rotatably combining the housing and the placement assembly so that the housing is capable of rotating along a second direction; and a linkage assembly, having a first end and a second end, with a plug assembly of the cable assembled to the second end. In response to the housing rotated along the second direction, the second end of the linkage assembly moves in a linked manner along the first direction and enables the plug assembly to plug into or unplug from a slot of a motherboard.
US09152168B2	Systems and methods for system power estimation Methods and systems for system power estimation are provided. A method implemented in a computer infrastructure includes separating products into different segments. The method also includes calculating a power estimation for each segment based on operating conditions of each respective segment. The method further includes calculating an average system power estimation. At least one of the separating, calculating the power estimation, and calculating the average system power estimation is performed using a processor.
US09152163B1	Regulation of a load current-to-sensing current ratio in a current sensing power metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) This disclosure describes techniques for regulating a kILIS factor (i.e., a load current-to-sensing current ratio) of a current sensing power metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). The techniques may include generating a reference voltage based on a configurable function that defines the reference voltage as a function of two or more main terminal voltages which are obtained at two or more different locations on a metallization that forms a main terminal of a current sensing power MOSFET, and regulating a sensing terminal of the current sensing power MOSFET at a voltage that is determined based on the reference voltage. Using a configurable function of two or more main terminal voltages to regulate a sensing terminal of a current sensing power MOSFET may allow the voltage at which the sensing terminal is regulated to be trimmed in order to improve the accuracy of the kILIS factor produced by the current sensing power MOSFET.
US09152161B2	Maintain power signature (MPS) powered device (PD) A Maintain Power Signature (MPS) Powered Device (PD) is described. In one or more implementations, the MPS device comprises a current sensor configured to sense current flowing from Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) to the PD. The current sense based MPS device also comprises a current generator configured to sink electrical current to prevent the PSE from removing power to the PD. Thus, the electrical current comprises a current amplitude characteristic selected based upon MPS requirements of the PSE. In some implementations, the current is sunk to a ground. In other implementations, the current is sunk to a storage device, such as a storage device included with the PD and/or external to the PD.
US09152150B1	Compositions, systems, and methods for immiscible fluid discrete volume manipulation Systems and methods of manipulating discrete volumes of a first fluid in a second fluid are provided. In some embodiments, discrete volumes can be formed in a conduit. In other embodiments, addition fluid can be added to a discrete volume in a first conduit by injecting the addition fluid at a relatively higher pressure. In some embodiments, discrete volumes that normally would not coalesce can be manipulated to be merged together.
US09152142B2	Servo controller for correcting position error when moving member reverses A servo controller (10) includes a reversal change calculating part (24) which uses the position of a moving member (19) as the basis to calculate the amount of change of the position of the moving member, a distance calculating part (25) which uses a position of the moving member as the basis to calculate a distance from the servo motor to the moving member, an approximation equation determining part (26) which uses the amount of change of the position of the moving member, distance, and the torque command as the basis to calculate a position correction amount which corrects delay of the servo motor due to reversal of the servo motor, and a position correction calculating part (27) which uses the approximation equation as the basis to calculate the position correction amount.
US09152138B2	Common collaboration context between a console operator and a field operator A method of operating a system (e.g., an industrial pant) that runs a physical process involving a console operator and a plurality of field operators including a first field operator. The first field operator sends a wireless message that reaches the console operator. Responsive to receiving the wireless message, selected information is read from a system database including information for equipment in the system and process event data obtained from or relating to the equipment. The selected information includes the equipment which is proximate to a current location of the first field operator (proximate equipment) and process related data from the proximate equipment. The selected information is displayed on the display device viewable by the console operator. To complete a collaboration, the console operator can provide information relevant to the current location to the first field operator.
US09152131B2	Snooze alarm system for a wearable device A wearable device in one embodiment includes a motion detection sensor, an alarm clock and a sleep monitor operatively coupled to the motion detection sensor and the alarm clock. The sleep monitor monitors a person during sleep by collecting motion detection sensor data at a first data collection rate and determines a sleep state of the person based on the collected motion detection sensor data at the first data collection rate. If the sleep monitor detects that the alarm clock has entered a snooze mode, then the first data collection rate is increased to a second data collection rate and motion detection sensor data is collected at the second data collection rate while the alarm clock system in the snooze mode.
US09152129B2	Electronic watch clasp systems and methods Embodiments of a digital clasp for a watch can include a housing, a display, where the display it at least partially retained by the housing, a circuit board associated with a controller, a first clasp arm coupled with the housing, a second clasp arm, and a pivot, where the pivot couples the first clasp arm and the second clasp arm such that the first clasp arm is configured to pivot relative to the second clasp arm.
US09152119B2	Cooling device and image forming apparatus A cooling device includes: a cooling roller that cools down a sheet-like member by coming into contact with the sheet-like member; a belt member that is rotatably extended by a plurality of extending members, presses the sheet-like member against the cooling roller, and holds and carries the sheet-like member; and a driving roller that serves as one of the plurality of extending members and drives to rotate the belt member, wherein the driving roller is axially divided into a plurality of rollers and each of the plurality of rollers has a crown-like shape whose outer diameter continuously becomes larger from both end parts to a center part in an axial direction.
US09152105B2	Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same A fixing device includes a fixing member, a pressing member, a heating unit, multiple sub-heaters disposed in the heating unit, a temperature sensor to detect a temperature of the heating unit, and a heating control unit. The heating control unit controls the heating unit by controlling the multiple sub-heaters individually to heat the respective heating areas, such that a temperature at a portion of the fixing member corresponding to a blank area of the recording medium is lower than a temperature of a portion of the fixing member corresponding to an imaged area of the recording medium. The heating control unit further changes a size of a preliminary heating area to preliminarily heat the respective heating areas before the imaged area enters the fixing nip according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.
US09152101B2	Printer device using inter-document gap to reduce motion disturbance and method thereof A printing device, including a fuser section for printing operations and first and second fuser rollers for the fuser section arranged to: displace a plurality of sheets of print material in a process direction; and substantially simultaneously disengage from a trailing edge of a first sheet from the plurality of sheets; and engage a leading edge of a second sheet from the plurality of sheets. A printing device, including: a fuser section for printing operations and including first and second fuser rollers; a motor arranged to rotate the first and second fuser rollers to displace a plurality of sheets of material in a process direction; and a control system configured to measure a torque produced by the motor and according to a value of the measured torque, control a speed at which the first and second fuser rollers displace the plurality of sheets of print material in the process direction.
US09152100B2	Image forming apparatus having a sheet guide An image forming apparatus includes a pre-fixing sheet guide and a toner collection device. The pre-fixing sheet guide is to let a sheet conveyed along it, the sheet with a toner image transferred thereon at a transfer portion to an end part of the sheet. The sheet guide has a width shorter than a maximum printable sheet width. The toner collection device includes an adsorption member (pressure roller) that is disposed in the vicinity of the pre-fixing sheet guide and having a surface exhibiting conductivity, and a potential difference formation mechanism (earth mechanism) configured to form a potential difference between the surface of the adsorption member and the toner.
US09152098B2	Cleaning apparatuses for fusing systems An embodiment generally relates to a xerographic fusing apparatus including a fuser member; and a cleaning mechanism for the fuser member. The cleaning mechanism can include an abrasive cleaning web in contact with the fuser member, the abrasive cleaning web including a non-woven fabric and at least one abrasive; a supply roll configured to advance the abrasive cleaning web; and a take-up roll configured to collect the abrasive cleaning web.
US09152095B1	Determining transfer bias settings in electrophotographic printing A method for determining transfer bias settings in an electrophotographic printing system having a plurality of printing modules, each printing module including a respective transfer subsystem operated at an associated transfer bias setting. The method includes defining a plurality of test transfer bias sets, each test transfer bias set including a transfer bias setting for the transfer subsystem in each of the printing modules. For each of the defined test transfer bias sets, a plurality of process control patches are transferred onto a measurement surface, wherein the process control patches include a monochrome patch printed using a particular printing module and at least one multi-color patch. A monochrome transfer function and a multi-color transfer function are determined characterizing the amount of the transferred toner as a function of the transfer bias, and are used to determine a transfer bias setting for the particular printing module.
US09152083B2	Carriage assembly for toner cartridge loading and latching A carriage assembly for an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a plurality of cradles mounted on a base. Each cradle has a cartridge storage area sized to receive and hold a corresponding toner cartridge. Each of the cradles is independently pivotable between a loading position for loading and unloading the toner cartridge into and out of the cradle and an operating position for operating the toner cartridge in the image forming device. Each of the cradles is biased toward the loading position. A latch assembly is configured to retain the cradles holding the corresponding toner cartridges in the operating position. The latch assembly has user-actuated engagement features for individually releasing the cradles from the operating position to the loading position for unloading the corresponding toner cartridge.
US09152082B2	Cartridge having contact member to mitigate damage to cartridge frame A cartridge includes: a frame defining a chamber for storing developer therein; a rotary body configured to be rotatably supported to the frame; and a contact member. The rotary body includes: a metal shaft extending in an axial direction, the frame extending in the axial direction; and a cover portion made of an elastic material and provided around the metal shaft to expose shaft end portions thereof, the cover portion having a cover-portion end portion positioned inward of the frame in the axial direction. The contact member is provided on the metal shaft and disposed between the cover-portion end portion and the frame in the axial direction such that the contact member is in contact with each of the cover-portion end portion and the frame.
US09152072B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes: an endless belt having a surface on which a first image and a second image are formed; a drive roller that drives the belt; a tension roller that supports the belt on a downstream side of the drive roller; a first image forming unit disposed at a first position on an upstream side of the tension roller; a second image forming unit disposed at a second position on an upstream side of the first image forming unit; and a controller that obtains first and second image data, corrects the first and second image data so as to compensate a distortion of the second image occurring during conveyance of the second image from the second position to the first position, and causes the first and second image forming units to form the first and second images based on the corrected first and second image data.
US09152071B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes a recording medium storage unit that stores therein a recording medium; an image forming unit that is arranged above the recording medium storage unit and that forms an image on the recording medium transferred from the recording medium storage unit; a storage-unit exterior member that covers a front side of the recording medium storage unit; an image-forming-unit exterior member that covers a front side of the image forming unit and that protrudes forward relative to the storage-unit exterior member; and a fresh air supply path that is arranged on a back side of the image-forming-unit exterior member, through which fresh air introduced from outside the image forming apparatus flows.
US09152068B2	Liquid developer and method for manufacturing the same In a liquid developer in which toner particles are dispersed in an insulating liquid, the toner particles have a core-shell structure that first resin particles containing a first resin are attached to or cover surfaces of second resin particles containing a second resin. The second resin particles further contain a pigment and a dispersant for pigment, and solubility of the dispersant for pigment in the insulating liquid is not higher than 10 mass % at 25° C.
US09152063B2	Toner with improved fusing performance The present disclosure provides a toner comprising a bioresin and two waxes with improved fuser release.
US09152062B2	Pattern forming device, pattern forming method, and device manufacturing method Presented are methods for forming a predetermined pattern in a predetermined area of an elongated sheet material. The methods include applying a two-dimensional tension to a portion including the predetermined area of the sheet material, and allowing a flat reference surface to adsorb a rear surface portion corresponding to the predetermined area of the sheet material applied with the two-dimensional tension. The methods then illuminate an energy beam corresponding to the pattern to the predetermined area of the sheet material adsorbed to the reference surface.
US09152060B2	Stage device with two pairs of movable elements and two pairs of stators, exposure apparatus, and method of manufacturing devices A stage device includes a stage and a frame-shaped member that move in three degrees of freedom directions in a two-dimensional plane while floating above a surface plate. The stage also holds an object. First fixed elements and second fixed elements are fitted to the frame-shaped member, and cooperate with first movable elements and second movable elements to generate drive forces to drive the stage in the two-dimensional plane. A reaction force generated by the driving of the stage acts on the first and/or second fixed elements, and causes the frame-shaped member to move in the two-dimensional plane. Because the reaction force caused by the movement of the stage is substantially completely cancelled, and because the movement of a center of gravity of a system including the stage and the frame-shaped member does not occur, no unbalanced load acts on the surface plate.
US09152056B2	Imaging optical system and projection exposure system for microlithography An imaging optical system includes a plurality of mirrors that image an object field in an object plane into an image field in an image plane. At least one of the mirrors is obscured, and thus has an opening for imaging light to pass through. The fourth-last mirror in the light path before the image field is not obscured and provides, with an outer edge of the optically effective reflection surface thereof, a central shadowing in a pupil plane of the imaging optical system. The distance between the fourth-last mirror and the last mirror along the optical axis is at least 10% of the distance between the object field and the image field. An intermediate image, which is closest to the image plane, is arranged between the last mirror and the image plane. The imaging optical system can have a numerical aperture of 0.9. These measures, not all of which must be effected simultaneously, lead to an imaging optical system with improved imaging properties and/or reduced production costs.
US09152047B2	Actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition, actinic-ray-or radiation-sensitive film therefrom, method of forming pattern, process for manufacturing semiconductor device, semiconductor device and compound Provided is an actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition including a compound that when exposed to actinic rays or radiation, generates any of acids of general formula (I) below.
US09152041B2	Display panel including patterned spacer Disclosed is a display panel including a lower substrate, upper substrate, and a patterned spacer that causes the lower substrate and upper substrate to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, wherein the patterned spacer is obtained from a photosensitive resin composition comprising: (a) a triazine-based photopolymerization initiator represented by the following formula 1; (b) an alkali-soluble photo polymerizable reactive resin binder; and (c) a polymerizable compound: (wherein each of R1-R5 has the same meaning as defined herein). A photosensitive resin composition for use in a patterned spacer is also disclosed, the composition comprising: (a) a triazine-based photopolymerization initiator represented by the following formula 1; (b) an alkali-soluble photopolymerizable reactive resin binder; (c) a polymerizable compound; and (d) a solvent. The photosensitive resin composition shows high sensitivity and excellent properties related with development, and provides a patterned spacer having excellent strength, sensitivity, residue characteristics, film uniformity, residual film ratio, etc.
US09152039B2	Multiple patterning technology method and system for achieving minimal pattern mismatch The present disclosure provides for many different embodiments of a multiple patterning technology method and system. An exemplary method includes receiving a pattern layout having a plurality of features; coloring each of the plurality of features one of at least two colors, thereby forming a colored pattern layout, wherein the coloring includes coloring match-sensitive features a same color; and fabricating at least two masks with the features of the colored pattern layout, wherein each mask includes features of a single color.
US09152038B2	Photomasks and methods for using same Methods and structures for forming anodization layers that protect and cosmetically enhance metal surfaces are described. In some embodiments, methods involve forming an anodization layer on an underlying metal that permits an underlying metal surface to be viewable. In some embodiments, methods involve forming a first anodization layer and an adjacent second anodization layer on an angled surface, the interface between the two anodization layers being regular and uniform. Described are photomasking techniques and tools for providing sharply defined corners on anodized and texturized patterns on metal surfaces. Also described are techniques and tools for providing anodizing resistant components in the manufacture of electronic devices.
US09152035B2	Lithographic photomask with inclined sides A lithographic process will use a mask or photomask. The photomask includes a first material layer, the first material layer providing a first outer surface of the photomask. The photomask also includes a second material layer over the first material layer, the second material layer providing a second outer surface of the photomask. The two outer surfaces are substantially in parallel and a distance between the two outer surfaces along a first axis perpendicular to the two outer surfaces defines a thickness of the photomask. Also, the two outer surfaces are connected by a plurality of sides, at least one of the sides is not perpendicular to the two outer surfaces and the at least one of the sides provides substantial area for holding the lithographic photomask.
US09152033B2	Discharge lamp lighting device and projector A discharge lamp lighting device includes: a discharge lamp drive section which supplies electric power to a discharge lamp; a voltage detecting section which detects drive voltage of the discharge lamp; and a control section which controls the discharge lamp drive section, wherein the control section performs a first control process of controlling the discharge lamp drive section so that the electric power supplied to the discharge lamp is a first power based on the drive voltage detected by the voltage detecting section during a period when the first control process is previously performed, and a second control process of controlling the discharge lamp drive section so that the electric power supplied to the discharge lamp is a second power different from the first power based on the drive voltage detected by the voltage detecting section during a period when the second control process is previously performed.
US09152032B2	High efficiency motorized roller screen and method of operation The invention advantageously provides a deployable screen system that includes a roller tube, a motor/controller unit and a power supply unit. The motor/controller unit is disposed within the roller tube, and includes a bearing, rotatably coupled to a support shaft, and a DC gear motor. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to the mounting bracket. The deployable screen system is operable by tugging, manual movement and wireless control. The DC gear motor is underpowered by a plurality of batteries positioned within the roller tube. In this way a novel, useful and nonobvious deployable screen system is presented.
US09152022B2	Techniques for adjusting a projected image Techniques are disclosed for compensating for deficiencies of a given image projector so as to eliminate or otherwise reduce discrepancies between original image data provided to the projector and the actual image projected by the projector. The techniques also may be used to enhance an attribute of the original image data to improve the image projected by the projector. The techniques can be implemented, for instance, with an imaging capture device and an image comparison engine. In operation, the imaging capture device can capture a projected image from a viewing surface, and the image comparison engine can compare the original image data with the projected image captured by the imaging capture device. Based on the results of this comparison, an adjustment then can be made to achieve the desired projected image. The adjustment may entail, for example, adjusting the original image data provided to the projector and/or adjusting projector settings.
US09152017B2	Rotational joint A rotational joint is provided that comprises a first member, second member, rotational shaft member, rotational biasing member and stop ring. The first member has a pair of sidewalls that face each other. The second member has a pair of plate members each disposed proximate to the outer-facing sides of the sidewalls. The rotational shaft member is fitted into shaft holes in each of the plate members and the sidewalls. The rotational biasing member is disposed around the rotational shaft member and its one end is engaged with the first member and the other end with the stop ring fixed to the rotational shaft member. The first member is rotatable with respect to the rotational shaft member that is fixed to the second member. The rotational biasing member and stop ring are disposed between the sidewalls.
US09152016B2	Image capturing device and method for determining correction coefficient of autofocus function An image capturing device includes a lens, a motor to move the lens, and a variety of modules. The variety of modules includes an interface control module, a module to control the lens movement, a determining module, and an analyzing module. The interface control module displays an input interface for inputting control data. The determining module determines an actual position of the lens according to the basic autofocus function. The analyzing module calculates an optimal autofocus position for the control data input, and determines a ratio between the actual position of the lens and the optimal autofocus position as a correction coefficient. When in use, after the correction coefficient has been set, the input control data is firstly modified according to the correction coefficient, and the lens is moved by the actuator to a modified autofocus position according to the corrected control data.
US09152010B2	Auto focus adjusting method, auto focus adjusting apparatus, and digital photographing apparatus including the same An auto focus (AF) adjusting method, an AF adjusting apparatus, and a digital photographing apparatus including the same, the AF adjusting apparatus including: an AF calculator for calculating focus detection evaluation values; a peak detector for detecting a peak position of the focus detection evaluation values; and a speed calculator for calculating a moving speed of a subject by using the peak position. When continuous photographing of still images is performed, the peak detector detects the peak position in an image pickup interval before a light exposure preparation interval for image capturing, and the focus lens driver performs moving body compensation driving for compensating for a focal position by using a moving speed calculated in the light exposure preparation interval before capturing starts.
US09152002B2	Electrical writing board An electrical writing board includes a bottom color plate, an electrochromic board, a touch panel, and a driving circuit module. The electrochromic board is covered on the bottom color plate, and includes a plurality of electrochromic units. The touch panel is covered on the electrochromic board, and outputs a touch signal when the touch panel is touched. The driving circuit module is electrically connected between the electrochromic board and the touch panel, and enables a part of the electrochromic units according to the touch signal to display a handwriting. The handwriting displaying on the electrochromic board is the same as a touch route sensed by the touch panel.
US09151994B2	Display panel A display panel includes a first substrate, scan lines, data lines, pixel units, a second substrate, a display medium, and a color filter layer. The scan lines and the data lines are disposed on the first substrate. The pixel units are electrically connected to the scan lines and the data lines. Each pixel unit includes first, second, third, and fourth pixels. An extension direction of slit patterns of the first and second pixels is different from an extension direction of at least one of slit patterns of the third and fourth pixels. The color filter layer includes a first color filter pattern disposed corresponding to the first pixel, a second color filter pattern disposed corresponding to the second pixel, and a third color filter pattern disposed corresponding to the third pixel and the fourth pixel.
US09151993B2	Liquid crystal display device and fabrication method thereof A LCD and a fabrication process is presented. An upper substrate is coincidentally formed with a red, a green and a blue color filters using phase separation. A compound containing a photopolymeric color filter resin and a liquid crystal are coated on an array substrate and then photopolymerized after formation of the array substrate. A seed layer may be provided on the substrate before the compound is applied. Polymerization of the color filter resin permits simultaneous formation of the upper, color filter substrate and liquid crystal layer.
US09151991B2	Electro-optical device and electronic device An electro-optical device may include a first substrate, a second substrate, a photo-curable seal member between the first substrate and the second substrate, a first light-shielding layer between the first substrate and the photo-curable seal member, and a second light-shielding layer between the first substrate and the first light-shielding layer. The first substrate may include a pixel area in which pixels are aligned, and a seal region around the pixel area and in which the photo-curable seal member is provided. Within the seal region, the second light-shielding layer may be larger in an outer shape or pattern than the shape or pattern of first light-shielding layer. The pixel area may include an interconnect layer made of the same layer as the one of the light-shielding layers, and the interconnect layer may be narrower than one of the light-shielding layers.
US09151990B2	Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof An LCD device adapted to improve a residual image matter is disclosed. The LCD device includes an alignment layer aligning the liquid crystal. The alignment layer is formed of an optically aligned composition inclusive of an aromatic compound. Also, the alignment layer undergoes a crosslinking process. In accordance therewith, the thermalization of the alignment layer is improved. As a result, the residual image problem of the LCD device can be solved.
US09151981B2	Liquid crystal display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same The viewing angle of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) apparatus is expanded by means of a sampled light redirecting layer, In one embodiment, the sampled light redirecting layer is formed as a compensation layer disposed between a top polarizing plate and the rest of a liquid crystal display panel having a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. The compensation layer includes at least two optical path changing patterns disposed in interleaved manner. The two optical path changing patterns have different refractive indexes. As a result of the different refractive indices and shapes of the at least two different optical path changing patterns some of the light rays sampled out of the output of the rest of a liquid crystal display panel are directed in a first direction by means of reflection or refraction and some are directed in a different second direction, thereby improving a side visibility of the display apparatus.
US09151975B2	Backlight module and connecting device thereof A connecting device comprises: a first connecting element, comprising a stopping portion and at least two elastic cantilevers disposed at two ends of the stopping portion, a via hole being formed in the stopping portion between the two elastic cantilevers, and a snap-fit portion being disposed on each of the elastic cantilevers; and a second connecting element comprising an abutting portion and a push-pull portion perpendicularly connected with the abutting portion, positioning rings being disposed at both ends of the abutting portion respectively. The push-pull portion of the second connecting element is inserted through the via hole of the first connecting element, and the elastic cantilevers are inserted into the positioning rings respectively. Thus, assembly and detachment of the first connecting element and the second connecting element can be easily achieved by applying a force to the push-pull portion.
US09151964B2	Optical unit with shake correcting function An optical unit with a shake correcting function may include a movable body configured to hold an optical element; a fixed body which covers at least a side face part of the movable body; a spring member which is connected with the movable body and the fixed body; a shake correction drive mechanism configured to generate a drive force for swinging the movable body with respect to the fixed body; and a stopper mechanism which is provided between the spring member and a swing center of the movable body in an optical axis direction, and configured to determine a movable range of the movable body in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.
US09151962B2	Position detector and autofocus control apparatus using focal point deviation detector An autofocus control apparatus includes a beam splitter, a condenser lens and a detector. The beam splitter directs light beams from a light source toward a sample and passes light beams reflected from the sample to the condenser lens. The condenser lens condenses the light beams, and the detector detects a focal point deviation of the sample relative to a focal point of the condenser lens. The focal point deviation is detected based on an intersection of a focal line passing through different focal points of the condenser lens and a light receiving plane configured to receive the light beams passing through the condenser lens.
US09151961B2	Optical component An optical component including: a first substrate body which is made of a platy member allowing infrared laser beam to be transmitted therethrough and having a refractive index of 2 to 4 with respect to the infrared laser beam, and which has an input surface where the infrared laser beam is incident, and an inclined surface inclined to the input surface at an angle of inclination, calculated in accordance with Formula (I): n(λ)×sin θ(λ)=1×sin(x) (I) and formed with a transmitting phase retarding film that shifts a phase of the infrared laser beam; and a second substrate body which is made of the platy member and which has an output surface from which the infrared laser beam is emitted, and an inclined surface inclined at the angle of inclination to the output surface and formed with the transmitting phase retarding film. The inclined surfaces of both substrate bodies are arranged as opposed to each other so as to have a space therebetween.
US09151959B2	Methods of forming 3D real images floating in space from 3D floating real source images and display systems utilizing such methods An optical system that projects a real image to a location in free space and includes one or more features located along the optical path that enhance the viewability of the real image. The optical system includes a converging element for converging a portion of source light so as to form the real image. One viewability-enhancing features is the use of a broadband reflector-polarizer having high transmitting and reflecting efficiencies. Another viewability-enhancing features is the use of polarizing elements having substantially matched bandwidth responses and/or comprising an achromatic design. An additional viewability-enhancing feature is the use of a wide-view film to increase the viewing angle of the image.
US09151957B2	Three-dimensional image display device A three-dimensional (“3D”) image display device includes a display panel assembly which displays a two-dimensional (“2D”) image including a left region and a right region, which are divided by an axis, and the display panel assembly repeatedly rotates back and forth by a predetermined angle with respect to the axis.
US09151954B2	Head mounted display having alignment maintained via structural frame A head mounted display device includes a structural frame arranged generally along a first axis and a second axis for viewing along a third axis, the first, second, and third axes being mutually perpendicular. The structural frame includes opposing upper and lower rims between which are defined left and right openings. Left and right micro-displays are coupled to the structural frame, and are configured to project visual content in a substantially forward direction along the third axis toward the left and right openings, respectively, and away from a user. Left and right optical elements are coupled to the structural frame and respectively positioned over the left and right openings and each include an at least partially reflective surface facing in a substantially rearward direction along the third axis. The structural frame maintains the optical elements in alignment to define an optical light path for reflectively guiding a light ray bundle from the micro-displays to a user's eyes.
US09151945B2	Micro electric liquid device and apparatus including the same Provided are a micro electric liquid device and an apparatus including the device. The micro electric liquid device includes a first fluid that is opaque, a second fluid that is transparent a first channel configured to have the first and second fluid flow therein without mixing, a second channel overlapped and spaced apart from the first channel, wherein the second channel is configured to have the first and second fluids flow therein, and a connection part connecting the first and second channels, wherein an aperture is adjusted by a positional change of an interface between the first and second fluids in the first and second channels, and wherein the second channel includes a first sub channel configured to have the first and second fluids flow therein and having a non-uniform height and a second sub channel configured to have the second fluid to flow therein and having a uniform height.
US09151943B2	System and method for monitoring birefringent particles in a fluid An imaging system with an imaging mechanism which includes polarization analyzers, which may be crossed polarization analyzers, positioned to provide birefringence images of particles in the fluid passing through the flow chamber. Captured images are of high resolution and may be used in comparison to known images of a library of images. The system and related method enhance the accuracy and sensitivity of particle monitoring by utilizing birefringence imaging combined with particle analysis and the detection of each particle's characteristic features, such as crystalline features. The system includes a scatter detector used to trigger backlighting of the flow chamber and capture images of particles therein.
US09151940B2	Semiconductor inspection and metrology system using laser pulse multiplier A pulse multiplier includes a beam splitter and one or more mirrors. The beam splitter receives a series of input laser pulses and directs part of the energy of each pulse into a ring cavity. After circulating around the ring cavity, part of the pulse energy leaves the ring cavity through the beam splitter and part of the energy is recirculated. By selecting the ring cavity optical path length, the repetition rate of an output series of laser pulses can be made to be a multiple of the input repetition rate. The relative energies of the output pulses can be controlled by choosing the transmission and reflection coefficients of the beam splitter. This pulse multiplier can inexpensively reduce the peak power per pulse while increasing the number of pulses per second with minimal total power loss.
US09151935B2	Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the same A zoom lens includes an imaging lens unit having a positive refractive power and provided nearest to an image-side end, and a focusing lens unit having a positive refractive power and provided on an object side of the imaging lens unit. A distance between the imaging lens unit and the focusing lens unit changes during zooming. The focusing lens unit moves during focusing. The imaging lens unit includes, at a position thereof nearest to an object-side end, a negative meniscus lens component that is concave on the object side thereof.
US09151933B2	Image-capturing apparatus, control method for image-capturing apparatus, and program Enabling an ordinary image-capturing apparatus to achieve all-around image-capturing without having a user to perform particularly difficult setting operation.There is provided an image-capturing apparatus including, an image-capturing unit capable of detachably attaching an adapter having an all-around image-capturing optical system for capturing an image of a subject all around the image-capturing apparatus, and having an image-capturing optical system being for capturing a subject in one direction, and an image-capturing device for capturing a subject image incident from the image-capturing optical system, an attachment detection unit for detecting whether or not the adapter is attached to the image-capturing unit, and a control unit for controlling settings of the image-capturing apparatus in accordance with a characteristic of the all-around image-capturing optical system when the adapter is attached to the image-capturing unit.
US09151930B2	Plastic optical element, mold for forming the plastic optical element, light scanning device and image forming apparatus having the light scanning device A plastic optical element being configured to collect and scan a beam emitted from at least one light source section, and including a transfer surface which extends in a principal direction corresponding to a scanning direction of the beam and has a curved surface formed to extend into a circular-arc shape in a secondary direction perpendicular to the principal scanning direction, the transfer surface having an optical aids disposed to shift from an outer center of the transfer surface in the secondary scanning direction, and a center of curvature of the curved surface being disposed on the optical axis.
US09151927B2	Rack and optical apparatus using the same The rack includes a first member having a first tooth engaged with a lead screw, a second member having a second tooth engaged with the lead screw, a third member having a third tooth engageable with the lead screw, a first forcing unit configured to apply a force between the first and second members, a second forcing unit configured to apply a force between the first member and third members, and a limiter configured to limit a distance between the third tooth and the lead screw so that the third tooth is separated from the lead screw when the first and second teeth are engaged with the lead screw by the force applied by the first forcing unit and a distance between the first tooth and the third tooth is smaller than an outer diameter of the lead screw.
US09151923B2	Methods of connectorizing multi-core fiber optic cables and related apparatus A connector with at least one multi-core fiber (MCF) and method of attaching the MCF within the connector, includes inserting a first end of a MCF into a ferrule of a connector. Then, rotating the end of the MCF within the ferrule until a first selected satellite core of the MCF is in a first alignment relative to a feature of the connector. The feature may be a mark, indentation or protrusion formed on a ferrule, ferrule holder or connector envelope. Finally, affixing the MCF within the ferrule of the connector. In the case of an array-type connector, first ends of other MCFs may be added to the ferrule and clocked relative to the same feature of the connector. Second ends of one or more MCFs may be clocked relative to a same feature of a second connector.
US09151921B2	Apparatus for making uniform optical fiber bundles in power generators A circular fiber hoop for supporting one or more fiber optic cables, especially fiber optic cables for an optical sensor provided within a pressurized enclosure of a power generator. The fiber hoop is a single piece member including a center mandrel positioned between opposing side guards. The fiber optic cable is wound around the mandrel between the side guards. An end of the fiber optic cable including the sensor is optically coupled through a union connector to another optical fiber, where the union connector is mounted to one of the side guards so that it is separated from the wound mass of the fiber cables. The wound mass of the fiber cable on the mandrel is then enclosed in a suitable tape.
US09151910B2	Optical module and method for manufacturing optical module An optical module is provided with a case, which includes an accommodation portion, optical elements, optical waveguide cores, a clad layer, and an optical path changing unit. The optical elements are accommodated in and fixed to the accommodation portion. The optical elements have optical axis centers. The optical waveguide cores are respectively formed at positions corresponding to the planar positions of the optical axis centers. The clad layer surrounds the optical waveguide cores. The clad layer and the optical waveguide cores form an optical waveguide. The optical waveguide is stacked on a wiring substrate including a wiring pattern to which electrode terminals of the optical elements are connected, and the case is mounted on the wiring substrate. The optical path changing unit is formed at a position corresponding to the planar positions of the optical axis centers and faces the optical waveguide at a predetermined angle.
US09151894B2	Light source circuit and light source device equipped with same A light source circuit transmits light incident from a semiconductor laser source to a plurality of optical devices. At least one optical branch section is formed to branch one input-side optical waveguide at least into a first output-side optical waveguide terminal and a second output-side optical waveguide terminal. A light path length (L1) between the optical branch section and a next-stage optical branch section or the optical device is connected to the first output-side optical waveguide extending from the optical branch section and a light path length (L2) between the optical branch section and the next-stage optical branch section selected such that the absolute value of a difference between (L1) and (L2) is (¼+i/2) times (i is zero or a positive integer) the wavelength of the light transmitted through the light source circuit.
US09151890B2	Optical waveguide splitter on a waveguide substrate for attenuating a light source An optical apparatus comprises: source, primary, and secondary waveguides formed in waveguide layers on a substrate; a light source; and an optical waveguide tap. The light source launches a source optical signal along the source waveguide. The tap divides the source optical signal into a primary optical signal in the primary waveguide and a secondary optical signal in the secondary waveguide. The secondary optical signal emerges from the secondary waveguide to exit the waveguide layers at the substrate edge or to propagate within the waveguide layers as a stray optical signal without confinement by any waveguide. The stray optical signal propagates thusly unconfined into the open mouth of an optical trap that comprises one or more lateral surfaces formed in the waveguide layers and an opaque coating on the lateral surfaces, and comprises a spiral region of the optical waveguide layers with an open mouth and closed end.
US09151885B2	Spread illumination apparatus A spread illumination apparatus includes: a light source; and a light guide plate having a light entrance surface on which the light source is disposed, and a light exit surface through which light introduced from the light entrance surface is emitted, wherein the light guide plate includes a light entrance wedge portion which has an inclined surface and of which thickness is thinner from the light entrance surface side toward the light exit surface side, the inclined surface includes a first, a second, and a third inclined surface portions, and an average inclination angle of the second inclined surface portion at an arbitrary cross section perpendicular to the light entrance surface and the light exit surface along the light entrance surface in a longitudinal direction is configured to be larger than average inclination angles of the first inclined surface portion and the third inclined surface portion.
US09151879B2	Multi-functional photovoltaic skylight and/or methods of making the same Certain examples relate to improved solar photovoltaic systems, and/or methods of making the same. Certain improved building-integrated photovoltaic systems may include concentrated photovoltaic skylights having a cylindrical lens array. The skylight may include an insulated glass unit, which may improve the solar heat gain coefficient. The photovoltaic skylight and lens arrays may be used in combination with strip solar cells and lateral displacement tracking systems. Such techniques may advantageously help to reduce cost per watt related, in part, to the potentially reduced amount of semiconductor material to be used for such example embodiments. A photovoltaic skylight may permit diffuse daylight to pass through into an interior of a building so as to provide lighting inside the building, while the strip solar cells absorb the direct sunlight and convert it to electricity.
US09151877B1	Deflective objective for flexible and semi-flexible endoscopes An objective assembly for use with small endoscopes like uretheroscopes, the objective assembly including a lens having an optical surface that includes a partial wedge. The partial wedge directly faces an aperture stop thereby limiting the F-number of the objective.
US09151875B2	Optical film and touch panel A touch panel which prevents Newton ring formation and glare, shows high transmission image clarity, prevents haze and has high visibility, and an optical film which is applicable to such a touch panel. An optical film comprising an optically-transparent substrate and at least one hard coat layer (A) disposed on a surface of the optically-transparent substrate, wherein a surface of the hard coat layer (A), which is opposite to a surface where the optically-transparent substrate is present, has an arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) defined in JIS B0601 (1994) of 0.025 to 0.05 μm, and has 10 to 250 convex portions each having a height of 0.3 to 3 μm in a 1.08 mm square area.
US09151868B2	Reservoir architecture and connectivity analysis An interactive system and method of operating the system to define and evaluate a model of a hydrocarbon reservoir. The reservoir model is defined from extrinsic information such as seismic surveys, well logs, and the like, and is based on elements of formation regions, connections among the regions, wells, and perforations. A boundary-element method is used to determine pressure interference responses, corresponding to the pressure at a perforation in response to a single perforation producing fluid at a unit flow rate. These pressure interference responses are then convolved with measured well flow rates obtained during production to arrive at estimates of the wellbore pressure at one or more wells of interest. The estimated wellbore pressure can be compared with downhole pressure measurements to validate the reservoir model, or to provoke the user into modifying the model and repeating the evaluation of the model.
US09151861B2	Method and apparatus for measuring the electrical impedance properties of geological formations using multiple simultaneous current sources A system for measuring geological data is disclosed. The system includes several transceivers distributed over a geographical area. Each of the transceivers has at least one transmitter and at least one receiver. The transceivers are in communication with each other. The receivers are adapted to measure at least one electrical signal. The transmitters are adapted to inject an electrical current into a subsurface area. The transmitters operate simultaneously to inject the electrical current into the subsurface area simultaneously from a number of locations.
US09151859B2	Seismic array towing system A system for a more efficient towing of a marine seismic array comprising one or more diverters attached to each lead-in cable. Because each lead-in cable has its own diverter, the need for dedicated towing ropes and taglines between lead-in cables is eliminated, thereby reducing the overall drag and fuel consumption. The diverters of the present invention are directly attached to the respective lead-in cables and are submerged, eliminating the need for taglines and additional flotation. The diverter of the present invention comprises of either a single span-wise hydro foil or two foil sections and is steerable. Similarly, the diverters of the present invention can be installed on the umbilical cables of seismic source subarrays to obtain the same benefits. As such, at least one diverter of the present invention can be attached directly to at least one umbilical cable of the seismic source subarray.
US09151852B1	Material identification based upon energy-dependent attenuation of neutrons Various technologies pertaining to identifying a material in a sample and imaging the sample are described herein. The material is identified by computing energy-dependent attenuation of neutrons that is caused by presence of the sample in travel paths of the neutrons. A mono-energetic neutron generator emits the neutron, which is downscattered in energy by a first detector unit. The neutron exits the first detector unit and is detected by a second detector unit subsequent to passing through the sample. Energy-dependent attenuation of neutrons passing through the sample is computed based upon a computed energy of the neutron, wherein such energy can be computed based upon 1) known positions of the neutron generator, the first detector unit, and the second detector unit; or 2) computed time of flight of neutrons between the first detector unit and the second detector unit.
US09151850B2	Radiation detector and imaging system The invention relates to a radiation detector (100; 101; 102; 103; 104; 105; 106), having a scintillator (120) for generating electromagnetic radiation (202) in response to the action of incident radiation (200). The scintillator (120) has two opposing end faces (121; 122) and a lateral wall (123) between the end faces (121; 122). The radiation detector has, in addition, a conversion system (160) located on the lateral wall (123) of the scintillator (120), said system comprising a plurality of channels (165). Each channel (165) has a photocathode section (130; 131; 132) for generating electrons (204) in response to the action of electromagnetic radiation (202) that is generated by the scintillator (120), said electrons being multipliable by impact processes in the channels (165). A detection system (170) for detecting electrons (204) that have been multiplied in the channels (165) of the conversion system (160) is also provided. The invention also relates to an imaging system (110) comprising a radiation detector of this type (100; 101; 102; 103; 104; 105; 106).
US09151847B2	Optical coupling technique for contiguous monolithic scintillation crystal detectors Embodiments of the invention provide a high energy photon detector. A first scintillation crystal is provided. A first plurality of photosensors is on a first face of the first scintillation crystal, wherein the first plurality is at least two. A second scintillation crystal is provided. A second plurality of photosensors is on a first face of the second scintillation crystal, wherein the second plurality is at least two. An optical coupling interface is between a second face of the first scintillation crystal and a second face of the second scintillation crystal, wherein the optical coupling interface provides an optical transmission between the first scintillation crystal and the second scintillation crystal, so that the distribution of scintillation light created in one crystal is allowed to spread into the second crystal.
US09151842B2	Method and apparatus for time of flight sensor 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional map generation A method and apparatus for Time Of Flight sensor 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional map generation. The method includes retrieving Time Of Flight sensor fixed point data to obtain four phases of Time Of Flight fixed point raw data, computing Gray scale image array and phase differential signal arrays utilizing four phases of TOF fixed point raw data, computing Gray image array and Amplitude image array for fixed point, converting the phase differential signal array from fixed point to floating point, performing the floating point division for computing Arctan, TOF depthmap, and 3-dimensional point cloud map for Q format fixed point, and generating depthmap, 3-dimensional cloud coefficients and 3-dimensional point cloud for Q format fixed point.
US09151841B2	Providing an ultrasound spatial compound image based on center lines of ultrasound images in an ultrasound system Embodiments for providing an ultrasound spatial compound image are disclosed. In one embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, an ultrasound system comprises: an ultrasound data acquisition unit configured to acquire ultrasound data by transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals; and a processing unit in communication with the ultrasound data acquisition unit, the processing unit being configured to set a plurality of center lines based on a virtual common point corresponding to predetermined scan-lines, move the virtual common point along each of the center lines to set a plurality of scan-lines, form a plurality of ultrasound images corresponding to the center lines based on the ultrasound data, and perform spatial compounding upon the ultrasound images to form an ultrasound spatial compound image, wherein the ultrasound data acquisition unit is configured to acquire the ultrasound data based on the plurality of scan-lines.
US09151838B2	Ceramic probe rod support assembly A probe for use with a measurement instrument includes a circuit connected to the probe. The probe comprises a process adaptor for mounting to a process vessel and including a through bore extending from a connector end to a process end. A counterbore at the connector end defines a shoulder. A support assembly is received in the counterbore and rests on the shoulder. The support assembly comprises an annular rod support having a through opening with a tension rod extending through the opening and secured at opposite sides of the annular rod support. A locking nut secures the support assembly in the counterbore to maintain the annular rod support in compression. A probe rod extends from a process end of the tension rod. A seal assembly is operatively secured to the process adaptor at the connector end with the seal pin in electrical contact with a connector end of the tension rod.
US09151832B2	Systems and methods for ultrasound beam forming data control Disclosed are systems and methods which efficiently control storage of and/or access to data which includes repetitive data or data which is used by different modes, processes, etcetera. Embodiments provide control for storage of and/or access to large amounts of data used in ultrasound system beam forming for image generation using a hierarchy of sequencers for controlling storage of and/or access to data. A frame sequencer may provide control at a frame level while an address sequencer is implemented to provide control at a data access level.
US09151831B2	Distance measurement device In a distance measurement device of an embodiment, a light source emits modulation light in a first charge transfer cycle, and emission of the modulation light of the light source is stopped in a second charge transfer cycle. In each of the first and second charge transfer cycles, the charges generated in a photosensitive region are distributed to a first accumulation region and a second accumulation region. A first value is obtained based on readout values corresponding to amounts of accumulated charges of the first accumulation region. A second value is obtained based on readout values corresponding to amounts of accumulated charges of the second accumulation region. A distance is calculated based on the first value and the second value.
US09151829B2	Packaged radiation source and detector A radiation sensor of the type having a packaged radiation source and detector, which includes an isolator that blocks propagation within the package of radiation from the source to the detector, in order to improve signal to noise ratio of the sensor. The isolator is formed by appropriately formed surfaces of the package.
US09151824B2	Adaptive control of crowdsourcing data using mobile device generated parameters Method and apparatus for performing crowdsourcing are disclosed. The method may include monitoring environment of a mobile device, determining a level of crowdsourcing in accordance with one or more mobile device generated parameters corresponding to the environment, and performing crowdsourcing in accordance with the level of crowdsourcing determined. The level of crowdsourcing comprises one or more of quantity of crowdsourcing data to be collected by the mobile device, frequency of crowdsourcing operations to be performed by the mobile device, and type of quantization to be applied to the crowdsourcing data collected.
US09151818B2	Voltage measurement A voltage measurement apparatus is provided that includes: a potential attenuator configured to be electrically connected between first and second conductors, which are electrically coupled to a source, wherein the potential attenuator includes a first impedance and a reference impedance arrangement in series with each other, wherein the reference impedance arrangement has an electrical characteristic that can be changed in a known fashion; and further including a processing arrangement configured to acquire at least one signal from the reference impedance arrangement, the at least one signal reflecting change of the electrical characteristic in the known fashion; and to determine a voltage between the first and second conductors in dependence on the fashion in which the electrical characteristic is changed being known and the at least one signal.
US09151814B2	Power electronics assembly for a magnetic resonance device A power electronics assembly for a magnetic resonance device includes a housing and at least one printed circuit board (PCB) arranged in the housing with at least one power electronics component to be cooled. The PCB has an at least one millimeter thick backside layer that may be made of copper. The power electronics assembly also includes a stabilizing cooling plate configured as part of the housing and/or the housing includes at least one coolant channel open on at least one side, so that the PCB mounted on the cooling plate comes into direct contact with coolant guided in the coolant channel in an area of the power electronics components with the backside layer.
US09151810B2	Device and method for synchronizing magnetic resonance unit with the cardiac rhythm of a patient The invention relates to a device for synchronizing a magnetic resonance unit with the cardiac rhythm of a patient, comprising a number of electrodes for leading off electrocardiogram signals from the body of the patient and an evaluation unit for determining a characteristic trigger time within a cardiac rhythm period of the patient from the electrocardiogram signals. In order to provide a device, which allows reliable determination of characteristic trigger times within the cardiac rhythm period of the patient even with elevated magnetic field strengths and which operates at least largely independently of external magnetic fields, it is proposed that the evaluation unit is designed to compare electrocardiogram signals obtained before and after the introduction of the patient into the magnetic resonance unit, in order to determine an enlargement of at least one characteristic of the electrocardiogram signals due to the magnetic field.
US09151805B2	Test machine and the test method for light emitting diode backlight driver, and, manufacturing method for monitor power board A test machine and a test method for a Light Emitting Diode (LED) backlight driver and a manufacturing method for a monitor power board The test machine has a switch-controlled LED-light-bar load that is coupled to an LED backlight driver on a monitor power board. The switch-controlled LED-light-bar load includes a plurality of light bars and a plurality of switches. Each light bar has a plurality of the LEDs which are connected in series. Each switch is connected in parallel to a portion of the LEDs of one light bar such that an effective amount of the LEDs of each light bar is adjustable. The switches are controlled according to a monitor specification that the monitor power board is adapted to.
US09151799B2	Fine pitch interface for probe card A probe card interface for interfacing a probe head with a first circuit. The probe card interface includes an impedance control element to interface a first set of pins of the probe head with the first circuit. The impedance control element is further configured to control the impedance of the first set of pins. The probe card interface includes a conductive plane to interface a second set of pins of the probe head with the first circuit. The conductive plane is further coupled to provide at least one of power or ground to the second set of pins.
US09151796B2	Automatic test equipment and a testing method thereof An automatic test equipment includes a test apparatus, a first control device, a first assisting device, and a second control device. The test apparatus is applied for testing a first object, wherein the test apparatus has a first cover. The first control device has an activating device. The first assisting device is electrically connected to the first control device. The second control device is electrically connected to the first control device and the test apparatus. When the activating device is activated, the first control device controls the first assisting device to lower the first cover and then the first control device transmits a first control signal to the second control device for allowing the test apparatus to test the first object.
US09151787B2	Method and apparatus for the measurement of radio-frequency electric permittivity by a meander-line ring resonator Methods and apparatus for measuring permittivity having a meander-line ring resonator, which may be disposed on a substrate proximate to and separated from an input coupler and an output coupler thereon, the resonator ring further including a continuous conductive material having at least two turns to form a single congruent pattern, symmetrical along at least one axis.
US09151786B2	Systems, methods, and apparatus for detecting shifts in redundant sensor signals Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for detecting shifts in redundant sensor signals. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for detecting and indicating a shift in redundant sensor signals. The method can include receiving a sensor channel closeness signal for two or more redundant sensors, receiving a spike confidence signal for at least one of the two or more redundant sensors, receiving a spike duration signal for the at least one of the two or more redundant sensors, determining a shift confidence based at least in part on the received sensor channel closeness signal, the received spike confidence signal, and the received spike duration signal, and outputting the shift confidence.
US09151785B2	Power measurement device Provided is a power measurement device including a detection part configured to detect a supply current and a supply voltage from a commercial alternating current power supply, a frequency control part configured to transit a fundamental frequency by the supply current and the supply voltage to an intermediate frequency, a conversion part configured to generate a digital current value and a digital voltage value of the supply current and the supply voltage having the intermediate frequency applied from the frequency control part and transit the intermediate frequency to the fundamental frequency again, and a calculation/control part configured to calculate wattage using the digital current value and the digital voltage value, which are output signals of the conversion part.
US09151773B2	System and method for monitoring airflow A monitoring system for a powered system includes an electric energy sensor, a rotation sensor, and a monitoring device. The electric energy sensor is coupled with a blower to measure an amount of electric energy that powers the blower to draw air through an inlet duct and over one or more bodies to cool the bodies. The rotation sensor is coupled with the blower to measure a rotation speed at which the blower operates to draw the air through the inlet duct when the blower is powered with the amount of electric energy. The monitoring device compares the rotation speed of the blower with a designated speed limit that is associated with the amount of electric energy to determine if the inlet duct is at least partially blocked. The monitoring device identifies the inlet duct as being at least partially blocked when the rotation speed exceeds the designated speed limit.
US09151767B2	Analyte sensors Described herein are analyte sensors with a tailored analyte binding motif that binds an analyte and a host protein operatively linked to the analyte binding motif, in which the binding of the analyte to the analyte binding motif produces a detectable change and manipulation of the analyte binding motif manipulates the responsiveness of the sensor. Also described herein are methods for constructing an analyte sensor by constructing a tailored analyte binding motif capable of responding to an analyte and operatively inserting the analyte binding motif into a host protein. Included is a method for quantifying an analyte by introducing a nucleotide sequence for a protein having an analyte sensor with a tailored analyte binding motif that is able to produce a detectable change upon excitation, expressing the protein, providing excitement to the analyte sensor, and quantifying the detectable change. Nucleic acid sequences for an analyte sensor with a tailored analyte binding motif sequence for an analyte binding peptide that produces a detectable change upon excitation and a host sequence for a host protein, in which the tailored binding motif sequence and the host protein sequence are operatively linked, and manipulation of the analyte binding motif sequence manipulates the responsiveness of the analyte sensor are also included.
US09151765B2	Method for producing agglutinating reagent, agglutinating reagent or product produced thereby, and method for measuring analysis object using the same, and test kit and analysis device Hemoglobin in a sample solution is quickly and reliably denatured; at the same time, quick and accurate measurement of hemoglobin and a hemoglobin derivative is realized. In a method for measuring hemoglobin and a hemoglobin derivative, and a reagent composition, a measurement kit, an analysis device, and an analysis system used in the method, a sample solution containing a blood component is treated with a nonionic surfactant, an oxidizing agent, and a metal salt to denature hemoglobin in the sample solution to measure the hemoglobin, and thereafter the amount of a hemoglobin derivative in the sample is measured by an immunological method using an antibody specifically binding to a denatured site of the denatured hemoglobin derivative.
US09151764B2	Barrier layer for glucose sensor An optical glucose sensor comprising: a sensing region comprising a boronic acid receptor for binding to glucose and a fluorophore associated with said receptor; an optical waveguide for directing incident light onto the sensing region; and a hydrophilic, polymeric, glucose-permeable barrier layer which is provided on at least a part of the sensing region; wherein the sensor is adapted so that glucose enters the sensing region of the sensor through said barrier layer.
US09151757B2	Detecting antigen responsive cells in a sample The present invention relates to methods for detecting antigen responsive cells in a sample using multidimensional labeled antigen presenting compounds, such as antigen-major histocompatibility complexes (NHC). Further, the present invention relates to the use of the present multidimensional labeled antigen presenting compounds, such as antigen-major histocompatibility complexes (MHC), for detecting antigen responsive cells in a sample, preferably a single sample, such as a blood sample. The present method allows high-throughput analysis of specific antigen responsive cells, such as T- and B-cells, thereby providing, for example, high-throughput methods for monitoring of diseases or conditions and the development of immunotherapeutics, vaccines, or the identification epitopes or immunogenic amino acid sequences.
US09151752B2	Method for amplifying variation of frequency of signal in piezoelectrical biosensor Provided is a method for amplifying a frequency variation of a detected signal in a biosensor that is used for detecting a biomolecule by measuring a change in frequency of an oscillating signal, the change being caused by pressure a biomolecule applies to a piezoelectric substance. The method for amplifying a frequency variation of a detected signal comprises the steps of: (a) applying a sample to a probe being fixed to an upper portion of a substrate of the biosensor to allow a biomolecule in the sample to be bound to the probe; (b) applying protein tagged with a metal particle to the biosensor to allow the protein and the biomolecule to be bound with each other; and (c) applying a metal enhancer to the biosensor to allow the metal enhancer to be bound to the metal particle having been bound to the protein.
US09151751B2	Systems and methods for electronic detection with nanoFETS There is disclosed a system for electrical charge detection comprising a nanoFET device. Also disclosed is a method of electrical charge detection for single molecule sequencing. The method includes attaching a macromolecule or assemblies thereof to a gate of a nanoFET device and flowing in a solution of charge tags, where a charge tag includes a nucleotide attached to a charge complex. The method also includes incorporating one charge tag into the macromolecule or assemblies thereof and cleaving the charge tags from the macromolecule or assemblies thereof. The method further includes detecting at least one of current and voltage from the nanoFET device.
US09151743B2	Use of EEF1A as biomarker and a method of screening MetAP2 inhibitors The invention relates to a method for screening compounds, which inhibit MetAP2 activity, by providing a cellular system or a sample thereof being capable of expressing MetAP2 and/or EEF1A, incubating at least a portion of the system with compounds to be screened, and detecting MetAP2 inhibition by determining EEF1A with N-terminal methionine residue (MetEEF1A). Another object of the invention concerns a method for monitoring physiological and/or pathological conditions, which are caused, mediated and/or propagated by MetAP2 activity, by administering an effective amount of at least a single compound to a mammal in need of such treatment and determining MetEEF1A in a biological sample withdrawn from the mammal. The invention also relates to the use of EEF1A as biomarker.
US09151742B2	Hand-held medical device Disclosed herein are hand-held medical devices, such as blood glucose meters, that include a housing with a cassette compartment for receiving an exchangeable test tape cassette, a drive assembly comprising an electric motor and a gear arrangement adapted for rotating a tape spool of the test tape cassette, where the gear arrangement has a worm drive in which a worm meshes with a worm wheel and a multistage speed-reducing unit comprising a plurality of spur gears arranged between the worm wheel and an output gear that can be directly coupled to the tape spool.
US09151729B2	Carbon monoxide sensor system A gas sensor having first and second electrodes, an ion conducting solid electrolyte membrane positioned therebetween, first and second electrically conductive gas diffusion layers, first and second electrode contact members for electrically coupling said first and second electrodes to an external circuit, a water reservoir, a gas entry passageway and a water permeation barrier for controlling the transport of water vapor to the ion conducting solid electrolyte membrane. The water permeation barrier is a thin walled member which allows water vapor to diffuse therethrough and evaporate from an exit surface, the thickness of the water permeation barrier controlling the internal relative humidity of the sensor. A method for adjusting the present sensor in-situ due to changes in the current humidity conditions of the sensor so as to keep the gas sensitivity loss within a predetermined range is also disclosed.
US09151722B2	Systems for determining and imaging wax deposition and simultaneous corrosion and wax deposit determination in pipelines The systems for determining and imaging wax deposition and simultaneous corrosion and wax deposit determination in pipelines relate to systems for determining wax deposition and corrosion by one or both of two techniques. In both techniques, a source of neutron radiation is directed at the pipeline. In one technique, a neutron detector surrounded by an absorption shield defining a collimation window counts neutrons reflected back to the detector by back diffusion or backscatter radiation. In the other technique, a gamma ray detector measures gamma rays emitted when the emitted neutrons are absorbed in the pipeline. A neutron moderator-reflector is placed around three sides of the pipeline to increase the likelihood of neutron capture.
US09151706B2	Method of determining fatigue crack lifetime in high-pressure hydrogen environment In a method of determining a fatigue crack lifetime of a low-alloy steel material coming in contact with high-pressure hydrogen in a high-pressure hydrogen environment, estimate a fatigue crack acceleration starting point KmaxT of the low-alloy steel material using a crack-growth threshold stress intensity factor KIH-R obtained through a rising load test on the low-alloy steel material in a high-pressure hydrogen environment. The high-pressure hydrogen environment of the rising load test is a high-pressure hydrogen environment which has the same pressure and atmosphere as in the high-pressure hydrogen environment in which KmaxT is estimated and in which the test temperature tolerance between both environments is ±5° C.
US09151705B2	System and method for deforming and analyzing particles A system for deforming and analyzing a plurality of particles carried in a sample volume includes a substrate defining an inlet, configured to receive the sample volume, and an outlet; and a fluidic pathway fluidly coupled to the inlet and the outlet. The fluidic pathway includes a delivery region configured to receive the plurality of particles from the inlet and focus the plurality of particles from a random distribution to a focused state, a deformation region defining an intersection located downstream of the delivery region and coupled to the outlet, and wherein the deformation region is configured to receive the plurality of particles from the delivery region and to transmit each particle in the plurality of particles into the intersection from a single direction, a first branch fluidly coupled to the deformation region and configured to transmit a first flow into the intersection, and a second branch fluidly coupled to the deformation region and configured to transmit a second flow, substantially opposing the first flow, into the intersection, wherein the first flow and the second flow are configured to induce extension of one or more particles in the plurality of particles.
US09151703B2	Sample analyzer and a sample analyzing method Herewith disclosed is a sample analyzer comprising: a measurement section configured to perform a measurement on a sample and generate a measurement value according to the concentration of an analyte in the sample; a memory storing a calibration curve; an analysis section; an output section; and an instruction receiver. When the instruction receiver receives an instruction to perform a diluting measurement on a calibration sample, the measurement section dilutes the calibration sample by a predetermined ratio and performs a measurement on the diluted calibration sample, and the analysis section determines the concentration of the analyte in the diluted calibration sample by applying a measurement value obtained from the diluted calibration sample to the calibration curve. Information generated based on the determined concentration and the known concentration is output.
US09151695B2	Systems and methods for diagnosing an engine Presently disclosed are methods and systems for detecting and diagnosing a coolant leak of an engine. A method may include diagnosing a coolant leak of the engine based on a low frequency pressure response of a measured engine coolant pressure. A vehicle system is also disclosed, including an engine, a coolant system operatively connected to the engine. The coolant system includes a coolant reserve and a coolant pump between the engine and the coolant reserve. The vehicle also includes a coolant pressure sensor to measure coolant pressure, and a controller configured to measure an engine coolant pressure and diagnose a coolant leak of the coolant system based on a low frequency pressure response of the measured engine coolant pressure.
US09151692B2	Asset monitoring system using multiple imagers Asset including an arrangement for monitoring objects in an interior of the asset includes at least first and second optical imagers for obtaining images of a common area of the interior and which are spaced apart from one another, and processing circuitry coupled to the first and second imagers and arranged to derive information about objects in the interior from images obtained by the first and second imagers. A communication system may be arranged on the asset and coupled to the processing circuitry. The communication system wirelessly transmits the information about the objects to a remote facility. A location determining system may be arranged on the asset to monitor the location of the asset so that the communication system also transmits the location of the asset to the remote facility.
US09151685B2	Method and apparatus to determine torque in a powertrain system A method for monitoring torque in a gear train includes coincidently determining angles of rotation of first and second rotationally coupled members of the gear train. Each of the members employs a respective rotational position sensor. Each of said angles of rotation are determined based upon times corresponding to a last signal pulse, a next-to-last signal pulse, and a total quantity of signal pulses generated by the respective rotational position sensor during a current sampling interval. A twist angle corresponding to a difference between the angles of rotation of the first and second rotationally coupled members of the gear train is determined, and torque corresponding to the twist angle is calculated.
US09151684B2	Bearing test bench The invention relates mainly to a test bench (10) for a radial bearing (14) suitable for being interposed between two members (12, 16) that are movable relative to each other in rotation, the test bench being characterized in that it comprises a radial force measurement device (18) for measuring radial forces exerted on said bearing (14), a radial acceleration measurement device (20) for measuring radial accelerations to which said bearing (14) is subjected, and an electronic calculation unit (26) in communication with the radial force measurement device (18) and with the radial acceleration measurement device (20). The invention also relates to a method of establishing a behavior relationship for the radial bearing (14).
US09151680B2	Microwave thermometry for microwave ablation systems A microwave ablation system incorporates a microwave thermometer that couples to a microwave transmission network connecting a microwave generator to a microwave applicator to measure noise temperature. The noise temperature is processed to separate out components of the noise temperature including the noise temperature of the tissue being treated and the noise temperature of the microwave transmission network. The noise temperature may be measured by a radiometer while the microwave generator is generating the microwave signal or during a period when the microwave signal is turned off. The microwave ablation system may be configured as a modular system having one or more thermometry network modules that are connectable between a microwave applicator and a microwave generator. Alternatively, the modular system includes a microwave generator, a microwave applicator, and a microwave cable that incorporate a microwave thermometry network module.
US09151669B2	Inspecting device and inspecting method An inspecting device inspects an inspecting target that is a semiconductor device or a photo device. The inspecting device includes: a stage for holding an inspecting target; a femtosecond laser for emitting pulsed light; a galvano mirror for obliquely irradiating the inspecting target with the pulsed light, while changing an optical path of the pulsed light, to scan the inspecting target with the pulsed light; and a detection part for detecting an electromagnetic wave emitted non-coaxially with the pulsed light from the inspecting target in accordance with the illumination with the pulsed light.
US09151665B1	Devices and methods for providing optical element focus functionality with a movable imager die Example devices and methods for providing optical element focus functionality with a movable imager die are provided. In one example, a device comprises an optical element configured in a fixed position and configured to provide focus settings, an imager die configured to receive image data through the optical element, and an actuator coupled to the imager die and configured to cause a change in a position of the imager die. The change in the position of the imager die may cause a relationship between the imager die and the optical element to be configured in a given focus setting of the plurality of focus settings.
US09151642B2	Measuring instrument A measuring instrument includes a display on which measurements are displayed. The display is provided by an organic electroluminescent panel or an electronic paper including an assembly of organic electroluminescence devices and includes: a display controlling section that displays a plurality of scale segment images at an equal interval and a pointer image at a position corresponding to the measurements among display areas displayed by the plurality of scale segment images; and a scale information input section that specifies at least one of the display areas and inputs scale interval information of the scale segment images on the specified area. The display controlling section includes a scale interval changing section that, based on the scale interval information, displays the scale segment images on the specified area commanded by the scale information input section.
US09151637B2	Method of approaching a platform A method having a preparation stage for preparing an approach path (25) to a theoretical position (20′) of a platform (20). During a consolidation stage, a current position (20″) of said platform (20) is determined and an alert is triggered when the distance (D1) between said theoretical position (20′) and said current position (20″) is greater than a first threshold. During a security stage, entities provided with respective automatic identification systems and present in a predetermined monitoring zone (OCZ) are monitored, and a horizontal representation of said approach path (25) is displayed on a display screen (8) together with the following for each entity: a plot (41) representing its current position; an indication (42) of the travel direction of the entity; and a representation (43) relating to the danger level of the entity.
US09151628B1	Associating parking areas with destinations A method and apparatus for associating parking areas with destinations may include a vehicle identifying transportation network information including a primary destination and parking area information representing a plurality of parking areas, such that the parking area information includes automatically generated parking area association information describing an association between at least one parking area and the primary destination. The vehicle may determine a target parking area from the plurality of parking areas for the primary destination based on the transportation network information, and identify a route from an origin to the target parking area in the vehicle transportation network using the transportation network information. The vehicle may include a trajectory controller configured to operate the vehicle to travel from the origin to the target parking area using the route.
US09151624B2	Data services via receivers independent of navigation systems A system and method for providing a suite of data services in non-navigation based electronic devices such as head units, that can provide similar levels of functionality to navigation-based systems are presented. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a non-navigation data system for providing data services in a mobile environment can include a data decoder for decoding a digital data stream from a digital audio radio transmission source, a location determining means for determining a current location of a mobile receiver receiving the digital data stream, a display for displaying data corresponding to the current location, and a plurality of static maps wherein the data corresponding to the current location is overlaid at least over a portion of the static maps. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a method of providing a data service in a mobile environment without the need for a navigation system can include decoding a digital data stream from a digital audio radio transmission source, determining a current location of a mobile receiver receiving the digital data stream, displaying data corresponding to the current location, and overlaying the data corresponding to the current location over at least a portion of a plurality of static maps.
US09151619B2	Positioning network availability and reliability based routing A routing system can be configured to determine a route based on availability and reliability of location reference devices to determine a most reliable route between a source and a destination. A reliability rating associated with each route of a plurality of routes can be determined based, at least in part, on a count of navigation satellites available along the route. The reliability rating can be indicative of an ability of the routing system to maintain continuous connectivity to the navigation satellites along each of the plurality of routes. The reliability ratings of the plurality of routes are compared to identify and to present one of the plurality of routes as a referred route.
US09151614B2	Point of interest search along a route with return A routing module identifies POIs that can be reached from a route with a cost less than distance m. A routing engine performs a reverse exploration on nodes in the planned route to locate POIs from which the route can be reached with a cost of less than a second cost n. POIs identified as being reachable from the route with a cost of less than m, and from which the route is reachable with a cost less than n are then further filtered to identify a subset of the POIs for which the sum of the time or distance from the route to the POI and the time or distance from the POI back to the route is less than a threshold time or distance, t.
US09151606B2	Post level A post level for determining the orientation of a structure that includes a pair of bubble vials that are secured within the level body in a manner such that, if either one of the bubble vials become broken or otherwise damaged, it can be easily replaced and the level need not be discarded. The body of the post level of the invention includes an upper portion, a lower portion having a first side having a slot, an intermediate portion and a rear surface having an outwardly extending locating shoulder for engaging the structure to be oriented. The post level also includes a bulls-eye level that is mounted on the intermediate portion of the level body and an elastomeric connector cord that is receivable within the slot of the first side of the body which enables the level to be removably secured to the structure being oriented. Additionally, the level includes a plurality of magnets that are connected to the level body for engagement with the structure to be oriented.
US09151603B2	Compact folded signal transmission and image viewing pathway design and visual display technique for laser rangefinding instruments A compact folded signal transmission and image viewing pathway design and visual display technique for laser rangefinding instruments incorporates a beam splitting cube in the eyepiece optical space and advantageously provides an objective image focal length substantially twice that of the physical length of the instrument optical components. Through the use of some of the same optical elements in both the image viewing pathway as well as the laser transmission pathway, a relatively long transmission focal length is provided which saves in both physical instrument space and component cost while also allowing for the use of reasonably sized photodiodes with improved power output over that of previous designs.
US09151602B2	Corrected ball diameter calculating method and form measuring instrument A corrected ball diameter calculating method includes: preparing a reference gauge that has at least one reference peripheral surface of an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface; valuing of diameter values of the reference peripheral surface at a plurality of different height positions from a bottom surface of the reference gauge; calculating calibrated diameter values per each of the height positions; placing the reference gauge on the rotary table and causing the stylus tip to touch a plurality of measurement sites on the reference peripheral surface at each of the height positions to calculate measured diameter values that are diameter values of a circle passing through the neighborhood of center points of the stylus tip; and calculating the corrected ball diameters per each of the height positions from the calibrated diameter values and the measured diameter values that are calculated per each of the height positions.
US09151587B2	Bucket tip shroud measurement fixture and method of measuring bucket tip shroud orientation A bucket tip shroud measurement fixture includes a frame extending from a first end to a second end through an intermediate portion having a first surface and an opposing second surface, a first tip shroud fixing member extending from the second surface of the frame at the first end, and a second tip shroud fixing member extending from the second surface of the frame at the second end. The first and second tip shroud fixing members are configured and disposed to retain and establish an orientation of a bucket tip shroud relative the frame. A plurality of reference points are provided on the frame. The plurality of reference points are configured and disposed to receive a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) probe.
US09151584B2	Fuze for stun grenade A stun grenade includes a fuze assembly secured to a housing adjacent gas outlet ports. The fuze assembly includes a fuze body having contact surfaces located in the flow path of the gas from the outlet ports so that gas flowing from the outlet ports impinges on the contact surfaces. The contact surfaces of the fuze body extend at an angle of no more than about 50 degrees to the first direction.
US09151580B2	Method and apparatus for increasing the visibility of an arrow utilizing lighted fletchings The visibility of an arrow after it has been fired is increased by illuminating arrow fletchings in which light injected into the nock is further injected into the fletching.
US09151578B2	Unlocking device The invention relates to an unlocking device (10), especially for a vehicle protection device, comprising a locking bar (16) which in a locked position establishes a connection positive at least in portions between a first component (12) to be unlocked and a second component (14) and permits relative motion of the two components (12, 14) in an open position. The unlocking device (10) further comprises a pyrotechnical actuator (18) including a pyrotechnical element (20) having a propelling charge and a piston-cylinder unit (22) having a piston (24) and a cylinder (26), wherein motion of the piston (24) or the cylinder (26) can be generated due to activation of the propelling charge upon ignition thereof and wherein the piston-cylinder unit (22) is connected to the locking bar (16) without redirection so that upon motion of the piston (24) or the cylinder (26) the locking bar is movable from its locked position into its open position.
US09151575B2	Firearm accessory rail and method of attachment An accessory rail and method for attaching the accessory rail to a firearm is described. An accessory rail includes a first block and second block positioned respectively at a rear end and forward end of the accessory rail. The first block is configured to engage a first receiving area of the firearm, and the second block is configured to engage a second receiving area of the firearm. The accessory rail can advantageously be connected to a firearm such as the Samozaryadnj Karabin sistemy Simonova (SKS) assault rifle by utilizing manufactured points present in the SKS. The first block may engage a receiver cover attachment point. The second block may engage a receiving area present in the rear sight. No machining modifications to the firearm are required.
US09151573B2	Remote weapon station, in particular for aircraft, such as fixed-wing aircraft A remote weapon station (10) includes a firearm (12), which is able to fire ammunitions against a target. A remote control board or panel (14) is arranged at a distance from the firearm (12) and is configured to be activated by an operator, so as to control the firearm (12). An automatic target aiming system (32) is configured to provide the remote control board (14) with target aiming signals, which indicate the position of a target that has to be hit by the firearm (12). The remote control board (14) is assembled on a platform (18) which is adapted to be fitted to an aircraft. A support element (28) mounts on the platform (18) and supports the automatic target aiming system (32) and houses the adjustable firearm (12) in a controlled way by the remote control board (14) as a function of the target aiming signals.
US09151561B2	Shooting rests for supporting firearms One aspect of the invention is directed to shooting rests for supporting a firearm having a first portion and a second portion rearward of the first portion. In one embodiment, a shooting rest includes a frame, a front support for supporting the first portion of the firearm, a support member for carrying one or more weights, and a stop for inhibiting rearward movement of the firearm relative to the shooting rest. The front support is coupled to the frame, and the support member is positioned at least proximate to the frame. The stop includes a flexible portion and is also coupled to the frame.
US09151548B2	High temperature heat exchanger corner metal temperature attenuator A heat exchanger has a corner metal temperature attenuator that may attenuate a localized stack wise temperature gradient. The corner metal temperature attenuator may locally reduce or eliminate the source of large amplitude temperature swings near the end of the stack of passages which are correlated with the areas of greatest low cycle fatigue (LCF) damage. The corner metal temperature attenuator may locally block the inlet flow to every other (alternating) passage in the stack, beginning with the second passage inward from each end of the stack. The width of the blocked flow at any passage can be minimized using existing analytical methods to determine the threshold at which the metal damage index (DI) falls below a predetermined threshold at that location. Since the damage index naturally attenuates toward the passage stack midplane, the width of the blocked flow may also be reduced moving toward the stack midplane and eventually may go to zero blockage for all remaining alternating passages.
US09151547B2	Heat exchanger utilizing chambers with sub-chambers having respective medium directing inserts coupled therein A heat exchanging device has a main chamber, two sub-chambers, an inlet and an outlet. The sub-chambers extend outwardly from both planar walls of the main chamber. Disposed within main chamber and the sub-chambers is a medium directing insert. The insert has an angled surface on ends facing the inlet and the outlet, first directing the flow of the heat exchange medium into the main chamber, so that the heat exchange medium is dispersed within the main chamber, then directing the heat exchange medium out of the device through the outlet. The medium directing insert is bonded to the lateral walls of the sub-chambers to enhance the structural integrity of the device. The lateral walls of the medium directing insert cooperate with the planar and lateral walls of the main chamber to form channels for directing flow of the heat exchange medium within the device.
US09151546B2	Heat exchanger assembly The present application provides a heat exchanger assembly. The heat exchanger assembly may include a folded fin core with a ridge end and a trough end, a first end plate positioned about the ridge end of the folded fin core, a second end plate positioned about the trough end of the folded fin core, and with the first end plate and the second end plate including a number of protrusions thereon.
US09151543B2	Data center coolant switch A data center cooling system is operated in a first mode; it has an indoor portion wherein heat is absorbed from components in the data center, and an outdoor heat exchanger portion wherein outside air is used to cool a first heat transfer fluid (e.g., water) present in at least the outdoor heat exchanger portion of the cooling system during the first mode. The first heat transfer fluid is a relatively high performance heat transfer fluid (as compared to the second fluid), and has a first heat transfer fluid freezing point. A determination is made that an appropriate time has been reached to switch from the first mode to a second mode. Based on this determination, the outdoor heat exchanger portion of the data cooling system is switched to a second heat transfer fluid, which is a relatively low performance heat transfer fluid, as compared to the first heat transfer fluid. It has a second heat transfer fluid freezing point lower than the first heat transfer fluid freezing point, and the second heat transfer fluid freezing point is sufficiently low to operate without freezing when the outdoor air temperature drops below a first predetermined relationship with the first heat transfer fluid freezing point.
US09151542B2	Heat exchanger A heat exchanger may include a connection plate for fastening to a component and a plurality of pan elements stacked on top of each other and soldered together adjacent to the connection plate. At least one of the pan elements may be arranged directly adjacent to the connection plate may have an outwardly protruding, flange-like rim configured to rest against the connection plate and stiffen the same.
US09151523B2	Thermo-electric heat pump systems The invention is directed to an energy efficient thermoelectric heat pump assembly. The thermoelectric heat pump assembly preferably includes two to nine thermoelectric unit layers capable of active use of the Peltier effect; and at least one capacitance spacer block suitable for storing heat and providing a delayed thermal reaction time of the assembly. The capacitance spacer block is thermally connected between the thermoelectric unit layers. The present invention further relates to a thermoelectric transport and storage devices for transporting or storing temperature sensitive goods, for example, vaccines, chemicals, biologicals, and other temperature sensitive goods. Preferably the transport or storage devices are configured and provide on-board energy storage for sustaining, for multiple days, at a constant-temperature, with an acceptable temperature variation band.
US09151512B2	Ventilation system A ventilation system including a heat recovery assembly having a first heat exchanger for heat recovery with a first flow path and a second flow path to exchange heat energy from air transported in one of paths to the other. A peripheral inlet to the first flow path is arranged to surround a central outlet of the second flow path and a peripheral inlet to the second flow path is arranged to surround a central outlet of the first flow path. The assembly further includes a peripheral outlet and a central inlet, the peripheral outlet arranged to surround the central inlet, and the heat recovery assembly is arranged such that air entering the peripheral inlet of the first flow path exits by the peripheral outlet; and air entering the central inlet will exit by the central outlet of the second flow path.
US09151504B2	Cooking apparatus and method of manufacturing the same A cooking apparatus is disclosed. The cooking apparatus includes an apparatus body, a cooking chamber defined in the apparatus body for cooking food, and a door for opening and closing the cooking chamber. The cooking chamber has an inner wall surface-treated by plasma.
US09151500B2	System for supplying a fuel and a working fluid through a liner to a combustion chamber A system for supplying a working fluid to a combustor includes a combustion chamber and a flow sleeve that circumferentially surrounds at least a portion of the combustion chamber. A tube provides fluid communication for the working fluid to flow through the flow sleeve and into the combustion chamber, wherein the tube comprises an axial centerline. A first set of injectors are circumferentially arranged around the tube and angled radially with respect to the axial centerline of the tube, wherein the first set of injectors provide fluid communication for the working fluid to flow through a wall of the tube.
US09151499B2	Glow plug with a load sensing sleeve surrounding a heating rod A glow plug includes a heating rod (11), a plug body (13) having a receiving housing (14) of the heating rod, a mounting device (48) for mounting the heating rod, permitting axial translation movements of the heating rod relative to the plug body and ensuring impermeability between the heating rod and the plug body, a load sensing sleeve (17) which extends around the proximal portion (50) of the peripheral metal tube (59, 61) of the heating rod in the proximal zone (51) of the receiving housing, directly adjoining axially the mounting device (48) axially on the proximal side.
US09151490B2	Boiler control system A boiler control system for efficiently controlling the operation of a packaged boiler is provided. The system includes a combustion air control system, a fuel control system, a flue gas sensing system, and a boiler controller. The boiler controller is in operative communication with the combustion air control system, fuel control system, and the flue gas sensing system. Based upon a system demand, the boiler controller controls coarse-level operation of the combustion air control system and the fuel control system. The flue gas sensing system may include an oxygen sensor and a flue gas differential sensor to sense a change in a characteristic of the flue gas. When the flue gas differential sensor senses a change in the flue gas characteristic that meets a flue gas differential setpoint, the boiler controller controls the fine-level operation of the boiler.
US09151486B2	Heat pump water heater An energy efficient heat pump system capable of operating in extreme low and high temperature environments. The heat pump system includes an evaporator, a heater operatively associated with the evaporator, compressor and condenser. In an exemplary embodiment, the heat pump system may further include a plasma pulse-spark system to facilitate removal of scale deposits. The heater heats an environmental medium prior to the environmental medium exchanging energy with a refrigerant located in an evaporator coil of the evaporator in order to maintain a predetermined minimum temperature differential between the environmental medium when it contacts the evaporator coil and the refrigerant when located in the evaporator coil. The system allows efficient operation at low temperatures.
US09151485B2	Buckle assembly with light emitting diode and optical guide A buckle assembly is configured to releasably interlock with a seat belt tongue. The assembly includes a light emitting diode (LED) positioned at least partially within a housing. The LED is configured to emit a light when the seat belt tongue is not interlocked with the assembly. An optical guide is positioned at least partially within the housing and composed of a substantially light transmitting material. The LED is positioned such that the light emitted by the LED passes through the optical guide. In a first embodiment, the optical guide is an ejector member at least partially positioned within the housing. In a second embodiment, the optical guide is a lens at least partially positioned within the housing.
US09151483B2	Heat pipe for cooling optical sources Embodiments generally relate to heat pipes and methods for fabricating the same. In one embodiment, the heat pipe comprises a first section bonded to a second section such that a first channel is enclosed therebetween; and a liquid partly filling the first channel. The bonded first and second sections comprise a first area configured to be bonded to a heat-generating device and a second area configured to be bonded to a heat sink. The first channel is characterized by a first portion within the first area and a second portion within the second area. The liquid and at least one of the first section and the second section are transparent at a wavelength emitted by the heat-generating device.
US09151480B2	Light bulb assembly A light bulb assembly includes a bulb housing that is configured to be connected to a light bulb socket. A light bulb is held by the bulb housing and includes a printed circuit board (PCB). The assembly includes an electrical connector having a connector housing, a negative terminal of the light bulb assembly, and a positive terminal of the light bulb assembly. The electrical connector is mounted to the PCB such that the positive terminal and the negative terminal are electrically connected to the PCB. The negative terminal is configured to mate with a corresponding negative terminal of the light bulb socket. The positive terminal is configured to mate with a corresponding positive terminal of the light bulb socket.
US09151478B2	Lantern stand Two embodiments of a lantern stand are described for supporting a lantern therefrom. In both embodiments, an extension tube is selectively positioned in either a stowed position or an operative position. In the first embodiment, the extension tube thereof has a spike portion extending downwardly therefrom for insertion into the ground. In the second embodiment, an auger portion extends downwardly therefrom for insertion into the ground. In the second embodiment, a pair of spaced-apart rotatable handles are provided to assist the rotational insertion of the auger portion into the ground.
US09151477B2	Lighting device and method of installing light emitter A lighting device configured to be held relative to a space extending from an opening in a first surface. A distance between first and second emitters and/or a dimension of a lens is/are larger than a largest dimension of the opening and/or a largest dimension of a power supply. Also, a bracket comprising a body member and at least two mounting clips, the body member configured to be attached to a lighting device, each mounting clip pivotable about respective pivot axes at least from a first position, where a first end region of the clip does not extend farther from an axis of the body member than all portions of the body member, to a second position, where the first end region of the clip extends farther from the axis of the body member than all portions of the body member. Also, a lighting device comprising a removable bracket.
US09151457B2	Lighting device and method of installing light emitter A lighting device comprising a junction box, a trim element and a solid state light emitter, at least a portion of a space defined by regions of the trim element within a space defined by regions of the junction box, the light emitter within the trim element space. A lighting device comprising a trim element (with at least two regions) and a solid state light emitter, in which at least a first part of the first region can be positioned in a first space with the second region outside the first space, the light emitter within the first part. A lighting device, comprising a trim element (which comprises at least two regions), part of an exterior of which defines a first space, at least a first part of the first region within the first space, a solid state light emitter within the first part. Methods of installing a light emitter.
US09151455B2	Thermoplastic resin composition for reflector, reflector plate, and light-emitting diode element The purpose of the present invention is to provide a thermoplastic resin composition for a reflector plate with which it is possible to obtain a molded article having excellent moldability, high mechanical strength, excellent heat resistance and a high reflectance that is stable over time, and it is possible to obtain a reflector plate with which there is little reduction in reflectance due to heating. The thermoplastic resin composition for a reflector of the invention comprises 30 to 80 weight % of a thermoplastic resin (A) having structural units containing carbonyl groups and a melting point or glass transition temperature of 250° C. or higher, 10 to 50 weight % of an inorganic filler (B) containing an inorganic filler (B-1) that comprises a carbonyl structure and has an aspect ratio of 10 to 100, and 5 to 50 weight % of a white pigment (C).
US09151453B2	Magnetically-mountable lighting device and associated systems and methods A lighting device comprising a heat sink, a light source in thermal communication with the heat sink, and a power source operably coupled with the light source. The heat sink, light source, and power source are positioned in a cavity defined by an enclosure and an optic which present a puck-like shape when assembled. A magnetic attachment member installed in the cavity of the enclosure magnetically binds the lighting device to a ferromagnetic material external to the lighting device. The power source receives an AC input voltage through inductive and/or conductive coupling, and converts the voltage to DC to support light-emitting diodes (LEDs). A controller may operate the light source based on instructions transmitted by a beam adjustment device and/or an occupancy sensor. A method aspect of the invention details steps for assembling the lighting device.
US09151445B2	Caution and warning barrier system for danger of electrical arcing A caution and barrier system for danger of electrical arcing is disclosed. The caution and barrier system includes at least two elongate arms that attach to respective sides of a piece of equipment. The arms carry warning indicia. Some embodiments attach via traditional mounting hardware, while others mount magnetically to the equipment. The arms may also pivot and may comprise separate sections attached together by hinges. Yet other versions of the arms may be mounted on equipment using a multi-position magnetic mount. The caution and barrier system is particularly suitable for use with high voltage apparatus where electrical arcing is likely.
US09151442B2	Bar mounted tool adaptor A tool mounting system having at least one support tool structure with at least one tool connected to each of the at least one tool support. A first and second mounting portion is connected to each of the at least one tool support structure and is connectable to a first and second mount on a base, respectively. At least one of the first mounting portion or the second mounting portion has a particular mounting characteristic such that the first and second mounting portions are only correspondable to the first and second mounts of the base to ensure the proper position of the at least one tool support structure relative to the base.
US09151440B1	Insect repellant heater support assembly An insect repellant heater support assembly includes a mount including a first end, a second end, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. A coupler is attached to the mount and is positioned nearer to the first end than the second end. The coupler releasably engages a heater. A bracket is attached to the mount and attaches the mount to a post such that the mount is horizontally oriented. A screw is attached to the mount and extends away from the second end. The screw is extendable into and threadably engageable with a tree. The screw has a longitudinal axis lying in a plane is co-planar with the mount.
US09151439B2	Support for portable computing device A foldable support for supporting a portable computing device includes a main frame, a back plate, and a hinge assembly connecting the back plate to the main frame, the hinge assembly being able to position and lock the back plate in a desired position with respect to the main frame. A base member is rotatably connected to a bottom of the main frame. When the portable computing device is supported by the foldable support, a back of the portable computing device rests against the main frame, and a bottom of the portable computing device rests on the base member.
US09151437B2	Stand structure A stand structure includes a vertically aligned central pillar that is not connected to a subsurface and an upper bearing surface for a construction. At least three foot elements are disposed around the central pillar and configured to be connected to the subsurface. Each of the foot elements is connected to at least one upper radial strut and at least one lower radial strut. Each of the struts has a central longitudinal axis, an upper attachment to the central pillar and a lower attachment to a respective one of the foot elements. The central longitudinal axes of each of the upper radial struts has a convexly curved profile beginning at a respective one of the upper attachments. At least one tensile element is disposed so as to compensate buckling forces for each of the upper radial struts.
US09151436B2	Liquid-crystalline mixtures The present invention describes liquid-crystalline mixtures, and also oligomers or polymers which are obtainable by oligomerizing or polymerizing the inventive liquid-crystalline mixtures, a process for printing or coating substrates by applying and then polymerizing the inventive liquid-crystalline mixtures and the use of the inventive liquid-crystalline mixtures or of the inventive oligomers or polymers for production of optical or electrooptical components.The present invention further relates to the use of the inventive liquid-crystalline mixtures which comprise at least one chiral dopant for production of thermal insulation layers, and to such thermal insulation layers.
US09151435B2	Vacuum insulation material including an inner bag, and method for manufacturing same The present invention relates to a vacuum insulation material including an inner bag and to a method for manufacturing same. The method for manufacturing the vacuum insulation material includes: a step of manufacturing a core material; a step of compressing and packing the entire surface of the core material using an inner bag made of a breathable film material; a step of disposing a getter on the upper portion of the inner bag; and a step of vacuum-packing a covering material on the upper portion of the inner bag. The inner bag is made of polypropylene (PP), polyester (PET), and/or polyethylene. Since the inner bag is manufactured using a breathable film having fine holes, the method for manufacturing the vacuum insulation material may have improved efficiency, and the vacuum insulation material may be improved in terms of the long-term durability and vacuum insulation properties thereof.
US09151427B2	Resin pipe joint In a resin pipe joint having a configuration where, by a screw advancement of a union nut caused by screwing an internal thread to an external thread in a state where a tube is externally fitted to an inner cylinder to form a flared portion, a flaring changing region is pressed by a seal pressing portion, a torque varying portion in which projecting portions of a joint body and recess portions of the union nut are fitted to or unfitted from each other by a flexural displacements of the projecting portions in the direction of the axis in accordance with fastening rotation of the union nut from the vicinity of a portion in front of an end of the screw advancement, the screw advancement being caused by pressing of the seal pressing portion against the flaring changing region is configured.
US09151425B2	Multiple conduit connector apparatus and method A multiple-conduit connector includes a first coupling part that includes multiple first connectors associated with a corresponding conduit and a second coupling part that includes multiple second connectors associated with a corresponding conduit. Each conduit of the second coupling part communicates with a corresponding conduit of the first coupling part when the first coupling part and the second coupling part are detachably connected together. The multiple-conduit connector includes a guide projection located on one coupling part and a guide recess to receive the guide projection and disposed at a corresponding location in the other coupling part.
US09151412B2	Retractable cable tray for vertical structures The present invention discloses a cable tray assembly for a drilling rig or other vertical structure. In one embodiment, an extendable cable tray assembly is provided for retractable attachment to a section of a mast of a drilling rig. The cable tray assembly includes an upper tray connected to the mast in a stationary relationship. A center tray has a pivot end pivotally connected to the mast, and an articulating end rotatable between a stowed position and a deployed position below, and offset to, the upper tray. A lower tray has an upper end and a lower end. The upper end is pivotally connected to the articulating end of the center tray. The lower tray is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position below, and offset to, the center tray. An actuator is provided such that extension and retraction of the actuator results in deployment and retraction of the cable tray assembly.
US09151409B2	Device and method for controlling fluid flows in lab-on-a-chip systems and method for producing device An array of valves are arranged in n columns and m lines and which are each designed to control a fluid flow in an associated flow channel in a lab-on-a-chip system. The array includes at least two valves, every column having not more than one valve and every line having from zero to n valves. A device is used for actuating the valves. The valves are pressure-actuated. To produce the device, the flow channels are arranged in accordance with the arrangement of the valves.
US09151401B2	Fail-safe apparatus for use with fluid valves Fail-safe apparatus for use with fluid valves are disclosed herein. An example fail-safe apparatus includes a first piston, a second piston movably coupled relative to the first piston, and a fluid chamber between the first and second pistons to receive a control fluid. The control fluid is to operatively couple the first and second pistons when the control fluid is provided in the fluid chamber. The first piston is operatively decoupled from the second piston when at least some of the control fluid is removed from the fluid chamber.
US09151399B2	Method of configuring a check valve A nipple of a check has a first portion that is selectively positionable within a housing of the check valve. A second portion of the nipple extends from the housing when the first portion of the nipple is selectively positioned within the housing. The check valve is configured to allow fluid flow through the check valve in either a first direction or a second direction when the first portion of the nipple is selectively positioned within the housing. The check valve is configured to prevent fluid flow through the check valve in the first direction when the first portion of the nipple is removed from the housing.
US09151398B2	Valve for a sippy cup A replaceable valve member for a sippy cup assembly is disclosed. The valve member is a flexible, resilient member for releasable mounting in the lid of the sippy cup. It includes a normally closed, but openable slit located within the sippy cup's spout when the valve member is in its operative position. The valve member includes another normally closed, but openable slit located at a vent in the sippy cup's lid when the valve member is in the operative position. The two slits open when suction is applied to the spout to enable liquid to be withdrawn through the spout. A recess is provided in a portion of the periphery of the valve member to preclude the trapping of residual liquid in the sippy cup. The valve member also includes an opening for releasably mounting it on a handle of the sippy cup in a storage position.
US09151394B2	Valve system with a sealing member A valve system and a fluid flow system with a valve system are disclosed. The valve system comprises a valve housing defining a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid medium, and a fluid outlet for delivering a fluid medium; at least one valve element arranged in an interior part of the valve housing, the valve element(s) being movable relative to the valve housing, the position of the valve element(s) relative to the valve housing determining a flow rate of fluid medium through the valve system from the fluid inlet towards the fluid outlet; a moving mechanism arranged to cause movements of the valve element(s); and a sealing member arranged in an interior part of the valve housing, the sealing member being capable of separating the interior of the valve housing into a first part comprising the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and a second part.
US09151393B2	Two way gate valve and substrate processing system having the same A two way gate valve includes a valve chamber having a first entrance coupled with a first chamber, a second entrance coupled with a second chamber, and an openable and closable chamber cover; a moving module having a first sealing plate for sealing the first entrance, a second sealing plate for sealing the second entrance, and a moving module body to which the first and the second sealing plates are mounted; a push-pull module having a push-pull module body coupled with the moving module body such that the moving module body can linearly move, a first operating body for moving the moving module in a first entrance direction such that the first sealing plate seals the first entrance, and a second operating body for moving the moving module in a second entrance direction such that the second sealing plate seals the second entrance.
US09151386B2	Accumulator membrane for a hydraulic hammer An accumulator membrane is disclosed. The accumulator membrane may include a generally cylindrical tube having a side wall with a first end a second end. A lip may be located at the first end, and may form a pocket with the side wall. An extension may protrude from the second end at an angle generally perpendicular to the lip and co-axial with the generally cylindrical tube.
US09151383B2	Interactive transmission shift techniques A method for interactive transmission garage shifts includes receiving a request for a transmission garage shift; controlling the transmission to bring the vehicle to a stop state based on determining that the vehicle is rolling backwards on a grade above a predetermined grade threshold and at a speed below a predetermined speed threshold; controlling an electric park brake (EPB) to hold the vehicle at the stop state; controlling the transmission to engage a dog clutch so as to place the transmission in a forward drive gear; and controlling the EPB to i) deactivate if the dog clutch is determined to be engaged, or ii) maintain activation to maintain the vehicle at the stop state if the dog clutch is determined to be disengaged.
US09151382B2	Gross slip-based control of a variator assembly A vehicle includes an engine, drive wheels, a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and a controller. The CVT includes an input member connected to the engine, an output member delivering output torque to the wheels, and a variator assembly connecting the input and output members. The controller determines, via a method, an input and output speed of the variator assembly, converts the output speed to an equivalent input speed using a calibrated variator speed ratio, and calculates a gross slip of the variator assembly using the input and equivalent input speeds. A gross slip flag is set only when the gross slip exceeds a calibrated slip value for a predetermined duration. A CVT assembly includes the controller, input and output members, and variator assembly. The variator assembly may include drive and driven pulleys, a drive mechanism connecting the pulleys, and an actuator applying a clamping force to one of the pulleys.
US09151381B2	Vehicle, control method for transmission and control device for transmission One control mode is selected from a plurality of control modes each setting a target value of a primary pulley revolution speed NIN and prioritized in a predetermined order. When the control mode is changed, the target value of the primary pulley revolution speed NIN is set so as to vary from the target value set in the control mode before change to the target value set in the control mode after change in accordance with the control mode that is higher in priority among the control modes before and after change. A continuously variable transmission is controlled such that the primary pulley revolution speed NIN reaches the set target value.
US09151380B2	Hydraulic pressure control apparatus for automatic transmission and control method thereof A hydraulic pressure control apparatus for an automatic transmission may include a first hydraulic pump connected with an oil tank to receive oil from the oil tank, having a first motor, and adapted to generate a low pressure through an operation of the first motor, a second hydraulic pump connected with the first hydraulic pump to receive the low pressure, having a second motor, and adapted to generate a high pressure through an operation of the second motor, a first regulating valve adapted to receive the low pressure from the first hydraulic pump and to regulate a first operating pressure to supply to the torque converter, and a second regulating valve adapted to receive the high pressure from the second hydraulic pump and to regulate a second operating pressure to supply to the powertrain.
US09151378B2	Control device for transmission When a MODE selector SW is manipulated while CVT automatic shifting mode is selected, the shifting mode is switched to STEP-AT automatic shifting mode. Then, when the shift lever of a shifting device is manipulated by the driver while the CVT automatic shifting mode is selected as the shifting mode of a CVT, the then-set automatic shifting control mode for the CVT is maintained whereas the shifting mode of the CVT is switched to sport mode. When the sport mode being selected as the shifting mode of the CVT is canceled, the shifting mode of the CVT is switched to the mode selected before the switchover to the sport mode, that is, the maintained automatic shifting control mode, unless the MODE selector SW is manipulated during execution of the sport mode.
US09151377B2	Axle porting to legs An axle assembly and method for assembling such axle assembly for a vehicle are disclosed. The axle assembly may comprise meshed ring and pinion gears, a center housing portion, and left and right leg housing portions. The center housing portion may include a center housing defining a center cavity in which the bevel gear is disposed, and at least one channel having an entrance port into the center cavity. The axle assembly may include a first conduit configured to branch off of the first channel in a first direction and a second conduit configured to branch off of the first channel in a second direction. Such channels and conduits may be integral to the center housing or substantially external to the center housing.
US09151368B2	Two position actuator with sensing and control An actuator that causes a mode clutch to shift between an engaged position and a disengaged position is provided. The actuator comprises a motor having an output. A shift cam is caused to rotate based on the output of the motor. The shift cam has a cam profile surface. A cam follower rides along the cam profile surface upon rotation of the shift cam. Movement of the cam follower causes movement of a mode fork resulting in the mode clutch shifting between the engaged and disengaged positions. A sensor outputs a voltage to a controller based on a physical location of the cam follower. The controller activates the motor based on the voltage.
US09151362B2	Transmission A first synchronizing sleeve (21) is provided in a second main shaft (5) and a first idling gear (12a) is connected to the second main shaft (5) by the first synchronizing sleeve (21) to transmit a driving force to a first sub-shaft (6) or a second sub-shaft (7) or a second synchronizing sleeve (22) is provided in the second sub-shaft (7) to transmit the driving force to a second idling gear (11b) or a third idling gear (13c) and the driving forces respectively transmitted thereto and shifted are output to a differential gear (110) by a first fixed gear (14a) fixedly provided in the second sub-shaft (7).
US09151359B1	Pin-roller chain A chain link comprises a first plate having a first hole in it, a second plate having a second hole in it, a pin which passes through the first hole and the second hole, and a plurality of rolling elements arranged circumferentially around the pin, wherein when the chain link is engaged with a tooth of a sprocket, the tooth directly contacts one or more of the plurality of rolling elements. The plurality of rolling elements may roll along a surface of the tooth as the chain link conveys, or is conveyed by, the tooth. One or more of the plurality of rolling elements may roll along a surface of the pin as the chain link conveys, or is conveyed by, the tooth.
US09151347B1	Control system for operating a manual clutch A number of variations may include a product comprising: a clutch system comprising: a clutch; a first cylinder operatively connected to the clutch; a piston assembly operatively connected to the first cylinder; a second cylinder operatively connected to the piston assembly; a clutch pedal operatively connected to the second cylinder; and a hydraulic power pack actuator operatively connected to the piston assembly, wherein the piston assembly is constructed and arranged to control actuation of the clutch through the first cylinder in response to actuation from at least one of the clutch pedal or hydraulic power pack actuator.
US09151346B2	Centrifugal clutch drive system An apparatus for use with a centrifugal clutch having a drum with a threaded opening. The apparatus includes an output hub having first and second ends, where the first end has threads for engaging the threaded opening of the drum. The hub has a longitudinal axis. The apparatus also includes a sprocket associated with the second end of the hub where the sprocket has a sprocket plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hub. The apparatus includes a ball bearing assembly disposed in an interior surface of the hub where the ball bearing has a bearing plane substantially aligned with the sprocket plane. The apparatus also includes at least one retaining member disposed on one side of the ball bearing assembly to secure the ball bearing assembly along the interior surface of the hub.
US09151343B2	Ball lock compensator for use with a robotic device A compensation device configured to be positioned between a robotic arm and a robotic tool. The device may be configured to directly attach to the tool, or may be configured to be positioned away from the tool. The device generally includes a first section that connects to the robotic arm and a second section that connects to the tool. The second section is movable relative to the first section to provide for the tool to be positioned at various orientations. The second section may comply rotationally about a first axis. The second section may be movable in a second plane. In one embodiment, the second plane is perpendicular to the first axis.
US09151339B2	Locking disconnect clutch A disconnect clutch includes a hub, a carrier, a wedge plate, a friction plate, a pressure plate, and a pin. The hub has a radially outer surface with a ramp and the carrier has a radially inner surface. The wedge plate is disposed radially between the hub and the carrier. It has a radially inner surface with a ramp, proximate and complementary to the hub outer surface, a radially outer surface proximate the carrier inner surface, and a split extending from the radially inner surface to the radially outer surface. The friction plate is drivingly connected to the carrier. The pressure plate is arranged for frictionally engaging the wedge plate with the at least one friction plate. The pin is rotationally fixed and radially or axially displaceable with respect to the hub, and arranged for limiting rotation of the at least one wedge plate relative to the hub.
US09151337B2	Self-adjusting mechanism for a friction clutch A self-adjusting mechanism for a friction clutch is disclosed. The mechanism includes first and second hub members with mating ratchet teeth, and an adjustment arm having a non-slip connection with the first hub member for driving the first hub member in opposite rotational directions, and a worm gear which, when rotated, moves an adjustment ring of the clutch to adjust the friction surfaces to compensate for wear. The mechanism also includes a lost-motion connection located between the worm gear and the release mechanism of the clutch. The adjustment arm on the first hub member has a connection with the release mechanism of the clutch. The release mechanism is movable through an adjustment cycle during which the worm gear is rotated to move the adjustment ring of the clutch to adjust friction surfaces to compensate for wear.
US09151335B2	Bi-directional friction clutch A clutch includes an input, an output, first and second control disks, and a control. The output and the input may be releasably coupled. The first control disk may be positioned between the input and the output. The first control disk and second control disk may be coupled and the output may be moveable between the control disks. The control may apply a torque to the second control disk, establishing a relative rotation between the output and the first control disk and decoupling the output and input.
US09151331B2	Heat break coupling A coupling for a molten metal processing system to provide coupling for rotor/shaft systems which has a heat break to prevent heat flow to a motor. A cross sectional area reduction provides a restriction which reduces heat transmission through a conductive material to restrict heat flow to a motor, which will ultimately extend the life of the motor.
US09151329B2	Machine assembly A machine assembly includes a housing in which a shaft element is rotatably supported by a bearing assembly, the bearing assembly including two tapered roller bearings which are preloadable against each other and having at least one bearing outer ring and first and second bearing inner rings. The first bearing inner ring includes, in one of its axial end regions, a sleeve-shaped extension formed directly from the material of the first bearing inner ring, which sleeve-shaped extension directly contacts an end side of the second bearing inner ring.
US09151326B1	Bearing assemblies, bearing apparatuses, and methods of use Embodiments of the invention relate to bearing assemblies, bearing apparatuses, and methods of assembling and operating such bearing assemblies and apparatuses. For instance, first bearing assembly and/or the second bearing assembly may include one or more tapered sections, which may facilitate entry of the first bearing assembly into the second bearing assembly.
US09151325B2	Self-lubricating snubber bearing Disclosed is a snubber bearing assembly for protecting a rotor and accompanying bearings from radial and axial rotor transient overload events. The bearing assembly includes a snubber journal mounted on the rotor and a snubber housing having a radial snubber bearing mounted on its inside surface, the radial snubber bearing being radially-offset from an outer radial surface of the snubber journal. Lubricating plugs are disposed within a plurality of holes defined in the radial snubber bearing, the lubricating plugs being configured to provide lubrication between the radial contact surface and the outer radial surface during a radial rotor transient overload event. The snubber housing can also include opposing axial snubber bearings that have lubricating plugs disposed within holes defined therein also. The opposing axial snubber bearings are configured to be axially-offset from inner axial surfaces defined by the rotor journal and provide lubrication therebetween during an axial rotor transient overload event.
US09151318B2	Device for fastening a nut to the surface of a body by means of an assembly plate A device for fastening a nut (4) on the surface of a body (2) by means of a plate (5) that holds the nut (4) captive. The plate (5) has both a centering member (14) and a lug (15) projecting from its seat (6) against the body (2), which centering member and lug are housed in corresponding orifices (16, 17) in the body (2). Means for bonding by cementing or by riveting prevent the plate (5) fitted against the body (2) from moving axially. The cementing means involve melting the lug (15) inside the orifice (17) that receives it, the lug being heating to form cementing material. The plate (5) includes a cell (19) in register with the lug (15) for guiding tooling.
US09151316B2	Fastener with unidirectional latch A fastener and associated lock washer having an integral anti-rotation mechanism. The head of the fastener includes a plurality of saw teeth—arranged in a radial array. A lock washer is configured to interact with the head of the fastener. The lock washer includes one or more spring tabs positioned to bear against the radial array of saw teeth. As the fastener is rotated in a first direction, the saw teeth depress and pass over the spring tab(s). However, if the user attempts to rotate the fastener in the opposite direction, the spring tab snaps up into the saw teeth and arrests the motion—in the manner of a ratchet and pawl mechanism. The invention preferably includes a second means for selectively defeating the anti-rotation mechanism.
US09151313B2	Fastening element The invention proposes a blind fastening element, which is constructed similarly to a screw. The fastening element thus has a head (1), which is disposed on one end of the shaft (3) and has a contact surface, which faces toward the shaft, for contact on the object to be fastened. On the opposite front end, the fastening element has a punch face (7), which runs approximately transversely to the longitudinal axis and is enclosed by a closed punch edge (8). The diameter of said punch face is less than the diameter of the shaft, for example, the diameter is in the range of approximately 70% to 30% of the diameter of the shaft. The shaft itself may be smooth on its exterior, if the fastening element is to be used as a blind rivet, or may have a thread (9), however, if the fastening element is to be fastened after the punch procedure by rotating.
US09151309B2	Expansion clamp An assembly includes a first structure and a clamp. The first structure may have an opening located on a first surface and the opening includes a keyway. The clamp is configured to clamp a second structure to the first structure. The clamp may include a head configured to be inserted above the opening in the first structure. The clamp may also include a body coupled to the head. An upper portion of the body may include formations located on opposite sides of the body and a lower portion of the body is threaded. The clamp may further include a nut coupled to the body. The nut may be configured to be rotated such that when the formations on the body are aligned with the keyway in the first structure, the head of the clamp is configured to lower onto the second structure and secure the second structure to the first structure.
US09151303B2	Hydraulic actuator with automatic purging at the end of its stroke A hydraulic actuator containing a hollow body defining a cylindrical cavity and a rod which is mounted to slide within the body along a sliding axis between two end positions and which is integral with a piston sliding in a sealed manner within the cylindrical cavity in order to define two chambers. The rod defines an interior passage, connecting the two chambers, which has a valve comprising a shut-off member which is returned towards a seat and closes the passage. The rod receives a push member which can move relative to the rod between a position apart from the shut-off member and a position forcing the shut-off member to open. The push member is constrained, when the rod reaches the end of its stroke, by the push member engaging with a portion of the hollow body.
US09151302B2	Rotating air cylinder A rotating air cylinder is disclosed. The rotating air cylinder, comprises a first master cylinder comprising a first cylinder block, a first sealing assembly assembled in one distal end of the first cylinder block; a cylinder shaft partially received in the first cylinder block; a first piston assembly movably sleeving on the cylinder shaft, wherein the first piston assembly moves longitudinally within the first cylinder block, and rotates relative to the cylinder shaft; a second master cylinder positioned coaxial with the first master cylinder comprising a second cylinder block received in another part of the cylinder shaft; a second sealing assembly assembled in the second cylinder block; a second piston assembly received in the second cylinder block, non-rotatably and slidably connected with the cylinder shaft, wherein the second piston assembly moves longitudinally in the second cylinder block and rotates relative to an axis of the second cylinder block.
US09151295B2	Columnar air moving devices, systems and methods An air moving device includes a housing member, a rotary fan assembly, and a nozzle, the housing including a plurality of air vents. The air moving device further includes at least one anti-drip structure in the form of a peripheral lip member for inhibiting water from entering the air moving device. The air moving device further includes a baffle member that acts to redirect a volume of air that enters through the plurality of air vents.

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