Document	Document Title
US09496387B2	Semiconductor device, and method for manufacturing the same A semiconductor device (A1) includes a semiconductor layer having a first face with a trench (3) formed thereon and a second face opposite to the first face, a gate electrode (41), and a gate insulating layer (5). The semiconductor layer includes a first n-type semiconductor layer (11), a second n-type semiconductor layer (12), a p-type semiconductor layer (13), and an n-type semiconductor region (14). The trench (3) is formed so as to penetrate through the p-type semiconductor layer (13) and to reach the second n-type semiconductor layer (12). The p-type semiconductor layer (13) includes an extended portion extending to a position closer to the second face of the semiconductor layer than the trench (3) is. Such structure allows suppressing dielectric breakdown in the gate insulating layer (5).
US09496383B2	Semiconductor device and method of forming the same A semiconductor device may include, but is not limited to, a semiconductor substrate having a first gate groove; a first fin structure underneath the first gate groove; a first diffusion region in the semiconductor substrate, the first diffusion region covering an upper portion of a first side of the first gate groove; and a second diffusion region in the semiconductor substrate. The second diffusion region covers a second side of the first gate groove. The second diffusion region has a bottom which is deeper than a top of the first fin structure.
US09496382B2	Field effect transistor, termination structure and associated method for manufacturing The present disclosure discloses a field effect transistor (“FET”), a termination structure and associated method for manufacturing. The termination structure for the FET includes a plurality of termination cells arranged substantially in parallel from an inner side toward an outer side of a termination area of the FET. Each of the termination cells comprises a termination trench and a guard ring region located underneath the bottom of the termination trench in the semiconductor layer. Each termination trench is lined with a termination insulation layer, and is filled with a first conductive spacer and a second conductive spacer respectively against an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall of the termination trench and spaced apart from each other with a space, and a dielectric layer filling the space between the first and the second spacers.
US09496375B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor device To improve productivity of a transistor that includes an oxide semiconductor and has good electrical characteristics. In a top-gate transistor including a gate insulating film and a gate electrode over an oxide semiconductor film, a metal film is formed over the oxide semiconductor film, oxygen is added to the metal film to form a metal oxide film, and the metal oxide film is used as a gate insulating film. After an oxide insulating film is formed over the oxide semiconductor film, a metal film may be formed over the oxide insulating film. Oxygen is added to the metal film to form a metal oxide film and added also to the oxide semiconductor film or the oxide insulating film.
US09496371B1	Channel protection during fin fabrication A method for protecting channels during fin fabrication. Fins are formed on a substrate. A conformal liner layer (or layers) is applied on the fins. Active portions of a semiconductor device are patterned in the fins using a first organic planarizing material. The first organic planarizing material is stripped. The length of the fins is adjusted using a second organic planarizing material. The second organic planarizing material is stripped. The conformal liner layer(s) is stripped.
US09496366B2	Method for manufacturing silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor device by introducing nitrogen concentration of 5X1019 cm-3 or more at a boundary surface between thermal oxide film and the SiC substrate and then removing the thermal oxide film A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a thermal oxide film on one surface of an SiC substrate by thermal oxidation at a temperature of 1150° C. or above in a gas atmosphere including nitrogen and oxygen, and introducing highly-concentrated nitrogen to one surface of the SiC substrate while forming the thermal oxide film; forming a highly-concentrated n-type SiC layer on one surface of the SiC substrate such that the thermal oxide film is removed from one surface of the SiC substrate by etching and, thereafter, one surface of the SiC substrate is exposed to radicals so that Si—N bonded bodies and C—N bonded bodies on one surface of the SiC substrate are removed while leaving nitrogen introduced into a lattice of SiC out of highly-concentrated nitrogen introduced into one surface of the SiC substrate; and forming an ohmic electrode layer on one surface of the SiC substrate.
US09496355B2	Conductive nanoparticles Isolated conductive nanoparticles on a dielectric layer and methods of fabricating such isolated conductive nanoparticles provide charge storage units in electronic structures for use in a wide range of electronic devices and systems. The isolated conductive nanoparticles may be used as a floating gate in a flash memory. In an embodiment, conductive nanoparticles are deposited on a dielectric layer by a plasma-assisted deposition process such that each conductive nanoparticle is isolated from the other conductive nanoparticles to configure the conductive nanoparticles as charge storage elements.
US09496352B2	Semiconductor device According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes: a first semiconductor region; a second semiconductor region on the first semiconductor region; a third semiconductor region on the second semiconductor region; an fourth insulating film on the second semiconductor region and the third semiconductor region; a first electrode under the first semiconductor region; a second electrode on the fourth insulating film; a plurality of first contact regions extending in a first direction from the first electrode toward the second electrode in the fourth insulating film, and the plurality of first contact regions electrically connecting the third semiconductor region to the second electrode; a plurality of second contact regions extending in the first direction in the fourth insulating film, and one of the plurality of second contact regions between adjacent ones of the first contact regions; and a third electrode in the second semiconductor region via a first insulating film.
US09496350B2	P-type ZnO based compound semiconductor layer, a ZnO based compound semiconductor element, and an N-type ZnO based compound semiconductor laminate structure A p-type ZnO based compound semiconductor single crystal layer, wherein the layer includes a p-type ZnO based compound semiconductor single crystal layer co-doped with (i) a Group 11 element which is Cu and/or Ag and (ii) at least one Group 13 element selected from the group consisting of B, Ga, Al, and In, and a concentration of the Group 11 element [11] and a concentration of the Group 13 element [13] fulfill the relation: 0.9≦[11]/[13]<100.
US09496341B1	Silicon germanium fin A method includes forming a multilayered stack on a surface of a supporting layer. The multilayered stack is composed of alternating layers of compressively strained Silicon Germanium (Si1-xGex) and tensily strained Carbon-doped Silicon (Si:C). The method further includes etching the multilayered stack to form at least one Fin precursor structure and annealing the Fin precursor structure to remove Carbon from the strained Si:C layers to form Carbon-depleted layers and to diffuse Germanium from the Si1-xGex layers into the Carbon-depleted layers producing a Si1-xGex Fin. A structure that is disclosed includes a Semiconductor on Insulator (SOI) layer disposed on a layer of buried oxide and a multilayered stack on a surface of the SOI layer. The multilayered stack is composed of alternating layers of compressively strained Si1-xGex and tensily strained Si:C. The structure further includes a hardmask layer disposed on a top surface of the multilayered stack.
US09496336B2	Semiconductor device having vertical channels and method of manufacturing the same A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device which can prevent leakage current caused by gate electrodes intersecting element isolation layers in a major axis of an active region, and which further has vertical channels to provide a sufficient overlap margin, and a semiconductor device manufactured using the above method. The device includes gate electrodes formed on element isolation layers that are disposed between active regions and have top surfaces that are higher than the top surfaces of the active regions. Since the gate electrodes are formed on the element isolation layers, leakage current in a semiconductor substrate is prevented. In addition, the gate electrodes are formed using a striped shape mask pattern, thereby obtaining a sufficient overlap margin compared to a contact shape or bar shape pattern.
US09496335B2	Super junction semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same There is provided a super junction semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. A super junction semiconductor device includes an n-type semiconductor region disposed in a substrate, two or more p-type semiconductor regions disposed adjacent to the n-type semiconductor region alternately in a direction parallel to a surface of the substrate, a p-type body region disposed on at least one of the p-type semiconductor regions, and a source region disposed in the p-type body region, and an n-type ion implantation region is formed along a lower end of the n-type semiconductor region and lower ends of the p-type semiconductor regions.
US09496330B2	Oxide semiconductor film and semiconductor device A crystalline oxide semiconductor film which can be used as a semiconductor film of a transistor or the like is provided. In particular, a crystalline oxide semiconductor film with less defects such as grain boundaries is provided. One embodiment of the present invention is a crystalline oxide semiconductor film which is provided over a substrate and has a region including five or less areas where a transmission electron diffraction pattern showing discontinuous points is observed when an observation area is changed one-dimensionally within a range of 700 nm, using a transmission electron diffraction apparatus with an electron beam having a probe diameter of 1 nm.
US09496324B2	Display device, method for driving the same, and electronic apparatus A display device including a pixel array unit having a matrix of pixels each configured such that an anode electrode of an organic electroluminescent element is connected to a source electrode of a drive transistor, a gate electrode of the drive transistor is connected to a source or drain electrode of a writing transistor, and a storage capacitor is connected between the gate and source electrodes of the drive transistor, scanning lines and power supply lines for individual pixel rows, and signal lines for individual pixel columns. A video signal reference potential is supplied to the signal lines for a period during which a scanning signal is supplied to the scanning lines during driving of pixels in a preceding row. During threshold correction for the drive transistor in a current pixel, the video signal reference potential and a potential of the cathode electrode of the organic electroluminescent element are equal.
US09496321B2	Organic light emitting display and method of manufacturing the same An organic light emitting display and a method of manufacturing the same that reduces the number of the masks needed and improves production yield by forming alignment marks during an SGS crystallization process for producing a thin film transistor. The organic light emitting display includes a substrate having a display region and a non-display region, at least one pixel region formed of a thin film transistor and an organic light emitting element electrically coupled to each other in the display region of the substrate, and at least one alignment mark formed in a non-display region of the substrate by the SGS crystallization process.
US09496320B2	Organic light-emitting display apparatus An organic light-emitting display apparatus includes a first substrate, a display unit that defines an active area on the first substrate, a second substrate on the display unit, a circuit pattern on outer sides of the active area on the first substrate, a sealant between the first substrate and the second substrate, the sealant adhering the first substrate to the second substrate and overlapping at least a part of the circuit pattern, and a detecting unit that overlaps the at least a part of the circuit pattern and detects whether the circuit pattern is damaged.
US09496313B2	CMOS-based thermopile with reduced thermal conductance An integrated circuit containing CMOS transistors and an embedded thermoelectric device is formed by forming isolation trenches in a substrate, concurrently between the CMOS transistors and between thermoelectric elements of the embedded thermoelectric device. Dielectric material is formed in the isolation trenches to provide field oxide which laterally isolates the CMOS transistors and the thermoelectric elements. Germanium is implanted into the substrate in areas for the thermoelectric elements, and the substrate is subsequently annealed, to provide a germanium density of at least 0.10 atomic percent in the thermoelectric elements between the isolation trenches. The germanium may be implanted before the isolation trenches are formed, after the isolation trenches are formed and before the dielectric material is formed in the isolation trenches, and/or after the dielectric material is formed in the isolation trenches.
US09496312B2	Active pixel structure with improved charge transfer The invention relates to an active CMOS pixel structure comprising: at least one photoelectric conversion zone (NPD) defined by n-doping of the substrate, said zone accumulating an amount of charge during an exposure to light and comprising a p-doped surface zone (PIN); and at least one MOS transfer transistor (TX), the gate of said transfer transistor (TX) being electrically insulated from the substrate and being used to control transfer of said charge from said photoelectric conversion zone (NPD) to said floating diffusion node (FD), in which the gate of said transfer transistor (TX) partially covers said p-doped surface zone (PIN), and said photoelectric conversion zone (NPD) extends under said gate of said transfer transistor (TX) at least as far as the end of the p-doped surface zone (PIN).
US09496309B2	Image sensor device An image sensor device with layered structures is disclosed, which includes a carrier wafer, image sensing structures and insulating layers. The carrier wafer has a pixel area and a peripheral area. Each of the image sensing structures has a first portion in the pixel area for sensing incident light in a specific wavelength band and a second portion in the peripheral area. Each of the insulating layers is disposed between adjacent stacked image sensing structures, such that crosstalk issues between adjacent diffusion layers are avoided for higher isolation, thereby improving photo sensing quality.
US09496306B2	Solid-state imaging device, method for manufacturing the same, and imaging apparatus Realization of an adequate hole accumulation layer and reduction in dark current are allowed to become mutually compatible. A solid-state imaging device 1 having a light-receiving portion 12 to photoelectrically convert incident light is characterized by including a film 21, which is disposed on a light-receiving surface 12s of the above-described light-receiving portion 12 and which lowers an interface state, and a film 22, which is disposed on the above-described film 21 to lower the interface state and which has a negative fixed charge, wherein a hole accumulation layer 23 is disposed on the light-receiving surface 12s side of the light-receiving portion 12.
US09496299B1	Layout for routing common signals to integrating imaging pixels An imager is provided that includes an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes at least one metal layer, a signal line extending in a first direction, and a pixel cell. The pixel cell includes imaging pixels and a metal interconnect. The imaging pixels include first, second, third, and fourth imaging pixels, arranged in two rows and two columns, each imaging pixel having a metal-insulator-metal (MiM) capacitor disposed on the at least one metal layer, the first and second imaging pixels being traversed by the signal line to receive signals from the signal line. The metal interconnect extends in a second direction different than the first direction and is coupled to the signal line and the third imaging pixel to transmit the signals to the third imaging pixel. The third imaging pixel is adjacent to the first imaging pixel and is disposed in a different column or row than the second imaging pixel.
US09496290B2	Display substrate, display device and method for manufacturing display substrate The present disclosure relates to a display substrate, a display device and a method for manufacturing the display substrate. The display substrate comprises a substrate, and a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines and a plurality of common electrode lines which are formed above the substrate. The plurality of gate lines and the plurality of data lines are crossed to form a plurality of pixel units. Each of the plurality of pixel units comprises a thin film transistor and a pixel electrode electrically connected to the thin film transistor. The display substrate further comprises connection electrodes located above the substrate. Each of the connection electrodes connects two adjacent common electrode lines.
US09496288B2	Array substrate, display panel and display apparatus An array substrate, a display panel and a display apparatus are provided. The array substrate includes a display region and a non-display region. The non-display region is provided with multiple gate driving circuits and multiple signal lines disposed outside the gate driving circuits. Each gate driving circuit includes at least one Thin Film Transistor and at least one capacitor. The capacitor includes a first plate and a second plate, and the capacitor is located above or below the signal lines. Since the capacitor is not arranged in a gate driving circuit region, a size of the gate driving circuit may be reduced. Accordingly, a width of a border of the display apparatus is further reduced, thereby achieving a narrow border design.
US09496281B2	Dual isolation on SSOI wafer A method of forming fins in a dual isolation complimentary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) device that includes a p-type field effect transistor device (pFET) and an n-type field effect transistor (nFET) device and a CMOS device with dual isolation are described. The CMOS device includes an n-type field effect transistor (nFET) region, the nFET region including one or more fins comprised of strained silicon, the one or fins in the nFET region being formed on an insulator. The CMOS device also includes a p-type field effect transistor (pFET) region, the pFET region including one or more fins comprised of silicon (Si) or silicon germanium (SiGe) on epitaxially grown silicon and including a shallow trench isolation (STI) fill to isolate the one or more fins of the pFET region from each other.
US09496276B2	CMP fabrication solution for split gate memory embedded in HK-MG process A semiconductor device includes a substrate, at least one logic device and a split gate memory device. The at least one logic device is located on the substrate. The split gate memory device is located on the substrate and comprises a memory gate and a select gate. The memory gate and the select gate are adjacent to and electrically isolated with each other. A top of the select gate is higher than a top of the memory gate.
US09496270B2	High density single-transistor antifuse memory cell Various methods and devices that involve single transistor diode connected anti-fuse memory cells are disclosed. An exemplary memory cell comprises a thin gate insulator. The memory cell also comprises a bulk region of a first conductivity type in contact with a first side of the thin gate insulator. The memory cell also comprises a polysilicon gate electrode of the first conductivity type in contact with a second side of the thin gate insulator. The memory cell also comprises a source region of a second conductivity type in contact with the bulk region at a junction. The polysilicon gate electrode and the source region are operatively coupled to a programming voltage source that addresses the memory cell by blowing the thin gate insulator. The junction forms a diode for the memory cell. The bulk region can be in an active layer of a semiconductor on insulator structure.
US09496257B2	Removal of semiconductor growth defects After semiconductor material portions and gate structures are formed on a substrate, a dielectric material layer is deposited on the semiconductor material portions and the gate structures. An anisotropic etch is performed on the dielectric material layer to form gate spacers, while a mask layer protects peripheral portions of the semiconductor material portions and the gate structures to avoid unwanted physical exposure of semiconductor surfaces. A selective epitaxy can be performed to form raised active regions on the semiconductor material portions. Formation of semiconductor growth defects during the selective epitaxy is prevented by the dielectric material layer. Alternately, a selective semiconductor deposition process can be performed after formation of dielectric gate spacers on gate structures overlying semiconductor material portions. Semiconductor growth defects can be removed by an etch while a mask layer protects raised active regions on the semiconductor material portions.
US09496244B2	Light emitting module and light irradiating apparatus A light emitting module includes: a substrate; at least one light emitting element line including a plurality of light emitting elements that are arrayed on the substrate in a first direction; and at least one sealing lens sealing the at least one light emitting element line, and including a plurality of lens sections. The lens sections each include a spherical light emission surface having a convex shape, and are provided corresponding to the respective light emitting elements and continuous in the first direction. The lens sections each satisfy predetermined expressions (1) and (2).
US09496242B2	Stackable microelectronic package structures A microelectronic assembly includes a first microelectronic package having a substrate with first and second opposed surfaces and substrate contacts thereon. The first package further includes first and second microelectronic elements, each having element contacts electrically connected with the substrate contacts and being spaced apart from one another on the first surface so as to provide an interconnect area of the first surface between the first and second microelectronic elements. A plurality of package terminals at the second surface are electrically interconnected with the substrate contacts for connecting the package with a component external thereto. A plurality of stack terminals are exposed at the first surface in the interconnect area for connecting the package with a component overlying the first surface of the substrate. The assembly further includes a second microelectronic package overlying the first microelectronic package and having terminals joined to the stack terminals of the first microelectronic package.
US09496241B2	Integrated circuit packaging for implantable medical devices A hybrid integrated circuit in a wafer level package for an implantable medical device includes one or more passive component windings formed, at least in part, along one or more routing layers of the package. The windings may be primary and secondary windings of a transformer, wherein all or part of a magnetic core thereof is embedded in a component layer of the wafer level package. If the core includes a part bonded to a surface of the package, that part of the core may be E-shaped with legs extending into the routing layers, and, in some cases, through the routing layers. Routing layers may be formed on both sides of the component layer to accommodate the transformer windings, in some instances.
US09496239B1	Nitride-enriched oxide-to-oxide 3D wafer bonding A semiconductor structure comprising a first semiconductor structure; a second semiconductor structure; and a silicon-nitride layer configured to bond the first semiconductor structure and second semiconductor structure together. The first semiconductor structure comprises a first wafer; a first dielectric layer; a first interconnect structure; and a first oxide layer. The second semiconductor structure comprises a second wafer; a second dielectric layer; a second interconnect structure; and a second oxide layer. The structure further comprises a first nitride layer residing on a top surface of the first oxide layer formed by a nitridation process of the top surface of the first oxide layer; and a second nitride layer residing on a top surface of the second oxide layer formed by the nitridation process of the top surface of the second oxide layer. Further, the silicon-nitride layer comprises the first nitride layer and the second nitride layer.
US09496237B2	Semiconductor device having solderable and bondable electrical contact pads A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip and a plurality of electrical contact pads disposed on a main face of the semiconductor chip, wherein the electrical contact pads each include a layer stack, each layer stack having one and the same order of layers, and wherein the electrical contact pads are both solderable and bondable.
US09496235B2	Pillar design for conductive bump A system and method for conductive pillars is provided. An embodiment comprises a conductive pillar having trenches located around its outer edge. The trenches are used to channel conductive material such as solder when a conductive bump is formed onto the conductive pillar. The conductive pillar may then be electrically connected to another contact through the conductive material.
US09496225B1	Recessed metal liner contact with copper fill A method of fabricating a contact above a source or drain region of an integrated circuit includes depositing a first liner conformally in a bottom and along a sidewall of a trench formed above the source or drain region, depositing a second liner conformally over the first liner, and stripping the first liner and the second liner from a portion of the sidewall from an opening of the trench to a height above the bottom of the trench. The method also includes depositing a third liner conformally over the second liner on the bottom and to the height above the bottom of the trench and on the portion of the sidewall, and depositing a metal fill to fill the trench.
US09496220B2	Semiconductor device A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip having a multilayer interconnect, a first spiral inductor formed in the multilayer interconnect, and a second spiral inductor formed in the multilayer interconnect. The first spiral inductor and the second spiral inductor collectively include a line, the line being spirally wound in a first direction in the first spiral inductor toward outside of the first spiral inductor, and being spirally wound in a second direction in the second spiral inductor toward inside of the second spiral inductor. The first direction and the second direction are opposite directions.
US09496211B2	Logic die and other components embedded in build-up layers Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards package assemblies, as well as methods for forming package assemblies and systems incorporating package assemblies. A package assembly may include a substrate including a plurality of build-up layers, such as bumpless build-up layer (BBUL). In various embodiments, electrical routing features may be disposed on an outer surface of the substrate. In various embodiments, a primary logic die and a second die or capacitor may be embedded in the plurality of build-up layers. In various embodiments, an electrical path may be defined in the plurality of build-up layers to route electrical power or a ground signal between the second die or capacitor and the electrical routing features, bypassing the primary logic die.
US09496206B2	Flippable leadframe for packaged electronic system having vertically stacked chips and components A leadframe (100) for electronic systems comprising a first sub-leadframe (110) connected by links (150) to a second sub-leadframe (120), the first and second sub-leadframe connected by tiebars (111, 121) to a frame (130); and each link having a neck (151) suitable for bending the link, the necks arrayed in a line (170) operable as the axis for bending the second sub-leadframe towards the first sub-leadframe with the necks operable as rotation pivots.
US09496202B2	Electronic substrate An electronic substrate includes: an electronic element provided on a first face of a semiconductor substrate having a through hole; a passive element provided on a second face of the semiconductor substrate; a first part of an interconnection pattern provided on the second face of the semiconductor substrate; an insulating layer provided on the second face of the semiconductor substrate; and a second part of the interconnection pattern provided on the insulating layer.
US09496201B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first conductor, a second conductor, and an envelope. The first conductor includes a first radiation surface. The second conductor includes a second radiation surface. The envelope includes a first envelope portion which is composed of a first insulative material and is formed such that the first envelope portion seals a semiconductor, and a second envelope portion which is composed of a second insulative material and is formed in contact with the first radiation surface and the second radiation surface.
US09496198B2	Integration of backside heat spreader for thermal management A microelectronic device includes semiconductor device with a component at a front surface of the semiconductor device and a backside heat spreader layer on a back surface of the semiconductor device. The backside heat spreader layer is 100 nanometers to 3 microns thick, has an in-plane thermal conductivity of at least 150 watts/meter-° K, and an electrical resistivity less than 100 micro-ohm-centimeters.
US09496195B2	Semiconductor device and method of depositing encapsulant along sides and surface edge of semiconductor die in embedded WLCSP A semiconductor device has a semiconductor wafer including a plurality of semiconductor die. An insulating layer is formed over the semiconductor wafer. A portion of the insulating layer is removed by LDA to expose a portion of an active surface of the semiconductor die. A first conductive layer is formed over a contact pad on the active surface of the semiconductor die. The semiconductor wafer is singulated to separate the semiconductor die. The semiconductor die is disposed over a carrier with the active surface of the semiconductor die offset from the carrier. An encapsulant is deposited over the semiconductor die and carrier to cover a side of the semiconductor die and the exposed portion of the active surface. An interconnect structure is formed over the first conductive layer. Alternatively, a MUF material is deposited over a side of the semiconductor die and the exposed portion of the active surface.
US09496191B2	Semiconductor device A mask includes a substrate, an effective pixel formation region and a reference pattern formation region. A pixel pattern for forming a pixel component that constitutes a pixel is arranged in the effective pixel formation region. A reference pattern for indicating a reference position where pixel pattern should be arranged in the effective pixel formation region is arranged in the reference pattern formation region. Pixel pattern is arranged to be displaced from the reference position toward a center side of the effective pixel formation region.
US09496181B2	Sub-fin device isolation A fin-based structure may include fins on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. Each of the fins may include a doped portion proximate to the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The fin-based structure may also include an isolation layer disposed between the fins and on the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The fin-based structure may also include a recessed isolation liner on sidewalls of the doped portion of the fins. An unlined doped portion of the fins may extend from the recessed isolation liner to an active portion of the fins at a surface of the isolation layer. The isolation layer is disposed on the unlined doped portion of the fins.
US09496177B2	Method and apparatus for plasma dicing a semi-conductor wafer The present invention provides a method for plasma dicing a substrate. The method comprising providing a process chamber having a wall; providing a plasma source adjacent to the wall of the process chamber; providing a work piece support within the process chamber; placing the substrate onto a support film on a frame to form a work piece work piece; loading the work piece onto the work piece support; providing a clamping electrode for electrostatically clamping the work piece to the work piece support; providing a mechanical partition between the plasma source and the work piece; generating a plasma through the plasma source; and etching the work piece through the generated plasma.
US09496175B2	Semiconductor device, method of manufacturing the same and camera A semiconductor device includes a substrate that has a cell and a peripheral area, and an insulating layer. The insulating layer includes a first region located on the cell area and having outer edge along the cell area, a second region located on the peripheral area and having inner edge along the cell area, a third region located on an area between the cell and the peripheral area and a fourth region located between the second and the third region and forming a boundary with the third region. A conductive member is embedded in the first and the third region and no conductive member is embedded in the fourth region. The boundary has a curved portion.
US09496174B2	Mitigating electromigration, in-rush current effects, IR-voltage drop, and jitter through metal line and via matrix insertion Integrated circuits and methods of manufacturing such circuits are disclosed herein that feature metal line-via matrix insertion after place and route processes are performed and/or completed for the integrated circuit's layout. The metal line-via matrix consists of one or more additional metal lines and one or more additional vias that are inserted into the integrated circuit's layout at a specific point to lower the current and current density through a first conductive path that has been determined to suffer from electromigration, IR-voltage drop, and/or jitter. Specifically, the metal line-via matrix provides one or more auxiliary conductive paths to divert and carry a portion of the current that would otherwise flow through the first conductive path. This mitigates electromigration issues and IR-voltage drop along the first conductive path. It may also help alleviate problems due to jitter along the path.
US09496151B2	Semiconductor device and semiconductor device manufacturing method In aspects of the invention, an n-type epitaxial layer that forms an n− type drift layer is formed on the upper surface of an n-type semiconductor substrate formed by being doped with a high concentration of antimony. A p-type anode layer is formed on a surface of the n− type drift layer. An n-type contact layer is formed with an impurity concentration in the same region as the impurity concentration of the n-type cathode layer, or higher than the impurity concentration of the n-type cathode layer, on the lower surface of the n-type cathode layer. A cathode electrode is formed so as to be in contact with the n-type contact layer. The n-type contact layer is doped with phosphorus and, without allowing complete recrystallization using a low temperature heat treatment of 500° C. or less, lattice defects are allowed to remain.
US09496149B2	Semiconductor devices and methods for manufacturing the same Semiconductor devices and methods for manufacturing the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device may include providing a substrate having a recess; epitaxially forming a first layer including a doped semiconductor material within the recess; and epitaxially forming a second layer including an undoped semiconductor material over at least a portion of the recess.
US09496143B2	Metal gate structure for midgap semiconductor device and method of making same A PFET-based semiconductor gate structure providing a midgap work function for threshold voltage control between that of a NFET and a PFET is created by including an annealed layer of relatively thick TiN to dominate and shift the overall work function down from that of PFET. The structure has a PFET base covered with a high-k dielectric, a layer of annealed TiN, a layer of unannealed TiN, a thin barrier over the unannealed TiN, and n-type metal over the thin barrier.
US09496141B2	Device including quantum dots A method of making a device comprises forming a layer comprising quantum dots over a substrate including a first electrode, fixing the layer comprising quantum dots formed over the substrate, and exposing at least a portion of, and preferably all, exposed surfaces of the fixed layer comprising quantum dots to small molecules. Also disclosed is a method of making a device, the method comprising forming a layer comprising quantum dots over a substrate including a first electrode, exposing the layer comprising quantum dots to small molecules and light flux. A method of making a film including a layer comprising quantum dots, and a method of preparing a device component including a layer comprising quantum dots are also disclosed. Devices, device components, and films are also disclosed.
US09496140B2	Silicon wafer based structure for heterostructure solar cells A multi-junction photovoltaic device includes a silicon substrate and a dielectric layer formed on the silicon substrate. A germanium layer is formed on the dielectric layer. The germanium includes a crystalline structure that is substantially similar to the crystalline structure of the silicon substrate. A first photovoltaic sub-cell includes a first plurality of doped semiconductor layers formed on the germanium layer. At least a second photovoltaic sub-cell includes a second plurality of doped semiconductor layers formed on the first photovoltaic sub-cell that is on the germanium layer that is on the dielectric layer.
US09496134B2	Substrate processing apparatus, method of manufacturing semiconductor device and semiconductor device Provided is a substrate processing apparatus capable of suppressing accumulation of reaction products or decomposed matters on an inner wall of a nozzle and suppressing scattering of foreign substances in a process chamber. The substrate processing apparatus includes a process chamber, a heating unit, a source gas supply unit, a source gas nozzle, an exhaust unit, and a control unit configured to control at least the heating unit, the source gas supply unit and the exhaust unit. The source gas nozzle is disposed at a region in the process chamber, in which a first process gas is not decomposed even under a temperature in the process chamber higher than a pyrolysis temperature of the first process gas, and the control unit supplies the first process gas into the process chamber two or more times at different flow velocities to prevent the first process gas from being mixed.
US09496128B1	Controlled spalling utilizing vaporizable release layers Method for a controlled spalling utilizing vaporizable release layers. For example, a method comprises providing a base substrate, depositing a stressor layer and a vaporizable release layer on the base substrate, forming a flexible support layer on at least one of the stressor layer and the vaporizable release layer, spalling an upper portion of the base substrate, securing the spalled upper portion of the base substrate to a handle substrate, and vaporizing the vaporizable release layer.
US09496125B2	Interfacing with a digital microfluidic device Described are techniques for use in connection with analyzing a droplet. One or more droplets of a sample are formed on a surface of a digital microfluidic device. The droplets are manipulated to perform processing using said one or more droplets generating one or more resulting droplets. The one or more resulting droplets may be transferred from the microfluidic device to another device for analysis. The one or more droplets may also be provided to the digital microfluidic device from yet another device or analysis instrument.
US09496124B2	Laser ablation cell A laser ablation cell (1) comprises a flow channel (11) having an essentially constant cross-sectional area so as to ensure a strictly laminar flow in the flow channel. A sample chamber (21) is provided adjacent to a lateral opening (14) of the flow channel. A laser beam (41) enters the sample chamber (21) through a lateral window (16) and impinges on a surface (24) of a sample (23) to ablate material from the sample. The sample may be positioned in such a distance from the flow channel that the laser-generated aerosol mass distribution has its center within the flow channel. This leads to short aerosol washout times. The laser ablation cell is particularly well suited for aerosol generation in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS), including imaging applications.
US09496123B2	Ion detection A mass analyzer in which ions form packets that oscillate with a period has an ion detector comprising: a detection arrangement; and compensation circuitry. The detection arrangement may comprise: a plurality of detection electrodes detecting image current signals from ions in the mass analyzer; and a preamplifier, providing an output based on the image current signals. The compensation circuitry provides a compensation signal to a respective compensatory part of the detection arrangement, based on one or more of the image current signals. A capacitance between each of the compensatory parts of the detection arrangement and a signal-carrying part of the detection arrangement affects the signal-to-noise ratio of the preamplifier output. A generator may provide a trapping field defining an ion trapping volume and a shielding conductor may be positioned between two detection electrodes, with a controller applying a voltage to the shielding conductor based on a detected image current.
US09496118B2	Analytical cell An analytical cell includes first and second holders. The first and second holders each contain a substrate having a through-hole and a transmission membrane with an electron beam permeability so as to cover the through-hole. The first and second holders are stacked to form an overlapping portion such that the transmission membranes face each other. The through-holes face each other across the transmission membranes to form an observation window. Negative and positive electrode active materials are separated from each other and contact the electrolytic solution in the observation window. The negative and positive electrode active materials are electrically connected to negative and positive electrode collectors, respectively, in the overlapping portion. At least one of the negative and positive electrode collectors has an electrically insulating isolation membrane for avoiding contact with the electrolytic solution.
US09496104B1	Luminous keyboard A luminous keyboard includes a keypad module, plural light-emitting elements, an illumination circuit board and a light guide plate. The illumination circuit board has a light amount control structure. The light amount control structure is disposed on a circuit board main body or a protective layer of the illumination circuit board, and arranged between the light guide plate and the illumination circuit board. When the plural light-emitting elements emit light beams to the illumination circuit board, the light beams are projected on the light amount control structure, and the reflected fraction of the light beams is reduced. Since the light beams are not very centralized, the problem of generating bright spots will be diminished.
US09496101B2	Disconnect operating handles suitable for circuit breakers and related bucket assemblies and handle interlocks Disconnect operating handles for circuit breakers are configured with a rotary handle attached to an inwardly oriented shaft that connects to a gear assembly that translates rotational input to linear input. The disconnect operating handles include pivoting lockout levers that can automatically “pop” out to expose the lockout space for a padlock when a user touches the lever in an appropriate location.
US09496090B2	Method of making graphene electrolytic capacitors The disclosure describes an improved electrolytic capacitor, more specifically, a method of making an electrolytic capacitor with a graphene-based energy storage layer and dielectric. The electrode with layered graphene energy storage and dielectric layers may be used in a variety of electrolytic capacitor configurations.
US09496089B2	Power connecting apparatus for vehicle A power connecting apparatus for a vehicle is provided to prevent noise generated from one electric device from interfering with other electrical devices. The apparatus includes a power plate that includes a common power portion configured to receive power from a battery, a plurality of individual power portions radially disposed around the common power portion and separated from each other, and a power connecting portion that connects the common power portion and the individual power portions. A ground plate includes a common ground portion grounded to a vehicle body, a plurality of individual ground portions radially disposed around the common ground portion and separated from each other, and a ground connecting portion that connects the common ground portion and the individual ground portions. In addition, a dielectric material plate is disposed between the power plate and the ground plate.
US09496088B2	Electronic component and method of manufacturing electronic component An electronic component comprises an element body and an outer electrode. The element body has a pair of end faces opposing each other, a pair of main faces opposing each other while extending so as to connect the pair of end faces to each other, and a pair of side faces opposing each other while extending so as to connect the pair of main faces to each other. The outer electrode is formed on the end face side of the element body and covers a portion of the main and side faces adjacent to the end face. At least a surface of an electrode portion of the outer electrode located on the side face side thereof is covered with an insulating layer.
US09496086B2	Power factor correction capacitors An apparatus includes a case capable of receiving a plurality of capacitive elements, each capacitor element having at least two capacitors, and each capacitor having a capacitive value. The apparatus also includes a cover assembly with a peripheral edge secured to the case. The cover assembly includes, for each of the plurality of capacitive elements, a cover terminal that extends upwardly from the cover assembly generally at a central region of the cover assembly. Each cover terminal is connected to one of the at least two capacitors of the respective one of the plurality of capacitive elements. The cover assembly also includes, for each of the plurality of capacitive elements, a cover terminal that extends upwardly from the cover assembly at a position spaced apart from the cover terminal generally at the central region of the cover assembly.
US09496085B2	Method of manufacturing an inductor coil A plurality of cores are arranged in a loop between an inner wall and an outer wall. A gap filler is arranged circumferentially between each of the plurality of cores. A high thermal conductivity potting material is arranged around both the inner and outer edges of the core segments. A winding wraps around each of the plurality of core segments. The windings may be embedded within the high thermal conductivity potting material.
US09496070B2	Multi-layer insulated conductor having improved scrape abrasion resistance An insulated conductor and method for making it are disclosed. The insulated conductor includes an elongate conductor and a multi-layer insulation system. The multi-layer insulation system has a first insulating layer including an aromatic thermoplastic material overlying the elongate conductor and a second insulating layer including a perfluoropolymer adjacent the first insulating layer. The first and second insulating layers are each applied to a thickness such that the multi-layer insulation system exhibits a scrape abrasion resistance that is significantly greater than sum of the scrape abrasion resistance of the first and second insulating layers individually at that thickness.
US09496066B2	Boron-doped lithium-rich manganese based materials and preparation methods for Li-ion battery cathode The present application discloses boron-doped lithium rich manganese based materials for cathodes of lithium ion batteries. The disclosed cathode materials can be prepared by co-precipitation and sol-gel methods. The chemical formula of this cathode material is Li[LiaMnbCocNidBx]O2 (a+b+c+d+x=1, a, b, x>0, c≧0, d≧0, c+d>0). Lithium ion batteries using these cathode materials show impressive improvements in performance and increased tap density at low level of boron doping. The co-precipitation method is particularly suitable for large-scale industrial production. The sol-gel method is simple and can produce fine and uniform particles.
US09496061B2	Radiographic image conversion panel The invention provides radiographic image conversion panels which ensure a high image quality (brightness) of the obtainable radiographic images and have excellent moisture proofness. The radiographic image conversion panel includes a photoelectric conversion element and a scintillator layer including a phosphor and one or more activators, the phosphor being in the form of columnar crystal. The activator concentration in the thickness direction of the scintillator layer gives a profile curve having two or more peaks. The amount of activator or activators present in a region of the scintillator layer extending over a thickness of 100 μm from a principal surface of the scintillator layer opposed to the photoelectric conversion element is 0.3 to 0.7 mol % (relative to the amount of phosphor base compound present in the region taken as 100 mol %).
US09496055B2	Semiconductor memory device including flag cells A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory cells arranged in a row direction and a column direction, a plurality of word lines each connected to memory cells in a row among the memory cells, and a majority of bit lines each connected to memory cells in a column among the memory cells. One or more memory cells are distributed as flag cells among memory cells connected to each word line, and flag cells connected to a first word line and flag cells connected to a second word line that is disposed adjacent to the first word line among the word lines are connected to first and second bit lines, respectively.
US09496053B2	Memory device comprising electrically floating body transistor A semiconductor memory instance is provided that includes an array of memory cells. The array includes a plurality of semiconductor memory cells arranged in at least one column and at least one row. Each of the semiconductor memory cells includes a floating body region configured to be charged to a level indicative of a state of the memory cell. Further includes are a plurality of buried well regions, wherein each of the buried well regions can be individually selected, and a decoder circuit to select at least one of the buried well regions.
US09496051B2	Efficient raid technique for reliable SSD Provided is a control device for managing a plurality of memory channels driven through multichannel interleaving. The apparatus includes a stripe configuring unit for configuring a stripe according to a physical number of pages included in the plurality of memory channels, and a parity generating unit for generating parity data on the configured stripe.
US09496049B2	Compact sample-and-hold device The sample-and-hold device comprises a holding capacitor and operates according to a track phase during which the voltage on the terminals of the capacitor tracks the input signal and according to a hold phase during which the capacitor is isolated from the input signal, it comprises: a differential pair comprising a first transistor Q1 and a second transistor Q2 connected as common emitters, the collector of the transistor Q2 being connected to the holding capacitor, the input signal being applied to the base of the transistor Q1; a third transistor Q3, of which the base is connected to the collector of the transistor Q2 and the emitter is connected to the base of the transistor Q2, the signal present on the emitter of the transistor Q3 forming the output signal of the sample-and-hold device; a current source I connected to the collector of the transistor Q2; during the track phase, the differential pair Q1, Q2 being supplied by a current 2I, the transistor Q2 being charged by the current source and by the holding capacitor, during the hold phase, the current 2I supplying the differential pair Q1, Q2 being disconnected and the holding capacitor being charged by two opposite currents having the same value, equal to the current I of the source.
US09496043B1	Dynamically optimizing flash data retention or endurance based on data write frequency In a data storage system including a non-volatile memory array, a controller determines a write frequency of a logical address mapped to a physical subset of the non-volatile memory array. Based on the determined write frequency of the logical address, the controller dynamically adjusts at least one operating parameter of a program/erase (P/E) cycle to optimize at least one of endurance of the block and data retention time of the physical subset of the non-volatile memory array. The at least one operating parameter includes one or more of a set including a pulse budget, a verify voltage and a verify threshold.
US09496023B2	Comparison operations on logical representations of values in memory One example of the present disclosure includes performing a comparison operation in memory using a logical representation of a first value stored in a first portion of a number of memory cells coupled to a sense line of a memory array and a logical representation of a second value stored in a second portion of the number of memory cells coupled to the sense line of the memory array. The comparison operation compares the first value to the second value, and the method can include storing a logical representation of a result of the comparison operation in a third portion of the number of memory cells coupled to the sense line of the memory array.
US09496020B2	Six-transistor thyristor SRAM circuits and methods of operation A memory cell based upon cross-coupled thyristors for an SRAM integrated circuit can be implemented in different combinations of MOS and bipolar select transistors with the thyristors in a semiconductor substrate with shallow trench isolation. Standard CMOS process technology can be used to manufacture the SRAM cells.
US09496019B2	CMOS analog memories utilizing ferroelectric capacitors A memory cell and memories constructed from that memory cell are disclosed. A memory according to the present invention includes a ferroelectric capacitor, a charge source and a read circuit. The charge source receives a data value to be stored in the ferroelectric capacitor. The charge source converts the data value to a remanent charge to be stored in the ferroelectric capacitor and causes that remanent charge to be stored in the ferroelectric capacitor. The read circuit determines a charge stored in the ferroelectric capacitor. The data value has more than three distinct possible states, and the determined charge has more than three determined values. The memory also includes a reset circuit that causes the ferroelectric capacitor to enter a predetermined known reference state of polarization.
US09496013B1	Semiconductor device and operating method thereof A semiconductor device includes memory blocks including a plurality of strings in which memory cells are coupled between select transistors; a peripheral circuit suitable for erasing or programming the select transistors and the memory cells, which are included in a selected memory block among the memory blocks; and a control circuit suitable for controlling the peripheral circuit to erase the select transistors and the memory cells, increasing a threshold voltage of the select transistors within a range below an erase level, and increasing the threshold voltage of the select transistors up to a program level.
US09496011B2	Semiconductor memory device, memory system including the same and operating method thereof A semiconductor memory device includes a program and read unit suitable for programming program data in a memory cell array and for reading read data stored in the memory cell array, and a control unit suitable for generating a control signal for controlling the program and read unit in response to a command input from the outside of the semiconductor memory device, in which the control unit controls the program and read unit to read the read data in a state of storing a first bit data of the program data when a read command is input while programming the program data.
US09496008B1	Determination of a common mode voltage The invention relates to a receiving unit for performing a calibration of a reference voltage, comprising a reference voltage unit for generating and applying a reference voltage on the evaluation unit depending on a converter value, an evaluation unit for receiving a single-ended data signal and being configured to determine an evaluation signal based on the data signal and the reference voltage, and a logic unit configured to perform a calibration process for calibrating the reference voltage. The logic unit is configured to command a memory device to apply a permanent digital logical state on a data line, to iteratively adapt a converter voltage to substantially match the voltage level of the logical state on the data line, and to determine the reference voltage depending on the converter voltage for which the voltage level of the logical state on the data line has been substantially matched.
US09496004B2	Method and apparatus for dividing and displaying contents A method for dividing and displaying a content unit includes: extracting a sub-content unit which is generated by dividing an original content unit by a preset time interval; displaying the entire sub-content unit when receiving a sub-content unit display command; receiving a jump command that selects a replay time point for an arbitrary sub-content unit among the above sub-content units; and replaying and displaying the original content unit from the replay time point.
US09495998B2	Information recording and/or reproducing apparatus Contents data that have been enciphered and transmitted are recorded as they are on a recording medium, and the contents key used to encipher these data is enciphered in a way used in this recording system and is recorded on the medium. Moreover, a step is taken to ensure that fine trick plays can be performed. In recording contents data that have been enciphered and transmitted, the contents data themselves are recorded in the enciphered state on the recording medium. However, the contents data are decoded by a contents data decoding circuit 46, and a map file containing necessary management information for reproduction is created by a map file creating circuit 47 and this file is recorded together with the contents data.
US09495994B2	Optical disc capable of recording address information with the same modulation on sides of adjacent grooves An optical disc medium includes a land and a groove at which information can be recorded. A predetermined number of address information units which record address information of the land or groove are provided in a circumferential direction of the optical disc medium. The address information unit of the land includes three or more address recording areas capable of recording address information. The address information is recorded on one area selected from among the three or more address recording areas. The address information unit of the land has address information which is recorded, in the same modulation, on the side of the inner adjacent groove and on the side of the outer adjacent groove. The one area to be selected from among the three or more address recording areas for recording the address information of the land is different among three address information units adjacently arranged in a radial direction.
US09495992B2	Holographic data reproduction apparatus and method thereof A holographic data reproduction apparatus is provided. The holographic data reproduction apparatus includes: a charged-coupled device (CCD) that photographs diffracted-light from a recording medium irradiated with reference light, wherein the diffracted-light corresponds to a data page, an operation unit that calculates an optimal threshold value by applying a fitness function (Fit) to a genetic algorithm for detecting a number of error bits of the data page corresponding to the diffracted-light, a control unit that determines an output value of each pixel of the data page based on the optimal threshold value, and a decoding unit that decodes and outputs reproduction data according to the output value of the each pixel. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize a bit error rate (BER) and accurately reproduce holographic data.
US09495990B2	Hard magnetic exchange-coupled composite structures and perpendicular magnetic recording media including the same Hard magnetic exchange-coupled composite structures and perpendicular magnetic recording media including the hard magnetic exchange-coupled composite structures, include a ferrite crystal grain and a soft magnetic metal thin film bounded to the ferrite crystal grain by interfacial bonding on an atomic scale and having a thickness of about 5 nm or less, wherein a region of the soft magnetic metal thin film adjacent to an interface with the ferrite crystal grain includes an amorphous soft magnetic metal film.
US09495982B2	Current-limiting in an amplifier system One example includes an amplifier system. The system includes a gain stage configured to conduct a gain current in response to an input voltage. The system also includes a current limit stage coupled to the gain stage and being configured to one of source and sink the gain current and to define a limit amplitude of the gain current during a current limit condition. The system further includes an output stage coupled to the gain stage and configured to conduct an output current through an output node in response to the gain current, the output current having a maximum amplitude during the current limit condition that is proportional to the limit amplitude.
US09495981B1	Magnetic tape head cleaning apparatus and method Preventing accumulations on read/write (R/W) elements of a tape appliance tape head. Power and current to the R/W elements of the tape head are turned off. A tape head cycle using a tape cartridge is then performed. In another aspect of the invention, the tape cartridge is a standard tape cartridge. Tape processing of the standard tape cartridge is suspended. The tape head cycle is performed using the standard tape cartridge. Tape processing of the standard tape cartridge is then resumed.
US09495979B1	Magnetic recording head front shield formation Implementations disclosed herein provide a method of forming a first layer of a front shield in a magnetic recording head, depositing an active shield control (ASC) device on the first layer, and forming a second layer of the front shield on top of the ASC device and the first layer of the front shield. In another implementation, an apparatus includes a write pole, and a two layer front shield formed on the write pole, including an ASC device between the two layers of the front shield.
US09495972B2	Multi-mode audio codec and CELP coding adapted therefore In an embodiment, bitstream elements of sub-frames are encoded differentially to a global gain value so that a change of the global gain value results in an adjustment of an output level of the decoded representation of the audio content. Concurrently, the differential coding saves bits. Even further, the differential coding enables the lowering of the burden of globally adjusting the gain of an encoded bitstream. In another embodiment, a global gain control across CELP coded frames and transform coded frames is achieved by co-controlling the gain of the codebook excitation of the CELP codec, along with a level of the transform or inverse transform of the transform coded frames. In another embodiment, the gain value determination in CELP coding is performed in the weighted domain of the excitation signal.
US09495965B2	Synthesis and display of speech commands method and system A construction and display of speech commands system that allows a user to simply read what is on an application that involves visual elements with which the user interacts, and in doing so, gives the appropriate commands to the speech recognition system for the task at hand. The construction and display of speech commands system may include a speech recognition system, a grammar builder module, and a speech enablement module. The construction and display of speech commands system may automatically generate a speech enabled application from generated speech grammar.
US09495964B2	Systems, computer-implemented methods, and tangible computer-readable storage media for transcription alignment Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and tangible computer-readable storage media for captioning a media presentation. The method includes receiving automatic speech recognition (ASR) output from a media presentation and a transcription of the media presentation. The method includes selecting via a processor a pair of anchor words in the media presentation based on the ASR output and transcription and generating captions by aligning the transcription with the ASR output between the selected pair of anchor words. The transcription can be human-generated. Selecting pairs of anchor words can be based on a similarity threshold between the ASR output and the transcription. In one variation, commonly used words on a stop list are ineligible as anchor words. The method includes outputting the media presentation with the generated captions. The presentation can be a recording of a live event.
US09495962B2	System and method for evaluating intent of a human partner to a dialogue between human user and computerized system A system and method for assigning relative scores to various possible intents on the part of a user approaching a virtual agent, the method comprising predicting priority topics, including gathering first data and employing the first data to discern and seek user confirmation of at least one possible intent on the part of the user; and subsequent to receipt of the confirmation, gathering second data and employing the second data to provide service to the user to suit the user's confirmed intent.
US09495961B2	Method and system for controlling network-enabled devices with voice commands Apparatus and methods to implement a technique for using voice input to control a network-enabled device. In one implementation, this feature allows the user to conveniently register and manage an IPTV device using voice input rather than employing a bulky remote control or a separate registration website.
US09495960B1	IVR engagements and upfront background noise Speech recognition error may be reduced or eliminated when background noise is detected at a customer's location. For example, when background noise is detected at the customer's location, the customer may be prompted to use dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF).
US09495941B2	Tuning mechanism A tuning mechanism (1) for a stringed instrument (2), including: a body (3); a neck (4) extending from the body (3); strings (5) secured to a headstock (6) by a headstock string retainer (7) and to the body (3) by a tailpiece (8). The strings (5) are tensioned over a span formed between a first (10) and a second string supports (11), respectively located on the body (3) and at, or adjacent, the headstock (6). The tuning mechanism (1) includes a manually adjustable tensioning mechanism (13), locatable on the body (3) and connected to at least one movable string deflector (14), contacting a string (5) between the first string support (10) and the tailpiece (8) along a deflection path (28) co-incident with the longitudinal axis of the string (5) between the first string support (10) and the tailpiece (8). Tensioning mechanism (13) adjustment produces a commensurate string deflector (14) movement generating lateral deflection of the string (5) along the deflection path (29) from contact with the string deflector (14).
US09495938B2	Display apparatus A display apparatus including a display module and a solar cell module is provided. The display module displays image content and provides a charging light, wherein the energy of the charging light is related to the image content. The solar cell module is disposed at one side of the display module to receive the charging light and proceed to charge, wherein the efficiency of charging for the solar cell module is related to the image content displayed by the display module.
US09495929B2	Shift register, driver circuit and display device A shift register is configured so that each of first and second intermediate stages includes (i) a first input terminal supplied with a clock signal, (ii) a second input terminal supplied with a clock signal different in phase from the clock signal supplied to the first input terminal, (iii) an output terminal connected to the first input terminal via an output transistor, and (iv) a setting circuit, which is connected to the second input terminal and the output transistor, for setting an electric potential of a control terminal of the output transistor, the second intermediate stage includes a control circuit which is (i) connected to the setting circuit of the second intermediate stage and (ii) supplied with a control signal, an operation period (i) starts at a time when a shift start signal supplied to an initial stage is activated and (ii) ends at a time when an output of a final stage changes from activation to inactivation, and when the clock signal supplied to the first input terminal of the second intermediate stage is initially activated after the operation period starts, the clock signal supplied to the second input terminal of the second intermediate stage is inactive.
US09495928B2	Driving circuit, driving method, display apparatus and electronic apparatus A driving circuit includes: a clock signal generating unit, for generating clock signals, where transitions from first level to second level, in each clock signal, trigger a scan driving circuit to generate scanning signals, the transitions from first level to second level are defined as effective signal edges of the clock signals, and an interval between adjacent effective signal edges is defined as a clock time interval; and a control unit, for controlling clock time intervals of each clock signal to be non-identical, the clock time intervals including a first clock time interval and second clock time interval, the second clock time being longer than the first clock time, and the control unit is configured to control the clock time interval to be the second clock time interval at least once during displaying one frame of image by a display panel.
US09495926B2	Variable frame refresh rate Systems, apparatuses, and methods for preventing charge accumulation on a display panel of a display. A display pipeline is configured to drive a display using a variable frame refresh rate. The display may also be driven by a polarity inversion cadence to alternate the polarity on the display panel on back-to-back frames. In some cases, the frame refresh rate cadence, as specified in frame packets which contain configuration data for processing corresponding frames, can cause a charge accumulation on the display panel if an odd number of frames are displayed at a first frame refresh rate before switching to a second frame refresh rate. Accordingly, in these cases, the display pipeline may override the frame refresh rate setting for a given frame to cause an even number of frames to be displayed at the first frame refresh rate.
US09495906B2	Pixel circuit for displaying gradation with accuracy and display device using the same A pixel circuit is provided which includes a light-emitting element; a driving transistor configured to control an amount of current supplied from a first power line to the light-emitting element according to a pixel voltage; a capacitor having one end connected to a second power line and the other end connected to a gate of the driving transistor and configured to hold the pixel voltage; a first switch transistor configured to selectively switch the pixel voltage provided through a data signal line into the capacitor; and a second switch transistor configured to selectively connect the first power line and the second power line. The first and second power lines are separated during a period where the capacitor is charged by the pixel voltage, and are shorted during a period where the driving transistor operates according to the pixel voltage.
US09495897B2	Display device, method of driving display device, and electronic appliance A display device in which pixels having a memory function are arranged includes a driving unit that performs display driving in a driving method that obtains a middle gradation by temporally changing gradation of each of the pixels in one period in which a plurality of frames are assumed, wherein the driving unit is configured to discontinuously write lower bits and higher bits of gradation data with respect to the pixels in a scanning direction in a unit of one line or a plurality of lines.
US09495894B2	Display device, and data processing method in display device An embodiment of the present invention is directed to reducing a memory capacity required for saving compensating data (data used for compensating variations and the like in characteristic of a drive transistor) compared to conventional examples, in a display device. An organic EL display device using an oxide TFT for a drive transistor is provided with: a low pass filter for extracting low frequency component data from pixel current data as data of a drive current of the drive transistor; a first computing portion for obtaining high frequency component data by obtaining a difference between the pixel current data and the low frequency component data; a down-sampling portion for extracting data from the low frequency component data at predetermined sampling intervals; and a high frequency signal compression processing portion for extracting only high amplitude data out of the high frequency component data.
US09495886B2	Multi-panel display device, blank, and method of forming the device A multi-panel display device and a blank therefor. The blank may have a center panel; a first side panel attached to the center panel along a first pre-weakened line; a second side panel attached to the center panel along a second pre-weakened line; and a header panel detachably coupled to the second side panel along a third pre-weakened line. The center panel, the first, side panel, and the second side panel may all have the same height. A ratio of the width of the center panel to a width of each of the first and second side panels may be approximately 2:1.
US09495883B2	System and method for displaying a procedure to an aircrew member A system and method is disclosed for displaying a procedure to an aircrew member of an aircraft. The system includes, but is not limited to, a moving map display, a position detecting unit, a flight management system, an electronic storage unit for storing navigation procedures associated with geographic locations, and a processor coupled with the moving map display, the position detecting unit, the flight management system, and the electronic storage unit. The processor is configured to receive a current location of the aircraft from the position determining unit and a flight path from the flight management system, to retrieve a navigation procedure from the electronic storage unit corresponding to the current location and the flight path of the aircraft, and to command the moving map display to display a graphic depiction of the flight path.
US09495881B2	System and method for displaying multiple applications Systems, methods, and computer program products for displaying multiple applications on a graphical user interface (“GUI”) are provided. An application control system (“ACS”) may determine which applications should be displayed, and ACS may determine an optimal layout for the application on the GUI. ACS may move and/or resize the applications and automatically determine an optimal layout such that the applications substantially fill a portion of the GUI. Additionally, ACS may facilitate communication between the applications using an application programming interface (“API”). An application may obtain information from any other application on the GUI by transmitting requests via the API.
US09495876B2	Vehicular camera with on-board microcontroller In one aspect of the invention, a vehicular camera is provided, comprising a lens, a housing, an imager and a microcontroller that is capable of handling certain functions, such as applying overlays to images received by the imager, dewarping the image and/or providing different viewing modes.
US09495874B1	Automated system and method for modeling the behavior of vehicles and other agents A method and apparatus are provided for determining one or more behavior models used by an autonomous vehicle to predict the behavior of detected objects. The autonomous vehicle may collect and record object behavior using one or more sensors. The autonomous vehicle may then communicate the recorded object behavior to a server operative to determine the behavior models. The server may determine the behavior models according to a given object classification, actions of interest performed by the object, and the object's perceived surroundings.
US09495869B2	Assistance to law enforcement through ambient vigilance A method, system and computer program product of using cameras in a plurality of vehicles within a geographic area to aid in identifying a location of a vehicle of interest for authorities.
US09495866B2	Communicating with residential electrical devices via a vehicle telematics unit A method of communicating with residential electrical devices using a vehicle telematics unit includes receiving information identifying a residential electrical device to control; displaying in a vehicle one or more controlled features of the identified residential electrical device; receiving from a vehicle occupant a selection of the displayed controlled features of the residential electrical device; sending an instruction from the vehicle telematics unit to the residential electrical device via a wireless carrier system in response to the received selection; and controlling the residential electrical device using the sent instruction.
US09495861B2	System and method for take-over protection for a security system A secure communications and monitoring system includes a control unit and a plurality of modules distributed in a region to be monitored. The control unit has an assigned identifier. When a module is installed in the system, the control unit transmits the identifier to the module, which stores the identifier. Before a module communicates with the control unit, the identifier is requested from the control unit. The identifier received from the control unit is compared to the stored identifier. The module will only communicate with the control unit where the identifier received at the module corresponds to the identifier stored at the module.
US09495858B2	Smart key reminder system for a vehicle Described herein is a smart key reminder system. The smart key reminder system prevents a user from mistakenly leaving a vehicle with a wireless smart key in his possession when the vehicle is running, which would otherwise result in the next driver being without a key and stranded once the vehicle is turned off. When the smart key travels more than a predefined distance from the vehicle when the vehicle is running, the smart key reminder system will give the person in possession of the smart key and/or vehicle occupants a warning not to leave the next driver without a key. A system for a vehicle can include a wireless smart key operable to receive an alert in response to a location of the wireless smart key with respect to the vehicle if the vehicle is operating.
US09495854B2	Monitoring system A monitoring system includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, an alarming unit, and a controlling unit. The RFID reader is buried in a predetermined area and reads identification information of an item. The controlling unit is coupled between the RFID reader and the alarming unit, the controlling unit receives the identification information from RFID reader and controls the alarming unit according to the identification information.
US09495839B2	Wagering game with reel array having extended symbol visually overlaying adjacent reel A gaming system includes an input device, a display device, a processor, and a memory device. The memory device stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the gaming system to receive a wager and to display an array having a plurality of symbol positions, each of the symbol positions being populated by symbols located on a plurality of symbol-bearing reels. The reels spin and stop to place symbols on the symbol-bearing reels in visual association with symbol positions of the array. At least one extended symbol indexed on a first reel visually overlaps one or more symbols on an adjacent second reel (a) as the first reel spins the extended symbol through the array and (b) without affecting a stopping position of the adjacent second reel. An award is awarded for any winning combinations defined by the symbols in the display area.
US09495838B2	Method and apparatus for settlement of processor based tournament competition A method of providing or receiving value from or to a participant value in a game tournament wherein a plurality of participants play a casino-style game, includes calculating an expected value for the position of each participant in the tournament, the expected value based upon the number of wagering units held by the participant at the point in time, the number of wagering units held by each other participant in the tournament at the point in time and a payout table for the tournament.
US09495832B2	Electronic video poker games A video poker machine configured to allow a player to play a card game includes at least one display device, at least one input device, and at least one computer configured to display at least a first hand and a second hand of at least five cards all face up, each hand including the same five cards. A player is provided an option to play a hand by selecting none, one or more than one of the face up cards from the first hand and the second hand and any additional hands as cards to be held. Each of the cards not selected to be held are discarded from each hand and replaced with a face up card. The player is provided a pre-established amount based on the amount of a wager made on the hand if the resulting cards of the hand comprise a predetermined poker hand ranking.
US09495831B1	Method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to determine and/or update slot machine configurations using historical, and/or current and/or predicted future data An apparatus, method, and computer readable storage for automatically deciding slot machine configuration changes. Slot machine usage is electronically monitored and ideal settings are determined from the usage. Slot machines can then be updated electronically according to the ideal settings, either automatically or upon operator approval.
US09495829B2	Game at cash register In various embodiments, a method may include receiving an indication of a price of an item to be purchased by a person from a merchant, receiving an indication of an amount tendered by the person, determining an amount of change due to the person based on the price and based on the amount tendered, determining the rules of a game, generating a first outcome of the game using a random number generator, determining based on the rules whether the first outcome is winning or losing, authorizing, if the first outcome is winning, that the amount tendered be returned to the person and that the person be allowed to keep the item, and authorizing, if the first outcome is losing, that the amount tendered be kept by the merchant.
US09495825B2	Game system and game control method A game system is provided that can control power-feeding of a power-feeding device according to playing of a game. In a game system that executes an arcade game and that is provided with a power-feeding device that feeds a personal terminal device, it is determined whether or not the arcade game is being executed, and the power-feeding function of the power-feeding device is controlled on the basis of the result of that determination.
US09495823B2	Vending apparatus and method A vending apparatus and method of vending a product. Embodiments of a vending apparatus include a dispense mechanism configured to dispense a product, the dispense mechanism including a chamber that is rotatable relative to an opening of the dispense mechanism for aligning the product with the opening and dispensing the product therethrough. Further embodiments of a vending apparatus include a coin mechanism for receiving at least one coin before the vending apparatus dispenses a product, the coin mechanism including a delay mechanism configured to slow movement of an actuating device for avoiding jamming of the at least one coin in the coin mechanism.
US09495815B2	System interaction with a movable barrier operator method and apparatus A secure communication link (24) is provided between a movable barrier operator (23) and a peripheral system (20). Information conveyed via this link is used by one, the other, or both such elements to further inform or direct their respective actions.
US09495814B2	Vehicle fault early warning system A vehicle fault early warning system is provided in which a central processing system (e.g., vehicle manufacturer, service center, third party) transmits a warning once a set of conditions is identified that routinely leads to a particular vehicle malfunction, where the malfunction may either cause the failure of a component/subsystem or cause a component/subsystem to perform out-of-spec. The warning, which may be accompanied by instructions as to how to avoid, or at least mitigate, the effects of the vehicle malfunction, may either be sent to all users or only those that are likely to be affected by the malfunction.
US09495809B2	Guaranteed postage A system and method for managing a value of a descending register of a postal security device (PSD) in accordance with a guarantee is disclosed. Mailing data including a guarantee rate, and a public rate of postage disbursed for a mailpiece franked under terms of the guarantee, can be received. The public rate and the guarantee rate can be compared, and if the public rate is equal to or less than the guarantee rate, postage funds can be downloaded from an account corresponding to a lessee of the PSD.
US09495808B2	System and method for processing casino tickets A method of processing documents includes receiving a stack of documents including currency bills and substitute currency media. Each substitute currency medium has at least one barcode. The method further includes transporting the stack of documents via a transport mechanism, one document at a time, along a transport path and denominating with a currency detector each of the currency bills in the stack of documents. The currency detector is positioned adjacent to the transport path. The method further includes scanning with a barcode scanner a barcode on each substitute currency medium in the stack of documents. The barcode scanner is positioned adjacent to the transport path. The method further includes imaging with an image scanner each substitute currency medium in the stack of documents to generate a raw image file of the substitute currency medium. The image scanner is positioned adjacent to the transport path.
US09495807B2	Identifying and extracting stratigraphic layers in one or more bodies representing a geological structure Systems and methods for identifying and extracting stratigraphic layers in one or more bodies representing a geological structure by performing a stratigraphic analysis on the bodies to extract the stratigraphic layers without seams or intrusions for simple identification.
US09495806B2	Image processing apparatus and image processing method An image processing apparatus is provided which includes: a feature calculation unit which calculates feature quantities of respective pixels included in an input image; a reliability level obtaining unit which obtains reliability level information indicating reliability levels of respective depth values indicating depths of the respective pixels; and a depth correction unit which corrects the depth values included in input depth information, using the reliability levels and the feature quantities, to generate output depth information.
US09495803B2	Haptic information presentation system and method A system and method are disclosed in which in a conventional non-grounding man-machine interface having no reaction base on the human body and for giving the existence of a virtual object and the impact force of a collision to a person, a haptic sensation of a torque, a force and the like can be continuously presented in the same direction, which cannot be presented by only the physical characteristic of a haptic sensation presentation device. In a haptic presentation device, the rotation velocity of at least one rotator in the haptic presentation device is controlled by a control device, and a vibration, a force or a torque as the physical characteristic is controlled, so that the user is made to conceive various haptic information of the vibration, force, torque or the like.
US09495791B2	Resolution enhanced 3D rendering systems and methods Systems and methods are provided for rendering 3D images or video without significantly losing resolution or increasing the resolution. The systems and methods for 3D rendering technology can work with different types of 3D data frames that include left eye image and right eye image sub-frames. The 3D data frames render 3D imagery with side-by-side (SXS), top-and-bottom (TB), and frame packing (FP), as well as others such as full high definition 3D (FHD3D), frame sequential 3D, passive 3D rendering or the like. System and methods are provided for creating inverse pixel strips, and preparing 3D images that include the inverse pixel strips. Systems and methods are provided for expanding images in a plane without significant loss of resolution.
US09495788B2	Apparatus and method for developing robot contents An apparatus and method for developing contents which may direct motions of a robot according to time and synchronize motions of a robot with a media. The apparatus for developing robot contents outputs an interface including an editing area and a motion event track and includes a drawer configured to implement and provide a three-dimensional robot model in the editing area, and a motion editor which generates a robot motion event according to a motional manipulation with respect to the robot model of the editing area and providing the robot motion event on the motion event track according to time.
US09495786B2	Blend modes for mineralogy images Optimized blending mode for mineralogy images. A luminosity value is determined for a pixel in a base layer or top layer mineralogy image. An image weighting value is determined from the luminosity value and an optional mixing parameter. A multiply value is determined by multiplying the base and top layer pixel values. An overlay value is determined from twice the multiply value if the value of one of the base layer or top layer pixel values is over a threshold, otherwise it is determined by inverting twice the product of the inverted top layer pixel value with the inverted base layer pixel value. A blended image pixel value is determined by adding the multiply value weighted with the image weighting value and the overlay value weighted with the inverted image weighting value.
US09495785B2	Rendering illustrations using a two-dimensional rendering engine A rendering engine is described that implements rendering techniques to render 2D illustrations by assigning light values to objects that define an illustration ‘inside out’. Light values may be assigned to a first object and subsequently inherited by objects that are hierarchly related to the first object. The light values assigned to the objects may include a light variable that depends on a relationship between the two or more groups of objects. Various rendering techniques may be employed by the rendering engine to render illustrations that are both customizable and realistic in appearance.
US09495783B1	Augmented reality vision system for tracking and geolocating objects of interest Methods and apparatuses for tracking objects comprise one or more optical sensors for capturing one or more images of a scene, wherein the one or more optical sensors capture a wide field of view and corresponding narrow field of view for the one or more images of a scene, a localization module, coupled to the one or more optical sensors for determining the location of the apparatus, and determining the location of one more objects in the one or more images based on the location of the apparatus and an augmented reality module, coupled to the localization module, for enhancing a view of the scene on a display based on the determined location of the one or more objects.
US09495782B2	Integrated media browse and insertion An application can receive a request to insert one file into another file opened for editing within the application. The request can be either in-line or through a menu system of the application. The request can include a context for the file to be inserted. The system can then identify a set of files that can satisfy the context, from which a user can choose what file is to be inserted. The chosen file can then be inserted into the file opened for editing, all without leaving the application.
US09495746B2	Methods, systems, and computer readable media for real-time 2D/3D deformable registration using metric learning Methods, systems, and computer readable media for real-time 2D/3D deformable registration using metric learning are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for real-time 2D/3D deformable registration using metric learning includes creating a catalog of simulated 2D projection images based on a reference 3D image and a shape space of 3D deformations, where each entry in the catalog is created by: applying to the reference 3D image a set of deformation parameters from the shape space of deformations; simulating a 2D projection of the result; associating the simulated 2D projection image with the deformation parameters used to create the simulated 2D projection image; and storing the simulated 2D projection image and associated deformation parameters in the catalog. The method also includes receiving a 2D image, and, in response to receiving the 2D image: calculating a value of distance between the received 2D image and a simulated 2D projection image for each of the simulated 2D projection images in the catalog; using the calculated distances to calculate weighting factors to be applied to the deformation parameters of each of the simulated 2D projection images in the catalog; and calculating deformation parameters for the received 2D image based on the weighted deformation parameters in the catalog. The calculated deformation parameters are then used to deform a 3D volume of interest to produce a 3D volume that represents the 3D layout of the tissue at the time that the received 2D image was acquired.
US09495742B2	Analysis and sorting of objects in flow A device and method for sorting objects immersed in a flowing medium are described. An example device comprises a holographic imaging unit comprising a plurality of holographic imaging elements, a fluid handling unit comprising a plurality of microfluidic channels for conducting flowing medium along a corresponding holographic imaging element and a microfluidic switch arranged downstream of an imaging region in the microfluidic channel for directing each object in the flowing medium into a one of a plurality of outlets. The example device also comprises a processing unit configured to determine real-time characterizations of holographic diffraction images obtained for each of the moving objects, with each real-time characterization accounting for at least one predetermined object-type signature. The processing unit is further adapted for controlling the microfluidic switches in response to the real-time characterizations.
US09495741B2	Methods and systems for streamlining optical calibration A method for calibrating a biological instrument is provided. The method comprises the steps of acquiring an image of at least one biological sample array, determining a first region of interest within the image, wherein the first region of interest comprises a first plurality of locations on the at least one biological array; and identifying within the first region of interest, a plurality of image elements associated with each of the first plurality of locations on the at least one biological array.
US09495738B2	Semiconductor component mounting apparatus A semiconductor component mounting apparatus includes an image sensing unit, electrode detection unit, and determination unit. The image sensing unit is configured to obtain image data of a plurality of electrodes arranged on a mounting surface of a semiconductor component. The electrodes are divided into a plurality of groups based upon functions of the electrodes. The electrode detection unit is configured to identify the electrodes in each of the groups, and to detect, for each of the electrodes, whether the electrode is lacking or not by using the image data. Each of the groups has a preset permissible number of lacking electrodes. The determination unit is configured to determine, based on the number of the lacking electrodes detected by the electrode detection unit and the permissible number of lacking electrodes preset to the group, whether the semiconductor component is a defective or a non-defective.
US09495736B2	Image inspecting apparatus and image inspecting program Image inspecting apparatus compares first image data created as data representing a reference-image acting as an inspecting reference with second image data created as data representing an inspection-image acting as a target to automatically extract a difference point between first and second image data, and includes a storage means for the reference-and inspection-image, an image processing means for establishing correspondences between part of stored reference-image as first image data with part of stored target image as second image data at a pixel level to perform an image matching processing of them, a difference detecting means for comparing image-matched first and second image data to detect a difference between first and second image data, image producing means for comparing difference with a plurality of threshold values to produce error representing image data at each threshold value, and inspecting process using produced error representing image data at each threshold value.
US09495733B2	Image processing device, image processing method, image processing program, and image display device A contour direction estimating unit estimates a contour direction in which signal values of pixels are constant values for each pixel, a low pass filter unit smooths a signal value of the pixel based on a signal value of each reference pixel that is a pixel of a reference region corresponding to the pixel and arranged in the contour direction of the pixel estimated by the contour direction estimating unit for each pixel, and a high frequency expanding unit generates a high frequency component of the signal value of the pixel and expands a frequency band for the signal value of the pixel.
US09495730B2	Flexible display device and method for changing display area A display device to change an image displayed in a display area when the display area is changed includes a memory, a location output unit and a screen display unit. The memory stores size information of a display area displayed on a screen and the image data of the displayed image. The location computing unit computes a start point of the changed display area when the display area is changed. The display unit decodes data corresponding to the size of the display area based on the computed new start point from the image data to display the decoded data in the display area. Since the start point is obtained with center point of the changed display area and its size information and then a display area to be displayed is determined based on the start point, a current search location is maintained even when the screen is swung.
US09495724B2	Single precision vector permute immediate with “word” vector write mask The present invention is generally related to the field of image processing, and more specifically to an instruction set for processing images. Vector processing may involve performing a plurality of permute operations to arrange vector operands in desired locations of a register prior to performing vector operation, for example, a cross product. The permute instructions may be dependent on one another and may require the use of temporary registers. Embodiments of the invention provide a permute instruction wherein a mask field may be used to specify a particular location of a target register in which to transfer data, thereby reducing the number of instructions for arranging data, reducing dependencies between instructions, and the usage of temporary registers.
US09495721B2	Efficient super-sampling with per-pixel shader threads Techniques for dispatching pixel information in a graphics processing pipeline. A fragment processing unit generates a pixel that includes multiple samples based on a first portion of a graphics primitive received by a first thread. The fragment processing unit calculates a first value for the first pixel, where the first value is calculated only once for the pixel. The fragment processing unit calculates a first set of values for the samples, where each value in the first set of values corresponds to a different sample and is calculated only once for the corresponding sample. The fragment processing unit combines the first value with each value in the first set of values to create a second set of values. The fragment processing unit creates one or more dispatch messages to store the second set of values in a set of output registers.
US09495713B2	Comment delivery and filtering architecture Methods, systems, and devices are described for associating comments with playback of media content. A central server computer system stores a plurality of comments received from a plurality of input devices, each comment being associated with a portion of the media content. The central server computer system receives a selection of the media content from an output device, identifies a subset of the plurality of comments associated with the media content based at least in part on a user preference received from the output device, and transmits the identified comments to the output device.
US09495712B2	Social namespace addressing for non-unique identifiers A device, system, and method are directed towards enabling a user to disambiguate an identity of a member included in a user's social network (USN), and towards enabling an operation to be performed based on information about the member. The USN is determined. The NID of the member is received. If the NID is non-unique within the USN, member distinctions are determined for members in the USN who are associated with the same NID. The member distinctions are sent to the user. The user makes a selection of one of the members associated with one of the member distinctions. Based on the selection, information about the selected member is received. The operation is enabled to be performed based on the information about the selected member. The operation may include addressing the selected member, enabling a communication between the user and the selected member, or the like.
US09495704B2	System and method for managing educational institution borrower debt A system is disclosed that makes it easy for educational institutions to contact and counsel student loan borrowers to promote successful loan repayment. The system is a web-based tool that automates borrower communication through telephone, letter and email campaigns, using loan information that is obtained through third-party loan servicers by the educational institution and then uploaded into the system. The self-service default prevention tool aggregates loan data form multiple sources in one place to perform borrower outreach, offers targeted communication campaigns to address borrowers in repayment, displays real-time estimated default rate trends, and provides on-demand reports. A dashboard is generated that provides a snapshot of the educational institution's entire portfolio, projected cohort default rates, trending analysis charts, important messages and a history of file imports.
US09495689B1	Method and system for coupling mobile interactive content to a club reward system The method and system for coupling mobile interactive content to a club reward program is disclosed herein. A business utilizes the present inventions as part of a marketing campaign that is targeted to a customer's mobile communication device. The invention delivers an enticing interactive game to their customer's mobile communication device, rewarding the customer for successfully completing the game with prizes, recording the game player and game details, and auditing the information to ensure the integrity of the game play outcome, and automatically logging those prizes into the business' club reward system.
US09495684B2	Methods and systems for indicating behavior in a population cohort Avatars, methods, apparatuses, computer program products, devices and systems are described that carry out identifying a member of a population cohort; and indicating at least one behavior in the member of the population cohort based on an association between the population cohort and at least one cohort-linked avatar.
US09495682B2	Converged marketing architecture and related research and targeting methods utilizing such architectures Disclosed herein are converged marketing architectures that may be utilized by retailers in conjunction with and/or independent of consumer loyalty programs in order to improve targeted marketing efforts. Such architectures enable participating retailers to constantly generate and compile consumer activity and preferences information from a plurality of in-store and out of store activities, including e-commerce web site activity, television viewing and recording activity, and retail location activity. In certain embodiments, retail location activity may be monitored by one or more of RFID tracking sub-systems, smart shopping cart sub-systems, and point-of-sale information sub-systems.
US09495680B2	Secure payment card transactions Identification cards at a processing server may be secured in certain embodiments by intercepting data associated with the identification card. The data may be prevented from being accessed by an application that is of a particular priority level. The data may be encrypted and provided to a server, which may provide replacement data that is formatted to be processed as a substitute for the data. This substitute data may then be provided to the application that was prevented from accessing the data.
US09495667B1	Method and system for categorizing vehicle treatment facilities into treatment complexity levels To determine a vehicle treatment facility for treating a damaged vehicle after a crash, several treatment facilities within a predetermined distance of the damaged vehicle may be categorized by treatment complexity level. Treatment facilities within the same treatment complexity level category as the damaged vehicle may be ranked based on several treatment facility evaluation characteristics such as repair duration data, quality rating, availability, price schedule, location data, or a quality rating for one or more suppliers used by the treatment facility. A treatment facility may then be selected for treating the damaged vehicle based on the rankings.
US09495666B2	End-user portal system for remote technical support A controller provides information regarding end-user dictated content for a plurality of technical support topics to an end-user device prior to the controller receiving any indication of specific technical support required by the end-user. Additionally, the controller provides information regarding available automated technical support to the end-user device prior to the controller receiving any indication of specific technical support required by the end-user. The end-user device provides an indication of selection of at least a portion of the either the information regarding end-user dictated content for a plurality of technical support topics or the information regarding available automated technical support. By providing such information prior to receiving any indication of the specific technical support required by the end-user, the likelihood that the end-user can successfully resolve his/her issue without further intervention is increased.
US09495665B2	Delivering electronic meeting content A method, computer program product, and system for delivering content in an electronic meeting. An electronic meeting is associated with a calendar appointment. Content associated with the electronic meeting is identified. A portion of the content is provided to a computing device associated with a user based upon, at least in part, receiving an indication that the user intends to participate in the electronic meeting, wherein the indication is associated with the calendar appointment.
US09495661B2	Embeddable context sensitive chat system A system and method including a networked processor with a chat management engine operative to embed one or more context sensitive chat widgets in a web page and receive chat messages from the widgets, wherein the messages are associated with a web page context. The system may be further operable to exchange those messages among a plurality of users and determine a sentiment value for those chat messages. In some embodiments a promo engine may modify a web page in response to the sentiment value. For example and without limitation, altering the price for a product or service, adding a product or service, or removing a product or service. Dynamic demographic congregations may be formed that allow for trigger based advertising at a predetermined sentiment value, times or event. Some embodiments provide for coupling to social networks.
US09495658B2	System, method, and apparatus for barcode identification workflow A method, system, and corresponding apparatus are provided for translating components of a data set from a barcode to complete an information set. In particular, a method may include receiving a first data string corresponding to a first scanned barcode; decoding the first data string according to the first barcode format to generate a first data payload; and identifying, by a processor, from the first data payload a first set of rules for extracting information from the first data payload. Methods may include extracting information from the first data payload according to the first set of rules to obtain one or more components; translating the one or more components of the first data payload into at least one translated component; and providing for display of the at least one translated component.
US09495656B2	Material handling method The present disclosure relates to a material handling method of performing by means of an automatic mechanical material handling equipment controlled by a control system at least a first and a second access task for accessing respectively at least a first and at least a second article stored in a material handling storage system, the first and second access tasks having been assigned a first and a second execution priority respectively. The method comprises a) controlling the automatic mechanical material handling equipment to perform the first access task having the highest priority; and in parallel to performing the first access task a1) evaluating data indicative of the material handling storage system for determining that a first intermediate task is to be performed, wherein the first intermediate task is required in order to perform by the automatic mechanical material handling equipment the second access task; and a2) assigning an execution priority to the first intermediate task higher than the second execution priority; b) controlling the automatic mechanical material handling equipment to perform at least the first intermediate task and the second access task according to the order of execution priorities.
US09495647B2	Acceleration of sparse support vector machine training through safe feature screening A system for machine training can comprise one or more data processors and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructions which, when executed on the one or more data processors, cause the one or more data processors to perform operations including: accessing a dataset comprising data tracking a plurality of features; determining a series of values for a regularization parameter of a sparse support vector machine model, the series including an initial regularization value and a next regularization value; computing an initial solution to the sparse support vector machine model for the initial regularization value; identifying, using the initial solution, inactive features of the sparse support vector machine model for the next regularization value; and computing a next solution to the sparse support vector machine model for the next regularization value, wherein computing the next solution includes excluding the inactive features.
US09495643B2	Semiconductor device capable of testing bonding of pad A test circuit includes a phase difference detection unit and a determination unit. The phase difference detection unit detects a phase difference between a first signal received through a first pad and a second signal received through a second pad. The determination unit compares the detected phase difference with a preset amount of delay and outputs a result signal.
US09495638B2	Scalable, rule-based processing A system, method and computer program product for scalable, rule-based processing, including an automaton builder for constructing automatons corresponding to trigger rules and word lists that are employed by the trigger rules, and a rule evaluator for evaluating any of the trigger rules with respect to an input document by selecting any of the automatons to evaluate a given one of the trigger rules, parsing the input document using the selected automatons, determining whether conditions of the given trigger rule are met, and identifying any actions that are associated with the given trigger rule.
US09495637B2	System and method for annotating and ranking reviews with inferred analytics The present invention is directed towards methods and computer readable media for annotating and ranking user reviews on social review systems with inferred analytics. A reference framework is provided by creating context according to previous activity, bias, or background information of a given reviewer. The method of the present invention comprises receiving a first query identifying a given content item, generating a collection of content items based on one or more identical objective attributes associated with the given content item, identifying one or more subjective attributes associated with a given item in the collection of items, and providing a reference framework to interpret the subjective attributes associated with each item in the collection.
US09495636B2	Determining a threat level for one or more individuals A system and computer-implemented method for determining a threat level for one or more individuals includes accessing a data structure to obtain aggregated data stored therein, wherein the aggregated data comprises at least one of communication history data or transaction history data for one or more individuals. One or more predetermined metrics are applied to the obtained aggregated data, to determine threat level information for the one or more individuals. The determined threat level information is provided for display.
US09495635B2	Association significance Systems and techniques for determining significance between entities are disclosed. The systems and techniques identify a first entity having an association with a second entity, apply a plurality of association criteria to the association, weight each of the criteria based on defined weight values, and compute a significance score for the first entity with respect to the second entity based on a sum of a plurality of weighted criteria values. The systems and techniques utilize information from disparate sources to create a uniquely powerful signal. The systems and techniques can be used to identify the significance of relationships (e.g., associations) among various entities including, but not limited to, organizations, people, products, industries, geographies, commodities, financial indicators, economic indicators, events, topics, subject codes, unique identifiers, social tags, industry terms, general term/s, metadata elements, classification codes, and combinations thereof.
US09495633B2	Recurrent neural networks for malware analysis Using a recurrent neural network (RNN) that has been trained to a satisfactory level of performance, highly discriminative features can be extracted by running a sample through the RNN, and then extracting a final hidden state hi, where i is the number of instructions of the sample. This resulting feature vector may then be concatenated with the other hand-engineered features, and a larger classifier may then be trained on hand-engineered as well as automatically determined features. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
US09495631B1	RFID integrated circuits with contact islands A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) IC may have raised contact islands that include conductive contact pads covering a repassivation layer. The raised contact islands are formed by removing part or all of the repassivation material surrounding the raised contact islands. The repassivation material that is not covered and protected by the contact pads may be removed by a strip process that also removes a masking layer used for IC etching. Singulated RFID ICs may be assembled into an RFID tag using a B-stage adhesive that is applied to the ICs and then partially cured. The ICs are deposited onto preheated inlays. The preheated inlays cause the B-stage adhesive on the ICs to bind to the inlays.
US09495628B2	Passive RF tag with adiabatic circuits A passive tag embedded in a package includes multiple conductive coils. A first coil receives radio frequency (RF) energy used to power the tag. Additional coils receive and/or transmit data signals, clock signals, and carrier signals. The RF energy and other signals may be at different frequencies. An RF probe includes a first coil to emit the RF energy to power the tag. The RF probe includes additional coils corresponding to the additional coils in the tag. The RF probe may turn off the RF signal used for power during communication. The RF energy may be rectified to provide DC power to circuits in the tag, or may be used directly for adiabatic circuits. The RF probe and the package may have complementary shapes to facilitate alignment of the coils.
US09495622B2	Image forming system for preventing paging disorder Provided is an image forming system having a simple buffer mechanism and capable of preventing paging disorder when image-formed sheets are fed to a processing section. The present invention is featured in that an image forming order of a plurality of sheets to be made to stand by in a buffer section of a conveying path for guiding the sheets to a processing section is made different from an image forming order of sheets that are not made to stand by. To realize this, the system includes an image forming section, an accumulating section that accumulates image-formed sheet for processing, a conveying path along which the sheet is conveyed from the image forming section to the accumulating section, a buffer section disposed in the conveying path, in which the sheet to be fed to the accumulating section is made to temporarily stay, and a control section that controls the image forming section and the accumulating section.
US09495615B2	Method for automatically recognizing and setting attachment and device therefor A method and an apparatus for automatically recognizing and setting an attachment for a construction machine are disclosed. The method for automatically recognizing and setting an attachment includes detecting a kind and a type of the attachment from an attachment image, determining whether the attachment is a registered attachment, and automatically setting inherent functional values that match the attachment if the attachment is a registered attachment as the result of determination and automatically setting a user input attachment ID and functional values if the attachment is not a registered attachment. By automatically recognizing and setting the attachment that is attached to (or changed on) a construction machine (for example, excavator) using image processing, equipment setting can be optimized and easily adopted.
US09495610B2	Technique for presuming positions of organs An apparatus for presuming positions of organs is configured to transform plural organs included in a template that is a model including the plural organs so as to match a predetermined target organ among the plural organs in the template to a corresponding organ in volume data; and perform a first processing and a second processing a predetermined number of times. The first processing includes transforming a first organ selected among the plural organs in the template according to a corresponding first organ in the volume data, and the second processing includes transforming, for each of second organs that are predetermined organs, which are influenced by transformation of the first organ, the second organ according to transformation performed for third organs that are predetermined organs, which influence the second organ in the template.
US09495597B2	Plant stand counter A method for recognizing individual plants of a selected type growing in a field, wherein the method comprises capturing color NIR image data of an entire field having plants of a selected type growing therein utilizing an automated plant counting system and calculating a ratio value between each pixel of the color image data and the corresponding pixel of the NIR image data utilizing a plant recognition algorithm executed via a data processing system of the plant counting system. The method additionally comprises generating, via execution of the plant recognition algorithm, a false color image of the field based on the calculated ratios for each pixel, and identifying, via execution of the plant recognition algorithm, all plants of the selected type in the false color image based on a plant distinguishing characteristic uniquely rendered for each individual plant of the selected type in the false color image.
US09495591B2	Object recognition using multi-modal matching scheme Methods, systems and articles of manufacture for recognizing and locating one or more objects in a scene are disclosed. An image and/or video of the scene are captured. Using audio recorded at the scene, an object search of the captured scene is narrowed down. For example, the direction of arrival (DOA) of a sound can be determined and used to limit the search area in a captured image/video. In another example, keypoint signatures may be selected based on types of sounds identified in the recorded audio. A keypoint signature corresponds to a particular object that the system is configured to recognize. Objects in the scene may then be recognized using a shift invariant feature transform (SIFT) analysis comparing keypoints identified in the captured scene to the selected keypoint signatures.
US09495587B2	Document unbending and recoloring systems and methods According to one aspect, a system for processing a document image is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes an edge-detection unit configured to identify an edge of a document from a document image. The system also includes a keystone-correction unit and a flattening unit. The keystone-correction unit is configured to correct keystone distortion in the document image. The flattening unit is configured to flatten content of the document in the document image.
US09495581B2	Providing drawing assistance using feature detection and semantic labeling Methods for providing drawing assistance to a user sketching an image include geometrically correcting adjusting user strokes to improve their placement and appearance. In particular, one or more guidance maps indicate where the user “should” draw lines. As a user draws a stroke, the stroke is geometrically corrected by moving the stroke toward a portion of the guidance maps corresponding to the feature of the image the user is intending to draw based feature labels. To further improve the user drawn lines, parametric adjustments are optionally made to the geometrically-corrected stroke to emphasize “correctly” drawn lines and de-emphasize “incorrectly” drawn lines.
US09495576B2	Image processing apparatus, biometric authentication apparatus, and image processing apparatus An image processing apparatus includes a light source to irradiate light on an object, an imaging device to capture the object, a luminance computing unit to compute a luminance at a plurality of positions on the object, and a coefficient computing unit. The coefficient computing unit computes a correction coefficient for each of the plurality of positions, according to a distance from the light source to each of the plurality of positions and the luminance at each of the plurality of positions.
US09495574B2	Stack barcode reader and stack barcode reading method A stack barcode reader may include an imager configured to image the stack barcode; an image memory configured to store an image datum of the stack barcode; and a data processor including a decoder configured to decode an encoded information expressed as the stack barcode, on the basis of the image datum. The decoder may be configured to measure width of a bar and a space of the stack barcode; measure a T-sequence, being a sequence of numerical values, according to line width of a bar and a space of the stack barcode; obtain a code-word corresponding to the T-sequence; and compare a cluster value obtained from the T-sequence with a theoretical cluster value, and modify the T-sequence by using the theoretical cluster value and the conversion table of T-sequence/code-word if there appears a difference between the two cluster values.
US09495572B2	Identifying one- or two-dimensional bar codes via weighted image data combination A method for identifying a one- or two-dimensional barcode in input image data, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining first image data of a first image of the object, said first image being acquired using a first illumination wavelength; obtaining second image data of a second image of the object, said second image being acquired using a second illumination wavelength being different from said first illumination wavelength; calculating a weighting factor based on a statistical processing of pixel values of the first image data and pixel values of the second image data; and generating third image data by calculating a weighted combination using the pixel values of said first image data, the pixel values of said second image data, and said weighting factor.
US09495557B2	Methods and systems for managing access to data in an on-demand system Data category visibility are defined at the permission set and profile levels so that users who may not be assigned a role can have the data filtered by data category access rules. In an embodiment, data is filtered based on products or projects so that the products or project can be used as a data category group, once the product or project as been assigned to the user, the user may be granted access, via a data category visibility in a permission set, regardless of the user's role or position in the user hierarchy.
US09495555B2	Client computer for querying a database stored on a server via a network The invention relates to a client computer for querying a database stored on a server via a network, the server-being coupled to the client computer via the network, wherein the database comprises a set of first relations, wherein each first relation in the set of the first relations comprises first data items, wherein for each first relation the first data items are encrypted with a respective first cryptographic key in the first relation, wherein the first data items form a partially ordered set in each first relation, in each first relation the partial order being formed with respect to the first data items of said first relation in non-encrypted form.
US09495532B1	Image based tile puzzle CAPTCHA system This invention is an image-based CAPTCHA system that relies on human users changing location and orientation of multiple partial fragments of complete images. The underlying source images represent objects, symbols, concepts or text recognizable by a human user. Such source images are fragmented by the system into a group of image fragments, with selected portions of resulting fragments being omitted and optionally distorted in order to prevent automated assembly of the resulting group of fragments into a representation of the source image by simple means of boundary inspection. Once the user arranges the fragment tiles into the orientation that they believe represents the original image and submits their answer to the system, the user's answer is evaluated to determine whether the challenge posed by the system was passed successfully.
US09495530B2	Wireless security configuration An apparatus, method and computer-readable storage medium to efficiently connect to wireless access point(s). An electronic device may capture coded information. The coded information may include a security key to connect to a wireless access point, and the coded information may be an image, an audio clip, or a video. The coded information may be a Quick Response Code. The coded information may be captured from a display of a second electronic device. The second electronic device may include the wireless access point.
US09495527B2	Function-level lock for mobile device security One embodiment provides an electronic mobile device comprising one or more mobile applications. Each mobile application has at least one corresponding graphical user interface (GUI) screen for display on the mobile device. The mobile device includes a security system. For each mobile application, the security system maintains corresponding security data, wherein the corresponding security data represents one or more secure components of a corresponding GUI screen. The security system generates a GUI screen for a mobile application based on corresponding security data, wherein each secure component of the UI screen is locked. User access to a locked component of the GUI screen is permitted only after successful user verification.
US09495522B2	Shared session techniques Data sharing session techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a first user login session is initiated as running in a context of a first user profile of a first user with an operating system of a computing device. A request is received by the operating system to run the first user login session in a context of a second user profile of a second user. The second user profile is associated by the operating system with a shadow login session created within the first user login session of the operating system of the computing device such that interaction of the second user with the operating system is associated with the second user profile and interaction of the first user with the operating system is associated with the first user profile.
US09495515B1	Algorithms for disease diagnostics The present invention relates to compositions and methods for molecular profiling and diagnostics for genetic disorders and cancer, including but not limited to gene expression product markers associated with cancer or genetic disorders. In particular, the present invention provides algorithms and methods of classifying cancer, for example, thyroid cancer, methods of determining molecular profiles, and methods of analyzing results to provide a diagnosis.
US09495510B2	Recording medium, accommodation design device, and accommodation design method A CPU collects count information of NW-side/CL-side communication cards when IFCs with plural types that store NW-side/CL-side communication cards to be designed are accommodated in two or more shelves. The CPU further collects card information of the number of slots used by IFCs, shelf information of the maximum number of slots that can be accommodated by IFCs in the shelf, and correspondence information of correspondence relationship when between-shelf-intercommunication between different NW-side communication cards is performed. The CPU further collects communication limit capacity to be used for intercommunication between the shelves. The CPU generates an integer planning model for assigning IFCs to be designed into two or more minimum shelves on the basis of card information, count information, shelf information, correspondence information, and communication limit capacity. The CPU executes the integer planning model and outputs a design solution for accommodation design for assigning IFCs into the minimum shelves.
US09495509B2	Method and system for planning/guiding alterations to a bone A computer-assisted surgery system for guiding alterations to a bone, comprises a trackable member secured to the bone. The trackable member has a first inertial sensor unit producing orientation-based data. A positioning block is secured to the bone, and is adjustable once the positioning block is secured to the bone to be used to guide tools in altering the bone. The positioning block has a second inertial sensor unit producing orientation-based data. A processing system providing an orientation reference associating the bone to the trackable member comprises a signal interpreter for determining an orientation of the trackable member and of the positioning block. A parameter calculator calculates alteration parameters related to an actual orientation of the positioning block with respect to the bone.
US09495503B2	Method and apparatus to enable a selective push process during manufacturing to improve performance of a selected circuit of an integrated circuit Provided are methods and apparatus for enabling selective push processing during design and fabrication of an integrated circuit to improve performance of selected circuits of the integrated circuit. An exemplary method includes identifying a critical portion of an integrated circuit layout that defines a functional element having a critical operating frequency requirement and designing a subcircuit in the critical portion to enable performing a speed push process to increase performance of the subcircuit. The method can also include identifying at least one of a power supply node, a clock supply node, and an interface node at a boundary between the critical portion and a portion of the integrated circuit that is outside of the critical portion. The critical portion can be designed with a power domain that is independent of the portion of the integrated circuit that is outside of the critical portion.
US09495499B2	Compensation of dose inhomogeneity using overlapping exposure spots An exposure pattern is computed which is used for exposing a desired pattern on a target by means of a particle beam and a blanking aperture array in a particle-optical lithography apparatus, taking into account a non-uniform current dose distribution as generated by the beam over the positions of the apertures of the blanking aperture array: From the desired pattern a nominal exposure pattern is calculated as a raster graphics comprising nominal dose values for the pixels of the raster graphics; based on a map of the current dose distribution, which correlates each aperture with a current factor describing the current dose of the beam at the location of the aperture, a compensated dose value is calculated for each pixel; and for each pixel, a discrete value is determined by selecting a value from a discrete gray scale so as to approximate the compensated dose value.
US09495491B2	Reliability aware thermal design Embodiments are disclosed that relate to implementing semiconductor device cooling systems that leverage awareness of regional voltage and temperature reliability risk considerations. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a method of implementing a cooling system configured to cool an integrated circuit. The method involves first determining a heat dissipation factor that would reduce each region of the integrated circuit to a reduced temperature in order to maintain an overall failure rate. An analysis is then performed, using an insight about the relative reliability risk of elevated voltage and temperatures, to identify a region of the integrated circuit whose temperature can be permitted to rise without exceeding the overall failure rate, thereby permitting implementation of a cooling system with a reduced heat dissipation factor.
US09495483B2	Automated Systems for manufacturing patient-specific orthopedic implants and instrumentation Disclosed herein are devices, systems and methods for the automated design and manufacture of patient-specific/patient-matched orthopedic implants. While the embodiments described herein specifically pertain to unicompartmental resurfacing implants for the knee, the principles described are applicable to other types of knee implants (including, without limitation, other resurfacing implants and joint replacement implants) as well as implants for other joints and other patient-specific orthopedic applications.
US09495473B2	Analytic dashboard with user interface for producing a single chart statistical correlation from source and target charts during a load test A processor-implemented method includes providing an analytic dashboard with a graphical user interface (GUI) that outputs aggregated results streaming in real-time of a load test performed on a target website. Responsive to input of a user on the GUI, the input comprising selection of a source chart and a target chart, a single chart is automatically generated that represents either a combination or a statistical correlation of the source and target charts. The single chart has a left y-axis and an x-axis. The combination or the statistical correlation of the single chart changing in real-time as the load test progresses. A visual representation of the single chart is then produced on the analytic dashboard.
US09495464B2	Policy based population of genealogical archive data An approach for managing a family tree archive is provided. The approach includes creating an electronic archive based on a family tree. The approach also includes automatically discovering Internet-based data associated with at least one member of the family tree. The approach additionally includes adding the Internet-based data to the archive. The approach further includes storing the archive at a storage device.
US09495459B2	Optimizing web crawling through web page pruning Crawling computer-based documents by performing static analysis on a computer-based document to identify within the computer-based document one or more execution vectors, where each execution vector includes a computer program segment including a call to an entity that is external to the computer-based document, and one or more additional computer program segments whose execution precedes and leads ultimately to execution of the computer program segment that includes the call to the entity, and causing any of the computer program segments in any of the execution vectors to be executed during a crawling of the computer-based document, and any computer program segment within the computer-based document that is excluded from the execution vectors to be excluded from execution during the crawling of the computer-based document.
US09495456B2	Selecting, ranking, and/or presenting microsite content A server device is configured to receive criteria that indicate when a microsite is to be provided to a user device. The user device is configured to obtain sensor data and user profile data and send the sensor data and the user profile data to the server device. The server device is configured to receive the sensor data and the user profile data, identify a relevant microsite, and provide information regarding the relevant microsite to the user device. In some cases, the service device is configured to identify that a particular microsite has been purchased by a user of the user device and provide information, to the user device, identifying that the particular microsite has been purchased.
US09495449B2	Music steering with automatically detected musical attributes Described is a technology by which a playback list comprising similar songs is automatically built based on automatically detected/generated song attributes, such as by extracting numeric features of each song. The attributes may be downloaded from a remote connection, and/or may be locally generated on the playback device. To build a playlist, a seed song's attributes may be compared against attributes of other songs to determine which other songs are similar to the seed song and thus included in the playlist. Another way to build a playlist is based on similarity of songs to a set of user provided-attributes, such as corresponding to moods or usage modes such as “resting” “reading” “jogging” or “driving” moods/modes. The playlist may be dynamically adjusted based on user interaction with the device, such as when a user skips a song, queues a song, or dequeues a song.
US09495434B1	Geographic distribution of files Embodiments are directed towards managing designations of a plurality of files across multiple clusters. Files may be designated as primary files or secondary files. Primary files at one cluster may be asynchronously replicated at another cluster as secondary files. Secondary files may be synchronously validated with remote primary files based on local file access requests. If a write request for a local secondary file is provided, then the local file may be designated as the primary file and the remote file may be designated as the secondary file. Local access may then be provided to the local primary file. If a read request for a local secondary file is provide, then local access may be provided to the local secondary file without changing file designations. In some embodiments, file designations may be preemptively changed based on a file change designation schedule for clusters at different geographic locations.
US09495427B2	Processing of data using a database system in communication with a data processing framework A system, method, and computer program product for processing data are disclosed. The system includes a data processing framework configured to receive a data processing task for processing, a plurality of database systems coupled to the data processing framework, and a storage component in communication with the data processing framework and the plurality database systems. The database systems perform a data processing task. The data processing task is partitioned into a plurality of partitions and each database system processes a partition of the data processing task assigned for processing to that database system. Each database system performs processing of its assigned partition of the data processing task in parallel with another database system processing another partition of the data processing task assigned to the another database system. The data processing framework performs at least one partition of the data processing task.
US09495414B2	Cluster computation using random subsets of variables A computing device to compute clusters using random subsets of variables is provided. Each data point of a plurality of data points is associated with a variable to define a plurality of variables. A subset of the plurality of variables is randomly selected. The subset does not include all of the plurality of variables. A number of clusters into which to segment the received data is determined. Cluster data that defines each cluster of the determined number of clusters is determined by executing a clustering algorithm with the received data using only the plurality of data points defined for each observation that are associated with the randomly selected subset of the plurality of variables. The determined cluster data is stored to cluster second data into the determined number of clusters. The second data is different from the received data.
US09495413B2	Systems and methods for accessing data from a database Systems and methods for accessing data from a database are provided. A user selection of a database object may be received. One or more input fields for obtaining user input associated with the selected database object may be dynamically generated and presented to the user. User input associated with the selected database object may be received via the one or more generated input fields. A database query may then be generated utilizing the received user input, and the database may be queried utilizing the constructed database query.
US09495412B1	Technical electronic discovery action model Embodiments of the present invention provide for an end-to-end system and method for identifying custodians, preserving, collecting, processing, reviewing, analyzing, producing, presenting, and dispositioning data responsive to a legal discovery request.
US09495406B2	Method and system for matching appropriate content with users by matching content tags and profiles A method and system is provided for classifying and labeling information content and also for profiling a user for accessing the information content, both using a coordinated labeling technique so that content from multiple sources may be searched, identified and/or presented to the user according to the user's profile. This technique provides an ongoing update of information content and sources while filtering out unnecessary information that is irrelevant to the user's profile, resulting in focused availability of information to the user. The user profile is matched with content of interest and matching content information may automatically be updated and made available to a user, in conformity with the user's profile. Content providers may now jointly use a common labeling scheme to improve the experience of their users and to provide content providers a technique to associate users with common facets of classification.
US09495403B2	Method and system for cleaning data in a customer relationship management system Systems and methods are provided for cleaning data in a customer relationship management system. A system receives a plurality of records from an on-demand system. The system identifies a record from the plurality of records that matches a stored record for a customer relationship management system. The system determines whether to update the stored record using the identified record. The system updates the stored record using the identified record in response to a determination to update the stored record using the identified record.
US09495388B2	Visualization of relevance for content-based image retrieval A system (100) includes a retrieval unit (110) for retrieving an image from the storage of images, on the basis of the similarity of images from the storage of images to a query image. The similarity is defined by means of a similarity function. A relevance unit (120) computes the relevance of a first portion of the retrieved image to a respective first portion of the query image and of a second portion of the retrieved image to the respective second portion of the query image. A visualization unit (130) visualizes the relevance of the first and second portion of the retrieved image to the respective first and second portion of the query image. The relevance of the first and second portion of the retrieved image to the respective first and second portion of the query image is computed using a first and second relevance function. The computed values of the relevance are visualized, e.g. using a color coding and coloring the first and second portion of each retrieved image. The colored portions are easy to see and analyze. Thus, the system facilitates visualizing and comparing retrieved images with respect to each other as well as with the query image.
US09495377B2	Secure deletion operations in a wide area network Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for performing a secure delete operation in a wide area network (WAN) including a cache site and a home site. A method includes identifying a file for deletion at the cache site, determining whether the file has a copy stored at the home site, detecting a location of the copy at the home site prior to a disconnection event of the cache site from the home site, deleting the file from the cache site during the disconnection event, and performing a secure deletion of the copy at the home site immediately after a reconnection event of the cache site to the home site.
US09495365B2	Identifying key differences between related content from different mediums System, method, and computer program product to identify differences between different media formats of a media title, by identifying at least one component of each of the different media formats of the media title, the at least one component comprising a unit of the media title, annotating a respective text transcription of each of the different media formats of the media title to include at least one attribute of the respective at least one component, computing a difference score for a first component of a first media format of the media title relative to each of the remaining different media formats of the media title, and upon determining that the difference score for the first component relative to a second media format of the media title exceeds a predefined threshold, creating an indication that the first component of the first media format is different from the second media format.
US09495357B1	Text extraction Embodiments are used to extract terms from any text set that are used on other text, such as in a repository, that then can be used in a variety of applications, from providing search results, to analyzing data sets, to building a variety of text generation tools, such as messaging and emails.
US09495350B2	System and method for determining expertise through speech analytics Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for determining expertise through speech analytics. The system associates speakers with respective segments of an audio conversation to yield associated speaker segments. The system also identifies a number of times a speaker has spoken about a topic in the audio conversation by searching the associated speaker segments for a term associated with the topic. The system then ranks the speaker as an expert in the topic when the number of times the speaker has spoken about the topic in the audio conversation exceeds a threshold. The audio conversation can include a compilation of a plurality of audio conversations. Moreover, the system can tag the associated speaker segments having the term with keyword tags and match a respective segment from the associated speaker segments with the speaker, the respective segment having a keyword tag.
US09495348B2	Template application error detection Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for template application error detection when applying a new template to an existing presentation. In an embodiment of the invention, a template application error detection process is provided. The process includes selecting an existing presentation in a presentation authoring application executing in memory of a computer. The process further includes applying a template to the existing presentation to form a modified presentation. Text in a slide of the existing presentation can be compared to text in a slide of the modified presentation to detect discrepancies in the text of both slides. Finally, an indicia of a suspected error can be displayed in the slide of the modified presentation in response to detecting a discrepancy.
US09495346B1	Context sensitive active fields in user interface A method for enabling at least one user interface display field to perform at least one action is provided. The method may include receiving a first user action associated with the at least one user interface display field. The method may further include activating the at least one user interface display field in response to the received first user action. Additionally, the method may include determining a context associated with the activated at least one user interface display field. The method may also include applying the determined context associated with the activated at least one user interface display. The method may further include receiving a second user action associated with the activated at least one user interface display field based on the applied determined context. The method may also include executing the received second user action.
US09495344B2	Systems and methods for presenting a content summary of a media item to a user based on a position within the media item Systems and methods for presenting a content summary of a media item to a user based on a position within the media item are disclosed herein. According to an aspect, a method may include receiving identification of a position within a media item residing on an electronic device. For example, the identified position may be a bookmarked position within an e-book residing on an e-book reader. The method may also include generating a content summary for a portion of the media item based on the identified position. For example, an electronic device may dynamically generate a content summary based on content of the e-book that precedes a bookmarked position. The method may also include presenting the content summary to a user of the electronic device. For example, a display of an electronic device may be controlled to present a content summary to a reader of an e-book.
US09495328B2	Method for changing a receiving mode in a mobile terminal to a non-vibration mode when wirelessly charging Disclosed herein are a method of changing a receiving mode in a mobile terminal, and a mobile terminal thereof. The method includes entering a charging ready mode when the mobile terminal is positioned adjacent to an external wireless power transmitting module; determining whether the receiving mode of the mobile terminal is a vibration mode; and, when the receiving mode of the mobile terminal is the vibration mode, changing the receiving mode of the mobile terminal to a non-vibration mode.
US09495322B1	Cover display A cover for an electronic device, such as a dedicated handheld electronic book (“eBook”) reader device, is described. The eBook cover has one or more integral displays, which are used to display various information that may or may not be related to the eBook that is being consumed on the eBook reader device.
US09495321B2	Apparatus for RS-232C and RS-485 serial communication using common communication port Proposed is an apparatus for RS-232C and RS-485 serial communication using common communication port configured to selectively use a communication by RS-232C and RS-485 communication methods without change in external wirings by performing the RS-232C and RS-485 communications using a common communication port, the apparatus including a communication converter configured to transmit a data using mutually different communication methods through a common port in response to a provided communication method selection signal, or receiving a data from outside, and a controller configured to provide the communication method selection signal and the transmission data to the communication converter in response to a set parameter, and to receive the data transmitted from outside through the communication converter.
US09495320B2	Removing upstream dead cycles in a data communications bus Dead cycles are removed from an upstream side of a data communications bus. In one example, data symbols are received on clock cycles from lanes of a peripheral device bus having dead cycles. The data symbols are sent upstream on the clock cycles. The start of a packet in the received data symbols is detected and the sending of the data symbols is stalled before sending the start of the packet until additional cycles of data are written into a buffer. Logical idle symbols are sent upstream in place of the data during the stalling. The start of the packet sent after the additional cycles of data are read into the buffer. When a dead cycle is detected during the packet, then a buffered cycle of data is sent upstream during the dead cycle.
US09495315B2	Information processing device and data communication method An information processing device may include a master device and at least one slave device, which may be connected each other by using two types of signal lines comprising a serial clock line and a serial data line. A datum may be transmitted between the master device and the slave device according to a predetermined communication method by using the two types of signal lines. If either the master device resets the slave device, or a power supply to the master device and the slave device is turned on, the slave device may commence a starting operation. A notification of a starting condition may be provided to the master device by way of at least one of the serial clock line and the serial data line.
US09495311B1	Red zone avoidance for user mode interrupts A method includes for each processed interrupt: determining whether the interrupt is a user mode interrupt; upon determining that the interrupt is a user mode interrupt, determining a stack location to insert an entry corresponding to the user mode interrupt, the stack location being calculated by adjusting a current stack pointer by a red zone offset; and inserting the entry corresponding to the user mode interrupt into the stack at the stack location.
US09495293B1	Zone consistency A computer implemented method, system, and computer program product for enabling consistency between zones comprising creating a lease agreement between a first zone and at least a second zone; wherein the lease indicates that the first zone is the owner of an object; wherein the lease agreement dictates that a notification is to be sent before a cached object in the first zone is updated if the lease is still valid; wherein the lease indicates the first zone is to send a heartbeat to the second zone within the predetermined period of time if the object has not been changed and the lease is still valid; and setting up heartbeats from the first zone to at least a second zone within a predetermined amount of time; wherein the heartbeat indicates that the lease is still valid and the object has not been changed.
US09495288B2	Variable-size flash translation layer A method for using a variable-size flash translation layer is disclosed. Step (A) receives a read request to read data corresponding to a logical block address from a nonvolatile memory. Step (B) reads a particular entry of a map to obtain (i) a physical address of a particular page of the nonvolatile memory, (ii) an offset in the particular page to compressed data previously stored and (iii) a length of the compressed data. The particular entry is associated with the logical block address. Step (C) converts the offset and the length to (i) an address of a given read unit in the particular page and (ii) a number of the read units to be read. Step (D) reads from the particular page at most the number of the read units starting from the given read unit. An offset and length granularity are finer than one read unit.
US09495287B2	Solid state memory device logical and physical partitioning Embodiments relate to solid state memory device including a storage array having a plurality of physical storage devices and the storage array includes a plurality of partitions. The solid state memory device also includes a controller comprising a plurality of mapping tables, wherein each of the plurality of mapping tables corresponds to one of the plurality of partitions. Each of the plurality of mapping tables is configured to store a physical location and a logical location of data stored in its corresponding partition.
US09495285B2	Initiating operation of a timing device using a read only memory (ROM) or a one time programmable non volatile memory (OTP NVM) The present invention provides a method and a programmable timing device that includes a timing device circuit for generating at least one timing signal, a static random access memory (SRAM) coupled to the timing device circuit, a read only memory (ROM) having a first timing device configuration stored therein, a one time programmable non volatile memory (OTP NVM) for storing a second timing device configuration and selection logic. The selection logic includes an output coupled to the SRAM, a first input coupled to the ROM and a second input coupled to the OTP NVM. The selection logic is operable to receive input indicating whether SRAM is to be loaded from the ROM or the OTP NVM, and operable to load either the first timing device configuration from the ROM or the second timing device configuration from the OTP NVM based on the input.
US09495283B2	System and method for server migration synchronization A system and method for managing the migration of software components among test servers that form a distributed software test environment to ensure that the software components in each of the test servers represent a production environment except for software components being tested. The system further ensures that component changes rolled out into production are not overridden when multiple update requests are made for the same component.
US09495281B2	User interface coverage Systems, machine readable media, and methods are provided. An example method can include populating cells of a matrix with a plurality of user interface (UI) configuration parameters to determine a total number of testable UI configurations, reducing a number of the cells of the matrix by combining at least two UI configuration parameters to determine a reduced number of UI configurations to test, executing a number of predetermined tests, where test results depend on input of the reduced number of UI configurations, and determining the UI coverage based upon the test results.
US09495278B2	Dynamic discovery of data segments within instrumented code Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to code instrumentation and provide a method, system and computer program product for dynamic discovery of data segments within instrumented code. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for dynamic data segment discovery for instrumented code can be provided. The method can include statically instrumenting program code, recording potential data segments during the instrumentation of the program code, executing the instrumented program code, determining whether or not each of the recorded potential data segments can be resolved, and noting resolved ones of the recorded potential data segments.
US09495252B2	Continuous data backup using real time delta storage A continuous data backup using real time delta storage has been presented. A backup appliance receives a backup request from a backup agent running on a computing machine to backup data on the computing machine. The computing machine is communicatively coupled to the backup appliance. Then the backup appliance performs block-based real-time backup of the data on the computing machine. The backup appliance stores backup data of the computing machine in a computer-readable storage device in the backup appliance.
US09495240B2	Encrypting data for storage in a dispersed storage network A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module encrypting a plurality of data segments of the data using a plurality of encryption keys to produce a plurality of encrypted data segments and generating a plurality of deterministic values from the plurality of encrypted data segments. The method continues with the DS processing module establishing a data intermingling pattern and generating a plurality of masked keys by selecting one or more of the plurality of deterministic values in accordance with the data intermingling pattern and performing a masking function on the plurality of encryption keys and the selected one or more of the plurality of deterministic values. The method continues with the DS processing module appending the plurality of masked keys to the plurality of encrypted data segments to produce a plurality of secure data packages and outputting the plurality of secure data packages.
US09495237B1	Detection of corruption of call stacks Corruption of call stacks is detected by using guard words placed in the call stacks. A called function executing on a processor of a computing environment checks a guard word in a stack frame of a calling function. The checking determines whether the guard word has an expected value. Based on determining the guard word has an unexpected value, an indication of corruption of the stack frame is provided.
US09495236B2	Intuitive visual assessment of device operational health Among other things, an augmented reality device that is configured and/or arranged to present particular device operational health information as a function of the distance between the augmented reality device and the particular device.
US09495230B2	Testing method A testing method used to check if an application executed in an operating system is crashed. The operating system is provided with a first value corresponding to the application, and the first value is stored in a storage unit. The testing method includes the following steps: send a message in a predetermined time period to the application to request a feedback from the application, and adjust the first value stored in the storage unit to another value by proceeding a predetermined algorithm; reboot the operating system if the said another value is equal to a second value; reset the said another value stored in the storage unit to the first value if the application gives the feedback.
US09495225B2	Parallel execution mechanism and operating method thereof A thread priority control mechanism is provided which uses the completion event of the preceding transaction to raise the priority of the next transaction in the order of execution when the transaction status has been changed from speculative to non-speculative. In one aspect of the present invention, a thread-level speculation mechanism is provided which has content-addressable memory, an address register and a comparator for recording transaction footprints, and a control logic circuit for supporting memory synchronization instructions. This supports hardware transaction memory in detecting transaction conflicts. This thread-level speculation mechanism includes a priority up bit for recording an attribute operand in a memory synchronization instruction, a means for generating a priority up event when a thread wake-up event has occurred and the priority up bit is 1, and a means for preventing the CAM from storing the load/store address when the instruction is a non-transaction instruction.
US09495221B2	Automatic configuration information generation for distributed computing environment A method and system for configuring information for a distributed computing environment is provided. The method and system comprises providing a job containing a list of tasks to a controller, the tasks including a bootstrap tool and configuration information related to the computer network. The method and system also comprises providing a task to each of a plurality of agents on the distributed computer network, each task being based on one of the tasks of the job. The method and system further comprises executing code by each of the plurality of agents based upon the tasks process, wherein the code provides configuration information for a master process and a plurality of slave processes within the distributed computer network.The present invention allows processes run on a distributed set of computers to be provided with appropriate configuration files without requiring the master node to pre-generate those files ahead of time. Specifically, the invention generates the configuration files on the computers that will host the processes. A special bootstrap tool is run on each machine. This tool provides a unique identifier to each process. Each machine running a slave process sends the master process its address, and the master returns a port number.
US09495212B2	Network resource management system utilizing physical network identification for converging operations The disclosed network resource management system employs a hardware configuration management (HCM) information handling system (IHS) that may couple to a single administered IHS or to multiple administered IHSs via an administrative network. An HCM tool in the HCM IHS may generate, modify and store hardware configuration information, including physical network identifications (PNet IDs), in an HCM database and share the HCM database with the administered IHSs. The administered IHS may be a remote direct memory access (RDMA) enabled network interface controller (RNIC) converging IHS. An RNIC converging tool may extract hardware configuration information, including PNet IDs, from the HCM database. The RNIC converging tool may utilize the hardware configuration information, including PNet IDs, to enable the RNIC converging IHS to communicate over a network with RDMA protocols.
US09495211B1	Allocating computing resources based on user intent Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for allocating computing resources. In one aspect, a method includes receiving intent data specifying one or more computing services to be hosted by a computing network, requested characteristics of computing resources for use in hosting the computing service, and a priority value for each requested characteristic. A budget constraint is identified for each computing service. Available resources data is identified that specifies a set of available computing resources. A resource allocation problem for allocating computing resources for the one or more computing resources is generated based on the intent data, each budget constraint, and the available resources data. At least a portion of the set of computing resources is allocated for the one or more computing services based on results of evaluating the resource allocation problem to meet a particular resource allocation objective.
US09495207B1	Cataloging data sets for reuse in pipeline applications The present disclosure relates to cataloging data sets for reuse in pipeline applications. One example method includes identifying a data set produced by a particular pipeline object included in a first pipeline instance, the first pipeline instance including a plurality of pipeline objects, each pipeline object configured to perform a computation, and the particular pipeline object configured to perform a particular computation; determining a set of metadata for the data set, the set of metadata including identifying information for the data set to identify the data set to pipeline instances separate from the first pipeline instance; and allowing pipeline instances separate from the first pipeline instance to retrieve the data set based at least in part on the set of metadata, wherein the pipeline instances avoid performing the particular computation by using the retrieved data set.
US09495203B2	Apparatus for selecting and displaying an operation user interface and method and non-transitory computer readable medium for controlling the same An information processing apparatus includes an inclusion relation memory, a correspondence relation memory, a data type identifying unit, a software application identifying unit, and a display controller. The inclusion relation memory stores inclusion relation between multiple data types. The correspondence relation memory stores correspondence relation between the data types and software applications used in input of data. The data type identifying unit analyzes acquired information to identify a data type corresponding to an input area of the acquired information. The software application identifying unit identifies a software application corresponding to each data type included in the identified data type in accordance with the inclusion relation and the correspondence relation. The display controller displays a display part in which the identified software application is used in a display.
US09495198B1	Cloud thread synchronization A system, apparatus, and method for thread synchronization is provided. In one embodiment, a network system receives a signal from a first computing machine, and determines whether one or more processes are waiting for the signal. The network system also transmits the signal to one of the one or more processes on the first computing machine or a second computing machine to execute a thread of the process.
US09495190B2	Entropy pools for virtual machines In the host operating system of a computing device, entropy data is collected based at least in part on each of one or more hardware components of the computing device. An entropy pool is updated based at least in part on the collected entropy data, and data from the entropy pool is provided to a guest operating system running as a virtual machine of the computing device. The guest operating system maintains a guest operating system entropy pool based on the data from the entropy pool provided by the host operating system. The guest operating system accesses the guest operating system entropy pool and uses the guest operating system entropy pool as a basis for generating values including random numbers.
US09495189B2	Live replication of a virtual machine exported and imported via a portable storage device Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems receive a request to initiate replication of a virtual machine (VM). In response to the request, a copy of the VM disk is exported to a locally attached portable storage device while the VM continues running. In response to receiving indication of the VM disk being imported from the portable storage device locally within a destination data center, the host computer determines VM data within the source data center is different from or not included within the exported copy of the VM disk and transmits the VM data to the destination data center via a network connection while the VM continues running. An indication that the virtual machine data within the destination data center is within a threshold of similarity with virtual machine data within the source data center is transmitted to the destination data center via the network connection.
US09495183B2	Instruction set emulation for guest operating systems The described implementations relate to virtual computing techniques. One implementation provides a technique that can include receiving a request to execute an application. The application can include first application instructions from a guest instruction set architecture. The technique can also include loading an emulator and a guest operating system into an execution context with the application. The emulator can translate the first application instructions into second application instructions from a host instruction set architecture. The technique can also include running the application by executing the second application instructions.
US09495175B2	Deploying multi-channel or device agnostic applications Various user interface components and features can be tested and simulated with the unified framework module, and the full application user experience can be tested, experienced and evaluated. This can assist the design process of an application in providing the ability to test and explore different user interface components. During this process the user components can be simulated to provide the user experience so it can be determined whether the user components are organized properly and the prototype can be validated before the full blown application is launched. Also user interface features can be further modified or added based on the user feedback. The unified framework module can be configured to package a program in a form that is suitable for any targeted device and/or channel to make deployment across various devices and channels more efficient and cost effective.
US09495173B2	Systems and methods for managing data in a device for hibernation states The present application is directed to systems and methods for managing data in a device for hibernation states. In one implementation, the device includes an interface and a processor. The interface is coupled with a first memory and a second memory. The processor is in communication with the first and second memories via the interface. The processor is configured to read first data from the first memory, generate image data of the data stored in the first memory based on the first data, and write to the second memory prior to the device entering an initial hibernation state the image data of the data stored in the first memory. The processor is further configured to, after the device awakes from the initial hibernation state, read the image data from the second memory, reconstruct the first data based on the image data, and write the first data to the first memory.
US09495168B2	Allocation of alias registers in a pipelined schedule In an embodiment, a system includes a processor including one or more cores and a plurality of alias registers to store memory range information associated with a plurality of operations of a loop. The memory range information references one or more memory locations within a memory. The system also includes register assignment means for assigning each of the alias registers to a corresponding operation of the loop, where the assignments are made according to a rotation schedule, and one of the alias registers is assigned to a first operation in a first iteration of the loop and to a second operation in a subsequent iteration of the loop. The system also includes the memory coupled to the processor. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09495167B2	Load queue entry reuse for operand store compare history table update Embodiments relate to load queue entry reuse for operand store compare (OSC) history table update. An aspect includes allocating a load queue entry in a load queue to a load instruction that is issued into an instruction pipeline, the load queue entry comprising a valid tag that is set and a keep tag that is unset. Another aspect includes based on the flushing of the load instruction, unsetting the valid tag and setting the keep tag. Another aspect includes reissuing the load instruction into the instruction pipeline. Another aspect includes based on determining that the allocated load queue entry corresponds to the reissued load instruction, setting the valid tag and leaving the keep tag set. Another aspect includes based on completing the reissued load instruction, and based on the valid tag and the keep tag being set, updating the OSC history table corresponding to the load instruction.
US09495159B2	Two level re-order buffer In response to detecting one or more conditions are met, a checkpoint of a current state of a thread may be created. One or more incomplete instructions may be moved from a first level of a re-order buffer to a second level of the re-order buffer. Each incomplete instruction may be currently executing or awaiting execution.
US09495152B2	Automatic baselining of business application service groups comprised of virtual machines An example method of automatically establishing a baseline of virtual machines operating in a network may include parsing service group ontology information stored of an established service group to determine components of a business application service group that are communicating with one another. The example method may also include tracking the current state of the business application service group to determine if any changes have occurred since a previous service business application service group configuration, and, if so, updating the ontology information to reflect those changes, and generating a list of candidate virtual machines that are candidates for participating in the established baseline.
US09495146B2	Host and method of upgrading connection manager of dongles A host device with a function dongle includes a first connection manager and a first version file. The host upgrades the first connection manager and the first version file. The host gets a second version file which is saved in the dongle. The dongle includes a second connection manager corresponding to the second version file. The host determines whether the upgraded first connection manager is newer than the second connection manager according to the upgraded first version file and the second version file. The host upgrades the second connection manager if the upgraded first connection manager is newer than the second connection manager.
US09495141B1	Expanding inline function calls in nested inlining scenarios A method for expanding inline function calls in inlining scenarios includes receiving an ordered list of inlining options for a computer program and a relational data structure representing dependencies between the inlining options, wherein each inlining option includes an associated cost value and an associated benefit value. A maximum-benefit inlining plan for a selected inlining option of the ordered list is then determined, wherein the maximum-benefit inlining plan includes a set of inlining options from the ordered list that provide a maximum combined benefit value for a combined cost value that is equal to or less than a maximum cost budget, subject to the following conditions: each inlining option of the set precedes, or is, the selected inlining option in the ordered list, and for each inlining option of the set, the set also includes each inlining option that the respective inlining option is dependent on.
US09495137B1	Methods and systems for improving responsiveness of analytical workflow runtimes Embodiments include methods, and computer program products of an analytical workflow system. Aspects include: observing analytical workflow patterns of one or more users to gather statistics, predicting an analytical workflow and parameter values likely to be requested in future based on the observations according to a compilation policy, applying a parameter generation policy and preparing the predicted analytical workflows according to the compilation policy, and executing analytical workflows and deploying the executed analytical workflows according to a deployment policy. The aspects also include: refining an analytical workflow specification, reusing prepared, executed or deployed analytical workflows, and terminating one or more prepared, executed or deployed analytical workflows when these analytical workflows are unlikely to be requested by a user in the near future according to a termination policy.
US09495122B2	Information processing apparatus capable of creating communication application, computer-readable non-transitory recording medium with application creating program for creating communication application stored thereon, and programming tool An information processing apparatus includes a tool storage section, an acquisition method acceptance section, a template specification acceptance section, and an application creating section. The tool storage section stores a programming tool having a function of acquiring print data from an advertisement delivery server and a function of managing the print data. The acquisition method acceptance section is configured to accept setting of a data acquisition method for acquiring the print data. The template specification acceptance section is configured to accept specification of a template for use in printing the print data. The application creating section is configured to use the programming tool to create a communication application allowing acquisition of the print data according to the accepted data acquisition method and generation of an image according to the accepted template.
US09495114B2	System and method for reading and writing data with a shared memory hash table A method and apparatus of a device that reads and writes data using a shared memory hash table and a lookaside buffer is described. In an exemplary embodiment, a device locates a bucket for the data in a shared memory hash table, where a writer updates the shared memory hash table and a reader that is one of a plurality of readers reads from the shared memory hash table. The device further retrieves an initial value of a version of the bucket. If the initial value of the version is odd, the device copies the data from a lookaside buffer of the writer to a local buffer for the reader, wherein the lookaside buffer stores a copy of the data while the bucket is being modified.
US09495113B2	Systems, devices, apparatus, and methods for identifying stored data by a device located in a path between virtual Fibre channel switches and performing a data management service A first port of a device is connected to a first switch port of a first virtual switch defined within a switch device and a second port of the device is connected to a second switch port of a second virtual switch defined within the switch device. A target world wide port name of a target port of a storage system connected to the second virtual switch is identified by the device. The first port of the device is registered, in a first registration procedure, with the first virtual switch based on the target world wide port name. Registration information relating to an initiator port of a server that is associated with the target port is received in a second registration procedure. An initiator world wide port name of the initiator port of the server is determined based on the registration information. A storage volume in the storage system that is associated with the initiator port is identified based on the initiator world wide port name of the initiator port.
US09495100B1	Shifting a defrag operation in a mirrored system A method for defragmenting volumes in a mirrored system. The method includes suspending one or more updates from being mirrored from a first set of tracks on a first server to a second set of tracks on a second server. A defragmenting process is performed on the second server. The defragmentation process stores a before and after mapping of the second set of tracks, wherein the before and after mapping includes information identifying at least one track of the second set of tracks and a corresponding first location of the respective track before the defragmenting and a second location of the respective track after the defragmenting. The method further includes, upon the defragment process completion, relocating at least one track of the first set of tracks on the first server according to the stored before and after mapping of the corresponding second set of tracks on the second server.
US09495075B2	Presenting action menus in viewing panes Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and software for implementing enhanced menu presentation technology. In at least one implementation, a user interface to a personal information service is presented by a suitable computing system. The user interface includes a viewing pane and an information panel in which various personal information items may be organized. In response to a selection of any of the personal information items for viewing, content associated with the item is presented in the viewing pane. In addition, in response to an identification of an action group that includes multiple ones of the personal information items, an action menu is presented in at least a portion of a space in the user interface occupied by the viewing pane.
US09495073B2	Parameter input apparatus and image forming apparatus A parameter input apparatus for inputting a parameter, including: a control portion configured to display, in a display portion, an operational screen for inputting the parameter; and an operating portion for operating the operational screen, wherein the control portion is configured to display, in the display portion, the operational screen that includes a target area which is a target of an operation by the operating portion and is configured such that a view of the target area and a view of the operating portion are made uniform when the operational screen is displayed.
US09495070B2	Method and apparatus for managing digital media content Various aspects and embodiments are directed to a streamlined computer device and a graphical user interface that organizes interface elements into views of computer content for presentation to a user. Various views of digital media content permits users to easily and efficiently access various digital media content. Different views are used to provide an interface that is responsive to configurations of the device and responsive to activity being performed by the user. Aspects include permitting the user to maintain and manage digital media content libraries. According to some embodiments, the libraries comprise user digital media content and references digital media content. Functionality provided to a user can be tailored to the type of content displayed, accessed and/or managed. According to various aspects, methods and systems are provided for accessing and managing digital media libraries on a streamlined computing device with a plurality selectable I/O profiles.
US09495061B2	Information processing terminal and control method thereof An information processing terminal is provided with a first display and a second display and a control means that, when start-up of a first application has been instructed, displays the windows of each of the first application and a second application on the first display or the second display. The control means determines displays on which the windows of each of the first application and the second application are to be displayed based on the relation between the first application and the second application.
US09495055B2	User interface and methods One variation of a method for controlling a dynamic tactile user interface includes: sensing a capacitance value across a portion of a cavity, a tactile layer defining a deformable region and a peripheral region, the peripheral region adjacent the deformable region, and the deformable region cooperating with the substrate to define the cavity; estimating a vertical position of the tactile surface at the deformable region according to the sensed capacitance value across the portion of the cavity; manipulating a fluid pressure within the cavity to modify a vertical position of the tactile surface at the deformable region according to a difference between the estimated vertical position of the tactile surface at the deformable region and a target vertical position of the tactile surface at the deformable region; and sensing an input on the tactile surface according to a change in capacitance value across the portion of the cavity.
US09495053B2	Touch screen panel and display device The present invention discloses a touch screen panel and a display device, the touch screen panel comprises an array substrate and an assembling substrate which are arranged opposite to each other, and a touch detection chip for detecting a touch, wherein the array substrate comprises: a first predetermined number of first self capacitive electrodes and first leads; the assembling substrate comprises: a second predetermined number of second self capacitive electrodes and second leads; projections of the first self capacitive electrodes on the assembling substrate fall within a region on the assembling substrate without the second self capacitive electrodes. In solutions of the present invention, width of the frame region of the array substrate or the assembling substrate can be reduced accordingly, and narrow frame of the touch screen panel can be realized.
US09495050B1	Sensor pattern with signal-spreading electrodes A capacitive sensor array may include a plurality of row sensor electrodes and a column sensor electrode capacitively coupled with each of the plurality of row sensor electrodes to form a plurality of unit cells. For each row sensor electrode, a unit cell that is associated with the column sensor electrode and the row sensor electrode comprises an area where a capacitance between the column sensor electrode and the row sensor electrode is greater than any other capacitance between the column sensor electrode and a different row sensor electrode. The capacitive sensor array further includes a first plurality of dummy electrodes, where each of the first plurality of dummy electrodes is capacitively coupled with the column sensor electrode and two adjacent row sensor electrodes of the plurality of row sensor electrodes.
US09495048B2	High resistivity metal fan out The formation of metal traces in the border areas of a touch sensor panel to provide improved reliability, better noise rejection, and lower manufacturing costs is disclosed. The metal traces can be coupled to rows on the touch sensor panel in an interleaved manner, so that any two successive rows can be coupled to metal traces in border areas on opposite sides of the touch sensor panel. In addition, by utilizing the full width available in the border areas in some embodiments, the metal traces can be formed from higher resistivity metal, which can reduce manufacturing costs and improve trace reliability. The wider traces can also provide better noise immunity from noise sources such as an LCD by providing a larger fixed-potential surface area and by more effectively coupling the drive lines to the fixed potential.
US09495046B2	Parasitic capacitance filter for single-layer capacitive imaging sensors An approach is provided for estimating and correcting parasitic responses of a touch sensor device. The input device measures a first capacitance signal generated by a first pixel that is covered at least partially by an input object. The input device measures a second capacitance signal generated by a second pixel that is covered at least partially by the input object. The input device measures a third capacitance signal generated by a third pixel. Based on at least the first capacitance signal and the second capacitance signal, the input device identifies a position of the input object within the sensing region. Based on the position of the input object, the input device identifies a trace covered by the input object and associated with the third pixel. The input device calculates an updated third capacitance signal by subtracting a correction amount from the third capacitance signal.
US09495044B2	Image display device An image display device includes: a first substrate which has a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface; a second substrate which has a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface, the first surface being arranged to face the second surface of the first substrate, and is made of a transparent material; and an image display layer which is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein a driving electrode is provided on the first surface of the second substrate, a plurality of first detection electrodes are provided on the second surface of the second substrate, a second detection electrode is provided on the first substrate, the first detection electrodes and the driving electrode constitute a capacitance-type first touch panel unit, and the second detection electrode and the driving electrode constitute a capacitance-type second touch panel unit.
US09495037B2	Combination touch and transducer input system and method A combination touch and transducer input system is provided, which facilitates user input into an electronic system with a finger and/or a transducer (e.g., a stylus). The system includes a transducer configured to generate an electric field, and a sensor including an array of electrodes and a controller. The transducer is configured to transmit digital data, such as pen pressure data and switch status data, to the sensor. For example, the transducer comprises electronic circuitry configured to encode the digital data in a signal for transmission to the sensor. The sensor controller is configured to operate both in a touch sensing mode and in a transducer sensing mode. During the touch sensing mode, the controller determines a position of a proximate object (e.g., a finger) by capacitively sensing the object with the array of electrodes. During the transducer sensing mode, the controller determines a position of the transducer based on a signal received by the array of electrodes from the transducer, and also receives and decodes the digital data encoded in the received signal. Digital data can be encoded in a signal using any suitable digital modulation techniques, such as a Frequency-Shift Keying (FSK) technique.
US09495034B2	Touch panel and method for fabricating the same and display device comprising the same A touch panel is provided. The touch panel includes: a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a viewing region and a border region at an edge of the viewing region; a patterned transparent conductive layer formed on the substrate, wherein the patterned transparent conductive layer is formed on the viewing region and the border region, and the patterned transparent conductive layer has a touch sensitive function; and a patterned metal layer formed on the border region, wherein the patterned metal layer includes a contact region and a trace region connecting to the contact region, and at least a portion of the contact region overlaps with the patterned transparent conductive layer, wherein a shift range between the contact region and the patterned transparent conductive layer disposed on the border region adjacent to the contact region is smaller than about 150 μm.
US09495031B2	Display panel, display device and electronic apparatus A display panel includes: plural display pixels arranged in a matrix state, wherein each display pixel includes an organic EL device and a pixel circuit driving the organic EL device, the organic EL device is formed by stacking a first electrode connected to the pixel circuit, a light emitting layer and a second electrode, and the second electrode is a strip electrode shared by plural organic EL devices arranged in a row direction or in a column direction.
US09495028B2	Method for forming touch panel The present invention provides a method for forming a touch panel, at least comprising the following steps. Step S1: a patterned first electrode layer is formed on a cover lens. A display region and a non-display region are defined on the cover lens, and the patterned first electrode layer is formed within the display region; step S2: a shielding layer is formed on the cover lens and disposed within the non-display region; step S3: an insulating layer is then formed on the shielding layer and on the patterned first electrode layer, a plurality of via holes are formed on the insulating layer, thereby exposing parts of the patterned first electrode layer; and step S4: a patterned second electrode layer is formed on the insulating layer within the non-display region, and the patterned second electrode layer is electrically connected to the patterned first electrode layer through the via holes.
US09495025B2	Device, method and storage medium storing program for controlling screen orientation According to an aspect, a device includes: a display unit for displaying a screen; a sensor for detecting an inclination of the display unit; an operating unit for detecting an operation; and a controller. The controller changes an orientation of the screen depending upon the inclination detected through the sensor and the operation detected through the operation unit.
US09495017B2	Computing systems for peripheral control Embodiments of computing systems, and related methods, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a computing system may include a peripheral device (e.g., an image capture device and/or an audio output device) and control logic. The control logic may be coupled with a sensor system and the peripheral device to receive a trigger signal; receive, from the sensor system, one or more interaction signals indicative of a user interaction with the computing system; and, in response to receipt of the trigger signal and the one or more interaction signals, generate a control signal for output to the peripheral device to control operation of the peripheral device. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.
US09495012B2	Secondary single screen mode activation through user interface activation Methods and devices for selectively presenting a user interface on a second screen. More particularly, the method includes a change in the display mode of a multiple screen device from a first screen to a second screen while the device is closed. The change in the display mode may be made in response to one or more actions conducted by a user in a user interface or on the device. The actions can include changing the orientation of the device, for example, by flipping the device over to look at the second screen. The actions can also include the user touching a touch sensitive display. Further, a series of two or more actions may trigger the device to switch to the second screen.
US09495011B1	Device-stylus haptic communication system Computing devices are disclosed that use haptic technology to communicate data to a stylus device. This data may include, for example, updates to the stylus device, instructions on how the stylus should behave, authentication and identification information, and other data. This communication may also allow a stylus to implement security features and copy and paste functionality from one user device to another. In an aspect, the computing device includes a haptic element that provides a vibration force to the device or touchscreen of the device, and communicates data embedded on a carrier to the stylus. The stylus receives the vibration force through a pressure sensor on the stylus and used the information to enhance the user experience.
US09495008B2	Detecting a primary user of a device A device may identify a user among multiple individuals detected by comparing a physiological condition, such as a heart rate, of the multiple detected individuals as detected by a camera of the device with a physiological condition of a user of the device using different sensors. A heart rate may be detected by a camera by monitoring blood flow to an individual's face. A heart rate may be detected by a motion sensor by monitoring vibrations of the device that are in an expected frequency range. If a heart rate of a user matches a heart rate of an individual seen by a camera, that individual may be determined to be the user of the device. The position of the individual may be used to then render a user interface.
US09495006B2	Display device and method of controlling the same The present disclosure is directed to a display device and a method of controlling the display device. The display device includes a memory that stores at least one first gesture image corresponding to at least one function, a camera that obtains a basic image including user's second gesture image, and a controller that extracts the second gesture image from the basic image and displays at least one third gesture image similar to the extracted second gesture image, wherein the third gesture image is included in the first gesture image stored in the memory. The display device and method of controlling the display device may guide a user to make a correct gesture by displaying a gesture image similar to a gesture made by the user among gesture images stored in a memory.
US09494999B2	Method for operating a bus control unit, and bus control unit A watchdog function is performed for those messages which are used by a controller in a CAN bus to keep the other controllers active. All emitted keep-active messages are read again by the emitting controller itself and are checked for the presence of a reason. In the absence of such a reason, a restart is carried out.
US09494995B2	Devices and methods of sensing A method is disclosed, including detecting a signal representative of an object with a piezoelectric device. A display is powered up from a sleep mode based upon the detected signal. The display can be powered up based upon a comparison of the signal to a threshold value. The threshold value can be a predetermined value or based upon a previous signal detected by the piezoelectric device or a previous signal detected by the piezoelectric device.
US09494991B2	Energy allocation to groups of virtual machines A method for managing energy. A processor unit identifies a plurality of groups of virtual machines in a computer system. The processor unit allocates the energy in the computer system to the plurality of groups of virtual machines based on a policy.
US09494982B2	Electronic device housing An electronic device housing is described that includes a substantially flat support plate comprising a composite material and an edge frame comprising a foam material. The edge frame is coupled to the support plate at a perimeter of the support plate and defines a cavity. One or more electronic components may be disposed in the cavity.
US09494980B2	Magnetic attachment unit A magnetic attachment mechanism and method is described. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach at least two objects together in a preferred configuration without fasteners and without external intervention. The magnetic attachment mechanism can be used to releasably attach an accessory device to an electronic device. The accessory device can be used to augment the functionality of usefulness of the electronic device.
US09494962B2	Phase reconfigurable switching power supply Embodiments of circuitry, which includes power supply switching circuitry and a first inductive element, are disclosed. The power supply switching circuitry has a first switching output and a second switching output. The first inductive element is coupled between the first switching output and a power supply output. The power supply switching circuitry operates in one of a first operating mode and a second operating mode. During the first operating mode, the first switching output is voltage compatible with the second switching output. During the second operating mode, the first switching output is allowed to be voltage incompatible with the second switching output.
US09494959B2	Current source for voltage regulator and voltage regulator thereof A current source for quickly adjusting an output current includes a constant current generation module, coupled to a control node, for generating a predefined current flowing through the control node in order to determine a voltage of the control node; a capacitor, coupled to an output terminal of the current source; a current variation detection module, coupled between the control node and the capacitor, for generating a variation on the voltage of the control node via the capacitor when the output terminal of the current source receives an instant current variation; and a trans-conductance amplifier, coupled between the control node and the output terminal, for changing a magnitude of the output current of the output terminal when the variation on the voltage of the control node is generated.
US09494954B2	Thermal control systems and methods for information handling systems Systems and methods are provided for information handling system thermal control that employ configuration-based temperature feedback, e.g., by using configuration-based fan speed control based on real time individual measured component temperatures. In one example, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented to allow inputs from one or more hardware temperature sensors to set cooling fan speeds and/or power capping levels in a closed loop fashion, rather than relying solely (or at all) on system inlet ambient temperature.
US09494950B2	Pressure regulator A device (1; 101) for controlling the flow of a fluid through a conduit (2; 102; 402; 602; 702) from an upstream side (3; 103; 703) to a downstream side (5; 105; 405; 605; 705), the device (1; 101) comprising: a valve having a valve member (14; 114; 414; 514; 614) arranged to move reciprocally selectively to open and close one or more valve apertures (10; 110; 412; 512; 611, 612), thereby controlling flow of the fluid from the upstream side (3; 103; 703) to the downstream side (5; 105; 405; 605; 705); and means for introducing a reference pressure (24; 124; 324; 424; 524; 624); wherein said valve member (14; 114; 414; 514; 614) is acted on by the pressure of the downstream side (5; 105; 405; 605; 705) and the reference pressure so as to be moved by the difference between said pressures.
US09494946B2	Flow rate control device The flow rate control device comprises a basal plate block wherein a single input port into which a fluid flows, a single output port from which the fluid flows out, two inflow channels whose proximal ends are connected to the input port and two outflow channels whose terminal ends are connected to the output port are formed, and two flow rate control units arranged on the basal plate block, and one of the flow rate control units is arranged between one of the inflow channels and one of the outflow channels, the other flow rate control unit is arranged between the other inflow channel and the other outflow channel, and each of the flow rate control units is configured to be capable of operating independently.
US09494942B1	Enhancing basic roadway-intersection models using high intensity image data Systems and methods are provided that may optimize basic models of an intersection in a roadway with high intensity image data of the intersection of the roadway. More specifically, parameters that define the basic model of the intersection in the roadway may be adjusted to more accurately define the intersection. For example, by comparing a shape of the intersection predicted by the basic model with extracted curbs and lane boundaries from elevation and intensity maps, the intersection parameters can be optimized to match real intersection-features in the environment. Once the optimal intersection parameters have been found, roadgraph features describing the intersection may be extracted.
US09494941B2	Method of guidance of unmanned aerial vehicles A method of guiding aerial vehicles to a target site in adverse weather conditions wherein the method regulates the range indirectly by regulating heading error to an offset target that revolves around the true target site. The improved guidance architecture is effective in adverse weather conditions, such as high winds.
US09494940B1	Quadrant configuration of robotic vehicles Systems, apparatus and methods to implement sectional design (e.g., in quadrants) of an autonomous vehicle may include modular construction techniques to assemble an autonomous vehicle from multiple structural sections. The multiple structural sections may be configured to implement radial and bilateral symmetry. A structural section based configuration may include a power supply configuration (e.g., using rechargeable batteries) including a double-backed power supply system. The power supply system may include a kill switch disposed on a power supply (e.g., at an end of a rechargeable battery). The kill switch may be configured to disable the power supply system in the event of an emergency or after a collision, for example. The radial and bilateral symmetry may provide for bi-directional driving operations of the autonomous vehicle as the vehicle may not have a designated front end or a back end.
US09494935B2	Remote operation of autonomous vehicle in unexpected environment Disclosed herein are computer devices, systems, and methods for remotely operating an autonomous passenger vehicle. When an autonomous vehicle encounters an unexpected driving environment unsuitable for autonomous operation, such as road construction or an obstruction, vehicle sensors can capture data about the vehicle and the unexpected driving environment, including images, radar and lidar data, etc. The captured data can be sent to a remote operator. The remote operator can manually operate the vehicle remotely or issue commands to the autonomous vehicle to be executed by on various vehicle systems. The captured data sent to the remote operator can be optimized to conserve bandwidth, such as by sending a limited subset of the captured data.
US09494926B2	Methods and apparatus employing an action engine for monitoring and/or controlling dynamic environments A dynamic environment (e.g., an automated industrial process) has multiple conditions in response to which corresponding actions are required, and comprises various equipment, control device(s) to control the equipment, and one or more sensors to generate input signal(s) representing a monitored condition of the environment. A control system for the environment comprises a master processor and one or more co-processors, wherein the master processor configures a given co-processor to evaluate only a first subset of conditions expected to occur in the environment within a specified time period (e.g., less than a response time of the master processor), and to provide first control information representing an action to be taken if a particular condition of the first subset is satisfied. The co-processor receives the input signal(s) representing the monitored condition, processes the input signal(s) so as to determine if the particular condition of the first subset is satisfied, and provides the first control information to the control devices so as to control the equipment. Exemplary applications include dynamic environments in which machine vision techniques and/or equipment are employed.
US09494919B2	Holographic imaging Technologies are generally described for generating an image in a holographic imaging device by causing multiple reflections of a hologram reconstruction light on one side of a display panel in the holographic imaging device. An example device may include a display panel, a semi-transparent mirror layer on the display panel, a mirror layer at a side of the semi-transparent mirror layer opposite to the display panel, and a light irradiation unit opposite to the semi-transparent mirror layer. The light irradiation unit may irradiate a hologram reconstruction light on the semi-transparent mirror layer at a predetermined incident angle. The semi-transparent mirror layer may reflect a portion of the hologram reconstruction light such that the reflected portion of the hologram reconstruction light may be incident on the mirror layer. The semi-transparent mirror layer may transmit the other portion of the hologram reconstruction light to cause interference in the hologram.
US09494917B2	Process cartridge for image forming apparatus and method of separating process cartridge from image forming apparatus Provided is an end member which allows appropriate transmission of rotary power, and smooth attachment and detachment with respect to an apparatus body. The end member includes a tubular bearing member and a shaft member that is held by the bearing member. The shaft member includes a turning shaft which moves in an axial line direction in accordance with turning about an axial line, a rotary power reception member which is arranged at one end of the turning shaft and includes an engagement member engaging with a drive shaft of an image forming apparatus body, and a regulation member which is pressed to engage with or be detached from the turning shaft or the rotary power reception member, whereby the engagement member switches between an engagement posture and a non-engagement posture with respect to the drive shaft.
US09494915B2	Image forming apparatus and cartridge An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly and a supporting member that detachably supports a cartridge between a first position at an image formable position and a second position retracted from the first position. A first engaging portion in the main assembly supports the cartridge by engaging with a first engaged portion on the cartridge when the supporting member is in the first position, and a second engaging portion in the main assembly suppresses rotation of the cartridge about the first engaging portion by engaging with a second engaged portion provided on the cartridge when the supporting member is in the first position. When the supporting member moves from the first position to the second position, the second engaged portion moves to a side downstream of the second engaging portion with respect to a movement direction of the supporting member to disengage from the second engaging portion.
US09494905B2	Bearing member, end section member, photoreceptor drum unit, and method for manufacturing bearing member A bearing member includes a concave section receiving a spherical body therein, and swing grooves into which end sections of a rotating force transmission pin are inserted. The swing groove at least includes a parallel part an axis and a curved part, an undercut section is not provided in the concave section when the concave section is viewed from an opened side of the concave section in a direction of the axis of the bearing member, and a clearance between the two swing grooves in a direction which is orthogonal to the direction of the axis on the opened side of the concave section is shorter than a distance between both ends of the rotating force transmission pin in the direction which is orthogonal to the axis of the bearing member even when the shaft member is mounted on the bearing member in a posture inclined at the most.
US09494899B2	Fixing device and heater used in fixing device A heater used for a fixing device includes a substrate, first and second conductor patterns formed at either end of the substrate in the short direction of the substrate, a third conductor pattern formed between the first and second conductor patterns and separated from the two conductor patterns, a first heating member disposed between the first and third conductor patterns and electrically connected to the two conductor patterns, and a second heating member disposed between the second and third conductor patterns and electrically connected to the conductor patterns. The heater has both end regions in which the widths of the third conductor pattern in the short direction is smaller than that of a middle portion of the third conductor pattern. The widths of the first and second heating members in the end regions are smaller than the widths of the first and second heating members in the other region, respectively.
US09494896B2	Fixing device with separation plate and image forming apparatus thereof A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body rotatable in a given direction of rotation and a heater disposed opposite the fixing rotary body to heat the fixing rotary body. A pressing rotary body contacts the fixing rotary body to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium is conveyed. A separator is disposed downstream from the fixing nip in a recording medium conveyance direction to separate the recording medium from one of the fixing rotary body and the pressing rotary body. The separator includes a separation plate including an upstream portion disposed opposite the fixing nip and at least one slot disposed downstream from the upstream portion in the recording medium conveyance direction.
US09494892B2	Transporting apparatus, developing apparatus and image forming apparatus A developing apparatus includes a developer vessel that is provided with a first transporting path, a second transporting path and a third transporting path. The first transporting path and the second transporting path are communicated with each other, and a developer is circulated in the first transporting path and the second transporting path. The third transporting path has a developer discharge port and is provided in an upstream side in a transporting direction of the developer in the second transporting path. Furthermore, an annular plate-like first regulation portion is arranged in an end portion of the second transporting path in a third transporting path side and an annular plate-like second regulation portion opposite to the first regulation portion with a predetermined interval is arranged in an end portion of the third transporting path in a second transporting path side.
US09494891B2	Toner cartridge having shutter that selectively opens and closes toner-supply hole of the toner cartridge A developing device mountable in a main body of an image forming device includes: a frame, a developer cartridge attachable to the frame, and a maintaining member. The developer cartridge includes: a casing having an opening; and a shutter movable between an open position and a closed position to open and close the opening. The developer cartridge is movable between a first position to be attached to the frame and mountable in the main body and a second position to be partially detached from the frame and incapable of being mounted in the main body. The shutter moves from the closed position to the open position while the developer cartridge moves from the second position to the first position. The maintaining member maintains the shutter at the closed position when the developer cartridge moves from the second position to the first position.
US09494889B2	Image forming apparatus and detection apparatus An image forming apparatus includes an irradiation unit for irradiating an image carrier having a formed detection image with light, the irradiation unit being capable of switching a size of a light-emitting region; a light-receiving unit for receiving reflected light of the light irradiated by the irradiation unit and outputting a detection signal corresponding to a light-receiving amount of the reflected light including a specular-reflected light component; a detection unit for detecting one of position information and density information of the detection image based on the detection signal; and a control unit for controlling to switch the size of the light-emitting region to detect one of the position information and the density information of the detection image.
US09494888B2	Imaging device components comprised of hydrophobic carbon nanotubes An electrophotographic imaging device includes a charging device, a cleaning device, and a fuser member that each include hydrophobic carbon nanotubes. The use of hydrophobic carbon nanotubes can increases the charging device's, the cleaning device's, and the fuser member's durability, conductivity, and contaminants deposition.
US09494887B2	Toner A toner having good environmental stability, low-temperature fixability, development durability, and storage stability is provided. A toner includes toner particles each including a surface layer that contains an organic silicon polymer. The organic silicon polymer is obtained by polymerizing a compound having a specific structure. The surface layers have a particular average thickness Dav. In mapping by focused-ion-beam time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy, a ratio of silicon ions to carbon ions released from the toner particles upon irradiation of toner particle surfaces with primary ions is a particular value.
US09494884B2	Imaging plate coating composite composed of fluoroelastomer and aminosilane crosslinkers Provided is a polymer coating composition for a surface layer, comprising a product of a grafting reaction between a fluoroelastomer and at least one of an aminosilane component and an aminofunctionalized fluorosilicone component.
US09494882B2	Method of producing electrophotographic photosensitive member The invention has a process of preparing a dispersion liquid by dispersing particles containing a charge transporting substance and a binder resin in liquid medium containing a specific liquid to prepare a dispersion liquid and a process of forming a coat of the dispersion liquid, and heating and drying the coat to dissolve the particles containing the charge transporting substance and the binder resin with liquid medium to form a charge transporting layer.
US09494881B2	Triarylamine derivative and electrophotographic photosensitive member A triarylamine derivative is represented by general formula (1) shown below. In general formula (1), each R1 independently represents a halogen atom, an optionally substituted alkyl group having a carbon number of 1-6, an optionally substituted alkoxy group having a carbon number of 1-6, or an optionally substituted aryl group having a carbon number of 6-12. Each k independently represents an integer of 0-4, and each m independently represents an integer of 1-3. Each R2 independently represents a halogen atom, an optionally substituted alkyl group having a carbon number of 1-6, an optionally substituted alkoxy group having a carbon number of 1-6, or an optionally substituted aryl group having a carbon number of 6-12. Each p independently represents an integer of 0-4.
US09494877B2	Substrate processing apparatus A substrate processing apparatus includes an indexer block, a first processing block, a second processing block, and an interface block. The indexer block includes a pair of carrier platforms and a transport section. A carrier storing a plurality of substrates in multiple stages is placed in each of the carrier platforms. The transport section includes transport mechanisms. The transport mechanisms concurrently transport the substrates.
US09494871B2	Exposure apparatus, method for producing device, and method for controlling exposure apparatus A liquid immersion exposure apparatus includes a projection system, a liquid supply inlet, a liquid collection outlet, a separator fluidically connected to the liquid collection outlet, the separator separating one of liquid and gas, which have been collected via the liquid collection outlet from the other, and a flow-meter configured to measure an amount of the liquid collected via the liquid collection outlet.
US09494852B2	Mask blank and method of manufacturing phase shift mask A mask blank suitable for fabricating a phase shift mask having a thin film pattern composed of a material enabling dry etching with a fluorine-based gas and a substrate-engraved pattern. The mask blank 100 is used to fabricate a phase shift mask having a thin film pattern and a substrate-engraved pattern. The mask blank 100 has a structure in which an etching stopper film 2, a thin film for pattern formation 3 and an etching mask film 4 are laminated in this order on a transparent substrate 1. The etching stopper film 2 is made of a material that contains chromium and oxygen and the oxygen content thereof is more than 50 at %. The thin film 3 is made of a material that can be dry-etched by a fluorine-based gas. The etching mask film 4 is made of a material that contains chromium, the chromium content thereof is not less than 45 at %, and the oxygen content thereof is not more than 30 at %.
US09494837B2	Manufacturing method of TFT array substrate, TFT array substrate and display device Embodiments of the disclosure provide a manufacturing method of a TFT array substrate, a TFT array substrate and a display device. The method comprises steps of: S1. forming a thin film transistor on a base substrate; S2. forming a passivation layer thin film on the base substrate after the step S1; S3. forming a passivation layer via hole and a light-shielding pattern on the base substrate after the step S2; and S4. forming a color filter layer and a pixel electrode on the base substrate after the step S3. The pixel electrode is electrically connected to a drain electrode of the thin film transistor through the passivation layer via hole, and the color filter layer is in correspondence with a position of the pixel electrode.
US09494836B2	Liquid crystal display with irregular molecule arrangement that provide for a greater viewing angle without display deterioration A liquid crystal display includes: a first substrate; a gate line and a data line disposed on the first substrate; a passivation layer disposed on the gate line and the data line; a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on the passivation layer; and a first insulating layer interposed between the first and second electrodes, where the first and second electrodes overlap each other via the first insulating layer, the second electrode includes a plurality of branch electrodes, and an end portion of the plurality of branch electrodes includes a first side portion and a second side portion extending parallel to the data line, and an oblique portion which connects the first side portion and the second side portion to each other and forms a first angle of less than 90 degrees with an extending line of the first side portion.
US09494834B2	Electro-optical liquid crystal device A liquid crystal (LC) lens comprises a first substrate, a first electrode structure, an electrically tunable LC layer structure, a second substrate and a second electrode structure, wherein the electrically tunable LC layer structure is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate. The electrically tunable LC layer structure includes at least two LC layers stacked on top of one another, and each LC layer further includes at least one LC unit. In the stacked structure, at least one of the LC layers includes at least one partition unit to partition the LC layer into one or more LC units. The layout of the LC units of the upper LC layer differs from that of the lower LC layer. In the present invention, the shape and layout of the LC units are designed to provide better optical performance without changing the thickness of the liquid crystal lens.
US09494826B2	Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof A liquid crystal display device has a liquid crystal display panel including pixels each having an active device, a pixel electrode, a common electrode and a liquid crystal layer arranged in a dot matrix array. The liquid crystal display panel has a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate has the active device, the pixel electrode, the common electrode and a first alignment film. The second substrate has a second alignment film. The first alignment film and the second alignment film are respectively a photo alignment film formed by irradiating a photo decomposition type insulating film with light. The second alignment film has a thickness of at least 10 nm and no greater 50 nm and is thinner than the first alignment film.
US09494825B2	Condensing sheet and method for preparing thereof A condensing sheet includes a light output unit that has a plurality of lenses, and a light input unit that faces the light output unit and includes a light penetration unit and a light reflection unit. The light reflect ion unit has a structure including a recess sinking toward the light output unit and a reflector received in the recess.
US09494824B2	Planar lighting device A lighting device including a circuit substrate; a plurality of light sources disposed on the circuit substrate; a reflection layer disposed on the circuit substrate, the reflection layer comprising a plurality of openings where respective light sources are located; a plurality of absorbers disposed at an edge of the reflection layer and at an inclination with respect to the reflection layer, wherein the plurality of absorbers have a greater density at first areas aligned with the respective light sources than at second areas between the first areas; and an optical sheet disposed on the light sources.
US09494817B2	Display with nonwoven diffuser The present disclosure describes a display system including a liquid crystal display panel and a light source emitting light capable of emitting light. A nonwoven diffuser element is disposed between the light source and the liquid crystal display panel. The polymeric nonwoven diffuser is non-orientated and has a fiber diameter of less than 50 micrometers, a fiber aspect ratio of length/diameter of greater than 5 and a basis weight in a range from 10 to 80 grams/meter2.
US09494799B2	Waveguide eye tracking employing switchable diffraction gratings A transparent waveguide, for use in tracking an eye illuminated by infrared light, includes an input-coupler and an output-coupler. The input-coupler includes a stack of electronically switchable diffractive gratings arranged parallel to one another, each of which has a respective lens power that causes each of the gratings in the stack to have a different focal length. Each grating, when turned on, couples received infrared light into the waveguide. A sensor images an eye in dependence on infrared light beams that exit the waveguide at the output-coupler. Images of an eye, obtained using the sensor, are analyzed to determine which one of the electronically switchable diffractive gratings, when turned on, provides a best focused image of the eye or portion thereof. The one of the electronically switchable diffractive gratings, which provides the best focused image of the eye, is used for imaging the eye during eye tracking.
US09494798B2	Image display apparatus and image display method A display displays a composite image including element pixels. Each element pixel is formed by arranging, in a direction, pixels respectively extracted from images having different viewpoints. A first optical element includes lenses arrayed in the direction to correspond to the element pixels and emits in parallel light rays emitted from pixels respectively included in the element pixels, for a particular image. A second optical element condenses the light rays. An output circuit selects a pixel of the particular image which is included in a particular element pixel and outputs its pixel value to the display. At this time, a pixel more distant from an optical axis of the second optical element along the direction in the particular image is selected as a distance between the first and second optical elements becomes smaller than a focal length of the second optical element.
US09494790B1	Electrowetting element and fluid A fluid for an electrowetting element includes a dispersion of a plurality of solid particles in a liquid vehicle. Respective ones of the plurality of solid particles each include a solid core having a coating comprising silicon dioxide.
US09494787B1	Direct view zoom scope with single focal plane and adaptable reticle A direct view telescopic sight includes objective lens, eyepiece, and prism erector assemblies. The objective lens assembly is mounted to receive light of an image from an object direction and direct the light along an optical path. The eyepiece assembly is mounted to receive the light along the optical path and to emit the light of the image along an eye-ward direction. The prism erector assembly is positioned between the objective lens and eyepiece assemblies and includes first and second prism elements through which the optical path passes. The first and second prism elements invert the image. A reticle element is disposed on or adjacent to a surface of one of the first or second prism elements to combine a reticle on the image. The image is brought into focus at only a single focal plane between the objective lens and eyepiece assemblies at a given time.
US09494786B2	Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program, and information processing system An information processing apparatus includes a connection unit, a processing execution unit, a setting unit, and a controller. The connection unit is capable of connecting input apparatuses that output operation information for executing an operation for an image displayed on a screen. The processing execution unit is capable of executing processing corresponding to the operation information on the image. The setting unit sets one of the input apparatuses as a main input apparatus, and sets the other input apparatuses as secondary input apparatuses. The controller performs control such that execution of the processing for the image by the processing execution unit based on the operation information from the input apparatus set as the main input apparatus is validated, and execution of the processing for the image by the processing execution unit based on the operation information from the input apparatuses set as the secondary input apparatuses is invalidated.
US09494779B2	Optical analysis device, optical analysis method and computer program for optical analysis using single particle detection In the optical analysis technique of detecting an existence of a single particle in a sample solution with a confocal microscope or a multiphoton microscope according to the scanning molecule counting method of the present invention, the position of a light detection region is moved in the sample solution; the light intensity from the light detection region is measured so that light intensity data will be generated; a first occurrence probability in assuming a first condition that no single particles exist in the light detection region and a second occurrence probability in assuming a second condition that a single particle exists in the light detection region for a time variation of light intensity value on the light intensity data are computed; and a signal indicating each single particle is detected based on those occurrence probabilities, and thereby enabling improvements in the sensitivity and/or S/N ratio.
US09494778B2	Scanning laser microscope Brightness information with a wide dynamic range is acquired and observed while preventing degradation of a detector. The invention provides a microscope system including a scanner that two-dimensionally scans laser light emitted from a light source unit on a specimen; a detector (41) that detects light from the specimen on which the laser light is scanned by the scanner and outputs a light intensity signal corresponding to the light intensity of the detected light; a PC that converts the light intensity signal output from the detector (41) to brightness information at each pixel corresponding to the scanning position of the scanner and that generates an image of the specimen; a second integrating circuit (70) that calculates an integrated value corresponding to the total light intensity signal output from the detector (41) within a given time; a comparator (55) that determines whether or not that integrated value of a voltage signal exceeds a prescribed threshold; and a high-voltage control portion (87) that stops detection of light by the detector (41) when it is determined by the comparator (55) that the voltage signal exceeds the prescribed threshold.
US09494772B1	Optical assembly for a wide field of view point action camera with low field curvature An optical assembly for a point action camera with a wide field of view includes multiple lens elements configured to provide a field of view in excess of 150 degrees. One or more lens elements has an aspheric surface. The optical assembly exhibits a low inward field curvature of less than 75 microns.
US09494763B2	Optical fiber routing mat Aspects of the present invention include an optical fiber routing mat for routing optical fibers. The optical fiber routing mat includes a first layer of material and a second layer of material. A surface of the first layer of material is adhesively coupled to a surface of the second layer of material. The optical fiber routing mat includes one or more optical fibers disposed between the first layer of material and the second layer of material. The one or more optical fibers are bent to a radius at least large enough to prevent damage to the one or more optical fibers.
US09494760B2	Highly configurable fiber-optic interconnection tray The present description relates to an optical fiber interconnection tray. The interconnection tray has a base extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, with a cable entrance at the first end of the tray. A first interconnection layer is disposed on the base, and a second interconnection layer is positioned over at least a portion of the first interconnection layer, wherein the second interconnection layer is disposed on a first repositionable mezzanine attached to the base at a plurality of locations.
US09494758B2	Fiber optic distribution system A fiber optic telecommunications system includes a frame and a fiber optic module mounted on the frame via a slide assembly that includes a gear mechanism. The slide assembly is defined by a rack mount portion, a center portion, and a main housing portion. The rack mount portion is stationarily coupled to the frame, the center portion is slidably coupled to the rack mount portion along a sliding direction, and the main housing portion is slidably coupled to the center portion along the sliding direction. The center portion includes a latch for unlatching the center portion for slidable movement, wherein movement of the center portion with respect to the rack mount portion moves the main housing portion relative to the frame along the sliding direction. The main housing portion is configured for mounting adapters that receive connectorized cables for routing through the frame. The main housing portion includes electrical contacts for relaying an electrical connection established between an adapter mounted on the main housing portion and an optical connector inserted into the adapter, the electrical connection relayed from the electrical contacts of the main housing portion to a frame controller mounted on the frame via printed circuit boards.
US09494754B2	Fiber optic cables and assemblies and the performance thereof A fiber optic drop cable includes an optical fiber, a tight buffer layer on the optical fiber, at least one strength member, and a jacket surrounding the tight buffer layer. The jacket is coupled to the at least one strength member by at least partial embedment of at least one of the strength members in the jacket, which facilitates coupling between the jacket and strength member. The fiber optic drop cable has an average delta attenuation of 0.4 dB or less at a reference wavelength of 1625 nanometers with the fiber optic cable wrapped 2 turns about a 7.5 millimeter diameter mandrel.
US09494751B2	Non-destructive dissipation of excess optical energy Optical energy in excess of that which is properly coupled into the core of an optical fiber is non-destructively redirected and benignly dissipated so as to minimize damage in a fiber coupled system.
US09494744B2	Fiber optic connector having a main connector body and a plurality of removable sub-connectors A fiber optic connector comprising a main connector body having a plurality of removable sub-connectors retained therein is disclosed. Each sub-connector has a ferrule for retaining a pair of optical fibers, such as a transmit/receive pair for example. When the main connector body of the fiber optic connector is inserted into a receptacle, each of the optical fibers retained in each ferrule of the plurality of sub-connectors is optically connected to the fiber optic receptacle. In this manner, the fiber optic connector can connect and disconnect a plurality of optical fibers in the sub-connectors at the same time. Additionally, individual sub-connectors can be removed, rearranged and replaced, without disturbing the optical connections of the other sub-connectors. This arrangement thus eliminates the need for breakout cables or other bulky solutions to convert between different multi-fiber and duplex applications.
US09494743B2	Optical fiber splicing unit, optical fiber splicing method, and holding member for optical fiber splicing unit An optical fiber splicing unit includes: a mechanical splice which aligns optical fibers and puts the optical fibers between half-split elements to splice the optical fibers to each other; a splice holder portion which holds the mechanical splice; fixing member guide portions which respectively guide anchoring fixation members that are respectively fixed to the optical fibers at two sides of the held mechanical splice; anchoring portions which respectively anchor the anchoring fixation members, the anchoring fixation members being respectively guided by the fixing member guide portions and advancing; and a first spacer which abuts one anchoring fixation member and is disposed to be retracted to restrict the advancement of said one anchoring fixation member, said one anchoring fixation member being guided by one fixing member guide portion and advancing.
US09494740B2	Optical architecture with riser cards a matrix and optic cables to carry outbound signals of the matrix to the riser cards Methods and apparatus for optical architectures are disclosed. An optical architecture includes first and second riser cards and first and second components carried by the first and second riser cards respectively. The optical architecture also includes a first matrix to fan-out a multi-bit optical input signal into first and second outbound signals, and first and second fiber optic cables to carry the first and second outbound signals to the first and second riser cards, respectively.
US09494738B1	Single mode fiber combiners Single mode fiber beam combiners are formed by extending single mode fibers through a glass ferrule, and tapering and fusing the fibers and the ferrule. Tapers can be selected so that optical power input to each of the single mode fibers remains partially guided by the single mode fiber cladding, or is guided by the multimode fiber formed by the glass ferrule and the fused fiber claddings. Such combiners can include double clad fibers or actively doped fibers for use in lasers or amplifiers.
US09494735B2	AWG supporting multiple frequency bands and channel plans through respective multiple inputs Roughly described, an AWG has two or more inputs and multiple outputs. By selecting the angular spacing among the inputs, and by designing the different inputs to address different orders of the waveguide array, the device can be designed such that the inputs will carry frequency bands having any desired center frequency spacing and any desired same or different channel spacing. For example a dual input device can be designed such that one input carries C-band channels and the other input carries L-band channels, and both have channel spacings that match or substantially match the ITU grid.
US09494733B2	Apparatus for compensating image of display and method for manufacturing same An apparatus for compensating an image of a display includes a light incident surface, a light emitting surface, and a plurality of light guiding channels. An area of the light emitting surface is greater than an area of the light incident surface. The plurality of light guiding channels are independent from each other, each light guiding channel extends from the light incident surface to the light emitting surface. A cross section area of the light guiding channel increases along a direction from the first light incident surface to the first light emitting surface. Light from the light incident surface is extended to the light emitting surface by the light guiding channels. The present invention further discloses a method for manufacturing the same.
US09494725B2	Light projection apparatus, light condensing unit, and light emitting apparatus A light projection apparatus that can produce an elongate light projection pattern is provided. The light projection apparatus includes a fluorescent member which is excited with exciting light and a light projecting member which reflects or transmits the light emanating from the fluorescent member to project it outside. The fluorescent member includes an irradiated region which is irradiated with the exciting light, and the length of the irradiated region in a first direction is greater than its length in a second direction.
US09494724B2	Liquid crystal display device A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel, a pair of polarizing layers, a lighting device, and an output angle control member. The liquid crystal panel includes a pair of substrates, and a liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal layer is interposed between the pair of substrates. The pair of polarizing layers is arranged on a light input side and a light output side of the liquid crystal layer. The lighting device is arranged on the light input side of the liquid crystal panel and radiates light toward the liquid crystal panel. The output angle control member is arranged on the light output side of the liquid crystal panel and controls an output angle of light which is output from the liquid crystal panel. An azimuth angle direction in which a view angle of the liquid crystal panel is relatively narrow and an azimuth angle direction in which an intensity of light which is radiated toward the liquid crystal panel from the lighting device is relatively small approximately match in an azimuth angle direction which is viewed from a direction normal to the liquid crystal panel.
US09494717B2	Transparent substrate provided with a thin-film multilayer The invention relates to a transparent substrate provided with a thin-film multilayer comprising a metallic layer having infrared-reflection properties located between two, subjacent and superjacent, nonmetallic dielectric coatings, the superjacent dielectric coating comprising the sequence of thin layers deposited in the following order: at least one high-refractive-index layer, the physical thickness of the high-refractive-index layer or the sum of the physical thicknesses of the high-refractive-index layers lying between 15 and 40 nm; and at least one low-refractive-index layer, the physical thickness of the low-refractive-index layer or the sum of the physical thicknesses of the low-refractive-index layers lying between 40 and 120 nm, the refractive index difference between the one or more high-refractive-index layers and the one or more low-refractive-index layers lying between 0.7 and 1.2, preferably between 0.8 and 1.1. The invention allows the solar factor of a multiple glazing unit to be increased, and an acceptable color, especially in transmission, which is in particular less green, even also less yellow, to be obtained for a multiple glazing unit.
US09494715B2	Nanoscale plasmonic field-effect modulator A plasmonic device having a transparent conducting oxide (TCO) waveguide and a tunable voltage applied across the TCO and a metal layer for modulating an input optical signal.
US09494713B2	Optical article comprising a temporary antifog coating based on sorbitan surfactants An optical article includes a substrate having a main surface coated with an antireflection coating and, directly contacting the antireflection coating, a precursor coating of an antifog coating obtained through the grafting on the antireflection coating of at least one compound B bearing a polyoxyalkylene group, the coating precursor of the antifog coating being coated with a surfactant film so as to form an antifog coating. The surfactant film contains at least one surfactant A having a sorbitan ring hydroxyl groups functionalized with OH-terminated polyoxyalkylene groups and R1 groups of formula:—(RdO)z—(Y)n2—R′, in which Rd is an alkylene group, z is an integer >1, Y is a divalent group, n2 is 0 or 1 and R′ is a saturated hydrocarbon group having 12 to 19, preferably 13 to 19 carbon atoms. Surfactants A provide a visual indication whether or not the antifogging effect will still be long-lasting.
US09494710B2	Determining well integrity A method performed with a computing system for determining well integrity includes receiving a selection of a well configuration of a well, and receiving a selection of a wellbore operation performed with the well configuration. The selected well configuration includes one or more casing strings and a production tubing extending from adjacent a wellhead of the well to adjacent a bottom of the well. In some examples, the method further includes determining, based on the well configuration and the wellbore operation, a characteristic of the well at or adjacent the one or more casing strings and the production tubing during the wellbore operation, and modifying the well configuration to remove the production tubing. In some examples, the method still further includes determining, based on the modified well configuration and the wellbore operation, the characteristic of the well at or adjacent the one or more casing strings during the wellbore operation.
US09494704B2	Estimating formation stresses using sonic data Maximum and minimum horizontal stresses are estimated using radial profiles of shear moduli for a deviated borehole. Inversion enables estimation of maximum and minimum horizontal stresses using radial profiles of three shear moduli associated with an orthogonal set of axis defined by the deviated borehole azimuth from the North and the deviation of the longitudinal axis of the borehole from the vertical.
US09494702B2	Device and method for de-blending simultaneous shooting data A device, medium and method for de-blending seismic data associated with a subsurface of the earth. The method includes a step of receiving seismic data “d” recorded with one or more land receivers, wherein the seismic data includes shot recordings generated by plural sources that are simultaneously actuated; a step of forming either a continuous receiver trace or trace segments from the received seismic data; a step of selecting plural overlapping spatial blocks that cover the surface shot locations; a step of assigning the shot recordings to the plural overlapping spatial blocks; a step of applying a mathematical technique to the recordings to determine de-blended data; and a step of generating an image of the subsurface based on the de-blended data.
US09494695B2	Radiation monitor A radiation monitor includes a high-energy count-rate-measurement functional unit, a low-energy count-rate-measurement functional unit, and an alert-diagnosis functional unit. The alert-diagnosis functional unit receives an alert from the high-energy count-rate-measurement functional unit, receives a low-energy count rate from the low-energy count-rate-measurement functional unit, determines whether or not the low-energy count rate is in a set acceptable range by performing synchronizing with alert transmission, determines that the alert is caused by fluctuation, when the low-energy count rate is in the acceptable range, determines that the alert is caused by any of an increase in the γ ray which is a measurement target or enter of noise, when the low-energy count rate is increased beyond the acceptable range, and outputs results of determination.
US09494690B2	Systems and methods for identifying attributes located along segments of a driving route Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer program products for identify the probability of a particular attribute being located along a segment of interest for a driving route. In general, various embodiments of the invention involve representing the segment of the driving route by patterns of speed variations obtained from GPS elements along the segment of the driving route and using the representation as input for functions representing various types of attributes to determine the probability of a particular type of attribute existing along the segment of the driving route.
US09494688B2	Range sensor and range image sensor A light receiving region has a planar shape of a rectangular shape having a pair of long sides opposed to each other in a first direction and a pair of short sides opposed to each other in a second direction. First and second semiconductor regions are arranged as spatially separated from each other along the respective long sides. First and second gate electrodes are arranged each between the corresponding semiconductor region and the light receiving region. Third gate electrodes are arranged as spatially separated from each other between the first and second gate electrodes arranged along the long sides. Each of the third gate electrodes has a first electrode portion located between a third semiconductor region and the light receiving region, and a second electrode portion overlapping with the light receiving region and having a width in the second direction smaller than that of the first electrode portion.
US09494687B2	Seeker having scanning-snapshot FPA A dual-mode laser-based and image-based seeker for projectiles, missiles, and other ordnance that persecute targets by detecting and tracking energy scattered from targets. The disclosed embodiments use a single digital imager having a single focal plane array (FPA) sensor to sense data in both the image-based and laser-based modes of operation. A control mechanism controls pixel scanning at a sub-window of the FPA to tightly control the imager's shuttering to detect, decode and localize in the imager's field-of-view a known pulse repetition frequency (PRF) from a known designator in the presence of ambient light and other confusing target designators, each having a different PRF.
US09494677B2	System and method for suppressing radio frequency transmissions A system and method for suppressing radio frequency (“RF”) transmissions includes a transmitter for transmitting electronic signals that suppresses (e.g., prevents, disrupts, jams, interferes with or otherwise disables) RF transmissions. Some embodiments of the invention include a transmitter that suppresses one or more signals transmitted from a target transmitter in an RF transmission system to a target receiver in a wireless device operating in the RF transmission system to prevent, disrupt, jam, interfere with or otherwise disable an RF transmission between the target transmitter and the target receiver in the wireless device (i.e., target wireless device). These systems and methods may be used to interrupt communication, command and control of non-friendly combatant. These systems and methods may also be used to suppress RF transmissions to prevent the detonation of improvised explosive devices, or IEDs.
US09494665B2	Magnetic resonance analysis using a plurality of pairs of bipolar gradient pulses A magnetic resonance method is disclosed. The method comprises applying to the sample a plurality of pairs of bipolar gradient pulse subsequences, acquiring a magnetic resonance signal from the sample, analyzing the signal, and issuing a report regarding the analysis.
US09494664B2	Neck coil arrangements for magnetic resonance imaging Systems and methods for coil arrangements in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are provided. One arrangement includes a magnet bore, a radio-frequency (RF) transmit coil coupled to the magnet bore and at least one RF neck coil coupled to the magnet bore. The RF neck coil is movable within the magnet bore under and separate from a table within the magnet bore.
US09494649B2	Adaptive digital delay line for characterization of clock uncertainties An integrated circuit (IC) measures uncertainties in a first signal. The IC comprises a programmable delay circuit to introduce a programmable delay to the first signal to generate a first delayed signal. The IC further comprises a digital delay line (DDL) comprising a first delay chain of delay elements having input to receive the first delayed signal. The DDL further comprises a set of storage elements, each storage element having an input coupled to an output of a corresponding delay element of the first delay chain, and an output to provide a corresponding bit of a digital reading. The DDL additionally comprises a decoder to generate a digital signature from the digital reading and a controller to iteratively adjust the programmed delay of the programmable delay circuit to search for a failure in a resulting digital signature.
US09494647B1	Systems and methods involving data inversion devices, circuitry, schemes and/or related aspects Systems and methods of data inversion, circuitry, detection and/or schemes are disclosed. According to illustrative implementations, exemplary circuitry may include static detection or detection circuitry such as those involving static current sources to detect a threshold for data inversion, pre-conditioning of detection circuitry, and/or active detection circuitry or schemes. In some implementations, exemplary memory or data inversion circuitry may comprise a transistor array, a bias generator, and a sense amplifier, wherein the transistor array may comprise at least one pair of transistor circuits arranged so that an output of the transistor array is provided as a sum or function of signal/current outputs of at least some of the transistor circuits in the array. As set forth, various systems, methods and circuitry herein may posses only a 3 static gate delay, such that very high speed and/or fast flow-through is achieved.
US09494646B2	Method for testing integrated circuit and integrated circuit configured to facilitate performing such a method An integrated circuit, such as for example an application specific integrated circuit, as well as a method of testing such a circuit, are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, the integrated circuit includes a plurality of pins including a power pin, a ground pin, and a first communication pin, a test mode circuit, and a communication circuit. The integrated circuit additionally includes a first switch connected to the first communication pin, where the first switch is configured to couple the first communication pin to either the test mode circuit or the communication circuit. The integrated circuit further includes a control circuit coupled to the first switch and configured to control whether the first switch is operated to couple the first communication pin to the test mode circuit or to the communication circuit based upon or in response to an operating mode.
US09494642B2	Systems and methods for conforming test tooling to integrated circuit device profiles with ejection mechanisms A test pusher assembly, useful in association with a thermal control unit used to maintain a set point temperature on an integrated circuit device under test, is provided with ejection mechanisms configured to facilitate the disengagement of the DUT at the end of the test. One example of the ejection mechanisms is to provide the substrate pusher assembly with spring-loaded pins that can push the substrate of the DUT away from the pedestal at the end of the test. Another example of the ejection mechanisms is to use a pressurized fluid that can push the substrate of the DUT away from the pedestal at the end of the test.
US09494632B1	High-voltage detector monitoring system A mechanism for providing monitoring of electric field detectors. In accordance with instructions on a machine-readable medium, a computing system receives from a device data corresponding to a user identifier. Further, the computing device identifies from a plurality of electric field detectors one or more electric field detectors associated with the user identifier and identifies status data for each of the identified one or more electric field detectors. The status data for each electric field detector in the plurality of electric field detectors comprises data indicative of at least (i) a location of the electric field detector and (ii) an alarm state of the electric field detector. Additionally, the computing system causes a display component of the device to display a graphical user interface that presents indicia of the status data for each of the identified one or more electric field detectors.
US09494629B2	Process and apparatus for capacitive seat occupant sensing for motor vehicles The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for capacitive seat-occupancy recognition for vehicle seats. The apparatus which is based on the method comprises a reference capacitor that possesses a capacitance with respect to a first reference potential of a vehicle, an electrode integrated into a seat sensor that possess a capacitance with respect to a first reference potential, an at least parasitically-present capacitance of the sensor electrode with respect to a second reference potential or the vehicle ground, a first switch that connects the reference capacitor and a reference-voltage source of known voltage connected with the reference potential, a second switch that connects the sensor electrode with reference capacitor, and a third switch that connects the sensor electrode with the reference potential and the at least parasitically-present capacitance with the vehicle ground.
US09494627B1	Touch detection techniques for capacitive touch sense systems A technique for recognizing and rejecting false activation events related to a capacitance sense interface includes measuring a capacitance value of a capacitance sense element. The measured capacitance value is analyzed to determine a baseline capacitance value for the capacitance sensor. The capacitance sense interface monitors a rate of change of the measured capacitance values and rejects an activation of the capacitance sense element as a non-touch event when the rate of change of the measured capacitance values have a magnitude greater than a threshold level, indicative of a maximum rate of change of a touch event.
US09494621B2	Interference compensating single point detecting current sensor for a multiplex busbar A single point detecting current sensor includes a plurality of magnetic sensor modules, wherein a magnetic sensor module is installed onto each busbars with an insulation displacement contact or is installed adjacent to each busbar, and outputs the current through a busbars measured by a magnetic sensor; a signal collection module collecting measured signals output by the plurality of magnetic sensor modules; and a signal interference compensation module deriving a corrected current value for which interference has been removed, by calculating the mutual interference between said busbars using the signals collected by said signal collection module.
US09494619B2	Electrical current transducer A closed-loop current transducer comprising a magnetic circuit, a magnetic field detector, and a compensation coil assembly configured to generate a magnetic field opposing a magnetic field created by an electrical current to be measured flowing in one or more primary conductors extending through a central opening of the magnetic circuit. The magnetic circuit comprises a first branch, a second branch, and first and second end branches, interconnecting the first and second branches such that the branches surround a central passage through which the one or more primary conductors may extend, the second branch forming a receptacle that defines a cavity extending in an axial direction A for receiving a sensing portion of the magnetic field detector, the second branch comprising two second branch portions separated by an interface resulting from the bringing together of opposed ends of a single piece magnetic circuit.
US09494615B2	Method of making and assembling capsulated nanostructures An encapsulated nanostructure fabricated using layers of polymer material and further processed for use in a micro-scale target device is presented. The fabrication includes the formation on a substrate of an array of encapsulated nanostructures. The encapsulated nanostructures each include a nanostructure and a micro-scale, multi-block structure that encapsulates the nanostructure. Each encapsulated nanostructure can be made usable by a target device by removing, e.g., by etching, one of the layers to expose a portion of the nanostructure.
US09494613B2	Modular flow injection analysis system A modular flow injection analysis system has a sample connection, a reagent inflow and a media discharge. The analysis system is formed of a plurality of functional modules stacked one on top of the other. These functional modules include a metering module including a metering channel having an inlet and an outlet, a mixing module including a mixing channel having an inlet and an outlet, an analysis module including a media chamber connected to the outlet of the mixing channel, and a media control module. The modules are connected by aligned media channels. These media channels replace the conventional tube connections. They are connected automatically when the modules are fitted together.
US09494610B2	Sample processing apparatus management system, sample processing apparatus and management apparatus, and management method Provided is a sample processing apparatus management system, sample processing apparatuses and a management apparatus, and a management method that can accurately and easily adjust the respective sample processing apparatuses irrespective of their individual differences. When abnormality has occurred in a sample analyzer, the sample analyzer requests approval for self-adjustment from a management server. The management server determines whether to permit performance of the self-adjustment, and when having determined to permit the self-adjustment, notifies the sample analyzer of the approval for the self-adjustment. When the approval for the self-adjustment has been notified of, the sample analyzer performs the self-adjustment.
US09494598B2	Highly sensitive system and method for analysis of troponin The invention provides methods, compositions, kits, and systems for the sensitive detection of cardiac troponin, Such methods, compositions, kits, and systems are useful in diagnosis, prognosis, and determination of methods of treatment in conditions that involve release of cardiac troponin.
US09494597B2	Human control antibodies and uses therefor The present invention provides novel, rationally designed human control antibodies for use in various in vivo and in vitro applications. The antibodies of the present invention have well characterized variable domains that have been designed to minimize or eliminate antigen binding without altering gross antibody structure. Using the antibodies of the present invention in various assays allows researchers to distinguish effects that result from specific antigen-antibody interactions from other, non-specific antibody effects.
US09494596B2	Devices and methods for detecting amniotic fluid in vaginal secretions The present invention relates to a diagnostic method for the detection of small quantities of amniotic fluid in the vagina. More specifically, the invention relates to the detection of PAMG-1 in the vagina using anti-PAMG-1 antibodies.
US09494589B2	Method of determining the probability of a therapeutic response in cancer chemotherapy with cardiac glycoside A prognostic assay and kit and method of use thereof are provided. The kit and assay are used to determine the likelihood of a diseased cell or tissue having a therapeutic response to treatment with a cardiac glycoside in a disease having an etiology associated with excessive cell proliferation. The kit and assay are used to determine the ratio of isoforms of the α subunit of Na, K-ATPase obtained from the diseased cell or tissue. The kit can be used to predict the therapeutic responsiveness of cancer or tumor in a subject to treatment with a cardiac glycoside. The kit and assay can be incorporated in a method of treating a disease or disorder having an etiology associated with excessive cell proliferation with a composition comprising a cardiac glycoside.
US09494575B2	Cells screening method Provided are a method and means permitting the simultaneous measurement of the reactive properties of more than 10,000 of antigen-stimulated lymphocytes being held on a chip. A microwell array comprises multiple wells capturing single cells and a coating layer on a principal surface around the wells containing a substance capable of binding to a substance produced by the cells in the wells. A method for screening a target cell comprises: causing specimen cells and a cell culture broth to be contained in the wells of the microwell array; culturing the cells in a state permitting the diffusion of substances from the wells into the coating layer; feeding a label substance binding specifically to a substance produced by a target cell onto the coating layer; and detecting the substance produced by the target cell by the label substance binding around the well to specify the target cell.
US09494574B2	T-cell death-inducing epitopes Cell death-inducing epitopes and polypeptides containing same. Also disclosed are compounds for inducing death of activated T-cells, a method of producing antibodies to the epitopes, a method of identifying compounds that bind to the epitopes, a method of inducing death of activated T-cells, and pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds.
US09494572B2	Method and compositions for treating cancer and related methods The present invention relates to anti-cancer therapeutics. In certain aspects, cancers are treated with a combination of an anti-EGFR agent and an agent that increases the activity of the KLF6 tumor suppressor gene and/or an agent that increases activity of the FOXO1 tumor suppressor gene. In a preferred aspect, the anti-EGFR agent erlotinib a tricyclic agent compound, are used in combination to treat non-small cell lung cancer in a patient with primary or acquired drug resistance to erlotinib, and wherein the tricyclic agent is administered in an amount that does not lead to a substantial central nervous system effect. In additional aspects, the invention relates to compositions and kits useful for treating cancers, methods for screening for compounds that enhance the activity of anti-EGFR agent, and methods for determining whether a patient will respond to anti-EGFR therapy.
US09494571B2	Methods of testing for intracellular pathogens A first intracellular pathogen in a biological sample that may contain more than one intracellular pathogen is studied by a method comprising the steps of (i) contacting the sample with a population of cells in the presence of an agent inhibiting the reproduction of a second intracellular pathogen; (ii) incubating the cells under conditions that permit the reproduction of the first intracellular pathogen; and (iii) testing material arising from step (ii) for the first intracellular pathogen.
US09494567B2	Near-infrared lasers for non-invasive monitoring of glucose, ketones, HBA1C, and other blood constituents Non-invasive monitoring of blood constituents such as glucose, ketones, or hemoglobin A1c may be accomplished using near-infrared or short-wave infrared (SWIR) light sources through absorbance, diffuse reflection, or transmission spectroscopy. As an example, hydro-carbon related substances such as glucose or ketones have distinct spectral features in the SWIR between approximately 1500 and 2500 nm. An SWIR super-continuum laser based on laser diodes and fiber optics may be used as the light source for the non-invasive monitoring. Light may be transmitted or reflected through a tooth, since an intact tooth and its enamel and dentine may be nearly transparent in the SWIR. Blood constituents or analytes within the capillaries in the dental pulp may be detected. The non-invasive monitoring device may communicate with a device such as a smart phone or tablet, which may transmit a signal related to the measurement to the cloud with cloud-based value-added services.
US09494565B2	Hatching egg inspection apparatus with vibration isolation A hatching egg inspection apparatus includes: a plurality of light emitter, the light emitter being disposed two dimensionally at prescribed positions; light receiver, which are provided in a one-to-one relationship with the light emitter and each of which receives light from the corresponding light emitter; and an egg container, which is for arraying in advance a hatching egg between each of the light emitter and the light receiver corresponding thereto. Each hatching egg is inspected by the corresponding light receiver that receives, among the lights from all the light emitter, transmitted light that transmitted through the interior of the hatching egg. When one light emitter of the plurality of light emitter is emitting light, other of the light emitter within a prescribed range centered on the one light emitter do not emit light.
US09494555B2	System and method for measuring an analyte in a sample and calculating glucose results to account for physical characteristics of the sample Described are methods and systems to apply a plurality of test voltages to the test strip and measure a current transient output resulting from an electrochemical reaction in a test chamber of the test strip so that a glucose concentration can be determined that account for hematocrits in both typical subjects and neonates.
US09494550B1	Protected sensor field effect transistors Protected sensor field effect transistors (SFETs). The SFETs include a semiconductor substrate, a field effect transistor, and a sense electrode. The SFETs further include an analyte-receiving region that is supported by the semiconductor substrate, is in contact with the sense electrode, and is configured to receive an analyte fluid. The analyte-receiving region is at least partially enclosed. In some embodiments, the analyte-receiving region can be an enclosed analyte channel that extends between an analyte inlet and an analyte outlet. In these embodiments, the enclosed analyte channel extends such that the analyte inlet and the analyte outlet are spaced apart from the sense electrode. In some embodiments, the SFETs include a cover structure that at least partially encloses the analyte-receiving region and is formed from a cover material that is soluble within the analyte fluid. The methods include methods of manufacturing the SFETs.
US09494543B2	MEMS electrochemical gas sensor Disclosed is an electrochemical gas sensor using micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS). The MEMS electrochemical gas sensor includes: a substrate a lower central region of which is etched by a predetermined thickness; a first insulation film formed on the substrate; a heat emitting resistance body formed on the first insulation film; a second insulation film formed on the heat emitting resistance body; a reference electrode formed in an upper central region of the second insulation film; a solid electrolyte formed on the reference electrode; and a detection electrode formed on the solid electrolyte.
US09494534B2	Material differentiation with phase contrast imaging A method and system to determine material composition of an object comprises capturing a series of digital radiographic images of the object using a single exposure energy level. An intensity of the captured images is determined as well as phase shift differences. A difference in material composition of the object may be determined based on a combination of the determined intensity and the modulated phase shifts of the captured images.
US09494523B2	Method for verifying representativeness of sample collected in contaminated soil Disclosed is a method for verifying representativeness of samples collected in a contaminated soil. The method includes the steps of horizontally and vertically collecting the samples from the contaminated soil on a basis of a stratum of the contaminated soil at a predetermined sampling interval; measuring a total concentration of trace elements by analyzing the collected samples according to the sampling interval; and determining horizontal and vertical sampling intervals and a sample number based on a statistical analysis result for the total concentration of the trace elements.
US09494522B2	Device and method for stimulated Raman detection According to one aspect, the invention relates to a device for detecting a resonant non-linear optical signal of Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) type induced in a sample. The device comprises electro-optical means for making interact in the sample, at a first modulation frequency, trains of light pulses of angular frequencies ω1 and ω2 and, at a second modulation frequency, trains of light pulses of angular frequencies ω2 and ω3, such that ω2−ω1=ω3−ω2=ΩR where ΩR is a molecular vibrational resonant angular frequency of the sample. Moreover, the device comprises means for synchronous detection at the first and second modulation frequencies of non-linear optical signals resulting from the interaction of the light pulses in the sample, and electronic processing means making it possible to obtain, from electronic signals resulting from the synchronous detection, a signal characterizing the molecular vibrational resonance of the sample.
US09494518B2	Multiscale spectral nanoscopy A system and method for non-invasively tracking a particle in a sample is disclosed. The system includes a 2-photon or confocal laser scanning microscope (LSM) and a particle-holding device coupled to a stage with X-Y and Z position control. The system also includes a tracking module having a tracking excitation laser, X-Y and Z radiation-gathering components configured to detect deviations of the particle in an X-Y and Z directions. The system also includes a processor coupled to the X-Y and Z radiation gathering components, generate control signals configured to drive the stage X-Y and Z position controls to track the movement of the particle. The system may also include a synchronization module configured to generate LSM pixels stamped with stage position and a processing module configured to generate a 3D image showing the 3D trajectory of a particle using the LSM pixels stamped with stage position.
US09494517B2	Gold and silver quantum clusters in molecular containers and methods for their preparation and use A composition includes a quantum cluster of Agm or Aun, one or more protector molecules; and a molecular cavity partially or wholly surrounding the quantum cluster. A method for preparing the quantum clusters includes adding a first amount of glutathione to a gold salt, a silver salt, or a mixture thereof to form a mixture; adding a reducing agent to the mixture to form a precipitate; and mixing the precipitate with a second amount of glutathione and a cyclodextrin to form a composition. Devices are prepared from the quantum clusters, and the devices may be used in methods of authentication of articles.
US09494505B2	Scanning non-contact surface microrheometer The disclosure provides non-contact microrheological methods that can measure the fluctuation of a particle in a monolayer, where the particle is hydrodynamically coupled to the monolayer. The disclosure further comprises devices to carry out the non-contact microrheological methods thereof, including Laser Tweezer devices which can study in vitro biological processes.
US09494499B2	Aspiration-free well plate apparatus and methods A well plate includes a including a top portion, a bottom portion and a membrane disposed between the top portion and the bottom portion. The top portion defines a sample well in fluid communication with an opening defined by the membrane and in fluid communication with a reservoir defined by the bottom portion. The well plate is configured to be used in a centrifugation process of a test sample including a sample material and a wash liquid. The test sample configured to be received within the sample well and the reservoir. The membrane configured to filter the wash liquid from the test sample during the centrifugation process such that the wash liquid can pass from the reservoir, through the membrane and can be captured within a collection chamber while the sample material remains within the reservoir.
US09494494B2	Calibrating apparatus of tire testing machine and calibrating method of tire testing machine A calibrating apparatus of a tire testing machine of the present invention calibrates force components along a lateral direction of a load cell on a tire testing machine provided with a rotary drum and the load cell mounted to a shaft portion of the rotary drum and capable of measuring force applied to the rotary drum, and has a hook member hooked on an outer peripheral edge of the rotary drum, a linear body, one end side of which is connected to the hook member, a load applying member connected to the other end side of the linear body and capable of generating a reference load toward a downward direction, and a pulley device around which the linear body is wound to convert the downward force by the load applying member into an upward force on one end side of the linear body.
US09494490B2	Creep life management system for a turbine engine and method of operating the same A creep life management system includes at least one sensor apparatus coupled to a first component. The at least one sensor apparatus is configured with a unique identifier. The creep life management system also includes at least one reader unit coupled to a second component. The at least one reader unit is configured to transmit an interrogation request signal to the at least one sensor apparatus and receive a measurement response signal transmitted from the at least one sensor apparatus. The creep life management system further includes at least one processor programmed to determine a real-time creep profile of the first component as a function of the measurement response signal transmitted from the at least one sensor apparatus.
US09494483B2	Measuring system for measuring an imaging quality of an EUV lens A measuring system (10) for measuring an imaging quality of an EUV lens (30) includes a diffractive test structure (26), a measurement light radiating device (16) which is configured to radiate measurement light (21) in the EUV wavelength range onto the test structure, a variation device (28) for varying at least one image-determining parameter of an imaging of the test structure that is effected by a lens, a detector (14) for recording an image stack including a plurality of images generated with different image-determining parameters being set, and an evaluation device (15) which is configured to determine the imaging quality of the lens from the image stack.
US09494477B2	Dynamic pressure sensor According to various embodiments, a dynamic pressure sensor includes a substrate, a reference volume formed in the substrate, a deflectable membrane sealing the reference volume, a deflection sensing element coupled to the membrane and configured to measure a deflection of the membrane, and a ventilation hole configured to equalize an absolute pressure inside the reference volume with an absolute ambient pressure outside the reference volume.
US09494472B2	Device for measuring the temperature of a vibrating beam and application to the improvement of the precision of measurement of a vibrating-beam sensor The invention is a device for measuring the temperature of the vibrating beam of a vibrating-beam sensor. It comprises a resonator (10) vibrating in torsion in resonant mode and exhibiting a torsional vibration node (N), said node being its zone of fixing in the vicinity of the middle of the length (L3) of the vibrating beam, said fixing allowing thermal transfers between the resonator and the beam. The frequency of the resonator and the variations of this frequency are representative respectively of the mean temperature T of the beam and of the variations of this temperature T, the effects of which may be compensated by a model.
US09494465B2	Raman spectroscopic apparatus, raman spectroscopic method, and electronic apparatus A Raman spectroscopic apparatus analyzes a substance under analysis and includes a light source that emits light of a first wavelength, an optical device that adsorbs the substance under analysis and is irradiated with the light of the first wavelength, and an optical detector that receives light radiated from the optical device. The optical device includes a first structural member that generates charge transfer resonance in response to the light of the first wavelength and a second structural member that is less than or equal to 5 nm from the first structural member and generates surface plasmon resonance in response to the light of the first wavelength. The first structural member is made of a metal or a semiconductor, and the second structural member is made of a metal different from the material of the first structural member.
US09494461B2	Detecting broadside acoustic signals with a fiber optical distrubuted acoustic sensing (DAS) assembly A distributed fiber optic acoustic sensing system comprises an elongate body having an outer surface, an optical fiber disposed on the outer surface at a first predetermined wrap angle, and light transmitting and receiving means optically connected to the fiber for. The elongate body may include at least one substantially flat face, and/or a layer of swellable elastomer surrounding the body, and/or an outer elastomeric tube surrounding the elastomer layer. There may be at least one sensor pad disposed in the outer layer, the sensor pad comprising a stiffener and at least one longitudinal fiber affixed thereto or embedded therein. There may be a body of protective material surrounding the tube, which may have an outer surface that includes at least one substantially flat face and at least one sensor pad disposed in the body.
US09494456B2	Dry product dosage dispenser with multiple storage compartments and method for producing same A container with an internal partition within its cavity has multiple compartments for dispensing multiple dry products. The partition comprises a first elongated portion, which forms a product-dispensing chute in the cavity, and an inclined portion slanting away from the chute. The inclined portion has a surrounding perimeter edge that meets with adjacent inner walls of the container except at a bottom perimeter edge, along which dry products pass from the top of the inclined portion. A second elongated portion extends from the top of the inclined portion and across its bottom perimeter edge, dividing the remaining cavity into first and second product storage areas. Additional elongated portions may form additional product storage areas. Flipping of the dispenser from its upright position dispenses products below the inclined portion through the chute. An adjustable bottom can be used to vary doses of the products.
US09494450B2	Method for calibrating a trigger unit and cascadable sensor therefor A method is disclosed for calibrating a trigger unit which is connected via a trigger line to at least two sensors configured to be triggered. Each sensor is connected between two successive line portions of the trigger line. Each sensor has an input and an output, a controllable interrupter between the input and output; and a control circuit, which controls the interrupter. The interrupters of all sensors are initially open. The method comprises the following: transmitting a trigger pulse; in the sensor: receiving the trigger pulse and returning a response; in the trigger unit: receiving the response and calibrating the trigger unit; repeating the aforementioned steps, wherein each sensor reflects the trigger pulse, and the trigger unit measures the propagation times and is calibrated thereto.
US09494447B2	Methods and systems for attitude differentiation in enhanced vision images Methods and systems are provided for displaying information on a flight deck display onboard an aircraft. An exemplary method comprises obtaining image data for an imaging region and displaying, on the display device, a graphical representation of a first portion of the image data using a first visually distinguishable characteristic and a graphical representation of a second portion of the image data using a second visually distinguishable characteristic. The first portion corresponds to a portion of the image data above an attitude reference and the second portion corresponds to a portion of the image data below the attitude reference, and the first visually distinguishable characteristic and the second visually distinguishable characteristic are different.
US09494440B2	Generating travel routes for increased visual interest A computer system identifies data representing interest of users in a plurality of geographic sites, such as images of geographic sites submitted by people to public photo sharing sites. The system generates a “heat map” representing densities of the interest data. The system generates a route from a starting location to an ending location. The route includes at least one of the plurality of geographic sites, even if the route is not the maximally efficient route from the starting location to the ending location (measured, e.g., in terms of the total time required to travel the route or the total distance of the route). The system favors high-temperature sites for inclusion in the route, but ensures that the route does not deviate too far from the route having the shortest possible distance between the starting location and the ending location at the expense of including high-temperature sites.
US09494439B1	Autonomous vehicle operated with guide assistance of human driven vehicles Examples described herein include an autonomous vehicle that receives guide assistance from a human driven vehicle in response to a determination that the autonomous vehicle cannot progress safely on its route.
US09494436B2	Visual prompts for route navigation A portable navigation prompt device comprises a processor; a wireless communication module; a discrete light source arrangement; and a memory having stored therein executable instructions configured to cause the portable navigation prompt device to establish wireless communication with a master navigation device configured to generate route navigation events based on progress along a navigable route; receive information representing a route navigation event from the master navigation device, wherein the route navigation event is selected from a plurality of available route navigation events; and output a route navigation prompt that corresponds to the first route navigation event, wherein the route navigation prompt comprises a first illumination of the discrete light source arrangement that distinguishes the route navigation event from other available route navigation events. The discrete light source arrangement may comprise, for example, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs).
US09494434B2	Method of representing road lanes A method is disclosed for representing road lanes as data in a database that can be used by a system in a vehicle to provide a safety-related function. Each data representation of a physical road lane includes data indicating start and end points of the represented lane and other data attributes pertaining to the represented lane, including data indicating what physical features are adjacent to the represented lane on right and left sides thereof and data indicating a geometry of the represented lane. Further, at least some of the data representations of lanes are associated with data representations of sublanes. Each data representation of a sublane includes data indicating start and end points thereof, defined relative to the lane of which the sublane is a part. A data representation of a sublane includes at least one data attribute associated therewith that pertains to the represented sublane and that is different than the same attribute of the lane of which the sublane is a part. The database is compatible with navigation-related applications that use a different data model to provide navigation-related functions.
US09494432B2	Collaborative navigation techniques for mobile devices Various methods, apparatuses and/or articles of manufacture are provided which may be implemented to perform and/or otherwise support collaborative navigation between a plurality of mobile devices. In one example, a first mobile device, in response to a determination that at least a second mobile device is located within a threshold distance of the first mobile device, may obtain a navigation parameter indicative of an initial position and/or movement of the second mobile device which was determined based, at least in part, on a measurement from a sensor at the second mobile device. The first mobile device then affect a determined position and/or movement of the first mobile device based, at least in part, on the navigation parameter.
US09494431B2	Method for acquiring or providing update information for route to third party and apparatus for same Provided is a method for providing update information for a route from a terminal to a destination to the terminal, wherein the destination is designated as location of the third party being moving, which is performed by a server and comprising: receiving location information of the terminal from the terminal; determining whether the location of the third party has been changed; generating update information for the route based on the received location information and the changed location of the third party upon determining that the location of the third party has been changed; and notifying the terminal of the update information according to types of the update information, wherein the location information of the terminal is received when the terminal deviates from or detours around the route, when the terminal enters a specific segment on the route set by the server, or when the terminal moves by a predetermined distance.
US09494427B2	System and method for providing a directional interface A system and method for providing directional feedback. A user selection of a directional indicator is received from a first directional interface. The directional indicator is converted to an encoded signal. The encoded signal is communicated from a first directional interface to one or more directional interfaces. The encoded signal is converted to the directional indicator by the one or more directional interfaces. The direction indicator is communicated to one or more users by the one or more directional interfaces.
US09494422B2	Lighting device for inspection and lighting method for inspection In order to make it possible for a difference between a defect and a normal part, such as contrast, to appear, a lighting device for inspection is provided with: a surface light source that emits inspection light; a lens that is provided on a light axis of the inspection light emitted from the surface light source, and between an inspection object and the surface light source; and a first diaphragm that is provided between the lens and the surface light source or the inspection object, wherein: the surface light source and the lens are set such that an image plane on which the surface light source is imaged is present near the inspection object; and the first diaphragm is set such that the central axis of an irradiation solid angle determined by a part of the inspection light is parallel to the light axis.
US09494416B2	Fiber optic shape sensing system using anchoring points Disclosed herein is a method for sensing one or more selected parameters related to a structure of interest, for example, the shape of an isolated structure. A cable is attached to the structure of interest at one or more attachment points. The cable contains one or more optical fibers. One or more light signals are transmitted into the one or more optical fibers and then detected to form a data set. The data set is compared with information known about the one or more attachment points to determine error values. The error values are then combined with the data set to determine the selected parameters associated with the structure.
US09494415B2	Object position determination In embodiments, apparatuses, methods and storage media for human-computer interaction are described. In embodiments, an apparatus may include one or more light sources and a camera. Through capture of images by the camera, the computing device may detect positions of objects of a user, within a three-dimensional (3-D) interaction region within which to track positions of the objects of the user. The apparatus may utilize multiple light sources, which may be disposed at different distances to the display and may illuminate the objects in a direction other than the image capture direction. The apparatus may selectively illuminate individual light sources to facilitate detection of the objects in the direction toward the display. The camera may also capture images in synchronization with the selective illumination. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US09494414B2	Tool measuring apparatus for mounting surface to cast shadow Disclosed is a tool measuring device for measuring the size of tools used for making aluminum can bodies. The tool measuring device utilizes an LED measurement carriage having a central opening so that the LED measurement carriage passes over and around the tools. An LED linear beam is generated by LED linear arrays so that the tools cast a shadow on optical photodetector linear arrays. The distance between the transition points from light to dark on the optical photodetector linear arrays is measured to provide a highly accurate measurement of the size of various portions of the tools.
US09494413B2	Probe holder for measuring system Embodiments described in this disclosure include a probe holder for a measuring system comprising a first connector having electric and/or optical signal connections for attaching a measure probe, electric and/or optical conductor for connecting to the measure probe by first connector, a rotary actuator arranged to rotate the first connector relative to a reference system, an electric and/or optical slip ring and an angle encoder. The rotary actuator comprises a rotor capable of continuous rotation and an electric motor, while the angle encoder provides information on an angular position of the rotor. In some embodiments the rotor has a hollow axle supported by two coaxial spaced-apart bearings. The electric motor is located between the bearings, while the electric and/or optical conductor runs inside said hollow axle, and the electric and/or optical slip ring is in the hollow axle and between the bearings.
US09494403B2	Motorized inclinable measuring head An articulated measuring head for orienting a probe relatively to a measuring apparatus, including Hirth couplings for providing a high-resolution indexing to two orthogonal rotors and an advanced guiding system to ensure a precise rotation control when the Hirth couplings are free and accurate indexing when they are clamped together. The articulated head of the invention has an embedded dynamic controller using high-precision encoders and crash detection by capacitive sensors.
US09494392B2	Shooting target apparatus A shooting target apparatus has a base, a body connected to the base, and an inlet valve connected to the body, adapted for connection to a source of pressurized fluid. The first valve provides for a one-way intake of fluid. A socket is formed on the body, in which the socket is formed as a threaded adapter having sidewalls and the threaded adapter has an adapter upper surface. A seal mounted to the adapter upper surface, a surface in which the body and the seal include a pathway therein formed to channel fluid between the first valve and the seal, the threaded adapter being shaped and configured to removably receive a target.
US09494389B2	Structurally reinforced optically transparent bulletproof panel A structurally reinforced optically transparent panel that may be utilized as a bulletproof window or shield. The panel includes a plurality of angled reinforcement members having a reflective top and bottom surfaces. Optical lenses are disposed between the reinforcement members directing a light ray in a predetermined direction. The geometry and spacing of the reinforcement members is such that the light rays enter and exit the bulletproof panel at substantially the same angle allowing an observer to view optical images of objects behind the bulletproof panel, thus creating optical transparency. The reinforcement members are of a high strength material capable of being impenetrable by a projectile fired from a ballistic weapon or an explosion debris.
US09494384B2	Holster and method of making holsters A holster blank and holster for a handgun formed from a unitary molded body portion having two side holster portions joined to opposite edges of an elongate narrow spine intermediate portion by parallel living hinges. The side holster portions have outer edges brought together by pivoting the side holster portions towards each other via the living hinges so as to form the holster. The body portion includes interfacing elongate male and female locking portions which engage and lock the outer edges together. A method of producing the holster includes molding the body portion and pivoting the sides via the living hinges 90 degrees and providing a lock to interconnect the side portions adjacent the trigger guard of a handgun.
US09494377B2	Handheld firearm chambering device Disclosed is a handheld firearm chambering device suitable for use with semi-automatic handguns and the like having a movable slide. The device comprises an elongated sleeve member having an open interior supporting a center guide element therein. The center guide element is coaxially disposed within the sleeve and comprises a base portion and an extended muzzle plunger portion, wherein the plunger portion preferably extends beyond the working end of the sleeve. The device is held within the non-dominate hand of the user and utilized to press the slide rearward along the barrel without using a grip-and-squeeze method. The working end of the sleeve bears against the end of the slide as the center guide element is accepted through the muzzle end of the firearm. A pressing motion moves the slide and chambers a round, where minimal grip strength is required to accomplish this task.
US09494376B2	Firing pin assembly A firing pin assembly for a firearm having an engagement surface that has a channel in an engagement surface with a trigger bar to reduce frictional engagement with a trigger assembly. The firing pin assembly also includes chamfers to reduce weight and an elongated firing pin end piece.
US09494375B2	Universal AK-47 and variant bolt hold open follower A universal cartridge follower for a firearm magazine comprising a cartridge receiving surface and side walls extending from the cartridge receiving surface. The cartridge receiving surface is operationally configured to intercept a firearm bolt. The side walls extend from the cartridge receiving surface and have opposing first surfaces defining a first width of the cartridge receiving surface and at least opposing second surfaces defining a second width of the cartridge receiving surface.
US09494372B2	Multi-segmented tube sheet A heat exchanger that is constructed with a heat exchanger shell having inlet and outlet plenums and fluid inlet and outlet ports, and a tube sheet construction disposed in the heat exchanger shell. The tube sheet construction includes at least two separate tube sheets and a plurality of tubes that extend between the separate tube sheets. Each tube sheet includes at least two planar tube sheet segments and an interstitial layer disposed between the at least two tube sheet segments, and at least one sensor element supported by each of the interstitial layers. A control monitor controls flow through the shell by a feedback control from the sensor to an inlet control valve and/or a stimulus device excites the media layer.
US09494367B2	Finned tube heat transfer device A finned-tube heat transfer device (1) has a housing (2) enclosing a first flow path (3) for a first fluid with a first inlet (4) and a first outlet (5). A tube system (9) forms a second flow path (10) for a second fluid with a second inlet (11) and a second outlet (12) and which is coupled to the first flow path (3) in the housing (2) in a heat transferring manner. The tube system (9) has a multitude of tubes (13) that are parallel to one another, which extend between two housing walls (7) laterally delimiting the first flow path (3). The tubes are provided with fins (14), within the first flow path (3), which are fluidically interconnected outside the first flow path (3). A simplified producability can be achieved if the fluidic connection of the tubes (13) is effected within the two housing walls (7).
US09494364B2	Dryer hopper A dryer hopper assembly that promotes even drying of particulate matter across the horizontal cross-section of the hopper. In an aspect, the hopper promotes airflow up and alongside the interior wall of the hopper in counter-current flow to particulate material passing through the hopper. In one or more aspects, heating and thus drying of the material is promoted from the interior periphery of the horizontal cross-section of the hopper assembly towards the central axis of the hopper. The interior of the hopper may include a first perforated section located about a central axis of the hopper, the first perforated section having an outer peripheral edge spaced inwardly apart from the interior wall of the wall section, and a second perforated section, a first portion of the second perforated section being adjacent to the inner wall of the hopper and a second portion of the second perforated section providing an opening in communication with a central material outlet through which material may pass, the first perforated section having an open area and the second perforated section having an open area, the open area of the first perforated section being greater than the open area of the second perforated section.
US09494355B2	Refrigerant cycle device A refrigerant cycle device includes a first refrigerant passage for guiding refrigerant from a refrigerant radiator to an inlet side of an outdoor heat exchanger, a first throttle part capable of varying an opening area of the first refrigerant passage, a second refrigerant passage for guiding the refrigerant from the outdoor heat exchanger to a compressor-suction side, a first opening/closing part for opening/closing the second refrigerant passage, a third refrigerant passage for guiding the refrigerant from the outdoor heat exchanger to the compressor-suction side via an evaporator, a second throttle part capable of varying an opening area of the third refrigerant passage, a bypass passage for guiding the refrigerant flowing between the refrigerant radiator and the first throttle part to a position between the outdoor heat exchanger and the second throttle part in the third refrigerant passage, and a second opening/closing part for opening/closing the bypass passage.
US09494354B2	System and method for calculating parameters for a refrigeration system with a variable speed compressor A system and method for calculating parameters for a refrigeration system having a variable speed compressor is provided. A compressor is connected to a condenser and an evaporator. An evaporator sensor outputs an evaporator signal corresponding to at least one of an evaporator pressure and an evaporator temperature. An inverter drive modulates electric power delivered to the compressor to modulate a speed of the compressor. A control module is connected to the inverter drive that receives the evaporator signal. The control module monitors electrical power data and compressor speed data from the inverter drive and calculates at least one of a condenser temperature and a condenser pressure based on the evaporator signal, the electrical power data, and the compressor speed data.
US09494346B2	Cryogenic refrigerator A disclosed device cryogenic refrigerator includes a first stage displacer; a first stage cylinder configured to form a first expansion space between the first stage cylinder and the first stage displacer; a second stage displacer connected to the first stage displacer; and a second stage cylinder configured to form a second expansion space between the second stage cylinder and the second stage displacer, wherein the second stage displacer includes a helical groove formed on an outer peripheral surface of the second stage displacer so as to helically extend from the second expansion space, a flow resistor communicating with a side of the first stage displacer in the helical groove, and a flow path connecting the flow resistor to a side of the first expansion space, wherein the flow resistor is always positioned on a side of the second expansion space relative to the first expansion space.
US09494338B2	Solar light collecting mirror and solar thermal power generation system having solar light collecting mirror A solar light collecting mirror includes a reflective section which is elastically deformable, and a frame which is elastically deformable and configured to support the reflective section. A central portion of the reflective section is positionally fixed in X and Y directions of the reflective section. A relative position in a Z direction between the central portion of the reflective section and a peripheral portion of the reflective section is changeable. The peripheral portion of the reflective section is not positionally fixed in the X and Y directions. The frame includes warp members which radially extend from a position corresponding to the central portion of the reflective section. And the reflective section is configured to deform elastically together with the frame so as to change the relative position in the Z direction between the central portion and the peripheral portion, whereby a concave mirror structure is obtained.
US09494337B2	Apparatus for heating air An apparatus for heating air comprising an elongate body adapted to receive, or integrally formed with, one or more electrical heating elements in thermal contact therewith, said body comprising a plurality of heat exchange fins defining a plurality of axially extending flow passages therebetween for heating air flowing therethrough.
US09494332B2	Thermostat wiring connector A thermostat includes a wiring terminal having a moveable component that is actuatable to enable insertion of an HVAC system conductive wire within the wiring terminal. Insertion of the HVAC system conductive wire within the wiring terminal electrically connects the wiring terminal and the HVAC system conductive wire. The actuation of the moveable component opens a loop of an electrical circuit that does not include the HVAC system conductive wire. The loop may enable power harvesting for the thermostat.
US09494326B2	Apparatus for generating heat An apparatus for heating a liquid includes: a mixing chamber; dispensing means; an electronic control device linked to the dispensing means; one or more pumps; a heat exchanger; one or more monitoring stations being arranged to communicate with the electronic control device; a waste outlet; and a second heat exchanger, wherein the mixing chamber, heat exchanger and the one or more monitoring stations are connected so as to form a loop; and wherein the electronic control device is programmed to cause reaction mixture to be circulated around the loop at least twice, and optionally to cause the dispensing means to dispense further metered amounts of first and/or second chemical reactants into the mixing chamber; and/or to cause a proportion of reaction mixture to be ejected through the waste outlet, in order to control the temperature of the reaction mixture passing through the heat exchanger.
US09494324B2	Exhaust flow control system and method A system and method for controlling the exhaust flow rate in an exhaust ventilation system including an exhaust hood positioned above a cooking appliance. The method can include measuring a temperature of the exhaust air in the vicinity of the cooking appliance, and measuring a radiant temperature of a surface of the cooking appliance, and determining an appliance status based on the measured exhaust air temperature and radiant temperature, and controlling the exhaust flow rate in response to the determined appliance status.
US09494318B2	Device for cleaning and remotely inspecting a chimney A device for cleaning a chimney preferably includes a rod assembly, cleaning arms, fan blades, a camera, and a stabilizing/positioning assembly. The cleaning arms are provided on an assembly that includes a rotatable hub with the cleaning arms extending from the hub. The fan blades may also extend from the hub or they may be provided separately. The camera is continuously rotatable around the longitudinal axis to allow an uninterrupted 360° scan of the chimney. The stabilizing/positioning assembly is effective to position the cleaning assembly hub a pre-selected stabilizing/positioning distance from an interior wall of a chimney while the hub rotates in the chimney. The cleaning and fan hub(s) is driven by a cable surrounded by a casing that allows the cable to rotate in the casing without rotating the casing. Controls allow the operator to control the speed and direction of the cleaning arms and the camera.
US09494317B2	Electrodynamic combustion control with current limiting electrical element An charge element disposed proximate to a combustion reaction is caused to carry a voltage while also being prevented from arc-discharging or arc-charging to or from the combustion reaction, by a current limiting element in electrical continuity with the charge element.
US09494313B2	Device and method for manufacturing semi-carbonized fuel of biomass, and power generation system using semi-carbonized fuel Provided are a device and a method for manufacturing a semi-carbonized fuel of a biomass that does not require an external heat source and is capable of suppressing adhesion of tar, condensed water, or the like to a pipe. The device includes a drying device for heating and drying a biomass, a pyrolysis device for decomposing the dried biomass, and a combustion device for supplying heat to the drying device and the pyrolysis device. The pyrolysis device is supplied with a part of a combustion exhaust gas generated in the combustion device, directly mixes the supplied combustion exhaust gas and the biomass to heat and pyrolytically decompose the biomass, and supplies a mixed gas of a generated pyrolysis gas and the combustion exhaust gas to the combustion device. The combustion device is supplied with an air for combustion, combust the supplied mixed gas, and generate the combustion exhaust gas.
US09494312B2	Method of repairing a pressurizer, and equipment for implementing the method A method for working on a defective heating element of a pressurizer comprising a tank lying flat along a longitudinal axis and elongate heating elements extending within the tank, and at least one spacer plate through which the heating elements pass and which is capable of maintaining a transverse spacing between the heating elements is provided. The method includes cutting at least one spacer plate around the heating element so as to detach said heating element from said spacer plate, and then extracting the heating element from the tank in one single piece.
US09494311B2	Flow heaters A flow heater is provided including a heating element, a channel heated by said heating element for heating liquid flowing therethrough, and temperature sensing means in thermal communication with both the heating element and the channel so as to be sensitive to the temperature of the liquid in the channel and the temperature of the heating element.
US09494309B2	Modular Lighting System A modular lighting system may include a support structure, a plurality of heat sink modules physically supported by the support structure, and one or more light source modules coupled to the plurality of heat sink modules. The plurality of heat sink modules may be arranged in a modular manner such that the heat sink modules in the modular lighting system is variable, and each heat sink module may be an integral molded structure defining at least one opening or passageway.
US09494306B1	Adjustable mounting system for a luminaire A luminaire comprises a light fixture that includes a housing. The housing includes a light emitting diode (LED) light source and a back wall that has a first surface shape. The luminaire further comprises a mounting system that includes a surface mounting bracket, or a tie rod that has a first end that includes a plurality of teeth. The mounting system also includes a mounting plate rotatably coupled to the surface mounting bracket or to the tie rod. The mounting plate is coupled to the back wall of the housing. The mounting plate has a second surface shape, where the first surface shape and the second surface shape are substantially the same.
US09494304B2	Recessed light fixture retrofit kit This disclosure relates to retrofit systems and methods for lighting installations, and in particular, to retrofit systems and methods used to retrofit troffer-style lighting installations with LED light sources. Retrofit systems can be used with different light fixtures, but those described are particularly adapted for use with troffer-style fixtures. These retrofit systems can provide the same amount of light as traditional light fixtures already do, for example 1600-4000 lumens or more. The retrofit systems can be used with many different light sources but are particularly well-suited for use with solid state light sources or light engines, such as those utilizing LEDs. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a mechanical mounting system for installing an LED light engine within an existing lighting system housing or pan, such as a troffer pan, without penetrating the ceiling plenum.
US09494298B2	Beam collimated light emitting module with light color mixed chamber A beam collimated light emitting module with a light color mixed chamber includes a light holder, a light source assembly located on the light holder, an optical lens covering the light source assembly, and a reflector. The optical lens includes a first light exit surface, a light entrance surface, and a second light exit surface. The first light exit surface has a round-shaped concave surface formed by recessing the first light exit surface, and the aspheric curvature of the concave surface is gradually decreased in an outward direction away from the center of the optical lens. The reflector surrounds the optical lens. When the light source assembly emits light, the bluish white light and the yellowish white light of the light source assembly are refracted by the concave surface, and next the bluish white light and the yellowish white light are reflected by the reflector.
US09494290B2	Vehicle lamp A vehicle lamp includes a semiconductor light source disposed on an optical axis of the vehicle lamp, a reflector having a plurality of reflective surfaces radially divided about the optical axis and boundary portions formed between two of the reflective surfaces adjacent to each other, and a lens cap that covers the front side of the light source. The lens cap includes a side lens portion that projects laterally emitted light from the light source toward the reflector. The laterally emitted light makes an angle with the optical axis that is at least a predetermined angle. The side lens portion is divided into at least two lens elements in a circumferential direction around the optical axis, and refracts the laterally emitted light so that the laterally emitted light avoids the boundary portions.
US09494265B2	Profile clamp with pre-positioner Profile clamp and method of connecting two flanged pipes or lines. The profile clamp includes a clamping band having two flanks; and a pre-positioner having at least one attachment section and being connected to the clamping band. The at least one attachment section runs axially beyond one of the flanks and radially inside the two flanks.
US09494262B2	Automotive fuel lines including a polyarylene sulfide A fuel line comprising a thermoplastic composition is described. The thermoplastic compositions exhibit high strength and flexibility and can be used to form one or more layers of single layer or multi-layer fuel lines. Methods for forming the thermoplastic compositions are also described. Formation methods include dynamic vulcanization of a composition that includes an impact modifier dispersed throughout a polyarylene sulfide. A crosslinking agent is combined with the other components of the composition following dispersal of the impact modifier. The crosslinking agent reacts with the impact modifier to form crosslinks within and among the polymer chains of the impact modifier. The compositions can exhibit excellent physical characteristics at extreme temperatures.
US09494258B2	Tube-retaining clip assembly A clip assembly is configured to securely connect a tubular member to a structure. The clip assembly may include a base connected to first and second lateral walls, and a tube cradle connected to the base and the lateral walls. The tube cradle defines a tube-receiving channel configured to receive the tubular member. First and second tube-retaining locking arms are configured to securely retain the tubular member within the tube-receiving channel. The first and second tube-retaining locking arms are configured to flex toward the first and second lateral walls, respectively, as the tubular member is inserted into the tube-receiving channel. The first and second tube-retaining locking arms securely connect to the first and second lateral walls, respectively, when the tubular member is received within the tube-receiving channel to securely retain the tubular member within the tube-receiving channel.
US09494245B1	Over-molded valve stem and method of making a valve stem for a valve assembly An over-molded valve stem for a valve assembly includes a rigid inner member and a unitary elastic cover molded over the inner member. The inner member includes a main section and an arm extending from the main section. The cover includes a main cover portion, an arm cover portion, and an end portion, with the end portion being spaced from the main cover portion by the arm cover portion. The main cover portion is disposed over the main section with the end portion and main cover portion defining diameters that are larger than the diameter of the arm cover portion. The end portion can include an integral seal member for engaging with a bore of the valve assembly. A method of making the valve stem involves molding the cover about the inner member such that a parting line doe not axially extend across sealing surfaces.
US09494232B2	Method and apparatus for monitoring a transmission range selector A method for monitoring a transmission range selector connected to a transmission of a powertrain system is described. The transmission range selector indicates one of a plurality of ranges including Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive. The method includes, upon detecting a change in a target transmission range, monitoring whether a signal output from an on-board sensor indicates an achieved range position of the transmission. When the signal output from the on-board sensor does not indicate that the target transmission range has been achieved, monitoring a transmission incorrect direction metric, monitoring a transmission unintended propulsion metric, and monitoring a metric associated with achieving the target transmission range. A fault is detected when any one of the transmission incorrect direction metric, the transmission unintended propulsion metric and the target range achievement elapsed time metric is exceeded.
US09494226B2	Pulley structure and damper pulley Disclosed are a pulley structure and a damper pulley that prevent corrosion. The pulley structure may include a hub part that is fitted on a crankshaft rotated by power from an engine and rotates with the crankshaft and a pulley part coupled with the hub part to rotate with the hub part and connected with a power transmission member. The hub part may include a pulley contact surface facing the pulley part, and pulley coupling portions formed at the pulley contact surface to secure coupling members. The pulley part may include a hub contact surface facing the pulley contact surface of the hub part, hub coupling portions coupled to the pulley coupling portions by securing the coupling members, and coupling grooves recessed from the hub coupling portions to insert the coupling members. Washers made of an insulator may be fitted on the coupling members between the pulley coupling portions and the hub coupling portions.
US09494223B2	Harmonic drive apparatus A harmonic drive apparatus (also known as a strain wave gear) is constructed with a circular, flexible spline disc having a slightly conical configuration. The flexible saline disc has opposite convex and concave surfaces with a plurality of radial, flexible gear teeth arranged circumferentially on the convex surface. The flexible spline disc enables the harmonic drive apparatus to provide a thinner or more compact packing when needed for unique space requirements of a speed reduction transmission.
US09494216B2	Bicycle chain connecting link A bicycle chain connecting link comprises a link pin and a link plate. The link pin has a center axis. The link plate comprises an elongated opening, a guiding portion, a first protrusion, and a second protrusion. The elongated opening comprises an insertion opening and an attachment opening connected with the insertion opening. The guiding portion is configured to engage with the groove of the link pin to guide the link pin between the insertion opening and the attachment opening. The first protrusion is provided between the insertion opening and the attachment opening and is configured to be slidable relative to an outer periphery of a head portion of the link pin. The second protrusion is provided between the insertion opening and the attachment opening and is configured to be slidable relative to an outer periphery of an intermediate portion of the link pin.
US09494215B2	Energy guiding chain The invention relates to an energy guiding chain, with chain links (1, 2) each comprising two side straps (3, 4). The side straps (3, 4) form opposite strap strands transversely to their longitudinal direction, where at least some of the opposite side straps (3, 4) are connected to each other by cross-members (5, 6), the ends of at least some of which display a bearing area (7) with an essentially cylindrical journal (10), extending in the longitudinal direction, for pivotable mounting in a bearing seat (8) on an associated side strap (3, 4). To improve the angular stability of the side straps when the cross-member is opened, it is proposed that the journal (10) display a first flattened section (12) on its lateral surface. To receive the journal (10), the bearing seat (8) comprises an essentially cylindrical space (13) with a flattened section (15), where the flattened section (15) of the cylindrical space (13) and the first flattened section (12) of the journal (10) lie opposite each other in a closed position of the cross-member (5, 6).
US09494205B2	Backstopping clutch with torque transmission through radial surface of outer race A backstopping clutch is provided having improved torque transmission. The clutch includes a housing, an inner race disposed within the housing and configured for coupling to a driven member for rotation about a rotational axis and an outer race disposed with the housing radially outwardly of the inner race. A plurality of torque transmission members are disposed between the inner and outer races such that the inner race is freely rotatable relative to the outer race in a first rotational direction, but the torque transmission members engage the inner and outer races and inhibit rotation of the inner race relative to the outer race in a second rotational direction. Friction discs are coupled to a radially inner surface of the housing and a radially outer surface of the outer race and configured to engage one another to transmit a braking torque.
US09494204B2	Controller for vehicle transmission A controller for a vehicle transmission in which a continuously variable transmission mechanism able to continuously change its speed ratio and a transmission mechanism having a constant speed ratio are provided in parallel between an input shaft and an output shaft. The transmission includes a friction engagement mechanism and an intermeshing engagement mechanism, the intermeshing engagement mechanism being arranged in series with the friction engagement mechanism, the intermeshing engagement mechanism setting the transmission mechanism to a state where torque is transmittable between the input and output shaft, in changing to a state where the intermeshing engagement mechanism is engaged and the transmission mechanism is able to transmit torque to the output shaft, a torque capacity of the friction engagement mechanism is configured to be increased to a torque capacity to such extent that the transmission mechanism rotates without a delay of start of engagement of the intermeshing engagement mechanism.
US09494202B2	Clutch An annular groove is provided in a driving-side rotor of a clutch. Guide grooves are provided on a driven-side rotor of the clutch. By moving the driving-side rotor relative to the driven-side rotor, balls are moved that are accommodated in the spaces provided by the sections where the guide grooves and the annular groove face each other. Moving the balls toward the sections where the gap between the driving-side rotor and the driven-side rotor is narrow causes the balls to engage with the driving-side rotor and the driven-side rotor to achieve an engaged state. A disengaged state, in which engagement is cancelled, is achieved by moving the balls to the sections where the gap is wide.
US09494201B2	Double clutch with nested levers A double clutch, including: a backing plate; a first clutch including at least one first clutch plate, a first pressure plate, a first plurality of levers engaged with the first pressure plate, a first shim engaged with the first plurality of levers, and a first actuator engaged with the first shim and arranged to axially displace the first shim to close the first clutch; and a second clutch including: at least one second clutch plate, a second pressure plate, a second plurality of levers engaged with the second pressure plate aligned with the first plurality of levers such that a first line in the circumferential direction passes through the first and second pluralities of levers, a second shim engaged with the second plurality of levers, and a second actuator engaged with the second shim and arranged to axially displace the second shim to close the second clutch.
US09494195B2	Max type radial ball bearing with wire cage A rolling bearing assembly including a wire cage is provided. The assembly includes a radially inner ring including a first filling slot and a radially outer ring including a second filling slot. The first and second filling slots and a radial distance defined between radially inner ring and the radially outer ring are dimensioned to receive the spherical rolling elements. The wire cage includes first and second wires that extend around opposite axial sides of each of the spherical rolling elements in an alternating manner. The first and second wires overlap each other in areas between adjacent ones of the spherical rolling elements, and crimping elements affix the first and second wires together in each of the areas between the adjacent rolling elements.
US09494194B1	Process for making an interlocking flanged bushing and products made by this process The provided process creates a fully flanged interlocked bushing by feeding a metal strip into a stamping assembly having a plurality of tool stations. The stations blank a workpiece from the metal strip, and trim the workpiece's two opposing ends forming a triangular shaped tab and a puzzle locking feature on either end. The workpiece is then formed into an annular shape, wherein the triangular shaped tabs are overlapped as the opposing ends are abutted and interlocked. A flange is then imparted into the side wall of the workpiece relieving the tab's overlapping condition, causing the tabs to abut one another and become co-planar with the flange. This creating a fully flanged part with a tightly fitted parting line. This invention also includes products formed by the aforementioned process.
US09494181B2	High temperature secondary torque retention for bolted assemblies A fastening assembly includes a fastener having a head with an underside and an elongated shaft extending therefrom. The fastener constructed of at least one of a refractory metal and a superalloy. A washer includes a body with an upper surface and an opposing lower surface which defines opening portion for receiving the elongated shaft of the fastener therethrough. The upper surface of the washer forms diffusion bonds with the underside of the head of the fastener when the washer and the fastener are held in contact at temperatures in excess of 500° C.
US09494179B2	Schraubelement—screw element A screw element (1), having a threaded shank (2) and a screw tip (4), on one shank end, and a screw head (5) on the opposite end with force-application means (7), and a screw thread (12) on the threaded shank (2) and the screw tip (4). The screw tip (4), has a front first tip portion (4a), which tapers towards the end of the screw element, and a second adjacent tip portion (4b), having, a polygonal cross section, with an enveloping circle diameter (dh) larger than a core diameter (dk) of the first tip portion (4a). On the transition between the first and the second tip portions 4a,4b) at least one end edge face is radially oriented in the diameter enlargement and terminates in a vertex (15) of the polygonal cross section, which lies on the enveloping circle of the second tip portion (4b).
US09494178B2	Methods for bonding substrates using liquid adhesive Structures in an electronic device such as substrates associated with a display may be bonded together using liquid adhesive. Fiber-based equipment may be used to apply ultraviolet light to peripheral edges of an adhesive layer during bonding. There-dimensional adhesive shapes may be produced using nozzles with adjustable openings, computer-controlled positioners, and other adhesive dispensing equipment. Ultraviolet light may be applied to liquid adhesive through a mask with an opacity gradient. Adjustable shutter structures may control adhesive exposure to ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet light exposure may be used to create an adhesive dam that helps create a well defined adhesive border. Multiple layers of adhesive may be applied between a pair of substrates.
US09494177B2	Magnetic jewelry clasp with catch A magnetic jewelry clasp includes a first body member having a magnet defining a first magnetically attractive surface and a second body member that has a magnet defining a second magnetically attractive surface that magnetically connects to the first magnetically attractive surface to define a first locking arrangement of the clasp. The magnetic jewelry clasp also has (1) a second locking arrangement wherein a height of a bump on a first side of the second body member is long enough to get locked within a perimeter of the first safety clasp located on a first side of the first body member and (2) a third locking arrangement wherein a height of a bump on a second side of the second body member is long enough to get locked within a perimeter of a second safety clasp on a second side of the first body member.
US09494175B2	Clipping device A clipping device includes a first arm having a body portion that includes a connecting portion and a fastener at two ends thereof, respectively; a second arm having a body portion that includes a connecting portion and a fastener-receiving portion at two ends thereof, respectively, wherein the connecting portion is connected to the connecting portion of the first arm; and a lock assembly having a fastener removably engaged with the fastener of the first arm and a switch being shiftable between a first position and a second position. When the switch is at the first position, the fastener of the lock assembly is displaceable, and when the switch is at the second position, the fastener of the lock assembly is not displaceable.
US09494168B2	Energy efficient fluid powered linear actuator with variable area and concentric chambers Hydraulic actuation systems having concentric chambers, variable displacements and energy recovery capabilities include cylinders with pistons disposed inside of barrels. When operating in energy consuming modes, high speed valves pressurize extension chambers or retraction chambers to provide enough force to meet or counteract an opposite load force. When operating in energy recovery modes, high speed valves return a working fluid from extension chambers or retraction chambers, which are pressurized by a load, to an accumulator for later use.
US09494157B2	Compressor with capacity modulation and variable volume ratio A compressor is provided and may include a shell assembly defining a suction pressure region and a discharge pressure region. A first scroll member may include a first discharge port and a first modulation port. A second scroll member may include a first variable volume ratio port. A capacity modulation valve assembly may be in fluid communication with the first modulation port and may be displaceable between open and closed positions to selectively provide communication between a first intermediate compression pocket and the suction pressure region via the first modulation port. A variable volume ratio valve assembly may be in fluid communication with the first variable volume ratio port. The variable volume ratio valve assembly may be displaceable between open and closed positions to selectively provide communication between a second intermediate compression pocket and the discharge pressure region via the first variable volume ratio port.
US09494151B2	System, method, and apparatus for utilizing a pumping cassette The present invention involves, in some embodiments, fluid handling systems and methods for pumping fluid to and from a patient. The system and methods in certain embodiments involve a pumping cartridge and a reusable component configured to mate with the pumping cartridge comprising. The reusable component may comprise a control chamber and a pressure transducer configured to measure a gas pressure associated with the control chamber, and may further include a processor configured to supply the control chamber with a gas at a predetermined pressure, open the pump chamber to the surroundings, monitor the gas pressure associated with the control chamber using the pressure transducer over a predetermined period of time, and determine if the change in gas pressure exceeds a predetermined limit.
US09494149B2	Inverter-integrated electric compressor In an inverter-integrated electric compressor (1) provided with an inverter accommodating section (9) on the periphery of a housing (2) and an inverter (20) provided therein, the inverter accommodating section (9) is divided into a first accommodating section (9) accommodating an inverter module (21) equipped with a power system board on which semiconductor switching devices etc. are mounted and a CPU board on which a control and communication circuit etc. are mounted, and a second accommodating section (40) accommodating high-voltage-system components (30), such as a common-mode coil (35), a normal-mode coil (36), and a smoothing capacitor (37), provided on a high-voltage line (34) for supplying DC power from a high-voltage power supply to the inverter module (21), the accommodating sections (9) and (40) being separately provided on the periphery of the housing (2).
US09494147B2	Reservoir filling systems and methods A reservoir may be filled with fluidic media in a first type of environment, a plunger head may be placed within the reservoir in the first type of environment, and a casing that may be configured to envelop at least a portion of a plunger arm operatively connected to the plunger head may be attached adjacent to at least a portion of the reservoir in a second type of environment. A reservoir may be provided having a first and second portion for respectively containing fluidic media, the second portion may be adapted to be removable, the reservoir may be selectively filled with a first volume or a second volume of fluidic media, a seal member may be placed in the reservoir, and the second portion may be removed in a case where the reservoir contains the first volume of fluidic media.
US09494142B2	Steerable hall effect thruster having plural independently controllable propellant injectors and a frustoconical exhaust outlet A steerable-thrust Hall effect thruster in which a final stage of a magnetic circuit includes an inner pole and a facing outer pole, the inner pole being offset axially downstream relative to the outer pole, so that a magnetic field is inclined relative to a transverse plane of the thruster.
US09494131B2	Monopile foundation for offshore wind turbine A method for installing a wind turbine comprises establishing a substructure, the substructure comprising at least one pile extending upwards and the at least one pile being part of a primary structure of the substructure, establishing a support of a secondary structure on the at least one pile, mounting of fittings to the secondary structure, the mounting of the fittings to the secondary structure preferably being established by welding or bolting, and not mounting fittings to at least one of the at least one pile being part of the primary structure. A method may alternatively comprise mounting a wind turbine tower to the at least one pile being part of the primary structure, and the secondary structure constituting an intermediate structure between the at least one pile and the wind turbine tower. Even in the alternative, a method may comprise the mounting of the secondary structure to at least one intermediate tubular section being part of the primary structure and mounting the wind turbine tower to the at least one intermediate tubular section.
US09494126B2	Device for obtaining electrical energy from water power An installation for generating electrical energy from hydropower includes a drive arrangement that revolves around two deflection units distanced to one another and that can be driven in a revolving direction, with a load section running along a gradient. The drive arrangement includes a plurality of gravitational pressure transmission units that are arranged one after the other in the revolving direction, are distanced to one another and, in each case, include an onflow element. The installation also includes a generator for generating electrical energy from the revolving drive arrangement. The gravitational pressure transmission units include guide elements, and the installation includes at least one guide rail along the load section, in which guide rail guide elements of the gravitational pressure transmission units are displaceable so that the gravitational pressure transmission units, at least in the region of the load section, are guided between the two deflection units.
US09494115B2	Pump control apparatus and method A pumping system includes s pump, a mechanical coupling device, and a cam shaft. The pump is effective to transfer fuel into an engine. The mechanical coupling device is coupled to the pump. The cam shaft couples to the mechanical coupling device. The cam shaft has an axis extending there through and rotates about the axis. The rotating of the cam shaft is effective to engage the mechanical coupling device and transfer a mechanical force created by the rotating to the mechanical coupling device. The mechanical coupling device is engaged to allow the mechanical force to be transferred to the fuel pump and activate the fuel pump when fuel is to be moved by the pump. The mechanical coupling device is disengaged to disallow the mechanical force from being transferred to the fuel pump and prevent the operation of the fuel pump.
US09494106B2	Piston for an internal combustion engine The invention relates to a piston for an internal combustion engine, comprising a piston head and a piston skirt, the piston head having a peripheral annular part and in the region of the annular part, a peripheral cooling channel. The piston skirt comprises piston bores provided with hub bores, which are arranged over the hub connections on the underside of the piston head. The piston hubs are interconnected over the running surfaces. According to the invention, the wall of the cooling channel which extends in the region of the annular part comprises an inclined portion and together with the central axis of the piston (M), forms an acute angle (a). At least one bore which is closed towards the outside is arranged between a running surface and a hub bore such that the at least one bore leads into the cooling channel, and that the cooling channel and the at least one bore contain a coolant in the form of a metal or a metal alloy which have a low-melting point.
US09494101B2	Control system for internal combustion engine and controlling method for internal combustion engine A control system executes failure detection of a direct injector when a port injector stops injection and the direct injector injects, and executes the failure detection when a recirculation passage is closed by an EGR valve.
US09494100B2	Determining the closing point in time of an injection valve on the basis of an analysis of the actuation voltage using an adapted reference voltage signal A method for determining a closing time of a valve having a coil drive may include switching off a current flow through a coil of the coil drive so that the coil is depowered, measuring a time curve of a voltage induced in the non-powered coil, wherein the induced voltage is generated at least partially by a motion of the armature relative to the coil, evaluating the measured time curve of the voltage induced in the coil, wherein the evaluation comprises comparing the measured time curve of the voltage induced in the depowered coil to a reference voltage curve stored in an engine controller, and determining the closing time based on the evaluated time curve. The reference voltage curve is thereby adapted to current operating conditions of the valve. A corresponding device and computer program for determining the closing time of a valve comprising a coil drive are also disclosed.
US09494093B2	Detecting and negotiating a climbable obstacle in a vehicle Data is collected in a vehicle relating to a potential obstacle. Based at least in part on the collected data, an obstacle is identified. At least one characteristic of the obstacle is determined. At least one torque to be applied in a vehicle powertrain is determined based at least in part on the at least one characteristic of the obstacle.
US09494092B2	System and method for predicting parameters associated with airflow through an engine A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes an engine air sensor, an engine air prediction module, and an engine actuator module. The engine air sensor measures an engine air parameter at a first rate. The engine air parameter includes at least one of a mass flow rate of air flowing into an intake manifold of an engine, a pressure within the intake manifold, and a mass of air within a cylinder of the engine. The engine air prediction module predicts the engine air parameter at a second rate that is greater than the first rate. The engine actuator module controls an actuator of the engine based on at least one of the measured engine air parameter and the predicted engine air parameter.
US09494083B2	Emissions control systems and methods Methods and systems are provided related to an emissions control system. The emissions control system has an exhaust after-treatment system defining a plurality of distinct exhaust flow passages through which at least a portion of an exhaust stream can flow, e.g., the exhaust stream is produced by an engine. The emissions control system also includes a controller for controlling injection of reductant into the exhaust stream flowing through each of the flow passages. In one example, the emissions control system is configured for use in a vehicle, such as a locomotive or other rail vehicle.
US09494081B2	Turbine engine shutdown temperature control system with an elongated ejector A turbine engine shutdown temperature control system configured to foster consistent air temperature within cavities surrounding compressor and turbine blade assemblies to eliminate turbine and compressor blade tip rub during warm restarts of gas turbine engines is disclosed. The turbine engine shutdown temperature control system may include one or more casing temperature control housings extending along an inner surface of a casing at an outer diameter of the casing and at an upper side region of the casing. The upper side region may be positioned above a horizontally extending centerline of the casing. Fluids may be exhausted from one or more exhaust slots in the casing temperature control housing to isolate the upper side region of the casing from buoyancy effects of hot gases within the casing after shutdown of the gas turbine engine.
US09494072B2	Exhaust purification system of internal combustion engine A three way catalyst and an NOx storage catalyst are arranged in an engine exhaust passage. In an engine low load operating region, a combustion is performed under a lean air-fuel ratio, and when NOx should be released from the NOx storage catalyst, the air-fuel ratio in a combustion chamber is made rich. In an engine medium load operating region, the base air-fuel ratio is made lower as compared with the engine low load operating region, and the air-fuel ratio in the combustion chamber is made rich at a shorter period as compared with the engine low load operating region. When the operating state of the engine is switched from the engine low load operating region to the engine medium load operating region, the air-fuel ratio in the combustion chamber is temporarily made rich, and the degree of richness of the air-fuel ratio at this time is stepwise lowered.
US09494066B2	Control apparatus for an internal combustion engine A controller is provided for an engine comprising urea-SCR catalyst, a urea-water supply section, a low pressure gas recirculating section including a low pressure EGR pipe forming a low pressure EGR passage and a low pressure EGR valve. The controller controls an amount of a fuel supplied to the engine, and an opening degree of the low pressure EGR valve. The controller supplies the urea-water to the urea-SCR catalyst in such a manner that an ammonia flowing out from the urea-SCR catalyst neutralizes an acid condensed water produced by a gas passing through the low pressure EGR passage.
US09494060B2	Valve timing control A valve timing control having a stator body constructed of a plastic material. The stator body has an annular side wall and a front plate which, together, define a plurality of annularly spaced internal cavities within the stator body. A rotor having a plurality of vanes is positioned within the stator body so that one vane is positioned within each cavity. The rotor is movable relative to the stator body between a first and second rotational position. A plurality of threaded metal inserts are embedded within the stator body and used to attach a metal sprocket to the stator body at a position opposed to the front plate. Two of these inserts also receive the impact load from the rotor.
US09494055B2	Exhaust heat utilisation device The invention provides an exhaust heat utilization device for a combustion engine with an exhaust heat utilization circuit, in which a working medium circulates. An evaporator is arranged in the exhaust heat utilization circuit for evaporating the working medium, which can be supplied with exhaust gas of the combustion engine, with an expansion machine arranged in the exhaust heat utilization circuit downstream of the evaporator for expanding the working medium. A condenser is arranged in the exhaust heat utilization circuit downstream of the expansion machine for condensing the working medium. A delivery device is arranged in the exhaust heat utilization circuit downstream of the condenser for driving the working medium in the exhaust heat utilization circuit and with a heat storage unit. The device is given an improved functionality when the heat storage unit is incorporated in the exhaust heat utilization circuit and can be supplied with working medium.
US09494053B2	Diffuser with strut-induced vortex mixing A gas turbine engine includes inner and outer shrouds forming an annular gas path, and a plurality of struts connecting the inner shroud to the outer shroud. Airfoil shaped shields surround the struts, and each of the shields include a main body having an upstream leading edge defining a chordal axis extending in a downstream axial direction from the leading edge toward a downstream end of the shield. A trailing edge flap is located at the downstream end of each shield, the trailing edge flap including first and second span-wise portions. The first span-wise portion is oriented to direct flow at an angle relative to the chordal axis of the main body and the second span-wise portion is oriented to direct flow in a direction that is at a different angle than the angle of first span-wise portion.
US09494047B2	Exhaust-gas turbocharger An exhaust-gas turbocharger (1) having a compressor (2) which has a compressor wheel (3) in a compressor housing (4); a turbine (5) which has a turbine wheel (6) in a turbine housing (7); and a bearing housing (8) which holds a stationary bearing bush (9) for a rotor shaft (10) and which has, at the compressor side, a bearing housing cover (11). The bearing bush (9) is provided with axial bearing surfaces (12, 13) and is fixed in the bearing housing (8) in a non-positively locking fashion.
US09494046B2	Method for operating a rotary machine A method for operating a rotary machine with a rotor that is mounted in a bearing is provided. The rotor is subjected to a thrust that acts substantially in only an axial direction during the operating time. The thrust is received and dissipated by a first thrust bearing of the bearing via sliding means, the bearing having a second thrust bearing. The axial vibrations of the rotor are damped or completely prevented by means of the second thrust bearing generating a force that acts on the first thrust bearing in the direction of the thrust at least temporarily at the same time as the thrust occurs.
US09494041B2	Part-fastening structure In a part-fastening structure, one of respective threads of a first nut member for fastening a first part and a second nut member for fastening a second part, is a right-hand thread, and the other is a left-hand thread. The members are connected together by a connecting member against relative rotation. Thus, rotation of the first member in its loosening direction acts in a direction of fastening the second member via the connecting member, and rotation of the second member in its loosening direction acts in a direction of fastening the first member via the connecting member, so that looseness of both the members is prevented, while reducing the number of locking parts to minimize an increase in an axial dimension.
US09494036B2	Unmanned intelligent mining machine The present invention relates to the field of mining machines, particularly to an unmanned intelligent mining machine. The unmanned intelligent mining machine comprises a cutting part body, a reciprocating telescoping device and a deployable flank cutting device, wherein the reciprocating telescoping device is used to drive a cutting drum to reciprocate back and forth, and the deployable flank cutting device can be deployed toward flanks of the cutting part body and cuts the orebody in the direction of the flanks. When the unmanned intelligent mining machine retreats, the deployable flank cutting device is deployed toward both sides of the cutting part body. After deployed, the deployable flank cutting device forms a certain angle with the longitudinal direction of the cutting part body, and can cut the orebodies on both sides simultaneously, forming a caving face on both sides of the roadway, and increasing the mining amount of unmanned intelligent mining machine.
US09494030B2	System and method for surface steerable drilling A system and method for surface steerable drilling are provided. In one example, the method includes monitoring operating parameters for drilling rig equipment and bottom hole assembly (BHA) equipment for a BHA, where the operating parameters control the drilling rig equipment and BHA equipment. The method includes receiving current inputs corresponding to performance data of the drilling rig equipment and BHA equipment during a drilling operation and determining that an amount of change between the current inputs and corresponding previously received inputs exceeds a defined threshold. The method further includes determining whether a modification to the operating parameters has occurred that would result in the amount of change exceeding the defined threshold and identifying that a problem exists in at least one of the drilling rig equipment and BHA equipment if no modification has occurred to the operating parameters. The method includes performing a defined action if a problem exists.
US09494014B1	Multi-cycle circulating valve assembly A circulating valve assembly can include a valve controlling flow between an interior and an exterior of the assembly, another valve controlling flow between sections of a flow passage extending through the assembly, and an actuator that both opens one valve and closes the other valve in response to each of multiple positive pressure differentials from the interior to the exterior. A system for use with a well can include a circulating valve assembly controlling flow through a tubular string and a well tool connected in the tubular string downstream of the assembly. In one configuration of the assembly, the flow passes through the well tool. In another configuration, the flow passes from the tubular string to an annulus external to the tubular string, with the flow substantially bypassing the well tool. The assembly cycles between the configurations in response to alternating increases and decreases in the flow.
US09494013B2	Configurable and expandable fluid metering system A configurable metering cartridge includes a body having a tortuous pathway between an inlet and an outlet, and the tortuous pathway includes a plurality of restrictors. At least one valve is in fluid communication with the tortuous pathway and is selectively positionable to allow or prevent fluid flow through one or more of the plurality of restrictors.
US09494012B2	Foamed cement compositions containing metal silicides usable in subterranean well operations The invention relates to cement compositions containing a metal silicide such as an alkali metal silicide or an alkaline earth metal silicide. Upon mixing with water, the metal silicide reacts to generate hydrogen gas, a silicate, and heat—each of which is advantageous for the large variety of uses to which cements are put. The invention relates to a foamable cement composition comprising about 99.999 wt % to about 98.5 wt % of a cement, and about 0.001 wt % to about 1.5 wt % of a metal silicide or a mixture of metal silicides. Concretes and grouts containing the cement composition are also disclosed. Other embodiments provide methods for forming cement structures, including in subterranean formations and wells.
US09494010B2	Synchronic dual packer A downhole tool having a first packing element and a second packing element configured to synchronically set to selectively hydraulically isolate a portion of the wellbore. The movement of a pin along a j-slot track on a second sleeve sets the second packer in compression and the movement of a pin along a j-slot track on a first sleeve the first packer in tension after the second packer has been set. The j-slot track on the first sleeve has six different pin positions and the j-slot track on the second sleeve has four different pin positions. The pin positions and direction of travel of the j-slot tracks are adapted to permit the synchronized setting of the two packing elements to hydraulically isolate a portion of the wellbore. The wellbore may then be treated by flowing fluid out of a ported sub positioned between the packing elements.
US09494005B2	Subterranean solids separator A debris removal device for subterranean use features a debris laden inlet tube within a housing to define a debris collection space at the lower end of the housing. An eductor draws the debris laden fluid to the top of the inlet tube where the flow stream is returned to a downhole direction with discrete passages formed between the housing and the inlet tube by spaced parallel plates. The plates feature extending tabs on diametrically opposed lower ends of the plates. As a result flow heading back downhole can release debris and turn back uphole in passages defined between the outside of the plates and the inside wall of the housing. The tabs allow the flow turning uphole to make a greater radius turn because of a crossing over effect created by the tabs. There is less turbulence and narrower width to the flowing stream going uphole.
US09493999B1	Spinning gas separator for drilling fluid A gas-separator for separating trapped gases from drilling fluids retrieved from a well-bore being drilled is disclosed. The gas-separator includes a cylindrical separator which is capable of rotating on its longitudinal axis when fluid and gases flow out through fluid ejection ports, which access the center bore of the cylindrical separator. The fluid ejection ports have a narrower cross-section towards the center bore and a wider cross-section at the opposite end, and are preferably aligned substantially tangentially with periphery of center bore, such that outflow of drilling fluid (and gases) from the center bore through the ejection ports induces a rotational torque on the cylindrical separator. Spinning of cylindrical separator enhances the gas-separation effect.
US09493993B1	Work string and method of completing long lateral well bores A work string for completing long lateral well bores is assembled using small diameter drill pipe having a nigh make-up torque for a curved section and lateral bore of a well. A larger diameter drill pipe is used in the vertical section of the well to facilitate pushing the small diameter drill pipe through the long lateral bore.
US09493988B2	String supported whipstock for multiple laterals in a single trip and related method A whipstock is supported adjacent the lower end of a string during the drilling of the lateral. It has no integrated anchor. The BHA is delivered through the string that supports the whipstock. After a lateral is drilled the BHA is retracted and the support string is manipulated to advance the whipstock to a new location for proper orientation with a gyroscopic tool. The BHA is then advanced through the support string for drilling of another lateral in the same trip in the hole. The process can be repeated as many times as needed. Peripheral pads on the lower end of the whipstock push the lower end of the whipstock ramp to the borehole wall for proper tracking of the lateral. The laterals can be in open or cased hole and the support string can have circulation ports near the whipstock to cool the BHA in geothermal wells.
US09493981B2	Safety mechanism for a window covering A safety device for a window covering comprises a head rail and a shade panel extending from the head rail. A lift cord extends along one side of the shade panel between the head rail and the bottom of the shade panel. A safety device engages the lift cord to control the movement of the lift cord away from the shade panel. The safety device may also shroud the lift cord to limit access to the lift cord portion.
US09493980B1	Stile and rail door with hollow core stiles and rails for perimeter air flow Stile and rail door apparatus for preventing the build up of pressure in a room having a register for a forced air system through which air flows into the room includes hollow core stiles and rails and which hollow cores define a chamber and a panel having an outer periphery secured to spacers to secure the outer periphery of the panel within chamber to provide a perimeter air flow about the panel. Air flow from the room is through the door by flowing into the chamber and about the outer periphery of the panel and outwardly from the chamber and outwardly from the room in a non linear manner.
US09493976B2	Vehicle opening/closing member damper apparatus and vehicle opening/closing member stopper apparatus A damper apparatus includes a piston having a flange-shaped piston main body and piston rods which project from both ends of the piston main body, a cylinder having a cylinder main body which accommodates the piston main body slidably and cylindrical portions which support slidably the piston rods, respectively, a fastener which is attached to the one cylindrical portion so as to secure the cylinder to an opening/closing member, and a coil spring which biases the one piston rod to project from the other cylindrical portion such that a distal end portion of the piston rod abuts a circumferential edge of an opening portion of a vehicle.
US09493968B2	Striker with expandable sleeve A striker assembly includes a striker having an attachment portion, a shaft portion having a cylindrical outer surface, and a shoulder portion between the shaft portion and the attachment portion. The striker assembly also includes a striker sleeve having a wall that has an inner surface defining an interior space having first and second openings. The wall has corrugations such that the inner surface defines a plurality of concave portions and joining portions that interconnect the concave portions. The concave portions and the joining portions extend from the first opening to the second opening. The shaft portion is inside the interior space and the outer surface of the shaft portion contacts the joining portions of the inner surface of the striker sleeve.
US09493961B2	Efficient layout and design of production facility An improved layout for a manufacturing facility is disclosed. The layout includes a production area which includes a hub which is at least partially surrounded by a manufacturing area. The manufacturing area comprises production stages used in the manufacturing process. The hub, having direct line-of-sight to the production stages, can easily monitor the manufacturing process.
US09493958B1	Wedge-activated rod clamp assembly A rod clamp assembly and method for securing a rod. The assembly includes a housing and wedge member. The housing has an oppositely-disposed pair of sidewalls and an oppositely-disposed pair of endwalls. The sidewalls have a side passage that passes through the housing and defines an interior cavity within the housing. The endwalls have an end passage that passes through the housing and its cavity. The end passage includes at least two end passage walls within the housing, each end passage wall being between the cavity and one of the endwalls. The end passage has a cross-sectional shape defined at least in part by two opposing series of holes that increase in diameter toward the cavity, resulting in each of the end passage walls comprising a series of steps. The wedge member has a cross-sectional shape that enables the wedge member to be inserted through the side passage.
US09493956B2	Custom coffered surface layout, fabrication, and installation methods and processes A coffer includes a panel; beam wall boards attached perpendicular to a first side of the panel and extending away from the panel and forming the side walls for a pattern of intersecting, non-structural hollow box beams, wherein the panel extends past the beam wall boards to create a fastening flange or point by which one or more modules are secured to a substrate; and a beam wall molding cut to size and custom-fitted to the beam wall boards and a panel after the beam wall boards have been attached to the panel, wherein the beam wall molding connects surfaces between the beam wall boards and the panel without covering the beam wall board edges and wherein the panel directly terminates into a perpendicular wall or surface or into the substrate and wherein the modules and resulting hollow box beams include polygonal and curved shapes and wherein the beam wall moldings follow the exact shape of the beam wall boards to eliminate spaces between the beam wall moldings and the beam wall board that would require filling by an additional board, part or component.
US09493947B2	Wall insulation systems and stanchion Disclosed is a wall system and a method of fabricating that wall. The system uses a stanchion, or bracket. The bracket is installed between the outer flanges of the structural girts that make up the wall and a wall panel. The tabs create space between the girt and panel that enables insulation to be spread out into the additional space created. This reduces heat losses in the wall.
US09493943B1	Flashing attachment apparatus and method An improved flashing attachment apparatus and method consists of a mesh with a length and a width where the mesh is folded over along its width to create a closed end and an open end along its length and a top and a bottom. A membrane is connected with the mesh between the top and the bottom of the mesh where the membrane extends past the open end at least partially along the length of the mesh.
US09493941B2	Thermal break wall systems and thermal adjustable clip Exterior wall systems, cladding for same and components of such systems, including a clip for use in mounting cladding and a thermal block comprising a silica aerogel material.
US09493940B2	Slab construction system and method for constructing multi-story buildings using pre-manufactured structures The present invention integrates the use of pre-manufactured structures with minimal on-site installation and lift-slab construction to achieve the construction of multi-story buildings. The pre-manufactured structures are designed to be readily integrated with both horizontal and vertically adjacent building components, including lift-slab components, so that multiple building stories may be readily and securely stacked, one on top of the other. The present invention advantageously permits top-down lift-slab construction for multi-story buildings. The present invention also provides for the development of flexible design plans for institutional, residential, office and other types of buildings. The present invention advantageously provides for easier, more efficient, faster, cheaper, safer, higher quality and more consistent, environmentally advantaged, energy-efficient, easier to maintain, intelligently designed, and customizable multi-story building construction.
US09493939B2	Airform for facilitating construction of a structure An airform that can be inflated, for example, for facilitating construction of a structure is provided. The airform may include a first portion, a second portion, or multiple other portions, and reinforcement. The first portion may, for example, be configured to be disposed in a first orientation, such as vertically or in a radial profile, when the airform is inflated. The second portion transitioning from the first portion may be configured, for example, to assume an alternate shape and profile, such as a radial shape and profile, when the airform is inflated. The reinforcement may, for example, be provided at a portion of the airform that defines a transition from the first portion to the second portion.
US09493926B2	Pin assembly for work implement coupling assembly having float and lock positions A coupling assembly for a machine includes a work implement having a float mode, in which the work implement moves relative to the machine, and a lock mode, in which the work implement has a fixed position relative to the machine. A pin assembly connects the work implement to the machine and itself is movable between a float position, in which the pin assembly supports the work implement in the float mode, and a lock position, in which the pin assembly supports the work implement in a lock mode. A retainer has a float assembly configuration, in which the retainer holds the pin assembly in the float position, and a lock assembly configuration, in which the retainer holds the pin assembly in the lock position, thereby facilitating adjustment of the work implement between float and lock modes.
US09493921B2	Snow removal truck broom systems and methods A broom assembly for a vehicle includes a frame, a broom core axle rotatably coupled to the frame and defining an axis around which a broom rotates when in use, an actuator coupled to the frame and positioned to raise and lower the broom core axle relative to the frame, and a controller. The controller has an output for adjusting the actuator and an input for receiving position information from a sensor. The controller is configured to use the received position information to automatically lower the broom core axle over a period of operation to account for an estimated wear of the broom.
US09493916B2	System and method for mobile subvehicular access and treatment of ground surfaces about occupied rail tracks A system and method are provided for subvehicularly accessed treatment of ground surfaces about a rail track occupied by a rail vehicle. A mobile treatment unit having a propulsion mechanism for subvehicular passage between the rails occupied by the rail vehicle includes a dispensing portion for expelling a treatment material therefrom onto regions of the ground surface about the rails. The mobile treatment unit is maneuverable between the rails and maintains height clearance for unobstructed passage beneath the occupying rail vehicle. At least one sensor unit is coupled to the mobile treatment unit, which acquires environmental feedback data about the mobile treatment unit. A control unit is operably linked to the mobile treatment and sensor units, and receives the environmental feedback data. The control unit controls actuation of the mobile treatment unit responsive to the environmental feedback and/or a maneuver control command.
US09493915B2	Tree well and related methods The present invention relates integrating trees into urban environments. It is a method for creating a tree well that is permeable, supports tree growth, safe for pedestrians, and aesthetically pleasing. The invention solves many of the problems associated with urban trees such as drainage problems, odor problems, and trip hazards.
US09493907B1	Laundry collar with clip A laundry collar having a strap and a fastener that releasably interconnects the opposing strap ends, and a locking clip attached to one end of the strap and having opposing jaws which each have a plurality of teeth. A means for locking the jaws closed around an article of clothing secures the article to the laundry collar.
US09493900B2	Washing machine and detergent delivery pump assembly thereof A washing machine and a detergent delivery pump assembly thereof are provided. The detergent delivery pump assembly includes a pump defining a plurality of fixed-volume chambers therein for containing detergents respectively, each fixed-volume chamber being provided with a liquid inlet valve and a liquid outlet valve; a plurality of pistons disposed in the plurality of fixed-volume chambers in one-to-one correspondence relationship and each including a piston head, the piston head being controlled to reciprocate in the fixed-volume chamber to draw or push out a fixed volume of detergent; a motor assembly; and a transmission mechanism to associate the piston heads with the motor assembly, such that the piston heads are controlled to move in the fixed-volume chambers by the motor assembly.
US09493894B2	Interior panel for vehicle An interior component for a vehicle may include a nonwoven fabric impregnated with a resin. The nonwoven fabric and resin are consolidated into a solid sheet devoid of pockets. The interior component may exclude metal coated filler particles and lubricants. The method of making the interior component includes the steps of: forming a nonwoven fabric of a staple fiber and a resin, consolidating the nonwoven fabric and the resin into a solid sheet, and forming the solid sheet into the vehicle component. The vehicle may be an airplane, train, subway car, light rail car, bus, or automobile. The resin may be a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyphenylene sulfide, polyetherimide, polyaryletherketone, co-polymers thereof, and combinations thereof.
US09493893B2	Knitting needle set The present disclosure is directed to a needle set that includes a plurality of knitting needles configured to knit tubular knitted items, each knitting needle including: a first needle point, a second needle point, and a shank extending between the first and second needle points, the first needle point being a different needle shape from the second needle point.
US09493892B1	Proliferated thread count of a woven textile by simultaneous insertion within a single pick insertion event of a loom apparatus multiple adjacent parallel yarns drawn from a multi-pick yarn package In one or more embodiments, multiple texturized polyester weft yarns of denier between 15 and 65 are wound on a single bobbin in a parallel adjacent fashion such that they may be fed into an air jet pick insertion apparatus and/or a rapier pick insertion apparatus of an air jet loom to weave a textile that has between 90 to 235 ends per inch cotton warp yarns and between 100 and 965 polyester weft yarns.
US09493888B2	Automated vision system for a crystal growth apparatus Various embodiments of a method for producing a crystalline material in a crucible in a crystal growth apparatus are disclosed. The method comprises, in part, the step of monitoring for remaining solid feedstock in a liquid feedstock melt with an automated vision system positioned above the crucible. Alternatively, or in addition, the method comprises the step of monitoring for solidified crystalline material in a partially solidified melt with the automated vision system. A crystal growth apparatus comprising the automated vision system is also disclosed.
US09493878B2	Surface roughening agent for aluminum, and surface roughening method using said surface roughening agent Provided are a surface roughening agent for aluminum and a surface roughening method using said surface roughening agent wherein it is possible to easily reduce costs for the surface roughening step and to improve the adhesiveness between aluminum and a resin. Specifically, provided is a surface roughening agent for aluminum comprising an aqueous solution containing: an alkali source, an amphoteric metal ion, a nitrate ion, and a thio compound. Moreover, provided is a surface roughening method for aluminum which involves a surface roughening step in which the surface of aluminum is treated with the aforementioned surface roughening agent.
US09493869B2	Transparent conductive film A crystalline transparent conductive film containing indium oxide as a main component, and cerium, exhibiting low resistance derived from high refractive index and high carrier electron mobility, as well as small surface roughness, which is obtained by film-formation using an ion plating method. In the film, cerium content is 0.3 to 9% by atom, as an atomic number ratio of Ce/(In+Ce); film-formation is made using an ion plating method; and arithmetic average height (Ra) is 1.0 nm or lower. Also the film can contain one or more of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, molybdenum and tungsten, at a content of 1% by atom or lower, as an atomic number ratio of M/(In+Ce+M).
US09493868B2	Aluminum or aluminum alloy-coated steel material and method of manufacturing the same An aluminum or aluminum alloy-coated steel material includes base steel; and a coating layer formed on a surface of the base steel and containing by mass % Mg: 6% to 10%, Si: 3% to 7%, Fe: 0.2% to 2%, Mn: 0.02% to 2%, and the balance as Al and incidental impurities, wherein the coating layer has pseudoternary eutectic microstructures of αAl—Mg2Si—(Al—Fe—Si—Mn) and an area ratio of the pseudoternary eutectic microstructures in the coating layer is at least 30%.
US09493864B2	Line pipe steels and process of manufacturing A process for producing high strength steel is provided. The process includes providing a steel slab having a chemical composition in weight percent within a range of 0.025-0.07 C, 1.20-1.70 Mn, 0.050-0.085 Nb, 0.022 max Ti, 0.065 max N, 0.0040 max S, 0.10-0.45 Si, 0.070 max P, with the balance being Fe and incidental impurities. The steel slab is soaked within a temperature range of 1150-1230° C., hot rolled using a roughing treatment in order to produce a transfer bar and further hot rolled using a finishing treatment in order to produce hot rolled strip. The hot rolled strip is cooled using a cooling rate between 10-100° C./second (sec) and coiled within a temperature range of 580-400° C. Finally, the coiled hot rolled strip has a yield strength of at least 80 ksi and a DWTT transition temperature equal or less than −20° C.

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