Document	Document Title
US09659813B1	Interconnection and manufacturing method thereof An interconnection includes first and second conductive layers, first and second dielectric layers, a stop layer, and first and second adhesion layers is provided. The first conductive layer is disposed over a semiconductor substrate. The first dielectric layer is over the first conductive layer, and the first dielectric layer includes a via hole. The second dielectric layer is disposed over the first dielectric layer. The stop layer is located between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer, and the second dielectric layer and the stop layer include a trench. The second conductive layer is located in the via hole and the trench to electrically connect with the first conductive layer. The first adhesion layer is located on sidewalls of the trench. The second adhesion layer is located between the second conductive layer and the first adhesion layer and between the second conductive layer and the first dielectric layer.
US09659805B2	Fan-out interconnect structure and methods forming the same A method includes forming an adhesive layer over a carrier, forming a sacrificial layer over the adhesive layer, forming through-vias over the sacrificial layer, and placing a device die over the sacrificial layer. The Method further includes molding and planarizing the device die and the through-vias, de-bonding the carrier by removing the adhesive layer, and removing the sacrificial layer.
US09659804B2	Orientating and installing jig An orientating and installing jig for orientating a heat-dissipating unit (or a workpiece) to fix on a heat-generating device (or a target device) above a circuit board (or a supporting baseplate), which includes a carrying board formed with at least one assembling opening, a plurality of fixing posts and a pair of arrest-orientating modules oppositely arranged at two sides of the assembling opening. The assembling opening is shaped correspondingly to the shape of the heat-dissipating unit. The fixing posts are disposed at a bottom surface of the carrying board for fixing the carrying board above the circuit board. Each arrest-orientating module includes an arresting barrier. The arresting barrier is rotatably disposed at a suspending position of suspending the workpiece on the carrying board, and a releasing position of allowing the workpiece to pass through the assembling opening, so that the workpiece is put on the target device.
US09659801B2	High efficiency buffer stocker A high-efficiency buffer stocker is disclosed. The buffer stocker includes an overhead transport track for supporting overhead transport vehicles carrying wafer containers and at least one conveyor system or conveyor belt provided beneath the overhead transport track for receiving the wafer containers from the overhead transport vehicles on the overhead transport track. The buffer stocker is capable of absorbing the excessive flow of wafer containers between a processing tool and a stocker, for example, to facilitate the orderly and efficient flow of wafers between sequential process tools in a semiconductor fabrication facility, for example.
US09659799B2	Systems and methods for dynamic semiconductor process scheduling Embodiments of the present disclosure can help increase throughput and reduce resource conflicts and delays in semiconductor processing tools. An exemplary method according to various aspects of the present disclosure includes analyzing, by a computer program operating on a computer system, a plurality of expected times to complete each of a respective plurality of actions to be performed by a semiconductor processing tool, the semiconductor processing tool including a first process module and a second process module.
US09659798B2	System and method for producing devices including a semiconductor part and a non-semiconductor part A system produces devices that include a semiconductor part and a non-semiconductor part. A front end is configured to receive a semiconductor part and to process the semiconductor part. A back end is configured to receive the processed semiconductor part and to assemble the processed semiconductor part and a non-semiconductor part into a device. A transfer device is configured to automatically handle the semiconductor part in the front end and to automatically transfer the processed semiconductor part to the back end.
US09659795B2	Foreign matter removal device and foreign matter removal method A device includes a jig having a plate with through-holes formed therein and also having a frame formed on the plate so as to be able to accommodate a plurality of semiconductor chips in spaced relationship, a foreign matter capture member having a first charge section with a first flat surface and a second charge section with a second flat surface, the second charge section being insulated from the first charge section, charging means for positively charging the first flat surface and negatively charging the second flat surface, and sliding means for causing either the jig or the foreign matter capture member to slide relative to the other in such a manner that the through-holes of the jig are spaced a predetermined distance from the first and second flat surfaces. The through-holes are formed in different regions defined and surrounded by the frame.
US09659788B2	Nitrogen-containing compounds for etching semiconductor structures A method for etching silicon-containing films is disclosed. The method includes the steps of introducing a vapor of a nitrogen containing etching compound into a reaction chamber containing a silicon-containing film on a substrate, wherein the nitrogen containing etching compound is an organofluorine compound containing at least one C≡N or C═N functional group; introducing an inert gas into the reaction chamber; and activating a plasma to produce an activated nitrogen containing etching compound capable of etching the silicon-containing film from the substrate.
US09659787B2	High-purity 2-fluorobutane The present invention is a high-purity 2-fluorobutane having a purity of 99.9 vol % or more and a butene content of 1,000 ppm by volume or less, and a method for using the high-purity 2-fluorobutane as a dry etching gas. According to the present invention, a high-purity 2-fluorobutane that is suitable as a plasma reaction gas for semiconductors is provided.
US09659781B2	Method for forming a floating gate in a recess of a shallow trench isolation (STI) region A method includes forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) region in a substrate, the STI region comprising an etch stop layer; etching the STI region by a first etch to the etch stop layer to form a recess in the STI region; and forming a floating gate, the floating gate comprising a portion that extends into the recess in the STI region, wherein the etch stop layer separates the portion of the floating gate that extends into the recess in the STI region from the substrate.
US09659777B2	Process for stabilizing a bonding interface, located within a structure which comprises an oxide layer and structure obtained The invention relates to a process for stabilizing a bonding interface, located within a structure for applications in the fields of electronics, optics and/or optoelectronics and that comprises an oxide layer buried between an active layer and a receiver substrate, the bonding interface having been obtained by molecular adhesion. In accordance with the invention, the process further comprises irradiating this structure with a light energy flux provided by a laser, so that the flux, directed toward the structure, is absorbed by the energy conversion layer and converted to heat in this layer, and in that this heat diffuses into the structure toward the bonding interface, so as to thus stabilize the bonding interface.
US09659776B2	Doping for FinFET First and second fins are formed extending from a substrate. A first layer is formed over the first fin. The first layer comprises a first dopant. A portion of the first layer is removed from a tip portion of the first fin. A second layer is formed over the second fin. The second layer comprises a second dopant. One of the first and second dopants is a p-type dopant, and the other of the first and second dopants is an n-type dopant. A portion of the second layer is removed from a tip portion of the second fin. A solid phase diffusion process is performed to diffuse the first dopant into a non-tip portion of the first fin, and to diffuse the second dopant into a non-tip portion of the second fin.
US09659771B2	Conformal strippable carbon film for line-edge-roughness reduction for advanced patterning Embodiments of the disclosure relate to deposition of a conformal organic material over a feature formed in a photoresist or a hardmask, to decrease the critical dimensions and line edge roughness. In various embodiments, an ultra-conformal carbon-based material is deposited over features formed in a high-resolution photoresist. The conformal organic layer formed over the photoresist thus reduces both the critical dimensions and the line edge roughness of the features.
US09659765B2	Enhancement of modulus and hardness for UV-cured ultra low-k dielectric films Embodiments described herein generally relate to methods for processing a dielectric film on a substrate with UV energy. In one embodiment, a precursor film is deposited on the substrate, and the precursor film includes a plurality of porogen molecules. The precursor film is first exposed to UV energy at a first temperature to initiate a cross-linking process. After a first predetermined time, the temperature of the precursor film is increased to a second temperature for a second predetermined time to remove porogen molecules and to continue the cross-linking process. The resulting film is a porous low-k dielectric film having improved elastic modulus and hardness.
US09659764B2	Method of controlled crack propagation for material cleavage using electromagnetic forces To address the needs in the art, a method of cleaving substrate material that includes forming an initial crack in a bulk substrate material, where the crack is aligned along a cleaving plane of the bulk substrate material, aligning the cleaving plane between two parallel electrodes in a controlled environment, wherein the parallel electrodes include a top electrode and a bottom electrode, where the cleaving plane is parallel with the two parallel electrodes, where a bottom portion of the bulk substrate material is physically and electrically connected to the bottom electrode, and applying a voltage across the two parallel electrodes, where the voltage is at least 50 kV and establishes a uniform electromagnetic force on the top surface of the bulk substrate material, where the electromagnetic force is capable of inducing crack propagation along the cleaving plane and separating a cleaved substrate material from the bulk substrate material.
US09659746B2	Adjustment method for charged particle beam drawing apparatus and charged particle beam drawing method According to one embodiment, a method of adjusting a charged particle beam drawing apparatus includes obtaining an offset amount in beam size to be set in the charged particle beam drawing apparatus. The method includes forming a linear evaluation pattern on a substrate by changing number of divisions of a beam with a predetermined size and performing drawing by using divided beams, obtaining a change amount in a line width of the evaluation pattern from a design dimension for each number of divisions, and calculating the offset amount by fitting a model function to the change amount for each number of divisions, the model function being obtained by modeling a pattern line width based on a distribution of energy given by charged particle beams.
US09659739B2	Blanking of electron beam during dynamic focal spot jumping in circumferential direction of a rotating anode disk of an X-ray tube An apparatus (210) and method for total or partial blanking of an electron beam (e) during a jump between the 2 or more positions of a dynamic focal spot (FP) movement in circumferential direction of the electron beam impinging on the focal track (FPTR) of a rotating target disk (230) of a X-ray tube (110). Alternatively the focal spot size can be increased during this short time interval. Overheating of the anode at the focal spot can be prevented.
US09659737B2	Phosphor coating for irregular surfaces and method for creating phosphor coatings Microstructured, irregular surfaces pose special challenges but coatings of the invention can uniformly coat irregular and microstructured surfaces with one or more thin layers of phosphor. Preferred embodiment coatings are used in microcavity plasma devices and the substrate is, for example, a device electrode with a patterned and microstructured dielectric surface. A method for forming a thin encapsulated phosphor coating of the invention applies a uniform paste of metal or polymer layer to the substrate. In another embodiment, a low temperature melting point metal is deposited on the substrate. Polymer particles are deposited on a metal layer, or a mixture of a phosphor particles and a solvent are deposited onto the uniform glass, metal or polymer layer. Sequential soft and hard baking with temperatures controlled to drive off the solvent will then soften or melt the lowest melting point constituents of the glass, metal or polymer layer, partially or fully embed the phosphor particles into glass, polymer, or metal layers, which partially or fully encapsulate the phosphor particles and/or serve to anchor the particles to a surface.
US09659731B2	Portable actuator assembly A portable actuator and safety switch assembly wherein the portable actuator includes a housing and an actuator for selectively engaging with a control mechanism of said safety switch. The actuator is at least one of partially located within the housing, forms a part of the housing, or is attached to the housing. The assembly includes a controller that controls a configuration of the actuator assembly, such that the actuator assembly can selectively and controllably attain a first configuration wherein the actuator is able to interact with the control mechanism of the safety switch and a second configuration wherein the actuator is unable to manipulate the control mechanism of said safety switch.
US09659726B2	Switching device with improved tripping action in the event of a short circuit A switching device having an arc quenching chamber, a fixed contact element and a movable contact element movable in a sliding contact between untripped and tripped positions within the chamber. A plurality of centering structures are arranged on the walls of the arc quenching chamber for centered guiding movement of the movable contact element as it moves from its untripped position to its tripped position. The centering structures may be fabricated unitarily with the chamber walls, as of plastic, and are arranged in parallel and spaced apart relation to one another.
US09659723B2	Accessory controller with switch module An accessory may be provided with a button controller having a microphone and switches. Plastic structures for the accessory may be formed by injection molding. Plastic structures may be molded around switch terminals. Switches may be formed using dome switch members and the switch terminals. A printed circuit with components may be mounted in the plastic structures. Recesses in the structures may be configured to receive the dome switch members, components on the printed circuit board, and wires in a cable. A backplate may be used to cover the printed circuit. A layer of plastic may be molded over the backplate to seal an interface created by the backplate. Cable strain relief structures may be molded into the layer of plastic. A lip on the strain relief structures may prevent particles from entering the controller.
US09659719B2	Display switch A display switch includes a holding portion that formed by a light guide member and adapted to hold a held portion, and a display portion that is integrally formed with the holding portion by the light guide member, is embedded in a light shielding portion, and emits light by guiding a light irradiated to the holding portion.
US09659714B2	Solid electrolytic capacitor including insulating substrate having recessed surface A solid electrolytic capacitor comprises insulating substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface, a capacitor element disposed on the upper surface, a positive electrode lead-out structure, a negative electrode lead-out structure, and an exterior body configured to cover the capacitor element on the upper surface. The capacitor element has a positive electrode member, a negative electrode member, and a dielectric member. The positive electrode lead-out structure has a positive electrode terminal formed on the lower surface of the insulating substrate and is electrically connected to the positive electrode member. The negative electrode lead-out structure has a negative electrode terminal formed on the lower surface of the insulating substrate and is electrically connected to the negative electrode member. The insulating substrate has a step portion made up of a recessed surface formed by recessing the upper surface and a projected surface formed by projecting the lower surface.
US09659709B2	Common mode filter and manufacturing method thereof A common mode filter and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. A common mode filter in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes: a substrate: a filter layer disposed on the substrate and configured to remove a signal noise; an electrode column formed to be bent along a perimetric portion of the filter layer and electrically connected with the filter layer; an electrode pad formed to have a larger longitudinal cross-sectional area than the electrode column and integrally coupled on the electrode column; and a magnetic layer formed on a layer on which the electrode column and the electrode pad are formed.
US09659705B2	Method of producing surface-mount inductor A method of producing a surface-mount inductor including an external electrode having high fixing strength with respect to an element body even in a high-humidity environment. The method includes the steps of: winding an electrically-conductive wire to form a coil; forming a core using a sealant primarily containing a metal magnetic powder and a resin in such a manner as to encapsulate the coil in the sealant while allowing each of opposite ends of the coil to be at least partially exposed on a surface of the core; reducing smoothness of a surface of at least a part of a portion of the core on which an external electrode is formed as compared to a surface therearound; and forming the external electrode on the core in such a manner as to be electrically conducted with the coil.
US09659687B2	Noise reduction cable A noise reduction cable includes an insulated wire including an insulator and a wire conductor, an outer circumference of which is coated with the insulator, a magnetic-material layer including a magnetic-material-containing member wound around an outer circumference of the insulated wire, a shield layer with which an outer circumference of the magnetic-material layer is coated, a magnetic-material-fixing-and-insulating tape layer that is disposed between the magnetic-material layer and the shield layer. The magnetic-material-fixing-and-insulating tape layer fixes the magnetic-material layer and insulates the magnetic-material layer and the shield layer from each other.
US09659679B2	Composite filar for implantable medical device A composite filar has a conductive core, an outer fatigue-resistant metallic layer and a diffusion barrier between the core and the fatigue-resistant layer to prevent intermetallic diffusion between the core and the fatigue-resistant layer.
US09659675B2	Fuel rod auto-loading apparatus for nuclear fuel assembly Disclosed is a fuel rod auto-loading apparatus for a nuclear fuel assembly, which disposes fuel rods in a fuel rod case in a bundle to assemble the fuel rods into the nuclear fuel assembly. The fuel rod auto-loading apparatus includes a fuel rod storage unit having a plurality of stacked racks for fuel rods, a fuel rod loading unit raised/lowered to the racks and transferring the fuel rods, a feeding unit placing the fuel rods in rows and loading the fuel rods into the fuel rod case, a fuel rod unloading unit selectively unloading some of the fuel rods stored in the fuel rod storage unit and transferring the fuel rods to the feeding unit, a fuel rod assembly lifter which is disposed parallel to the feeding unit, and a controller controlling driving of the fuel rod loading unit, the feeding unit, and the fuel rod unloading unit.
US09659674B2	Instrumentation and control penetration flange for pressurized water reactor A nuclear reactor having a penetration seal ring interposed between the reactor vessel flange and a mating flange on the reactor vessel head. Radial ports through the flange provide passage into the interior of the reactor vessel for utility conduits that can be used to convey signal cables, power cables or hydraulic lines to the components within the interior of the pressure vessel. A double o-ring seal is provided on both sides of the penetration flange and partial J-welds on the inside diameter of the flange between the flange and the utility conduits secure the pressure boundary.
US09659669B2	Device and method for repairing memory cell and memory system including the device Provided are a method and an apparatus for repairing a memory cell in a memory test system. A test device detects a fail address by testing a memory device according to a test command, and temporarily stores the fail address in a fail address memory (FAM). The fail address is transmitted to the memory device according to a fail address transmission mode, is temporarily stored in a temporary fail address storage of the memory device, and is then stored in an anti-fuse array, which is a non-volatile storage device. To secure the reliability of data, stored data can be read to verify the data and a verification result can be transmitted in series or in parallel to the test device.
US09659667B2	Circuit for reading one time programmable memory A circuit for reading a one time programmable (OTP) memory includes a controller that receives a read input signal and generates a read delay signal, a read voltage signal, and a read latch signal; a read voltage generator that generates a read voltage based on the read voltage signal and outputs the read voltage to a detecting node; an OTP memory unit cell including a first electrode connected to the detecting node; a first detecting unit that determines a voltage at the detecting node; a determining unit that delays an output signal from the first detecting unit based on the read delay signal; and a latch unit that latches an output signal from the determining unit during a first delay time at a falling edge of the read input signal based on the read latch signal.
US09659665B1	Sensing control signal generation circuit and semiconductor memory device including the same The present invention relates to a sensing control signal generation circuit and a semiconductor memory device including the same. In an embodiment, a semiconductor memory device may include a memory block suitable for including a plurality of memory cells coupled in series and a plurality of cell strings respectively coupled to a plurality of bit lines, page buffers suitable for being coupled to the respective bit lines in response to a sensing control signal and each suitable for sensing a voltage of each of the bit lines transferred to a sensing node and storing data corresponding to the results of the sensing or temporarily storing data to be programmed into a selected memory cell, and a sensing control signal generation unit suitable for generating the sensing control signal having a form of a ramping signal rising at a constant slope during the program operation.
US09659664B1	Dynamically adjusting read voltage in a NAND flash memory A NAND flash memory device detects the occurrence of Cell Voltage Distribution Disruption Events (CVDDEs), such as a Partial Block Program (PBP) and Program-Read-Immediate (PM), and provides a way to dynamically adjust read voltage to account for CVDDEs. A read command includes extended addressing bits that are used when a CVDDE has occurred to access registers that indicate an adjustment to read voltage that is needed to accommodate the CVDDE. The read voltage is then dynamically adjusted to accommodate the CVDDE. When the CVDDE is no longer an issue, the read voltage is adjusted to its previous value before the CVDDE.
US09659658B2	Nonvolatile memory device, storage device including the nonvolatile memory device, and operating method of the storage device A storage device includes a nonvolatile memory device and a memory controller is provided. The nonvolatile memory device includes a plurality of blocks. The memory controller is configured to detect, upon receiving a power-on signal, a partial block among the plurality of blocks. The partial block includes a first page incompletely programmed due to sudden power-off occurred to the storage device. The memory controller determines whether or not to perform a dummy program operation on the partial block, and programs a second page of the partial bock with dummy data. The first page is different from the second page.
US09659655B1	Memory arrays using common floating gate series devices Semiconductor devices and methods of writing information to a memory cell include an n-type transistor connected to a first terminal. The n-type transistor is formed with a low injection-barrier material gate dielectric. A p-type transistor is connected in serial between the n-type transistor and a second terminal. The p-type transistor is formed with a low injection-barrier material gate dielectric. The first and second transistor share a common floating gate and a common output node.
US09659654B2	Method to prevent loss of data of a transistor-based memory unit A method to prevent loss of data of transistor-based memory unit including bulk, source and drain formed on bulk and first tunnel oxide, floating gate, second tunnel oxide and control gate stacked up on channel between source and drain is disclosed to include steps of: erasing the floating gate, using weak electric field inject small amount of electrons into floating gate, enabling small amount of electrons to remain in floating gate to keep channel between source and drain electrically conducted, enabling small amount of electrons in floating gate to repel against electrons in first tunnel oxide and second tunnel oxide so as avoid electron accumulation in first tunnel oxide and second tunnel oxide and allow normal data access floating gate, and using electric field of normal write to inject electrons in floating gate so as to prevent channel conduction between source and drain and allow writing data into floating gate.
US09659650B2	Multistate register having a flip flop and multiple memristive devices A multistate register, comprising: a flip-flop that comprises a first latch, a second latch and an intermediate gate coupled between the first and second latches; multiple memristive devices; and an interface coupled between the multiple memristive devices and the flip-flop; wherein the multistate register is arranged to operate in a memristive device write mode, in a memristive device read mode and in a flip-flop mode; wherein when operating in the memristive device read mode, the interface is arranged to write to a first selected memristive device of the multiple memristive devices a first logic value stored in the first latch; wherein when operating in the memristive device write mode, the interface is arranged to write to the second latch a second logic value stored in a second selected memristive device of the multiple memristive devices; and wherein when operating on a flip-flop mode logic the interface is prevented from transferring values between the flip flop and the memristive devices.
US09659639B2	Threshold voltage analysis Apparatuses and methods for threshold voltage analysis are described. One or more methods for threshold voltage analysis include storing expected state indicators corresponding to a group of memory cells, applying a first sensing voltage to a selected access line to which the group of memory cells is coupled, sensing whether at least one of the memory cells of the group conducts responsive to the first sensing voltage, determining whether a discharge indicator for the at least one of the memory cells has changed responsive to application of the first sensing voltage, and determining that the first sensing voltage is the threshold voltage for a particular program state of the at least one of the memory cells.
US09659637B2	Correlating physical page addresses for soft decision decoding A storage device may include a processor and a memory device including a multilevel memory cell. The processor may correlate a first physical page address and a second physical page address, each address being associated with the multilevel memory cell. The processor also may apply a first read operation to the memory cell to determine a value of a first bit associated with the first physical page address. The processor additionally may apply at least a second read operation to the multilevel memory cell to determine a value of a second bit associated with the second physical page address. The processor may determine, based at least in part on the value of the first bit and the value of the second bit, a soft decision value associated with the second bit. The processor may verify the value of the second bit based at least in part on the soft decision value.
US09659631B2	Current sense amplifiers, memory devices and methods A current sense amplifier may include one or more clamping circuits coupled between differential output nodes of the amplifier. The clamping circuits may be enabled during at least a portion of the time that the sense amplifier is sensing the state of a memory cell coupled to a differential input of the sense amplifier. The clamping circuits may be disabled during the time that the sense amplifier is sensing the state of a memory cell at different times in a staggered manner. The clamping circuits may be effecting in making the current sense amplifier less sensitive to noise signals.
US09659628B2	Signal timing alignment based on a common data strobe in memory devices configured for stacked arrangements Disclosed are various embodiments related to stacked memory devices, such as DRAMs, SRAMs, EEPROMs, ReRAMs, and CAMs. For example, stack position identifiers (SPIDs) are assigned or otherwise determined, and are used by each memory device to make a number of adjustments. In one embodiment, a self-refresh rate of a DRAM is adjusted based on the SPID of that device. In another embodiment, a latency of a DRAM or SRAM is adjusted based on the SPID. In another embodiment, internal regulation signals are shared with other devices via TSVs. In another embodiment, adjustments to internally regulated signals are made based on the SPID of a particular device. In another embodiment, serially connected signals can be controlled based on a chip SPID (e.g., an even or odd stack position), and whether the signal is an upstream or a downstream type of signal.
US09659617B2	Clock control device A clock control device is disclosed, which relates to a technology for changing a rising or falling edge trigger. The clock control device includes: a flip-flop configured to latch data in response to a delay clock signal; and a clock controller configured to output the delay clock signal by delaying a clock signal, and control the data to be triggered at a falling edge of the clock signal when the clock signal is input at a time earlier than the data.
US09659616B2	Configuration fuse data management in a partial power-on state In an embodiment, an apparatus may include a plurality of circuit blocks, a plurality of fuses and circuitry. The circuitry may be configured to determine a state for each of the plurality of fuses in response to transitioning from an off mode to a first operating mode. A first number of circuit blocks may be enabled in the first operating mode. The circuitry may also be configured to initialize the first number of circuit blocks dependent upon the states of one or more of the plurality of fuses and to transition from the first operating mode to a second operating mode. A second number of circuit blocks, less than the first number, may be enabled in the second operating mode. The circuitry may also be configured to store data representing the states of a subset of the plurality of fuses into a first memory enabled in the second operating mode.
US09659615B1	Semiconductor device comprising pipe latch circuit and auto-precharge signal generation circuit A semiconductor device may include an input/output control signal generation circuit configured to generate at least one input control signal and at least one output control signal from a first control clock in response to a shifting control signal, a bank address latch circuit configured to generate a latch bank address signal by latching at least one bank address in response to the at least one input control signal and the at least one output control signal, a pipe latch circuit configured to generate an auto-precharge latch signal by latching an auto-precharge flag signal in response to the at least one input control signal and the at least one output control signal, and an auto-precharge signal generation circuit configured to generate at least one auto-precharge signal from the auto-precharge latch signal.
US09659612B1	Semiconductor memory apparatus A semiconductor memory apparatus may include a data storage region, a pipe register group, and an output driver. The data storage region may store data and output stored data as pipe input data. The pipe register group may include a plurality of pipe registers. In response to a plurality of coupling enable signals, a plurality of pipe input signals and a plurality of pipe output signals, the pipe register group may determine a number of pipe registers receiving the pipe input data and outputting pipe output data. The output driver may drive the pipe output data and transmit output data.
US09659604B1	Dual-bit 3-T high density MTPROM array A multi-time programmable memory (MTPM) memory cell and method of operating. Each MTPM bit cell including a first FET transistor and a second FET transistor having a first common connection, and said second FET transistor and a third FET transistor having a second common connection, said first and second connected FET transistors programmable to store a first bit value, and said second FET and said third connected FET transistors programmable to store a second bit value, wherein said first FET transistor exhibits a low threshold voltage value (LVT), said second FET transistor exhibits an elevated threshold voltage value HVT and said third FET transistor exhibits a threshold value LVT lower than HVT. The MTPM cell enables two bits of information to be stored as default bit values like an electrical fuse. To store opposite bit values, the LVT transistors are programmed such that their threshold voltage is higher than that of HVT.
US09659603B2	Power management circuit for an electronic device A power management circuit for an electronic device sequentially activates and/or deactivates electronic circuits of the electronic device. The power management circuit provides a first group of one or more circuit power management signals to activate and/or deactivate a first electronic circuit from among the electronic circuits. Thereafter, the power management circuit provides a corresponding power management signal from among a second group of the one or more circuit power management signals that corresponds to a portion of the first electronic circuit that has been activated and/or deactivated by the first group of the one or more circuit power management signals to activate and/or deactivate a portion of a second electronic circuit from among the electronic circuits. The power management circuit continues to sequentially provide each of the one or more circuit power management signals in a similar manner until the electronic circuits of the electronic device have been activated and/or deactivated.
US09659601B2	Memory module with packages of stacked memory chips An apparatus is provided that includes a plurality of array dies and at least two die interconnects. The first die interconnect is in electrical communication with a data port of a first array die and a data port of a second array die and not in electrical communication with data ports of a third array die. The second die interconnect is in electrical communication with a data port of the third array die and not in electrical communication with data ports of the first array die and the second array die. The apparatus includes a control die that includes a first data conduit configured to transmit a data signal to the first die interconnect and not to the second die interconnect, and at least a second data conduit configured to transmit the data signal to the second die interconnect and not to the first die interconnect.
US09659600B2	Filter customization for search facilitation A classifier may be used to receive, via a website, user input associated with a product search of a user, and may be further used to identify a plurality of filters associated with the product search and predict a user-specific subset of the plurality of filters. Then, a filter manager may be used to provide a webpage of the website to the user, based on the user-specific filter subset.
US09659596B2	Systems and methods for motion-vector-aided video interpolation using real-time smooth video playback speed variation Systems and methods for encoding and playing back video at adjustable playback speeds by interpolating frames to achieve smooth playback in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described. One embodiment includes a source encoder that includes a processor, memory including an encoder application, where the encoder application directs the processor to: select a subset of frames from a first video sequence; generate motion vectors describing frames from the first video sequence that are not part of the selected subset of frames, where each motion vector describes movement between a frame in the subset of frames and a frame not included in the subset of frames; store the motion vectors; decimate frames not included in the subset of frames from the first video sequence to generate a second video sequence having a nominal frame rate less than the frame rate of the first video sequence; and encode the second video sequence at the nominal frame rate.
US09659594B2	Integrated recording head with selective movement In one example, a head is provided that may include a slider body, a transducer body, a transducer connected to the transducer body, and an interleaver assembly interconnecting the slider body and the transducer body. The interleaver assembly may include an interleaver body to which the transducer body is attached, the interleaver body having a plurality of geometric features that enable temporary deformation of the interleaver body in response to exertion of a force on the interleaver body, and the interleaver body may further include piezoelectric elements positioned in the interleaver body, the piezoelectric elements operable such that, when selectively actuated, the piezoelectric elements exert a force on the interleaver body so as to effect selective movement of the transducer with respect to a surface of a medium.
US09659593B2	Dynamic gain control for use with adaptive equalizers According to one embodiment, a method for processing data includes directing first data through a first FIR gain module in response to a determination that the first data is being read from a magnetic tape medium in an asynchronous mode to control FIR gain of the first data. The method also includes directing second data through a second FIR gain module in response to a determination that the second data is being read from the magnetic tape medium in a synchronous mode to control FIR gain of the second data. Other systems and methods for processing data using dynamic gain control with adaptive equalizers are presented according to more embodiments.
US09659582B2	Method of manufacturing an electronic device A method of manufacturing an electronic device includes a positioning step of positioning a first member supporting a laser diode with respect to a second member having a waveguide, a bonding step of bonding the first member and the second member together, and a checking step of checking the accuracy of positioning of the first member with respect to the second member. In the positioning step, the laser diode is energized to allow laser light to be emitted, and the laser light is allowed to be incident on the incidence end of the waveguide. In the bonding step, a bonding material is melted by irradiating the first member with heating light while the laser diode is not energized. In the checking step, the laser diode is energized again.
US09659579B2	Method of and apparatus for evaluating intelligibility of a degraded speech signal, through selecting a difference function for compensating for a disturbance type, and providing an output signal indicative of a derived quality parameter The present invention relates to a method of evaluating intelligibility of a degraded speech signal received from an audio transmission system conveying a reference signal. The method comprises sampling said reference and degraded signal into frames, and forming frame pairs. For each pair one or more difference functions representing a difference between the degraded and reference signal are provided. A difference function is selected and compensated for different disturbance types, such as to provide a disturbance density function adapted to human auditory perception. An overall quality parameter is determined indicative of the intelligibility of the degraded signal. The method comprises determining a switching parameter indicative of audio power level of said degraded signal, for performing said selecting.
US09659575B2	Signal processor and method therefor The signal processor suppresses noise components contained in input sound signals by iterative spectral subtraction. The processor derives coherence from first and second directional signals having directivity characteristics on the basis of a pair of input sound signals, and controls the times of iteration of spectral subtraction on the basis of the coherence, thereby suppressing the noise components contained in the input sound signals.
US09659573B2	Signal processing apparatus and signal processing method, encoder and encoding method, decoder and decoding method, and program The present invention relates to a signal processing apparatus and a signal processing method, an encoder and an encoding method, a decoder and a decoding method, and a program capable of reproducing music signal having a better sound quality by expansion of frequency band.A high band decoding circuit decodes high band encoded data outputs a coefficient table having coefficients for the respective high band sub-bands, which are specified by a coefficient index obtained as a result of decoding. A decoding high band sub-band power calculation circuit calculates decoded high band sub-band powers for the respective high band sub-bands based on low band signals and the coefficient table, and a decoded high band signal production unit produces decoded high band signals from these decoded high band sub-band powers. At this time, an extension and reduction unit newly produces or deletes coefficients of the coefficient table for the respective sub-bands to correspond to the number of sub-bands of the calculated decoded high band sub-band powers, thereby to extend or reduce the coefficient table. The present invention can be applied to a decoder.
US09659562B2	Environment adjusted speaker identification A system estimates environment-specific alterations of a user sound received at the system. The system modifies the received user sound to formulate a modified user sound by at least compensating for the audio modifications and/or formulates an expected audio model of a user by modifying a stored user-dependent audio model of the user with the audio modification. The system is also capable of estimating whether the received user sounds is from a particular user by use of a corresponding user-dependent audio model.
US09659556B1	Methods of repairing an acoustic sandwich panel and acoustic sandwich panel repair kits therefor A method of repairing an acoustic core cell of an acoustic sandwich panel is provided. The method comprises inserting a core repair splice adjacent to a number of damaged walls of the acoustic core cell of the acoustic sandwich panel, nesting the core repair splice onto the number of damaged walls, and bonding the core repair splice to the number of damaged walls and thereby to repair the acoustic core cell of the acoustic sandwich panel.
US09659554B1	Whistle/bottle-opener system An upper plate and a similarly configured lower plate each have a serpentine forward edge, a linear rearward edge, a left edge, a right edge, an upper surface, and a lower surface. The upper and lower plates each have a whistle section and a laterally spaced bottle-opener section. A C-shaped bend couples the upper and lower plates. An upper hole extends through the upper plate in the whistle section. An axially aligned lower hole extends through the lower plate in the whistle section. A J-shaped notch extends through the upper plate and the lower plate and the C-shaped bend at the rearward edge in the bottle-opener section.
US09659546B2	Control apparatus and control method to control external device depending on motion of human body A display apparatus includes a detector configured to detect an infrared ray emitted from a human body; a state signal generator configured to generate a state signal including at least one of a first state signal component indicating that the human body is approaching the detector and a second state signal component indicating that the human body is leaving from the detector in response to an intensity variance of the infrared ray detected with the detector; and a controller configured to start controlling an external device upon detecting the first state signal component from the state signal generated by the state signal generator but to stop controlling the external device upon detecting the second state signal component from the state signal.
US09659545B2	Display apparatus and method of driving the same A display apparatus includes a display panel and a light source part. The display panel includes a first subpixel having a first color, a second subpixel having a second color and a transparent subpixel. The light source part provides a light to the display panel. The light source part includes a first light source generating a first light having a mixed color of the first primary color and the second primary color and a second light source generating a second light having a third primary color. At least one of the first and second light sources are repeatedly turned on and off.
US09659544B2	Luminance suppression power conservation Described herein are systems and methods that reduce power consumption for an electronics device including a display. The systems and methods alter video information in a display area and reduce power for a display device when a graphics item is enlarged and the enlargement threatens to increase perceived luminance for the graphics item or increase aggregate luminance for the display area. Altering the video information reduces the luminance of video information in at least the graphics item when enlarged. This may offset perceived luminance gained by human visual processing when an item increases in size. If the graphics item is smaller than the display area after enlargement, then other video information in the display area may also be altered to conserve power.
US09659542B2	Gate driving unit and display device having the same A gate driver includes multiple stages. Each stage has a circuit portion and a wiring portion. The wiring portion delivers first and second clock signals to the circuit portion. Further, the wiring portion includes first and second clock wirings receiving the first and second clock signal, respectively, first connecting wirings electrically connecting the first clock wiring with a first every other stage, and second connecting wirings electrically connecting the second clock wiring with the odd-numbered stages. Further, the wiring portion includes third connecting wirings electrically connecting the first connecting wiring with a second every other stage and fourth connecting wirings electrically connecting the second connecting wiring with the even-numbered stages. This configuration may prevent the gate driver from operating erroneously and reduce power consumed by the gate driver.
US09659534B2	Reducing visual artifacts and reducing power consumption in electrowetting displays Subject matter disclosed herein relates to addressing schemes that reduce visual artifacts and power consumption in electrowetting display devices. The electrowetting display comprises a first substrate and a second substrate opposite to the first substrate, wherein a plurality of pixel regions are defined between the first substrate and the second substrate. The electrowetting display further comprises a first fluid within the pixel regions and a second fluid on the first fluid, wherein the second fluid is immiscible with the first fluid. The electrowetting display also comprises a timing controller that includes a memory. The timing controller is configured to drive the plurality of pixel regions with one or more addressing schemes that control rates of driving the plurality of pixel regions.
US09659531B2	Display device and display device drive method for controlling luminance of RGBW subpixels and a lighting unit In a display device, pixels each including first to fourth subpixels that respectively display first to third primary colors and fourth color are arranged on an image display panel. A lighting unit emits light to the panel from the rear thereof. A control unit calculates a required luminance value for each block of the display surface of the panel based on an input image signal, determines a light source lighting amount of the lighting unit based on luminance distribution information on the lighting unit so as to satisfy the required luminance value, generates luminance information on each pixel based on the luminance distribution information and light source lighting amount, generates an output image signal that drives the subpixels based on the luminance information and input image signal, controls the lighting unit by the light source lighting amount, and controls the panel by the output image signal.
US09659530B2	Display A display is disclosed. The display comprises a panel, a data driver and a scan driver. The panel comprises pixels, data lines and scan lines. The data lines transmit data signals to the pixels, and the scan lines transmit scan signals to the pixels. The data driver provides the data signals, and the scan driver provides the scan signals. The scan driver comprises a shift register circuit. The shift register circuit comprises an i+1th stage carry shift register, an ith stage carry shift register and a jth stage buffer shift register. The ith stage carry shift register generates an i+1th start signal to start the i+1th stage carry shift register, so that the i+1th stage carry shift register generates an i+2th start signal. The i+1th start signal starts the jth stage buffer shift register to generate a jth output signal.
US09659528B2	Organic light emitting display device and method for driving the same A method of compensating driving TFTs in an organic light emitting display device is discussed. According to an embodiment, the method includes applying a varied drain voltage to a drain of a specific driving TFT in one of a plurality of pixels; and compensating the specific driving TFT by the varied drain voltage, so as to maintain a constant drain-source voltage at the specific driving TFT.
US09659527B2	Pixel circuits for AMOLED displays The OLED voltage of a selected pixel is extracted from the pixel produced when the pixel is programmed so that the pixel current is a function of the OLED voltage. One method for extracting the OLED voltage is to first program the pixel in a way that the current is not a function of OLED voltage, and then in a way that the current is a function of OLED voltage. During the latter stage, the programming voltage is changed so that the pixel current is the same as the pixel current when the pixel was programmed in a way that the current was not a function of OLED voltage. The difference in the two programming voltages is then used to extract the OLED voltage.
US09659514B2	Display device and method with ghost cancellation according to image blocks Disclosed herein is a display device for determining whether or not ghost exists in a unit of a block to perform ghost cancellation, and a control method of the display device. According to an embodiment, the display device includes: a screen configured to display an image; a calculator configured to partition the screen into a plurality of blocks and determine whether or not ghost exists in at least one block of the blocks; and a controller configured to cancel ghost existing in the at least one block in response to the calculator determining that the ghost exists in the at least one block of the blocks.
US09659498B2	Exterior mirror assembly with blind zone indicator A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate, and a blind zone indication module. The module includes a first portion disposed at an aperture through the back plate and an internal structure that has reflective surfaces and at least one aperture. A circuit board is disposed at a second portion of the housing such that at least one light emitting diode is disposed at a respective aperture of the internal structure. The reflective surfaces are configured so that light emitted by the light emitting diode is generally directed towards the side of the vehicle. The circuit board is disposed at the second portion such that electrically conductive terminals of the circuit board are disposed in a connector portion that is configured to connect to a connector of a wire harness of the exterior rearview mirror assembly.
US09659497B2	Lane departure warning system and lane departure warning method A lane departure warning system includes an image photographing unit attached to a front of a vehicle to photograph an object in a forward direction of the vehicle; a driving unit receiving image data from the image photographing unit, filtering the image data to search for a lane pair, converting an image coordinate of the image data into a real coordinate to calculate a lateral distance between the lane pair and the vehicle and to calculate a lateral speed of the vehicle, and generating a warning generating signal as a time of lane change elapses by obtaining the time of lane change; and a warning unit receiving the warning generating signal to generate a lane departure warning signal.
US09659492B2	Real-time vehicle spacing control In an embodiment, a system detects when vehicle bunching is about to occur or is already occurring within a given transit system. The system resolves the bunching using an event and tone based system which regulates the arrival and departure times of vehicles at vehicle stops. Also, an embodiment includes a method for receiving location information for a plurality of vehicles along a route, determining a relative distance between a first vehicle of the plurality of vehicles and at least a second vehicle of the plurality of vehicles as a function of the received location information, and generating an action signal for at least one of the plurality of vehicles located on the route, wherein the action signal is in response to the determined relative distance.
US09659483B2	System for leveraging a user's geo-location to arm and disarm network a enabled device A system includes a security monitoring device in a monitored physical location, a security processing system, and one or more mobile devices. The one or more mobile devices are configured to communicate with the security monitoring device over a network and the security monitoring device is configured to communicate with the security processing system via the network. The security monitoring device and the security processing system device are configured to arm and disarm based on geolocation data associated with at least one of the mobile user devices.
US09659477B1	Wireless wearable device platform Wearable electronic devices configured to connect to cellular network(s) via radio transceiver(s) and methods of using such devices are described herein. These wearable electronic devices receive data from a sensor and transmit the data or a notification regarding the data via the radio transceiver. The wearable electronic devices can also provide feedback to the user regarding the data collected, or regarding indications received via the radio transceiver from a third party provider, including a cloud service. Further, the wearable devices may be customizable such that additional functionality may be added by downloading additional software applications and/or by the addition of physical modules, such as those containing additional sensors.
US09659470B2	Door/window contact system A window or door position detector includes an RFID tag attachable to a window or a door and a transceiver. The transceiver emits an activating signal to the tag. The tag, in turn, responds with an identifying RF signal indicative of a predetermined position of the window or the door. The detector includes a transceiver that can communicate with both the tag and a displaced monitoring system control panel.
US09659468B2	Haptic feedback in a haptically noisy environment A method for providing haptic feedback is provided for a device that produces haptic noise, such as a power tool with an electric motor that produces noises and vibrations while in operation. An environmental condition of the device can be sensed while the device is being operated and generating haptic noise. A haptic noise characteristic of the device can be determined. A haptic drive signal based on the environmental condition and haptic noise characteristic can be generated. The haptic drive signal can be applied to a haptic output device associated with the device.
US09659466B1	POS apparatus and display device A display device includes a chassis, an electronic module, and a waterproof breathable member. The chassis has a front frame and a rear cover installed on the front frame. The rear cover has a plurality of heat-dissipating holes and an intake port, and the chassis is configured to allow a heat-dissipating airflow to pass through the accommodating space via the heat-dissipating holes and the intake port. The electronic module arranged in the chassis has a circuit board, and the heat-dissipating holes are arranged above the circuit board. The waterproof breathable member is disposed on an inner surface of the rear cover and entirely shields the heat-dissipating holes, so the heat-dissipating airflow only passes through the waterproof breathable member when the heat-dissipating airflow flows out of the chassis via the heat-dissipating holes. The waterproof breathable member is configured to avoid any liquid flowing into the chassis via the heat-dissipating holes.
US09659464B2	User terminal system and method A monitoring system for a user terminal, wherein the user terminal comprises at least one application for controlling a user transaction or interaction process of the user terminal, the user transaction or interaction process comprising providing content data to a hardware device of the user terminal and outputting the content data to the user by the hardware device, and the monitoring system comprises monitoring means for monitoring the content data and determining a state of the user transaction or interaction process from the content data.
US09659459B2	Game server, gaming system and a gaming method In a first aspect, the invention provides a game server configured to communicate during use with at least one player terminal, each of which is configured to facilitate play of a centrally drawn game, the game server configured to: determine that a win rule of the centrally drawn game has been satisfied; determine a prize corresponding to satisfaction of the win rule; and find a probabilistic game instance having a prize outcome corresponding to the prize, at least in part, by executing one or more probabilistic game instances to attempt to find a probabilistic game instance having a prize outcome corresponding to the prize.
US09659448B1	System and method for monetizing winnings from virtual gaming The present invention provides methods and systems for monetizing virtual poker winnings that include selecting a first plurality of contestants for participation in a virtual poker tournament; conducting the virtual poker tournament, wherein each one of the first plurality of contestants play in the virtual poker tournament using a device operatively coupled to the computer system via an internet connection, and wherein no prizes are awarded in relation to the conducting of the virtual poker tournament; selecting a subset of the first plurality of contestants to form a second plurality of contestants, wherein the second plurality of contestants qualifies for entry to a live poker tournament, and wherein the selecting of the subset of the first plurality of contestants is based at least in part on performance in the virtual poker tournament; conducting the live poker tournament; and awarding prizes to a subset of the second plurality of contestants.
US09659446B2	Real money gambling payouts that depend on online social activity Software on a server and/or client device causes a view in a graphical user interface (GUI) for a game to be displayed to a user. The game is an online gambling game for real money. The software receives input from the user. The input includes a wager and play according to game mechanics for the game. The software calculates a payout from the play. The payout includes a promotional payout that depends at least in part on a measure of social activity associated with the user or a measure of social influence associated with the user. And the software broadcasts the payout to at least one other person who is a social relation of the user.
US09659444B2	Gaming system and method for providing cashable and non-cashable credits upon cash-out Gaming systems and methods for providing a customer with additional non-cashable credits upon completion of the game are provided herein. The gaming machine includes a game controller that is configured to receive a player input to play a wagering game on the gaming machine. The game controller is also configured to generate results for the wagering game, wherein the results include credits won or lost. The game controller is configured to add or subtract the credits won or lost to the player's total credit balance and provide the player with an amount of additional non-cashable credits upon ending the game, wherein the player must forgo a portion of their remaining credits in order to receive the amount of additional non-cashable credits, and wherein the non-cashable credits cannot be used with the same or another gaming machine without an additional input of currency into the gaming machine by the player.
US09659443B2	Triggering in-application currency transfer Systems and methods are disclosed for electronically transferring currency from a source user account to a target user account in relation to a game application. A payment service provider may receive a request to transfer an amount of currency from the source user account to the target user account to be used for the game application.
US09659434B2	Modular wagering game machine signage Modular wagering game machine signage is described herein. In some embodiments, a modular wagering game machine sign can include a center module including a plurality of support members, at least one outer panel covering the frame, and a lighted faceplate including lighting units. The lighting units can include light emitting diodes (LEDs) and globes. The sign can also includes at least one side module connected to the center module via hand-spinning latches configured to press against one or more of the center module s support members.
US09659432B2	Gaming machine having light splitting emotive lighting feature A gaming system includes at least one light pipe which splits, reflects, and propagates light provided from one or more internal light sources to a plurality of external regions of the gaming system. The light sources may include sets of LEDs which deliver light via multiple light pipes or differing sections of the same light pipe, in varying configurations. Each light pipe may utilize a light splitter-reflector to receive, split, direct, propagate, and emit light from one or more sections of internally positioned light sources, simultaneously projecting decorative lighting to multiple exterior surfaces and regions of the gaming system. Light pipe assemblies may be constructed from modular pieces which include a separate light splitter-reflector, or from a single piece of uniform material which splits, directs, and emits light. Variations of direct light, indirect (reflected) light, and combinations of both enable various lighting patterns on the exterior of gaming machines.
US09659428B2	Gaming system and a method of gaming A gaming system comprising a display, an object selector arranged to select at least one object to be placed in each container of a set of a plurality of containers displayed on the display and an outcome generator arranged to determine a game outcome based on at least one characteristic of the object or objects placed in at least part of each container of the set of containers.
US09659427B2	Vending machine and associated methods A vending machine comprises a robotic arm and a pick mechanism that is coupled to the robotic arm. The pick mechanism is configured to retrieve a vendible product in the vending machine, and the robotic arm is configured to locate the pick mechanism at a location with a x-y coordinate that corresponds to the vendible product. The pick mechanism comprises a first roller, a second roller, and a belt that mechanically links the first and second rollers by forming a loop around the first and second rollers. The belt has a first portion and a second portion on opposing sides of the loop, and the second portion of the belt is coupled to the robotic arm. The pick mechanism further comprises a motor that is configured to rotate the first roller in order to translate the first and second portions of the belt in opposite directions to each other. The pick mechanism further comprises a picker arm extending in the z direction. The picker arm has a proximal portion closest to the first roller and a distal portion furthest from the first roller. The proximal portion is coupled to the first portion of the belt in order to be moved in the z-direction as the first roller is rotated, and the distal portion comprises a product picker for releasably attaching to the vendible product.
US09659425B2	Electronic key for authentication An electronic key supports a plurality of authentication methods and effectively prevents bidding-down attacks. For this purpose, security information is additionally provided by the electronic key, based on which a card reading device recognizes which authentication methods are supported by the electronic key. When the reading device recognizes based on said information that the electronic key supports a stronger second authentication method, but the authentication method was not recognized by the card reading device, the electronic key is, for example, rejected.
US09659416B2	Abnormality determination apparatus for vehicle There is provided a heat flux sensor with first and second interlayer connection members composed of different metals from each other of which metal atoms maintain a predetermined crystal structure embedded in first and second via holes of a thermoplastic resin made insulating substrate, the first and the second interlayer connection members are connected in series alternately, and a control unit that performs abnormality determination of a heating element disposed in a vehicle. The heat flux sensor is provided to the heating element and outputs a sensor signal corresponding to heat flux between the heating element and an outside air, and the control unit determines based on the sensor signal that there is abnormality in the heating element when the heat flux between the heating element and the outside air is out of a predetermined range.
US09659410B2	Low latency augmented reality display An augmented reality system is provided and a method for controlling an augmented reality system are provided. The augmented reality system, for example, may include, but is not limited to a display, a memory, and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the display and memory, the at least one processor configured to generate image data having a first resolution at a first rate, store the generated image data in the memory, and transfer a portion of the generated image data having a second resolution to the display from the memory at a second rate, wherein the second rate is faster than the first rate and the second resolution is smaller than the first resolution. This dual rate system then enables a head-tracked augmented reality system to be updated at the high rate, reducing latency based artifacts.
US09659408B2	Mesh reconstruction from heterogeneous sources of data A system, apparatus, method, computer program product, and computer readable storage medium provide the ability to reconstruct a surface mesh. Photo image data is obtained from a set of overlapping photographic images. Scan data is obtained from a scanner. A point cloud is generated from a combination of the photo image data and the scan data. An initial rough mesh is estimated from the point cloud data. The initial rough mesh is iteratively refined into a refined mesh.
US09659407B2	Preemptive flushing of spatial selective bins for deferred graphics processing A graphics processing unit (GPU) is provided to preemptively flush one or more bins. The GPU generates bin data of a display area according to an association of primitive data with the bins that correspond to the display area. Upon detecting an adaptive condition, a signal is generated to indicate that one or more bins of a first frame are to be flushed in a first order before the first frame is fully binned. The signal interrupts bin flush of a second frame in a second order in order to flush the one or more bins of the first frame in the first order. After the one or more bins of the first frame are flushed, the bin flush of the second frame is resumed in the second order.
US09659404B2	Normalized diffusion profile for subsurface scattering rendering The disclosure provides an approach for rendering images which include subsurface scattering effects. In one aspect, a shader computes subsurface scattering effects via a ray-tracing or point-based technique using a normalized diffusion profile. The shader may use the inverse of a cumulative density function associated with the normalized diffusion profile to determine, for each ray intersecting the surface, points on the surface at which to evaluate the normalized diffusion profile. To determine the lit surface of a pixel due to subsurface scattering, the shader may multiply the result of the integral of the normalized diffusion profile for each of the R, G, and B color components by corresponding components of a diffuse color constant. Further, the shader may scale the integral of the normalized diffusion profile based on a scaling function which accounts for a forward-scattering nature of a medium and compensates for out-of-plane scattering.
US09659393B2	Selective rasterization According to one embodiment, a given tile, made up of pixels or samples, may be of any shape, including a square shape. These pixels may contain colors, depths, stencil values, and other values. Each tile may be further augmented with a single bit, referred to herein as a render bit. In one embodiment, if the render bit is one, then everything is rendered as usual within the tile. However, if the render bit is zero, then nothing is rasterized to this tile and, correspondingly, depth tests, pixel shading, frame buffer accesses, and multi-sampled anti-aliasing (MSAA) resolves are not done for this tile. In other embodiments, some operations may be done nevertheless, but at least one operation is avoided based on the render bit. Of course, the render bits may be switched such that the bit zero indicates that everything should be rendered and the bit one indicates more limited rendering.
US09659380B1	Object position tracking using motion estimation A method includes tracking positions of object(s) in video frames, including: processing an initial frame of a set of frames of the video frames using feature extraction to identify locations of features of the object(s), obtaining a next frame of the set and applying a motion estimation algorithm as between the next frame and a prior frame to identify updated locations of the features in the next frame, where locations of the features as identified based on the prior frame are used as input to the motion estimation algorithm to identify the updated locations of the features in the next frame based one searching less than an entirety of the next frame. The tracking further includes recognizing occurrence of an event, halting the iteratively performing, and repeating, for at least one subsequent set of frames, the processing an initial frame and the using motion estimation.
US09659376B2	Filtering device When a positional relationship between reference blocks differs from a positional relationship between comparison blocks, a filtering device replaces the corresponding comparison blocks to update positional relationship information (order of correlations and the positional relationship thereof) into a state where the information should be and, thus, appropriately derives a difference value of an object so that the positional relationship between the reference blocks become identical to the positional relationship between the comparison blocks.
US09659371B2	System and method for online projector-camera calibration from one or more images A system and method for online projector-camera calibration from one or more images is provided. The system comprises: a projector, a camera, and a calibration device configured to: determine a map between pixels of each of a projector image and a camera image in fewer than one hundred percent of pixels of the projector image using feature extraction; determine an initial estimate of a fundamental matrix from the map; determine an initial guess of intrinsic properties of the projector and camera using one or more closed-form solutions; iteratively determine an error-function based on the map using the fundamental matrix while adding constraints on the intrinsic properties using the one or more closed-form solutions, and the initial estimate and guess as initial input; and, when the error-function reaches an acceptance value, determine intrinsic and extrinsic properties of the projector and the camera from current values of iterative estimates.
US09659370B2	Cortical bone segmentation from MR Dixon data The present invention relates to a method for segmenting MR Dixon image data. A processor and a computer program product are also disclosed for use in connection with the method. The invention finds application in the MR imaging field in general and more specifically may be used in the generation of an attenuation map to correct for attenuation by cortical bone during the reconstruction of PET images. In the method, a surface mesh is adapted to a region of interest by: for each mesh element in the surface mesh: selecting a water target position based on a water image feature response in the MR Dixon water image; selecting a fat target position based on a fat image feature response in the MR Dixon fat image; and displacing each mesh element from its current position to a new position based on both its water target position and its corresponding fat target position.
US09659367B2	Head mounted video and touch detection for healthcare facility hygiene A system and method tracks touches in a healthcare environment in order to analyze paths of transmission and contamination for the purpose of eliminating and containing transmission of colonizing, drug-resistant pathogens. Touches are identified and tracked with the use of recording devices. Each touch is logged and a touch graph is generated to identify transmission paths.
US09659362B2	Methods and systems for generating a fingerprint for verification of a reference object Disclosed herein are methods and systems for generating a fingerprint for verification of a reference object, such as a layer or ply during a composite laminate layup procedure. An exemplary method includes the steps of generating at least one reference image of a reference object; removing lighting effects from the at least one reference image to create at least one processed image; generating a reference fingerprint for the reference object based on the at least one processed image; generating at least one candidate image of a candidate object; generating a candidate fingerprint for the candidate object based on the at least one candidate image; and comparing the candidate fingerprint and the reference fingerprint to determine a correlation. An alert is generated based on the comparison. The alert is indicative that the correlation between the candidate fingerprint and the reference fingerprint exists.
US09659360B2	Identifying an original object in a forgery-proof way For identifying an original object comprising a surface essentially made of a first substance in a forgery-proof way, atoms of a second substance not soluble in the first substance are deposited on the surface. The surface is subjected to a beam of energized atoms providing movability to the atoms of the second substance in the surface to allow for a nucleation of a phase separation of a phase, in which the atoms of the second substance are concentrated. Then, an image of a surface pattern originating from the nucleation of the phase separation is taken and stored as a identifier for the original object. When a comparison image of a surface pattern of some object supposed to be the original object is compared to the identifier, the object is confirmed as being the original object, if the surface patterns in the identifier and the comparison image are identical.
US09659357B2	Device for correcting image processing data, and method for correcting image processing data A mounting control device including an error detection device which detects an error based on image processing data and a component image taken of the component; and a data creation device which creates image processing data based on a component image, is provided. Processing of creating image processing data is performed automatically at a component mounting machine. Accordingly, because an operator does not need to perform work of creating image processing data, the work load on the operator may be reduced, and it is possible to improve work efficiency and productivity.
US09659356B2	Image blur correction apparatus and image blur correction method An image blur correction apparatus, comprises a blur correction amount calculation unit configured to calculate a blur correction amount based on a shake amount of the apparatus; an estimation calculation unit configured to calculate an estimated value of the blur correction amount using a blur correction amount calculated up until a previous time; a correction unit configured to correct an image blur by cutting out an image using the blur correction amount or the estimated value; and a determination unit configured to determine whether or not to calculate the estimated value in accordance with a frame rate of a moving image.
US09659355B1	Applying corrections to regions of interest in image data A method, a system, and computer program product for correcting image artifacts in image data captured by a camera sensor in conjunction with a flash. The method includes extracting, from a buffer, an image data captured by at least one camera sensor. The method then includes determining, from a metadata of the image data, a face in the image data and a position of a first eye and a second eye. The method then includes selecting at least one region of interest around at least one of the first and the second eye based on a size of the face and a distance between the eyes. In response to selecting the at least one region of interest, at least one correction is applied to the at least one region of interest to reduce or eliminate the appearance of at least one image artifact in the image data.
US09659349B2	Color filter array scaler A system identifies a scaling position in a captured image, and identifies red subpixels adjacent to the scaling position. The system computes a scaled red subpixel for the scaling position based on the identified red subpixels according to constraints. The system further computes a scaled blue subpixel based on identified adjacent blue subpixels, according to constraints, and computes a scaled green subpixel position based on Gr and Gb subpixels adjacent to the scaling position according to certain constraints. The system then generates a scaled image representative of the captured image, the scaled image including at least the scaled red subpixel value, the scaled blue subpixel value, and the scaled green subpixel value.
US09659346B2	Image processing apparatus, image processing method, solid-state imaging device, and electronic apparatus configured to calculate a pixel value of a target position in accordance with a weighted value of each pixel on a candidate line of a plurality of candidate lines An image processing apparatus includes: a target position selecting unit to select a pixel position on an input image, as a target position; a candidate line setting unit to set two or more sets of candidate lines including a pixel with a value, in the vicinity of the target position; a weighted-value calculating unit to calculate a weighted value that corresponds to a degree of expectation that the target position and the pixel position on the candidate line are on the same pattern; a direction classifying unit to selectively determine a set of candidate lines that are close to a direction of a pattern of the target position in accordance with the weighted value of each pixel on the candidate lines; and a first interpolated-value calculating unit to calculate a pixel value of the target position in accordance with the weighted value of each pixel on the candidate lines.
US09659341B2	Texture pipe as an image processing engine A texture pipe of a graphics processing unit (GPU) may receive a texture data. The texture pipe may perform a block-based operation on the texture data, wherein the texture data comprises one or more blocks of texels. Shader processors of the GPU may process graphics data concurrently with the texture pipe performing the block-based operation. The texture pipe may output a result of performing the block-based operation on the one or more texture data.
US09659332B2	Grid controller for use in smart grid system, smart grid system including the same, and method of controlling smart grid system A grid controller is communicably connected to controllers of a plurality of power storage units. The grid controller: obtains transmission power transmitted from the smart grid system to an external power system, the transmission power being a sum of electric power generated by power generating units, electric power consumed by loads in the smart grid system, and electric power charged into and discharged from the power storage units; calculates differential power between the transmission power and a smoothing operation output, the smoothing operation output being obtained by performing smoothing operation on the transmission power by using a smoothing filter; and performs control of smoothing the transmission power by performing allocation of the differential power of the transmission power in accordance with a charge-discharge state of each of power storage parts of the plurality of power storage units.
US09659331B1	Insurance claim capitation and predictive payment modeling A claim-based capitation model is proposed for handling vehicle repair insurance claims. Rather than determining a detailed estimate of the expected actual cost of repair, the estimate may be determined using a simpler model. For example, the insurance company and a repair facility may agree to following a predictive payment model in which the insurance company pays a fixed predicted capitated amount of money for each repair claim, regardless of the amount of repair work that will be needed. Alternatively, the insurance company may pre-pay a fixed capitated amount for a predicted number of future insurance claims.
US09659328B2	System and method for implementing a transaction A method for executing a trade is provided that includes communicating financial information to a handheld device via a network, the financial information being associated with a trade that can be initiated by the handheld device. The handheld device is connected to the network via a Push to Trade™ protocol. The method also includes executing the trade on behalf of the end user.
US09659325B2	Bidding to receive data after a consumer is in a zone An announcement distributor distributes, or auctions an opportunity to distribute, an announcement to an announcement recipient such as a consumer, issuer, merchant, or acquirer within a payment processing system. The announcement when there has been a satisfaction of an announcement condition, such as the consumer being determined to be located within a predetermined spatial zone. The content of the announcement may, in turn, facilitate a subsequent cashless transaction for resources of merchants. Implementations describe various permutations of the content of the announcement, the announcement condition, and the announcement recipient.
US09659322B2	Graphical display for recommending sleep comfort and support systems A pressure sensor measures the surface pressure distribution of a body supported by a surface, for example a person lying on a mattress. In one approach, a pressure mapping system acquires a customer's pressure map using a reference mattress and presents this pressure data in the form of a pressure map. The pressure map measurement data is then analyzed to determine body characterizing parameters such as body mass index, contact area and average peak pressure. The pressure map measurements are then located on a mattress category grid that has been referenced and aligned to a large population sample of measurements taken with a reference mattress. Alternatively, the pressure map measurements are matched to a physical profile category within a database. Each category provides ranked mattress recommendations based on selection and ranking criteria derived from pressure map data obtained from a large sample of test subjects. In this way, a customer's pressure map can be translated to a recommendation of specific mattresses or mattress categories that are offered by a mattress retailer or manufacturer.
US09659320B2	System and method to enable a customer to select a wine based upon available inventory A method is disclosed for providing services to a patron of an establishment by providing to the patron a handheld device upon entering the establishment. The patron is identified such that the patron is associated with the handheld device provided thereto and the operation thereof. The patron is presented with available services of the establishment and, in association with the available services, parameterized information from a database is presented to the patron relating to prior actual experiences with at least one of the services as rated by the patron, which rating defines how the patron viewed the services at the time of such providing. The patron selects from the provided information one or more of the available services. As part of the parameterized information, prior selected and not yet rated services are also presented. The patron rates the prior selected and not yet rated services and the database is updated.
US09659318B2	Purchaser centered, product driven world wide web searching and e-commerce system Aspects of this invention disclose a system for providing a purchaser specified product search engine, including providing storage circuitry comprising a database of products, storing product data in the database, receiving from a prospective product purchaser, product data of a desired product to purchase, accessing the database of products and comparing the product data to product data in the database, and determining a probability that the product data matches product data stored in the database. Other aspects may include a data processing apparatus providing a purchaser specified product search engine, including storage circuitry comprising a database of product data, processing circuitry configured to receive purchaser specified product search inquiry data, accessing the database of product data, and comparing the purchaser specified product search inquiry data to the product data; and determining a probability that the prospective purchaser product data matches the product data stored in the database.
US09659316B2	Providing navigation functionality in a retail location using local positioning technology Methods and systems for providing navigation functionality in a retail location using local positioning technology are presented. In some embodiments, a customer assistance computing platform may receive one or more attributes associated with a beacon signal received by a customer computing device and an identifier associated with the customer computing device. Subsequently, the computing platform may determine an identity of a customer using the customer computing device. The computing platform then may determine a location of the customer using the customer computing device based on the one or more attributes associated with the beacon signal. Thereafter, the computing platform may generate one or more navigation instructions to guide the customer to another location. Then, the computing platform may send the one or more navigation instructions to the customer computing device.
US09659314B2	Method and apparatus for tagging network traffic using extensible fields in message headers Embodiments within describe a system and method of tagging network traffic with relevant user information for facilitating the delivery of directed media. In an embodiment, a user identifier is generated from user information. Network traffic from the user and bound for a destination site is tagged within a network routing device. The tagged traffic is tagged with a request identifier that has the user identifier encrypted in an alphanumeric string. The tagged network traffic is transmitted to the destination site. A request is received from the destination site to decode the tagged network traffic, retrieve stored user information, and transmit the stored user information to the destination site.
US09659312B1	System and method for a mobile wallet A computer system includes a processor configured to receive one or more offers from one or more merchants, determine an offer from the one or more offers to present on a mobile device based on a characteristic of a user of the mobile device, receive a request for a code to provide to a merchant associated with the offer, the code being generated for the mobile device that belongs to the user, receive, from the mobile device, an indication from the user to use the offer that provides the user a discount from a price of a product or service, send to the mobile device, by an offer computer system, an offer code to be displayed on the mobile device and to be received by the merchant, aggregate a total amount of funds that the user has saved using a plurality of offers in the past, generate the code, including embedding in the code a transaction identification number, a geographic location of the mobile device, a date and a time, send the code to the mobile device for the merchant to scan and send to a financial institution to request funds from an account held by the user, receive a request for funds from the merchant that includes an address for the merchant and an amount of the transaction, and send the requested funds to the merchant upon verifying the offer was accepted by the user of the mobile device.
US09659307B2	Cookie derivatives Cookie derivatives and methods for generating cookie derivatives are provided. A cookie derivative comprises a transformation of at least one portion of data associated with a cookie (e.g., a name and/or data value). The cookie derivative may comprise a persistent or non-persistent cookie derivative that may be stored on a user's computing device (e.g., within a browser). The cookie derivative may alternatively comprise a virtual cookie derivative that is stored on a server (e.g., in a log file, a cache, or other data storage of the server).
US09659306B1	Method and system for linking social media systems and financial management systems to provide social group-based marketing programs Marketing program data associated with a social group-based marketing program offered by a merchant is obtained. Access to social group identification data identifying two or more socially connected consumers and their respective financial data is obtained and analyzed to identify two or more spending and socially connected consumers. Two or more marketing program eligible spending and socially connected consumers who meet defined marketing program eligibility criteria are then identified and registered with the marketing program. Spending data associated with the registered spending and socially connected consumers is then monitored and when the spending data associated with the registered spending and socially connected consumers indicates the marketing program requirements of the social group-based marketing program have been met, the registered spending and socially connected consumers are provided the benefits of the social group-based marketing program.
US09659305B2	Click quality classification and delivery In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a packet flow associated with a click-through from an end user node destined for an advertiser server; extracting information from the packet flow; analyzing the extracted information to determine one or more characteristics of the packet flow; and classifying the packet flow based on the determined one or more characteristics; modifying the packet flow to include classification information to provide classification information indicating a quality level of the click-through. The packet flow may include a hypertext transfer protocol GET request. Modifying the packet flow may include adding a tag with classification information that indicates a likelihood of fraudulent click behavior associated with the packet flow.
US09659301B1	Roadside assistance A mobile computerized apparatus configured to provide membership status in a roadside assistance program after occurrence of a roadside event is disclosed. The apparatus executes instructions that cause/allow the apparatus to receive input related to an electronic membership card, retrieve from a data store membership information associated with the vehicle, and dynamically update the electronic membership card for display on the apparatus.
US09659299B2	Computer system and method for interim transaction diagnosis for selective remediation and customer loyalty enhancement A customer feedback acquisition and processing system includes a data acquisition processor for receiving first and second customer feedback responses. The first customer feedback response is received by the data acquisition processor after notice of a claim is received and before the claim is resolved. The second customer feedback response is received by the data acquisition processor after it receives the first customer feedback response. The data acquisition processor may operate to classify the first customer feedback response in one of two categories. The two categories may be an attention-needed category and an attention-not-needed category. The system may also include a workflow router in communication with the data acquisition processor. The system may further include a supervisor terminal in communication with the workflow router.
US09659296B2	Method and system for presenting representations of payment accepting unit events After sending a request to a payment module, via a first communication capability (e.g., BLE), to initiate a transaction with a payment accepting unit associated with the payment module, a mobile device with one or more processors, memory, one or output devices, and two or more communication capabilities obtains a notification from the payment module via the first communication capability. The notification indicates an event at the payment accepting unit associated with the payment module. In response to obtaining the notification, mobile device provides a representation of the notification to a user of the mobile device via the one or more output devices of the mobile device. For example, a message is displayed on a display of the mobile device, a vibration alert is produced by a vibration mechanism of the mobile device, an aural alert is produced by a speaker of the mobile device, and/or the like.
US09659294B2	Mobile phone ATM processing methods and systems Embodiments provide systems, methods, processes, computer program code and means for using mobile devices to conduct transactions with ATM devices.
US09659288B1	System and method for providing measurement tool at point of sale The present invention is generally a system and method for providing a measurement device with a point of sale (POS) receipt. In exemplary embodiments, a store such as a building supply store or hardware store, may implement POS devices configured to generate printed media that may be used by customers as a measuring tool. The measuring tool may comprise a printed sheet with measurement markings printed along a longitudinal border of the printed sheet adjacent to transactional information of a registered purchase, and or promotional information that may be relevant to the customer.
US09659280B2	Information sharing democratization for co-located group meetings Information sharing between meeting attendees during a co-located group meeting in a meeting space is democratized using a computer that is operating cooperatively with one or more object sensing devices in the meeting space to identify postures formed by the meeting attendees.
US09659279B2	Method and system for enhanced inferred mode user interface operations A method and system is provided for the input of user interface commands. Particularly, command initiation events including at least one of: (i) a mouse press event on mouse pointer hardware, and (ii) at least one of a pen touch event, a stylus touch event, and a finger touch event on touch pointer hardware, are accepted. Then gesture stroke input events including at least one of: (i) a mouse drag event on the mouse pointer hardware, and (ii) at least one of a pen drag event, a stylus drag event and a finger drag event on the touch pointer hardware, are accepted. Additionally, command termination events including at least one of (i) a mouse release event on the mouse pointer hardware, and (ii) at least one of a pen lift event, a stylus lift event and a finger lift event on the touch pointer hardware, are accepted. The events are then interpreted as at least one of object selection or digital ink input operations without prior selection of a user input mode.
US09659277B2	Systems and methods for identifying potentially inaccurate data based on patterns in previous submissions of data According to some embodiments, a system may receive, from a remote insurance submitter, insurance data submitted via an electronic quoting and submission system in connection with behavioral data associated with the submitter. A processor may then automatically analyze the submitted insurance data based at least in part on information stored in a historic underwriting analytics database and the behavioral data associated with the submitter. Potentially inaccurate insurance data submitted by the insurance submitter may then be identified based on the analysis. According to some embodiments, a plurality of potentially inaccurate insurance data values may be used to flag the submitted insurance data, the insurance submitter, one or more input portions of the electronic quoting and submission system, and/or an insurance class of business.
US09659275B2	Consumer demand-based inventory management system In some embodiments, methods and systems of managing products at a retail sales facility include scanning a product in a stocking cart at the retail sales facility using a hand-held electronic device including a processor. At least two of the following three functions may be performed based on the scanning of the product. First, the stocking cart may be audited by comparing scanned data to data contained in an inventory management database. Second, a determination of whether the item is on a pick list may be made, which may include determining a demand for the scanned product to arrive at a decision whether to store the product in the stock room or place it on a shelf on the sales floor. Third, if the item is to be stored in the stock room, a determination of whether identical items are stored in bins in the stock room may be made.
US09659272B2	Method and apparatus for managing product placement on store shelf A method and apparatus for attending to a supply of product at a position on a store shelf involves receiving an electronic image of the position on a store shelf and comparing the electronic image to a previous electronic image of the position on the store shelf. Depending of the difference, if any, between the two images, generating an indication to attend to the supply of product at the position on the store shelf.
US09659264B2	Enablement of licensed features at a logical volume level of granularity A licensing application implemented in a computational device receives a request to enable a feature for a logical volume of a plurality of logical volumes controlled by the computational device, wherein each feature of a plurality of features is configurable to be enabled or disabled for one or more logical volumes of the plurality of logical volumes. The licensing application determines, whether enabling the feature for the logical volume causes a licensed capacity limit for the feature to be exceeded. Enabling the feature for the logical volume is avoided, in response to determining that enabling the feature for the logical volume causes the licensed capacity limit for the feature to be exceeded.
US09659260B2	Calendar based task and time management systems and methods A software solution for managing, sorting and ranking lists of tasks and integrating task and time management, such that tasks can be automatically or manually assigned to specified time blocks. Users can monitor the relationship between volume of tasks and available time in which to complete them. The solution and method can be applied to individual task lists as well as to the management of time across multiple projects and can be employed either by individuals or by collaborative groups. The solution and method employ multiple filters, sorts and handling rules to embody users' personal planning preferences. It can be used to manage task lists both with and without employing a scheduling component. The solution can interoperate with existing computer- and web-based calendar software and can use third-party calendar clients to display its output and to accept input from users.
US09659259B2	Latency-efficient multi-stage tagging mechanism Functionality is described herein for analyzing an input linguistic item, such as a query, in a series of stages. The linguistic item includes one or more candidate items. In a first stage, a brand classifier component determines whether the linguistic item specifies at least one brand, to provide a classifier output result. In a second stage, a tagging component generates a set of tags for at least some of the candidate items in the linguistic item, based, in part, on the classifier output result, to generate a tagging output result. An action-taking component then generates at least one result item based on the tagging output result. Functionality is also described herein for producing the brand classifier component and the tagging component using machine-learning training techniques. The training techniques may include provisions to address the later appearance of new brands that do not appear in a brand dictionary.
US09659256B2	Network service recommendation method and apparatus The present disclosure discloses a network service recommendation method and apparatus, which belong to a network data analysis technology. The method includes: retrieving, according to a historical browsing record of a user during use of a network service, a label corresponding to each network service used by the user; determining, according to a preset label-topic correspondence, and by using the label corresponding to each network service used by the user, first n topics corresponding to the user; acquiring, according to a preset topic-network service correspondence, respective corresponding recommended network service lists of the first n topics, the recommended network service list of each topic including at least one network service; and recommending a network service to the user according to the respective corresponding recommended network service lists of the first n topics.
US09659255B2	Systems, methods, and apparatuses for solving stochastic problems using probability distribution samples Techniques described herein may be used to solve a stochastic problem by dividing the stochastic problem into multiple fragments. In some cases, each fragment may be related to a random variable that forms a part of the problem, such that each fragment may produce samples from a probability distribution for that variable. Each fragment of the stochastic problem may then be assigned to a configurable circuit to solve the stochastic fragment. Configurable circuits may be implemented using any suitable combination of hardware and/or software, including using stochastic circuitry. In some embodiments, stochastic circuitry may include a stochastic tile and/or a stochastic memory.
US09659253B1	Solving an optimization model using automatically generated formulations in a parallel and collaborative method A method, apparatus and computer program product for solving an optimization model by automatically creating alternative formulations, and solving those with parallel solution approaches communicating with each other. The method: automatically generates alternative formulations for a given optimization model; executes parallel communicating solution approaches in a parallel computing infrastructure in order to solve a given set of alternative model formulations; utilizes a mechanism to automatically detect the model structure and a mechanism to automatically detect the appropriate solution approach(es) for a given model structure, and to launch multiple parallel solution approaches at existing optimization solvers. The system and methods enable communication between parallel solution approaches in order to improve performance. The system communicates information between the parallel solution approaches during a solve process, in order to improve performance. The communicated information includes information on upper and lower bounds of running algorithms and information on decision variables values for feasible intermediate solutions.
US09659252B2	Method to characterize heterogeneous anisotropic media A computer-implemented method for determining elastic properties for a heterogeneous anisotropic geological formation is described herein. The method includes grouping sonic velocity data from a borehole section (or borehole sections) into a number of clusters (e.g., one or more clusters). The sonic velocity data is grouped into clusters using petrophysical log data from the borehole section. The method also includes inverting the sonic velocity data for the clusters to determine elastic properties for each cluster. In some cases, the elastic properties for the clusters are combined to determine a relationship between the elastic properties and formation heterogeneity.
US09659236B2	Semi-supervised method for training multiple pattern recognition and registration tool models A system and method for training multiple pattern recognition and registration models commences with a first pattern model. The model is trained from multiple images. Composite models can be used to improve robustness or model small differences in appearance of a target region. Composite models combine data from noisy training images showing instances of underlying patterns to build a single model. A pattern recognition and registration model is generated that spans the entire range of appearances of the target pattern in the set of training images. The set of pattern models can be implemented as either separate instances of pattern finding models or as a pattern multi-model. The underlying models can be standard pattern finding models or pattern finding composite models, or a combination of both.
US09659233B2	Method and apparatus for detecting salient region of image The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for detecting a salient region of an image. Classification processing is obtained by means of pre-training, so as to obtain a classification label, where the classification label is used to indicate a salience detection algorithm for detecting a salient region of the test image. Salience detection is performed on the test image by using the salience detection algorithm indicated by the classification label, so as to obtain the salient region of the test image. Because a salience detection algorithm with the best detection effect is acquired by using the image feature vector of the test image, to detect the salient region of the test image, accuracy of salience detection is improved.
US09659230B2	Methods and systems for estimating skew angle of an image The disclosed embodiments illustrate methods and systems for estimating a skew angle of an image. The method includes identifying a set of measurable blocks from one or more blocks in said image. The method further includes dilating each measurable block, in said set of measurable blocks, with a predetermined regular structure to create a set of modified measurable blocks. The method further includes selecting a second set of measurable blocks from said set of modified measurable blocks based on a size of each modified measurable block in said set of modified measurable blocks. Thereafter, the method includes determining a slope of each measurable block in said second set of measurable blocks. Further, the slope is utilizable to estimate said skew angle of said image. The method is performed by one or more microprocessors.
US09659226B2	Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer-readable recording medium storing image processing program An image processing apparatus is configured to extract contour information of a medium area from readout image data, and correct distortion of the medium area based on the contour information. The medium area is an area for image data corresponding to a medium serving as a reading target. The image processing apparatus includes an acquiring unit that acquires the readout image data, an extracting unit that extracts the contour information of the medium area from the readout image data, a displaying unit that displays the contour information so as to superpose the contour information on the readout image data, a detecting unit that detects an instruction of changing a position of the contour information. The extracting unit extracts again the contour information by reflecting the instruction of changing, and the displaying unit redisplays the contour information extracted again by the extracting unit.
US09659225B2	Restaurant-specific food logging from images A “Food Logger” provides various approaches for learning or training one or more image-based models (referred to herein as “meal models”) of nutritional content of meals. This training is based on one or more datasets of images of meals in combination with “meal features” that describe various parameters of the meal. Examples of meal features include, but are not limited to, food type, meal contents, portion size, nutritional content (e.g., calories, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, protein, salt, etc.), food source (e.g., specific restaurants or restaurant chains, grocery stores, particular pre-packaged foods, school meals, meals prepared at home, etc.). Given the trained models, the Food Logger automatically provides estimates of nutritional information based on automated recognition of new images of meals provided by (or for) the user. This nutritional information is then used to enable a wide range of user-centric interactions relating to food consumed by individual users.
US09659215B2	Raster image processing method A raster image processing method and a raster image processor validate content objects in a document based on similarity, especially on continuity, to convert the similar objects with one or more same parameters of an image manipulation method to achieve a correct reproduction of the document.
US09659205B2	Multimodal imaging system and method for non-contact identification of multiple biometric traits Systems and methods are disclosed for obtaining at least a pair of biometric traits of a person and without contact with the person. In one embodiment a system is disclosed which makes use of a plurality of illumination modules and an imaging module, where a single image is acquired with a color encoded imaging sensor. Parallel and orthogonally polarized images are obtained by at least one sensor of the imaging module from illuminations produced by the illumination modules. A processing subsystem uses mathematical applied operations between the acquired images to selectively produce at least one image of at least one specific biometric trait, such as a finger print, a palm print, a finger-vein, a palm vein, or hand geometry. The biometric trait can be subsequently used for biometric verification and identification.
US09659196B2	Method, apparatus and system for verifying data A method for data verification may include: receiving by a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag a write command including data to be written; writing by said RFID tag said data to be written into a local storage; reading by said RFID tag data from said local storage; and carrying out by said RFID tag a data verification according to said data read out. Further, a data verification apparatus may include a receiving module for receiving a write command including data to be written; a writing module for writing said data to be written into a first storage module configured for storing said data to be written; a reading module for reading data from said first storage module; and a verifying module for carrying out verification according to the data read out by said reading module. Such method and apparatus may reduce the time of data verification by an RFID tag.
US09659192B1	Secure deterministic fabric switch system and method A Secure Deterministic Fabric (SDF) switch architecture and design may provide a cost effective reconfigurable Multiple Single Levels (MSL) of Security implementation that is low risk to certify and may not require recertification after an initial certification evaluation. The SDF switch enables assignment of processing resources and attached payloads to a specific security level fabric for use by an operational system. The assignment of defined security levels is commanded by a SDF control and status module without changing certification, aircraft wiring, or revising hardware. The processing resources are statically assigned during power up on a per mission basis or dynamically reassigned between security levels during a mission as processing requirements may change as a result of mission stage. The SDF switch supports mission defined security configurations for individual security level operational payload processing.
US09659182B1	Systems and methods for protecting data files A method for protecting data files may include (1) identifying a data file to be protected against data loss, (2) identifying a set of software programs permitted to open the data file by (a) identifying a format of the data file and (b) identifying at least one software program capable of opening files of the format of the data file, (3) detecting an attempt to open the data file by a software program not included in the set of software programs, and (4) performing a security action in response to detecting the attempt to open the data file. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09659181B2	System, apparatus and method for license key permutation A system and method of dynamically altering the encoding, structure or other attribute of a cryptographic key, typically a license activation key, to render useless keys that have been created by illegal key generation “cracks”. An encoding/decoding engine provides a plurality of key obfuscation algorithms that may alter the structure, encoding or any other attribute of a given key. A changeable combination code is supplied to the encoding/decoding engine that specifies a subset of the algorithms to apply during the encoding or decoding phase. The encoding engine is used during key generation and the decoding engine used during key usage. The same combination code must be used during decoding as was used during encoding to recover the original key or a valid key will not be recovered. Thus, a system can be rapidly re-keyed by selecting a new combination of encoding/decoding algorithms. The selection of algorithms comprises a combination code. The new combination code will result in keys that are incompatible with any existing illegal key generators.
US09659176B1	Systems and methods for generating repair scripts that facilitate remediation of malware side-effects The disclosed computer-implemented method for generating repair scripts that facilitate remediation of malware side-effects may include (1) identifying a potentially malicious file located on a computing system, (2) determining at least one potential side-effect of the potentially malicious file, (3) generating, based at least in part on the potential side-effect of the potentially malicious file, a repair script that facilitates remediation of the potential side-effect, and then (4) remedying the potential side-effect by directing the computing system to execute the repair script. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09659173B2	Method for detecting a malware System and method for determining, by a security application, whether an examined software code is a malware, according to which the system detects whenever the examined process code performs system calls and further detects a call site. Pieces of code in the surrounding area of the site and/or in branches related to the site are analyzed and the properties of the analyzed pieces of code are compared with a predefined software code patterns, for determining whether the examined process code corresponds to one of the predefined software code patterns. Then the examined process code is classified according to the comparison results.
US09659148B2	Caregiver rounding communication system An information technology system for a healthcare facility is provided. The system includes a first computer device to keep track of rounding intervals for caregivers and to determine whether the caregivers successfully complete their rounds in a timely manner for their assigned patients. The system also has a real time locating system (RTLS) that tracks locations of the plurality of caregivers and that is in communication with the first computer device. The system further has a number of graphical displays in communication with the first computer device. Each graphical display is operable to display a list of patients for whom rounds are due and to display reminder messages to the plurality of caregivers relating to rounding.
US09659146B2	Method for quantitative analysis of complex proteomic data This invention is a novel method for analysis of data that is produced by test equipment. The preferred embodiment is data produced by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) equipment, using industry standard methods to generate the initial data from the test equipment. The invention is a method for processing of the data to promptly produce accurate, reliable, and meaningful data that can be used for critical decisions. The unique benefit of the method is to correct the multiple measurement and calculation errors that are inherent in the operation of laboratory equipment. Prior methods result in errors based on circumstances that are difficult to control, accuracy-related errors in machine measurements, and fundamental mathematical errors in the data processing software that is used with the laboratory equipment. As an added benefit, this novel method allows comprehensive simultaneous measurement and calculation of correlation of any and all peptide pairs in a single measurement, with the capability to support repeated measurements with changed conditions over time. This novel method allows robust, detailed, and comprehensive measurements of peptide activity and function, which results in substantial improvements over prior methods in accuracy, reliability, and efficiency.
US09659142B1	Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for trace warping for electronic designs Disclosed are techniques for implementing trace warping for electronic designs. These techniques identify a portion of an electronic design including a set of signals of interest corresponding to a plurality of simulation combinations over a range of clock cycles in a trace display. A pair of matching simulation combinations is identified from one or more pairs of matching simulation combinations for the set of signals of interest; and a first clock cycle and a second clock cycle corresponding to the pair of matching simulation combinations are identified in the range of clock cycles. A plurality of clock cycles between the first clock cycle and the second clock cycle can be compressed in the trace display.
US09659133B2	Method, system and computer program product for generating layout for semiconductor device A method is performed at least in part by at least one processor. In the method, a plurality of circuit elements are placed in a layout for a semiconductor device, the plurality of circuit elements having a plurality of pins. A layer assignment is generated to assign a plurality of interconnections to corresponding conductive layers of the semiconductor device, the plurality of interconnections connecting corresponding pairs of pins among the plurality of pins. The plurality of interconnections is routed in the layout in accordance with the layer assignment.
US09659130B2	Layout design system for generating layout design of semiconductor device According to example embodiments, a layout design system includes a processor, a storage module configured to store a standard cell design, and a generation module. The standard cell design includes an active area and a normal gate area on the active area. The generation module is configured to receive the standard cell design, to adjust a width of an active cut design crossing the active area of the standard cell design, and to output a chip design including a design element using the processor. The design element includes the active cut design having the width adjusted.
US09659123B2	Systems and methods for flexibly optimizing processing circuit efficiency Circuit design equipment may design logic for a circuit. The design equipment may discover optimized design constraints and an optimized clock signal frequency for the circuit. The design equipment may output the discovered optimized clock signal frequency and design constraints to circuit fabrication equipment for fabricating the corresponding circuit. The design equipment may discover the optimized clock signal frequency and design constraints by populating a cost function with different clock signal frequencies and different design constraint values. The cost function may be, for example, a multi-dimensional surface. The design equipment may identify a global minimum of the cost function and may identify the clock signal frequency and design constraint values that correspond to the global minimum as the optimized clock frequency and optimized design constraints to provide to circuit fabrication equipment. The fabrication equipment may fabricate the circuit to implement the optimized design constraint values and clock frequency.
US09659118B2	X-propagation in emulation Embodiments relate to the emulation of circuits, and representation of unknown states of signals. A disclosed system (and method and computer program product) includes an emulation environment to convert a digital signal of a DUT in a form capable of representing an unknown state. In addition, the disclosed system converts digital logic circuits such as Boolean logic, flip flops, latches, and memory circuits to be operable with signals having unknown states. Thus, an unknown state of a signal is indicated and propagated through digital logic circuits represented in a disclosed semantic to enable prompt detection of improper operation of the DUT, for example, due to power shut down or inadequate initialization.
US09659106B2	Software application customized for target market A system and method are presented for customizing a software application for a target market. A request to access an application is received, by one or more computer servers, from a user. At least one of a preferred language of the user and a location of the user are determined by the one or more computer servers, and a target market is determined using the at least one of the preferred language of the user and the location of the user. The target market defines a language and a region. The application is rendered by the one or more computer servers by modifying at least one of a user interface of the application and a content of the application using the target market.
US09659102B1	Event application The present invention includes systems and methods for providing event information. A one-time use app is downloaded to a user device when a user elects to purchase the app. The app receives event-related information from an event database. The event database receives information from a plurality of sources. The sources are each associated with an application programming interface. The app provides event-related information to the user through purchased options. The app can filter information based on a user profile before providing the information to the user.
US09659091B2	Comparison of data signals using characteristic electronic thumbprints extracted therefrom A characteristic thumbprint is extracted from a data signal, the thumbprint based on statistics relating to the data signal. The data signal can be compared indirectly by matching this thumbprint against one or more reference thumbprints. The data signal may be any type of signal, including streaming digitized audio or obtained from static files. A database may contain a number of these characteristic thumbprints, and the database can be searched for a particular thumbprint.
US09659084B1	System, methods, and user interface for presenting information from unstructured data A system, methods, and user interface for extracting information from unstructured data sources and presenting such information in a structured or semi-structured format for better information search and utilization, and can be applied to replace the conventional methods of displaying search results. The methods identify terms representing topics and related comments in various types of text contents including documents and Web pages, and extract such terms and present them in a form of a topic-comment or object-properties hierarchy, including a heading+list format and heading+cloud or group format. Methods and interface object are provided to make a file object a non-terminal node in a computer file system, with information extracted from the file content displayed as deeper levels of the file system hierarchy. Methods for displaying information extracted from unstructured document contents in terms of class-members and topic-attributes are also disclosed.
US09659083B2	Automating generation of messages in accordance with a standard Arrangements described herein relate to automating generation of maps containing message formats and semantic validation rules. First unstructured data defining message formats for messages that conform to a particular standard and second unstructured data defining semantic validation rules to be applied to validate the messages can be scanned. First structured data corresponding to the first unstructured data defining the message formats and second structured data corresponding to the second unstructured data defining the semantic validation rules can be stored into a database. The first structured data and second structured data are configured to be processed to automatically generate a map comprising message formats and sematic validation rules for use in generating messages that conform to the particular standard and validating the messages.
US09659080B1	Categorization for constraint-based placement of object replicas in a distributed storage system A location assignment daemon (LAD) manages placement of object replicas in a distributed storage system. The distributed storage system may include a plurality of instances, which may be at distinct geographic locations. The LAD determines placement categories for objects stored in the distributed storage system. A placement category for an object corresponds to the object's placement policy and current replica locations. There are substantially fewer placement categories than objects. The LAD determines an action plan for each placement category whose associated objects require either creation or removal of object replicas. Each action plan includes either creating or removing an object replica. The LAD prioritizes the action plans and implements at least a subset of the action plans in priority order in accordance with available resources in the distributed storage system. Each action plan is applied to objects in the placement category corresponding to the action plan.
US09659074B1	VFA statistics A computer implemented method, system, and computer program product for determining how to replicate one or more volumes, the method comprising sending IOs from an IO stack through a virtual analysis filter and based on the IO sent through the virtual analysis filter, determining a number of virtual splitters and virtual data protection appliances, required WAN capacity and configuration of a replication system.
US09659061B2	Method for efficient aggregation of numerous data using sparse bit sets A data-processing technique for increasing data-size capacity and improving query speed on large datasets where fields within records are replaced by integers representing distinct values of those fields, the integers drawn from a densely-populated range, wherein a computer data storage structure is initialized and maintained to represent a large number of binary values (“bits”) within a smaller number of actual machine-memory bits of the computer. Representative structures and operations thereon, as well as applications of the data structure to support more-sophisticated data structures and operations, are described and claimed.
US09659054B2	Database browsing system and method A computer-implemented system and method for creating a user-defined database interface. An Orbit Form module processes a call comprising an identifier for the database, a target data object (database table), approach filters (table fields), and results lines (table fields). Approach filters may support comparable data types, and results lines may support both comparable and non-comparable data types. The call may optionally include parameters that the Orbit Form module uses to govern retrieval of data from the target database, presentation of filter values, and/or formatting of results pages. After testing the call constructs, the Orbit Form module generates Approach boxes (corresponding to the approach filters) that a user employs to enter target input values to compare to records in the database. Record matches result in retrieval and user-specified display of data corresponding to the results lines (DaPs). A selectable view image field in a DaP extracts and displays image file data.
US09659052B1	Data object resolver A system and method to recognize and resolve when a source data object is the same or similar to an existing data object in a database using structured information and facts about each object. The system and method compare relations of the source data object and relations of the existing data object in the database and determine how similar the source data object is to the data object in the database based on scores of the comparisons. The system and method may provide outputs, such as whether the data objects match, the data objects are distinct, the source data object is a strong match to multiple data objects in the database, and the data objects conflict one another. The system and method may then resolve the database entries based on the potential matching outputs.
US09659039B2	Maintaining staleness information for aggregate data Computer systems, machine-implemented methods, and stored instructions are provided herein for maintaining information that describes aggregate characteristics of data within zones. Stored data may be separated into defined zone(s). Data structure(s), such as zone map(s), may store, for each of the zone(s), aggregate characteristic(s) of data in the zone, and a stored indication of whether or not the zone is stale. When a change is made to data in a particular zone that was not stale, a zone manager causes the particular zone to become stale if the change can result in the particular zone having data that is not included in the particular zone's stored aggregate characteristic(s). On the other hand, if the change cannot result in the particular zone having data that is not included in the particular zone's stored aggregate characteristic(s), then the zone manager does not cause the particular zone to become stale.
US09659032B1	Building a palette of colors from a plurality of colors based on human color preferences Systems and methods are described to generate a color palette with color combinations based on human color preferences. One or more input colors can be used to determine affiliated colors based on the presence of colors in color palettes that have been voted on and/or ranked by a community of users. Each affiliated color can be weighted, normalized, and ordered based at least in part on the level of preference for the color palette to which it belongs and the relative popularity of the input colors. A color from the ordered affiliated colors can be selected and added to the custom palette of colors. With the addition of a color, the ordered affiliated colors can be updated to further present colors for inclusion in the custom color palette.
US09659027B2	Recurring calendar item master and instance synchronization A synchronization window for synchronizing data for a calendar in a client calendar data store on a calendar data client computer system with data for the calendar in a server calendar data store on a calendar data server computer system can be calculated using a current time. A request for synchronization data for calendar items for the calendar with calendar times that are within the synchronization window can be sent to the calendar data server. One or more responses to the request can be received from the calendar data server. The response(s) can include received records for calendar items that are at least partially within the synchronization window. The received records can include a master record of a recurring calendar item and an instance record of an occurrence of the recurring calendar item. The received records for the calendar items can be incorporated in the client calendar data store.
US09659016B2	Geographic space management At least one subsystem among the plurality of subsystems includes a managing section operable to manage individual event information for events occurring in a management target region of the at least one subsystem among the plurality of regions and adjacent event information for events occurring in a partial range from a boundary of the management target region among routes in an adjacent region that is adjacent to the management target region, and an event selecting section operable to select events about which the moving object is to be informed, from the individual event information and the adjacent event information managed by the at least one subsystem. Also provided is a method and computer program product.
US09659006B2	Disambiguation in concept identification A method, a disambiguation decoder and a system is provided for disambiguation in concept identification. A set of candidate concepts of a surface form in a sequence of surface forms in a plaintext is obtained. First probabilities for the candidate concepts are then determined, wherein a first probability indicates likelihood that the surface form represents the respective candidate concept. One of the candidate concepts is selected for the surface form based on the first probabilities and adjacency of the surface forms in the sequence.
US09658997B2	Portable page template Similarity between a first web document and a second web document based on a similarity threshold is determined. The second web document has a portable page template associated therewith that includes one or more predetermined transformations that were previously applied to the second web document. In addition, one or more objects in the second web document are addressed upon the similarity threshold being met such that a tolerance threshold for one or more modifications to the second web document is met. A user is provided with the portable page template after the addressing of the one or more objects in the web document so that the portable page template automatically applies the one or more transformations, which were previously applied to the second web document, to the first web document.
US09658996B2	Mapping account information to server authentication An authorization prompt issued from a server is detected, and previously-entered account information, is accessed on a user device. A selectable display element corresponding to each set of entered account information is displayed. User selection or actuation of a given display element is received, and the corresponding account information is retrieved and used to log onto the server that issued the authentication prompt.
US09658994B2	Rendering supplemental information concerning a scheduled event based on an identified entity in media content Supplemental information to a media content such as a video can be shown to the user. The supplemental information can be selected based upon a profile of the user and one or both of the identity of the media content and the identity of an entity of interest in the media content. The supplemental information can be customized to the user based on the content being viewed and an entity of interest to the user in the viewed content.
US09658992B2	Method and system for disintegrating an XML document for high degree of parallelism The present invention relates to the field of high performance computation. Particularly, the invention relates to converting a huge XML document into SDML format which can be processed with high degree of parallelism to achieve high performance. In addition also SDML can be used as a standalone protocol for data representation. SDML deals with one time write and many times read. Further, SDML files can be splitted on number of lines which makes it easier to distribute among multi cores and even distributing across servers.
US09658990B2	Reordering text from unstructured sources to intended reading flow An approach is provided in which a number of sections from a sequence of characters included in a Portable Document Format (PDF) file are identified. Each of the identified sections includes a unique set of coordinate positions. The approach builds links between the sections based on a relative position of each of the sections in relation to the other sections along an axis. The approach repeatedly merges sections based on the links that were built to form increasingly larger sections until a final larger section is generated with the characters appearing in a manner consistent with human reading of the rendered PDF document rather than the placement of the characters found within the original PDF file.
US09658983B1	Lifecycle support for storage objects having multiple durability levels specifying different numbers of versions Methods and apparatus for lifecycle support for storage objects are disclosed. A storage medium stores program instructions that when executed on a processor implement a storage lifecycle manager of a multi-tenant storage service. The lifecycle manager determines a lifecycle policy to be implemented for a storage object. The policy indicates lifecycle transitions of the object, including a transition from a first service level to a second service level. The first service level and the second service level may each specify a maximum number of versions of the storage object. The lifecycle manager initiates modification operations corresponding to the storage object's data in accordance with the lifecycle policy, and verifies that the modification operations succeeded. The lifecycle manager provides, in response to a query, an indication of a current service level of the storage object.
US09658981B2	Network interface card for a computing node of a parallel computer accelerated by general purpose graphics processing units, and related inter-node communication method A Network Interface Card (NIC) for a cluster node for parallel calculation on multi-core GPU is described. The NIC has a cluster network including a host and a host memory, a graphics processing unit (GPU) with a GPU memory, a bus and the NIC. The NIC has a transmission network connection block and a reception network connection block. The NIC further includes the following blocks: a transmission block, a reception block, and a GPU memory management block for a direct exchange between the GPU memory and the network through the NIC. An inter-nodal communication method of a nodes cluster, which uses the NIC is also described.
US09658979B2	Enhanced storage option in multi-slot communications supporting USB UICC SIM cards Various embodiments include methods and apparatuses for managing multiple memories on a multi-slot communication device as a single contiguous combined memory. The memories may include various types of universal serial bus (USB) and/or universal integrated circuit card (UICC) memories. Ranges of physical addresses of portions of each memory may be associated with a range of virtual addresses of the single contiguous combined memory. Associations of physical and virtual addresses may be stored on the multi-slot communication device. A single memory access request to the single contiguous combined memory may be made using the virtual addresses, translated into multiple memory access requests for the individual memories using the physical addresses. Memory accesses requests to the single contiguous combined memory may be made using a variety of communications protocols and translated such that at least one of the multiple memory access requests for the individual memories is made using USB communications protocols.
US09658974B2	System and method for processing device with differentiated execution mode In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating a system includes operating in a first operating mode to not permit access to an address range, receiving a priority interrupt (PI) signal. The method further includes operating in a second operating mode to permit access to the address range in response to receiving the PI signal.
US09658973B2	Controlling operations according to another system's architecture An I/O device operating according to a native computer architecture is accessed by a primary computer system operating according to a primary computer architecture. An application program of the primary computer system requests an I/O operation to access the I/O device. To facilitate this access, an application program interface formed of primary instructions for execution by the primary processor processes the I/O operation to provide an I/O request and to receive an interrupt in response to completion of the access. A thread is formed of primary instructions for execution by the primary processor for receiving the interrupt from the application program interface. A subsystem operates in response to the I/O request to access the I/O device and to provide the interrupt.
US09658972B1	Universal pull-through receiver A hybrid mass interconnect system and universal pull-through receiver are shown and described. In one embodiment, a universal receiver for a mass interconnect system includes a frame, a connection assembly and a universal interconnect module. Typically, the receiver supports a variety of testing platforms, including PXI-based platforms, LXI-based platforms, AXIe-based platforms, and a combination thereof. In other examples, a variety of other platform relationships may be used. In particular examples, the universal interconnect module has an upper tier with a pair of spatially separated horizontal rails and a lower tier that is adjacent to the upper tier with at least one pair of spatially separated vertical rails. The result is an interconnect system and receiver for enhancing the organizational and interchangeable electrical engagement between a test adapter and automated testing equipment.
US09658961B2	Speculation control for improving transaction success rate, and instruction therefor Throttling instruction execution in a transaction operating in a processor configured to execute memory instructions out-of-order in a pipelined processor, wherein memory instructions are instructions for accessing operands in memory is provided. Included is executing, by the processor, instructions of a transaction comprising determining whether the transaction is in throttling mode and based on the transaction being in throttling mode, executing memory instructions in-program-order. Also included is based on the transaction not-being in throttling mode, executing memory instructions out-of-program order.
US09658952B2	Technique for controlling memory accesses A technique for controlling memory accesses of a data stream is provided. The data is streamed between selected ports of a plurality of ports coupled to a memory (110). As to a method aspect of the technique, a pool of ports is selected. The selected ports include a first port (112) and a second port (118) through which data is to be streamed. A portion of the memory (110) is allocated to the pool of ports. The first port (112) is configured for write access to the allocated memory. The second port (118) is configured for read access to the allocated memory. In dependence on a first state indicative of the occurrence of a write access using the first port (112) and a second state indicative of the occurrence of a read access using the second port (118), a further write access using the first port (112) and/or a further read access using the second part (118) is controlled.
US09658949B2	Test system of system on chip and test method thereof A test system method for testing software of each of a plurality of system on chips (SoCs) are provided. The test system includes: a plurality of test units configured to test the plurality of SoCs according to a plurality of test cases, respectively; a power supplier configured to supply, to each of the plurality of test units, power of a level corresponding to a corresponding test case, among the plurality of test cases; a temperature controller configured to provide, to each of the plurality of test units, a temperature control signal according to the corresponding test case, and to monitor a measurement temperature, provided from each of the plurality of test units, of each of the plurality of SoCs; and an analyzer configured to analyze at least one of a driving voltage, a driving current, and a driving frequency of each of the plurality of SoCs.
US09658947B2	Method for ranking fault-test pairs based on waveform statistics in a mutation-based test program evaluation system Ranking of fault-test pairs is performed using first and second multitudes of waveform statistics. The first multitude of waveform statistics includes first value-change information regarding variations in logics HIGH and LOW for each bit of each reference output resulting from a test run of the design code. The second multitude of waveform statistics includes second value-change information regarding variations in logics HIGH and LOW for each bit of each faulty output resulting from a test run of the design code injected with a fault. Relative differences between the first and second multitudes of waveform statistics for each bit of each faulty output with respect to the corresponding reference output are determined. A waveform difference based on the relative differences for each signal of each faulty output is determined. A ranking result of fault-test pairs is determined according to the waveform differences of the faulty outputs.
US09658933B2	Automatically modifying a test for a program on multiple electronic devices A system and method for configuring a test for a program is provided. The method, for example, may include receiving, by a processor, an identification of an electronic device, retrieving, by the processor, a configuration of the electronic device from a memory, modifying, by the processor, at least one step of the test based upon the configuration of the electronic device.
US09658931B2	Method for monitoring a graphical user interface on a second computer display from a first computer A high level interface between a remote computer and local computer operator permits the remote computer to be controlled via a sequence of interactions. The remote computer may be monitored for display information which is expected, and also controlled in the event the expected information either is or is not obtained. Command language extensions are provided which extend and complement a basic scripting language. Scripts with embedded command language extensions may be executed through a remote interface, permitting remote testing, operation and evaluation. The development of the scripts, including embedded command language extensions, may be prepared through execution of commands at the local computer on a depiction of the GUI received from the remote computer, and subsequently saved as a script.
US09658916B2	System analysis device, system analysis method and system analysis program A system analysis device 100 includes a whole model generation unit 1021 which generates a whole model which is obtained by modeling elements or whole of a system and which includes a plurality of partial models, a core model generation unit 1023 which extracts, from a plurality of whole models generated on the basis of the same event, the partial models whose prediction precision satisfies a predetermined criteria, and generates a core model by integrating the extracted partial models, and a threshold setting unit 1024 which calculates a distance between the core model and the plurality of whole models using a predetermined definition, and outputs the distance as a threshold value for error determination using the core model.
US09658904B2	Methods and systems for inter plug-in communication Methods and system for a storage environment are provided. The method generates a first discovery request for a first plug-in associated with a first application executed by a computing system having access to a networked storage system for a storage service operation; acquires metadata by the first plug-in for the storage service operation and storing the metadata at a first location and at a second location, where the second location is at a storage device managed by a storage interface module that co-ordinates completion of the storage service operation; generates a second discovery request for a second plug-in for a second application for the storage service operation; and acquires metadata by the second plug-in using the metadata acquired by the first plug-in for the storage service operation and updating metadata stored at the first location and the second location.
US09658887B2	Computing session workload scheduling and management of parent-child tasks where parent tasks yield resources to children tasks A single workload scheduler schedules sessions and tasks having a tree structure to resources, wherein the single workload scheduler has scheduling control of the resources and the tasks of the parent-child workload sessions and tasks. The single workload scheduler receives a request to schedule a child session created by a scheduled parent task that when executed results in a child task; the scheduled parent task is dependent on a result of the child task. The single workload scheduler receives a message from the scheduled parent task yielding a resource based on the resource not being used by the scheduled parent task, schedules tasks to backfill the resource, and returns the resource yielded by the scheduled parent task to the scheduled parent task based on receiving a resume request from the scheduled parent task or determining dependencies of the scheduled parent task have been met.
US09658878B2	Transparent memory-mapped emulation of I/O calls A virtual-machine-based system provides a mechanism to implement application file I/O operations of protected data by implementing the I/O operations semantics in a shim layer with memory-mapped regions. The semantics of these I/O operations are emulated in a shim layer with memory-mapped regions by using a mapping between a process' address space and a file or shared memory object. Data that is protected from viewing by a guest OS running in a virtual machine may nonetheless be accessed by the process.
US09658875B2	Anti-collocating multiple virtual entities using prioritized graph coloring and iterative placement A method and associated systems for anti-collocating multiple virtual entities in a cloud-computing environment. A computerized cloud-configuration system receives a list of virtual machines to be placed in a cloud and a set of anti-collocation rules that identify combinations of machines that may not be placed in a same location. Each virtual machine is assigned a priority and the machines are organized into groups as a function these priorities. The groups are processed sequentially in priority order, and a color is assigned to each virtual machine in each group. Any machine not constrained by an anti-collocation rule is assigned a default “most popular” color. Constrained machines are each assigned a color that is not already used by any other machine with which it is anti-collocated. The virtual machines in each group are then placed in the cloud in order of color, with the populous colors being assigned first.
US09658869B2	Autonomously managed virtual machine anti-affinity rules in cloud computing environments System, method, and computer program product to perform an operation comprising collecting performance metrics of a first virtual machine, and defining, based on the collected performance metrics, at least one rule to restrict collocation of the first virtual machine with other virtual machines on one or more host machines in a cloud computing environment.
US09658868B2	Cloud computing gateway, cloud computing hypervisor, and methods for implementing same Embodiments of the present invention provide a cloud gateway system, a cloud hypervisor system, and methods for implementing same. The cloud gateway system extends the security, manageability, and quality of service membrane of a corporate enterprise network into cloud infrastructure provider networks, enabling cloud infrastructure to be interfaced as if it were on the enterprise network. The cloud hypervisor system provides an interface to cloud infrastructure provider management systems and infrastructure instances that enables existing enterprise systems management tools to manage cloud infrastructure substantially the same as they manage local virtual machines via common server hypervisor APIs.
US09658865B2	Method of editing content and electronic device for implementing the same A display device having a screen and a touch panel, and methods of enabling a user to edit content displayed on the screen using the touch panel, are described. In one aspect, a method of editing content in a display device having a touch panel installed in a screen includes displaying target content on the screen, displaying a guide on top of the target content in response to a trigger gesture by a touch input means on the target content, zooming the guide in response to a zooming gesture by the touch input means on the guide, and terminating the display of the zoomed guide and displaying the target content at the same magnification with the zoomed guide, in response to a release of contact of the touch input means on the guide.
US09658862B2	Live initialization of a boot device Various embodiments of the present invention that include executing, by a processor, a software stack. A writeable boot device such as a storage device with a removable medium is detected, and a second software stack is saved by replacing, on the writeable boot device, a first boot image with a second boot image comprising a second software stack.
US09658851B2	Device and method for approximate memoization An exemplary embodiment relates generally to methods and apparatus of operating a computing device to perform approximate memoizations. Computer code analysis methods, special hardware units, and run-time apparatus that allow limited errors to occur are disclosed. A computer code generation process, part of compiler or interpreter of a computing system, targeting to insert special instructions in the software code of a computer program is also disclosed, wherein the special instructions may embed information to manage the approximation of value memoizations. The presented technology may reduce the electric power consumption of a computing system by reusing the results or part of the results of previous arithmetic or memory operations. Run-time hardware apparatus to manage the elimination of the operations and control the error introduced by approximate value memoizations are also disclosed.
US09658849B2	Processor simulation environment In a method of simulating a processor system by running code that simulates the system on a host processor, code is translated at run time to a form required by the host processor. All instructions are mapped to a native instruction set of the host using two or more different code dictionaries: the translated instructions are mapped to multiple and different dictionaries dependent on the execution privilege level or mode of the simulated processor. If an instruction is encountered during runtime that changes the mode of the processor the code dictionary is switched to use the dictionary associated with the new mode. The different modes require different instruction mappings to the native instruction set of the host using different models that more accurately represent the behavior of the system code and hardware in the system being simulated.
US09658845B2	Generating a where-used objects list for updating data Methods and systems are described that involve creating a where-used objects list that contains a set of provider's objects to be adjusted or tested in a customized program after an upgrade of a program, import of projects, patches, and so on. A set of contracts is created that corresponds to the set of provider's objects used in the customer system. Each contract contains information about the provider's object it is created for and assigned to. This information is used by a lifecycle tool to detect if a provider's object has been changed by comparing the contract information of the provider's object with a new imported version of the same provider's object. The provider's object is modified according to the detected change and the assigned contract is recreated to represent the latest data.
US09658843B2	Distribution system and its control method Provided is a distribution system that accepts registration of a firmware package including information about firmware which is common to a plurality of types of network devices, information about firmware which is unique to each of the plurality of types of network devices, and information about special firmware which is unique to each of the plurality of types of network devices and a specific purpose; accepts a setting file describing control information for controlling approval/denial of an automatic update of firmware included in the package; and accepts setting information relating to an automatic update from a network device. The distribution system automatically distributes information about firmware which is updatable to a network device in accordance with control information and setting information.
US09658837B1	Integration of independent platforms A system includes a first computing device, a second computing device, and a third computing device. The first computing device is configured to identify a first event and store a first event code, a plurality of first entry codes, and first information associated with each of the plurality of entry codes. The second computing device is configured to derive a plurality of first translated event codes based on the first event code and a plurality of first translated entry codes for each of the plurality of first entry codes. The second computing device is further configured to determine whether the plurality of first entry codes were successfully derived. The third computing device is configured to read the first journal entry of the second database and determine, based on the indication that the plurality of first translated entry codes were successfully derived, to perform a first task.
US09658832B2	Multi-factor entropy sourcing for random number generators Systems and methods for multi-factor entropy sourcing for random number generators. An example method may comprise: identifying, by a processing device, a plurality of entropy sources; receiving random bits from each of the plurality of entropy sources; identifying a minimum number of bits among numbers of bits received from each of two or more entropy sources of the plurality of entropy sources; mixing, into an entropy pool, at least the identified minimum number of bits received from each entropy source of two or more entropy sources; and increasing a size of the entropy pool by the identified minimum number of bits.
US09658830B1	Structures for LUT-based arithmetic in PLDs A programmable logic device (PLD) includes a plurality of logic array blocks (LAB's) connected by a PLD routing architecture. At least one LAB includes a logic element (LE) configurable to arithmetically combine a plurality of binary input signals in a plurality of stages. The LE comprises look-up table (LUT) logic having K inputs (a “K-LUT”). The K-LUT is configured to input the binary input signals at respective inputs of the K-LUT logic cell and to provide, at a plurality of outputs of the K-LUT logic cell, respective binary result signals indicative of at least two of the plurality of stages of the arithmetic combination of binary input signals. An input line network includes a network of input lines, the input lines configurable to receive input signals from the PLD routing architecture that represent the binary input signals and to provide the input signals to the K-LUT. An output line network includes a network of output lines, the output lines configured to receive, from the K-LUT, output signals that represent the binary result signals and to provide the output signals to the PLD routing architecture. The described LUT's can perform arithmetic efficiently, as well as non-arithmetic functions.
US09658825B2	Method and apparatus for processing and reconstructing data Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method for quantizing signals and reconstructing signals, and/or encoding or decoding data for storage or transmission. Points of a signal may be determined as local extrema or points where an absolute rise of the signal is greater than a threshold. The tread and value of the points may be quantized, and certain of the quantizations may be discarded before the quantizations are transmitted. After being received, the signal may be reconstructed from the quantizations using an iterative process.
US09658821B2	Single operation array index computation Embodiments are directed to a processor for adjusting an index, wherein the index identifies a location of an element within an array. The processor includes a shift circuit configured to perform a single operation that adjusts a first parameter of the index to match a parameter of an array address. The single operation further adjusts a second parameter of the index to match a parameter of an array element.
US09658818B2	Adaptable audio systems Sound-producing devices such as headphone sets or loudspeakers are disclosed that can removably mate with an external interface. The external interface may plug into a port on an exterior of the sound-producing device. The external interface includes conversion circuitry that is powered by a power source in the sound-producing device. The external interface receives a first audio-encoded signal from a source device such as a mobile phone, tablet computer, or the like, and converts such signal to a conditioned signal which is compatible with the sound-producing device. Connection between the source device and the external interface may be a first type of wired or wireless connection. The sound-producing device may operate with other source devices that produce different audio-encoded signals by replacing the external interface with a different external interface whose conversion circuitry converts the different audio-encoded signal to the same conditioned signal. Alternative sound-producing devices are also disclosed.
US09658811B2	Printing apparatus, non-transitory computer readable medium, and printing method A printing apparatus includes a memory that stores, upon request from a first print-instruction originator, first print-instruction information that instructs the printing apparatus to print, in association with the first print-instruction originator, and stores, upon request from a second print-instruction originator, second print-instruction information that instructs the printing apparatus to print, in association with the second print-instruction originator, and a printing unit that executes, in an order determined by a predetermined rule, a print job based on the first print-instruction information stored in association with the first print-instruction originator, and a print job based on the second print-instruction information stored in association with the second print-instruction originator, when a first terminal apparatus used by the first print-instruction originator and a second terminal apparatus used by the second print-instruction originator exist within a predetermined first distance with reference to the printing apparatus.
US09658810B2	Image forming apparatus, information processing apparatus, image forming method, and non-transitory computer readable medium that generate a list of users waiting for a job execution An image forming apparatus includes a generating unit that generates a list of sequence of one or more users who wait for an execution of a job by the image forming apparatus or an operation of the image forming apparatus, and an output unit that outputs information of the list to a terminal apparatus of a user.
US09658796B2	Storage control device and storage system A storage control device includes a first storage device and a processor. The first storage device stores management information used for managing a variable area of storage regions of a second storage device in a storage apparatus. Each storage region is allocated to a main area or a spare area. The variable area includes storage regions allocated to the spare area and allocatable to the main area. The processor acquires, from the storage apparatus, information on numbers of times of Read processing on the second storage device and numbers of times of Write processing on the second storage device, and notifies the storage apparatus, when a number of times of Read processing on the second storage device within a predetermined time period is larger than a predetermined threshold, of a request for allocating a first portion of the variable area to the main area on basis of the management information.
US09658782B2	Scalable data using RDMA and MMIO To improve upon some of the characteristics of current storage systems in general and block data storage systems in particular, exemplary embodiments combine state-of-the art networking techniques with state-of-the-art data storage elements in a novel way. To accomplish this combination in a highly effective way, it is proposed to combine networking remote direct memory access (RDMA) technique and storage-oriented memory mapped input output (MMIO) technique in a system to provide direct access from a remote storage client to a remote storage system with little to no central processing unit (CPU) intervention of the remote storage server. In some embodiments, this technique may reduce the required CPU intervention on the client side. These reductions of CPU intervention potentially reduce latency while providing performance improvements, and/or providing more data transfer bandwidth and/or throughput and/or more operations per second compared to other systems with equivalent hardware.
US09658776B2	Compression of state information for data transfer over cloud-based networks Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for compressing a set of RAM data that may have some portions duplicated in a set of ROM data. The ROM data may be divided into a plurality of data chunks and hashed to obtained unique key values. Then a second hash may be performed on the RAM to see if there are any RAM data chunks that match the ROM data chunks. RAM data chunks with matching key values are replaced with pointers to the location of the data in the ROM. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US09658775B2	Adjusting page sharing scan rates based on estimation of page sharing opportunities within large pages Memory performance in a computer system that implements large page mappings is improved by dynamically tuning the page scan rate at which a memory sharing module (e.g., in a hypervisor) performs small page scanning operations that identify and exploit potential small page sharing opportunities within large pages. In operation, when free memory is relatively low, the hypervisor adjusts the page scan rate based on a statistical estimate of the percentage of virtual small pages that are mapped to physical large pages that are shareable. In this fashion the hypervisor dynamically tunes the sharing rate to reflect memory usage of applications. Further, unlike conventional approach to page sharing, the hypervisor proactively breaks large pages before resorting to more expensive memory reclamation techniques, such as ballooning and host swapping.
US09658773B2	Management of extents for space efficient storage volumes by reusing previously allocated extents A storage controller maintains an allocation space for extent space efficient storage volumes, in response to a request from a host application for storage space, wherein an extent pool is configured to allocate available extents to the host application. In response to a request from the host application to delete data stored in selected extents that are already allocated to the host application, the storage controller deletes the data but continues to maintain the selected extents as being allocated to the host application. In response to a request to write new data, the storage controller writes the new data to the selected extents that are already allocated.
US09658772B2	Mobile terminal, recording medium, and data storing method When a touch start is designated within display coordinates of a selected character string, and a touch end is designated within display coordinates of an arbitrary character input key, a mobile terminal temporarily stores the selected character string in a memory area indicated by a memory address corresponding to the arbitrary character input key. Then, when a touch start is designated within the display coordinates of the character input key utilized for temporarily storing the character string, and a touch end is designated within display coordinates of a text of a reply mail, the character string temporarily stored is inserted on the basis of the coordinates indicated by the touch end.
US09658769B2	Touch screen keyboard design for mobile devices Methods, apparatuses, and articles of manufacture for a virtual touch screen keyboard. The method includes waiting for a movement of a mobile device. Upon movement of the device, the keyboard receives a measurement representing a position of the device from a sensor of the device. The keyboard determines whether an absolute value of the received measurement is greater than a pre-defined value. If the absolute value of the received measurement is greater than the pre-defined value, and the received measurement is negative, the keyboard displays a first portion of the virtual touch screen keyboard. If the absolute value of the received measurement is greater than the pre-defined value, and the received measurement is positive, the keyboard displays a second portion of the virtual touch screen keyboard. The first portion and the second portion of the virtual touch screen keyboard provide keys that are at least double in size to the keys provided on a conventional touch screen keyboard.
US09658767B2	Information processing device A mobile communication terminal that includes a display panel; a first touch panel provided on a surface of the display panel; a second touch panel provided on at least one surface of the mobile communication terminal other than the surface of the display panel; and a controller that controls the display panel based on at least one of a size and number of contacts corresponding to a touch input detected at the second touch panel.
US09658756B2	EMS decision support interface, event history, and related tools Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for display and navigation of a clinical decision support process with portions thereof on separate display screens, as well as systems and methods for dynamically changing visual characteristics of softkeys on a patient monitor/defibrillator user interface screen based on clinical decision support or differential diagnosis processes, as well as a code review interface configured to permit a user to see what was displayed on a patient monitor/defibrillator user interface screen at any time during a medical event, as well as to see snapshots of other recorded parameters over the course of the medical event for purposes of code review, patient transfer, and improved patient care.
US09658753B2	Touch screen device with normal and sleep modes and method for driving the same A touch sensitive display device and a method for driving the same capable of increasing the touch recognition rate of the touch sensitive display device in the sleep mode are disclosed. The touch sensitive display device supports a normal mode and a sleep mode. The display device includes touch driving lines and a touch driver to supply one or more touch driving signals to the touch driving lines. The touch driver supplies the one or more touch driving signals at a first frequency during the normal mode of the touch sensitive display device, supplies the one or more touch driving signals at a second frequency during a first portion of the sleep mode of the touch sensitive display device, and supplies the one or more touch driving signals at a third frequency during a second portion of the sleep mode of the touch sensitive display device.
US09658752B2	Method and apparatus for content channels using references An apparatus and method for creating channels dedicated to a particular type of content. The method includes acquiring seed content and using the seed content in the creation or updating of a content list. Additional content for the channel is acquired based on the common features of the content list.
US09658751B2	Mouse button function setting method and system thereof A mouse button function setting method and a system thereof are applied to a mouse having multiple buttons. The method comprises following steps. A short cut function planning interface, which displays a function list and a short cut list, is provided. One of short cuts is selected form the short cut list. At least one of functions is selected from the function list and set to the selected short cut. A button setting interface, which displays the short cut list and multiple button icons, is provided. Multiple button icons correspond to multiple buttons respectively. One of short cuts is set to one of multiple button icons.
US09658746B2	Accessible reading mode techniques for electronic devices Techniques are disclosed for providing accessible reading modes in electronic computing devices. The user can transition between a manual reading mode and an automatic reading mode using a transition gesture. The manual reading mode may allow the user to navigate through content, share content with others, aurally sample and select content, adjust the reading rate, font, volume, or configure other reading and/or device settings. The automatic reading mode facilitates an electronic device reading automatically and continuously from a predetermined point with a selected voice font, volume, and rate, and only responds to a limited number of command gestures that may include scrolling to the next or previous sentence, paragraph, page, chapter, section or other content boundary. For each reading mode, earcons may guide the selection and/or navigation techniques, indicate content boundaries, confirm user actions or selections, or to otherwise provide an intuitive and accessible user experience.
US09658743B2	User interface for displaying selectable software functionality controls that are relevant to a selected object An improved user interface is provided for displaying selectable software functionality controls that are relevant to a selected object and that remain visibly available for use while the selected object is being edited. Upon selection of a particular object for editing, functionality available for editing the object is presented in a ribbon-shaped user interface above the software application workspace to allow the user ready and efficient access to functionality needed for editing the selected object. The display of relevant functionality controls is persisted until the user dismisses the display, selects another top-level functionality control or selects another object for editing.
US09658739B1	Optimizing presentation of interactive graphical elements based on contextual relevance A method includes identifying a plurality of interactive graphical elements that are associated with a user account. Each interactive graphical element identifies a type of an application and provides access to the respective application. A history usage database is accessed for the user account. The history usage database includes access patterns for the plurality of interactive graphical elements at particular calendar times. A weighting value is assigned to one or more of the access patterns of the interactive graphical elements. A request to display the interactive graphical elements for the user account is received and in response, an ordering of the interactive graphical elements is produced. The ordering of the select ones of the interactive graphical elements is influenced, at least in part, based on the weighting value of the one or more access patterns and a current calendar time when the request is received.
US09658735B2	Methods and apparatus for user interface optimization The invention provides in one aspect a method that includes identifying one or more rules for execution by a rules engine in order to generate a user interface. The method further includes executing, on a digital data processing system that comprises one or more digital data processors, a step of determining whether one or more aspects of the user interface generated as a result of execution of at least one of those rules is in conformity with one or more requirements. The system responds to a negative such determination, according to the method, by identifying modifications to generate a conforming user interface from those one or more rules, modifying one or more of those rules to generate a conforming user interface from (e.g., based directly or indirectly on) those one or more rules, and/or generating a conforming user interface from those one or more rules. The method further calls for storing to and/or generating as an output from the digital data processing system a result those step(s).
US09658733B2	User interface with selection patterns Example embodiments relate to a user interface. In particular, example embodiments are drawn to a user interface associated with a touch sensitive screen. Example embodiments are also drawn to a computer readable medium configured to generate a selection pattern upon which a pointer may be moved to at least one representation, track a movement of the pointer on the selection pattern, and generate a new selection pattern in response to the pointer being moved to the at least one representation.
US09658729B2	Fixing structure for touch panel and front design sheet and display unit with touch panel A touch panel is configured so that a lower glass substrate with a very low thermal expansion coefficient, as its lower substrate, projects outwardly from outer edges of an upper film substrate. Since a front design sheet is secured to the lower glass substrate, a housing, which is a molded article, need not be provided with any area for the fixation of the front design sheet. Thus, the distance from the contour of a display unit to a display area can be reduced, so that the display unit can be reduced in size.
US09658726B2	Single layer sensor pattern A capacitive sensor array comprises large sensor electrodes and small sensor electrodes formed from a single layer of conductive material. Each sensor electrode of a first set of small sensor electrodes is electrically connected to a first pad. A first axis crosses two or more of the sensor electrodes of the first set of small sensor electrodes, and each small sensor electrode of the first set of small sensor electrodes is located on an opposite lateral side of one of the large sensor electrodes from another small sensor electrode of the first set. Each sensor electrode of a second set of small sensor electrodes is electrically connected to a second pad. A second axis crosses two or more of the sensor electrodes of the second set of small sensor electrodes, and each small sensor electrode of the second set is located on an opposite lateral side of one of the large sensor electrodes from another small sensor electrode of the second set.
US09658720B2	Capacitive sense array for detecting passive touch objects and an active stylus A system comprising a sensing device and a capacitive sense array configured to detect a presence of a passive touch object and a stylus where the capacitive sense array receives a transmit signal from the stylus via capacitive coupling. The system further comprising a processing device configured to determine the stylus location on the capacitive sense array based on the transmit signal and to synchronize the stylus to the capacitive sense array. A system further comprises a demodulation block to extract additional data that is modulated into the transmit signal by the stylus. The demodulation block is configured to extract the additional data by amplitude shift keying. The additional data comprises at least one of an applied force value of the stylus tip, a button status data, a battery status data, or a stylus acceleration data.
US09658710B2	Pixel circuit, its driving method, organic light-emitting diode display panel and display device The present disclosure provides a pixel circuit, its driving method, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel, and a display device. According to the present disclosure, a display driving module and a touch detection module are configured to multiplex a first scanning line and a second scanning line, so it is able to eliminate an effect of a threshold voltage of a driving transistor on a light-emitting driving signal, thereby to improve the brightness evenness of the OLED display panel and improve a display effect of the display device. In addition, the pixel circuit in the embodiments of the present disclosure may achieve the touch detection and the display driving simultaneously by multiplexing a control signal, so it is able to achieve the integration of the display driving and the touch detection in an effective manner.
US09658703B2	Method and apparatus for operating mobile terminal There is provided a method of operating a mobile terminal, the method including: executing an application using both a pen input and a touch input; sensing a pen input through a first input unit, and performing a function corresponding to the sensed pen input; and sensing a touch input through a second input unit, and performing a function corresponding to the sensed touch input.
US09658688B2	Automatic view adjustment A view adjustment system using information captured by one or more sensors on a client device determines a projection direction for content to be displayed on a display of the client device. Upon determining the projection direction, the view adjustment system transforms the content into a perspective view based on the determined projection direction and prompts the client device to present the content in the perspective view to a user. The view adjustment system may monitor changes in relative position and/or direction of the user with respect to the display, adjust the projection direction, and transform the content to reflect these changes.
US09658687B2	Visual focus-based control of coupled displays Various technologies described herein pertain to controlling functionality of a display based on visual focus of a user in a multiple display or multiple computational device environment. A particular display from a set of displays on which a user is visually focused is identified. The set of displays includes at least a first display and a second display. Moreover, a type of input receivable from the user via the first display and/or content rendered on the first display is controlled based on the visual focus of the user.
US09658682B2	Reference voltage circuits in microcontroller systems A microcontroller system includes a higher power reference voltage circuit and a lower power reference voltage circuit configured to draw less power than the higher power reference voltage circuit when enabled. The system includes a power state logic controller configured to enable the lower power reference voltage circuit to provide a first regulated voltage during a power saving mode, and, on exiting the power saving mode, enable the higher power reference voltage circuit to provide a second regulated voltage.
US09658677B2	Wake-up signal generating device, and touch input device A touch input device includes a touch sensor and a wake-up control unit. The touch sensor includes a piezoelectric sensor and a detection signal generating unit. The touch sensor outputs sensing signals corresponding to displacement amount of a push and relaxation of the push of an operation surface, and a displacement direction. The detection signal generating unit outputs a displacement detection signal from the sensing signal. The wake-up control unit detects a push from a change in a voltage of the displacement detection signal. The wake-up control unit starts clocking upon detection of the push, and generates and outputs a wake-up signal when detecting relaxation of the push based on the change in the voltage of the displacement detection signal within a detection time.
US09658675B1	Achieving power saving by a circuit including pluralities of processing cores based on status of the buffers used by the processing cores Subject matter disclosed herein relates to arrangements and techniques that provide for sending messages among processing nodes over a network-on-chip (NoC). More particularly, the present disclosure provides an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) that includes processing cores and co-processors. The processing cores and co-processors are coupled together with a NoC. Each processing core and co-processor includes two corresponding buffers. A first buffer is for sending messages and a second buffer is for receiving messages. If a processing core or co-processor needs to send a message and the corresponding first buffer is full, if the message includes a flag that indicates a WAIT function, then the processing core and/or co-processor enters a low power state until the first buffer is available; otherwise the message is ignored and not sent. Additionally, if a second buffer is empty, then the corresponding processing core and/or co-processor enters the low power state.
US09658671B2	Power-aware CPU power grid design A method and an apparatus for providing a power grid are provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of memory units comprising at least one SoC memory and at least one cache memory. The apparatus includes a first subsystem coupled to the at least one SoC memory associated with a first power domain. The apparatus further includes a second subsystem coupled to the at least one cache memory associated with a second power domain. The second subsystem may be a CPU subsystem. Because the first power domain sources power from a shared power source, the first power domain may operate at a voltage level that is higher than the operation of memory circuits requires. By moving the at least one cache memory from the first power domain to the second power domain, LDO efficiency loss for components in the first power domain may be reduced.
US09658668B2	Systems and methods for programmable system ride-through and hold-up An information handling system may include a power management system comprising a power supply unit having an input for receiving an alternating current input waveform from a bulk capacitor for storing charge. The power management system may be configured to calculate an energy budget associated with an amount of energy stored in the bulk capacitor that may be used to power at least one information handling resource in response to a loss of the alternating current input waveform. The power management system may further be configured to determine a portion of the energy budget required to satisfy a requirement, the requirement comprising one of a hold-up time requirement and a ride-through requirement of the information handling system. The power management system may further be configured to allocate the energy budget between hold-up and ride-through of the information handling system in a manner that satisfies the requirement.
US09658665B2	Parallel redundant power distribution Systems and methods are provided for reliable redundant power distribution. Some embodiments include micro Automatic Transfer Switches (micro-ATSs), including various components and techniques for facilitating reliable auto-switching functionality in a small footprint (e.g., less than ten cubic inches, with at least one dimension being less than a standard NEMA rack height). Other embodiments include systems and techniques for integrating a number of micro-ATSs into a parallel auto-switching module for redundant power delivery to a number of devices. Implementations of the parallel auto-switching module are configured to be mounted in, on top of, or on the side of standard equipment racks. Still other embodiments provide power distribution topologies that exploit functionality of the micro-ATSs and/or the parallel micro-ATS modules.
US09658664B2	Electronic device having a pin for setting its mode of operation and method to set a mode of operation for an electronic device having a pin An electronic device having a pin for setting its mode of operation, wherein the pin is connected or connectable to a first connection of a resistor, wherein the electronic device is arranged to detect a location of the resistor, wherein the electronic device is arranged to detect a size of the resistor, wherein the electronic device is arranged to determine a first setting based on the location of the resistor, and wherein the electronic device is arranged to determine a second setting based on the size of the resistor.
US09658654B1	Convertible device hinge cable routing system A hinge cable routing system includes a hinge chassis that includes a first hinge wall and a second hinge wall that is spaced apart from the first hinge wall to define a hinge housing between the first hinge wall and the second hinge wall. A first shaft extends through the hinge housing and out of the hinge chassis. A second shaft extends through the hinge housing and out of the hinge chassis. A cable extends through the hinge housing adjacent the first hinge wall and between the first hinge wall and each of the first shaft and the second shaft such that no portion of the cable that extends through the hinge housing is located between the second hinge wall and either of the first shaft and the second shaft.
US09658651B2	Expanding capabilities of mobile computing devices A rim for protecting a handheld computing device, such as a smartphone, has left, right, top, and bottom edges sized to engage the corresponding edges of the handheld device. An electronic processor is disposed within at least one of the rim edges, and is able to communicatively connect to the handheld computing device when the handheld computing device is engaged by the rim. The rim resiliently stretches over the handheld device to engage the device, the resilient material further operative to protect the device from damage due to dropping. Sensors are communicatively coupled to the electronic processor, the sensors operable to detect a health parameter of the body of the user when the user grasps the rim engaged with the handheld computing device, and uses the handheld computing device in a normal manner. Electronic backplates having differing features can be attached to the rim and communicate with the rim.
US09658642B2	Timing control for unmatched signal receiver A device with an I/O interface includes a replica clock distribution path matched to a clock distribution path of an unmatched receiver circuit. The device can monitor changes in delay in the replica path, and adjust delay in the real clock distribution path in response to the delay changes detected in the replica path. The receiver circuit includes a data path and a clock distribution network in an unmatched configuration. A ring oscillator circuit includes a replica clock distribution network matched to the real clock distribution network. Thus, delay changes detected for the replica clock distribution network indicates a change in delay in the real clock distribution network, which can be compensated accordingly.
US09658637B2	Low power proportional to absolute temperature current and voltage generator A proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) circuit is provided. By judiciously combining circuit elements into two or more cell it is possible to effectively dump bias current into impedance resistive element of a first cell from other cells of the circuit. As a result the circuit as a whole can operate with smaller resistive elements and therefore occupy less area when implemented in silicon. It is also possible to reduce the supply current that is required for providing specific output currents or voltages.
US09658636B2	Apparatus and methods for variable capacitor arrays Apparatus and methods for variable capacitor arrays are provided herein. In certain configurations, an apparatus includes a variable capacitor array and a bias voltage generation circuit. The variable capacitor array includes a plurality of metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) variable capacitor cells, which include one or more pairs of MOS capacitors implemented in anti-parallel and/or anti-series configurations. In certain implementations, the MOS variable capacitor cells are electrically connected in parallel with one another between a radio frequency (RF) input and an RF output of the variable capacitor array. The bias voltage generation circuit generates bias voltages for biasing the MOS capacitors of the MOS variable capacitor cells.
US09658630B2	Digital filter and timing signal generation circuit A digital filter includes: a minimum-value holder that holds a minimum value of a measurement value inputted in the minimum-value holder and that outputs the minimum value as a held value; a limit-value circuit that receives the held value and that outputs the held value as a limit value in a case where the held value remains minimum during predetermined cycles; and an output controller that receives a maximum value, the measurement value, and the limit value, the maximum value defining an upper limit, outputs the measurement value as an output value if the measurement value is smaller than the limit value, and outputs the maximum value as the output value if the measurement value is equal to or larger than the limit value.
US09658621B2	Apparatuses, systems and methods for automatically taxiing an aircraft Apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for automatically pushing aircraft back from an airport gate and/or for automatically taxiing an aircraft. At least one engines-off drive is attached to at least one landing gear wheel to apply a rotational force and/or a rotation impeding force to the at least one landing gear wheel. At least one friction brake is attached to at least one landing gear wheel to apply a rotation impeding force to the at least one landing gear wheel.
US09658620B1	System and method of providing recommendations to users of vehicles A system and method is provided of providing recommendations to a user of a vehicle. In one aspect, the vehicle navigates autonomously and the sensors provide information that is based on the location of the vehicle and output from sensors directed to the environment surrounding the vehicle. In further aspects, both current and previous sensor data is used to make the recommendation, as well as data based on the sensors of other vehicles.
US09658605B2	Surgical robot and control method thereof A method for controlling a surgical robot includes calculating an external force acting on a robot arm mounted with a surgical instrument, filtering the external force acting on the robot arm when a central point of an incision is set, calculating a virtual force to enable the surgical instrument which is positioned away from the central point of the incision to return to the central point of the incision, and applying the calculated virtual force to the filtered external force, to control movement of the robot arm. As a result, it is possible to compactly design the surgical robot and thereby reduce the volume of the surgical robot.
US09658601B2	Acoustic radiating membrane for a musical watch The acoustic radiating membrane is provided to equip a musical watch or a striking watch. The dome-shaped membrane comprises an active central portion, a lateral wall and a peripheral edge portion for holding the membrane in a watch case. The central part is configured in a convex shape or a conical shape and with dimensions devised to amplify a first vibration mode of one or more notes within a frequency range of between 500 Hz and 3.5 kHz.
US09658593B2	Process cartridge, electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit A drum unit usable in the process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum having an axis L1 and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes a first end portion connected with the photosensitive drum, a second end portion having an outermost surface, an axle portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion to each other, and at least one projection extending from the second end portion. For at least part of the outermost surface of the second end portion, a maximum distance from the axis L2 to the outermost surface along a line perpendicular to the axis L2 increases as the distance along the axis L2 from the axle portion increases.
US09658592B2	Process cartridge, electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit A drum unit usable in the process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum having an axis L1, a drum flange provided at an end of the photosensitive drum, with a part of the drum flange being positioned within the photosensitive drum, and a coupling member having an axis L2. The coupling member includes (i) a first end portion at least a part of which is positioned within the drum flange, and (ii) a second end portion including (ii-i) a surface recessed in the second end portion and facing away from the first end portion and (ii-ii) at least one projection projecting from a surface adjacent to the recessed surface, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion.
US09658590B2	Toner cartridge for use in an image forming device A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing defining a reservoir for containing toner. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. A first alignment guide is positioned on the first side of the housing and a second alignment guide positioned on the second side of the housing. A toner delivery system for transferring toner from the reservoir out of the exit port includes a main interface gear. A portion of the main interface gear is exposed on the front of the housing at a second side of the housing above the second alignment guide. A connector on the first side of the housing has a forward facing opening positioned above the first alignment guide. Electrical contacts are positioned within the connector and are accessible through the forward facing opening.
US09658587B2	Fixing device and image forming apparatus A fixing device includes a heating member that has a heat source, comes into contact with a surface of a continuous medium having an image transferred thereto and heats the surface; a pressure member that is provided so as to oppose the heating member with the medium therebetween and applies pressure to the medium; and a tensioning member that is provided on a downstream side of a fixing area, where the heating member and the pressure member oppose each other, in a medium-transport direction, applies tension to the medium by pressing the medium toward the pressure member, and wraps the medium around the pressure member.
US09658586B1	Image forming apparatus with heat equalization of a fixing belt In accordance with an embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises a fixing apparatus which fixes a toner image formed on an image receiving medium. The fixing apparatus comprises an endless belt, a roller facing the belt, and a nip pad which faces the roller across the belt and presses the belt together with the roller. A coating layer is formed on a surface of the nip pad which faces the belt. The coating layer is constituted by a simple substance or a compound having at least one kind of elements selected from a group 6 element and a group 14 element.
US09658566B2	Developer container, developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus The present disclosure relates a developer container for accommodating a developer. The developer container includes a conductive path.The conductive path includes a resin.
US09658561B2	Image forming device and method for correcting scanning position of luminous flux An image forming device scans and exposes a photoreceptor with a luminous flux by a light scanning device, which includes a polygon mirror that deflects the luminous flux and scans the photoreceptor in a main scanning direction, a correction unit that corrects a scanning position of the luminous flux in the main scanning direction such that the scanning position of the luminous flux coincides with each reference position, and a position deviation detection unit that detects the deviation amount of the scanning position of the luminous flux in a sub scanning direction. The correction unit corrects the scanning position of the luminous flux in the main scanning direction such that a screen line with an aimed screen angle is formed by scanning with the luminous flux whose scanning position in the sub scanning direction has deviated by the deviation amount detected by the position deviation detection unit.
US09658558B2	Blower pipe, blowing device, and image forming apparatus Provided is a blower pipe with an inlet, an outlet, a passage part formed with a passage space to cause air to flow therein, and suppressing parts that are provided in different parts in a direction in which air in the passage space of the passage part is caused to flow and that suppress the flow of the air, wherein an outlet suppressing part constructed so that the passage space in the outlet is closed by a permeable member dotted with ventilation portions is provided in the outlet of the passage part as one of the suppressing parts, and wherein the permeability of an end region present at least at one end in the lateral direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction among regions along the longitudinal direction of the opening shape of the outlet is set to a smaller value than the permeability of regions other than the end region.
US09658548B2	Magnetic toner The magnetic toner includes magnetic toner particles comprising a binder resin and a magnetic body and inorganic fine particles present on the surface of the magnetic toner particles, wherein the inorganic fine particles present on the surface of the magnetic toner particles comprise metal oxide fine particles, the metal oxide fine particles containing silica fine particles, and optionally containing titania fine particles and alumina fine particles, and a content of the silica fine particles being at least 85 mass % with respect to a total mass of the silica fine particles, the titania fine particles and the alumina fine particles, wherein; when a coverage ratio A (%) is a coverage ratio of the magnetic toner particle's surface by the inorganic fine particles and a coverage ratio B (%) is a coverage ratio of the magnetic toner particles' surface by the inorganic fine particles that are fixed to the magnetic toner particle's surface, the magnetic toner has a coverage ratio A, a coefficient of variation on the coverage ratio A, a ratio of the coverage ratio B to the coverage ratio A, and a compression ratio in a specific range.
US09658536B2	In-line inspection and clean for immersion lithography An immersion lithography apparatus includes a lens system, an immersion hood, a wafer stage, an inspection system and a cleaning fluid supplier. The lens system is configured to project a pattern onto a wafer. The immersion hood is configured to confine an immersion fluid between the lens system and the wafer, and includes a peripheral hole configured to suck up the immersion fluid. The wafer stage is configured to position the wafer under the lens system. The inspection system is configured to detect whether there is contamination in the peripheral hole. The cleaning fluid supplier is coupled to the inspection system and configured to supply a cleaning fluid through the peripheral hole to remove the contamination, in which the inspection system and the cleaning fluid supplier are coupled to the wafer stage.
US09658535B2	Methods and systems for printing periodic patterns A method for printing a periodic pattern of features into a photosensitive layer includes providing a mask bearing a periodic pattern, providing a substrate bearing the photosensitive layer, and arranging the substrate substantially parallel to the mask. A beam of collimated monochromatic light is formed for illuminating the mask pattern so that the light-field transmitted by the mask forms Talbot image planes separated by a Talbot distance. N sub-exposures of the mask with the beam are performed and the separation between sub-exposures are changed so that the relative separation during the ith sub-exposure with respect to that during the first sub-exposure is given by (mi+ni/N) times the Talbot distance. The mask pattern is exposed to the same energy density of illumination for each sub-exposure, wherein the period is selected in relation to the wavelength so that only the zeroth and first diffraction orders are transmitted by the mask.
US09658526B2	Mask pellicle indicator for haze prevention A pellicle mask assembly includes a mask, a pellicle frame, and a pellicle membrane. The pellicle frame has a bottom side attached to the mask, and a top side covered by the pellicle membrane. The pellicle frame includes a coating on its inner surface and the coating is configured to monitor a change of environment inside the pellicle mask assembly. In embodiments, the change of environment includes increased humidity and/or increased chemical ion density inside the pellicle mask assembly. Methods of making and using the pellicle mask assembly are also disclosed.
US09658521B2	Illumination device and image display apparatus An illumination device includes: an excitation light source that emits excitation light having a first wavelength; and a fluorescent member that includes a fluorescent substance that, when it is irradiated with the excitation light, emits light having a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength, transmits a part of the excitation light and reflects another part of the excitation light, and a first reflective film provided at a side of the fluorescent substance, which is opposite to an excitation light incidence side, the fluorescent member emitting multiplexed light including an excitation light component reflected from the fluorescent substance and the first reflective film and a light component emitted from the fluorescent substance.
US09658516B2	Blade drive device and optical apparatus To provide a blade drive device capable of suppressing the increase in number of components while suppressing the bounding of blades, and an optical apparatus including the blade drive device. A blade drive device 10 includes a partition plate 21 having an opening 22, blades 31a to 34a, 31b to 34b which are expanded in a state where the opening 22 is closed and which overlap one another in a state where the opening 22 is opened, and a first regulating portion 23A and a second regulating portion 24A integrally formed with the partition plate 21, on which the blades 31a, 31b abut when being expanded. An optical apparatus includes the blade drive device 10.
US09658515B2	Diaphragm device and optical instrument A diaphragm device of the present invention includes: a base plate having an aperture portion; a blade being supported by the base plate to be able to open and close the aperture portion; a drive ring being formed so as to surround the perimeter of the aperture portion, the drive ring being configured to drive the blade to open and close; a supporting pin pivotably supporting the blade being provided on the drive ring; and an engaging pin engaging with the blade and causing the blade to open or close in conjunction with the drive ring and the supporting pin, the engaging pin being provided on the base plate on an inner side of the supporting pin in the radial direction of the drive ring.
US09658506B2	Display device having an oxide semiconductor transistor An object is to reduce parasitic capacitance of a signal line included in a liquid crystal display device. A transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer is used as a transistor provided in each pixel. Note that the oxide semiconductor layer is an oxide semiconductor layer which is highly purified by thoroughly removing impurities (hydrogen, water, or the like) which become electron suppliers (donors). Thus, the amount of leakage current (off-state current) can be reduced when the transistor is off. Therefore, a voltage applied to a liquid crystal element can be held without providing a capacitor in each pixel. In addition, a capacitor wiring extending to a pixel portion of the liquid crystal display device can be eliminated. Therefore, parasitic capacitance in a region where the signal line and the capacitor wiring intersect with each other can be eliminated.
US09658502B2	Liquid crystal display device having dual link structure and method of manufacturing the same Disclosed is an LCD device having a dual link structure and a method of manufacturing the same, which can reduce a width of a bezel. A link line structure includes a plurality of first and second link lines which are alternately disposed. The first and second link lines are formed on different layers. Also, embodiments herein provide a method which can reduce the number of masks used in a manufacturing process and can easily manufacture the LCD device in consideration of the possibility of misalignment of exposure equipment.
US09658500B2	Liquid crystal display apparatus To decrease graininess in a display surface. First openings comprise third openings each having a first area that extends at a −45 degree angle, and a second area that extends vertically, and fourth openings each having a first area that extends at a 45 degree angle, and a second area that extends vertically. Second openings comprise fifth openings each having a first area that extends at a 45 degree angle, and a second area that extends vertically, and sixth openings each having a first area that extends at a −45 degree angle, and a second area that extends vertically. The third and the fifth openings are disposed along horizontally so that one third opening and one fifth opening adjacent to each other overlap. The fourth and the sixth openings are disposed along horizontally so that a part of one fourth opening and one sixth opening adjacent to each other overlap.
US09658499B2	Liquid crystal display device comprising a second common electrode opposed to a first slit and having a potential identical to a potential of a first common electrode According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate including a first common electrode in which a first slit extending in a first direction is formed, a first pixel electrode opposed to the first common electrode, and a second pixel electrode opposed to the first common electrode and neighboring the first pixel electrode in a second direction with the first slit being interposed, a second substrate including a second common electrode opposed to the first slit, the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode, and a liquid crystal layer held between the first alignment film and the second alignment film.
US09658495B2	Liquid crystal display and manufacturing method thereof In a liquid crystal display, a pretilt value provided by an upper alignment layer or a lower alignment layer is gradually changed in one domain, such that liquid crystal molecules have various arrangements in which azimuth angles of aligned liquid crystal molecules are gradually changed.
US09658494B2	Display substrate, mother substrate for display substrates and display device The present invention provides a display substrate, a mother substrate for display substrates and a display device. The display substrate comprises a display area and a non-display area surrounding the display area, wherein an alignment layer is disposed in the display area and the non-display area. In the display substrate according to the present invention, by providing the same pattern of alignment layer in both of the non-display area and the display area of the display substrate, the Mura defect caused by the difference of surface roughness between the display area and the non-display area of the display substrate may be significantly reduced, and a large amount of small foreign matters gathered due to the rubbing between the rubbing cloth and metal residuals may also be significantly reduced. Therefore, the yield of production and the quality of products may be improved.
US09658493B2	Liquid crystal display A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate, a first electrode which is disposed on the first substrate, and which includes a stem part for dividing a pixel into a plurality of domains, a plurality of micro branch parts extending in one direction from at least one stem of the stem part, and a peripheral bundle electrode connected to an end of at least one of the micro branch parts and disposed along an edge of the pixel, a first panel including protrusions arranged along an outer circumference of the peripheral bundle electrode and projected in the direction vertical to the first substrate, a second substrate, a second panel including a second electrode which is disposed on the second substrate and which faces the first electrode, and a liquid crystal layer which is interposed between the first panel and the second panel and which includes liquid crystals.
US09658492B2	Display panel A display panel is disclosed, which comprises: a first substrate with plural sub-pixel units disposed thereon; a first photo-alignment layer disposed on the first substrate and having at least two different alignment directions corresponding to one sub-pixel unit; and plural metal pads respectively corresponding to the sub-pixel units. When light passes through each sub-pixel, a dark line pattern is exhibited, comprising: a first main dark line disposed at an interface between two different alignment directions of the first photo-alignment layer; and a metal pad pattern corresponding to the metal pad and the first main dark line. Herein, a distance difference between an edge of the first dark line and an edge of the metal pad pattern at the same side is not identical to that between another edge of the first dark line and another edge of the metal pad pattern at another same side.
US09658486B2	Light emitting device and display device including the same A light emitting device package is disclosed. The light emitting device package includes a body, first and second reflection cups spaced apart from each other in a top surface of the body, a first connection pad disposed in the top surface of the body, spaced apart from the first and second reflection cups, a first light emitting diode mounted in the first reflection cup, a second light emitting diode mounted in the second reflection cup, and a partition wall disposed between the first reflection cup and the second reflection cup, the partition wall extended from the top surface of the body upwardly.
US09658484B2	Pattern structure and method of manufacturing the pattern structure, and liquid crystal display device A pattern structure includes a plurality of pattern structure units arranged on a same plane, where each of the plurality of pattern structure units includes a plurality of microstructures defined on a surface thereof and having a width of less than about 1 micrometer (μm); and a connection layer disposed between the plurality of pattern structure units and having a width of less than about 10 μm, where the connection layer connects the plurality of pattern structure units to each other.
US09658478B2	Laminated glazing with variable liquid-crystal-induced scattering, and process and device for manufacturing it A laminated glazing with variable liquid-crystal-induced scattering, includes a first glass sheet; a first interlayer film for laminating the first glass sheet, made from a first plastic material; an electrically controllable, variable scattering system including the liquid crystals between a first support for a first electrode and a second support for a second electrode, the electrodes making contact with the liquid crystals; a second interlayer film, made from a second plastic material for laminating a second glass sheet; links to the electrodes; electrical wiring with two wiring inputs; a polymer material, for protecting the wiring inputs, which makes contact with the glass sheets; and a seal for sealing the liquid crystals and the electrodes from water. The protective polymer material forms a seal for sealing the electrode links and the wiring inputs from liquid water.
US09658476B2	Controlling bias voltages for optical modulators Methods and apparatus for controlling a bias voltage supplied to an optical modulator, the modulator comprising a biasable component, the biasable component being configurable to be biased by application of the bias voltage (20) such that the modulator operates at quadrature, the method comprising: providing a target for the output power of the modulator, the target for the output power of the modulator being an output power corresponding to the modulator operating at quadrature; applying, to the biasable component, a bias voltage (20) having an initial value of 0V; and, thereafter, varying the bias voltage (20) until the value of the bias voltage (20) is the value that is closest to the initial value and that biases the biasable component so that the output power of the modulator is within a pre-defined range of the target output power.
US09658473B2	Enhanced optical and perceptual digital eyewear Improved wearable optics is disclosed. The wearable optics comprises a frame member and a lens. The wearable optics also includes circuitry within the frame member for enhancing the use of the wearable optics. A system and method in accordance with the present invention is directed to a variety of ways to enhance the use of eyeglasses. They are: (1) media focals, that is, utilizing the wearable optics for its intended purpose and enhancing that use by using imaging techniques to improve the vision of the user; (2) telecommunications enhancements that allow the eyeglasses to be integrated with telecommunication devices such as cell phones or the like; and (3) entertainment enhancements that allow the wearable optics to be integrated with devices such as MP3 players, radios, or the like.
US09658470B2	Method and algorithm for designing custom optics Provided herein is a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing an algorithm to optimize a wavefront guided correction for a custom ophthalmic lens. The correction is determined from inputs of quantified wavefront error and registration uncertainty and a metric predictive of a visual performance task of interest and provides a level of visual performance within a user-defined performance range. Also provided is a method for optimizing a wavefront guided correction for a custom ophthalmic lens via inputting residual wavefront error values and quantified translational and rotational movements into an algorithm configured to determine the optimal wavefront guided correction therefrom and a custom ophthalmic lens comprising the correction.
US09658467B2	Ophthalmic lens that can be edged, comprising a hydrophobic bilayer and a temporary metal fluoride layer An ophthalmic lens that can be edged, includes a main front surface and a main rear surface, obtained by successive deposition on at least one of the main surfaces of the lens, of a first hydrophobic layer that has a thickness of between 6 and 16 nm and is obtained by deposition of a composition including a constituent A selected from fluorosilanes having a number average molar mass that is higher than, or equal to, 2000 g/mol, of a second hydrophobic layer that has a thickness of between 3 and 20 nm and is obtained by the deposition of a composition including a constituent B selected from the fluorosilanes having a number average molar mass than is lower than, or equal to, 900 g/mol, and of a layer including a metal fluoride having a thickness of between 22 and 50 nm.
US09658464B2	Diffractive optics element, method for manufacturing diffractive optics element, and electronic device A diffractive optics element includes a substrate configured of a sapphire substrate and a diffractive optics structure, provided on the substrate, that forms an image when a laser beam is incident thereon. The diffractive optics structure has a diffractive optics portion, and the diffractive optics portion has a base material and a diffractive optics layer disposed on the base material. The thickness of the base material is no greater than 20 μm.
US09658461B2	Optical alignment systems and methods for wavelength beam combining laser systems In various embodiments, wavelength beam combining laser systems incorporate fast-axis collimation lenses and slow-axis collimation lenses (either separately or as portions of a single hybrid lens) optically upstream of an optical rotation system to thereby reduce or minimize cross-talk in the combined output beam.
US09658459B2	Head-mounted image display apparatus A head-mounted image display apparatus includes: a light source that emits laser light; a splitter that splits the laser light into first laser light and second laser light having a different optical intensity than the first laser light; an image drawing section that causes the first laser light to be reflected off a mirror and causes the mirror to make pivotal motion to perform image drawing; a controller that controls the pivotal motion of the mirror; and a notification section that notifies other persons by diffusing the second laser light that the image drawing section is performing image drawing.
US09658447B2	Multiple illumination sources for DMD lighting apparatus and methods A DMD illumination system having multiple illumination sources. A DMD illumination system is provided that includes a plurality of illumination sources, each of the illumination sources directing light onto the digital micro-mirror device corresponding to a respective position of an array of micro-mirrors, each illumination source being positioned to cause reflected light from the array of micro-mirrors to be projected out of the system, and control circuitry coupled to the plurality of illumination sources and to the digital micro-mirror device configured for controlling the position of the array of micro-mirrors and further configured for providing control signals for turning each of the plurality of illumination sources on and off, so that the light from the plurality of illumination sources strikes the array of micro-mirrors and the light is reflected from the digital micro-mirror device and out of the system. Methods are also disclosed.
US09658446B2	Sealing structure, interference filter, optical module, and electronic apparatus An interference filter includes a first substrate on which a fixed reflection film is provided, a second substrate which faces the first substrate and on which a movable reflection film is provided, a first bonding film that bonds the first substrate and the second substrate to each other, and a sealer that is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate in a first interspace that allows a first internal space sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate to communicate with a space outside the interference filter, the sealer sealing the first internal space, and an inter-substrate distance between the first substrate and the second substrate in the first interspace decreases in a direction from outer circumferential edges of the substrates toward an inner portion of the first interspace in a plan view viewed in a substrate thickness direction.
US09658445B2	Endoscope apparatus An endoscope apparatus includes: an endoscope including at least an elongated insertion section having flexibility and an image pickup device, the insertion section including, at a distal end portion, an observation window forming an observation optical system and an illumination window forming an illumination optical system and the image pickup device including an image pickup surface on which an optical image passing through the observation window is formed; and an apparatus body incorporating a display section that displays an image picked up by the image pickup device, the apparatus body including the display section on one surface having a largest area of the apparatus body and including a holding member that holds the insertion section on a rear surface of the one surface in a wound state.
US09658435B2	Imaging lens A compact low-profile low-cost imaging lens which provides brightness with an F-value of 2.5 or less and a wide field of view and corrects aberrations properly. The elements are arranged from an object side as follows: a positive first lens having a convex object-side surface; a meniscus negative second lens having a concave object-side surface; a double-sided aspheric third lens; a double-sided aspheric fourth lens; a positive fifth lens having a convex image-side surface near an optical axis; and a double-sided aspheric negative sixth lens having a concave image-side surface near the axis. Each element is arranged with an air gap from a neighboring element. The sixth lens image-side surface has an off-axial pole-change point. The imaging lens satisfies conditional expressions below: 20<νd1−νd2<50 (1) 20<νd1−νd3<50 (2) where νd1: First lens Abbe number at d-ray νd2: Second lens Abbe number at d-ray νd3: Third lens Abbe number at d-ray.
US09658432B2	Imaging lens An exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to an imaging lens, the imaging lens including, in an ordered way from an object side, a first lens having positive (+) refractive power, a second lens having negative (−) refractive power, a third lens having positive (+) refractive power, a fourth lens having negative (−) refractive power, wherein the imaging lens meets a conditional expression of D4−D3≦0, where D3 is a distance from an apex of an object side surface of the third lens to an apex of an image side surface of the third lens, and D4 is an axial distance from the apex of an object side surface of the third lens to an effective diameter of an object side surface of the fourth lens.
US09658427B2	Reaction compensated tilt platform A reaction compensated tilt platform assembly comprises a support base, and a reaction mass, pivotally coupled to the support base. A tilt platform which can function as or support a mirror is pivotally coupled to the support base. At least two linear actuator coil assemblies are carried by the reaction mass. At least two linear actuator magnet assemblies are carried by the tilt platform and are disposable within the at least two linear actuator coil assemblies. The linear actuator magnet assemblies taper from a larger diameter toward a center of the magnet assembly to a smaller diameter toward an end of the magnet assemblies. Actuation of the linear actuator magnets results in pivotal movement of the tilt platform relative to the reaction mass.
US09658426B2	Objective lens mount The invention relates to an objective lens mount (39) with specimen protection and crush protection for objective lenses (4) on a microscope, consisting of an outer objective lens collar (1) having a unit (15) for mounting on an interface of the microscope, preferably on a microscope stand, and a safety element (22) arranged spring mounted and axially movable in the objective lens collar (1), which safety element contains the objective lens (4). According to the invention, in order to maintain a definable stand-off distance between the front lens (5) of the objective lens (4) and the safety element (22) in the objective lens mount (39), a sensor (6) is provided, coupled to a control unit.
US09658416B2	Photoelectric converter and photoelectric connection device A photoelectric converter and a photoelectric connection device are provided. The photoelectric converter comprises a housing, wherein a driving controller, at least one information transmitting chip and at least one information receiving chip are provided on a substrate in the housing. The information transmitting chip, under the control of the driving controller, converts an electrical signal to be transmitted to an optical signal and transmits the optical signal through an optical fiber corresponding to the information transmitting chip. The information receiving chip, under the control of the driving controller, converts an external input optical signal that has reached a receiving surface of the information receiving chip to an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal, wherein the external input optical signal is transmitted through an optical fiber corresponding to the information receiving chip. Information transmitting chips and information receiving chips are provided in the same photoelectric converter, each information transmitting chip transmitting information through a corresponding optical fiber and each information receiving chip receiving information through a corresponding optical fiber, thus multichannel optical fiber transmission can be integrally achieved.
US09658409B2	Optical fiber connector with changeable polarity A multi-fiber, fiber optic connector may include a reversible keying arrangement for determining the orientation for plugging the connector into an adapter to thereby allow for a change in polarity of the connection to be made on site. The connector housing may be configured to engage with a removable key that may be engaged with the housing in at least two different locations to provide the plug-in orientation, or the housing may have slidably displaceable keys movable between multiple positions on the housing.
US09658399B2	Apparatus and method for a waveguide polarizer comprising a series of bends Embodiments are provided for a waveguide polarizer comprising a series of bends. The waveguide polarizer is suitable for used in optical waveguide devices or circuits, where a polarized light is required, such as for single polarization output. The polarizer design is independent of the function of the optical devices. In an embodiment, an optical polarizer comprises an optical waveguide configured to propagate light at a designated polarization mode, and comprising a bend in a same plane of the propagated light. The bend has a geometry configured to contain in the optical waveguide the designated polarization mode of the propagated light and radiate outside the optical waveguide a second polarization mode of the propagated light.
US09658395B2	Low loss optical fiber and method of making the same The core region of an optical fiber is doped with chlorine in a concentration that allows for the viscosity of the core region to be lowered, approaching the viscosity of the surrounding cladding. An annular interface region is disposed between the core and cladding and contains a concentration of fluorine dopant sufficient to match the viscosity of the core. By including this annular stress accommodation region, the cladding layer can be formed to include the relatively high concentration of fluorine required to provide the desired degree of optical signal confinement (i.e., forming a “low loss” optical fiber).
US09658381B2	Backlight module and liquid crystal display including same A backlight module includes a back plate having a side wall, a light guide plate disposed on the back plate and having a light incident surface, a light source disposed on the sidewall and adjacent to the light incident surface, a middle frame overlying the light guide plate and the light source, a first latching member disposed on a side of the middle frame facing toward the back plate and having a first groove, a second latching member disposed on a side of the back plate facing toward the middle frame and having a second groove, and a quantum bar, one end of which is latched in the first groove and the other end is latched in the second groove. The present invention also provides a LCD including the backlight module. The fixing manner of the quantum bar is simple and the cost is reduced.
US09658377B2	Phase difference film layered body and method for producing the same having micrometer-scale particles in a subsequently-removed layer By provision of an A layer consisting of a resin having a positive intrinsic birefringence value; a B layer consisting of a resin containing a styrene polymer and having a negative intrinsic birefringence value; and a C layer consisting of a resin containing a polymer having an alicyclic structure, in this order; a phase difference film wherein, when the C layer is removed, retardation Re at an incident angle of 0° and retardation R40 at an incident angle of 40° satisfy a relationship of 0.92≦R40/Re≦1.08 is realized.
US09658376B2	Polarizing article and method for making the same A method of manufacturing a polarizing article including the steps of depositing a dichroic dye on a first surface of a substrate and fixing the dichroic dye to form a polarizing layer. The polarizing layer is impregnated with at least one silane compound to form an impregnated polarizing layer. A light curable primer is applied over the impregnated polarizing layer, and is cured using an irradiating light to form a cured primer layer. An abrasion resistant protective composition is applied to the cured primer layer, and the protective composition is cured to form a cured abrasion resistant protective coating. The light curable primer includes at least one (meth)acrylate reactive diluent, at least one unsaturated oligomer, and at least one photoinitiator for free radical-initiated polymerizations. The polarizing article includes a polarizing article made according to the method disclosed herein.
US09658374B2	Polarization member and display apparatus including the same A first polarizing member includes a polarizing layer, a phase difference layer and an infrared reflective layer. The polarizing layer linearly polarizes light and emits polarized light. The phase difference layer changes a polarization state of the polarized light. The infrared reflective layer is interposed between the polarization layer and the phase difference layer, wherein the polarized light passes through the infrared reflective layer and infrared rays are reflected from the infrared reflective layer.
US09658367B2	Image acquisition apparatus An image acquisition apparatus includes: an image acquisition lens that focuses light from a subject; an imaging device that detects an image signal by capturing the light focused by the image acquisition lens; and a microlens array that is provided between the imaging device and the image acquisition lens so that there is a space, in the direction of the optical axis, between the microlens array and a focal plane of the image acquisition lens, in which the microlens array is formed by setting, in an array in a direction intersecting the optical axis, a plurality of microlenses that each focus incident light to form an image in an imaging plane of the imaging device and that are of two or more types having an identical focal distance and different effective diameters.
US09658364B2	Method for storing episulfide compound and method for preparing thioepoxy-based optical material using said episulfide compound Disclosed is a method of storing a thioepoxy compound and a method of preparing a thioepoxy based optical material using the thioepoxy compound. Particularly, a method of preparing a high-quality thioepoxy based optical material having superior color and thermal stability and less time-dependent change, and being colorless and transparent by inhibiting time-dependent change of the thioepoxy compound during storage is disclosed. In addition, a method of storing the thioepoxy compound for an optical material, the thioepoxy compound having a water content of 500 to 2,500 ppm and stored at −78 to 10° C., and a method of preparing the thioepoxy based optical material, the method including polymerizing a polymerizable composition including the stored thioepoxy compound, are provided. The high-quality thioepoxy based optical material, which is colorless and transparent, prepared according to the present invention may be broadly used in a variety of fields as a substitute for conventional optical materials.
US09658362B2	Pressure equalized packaging for electronic sensors The present disclosure introduces pressure-equalized packaging for electronic sensors utilized in conjunction with downhole tools and/or other extreme environments. Such sensors may be operable to detect, sense, and/or measure a parameter, such as may be associated with the downhole tool, or pressurized fluid in which the downhole tool is at least partially submerged, or a subterranean formation adjacent the downhole tool. A housing couples the sensor to a component of the downhole tool. The housing includes an equalizer operable to substantially equalize a first pressure internal to the housing with a second pressure external to the housing.
US09658354B2	Seismic imaging systems and methods employing correlation-based stacking Disclosed systems and methods provide enhanced seismic images through the use of partial image stacking weights that are based on the resemblance between the local partial image and a reference image. At least some method embodiments include obtaining partial images of a survey region and stacking the partial images to produce a reference image. The partial images are then recombined to form an enhanced image, wherein the recombining includes: measuring at each point the reference image's similitude with each of the partial images; and determining at each point an enhanced image value from a weighted combination of corresponding values in the partial images, the weighted combination using weights derived from the reference images' similitude at that point to each partial image.
US09658353B2	Regulating coherent boundary reflections during generation of a modeled wavefield A technique includes receiving data indicative of a wavefield in a processor-based system and processing the data on the processor-based system to generate a modeled wavefield. The processing includes varying boundary conditions of the modeled wavefield with respect to time to regulate coherent boundary reflections in the modeled wavefield.
US09658351B2	Null space projection for sourceless gain stabilization in downhole gamma ray spectroscopy A method for gain control of a radiation detector includes measuring standard gamma ray spectra for known concentrations of selected radioactive materials found in earth formations. A standards matrix is calculated from the standard gamma ray spectra. A singular value decomposition is computed from a matrix related to measurements of gamma ray spectra, of formations and the standards matrix. A radiation, detector gain is computed from a minimum ratio of null space with respect to data value space of a subsurface formation measurement related matrix and the standards matrix. Gain of the radiation detector is adjusted based on the computed radiation detector gain.
US09658350B2	Rechargeable solid state neutron detector and visible radiation indicator A radiation detection device, including: a support structure; and a chalcopyrite crystal coupled to the support structure; wherein, when the chalcopyrite crystal is exposed to radiation, a visible spectrum of the chalcopyrite crystal changes from an initial color to a modified color. The visible spectrum of the chalcopyrite crystal is changed back from the modified color to the initial color by annealing the chalcopyrite crystal at an elevated temperature below a melting point of the chalcopyrite crystal over time. The chalcopyrite crystal is optionally a 6LiInSe2 crystal. The radiation is comprised of neutrons that decrease the 6Li concentration of the chalcopyrite crystal via a 6Li(n,α) reaction. The initial color is yellow and the modified color is one of orange and red. The annealing temperature is between about 450 degrees C. and about 650 degrees C. and the annealing time is between about 12 hrs and about 36 hrs.
US09658344B1	Apparatus including scintillation crystal array with different reflector layers and associated methods A radiation detector, such as for a PET scanner, may include an array of scintillator crystals, with each scintillator crystal having a polished end, a roughened end opposite the polished end, and polished sides extending between the polished end and the roughened end. The detector may also include a specular reflector layer between adjacent polished sides of adjacent ones of the array of scintillator crystals, and a diffusive reflector layer adjacent the roughened ends of the array of scintillator crystals. The detector may further include at least one photodetector adjacent the polished ends of the array of scintillator crystals.
US09658343B2	Spectral discrimination using wavelength-shifting fiber-coupled scintillation detectors Methods for discriminating among x-ray beams of distinct energy content. A first volume of scintillation medium converts energy of incident penetrating radiation into scintillation light which is extracted from a scintillation light extraction region by a plurality of optical waveguides that convert the scintillation light to light of a longer wavelength. An x-ray beam initially incident upon the first volume of scintillation medium and traversing the first volume is then incident on a second volume of scintillation medium. The first and second scintillation media may be separated by an absorber or one or more further volumes of scintillation medium, and may also have differential spectral sensitivities. Scintillation light from the first and second scintillation volumes is detected in respective detectors and processed to yield a measure of respective low energy and high-energy components of the incident x-ray beam.
US09658333B1	Height measuring device An apparatus, system, and method for measuring height of one or more objects/users. Once the height-measuring device is calibrated, a retracting foot platform is positioned atop a user/object and its distance is captured, stored, and calculated by a laser sensor to determine the resulting heights of the objects/users. The height measurements may be displayed on a screen, including the screen display of the height-measuring device itself, or other devices such as a tablet, smartphone, or scale.The height data from each user/object may be compared to one another. The height measuring device also includes a predictive algorithm that determines the future height of one or more user.
US09658332B2	Sensor for vehicle and vehicle including the same A sensor for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a processor including first to sixth pins; first to third input pins connected with a connector; and an exchange circuit including first to third pins connected with the processor and the first to third input pins, and fourth to sixth pins connected with the processor, and a vehicle according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a plurality of sensors for a vehicle, each of which includes: a processor including first to sixth pins; first to third input pins connected with a connector; and an exchange circuit including first to third pins connected with the processor and the first to third input pins, and fourth to sixth pins connected with the processor; and an electronic control unit (ECU) connected with the plurality of sensors for a vehicle by a bus topology method.
US09658324B2	System and method for filling gaps in radar coverage A method of positioning a plurality of radar units in a defined area amongst one or more legacy radar units that provide legacy radar coverage in the defined area is disclosed. The steps of identifying a location of each legacy radar unit, setting a threshold altitude, and determining a legacy occultation of each legacy radar unit from a landscape level up to the threshold altitude are also disclosed. Mapping the legacy occultation of the legacy radar units to provide a three dimensional occultation map in the defined area and locating gaps below the threshold altitude in the legacy radar coverage as a function of the occultation map are also disclosed. Identifying a plurality of sites as a function of the gaps where the sites are accessible to receive a radar unit is also disclosed. Determining an anticipated radar coverage of a radar unit positioned at each of the sites and determining a reduction in the gaps as a function of the anticipated radar coverage are also disclosed. Selecting sites as a function of the reduced gaps is also disclosed. X band, C band or S band radar units can be positioned at the selected sites. The threshold altitude can be 10,000 or 15,000 feet. Affected populations and costs can also be considered in radar placement.
US09658322B2	LIDAR optical scanner system An optical scanner system comprises a housing, a detector contained within the housing configured to produce at least two resolvable azimuth fields-of-view relative to a center-axis of the housing, and an external scanner rotating relative to the center-axis of the housing, and switching between at least two elevations relative to a nominal optical axis of a receiver. Motion of the housing azimuthally results in the receiver producing a continuous coverage pattern at multiple elevations produced by the external scanner.
US09658312B2	Location detection system and method A system and method for detecting the location of a mobile device within an area, uses a plurality of wireless signals sent to or received by the device to derive a first estimate of the position of the device. This position estimate is then adjusted using a probabilistic model of the area, where the area is divided into zones or regions, and where each region is assigned a weighting according to the probability of the device being located in that region taking account of the prior position of the device. By using the weightings to adjust the position estimate, false or ambiguous position estimates are discounted and the true position of the device is more reliably detected. The method also includes techniques to take account of different wireless characteristics of different devices when each is supplied with the same model.
US09658305B2	Wireless prospective motion marker A magnetic resonance system includes a magnetic resonance scanner (8) and a magnetic resonance scan controller (24). A plurality of markers (40, 140) are attached to the subject to monitor motion of a portion of a subject within an examination region. A motion control unit receives motion data from the markers indicative of the motion and controls the magnetic scan controller to adjust scan parameters to compensate for the motion. In one embodiment, the marker (40) includes a substance (44) which resonates at a characteristic frequency in response to radio excitations by the magnetic resonance scanner. A controller (52) switches an inductive circuit (48, 50) disposed adjacent the substance between a tuned state and a detuned state.
US09658293B2	Power supply unit, vehicle and storage battery unit equipped with power supply unit, and remaining capacity detecting method of battery A power supply unit comprises a battery, current and voltage detecting portions, and a remaining capacity computing portion. The remaining capacity computing portion comprises a first computing portion computing a first open circuit terminal voltage based on current and voltage values from the current and voltage detecting portions, and computing a first remaining capacity based on the first open circuit terminal voltage, a second computing portion computing a second open circuit terminal voltage based on the current and voltage values, an ohmic resistance voltage drop and a polarization resistance voltage drop, and computing a second remaining capacity based on the second open circuit terminal voltage, a third computing portion calculating a third remaining capacity based on an integrated value by integrating the current, and a main computing portion computing a real remaining capacity of the battery based on the first and/or third remaining capacity, and the second remaining capacity.
US09658286B2	Sequential access assembly strip test adapter An assembly strip test method and adapter allows for the concurrent loading of multiple assembly strips for testing in a concurrent and/or round-robin fashion in a strip tester. The test method and adapter allows the multiple assembly strips to be loaded into a strip tester in a single load cycle, reducing assembly strip load cycle overhead. Signals generated by test probes can be used to select between the loaded assembly strips for testing via the strip tester. Parallel coupling between corresponding pins of corresponding integrated circuits of different assembly strips allows a single test probe to be used as stimulus or monitor for two or more assembly strips. In certain configurations a stackable assembly strip test adapter is used. In other configurations the integrated circuits include at least part of the assembly strip selection decoding logic.
US09658281B2	Alignment testing for tiered semiconductor structure Among other things, one or more techniques or systems for evaluating a tiered semiconductor structure, such as a stacked CMOS structure, for misalignment are provided. In an embodiment, a connectivity test is performed on vias between a first layer and a second layer to determine a via diameter and a via offset that are used to evaluate misalignment. In an embodiment, a connectivity test for vias within a first layer is performed to determine an alignment rotation based upon which vias are connected through a conductive arc within a second layer or which vias are connected to a conductive pattern out of a set of conductive patterns. In this way, the via diameter, the via offset, or the alignment rotation are used to evaluate the tiered semiconductor structure, such as during a stacked CMOS process, for misalignment.
US09658279B2	Contactless damage inspection of perimeter region of semiconductor device A power semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body. The semiconductor body includes an active semiconductor region and a perimeter semiconductor region surrounding the active semiconductor region. The active semiconductor region has an active surface area, and the perimeter semiconductor region has a perimeter surface area. The power semiconductor device further includes a test structure for contactless testing of the perimeter semiconductor region. The test structure includes an electrically conductive path mounted on the perimeter surface area. The test structure is configured to extract energy from a remotely generated electromagnetic radio frequency test field.
US09658278B2	Method and apparatus for high voltage device crystal defect detection A semiconductor device comprises a first layer, a second layer configured to overlap with the first layer at a plurality of positions, a plurality of first layer contacts configured to be selectively activated to test the first layer for a first layer leakage current, and a plurality of second layer contacts configured to be selectively activated to test the second layer for a second layer leakage current. The first layer contacts are arranged on the first layer on a first side and a second side of the plurality of positions at which the second layer overlaps with the first layer. The second layer contacts are arranged on the second layer on a third side and a fourth side of the plurality of positions at which the second layer overlaps with the first layer. A determined first layer leakage current or second layer leakage current is indicative of the presence of a crystal defect in the semiconductor device.
US09658277B2	Testing and setting performance parameters in a semiconductor device and method therefor A method of determining temperature ranges and setting performance parameters in a semiconductor device that may include at least one temperature sensing circuit is disclosed. The temperature sensing circuits may be used to control various operating parameters to improve the operation of the semiconductor device over a wide temperature range. The performance parameters may be set to improve speed parameters and/or decrease current consumption over a wide range of temperature ranges.
US09658274B2	Light-emitting element failure detector and method for detecting light-emitting element failure A light emitting element failure detector (4) includes a light emitting element (1), a constant current circuit (2) which supplies an electric current to the light emitting element (1), and an electric discharge path which discharges an electric charge such as the light emitting element (1). A light emitting element failure detector (4) further includes an instantaneous current interruption circuit (5) which instantaneously interrupts an electric current to the light emitting element (1) by a current supply path different from the electric discharge path, a diode (60), a DC power supply (61), and a current detector (62). The DC power supply (61) generates a direct-current reference voltage having a positive value lower than a voltage between the anode and cathode of the light emitting element (1) in a normal state. The DC power supply (61), the diode (60), and the current detector (62) which are connected in series constitute a parallel electric path of the light emitting element (1). An anode of the DC power supply (61) and a cathode of the diode (60) are arranged on the anode side of the light emitting element (1). The current detector (62) detects an electric current which flows in the parallel electric path when an electric current is instantaneously interrupted.
US09658273B2	Method of detecting partial discharging location of power device Provided is a method of accurately detecting the location of a partial discharge in a power device. For this purpose, the present invention measures sequential positions of arrival of partial discharge signals and the differences in the time of arrival between the partial discharge signals with respect to a plurality of partial discharge sensors installed on the outside surface of a power device, divides the power device into a plurality of spatial sections, determines a spatial section where the location of a partial discharge is present using the sequential positions of arrival of the partial discharge signals, calculates the representative location value of the determined spatial section, and determines compensation values for the differences in the time of arrival to be applied with respect to the respective spatial sections.
US09658269B2	Systems and methods for connectors with insertion counters Systems and methods for connectors with insertion counters are provided. In one embodiment, a connector comprises: an interface configured to interface with a corresponding interface of a port to communicate signals between the port and a cable attached to the connector; at least one switch configured to change from a first state to a second state when the connector is inserted into the port; and a microcontroller configured to record insertion events, wherein the microcontroller increments an insertion count stored within the microcontroller when the at least one switch transitions from the first state to the second state.
US09658267B2	Analog signal input circuit to process analog input signals for the safety of a process An analog signal input circuit with a first number of analog signal detection channels and a diagnostics circuit, with each analog signal detection channel including a third number of analog signal detection circuits and a first connection selection device, and each analog signal detection circuit comprising a first connection device and a second connection device. For each analog signal detection channel, for detecting analog input signals applied at analog signal inputs from a second number of analog signal inputs, and for the respective issuance of output signals for the detected analog input signals, respectively one analog signal detection circuit is alternatingly selected for a certain period of time, not connected to its first connection device comprising an analog signal input for detecting an analog input signal, but used for testing and/or diagnostic purposes.
US09658260B2	Power system state estimation using a two-level solution A power system grid is decomposed into several parts and decomposed state estimation steps are executed separately, on each part, using coordinated feedback regarding a boundary state. The achieved solution is the same that would be achieved with a simultaneous state estimation approach. With the disclosed approach, the state estimation problem can be distributed among decomposed estimation operations for each subsystem and a coordinating operation that yields the complete state estimate. The approach is particularly suited for estimating the state of power systems that are naturally decomposed into separate subsystems, such as separate AC and HVDC systems, and/or into separate transmission and distribution systems.
US09658250B2	Vertical probe device having positioning film A vertical probe device includes upper and lower dies having upper and lower installing holes, probe needles, a lower positioning film disposed between the dies and having lower positioning holes, and a dividing film disposed between the lower positioning film and the upper die and having through holes and dividing ribs. The needle tail is individually inserted through a lower installing hole. The needle head is individually inserted through an upper installing hole. Each lower positioning hole is located under at least one dividing rib and capable of accommodating a plurality of needle heads. Each needle head is inserted through a lower positioning hole and a through hole. Therefore, the films are easily installed, free of irregular hole but passable by narrow needle bodies, and facilitate easy and fast installation and less damage to the probe needles that are well positioned, and facilitate easy installation of the upper die.
US09658240B2	Microfluidic device with holding interface, and methods of use Aspects of the present invention provide a freestanding microfluidic pipette with integrated wells for solution storage. Further aspects of the invention provide a holding interface to provide connectivity with external control components. One aspect of the invention provides a system for applying a microfluidic device in microscopy. The system includes: a microfluidic device having an elongated shape and defining one or more wells for solution storage and processing; and an interface adapted and configured to hold the microfluidic device in a freestanding manner and facilitate simultaneous connection of the one or more wells with a flow controller. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for utilizing a microfluidic device. The method includes: providing a device as described herein; positioning the device adjacent to a microscope; and actuating the interface to operate the microfluidic device.
US09658234B2	Method for analysis of compounds with amino group and analytical reagent therefor The present invention provides a method for the analysis of a compound with amino group (e.g., an amino acid or peptide) contained in a sample and convenient manner with a high sensitivity. The compound with amino group in a sample containing the compound with amino group is labeled with a specific carbamate compound such as p-trimethylammonium anilyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate iodide to enhance the selectivity and sensitivity. The present invention is preferably used in conjunction with mass spectrometry such as MS/MS method to facilitate quantitative analysis. The present invention further provides labeling reagents for mass spectrometry.
US09658231B2	Using phage epitopes to profile the immune response The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for using one or more polypeptide probes to profile an immune response. The polypeptide probe can be used to detect one or more antibodies from a sample. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides methods and compositions for characterizing a cancer based on the detection of one or more antibodies, such as autoantibodies.
US09658210B2	Agents and methods for treating and preventing seborrheic keratosis Provided herein are methods and assays for isolating and culturing seborrheic keratosis cells ex vivo. Also provided herein are screening assays using cultured seborrheic keratosis cells and methods for treating seborrheic keratosis in a subject.
US09658186B2	Device including vertically aligned two-dimensional material A transistor includes a substrate, a two-dimensional material including at least one layer that is substantially vertically aligned on the substrate such that an edge of the layer is on the substrate and the layer extends substantially vertical to the substrate, a source electrode and a drain electrode connected to opposite ends of the two-dimensional material, a gate insulation layer on the two-dimensional material between the source electrode and the drain electrode, and a gate electrode on the gate insulation layer. Each layer includes a semiconductor having a two-dimensional crystal structure.
US09658181B2	Whole blood hemolysis sensor The present invention pertains to a hemolysis sensor, a hemolysis sensor system and methods of utilizing the hemolysis sensor or hemolysis sensor system to monitor or detect hemolysis in a sample, such as a whole blood sample, a plasma sample, a serum sample or hemolyzed blood. The hemolysis sensor responds to extracellular hemoglobin levels, for example, extracellular hemoglobin in a whole blood sample as a method for detecting hemolysis in whole blood.
US09658176B2	High-throughput sorting of small objects via oil and/or moisture content using low-field nuclear magnetic resonance The current disclosure describes an automated high-throughput small object sorting system for separating small object via oil and/or moisture content using novel nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) systems and methods. The disclosed systems and methods for measuring the oil and/or moisture content of a single small object in a low-field time domain NMR instrument are superior in sample throughput and signal-to-noise ratio to conventional NMR systems and methods (free induction decay or spin echo) for single small object oil/moisture measurement.
US09658173B2	Portable x-ray backscattering imaging system including a radioactive source A portable x-ray backscattering imaging system for creating a backscatter image representing an object is disclosed. The portable x-ray backscattering imaging system may include a drum, a radioactive source, a plurality of backscatter detectors, and a portable exterior shield. The drum may be rotatable about an axis of rotation at a rotational speed. The radioactive source may be connected to the drum and configured to generate x-rays. The plurality of backscatter detectors may be configured to detect backscattering radiation created as the x-rays generated by the radioactive source scatter back from the object. The portable exterior shield may enclose the drum. The exterior shield may be constructed of a material that substantially blocks the x-rays and defines a window that allows for the x-rays to pass through.
US09658167B2	Sensor labels that log events against time Disposable or single-use sensor labels sense a parameter and record the sensed parameter having: a semi-permeable medium or substrate with a parameter-sensitive and activatable developer. The developer, when activated, exhibits a detectable manifestation of a changed state that progresses over time. The detectable manifestation of this changed state is read and recorded to log parameter change data. Further, a method of using the sensor label monitors viability of a material associated with the label, such as for freshness and security assessment that is recorded for archival or reporting or quality control purposes. A changed state is exhibited that progresses over time, associating the label with a material to be monitored and positioning same into a given environment, and the recording can track the changed state against time.
US09658154B2	Spectrometer and gas analyzer A spectrometer has an entry aperture for coupling in electromagnetic radiation to be spectroscope, a refractive or diffractive optical element arranged such that electromagnetic radiation which is coupled in through the entry aperture is incident on the refractive or diffractive optical element to be spectrally split there, and at least two individual detectors which, for the detection of different spectral ranges of the split electromagnetic radiation, are arranged next to one another in the direction of the spectral splitting of the electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation from a predetermined ultraviolet wavelength range is directed onto one of the individual detectors by the optical element and electromagnetic radiation from a predetermined blue wavelength range is directed onto another of the detectors by the optical element. Electromagnetic radiation from the intermediate wavelength range between the predetermined ultraviolet wavelength range and the predetermined blue wavelength range are not detected.
US09658142B2	Method and apparatus for extracting and collecting single cells from formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissues Methods and apparatuses are provided for extraction and collection of sets of one or more cells from a formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue sample. A laser is used to remove sets of one or more cells from an immobilized sample within a microfluidic device, and a fluid flow element washes the removed set of one or more cells away from the immobilized sample, preferably to be collected in a downstream sample collection device. Morphological and/or positional information may be preserved to permit at least one technique (e.g., amplification, sequencing, and/or analytical, optionally performed after cells are lysed downstream of the microfluidic device) to be related to the original spatial location of the set of one or more cells in the immobilized sample.
US09658133B2	Multigas sensor and multigas sensor device A multigas sensor (200A) includes a multigas sensor element portion (100A) having: a NOx sensor portion (30A) which detects the concentration of NOx; and first and second ammonia sensor portions (42x, 42y) having different ratios between a sensitivity of ammonia and a sensitivity of NOx. The multigas sensor element portion has a plate-like shape which extends in the direction of the axis O. A temperature detecting portion (6) used for controlling the temperature of the NOx sensor portion is disposed in the multigas sensor element portion. The first and second ammonia sensor portions are disposed on the outer surface of the NOx sensor portion so that at least parts of the first and second ammonia sensor portions overlap with a first region (6s) which is defined in the width direction by ends in the axial direction of the temperature detecting portion.
US09658128B2	Defect inspection method A defect inspection method according to an embodiment has: exposing a target object to a tracer having higher absorptance for a neutron ray than the target object; radiating the neutron ray to the target object exposed to the tracer; generating at least one neutron image based on the neutron ray having penetrated the target object exposed to the tracer; and detecting a defect of the target object based on the generated at least one neutron image.
US09658125B2	Fluid characteristic indicator A fluid characteristic indicator for measuring and indicating a characteristic of body fluid from a medical or veterinary patient has a tubular housing with suction and fluid inlet ports at opposite ends and a fluid characteristic indicating element disposed within. A diffuser supports the indicating element and has at least one fluid channel to direct fluid toward the indicating element. The fluid channel may be formed as a spiral or helix, or as a plurality of longitudinal fluid channels. The housing and the diffuser may have additional structures forming channels that cooperatively direct fluid toward the indicating element. The diffuser may occupy nearly all the interior volume of the housing. Control of the fluid flow may make exposure and saturation of the indicator more accurate, avoid spurious indications due to the color of the fluid itself, and reduce the amount of fluid sample needed to obtain an indication or measurement.
US09658124B2	System and method for wind turbine operation A method for determining a flow condition includes disposing a plurality of sensors on a surface and receiving a first sensor signal and a second sensor signal from the plurality of sensors. The method further includes determining at least one correlation parameter based on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal. The method also includes receiving a plurality of stored parameters from a database, wherein each of the plurality of stored parameters is representative of a corresponding flow condition. The method also includes comparing the at least one correlation parameter with the plurality of stored parameters and selecting at least one matching stored parameter and determining a matching flow condition based on the at least one matching stored parameter.
US09658117B2	Total air temperature probes for reducing deicing heater error A total air temperature probe includes a probe head having an airflow inlet, a main airflow outlet, a main probe head wall extending from the airflow inlet to the main airflow outlet, and a flow separation bend wall positioned between the airflow inlet and the main airflow outlet. The flow separation bend wall is opposite the main probe head wall across a primary flow passage defined through the probe head from the airflow inlet to the main airflow outlet. A flow separation trip feature is defined on an interior surface of the main probe head wall for tripping a boundary layer flow separation in flow in the primary flow passage, e.g., for reduction of deicing heater error.
US09658114B1	Device for measuring point diffraction interferometric wavefront aberration and method for detecting wave aberration A device for measuring point diffraction interferometric wavefront aberration having an optical source, an optical splitter, a first light intensity and polarization regulator, a phase shifter, a second light intensity and polarization regulator, an ideal wavefront generator, an object precision adjusting stage, a measured optical system, an image wavefront detection unit, an image precision adjusting stage, and a data processing unit. A method for detecting wavefront aberration of the optical system by using the device is also disclosed.
US09658111B2	Microbolometer contact systems and methods Systems and methods are directed to contacts for an infrared detector. For example, an infrared imaging device includes a substrate having a first metal layer and an infrared detector array coupled to the substrate via a plurality of contacts. Each contact includes for an embodiment a plurality of metal studs each having a first end and a second end and each disposed between the first metal layer and a second metal layer, wherein the first end of each metal stud is disposed on a portion of the first metal layer that is at least partially on the surface of the substrate.
US09658108B2	System, method, and computer program product for hostile fire strike indication Systems, methods, and computer program products for optically identifying hostile fire strikes to a vehicle. The identification can be that the hostile fire will hit the vehicle, will likely hit the vehicle, hit the vehicle, or likely hit the vehicle. In the case of predictive hits, a warning may be output and the vehicle can take evasive and/or countermeasure actions. In the case of actual or likely strikes to the vehicle, the optical identification can map a travel path of a detected projectile to positions on the vehicle, thus identifying a likely position or area of projectile impact. Such data can be used for inspection and maintenance purposes.
US09658098B2	Apparatus for weighing slaughterhouse products and method for using the same The invention provides a device for weighing slaughter products. The device comprises conveying means for conveying the slaughter products, the conveying means comprising a frame, two pulley means which are connected to the frame a fixed distance apart, being rotatable about two respective first vertical axes of rotation, an endless flexible conveying element which is passed over the two pulley means, which conveying element extends along a rectilinear weighing path between the two pulley means, a guide extending along a conveying path, hooks for the slaughter products, which hooks are connected to the conveying element at regular intervals and which are each provided with a guide elements for guiding cooperation with the guide. The device further comprises weighing means for weighing slaughter products that are present within the weighing section and reducing means for reducing tensile stress in the conveying element insofar as it extends in the weighing section, said reducing means comprising transmission means that are operative between the two pulley means. The transmission means comprise a gear transmission with at least two meshing gears which are rotatable about respective second vertical axes of rotation, wherein the second axis of rotation of one of the at least two gears is in line with a first vertical axis of rotation, and wherein the second axis of rotation of another of the at least two gears is in line with the other first vertical axis of rotation.
US09658096B2	Radar level gauge inclination system A radar level gauge arrangement for determining the fill level of a filling material in a tank is disclosed, which arrangement is mounted on a hatch of a tank and/or on a support which is adapted to be mounted on a hatch of a tank. The arrangement comprises a transmitter for transmitting measuring signals at least along a first axis for determining the fill level of the tank; a receiver for receiving echo signals corresponding to the distance to the surface; a first processing circuitry for receiving the echo signals and to determine a fill level of the tank based on the echo signal; an inclinometer attached to the support and adapted to generate an inclination output corresponding to the inclination relative the surface normal; a second processing circuitry for generating, based on the inclination output, an angular output when there is an angular difference between the first axis and the surface normal. The arrangement also comprises a presenter for communicating information about the angular difference externally of said system, or a communication path for communicating the angular output to said first processing circuitry.
US09658093B2	Measurement device for water exchanges across water/sediment interface There is provided a water exchange meter being capable of automatically and continuously measuring the water exchange at the surface water/sediment interface in which a saturated vertical hydraulic conductivity of the sediment from the hydraulic head difference between a chamber and a storage pipe at a measurement location is measured, and after the measurement of the saturated vertical hydraulic conductivity, while the measurement device used in the measurement of the vertical hydraulic conductivity is maintained, a vertical hydraulic gradient between upper and lower portions of a chamber is continuously measured in situ.
US09658089B2	Electromagnetic flowmeter with voltage-amplitude conductivity-sensing function for a liquid in a tube An electromagnetic flowmeter with voltage-amplitude conductivity-sensing function for a liquid in a tube includes a first microprocessor, a transducer, flow-sensing device, an exciting-current generating device, a voltage-amplitude conductivity-sensing device, and a switch. The transducer includes coils and sensing electrodes. The switch is electrically connected to the first microprocessor and the sensing electrode. The switch is selectively connected to the flow-sensing device or the voltage-amplitude conductivity-sensing device according to the signals sent from the microprocessor. The microprocessor drives the exciting-current generating device to generate an exciting current when the switch is connected to the flow-sensing device. The microprocessor stops the exciting-current generating device from generating exciting current and computing conductivity of liquid when the switch is electrically connected to the voltage-amplitude conductivity-sensing device.
US09658086B1	Reduced airborne contamination detector heads A radiation detector head assembly is provided that includes a detector housing and a rotor assembly. The detector housing defines a cavity therein. The rotor assembly includes a detector unit, a body, and a sealing member. The body defines an opening oriented in the imaging direction. The body is disposed at a distance from the detector housing within the cavity defining a passageway extending axially along the body. The sealing member includes a body extending across the opening. The sealing member is coupled to at least one of the shielding unit or the collimator, and is mounted within the cavity to provide a gas-tight seal along the imaging direction between the passageway and the detector unit.
US09658079B2	Accelerometer system and method A vehicle accelerometer system comprises an accelerometer (290) for installation in a vehicle (500), a processor (210) for selection of accelerometer output data items for inclusion in an accelerometer output data set representative of measurements by the accelerometer (290) at a plurality of different vehicle locations, each accelerometer output data item being representative of a respective measurement by the accelerometer (290), and a storage device (230) for storing the accelerometer output data set, wherein the processor (210) is configured to process the accelerometer output data set to determine an orientation output representative of the orientation of the accelerometer (290) with respect to the vehicle (500).
US09658077B2	Refueling management system and method An apparatus remotely provides refueling management instructions for a vehicle. One or more initial vehicle parameters are determined, including an initial quantity of fuel, a plurality of route parameters including a starting point, an ending point and an estimated average fuel efficiency of the vehicle, and a plurality of refueling parameters including one or more refueling locations. The sufficiency of an initial quantity of fuel is evaluated in relation to the estimated average fuel efficiency and a distance to be traveled by the vehicle equal to a difference between the ending point and the starting point. One or more current vehicle parameters are interpreted at a first predetermined time, a refueling agenda is created, and an associated predetermined refueling amount at each of the identified one or more refueling locations is determined.
US09658074B2	Diverging and converging road geometry generation from sparse data Road geometries may be determined from sparse data by receiving mobile device data points comprising data indicating positions of vehicles having traveled on a roadway of a geographic area, the roadway involving a convergence or divergence of road branches for the roadway. At least one trajectory angle for a particular mobile device data point of the mobile device data points may be determined using at least one trajectory line connecting the particular mobile device data point to an adjacent mobile device data point, and mobile device data points may be grouped based on the trajectory angles.
US09658069B2	Method for determining a reference position as the starting position for an inertial navigation system A method for determining a reference position as the basis for a starting position for an inertial navigation system which is designed to determine the location of a vehicle on the basis of the starting position and a change in the relative position of the vehicle, the method including the steps of: detecting an ambient condition around the vehicle, determining a position of the vehicle at the location of the detected ambient condition, and assigning the determined position to the detected ambient condition as a reference position.
US09658057B2	Facility for measuring the thickness of the wall of containers A facility for measuring the thickness of the wall of containers includes an optical system for collecting and focusing on the detection plane of a light sensor and light beams reflected by the outer and inner surfaces of the wall. An optical collecting and focusing system includes a first objective having is object plane located in the vicinity of the impact of the incident light beam with the wall, an at least translucent diffusing screen located in the image plane of the first objective, so as to physically represent the light beams collected by the first objective as hot spots (Ti), and a second objective including, the diffusing screen as an object plane and the light sensor as an image plane.
US09658056B2	Projection apparatus for measurement system based on exit pupil positions The projection apparatus is used for a measurement system and projects a projection light onto an object. An image capturing apparatus performs, through an imaging optical system, image capturing of the object onto which the projection light is projected. The projection apparatus includes a projection optical system satisfying a condition of \|EXP0−EXP1\|/BL≦0.0015. EXP0 represents an exit pupil position of the projection optical system, EXP1 represents an actual exit pupil position of the projection optical system for a light ray of a maximum field angle in a measurable range for the object through the imaging optical system, and BL represents a base length between the projection optical system and the imaging optical system.
US09658052B2	Method for reducing interference from scattered light/reflected light of interference path by generating carrier through phase A method for reducing interference from scattered light/reflected light of an interference path by generating carrier through phase. Phase modulation is applied on the terminal of a fiber path, and a target signal is separated from an interference signal by selecting a specific working point, to obtain a purer target signal, thereby lengthening the measurement distance. The signal demodulation manner used in this method is different from the traditional manner of modulation performed by generating a carrier through the phase, and does not need to use the modulation frequency as the reference signal during demodulation, so this manner is easily implemented. The method is applicable to long-distance pipeline monitoring and wide-range fiber perimeter security, and especially to an application environment in which the modulation end is far away from the signal demodulation end. The method can also be applied in an application in which measurement is implemented by modulating an optical transmission phase in a feedback device.
US09658051B2	Slotless resolver, method for manufacturing same, and wiring tool used therefor The present invention relates to a resolver having a stator for detecting the rotational position of a rotor rotating at the inner center thereof. The stator includes: a stator core having a cylindrical shape; a plurality of excitation windings attached to the inner surface of the stator core at a predetermined distance in the circumferential direction, each of the plurality of excitation windings being tightly wound; a plurality of sine output windings stacked and attached to the patterns of the excitation windings in the circumferential direction, each of the plurality of sine output windings being loosely wound; and a plurality of cosine output windings stacked and attached to the patterns of the excitation windings in the circumferential direction, the sine output windings and the cosine output windings being alternately attached such that the sine output windings and the cosine output windings have the same winding distribution.
US09658050B2	Rotation angle detection device In a rotation angle detection device, when a condition that two sensors among three magnetic sensors sense one and the same magnetic pole for three consecutive sampling periods is satisfied, a rotation angle is computed based on output signals from the two sensors, sampled at three sampling timings. When the output signals sampled at the three sampling timings satisfy a prescribed requirement, an angular width error correction value corresponding to the magnetic pole sensed by the two sensors and amplitudes are computed, and stored in association with the magnetic pole. If the condition is not satisfied, the rotation angle is computed based on the information stored in a memory and the output signals from two sensors among the three magnetic sensors, the two magnetic sensors including one of the three magnetic sensors, which detects the magnetic pole of which the angular width error correction value is stored in the memory.
US09658047B2	Component measurement system having wavelength filtering A system is disclosed for use in measuring a component. The system may have a probe configured to generate signals associated with a proximity to actual target points of the component, an actuator configured to move the probe relative to the component, and a controller in communication with the probe and the actuator. The controller may be configured to receive coordinates of intended form target points, to determine coordinates of the actual target points of the component relative to a component datum based on the signals, and to make a comparison of the coordinates of the intended form target points and the coordinates of the actual target points. The controller may also be configured to generate a deviation report based on the comparison, and to filter information from the deviation report according to wavelength into a plurality of deviation categories corresponding to component specification requirements of the component.
US09658042B2	Bullet with controlled fragmentation A bullet with controlled fragmentation has a core in the form of a generally cylindrical body having a forward end and a rear end and intermediate side portions extending there between, the forward end of the core defining a cavity, a jacket encompassing the rear end and at least selected portions of the sides of the core, the jacket having a sidewall having a first drive band portion having a first wall thickness, and a second portion immediately forward of the drive band portion having a second thickness less than the first thickness, the exterior of the jacket defining a cannelure groove encircling the bullet, and the cannelure groove being positioned forward of the first drive band portion. The drive band may have forward edge defining a step. The bullet of the present invention may also be received in the case mouth of a rimless case and be partially protruding therefrom.
US09658038B1	Ammunition cartridge Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations an ammunition cartridge includes a cartridge casing having a longitudinal center axis, a primer pocket positioned adjacent to the cartridge casing, a powder pocket positioned adjacent to the primer pocket, a powder/propellant in the powder pocket, a piston bore positioned adjacent to the powder pocket, a piston in the piston bore, and a payload bay positioned adjacent to the payload bay, wherein the piston is not coupled to the cartridge, wherein the piston is in direct contact with the payload bay so that pressure from powder/propellant is immediately and directly applied to the payload bay having a payload, wherein a diameter of the powder pocket is less than an inside diameter of the cartridge casing to provide a reduced velocity to the payload.
US09658035B2	Target stand A target stand is disclosed and described. The target stand can include a first side member and a second side member. Each side member can have a base portion, and an upright portion extending from the base portion. The upright portion can have a lower engagement feature and an upper engagement feature. The target support can also include a lower transverse member and an upper transverse member. Each transverse member can have a main body portion with a target support portion for interfacing with a target support, and complimentary engagement features extending from opposite ends of the main body portion. The complimentary engagement features of the lower transverse member can be securable to the lower engagement features of the first and second side members to secure the lower transverse member to the first and second side members. The complimentary engagement features of the upper transverse member can be securable to the upper engagement features of the first and second side members to secure the upper transverse member to the first and second side members. A distance between the complimentary engagement features of the upper transverse member can be different than a distance between the complimentary engagement features of the lower transverse member such that the lower and upper transverse members bind with the first and second side members and cause the first and second side members to be disposed at an angle relative to one another when assembled.
US09658032B2	Interlocking turret system A turret system for use with a firearm scope is provided, wherein the turret system comprises a plurality of turrets connected in an interlocked and telescoping orientation. The system may include a first turret having a hollow body and a second turret that may be at least partially received within the hollow body of the first turret. The first turret can be selectively axially movable relative to the second turret such that the second turret may be at least partially exposed when the first turret is in a raised position and the second turret may be substantially covered when the first turret is in a lowered position. The first turret may include a first set of calibration data thereon tailored to a first set of shooting conditions and the second turret may include a second set of calibration data thereon tailored to a second set of shooting conditions.
US09658029B1	Tactical attachment system for firearms A system for mounting a plurality of tactical attachments to firearms is disclosed. Tactical attachments such as laser illumination sights, flashlights, bayonets, and breaching tools are interchangeable and attached with a single adapter mounted to the end of a magazine ammunition tubes and auxiliary accessory rails such as Picatinny rails. Adapters of varying lengths provide increased ammunition capacity. The tactical attachments have a common mounting structure for mating to the adapter, which includes a optional locking ring to assure the tactical device cannot become dislodged from the adapter during firearm usage. The adapter/tactical device interface allows rapid swapping of tactical devices without the need of tools. Tactical attachment lighting devices such as flashlights and laser sights are provided with wireless remote turn on/off and lighting mode switching capability.
US09658024B1	Sling bow Embodiments include a sling bow designed to shoot a projectile. The sling bow can include a handle; a first limb comprising a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end is coupled to the handle; a second limb comprising a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end is coupled to the handle; a drawstring comprising a first elastic portion, a second elastic portion, and a non-elastic portion between the first and second elastic portions, wherein a first end of the first elastic portion is coupled to the distal end of the first limb and a first end of the second elastic portion is coupled to the distal end of the second limb; a first drawstring guide, the first drawstring guide defines a first drawstring void; and a second drawstring guide, the second drawstring guide defines a second drawstring void. Other embodiments are also included herein.
US09658015B2	Trigger blocking system for a firearm There is disclosed herein systems, methods and apparatus relating to a trigger block for mechanically blocking the trigger of a firearm and preventing the trigger from being pulled to actuate the firing mechanism when the trigger block is in a blocking position. The trigger block is secured in the blocking position and can only be moved to an unblocked position by an authorized user via operation of a security device, such as a key, sensor, and/or keypad.
US09658004B2	Layered thermal store with selectively alterable gas flow path Heat storage apparatus comprising at least one thermal store (300) comprising a chamber (301) having a gas inlet (306), a gas outlet (307), and a gas-permeable thermal storage media (303) disposed therebetween, the apparatus being configured such that, during operation, the flow path of a gas flowing through the chamber (301) from inlet (306) to outlet (307) for transfer of thermal energy to or from the storage media (303) can be selectively altered in response to the progress of the thermal transfer, thereby enabling the flow path to bypass inactive upstream or downstream regions of the storage media where thermal transfer is complete or minimal, so as to minimize the pressure drop across the storage media. A baffle system (305) in a main flow passageway (312) may be used to control the gas flow path.
US09658001B2	Stuffing box cooling system A system for cooling packing material utilized for sealing a shaft moving therethrough is described. The packing material held in place by at least one packing cup, wherein a coolant is directed axially through a significant volume of each packing cup close to the packing material. The present system finds use for compressors and pumps where pressure requirements of the fluids acted upon demand the use of packing materials in close contact with the moving shafts.
US09657999B2	Alternating channel heat exchanger A lightweight, high-efficiency alternating channel counter-flow heat exchanger structure is disclosed. A matrix of alternating hot and cold channels defining a heat exchanger structure is provided. A portion of each of the inlets and outlets of each of the hot and cold channels is blocked to prevent fluid flow through the blocked portion, thus creating hot-only and cold-only fluid communication regions on the ends of the heat exchanger structure. Alternating hot and cold headers provided on each end of the heat exchange structure service the respective hot and cold channels. The partial blocking structures on the channel-ends enable a single hot or cold header/plenum to be offset with respect to individual rows of channels and thus service a pair of adjacent rows of alternating hot and cold channels in the matrix of channels. The true alternating channel counter-flow design provides a higher heat transfer rate than a similarly-sized cross-flow design.
US09657987B2	Integrated method and apparatus for compressing air and producing carbon dioxide-rich fluid An apparatus for compressing air and producing a carbon dioxide-rich fluid includes an air compressor, an element for bringing the air bound for the air compressor into contact with water to produce humidified air and cooled water, a pipe for sending the humidified compressed air from the air compressor to an installation producing a carbon dioxide-rich gas, a carbon dioxide-rich gas compressor for compressing the carbon dioxide-rich gas, at least one heat exchanger upstream and/or downstream the carbon dioxide-rich gas compressor and pipes for conveying into the heat exchanger water cooled in the contact element and the carbon dioxide-rich gas.
US09657986B2	Installation and method for producing liquid helium The invention relates to a method and an installation for producing liquid helium, said installation comprising a cooling/liquefaction device comprising a working circuit that subjects a helium-enriched working fluid to a thermodynamic cycle in order to produce liquid helium, said circuit comprising at least one working fluid compression body and a plurality of heat exchangers. The installation also comprises a plurality of fluid recovery lines having respective upstream ends to be selectively connected to respective reservoirs, and a first collection line having an upstream end connected to the recovery lines and a downstream end connected to a receiving body that can supply the working circuit with a working fluid. The installation is characterized in that it comprises at least one second and one third collection line that each have an upstream end connected to the recovery lines and a downstream end connected to the working circuit, the upstream ends of the second and third collection lines being connected at separate determined positions of the working circuit, that respectively correspond to separate temperature levels of the working fluid in the working circuit.
US09657983B2	Apparatus for defrosting evaporator in refrigeration system using infrared emitting diode sensor An apparatus for defrosting an evaporator in a refrigeration system using an infrared emitting diode includes i) a frost detection sensor configured to receive a frost sensing signal from an output part of a control processor and to transmit a frost detection signal into an input part of a control processor, wherein the frost detection signal is generated by projecting infrared to the frost and receiving reflection-infrared from the frost; ii) a control processor configured to convert the frost detection signal into a digital signal in the signal converting part, to evaluate if the frost detection signal is higher than a threshold value which is set from a signal setting part, and to transmit the operation signal to the defroster, as well as the display signal to the signal display part; and iii) a defroster.
US09657977B2	Cascade refrigeration system with modular ammonia chiller units A cascade refrigeration system includes an upper portion. The upper portion includes at least one modular chiller unit that provides cooling to at least one of a low temperature subsystem having a plurality of low temperature loads, and a medium temperature subsystem having a plurality of medium temperature loads. The modular chiller unit includes a refrigerant circuit, an ammonia refrigerant, an ammonia refrigerant accumulator, and an oil separation system. The refrigerant circuit includes at least a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The ammonia refrigerant is configured for circulation within the refrigerant circuit. The ammonia refrigerant accumulator is configured to receive the ammonia refrigerant from the evaporator. The oil separation system is configured to remove oil from the ammonia refrigerant. The oil separation system includes an oil separator that is configured to remove oil from the ammonia refrigerant flowing from the compressor to the condenser, an oil drain pot that is configured to collect oil from the evaporator, and an oil reservoir that is configured to collect oil from the oil separator and the oil drain pot.
US09657970B2	Cryogenic refrigerator A cryogenic refrigerator includes a compressor, an expansion space where a high-pressure working gas discharged from a discharge side of the compressor is caused to expand, and a valve. The valve includes a first member including a first channel connecting to the discharge side and a second member including a second channel connecting to the expansion space. The first and second members are configured to rotate relative to and in contact with each other to connect or disconnect the first and second channels. In a plane where the first and second members are in contact, a first distance that is a distance of closest approach between the first channel and a valve circumference defined by a circumference of one of the first and second members having a smaller diameter is greater than a second distance that is a distance of closest approach between the second channel and the valve circumference.
US09657955B2	Air-conditioning apparatus To obtain an air-conditioning apparatus that does not make a refrigerant circulate up to an indoor unit and further can achieve energy-saving. A refrigeration cycle is configured by connecting a compressor that pressurizes a refrigerant, a four-way valve that switches a circulation path of the refrigerant, a heat source side heat exchanger that performs heat exchange, expansion valves for pressure-adjusting the refrigerant, and a plurality of intermediate heat exchangers that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat medium to heat and cool the heat medium, with piping. A heat medium circuit is configured by connecting intermediate heat exchangers, pumps that pressurize the heat medium, and a plurality of use side heat exchangers that perform heat exchange between the heat medium and the air in the indoor space, with piping.
US09657950B2	Collapsible cooking device A fire-resistant collapsible enclosure can include three or more sidewalls coupled with a cross plate internal to the enclosure. A top portion of the enclosure can include a non-linear edge configured to be an airflow outlet, or a bottom portion of the enclosure can include a non-linear edge configured to be an airflow outlet. The fire-resistant collapsible enclosure can be configured for use as an oven, a stove, or a smoker. In an example, two or more of the fire-resistant collapsible enclosures can be used together, such as where one enclosure is configured as a heat source and a second enclosure is configured as a smoker. In an example, the cross plate can include a throttle to control airflow through the enclosure.
US09657939B2	Fluidic control burner for pulverous feed A burner is provided for a pulverous feed material. The burner has a structure that integrates the burner with a reaction vessel, and has an opening that communicates with the interior of the reaction vessel. The burner also has a gas supply channel to supply reaction gas through the opening into the reaction vessel, and a feed supply for delivering pulverous material to the reaction vessel. The burner also has a fluidic control system having at least one port capable of directing a stream of fluid at an angle to the direction of flow of the reaction gas so as to modify the flow of the reaction gas. In addition, components are provided to modify the swirl intensity and turbulence intensity of the reaction gas independently of the exit velocity.
US09657934B2	Lighting device A lighting device or a lamp bulb (100, 200) comprises at least one light source (101) and a driver assembly (108), said driver assembly comprising driver electronics; wherein during operation of the light source, a distance between an optical axis (120) of the lighting device and a heat flow of the lighting device is less than a distance between the optical axis (120) and a component of the driver electronics having the highest temperature sensitivity.
US09657930B2	High intensity light-emitting diode luminaire assembly A low-cost, efficient, high intensity LED luminaire (HILL) assembly for use indoors or outdoors in wet, damp, or dry environments. In various embodiments, the HILL assembly can be powered by a universal AC or a DC electrical supply and can operate in a temperature range from about −40° C. to about +85° C. The HILL assembly can include a lens element comprising one or more concavo-convex lenses; an interchangeable LED module comprising a plurality of LEDs positioned in a LED array; and a heatsink housing containing a power supply for the LEDs. The HILL assembly can optionally comprise a circuit board for the LED array that employs thermal via technology, a lens with a frosted lip for attenuating the light source as seen from an angle, and/or a sensor for sensing an environmental parameter of interest. Driver circuitry and the LEDs are preferably mounted directly on a common circuit board.
US09657923B2	Light emitting module A light emitting module includes a module body, a light source unit disposed at one side of the module body, an air hole formed through the module body from one side of the module body to the other side of the module body for allowing air to flow therethrough, and an optical cover for covering the light source unit. The optical cover has a cover hole at a location corresponding to the air hole. The optical cover includes a partition wall protruding downward from a bottom of the optical cover such that the partition wall is inserted into one side of the module body to seal the light source unit, and a pair of fitting wings protruding outward from opposite ends of the optical cover such that the fitting wings are inserted into the module body.
US09657920B2	Illumination device and display device Provided is an illumination device that makes it possible to enhance utilization efficiency of light, and a display device that includes the illumination device. The illumination device includes: a light source that is configured to generate light of a first wavelength; a luminescent body that is configured to wavelength-convert the light of the first wavelength to light of a second wavelength, the second wavelength being different from the first wavelength; and a wavelength selective filter that is provided on a light-incident side of the luminescent body, the wavelength selective filter being configured to transmit the light of the first wavelength and to reflect the light of the second wavelength.
US09657919B2	Light-emitting device with reflector including first and second reflective surfaces and light source mounted on inclined plane A light emitting device includes a mount base, a light source portion, and a reflector. The mount base includes a first plane portion and a second plane portion that inclines with respect to the first plane portion. The first plane portion is provided to be parallel to an emission direction of the light emitting device. The light source portion is mounted on the second plane portion and includes at least one light emitting element. The reflector includes a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface. Light emitted from the light source portion is reflected on the first reflective surface to be emitted from the light emitting device in the emission direction. The light emitted from the light source portion is reflected on the second reflective surface toward the first reflective surface.
US09657913B2	Vehicle lamp module Disclosed is a vehicle lamp module, including a lamp cup structure, a light-emitting structure, and a lens structure. The lamp cup structure has multiple light-focusing curved surfaces, where each of the light-focusing curved surfaces has a first focal point and a second focal point, and the first focal point and the second focal point of each light-focusing curved surface are located on an axis of the light-focusing curved surface. The light-emitting structure includes multiple light-emitting elements, where each of the light-emitting elements is disposed corresponding to the first focal point of a corresponding one of the light-focusing curved surfaces. The lens structure has a lens focal point, a primary optical axis, and a reference line, where the lens focal point is located at an intersection point of the primary optical axis and the reference line and the reference line is parallel to the lens structure.
US09657910B2	Electric lighting devices having a movable flame-shaped piece with a hollow interior Various components for artificial candles and other lighting devices are described that can be used to create a realistic flame effect in the devices. The devices include a flame piece or element that extends upwardly from a body of the device. A light source can be disposed with respect to the flame piece such that the flame piece is illuminated. A variety of drive mechanisms could be disposed within the body of the device that can cause movement of the flame piece with respect to the body or housing. The flame piece can be coupled to a body or housing of the device using various components to suspend at least a portion of the flame piece within the body or housing.
US09657903B2	Geometrical light extraction structures for printed LEDs A method of forming a light sheet includes depositing a reflective conductor layer over a substrate, printing a layer of microscopic inorganic LEDs on the conductor layer, depositing a first dielectric layer, having a first index of refraction, over the conductor layer and along sidewalls of the LEDs, and depositing a transparent conductor layer over the LEDs so that the LEDs are connected in parallel. The transparent conductor layer may be a wire mesh with openings. A liquid or paste polymer layer is then deposited over the transparent conductor layer and directly contacts the first dielectric layer. The indices of refraction of both layers are similar to reduce TIR. The top surface of the polymer layer is then molded to contain light extraction features to reduce waveguiding in the light sheet. In another embodiment, the substrate surface is the light exit surface that has the light extraction features.
US09657892B1	Supporter for electronic device A supporter includes a connecting body, a pair of supporting plates, and a pair of supporting arms. The pair of supporting plates is rotatably connected to the connecting body. The pair of supporting arms is rotatably connected to the supporting plates. When the supporter is in an open state, the pair of supporting arms are rotated to rest against each other. The pair of supporting arms and the corresponding supporting plates respectively form an angle therebetween so that the supporting arms and corresponding supporting plates are positioned in a manner to cooperatively support an electronic device. When the supporter is in a close state, the pair of supporting arms are received in the receiving chambers.
US09657883B2	Apparatus and method for installing a liner in a pipe An apparatus and method for installing a liner in a pipe, including a flexible tube assembly (2) with a proximal and a distal end, where the proximal end is attached to a proximal collar fitting (3) and the distal end is attached to a distal collar fitting (4). An inflatable bladder (110) is disposed over the tube (2) and the ends of the bladder (110) are secured to the collar fittings (3,4) forming sealed connections with the collar fittings. The proximal collar fitting (3) has connection means to connect to a guide hose (5), and includes at least one conduit for a fluid to inflate the inflatable and deflate bladder.
US09657881B2	Fluid conduit safety system with separable coupling The present invention relates to safety mechanisms for high-pressure fluid delivery systems. Particularly, the invention relates to a breakaway device which prevents uncontrolled “whipping” of the conduit ends upon a rupture. A heat dissipating coupling, permitting operation of the conduit system at desired temperatures, is also included, as is a breakaway device provided with such a heat dissipation feature.
US09657880B2	Heating device A heating device which transfers heat isothermally to an object to be heated. The heating device includes: a block and a base plate which surround a pipe; a first heat insulating cover which covers an outer periphery of the block and the base plate and forms a first heat insulating layer; and a second heat insulating cover which covers an outer periphery of the first heat insulating cover and forms a second heat insulating layer. The first heat insulating cover includes first heat insulating covers fixed to the block and the base plate respectively. The second heat insulating cover includes second heat insulating covers fixed to each of the first heat insulating covers respectively. The heating device further includes snap locks which detachably fixes the second heat insulating covers.
US09657872B2	Pipeline unit The ends of two pipeline units are joined together at a pipe joint. Each pipeline unit has a pipe member and a pipe coating surrounding the pipe member. The pipe coating extends along a length of the pipe member. A joint coating surrounds the pipe joint and is made from a material comprising a silicone.
US09657865B2	Two-stage valve actuation system A two-stage valve system includes a safety latch configured to at least partially cover an actuation lever, such as a foot pedal, to prevent inadvertent operation of the actuation lever. The safety latch needs to be lifted to a certain level to gain access to the actuation lever in a first stage, and then the actuation lever is operated to actuate a valve assembly in a second stage.
US09657852B2	Flow through isolation valve for high pressure fluids A flow through isolation valve having a stationary member; a movable member, with a surface of the stationary member interfacing with a surface of the movable member; and at least one pin isolation valve. The pin isolation valve has a flow through internal conduit and is movable so that the internal conduit can fluidically communicate with at least one blank opening in the movable member and with a flow through internal conduit in the movable member. Movement is by rotation, linear or curvilinear translation. At least one pin isolation valve is fluidically coupled typically to a sample loop of a face seal valve, or to a pump supplying high pressure liquid to or to a column discharging liquid from a face seal valve of a high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) system or directly to the face seal valve.
US09657851B2	Spool switching valve device A spool switching valve device may include a columnar spool housing and spherical valve bodies. The spool housing includes first input port cavity portions, valve body movable portions and valve seat members. Each valve seat member has a through hole and includes a second input port portion. A second valve seat portion is provided to open and close the gap between valve body movable portion and the second input port portion. Each valve body movable portion includes an output port penetrating the side surface of the spool housing to communicate with the outside of the spool. Each valve seat mounting portion includes an engagement receiving portion suppressing the detachment of the valve seat members when the valve seat member is actually mounted. Each valve seat member includes an engagement portion fitted into the engagement receiving portion when the valve seat member is mounted to the valve seat mounting portion.
US09657850B2	High performance subsea pressure regulator A subsea pressure regulator includes: a spring housing; a spring disposed therein; a body having a bore formed therethrough and inlet and outlet ports; drive and balance adapters connected to opposite ends of the body; drive and balance plungers; and a supply seal assembly. Each plunger has: a piston shoulder engaged with the respective adapter, a first portion in fluid communication with an outlet chamber, and a second portion in fluid communication with ambient pressure. The supply seal assembly includes a seal carrier connected to the plungers and a seal bore formed therethrough. The spring biases the seal carrier toward an open position. The drive plunger is operable to move the seal carrier to a closed position in response to sufficient pressure in the outlet chamber overcoming the spring bias.
US09657849B2	Fluid control valve system and methods A diaphragm-type control valve having a diaphragm and a valve body is provided preferably for use in the separation of and fluid control between a fluid source and a pressurized gas volume. The diaphragm element and a port in the body together form an intermediate chamber that eliminates the need for a check-valve downstream of the valve. In one preferred embodiment, an inner surface of the valve body defines a chamber having an inlet and an outlet in communication with the chamber, and an elongated seat member defining a groove in communication with the port. A diaphragm member having upper and lower surfaces is disposed within the chamber. The lower surface preferably includes a pair of spaced apart elongated members defining a channel therebetween. The diaphragm member engages the seat member placing the channel in communication with the groove to define an air seat in communication with the port.
US09657836B2	Parking mechanism arrangement for a motor vehicle transmission A parking mechanism arrangement for a motor vehicle transmission has a housing and a shaft supported so that it can rotate in relation to the housing. A parking mechanism gear is rotationally fixed to the shaft and comprises a parking mechanism tooth system. A parking mechanism pawl is supported so that it can pivot about a pawl axis in relation to the housing and comprises a pawl tooth, which is capable of engaging in a tooth space of the parking mechanism tooth system in order to establish a locked position. An actuating mechanism comprises an actuating element, which acts upon an actuating portion of the parking mechanism pawl in order to pivot the parking mechanism pawl from a release position into the locked position. The actuating element is embodied as a cam ring, which is arranged concentrically with the shaft and which comprises a cam portion, which acts on the actuating portion in order to establish the locked position.
US09657829B2	Pinion assembly having a bearing support surface A pinion assembly having a pinion and at least one bearing unit. The bearing unit may have a set of bearing elements and an outer race. The bearing elements may be rotatably disposed on a bearing surface of the pinion such that the bearing elements may be disposed between and may engage the bearing surface and the outer race.
US09657812B2	Planetary gearing A planetary gearing which includes a predetermined number of planet gears and a planet gear carrier with two walls on which the planet gears are mounted, supported by supporting pins defining a respective axis and the ends of which are fixed to a respective wall of the planet gear carrier, wherein each supporting pin is provided with, at an end thereof, an annular groove obtained in the thickness thereof, and wherein the groove has an extension along the axis lower than the extension of the meshing band of the planet gear along the axis. A ring may be provided partly inserted in the groove and having a profile equal to that of the portion of groove in which it is inserted. Such a ring acts as a mechanical stop for the yielding part of the pin which yields, under a predetermined load, up to a contact with the ring.
US09657811B2	Worm speed reducer A center axis of a worm shaft is offset in an offset direction with respect to a plane that is orthogonal to a center axis of a worm wheel and that passes through a central position of the worm wheel in a tooth width direction. A bias member biases a second end of the worm shaft in a preloading direction in which a center distance between the worm shaft and the worm wheel decreases. When the worm shaft is configured like a right-hand thread, in a left-handed coordinate system, a direction toward a first end of the worm shaft in an axial direction (a direction toward an electric motor) corresponds to a thumb direction. The preloading direction corresponds to an index finger direction. The offset direction corresponds to a middle finger direction.
US09657808B2	Arc coil spring configuration Arc coil springs utilize coil spring wire formed in a substantially trapezoidal or other shape such that when bottomed, the side surfaces of the coil abut and carry the bottoming load. The angles of the sidewalls of the substantially trapezoidal cross section wire are preferably coincident with lines of radius when the spring is installed in an arc in a clutch, damper or flywheel. The radius of the outer surface of the arc coil spring wire is matched to the radius of the inner surface of the guide or housing so that the area of contact is large.
US09657806B2	Electromagnetic damper An electromagnetic damper includes a torque detection unit that detects a torsional torque of an output shaft of an electric motor or a torsional torque of a transmission shaft, which transmits an external vibration to the electric motor, and a control device that controls the electric motor. The control device controls the electric motor so as to cancel the torsional torque detected by the torque detection unit.
US09657803B2	Hydraulic damper with a hydraulic stop arrangement A hydraulic damper (1) includes a tube (3) filled with working liquid, wherein at least one end of the tube (3) is provided with a narrower section (31) of a smaller diameter provided with at least one axial groove (12). The damper (1) includes at least one additional piston assembly (13) having diameter (D3) smaller than diameter (D1) of the main section of the tube (3), displaceable along with the main piston assembly (4) and apt to be introduced in the narrower section of the tube (3) to generate additional damping force. The narrower section (31) extends through a conical section (32) into the main section (33) of the tube (3) and the conical section (32) of the tube (3) is internally shaped to form axial bridges (15) defining said axial grooves (12) extending along the length of said conical section (32), each comprising a cylindrical section (151).
US09657801B2	Shock absorber protector A shock absorber protector including an arcuate member having opposing arcuate member interior and exterior faces bounded by an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, the arcuate member interior face defining an arc between the first and second side edges; a mounting flange outwardly extending from the arcuate member interior face proximate the lower edge; and an aperture element disposed in the mounting flange, the aperture element bounding an aperture element opening which communicates between opposing mounting flange interior and exterior faces.
US09657799B2	Suspension sub-assembly A suspension sub-assembly includes a fiber reinforced polymeric (FRP) thermoplastic composite upper control arm/spring assembly having a control arm portion and a spring member portion. The suspension sub-assembly can tune roll stiffness of a vehicle during cornering. The FRP thermoplastic composite upper control arm/spring assembly comprises a thermoplastic matrix material reinforced with fibers embedded and aligned in the matrix of the assembly.
US09657796B2	Frequency-variable hand rubbed-type motor speed reduction clutch apparatus, and washing machine A frequency-variable hand rubbed-type motor speed reduction clutch apparatus, and a washing machine. The clutch apparatus includes: an input shaft (5) connected to a motor rotor (1); a dehydration shaft (18); and a clutch apparatus housing (8) in which the input shaft (5) and the dehydration shaft (18) are mounted. A braking wheel (12) and a braking belt (15) fitted to the braking wheel (12) are disposed on the dehydration shaft (18). A dehydration shaft sleeve (20) rotating together with the input shaft (5) is mounted on the input shaft (5). A clutch shaft sleeve (3) sliding up and down, and engaging with or separated from the dehydration shaft sleeve (20) is mounted on the dehydration shaft (18). The braking belt (15) and the clutch shaft sleeve (3) are separately connected to a traction motor (11) by means of a control apparatus.
US09657795B2	Stand alone liquid cooled brake system A fluid cooled vehicle brake includes a fluid flow passage disposed in fluid communication with a brake shoe rim carrying a layer of friction material. A pair of spaced support webs are coupled to an inner surface of an annular inner surface of the rib. A water jacket is sealingly joined to the pair of webs and the inner surface of the rim to form a fluid flow passage between an inlet port formed in one of the support webs along the inner surface of the rim and out through an outlet port formed in one of the support webs. High thermal conductive members may be disposed within the layer of friction material to conduct heat to the rim. Heat radiator members are mounted within the coolant passageway.
US09657794B2	Composite disc rotor A composite disc rotor includes a disc main body, a coupling bracket and coupling units. Each of the coupling units includes a bobbin, a clip and a coupling bolt. A head part of the bobbin includes a torque receiving portion inserted in the notch and a projection projected in a circumferential direction from an end of the torque receiving portion. A pipe part of the bobbin is extended from the head part and is fitted in a coupling through hole of the disc main body. The clip includes a connecting portion between the torque receiving portion and the notch and a pressing portion extended from the connecting portion between the head part and the coupling bracket. The coupling bolt is inserted into each of through hole of the bobbin to fix the coupling bracket to the coupling unit.
US09657792B2	Wheel cylinder adjuster A caliper piston adjuster includes a body defining a passage, a push rod, a resilient member, a holding rod, a positioning stop plate, and a positioning member. The push rod is fixedly connected with a positioning cart, and mounted with the resilient member, and inserted through the passage of the body, such that one end of the resilient member contacts the positioning part fixed at the push rod. The push rod is connected with a connector and an activating disc respectively at two ends thereof. The connector is connected with the holding rod. The positioning member is inserted through an opening of the positioning stop plate to be connected to the body. With the aid of the resilient member, the caliper piston adjuster can adjust the piston of a caliper cylinder more easily by rotating the holding rod.
US09657791B2	Ultra-low-loss transmission brake utilizing a dual-solenoid electro-mechanical actuator An actuator is provided for preventing rotation of a rotary component and includes a first pawl pivotable about a first pivot axis and engageable with the rotary component for preventing rotation of the rotary component in a first rotary direction. A second pawl is pivotable about a second pivot axis and engageable with the rotary component for preventing rotation of the rotary component in a second rotary direction opposite the first rotary direction. The pawls are each biased toward an engaged position with the rotary component by a pawl spring. A first and a second solenoid each include an electrically activated solenoid and an armature movable from a first position for holding the pawls out of engagement with the rotary component to a second position for allowing the pawls to be engaged with the rotary component.
US09657785B2	Rolling bearing, notably for clutch release bearing device A rolling bearing including an inner ring, an outer ring, at least one row of rolling elements disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, and (a) at least one seal fixed to one of the inner ring and the outer ring as well as (b) at least one internal sealing lip cooperating with a first portion of the other of the inner ring and the outer ring. The seal further includes at least one external sealing lip offset axially relative to the internal sealing lip on the exterior side of the bearing. The external sealing lip cooperates with a second portion of the other ring, wherein the second portion of the seal is separate from the first portion and situated axially facing the seal.
US09657782B2	Method and apparatus for assembling a driveshaft flange to a transmission flange A drivetrain assembly includes a transmission and a driveshaft that are joined together by a transmission flange and a driveshaft flange that has a plurality of pre-assembled bolts. The driveshaft flange defines a plurality of holes and countersink recesses and the bolts are secured to the driveshaft flange by a bolt retainer disposed in each of the countersink recesses between the transmission flange and the driveshaft flange. A method is disclosed for assembling a transmission flange and a driveshaft flange that defines a plurality of holes and countersink recesses. A bolt is assembled into each of the holes and countersink recesses and a bolt retainer is attached to each of the bolts and nested inside the countersink recesses to retain the bolts on the driveshaft flange. The bolts on the driveshaft flange are then installed into the threaded holes of the transmission flange.
US09657780B2	Axial needle roller bearing with self-aligning washers An axial needle roller bearing assembly is provided having first and second axial end washers, each with a radial body having a concave outer profile and a convex inner profile in radial cross-section and each including an axial flange on one of a radially inner or outer side. First and second intermediate washers having respective intermediate radial bodies with first and second axial sides are provided with the first axial sides defining first and second bearing races and the second axial sides defining contact surfaces for the respective first and second axial end washers. A cage and roller assembly is located between the first and second bearing races, and includes a cage with a plurality of radially extending needle roller pockets, and a plurality of needle rollers received in at least some of the pockets.
US09657778B1	Convertible cage for ball bearing and associated bearing A convertible bearing cage is provided including a first cage part having a first rim with a plurality of first projections extending axially therefrom that form open, snap-in pockets for receiving bearing balls. Connection holes are located in the projections. A second cage part having a second rim with a plurality of second projections extending axially therefrom that form partial pockets is also provided. The plurality of second projections are aligned with the first projections. A ring guide extends circumferentially around the second rim. The second cage part is connectable to the first cage part with the second plurality of projections contacting the first priority of projections using connection elements that engage in or through the connection holes to form closed pockets. The first cage part is used alone as an open pocket, ball guided cage, or connected to the second cage part as a closed pocket, ring guided cage.
US09657776B2	Bearings A bearing includes a first member having a passageway configured to engage a shaft, the first member having a metallic material; and a second member disposed around at least a portion of the first member, the second member having a metallic material and at least one radially and inwardly bent portion capable of restricting axial movement of the first member. The first and second members are movable relative to each other.
US09657761B2	Double-pin nail assembly The present invention relates to a nail assembly having one or more double-pin nails. Each nail includes a nail body and two nail pins extending from the nail body. Each nail pin has a tail end having at least one inclined face formed as a nail edge, where the inclined face is provided with at least one of a concave structure and a convex structure. The concave structure includes one or more grooves, and the convex structure includes one or more tenons. The assembly of double-pin nails having nail pin inclined faces provided with at least one of the concave and convex structures enables, after entering an object, the two nail pins of a double-pin nail are staggered to interlock with each other, thereby effectively connecting the object firmly with a strong anti-pull capability, and having desirable economic and technical benefits.
US09657757B2	System of exhuast and operation method thereof Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of dissipating process exhaust from a chamber. The method includes conveying the process exhaust from the chamber through an inner tube of a pipeline to abatement. The process exhaust has a first temperature while exiting the chamber, and a second temperature while exiting the pipeline. The method maintains an outer tube of the pipeline at a vacuum state by a pump such that the inner tube is substantially thermal isolated from the atmosphere outside the pipeline. The second temperature is negative offset from the first temperature within a predetermined value.
US09657756B2	Actuator system An actuator system having various features is disclosed. An actuator system may have a first and a second electrohydraulic servo valve. A control selector may connect one of the electrohydraulic servo valves to a cylinder and may isolate the other electrohydraulic servo valve to ameliorate leakage in response to a switching solenoid valve operating. In this manner, one electrohydraulic servo valve may be connected to a cylinder to operate the cylinder, and the other electrohydraulic servo valve may be isolated from the cylinder, for example, to provide a standby electrohydraulic servo valve.
US09657753B2	Master cylinder assembly in brake system A master cylinder assembly of the type comprises a housing (20) disposed along an axis (A) defining a chamber (22) having a cylindrical shape extending horizontally between an open end and a closed end. A first cylinder (42) and a second cylinder (44) are disposed for sliding movement axially along the axis. Each of the cylinders includes a cylindrical wall (48) defining a cylindrical bore (52). A piston (56) is disposed in each of the cylindrical bores. The cylindrical wall of each cylinder includes a cylinder ramp (70) to define a cylinder ramp shoulder (74). Each piston includes a piston ramp (76) to define a piston ramp shoulder (80). The piston ramp shoulder (80) of each piston and the cylinder ramp shoulder (74) of each cylinder radially engage one another in an assembled position to allow the cylinders (42, 44) and the pistons (56) to abut one another during the sliding movement axially along the axis within the chamber of the housing.
US09657752B2	Master cylinder for a regulated braking system A master cylinder for a regulated braking system having at least one piston, which is movable in a housing and which is sealed from a pressure chamber by a sealing element arranged in a ring groove of the housing, which can be connected to an unpressurized supply chamber by control passages designed in the pistons. In order to reduce the flow resistance of the control passages at the same dead stroke, the control passages have a control edge designed parallel to a piston end face of at least one of the pistons.
US09657748B2	Pneumatically actuated vacuum pump having multiple venturi gaps and check valves A pneumatically actuated vacuum pump is disclosed, and includes a body defining a converging motive section, a diverging discharge section, at least one suction port, and a Venturi gap. The Venturi gap is located between an outlet end of the converging motive section and an inlet end of the diverging discharge section. The pneumatically actuated vacuum pump also includes a first check valve fluidly connected to the Venturi gap and the suction port. The pneumatically actuated vacuum pump further includes at least one second gap located in the diverging discharge section of the body downstream of the Venturi gap. A second check valve is fluidly connected to the second gap.
US09657745B2	Adjustment mechanism for pump seal An adjustment mechanism (85) for a seal assembly (80) for a pump drive shaft (52) of a pump, the pump shaft (52) mounted for rotation about a rotation axis. The seal assembly (80) comprises a rotating seal (81) mounted for rotation with the drive shaft (52) about the rotation axis and a static seal (84) adjacent the rotating seal (81) and axially moveable relative thereto. The adjustment mechanism (85) comprises an adjustment member (87) which is axially moveable so as to cause axial movement of the static seal (84) relative to the rotating seal (81). The mechanism further includes an actuator (88) and a transmission (93) for transmitting a motive force from the actuator to the adjustment member as a result of activation of the actuator. The transmission (93) is operatively connected to the adjustment member (87) at two spaced apart couplings (98) whereby activation of the actuator causes simultaneous transmission of the motive force to the two spaced apart couplings. The actuator (88) is disposed externally of all pump parts.
US09657744B2	Midspan active magnetic bearing A compression system may include a compressor having first and second sides separated by a division wall, first and second shafts, and first and second radial bearings. The first and second shafts may be axially connected to each other at respective first ends via a rotor portion of an intermediate radial bearing. The rotor portion may include a plurality of laminations stacked between first and second plates fastened to each other. The first radial bearing may be disposed on a first side of the intermediate radial bearing and may be proximate a second end of the first shaft. The first radial bearing may be configured to support the first shaft. The second radial bearing may be disposed on a second side of the intermediate radial bearing and may be proximate a second end of the second shaft. The second radial bearing may be configured to support the second shaft.
US09657737B2	Scroll compressor with pressurized oil balance piston A scroll compressor includes an orbiting scroll member disposed within a compressor housing. The orbiting scroll member has a substantially circular baseplate and a generally spiral wrap extending from its base. A first seal is disposed proximal to the outer periphery of the orbiting scroll baseplate to provide an external seal between the baseplate and the housing. A second seal is disposed radially inward from the first seal to provide an internal seal between the baseplate and the housing. A space between the internal seal and the external seal defines a balance piston chamber. The balance piston chamber is pressurized via a high or intermediate pressure oil source to reduce thrust loading on the baseplate caused by an axial pressure differential across the baseplate.
US09657726B1	Hydraulic running surface A mounting member for a hydraulic pump or other rotating kit for a hydraulic drive device includes a running surface having a pair of arcuate kidney ports formed thereon. The running surface also includes a plurality of pressure gradient grooves formed on the running surface, each pressure gradient groove having a proximal end adjacent to a respective one of the ends of one of the kidney ports and a distal end. The distal end of one of the pressure gradient grooves associated with one kidney port may overlap the distal end of a pressure gradient groove associated with the other kidney port. The distal end of at least one of the pressure gradient grooves is located outside the circumference of a pitch circle that passes through the center of each of the kidney ports. The distal end of at least one of the other pressure gradient grooves is located inside the circumference of the pitch circle.
US09657719B2	Ventilation arrangement A ventilation arrangement for a wind turbine includes a manhole cover for covering a manhole of a rotor hub. The rotor hub is contained within the nose cone and spaced therefrom to form an internal space between an inner surface of the nose cone and an outer surface of the rotor hub. The manhole cover provides a vent opening for venting hot air from an interior space of the rotor hub into the internal space. A pipe extends from a forward internal space through the manhole cover and into the rotor hub. The pipe establishes fluid communication between the forward internal space and the interior space. A fan is mounted to the pipe, and draws air from the forward internal space. An exhaust, fluidly connected with the pipe, is located in the rotor hub and away from the manhole cover by 50% to 90% of a rotor hub axial length.
US09657717B2	Wind turbine tower having a damper The present invention relates to wind turbine towers and in particular to such towers having a damper for use when erecting the tower and prior to installing a nacelle on the top of the tower. The invention also relates to a method for damping wind turbine towers. One aspect of the invention involves a wind turbine tower (2) with an upper tower structure (24) and a damper (5) comprising, —a liquidless damper housing (7,8) fixed to the upper structure, —a cylindrical interior surface of the damper housing, and —a damper mass having a horizontal extent which is less than a horizontal extent of the cylindrical interior surface of the damper housing, and —at least one shock absorbing structure, where the damper mass is arranged to, when the tower oscillates, essentially stay in a standstill location, whereby a relative movement between the tower and the damper mass may cause an impact with between the tower mass and the shock absorbing structure dependent on the magnitude of the amplitude of the tower oscillation. A main technical progress is that the damper does not need detailed tuning to the towers natural frequency. As long as the damper mass is sufficient, it may be used for damping a range of tower sizes and heights.
US09657716B2	Rotational support of a wind turbine blade The invention resides in an assembly for rotationally supporting a wind turbine blade (110) relative to a wind turbine hub (120). The assembly comprises an intermediate ring (130) having an inner annular portion and an outer annular portion provided with means for attaching the turbine blade. The intermediate ring is rotatably mounted to the hub via a first bearing arrangement. According to the invention, the first bearing arrangement comprises a radial bearing (140) and a thrust bearing, whereby the inner annular portion is mounted to the hub via the radial bearing and the outer annular portion is mounted to the hub via the thrust bearing. The thrust bearing is a plain bearing comprising first and second sliding surfaces (151, 152) which are clamped to the hub between first and second clamping members (161, 162).
US09657714B2	Vertical axis wind turbine rotor and airfoil A vertical axis wind turbine with a symmetric airfoil having a concavely curved tail portion defining a trailing edge angle of between 0° and 5° on either side of the chord, a maximum thickness center point between 26% and 34% of the length of the chord from the leading edge, a leading edge curvature ratio (D1/D2) from 0.42 to 0.50, and a ratio of maximum thickness to chord length T/C from 0.12 to 0.19, preferably 0.16. Advantageously, the rotor may have helical blades defining a cylindrical swept envelope with a positive angle of attack and a solidity ratio NC/D from 0.125 to 0.270, and is governed at a tip speed ratio from 2.25 to 4.00.
US09657713B2	Rotary shaft device and vertical shaft fluid power generator A rotary shaft device (3) includes a shaft body (20) rotatably supported by angular bearings (35, 36), and a support body (40) configured to rotatably support the shaft body (20) via the angular bearings (35, 36). A ball rolling groove (21) having a Gothic arch shape in which rolling elements (39) of the angular bearings (35, 36) roll is formed in an outer circumferential surface of the shaft body (20).
US09657711B2	Underground watermill A waste-watermill for generating electrical energy from a flow of waste water running through an underground waste-water conduit. The flow of waste water defines a free surface and a flow direction inside the waste water conduit. The waste-watermill comprises 1) a water wheel for being driven by the flow of waste water in an undershot configuration, 2) an axle for defining an rotational axis for the water wheel, where the flow of waste water passes below and transverse to the rotational axis in the undershot configuration, 3) a wheel support for rotationally supporting the water wheel in the undershot configuration and in a stationary position relative to the underground waste-water conduit, and 4) an electric generator operatively connected with the water wheel and the axle for being driven by the water wheel to produce electrical energy.
US09657703B2	Internal combustion engine starting device An internal combustion engine starting device includes: a starting requirement determination device that determines whether an internal combustion engine is required to be started when the engine stops combustion by stopping fuel supply to the engine, and the vehicle is in a freewheel running; and a driving control device that drives and rotates a motor in a starter by increasing a driving voltage to the motor from a voltage changing device for changing the driving voltage supplied to the starter in a case where a travelling speed is high to be higher than in a case where the traveling speed is low, when the internal combustion engine is required to be started.
US09657692B2	Internal combustion engine utilizing two independent flow paths to a dedicated exhaust gas recirculation cylinder An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system and corresponding method for improved combustion efficiency of an internal combustion engine having a number of cylinders, comprising one or more main cylinders connected to an intake manifold and one or more cylinders operable as a dedicated EGR cylinder(s). The dedicated EGR cylinder(s) have two independent intake flow paths for where one flow path provides only intake air and one flow path provides air and recirculated exhaust gas. The exhaust gas output of the one or more dedicated EGR cylinders are connected to an exhaust gas recirculation loop which delivers the exhaust gas output to the main cylinder intake manifold.
US09657689B2	Modulating bypass valve A modulating bypass valve includes a valve housing defining a modulating fluid passageway and a bypassing fluid passageway through the valve housing. The valve also includes a throttle plate assembly that is inserted through the valve housing and has a rotating shaft on an axis that is generally perpendicular to the modulating fluid passageway and the bypassing fluid passageway. A modulating throttle plate is attached to the shaft and located within the modulating fluid passageway. A bypassing throttle plate is attached to the shaft and located within the bypassing fluid passageway. An actuator rotates the shaft.
US09657687B2	Exhaust duct liner rod hanger A hanger is disclosed that has a movable component and a bracket. The movable component has a shaft with a threaded portion, a slider connected to the shaft, and a cap configured to join with the threaded portion. The bracket defines a racetrack aperture and an ingress/egress aperture. The racetrack aperture and the ingress/egress aperture are connected.
US09657673B2	Exhaust purification system for internal combustion engine The objective of the present invention is to provide an exhaust purification system that is capable of purifying exhaust gas during both lean and stoichiometric driving. The exhaust purification system is equipped with: a feedback-use identifier, which identifies parameter values such that the error between the output value from a LAF sensor and the estimated value for the LAF sensor output as obtained from a model equation is minimized; and a stoichiometric driving mode controller. The controller performs feedback control and thereby determines the fuel injection amount such that in the stoichiometric driving mode the equivalence ratio value as calculated from the parameters reaches a target value which is set such that a three-way purification reaction occurs in an under-engine catalyst. The identifier identifies the model parameters before feedback control is initiated by the controller.
US09657666B2	Failure diagnosis device of emission control system In a failure diagnosis device of an emission control system that utilizes an electrode-based PM sensor provided downstream of a particulate filter in an exhaust conduit to diagnose a failure of the particulate filter, disclosed embodiments may suppress reduction of accuracy of diagnosis of a failure due to in-cylinder rich control. The failure diagnosis device of the emission control system starts application of a predetermined voltage to electrodes of the electrode-based PM sensor after a sensor recovery process that removes PM depositing between the electrodes of the PM sensor, and diagnoses a failure of the particulate filter based on an output of the PM sensor measured after elapse of a predetermined time period since the start of application of the predetermined voltage. The failure diagnosis device performs the sensor recovery process during in-cylinder rich control or triggered by termination of the in-cylinder rich control and subsequently performs a measurement process after termination of the in-cylinder rich control and the sensor recovery process.
US09657658B2	Method for controlling air control valve in diesel hybrid vehicle A method for controlling an air control valve in a diesel hybrid vehicle includes an engine stop detection step for detecting whether a diesel engine is stopped and a vehicle speed is less than a predetermined speed, a first noise and vibration blockade step for controlling a throttle valve to be closed when the diesel engine is stopped and the vehicle speed is less than the predetermined speed, and a first throttle valve control step for closing and then opening again the throttle valve for a predetermined time.
US09657652B2	Valve assembly and exhaust gas system A valve assembly has a housing with a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. A first flow path is between the first inlet and the first outlet, a second flow path is between the second inlet and the first outlet, and a third flow path is between the first inlet and the second outlet. A closure element is movably supported in the housing and in a by-pass position opens the first flow path and closes at least the second flow path, and in a normal position closes the first flow path and opens the second flow path and the third flow path. A flow guiding element is on the closure element, and which in the normal position protrudes into the second flow path and is coupled to the closure element to urge, in a gas flow from the second inlet to the first outlet, the closure element into the normal position. An exhaust gas system includes the valve assembly and an exhaust gas heat exchanger.
US09657614B2	Scavenge pump oil level control system and method A hybrid vehicle includes a hybrid module, a transmission and a torque converter. The lubrication system associated with the torque converter includes an oil sump within the torque converter housing which is intended to be managed as a “dry” sump oil lubrication system. There is an oil pump in communication with the sump in order to manage the sump oil level. By monitoring an operational parameter of the oil pump motor (pressure, torque, or current) oil aeration can be detected.
US09657612B2	Control system for electric vehicle A control system for electric vehicle is provided. The control system is applied to an electric vehicle (Ve) having a motor (2, 3) and an electric oil pump (19) driven by a pumping motor (20). The control system is configured to activate the electric oil pump (19) with a predetermined duty cycle when a main switch is turned on to bring the vehicle (Ve) into a ready-on state where the vehicle (Ve) is ready to travel.
US09657611B2	Variable displacement solenoid control Methods are provided for improved control of valve activation/deactivation mechanisms. One example method comprises, adjusting an electromechanical actuator to actuate cylinder valve deactivation/activation mechanisms. The actuator is operated at multiple levels based on engine operating conditions.
US09657610B2	Hydraulic camshaft adjusting device with spherical section-like lock A hydraulic camshaft adjustment device (1) of the vane type, with a stator (2) and a rotor (3) arranged concentrically and rotatably inside the stator is provided. A locking device (6) for preventing a rotation between the rotor (3) and the stator (2) is arranged between these two components (2, 3) such that a locking element (7) of the locking device (6) creates an interlocking fit that blocks the rotation, the locking element (7) being designed in the nature of a plate.
US09657598B2	Immediate response steam generating system and method The method of generating immediate and thereafter continuous steam is used in a steam generating system comprising a steam accumulator, a steam outlet connected to the steam accumulator, an outlet valve at the steam outlet, and a quick response steam generator unit connected to the steam accumulator. The method comprises the steps of providing latent steam in the steam accumulator, opening the outlet valve to allow latent steam in the steam accumulator to exit through the steam outlet, feeding water to the steam generator unit, heating the water fed to the steam generator unit while the latent steam exits through the steam outlet and, before the latent steam has entirely exited the steam accumulator, generating steam with the steam generator unit to feed the steam accumulator and controlling the steam flow rate through the steam outlet to maintain it at a value which is essentially not greater than the steam flow rate from the steam generator unit to the steam accumulator. The steam generating system is capable of generating immediate and thereafter continuous steam from an initial steam generator unit cold condition due to the steam accumulator providing steam at the steam outlet while the steam generator unit heats the water fed therein.
US09657597B2	System and method for inspecting turbomachines A system for inspecting a turbomachine is provided. The system includes a pressure isolation system configured to maintain a pressure resistant seal around a probe. The pressure isolation system has a probe bearing located adjacent to a pressure seal. The probe bearing is configured to facilitate back and forth movement of the probe by reducing friction. A gimbal mount is connected to the pressure isolation system. The pressure isolation system has a valve seal located between the gimbal mount and the pressure seal. The valve seal is configured to isolate the pressure seal from the gimbal mount when the probe is not in the valve seal. The system is configured to move the probe into and out of the turbomachine.
US09657575B2	Gas turbine engine The gas turbine engine (S1) includes: turbine blades (7b); and a cooling air supply unit (11) to supply cooling air to the turbine blades (7b). A flow path surface (31) is formed so as to be positioned in an upstream side of the turbine blades (7b) and so as to be connected to a base surface (32) in which the turbine blades (7b) are provided. The flow path surface (31) includes: depression portions (31a) depressed relative to the base surface (32), each depression portion (31a) including at least an area overlapping with a front end (7b1) of each turbine blade (7b), when viewed from a direction of the turbine axis (L); and protrusion portions (31b) protruding relative to the base surface (32), each protrusion portion (31b) being at least part of each area positioned between front ends (7b1) of the turbine blades (7b), when viewed from the above direction.
US09657570B2	Pulse jet liquid gas cleaning system A pulse jet liquid gas cleaning system has an ultrasonic transducer operable to transform a high-pressure stream of cryogenic fluid from a cryogenic fluid supply into pulsed jets of individual cryogenic fluid slugs.
US09657561B1	Downhole power conversion and management using a dynamically variable displacement pump A dynamically controllable variable displacement axial piston pump is described. In an embodiment, the pump comprises a rotating cylinder with hydraulic pistons that contact the face of a swash plate. The angle of the swash plate can be controlled to thereby control the movement of the pistons, the displacement of the pump, and the power generated by the pump. The dynamically controllable variable displacement axial piston pump may be used in combination with a rotary steerable apparatus, including such an apparatus as described herein that uses hydraulic pistons to actuate the deflection of the bit, or in combination with other downhole tools and devices. When used down hole in a drill string with a drilling mud powered turbine, the dynamically controllable variable displacement pump limits and regulates the power provided to the tool over a wide range of drilling mud weights and flow rates.
US09657560B2	Methods for forming proppant-free channels in proppant packs in subterranean formation fractures Methods of treating a fracture in a subterranean formation including providing a proppant-free fluid comprising a first gelling agent; providing a proppant fluid comprising a second gelling agent and proppant aggregates, wherein the proppant-free fluid and the proppant fluid are substantially immiscible; continuously pumping the proppant-free fluid into the subterranean formation; continuously pumping the proppant fluid into the subterranean formation, wherein the proppant-free fluid and the proppant fluid are present simultaneously in a portion of the subterranean formation but remain immiscible; placing the proppant aggregates into a portion of the fracture in the subterranean formation so as to form a proppant pack having proppant-free channels therein.
US09657559B2	Methods and systems for causing reaction driven cracking in subsurface rock formations Methods and systems for causing reaction driven cracking in subsurface rock formations are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include the following: drilling one or more holes in a substantially porous subsurface rock formation, the one or more holes in fluid communication with pores in the subsurface rock formation; injecting in the pores via at least one of the holes one or more fluids, wherein the one or more fluids include a gas; and chemically reacting the one or more fluids within the pores thereby causing cracking in the substantially porous subsurface rock formation.
US09657557B2	Methods for servicing subterranean wells Methods for controlling fluid flow through one or more pathways in one or more rock formations penetrated by a borehole in a subterranean well, comprise injecting into or adjacent to the formation a treatment fluid comprising at least one polysaccharide polymer; at least one crosslinker; and fibers, or a mixture of fibers and particles. The fluids are pumped into the well through a tubular body that comprises at least one flow restriction. Shearing of the treatment fluid as it passes through the flow restriction causes the viscosity to decrease, allowing the fibers to form masses that migrate to formation-rock openings such as pores, cracks, fissures and vugs. As a result, the fibrous masses are useful for curing lost circulation, providing fluid-loss control and as diverting agents.
US09657549B2	Enhanced crude oil recovery using metal silicides Enhanced oil recovery techniques include introduction of alkali metal silicides into subterranean reservoirs to generate hydrogen gas, heat, and alkali metal silicate solutions in situ upon contact with water. The alkali metal silicides, such as sodium silicide, are used to recover hydrocarbons, including heavier crudes where viscosity and low reservoir pressure are limiting factors. Hydrogen, which is miscible with the crude oil and can beneficiate the heavier fractions into lighter fractions naturally or with addition of catalytic materials, is generated in-situ. It. Heat is also generated at the reaction site to reduce viscosity and promote crude beneficiation. The resulting alkaline silicate solution saponifies acidic crude components to form surfactants which emulsify the crude to improve mobility toward a production well. The silicate promotes profile modification passively via consumptive reactions or actively via addition of acidic gelling agents.
US09657540B2	System and method for wireline tool pump-down operations A system for pump down operations in a wellbore includes a tool string disposed in a wellbore, the tool string including a cable head having an upper end coupled to an electric wireline cable, a downhole tool coupled to the cable head, the downhole tool selected from the group consisting of perforating tools and downhole logging tools. In this embodiment, the system further includes a downhole tension sensor located proximal to the upper end of the cable head, the sensor adapted to obtain downhole wireline tension data and transmit the downhole wireline tension data via the electric wireline cable, a fluid pump with a fluid output operatively connected to the wellbore above the tool string, and a controller adapted to selectively adjust a pump fluid output rate of the fluid pump during pump down operations based on the downhole wireline tension data received from the downhole tension sensor.
US09657525B2	Subsea wellhead assembly, a subsea installation using said wellhead assembly, and a method for completing a wellhead assembly A subsea wellhead assembly comprising at least a casing housing and a casing extending down inside the well, and a tubing hanger. The tubing hanger comprises first and second valves, each valve being a fail safe valve.
US09657515B2	Cellular shade with divider webs An extendable and retractable cellular shade may include a plurality of vertically aligned shade cells and one or more divider webs extending within each shade cells to as to divide the shade cell into two or more cell structures. By adjusting one or more design parameters associated with the cellular shade, the configuration of the shade cells, such as the size and/or shape of the cell structures, and/or the illumination or lighting effects associated with the cellular shade may be specifically tailored to provide a desired aesthetic look or feel for the shade.
US09657512B2	Reverse molded plant-on panel component, method of manufacture, and method of decorating a door therewith A reverse molded, plant-on decorative panel component comprises a panel portion lying on a first plane, a skirt portion, and a contoured portion. The skirt portion has a first surface adapted to be exteriorly disposed and an opposite second surface adapted to be interiorly disposed in order to be adhesively secured to a planar surface. The contoured portion extends outwardly from and surrounds the panel portion and interconnects and is integral with the panel portion and the skirt portion. The skirt portion extends peripherally about the contoured portion.
US09657507B2	Hinge for the controlled rotatable movement of a door A hinge for a door anchored to a wall, the hinge including a fixed element coupled to the wall and a movable element coupled to the door. The fixed and movable elements rotate between an open position and a closed position about a first longitudinal axis. One of the movable and fixed elements includes cam means rotating about the first longitudinal axis, the other of the movable and fixed elements including follower means mutually interacting with the cam means for sliding along a second longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The follower means includes an elastic counteracting element. The cam means includes a first cam element interacting with the follower means for movement from end-stroke positions to an intermediate position and vice-versa. The cam means further includes a second cam element interacting with the follower means for movement from the intermediate position to the end-stroke positions and vice-versa.
US09657506B2	Sliding arrangement A sliding arrangement, in particular a slide-out device for drawers, sliding doors, etc., includes a sliding piece and a pulling arrangement which can be coupled together by a coupling piece. The pulling arrangement can be placed in a resiliently pretensioned manner in a parking position and can be blocked in the parking position by a locking element. In order to ensure a reliable movement of a drawer or the like into the closure position, the locking element may be locked in the parking position of the pulling arrangement by a bar.
US09657498B2	Elongate shaft for use with handle assembly A handle assembly and related methods for actuating a mechanism such as a disconnect switch.
US09657495B2	Crane system incorporated into a tower A crane system includes a structural truss positioned within a central opening defined by an inside surface of an annular tower, a crane mast connected to an outside surface of the annular tower, and a jib arm connected to the crane mast.
US09657493B2	Post reinforcement A post reinforcement including a panel having a body portion and a stake portion. The post reinforcement further includes a first barb coupled to and extending away from the panel, wherein the first barb is generally positioned on a first side of the panel. The post reinforcement also includes a second barb coupled to and extending away from the panel, wherein the second barb is generally positioned on a second side of the panel opposite the first side.
US09657487B2	Water overflow edge device for a swimming pool and relative improved structural element A water overflow edge device for a swimming pool is having a channel consisting of bottom, rear and front walls is disclosed. The front wall is made of a plurality of modular structural elements arranged in sequence and coupled together “end-to-end”. The channel is also covered on top by a walking grid that allows swimming pool water to enter. Each modular structural element has a first component with structural function, provided at the bottom with coupling means with the bottom wall of the channel and with the top of the vertical inner wall of the swimming pool. The structural component includes at one side with a first surface, which forms the front wall of the channel, and with a second substantially vertical surface, opposite the first surface and configured to support a second coating component which forms the entire exposed surface of the water overflow edge device and which has a finishing function. Preferably, the first component is plastic and the second coating component is ceramic.
US09657480B1	High snow-load ridge ventilator A high snow-load ridge ventilator includes a pair of support brackets, a perforated support, a ridge cover and a plurality of cover spacers. A bottom of one support bracket is attached to one side of a ventilation opening and a bottom of the other support bracket is attached to the other side of the ventilation opening. A plurality of perforated support spacers may be attached to the roof along a length of a pair of support brackets to provide additional load carrying capability. The perforated support is a formed plate with a plurality of perforated openings. The perforated support is attached to a top of the pair of support brackets. The plurality of cover spacers are attached to a top of the perforated support. The ridge cover includes snap clips that are sized to receive snap flanges extending from the perforated support.
US09657475B1	Suspended ceiling unit A drop panel unit of a suspended ceiling system, for preventing, in event of a fire, a suspended ceiling panel from interfering with a sprinkler system installed above the suspended ceiling system, the drop panel unit having a frame defining a drop panel opening and at least one drop panel for covering the drop panel opening. Each drop panel has a hinge for hinging the drop panel to one side of the frame, to provide for each drop panels to rotate about the hinge by gravity from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation. An electromagnetic support magnetically holds the drop panel in the horizontal orientation when electric power is provided to the electromagnetic support and a damper slows the rotation of the drop panel from the horizontal orientation to the vertical orientation when the electric power is removed from the electromagnetic support in the event of a fire.
US09657454B2	Earth retaining system such as a sheet pile wall with integral soil anchors A soil retaining system combining flat sheet pile walls in an open cell configuration includes integral soil anchors providing an improved earth retaining system. Another aspect of the invention is a method of designing and installing a soil retaining system with an open sheet pile cell structure having integral soil anchors. The method includes, inter alia, calculating soil forces by taking into account material strength of sheet pile, soil friction against the sheet pile in combination with the strength of the integral soil anchor, selecting sheet pile size and length based on soil forces calculation; and installation of sheet pile to form a soil retaining system. The integral soil anchors serve to provide higher load resistance to the improved earth retaining system.
US09657450B2	Snow clearing device A snow-plough blade group for absorbing lateral impacts comprising: a first and a second snow-removing blade; a first support bearing the blades; the second blade being mobile with respect to the first support between a first position, in which the blades identify a first snow-removing surface, and a second position in which the blades identify a second snow-removing surface larger than the first one; a second support hinged to the first support; a first hydraulic cylinder connected between the first and second support for orientating the first support with respect to the second support; a discharge of liquid in overpressure; bypass valve means connecting the first hydraulic cylinder with the discharge, which bypass valve means are configured such that when the pressure in the first hydraulic cylinder exceeds a threshold value, the bypass valve means place the first hydraulic cylinder in liquid communication with the discharge; characterized in that a sensor detects a position assumed by the second blade; and the bypass valve means vary the threshold value according to the sensor reading.
US09657449B2	Pet waste receptacle A waste receptacle for storing pet waste is provided. The waste receptacle includes a substantially planar base, peripheral sidewalls extending from the base, and an upper opening defining an interior volume configured to store animal waste therein. The peripheral sidewalls each include an upper portion connected to a lower portion. The upper portion includes ridges thereon so that a user can grip the upper portion and so that the user will not feel the pet waste when picking it up using the waste receptacle. In some embodiments, the lower portion of the waste receptacle is rigid so as to further avoid the sensation of contact between the user's hand and the pet waste stored in the waste receptacle.
US09657441B2	Filler for paper making process The present invention relates to a filler comprising clay and cellulose derivative having a degree of substitution of net ionic groups up to about 0.65.
US09657432B2	Drying apparatus and washing machine having the same and control method thereof A drying apparatus having a structure capable of improving condensation efficiency, and a washing machine having the same. The washing machine including a cabinet, a tub installed inside the cabinet, a drum rotatably installed inside the tub, a condenser duct configured to condense moisture in air introduced from the inside the drum, a drying duct configured to heat the air introduced from the condenser duct and supply the heated air to the inside the drum, and a condensation water storage unit formed at a circumference of the condenser duct to store condensation water that is used to condense the moisture in the air moving inside the condenser duct.
US09657420B2	Sheared wool weaving method A method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes providing a knitting machine having a processor programmed to cause the knitting machine to knit a wool pile fabric having a plurality of footwear components and simultaneously knitting wool fibers and a scrim to form the wool pile fabric including the footwear components.
US09657419B2	System and method for tufting sculptured and multiple pile height patterned articles A system and method for tufting sculptured and multiple pile height patterned articles, including controlling placement of yarns fed to the needles of the tufting machine by a yarn feed mechanism to form varying patterns includes a backing support over which the backing is fed, and which lifts/and biases the backing to a raised position. As the backing material is fed through the tufting machine, a series of loopers or hooks engage and pick loops of yarns from the needles. The yarn feed mechanism will be controlled to create a tension in selected loops of yarns, to cause the backing material to be pulled against the bias or spring force applied by the backing support toward the needle plate of the tufting machine to create tufts of different pile heights.
US09657417B2	Elongate self-closing sleeve for protecting elongate members having improved sound dampening quality The present disclosure concerns an elongate self-closing sleeve for protecting elongate members, said sleeve having internal and external opposite faces wherein said sleeve comprises a sound dampening textile substrate and a warp knitted textile stitched to said textile substrate. Said sound dampening textile substrate and said warp knitted textile having first and second longitudinal opposite free edges biased toward each other in order to define an internal space wherein said elongate member could be placed therein, and wherein said warp knitted textile comprises at least one first monofilament yarn that forms laying-in stitches and that is in plastic material(s).
US09657403B2	Method for preparing tin-silver alloy plating solution and plating solution prepared by same A method is described of preparing a tin-silver (Sn—Ag) alloy plating solution containing methanesulfonic acid tin, methanesulfonic acid silver, methanesulfonic acid, and an additive, wherein the method includes: (a) eliminating impurities such as released chloride compounds and released sulfur compounds, which are present in the methanesulfonic acid, (b) preparing the methanesulfonic acid tin and the methanesulfonic acid silver by dissolving, through an electrolytic process, tin and silver in the methanesulfonic acid from which the impurities are eliminated; (c) producing a mixture solution by adding the methanesulfonic acid, the methanesulfonic acid tin, the methanesulfonic acid silver, and the additive; and (d) filtering the mixture solution. And by the method thereof, current efficiency may be increased and a desirable plating film may be maintained by eliminating the impurities from the methanesulfonic acid used as a base material and preparing the Sn—Ag alloy plating solution.
US09657399B2	Ocean-going hydrogen generator An ocean-powered hydrogen generator system includes: a transportable ocean-going vessel, the vessel is movable to a location with ocean kinetic energy; a generator for converting ocean kinetic energy into electrical energy, the generator is movable on the vessel between a transport position and a generating position; a dissociator for using the electrical energy to dissociate ocean water into hydrogen and oxygen, the dissociator is located on the vessel and operatively connected to the generator; and a container for storing the generated hydrogen and oxygen on the vessel, the container is in fluid communication with the dissociator.
US09657397B2	Apparatus for treating surfaces of wafer-shaped articles An apparatus for processing wafer-shaped articles comprises a closed process chamber providing a gas-tight enclosure. A rotary chuck is located within the closed process chamber, the rotary chuck being adapted to hold a wafer shaped article thereon. A lid is secured to an upper part of the closed process chamber, the lid comprising an upper plate formed from a composite fiber-reinforced material and a lower plate that faces into the process chamber and is formed from a chemically-resistant plastic.
US09657395B2	Oxidation-resistant layer for TiAl materials and method for the production thereof The present invention relates to a protective layer for TiAl materials for affording protection against oxidation, said protective layer having a layer sequence which, proceeding from the inner side facing toward the TiAl material (1), has an inner aluminum oxide layer (5), a first gradient layer (6) comprising aluminum and a base metal with a base metal content increasing outward toward the surface side, a base metal layer (7), a second gradient layer (8) comprising aluminum and a base metal with an aluminum content increasing outward toward the surface side, and an outer aluminum oxide layer (9), and also to a method for the production thereof.
US09657386B2	Transparent conductive film and method for producing same A transparent electroconductive film includes a transparent electrode layer on a transparent film substrate. The transparent electrode layer is formed of an amorphous indium tin composite oxide and has a tin oxide content of 3 to 12% by mass and a thickness of 15 to 30 nm. In an analysis range of the transparent electrode layer, a bond energy ESn of tin 3d5/2 and a bond energy EIn of indium 3d5/2 as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement satisfy the following requirements: a minimum point of a bond energy difference between the bond energies ESn and EIn is present closer to the surface of the transparent electrode layer than a maximum point of the bond energy difference ESn−EIn; and a difference Emax−Emin between the maximum value Emax and the minimum value Emin of the bond energy difference is 0.1 eV or more.
US09657383B2	Heat resistant ferritic steel and method for producing the same There is provided a heat resistant ferritic steel including a base material including, by mass percent, C: 0.01 to 0.3%, Si: 0.01 to 2%, Mn: 0.01 to 2%, P: at most 0.10%, S: at most 0.03%, Cr: 7.5 to 14.0%, sol.Al: at most 0.3%, and N: 0.005 to 0.15%, the balance being Fe and impurities, and an oxide film that is formed on the base material and contains 25 to 97% of Fe and 3 to 75% of Cr. This heat resistant ferritic steel is excellent in photoselective absorptivity and oxidation resistance.
US09657380B2	High strength hot-rolled steel sheet having excellent ductility, stretch flangeability and uniformity and method of manufacturing the same A slab has a steel composition including 0.020% to 0.065% of C, 0.1% or less of Si, 0.40% to less than 0.80% of Mn, 0.030% or less of P, 0.005% or less of S, 0.08% to 0.16% of Ti, 0.005% to 0.1% of Al, 0.005% or less of N, and the balance being Fe and incidental impurities, in which Ti(=Ti−(48/14)×N) satisfies [Ti≧0.08] and [0.300≦C/Ti≦0.375], is subjected to hot rolling to obtain a hot-rolled steel sheet in which the steel microstructure includes, in terms of area fraction, 95% or more of a ferrite phase; the average ferrite grain size is 10 μm or less; the average grain size of Ti carbides precipitated in steel is 10 nm or less; and Ti in the amount of 80% or more of Ti is precipitated as Ti carbides.
US09657374B2	Free-machining aluminum alloy extruded material with reduced surface roughness and excellent productivity To obtain an Al—Mg—Si based aluminum alloy extruded material with a smooth surface and no burning without inhibiting the productivity. An aluminum alloy billet includes: Si: 2.0 to 6.0% by mass; Mg: 0.3 to 1.2% by mass; and Ti: 0.01 to 0.2% by mass, a Fe content being restricted to 0.2% or less by mass, with the balance being Al and inevitable impurities. The aluminum alloy billet is subjected to a homogenization treatment by keeping at 500 to 550° C. for 4 to 15 hours. The billet is forcibly cooled to 250° C. or lower at an average cooling rate of 50° C./hr or higher. Then, the billet is subjected to hot-extruding at an extrusion rate of 3 to 10 m/min by being heating at 450 to 500° C. The extruded material is forcibly cooled at an average cooling rate of 50° C./sec or higher and then subjected to an aging treatment. The extruded material can be manufactured that has its surface having a ten-point average roughness Rz of 80 μm or less.
US09657370B2	Removal method of manganese from waste water A removal method of manganese in which manganese is removed by precipitating manganese selectively from sulfuric acid waste water containing aluminum, magnesium and manganese with inhibiting the precipitation of magnesium.The removal method of manganese from waste water in which manganese is removed by precipitating manganese selectively from the sulfuric acid waste water containing aluminum, magnesium and manganese with inhibiting the precipitation of magnesium, characterized in that said waste water is subjected to the following steps (1) and (2). (1) First, aluminum in said waste water is removed. (2) Subsequently, neutralizing agent is added into the wastewater after removing aluminum, then pH of the waste water is adjusted at 8.0 to 9.0, and oxygen gas is blown.
US09657365B2	High strength medium wall quenched and tempered seamless steel pipes and related method for manufacturing said steel pipes Disclosed herein are embodiments of a seamless quenched and tempered steel pipe which can have a wall thickness WT higher than or equal to 6 mm and lower than or equal to 35 mm. Some embodiments of the steel pipe can have a chemical composition comprising C, Mn, Si, Cr, Ni, Mo, Al, N, Ca, Nb, Ti, V, Zr, and Ta based on the composition weight, the remaining being iron and impurities. In some embodiments, wherein (V+Nb) content is lower than 0.07 wt %; defining a first parameter P1=(60×C)+Cr+[5×e(35×Mo/WT)]+50×(V+Nb), the chemical composition satisfies a first condition P1≦14.5.
US09657363B2	Air hardenable shock-resistant steel alloys, methods of making the alloys, and articles including the alloys An air hardenable steel alloy is disclosed comprising, in percent by weight: 0.18 to 0.26 carbon; 3.50 to 4.00 nickel; 1.60 to 2.00 chromium; 0 to 0.50 molybdenum; 0.80 to 1.20 manganese; 0.25 to 0.45 silicon; 0 to less than 0.005 titanium; 0 to less than 0.020 phosphorus; 0 up to 0.005 boron; 0 up to 0.003 sulfur; iron; and impurities. The air hardenable steel alloy has a Brinell hardness in a range of 352 HBW to 460 HBW. The air hardenable steel alloy combines high strength, medium hardness and toughness, as compared with certain known air hardenable steel alloys, and finds application in, for example, any of a steel armor, a blast-protective hull, a blast-protective V-shaped hull, a blast-protective vehicle underbelly, and a blast-protective enclosure.
US09657359B2	Generic assays for detection of mamalian reovirus The invention relates to generic methods for the detection and quantification of mammalian reoviruses. These may uses a reverse transcription (RT-PCR) real time (q-PCR) assay which amplifies a conserved region within all MRV types. The assays allow the quantification of MRV RNA molecules, irrespective of the particular virus type (e.g. MRV-1, MRV-2). The methods are particularly applicable in the monitoring of vaccine production processes.
US09657355B2	Assays for fungal infection Methods and kits are described for testing for the presence or absence of any fungus in a sample. Examples of fungi that can be detected include, but are not limited to, those belonging to the genera Candida, Aspergillus and Pneumocystis. The methods include obtaining a sample suspected of containing fungal nucleic acid, including at least one universal region of fungal nucleic acid, and testing for the presence or absence in the sample of the at least one universal region of fungal nucleic acid. Samples may be biological or non-biological.
US09657353B2	Specific detection of organisms derived from a sample Methods, materials, and kits for distinguishing a population of cells or organisms truly present in a clinical specimen from contaminating cells or organisms is disclosed. The methods and kits use a suppressor to avoid false positive detection of contaminants in nucleic acid amplification reactions.
US09657348B2	Method of screening compounds for the treatment of diabetes A method of screening for a candidate compound for the treatment of a condition involving dysregulation of metabolism in a mammal, by bringing a compound into contact with cells that express a GPCR and that further express a GRK, determining whether the contacting causes a response of the GRK in cells brought into contact with the compound, determining whether the contacting causes a response of a classical secondary messenger in cells brought into contact with the compound; and identifying the candidate compound based on the determined GRK response and response of a classical secondary messenger in the cells. A kit for use in the method. A compound for use in the treatment of a condition involving dysregulation of metabolism in a mammal and a method of treatment of such a condition.
US09657346B2	Methods, compositions, and kits comprising linker probes for quantifying polynucleotides The present invention is directed to methods, reagents, kits, and compositions for identifying and quantifying target polynucleotide sequences. A linker probe comprising a 3′ target specific portion, a loop, and a stem is hybridized to a target polynucleotide and extended to form a reaction product that includes a reverse primer portion and the stem nucleotides. A detector probe, a specific forward primer, and a reverse primer can be employed in an amplification reaction wherein the detector probe can detect the amplified target polynucleotide based on the stem nucleotides introduced by the linker probe. In some embodiments a plurality of short miRNAs are queried with a plurality of linker probes, wherein the linker probes all comprise a universal reverse primer portion a different 3′ target specific portion and different stems. The plurality of queried miRNAs can then be decoded in a plurality of amplification reactions.
US09657344B2	Short cycle methods for sequencing polynucleotides The invention provides methods for sequencing a polynucleotide comprising stopping an extension cycle in a sequence by synthesis reaction before the reaction has run to near or full completion.
US09657341B2	Microfluidic system for nucleic acid analysis A microfluidic system for analyzing nucleic acid, the microfluidic system including a reagent supply device including a sample chamber into which a sample can be injected, one or more reagent chambers for containing one or more reagents for extracting nucleic acid from the sample, and a waste chamber in which the used reagent can be discarded; a binding-lysis chamber in which cells are captured from the sample and lysed to form a cell lysate containing nucleic acid; plurality of particles for cell binding disposed in the binding-lysis chamber; a plurality of rehydration chambers into which the cell lysate formed in the binding-lysis chamber can be distributed and mixed with a nucleic acid amplification reagent to form an amplification reaction mixture; a plurality of amplification chambers in which a nucleic acid amplification reaction is performed on the amplification reaction mixture introduced from the plurality of rehydration chambers; and a flow channel system including an outlet and a plurality of inlets connected to the reagent supply device and forming an integrated fluid flow between the binding-lysis chamber, the rehydration chambers, and the amplification chambers.
US09657339B2	Method for amplification of target nucleic acid A method for amplifying a target nucleic acid is disclosed, which includes: (a) fragmenting a nucleic acid sample to create a target fragment comprising a target nucleic acid and two probe-complementary portions; (b) contacting said fragmented nucleic acid sample with a probe comprising two target fragment-complementary portions complementary to the probe-complementary portions of the target fragment; (c) rendering the fragmented nucleic acid sample single-stranded; (d) allowing the probe-complementary portions to hybridise with the target-fragment complementary portions; (e) if the probe in step (b) is not immobilised, immobilising the probe-target fragment hybrid on a solid phase via immobilisation moiety; (f) separating non-immobilised nucleic acid fragments from the solid phase; (g) contacting the solid phase with a ligase to ligate ligatable 5′ and 3′ ends of the target fragment whereby the target fragment is circularized; and (h) amplifying said circularized target fragment.
US09657337B2	Reaction buffer for microarray Embodiments of the present invention relate to a buffer composition for an integrated nucleic acid amplification and hybridization reaction. The buffer comprise about 50-200 mM of a salt, about 10-30 mM Tris-HCl, about 2-10M Water soluble magnesium salt, about 0.05-1.5% surfactant, about 0.05-0.15 mg/ml stabilizing protein about 50-300 nM of one or more primers, about 20-150 uM of one or more dNTPs, about 5-15% glycerine, about 0.5-1.5% formamide and at least about 5 unit/ml polymerase.
US09657334B2	Assays for resistance to echinocandin-class drugs Nucleic acid amplification assays for mutations to two short sections of the fungal gene FKS1. Mutations in these target sequences have been shown to correlate with resistance to echinocandin-class drugs. Assays may include detection by sequencing or by labeled hybridization probes. Also, primers, probes and reagent kits for performing such assays.
US09657331B2	Composition and method for in-system priming microfluidic devices The present invention relates to compositions and methods for in-system priming of microfluidic devices. Aspects of the present invention relate to compositions and methods for in-system priming of microfluidic devices utilizing a priming solution comprising adding and/or increasing concentrations of surfactant in a buffer solution.
US09657326B2	Method of diagnosing pneumonia by detecting a volatile organic compound The present invention relates to a method of diagnosing an existing or developing acute pneumonia induced by a microorganism by detecting one or more volatile organic compound(s) in a subject's sample and the use of one or more volatile organic compound(s) for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenza and optionally opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans.
US09657315B2	Isobutanol production using yeasts with modified transporter expression The present invention relates to recombinant microorganisms comprising an isobutanol producing metabolic pathway and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce isobutanol. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise one or more modifications resulting in the reduction in the expression and/or activity of an endogenous transporter protein. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
US09657311B2	Lentiviral vectors containing an MHC class I, MHC class II, or B2 microglobulin upstream promoter sequence The present invention relates to the insertion of an MHC class I, MHC Class II, or β2 microglobulin upstream promoter sequence into a lentiviral vector to increase viral titers. The invention encompasses these vectors, methods of making the vectors, and methods of using them, including medicinal uses.
US09657301B2	Filamentous fungal mutants with improved homologous recombination efficiency The present invention relates to a method for increasing the efficiency of targeted integration of a polynucleotide to a pre-determined site into the genome of a filamentous fungal cell with a preference for NHR, wherein said polynucleotide has a region of homology with said pre-determined site, comprising steering an integration pathway towards HR. The present invention also relates to a mutant filamentous fungus originating from a parent cell, said mutant having an HR pathway with elevated efficiency and/or an NHR pathway with a lowered efficiency and/or a NHR/HR ratio with decreased efficiency as compared to said HR and/or NHR efficiency and/or NHR/HR ratio of said parent cell under the same conditions.
US09657299B2	Tailored oils produced from recombinant heterotrophic microorganisms Methods and compositions for the production of oil, fuels, oleochemicals, and other compounds in recombinant microorganisms are provided, including oil-bearing microorganisms and methods of low cost cultivation of such microorganisms. Microalgal cells containing exogenous genes encoding, for example, a lipase, a sucrose transporter, a sucrose invertase, a fructokinase, a polysaccharide-degrading enzyme, a keto acyl-ACP synthase enzyme, a fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase, a fatty acyl-CoA/aldehyde reductase, a fatty acyl-CoA reductase, a fatty aldehyde reductase, a fatty aldehyde decarbonylase, and/or an acyl carrier protein are useful in manufacturing transportation fuels such as renewable diesel, biodiesel, and renewable jet fuel, as well as oleochemicals such as functional fluids, surfactants, soaps and lubricants.
US09657295B2	Modified nucleosides, nucleotides, and nucleic acids, and uses thereof The present disclosure provides modified nucleosides, nucleotides, and nucleic acids, and methods of using thereof.

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