Document Document Title
US09691678B2 Semiconductor device having electrode pads arranged between groups of external electrodes
The semiconductor device has the CSP structure, and may include a plurality of electrode pads formed on a semiconductor integrated circuit in order to input/output signals from/to exterior; solder bumps for making external lead electrodes; and rewiring. The solder bumps may be arranged in two rows along the periphery of the semiconductor device. The electrode pads may be arranged inside the outermost solder bumps so as to be interposed between the two rows of solder bumps. Each trace of the rewiring may be extended from an electrode pad, and may be connected to any one of the outermost solder bumps or any one of the inner solder bumps.
US09691675B1 Method for forming an electrical device and electrical devices
A method for forming an electrical device includes attaching a semiconductor die on a carrier. The method further includes dispensing a fillet material at at least one edge of the semiconductor die arranged on the carrier. The method further includes dispensing an underfill material into a gap between the semiconductor die and the carrier after dispensing the fillet material.
US09691674B2 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing same
Provided are a semiconductor device including a terminal, a circuit substrate, and a case body and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device. A semiconductor device (100) includes a terminal (13), a circuit substrate (42), a case body (1), and a positioning component (21). The terminal (13) includes a first end portion (13a), a trunk portion (13b), and a second end portion (13c). The first end portion (13a) of the terminal (13) is secured to the circuit substrate (42). The case body (1) includes a main surface (1s), an opening portion (1op) on a side opposing the main surface (1s), and a groove hole (2) on the main surface (1s) side. A sidewall (5) and a through hole (4) are formed in the groove hole (2). The terminal (13) passes through the through hole (4) toward the main surface (1s) side from the opening portion (1op) side of the case body (1), and the second end portion (13c) protrudes from the main surface (1s) of the case body (1). The positioning component (21) with an inclined protrusion portion (23a) formed thereon is secured in the groove hole (2). The trunk portion (13b) of the terminal (13) is pressed by the inclined protrusion portion (23a) of the positioning component (21) in a direction of the sidewall (5) of the groove hole (2) to be sandwiched between the inclined protrusion portion (23a) and the sidewall (5) and supported in the groove hole (2).
US09691672B1 Integrated circuit containing standard logic cells and library-compatible, NCEM-enabled fill cells, including at least via-open-configured, GATE-short-configured, GATECNT-short-configured, and metal-short-configured, NCEM-enabled fill cells
An IC includes logic cells, selected from a standard cell library, and fill cells, configured for compatibility with the standard logic cells. The fill cells contain structures configured to obtain in-line data via non-contact electrical measurements (“NCEM”). The IC includes such NCEM-enabled fill cells configured to enable detection and/or measurement of a variety of open-circuit and short-circuit failure modes, including at least one via-open-related failure mode, one GATE-short-related failure mode, one GATECNT-short-related failure mode, and one metal-short-related failure mode.
US09691668B2 Wafer carrier
A wafer carrier comprises a supporting body having an opening therein, wherein said opening in said supporting body has a concave sidewall and a bottom surface in said supporting body which is curved in cross section; a plurality of vertical supporting rods configured to support and contact a wafer received in said opening and to displace said wafer from the bottom surface of the opening in said supporting body; wherein one of said supporting rods has an end for contacting and supporting said wafer; and wherein when viewing from a top view of the wafer carrier, one of said supporting rods has a base lining on the concave sidewall of said opening in said supporting body, a first concave side opposite to the base and two second concave sides connecting the base and the first concave side.
US09691665B2 Semiconductor structure with self-aligned spacers and method of fabricating the same
A method of fabricating a semiconductor with self-aligned spacer includes providing a substrate. At least two gate structures are disposed on the substrate. The substrate between two gate structures is exposed. A silicon oxide layer is formed to cover the exposed substrate. A nitride-containing material layer covers each gate structure and silicon oxide layer. Later, the nitride-containing material layer is etched to form a first self-aligned spacer on a sidewall of each gate structure and part of the silicon oxide layer is exposed, wherein the sidewalls are opposed to each other. Then, the exposed silicon oxide layer is removed to form a second self-aligned spacer. The first self-aligned spacer and the second self-aligned spacer cooperatively define a recess on the substrate. Finally, a contact plug is formed in the recess.
US09691660B2 Method for forming interconnects
A method of forming an interconnect composed of metallized lines and vias in a workpiece includes forming metal lines in a workpiece, with the metal lines disposed in longitudinally spaced-apart line segments, the line segments spaced apart from each other end-to-end; and forming vias in a workpiece, wherein at least one end of a first formed metal line constrains one cross-sectional dimension of a second formed via, or wherein at least one end of a first formed via constrains one cross-sectional dimension of a second formed metal line.
US09691657B2 Interconnect wires including relatively low resistivity cores
A dielectric layer and a method of forming thereof. An opening defined in a dielectric layer and a wire deposited within the opening, wherein the wire includes a core material surrounded by a jacket material, wherein the jacket material exhibits a first resistivity ρ1 and the core material exhibits a second resistivity ρ2 and ρ2 is less than ρ1.
US09691656B2 Self-forming embedded diffusion barriers
Interconnect structures containing metal oxide embedded diffusion barriers and methods of forming the same. Interconnect structures may include an Mx level including an Mx metal in an Mx dielectric, an Mx+1 level above the Mx level including an Mx+1 metal in an Mx+1 dielectric, an embedded diffusion barrier adjacent to the Mx+1 dielectric; and a seed alloy region adjacent to the Mx+1 metal separating the Mx metal from the Mx+1 metal. The embedded diffusion barrier may include a barrier-forming material such as manganese, aluminum, titanium, or some combination thereof. The seed alloy region may include a seed material such as cobalt, ruthenium, or some combination thereof.
US09691652B2 Carrier device and ceramic member
A ceramic member, in a carrier device, including: a plurality of ceramic layers; a clamping electrode formed on a first ceramic layer among the plurality of ceramic layers and inside of the plurality of ceramic layers, and configured to attract a dielectric material by electrostatic force; an electric heating element formed on a second ceramic layer, which is more distant from a side holding a carried object than the first ceramic layer among the plurality of ceramic layers, and configured to generate heat using electric power; a power feed port; a land formed on a third ceramic layer among the plurality of ceramic layers, and configured to receive electric power through the power feed port; and a via arranged to pass through at least one of the plurality of ceramic layers and provided as a conductive material to electrically connect the electric heating element with the land.
US09691646B2 Substrate processing apparatus, substrate detection method of substrate processing apparatus and storage medium
A liquid processing apparatus includes a substrate holding and rotating unit provided with a rotating plate and a substrate support unit, and a liquid supply unit. The rotating plate is connected to a rotating shaft and a central portion of the rotating shaft is exposed to outside through an opening of the rotating plate. A ring-shaped retro-reflective sheet is attached to the central portion of the rotating shaft. The central opened part of the ring-shaped retro-reflective sheet is positioned on the extended line of the central axis of the wafer holding and rotating unit. Further, a supply pipe penetrates through the central opened part of the retro-reflective sheet. Laser light is irradiated to the retro-reflective sheet from the slanted upper side, the reflected light is received by the laser light projecting/receiving part, and presence or absence of the wafer is detected by a substrate detection unit.
US09691642B2 Device for measuring undulation of brake disc in railway wheel with brake discs
A device for measuring undulation of a brake disc in a railway wheel with brake discs includes a wheel support supporting a hub's bore of the railway wheel; a first displacement gauge for measuring a height displacement of the brake disc frictional surface for one round to follow rotation of the wheel support; and a second displacement gauge for measuring a height displacement of a railway wheel rim surface for one round to follow rotation of the wheel support. A computing unit calculates a difference between maximum and minimum values of the height displacement of the frictional surface by acquiring measurement data from the first displacement gauge, calculates a difference between the maximum and minimum values of the height displacement of the rim's surface by acquiring measurement data from the second displacement gauge, and derives a difference between the both calculated differences as brake disc undulation.
US09691640B2 Mechanisms for cleaning load ports of semiconductor process tools
Embodiments of mechanisms for cleaning load ports of semiconductor process tools are provided. The automatic system includes a vacuum cleaner, a rail, and a transport mechanism. The transport mechanism is moveably disposed on the rail and transfers the vacuum cleaner along the rail. The automatic system also includes a system controller. The system controller is connected to the semiconductor process tools and the transport mechanism to detect which load port is unoccupied, such that the system controller controls the transport mechanism to transfer the vacuum cleaner to the unoccupied load port to perform a cleaning process.
US09691632B2 Epitaxial wafer and a method of manufacturing thereof
An epitaxial wafer comprises a silicon substrate wafer having first and second sides, and a silicon epitaxial layer deposited on the first side, and optionally one or more additional epitaxial layers on top of the silicon epitaxial layer, at least one of the silicon epitaxial layer or at least one of the one or more additional epitaxial layers being doped with nitrogen at a concentration of 1×1016 atoms/cm3 or more and 1×1020 atoms/cm3 or less. The epitaxial wafer is produced by depositing the silicon epitaxial layer and/or at least one of the one or more additional epitaxial layers, at a deposition temperature of 940° C. or less through chemical vapor deposition in the presence of a deposition gas atmosphere containing one or more silicon precursor compounds and one or more nitrogen precursor compounds.
US09691630B2 Etching method
An etching method includes loading a target substrate W into a chamber 40, the target substrate W having a silicon nitride film formed thereon and at least one of a polysilicon film and a silicon oxide film formed adjacent to the silicon nitride film; supplying a fluorine (F)-containing gas and an O2 gas into the chamber 40, while at least the O2 gas is excited; and selectively etching the silicon nitride film with respect to at least one of the polysilicon film and the silicon oxide film using the F-containing gas and the O2 gas.
US09691617B2 IIIA-VA group semiconductor single crystal substrate and method for preparing same
A IIIA-VA group semi-conductor single crystal substrate (2) has one of or both of the following two properties: an oxygen content of 1.6×1016-5.6×1017 atoms/cm3 in a range from the surface to a depth of 10 μm of the wafer, and an electron mobility of 4,800 cm2/V·s-5,850 cm2/V·s. Further, a method for preparing the semi-conductor single crystal substrate (2) comprises: placing a single crystal substrate (2) to be processed in a container (4); sealing said container (4), and keeping said single crystal substrate (2) to be processed at a temperature in the range of from the crystalline melting point −240° C. to the crystalline melting point −30° C. for 5 hours to 20 hours; preferably, keeping a gallium arsenide single crystal at a temperature of 1,000° C. to 1,200° C. for 5 hours to 20 hours.
US09691615B2 Chemoepitaxy-based directed self assembly process with tone inversion for unidirectional wiring
After forming a material stack including, from bottom to top, a dielectric material layer, a transfer layer, a hard mask layer and a neutral layer over a substrate, the neutral layer and the hard mask layer is patterned to create trenches therein that correspond to areas where unnecessary lines generated by a self-assembly of a self-assembling material subsequently formed and/or unnecessary portions of such lines are present. The self-assembling material is applied over the top surfaces of the patterned neutral layer and the transfer layer to form a self-aligned lamellar structure including alternating first and second domains. The second domains are removed selective to the first domains to provide a directed self-assembly (DSA) pattern of the first domains. Portions of the first domains not intersecting the trenches can be transferred into the patterned hard mask layer, resulting in a composite pattern of a pattern of trenches and the DSA pattern.
US09691606B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device, substrate processing apparatus, and recording medium
There is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, including pre-treating a surface of an insulating film formed on a substrate by supplying a precursor containing a first element and a halogen element to the substrate; and forming a film containing the first element and a second element on the pre-treated surface of the insulating film by performing a cycle a predetermined number of times, the cycle including supplying the precursor to the substrate; and supplying a reactant containing the second element to the substrate, wherein the act of supplying the precursor and the act of supplying the reactant are performed non-simultaneously.
US09691604B2 LDMOS transistor and fabrication method thereof
A LDMOS transistor includes a semiconductor substrate with a first doping type; a plurality of first trenches formed in the semiconductor substrate; a wave-shaped drift region with an increased conductive path and a second doping type formed on the semiconductor substrate between adjacent first trenches and the semiconductor substrate exposed by side and bottom surfaces of the first trenches; a first shallow trench isolation (STI) structure formed in each of the first trenches; a body region with the first doping type formed in semiconductor substrate at one side of the drift region; a gate structure formed over portions of the body region, the drift region and the first STI structure most close to the body region; a source region formed in the body region; and a drain region formed in the drift region at one side of the first STI structure most far away from the body region.
US09691595B2 Modulation of instrument resolution dependant upon the complexity of a previous scan
Systems and methods are used to analyze a sample using variable detection scan resolutions. A tandem mass spectrometer is instructed to perform at least two scans of a sample with different detection scan resolutions using a processor. The tandem mass spectrometer includes a mass analyzer that allows variable detection scan resolutions. The selection of the different detection scan resolutions can be based on one or more properties of sample compounds. The properties may include a sample compound molecular weight distribution that is calculated from a molecular weight distribution of expected compounds or is determined from a list of molecular weights for one or more known compounds. The tandem mass spectrometer can also be instructed to perform an analysis of the sample before instructing the tandem mass spectrometer to perform the at least two scans of the sample.
US09691594B2 Method for analysis of sample and apparatus therefor
A thermal analysis step, a molecule ionization step and a molecular structure analysis step are executed in parallel to a temperature increasing step. In the molecule ionization step, component molecules contained in gas evolved from a sample S due to temperature increase are ionized, and in the molecular structure analysis step, any selected ion out of molecular ions obtained in the molecule ionization step is dissociated to generate fragment ions corresponding to the structural factors of the molecule, and the structure of the molecule is analyzed on the basis of the fragment ions.
US09691593B2 Plasma processing device and plasma processing method
To provide a plasma processing device and a plasma processing method capable of performing high-speed processing. In an inductively-coupled plasma torch unit, a coil, a lid and a first ceramic block are bonded together, and a long chamber has an annular shape. Plasma generated in the chamber is ejected from an opening in the chamber toward a substrate. The substrate is processed by moving the long chamber and the substrate mounting table relatively in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the opening. The first ceramic block is cooled efficiently by allowing a refrigerant to flow in a refrigerant flow path.
US09691580B2 Fuse holder and configurable bus module for power distribution system
An embodiment of a power distribution system has been disclosed. The power distribution system includes a fuse holder having a plurality of line-side terminals. The power distribution system also includes a bus module having an enclosure and a conductor disposed within the enclosure. The conductor includes a comb-type bus bar having a base member and a plurality of branch members extending from the base member and each embodying a terminal connectable to one of the line-side terminals of the fuse holder.
US09691578B2 Relay assembly with exhaust cover
In some aspects, a relay assembly having an exhaust cover is provided. The relay assembly can include a housing, a relay enclosed within the housing, and the exhaust cover. The exhaust cover can be positioned in an opening of the housing that is adjacent to the relay. The exhaust cover can move in a direction away from the relay in response to a pressure generated inside the housing by the relay being communicated to the exhaust cover.
US09691577B2 Relay
Disclosed is a relay. The relay includes a first fixed contact, a second fixed, a movable contact, and a first magnet and a second magnet. The first contact part is disposed at a position which is closer to a distance to the second magnet than a distance to the first magnet, and the second contact part is disposed at a position which is closer to the distance to the first magnet than the distance to the second magnet. Accordingly, arcs are prevented from gathering at one position, and a contacting force between the movable contact and the fixed contacts is prevented from being reduced.
US09691573B2 Electrical switch and slider assembly therefor
A slider assembly is for an electrical switch such as, for example, a dimmer switch. The dimmer switch includes a switching member and a housing member. The housing member overlays the switching member and includes an exterior surface, an interior surface, and an elongated slot. The slider assembly includes a slider structured to cooperate with the switching member. The slider includes an interface portion and an attachment portion. The attachment portion extends through the elongated slot of the housing member. The interface portion is movably disposed on the exterior surface of the housing member. A shutter is coupled to the slider. The shutter includes a plurality of resilient elements structured to engage the interior surface of the housing member, thereby creating a friction force associated with movement of the slider.
US09691562B2 Electric switching device with enhanced Lorentz force bias
An electric switch is disclosed. The electric switch has a first terminal, a second terminal, a contact sub-assembly comprising at least two contact members disposed in a current path between the first and second terminals, the contact sub-assembly having a connecting position in which the contact members contact each other and an interrupting position in which the contact members are spaced apart from each other a Lorentz force generator comprising a first conductor member and a second conductor member, and at least one support Lorentz force generator. The Lorentz force generator and the at least one support Lorentz force generator both bias the contact sub-assembly into the connecting position, the current path extending from the first terminal to the second terminal through the contact sub-assembly in the connecting position.
US09691556B2 Electrochemical devices comprising graphene
Disclosed herein are embodiments of an electrochemical device comprising graphene material made using embodiments of the method disclosed herein. Also disclosed is a graphene electrode comprising the graphene material made using embodiments of the method disclosed herein. The graphene material disclosed herein for use in the disclosed electrochemical devices has superior properties and activity compared to carbon-based materials known and used in the art. The disclosed graphene material can be used in multiple different technologies, such as water treatment, batteries, fuel cells, electrochemical sensors, solar cells, and ultracapacitors (both aqueous and non-aqueous).
US09691552B2 Electrolytic solution for aluminum electrolytic capacitor, and aluminum electrolytic capacitor using same
In order to render an electrolytic solution not leak from a sealed part even at a higher temperature of the environment or in a high-humidity condition to enhance the reliability of an electrolytic capacitor, an electrolytic solution for an aluminum electrolytic capacitor is described. The electrolytic solution includes an aprotic solvent (A), an electrolyte (D) containing a salt composed of a cation (B) represented by formula (1) and an anion (C), and a compound (E) represented by formula (2) and having a content of 0.01 to 3 wt % relative to the total weight of (A) and (D): wherein in formulae (1) and (2), R1 to R3 are each C1-3 alkyl, R4 to R7 are each C1-3 alkyl or a hydrogen atom, and R8 to R14 are each C1-3 alkyl or a hydrogen atom.
US09691549B2 Laminated ceramic capacitor having rare-earth element in crystal grains of dielectric ceramic layers
A laminated ceramic capacitor that includes a laminated body that has dielectric ceramic layers including crystal grains and crystal grain boundaries and has internal electrode layers; and external electrodes on the surface of the laminated body and electrically connecting the internal electrode layers exposed at the surfaces of the laminated body. When a direct-current voltage is applied to the laminated ceramic capacitor, the voltage/current curve has a critical point dividing the curve into a first area on the lower-voltage side and a second area on the higher-voltage side, an electric field obtained by dividing the critical voltage at the critical point by the thickness of one of the dielectric ceramic layers when the voltage (V)/current (I) characteristics are measured at 25° C. is 10 V/μm or more, and the voltage/current curve has a slope of 3 or less in the second area.
US09691546B2 Electronic part and method for forming joint structure of electronic part and joining object
An electronic part including an electronic part main body and an external electrode on the surface of the electronic part main body. The external electrode includes at least one alloy layer selected from among a Cu—Ni alloy layer and a Cu—Mn alloy layer, and an antioxidant film formed on the outer side of the alloy layer. The antioxidant film is one of a Sn-containing film, a noble metal film, and an organic substance film.
US09691545B2 Developing bulk exchange spring magnets
A method of making a bulk exchange spring magnet by providing a magnetically soft material, providing a hard magnetic material, and producing a composite of said magnetically soft material and said hard magnetic material to make the bulk exchange spring magnet. The step of producing a composite of magnetically soft material and hard magnetic material is accomplished by electrophoretic deposition of the magnetically soft material and the hard magnetic material to make the bulk exchange spring magnet.
US09691543B2 High voltage transformer arrangement for high voltage tank assembly
A high voltage transformer arrangement for supplying power to a high voltage tank assembly is disclosed. The high voltage transformer arrangement includes a first core arranged in the high voltage tank assembly and a secondary winding configured on the first core, a second core positioned outside of the high voltage tank assembly and at a predefined distance from the first core, and a primary winding configured on the second core. The second core and the primary winding transfers current received from an external power source to the first core and secondary winding for supplying power to the high voltage tank assembly.
US09691533B2 Magnetic circuit
A magnetic circuit, provided with a short magnet and short magnet that are arranged in an array, and a yoke and a yoke provided so as to sandwich the short magnet and short magnet. The short magnet and short magnet, are arranged, that have a space between them that is a predetermined gap or less in the arrangement direction of the array respectively. In addition, the short magnet and short magnet are arranged so that one magnetic pole is located on the side toward one of the pair of yokes and, and the other magnetic pole is located on the side toward the other yoke.
US09691531B2 Magnet apparatus
A magnet apparatus which comprises a first vacuum chamber, a second vacuum chamber, a first magnet disposed within the first vacuum chamber such that the first magnet can be thermally isolated from the exterior of the first vacuum chamber, and a load connector extending from the first vacuum chamber into the second vacuum chamber so that a load on the first magnet can be transferred to the second vacuum chamber, wherein the load connector is in thermal contact with the first magnet and can be thermally isolated from the exterior of the first vacuum chamber and the exterior of the second vacuum chamber.
US09691530B2 Superconducting coil device with continuous current switch and method for switching
A coil device with at least one electrical coil winding with superconducting conductor material and a vacuum container is described in which the vacuum container surrounds the coil winding. The coil winding is part of a self-contained circuit for the formation of a continuous current. The closed circuit has a switchable conductor section, the conductor of which can be switched between a superconducting state and a normally conducting state by a magnetic device. The magnetic device has an internal part arranged inside the vacuum container and an external part arranged outside the vacuum container.
US09691528B2 Ferrite particles for bonded magnets, resin composition for bonded magnets, and molded product using the same
The present invention relates to ferrite particles for bonded magnets having a bulk density of not more than 0.75 g/cm3 and a degree of compaction of not less than 65%, a resin composition for bonded magnets using the ferrite particles and the composition, and a rotor. The ferrite particles for bonded magnets and the resin composition for bonded magnets according to the present invention are capable of providing a bonded magnet molded product having a good tensile elongation and an excellent magnetic properties.
US09691526B2 Method for making carbon nanotube composite film
A method for making carbon nanotube composite film is provided. An original carbon nanotube film includes carbon nanotubes joined end to end by van der Waals attractive force. The carbon nanotubes substantially extend along a first direction. A patterned carbon nanotube film is formed by patterning the original carbon nanotube film to define at least one row of through holes arranged in the original carbon nanotube film along the first direction. Each row of through holes includes at least two spaced through holes. The patterned carbon nanotube film is treated with a polymer solution. The patterned carbon nanotube film is shrunk into the carbon nanotube composite film.
US09691521B2 Rectangular insulated wire and electric generator coil
A rectangular insulated wire includes a rectangular conductor having a generally rectangular cross section, a thermosetting resin layer provided to cover the rectangular conductor, and a plurality of thermoplastic resin layers provided on the thermosetting resin layer. An adhesion strength between the thermosetting resin layer and the thermoplastic resin layer is 50 gf/mm to 100 gf/mm.
US09691518B2 Medical cable
A medical cable includes a plurality of cables, a braided shield covering a circumference of the plurality of cables together and being formed of tubular braided strands, and a jacket covering a circumference of the braided shield. The braided strands includes a copper foil yarn, which includes a highly stretchable polyethylene terephthalate monofilament yarn having a tensile strength of not lower than 700 MPa and an elongation of not lower than 50 percent and not higher than 100 percent, and a copper strip wound helically at a pitch around a surface of the highly stretchable polyethylene terephthalate monofilament yarn. The copper foil yarn has an entire push and recover ratio of not lower than 80 percent.
US09691514B2 Electrical assembly having a fibrous conductive interface between a conductive composite component and a metallic component
An electrical assembly including a first element, such as a connector body, formed of a conductive composite material and a second element formed of a solid metallic material, such as a sheet metal electromagnetic interference shield, defining a fibrous conductive region formed of a plurality of metallic filaments. The conductive composite material forming the first element completely surrounds a portion of the fibrous conductive region. Conductive fibers in the conductive composite material are in intimate contact with the fibrous conductive region, forming a very high number of electrical contact points between the conductive fibers in the conductive composite material and the fibrous conductive region and thereby providing a robust electrical connection between the first element and the second element.
US09691512B2 Chopper disc as well as device and method for manufacturing same
A chopper disc for a device for the processing of neutron beams is made of carbon fibers and has a concentric, hollow cylindrical recess for receiving a hub for connection to a pivot bearing. The chopper disc also includes a concentric absorber area for absorbing neutrons striking the chopper disc and at least one window in the absorber area through which neutrons of the neutron beam can pass. The carbon fibers extend from the outer periphery of the chopper disc radially in the direction of the recess and contact the recess tangentially.
US09691501B2 Testing for threshold voltage and bit cell current of non-volatile memory arrays
A method of testing non-volatile memory arrays. A first test stage including at least a first stage read uses a first step size for setting current for BCC testing and/or voltage for VT testing for reading at least some memory cells. A second test stage including at least one second stage read uses an adjusted step size less in magnitude than the first step size for reading at least some memory cells. Provided no bit pattern match by the second test stage and/or the adjusted step size does not meet a predetermined minimum resolution (PMR), one or more additional test stages including additional array searching are added using a fixed step size less in magnitude than the adjusted step size including at least one read until a final read determines the predetermined repeating bit pattern is matched and a fixed step size for the final read meets the PMR.
US09691500B2 Casimir effect memory cell
A digital memory device includes a moveable element that is configured to move between a first stable position and a second stable position, where the moveable element comprises a first conducting area. The digital memory device further includes a second conducting area on the surface of a substrate. At the first stable position of the moveable element, a first gap exists between the first conducting area and the second conducting area. At the second stable position of the moveable element, a second gap that is smaller than the first gap exists between the first conducting area and the second conducting area. In at least the second stable position, an attractive Casimir force between the moveable element and the substrate holds the moveable element in the stable position.
US09691498B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit according to an embodiment includes a plurality of first wiring lines electrically connected to a plurality of input wiring lines; a plurality of second wiring lines electrically connected to a plurality of output wiring lines, the second wiring lines crossing the first wiring lines; and a plurality of cell arrays each of which includes memory elements disposed at intersection regions of a part of the first wiring lines and a part of the second wiring lines, each of the memory elements including a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal being electrically connected to one of the first wiring lines, the second terminal being electrically connected to one of the second wiring lines, and each of the second wiring lines being electrically connected to at most one of the cell arrays.
US09691486B2 Data storage device and method of programming memory cells
A method of programming a non-volatile memory device includes programming memory cells selected from the plurality of memory cells by increasing turn values of program loops based on an incremental step pulse program (ISPP) algorithm; detecting a first turn value of a first program loop wherein, in the first program loop, a first number or a first ratio of first unprogrammed memory cells is smaller than or equal to a first set value; calculating a second turn value of a second program loop based on the first turn value wherein, in the second program loop, a second number or a second ratio of second unprogrammed memory cells is expected to be smaller than or equal to a second set value, the second set value being smaller than the first set value; executing subsequent program loops on the unprogrammed memory cells up to the second program loop; detecting a third number or a third ratio of third unprogrammed memory cells in the second program loop; comparing the third number or the third ratio of the third unprogrammed memory cells to the second set value; determining a program pass when the third number or the third ratio of the third unprogrammed memory cells is smaller than or equal to the second set value; and determining a program fail when the third number or the third ratio of the unprogrammed memory cell exceeds the second set value.
US09691479B1 Method of operating and apparatus of memristor arrays with diagonal lines interconnect between memristor cells
A method of operating a plurality of memristive cells coupled as a memristor array includes initializing a first select line, and, in parallel for a number of memristor cells in the first select line, determining whether a level of conductance of the memristor cells in the first select line are within a tolerance of a reference conductance, and, in response to a determination that the level of conductance is not within the tolerance of the reference conductance, adjusting the level of conductance for the memristor cells in the first select line.
US09691477B2 Resistive memory system and method of operating the resistive memory system
A resistive memory system having a plurality of memory cells includes a memory device having a resistive memory cell array and a controller. The controller generates write data to be written to the memory cell array by encoding input data such that the input data corresponds to an erase state and a plurality of programming states that a memory cell may have. The input data is encoded such that at least one of the number of memory cells assigned a first programming state and the number of memory cells assigned a second programming state is smaller than at least one of the numbers of memory cells in the erase state and the other programming states. The first programming state has a highest resistance level among the plurality of programming states, and the second programming state has a second highest resistance level among the plurality of programming states.
US09691464B2 Fast programming of magnetic random access memory (MRAM)
A method of programming an MTJ includes selecting the MTJ and an access transistor coupled thereto. The gate of the selected access transistor is coupled to a selected word line (WL), which is raised to a first voltage, Vdd, and is then allowed to float. The first voltage and a second voltage, Vx, are respectively applied to a selected bit line (BL) coupled to the selected MTJ and a selected source line (SL) coupled to the selected access transistor, thereby driving a switching current through the selected MTJ from the selected BL to SL. Alternatively, the switching current may be reversed by applying 0 V and Vdd to the selected BL and SL, respectively. Moreover, the second voltage is applied to other BLs not coupled to the selected MTJ and the first voltage is applied to other SLs not coupled to the selected access transistor, thereby boosting the voltage of the floating WL to above the first voltage.
US09691463B1 Spin hall effect MRAM with self-reference read
Techniques for writing magnetic random access memory (MRAM) using the spin hall effect with a self-reference read are provided. In one aspect, an MRAM device is provided. The MRAM device includes: a plurality of first spin hall wires oriented orthogonal to a plurality of second spin hall wires; a plurality of magnetic memory cells configured in an array between the first spin hall wires and the second spin hall wires; and a plurality of transistors connected to the magnetic memory cells by the first spin hall wires. Methods of operating an MRAM device are also provided.
US09691449B2 Semiconductor device and data processing system with coordinated calibration and refresh operations
Provided is a memory control technique for avoiding that the issue of a refresh command and the issue of a calibration command are arranged in succession.The memory control circuit issues a refresh command to make a request for a refresh operation based on a set refresh cycle, and issues a calibration command to make a request for a calibrating operation based on a set calibration cycle, for which the control function of suppressing the issue of the calibration command only for a given time after the issue of the refresh command, and suppressing the issue of the refresh command only for a given time after the issue of the calibration command is adopted.
US09691447B2 Memory controller with staggered request signal output
A memory controller having a time-staggered request signal output. A first timing signal is generated while a second timing signal is generated having a first phase difference relative to the first timing signal. An address value is transmitted in response to the first timing signal and a control value is transmitted in response to the second timing signal, the address value and control value constituting portions of a first memory access request.
US09691443B2 Apparatuses and methods for compensating for process, voltage, and temperature variation in a memory
Systems and methods are described for compensating for variations in process, voltage, temperature, or combinations thereof in an apparatus. An example apparatus may be a memory circuit. A pre-driver circuit and driver circuit may be associated with the memory circuit. A reference generator may provide the pre-driver circuit with reference signals that are insensitive to process, voltage, and temperature. The pre-driver circuit may receive the reference signals and the pre-driver circuit output ramping rate may then be made less sensitive to variations in process, voltage, and temperature. The pre-driver circuit output may then be supplied to a driver circuit that may then output a final driver data output with reduced noise.
US09691435B2 Memory drive storage tray and memory drive carrier for use therewith
Technology is provided for a memory drive carrier. The memory drive carrier adapts a memory drive for insertion into a drive bay that is larger than the memory drive. The memory drive carrier includes an adapter body having a frame that defines an envelope compatible with the drive bay. The adapter body also includes a plurality of spaced apart walls defining a slot sized to receive the memory drive and position the memory drive's connector within the envelope adjacent an associated drive connector of the drive bay. The frame includes a plurality of interconnected wall portions and partitions that have one or more vent openings.
US09691431B2 Generating videos of media items associated with a user
A method includes grouping media items associated with a user into segments based on a timestamp associated with each media item and a total number of media items. The method also includes selecting target media from the media items for each of the segments based on media attributes associated with the media item. The method also includes generating a video that includes the target media for each of the segments by generating a first animation that illustrates a first transition from a first item from the target media to a second item from the target media with movement of the first item from an onscreen location to an offscreen location, wherein the first item is adjacent to the second item in the first animation and determining whether the target media includes one or more additional items. The method also includes adding a song to the video.
US09691428B2 Identifying available exercises for customizing an exercise session
System, apparatuses, and methods can provide customized exercise sessions and customized videos corresponding to the exercise session. Exercise components that are available to a user for an exercise category can be determined based on a user rank in the category and a rank of the components in the category. Certain available components can be selected to include in a customized session.
US09691427B2 Method and apparatus for detecting tightness of a pick-up head, method for controlling the moving of the pick-up head
A method and apparatus for detecting tightness of a pick-up head, and a method and apparatus for controlling the moving of the pick-up head are disclosed. The method for detecting the tightness of the pick-up head includes moving the pick-up head to an inner area of the disc reading device when then disc reading device is powered on, moving the pick-up head to an outer area of the disc reading device within a predetermined time period, moving the pick-up head from the outer area of the disc reading device to the inner area at a constant speed by a first fixed force, and recording the moving duration for moving the pick-up head from the outer area of the disc reading device to the inner area at the constant speed.
US09691426B2 Optical device and optical disc recording or reproducing method for optical disc including BCA having zone format identifier
According to an optical disc, a track, where data is recorded in predetermined block units, is formed by wobbling at a spatial period in accordance with a radial position, and the track is divided into zones in a radial direction. Data is recorded in each of the zones at a predetermined line density based on a ratio n/m of the number of bits of a bit pattern of recording data to one wavelength of wobbling. The optical disc includes a first area having one of the zones, a second area having one of the zones different from the one of the zones in the first area, and a line density of data different from a line density of data in the first area, and a BCA where a zone format identifier specifying a zone table defining a boundary position of each of the zones and the ratio n/m is recorded.
US09691425B2 Laminating magnetic cores for on-chip magnetic devices
A laminating structure includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, a first spacer disposed between the first and second magnetic layers and a second spacer disposed on the second magnetic layer.
US09691422B1 Slider air-bearing surface designs with efficiency-flattening hole
Disclosed herein are hard disk drive sliders having an air-bearing surface (ABS) with an efficiency-flattening hole (EFH). The sliders comprise a trailing edge pad that has a first surface at a first level with a first perimeter, a second surface at a second level, the second level being below the first level, the second surface being substantially parallel to the first surface, the second surface having a second perimeter, wherein the second perimeter is within the first perimeter, and a third surface at a third level, the third level being below the second level, the third surface being substantially parallel to the first and second surfaces, the third surface having a third perimeter, wherein the third perimeter is within the second perimeter.
US09691421B2 Writing spirals with accurate slope on a disk drive media
A reference spiral is written on a recording surface of a magnetic storage disk that is free of position or timing information. The reference spirals are written on the recording surface with a substantially uniform slope by using open loop control of the position of a read/write head in conjunction with an iterative learning control scheme. A voltage profile applied to a voice coil motor is adapted over multiple iterations of moving the read/write head across the recording surface to closely approximate a target voltage profile, and the reference spiral is written using the adapted voltage profile. In addition, ramp contact detection based on actuator current profile may be employed to achieve full utilization of available actuator stroke.
US09691416B1 Microwave assisted magnetic recording head with trailing shield heat sink
A magnetic write head having a heat sink structure located adjacent to a trailing magnetic shield. The heat sink structure prevents heat generated by the magnetic oscillator current from causing damage to and reducing reliability of the magnetic write head. The trailing magnetic shield is substantially aligned with the magnetic oscillator, allowing the heat sink structure to wrap around the sides and back of the trailing magnetic shield and to provide good heat conduction away from the write pole, magnetic oscillator and trailing magnetic shield. The heat sink structure can be constructed of a material such as Ru, TiN, Cu, Au, Ag and AlN, and is preferably constructed of Au, which has excellent thermal properties.
US09691413B2 Identifying sound from a source of interest based on multiple audio feeds
Methods and systems for identifying sound from a source of interest are provided for herein. In some embodiments, a first audio feed is captured by a first microphone and a second audio feed is captured by a second microphone. The first microphone may be located closer in proximity to the source of interest than the second microphone. The first audio feed can be processed utilizing the second audio feed to produce a first processed audio feed that can enable identification of sound originating from the source of interest. In some embodiments, the second audio feed can be additionally processed utilizing the first audio feed to produce a second processed audio feed. In such embodiments, frequencies from the first processed audio feed can be compared against frequencies of the second processed audio feed to identify sound originating from the source of interest. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed herein.
US09691411B2 System and method for assessing suicide risk of a patient based upon non-verbal characteristics of voice data
A method for assessing suicide risk for a human subject including receiving recorded voice data of the subject; and classifying the subject as suicidal or non-suicidal based upon a computerized analysis of one or more nonverbal characteristics of the speech data, especially features associated with a breathy phonation type. The analysis of the nonverbal characteristics of the voice data can include an analysis of acoustic characteristics of speech, and/or an analysis of prosodic and voice quality-related features of the voice data. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
US09691409B2 Earset and control method for the same
Disclosed are an earset that may correct a frequency band of a voice coming from a user's ears into a frequency band of a voice coming from the user's mouth, and a control method for the same.According to an embodiment, the control method for the earset including a first earphone unit that is inserted into ears of a user while including a first microphone and a first speaker, and a main body in which a second microphone is disposed, the control method includes: determining whether a voice correction function is activated; and correcting a frequency band of a voice input to the first microphone into a frequency band of a voice input to the second microphone, when the voice correction function is activated.
US09691400B1 Spectral translation/folding in the subband domain
The present invention relates to a new method and apparatus for improvement of High Frequency Reconstruction (HFR) techniques using frequency translation or folding or a combination thereof. The proposed invention is applicable to audio source coding systems, and offers significantly reduced computational complexity. This is accomplished by means of frequency translation or folding in the subband domain, preferably integrated with spectral envelope adjustment in the same domain. The concept of dissonance guard-band filtering is further presented. The proposed invention offers a low-complexity, intermediate quality HFR method useful in speech and natural audio coding applications.
US09691397B2 Device and method data for embedding data upon a prediction coding of a multi-channel signal
A device for embedding data upon a prediction coding of a multi-channel signal includes a storage unit to store a code book that includes a plurality of prediction parameter sets, each of the plurality of prediction parameter sets including a plurality of kinds of prediction parameters for a processing regarding the prediction coding. The device extracts a plurality of candidates of a prediction parameter set for the multi-channel signal from the code book, wherein the plurality of candidates are capable of suppressing a prediction error in the prediction coding within a predetermined range, converts an embedding object that is at least part of the data in accordance with a number corresponding to a number of the candidates, selects, from the plurality of candidates, the prediction parameter set corresponding to the converted embedding object, and multiplexes the selected prediction parameter set with coded data which are down-mixed from the multi-channel signal.
US09691396B2 Speech/audio signal processing method and apparatus
The present invention discloses a speech/audio signal processing method and apparatus. In an embodiment, the speech/audio signal processing method includes: when a speech/audio signal switches bandwidth, obtaining an initial high frequency signal corresponding to a current frame of speech/audio signal; obtaining a time-domain global gain parameter of the initial high frequency signal; performing weighting processing on an energy ratio and the time-domain global gain parameter, and using an obtained weighted value as a predicted global gain parameter, where the energy ratio is a ratio between energy of a historical frame of high frequency time-domain signal and energy of a current frame of initial high frequency signal; correcting the initial high frequency signal by using the predicted global gain parameter, to obtain a corrected high frequency time-domain signal; and synthesizing a current frame of narrow frequency time-domain signal and the corrected high frequency time-domain signal and outputting the synthesized signal.
US09691394B2 System and method for interactive voice response unit table-based programming
An embodiment provides a modular framework for managing multiple router applications in an interactive voice response (IVR) system. In an embodiment, a single table-driven framework approach is taken in which multiple IVR router applications, including menu/response type call routing applications and/or frequently asked question (FAQ)/response applications, may be managed in a more streamlined fashion. In an embodiment, a menu is presented to the caller. The menu is part of the router application which references information stored in a database, e.g., voice files and grammars, defined in a format, e.g., in table format. An embodiment analyzes the caller's responses against the menu's information to determine the appropriate actions to take and the appropriate data to retrieve. An embodiment also provides a centralized authentication process that may be used for all self-service router applications that require or somehow make use of authentication.
US09691390B2 System and method for performing dual mode speech recognition
A system and method is presented for performing dual mode speech recognition, employing a local recognition module on a mobile device and a remote recognition engine on a server device. The system accepts a spoken query from a user, and both the local recognition module and the remote recognition engine perform speech recognition operations on the query, returning a transcription and confidence score, subject to a latency cutoff time. If both sources successfully transcribe the query, then the system accepts the result having the higher confidence score. If only one source succeeds, then that result is accepted. In either case, if the remote recognition engine does succeed in transcribing the query, then a client vocabulary is updated if the remote system result includes information not present in the client vocabulary.
US09691388B2 Differential dynamic content delivery with text display
Differential dynamic content delivery including providing a session document for a presentation, wherein the session document includes a session grammar and a session structured document; selecting from the session structured document a classified structural element in dependence upon user classifications of a user participant in the presentation; presenting the selected structural element to the user; streaming presentation speech to the user including individual speech from at least one user participating in the presentation; converting the presentation speech to text; detecting whether the presentation speech contains simultaneous individual speech from two or more users; and displaying the text if the presentation speech contains simultaneous individual speech from two or more users.
US09691387B2 Conversation support apparatus, control method of conversation support apparatus, and program for conversation support apparatus
A conversation support apparatus includes: a speech input unit configured to input speech signals of two or more users; a speech recognizing unit configured to recognize the speech signals input from the speech input unit; a display unit configured to display the recognition results of the speech recognizing unit; and an image processing unit configured to set display areas respectively corresponding to the users into an image display area of the display unit.
US09691385B2 Methods and apparatus for associating dictation with an electronic record
According to some aspects, a method of associating dictation with an electronic record in a system having a dictation system comprising a dictation application for capture of speech input and a separate electronic records system for managing electronic records is provided. The method comprises receiving, by the dictation application, speech input from a user corresponding to a dictation to be associated with an electronic record of the electronic records system, obtaining, by the dictation application, a job identifier associated with the dictation, providing, by the dictation application, the job identifier and audio data based on the speech input for transcription, obtaining, by the dictation application, a dictation marker comprising the job identifier and one or more delimiters, and causing the dictation marker to be inserted into the electronic record.
US09691371B1 Air adsorbing and sound absorbing structure
An air adsorbing and sound absorbing structure with a first portion comprising a first material comprising an open-celled foam with an air-adsorbing material coupled to the foam, where the first portion has a first air adsorption capacity and a first density. There is a second portion fixed to or integral with the first portion, wherein the second portion comprises one or more of: a different material than the first material, a second air adsorption capacity that is different than the first air adsorption capacity, and a second density that is different than the first density.
US09691359B2 Vehicle display system with transparent display layer
The invention pertains to display method, a computer program for performing the steps of the display method and a display system (1), the display system having for example: at least one display unit (13, 16) arranged to present at least one display image, at least one memory unit (12, 15) comprising information related to for example descriptions of a set of default graphics display objects (W1-W3) and configuration data. The configuration data is arranged to define: at least one transparent display layer (L1-L3), at least one transparent display container (CO0-CO2) associated to the at least one transparent display layer and at least one display mode. Each of said at least one display mode comprising a predetermined selection of one or more of said at least one transparent display container of one or more of said at least one display layer.
US09691355B2 Method of reading data, method of transmitting data and mobile device thereof
A method of reading data for a display drive IC of a panel is provided. The method includes receiving a write format and at least one image packet, generating a synchronization signal according to the write format, and reading data of the at least one image packet according to the synchronization signal such that the panel uses a video mode to display the data of the at least one image packet.
US09691348B2 Pixel circuit and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display including the same
A pixel circuit for an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display is disclosed. In one aspect, the pixel circuit includes a current provider electrically connected to a current source and configured to perform a current sinking operation in response to a first scan signal and to adjust a driving current based on the current sinking operation. The pixel circuit also includes a digital driver configured to control a flow of the driving current provided from the current provider in response to a data signal and a second scan signal. The pixel circuit further includes a plurality of pixel selectors configured to provide the driving current received from the digital driver to an OLED in response to a third scan signal.
US09691344B2 Liquid crystal display device having a master and slave drivers and driving method thereof
According to one embodiment, a power reception section connects to the battery side, and receives supply of power, a detection section detects a singular state where a voltage of the battery side has fallen to a value less than or equal to a predetermined voltage value, a shifting section receives a detection output of the singular state from the detection section to thereby shift to singular control, and a driver connection section connects the plurality of drivers to each other. If the detection section in one of the liquid crystal display drivers has detected the singular state, the shifting section executes the singular control, and the driver connection section notifies the other liquid crystal display drivers that the singular state has been detected.
US09691342B2 Display device and display device driver
A display device includes a display device, a driver to drive the source line of the display device, and a control unit to compress image data and generate compression data, and supply transfer data containing compression data to the driver. The control unit includes a first sorter circuit to perform a sorting process on image data, and a compression circuit to perform a compression processing on a first sorted image data output from the sorter circuit and generate compression data. The compression processing performs different processing on image data of sub-pixels corresponding to different colors. The driver includes a decompression circuit to decompress compression data and generate decompression data, a second sorter circuit to perform the sorting process on the image data and generate a second sorted image data, and a display drive circuit to drive a source line in response to the second sorted image data.
US09691340B2 Polarity reversion driving method and apparatus of liquid crystal display, and a liquid crystal display
Polarity reversion driving method and apparatus of liquid crystal display and a liquid crystal display are provided. In the method, four frames constitute one polarity reversion driving period, in which a first frame and a third frame have a same polarity arrangement with reversed polarities; a second frame and a fourth frame have a same polarity arrangement with reversed polarities; the first frame and the second frame have different polarity arrangements and corresponding pixels in adjacent two frames have complementary charging effects. The apparatus includes a time schedule controller, a logic controller and a source driver. Charging effects of pixels in frames are controlled by setting a polarity arrangement of pixels in each frame so that charging effects of corresponding pixels are complementary in adjacent two frames, thereby relieving the problem of reduced display quality due to inconsistent charging effects of pixels on two sides of data lines.
US09691326B2 Display device
Provided is a display device including: a plurality of pixels, each of the pixels including: a first switching transistor including a gate electrode coupled to a scan line, a first electrode coupled to a data line, and a second electrode coupled to a first node; a first driving voltage transistor including a gate electrode coupled to the first node, and a first electrode coupled to a first driving voltage; a write transistor including a gate electrode coupled to a write line, a first electrode coupled to a second electrode of the first driving voltage transistor, and a second electrode coupled to a second node; a second switching transistor including a gate electrode coupled to the second node, a first electrode coupled to a first power voltage, and a second electrode coupled to an organic light emitting diode; and a first capacitor coupled between the first node and the second node.
US09691318B2 Image display method and device and electronic apparatus
An image display method, device and electronic apparatus avoid to some extent a problem of a poor display effect due to adjusting an image purely depending on an RGB image conversion algorithm. The solution comprises obtaining a brightness value of current ambient light; performing image conversion on a frame of image having three primary color components to obtain a first display information, the first display information comprising four primary color gray scale values of each pixel in the image; adjusting the first display information to a second display information according to the brightness value, the second display information comprising four primary color gray scale values of each adjusted pixel; and displaying the image according to the second display information.
US09691315B2 Touch-type input device
A touch-type input device includes a touch panel including drive electrodes and sensor electrodes. Capacitors are formed at intersections of the drive electrodes and sensor electrodes. A controller determines whether a conductive foreign matter exists on the touch panel from raw data values indicating changes in the capacitances of the capacitors from initial reference values. The controller determines touching of the touch panel from control data values indicating changes in the capacitances of the capacitors from control reference values changed when a conductive foreign matter exists. When the raw data values indicate existence of a conductive foreign matter, the controller sets the control reference value of each capacitor to a raw data reference value corresponding to the present raw data value. The controller updates the initial reference value when the touch-type input device is activated and updates the control reference value when the control reference value is erroneous.
US09691311B1 Banner stand assembly
A banner stand assembly. The banner stand assembly includes pair of horizontal members that are insertable through channels in a banner, a plurality of vertical members removably securable therebetween, and a plurality of triangular support members having a flexible central portion slidably and removably secured to the vertical members. The support members are angularly adjustable via movement along the vertical members. The flexible central portion allows the angle of the banner to be adjusted and allows the banner stand assembly to maintain even footing on sloped terrain. The support members are individually height adjustable so that the banner stand assembly can support a banner on varied terrain.
US09691304B2 Item hanging and manipulating apparatus
An apparatus for hanging and manipulating items that are suspended from a ceiling or wall. The apparatus includes hanging structures to suspend items from a wall or ceiling, a remotely controlled motorized take up reel system to raise and lower the items by way of suspension lines so the items can either be positioned, replaced, repaired or displayed, and a leveling system. The system can be safely operated without a person having to move a ladder in place and go up the ladder to work with the suspension item.
US09691298B1 Interactive driver development
Methods, computer-readable media, software, and apparatuses provide an interactive application, such as a video game, that presents gaming and driving challenges to facilitate improvement of driving skills and development of safe driving behavior. Drive data may be collected while a user is driving a vehicle and the drive data may be used to define a graphically simulated virtual world. A drive score may also be calculated based on the drive data. Portions of the graphically simulated virtual world may be unlocked based on the drive score. Also, attributes of a character within the graphically simulated virtual world may be modified based on the drive score.
US09691296B2 Methods and apparatus for conversation coach
In exemplary implementations of this invention, a display screen and speakers present an audiovisual display of an animated character to a human user during a conversational period of a coaching session. The virtual character asks questions, listens to the user, and engages in mirroring and backchanneling. A camera and microphone gather audiovisual data regarding behavior of the user. After the conversational period, the display screen and speakers display feedback to the user regarding the user's behavior. For example, the feedback may include a plot of the user's smiles over time, or information regarding prosody of the user's speech. The feedback may also include playing a video of the user that was recorded during the conversational period. The feedback may also include a timeline of the human user's behavior. The virtual coaching may be provided over the Internet.
US09691292B1 Multimedia training system and apparatus
A method for providing interactive training, whereby a video display and a base station are coupled in communication with a computer. A plurality of wireless handheld remotes are configured for wirelessly communicating with the base station, and each of the remotes is operable by a respective trainee of a group of trainees. Each remote has a remote ID unique from all other remotes and is stored in non-volatile memory of the computer; and the base station includes a base station ID code unique from all other base stations, and the base station ID is stored in non-volatile memory of each remote. Unique IDs prevents interference from other wireless devices including remotes paired with other base stations. It also makes it unnecessary for one training system to operate on a different channel from another training system.
US09691287B1 Graphical method to set vertical and lateral flight management system constraints
A method. The method includes receiving user input data from a user interface system. The user input data includes user gesture data, wherein the user gesture data is associated with one or more detected user gestures. The method also includes manipulating one or more graphical flight path elements based at least upon received user gesture data. The method further includes performing at least one flight path modification operation based at least upon one or more factors and the received user gesture data. The method additionally includes outputting updated graphical data to the user interface system, wherein the updated graphical data includes updated graphical flight path element data and updated graphical flight path data.
US09691285B2 Unmanned aerial vehicle communication, monitoring, and traffic management
A computer-implemented method of communicating with an unmanned aerial vehicle includes transmitting a first message via a communications transmitter of a lighting assembly for receipt by an unmanned aerial vehicle. The first message includes an identifier associated with the lighting assembly, and the lighting assembly is located within a proximity of a roadway. The method also includes receiving a second message from the unmanned aerial vehicle via a communications receiver of the lighting assembly. The second message includes an identifier associated with the unmanned aerial vehicle. The method further includes transmitting a third message via the communications transmitter of the lighting assembly for receipt by the unmanned aerial vehicle. The third message includes an indication of an altitude at which the unmanned aerial vehicle should fly.
US09691282B2 Limiting the activation of an emergency steer assistant
A method for a driver assistance system for a vehicle is specified, wherein objects in the surroundings of a vehicle are detected on the basis of data of a system that covers the surroundings, and a potential free zone in which only no objects and/or objects which the vehicle can drive over have been reliably detected is determined. The potential free zone is verified by further vehicle and/or surroundings information.
US09691278B2 Systems and methods for traffic control
Systems and methods for real-time emergency vehicle authentication at traffic signal and tollgates are disclosed. In certain example embodiments, a dispatch server can provide identifying credentials and time-bounded intersection tickets (TBIT) to traffic signals and tollgates for conducting authentication of emergency vehicles. The emergency vehicles can transmit a traffic light control message requesting expedited access through a traffic signal or tollgate. The traffic signal or tollgate can decrypt the message using the TBIT. It can further determine if the identifying credential received from the emergency vehicle is authorized for expedited access and if the message was received within a required time period. In response, the traffic signal or tollgate can determine its current signal or gate position and determine if a change needs to be made to provide expedited access to the emergency vehicle.
US09691277B2 Integrated still image, motion video and speed measurement system
Devices capable of capturing still and motion imagery are integrated with an accurate distance and speed measuring apparatus. By measuring the changing distance of the target over that time, a target's speed can be determined. At substantially the same time as the target's speed is determined, imagery of the target is captured in both a still and moving format. Using a queuing mechanism for both distance and imagery data along with time stamps associated with each, a target's image, both in motion and still, can be integrated with its speed. In situations in which a still image is unavailable, a target's speed can be associated with a portion of a continuous stream of motion imagery to a point where a positive identification can be captured with a still image.
US09691276B2 Estimating travel times through transportation structures using location traces
A method, apparatus, computer program product, and device with various means are disclosed for determining the time it takes to a traverse a transportation structure by enclosing a representation of a transportation structure with a bounding polygon, specifying a plurality of gates which represent legitimate entry or exit points of the transportation structure as one or more edges of the bounding polygon, and computing the travel time for a probe traveling through the bounding polygon via the gates. Computing the probe's travel time comprises generating a location trace of movement of the probe, determining an entry and exit time, and calculating the difference between the exit time and the entry time. Determining the entry and exist time can be done by interpolation. An average of a set of computations can be used to get an average of the time it takes traverse the transportation structure.
US09691268B2 Automatic intrusion detector threshold controlling systems and methods
A system for automatically controlling intrusion thresholds of intrusion detectors deployed in a premises, the system including intrusion detector output receiving functionality operative to receive at least one output from at least a first intrusion detector deployed in the premises, intrusion detector output comparison functionality operative to compare the at least one output from the at least a first intrusion detector with at least one of a multiplicity of premises intrusion detection patterns, and intrusion detector threshold controlling functionality operative, in response to ascertaining that the at least one output from the at least a first intrusion detector matches at least one of the multiplicity of premises intrusion detection patterns, to automatically tune a threshold of at least a second intrusion detector deployed in the premises.
US09691266B2 Smart hazard detector drills
Systems and methods for initiating a drill by receiving an indication to start a drill. The indication to start the drill is received via a first network interface having a first network interface type. The drill is propagated to other devices in a network via a second network interface having a second network interface type.
US09691261B2 Home automation communications
A system includes a computing device programmed to receive an alert signal indicating an issue associated with a customer premises. The computing device is further programmed to transmit a notification signal to a plurality of remote devices, determine whether at least one of the plurality of remote devices has responded to the notification signal, and transmit an update signal to the other of the plurality of remote devices after one of the plurality of remote devices has responded to the notification. The update signal indicates that one of the plurality of remote devices has responded to the notification signal.
US09691260B2 Electronic device with orientation-based alert adjustment
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that allow an electronic device to autonomously adapt one or more user alerts to the current operating environment of the electronic device. For example, some embodiments may include a method comprising providing a plurality of alert devices in an electronic device, determining an operating environment of the electronic device using a sensor of the electronic device, and actuating at least one of the plurality of alert devices that corresponds to the determined operating environment.
US09691258B2 Smart hazard detector providing follow up communications to detection events
Ambient amount of a hazardous condition may be monitored. A mode may be set to a state indicative of the hazardous condition being present in the ambient environment. It may then be determined that the amount of the hazard in the ambient environment has dropped below an alarm criterion. A time period may then be tracked during which the amount of the hazardous condition present in the ambient environment of the hazard detector has remained below the alarm criterion. It may be determined that the time period has reached at least a threshold duration, during such time period the amount of the hazardous condition present in the ambient environment of the hazard detector having remained below the alarm criterion. An indication of the hazardous condition easing may be output in response to the time period being at least the threshold duration.
US09691255B2 Control device, and control system
To improve the accuracy of the determination on whether or not a moving object is present in a predetermined region, a control device for use in a system configured to conduct presence-or-absence determination on whether or not a moving object is present on the basis of detection by a first sensor provided in a predetermined compartment region, the control device comprising: a mode control section configured to control switching of an operation mode for the detection by the first sensor or the presence-or-absence determination; and an acquisition section configured to acquire a determination result of whether or not a moving object is present in an adjacent region adjacent to the predetermined compartment region and not including the predetermined compartment region; wherein the mode control section controls the switching of the operation mode in response to the determination result acquired by the acquisition section, is provided.
US09691254B2 Real-time alarm system for field safety management and driving method thereof
A real-time alarm system for field safety management, including: an RF communication module for outputting a warning sound or making an LED emit light, as a warning signal is received through an RF transmit and receive unit; a field management communication terminal for monitoring in real-time a body temperature displacement value, a heartbeat displacement value or a slope displacement value transmitted from the RF communication module and creating the warning signal; and a general server for periodically receiving the body temperature displacement value, the heartbeat displacement value or the slope displacement value at intervals of a day, a week, a month or a year through a wired or wireless communication network previously connected to the field management communication terminal and deriving a plurality of quantitative graphs related to safety management status of a field where the RF communication module is located.
US09691249B1 Vehicular child or pet alarm
The vehicular child or pet alarm is an alarm system adapted for use with vehicles. The vehicular child or pet alarm is an in-vehicle sensor system that identifies when occupants, particularly children and pets, are in the vehicle. The sensor system is in communication with a key alarm and a case alarm. If sensor system detects an occupant within the vehicle and determines that either the key alarm or the case alarm are greater than a predetermined distance from the sensor system than an alarm is generated on the key alarm or the case alarm, respectively, and a text message is sent to a designated personal data device that is configured to receive text messages. The vehicular child or pet alarm comprises a sensor system, a key alarm, and a case alarm.
US09691248B2 Transition to accessibility mode
An approach is disclosed that provides assistance to disabled individuals when utilizing public spaces. In the approach, a wireless message is received at a detector of the system with the wireless message being from a device worn by a disabled individual. The wireless message includes impairment data pertaining to the disabled individual. In addition, reception of the wireless message indicates that the disabled individual has entered a physical area that provides accommodations to disabled individuals. The approach identifies an impairment pertaining to the disabled individual and adjusts a device setting of a device in the physical area based on the identified impairment of the disabled individual.
US09691245B2 Method for remote initialization of targeted nonlethal counter measures in an active shooter suspect incident
The present invention is directed to providing a method and system that enables a first responder police Incident Commander to take command and control of a building having an active suspect ongoing event. Using the method and system herein, the Police Incident Commander is able to clearly distinguish the positions of his building entry teams (BETs) in the building relative to the position of the suspect through a graphic display of Friend and Foe designation whereupon he can precisely direct their maneuver to close with the suspect. The incident commander communicates to a Command and Control Center to arm non-lethal chemical canisters pre-located in “Hot Zones” for use in remotely incapacitating the intruders. When the intruders, boxed in by the BETs, enter a “Hot Zone” the incident commander gives the command to release the non-lethal chemical/smoke, ammonia spray that disorients and blinds the intruders allowing the BETs to safely end the incident.
US09691240B2 Floor covering system with sensors
A floor covering system can include sensors below a top surface of a floor covering and that can communicate data to a controller for monitoring events occurring in the room with the floor covering. The sensors can include a wireless transmitter associated with a tile connector, a pressure sensor, and a force sensor. The tile connector is positioned between a floor and a floor covering to connect tiles of the floor covering together. The pressure sensor is positioned between the floor and the floor covering. The force sensor is positioned between the floor and the floor covering. The controller is configured for receiving data from the pressure sensor, the wireless transmitter, and the force sensor.
US09691235B2 Communication apparatus and method for controlling the same
A communication apparatus that can be driven with a battery includes: an authentication unit arranged to authenticate a battery attached to the communication apparatus; and a wireless communication unit arranged to communicate with an external apparatus via a wireless network. The wireless communication unit of the communication apparatus is arranged to output a result of authentication by the authentication unit to the external apparatus via the wireless network.
US09691233B2 Cassette for use with an automated banking machine that can receive power and communicate via magnetic induction
In an example embodiment, a document holding cassettes that can be used in an automated banking machine that includes circuitry that is wirelessly powered through inductive coupling. The cassette can wirelessly communicate with the automated banking machine through induction.
US09691215B2 Gaming system and method for offering simultaneous play of multiple games
Gaming apparatus and methods of conducting a wagering game of chance. A gaming machine is disclosed which is configured for mutually concurrent play of a plurality of games of chance on a single display screen. A method of conducting a wagering activity includes providing a player with a plurality of differing games of chance, at least some of which are mutually concurrently playable on a single screen display of a gaming device and enabling mutually concurrent play of the plurality of differing games of chance on the single screen display. Various other gaming machine configurations and methods of play related to multiple differing games of chance on a single display screen are also disclosed herein. Networked gaming machines are also disclosed.
US09691211B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
An image processing apparatus includes an image acquiring unit that reads the front surface of a medium irradiated with first light to acquire a first image, and reads the front surface of the medium irradiated with second light including ultraviolet rays to acquire a second image, by driving an image sensor, a first corrected-image generating unit that generates a first corrected image by decreasing brightness of the first image, a second corrected-image generating unit that generates a second corrected image by increasing contrast of the second image, and a synthetic image generating unit that generates a synthetic image by synthesizing the first corrected image and the second corrected image.
US09691199B1 Remote access control
Methods and devices for using a backend system to allow access to a residence are provided herein. In some embodiments, a call box located at a residence may call a telephone number associated with a user account on the backend system that corresponds to a resident of the residence. When the call box calls the telephone number associated with the user account, an audio message may be provided that includes a question whose answer is a user selected passphrase. A response to the question is then analyzed to determine whether or not the response includes the passphrase. If so, a signal, such as an audible tone, is provided to the call box. The audible tone, when played, may cause a door of the residence to become unlocked.
US09691195B2 Vehicle event recorder systems and networks having integrated cellular wireless communications systems
Vehicle event recorder systems are arranged to be in constant communication with remote servers and administrators via mobile wireless cellular networks. Vehicle event recorders equipped with video cameras capture video and other data records of important events relating to vehicle use. These data are then transmitted over special communications networks having very high coverage space but limited bandwidth. A vehicle may be operated over very large region while maintaining continuous communications connections with a remote fixed server. As such, systems of these inventions may be characterized as including a mobile unit having: a video camera; a microprocessor; memory; an event trigger; and mobile wireless transceivers, and a fixed network portion including: mobile wireless cellular network, a protocol translation gateway, the Internet and an application-specific server.
US09691190B2 Location based parking meter time reminder
In embodiments of the disclosure, location information can be used to automatically set a parking meter time reminder on a user's mobile device. For example, after determining that the user has parked once a destination has been reached, the user's location can be used to determine if the vehicle has been parked at a parking meter (or other timed parking), and a reminder can be set based on a time limit associated with that parking location. The reminder can display periodic notifications on the user's mobile device until it is detected that the user has driven the vehicle away from the parking spot.
US09691189B1 Accident assessment and reconstruction systems and applications
Accident assessment and reconstruction systems and applications are described. A computer system and software application to reconstruct the scene of an automobile accident by rendering two-dimensional or three-dimensional visual perspectives of an accident. Furthermore, a computer system and software application to assess damage to a vehicle following an accident by rendering a three-dimensional perspective of a vehicle. The three-dimensional perspective of a vehicle illustrates the severity of damage to the vehicle. The rendered visual perspectives create more realistic and detailed documentation of an accident may be useful in accident reporting and insurance claim reporting.
US09691188B2 Tolling system and method using telecommunications
System, arrangement and method for tolling includes a location determining system arranged at least partly in a vehicle to determine the vehicle location during vehicular travel, a toll database including data about tolls for use of a plurality of lanes of a multi-lane roadway at a plurality of different geographic points, the toll data being different for different lanes of the multi-lane roadway at at least one geographic point, and a communications device arranged on the vehicle. A processor directs transmission including the determined vehicle location and an identification of the vehicle by the communications device to a remote site separate and apart from the vehicle. A toll is determined at the remote site based on the toll database and the vehicle location which is the lane-specific location of the vehicle or based on at least two vehicle locations each of which is a lane-specific location of the vehicle.
US09691182B1 System and method for adaptive display restriction in a headset computer
An apparatus for improving the safety of a driver while driving a car, the apparatus comprising a headset for combining an unobstructed view with a virtual overlay, the virtual overlay created from a virtual output provided to the headset, the virtual output having one or more portions, a memory, a processor, at least one input device coupled to the memory and capable of delivering input device data to the memory, an application stored in the memory that when executed by the processor determines characteristics of the driver or an environment around the driver based upon data from the at least one input device, and a controller that based on the determined characteristics performs one or more of the following: block a portion of the virtual output to the virtual overlay, alters at least a portion of the virtual output to the virtual overlay, or adds a new portion to the virtual output.
US09691173B2 System and method for rendering in accordance with location of virtual objects in real-time
There is provided a system and method for rendering in accordance with location of virtual objects in real-time. There is provided a method for persistent association of a graphic overlay with a virtual object in a displayable environment, comprising receiving a first three-dimensional coordinate of the virtual object in the displayable environment, determining a three-dimensional coordinate of the graphic overlay in accordance with the first three-dimensional coordinate of the virtual object, tracking a movement of the virtual object in the displayable environment by receiving one or more second three-dimensional coordinates of the virtual object, and modifying the three-dimensional coordinate of the graphic overlay in accordance with the one or more second three-dimensional coordinates of the virtual object.
US09691172B2 Furry avatar animation
Apparatuses, methods and storage medium associated with animating and rendering an avatar are disclosed herein. In embodiments, the apparatus may comprise an avatar animation engine to receive a plurality of fur shell texture data maps associated with a furry avatar, and drive an avatar model to animate the furry avatar, using the plurality of fur shell texture data maps. The plurality of fur shell texture data maps may be generated through sampling of fur strands across a plurality of horizontal planes. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US09691153B1 System and method for using image data to determine a direction of an actor
Example systems and methods are disclosed for determining the direction of an actor based on image data and sensors in an environment. The method may include receiving point cloud data for an actor at a location within the environment. The method may also include receiving image data of the location. The received image data corresponds to the point cloud data received from the same location. The method may also include identifying a part of the received image data that is representative of the face of the actor. The method may further include determining a direction of the face of the actor based on the identified part of the received image data. The method may further include determining a direction of the actor based on the direction of the face of the actor. The method may also include providing information indicating the determined direction of the actor.
US09691151B1 Using observations from one or more robots to generate a spatio-temporal model that defines pose values for a plurality of objects in an environment
Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for generating and using a spatio-temporal model that defines pose values for a plurality of objects in an environment and corresponding times associated with the pose values. Some implementations relate to using observations for one or more robots in an environment to generate a spatio-temporal model that defines pose values and corresponding times for multiple objects in the environment. In some of those implementations, the model is generated based on uncertainty measures associated with the pose values. Some implementations relate to utilizing a generated spatio-temporal model to determine the pose for each of one or more objects an environment at a target time. The pose for an object at a target time is determined based on one or more pose values for the object selected based on a corresponding measurement time, uncertainty measure, and/or source associated with the pose values.
US09691150B2 Image processing apparatus, image processing method and storage medium
An image processing apparatus includes: an image obtaining unit configured to obtain a first image by imaging an object using a first imaging apparatus, a second image by imaging the object using a second imaging apparatus, a third image by imaging the object using an image capturing unit whose position is associated with the second imaging apparatus; and an alignment unit configured to align the object in the first image with the object in the second image so that observation information of the object in the first image matches observation information of the object in the third image.
US09691140B2 Global matching of multiple images
Global matching of pixel data across multiple images. Pixel values of an input image are modified to better match a reference image with a slope thresholded histogram matching function. Visual artifacts are reduced by avoiding large pixel value modifications. For large intensity variations across the input and reference image, the slope of the mapping function is thresholded. Modification to the input image is therefore limited and a corresponding modification to the reference image is made to improve the image matching. More than two images may be matched by iteratively modifying a cumulative mass function of a reference image to accommodate thresholded modification of multiple input images. A device may include logic to match pixel values across a plurality of image frames generated from a plurality of image sensors on the device. Once matched, image frames may be reliably processed further for pixel correspondence, or otherwise.
US09691135B2 Selective brightness control in photography
A computer determines one or more brightness levels associated with a first set of pixels within a light source in an image. The computer determines a brightness effect on a second set of pixels in the image based on the one or more brightness levels associated with the first set of pixels within the light source. The computer receives input to alter at least one of the one or more brightness levels associated with the first set of pixels within the light source. The computer alters one or more brightness levels associated with the second set of pixels in the image based on the received input and the determined brightness effect.
US09691128B2 Aggregating and displaying social networking system user information via a map interface
A map interface presents a geographic map with markers identifying geographic locations associated with content items. When the geographic distance between two or more content items is less than a threshold distance, multiple content items are grouped to create an aggregated content item. Based on the geographic locations associated with the grouped content items, a geographic location is associated with the aggregated content item. A single marker identifies the geographic location for the aggregated content item on the geographic map. When a user viewing the map interface accesses the single marker, content selected from the content items combined to generated the aggregated content item is presented as well as the geographic location associated with the aggregated content item.
US09691122B2 Facilitating dynamic and efficient pre-launch clipping for partially-obscured graphics images on computing devices
A mechanism is described for facilitating dynamic and efficient pre-launch clipping for partially-obscured images on computing devices. A method of embodiments, as described herein, includes receiving state data relating to an image having partially-obscured regions, where the image is capable of being processed on a graphics processing unit of a computing device, and evaluating the state data, where evaluating includes computation of at least one of visible pixels and invisible pixels of the image. The method may further include selecting the visible pixels to be included in processing of the image, where the invisible pixels are ignored. The method may further include processing the image based on the visible pixels.
US09691119B2 Recording medium and data transmission system
A recording medium stores a plurality of commands which are executed by a visual interface apparatus including a display panel and a control unit. The commands comprise controlling the control unit to integrate a display data and a transmission data, and controlling the control unit to transmit the integrated display data and transmission data to the display panel. The commands also include controlling the control unit that the display panel displays an image according to a display data, and controlling the control unit to couple an encoded signal containing the transmission data to an operation apparatus through an electrode of the display panel. A data transmission system is also disclosed in the invention. Thus, the wireless transmission function can be achieved by the display panel without the need of adding other components and the application of the electronic apparatus can be thus expanded.
US09691114B2 Consumables inventory management method
A method of managing an inventory includes associating an identifier with a container system component such as a container, a sensor or a substance, where the sensor is configured to determine an indication of an attribute of the substance stored in the container. The method further may include associating an identifier with a container system member within a dataset remote to the container; remotely receiving container system data including the identifier and the indication of the attribute; and performing at least one data processing task associated with the container system data.
US09691104B2 System and method for providing revenue protection based on weather derivatives and merchant transaction data
Processor-executable methods, computing systems, and related processing for the creation, transaction, administration, management and communication of data relating to weather-related guarantees or revenue protection policies for mitigating the risk of loss of recurrent merchant revenue due to one or more weather conditions, based on analysis of revenues resulting from payment card transactions associated with the merchant.
US09691099B2 Methods and systems to alert a user of a network-based marketplace event
A system to alert a user of a network-based marketplace event. The system receives the network-based marketplace event and determines if the network-based marketplace event is associated with a network-based marketplace alert that has been requested by the user. If so, the system communicates the network-based marketplace alert to the client machine over a persistent connection, the network-based marketplace alert to alert the user of the network-based marketplace event.
US09691090B1 Data processing systems and methods for operationalizing privacy compliance and assessing the risk of various respective privacy campaigns
Data processing systems and methods for retrieving data regarding a plurality of data privacy campaigns and for using that data to assess a relative risk associated with the data privacy campaign. In various embodiments, the system may be adapted to: (1) display one or more visual summaries of one or more data flow diagrams that visually depicts key features of the data flow, such as whether data is confidential and/or encrypted; (2) allow for multiple users to be assigned responsibility for populating different respective questions that are required to define the data flow; (3) automatically assess and display a relative risk associated with each campaign; and (4) automatically set, monitor, and facilitate the timely completion of an audit schedule for each campaign.
US09691086B1 Adaptive content rendering
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium for rendering a content item. A method includes: providing a request to a server computer, the request in the form of a request for a content item to fill a content item slot on a page to be displayed on a client device or a request for search results; receiving, in response to the request, a content item for display on the client device; and initiating the display of the content item including executing a script that identifies a plurality of layout options for the display of the content item, evaluates the plurality of layout options based on one or more criteria, and renders the content item in accordance with one of the plurality of layout options based on the evaluation.
US09691085B2 Systems and methods of natural language processing and statistical analysis to identify matching categories
Combining the natural language processing of product descriptions and statistical analysis of payment data to classify consumers based on products purchased and merchants based on products sold. Systems and methods use natural language processing techniques to interpret the descriptions of item level purchase data to classify products that have been purchased by customers into micro-categories. Statistical deviation methods are applied to the payment data to calculate normalized mean product cost, after removing outliers. After determining the micro-categories of the products purchased and the mean product cost of the purchased products, the system and methods classify consumers and merchants into categories based at least in part on the product micro-categories, mean costs, and relative volume of product types sold by merchants to predict which consumers are likely to purchase from which merchants.
US09691084B1 Targeted advertising using temporal analysis of user specific data
Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer program products are described for providing temporally relevant targeted content items. A set of user data is used to determine current user interests as indicated by one or more recent events. Content items relevant to those events are identified and ranked based on a time that the corresponding event occurred. One or more of the top ranked content items can be delivered to a user.
US09691075B1 Name comparison
The present disclosure extends to comparing two or more names in a database of contact records. In embodiments, systems of the present disclosure execute a comparison of submitted names to determine if the records should be linked and/or merged. Embodiments of the present disclosure can compensate for irregularities in the database of contact records, including inconsistent name prefixes and suffixes, misspellings, typographical errors, misordered first/last names, and nicknames.
US09691068B1 Public-domain analyzer
Some implementations include searching for and analyzing public-domain-status information about works (such as e-books) over the Internet. A computer system may search for works recently made available online that are categorized as being in the public domain. Associated metadata is analyzed to generate a confidence level regarding whether the works are in the public domain or protected by copyright. Based on the confidence level, decisions can be made, such as whether to make the works available for free in a particular country.
US09691067B2 Validation database resident on a network server and containing specified distinctive identifiers of local/mobile computing devices may be used as a digital hardware key in the process of gaining authorized access to a users online website account such as, but not limited to, e-commerce website account, online financial accounts and online email accounts
The present invention consists of methods whereby local/mobile computing devices are registered by collecting a set of hardware and/or software distinctive identifiers to be saved in a validation database residing on a validation database server/Web server, such that the local/mobile computing device can be used as a digital hardware key for right of access and authorization of electronic transactions. This is done by comparing a regenerated set of hardware and/or software distinctive identifiers with those previously registered in the validation database in order to validate the identity of the local/mobile computing device. The invention consists of a first software program executing on a local/mobile computing device that generates the set of hashed and/or encrypted hardware and/or software distinctive identifiers and a second software program resident residing on a validation database server/Web server that manages the validation database.
US09691065B2 Automated transactions clearing system and method
Embodiments of the present invention are related to systems and methods of verifying the integrity of transactions that traverse through complex system workflows, and particularly, verifying the integrity of financial and non-financial transactions that traverse through a plurality of financial systems making up one or more system workflows. In one embodiment, a clearing system is disclosed to include a central clearing engine configured for processing a plurality of transactions by retrieving transaction data of at least one transaction of the plurality of transactions from at least one data source based on a selection received. After parsing the transaction data, the central clearing engine may verify transaction data integrity based on the transaction data and determine a result, and generate a report based on the result.
US09691054B2 Method for nonintrusive identification and ordering of component parts
A noninstrusive system and method of scanning an object having component parts includes a vendor based data repository of component parts and a matching processor to receive a scanned image representative of the assembled object and to provide suggested and/or matched component parts for purchase from the vendor.
US09691052B2 Method, a system and a server for business appointment scheduling using text messages
The present disclosure relates to a method, a system and a server using text messages for scheduling of business appointments. A server receives an initial text message having been transmitted over a wireless network by a mobile terminal. The initial text message includes a function keyword. Based on the function keyword, the server determines a type of requested service and creates a unique page identification for a scheduler page. The server transmits toward the mobile terminal over the wireless network, a reply text message including the unique page identification. The server detects an access of the scheduler page by the mobile terminal, the access including an entry of appointment data. An appointment is scheduled in the scheduler page, using the entered appointment data.
US09691048B1 Photoconductive multi-resonator chipless RFID
A chipless RFID transponder is disclosed. The transponder comprises an antenna and a plurality of resonant structures that together define a spectral signature of the RFID transponder. Each of the resonant structures comprises conductive portions separated by interstitial regions. A reversible photoconductive material is disposed in the interstitial regions of the resonant structures between the conductive portions. The photoconductive material is positioned so as to shift the spectral signature of the RFID when exposed to radiation.
US09691046B1 System and method for risk analyzed program planning (RAPP)
A planning method that supports go/no-go decisions to launch or continue transformative programs that typically have durations of several years to achieve desired outcomes. Examples include organizational centralization and decentralization, process improvement, continuous improvement, Agile Management and Enterprise Resource Management. A multi-step method provides a seamless path from human judgments regarding desired outcomes and their associated accomplishments, obstacles and risk factors, to financial risk assessments for achieving those desired outcomes. The methods use of Project and Project Risk management technology provides a seamless path to more detailed granularity required for project management of program implementations as well as a return to less granularity to repeat earlier steps of the multistep method, to reassess program progress. Techniques from several planning disciplines including, Project Management, Project Risk Management, Scenario Planning, Financial Modeling, and most notably Backcasting are used.
US09691042B2 E-Business value web
A method and system is provided to manage and track changes in enterprise architectures. The invention provides a hierarchical visual management tool to manage and update relational information within an enterprise in a controlled fashion. The relationship may be maintained in a database and displayed via graphical user interface. Enterprise assets are categorized into such categories as goals, customer values or requirements, capabilities, resources, and the like. A hierarchy is constructed so that relationships between these various categories are identified and captured using the invention. Weights may be assigned to each element of the categories so that any proposed change to an enterprise architecture may be viewed so that a value can be ascertained and compared between other values of other proposed changes. In this manner, tracking and management of evolutionary changes to an architecture may be accomplished using relational information.
US09691038B2 Method and apparatus for examining workflow processes
A method and apparatus for examining workflow processes can include monitoring system having a definition element that selectively defines one or more workflow process elements of a corresponding workflow, and a monitor element that identifies one or more monitoring parameters for each of the workflow process elements. The system can also include one or more operational aspects of the one or more workflow process elements according to corresponding definitions and monitoring parameters.
US09691032B2 Knowledge discovery from belief networks
Techniques are disclosed herein for making predictions with respect to how content consumers will interact with a digital asset. For example, in the context of website visitors browsing digital assets provided via a website, web traffic data can be collected and modeled using a belief network. The belief network may represent a probability distribution for a set of variables that define the web traffic data. Examples of such variables include browser type, browsing session duration, geographic location, visitor demographic characteristics, and a browsing outcome. Certain of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used to extract knowledge from the belief network, thereby allowing statistical inferences to be drawn with respect to how certain classes of website visitors will interact with the website. The influence of one or more first variables (for example, geographic location) can be quantified with respect to one or more second variables (for example, the successful result indicator).
US09691031B2 Efficient fact checking method and system utilizing controlled broadening sources
An efficient fact checking system analyzes and determines the factual accuracy of information and/or characterizes the information by comparing the information with source information. The efficient fact checking system automatically monitors information, processes the information, fact checks the information efficiently and/or provides a status of the information.
US09691030B2 Assisted labeling of devices with disaggregation
Electrical usage of devices in a building may be monitored to assist a user in labeling devices. In some implementations, a user may provide information about a first device, and this information may be used to obtain a plurality of mathematical models that each correspond to a device or a class of devices. The mathematical models may be used to process an electrical signal, and a score may be generated for each mathematical model. A mathematical model may be selected from the plurality of mathematical models using the scores, such as selecting a mathematical model with a highest score. The first device may be associated with the selected mathematical model.
US09691029B2 Methods for predicting age-or developmental stage-appropriate foods for children
The present disclosure provides methods for classifying food products and predicting appropriate ages and/or developmental stages that children should be provided with certain food products. In an embodiment, the methods include mathematical models that use the measurements of key texture attributes to predict the minimum age and/or developmental stage of food products. Using the methods of the present disclosure, classification of food products can be directed during early product development. Additionally, the methods of the present disclosure have generated an understanding of which key texture attributes differentiate appropriate products across developmental stages.
US09691027B1 Confidence level threshold selection assistance for a data loss prevention system using machine learning
Machine-learning based detection (MLD) profiles can be used to identify sensitive information in documents. The MLD profile can be used to generate a confidence value for the document that expresses the degree of confidence with which the MLD profile can classify the document as sensitive or not. In one embodiment, a data loss prevention system provides or suggests a confidence level threshold to a user of the data loss prevention system by providing a confidence level threshold for the MLD profile to the user, the confidence level threshold to be used as the boundary between sensitive data and non-sensitive data. In one embodiment the provided confidence level threshold is determined by scanning a random data set using the MLD profile.
US09691023B2 Exercise behavior prediction
Methods, apparatuses, and computer readable mediums for exercise behavior prediction are provided. In a particular embodiment, the prediction evaluation controller is configured to generate an exercise activity pattern based on correlations between scheduling of a user's historical non-exercise events and the user's historical exercise events. In the particular embodiment, the prediction evaluation controller is also configured to generate, based on the generated exercise activity pattern, by the prediction evaluation controller, a future exercise event to correspond with a future non-exercise event scheduled on the user's calendar. In the particular embodiment, the prediction evaluation controller is also configured to provide an indication of the generated future exercise event.
US09691016B2 RFID tag for a package of tablets
An RFID tag to is attached to a metal member including a slit, the RFID tag including conductive members attached to a surface of the metal member at corresponding sides of the slit in a width direction of the slit through an isolator; and an IC chip that receives power through the conductive members. Each of the conductive members has a shape to avoid overlapping with storing portions, each of the storing portions being configured to store one of tablets.
US09691007B2 Identification apparatus and method for controlling identification apparatus
An identification apparatus performs classification using a plurality of classifiers, and calculates the reliability of its classification result. A data obtaining unit obtains input data. A feature quantity obtaining unit obtains a feature quantity corresponding to the input data. A plurality of classifiers receive input of the feature quantity and perform classification based on the input feature quantity. An identification unit inputs the feature quantity into each of the classifiers, and generates a single second classification result based on a plurality of classification results obtained from the classifiers. A reliability generation unit generates a reliability of the second classification result based on variations across the plurality of classification results.
US09691005B2 Capturing unique screenshots
A machine-executable process comprises receiving a request to take a screenshot of a display and receiving page source information of the display. The page source information is compared to stored page source information of displays that have had a screenshot taken to determine whether a screenshot of the display has already been taken. If a screenshot has not already been taken of the display, then a screenshot is taken and the page source information of the display is added to the stored page source information.
US09691003B2 Keypoint descriptor generation by complex wavelet analysis
The present application relates to a method of generating a keypoint descriptor for identifying an object in an image or a sequence of images, the keypoint descriptor being substantially invariant to a transformation of the object in the image. The present application further relates to a method of identifying an object in an image using a keypoint descriptor; and processing apparatus and computer program products for implementing a method of the present application.
US09690993B2 Method and device for analyzing trafficability
A method and a device for analyzing trafficability use a computer to perform the following steps: receiving image data representing an image of surroundings in front of a vehicle, analyzing the image data to identify different zones in the image of the surroundings, and analyzing the identified different zones in terms of trafficability thereof for the vehicle.
US09690990B2 Electronic device and method for classifing images
A method of classifying images includes extracting parameters from each of the images. The parameters of each image is quantized. Once the quantization data of each image is obtained, each image is classified according to quantization data.
US09690989B2 Fossil recognition apparatus, systems, and methods
In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to acquire fluid image information from an imaging device having a field of view including fluid, the fluid image information including fossil image information. Additional activities may include processing the fossil image information to identify fossil types in the fluid as data that associates the fossil types with a formation from which the fluid was acquired, determining the location of a first borehole in the formation based on the data and offset records associated with a second borehole, and publishing the data in conjunction with indications of the location. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US09690981B2 System and method for motion evaluation
A system and a method for motion evaluation. The system for motion evaluation includes: a plurality of sensor apparatuses photographing a user to acquire user's joint data; an analysis apparatus performs calibration and synchronization on the joint data input from the plurality of sensor apparatuses to generate a user's skeleton and uses pose vectors calculated for each body part to compare a user's pose with an expert's pose; and a display apparatus outputting a user character moved depending on a user's motion by using the skeleton, together with an expert character and outputting the comparison result.
US09690978B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing and program
A time difference measurement system includes: a first face detection unit for detecting face areas from images photographed by first camera and that slices them as face images; a first face feature extraction unit for extracting first face feature amounts from the face images, and a memory that stores the first face feature amounts in association with shooting time instants. The system includes, for a second camera, an analogous second face detection unit, a second overlap deletion unit and a second face feature extraction unit. The system includes: a face collation unit for collating the second face feature amounts with the first face values; and a time difference calculation unit for calculating time difference between the first and second shooting time instants. The system further includes at least one of first and second overlap deletion units for comparing a plurality of face images sliced from different frames.
US09690973B2 Feature-based matcher for distorted fingerprint matching
In one aspect, methods that use a novel representation, referred to as an octant feature vector (OFV), are used for matching distorted fingerprints. For instance, a feature-based matcher for distorted fingerprint matching may use a two-step local and global matching scheme to compare a set of feature vectors that are derived from minutiae of a reference fingerprint and a search fingerprint. The relative geometric relationships between the reference minutia and nearest minutiae may be derived and encoded into a feature vector based on orientation difference. The OFV is invariant to the rigid transformations and is insensitive to nonlinear distortions since the relative geometric relationships are independent from the rigid transformation.
US09690968B2 Authenticated scannable code system
A method of electronically authenticating an electronic ticket upon entry to a venue can include displaying a first scannable code on a display of a user device, placing the user device adjacent to a scannable code reader device, scanning the first scannable code of the user device with the scannable code reader device, generating a second scannable code and displaying the second scannable code on the scannable code reader device, scanning the second scannable code with a camera on the user device, generating a user ticket code on the display of the user device, and displaying the user ticket code on the user device to gain admittance into the venue.
US09690966B2 Two-dimensional code based information acquisition system and method thereof
An information collecting system and method based on two-dimensional code are provided. The information collecting system comprises an intelligent terminal and an information collecting end. The intelligent terminal comprises: a first communication module; a first storage module; a display module; a first processing module; an input module; a two-dimensional code output module I; and a two-dimensional code generation module I. The information collecting end comprises: a second communication module; a second storage module; a two-dimensional code recognition module II; and a second processing module. The information collecting process of the present invention is easy, convenient, quick and efficient to operate, thus increasing information collecting efficiency greatly, reducing user time consumption, avoiding the defects that mistakes of information collecting mode are prone to being made and important user information is prone to being revealed due to manual filling or dictation in the prior art, and ensuring the user information safety effectively.
US09690961B2 Systems and methods to determine kinematical parameters using RFID tags
Systems and methods to determine kinematical parameters of physical objects using radio frequency identification (RFID) tags attached to the objects. In one embodiment, one of a population of RFID tags is selectively instructed by an RFID reader to backscatter the interrogating electromagnetic wave and thus allow the RFID reader to measure the position, speed, acceleration, jerk of the object to which the tag is attached. The RFID reader combines the signal representing the backscattered interrogating electromagnetic wave and the signal representing the interrogating electromagnetic wave transmitted by the RFID reader to determine or monitor one or more of the kinematical parameters of the object.
US09690958B2 Registration of medical equipment
An RFID registration apparatus for registering units comprising RFID tags. The registration apparatus comprises: a detector space defined by a top, a bottom and four vertical sides including a first vertical side and a second vertical side, wherein the second vertical side is opposite the first vertical side; a receiver adapted to receive a number of units and be placed inside the detector space; a first antenna configured for reading RFID tags by emitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation within a first frequency range; and at least four plane reflector surfaces. Wherein a first primary reflector surface and a first secondary reflector surface span a first angle, and a second primary reflector surface and a second secondary reflector surface span a second angle. The first angle and the second angle are in the range of 70-140 degrees.
US09690952B2 Encryption key generation in encrypted storage devices
A system and method of generating an encryption key in a self-encrypting mass storage device that includes using a manual input device as input for a micro-controller that contains a cyclic counter. An input device event triggers the micro-controller to read the current state of the cyclic counter. An accumulation of cyclic counter values is used as a source of entropy to seed a deterministic random number generator. The output of the deterministic random number generator is used as an encryption key for encryption/decryption processes within the mass storage device.
US09690951B2 Method, device and system for forwarding document content in extensible markup language document management
In the field of mobile communications, embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, a device and a system for forwarding document content in Extensible Markup Language Document Management (XDM). The method includes: receiving a forwarding request sent by a forwarding sender, where the forwarding request is used to forward the document content to a forwarding receiver; judging, according to a rights document, whether the forwarding sender has a forwarding right to the document content and whether the forwarding receiver has an access right to the document content; and when the forwarding sender has the forwarding right and the forwarding receiver has the access right, forwarding the document content to the forwarding receiver. Through the solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the forwarding sender selectively forwards the document content to the forwarding receiver according to the rights document stored in an XDM Server (XDMS).
US09690948B2 Content object encapsulating content items for accessing content and access authorization information
Provided are a method, system, and computer program product for a content object encapsulating content items for accessing content and access authorization information. User input of content items is received, wherein each content item indicates a network address and content type of content at the network address, content items are added to a content object. User input is received of access authorization information indicating a user having authority to access the content object. The access authorization information is added to the content object. A user request is received for the content object from. The access authorization information is processed to determine whether the user initiating the request has authorization to access the content object. The content object is processed to generate a presentation page to return to the client computer in response to determining that the user of the client computer is authorized to access the content object.
US09690941B2 Policy bound key creation and re-wrap service
One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for provisioning encrypted key blobs and client certificates. That is, a trusted execution environment on a first machine may provide a key service provider with a cryptographic encryption key. The key service provider may encrypt a key blob using the cryptographic encryption key and/or wrap the encrypted key blob with one or more policies, such as a platform policy. The key service provider may provision the encrypted key blob to a client on the first machine. The client may submit the encrypted key blob to the trusted execution environment for validation so that the client may perform key actions, such as sign an email or encrypt data. Because the key blob may be specific to a particular trusted execution environment and/or machine, the key service provider may re-wrap the key blob if the client “roams” to a second machine.
US09690940B2 Anti-key logger apparatus, system, and method
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for protecting against key logger malware. The protection includes protection form grabbing keylogger malware. In response to detecting a form submission event from a browser associated with a user entering data into a form, confidential data is prevented from being captured by malware. The protection against malware may be provided as a preventive measure that does not require detection of the key logger malware itself.
US09690938B1 Methods and apparatus for machine learning based malware detection
Apparatus and methods describe herein, for example, a process that can include receiving a potentially malicious file, and dividing the potentially malicious file into a set of byte windows. The process can include calculating at least one attribute associated with each byte window from the set of byte windows for the potentially malicious file. In such an instance, the at least one attribute is not dependent on an order of bytes in the potentially malicious file. The process can further include identifying a probability that the potentially malicious file is malicious, based at least in part on the at least one attribute and a trained threat model.
US09690935B2 Identification of obfuscated computer items using visual algorithms
A method to identify character strings associated with potentially malicious software items. The method includes employing a visual algorithm to translate one or more characters of a character string into corresponding characters in a visual ID for use in grouping and comparing computer items having similar visual IDs, such as a reference ID for a computer item that is known to be non-malicious. The method may, among other things, elucidate an attacker's attempt to obfuscate malicious software by using file names that are very similar to those used for harmless files.
US09690934B1 Systems and methods for protecting computing devices from imposter accessibility services
The disclosed computer-implemented method for protecting computing devices from imposter accessibility services may include (1) registering a security application with the computing device as an accessibility service that has special permissions on the computing device that are not available to other applications, (2) ensuring that the security application is the first registered accessibility service on the computing device, and (3) performing, by the security application, a security action after ensuring that the security application is the first registered accessibility service. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09690932B2 Predicting and preventing an attacker's next actions in a breached network
A method for cyber security, including detecting, by a decoy management server, a breach by an attacker of a specific resource within a network of resources in which users access the resources based on credentials, wherein each resource has a domain name server (DNS) record stored on a DNS server, changing, by the decoy management server, the DNS record for the breached resource on the DNS server, in response to the detecting, predicting, by the decoy management server, which credentials are compromised, based on credentials stored on the breached resource, and changing, by the decoy management server, those credentials that were predicted to be compromised, in response to the predicting which credentials.
US09690929B2 Method, apparatus and computer program product for determining password strength
A method for estimating the strength of a graphical password comprising two or more segments is disclosed. In some embodiments, this advantageous solution is achieved by implementing a multi-step process. In one step, the data processing system applies a first operation on a first segment to produce a transformed segment. In another step, the data processing system performs a comparison operation between the transformed segment and a second segment. In another step, the data processing system performs a penalty operation with respect to the first segment based on an outcome of the comparison operation. The penalty operation includes one or more of (1) calculating a penalty value, wherein the penalty value may be used in calculating a value representing the strength of the graphical password; and (2) disregarding the first or the second segment when calculating the value representing the strength of the graphical password.
US09690923B2 Method, apparatus and system for verifying terminal
The present invention relates to the technical field of computer technologies. Disclosed are a verification method, apparatus and system. The method comprises: responding to a verification request sent by a terminal, and randomly selecting an image combination from pre-generated multiple image combinations; merging images in the image combination according to a preset merging mode, processing a merged image according to a second processing mode, and generating a verification code; sending the verification code and a verification question associated with the image combination to the terminal; and receiving a verification result returned by the terminal, and performing verification according to the verification result, the terminal performing image cutting on the verification code, the verification result being generated by the terminal according to a received verification answer, and the verification answer being selected from the cut verification code. The present invention improves the security.
US09690917B2 Managing compromised passwords
A system and computer implemented method for determining compromised passwords is disclosed. The method may include displaying, in a first set of positions, a set of entry keys of a device. The method may include collecting a first set of tracking data including the first set of positions for entry of a first password. The method may also include displaying the set of entry keys of the device in a second set of positions. The method may also include determining a second password based on the second set of positions and entry of the first password. The method may also include determining whether the second password was entered into the device.
US09690902B2 Image observation apparatus to display medical images from a plurality of apparatus types
The extraction unit extracts a plurality of medical images as a list display target from an image storage unit storing a plurality of medical images and an plurality of apparatus types in association with each other. The list generation unit generates a list in which a plurality of reduced images respectively corresponding to the plurality of extracted medical images are arranged. The plurality of reduced images are arranged for each apparatus type in the list, and the list clearly indicates a reduced image corresponding to a candidate image of the plurality of extracted medical images that is more likely to be used. The display displays the generated list.
US09690895B2 Triangular routing for high speed differential pair length matching
A method and apparatus for matching the lengths of traces of differential signal pairs. The method includes determining that a first trace is longer than a second trace and modifying the second trace so that the length is substantially equal to the length of the first trace. In some implementations, the second trace can be modified by replacing one or more sections of the trace with two line segments that are substantially equal in length and meet at a vertex that is less than 180 degrees.
US09690890B1 Creating and using a wide-bus data structure to represent a wide-bus in an integrated circuit (IC) design
Systems and techniques are described for designing an integrated circuit (IC). Some embodiments explicitly represent wide-buses as distinct objects in an IC design data model. One or more IC design representations that are used in an IC design flow may natively support such wide-bus objects. These new objects can enable rapid access and preservation of wide-buses, thereby improving the runtime and/or quality of results (QoR) of an IC design system.
US09690886B1 System and method for a simulation of a block storage system on an object storage system
An embodiment may simulate a block storage system on an object storage system. An embodiment may define one or more logical parts of the block storage system and may store data included in the logical parts in a respective plurality of objects in the object storage system. In order to modify a simulation when data in the block storage system is modified, an embodiment may create a new object in the object storage system and may store the modified data in the new object. An embodiment may update a range-map to include at least one of: a reference to the new object, a logical address of the modified data, a size of the modified data and a counter.
US09690883B2 Associating materials with bodies in a computer-aided design file
Various disclosed embodiments include a method for integrating material assignments between a computer-aided design (CAD) system and a product data management (PDM) or product lifecycle management (PLM) system, the method performed by a data processing system and comprising accessing a designed part in the CAD system, wherein the designed part includes one or more geometric entity objects. The method also comprising assigning one or more assignment objects from the PDM system to each of the one or more geometric entity objects. The method further comprising associating one or more material objects from the PDM system with the one or more assignment objects, wherein the one or more material objects identify one or more materials identified from the designed part. The method comprising generating a design object in the PDM system representing the designed part based on the one or more assignment objects and the one or more material objects.
US09690880B2 Goal-driven computer aided design workflow
A centralized design engine receives a problem specification from an end-user and classifies that problem specification in a large database of previously received problem specifications. Upon identifying similar problem specifications in the large database, the design engine selects design strategies associated with those similar problem specifications. A given design strategy includes one or more optimization algorithms, one or more geometry kernels, and one or more analysis tools. The design engine executes an optimization algorithm to generate a set of parameters that reflect geometry. The design engine then executes a geometry kernel to generate geometry that reflects those parameters, and generates analysis results for each geometry. The optimization algorithms may then improve the generated geometries based on the analysis results in an iterative fashion. When suitable geometries are discovered, the design engine displays the geometries to the end-user, along with the analysis results.
US09690878B2 Geometric modeling with mutually dependent blends
Methods for product data management and corresponding systems and computer-readable mediums. A method includes receiving a geometric model including plurality of blends and identifying a blend ribbon that includes at least two of the plurality of blends. Each blend in the blend ribbon is mutually dependent on at least one other blend in the blend ribbon. The method includes selecting a blend ribbon breaker corresponding to the blend ribbon and designating a plurality of blends in the blend ribbon as reblendable blends, based on the blend ribbon breaker. The method includes reblending the reblendable blends to produce a modified geometric model and storing the modified geometric model.
US09690875B2 Providing search results for mobile computing devices
Search results are provided for mobile computing devices. Search results are retrieved based on a search term. Each of the search results is assigned to one or more categories. The categories and the assigned search results are provided to the mobile computing device. The mobile computing device is adapted to display each of the categories and a partial list of the search results for each of the categories.
US09690873B2 System and method for bit-map based keyword spotting in communication traffic
Methods and systems for locating occurrences of a search pattern in a body of text. A processor searches the text for one or more occurrences of a pattern. Both the text and the pattern comprise symbols of some alphabet. In preparation for the search, the processor defines a respective bit-map for each alphabet symbol. Using the bit-maps, the processor carries out a highly efficient process of searching the text for occurrences of the pattern. The processor then scans the pattern backwards using the bit-maps, symbol by symbol, attempting to match the symbols of the pattern to the corresponding symbols of the text. If a match is not found, the processor calculates the size of the jump to the next position in the text based on the accumulated results of the evaluations up to the current position.
US09690870B2 Email tags
Suggesting email tags. A non-transitory machine-readable storage device includes executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to provide a suggestion for at least one suggested tag based on content of an email, receive a selection of a selected tag, store the email in a computer database, thus creating a stored email, and associate the selected tag with the stored email in the computer database.
US09690865B2 Providing access to a collection via a plurality of discrete machine-recognizable codes
Systems and methods for providing access to a collection of related binary files via a collection of machine-recognizable codes provided on a device or consumer item.
US09690856B2 Systems and methods for detecting objectionable content in a social network
A method for detecting an objectionable material within a plurality of items of content comprising: determining a first number for each of the plurality of items of content representing user views of said each of the plurality of items of content; determining a second number for each of the plurality of items of content representing user likes or reposts of said each of the plurality of items of content; calculating a suspicion score for each of the plurality of items of content by dividing the corresponding first number by the corresponding second number; ranking the plurality of items of content based on the calculated suspicion score; providing the ranked plurality of items of content to an administrator; and receiving a feedback from the administrator, the feedback identifying the objectionable material within at least some of the plurality of items of content.
US09690852B2 Content management for packet-communicating devices
Media content associated with a playlist is provided for remote access over a packet-based network. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a host server provides access to a user-defined playlist depicting media content available from user's media content source (e.g., at a registered user's PC). User-defined playlists and associated media content are managed to facilitate access to media in accordance with characteristics of the media content and/or playlist such as format and bitrate, and as may be related to an intended playback use of the playlist. Media content for the playlists is stored in a network storage device for remote access, with the storage managed to facilitate remote access in appropriate formats, with selective cross-referencing among playlists for different playlist types, content format and content bandwidth.
US09690850B2 Recipe identification method and apparatus
Disclosed embodiments include apparatus, method and storage medium associated with recipe identification. In embodiments, an apparatus may include a recipe identification function configured to receive or retrieve a text document, analyze the text document to identify a recipe, and return the identified recipe. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US09690847B2 Selecting content using query-independent scores of query segments
Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, including a method for responding to queries. A first user query is received. The first user query is processed including identifying one or more segments in the first user query, a segment representing a word or a phrase. A stand-alone score is determined for each segment of the first user query, wherein the stand-alone score is an indication of a likelihood that the segment represents a stand-alone query and that the segment represents a main topic of the first user query. A historical log of queries is processed to determine query-independent scores for segments that are included in queries represented by the log. The final query-independent scores are used to determine the stand-alone score for each segment of the first query.
US09690846B2 Intelligent navigation of a category system
Enabling intelligent navigation is described, including: performing analysis of historical user activity data with respect to a query term to generate reference data associated with the query term; selecting a navigation recommendation model for the query term based at least in part on the reference data; using the reference data and the selected navigation recommendation model to determine a set of recommendation data associated with the query term, wherein the set of recommendation data includes at least a portion of a category system to be displayed in response to a subsequently received query including the query term.
US09690841B2 Method and apparatus for determining a class reference data record for the classification of value documents
A method and apparatus for determining a class reference data record for classifying documents of value includes creating a class reference image using a multiplicity of reference images of already classified documents of value in the same class; and creating a class reference data record having at least one class reference parameter using the class reference image. The pixel and intensity values of the respective pixel in the class reference image are a function of the pixel values of the relevant pixels in the multiplicity of reference images of already classified documents of value in the same class. The method includes determining at least one quantitative property of a document of value to be classified; and classifying the document of value to be classified on the basis of a comparison between the quantitative property of the document of value to be classified and the class reference data record.
US09690840B2 Data analysis engine
A system and method of analyzing data receives a user-specified selection of a data source, a user-specified selection of a type of data representation, and a user-specified description of a view to be constructed in accordance with the user-specified selection of the type of data representation. An application program interface (API) function generates a multidimensional query based on the user-specified type of data representation and the user-specified description of the view to be constructed, and submits the multidimensional query to the an On-line Analytical Processing (OLAP) server. The application program interface (API) function receives a multidimensional response from the OLAP server containing results acquired by the multidimensional query of the data source, and generates the view based on the results contained in the multidimensional response and in accordance with the user-specified selection of the type of data representation and the user-specified description of the view.
US09690839B2 Computer architectures using shared storage
An Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) system includes a shared storage that stores data corresponding to files, a file system, and ESB infrastructure functions. The ESB system includes a metadata registry storing metadata associated with the ESB infrastructure functions, separate from the ESB infrastructure functions, and includes storage location information of the ESB infrastructure functions. The ESB system includes a processor configured to receive a request for access to the file system. The processor sends a portion of the metadata registry to a client device, the portion including a portion of the metadata and a directory structure identifying a set of the ESB infrastructure functions that the client device is authorized to access, the portion of the metadata allowing the client device to access a first infrastructure function of the set based on the storage location information. The processor further provides the first infrastructure function to the client device.
US09690838B2 Master data management
Multiple instances of a computer system subscribe to a central data storage system. The central data storage system receives a set of entities that the instances wish to synchronize with one another, along with a schema representing those entities, from each instance. The central data storage system receives changes to the identified entities from the various instances, identifies conflicts, and synchronizes changes from a given instance to the other subscribing instances.
US09690832B2 Enterprise reporting capabilities in storage management systems
A method of refreshing a materialized view includes creating a materialized view based on a first result of a database query executed against a set of tables stored in a database and discovering a set of child storage objects associated with a parent storage object. The method also includes inserting, based on discovering the set of child storage objects, an entry into one or more tables of the set of tables, the entry including a child storage object of the set of child storage objects. The method further includes delaying a refresh of the materialized view until after the entry is inserted into the set of tables and then refreshing the materialized view, which is based on a second result of the database query executed against the set of tables.
US09690819B2 Verification of record based systems
The method includes generating, by one or more computer processors, a first piece of data based on a defined set of data characteristics. The method further includes generating a first bit, wherein the first bit corresponds to the first generated piece of data. The method further includes sending the first generated piece of data to a target location. The method further includes receiving the first generated piece of data from the target location. The method further includes determining whether to validate the first generated piece of data received from the target location. The method further includes adjusting the first generated bit based on the determination of whether to validate the first generated piece of data.
US09690815B2 Systems, methods, and apparatuses for implementing data upload, processing, and predictive query API exposure
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for implementing data upload, processing, and predictive query API exposure including means for receiving a dataset in a tabular form, the dataset having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns; processing the dataset to generate indices representing probabilistic relationships between the rows and the columns of the dataset; storing the indices in a database; exposing an Application Programming Interface (API) to query the indices in the database; receiving a request for a predictive query or a latent structure query against the indices in the database; querying the database for a prediction based on the request via the API; and returning the prediction responsive to the request. Other related embodiments are further disclosed.
US09690807B2 Mobile-enabled systems and processes for intelligent research platform
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to implementing image-based retrieval of a cited reference in a written work. A unique alphanumeric identifier extracted from an image taken of a portion of a written work can be programmatically compared to stored identifiers in an authority database in response to a request received from a portable computing device. Cited reference data can be retrieved from the authority database in response to a favorably comparison of the unique alphanumeric identifier to at least one of the stored identifiers associated with a reference stored in the authority database and the cited reference data can be provided to the portable computing device for output on the display of the portable computing device.
US09690806B2 Method and apparatus of recommending candidate terms based on geographical location
The disclosure provides a method and device for recommending a candidate word according to a geographic position. The method may include receiving a coded character string of a user by a computing device. The computing device may collect geographic position information corresponding to the coded character string, and then determine a geographic area in which the geographic position information is located. The computing device may obtain a geographic candidate word corresponding to the coded character string according to a geographic word stock of the determined geographic area. The geographic word stock of the geographic area may store the coded character strings and a corresponding geographic word according to the geographic area. As compared to current technologies, complexity of input can be reduced and intelligence of an input method can be improved.
US09690800B2 Tracking tuples to reduce redundancy in a graph
A stream of tuples can assigned identifiers to tuples to store only the nonduplicative tuples. In a streams processing environment, a stream application actor like an operator can receive a series of tuples, process them, and output another series of tuples. Each of the tuples can be assigned a tuple identifier. The tuple identifier can tag the tuple as associated with the operator. Another operator can receive the tuples, identify the duplicative tuples, and store only the nonduplicative tuples.
US09690795B1 Data repository configured for facilitating point in time retrieval of content
A data repository configured for storing original content and modified content which are addressable for point-in-time retrieval thereof. The data repository comprising one or more digital files which are associated with the original content. A log is provided which records actions implemented on the one or more of the digital files. A versioned repository is generated after an action is implemented on the one or more digital files. The versioned repository comprising one or more modified digital files which are associated with the modified content. A version identifier is associated with the versioned repository for facilitating point in time retrieval thereof.
US09690782B2 Text overlay techniques in realtime translation
The technology described herein employs techniques for overlaying (superimposing) translated text on top of (over) scanned text in realtime. The technology recognizes text in an image and identifies a first language in which the text is written. The technology translates the text into a second language and generates an overlay in the second language. The overlay is then inserted into the display over the text in the image.
US09690781B1 System for automatically changing language of an interactive informational display for a user by referencing a personal electronic device of the user
A language setting system, for use by a user having a native language and carrying a personal electronic device, when using an informational device having an active language setting. As the user approaches the informational device, the informational device determines that the personal electronic device is associated with the user. The system determines the native language of the user by contacting the personal electronic device and sets the active language informational device to the native language. The informational device provides messages and information to the user in the native language of the user. When the user retreats from the informational device, the active language of the informational device may be reset to a default language.
US09690779B2 Quasi natural language man-machine conversation device base on semantic logic
The presented is a tool and method for language presentation, browsing, editing, translation and communication based on Semantic Web, to be utilized as interface for collaborating software products and services or human-machine interaction. The conceptual system is extended to further include such objects as language components, sentence patterns or syntax rules, to get solutions for semantic logic representation devices, language presentation devices, semantic-language converting devices, the registry and delegation system, in forming a language-component-based system for browsing, editing, conversion and communication. It is always allowed to bring need-based control over the conceptual system and the registry with their scope and scale being kept at appropriate level; with a widespread community participation, the establishment of semantic-language converting device ecosystem will be important guarantee of a flexible and diversified language expression system; therefore to constitute the core of those pragmatic standards or specifications for machine translation, human-machine interface and the web system.
US09690778B2 Information processing system, control method for information processing system, information processing device, control method for information processing device, information storage medium, and program
An information processing system is configured to: acquire a plurality of converted character strings one by one, each of the plurality of converted character strings having been converted from a corresponding one of a plurality of original character strings included in an original image; generate, each time a converted character string is acquired, a converted image representing the converted character string for the original image corresponding to the acquired converted character string; and change a content of a foreground of an arrangement area of the original image in an object to be displayed on a screen to the converted image.
US09690774B1 Identifying vague questions in a question-answer system
An approach is provided that improves a question answering (QA) computer system by reducing a number of vague questions submitted to the QA system. When a question is submitted to the QA system, the approach performs a vagueness question analysis on the question. The vagueness question analysis results in a vagueness score. The question is submitted to the QA system in response to the vagueness score reaching a threshold value that indicates a lack of vagueness in the question. The approach inhibits submission of the question to the QA system in response to the vagueness score failing to reach the threshold value.
US09690772B2 Category and term polarity mutual annotation for aspect-based sentiment analysis
Systems and methods for aspect-based opinion mining including identifying the polarity (e.g., positive, negative, etc.) of different features of a product or a service as expressed in a text. This general task can be divided into four sub-tasks: identifying the aspect terms, classifying them into one of a set of predefined aspect categories, and identifying the polarity of the aspects terms and the aspect categories. A combination of systems (e.g., rule-based and machine learning based) can be employed to implement aspect category and aspect term polarity mutual annotation for aspect-based sentiment analysis.
US09690770B2 Analysis of documents using rules
One or more computers receive input indicative of multiple files to be analyzed together, by performing one or more predetermined actions, using the contents (e.g. strings of text) of a corresponding one or more structures. The one or more structures are identified by the presence in each file, of corresponding names. The one or more structures are normally written into the files for use by an application program to layout the contents therein in a structured manner. The one or more computers are programmed to automatically parse each file, to identify therein the one or more layout structures e.g. based on the presence in each file of corresponding names of layout structures. After parsing, the one or more computer(s) perform the one or more predetermined actions, to obtain an output structure that holds the results based on the contents of each layout structure identified in each file.
US09690768B2 Annotating video intervals
A system and method is provided for managing and displaying annotations in online hosted videos. To determine related annotations associated with a video, a plurality of annotations for one or more intervals of the video are collected and organized into a plurality of groups. Each group includes annotations for intervals of the video that are similar to each other. A group having related annotations is identified, and an annotated clip of the video is formed based upon the intervals in the group. This process can be used to determine any number of groups in a given video having related annotations, forming the respective annotated intervals within a single video, and can also identify and organize annotated intervals within a large number of different videos.
US09690766B2 Method for generating random content for an article
A method for generating random content for applying said generated random content to a surface of an article and/or as content for a screen saver type of use may be described and disclosed. Randomized elements generated may be selected from one or more of the group comprising: logographs of an Asian alphabet, logographs of a Chinese alphabet, letters of a letter based alphabet, words from a dictionary, and the like. The article may comprise a tangible physical object capable of surface ornamentation. For example, and without limiting the scope of the present invention, the article may be selected from the group comprising: walls, canvas, paper, wall paper, vinyl, plastics, stickers, decals, fabric, textiles, upholstery, clothing, apparel, drinking glasses, and the like.
US09690764B1 Delivery and display of page previews using shadow DOM
A content server retrieves the code and other content of a page and generates a preview of the page. The page preview could be an image that depicts a snapshot of the page, such as a screenshot, or an image map that includes links selectable by a user. The content server further modifies the original code used to load the page such that the modified code instructs a browser application to render and display the page preview for a first period of time and to render and display the actual page in place of the page preview after the first period of time. The content server may use the shadow document object model (DOM) framework to provide the page preview.
US09690759B2 Content linking
Linking, tying, referencing or otherwise utilizing characters, images, alphanumerical values, codes and other metadata to link content, media, information, data and other electronically transmittable matter to an application, program, process or other logically executing construct is contemplated. Such content linking may include but is not necessarily limited to enabling content linking without requiring a server or other entity posting a corresponding link to host the linked-to content.
US09690746B1 Computing devices for sending and receiving configuration information
A computing device configured for sending configuration information is described. The computing device includes a processor and instructions stored in memory that is in electronic communication with the processor. The computing device obtains access information. The computing device further generates a graphic based on the access information. The computing device also receives a configuration information request associated with the graphic. Additionally, the computing device sends the configuration information.
US09690743B2 Computer interface extender apparatus
The present invention concerns an apparatus to extend a computer interface from a user inaccessible location to a user accessible location. Specifically, the apparatus of the present invention is configured to provide at least one computer port in an easily accessible location that is connected, via an adaptor, to a computer port integrated into a computer. The computer interface extender includes a hardware interface portion having a primary computer interface port, e.g., a USB port, that incorporates at least a first bidirectional electrical conduit and is configured to couple to a port located within a computer housing. The apparatus also includes a user interface portion having at least one, and preferably four, secondary computer interface ports, e.g., USB port, equipped with secondary bidirectional electrical conduit. Connecting the hardware and user interface portions is an extension member with a conduit bridge connecting the first and second bidirectional electrical conduits. The hardware and user interface portions fasten the interface extender apparatus to the computer housing.
US09690741B2 Configuration via high speed serial link
Mechanisms and techniques for configuring a configurable slave device using a high speed serial link where a different number of lanes of the high speed serial link are used to send data between the slave device and a master device, depending on whether the slave device is in configuration mode or in normal operations mode, are provided.
US09690740B2 Data processing apparatus, input control apparatus, and control method
An input control apparatus, which accepts input of data from the outside and inputs the data to a bus in a data processing system in which a plurality of communication units are connected by the bus in a ring shape and data processed by processing units are delivered via the bus, controls acceptance of data based on the number of data items which should be output outside, are suspended from output, and remain on the bus.
US09690739B2 Method and apparatus for extending PCIe domain
A method for extending a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) domain. A configuration space address can be allocated to a PCIe device in an extended domain from a memory address of a root complex endpoint device, a correspondence between the configuration space address and a bus number/device number/function number (BDF) can be established, and a bus number can be allocated from a second bus set of the extended domain to a PCIe device discovered in the extended domain, where the bus number is used for determining the BDF of the PCIe device discovered in the extended domain, so as to access, according to the correspondence between the configuration space address and the BDF and by using the BDF of the PCIe device discovered in the extended domain, a configuration space register of the PCIe device discovered in the extended domain.
US09690738B2 Peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) hosts adapted to support remote PCIe endpoints
Aspects disclosed in the detailed description include peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) hosts adapted to support remote PCIe endpoints. In this regard, a PCIe host is configured to determine a temporal distance to an attached PCIe endpoint and compare the temporal distance to a predetermined threshold value. In one aspect, the PCIe host defines a first configuration parameter for the attached PCIe endpoint if the temporal distance is greater than the predetermined threshold value. In another aspect, the PCIe host defines a second configuration parameter different from the first configuration parameter for the attached PCIe endpoint if the temporal distance is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold value. By differentiating the attached PCIe endpoints based on temporal distances, the PCIe host can support compatibly a plurality of attached PCIe endpoints regardless of physical connection distances with the attached PCIe endpoints.
US09690736B2 Managing state transitions of a data connector using a finite state machine
A microprocessor within a processing unit is configured to manage to operation of a finite state machine (FSM) that, in turn, manages the operation of a data connector. The FSM may be a hardwired chip component that adheres to a communication protocol associated with the data connector. The microprocessor is configured to execute a software application in order to (i) apply configuration changes to the processing unit during state transitions initiated by the FSM and (ii) cause the FSM to initiate specific state transitions.
US09690731B2 Apparatus, system and method of protocol adaptation layer (PAL) communication to indicate transitioning a device to a default state
Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and/or methods of transitioning a device to a default state. For example, an apparatus may include a first Protocol Adaptation Layer (PAL) communication unit to communicate PAL traffic with a second PAL communication unit over a communication link, the PAL traffic comprising traffic of a PAL connection over a PAL, the PAL is above a layer of the communication link, wherein the first PAL communication unit is to communicate a device reset request and a device reset response with the second PAL communication unit over the communication link, the device reset request indicating transitioning of a peripheral device to a default state, the device reset response in response to the device reset request, the device reset response indicating whether the device reset request is successfully handled.
US09690725B2 Camera control interface extension with in-band interrupt
Master and slave devices may be coupled to a control data bus. A method includes controlling data transmissions over a bus from a master device, where data bits are transcoded into symbols for transmission across two lines of the bus and a clock signal is embedded within symbol transitions of the data transmissions, and providing an interrupt period, during which one or more slave devices coupled to the bus can assert an interrupt request on a first line of the bus, within part of a heartbeat transmission by the master device over the first line and a second tine of the bus. The interrupt request may be an indicator that the asserting slave device wishes to request some action by the master device.
US09690717B2 Secure object having protected region, integrity tree, and unprotected region
A method and structure for a secure object, as tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage medium. The secure object includes a cryptographically protected region containing at least one of code and data, an initial integrity tree that protects an integrity of contents of the cryptographically protected region; and an unprotected region that includes a loader, an esm (enter secure mode) instruction, and one or more communication buffers.
US09690711B2 Scheduler training for multi-module byte caching
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for dynamic caching module selection for optimized data deduplication. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for dynamic caching module selection for optimized data deduplication is provided. The method includes processing historically relevant byte streams in each of a multiplicity of byte caching modules to populate a table of associations between different classifications of the historically relevant byte streams and correspondingly optimal ones of the multiplicity of the byte caching modules. The method also includes receiving a request to retrieve data from a data source and classifying the request. The method yet further includes consulting the table to identify, from amongst the multiplicity of byte caching modules, a particular byte caching module associated with the classification of the request. Finally, the method includes deduplicating the data in the identified byte caching module.
US09690706B2 Changing cache ownership in clustered multiprocessor
Resolving coherency issues inherent in sharing distributed cache is described. A chip multiprocessor may include at least first and second processing clusters, each having multiple cores of a processor, multiple cache slices co-located with the multiple cores, and a memory controller (MC). The processor stores directory information in a memory coupled to the processor to indicate cluster cache ownership of a first address space to the first cluster. In response to a request to change the cluster cache ownership of the first address space, the processor may remap first lines of first cache slices, corresponding to the first address space, to second lines in second cache slices of the second cluster, and update the directory information (e.g., a state of the first cache lines) to change the cluster cache ownership of the first address space to the second cluster. One of the MCs may manage such updating of the directory.
US09690704B2 Paging in secure enclaves
Embodiments of an invention for paging in secure enclaves are disclosed. In one embodiment, a processor includes an instruction unit and an execution unit. The instruction unit is to receive a first instruction. The execution unit is to execute the first instruction, wherein execution of the first instruction includes evicting a first page from an enclave page cache.
US09690697B2 Memory controller, storage device and memory control method
According to one embodiment, a memory controller controlling a nonvolatile memory which stores a code word includes a read control unit which controls reading from the nonvolatile memory and a decoding unit which obtains likelihood information of each memory cells based on a reading result from the nonvolatile memory and decodes the code word by using the likelihood information, wherein the decoding unit obtains the likelihood information of a first memory cell based on the reading result of the first memory cell and the reading results of second memory cells which are one or more of the memory cells adjacent to the first memory cell.
US09690694B2 Apparatus, system, and method for an address translation layer
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for storage address translation. The method includes storing, in volatile memory, a plurality of logical-to-physical mapping entries for a non-volatile recording device. The method includes persisting a logical-to-physical mapping entry from the volatile memory to recording media of the non-volatile recording device. The logical-to-physical mapping entry may be selected for persisting based on a mapping policy indicated by a client. The method includes loading the logical-to-physical mapping entry from the recording media of the non-volatile recording device into the volatile memory in response to a storage request associated with the logical-to-physical mapping entry.
US09690682B2 Program information generating system, method, and computer program product
A program information generating system includes an acquisition unit that acquires dependency information indicating dependency among a plurality of events generated by execution of a program and selection information identifying a selected event that is the event selected by a user; a generation unit that generates display information, on the basis of the dependency information and the selection information, such that a dependency path that is formed of the plurality of events having the dependency and includes the selected event is displayed in a distinguishable manner; and a display control unit that controls a display unit, on the basis of the display information, such that a display image indicating an execution state of the program is displayed.
US09690674B2 Method and system for robust precision time protocol synchronization
A method and system for maintaining clock synchronization in a communication network having multiple clocks are disclosed. According to one aspect, the invention provides a first precision time protocol (PTP) instance and second PTP service instance. Dynamic PTP parameters and tuning PTP parameters are periodically cloned from the first PTP service instance to the second PTP service instance substantially in real time.
US09690673B2 Single and double chip spare
Techniques are provided for overcoming failures in a memory. One portion of the memory may operate in a single chip spare mode. Upon detection of an error in a single chip in the portion of the memory, a region of the portion of the memory may be converted to operate in a double chip spare mode. The memory may be accessed in both single and double chip spare modes.
US09690672B2 Acquiring diagnostic data selectively
One or more processors execute one or more software commands that are capable of command failure on one or more computing devices. One or more processors detect one or more failed commands as a result of executing the one or more software commands. One or more processors determine whether the one or more failed commands are a first type of command failures that result from a first type of software commands. One or more processors reissue the one or more failed commands that are determined to be the first type of software commands at least once while at least one diagnostic program is executing. One or more processors capture diagnostic data for the one or more failed commands that are determined to be the first type of software commands.
US09690659B2 Parity-layout generating method, parity-layout generating apparatus, and storage system
A parity-layout generating method, includes: creating a first local parity layout with a first calculation range for calculating local parity; creating a second local parity layout with a second calculation range for calculating local parity, a length of the second calculation range being different from a length of the first calculation range; and creating, by a computer, a third local parity layout with the first calculation range and the second calculation range by combining the first local parity layout and the second local parity layout.
US09690650B2 Storage scheme for built-in ECC operations
A device includes a memory array storing data and error correcting codes ECCs corresponding to the data, and a multi-level buffer structure between the memory array and an input/output data path. The memory array includes a plurality of data lines for page mode operations. The buffer structure includes a first buffer having storage cells connected to respective data lines in the plurality of data lines for a page of data, a second buffer coupled to the storage cells in the first buffer for storing at least one page of data, and a third buffer coupled to the second buffer and to the input/output data path. The device includes logic coupled to the multi-level buffer to perform a logical process over pages of data during movement between the memory array and the input/output path through the multi-level buffer for at least one of page read and page write operations.
US09690646B2 Robust SerDes wrapper
Light-weight, configurable error detection in a satellite communication system that detects invalid SerDes lanes via hash codes appended to packets of data in the lanes. An indication can be passed back upstream about the invalid lane so that the lane can be reset. Error correction can be provided by reconstructing the bit data in the invalid SerDes lane based on parity information in an optional parity lane.
US09690644B2 Cognitive analysis for healing an IT system
A cognitive computing hardware system receives an error log from an IT system. The error log comprises a record of errors currently being detected by sensors in the IT system. The cognitive computing hardware system receives an error history log, which describes a history of past errors that have occurred in the IT system. The cognitive computing hardware system receives a listing of alternative IT systems that have been predetermined to have a same functionality as the IT system that is currently experiencing the errors. The cognitive computing hardware system receives a record of real-time events that are external to the IT system, and generates a prioritized set of solutions to heal the IT system, based on the error history log, the listing of alternative IT systems, and the record of real-time events. The cognitive computing hardware system transmits a highest prioritized solution to the IT system.
US09690640B2 Recovery from multiple data errors
Mechanisms for handling multiple data errors that occur simultaneously are provided. A processing device may determine whether multiple data errors occur in memory locations that are within a range of memory locations. If the multiple memory locations are within the range of memory locations, the processing device may continue with a recovery process. If one of the multiple memory locations is outside of the range of memory locations, the processing device may halt the recovery process.
US09690639B2 Failure detecting apparatus and failure detecting method using patterns indicating occurrences of failures
A failure detecting apparatus has a storage unit that stores patterns, indicating occurrences of failures, of messages. The failure detecting apparatus executes a process that includes identifying, when a new message is output from a target to be monitored, a message to be replaced, which is output from the target to be monitored before the output of the new message and is not output from the target to be monitored after the output of the new message, extracting a pattern including the message to be replaced from the storage unit, registering a pattern resulting from substitution of the message to be replaced included in the extracted pattern in the storage unit with the new message, and detecting whether or not messages output from the target to be monitored include any of the patterns stored in the storage unit.
US09690636B2 Apparatus and method of data communication between web applications
A method and apparatus for data communication between web applications by using a web browser. The web browser includes a web application controller for executing a first web application and a second web application, and a data transferring unit for receiving the data from the first web application and transmitting the data to the second web application.
US09690635B2 Communicating behavior information in a mobile computing device
Methods, systems and devices for communicating behavior analysis information using an application programming interface (API) may include receiving data/behavior models from one or more third-party network servers in a client module of a mobile device and communicating the information to a behavior observation and analysis system via a behavior API. The third-party servers may be maintained by one or more partner companies that have domain expertise in a particular area or technology that is relevant for identifying, analyzing, classifying, and/or reacting to mobile device behaviors, but that do not have access to (or knowledge of) the various mobile device sub-systems, interfaces, configurations, modules, processes, drivers, and/or hardware systems required to generate effective data/behavior models suitable for use by the mobile device. The behavior API and/or client modules allow the third-party server to quickly and efficiently access the most relevant and important information on the mobile device.
US09690634B2 Packet routing within server device enclosure
An enclosure is associated with a network address. A management processor of a server device within the enclosure and an enclosure processor of a management mechanism within the enclosure share the network address. A networking switch processor of a networking switch within the enclosure is to route the packet to the enclosure processor, or directly to the management processor without the packet passing through the management mechanism.
US09690630B2 Hardware accelerator test harness generation
System and method for generating hardware accelerators and processor offloads. System for hardware acceleration. System and method for implementing an asynchronous offload. Method of automatically creating a hardware accelerator. Computerized method for automatically creating a test harness for a hardware accelerator from a software program. System and method for interconnecting hardware accelerators and processors. System and method for interconnecting a processor and a hardware accelerator. Computer implemented method of generating a hardware circuit logic block design for a hardware accelerator automatically from software. Computer program and computer program product stored on tangible media implementing the methods and procedures of the invention.
US09690629B1 Distributed batch matching of videos based on recency of occurrence of events associated with the videos
Distribution of various processing tasks is performed for a plurality of comparison objects, such as videos and/or other media content in a matching system. The plurality of comparison objects can include at least one feature that is compared to at least one feature of a plurality of reference objects to determine whether a match occurs in the comparison. Task descriptions corresponding to the processing tasks are distributed with the different processing tasks to a task pool. Matching components select at least one task from the task pool based on the task descriptions.
US09690626B2 Processing workloads in single-threaded environments
A computer implemented method for assigning workload slices from a workload to upcoming frames to be processed during the rendering of the upcoming frames. The processing time of upcoming frames and workload slices varies at runtime according to system resources The method determines an effective frame rate that estimates the duration of an upcoming frame and also determines an effective slice rate that estimates the time it takes to complete an upcoming workload slice. Based on the effective frame rate and the effective slice rate, the method then calculates the slice-to-frame ratio which defines the rate in which slices are assigned to upcoming frames. The slice-to-frame ratio can dynamically change to accommodate for changes to the processing time of rendered frames and completed workload slices.
US09690622B1 Stateless instance backed mobile devices
A service provider may provide a companion container instance associated with a mobile device in order to facilitate operation of the mobile device. The companion container instance and the mobile device may be associated in a database operated by the service provider. Furthermore, the companion container instance may execute various operation on behalf of the mobile diver based at least in part on a task definition indicating a software function to be executed by the companion container instance. The software function configured to execute the various operations on behalf of the mobile device.
US09690619B2 Thread processing method and thread processing system for setting for each thread priority level of access right to access shared memory
A thread processing method is executed by a specific apparatus included among a plurality of apparatuses, and includes assigning one thread among a plurality of threads to the apparatuses, respectively; acquiring first time information that indicates a time at which the specific apparatus receives an execution result of a corresponding thread from each of the apparatuses; and setting a priority level of an access right to access shared memory that is shared by the apparatuses and the specific apparatus, the setting being based on the first time information and second time information that indicates a time at which reception of execution results of the threads from the apparatuses ends.
US09690617B2 Adjustment of a task execution plan at runtime
Embodiments of adjustment of a task execution plan at runtime by a task execution engine configured to receive a plan compilation task, the plan compilation task comprising a task execution plan, are provided. An aspect includes receiving a first plan compilation task by the task execution engine through a plan compilation interface. Another aspect includes modifying a task execution plan of the first plan compilation task in response to receiving a second plan compilation task by the task execution engine, the second plan compilation task comprising a task execution plan for modifying the task execution plan of the first plan compilation task. Yet another aspect includes reading a next task in the task execution plan of the first plan compilation task and initiating the next task by the task execution engine.
US09690612B2 Dynamically managing a serial port interface of virtualization software on host device wherein execution is performed not during boot sequence
One or more examples provide techniques to dynamically manage serial port interface(s) of virtualization software executing in a host device. In an example, a method of managing a serial port interface of a virtualization software executing on a host device includes: receiving input characters through the serial port interface to a serial port of the host device; parsing the input characters to detect a character sequence; and connecting the serial port interface to a first service executing in the virtualization software in response to the character sequence and during execution of the virtualization software on the host device.
US09690608B2 Method and system for managing hosts that run virtual machines within a cluster
Embodiments of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and a computer system are disclosed. In an embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing program instructions for managing host computers that run virtual machines into host-groups within a cluster is disclosed. When executed, the instructions cause one or more processors to perform steps including determining if a virtual machine entity needs additional resources and, if the virtual machine entity needs additional resources, mapping a host computer to a host-group with which the virtual machine entity is associated.
US09690602B2 Techniques for programming and verifying backplane controller chip firmware
Present disclosure relates to a system for programming and verifying backplane controller chip firmware on target backplane controller chips. The system includes a backplane controller chip validation board. In certain embodiments, the backplane controller chip validation board includes: (a) a program/verify/validate controller chip, (b) one or more backplane controller chip sockets for installing one or more target backplane controller chips, and (c) a backplane simulator. The program/verify/validate controller chip includes backplane controller chip firmware verification software, a USB interface, and a software storage. The backplane simulator is used to simulate functions of drives, LEDs, and other devices of a backplane for verifying all functions of backplane controller chip firmware. The backplane controller chip validation board is in communication with a host computer, and host computer has a user interface, a backplane controller chip programming and verifying software, a USB interface, and a software storage to store backplane controller chip firmware.
US09690601B2 Dynamic profile switching based on user identification
A method for dynamic switching of user profiles on a computing device. The computing device is coupled to at least one image-sensing device and can be configured using a plurality of stored user profiles. The method includes receiving at least one image from the at least one image-sensing device and generating a current user value based on the at least one received image. The method further includes determining if the current user value corresponds to at least one stored user value corresponding to a stored user profile. If the current user value corresponds to at least one stored user value, the method includes retrieving the stored user profile and configuring at least some programs operating on the computing device using the retrieved user profile. If the current user value does correspond to at least one stored user value, the method includes configuring the computing device using an alternative method.
US09690593B2 Server information handling system configuration from an end state definition file
One step server information handling system configuration reduces complexities associated with remote server maintenance through a management network. A configuration end state sent through the management network, such as an XML file, is parsed by a management processor to automatically initiate and complete configuration of the server to the end state without further commands through the management network.
US09690582B2 Instruction and logic for cache-based speculative vectorization
A processor includes a decoder to decode an instruction, a scheduler to schedule the instruction, and an execution unit to execute the instruction. The instruction is to load a memory operation applicable to a quantity of addresses into an execution vector. The execution vector includes a plurality of vector positions for respective addressees. The instruction is further to evaluate, for a given address in the execution vector at a vector position, whether a cache indicates that a previous memory operation was performed at a higher vector position than the vector position of the given address. The instruction is also to determine, based on the evaluation whether the cache indicates that the previous memory operation was performed at a higher vector position than the vector position of the given address, whether the memory operation will cause a memory error.
US09690580B2 Decomposition of decimal floating point data
A decimal floating point finite number in a decimal floating point format is composed from the number in a different format. A decimal floating point format includes fields to hold information relating to the sign, exponent and significand of the decimal floating point finite number. Other decimal floating point data, including infinities and NaNs (not a number), are also composed. Decimal floating point data are also decomposed from the decimal floating point format to a different format.
US09690578B2 High dose radiation detector
Described is a processor comprising: a plurality of radiation detectors; a first logic unit to receive outputs from the plurality of radiation detectors, the logic unit to generate an output according to the received outputs, the output of the first logic unit indicating whether the processor was exposed to incoming radiations; and a second logic unit to receive the output from the first logic unit, and to cause the processor to perform an action according to the output from the first logic unit.
US09690573B2 Web content management using predetermined project templates
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method, and program product. In an embodiment, a computing device generates a list of predetermined project templates associated with a web page, wherein the web page is new or preexisting. The computing device transmits the generated list of predetermined project templates for display that includes one or more predetermined project templates that include a preset package of web content editing actions that are associated with the web page. The computing device generates a web page action associated with the web page according to a project generated using a predetermined project template included in the transmitted list of predetermined project templates. The computing device transmits the generated web page action for display.
US09690570B2 Complex computer environment installation
An install request including a hierarchy of a complex computer environment is received, wherein the hierarchy comprises a first component needed on the first computer and one or more other components needed in the complex computer environment. One or more other computers on which to install the one or more components is determined. Responsive to determining the one or more other computer on which to install the one or more other components, installation of the one or more other components on the one or more other computers is initiated.
US09690569B1 Method of updating firmware of a server rack system, and a server rack system
A method of updating firmware of a server rack system includes: receiving, by a rack management controller (RMC), a firmware updating program; broadcasting, by the RMC, an update notification to a rack back plate (RBP); after receiving the update notification, transmitting one by one, by the RBP, request messages which are associated with respective ones of sections of the firmware updating program to the RMC; responding, by the RMC, to each of the request messages by transmitting the respective one of the sections to the RBP; and after receiving the sections of the firmware updating program, recovering, by the RBP, the firmware updating program at least from the complete sections for subsequent firmware update.
US09690560B2 System and method for transferring software applications and data between two mobile devices with different operating systems
A method, machine and system enable the automated transfer of software applications between mobile devices that have different operating systems. A computer receives (1004) a first image of a first display screen of a first mobile device with at least one application (app) selection icon visible within the first image. The computer analyzes (1006) the first image to identify at least one software application from the at least one selection icon. The computer initiates (1022) a download of the at least one application identified to a second mobile device for installation of the at least one application on the second mobile device.
US09690556B2 Code optimization to enable and disable coalescing of memory transactions
A transactional memory system controls the coalescing of outermost memory transactions. The coalescing causing committing of memory store data to memory for a first transaction to be done at transaction execution (TX) end of a second transaction. A processor of the transactional memory system executes a run-time instrumentation program for monitoring and modifying an associated program having a plurality of transactions. Based, at least in part, on an analysis of gathered instrumentation information, the processor dynamically modifies continued execution of the plurality of transactions by adding a coalescing instruction that controls, at least in part, a coalescing of one or more outermost transactions of the plurality of transactions.
US09690551B2 Auto-vectorization in just-in-time compilers for dynamically typed programming languages
A computing device with an optimizing compiler is disclosed that is configured to generate optimized machine code including a vector operation corresponding to multiple scalar operations where the vector operation is a single operation on multiple pairs of operands. The optimizing compiler includes a vector guard condition generator configured to generate a vector guard condition for one or more vector operations, a mapping module to generate a mapping between elements of the vector guard condition and positions of the relevant scalar operations in the non-optimized machine code or intermediate representation of the source code, and a guard condition handler configured to initiate execution from a particular scalar operation in the non-optimized machine code or intermediate representation if the vector guard condition is triggered. The computing device may include a non-optimizing compiler and/or an interpreter to perform execution of the scalar operations if the vector guard condition is triggered.
US09690546B2 Method and system for transitive traversal service discovery
A computer system includes a processor and an electronic storage. The processor provides a service composition tree of services which are offered, wherein the tree is hierarchical and specifies relationships of the services which are offered within the service composition tree to each other; translates service composition trees and the relationships of the services represented in the trees into a directed acyclic graph (DAG) that represents the service composition trees, the DAG being redundancy-free; and performs a transitive traversal within the DAG among the services represented in the DAG to locate information, within the DAG, regarding the services, in relation to each other. The electronic storage stores the DAG accessed by the processor. A method according to the above will perform a transitive traversal service discovery of a DAG that is redundancy-free, and optionally is minimal weighted. A non-transitory computer-readable medium can perform the method.
US09690540B2 Social media queue
Examples provided herein are directed to social-media playback queues. In one example, a computing system may be configured to (i) receive an identifier of a media playback system, (ii) link the identifier with a social-media account, (iii) based at least on linking the identifier with the social-media account, generate a social-media playback queue that is fillable with one or more media items playable by the media playback system, (iv) establish access permissions to the social-media playback queue, where the access permissions indicate at least one additional social media account that (a) is within a social-media network of the social-media account, and (b) has access to the social-media playback queue, (v) receive, from a computing device affiliated with the at least one additional social-media account, an indication of a media item to be added to the social-media playback queue, and (vi) add the media item to the social-media playback queue.
US09690534B1 Wearable computing eyeglasses that provide unobstructed views
A method for displaying a view of a target comprises establishing a network including a plurality of display devices, requesting by a first display device in the network having an obstructed view of the target, at least one of position and orientation data from one or more remaining display devices in the network each having a different view of the target than the obstructed view, selecting a remaining display device as a view provider to provide the different view of the target to the first display device, requesting the different view of the target from the selected view provider; providing the different view of the target to the first display device, and displaying the different view of the target via the first display device.
US09690530B2 Mail production job tracking system and method
A computer method and system to allow reconciliation of documents that were originally part of a first mail production job, but that may have been produced as part of a different second mail production job. A database stores a first record that identifies documents in the first mail production job. The record includes one or more fields indicating a production status of the documents in the first mail production job. At some point in the production process, a document is separated from what was originally defined as the first mail production job, to be instead produced as part of a second mail production job. The database further stores a second record identifying documents in the second mail production job. These records are updated to include a pointer indicating the relationship between the document and the first mail production job and the second mail production job. During mail production the production status of a document is determined. The database records are updated to record the current status of the documents. Responsive to a query regarding the status of documents originally in the first job, the pointer is used to identify the status of the document in the second job.
US09690524B2 Managing print settings in multiple execution environments
To make a set of set values of a plurality of print setting items added in a first execution environment usable in a second execution environment as well, an information processing apparatus comprises: a first printer driver configured to operate in a first execution environment, and add a set of set values of a plurality of print setting items to a list; and an application corresponding to a second printer driver configured to operate in a second execution environment, and obtain the set of the set values added by the first printer driver and display the set of the set values as a choice.
US09690520B2 Recovering an encoded data slice in a dispersed storage network
A method begins by a processing module of a dispersed storage network (DSN) receiving a DSN retrieval request regarding a data object and performing a scoring function using properties of the DSN retrieval request and properties of DSN memory of the DSN to produce a storage scoring resultant. The method continues with the processing module identifying a set of primary storage units based on the storage scoring resultant and sending a set of retrieval requests to the set of primary storage units. When a primary storage unit does not provide a favorable response, using the storage scoring resultant to identify an alternative storage unit. When the alternative storage unit is identified, sending a corresponding retrieval request to the alternative storage unit.
US09690511B2 Multi-core data array power gating restoral mechanism
An apparatus includes a fuse array and a stores. The fuse array is programmed with compressed configuration data for a plurality of cores. The stores is coupled to the plurality of cores, and includes a plurality of sub-stores that each correspond to each of the plurality of cores, where one of the plurality of cores accesses the semiconductor fuse array upon power-up/reset to read and decompress the compressed configuration data, and to store a plurality of decompressed configuration data sets for one or more cache memories within the each of the plurality of cores in the plurality of sub-stores. Each of the plurality of cores has sleep logic. The sleep logic is configured to subsequently access a corresponding one of the each of the plurality of sub-stores to retrieve and employ the decompressed configuration data sets to initialize the one or more caches following a power gating event.
US09690507B2 System and method for enabling high read rates to data element lists
A memory system for a network device is described. The memory system includes a main memory configured to store one or more data elements. Further, the memory system includes a link memory that is configured to maintain one or more pointers to interconnect the one or more data elements stored in the main memory. The memory system also includes a free-entry manager that is configured to generate an available bank set including one or more locations in the link memory. In addition, the memory system includes a context manager that is configured to maintain metadata for a list of the one or more data elements.
US09690501B1 Method and system for determining data profiles using block-based methodology
Techniques for determining characteristics of data blocks being accessed in a storage system are described herein. According to one embodiment, an input/output (IO) request is received for accessing a first data block of a first file stored in a storage system. The first file is one of the files stored in the storage system and each file contains multiple data blocks. In response to the request, a block-based monitor executed in a memory by a processor accesses a set of monitoring rules to determine whether the first file should be monitored. If so, the block-based monitor captures statistics data associated with the first data block and stores the statistics data of the first data block in a statistics database maintained in a persistent storage device. The statistics database stores statistics data of the data blocks of files monitored and captured based on the set of monitoring rules.
US09690500B2 Efficient flashcopy backup target volume allocation
For efficient FlashCopy backup target volume allocation, a target volume is dynamically allocated for a new FlashCopy backup by reusing an existing FlashCopy target volume containing older FlashCopy backups that have been previously ingested into a repository and are not currently being used as a source for at least one of a mount task, a clone task, and a restore task.
US09690492B2 Random read performance of optical media library
Embodiments relate to data storage media, and reading data from the media and writing data to the media. A data structure is provided to identify storage location and/or media parameters. One or more parameters of storage media is pre-loaded and conveyed to an associated media accessor prior to transferring data across the storage media in support of an associated read or write request.
US09690478B2 Method and system for processing gestures to cause computation of measurement of an angle or a segment using a touch system
A method and a system for processing gestures to cause computation of measurements of an angle or a segment using a touch screen are disclosed. The system includes a processor, a touch screen coupled to the processor, and a gesture module coupled to the processor for executing a gesturing method. The method includes determining a gesture shape. For example, when the gesture shape is an arc or a line between two touching lines, the method calculates the measurement of the angle between the touching lines and behind the gestured line or arc. When the gesture is a line crossing a segment, the method calculates the measurement from the beginning of the segment to the end of the segment. The method further displays the calculated measurement of at least one of the angle or the segment.
US09690474B2 User interface, device and method for providing an improved text input
A user interface module for a device having a touch display arranged with virtual keys and at least one first area. The device is adapted to execute at least one application adapted to receive text input and the touch display is arranged to display content associated with the application. The touch display is also arranged to display a text input area upon activation of the application's receiving of text input. The text input area, at least partially, overlaps the at least one first area. The touch display is also arranged to display the content being displayed in the first area as shaded and arranged to display text input received through the text input area clearly.
US09690469B2 Data sharing software program utilizing a drag-and-drop operation and spring loaded portal
Embodiments include a program for transferring of data from a source computer to a location on a target computer utilizing a drag-and-drop operation and a spring-loaded portal. I/O devices are monitored for mouse input that includes coordinates of a mouse pointer. Whether an end-user is utilizing the mouse pointer to perform the drag-and-drop operation is determined. The spring-loaded portal is expanded from a closed position to an open position. A screen snapshot image of the location on the target computer is retrieved and overlaid on the spring-loaded portal. The transferring of data from the source computer to the location on the target computer is executed, wherein the location on the target computer is previewable at the source computer through the spring-loaded portal. Whether to abort the transferring of data is determined. The spring-loaded portal is minimized from the open position to the closed position.
US09690457B2 Virtual reality applications
Augmented reality technology is described. The technology can detect objects in a scene, identifying one or more installed or available applications based on the detected objects, and place icons representing the identified applications proximate to the detected objects in a display of the scene, e.g., so that a user can start or install the identified applications. The technology can also facilitate interaction with an identified object, e.g., to remotely control a recognized object.
US09690450B2 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.
US09690449B2 Touch based selection of graphical elements
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for touch based selection of graphical elements. Embodiments of the invention improve the usability of interacting with data visualizations. When multiple graphical elements are covered by a finger touch, a gesture recognition component detects ambiguity in the selection. In response, a visualization component draws additional regions around the touched location. The additional regions correspond to the covered graphical elements covered. Thus, a user is made aware of the graphical elements covered by his or her finger. These additional regions are touch friendly and more easily selectable. A finger can be moved into one of the additional regions and released to finish the selection. The gesture recognition component interprets this gesture as if the user tapped directly and unambiguously on the corresponding graphical element.
US09690441B2 Method and apparatus for managing message
A method and apparatus are provided for conveniently managing messages that are received from or sent to external devices through a network by a mobile device. At least one message is displayed and selected by a user for a further operation. Attribute information of the selected message is checked in a message history database. Based on the checked attribute information, a message related to the selected message is displayed. The selected message may be a previously marked message and the related message may be an unmarked message.
US09690439B2 Touch panel
An arrangement is provided that uses the differential approach to effectively remove noise contained in a signal in a line even in a touch panel that includes some lines that are separated from each other at a larger distance. The touch panel (2) includes: a touch panel substrate (22), a plurality of Y-direction electrodes (23) provided on the touch panel substrate (22); a plurality of lines (24, 34) electrically connected with the Y-direction electrodes (23); and a floating electrode (61) located within a predetermined distance from at least one of the lines (24, 34) and another line adjacent the at least one line such that noise produced in the at least one line can be propagated to reach the other line.
US09690434B2 Touch module, manufacturing method thereof and display device
A touch module, a manufacturing method thereof and a display device are disclosed. The touch module includes peripheral leads, an insulating layer and a touch electrode layer sequentially arranged on a substrate in stacked layers. The touch electrode layer includes touch sensing electrodes and touch drive electrodes, which intersect and are insulated from each other, and connection terminal protection members. Patterns of the touch sensing electrode and the touch drive electrode cover overlapping parts of the peripheral leads electrically connected with the touch sensing electrodes and the touch drive electrodes at positions of first opening areas of the insulating layer. Patterns of the connection terminal protection members cover connection terminal parts of corresponding peripheral leads at positions of second opening areas of the insulating layer. The touch module can simplify the number of layers of the touch module, reduce the use number of masks and improve the productivity.
US09690420B2 Display device having touch sensor
A touch sensing device comprises a display panel including a plurality of data lines and a plurality of sensor interconnection lines, the plurality of data lines connected to a plurality of pixels of the display panel, and the plurality of sensor interconnection lines connected to a plurality of touch electrodes of the display panel, each pixel including a plurality of sub-pixels that each display a distinct color. A pattern of sub-pixels is arranged in the display panel such that a same number of sub-pixels for each distinct color is arranged adjacent to a first side and adjacent to a second side of one or more of the plurality of sensor interconnection lines, each of the sub-pixels for each distinct color being adjacent to either the first side or the second side of a corresponding one of the sensor interconnection lines.
US09690416B2 Touch panel, touch display panel and touch detection and display method
A touch panel includes an array of pixels, a scan drive circuit, and a touch detection circuit. The array includes a plurality of sets of scan lines and a plurality of sets of data lines that orthogonally intersect with each other. The plurality of sets of data lines includes a first type of sets and a second type of sets that are disposed apart from each other. The scan drive circuit is electrically connected with the sets of scan lines and provides each set of the scan lines with a first scan drive signal sequentially set by set. The touch detection circuit provides the first type of sets with a touch drive signal and detects a touch sense signal from the second type of sets when each set of scan lines receives the first scan drive signal.
US09690413B2 Temperature compensating transparent force sensor having a compliant layer
An optically transparent force sensor that may compensate for environmental effects, including, for example, variations in temperature of the device or the surroundings. In some examples, two force-sensitive layers are separated by a compliant layer. The relative electrical response of the two force-sensitive layers may be used to compute an estimate of the force of a touch that reduces the effect of variations in temperature. In some examples, piezoelectric films having anisotropic strain properties are used to reduce the effects of temperature.
US09690412B2 Touch interface module
The invention relates to an actuator (9) for a touch interface module (1) with haptic feedback, the interface module comprising a touch surface (3) able to detect at least one property of a user's touch, the actuator (9) comprising: a frame (11); a moveable core (13) interacting with the frame (11) and intended to be driven to move between extreme positions in order to generate the haptic feedback; and a main actuator connected to the touch surface (3) and able to generate haptic feedback depending on the detected touch and comprising electromagnetic actuating means (15, 17) for driving the moveable core (13) to move, characterized in that it furthermore comprises a controlled secondary actuator (18) cooperating with the moveable core (13).
US09690410B2 Liquid crystal display apparatus
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display apparatus includes a display region including a plurality of display pixels arrayed in a matrix, an array substrate including a plurality of first electrodes which are arrayed in a matrix, second electrodes which are arranged on the same layer as a layer of the first electrodes and connect the first electrodes to each other, and third electrodes which are arrayed in a matrix on the first electrodes and the second electrodes, a countersubstrate which is arranged to face the array substrate, and a liquid crystal layer which is interposed between the array substrate and the countersubstrate.
US09690406B2 Pixel circuit, method for driving pixel circuit, organic light-emitting diode display panel, and display device
The pixel circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a display driving module, arranged to compensate for the voltage threshold of the driving transistor by a data signal inputted by the data line and a first signal inputted by the first signal source in a time period, which is under a control of a first scanning signal inputted by the first scanning line, a second scanning signal inputted by the second scanning line, and a control signal inputted by the control line, so that a light-emitting driving signal of the OLED is independent of the voltage threshold of the driving transistor, within a fourth stage of the time period; and an in-cell touch detection module, arranged to detect a touch signal of a touch screen based on a variation of light caused by a touch operation in the time period, which is under the control of the first scanning signal and the control signal.
US09690405B2 Display panel and manufacturing method thereof, and display device
The present invention provides a display panel, a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device. The display panel is divided into display areas and non-display areas, and comprises an upper base plate and a lower base plate which is aligned with the upper base plate to form a cell, a control structure and a display structure are arranged in the display area on the lower base plate, a sensing structure is further arranged in the display area on the upper base plate and/or the lower base plate, the sensing structure and the display structure are correspondingly arranged, and a stabilizer sub-structure is arranged in the sensing structure.
US09690400B2 Information handling system interactive totems
A totem device accepts inputs from an end user and communicates the inputs to an information handling system through a capacitive mat by moving an interactive portion of the totem relative to a main portion. In one embodiment, the capacitive mat integrates a display that presents input images proximate the totem, such as a volume gauge or mouse keys. Interactive portions include compressible materials that alter surface area pressed against a capacitive mat when pressed upon and plungers that move independent of a main body to press. In one embodiment, a camera captures images of the totem to enhance the distinguishing of inputs.
US09690387B2 Vehicle computing system in communication with a wearable device
A vehicle computing system comprising at least one controller configured to communicate with a wearable device. The at least one controller may be configured to receive data defining a first gesture made using the wearable wireless device. The controller may be further configured to determine a first predefined command, for controlling a vehicle system, previously stored in association with the first gesture. The controller may be further configured to control the vehicle system in accordance with the first predefined command.
US09690382B1 Devices, methods, and graphical user interfaces for haptic mixing
An electronic device receives a plurality of requests to generate a plurality of tactile outputs, including two or more overlapping tactile outputs, using the one or more tactile output generators. In response, the device generates and outputs combined tactile outputs. If the plurality of tactile outputs exceeds a threshold number of tactile outputs that is permitted to be mixed together for concurrent output, the device mixes a subset of the plurality of tactile outputs together into a combined tactile output that excludes at least one of the plurality of tactile outputs to produce a combined tactile output that is output via the device's one or more tactile output generators.
US09690381B2 Systems and methods for shape input and output for a haptically-enabled deformable surface
One illustrative computing device disclosed herein includes a first sensor configured to detect a position associated with a deformable surface and transmit a sensor signal associated with the position; and a processor in communication with the sensor, the processor configured to: receive the sensor signal; determine a haptic effect based at least in part on the sensor signal; and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The illustrative computing device also includes a haptic output device in communication with the processor, the haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
US09690375B2 Systems and methods for generating augmented and virtual reality images
A ride system includes at least one ride vehicle. The at least one ride vehicle is configured to receive a ride passenger. The ride system includes electronic goggles configured to be worn by the ride passenger. The electronic goggles include a camera and a display. The ride system includes a computer graphics generation system communicatively coupled to the electronic goggles, and configured to generate streaming media of a real world environment based on image data captured via the camera of the electronic goggles, generate one or more virtual augmentations superimposed on the streaming media of the real world environment, and to transmit the streaming media of the real world environment along with the one or more superimposed virtual augmentations to be displayed on the display of the electronic goggles.
US09690373B2 Making physical objects appear to be moving from the physical world into the virtual world
Embodiments provide a system that includes a first interactive device and control logic configured to perform an operation. The operation includes receiving historical data describing historical interactions between a user and one or more interactive devices. Additionally, the operation includes configuring the first interactive device with one or more interactive events. Each interactive event includes a respective (i) stimulus event and (ii) an action to perform responsive to an occurrence of the stimulus event, and at least one of the one or more interactive events is based on the received historical data. Responsive to detecting an occurrence of a first one of the one or more stimulus events, the operation includes causing the first interactive device to perform the corresponding action. The operation also includes updating the first interactive device with a second one or more interactive events.
US09690369B2 Facial expression control system, facial expression control method, and computer system thereof
A facial expression control system, a facial expression control method, and a computer system thereof are disclosed. The facial expression control system includes a face detection module, a database, and a processing module. The face detection module is used for determining whether a facial expression feature is detected in a captured image. The database is used for storing a control parameter table, wherein the control parameter table is corresponding to the facial expression feature. If the face detection module detects the facial expression feature, the control parameter table of the database is accessed according to the facial expression feature to get an encode signal and transmitted to the processing module. The processing module is used for generating a control signal according to the encode signal.
US09690368B2 Customization based on physiological data
Product and/or item customization based on physiological data is described. One or more sensors worn by a person or a group of people and/or attached with one or more items may generate sensor data. Data characterizing one or more physiological attributes of the person or group may be determined based at least in part on the generated sensor data. Item customization may include a customized design. For example, the customized design may include one or more personalized graphics generated based on the physiological data, and/or one or more customized item components with parameters set based on the physiological data. The customized design may be provided to an item customization facility for presentation, assembly and/or manufacture. Item customization may further include selecting for consideration a set of matching items based at least in part on the physiological data.
US09690367B2 System and method for assisting a user in locating physical objects while the user is in a virtual reality environment
A method and apparatus is disclosed for assisting a user, wearing a head mounted display (HMD) that covers a user's field of vision and has a tracker providing information regarding the position and orientation of the HMD, in locating a physical controller located on a physical base station. A processor causes the HMD to display a virtual world, including a virtual representation of the physical base station and physical controller along with a virtual hand that helps guide the user to the physical base station to allow the user to pick up the physical controller. Another embodiment allows an area in the physical world to be defined within which the user should remain, for example to avoid physical obstacles. The processor causes the HMD to display a warning, such as a virtual fence, to alert the user if the user approaches to within a preselected distance of the boundary.
US09690361B2 Low-power context-aware control for analog frontend
An analog frontend (AFE) interface is dynamically programmable based on a determined operating state. The AFE includes hardware to interface with multiple different sensors. The AFE includes analog processing hardware that can select input data from one of the multiple sensors. The analog processing hardware is coupled to a processor that computes features from the sensor, where the features represent selected operating condition information of the AFE for the sensor. The processor is to determine one of multiple discrete operating states of the AFE for the sensor based on the computed features and dynamically adjust operation of the AFE to interface with the sensor based on the determined operating state. Dynamically adjusting the operation of the AFE includes controlling a configuration of the AFE that controls how the AFE receives the input sensor data from the sensor.
US09690341B2 Heat insulation structure for hand-held device and hand-held device with same
A heat insulation structure for hand-held device includes a holding body disposed in a hand-held device. The holding body has a frame and internally defines a receiving space, in which a holding section is provided. A heat insulation space is formed between the frame and the holding section. The frame and the holding section are connected to each other via at least one connecting member. With the heat insulation space formed between the frame and the holding section, the heat insulation structure for hand-held device provides effective heat dissipation effect to prevent a hand-held device from burning a user's hand due to heat produced by electronic elements in the had-held device.
US09690336B2 Function card fixing structure having a releasing component to lock and unlock a sliding component
A function card fixing structure is provided, comprising a main body including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is perpendicular to the second portion, and the first portion comprises a plurality of trenches extending along a direction of a long axis of the main body. A sliding component is disposed at a side of the second portion, wherein the sliding component comprises a plate body and a locking portion, and one side of the plate body comprises a plurality of openings and stopping portions. A releasing component comprising a locking portion is at one side, wherein the locking portion of the releasing component is locked with the locking portion of the sliding component.
US09690327B2 Portable computer support
A support for a pad computer and the like includes a body support strap which may be placed around the neck or shoulders of a user, and a body propping unit that positions a computer outwardly from the torso of the user. The body support strap connects to the body propping member preferably at a location proximately aligned with the center of gravity of the combined mass of the computer and computer support when the body popping member is deployed in its stand-off position. In a preferred variant the body propping member is a U-shaped strut assembly with two arms joined by a bridge. The body support strap connects to the arms. The arms are hinged at the sides of the computer. The bridge may be swung from an in-use orientation spacing the computer outwardly from a user, to a parked position wherein the bridge lies adjacent to an opposite transverse edge of the computer in the plane of the computer.
US09690314B2 Inductive load power switching circuits
Power switching circuits including an inductive load and a switching device are described. The switches devices can be either low-side or high-side switches. Some of the switches are transistors that are able to block voltages or prevent substantial current from flowing through the transistor when voltage is applied across the transistor.
US09690304B2 Method of, and apparatus for, providing a gas mixture
There is provided a gas mixer arrangement comprising a first gas source for supplying a first gas; a second gas source for supplying a second gas different from said first gas; a first valve for regulating the flow of the first gas; a second valve for regulating the flow of the second gas; a mixer located downstream of the first and second valves and arranged, in use, to mix the first and second gases to provide a mixed gas; a meter arranged to measure the average molecular weight of the mixed gas, comprising a high-frequency planar piezoelectric crystal oscillator in contact with the mixed gas and a sensor operable to determine atmospheric pressure; and a controller operable, in response to the measured average molecular weight of said mixed gas, to control at least one of said first and second valves in order to control the relative proportion of the first and second gases in said mixed gas.
US09690289B2 Mobile terminal and controlling method thereof
A mobile terminal and controlling method thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes a communication module configured to transceive data with at least one drone, a display module configured to output a screen for controlling a motion of the drone, a touch interface module configured to receive a random touch drag within the displayed screen, and a controller controlling the communication module, the display module and the touch interface module, the controller generating a 1st control data for controlling an altitude of the drone if the received touch drag is recognized as a 1st direction, the controller generating a 2nd control data for controlling right and left directions of the drone if the received touch drag is recognized as a 2nd direction.
US09690287B2 Servo system and encoder
A servo system includes a motor having a stator and a movable element which moves relative to the stator, an encoder which detects at least one of a position and a speed of the movable element of the motor, and a controller including first circuitry which controls operation of the motor based on a detection result of the encoder. The first circuitry of the controller transmits a first command signal that changes a communication speed between the encoder and the controller from a first speed to a second speed which is higher than the first speed, and the encoder includes second circuitry which changes the communication speed between the encoder and the controller to the second speed when the first command signal is received from the controller.
US09690285B2 Presenting field users on process graphics
A method, field user presenting arrangement and a computer program product for enabling an operator of a process control system to determine the location of field users in the process control system are provided. The arrangement includes a presentation control unit that obtains position data of the position of a field user, obtain the positions of objects in the process control system, compares the position of the field user with the positions of the objects, determines that the field user is in the vicinity of an object if the distance between the position of the field user and the position of the object is below a proximity threshold, and presents the field user on graphics depicting the process, where a field user deemed to be in the vicinity of an object is presented at this object in the graphics.
US09690275B2 System energy efficiency controller, energy efficiency gain device and smart energy service system used for energy utilization
A system energy efficiency controller connected (105) to at least one of an energy generation device (101), an energy storage device (102), an energy utilization device (103) and an energy regeneration device (104) is disclosed for enabling energy utilization. Said system energy efficiency controller (105) cooperatively controls the input and output of a ubiquitous energy flow of at least one of the energy generation device (101), the energy storage device (102), the energy utilization device (103) and the energy regeneration device (104). Said ubiquitous energy flow includes at least one of an energy flow, a material flow, and an information flow. Also disclosed are an energy efficiency gain device, an energy efficiency matching station and a smart energy service system, which are connected with the controller (105). The present invention optimizes the entire process of energy utilization using the system energy efficiency controller (105), thus improving the system energy efficiency.
US09690265B2 Mobile device with automatic acquisition and analysis of building automation system
A building automation system includes a plurality of components, with each of the plurality of components associated with point data. A method of controlling the building automation system includes establishing communications between a mobile computing device and a building automation network of the building automation system. The method further includes receiving point data from the building automation system via the building automation network. In addition, the method includes identifying a plurality of components of the building automation system based on the point data received from the at least one building automation network and generating a model of the building automation system based on the point data.
US09690261B2 Method for automatically setting responsiveness parameters for motion control systems
Robustly stabilizing controller bandwidth for a controlled mechanical system is determined as a function of the system's estimated inertia and dominant system parameters that define constraints on the bandwidth. In one or more embodiments, a bandwidth model is derived that defines a relationship between robustly stabilizing controller bandwidth and system gain over a range of reasonable system uncertainties. Using the model, a suitable controller bandwidth can be determined for a given motion control system given only estimates of the system gain and the dominant parameters(s) that constrain the bandwidth. In an example two-inertia system, the system gain and dominant parameter can comprise system inertia and mechanical coupling stiffness, respectively. Accordingly, estimates of the system inertia and coupling stiffness can be provided to the system, which determines a suitable controller bandwidth for the motion control system characterized by the estimates.
US09690242B2 Fixing device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
A fixing device includes a first rotary body, a second rotary body to contact the first rotary body, and a plain bearing that supports the first rotary body or the second rotary body. One rotary body of the first rotary body and the second rotary body has an outer diameter increasing, while the other rotary body has an outer diameter decreasing, in a curved line from an axial center portion to axial end portions of the first rotary body and the second rotary body at least between the first rotary body and the second rotary body. A recording medium passes between the first rotary body and the second rotary body with a circumferential component of a shear force generated between the first rotary body and the second rotary body by use of the plain bearing being in a range of from 15N to 25N.
US09690241B2 Belt guide for fuser unit
A fuser unit includes: an endless belt, which has an end portion having an end surface in a first direction; a nip member, which extends in the first direction and is arranged inside the endless belt; a belt guide, which is arranged to be in contact with the end surface of the endless belt and includes: a restraining part, which is configured to restrain the endless belt from moving in the first direction; and an inner surface guide, which extends from the restraining part into an inside of the endless belt and guides the inner circumferential surface of the endless belt; and an urging member, which is configured to urge the belt guide in a urging direction so that the inner surface guide is urged toward the inner circumferential surface of the endless belt.
US09690215B2 Interferometer module
The invention relates to a differential interferometer module adapted for measuring a direction of displacement between a reference mirror and a measurement mirror. In an embodiment the differential interferometer module is adapted for emitting three reference beams towards a first mirror and three measurement beams towards a second mirror for determining a displacement between said first and second mirror. In a preferred embodiment the same module is adapted for measuring a relative rotation around two perpendicular axes as well. The present invention further relates to a lithography system comprising such a interferometer module and a method for measuring such a displacement and rotations.
US09690214B2 Pattern forming apparatus and pattern forming method, movable body drive system and movable body drive method, exposure apparatus and exposure method, and device manufacturing method
A partial section of an aerial image measuring unit is arranged at a wafer stage and part of the remaining section is arranged at a measurement stage, and the aerial image measuring unit measures an aerial image of a mark formed by a projection optical system. Therefore, for example, when the aerial image measuring unit measures a best focus position of the projection optical system, the measurement can be performed using the position of the wafer stage, at which a partial section of the aerial image measuring unit is arranged, in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the projection optical system as a datum for the best focus position. Accordingly, when exposing an object with illumination light, the position of the wafer stage in the direction parallel to the optical axis is adjusted with high accuracy based on the measurement result of the best focus position.
US09690209B2 Movable body apparatus, exposure apparatus, exposure method, and device manufacturing method
In a measurement device, positional information of a mark of an object is measured. A holding member that holds the object, with a movable member that is supported by levitation on a base member, moves so that the mark is detected with a detection system having an optical member that irradiates the mark with a detection light, the base member being disposed below the detection system so that a surface of the base member is substantially parallel to a predetermined plane. The holding member is supported by the movable member and has a mounting area for the object on an upper surface side of the holding member in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined plane and being provided with a measurement surface on a lower surface side of the holding member, the measurement surface having a grating.
US09690203B2 Method for adjusting an illumination setting
Method for setting an illumination setting in an illumination optical unit comprising at least one controllable correction device, which includes a multiplicity of adjustable correction elements for influencing the transmission, wherein the illumination setting is varied for adapting a predetermined imaging parameter in the region of an image field.
US09690202B2 Developing method, developing apparatus and storage medium
A developing method includes: forming a puddle of a developer on a surface of the substrate held by the substrate holding unit by a first developer nozzle; subsequently spreading the puddle of the developer over the whole substrate surface, by moving the first developer nozzle discharging the developer from a central or peripheral part to the peripheral or central part of the rotating substrate, with a contacting part of the first developer nozzle contacting with the puddle; supplying the developer from a second developer nozzle onto the rotating substrate, thereby to uniformize, in the substrate plane, distribution of a degree of progress of development by the developer spreading step; and removing the developer between the developer spreading step and the developer supplying step to remove the developer on the substrate.
US09690201B2 Drawing method and method of manufacturing article
A charged particle beam drawing apparatus draws a plurality of cut patterns on a plurality of first linear patterns arranged to extend in a first direction and align themselves at a predetermined pitch P in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The plurality of cut patterns are drawn so that an interval Ai in the second direction between the centers of each pair of cut patterns adjacent to each other in the second direction (i is a number which specifies the pair) satisfies a relation: Ai=m1X (m1=1, 2, 3, . . . ) where X is a dimension defined by the pitch P.
US09690197B2 Negative-type photosensitive white composition for touch panel, touch panel and touch panel production method
The present invention provides a negative-type photosensitive white composition for a touch panel, the composition including: (A) a white pigment; (B) an alkali-soluble resin; (C) a polyfunctional monomer; and (D) a photopolymerization initiator.
US09690195B2 Lithographic printing plate precursors and processes for preparing lithographic printing plates
Lithographic printing plates and processes for preparing the lithographic printing plates are provided. The plates have excellent printing durability, staining resistance and staining resistance over time. The lithographic printing plate precursor includes: a substrate; a photosensitive layer provided on the substrate; and an extra layer optionally provided between the substrate and the photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer or the extra layer adjacent to the substrate contains (A) a copolymer. The copolymer (A) includes: (a1) a repeating unit of formula (a1-1) below in a side chain, and (a2) a repeating unit having at least one of the structures represented by formulae (a2-1) to (a2-6) shown in the specification in a side chain. L1, Z1, R1, and R21, R22 and R23 in formula (a1-1) and the variables in formulae (a2-1) to (a2-6) are as defined in the specification.
US09690193B2 Curable composition for nanoimprinting and cured product
Disclosed is a curable composition for nanoimprinting, which includes one or more polymerizable monomers, in which one or more monofunctional radically polymerizable monomers occupy 90 percent by weight or more of the one or more polymerizable monomers, and the one or more monofunctional radically polymerizable monomers give a polymer having a glass transition temperature of 25° C. or higher. The one or more monofunctional radically polymerizable monomers are preferably at least one compound selected from (meth)acrylic ester compounds, styrenic compounds, and vinyl ether compounds.
US09690188B2 Photomask and method for manufacturing photomask
A method for manufacturing a photomask is provided. The method includes providing a flexible substrate, forming a plurality of microstructures on the flexible substrate, coating the flexible substrate with a shading material to form a shading layer on the substrate, and solidifying the shading layer which is a single layer.
US09690186B2 Extreme ultraviolet lithography process and mask
An extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) process is disclosed. The process comprises receiving a mask. The mask includes a low thermal expansion material (LTEM) substrate, a reflective multilayer (ML) over one surface of the LTEM substrate, a first region having a phase-shifting layer over the reflective ML, and a second region having no phase-shifting layer over the reflective ML. The EUVL process also comprises exposing the mask by a nearly on-axis illumination with partial coherence less than 0.3 to produce diffracted light and non-diffracted light, removing at least a portion of the non-diffracted light, and collecting and directing the diffracted light and the not removed non-diffracted light by a projection optics box (POB) to expose a target.
US09690185B2 Substrate processing method, program, computer-readable storage medium, and substrate processing system
A substrate processing method performs a photolithography processing on a wafer to form a resist pattern on the wafer. Ultraviolet ray is irradiated onto the resist pattern to cut side chains of the resist pattern to improve line edge roughness of the resist pattern. A processing agent is caused to enter the resist pattern and a metal is caused to be infiltrated into the resist pattern through the processing agent. Thereafter, the wafer is heated to vaporize the processing agent from the resist pattern to form a cured resist pattern.
US09690182B2 Magnet screen device
There is provided a magnet screen device capable of satisfactorily displaying an image projected from a projector even at an edge portion of a screen sheet thereof. The magnet screen device comprises a screen sheet having a projection surface and a magnet surface opposed to the projection surface, and a roll part for rolling up the screen sheet. In non-use state of the device, the screen sheet is in a rolled-up position on the roll part such that the magnet surface is situated on the inside with respect to the projection surface in the rolled-up screen sheet.
US09690180B2 Prism group and projection apparatus
A prism group including a first, a second, and a third prisms is provided. The first prism has a first light incidence surface, a first light emitting surface, and a first connecting surface. The second prism has a second light incidence surface, a second light emitting surface, and a second connecting surface. The second light incidence surface is located between the first light emitting surface and the second light emitting surface. A first air gap is between the second light incidence surface and the first light emitting surface. The third prism has a third light incidence surface, a third light emitting surface, and a third connecting surface. The third light incidence surface is located between the second light emitting surface and the third light emitting surface. A second air gap is between the third light incidence surface and the second light emitting surface. A projection apparatus is also provided.
US09690178B2 Light emitting device and projector
In a light emitting device, a second electrode is provided over a ridge portion having a constant width in a plan view, a second cladding layer includes an electrical connection region electrically connected to the second electrode, the active layer constitutes a light waveguide through which light is guided in a region overlapping the ridge portion in the plan view, the light waveguide is provided with a first light emission surface and a second light emission surface from which the light is emitted, and, in the plan view, a width of the electrical connection region at a central position equidistant from the first light emission surface and the second light emission surface is smaller than a width of an end of the electrical connection region in an extending direction of the light waveguide.
US09690177B2 Lighting device, projector, light-source-device supporting instrument, and light source cartridge
A lighting device includes a supporting section configured to support a light source device unit, a fan housing section in which an outflow port for causing the air discharged by a cooling fan to flow out is formed, and a circulating device supported by the light source device unit. The outflow port is opened in a direction along a second direction. The light source device unit includes an inflow port opened to a side opposed to the outflow port and a channel for leading the air flowing in from the inflow port to a light source. The circulating device includes a moving section disposed between the light source device unit and the fan housing section in a predetermined position, a ventilation hole for causing the outflow port and the inflow port to communicate being formed in the moving section, and an urging section configured to urge the moving section.
US09690176B2 Projection optical apparatus and projector
In a projection optical apparatus, a refractive system includes a plurality of lens groups, one of which includes a first lens located in a position closest to a reflective system and a first lens frame having an accommodation section that accommodates the first lens. The first lens has a lens cutoff section, and the accommodation section has a wall section that is located outside the lens cutoff section and a first opening section that exposes a side surface of the first lens that is opposite the lens cutoff section. The wall section is provided with an open section that exposes the lens cutoff section. A guide barrel is so formed as to expose the first opening section and the open section. A projection optical apparatus enclosure has a second opening section that exposes the first opening section and is configured to be capable of exposing the open section.
US09690168B2 Focus assist system and method
According to some aspects, a method for assisting the adjusting of a focus of an image includes providing a graphical representation of a detected image. The method can also include receiving an indication of a user selection of a region of the image and providing a magnified graphical representation of the selected image region. The method may further include providing a graphical indication of a degree of focus for at least a portion of the selected image region. The graphical indication in some instances is visually correlated with the magnified graphical representation of the selected image region. The size, shape, and/or color of the graphical indication in some instances can be correlated with the degree of focus for at least a portion of the selected image region.
US09690154B2 Liquid crystal display panel and method of manufacturing the same
A liquid crystal display panel includes: a transparent insulating substrate; a signal line and a scanning line arranged in a display region on the transparent insulating substrate and crossing each other in a matrix; a protective insulating film arranged so as to cover at least the signal line and the scanning line from above; a first insulating film that covers the protective insulating film from above; and a first contact hole that penetrates at least the first insulating film and the protective insulating film to reach a surface of a common interconnect. The first contact hole has a bottom and an inner side surface covered with a first stacked film composed of a first transparent conductive film made of the same material as the lower electrode and a second transparent conductive film made of the same material as the upper electrode.
US09690149B2 Active matrix substrate and display device
Interconnects (34) include an inside interconnect section (40) and an outside interconnect section (41). The inside interconnect section (40) includes a first interconnect layer (42), a second interconnect layer (43), and a connection section (44) that connects the first interconnect layer (42) and the second interconnect layer (43). The outside interconnect section (41) includes a third interconnect layer (45). Of a plurality of interconnects (34), in one interconnect (X) of neighboring interconnects the second interconnect layer (43) and the third interconnect layer (45) are connected, and in another of the neighboring interconnects (Y), the first interconnect layer (42) and the third interconnect layer (45) are connected.
US09690148B2 Liquid crystal display panel and device
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display panel and device. The liquid crystal display panel includes a first subpixel and a second subpixel each having a plurality of display domains. The first subpixel includes a first pixel electrode and a first common electrode. The second subpixel includes a second pixel electrode and a second common electrode. The display domains of the first subpixel and the display domains of the second subpixel are respectively formed by patterning the first common electrode and the second pixel electrode.
US09690136B2 Vehicular display apparatus
A vehicular display apparatus includes a liquid crystal display unit and a display plate. The display plate includes a diffusion portion that transmits and diffuses light of a first light source, and a transmission display portion that permits light of a second light source to transmit through and illuminate a prescribed shape portion serving as a status display portion. The liquid crystal display unit provides a liquid crystal display using, as back light, the light diffused by the diffusion portion. The display plate includes a slit in a portion located in between the transmission display portion and the diffusion portion.
US09690134B2 Display device
Disclosed is a display device. The display device includes a liquid crystal panel, a backlight unit configured to include a light source that supplies light to the liquid crystal panel, and a polarizing part adhered to the liquid crystal panel. The polarizing part is formed to extend in an outer direction of the liquid crystal panel, and surrounds at least one of an outside of the liquid crystal panel and an outside of the backlight unit.
US09690125B2 Display device
A display device includes a display area and a terminal area formed outside the display area. The display area has a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of video signal lines that cross the scanning lines. The terminal area has a first terminal having a semiconductor chip connected thereto, a first line, a second line, and an inspection thin-film transistor. The inspection thin-film transistor has a gate electrode connected to the first line, a source electrode connected to the second line, and a drain electrode. The first terminal is connected to any of the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of video signal lines.
US09690124B2 Vacuum cell aligning device and method
The present disclosure provides a vacuum cell aligning device and a vacuum cell aligning method. The vacuum cell aligning device includes an upper machining platform, a lower machining platform, a plurality of first cell-pressing unit arranged in parallel in the upper machining platform, a plurality of second cell-pressing unit arranged in parallel in the lower machining platform, and an adjustment mechanism. Each first cell-pressing unit includes a first end-surface towards the lower machining platform and corresponds to a sub-region of the upper substrate. Each second cell-pressing unit includes a second end-surface towards the upper machining platform and corresponds to a sub-region of the lower substrate. The adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the first cell-pressing units to make a shape defined by the first end-surfaces match the upper substrate, and configured to adjust the second cell-pressing units to make a shape defined by the second end-surfaces match the lower substrate.
US09690120B1 Clip-in prescription eyewear
An adjustable clip-in prescription lens insert assembly for wrap around style frames used in industrial, construction, recreational activities and in the medical arts. The clip-in prescription lens insert assembly has an adjustable and pliable brow bar structure and adjustable and pliable clip members to form and fix the prescription lens insert into wrap around style frames. The brow bar and clip member structures are mounted in connector tubes fixed to the lens frames of the lens and insert assembly and are preferably constructed of a metal or metal alloy having shape memory properties.
US09690108B2 MEMS based surveillance system and a method for using same
A micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) based surveillance system and a method for using the MEMS based surveillance system are described herein for imaging an object. In one example, the MEMS based surveillance system can record images of an object from four different wavelength regions including visible light, near-infrared light, infrared light, and far infrared light.
US09690107B2 Device for wavelength combining of laser beams
A device for wavelength coupling of laser beams (2a, . . . 2n) with different wavelengths (λ1, . . . λn), comprising: at least one laser source for generating a plurality of laser beams (2a, . . . , 2n), and an overlapping device for spatial overlapping of the plurality of laser beams (2a, . . . , 2n) for forming an overlapped laser beam with a plurality of wavelengths (λ1 . . . λn). The device has a feedback device arranged between the laser source and the overlapping device for feeding a radiation proportion of the laser beams (2a, . . . , 2n) to be overlapped back to the laser source, the feedback device comprising a partially reflecting angle-dispersive optical element, in particular a partially reflecting diffraction grating. The overlapping device may, for example, be configured as a transmitting or reflecting diffraction grating whose optical properties are adapted to the optical properties of the partially reflecting diffraction grating to overlap the laser beams (2a, . . . , 2n) in an essentially dispersion-free manner.
US09690100B1 Wireless communication system with a liquid crystal display embedded in an optical lens
A wireless communication system includes a transparent lens system coupled to a frame that positions the lens system in front of a user's eye when the frame is mounted on the user's head. A wireless transceiver wirelessly receives display control signals and transfers the display control signals to an LCD system that is embedded within the transparent lens system. The LCD system renders images and transparency in response to the display control signals. In some examples, an optical receiver transfers the optical information signals to the wireless transceiver, and the transceiver wirelessly transfers the optical information signals. In some examples, a wireless communication device wirelessly transfers the display control signals and receives the optical information signals.
US09690098B1 Adjustable reflector of head-up display and head-up display comprising the same
An adjustable reflector of a head-up display includes a base, an adjusting frame, a reflecting element and a control module. The adjusting frame has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The first end is pivoted to the base, and the second end is rotatable around the first end. The reflecting element is arranged on the adjusting frame for reflecting a light beam generated by an image source to an optical combiner. The control module includes a linkage arm and a driving unit. A first end of the linkage arm is slidably connected to the adjusting frame. The driving unit is connected to a second end of the linkage arm and configured to drive the linkage arm to rotate for adjusting an included angle between the adjusting frame and the base.
US09690095B2 Optical scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus
An optical scanning apparatus includes a polygonal mirror configured to deflect a light beam emitted from a light source such that the laser beam scans a member to be scanned, a drive motor configured to rotate the polygonal mirror, aboard on which the polygonal mirror and the drive motor are mounted, an installation portion where the board is installed, a rubber member provided between the board and the installation portion, and an adjustment unit configured to position on the board with respect to the installation portion and to adjust inclination of the board with respect to the installation portion by deforming the rubber member.
US09690094B2 Optical device and manufacturing method thereof
An optical device includes: an optical element having an optically functional surface which is pivotable; a base supporting the optical element; and a package housing the optical element and the base, in which the package includes: a wall that surrounds the optical element and the base; a window that closes a first opening defined by the wall, and forms an optical path to the optically functional surface, the window being transmissive to light; and a bottom plate that closes a second opening defined by the wall.
US09690082B2 Wide-angle projection lens
A wide-angle projection lens includes a first lens group with negative refractive power, a second lens group with positive refractive power and a third lens group with positive refractive power, all of which are arranged in order from a projection side to an image source side along an optical axis. The third lens group includes a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens, a fifth lens and a sixth lens, all of which are arranged in order from the projection side to the image source side along the optical axis, wherein the third lens and the fourth lens are cemented together to form a cemented lens and there is no air gap between the third lens and the fourth lens.
US09690081B2 Lens system for generating an anamorphic image from a non-anamorphic image
A system for displaying an anamorphic image on a viewing surface comprises a screen having a viewing surface and an image source configured to display the anamorphic image on the viewing surface such that an image viewed on the viewing surface appears undistorted from a viewing point. In addition, the system may also include a reflective lens having a convex exterior surface and a refractive lens having a plurality of surfaces to redirect light toward an image capture device. Further, the system may include an image conversion module for converting a non-anamorphic image into the anamorphic image suitable for displaying on the viewing surface and a selected portion of the anamorphic image into at least one non-anamorphic image.
US09690074B2 Imaging lens and camera module
According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an imaging lens includes in an ordered way from an object side, a first lens movable and having positive (+) refractive power, a second lens having negative (−) refractive power, a third lens having positive (+) refractive power, a fourth lens having positive (+) refractive power, and a fifth lens having negative (−) refractive power, wherein, a conditional expression of 0.5
US09690067B2 Optical coupling systems, apparatus, and methods
Optical couplings systems, apparatus, and methods may include an optical cable coupling device, or spool, and one or more optical coupling features. The one or more optical coupling features may be configured to optically couple an optical cable and another optical cable, each of which are storable on the optical cable coupling device. The optical cable coupling device and optical cables may be used on a modular device (e.g., computing device, networking device, storage device, etc.). The optical cable coupling device may define a radius that less than about 200% the minimum bend radius of the optical cables.
US09690062B2 Film for a flame-retardant fiber optic cable
A flame-retardant fiber optic cable includes core elements, a film surrounding the core elements, and a jacket surrounding the film. The core elements include one or more optical fibers and at least one tube surrounding the one or more optical fibers. The material composition of the film differs from the jacket and the film is relatively thin.
US09690057B2 Methods for forming connectorized fiber optic cabling
A connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly includes a loose tube fiber optic cable and a connector assembly. The cable has a termination end and includes: an optical fiber bundle including a plurality of optical fibers; at least one strength member; and a jacket surrounding the optical fiber bundle and the at least one strength member. The connector assembly includes a rigid portion and defines a fiber passage. The connector assembly is mounted on the termination end of the cable such that the optical fiber bundle extends through at least a portion of the fiber passage. The plurality of optical fibers of the optical fiber bundle have a ribbonized configuration in the rigid portion of the connector assembly and a loose, non-ribbonized configuration outside the rigid portion.
US09690052B2 Composite connection system
A connector mating system that can enable the coupling and decoupling of electrical or optical communications channels, while in a deep, sub-oceanic, sea-floor environments, during which time the contacting interfaces of the said channels remain fully protected from the destructive effects of the said environment. The system features a Wet-Mate Connector (WMC) that provides a means for electrical, optical and hybrid inter-connection within an extremely hostile environments.
US09690049B2 Optical line protection with digital dispersion compensation module
Embodiments of present invention provide an optical signal transportation system. The system includes a first and a second optical line protection (OLP) node; a working signal transmission medium and a protection signal transmission medium between the first and second OLP nodes providing transportation paths for an optical signal from the first OLP node to the second OLP node; and at least one digital dispersion compensation module (DDCM) connected to at least one of the working and protection signal transmission media inside the second OLP node, wherein the DDCM includes a plurality of dispersion compensation units (DCUs) with each DCU being capable of providing either a positive or a negative dispersion selected by an optical switch to the optical signal, and wherein the DDCM is capable of providing the optical signal a total dispersion determined by the optical switch of each of the plurality of DCUs.
US09690037B2 Liquid crystal display device including boundary fluorescent body
A liquid crystal display device including a backlight unit and a fluorescent film, and a boundary fluorescent body is described.
US09690034B2 Illumination device and display device
An illumination device (10) is provided with the following: light sources (11); a light-guide member (12 (13)) that includes a light entry region (Is) and a light exit region (Os) which emits planar light; light entry portions (13a) that are formed in the light entry region (Is) and that oppose the light sources (11); and bright line suppression portions (20) that are formed in the areas between the light entry portions (13a) at the front side of the light entry region (Is), and that include bright line suppression prisms (21) which have a shape that changes the angle of the light emitted in a direction spreading out from the light sources (11) to a direction closer to the optical axes.
US09690028B2 Backlight module, display device and displaying method
A backlight module, a display device and a displaying method of the backlight module are disclosed. The backlight module includes a light generation unit and a light emitting control unit. The light generation unit is configured to generate at least two light spot arrays that are spaced from each other, each light spot array includes a plurality of light spots, and projections of the respective light spots on a plane that is vertical to a light emitting direction of the light generation unit are staggered from each other; the light emitting control unit is configured to control the light generation unit to alternatively generate the at least two light spot arrays. The backlight module can be used for 3D displaying, and the depth of field in the displayed image is increased, and the structure of the backlight module is more compact.
US09690025B2 Polarizer and display device
A polarizer is disclosed and it is used in combination with a reflection layer. The polarizer comprises a polarizing layer (702) and a compensation layer (704). The compensation layer (704) is disposed between the polarizing layer (702) and the reflection layer. Accordingly, a display device comprising the polarizer is also disclosed. The polarizer solves the problem of oblique light leakage of OLED displays.
US09690010B2 Resin composition for optical material, optical film, and liquid crystal display device
For providing a resin composition for an optical material which exhibits less change in birefringence due to external force and which is suitable for use in the production of an optical member; an optical film obtained by using the resin composition; and a liquid crystal display device using the same, provided is a resin composition containing a polycarbonate resin (X); and a polyester resin (Y) whose number average molecular weight is 200 to 2,000 and which is represented by General Formula (1): B-(G-A)n-G-B (wherein B represents an aryl monocarboxylic acid residue having 6 to 12 carbon atoms or an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid residue having 1 to 8 carbon atoms.
US09689998B2 System and method for displaying seismic horizons with attributes
A system and method may, based on a 3D seismic data set seed point, execute a seed picking algorithm, using the first point for picking a set of second points from the data set, setting each of the points in the set of second points as the first point and repeating the algorithm. An iteration number or other attribute may be assigned to the points, the iteration number corresponding to the number of times the algorithm repeated to process the point. The attribute or a number of attributes may be displayed as a visual characteristic for each point. An iterative process may be applied to a set of seismic data points, starting at a seed data point and finding a set of next iteration seed points from among the set of points neighboring the seed point, continuing only with next iteration seed points, and recording for each of a set of data points the number of points that are found by the process when the point is used as a seed data point. Attributes may include, for example, the total number of descendants of a seed point, the direction, for example, the azimuth, of propagation of the horizon picking process, or information that relates to the order in which points are picked such as an iteration number.
US09689982B2 Object detection device for a vehicle and vehicle having the object detection device
An object detection device for a vehicle monitors the surroundings at the rear of the vehicle. The object detection device has a radar sensor for generating a radar signal containing information about a distance between the vehicle and a vehicle user or another object in the surroundings. The radar sensor mounts on a vehicle component pointing toward the surroundings to the rear of the vehicle. Furthermore, the object detection device contains a control and evaluation unit for determining a movement pattern of the vehicle user on the basis of the radar signal, and to compare the movement pattern with a predefined reference pattern and to actuate a servomotor which has the purpose of actuating the tailgate between an open position and a closed position when the movement pattern corresponds to the reference pattern. Furthermore, a vehicle ideally has such an object detection device.
US09689979B2 Pulse signal setting device, radar apparatus, method and program of setting pulse signal
A radar apparatus using a pulse pair method to quickly measure a relative speed of an object. The radar apparatus includes: A data acquirer that acquires data relating to a pulse width, a repetition frequency, and a highest staggered ratio; A staggered pattern output unit that outputs a specific staggered pattern in which a total of phase changes within a sweep range of the target of the pulse pairing can be approximated to zero, wherein each phase change is caused by the pulse pairing on a target object at a constant speed due to a difference between an average transmission interval and a transmission interval between transmissions within the sweep range; And a setter that sets the transmission interval of a pulse signal by using the pulse width, the repetition frequency, the highest staggered ratio, and the specific staggered pattern.
US09689968B2 Wholly optically controlled phased array radar transmitter
A wholly optically controlled phased array transmitter with integrated tunable optoelectronic oscillators, which are based on multi-wavelength optical sources and optical true time delay units, and optical time delay networks, having a multi-wavelength optical source, a first wavelength division multiplexer, a first optical splitter, a first electro-optic modulator, a second optical splitter, a first optical amplifier, a first optical time delay network, a photodetector, an electric amplifier, a DC-block, a second electro-optic modulator, a second optical amplifier, a second optical time delay network, an optical combiner, a second wavelength division multiplexer, an optical fibers, a photodetector array, a T/R component array, a microwave antenna array, a 1×2 optical switch, a 2×2 optical switch, a circulator, a third wavelength division multiplexer, a bundle of optical fibers with precise lengths, and a Faraday rotation mirror.
US09689966B2 System and method for identifying location of gunfire from a moving object
A system and method for identifying the location of gunfire from a moving object in which at least two spaced apart microphones are positioned on the moving object. The output from the microphones is decomposed into intrinsic mode functions by using empirical mode decomposition. A transient pulse is then identified in the intrinsic mode function representative of the gunfire. The location of the origin of the gunfire is then determined from the transient pulses through multilateration using time difference of arrival of the transient pulses by the microphones.
US09689964B2 Electronic receiver device detection system and method
A super regenerative receiver detection system and method that includes a computing system that stores and executes a cross modulation correlation component to modulate a radio-frequency (RF) stimulation signal that is transmitted in an area using a modulating signal having a first modulating mode, and receive a response UEE signal from the area in which the response UEE signal includes a cross modulated signal emitted from a super regenerative receiver (SRR). The cross modulated signal having a second modulation mode that is different from the first modulation mode. Using this information, the cross modulation correlation component processes the received UEE signal to determine a cross modulation correlation level of a cross modulation signal relative to the modulating signal, and generates an alert signal when the determined cross modulation correlation level exceeds a specified threshold.
US09689959B2 Method, apparatus and computer program product for determining the location of a plurality of speech sources
The present invention discloses a method, apparatus and computer program product for determining the location of a plurality of speech sources in an area of interest, comprising performing an algorithm on a signal issued by either one of said plurality of speech sources in the area to for iteratively recover data characteristic to said signal, wherein the algorithm is an iterative model-based sparse recovery algorithm, and wherein for each of a plurality of points in said area, the iteratively recovered data is indicative of a presence of a plurality of speech sources contributing to the signal received at each of a plurality of points in the area.
US09689956B2 Systems and methods for detecting light
A light detection system may include a light detecting assembly including a plurality of light detectors. Each light detector may include a substrate, a mirror coupled to the substrate, and a light-receiving tube coupled to the substrate. The light-receiving tube may include a sensor positioned at a first end, a light-transmissive opening at a second end that is opposite from the first end, and a plurality of partitions that are configured to block transmission of light energy. A central light path extends through the light-receiving tube. The system may also include a control unit in communication with the light detecting assembly. The control unit is configured to determine one or more of a direction of light emitted from a light source, a position of the light source, or an intensity of light emitted from the light source based on one or more light detection signals received from the light detecting assembly.
US09689952B2 Magnetic resonance system with pulsed compensation magnetic field gradients
In order to detect a magnetic resonance (MR) signal in an examination region of an examination subject in a measurement field of an MR system with an MR imaging sequence, a magnetization in the examination subject is generated with a polarization field B0. The MR system has a magnet to generate the polarization field B0 with a first field inhomogeneity across the measurement field. At least one RF pulse is radiated into the examination region. At least one first magnetic field gradient is activated for spatial coding of the MR signal. At least one pulsed compensation magnetic field gradient is activated that is generated by a temporally variable current that varies over the duration of the MR imaging sequence and that is activated over a compensation time period that is shorter than the total duration of the imaging sequence so that, during the compensation time period, the first field inhomogeneity is reduced to a second, lower field inhomogeneity across the measurement field.
US09689948B2 System and method for reducing radio frequency peak voltage and power requirements in magnetic resonance imaging using time-shifted multiband radio frequency pulses
A system and method for producing images depicting a plurality of slice locations in a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”} system is provided. In particular, the system and method utilize time-shifted multiband radio frequency (“RF”} pulses to lower peak voltage and peak power requirements when using conventional multiband RF pulses. A time-shifted multiband RF pulse includes at least two component RF pulses, which may be single-band or multiband pulses. The component RF pulses are designed such that they do not have temporal footprints that completely overlap; although, they may have temporal foot-prints that partially overlap or do not overlap at all. The MRI system is used to acquire magnetic resonance signals formed in response to a time-shifted multiband RF pulse and, from these acquired signals, images depicting each of the plurality of slice locations in the subject are reconstructed.
US09689947B2 Sampling strategies for sparse magnetic resonance image reconstruction
A computer-implemented method of selecting a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) sampling strategy includes selecting a base variable-density sampling pattern and determining a scan time associated with the base variable-density sampling pattern. A modified variable-density sampling pattern is created by modifying one or more parameters of the base variable-density sampling pattern to maximize a sampled k-space area without increasing the scan time. Next, a scan is performed on an object of interest using the modified variable-density sampling pattern to obtain a sparse MRI dataset. Then a sparse reconstruction process is applied to the sparse MRI dataset to yield an image of the object of interest.
US09689941B2 Passive B1 field shimming
Coil elements (18) generate a B1 excitation field in an examination region (14), which B1 excitation field is distorted by patient loading (e.g., wavelength effects). Passive shimming elements (22, 24) are disposed between the coil elements and the subject in order to improve the B1 field uniformity. In one embodiment, passive shimming elements include one or more dielectric rods (55) disposed below the subject which generate no substantial MR proton signal and which have a permittivity of at least 100 and preferably greater than 500. In another embodiment, tubes (24) adjacent each coil element are supplied with a dielectric liquid, a thickness of the dielectric liquid between the coil element and the subject adjusting a phase of the B1 field generated by the coil element. Active B1 shimming may be combined with passive shimming elements (22, 24) to effect an improved RF field homogeneity result.
US09689939B2 Split birdcage coil, devices, and methods
This disclosure describes, in one aspect, a device that includes a dual-tuned birdcage coil. The dual-tuned birdcage coil generally includes an inner multinuclear coil and a plurality of outer 1H coils separated from the inner coil. Also, the dual-tuned birdcage coil is generally configured so that the inner coil may be tuned independently of one or more of the outer coils. In some embodiments, the device may be configured to provide inductive coupling between the inner coil and the plurality of outer coils. In some embodiments, the multinuclear coil can include 31P, 13C, 23Na, 15N, 17O, or 19F, etc. In another aspect, this disclosure describes using the device to a generate magnetic resonance in a target. In some of cases, the method can further include creating an image of the target from the magnetic resonance generated by the device.
US09689928B2 System and method for a built-in self-test of a battery
According to an embodiment, a system includes a switching regulator and an electrochemical storage test circuit. The switching regulator is coupled to a power supply input and configured to supply a regulated voltage to a regulated supply terminal that is configured to be coupled to a device. The electrochemical storage test circuit is configured to be coupled to an electrochemical storage unit. The electrochemical storage test circuit includes a bidirectional switch with a first switch terminal coupled to the regulated supply terminal, a second switch terminal configured to be coupled to the electrochemical storage unit, and a switch control terminal. The electrochemical storage test circuit also includes a built-in self-test (BIST) circuit configured to be coupled to the electrochemical storage unit and to the switch control terminal.
US09689925B2 Reliable arc fault circuit interrupter tester utilizing a dynamic fault voltage
An arc fault circuit interrupter test circuit is disclosed. The test circuit incorporates a controller along with at least one power transistor, a current sense circuit and a voltage sense circuit. When the power transistor is operated, the current flowing through the transistor is sensed, and if the current is not at least equal to a threshold value, the voltage at which the power transistor is operated is increased.
US09689921B2 Testing SoC with portable scenario models and at different levels
A method for testing a system-on-a-chip (SoC) is described. The method includes parsing a file to determine functions to be performed components of the SoC. The method further includes receiving a desired output of the SoC and generating a test scenario model based on the desired output of the SoC. The test scenario model includes a plurality of module representations of the functions and includes one or more connections between two of the module representations. The desired output acts as a performance constraint for the test scenario model. The test scenario model further includes an input of the SoC that is generated based on the desired output, the module representations, and the one or more connections. The test scenario model includes a path from the input via the module representations and the connections to the desired output.
US09689915B2 Automated attaching and detaching of an interchangeable probe head
A probe card apparatus can comprise a tester interface to a test controller, probes for contacting terminals of electronic devices to be tested, and electrical connections there between. The probe card apparatus can comprise a primary sub-assembly, which can include the tester interface. The probe card apparatus can also comprise an interchangeable probe head, which can include the probes. The interchangeable probe head can be attached to and detached from the primary sub-assembly while the primary sub-assembly is secured to or in a housing of a test system. Different probe heads each having probes disposed in different patterns to test different types of electronic devices can thus be interchanged while the primary sub-assembly is secured to or in a housing of the test system.
US09689910B2 Detecting faults in a two-wire power line
An apparatus and method for detecting faults in a two-wire electric power line isolated from ground includes substantially identical high impedance voltage dividers connected between each of the two wires of the power line and ground, circuits for carrying the output voltages from each voltage divider, a circuit for comparing the output voltages, and outputting a fault signal indicative of a ground fault.
US09689899B2 Power meter with automatic configuration
A power monitoring system includes a plurality of current sensors suitable to sense respective changing electrical current within a respective conductor to a respective load and a conductor sensing a respective voltage potential provided to the respective load. A power monitors determines a type of circuit based upon a signal from at least one of the current sensors and a signal from the conductor, wherein the type of circuit includes at least one of a single phase circuit, a two phase circuit, and a three phase circuit. The power meter configures a set of registers corresponding to the determined type of circuit in a manner such that the configuring is different based upon each of the single phase circuit, two phase circuit, and three phase circuit suitable to provide data corresponding to the determined type of circuit.
US09689897B2 Performance enhanced semiconductor socket
A test socket for IC devices includes a multi-layered socket housing with at least one center layer and first and second surface layers. The first and second surface layers have a thickness and dielectric constant less than that of the center layers. A plurality of contact members are located in center openings in the center layer with distal ends extending into openings in the first and second layers. The distal ends of the contact members having at least one dimension greater than the openings in the first and second surface layers to retain the contact members in the socket housing. The contact members include center portions with major diameters less than the diameters of the center openings, such that an air gap is maintained between the contact members and the center layer.
US09689868B2 Protein labeling with cyanobenzothiazole conjugates
The invention provides compounds and methods for site-specifically labeling proteins with cyanobenzothiazole derivatives of formula I. For example, the invention provides methods for labeling the N-terminus of a protein that terminates with a cysteine residue. The invention also provides methods for isolating an N-terminally labeled protein and methods for detecting an N-terminally labeled protein.
US09689861B1 Concrete test cylinder mold, system, and method of use
A concrete test cylinder mold formed of expandable polystyrene and which is used to form geometrically uniform concrete test cylinders that accurately reflect the structural properties of the concrete mix used to form the test cylinders despite fluctuations in temperature to which the test cylinder may be exposed during formation within the mold. The mold is constructed and configured such that compression testing of the concrete test cylinder may be conducted while the cylinder is still in the mold. A specially designed heat shield may be used in unison with the concrete test mold to form, at least in part, a system by which heat further may be retained within the system during formation of the concrete test cylinder.
US09689858B2 Method and apparatus for measuring asphaltene onset conditions and yields of crude oils
A method for determining an asphaltene onset condition of a crude oil is provided. The method includes receiving a crude oil within a downhole tool inside a well and taking a first measurement of an optical property of the received crude oil. The method also includes lowering the pressure or temperature of the crude oil after taking the first measurement of the optical property to cause aggregation of asphaltenes in the crude oil, and then separating aggregated asphaltenes from the crude oil. Further, the method includes taking a second measurement of the optical property of the crude oil within the downhole tool after separating aggregated asphaltenes from the crude oil and determining an asphaltene onset condition of the crude oil through comparison of the first and second measurements of the optical property. Additional methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed.
US09689857B1 Temperature influenced chemical vaporization and detection of compounds having low volatility
The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for detecting a chemical substance. The methods and systems include chemically modifying a sample of a substance of interest through combination with a reagent to increase the volatility of the substance of interest. The systems and methods further include performing an analysis of the substance of interest.
US09689855B2 Submersible multi-parameter sonde having a high sensor form factor sensor
Provided are multi-parameter sonde systems having a unique form-factor, wherein the plurality of sensors are arranged in a tight-fit configuration. This provides a single distal sensing surface and minimal separation distance between adjacent sensors. The sensors may be pie shaped with an interlocking feature to tightly hold the sensors together, with a sensor guard disposed over the outer surface of the interlocked sensors. Sensor-guards disclosed herein may have an integrated sensor storage and sensor guard configuration, thereby avoiding a need for a separate storage cup and that are configured to minimize unwanted biological growth. Also provided are uniquely shaped individual sensors having interlocking features to hold several sensors together in a sonde.
US09689848B2 Column contained in container and column container
Provided is a chromatography column stored in a storage container. The storage container for the column includes: a container body for storing the chromatography column; and a cover threadedly engaging with the container body. A groove for threaded engagement with the cover is formed in an inner wall of the container body. Sealing members are arranged on an inner bottom surface of the container body and a lower surface of the cover, respectively. When the container body and the cover are threadedly engaged with each other, the cover enters the container body to cause the sealing members on the inner bottom surface of the container body and the lower surface of the cover to press both a lower surface and an upper surface of the column, to thereby fix the column inside the container body and seal a fluid passage hole of the column.
US09689847B2 Gas chromatography equipment
A gas chromatography equipment includes a sample introducer, a detector, a column module, and an oven including a housing. A sub-space is provided in a projection section projecting downward from a portion of a bottom face of the housing communicates with a main space of the housing. A column module attaching section is provided outside the housing and below the main space. A fixed side face, which faces the column module attaching section, of the projection section serves as an attachment face for attaching the column module. The column module is attached to the housing in such a way that the main flat surface of the column module is horizontally positioned with an end face of the column module being the attachment face.
US09689846B2 Device and method for determining properties of a medium
A device for determining properties of a medium, comprising a carrier which can be brought in contact with the medium; at least one transmitter arranged on the carrier for exciting acoustic waves in the carrier; at least one receiver arranged on the carrier for receiving acoustic waves which originate from waves excited in the carrier by means of the transmitter; and first and second material regions arranged on the carrier, wherein the second material region absorbs sound waves with the frequency of the acoustic waves excited in the carrier more strongly than the first material region. The carrier has a first surface with which it is to be brought in con-tact with the medium and a second surface which faces away from the first surface, wherein the transmitter as well as the first and the second material region are arranged on the second surface.
US09689845B2 Angle beam ultrasonic probe for internal hex socket bolts
A tool for inspecting the integrity of fasteners in their environment of use and methods of performing such inspections are disclosed and claimed. The tool includes a probe that matches the internal socket by which the fastener is coupled to the workpiece. The probe contains ultrasonic transducers on flat portions corresponding to flat portions of the socket. The transducers induce angled ultrasonic beams into the fastener to detect flaws therein. The beams are angled so they can be directed to the areas of interest at the head to shank region of the fastener. The presence of a defect such as a crack is determined based on the reply/echoes of the imparted ultrasonic beams.
US09689838B2 Analytical cell
An analytical cell includes a first substrate with a first through hole formed therein, and a second substrate with first and second through holes formed therein. First and second solid portions protruding respectively from the first and second substrates are solid-state bonded together to form a solid state joint. By the solid state joint, the first and second substrates are joined together such that transmission membranes of the first and second substrates are mutually spaced by a predetermined distance, to form an overlapping portion. In the overlapping portion, an observation window is formed at a position where the first through holes face each other, and an accommodating part is formed between a lid member and the first substrate through the second through hole. One of negative and positive electrode active materials is provided in the accommodating part, and the other is provided between the transmission membranes of the observation window.
US09689837B2 Device for measuring oxidation-reduction potential and method for measuring oxidation-reduction potential
Provided is a small-sized device for measuring an oxidation-reduction potential, whereby an oxidation-reduction current and an oxidation-reduction potential can be measured by reducing noise even when a signal from a solution being measured is small. A device for measuring an oxidation-reduction potential is provided with a substrate (10), a working electrode (15) mounted on a surface of the substrate (10), and a bipolar transistor (21) for amplifying the output of the working electrode (15) also provided on the surface of the substrate (10), and the signal amplified by the bipolar transistor (21) is inputted to a processing circuit (18).
US09689833B2 Auxiliary micro-electrodes for diagnostics of electrochemical gas sensors
A gas sensor includes known types of electrodes such as sensing electrodes, counter electrodes or reference electrodes to sense the presence of a predetermined gas. In addition, at least one diagnostic electrode is carried in the sensor. The diagnostic electrode implements at least one diagnostic function without substantially impairing the gas sensing function. The diagnostic electrode is immersed in sensor electrolyte.
US09689831B2 Sensor discharge mechanism for a biological information measurement device
An engagement component that engages with the rear part of a sensor mounted to a sensor connector, and a manipulation body that moves this engagement component to a sensor insertion opening side are provided. In addition, there are provided a manipulation rod that is engaged at one end with the manipulation body and whose other end is pulled out of a main body case through a through-hole provided to the main body case, and a manipulation component that is linked to the other end side of this manipulation rod. The device further comprises an annular wall that is provided outside the main body case and around a through-hole, and a metal slide bearing that covers this annular wall, and a resin sliding member that is slid with respect to a metal slide bearing is provided on the metal slide bearing side of the manipulation component.
US09689830B2 Sensor detection pads with integrated fuse
A monitor system to monitor a characteristic of a user is disclosed. A monitor system includes a sensor producing signals indicative of glucose characteristics within the user. The sensor has a connector with a plurality of contacts, at least two contacts being shorted by a fuse trace. The monitor system further includes an electronics package with a package housing. The package housing contains a battery, a package port interfaced with the connector to receive signals from the sensor, and a package processor to process the signals from the sensor. Further included in the monitor system is a fuse system controlled by the package processor that includes a fuse timer, wherein the fuse trace is destroyed after the fuse timer reaches a threshold value.
US09689823B2 Steam quality meter and measurement method
A steam quality meter includes a pipe with an inlet and an outlet. A rod is located within the pipe between the inlet and the outlet. The rod defines an annular flow passage between an outer wall of the rod and an inner wall of the pipe. A mixing device is located within the pipe between the inlet and an upstream end of the rod. Spaced sensors are located within the annular flow passage. Each sensor is configured to sense capacitance and/or impedance of steam flowing through the annular flow passage.
US09689822B2 Characterization of dielectric materials
A system and a method for characterizing a dielectric material are provided. The system and method generally include applying an excitation signal to electrodes on opposing sides of the dielectric material to evaluate a property of the dielectric material. The method can further include measuring the capacitive impedance across the dielectric material, and determining a variation in the capacitive impedance with respect to either or both of a time domain and a frequency domain. The measured property can include pore size and surface imperfections. The method can still further include modifying a processing parameter as the dielectric material is formed in response to the detected variations in the capacitive impedance, which can correspond to a non-uniformity in the dielectric material.
US09689818B2 Thermal analysis device and method for thermal analysis comprising gas analysis
A thermoanalysis device, including a controllable temperature regulating device for the controlled change in the temperature of a sample to be investigated, a detection device for the continuous detection of at least one signal characteristic of a property of the sample during the change in the temperature, and a gas analysis device for investigating gases which are liberated from the sample. In order to enable an improved time- and temperature-resolved investigation of volatile components and decomposition products, provision is made according to the invention such that, during the change in the temperature of the sample, the temperature regulating device is controlled according to a control algorithm taking account of the detected signal and/or the gas analysis device is constituted so as to be controllable and is controlled according to a control algorithm taking account of the detected signal.
US09689817B2 MRI system for margin assessment of ex-vivo sample
A system for margin assessment of an ex-vivo tissue (25) is provided, including a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner (14) controlled by a control unit (12), and a tissue container (24) for holding a sample of an ex-vivo tissue (25). The MRI scanner (14) includes a coil-magnet assembly (31) including magnets (34), wherein the tissue (25), placed in the container (24), is placed under a constant static magnetic field (Bo), which is induced by the magnets (34), and the container (24) is positioned so the sensitive region is within a measured field of view (FOV) excited by one or more transmit/receive coils (38) operative to generate a time-varying RF B1 electro-magnetic field pointing towards the tissue (25), and wherein the container (24) is fixed on a moving table (40).
US09689808B1 Inspection of seal for high altitude balloons
Aspects of the disclosure relate to systems and techniques for inspecting seals for high altitude balloons. In one example, a system may include a reflective surface, a translucent material on the reflective surface, and a movable light source configured to move along the reflective surface and provide light to the reflective surface. The light is provided such that it is reflected from the reflective surface and through the translucent material in order to backlight a balloon envelope seal for inspection. A method for inspecting a balloon envelope seal may include placing balloon envelope material on a table, forming a seal between portions of the material, moving a light over the seal, shining light onto a reflective portion of the table below the seal to backlight the seal, and inspecting the seal using the backlighting of the seal.
US09689805B2 Systems and methods eliminating false defect detections
A method for inspecting a manufactured product includes applying a first test regimen to the manufactured product to identify product defects. The first test regimen produces a first set of defect candidates. The method further includes applying a second test regimen to the manufactured product to identify product defects. The second test regimen produces a second set of defect candidates, and the second test regimen is different from the first test regimen. The method also includes generating a first filtered defect set by eliminating ones of the first set of defect candidates that are not identified in the second set of defect candidates.
US09689804B2 Multi-channel backside wafer inspection
A system for inspecting a backside surface of a wafer with multi-channel focus control includes a set of inspection sub-systems including a first inspection sub-system positioned and an additional inspection sub-system. The first and additional inspection sub-systems include an optical assembly, an actuation assembly, where the optical assembly is disposed on the actuation assembly, and a positional sensor configured to sense a position characteristic between a portion of the optical assembly and the backside surface of the wafer. The system also includes a controller configured to acquire one or more wafer profile maps of the backside surface of the wafer and adjust a first focus position of the first inspection sub-system or an additional focus position of the additional inspection sub-system based on the received one or more wafer profile maps.
US09689803B1 Method and system for measuring a colorimetric characteristic of a sample and calibration of same
A chemical characteristic of a material is measured using a calibration unit and container for holding a sample of the material. The calibration unit has a front portion and an imaging background positioned behind the sample and viewable through the container and the sample of the material, wherein a portion of the sample of the material is positioned in front of the imaging background so as to form a sample imaging region. A calibration strip extends along the front portion, which includes a location marker and a plurality of calibration indicia of differing colors. A computing device captures an image of the calibration strip and the sample imaging region. A calibration step is performed using the calibration strip to generate a calibration model, which is applied to the sample color vector to generate a calibrated sample color vector.
US09689800B2 Process for making high multiplex arrays
Processes for making high multiplex arrays for use in analyzing discrete reactions at ultra high multiplex with reduced optical noise, and increased system flexibility. The high multiplex arrays include substrates having integrated optical components that increase multiplex capability by one or more of increasing density of reaction regions, improving transmission of light to or collection of light from discrete reactions regions. Integrated optical components include reflective optical elements which re-direct illumination light and light emitted from the discrete regions to more efficiently collect emitted light. Particularly preferred applications include single molecule reaction analysis, such as polymerase mediated template dependent nucleic acid synthesis and sequence determination.
US09689792B1 Biological material detection apparatus
A particle detection apparatus and method includes an excitation source having a first emission band that excites a sample and a second emission band; a first optical device connected to the excitation source and attenuates radiation emitted in the second emission band; an optical cavity adjacent to the first optical device, which includes a sample excited by radiation from the excitation source; a substrate coupled to the optical cavity and exposed to the radiation from the excitation source; a binding compound coupled to the substrate, which includes a ligand coupled to the substrate; and a capture material coupled to the ligand and capturing the sample; a second optical device connected to the substrate and attenuates radiation emitted in the first emission band; and an optical detector connected to the second optical device and detects radiation emitted in the second emission band.
US09689790B2 Environmental control systems and techniques for monitoring heat exchanger fouling
Environmental control systems and techniques for monitoring heat exchanger fouling are provided herein. In an embodiment, a technique for monitoring heat exchanger fouling includes providing a correlation of heat exchanger fouling to an operating variable. The correlation is programmed into a maintenance system that includes a processor that is adapted to receive data regarding the operating variable. The operating variable is chosen from inlet temperatures of input streams into the heat exchanger and outlet temperatures of output streams out of the heat exchanger, heat exchanger pressure drop, overall heat transfer coefficient value, speed of rotation of an air conditioning machine that includes the heat exchanger, and combinations thereof. Data regarding the operating variable is gathered via a sensor that is adapted to measure the operating variable. The measured operating variable is determined to correspond to excessive heat exchanger fouling in accordance with the correlation using the processor.
US09689789B2 Damage evaluation method and maintenance evaluation index decision method
A first measured value of a specific physical quantity at a target portion is correlated with a damage evaluation index to calculate a damage degree corresponding to the first measured value. The specific physical quantity is measured at least once at a position corresponding to the first measurement position in another time period having a different usage elapsed time from that of the first measurement, and these second and subsequent measured values are correlated with damage degrees calculated based on temporal changes corresponding to the second and subsequent measurements. A new damage evaluation index is approximately calculated based on a relationship between the first, second, and subsequent measured values and the damage degrees corresponding to the first, second, and subsequent measured values.
US09689787B2 Technical system, method and use for online measuring and monitoring of the particle contents in a flow of injection water in an underwater line
Technical system and method for online measuring and monitoring of the particle content in an injection water flow (6′) in an underwater line (8). The system comprises a data gathering means, a data communication link (48) and a data receiving means comprising an image analysis apparatus (2) provided with: a water sample line (18) for throughput of a partial flow (6″) of the injection water flow (6′); a means of conveyance (24) connected to the water sample line (18) for transport of the partial flow (6″); a light-transparent flow portion (18′) disposed along the water sample line (18); a camera (26) at the flow portion (18′); at least one light source (30, 32) for emission of light (34) via the flow portion (18′) and into the camera (26); an electronic control means (36) for (a) control of the image recording of the camera (26); (b) reception of image material from the camera (26); and (c) transmission of the image material to the data receiving means; and at least one energy supply. The image analysis apparatus (2) is disposed in a water-tight housing (4) under water (6); wherein the water sample line (18) is connected to the underwater line (8) at a connection site (62) between a shipment site (50: 64) for the injection water (6′) and an injection well (56); wherein the data receiving means is located at a distance from the image analysis apparatus (2); and wherein the control means (36) of the image analysis apparatus (2) is connected to the remote data receiving means.
US09689781B2 Sample taking device
Sample taking device for extracting a fluid sample from a vessel comprising: a cover portion for closing the vessel such that, in use a headspace is defined between the cover portion and fluid held in the vessel, a sampling chamber comprising a sampling inlet and a sampling outlet, a cannula adapted to provide, in use, fluid communication between the fluid held in the vessel and the sampling chamber through the sampling inlet, and ports to operate the device in at least two operating conditions: a sample preparing condition in which a pressure in the headspace is greater than that of the sampling chamber such that fluid flows through the cannula towards the sampling chamber and can be retained therein, and a sample dispensing condition in which fluid retained in the sampling chamber can be delivered through the sampling outlet and fluid remaining inside the cannula can return to the vessel.
US09689779B2 Method for testing the resistance of a tire to pressure loss
A method for testing a tire's resistance to pressure loss following a puncture includes inserting a plurality of puncturing objects through a wall of the tire, running the tire with the puncturing objects therein over a given distance with a regulated inflation pressure, stopping the running of the tire, and determining a pressure loss resistance index for each puncture based on an estimate of a leak rate of the puncture. In a first phase of the method, the puncturing objects are made up of pointed smooth-walled objects, such as nails, and the running is performed in such a way that the puncturing objects are not ejected during running. In a second phase of the method, the puncturing objects are made up of objects that are pointed but have walls bearing a screw thread, such as screws, and the running is performed at speeds of below 80 km/h.
US09689776B2 Apparatus for generating and applying linear forces
An apparatus including a piston bore, exhibiting a longitudinal axis, and a piston, including a piston head and a piston shaft. The piston being axially displace-able within the piston bore along the longitudinal axis. The piston bore and a first surface of the piston head form a first working volume and displacement of the piston alters the first working volume. The apparatus also includes a first plurality of injectors coupled to the first working volume and a first common rail. The first plurality of injectors are configured to inject a hydraulic fluid from the common rail into the first working volume. The first common rail is configured to store the hydraulic fluid at an elevated pressure of 1,000 bar or greater. The apparatus includes a flow path between the first working volume and a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid.
US09689773B2 Method for diagnosing abrasion of electric oil pump rotor
A method for diagnosing abrasion of an electric oil pump rotor includes sensing a driving duty of an oil pump control unit, and determining whether the sensed driving duty of the oil pump control unit is below a set reference value, wherein as a result of the determining, when the driving duty of the oil pump control unit is below the set reference value, it is determined that the electric oil pump rotor is in a worn out state.
US09689766B2 Pressure sensor with cover layer
A pressure sensor, comprising: a substrate having a measuring membrane, and an electrically conductive cover layer, which has electrical contact elements and is electrically isolated from the substrate by an insulating layer. The cover layer is divided in such a manner that two independent measurements of the respective resistance between two contact elements are possible in two regions electrically isolated from one another. The regions of the cover layer serve to shield external electromagnetic influences from the sensor elements of the measuring membrane, to detect damage to the measuring membrane, as well as for determining exact temperature.
US09689763B2 Magnetic detection device and torque sensor including the same
A cutout portion is formed in a substrate of a magnetic detection device, the cutout portion opening at an outer edge of the substrate. Magnetic detection elements of a magnetic sensor detects magnetic field formed by first and second collector portions. A mold section encapsulates the magnetic detection elements. The magnetic sensor is surface mounted such that a portion of the mold section overlaps with the cutout portion. The first collector portion faces a front surface of the magnetic sensor. A portion of the second collector portion is positioned in the cutout portion to face a rear surface of the magnetic sensor. Accordingly, compared to a case where a cutout portion is not provided, a magnetic circuit gap between the first and second collector portions is reduced.
US09689759B2 Fiber-optic force sensor, force measurement device and catheter
A fiber-optic force sensor, comprising an FBG fiber that has a force sensor region, to which bracing means to eliminate or decouple laterally effective forces and bending moments are assigned in such a way that the force sensor has a predominantly single-axis response characteristic to detect merely the magnitude of a force acting axially in the fiber direction.
US09689748B2 Infrared detection element
An infrared detection element includes a substrate, a lower electrode layer, a pyroelectric layer, and an upper electrode layer. The lower electrode layer is fixed to the substrate, and the pyroelectric layer is formed on the lower electrode layer. The upper electrode layer is formed on pyroelectric layer. The lower electrode layer contains pores therein and has a larger thermal expansion coefficient than the pyroelectric layer.
US09689747B1 Optical angular measurement sensors
Systems that enable observing celestial bodies during daylight or in under cloudy conditions.
US09689739B2 Microelectromechanical systems sensor control interface
Microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensors and control interfaces, control, interface components, protocols, systems, and methods are described. An exemplary control interface can comprise one or more predefined symbols that facilitate control of a MEMS sensor over an existing pin of a package comprising one or more MEMS sensors. Provided implementations described read/write protocols that enable reading and/or writing internal registers associated with MEMS sensors and/or other electronic components or portions thereof. Embodiments of the subject disclosure can provide flexible and reusable control interfaces for MEMS sensors and associated protocols.
US09689731B2 Fluid meters
Meters are described. In one example, a meter includes a totalizer including an electronic circuit and a metering screen, a cap at least partially covering the totalizer, the cap including a window to facilitate viewing of data of the metering screen, and a screen cover mounted on the cap and movable between an open position and a closed position in order to cover the metering screen. In such an arrangement the electronic circuit includes a device for detection of the open position or the closed position of the screen cover, and the detection of the open position or the closed position controls scrolling of data of the metering screen.
US09689721B2 Indicator device, notably for motor vehicles
An indicator device for motor vehicles includes a dial, an indicator unit with needle, and a motor device. The indicator device with needle is capable of being rotationally driven around an axis of rotation of the indicator device. The indicator unit with needle is designed to be rotationally driven by a torque generated by the motor device. The indicator device is capable of being operated with a motor device of a first type and with a motor device of a second type. The indicator device includes minimum time information matched with the motor device of the first type and with the motor device of the second type such that the position of the indicator unit with needle is identical for cases where the motor device of the first type or the motor device of the second type is used, and for different preceding displacements of the indicator unit with needle.
US09689716B2 Linear encoder
To provide a linear encoder including a scale unit and a slider that slides along the scale unit, wherein the slider includes a slider enclosure including a slider holding unit, a detection head holding unit mounted inside a scale enclosure of the scale unit, and a pillar extending between the outside and inside of the scale enclosure to connect these two holding units, and a part of the pillar closer to the detection head holding unit and a part of the detection head holding unit closer to the pillar are bored by a thickness larger than a thickness of the pillar.
US09689712B2 Position detection device for a movable element in a drive device
A position detection device for detecting a position of a movable element in a drive device comprises a carrier having two detecting modules for detecting a position of the movable element, the detecting modules being arranged side-by-side at a predetermined distance and without overlapping. Each detecting module comprises an energizing coil and a receiving coil assigned to the energizing coil and comprising a geometry having one period. The detecting modules are configured to output a position signal when detecting the movable element, so that during a shift of the movable element along the two detecting modules over the predefined distance this distance may be measured as a reference distance on the basis of the position signals.
US09689704B2 Sketch aided route selection for navigation devices and applications
One particular example includes a system, comprising a processor and a memory to store instructions that when executed by the processor performs operations, comprising displaying a map of a first area on a display; receiving an instruction to designate a second area on the map to be avoided; displaying the second area to be avoided on the map; and generating a route from a first point to a second point, where the route does not go through the second area to be avoided.
US09689699B2 Internationalization during navigation
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for internationalization of real-world features during navigation. The method includes receiving a request for navigation to a landmark in a particular language. The method further includes retrieving keywords from a database associated with the landmark, and scoring the keywords based on their level of recognition to a user. The highest ranked keywords are then sent to the user to navigate to the landmark.
US09689697B2 Method for operating a navigation system of a motor vehicle, navigation system and motor vehicle
The invention relates to a method for operating a navigation system of a motor vehicle by receiving an input by means of an input device of the navigation system, a destination being indicated by way of the input; as well as by determining at least one conceivable route from a starting position to the destination by an arithmetic device of the navigation system by means of filed map data, wherein, for at least one route section of the at least one conceivable route, at least one parameter of at least one wireless communication network is determined by the arithmetic device.
US09689691B2 Methods and systems for creating and using a location identification grid
A method and system for generating a location identification grid and for using a location identification grid. The location identification grid can include a first geographic area that correspond to a pre-existing area. This pre-existing area can correspond to a postal code such as a zip code, a telephone code such as, an area code, or any other desired pre-existing area. The location identification grid can be subdivided into smaller geographic areas to allow more accurate identification of a location. The location identification grid can include a second geographic area. The second geographic area can be a subdivision of the first geographic area. The location identification grid can be used with signals that identify a location within a location identification grid. These signals can include a first component corresponding to the first geographic area and the second component corresponding to one or more second geographic areas.
US09689681B2 System and method for vehicle operation
A system includes an energy management processing unit that includes a trip planning module, a plurality of estimator modules, and an arbiter module. The trip planning module plans a trip profile specifying power settings based on trip data including a plurality of parameters having expected values. Each of the estimator modules generates an estimation re-plan request when the difference between an expected and experienced respective trip planning parameter value exceeds a threshold. The arbiter module receives at least one estimation re-plan request from the plurality of estimator modules, determines whether a re-plan is to be performed based on at least one of a state of the vehicle system or additional estimation re-plan requests, and provides an arbitrated re-plan request to the trip planning module for re-planning the trip profile when it is determined that a re-plan is to be performed.
US09689679B2 Gyroscopes based on nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond
A solid-state gyroscope apparatus based on ensembles of negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy (NV−) centers in diamond and methods of detection are provided. In one method, rotation of the NV− symmetry axis will induce Berry phase shifts in the NV− electronic ground-state coherences proportional to the solid angle subtended by the symmetry axis. A second method uses a modified Ramsey scheme where Berry phase shifts in the 14N hyperfine sublevels are employed.
US09689677B2 MEMS device with common mode rejection structure
A MEMS device includes a drive spring system coupling a pair of drive masses and a sense spring system coupling a pair of sense masses. The drive spring system includes a constrained stiff beam and flexures interconnecting the pair of drive masses. In response to drive movement of the drive masses the flexures enable pivotal movement of the constrained stiff beam about its center hinge point to enable anti-phase drive motion of the drive masses and to suppress in-phase motion of the drive masses. The sense spring system includes diagonally oriented stiff beams and a spring system that enable anti-phase sense motion of the sense masses while suppressing in-phase motion of the sense masses. Coupling masses interposed between the drive and sense masses decouple the drive motion of the drive masses from the sense motion of the sense masses.
US09689670B2 Thickness and convexity detection device for plate strip
The invention relates to a device for detecting the thickness and crown of plates and strips, belonging to the field of nuclear technology applications. The device comprises a C-frame; two ray source mounted in an upper arm of the C-frame and distributed at an interval along the width direction of a steel plate/strip; two rows of gas-pressurized ionization chamber detector arrays mounted in a lower arm of the C-frame and distributed at an interval along the moving direction of the plate/strip; collimators mounted below the two ray source, the collimators enabling the rays of each ray source to only irradiate to a corresponding row of detectors; pre-amplifier modules connected with the detector arrays; a data collector connected with the pre-amplifier modules; a data processing and displaying computer connected with the data collector; and a cooling water and pressurized air service system and a control system for ensuring system operation and monitoring. The device of the invention is simple in structure and high in dynamic measurement accuracy, and the detectors have the advantages of small temperature drift, irradiation resistance, high spatial resolution, high cost performance and the like.
US09689668B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
A projection pattern as an image obtained by compositing the first two-dimensional pattern image and the second two-dimensional pattern image is projected onto an object, and the object onto which the projection pattern has been projected is captured. The three-dimensional shape information of the object is measured based on the projection pattern and the captured image. When a region formed from one or a plurality of pixels is set as the first unit area, and a region having a size larger than that of the first unit area is set as the second unit area, each first unit area of the first two-dimensional pattern image is assigned with one of a plurality of pixel values, and each second unit area of the second two-dimensional pattern image is assigned with one of the plurality of pixel values.
US09689667B2 System, method and computer program for receiving a light beam
The invention relates to a system (21) for receiving a light beam, comprising an array of light sensors (26). The system also comprises a pixelated light switch array (24), in which each switch is adapted to receive at least one portion of the light beam and direct it to the array of light sensors (26), and the pixelated light switch array (24) comprises a higher number of switches than the number of light sensors comprised in the array of light sensors (26).
US09689660B2 Method and device for monitoring status of turbine blades
An object of this invention is to sense a transient displacement of the blade position to thereby detect abnormalities early. The invention includes: one or more first sensors mounted so as to be removable from an outer surface of a casing opposed to blade tips; a second sensor for acquiring a signal from a fixed point on a rotor shaft of the blades; a section configured to extract data groups from an output signal of the first sensor on the basis of information acquired by the second sensor; a section configured to average the data groups; a section configured to determine thresholds from averaged data obtained under a healthy condition; and an assessing section configured to compare magnitude of the thresholds and sensor signals obtained during blade status monitoring. Since a transient displacement of blade position can be sensed, abnormalities can be detected early in this invention. This early detection, in turn, enables a rotation to be stopped during an initial phase of blade damage. The invention is therefore advantageous in minimizing impacts on other devices.
US09689659B2 Method of detecting an object with a proximity sensor
The disclosure relates to a method of detecting an object using a detection signal supplied by a proximity sensor. The method comprises the steps of generating a reference signal by filtering the value of the detection signal, defining a first detection threshold, and going from an object non-detecting state to an object detecting state when the value of the detection signal becomes greater than the first detection threshold. When the value of the detection signal becomes greater than the first detection threshold, the value of the reference signal is readjusted in a manner such that the value of the detection signal again becomes less than or respectively greater than, the first detection threshold.
US09689653B2 Fastener size measurement tool
Systems, devices, and methods are provided for quickly and accurately measuring fastener sizes as disclosed.
US09689650B2 Wing deployment mechanism
Wing deployment mechanism for deploying a pair of wings from an airborne body, wherein their deployment in motion, each one around an axis, defines the wings' deployment plane relative to the airborne body, and wherein the mechanism is characterized by that it comprises a propelable assembly mounted in the airborne body and suited to a rotational motion around an axis that is substantially orthogonal in its direction to the wings' deployment plane, a pair of arms that are linked, each one, on its one side to the assembly and at distance from the assembly's rotation axis, and on its other side to an end of one of the wings and at a distance from the axis around which the rotational motion of the wing in the wings' deployment plane is enabled, and wherein the link of each one of the arms is performed in a manner that enables angular motion of each of the arms relative to the assembly and to the end of the wing unto which it is linked, and wherein propelling the assembly to rotational motion and actuating a momentum for turning the wing as a result by the arm that is connected to it bring about concurrent rotational motion of the pair of wings in opposing directions and to their deployment on the wings' deployment plane, a method for deploying a pair of wings from an airborne body that is implementable in such mechanism and an airborne body equipped with such mechanism.
US09689648B1 Large caliber frangible projectile
A large caliber, frangible, training projectile imitates, for training purposes, the corresponding tactical projectile. To enable fragmentation of the training projectile at impact, some embodiments of the frangible projectile are partially or entirely made of a material with a lower yield strength than the material used in the counterpart tactical projectile. Some embodiments of the frangible projectile may include portions that are sectioned, welded, or provided with stress risers. Some embodiments of the frangible projectile may include high density particles suspended in a weaker medium. The fragmentation methods may be applied to the overall mass of the projectile, or to a portion of the projectile.
US09689646B1 System for magnetic coupling
An adapter system for attaching one or more accessories to an object comprising a first segment and a second segment, the first segment having a first bottom wherein the first bottom further comprises a first bottom chamfered recess having a central pin, the second segment having a second top wherein the second top further comprises a second top chamfered surface configured to be received into the first bottom chamfered recess and having an opening to receive the central pin, wherein one of the first top and second bottom have means of removably or slidably attaching to one or more rails and one of the first top and second bottom have means of removably attaching to one or more devices and wherein one or more of the first bottom chamfered recess and second top chamfered surface further comprises one or more strong magnets or electromagnetic field generating objects.
US09689641B2 Hands free carrier system
A hands free carrier system that enables a hunter to easily and quickly accessed a hunting bow that is carried in a protected, hands-free manner. The system includes a bow with a mounting peg, a waist belt or chest harness mounted holster with an interior pocket that includes a vertically receiver slot. The mounting peg is attached to the bow in an offset location from its center axis so the bow automatically hangs with its longitudinal axis vertically aligned adjacent to the hunter's waist or back when attached to the holster. The peg includes a wide head attached to a narrow post. During use, the bow is positioned over the holster so the peg is oriented over the receiver slot in the holster. When the bow is moved downward, the peg slides into the receiver slot and captures the wide head. In another embodiment, the holster includes a rotating locking disc that engages the wide head that requires a combination movement of rotation and lifting of the bow in order to bow from the holster.
US09689639B1 Connection device for connecting limb to barrel of crossbow
A crossbow includes a barrel, a fixing member and a limb. The barrel includes a recess defined between the first and second ends of the barrel. The fixing member is engaged with the recess. A pin extends through the barrel and the fixing member to restrict the fixing member from disengaging from the recess. The pin includes a head and a shank which has a groove, a first notch and a second notch. The groove is located between the first and second notches. A positioning unit positions the pin to the barrel. A string is connected between two ends of the limb. The fixing member is able to quickly engaged with or disengaged from the recess of the barrel to quickly assemble or dis-assemble the limb relative to the barrel.
US09689637B1 Brace for stabilizing a firearm
A padded brace for a firearm includes a body which is arranged for mounting to the underside of the muzzle end of a firearm stock. The padded brace includes a body which presents a forward facing brace portion which presents a surface which is suitable for gripping upright surfaces. A padded portion is fixed underneath the body. The padded portion is suitable for supporting the muzzle end of the firearm on a ledge such as a window sill. In a second embodiment, retractable, folding legs may be mounted to opposite sides of the body of the padded brace.
US09689635B2 Device for preventing the tensioning of a firing pin spring in the disarming of a hammerless self-loading pistol provided with a lock slide and a self-loading pistol with such a device
The invention relates to a device for prevention of the tensioning of a firing pin spring in the disarming of a hammerless self-loading pistol (1) provided with a lock slide (7), wherein the device can assume a disarming position and a locking position, with: a spring-loadable firing pin (17) with a lug (17a) formed on it for active engagement with a sear (19), which in the cocking position for cocking the firing pin spring protrudes into the path of motion of the lug (17a) and in the disarming position is disengaged from the lug (17a), a trigger bar (27) coupled with a trigger which in the disarming position disengages the sear (19) from the lug (17a), and is characterized by a disarming shaft (15), which in the disarming position enables a movement of the trigger (5) and thus the trigger bar (27) to the front, and a disconnector bar (21) that can be coupled to the trigger bar (27), said disconnector bar being impacted in the disarming position by the lock slide (7) moved to the front and as a result operatively disengaging the sear (19) from the lug (17a) by means of the trigger bar (27). The invention also relates to a self-loading pistol equipped with such a device.
US09689617B2 System for reducing air temperatures adjacent an air cooler
A pre-chill system for reducing the temperature of air entering a cooling system includes a wicking material sheet and a series of frame segments. The frame segments are operable to secure the wicking material sheet to an outer casing of the cooling system in a path along which air enters the cooling system, each of the series of frame segments including one or more magnets magnetically attachable to the cooling system. A misting system is capable of directing moisture adjacent an outer face of the wicking material sheet. The frame segments are magnetically attachable to the outer casing of the cooling system over the wicking material sheet so as to retain the wicking material sheet against the outer casing with the wicking material sheet held between the frame segments and the outer casing.
US09689611B2 Locking cam stop
A locking cam stop conducts rotation from a driving part, such as a tire ring, to a driven part, such as a rotary dryer or kiln. The device utilizes clamping cams with logarithmic profiles to secure the tire ring without welding or direct attachment, only frictional force. The cams provide immediate, powerful holding force in the desired direction, while allowing free counter-rotation when necessary. The device utilizes a tension link to maintain sufficient contact with the tire ring, ensuring that the cams will engage and hold the tire ring when necessary.
US09689609B2 Portable bag assembly having drying and sterilization function
Disclosed herein is a portable bag assembly having a drying and sterilization function. The portable bag assembly includes a bag main body configured to form an inner space enabling an article to be received in and removed from the inner space, the partition unit having an openable surface so that access to the inner space is made; a partition unit contained in the bag main body to partition the inner space into multiple regions; a management unit provided in a portion of the bag main body to sterilize an article or to dry a wet article; a controller provided in a portion of the bag main body and electrically connected to the management unit, the controller controlling operation of the management unit; and a wireless communication module electrically connected to the controller to receive a control signal from a wireless terminal and transfer it to the controller.
US09689606B2 Method of, and apparatus for, making frozen beverages, ice cream and other frozen confections
A frozen beverage device to convert a liquid beverage into a semi-frozen or frozen form has inner and outer walls forming at least one refrigerant cavity containing a refrigerant material with a freezing point below the freezing point of the liquid, the refrigerant material occupying at least 60% of the volume of the refrigerant cavity. The walls of the device can be squeezed to accelerate the heat transfer from the liquid to the refrigerant material; and the device may be placed in a squeezing apparatus. Where the device is to be disposable, the device can be placed in a flexible sheath or outer container before being squeezed to protect the device and/or insulate the user from the refrigerant material. A freezing spoon or stirrer can be used to assist, or accelerate, the freezing process.
US09689602B2 Method and apparatus for thermally protecting and/or transporting temperature sensitive products
Embodiments of the subject invention relate to a method and apparatus for thermally protecting a product, such as when storing and/or shipping a product, so as to control the temperatures the products are exposed to. Embodiments can increased the amount of time the product and/or portions of the product experience a desired temperature range and/or reduce the amount of time the product and/or portions of the product experience temperatures outside of the desired temperature range and/or experience an undesirable temperature range. Embodiments can incorporate thermally conductive materials, such as aluminum sheets, positioned around and/or near the product positioned inside a packaging container, such that the conductive materials conduct heat from one or more locations in the interior of the package to one or more other locations in the interior of the package. These thermally conductive materials can be referred to as conductive equalizers. The conductive equalizers can conductively transfer heat from the hotter portions of the interior of the container to cooler portions of the interior of the container and/or from portions of the interior desired to be cooled to the cold bank. Conducting heat from hotter portions to cooler portions, or from portions to be cooled to the cold bank can result in a more uniform temperature distribution around the product.
US09689597B2 Air-conditioning system for an aircraft, and method for an aircraft
An aircraft air conditioning system comprises a plurality of temperature zones and at least one door. Comprises an air-conditioning unit configured to condition and provide air to at least one of the plurality of temperature zones, temperature zone sensors each associated with a temperature zone for measuring the temperature therein, and a control unit. The control unit receives information representing the closing state of a cabin door, and is coupled to the temperature zone sensors and configured to control the temperature of the conditioned air provided to at least one of the plurality of temperature zones in two operation modes. In a first mode, when doors are closed, the temperature control depends on the measured temperatures in the temperature zones. In the second mode, it depends on a set-temperature, independent of the measured temperature in a temperature zone affected by an open door.
US09689592B2 In-vehicle absorption heat pump device
An in-vehicle absorption heat pump device comprises a regenerator; an in-vehicle heat source heating absorbent in the regenerator; a gas-liquid separator; a condenser condensing gas phase separated from the absorbent; an evaporator evaporating a condensate to form vapor; an absorber for bringing the relatively concentrated absorbent in liquid phase in contact with the gas phase to cause the absorbent to absorb the gas phase and be relatively diluted; an absorbent circulation source circulating the absorbent; a bypass passage connecting a liquid-phase storing portion of the gas-liquid separator and the regenerator while bypassing the absorber; and a bypass transfer source in the bypass passage returning the absorbent in the gas-liquid separator to the regenerator. To dilute absorbent in the absorber, a diluent passage allows the condenser and the absorber to communicate and the condensate in the condenser to be supplied to the absorber through the diluent passage by a dilution element.
US09689584B2 Optimizing communication modes in wireless-enabled climate control system controllers
Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of system controllers and methods for controlling a climate control system. In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless-enabled climate system controller receives power from one or more power sources. A processor and memory of the controller are configured to monitor power budget availability from the power source(s) for performance of wireless communication by the climate control system controller. The processor and memory are further configured to determine power budget requirements for combinations of communication modes in which the controller is capable of performing wireless communication, and based on the monitoring and determining, configure the controller to perform wireless communication using a selected one of the communication mode combinations. A thermostat can optimize levels of operation and battery life, by determining an appropriate operating mode that could offer the most functionality while not exceeding the power budget available.
US09689572B2 Variable volume combustor with a conical liner support
The present application provides a variable volume combustor for use with a gas turbine engine. The variable volume combustor may include a liner, a number of micro-mixer fuel nozzles positioned within the liner, and a conical liner support supporting the liner.
US09689570B2 Heater and glow plug with the same
The present invention relates to a heater including a heating element of which a main component is V, Nb, Ta, Mo, or W, leads bonded to respective ends of the heating element, and an insulating base in which the heating element and the lead are embedded, in which the heating element and the insulating base are formed of a sintered body which is integrally sintered, the heating element includes a compound including at least one of V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, or Fe, which is an element different from the element used as the main component of the heating element, and the element is substantially not included around the heating element in the insulating base.
US09689568B2 Adjustable division plate for classifier coal flow control
A solid particle distribution controller includes a plurality of division plates proximate a division between an upstream solid particle conveyance pipe and a plurality of downstream pipes. The solid particle distribution controller also includes a plurality of extension plates. Each of the extension plates is movably mounted proximate to a respective division plate for movement in an upstream and downstream direction with respect to the division plate. The plurality of extension plates are configured and adapted for motion in the upstream and downstream direction independent of one another to extend upstream of the division plates as needed to improve solid particle distribution among the downstream pipes.
US09689563B2 Angle and alignment adjusting method for a display
A light-emitting display system has an alignment mechanism to align or angle light-emitting tiles of the display. A first tile connects to a second tile by joining a first clamp portion on the first tile with a second clamp portion on the second tile. In an implementation, the alignment mechanism includes a replaceable angle adjustment insert that is inserted into at least one of the clamp portions, such as the first clamp portion. When the first and second clamp portions are joined, a surface of the second clamp portion presses against the insert and a desired angle between the first and second tile is formed. The insert can have any angle so that any desired angle can be formed between the first and second tiles.
US09689562B2 Method of installing at least one lighting module
A lighting module includes a ribbon-like containment body with a web wall having a first and a second face opposite to each other and a pair of side walls extending sidewise of the first face of the web wall to define a channel-like shape of the containment body, a ribbon-like mounting board for mounting light radiation sources, the mounting board being arranged in the channel-like shape of the containment body with a mounting surface facing away from the first face of the web wall of the containment body, and a light radiation source mounted on the mounting surface of the board for projecting light radiation from the channel-like shape of the containment body. The lighting module includes a pair of hook-like profiles protruding from and along the second face of the web wall of the containment body to permit mounting of the lighting module by hooking to a mounting element.
US09689561B2 Lighting unit for a large electrical device
A lighting unit for a large electrical household appliance includes a base part configured to receive a luminous element and having positive engagement elements, and a top part configured for attachment to the base part through displacement of the top part longitudinally in a connection plane relative to the base part. The top part has in displacement direction a front region which is provided with two gripping hooks for engagement with the positive engagement elements of the base part, with the gripping hooks engaging below the positive engagement elements.
US09689554B1 Asymmetric area lighting lens
A lens for distributing light from a light emitter in a desired asymmetric illumination profile includes a lens body having an input side and an output side. The input side receives light from an emitter, and the output side includes primary refractive surface, total internal reflection surfaces, and a secondary refractive surface associated with the total internal refection surfaces. A primary emission axis associated with the emitter is defined through the lens body, and a transverse reference plane is positioned parallel to the primary emission axis. A desired illumination region is located on a first side of the reference plane, and a desired dark region is located on a second side of the reference plane. The primary refractive surface, the total internal reflection surfaces and the secondary refractive surface direct a substantial portion of the light from the emitter to the desired illumination region.
US09689541B2 Hanger bar for recessed luminaires with integral nail
A hanger bar assembly for a recessed luminaire is disclosed. The hanger bar assembly includes a first hanger bar member having a first attachment structure disposed on an end thereof, and a second hanger bar member having a second attachment structure disposed on an end thereof, the second hanger bar member being adjacent to the first hanger bar member. The first and the second attachment structures each include a first wall having a first fastener aperture and a second wall having a second fastener aperture, the first and second fastener apertures being formed about a common central longitudinal axis.
US09689525B2 Removable tripod foot with securement
Installation of a removable tripod foot is facilitated by a cross-axis aperture in the foot and loosening of the threaded connection of the foot and the tripod's leg is resisted by a resilient element engaging interfacing surfaces of the foot and the leg.
US09689524B2 Pliable member panel support
A panel support (24, 424, 824) comprises an arm (26, 826) having a first portion coupled to a panel (22, 422, 822) and a second portion movable to an extended panel supporting position. A pliable member (28, 828) extends from the panel (22, 422, 822) and is coupled to the arm (26, 826). The pliable member (28, 828) is maintained in tension despite movement of the arm (26, 826).
US09689521B2 Fastening device, hanging device, and method for mounting a hanging device
A fastening device for fastening an elastic hang-on part for hanging at least a part of an exhaust system on a motor vehicle is provided. The fastening device includes a flange part having a first holding pin, and a mounting part having a second holding pin, wherein the first holding pin and the second holding pin are adapted to, together, hold the elastic hang-on part, wherein the flange part includes a first side portion and a flange plate, wherein the first holding pin extends substantially perpendicular away from the first side portion and the flange plate extends substantially perpendicular in the same direction as the first holding pin away from the first side portion, and wherein the mounting part includes a second side portion and a mounting plate.
US09689518B2 Retaining ring for pressure vessel connection
A split retaining ring for a connection assembly adapted for connecting an instrument or other device to a vessel, such as a pressure vessel. The connection assembly includes a base, an instrument or device, and a split retaining ring wherein the split retaining ring includes overlapping end portions. The split retaining ring also includes an annular rib adapted for engaging a ferrule of the instrument or device in order to substantially sealing engage the instrument or device to the base.
US09689516B2 Quick connect coupling with retention feature
The present invention provides a quick connect coupling with a retention feature that resists inadvertent disconnection of the coupling in a pressurized state.
US09689514B2 Composite pipe to metal joint
A method for making a metal to composite tube joint including selecting an elongated interior fitting constructed with an exterior barrel, reduced in exterior diameter to form a distally facing annular shoulder and then projecting still further distally to form an interior sleeve having a radially outwardly facing bonding surface. Selecting an elongated metal outer sleeve formed proximally with a collar constructed for receipt over the barrel and increased in interior diameter and projecting distally to form an exterior sleeve having a radially inwardly facing bonding surface cooperating with the first bonding surface to form an annulus receiving an extremity of a composite tube and a bond bonding the extremity of the tube to the bonding surfaces.
US09689505B2 Valve remote control apparatus
It is to realize a valve remote control apparatus capable of driving and controlling, with wireless signals, an air motor configuring an automatic switch to be attached to a manual valve.A valve remote control apparatus is configured to mechanically connect, to a manual operating portion 11 of an existing manual valve 10, an output shaft 21a of an air motor 21 using an air pressure as a drive source, and to remotely control the manual value 10. The valve remote control apparatus includes a solenoid valve (operating valve 53) operated by an operation signal transmitted and received wirelessly between a contact information terminal portion 51 and a contact information operating portion 52. The air pressure for driving and rotating the air motor 21 is supplied via the solenoid valve (operating valve 53).
US09689504B2 Electronic expansion valve and connection assembly therefor
An electronic expansion valve and a connector assembly thereof are provided. The connector assembly includes a connector seat hermetically connected to a housing of the electronic expansion valve, and contact pins configured to connect an external control component. The housing has a valve cavity in which an electrical motor is arranged, the connector seat has a sealing cavity in communication with the valve cavity, an insulation sleeve is provided inside the sealing cavity and provided with mounting positions corresponding to terminals of the electrical motor, and the mounting positions are electrically insulated from each other and spaced from each other, the insulation sleeve is further provided with connecting holes, and each contact pin has one end passing through the respective connecting hole to be connected to the respective terminal, and another end extending out of the sealing cavity to form a connecting end to connect the external control component.
US09689502B2 Rotary exhaust valve system
According to one aspect, a rotary exhaust valve system includes an arcuate ring having a first plurality of apertures and a rotary valve ring disposed in an overlapping relation with the arcuate ring. The rotary valve ring has a second plurality of apertures forming therein corresponding to at least some of the first plurality of apertures. A first crank is disposed in a first side of the rotary exhaust valve system, and a second crank is disposed in a second side of the rotary exhaust valve system. The second crank is connected to the first crank and the rotary valve ring, and the first crank actuates the second crank and moves the rotary valve ring such that openings of the first plurality of apertures are closed and opened.
US09689501B2 Slide valve having a valve slide
A slide valve having a valve slide which can be acted on by an actuator in a first direction, and by an impingement device in a second direction which is opposite the first direction, and which may hydraulically connect a first working connection to an inlet connection or to an outlet connection, and a second working connection to the inlet connection or to the outlet connection, with the aid of control sections. A control section associated with the first working connection has a diameter stage and/or an axially extending groove and/or an axially extending flattened portion, so that when the actuator does not act on the valve slide, the first working connection is hydraulically connected to the outlet connection with the aid of the diameter stage and/or the groove and/or the flattened portion.
US09689498B2 Flush valve
A Flush Valve is provided that comprises a plug valve located between a first cleanout and a second cleanout. The plug valve further comprises a plug assembly inserted in a pipe fitting. The Flush Valve may be placed in a drain line of a HVAC system resulting in a first section line and a second section line. A force is applied to a knob of the plug valve closing the plug valve, and a cleanout cap removed from each of the first cleanout and the second cleanout, and suction or a pressure applied to dislodge any debris in the first section line connected to the first cleanout and the second section line connected to the second cleanout. The cleanout caps may then be replaced and the force removed decompressing a spring in the plug valve and opening the plug valve allowing the HVAC system to drain.
US09689497B2 Brush seal device
The present invention is to provide a brush seal device capable of following displacement in a radial direction of a rotational shaft appropriately. The brush seal device prevents leakage of process fluid, wear of a brush seal etc., and leakage of process fluid from an outer circumferential side. The brush seal device 100 of the present invention integrally includes an inner circumferential brush seal 120 and an outer circumferential brush seal 140. The inner circumferential brush seal 120 has a brush portion 123 and an inner-circumferential-side free end portion 125 at the inner circumferential side. The outer circumferential brush seal 140 has a brush portion 143 and an outer-circumferential-side free end portion 145 at the outer circumferential side.
US09689494B2 Hydraulic control unit
A hydraulic control unit configured to improve energy efficiency is provided. The hydraulic control unit is comprised of: a feeding passage that delivers fluid from at least any of an oil pump and an accumulator storing hydraulic pressure to an actuator; a draining passage that discharge the fluid from the actuator to a drain spot; and a discharging means that is configured to selectively discharge the fluid from the actuator to the accumulator through the feeding passage, if the fluid has to be discharged from the actuator and a pressure of the accumulator is lower than that of the actuator.
US09689493B2 System and method for minimal draindown in CVT
A hydraulic control system for a transmission is provided. The hydraulic control system provides a latching system to retain CVT clutch pressure and/or pulley pressure for one or more CVT torque transmitting mechanisms and/or CVT pulleys in a CVT transmission. Components of the hydraulic control system of the present disclosure may include blow off valves, such as ball check-valves, on the exhaust of the pulley control valves and the exhaust of the CVT clutch control valve(s), and a one-way valve, such as a supply ball check-valve, disposed adjacent to each of the fluid supply inlets of the pulley control valves and the fluid supply inlet of the CVT clutch control valve(s).
US09689490B2 Method of optimized gear selection on high speed directional shifts
Methods for machine velocity change gear selection and shift execution are disclosed. A current velocity and a maximum velocity change for a work machine from the current velocity may be determined. The maximum velocity change may be based on a maximum amount of energy expended to change the velocity of the work machine without exceeding an operational limit of a work machine component. A selected machine velocity change target gear may be a highest one of the available gears that will not cause a difference between the current velocity and an end of shift velocity of the work machine that is greater than the maximum velocity change so that the maximum amount of energy will not be exceeded. Factors affecting the maximum velocity change may include the grade, the mass of the work machine, and a transmission oil temperature.
US09689488B2 Integrated apparatus for detecting gear shifting
An integrated apparatus for detecting a gear shifting is provide that has a switch and a gear shifting detection controller for detecting a sports mode of a vehicle that are integrally implemented. The apparatus is configured to detect whether the mode is converted in to the sports mode based on a non-contact recognition manner. Therefore, production and assembly processes are simplified for providing the gear shifting detection controller and the switch to a gear shifting detection configuration, thereby reducing production costs, minimizing noise generated when a general gear shifting mode is converted into the sports mode, or the sports mode is converted into the general gear shifting mode. In addition, a lifespan of the switch configured to detect whether the mode is converted into the sports mode is increased.
US09689483B2 Torque converter comprising an external one way clutch
A torque converter including a stator, a one way clutch permitting rotation of the stator in a first direction and preventing rotation of the stator in a second opposite direction, and an adapter device including a first adapter portion connected to the stator and a second adapter portion connected to the one way clutch, so that the one way clutch is positioned offset and remote from the stator.
US09689480B2 Linear actuator
A linear actuator for moving a load includes a tubular actuator housing, which has an end-side housing bottom and an end-side housing head, a rotatably drivable threaded spindle which is mounted rotatably in the housing bottom of the actuator housing and extends in an interior of the actuator housing from the housing bottom in a direction of the housing head, a piston which comprises a spindle nut, which is in engagement with the threaded spindle, and is guided longitudinally in the actuator housing, and a hollow actuator rod which is assembled with the piston, into which actuator rod the threaded spindle dips, and which actuator rod protrudes out of the actuator housing on the housing head. The linear actuator is configured such that the actuator housing is filled with pressurized oil and gas, the oil and gas being situated in a single volume.
US09689478B2 Brake pedal apparatus with variable pedal ratio
A brake pedal apparatus with a variable pedal ratio includes a pedal shaft rotatably disposed in a pedal plate. A brake pedal is coupled to the pedal shaft A slider is coupled to the pedal shaft so as to be axially movable relative to the pedal shaft while being capable of rotating together with the pedal shaft. A drive unit may axially move the slider in accordance with a driver's actuation. An adjusting rod is fixed to the slider and is obliquely disposed. A transmission shaft is coupled to the adjusting rod so as to be movable and is coupled to a dual brake valve to operate the dual brake valve. A pedal ratio is adjusted while the adjusting rod moves together with the slider during axial movement of the slider while the transmission shaft is coupled to the dual brake valve.
US09689474B2 Chain tensioner
Provided is a chain tensioner that is capable of restricting the movement of a plunger at an engagement position, hardly causes its breakage and abrasion even if receiving a great force applied to the plunger, needs no setting for a backlash amount, and allows the engagement position of the plunger to be freely shifted forward and backward. The tensioner body has an engagement member that extends toward and retracts from engagement grooves provided on the outer periphery of the plunger, a press member that presses, in one direction, a cam member which maintains and releases the extending state of the engagement member, and a hydraulic supply path through which oil is supplied to press the cam member in a direction opposite to the pressing direction of the press member.
US09689471B2 Automatic transmission
A first retaining ring is disposed between a first outer circumferential groove provided in an outer circumferential surface of a radial bearing, and an inner circumferential groove of a cylindrical portion of a transmission case. A ring piece is provided with an outer ring of the radial bearing. The ring piece protrudes outward in a radial direction and is in contact with an output gear side end surface of the cylindrical portion in the axial direction. A return spring urges the piston in a direction opposite to a direction in which the pressure is applied by the piston. The return spring is retained in the axial direction by a second retaining ring. The second retaining ring is locked in a second outer circumferential groove of the ring piece.
US09689469B2 Transmission for vehicles
A transmission for a vehicle includes first, second, third and fourth planetary gear set, and a plurality of friction members. Each planetary gear set includes three rotating elements. The friction elements selectively and operably connect the rotating elements of the planetary gear sets to control rotation of the rotating elements. The transmission improves fuel efficiency by increasing the number of gears and enhances driving stability of the vehicle using an operating point in a low RPM range of the engine.
US09689462B2 Centrifugal pendulum device for vibration isolation
A centrifugal pendulum device for vibration isolation of a power take-off system of a drive unit, having a first pendulum element with a first mass and a second pendulum element with a second mass, which are set up to counteract vibrations of the drive unit in a resonance range. The first pendulum element has a first resonance range and the second pendulum element has a second resonance range, where the first and the second resonance ranges differ. Using the centrifugal pendulum device it is possible in a small construction space using efficient means to isolate an extended frequency range of vibrations from the drivetrain. In particular, with drive units which are designed as internal combustion engines having activatable cylinders, it is possible, using the centrifugal pendulum device proposed here to achieve a vibration isolation for many states of the drive unit.
US09689452B2 Method for assembling a pendulum-type damping device and damping device
A method for assembling a pendulum-type damping device (1) includes the steps of force-fitting a first end of the spacer (17) into an opening (26) of a first part (3a) of a pendulum mass (3). A support (2) is positioned so that the spacer (17) spans a corresponding opening of the support (2). A roller is positioned between the spacer (17) and the edge of the opening of the support (2). The second end (17b) of the spacer (17) is force fit into an opening (26) of a second part (3b) of the mass (3).
US09689451B2 Tension spring mount
End mounts are used to secure a helical tension spring to end fixtures with various shapes and sizes. These end mounts contain an inner hole to encase the inner spring end mount and secure the end mount making it like a cap. There is also a keyhole created in the top surface that goes through the end mount allowing it to fit over the fixtures but not over the inner end mount, holding it in place. Grooves are machined in a helical pattern on the cylindrical side wall of the end mount. The spring is wound onto the grooves of the end mount.
US09689444B2 Damped anti-rotational systems
A damped anti-rotational system is provided comprising a pawl carrier having an axis of rotation, a pawl pivotably mounted to the pawl carrier on a pivot joint, the pawl having a contact portion and a counterweight portion, a stop pin axially disposed in the pawl carrier and configured to contact the contact portion of the pawl in response to radially inward movement of the pawl, wherein the stop pin is mounted to the pawl carrier at a forward portion of the stop pin and an aft portion of the stop pin, wherein a forward O ring is disposed on the forward portion of the stop pin and an aft O ring is disposed on the aft portion of the stop pin.
US09689439B2 Clutch device having a back torque limiter
A clutch device includes a slipper cam mechanism which releases a back torque by moving a clutch center in an axial direction, and a plunger mechanism provided to the clutch center. The plunger mechanism engages with a movement restricting portion until a rotational speed of the clutch center reaches a threshold value thus restricting the movement of the clutch center in the clutch axial direction, and the plunger mechanism is operated by a centrifugal force when the rotational speed of the clutch center exceeds the threshold value such that it disengages from the movement restricting portion.
US09689432B2 Bearing arrangement
A bearing arrangement includes a bearing cover and a bearing block fitting thereon. The bearing block has a recess in the area of the arrangement of the bearing cover, in which the bearing cover can be arranged. The bearing cover has vertically running positioning elements. The bearing cover can be positioned on the bearing block via the vertically running positioning elements.
US09689430B2 Gear transmission
A carrier is supported by a case via a bearing. The bearing comprises an inner race, an outer race, rollers, and a retainer. The inner race has a tapered outer peripheral surface, and is fixed to a carrier. The outer race has a tapered inner peripheral surface facing the outer peripheral surface of the inner race, and is fixed to the case. The rollers is disposed between the inner race and the outer race. An end part of the retainer having a larger diameter makes contact with the case via a first member. The larger diameter end part of the retainer makes contact with the case via a second member. By the retainer making contact with the case and the carrier via the first member and the second member, the retainer can reduce friction compared to when making direct contact with the case and the carrier.
US09689429B2 Method of manufacturing shell type needle roller bearing and manufacturing jig used for manufacturing thereof
According to a method of assembling a shell type needle roller bearing 10, after both flange portions 11b and 11c of a shell outer ring 11 are formed and a heat treatment 5 is applied to the shell outer ring 11, and either a retainer 13 or a retainer 18 and needles 12 are assembled with the shell outer ring 11, and thus a plating step in the related art is not required. In addition, the retainers 13 and 18 are not thermally affected by the heat treatment, and thus a resin material can be used as the material of the retainers 13 and 18.
US09689428B2 Bearing ring including a temperature compensation ring, bearing including the bearing ring, and method for manufacturing a bearing ring
A bearing ring includes a temperature compensation ring made from an elastic material vulcanized or otherwise materially bonded onto an outer surface of the bearing ring, the outer surface being oriented in a radial direction. The bearing ring includes a radially encircling groove, and in an unloaded state of the temperature compensation ring, that is, independently of an application of axial pressure against the temperature compensation ring, the temperature compensation ring fills the groove in an interference-fit manner.
US09689427B2 Tilting pad and radial plain bearing
A tilting pad, preferably for a radial plain bearing which supports a shaft, with a spaced position in relation to a bearing axis and comprising a supporting surface and a bearing surface opposite the supporting surface, whereby the supporting surface is delimited in an axial direction by two lateral surfaces when viewed transversely, and in a circumferential direction by a run-in edge and a run-out edge when viewed in an installation position, and whereby structures aiding removal of lubricant and coolant are provided on the run-out edge; wherein the structures aiding removal of lubricant and coolant on the run-out edge comprise open-edged recesses arranged on the run-out edge spaced apart from one another in an axial direction.
US09689423B2 Rolling bearing
A cage has a small-diameter annular portion provided between an inner ring and an outer ring on a first side of a bearing in an axial direction and a plurality of cage bars extending from the small-diameter annular portion toward a second side of the bearing in the axial direction. In each of an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter annular portion, recessed portions are formed which is each open toward a bearing exterior on the first side of the bearing in the axial direction. An inner wall of each recessed portion has an inclined surface that serves to enlarge a cross section of the recessed portion toward the bearing exterior on the first side of the bearing in the axial direction.
US09689409B2 Passive piston hydraulic device with partition
A hydraulic device having: a housing; a bore of the housing having a first piston positioned therein for a first reciprocal motion within the bore along a bore axis; a mechanical element coupled to the first piston for either driving the first reciprocal motion or being driven by the first reciprocal motion; a second piston positioned in the bore for a second reciprocal motion within the bore along the bore axis; a hydraulic fluid chamber of the bore positioned between the first piston and the second piston, the hydraulic fluid chamber having a hydraulic fluid inlet and a hydraulic fluid outlet; a chamber of the bore positioned between the second piston and a wall of the housing, the chamber for having a resilient element therein; a separator partition dividing the hydraulic fluid chamber into a first hydraulic fluid chamber and a second hydraulic fluid chamber, the separator partition positioned in the bore between the hydraulic fluid inlet and the second piston, the separator partition having a first fluid passageway for fluidly coupling the first hydraulic fluid chamber with the second hydraulic fluid chamber; and a valve for controlling flow in the first fluid passageway of hydraulic fluid between the first hydraulic fluid chamber and the second hydraulic fluid chamber.
US09689402B2 Centrifugal pump impellor with novel balancing holes that improve pump efficiency
A centrifugal pump impellor includes balancing holes that reduce axial thrust while minimizing the loss of pump efficiency. In one general aspect, the balancing holes penetrate the rear shroud between the blades, and are angled in both axial and rotational directions so as to direct the leakage fluid approximately parallel to the primary process fluid, so that it causes minimal interference with the primary fluid flow. In a second general aspect, the balancing holes extend from the rear cavity within the impellor blades and through the leading edges of the blades, thereby entering the primary flow in locations where the process fluid is almost static relative to the blades. This minimizes the impact on the flow of the process fluid past the blades, and thereby minimizes the loss of pump efficiency caused by the balance holes. In embodiments, each blade leading edge includes a plurality of balancing hole outlets.
US09689398B2 Magnetic bearing device and compressor
A magnetic bearing body supports a rotating shaft using a combined electromagnetic force of a pair of control electromagnets without contact. A controller detects a control index value based on a first coil current passed through a coil of a first control electromagnet of the pair of control electromagnets which generates an electromagnetic force in the same direction as that of a load exerted on the rotating shaft, the control index value being an index of the degree of margin for error in control depending on a value of the first coil current. And the controller controls a middle value of a pair of coil currents passed through the respective corresponding coils of the pair of control electromagnets so that the control index value approaches a predetermined target index value.
US09689394B2 Switchable mechanical coolant pump
A coolant pump includes a rotatable rotor shaft, a pulley wheel which co-rotates with and is supported by the rotor shaft, a pump wheel rotatably supported at the rotor shaft, and an electrically switched wedge-coupled wet friction clutch. The wedge-coupled wet friction clutch comprises a clutch support fixed to the rotor shaft, a clutch ring arranged at a proximal side of the pump wheel, a clutch disk comprising a ferromagnetic element, a static electromagnet which axially pulls the clutch disk to the clutch support into a disengaged position when the static electromagnet is energized, and a wedge coupling mechanism. The wedge coupling mechanism comprises a wedge element and a counter-wedge element which are configured to generate an axial wedge force which axially pushes the clutch disk into an engaged position against the clutch ring when the static electromagnet is not energized and the rotor shaft rotates.
US09689391B2 Compressor having sound isolation feature
Scroll compressor designs are provided to minimize vibration, sound, and noise transmission. The scroll compressor has a bearing housing, and orbiting and non-orbiting scroll members. The non-orbiting scroll member has a radially extending flanged portion with at least one aperture substantially aligned with the axially extending bore. At least one fastener is disposed within the aperture and the bore. A sound isolation member contacts at least one of the non-orbiting scroll member, the fastener, or the bearing housing, to reduce or eliminate noise transmission. The sound isolation member may be formed of a polymeric composite having an acoustic impedance value greater than the surrounding materials. The sound isolation member may be an annular washer, an O-ring, or a biasing member, by way of non-limiting example. In other variations, fluid passages are provided within the fastener and/or bearing housing to facilitate entry of lubricant oil to further dampen sound and noise.
US09689389B2 Shaft seal for an open-drive compressor
Devices and methods for maintaining lubrication of a shaft seal of an open-drive compressor that is operating in a vacuum condition. The external side of the shaft seal allows retention of a volume of lubricant for extending the lifespan of the shaft seal for the open-drive compressor. The devices can also reduce and/or prevent deterioration of the shaft seal regardless of the operation condition of the open-drive compressor. The devices can further reduce and/or prevent leakage of a lubricant and/or refrigerant that can cause deterioration of components within a transport refrigeration unit (TRU).
US09689384B2 Liquid feed pump and liquid chromatograph
A recess into which a protrusion of a plunger seal is to be fitted is provided at a part of a pump head where a plunger is to be inserted into a pump chamber. The plunger seal seals the pump chamber by an outer circumferential surface of the protrusion coming into close contact with an inner circumferential surface of the recess and a surface of a flange on the side of the protrusion coming into close contact with a circumferential edge surface of the recess of the pump head due to the protrusion being fitted into the recess and being pressed by a backup ring toward the pump chamber. The inner circumferential surface of the recess of the pump head and the circumferential edge surface of the recess are covered by a film of an acid-resistant material.
US09689381B2 Method and apparatus for recovery of parasitic energy losses
A system for the recovery of parasitic energy loss in a vehicle includes a magnet and coil arrangement operatively and movable coupled with respect to one another, such that motion of the drive train of the vehicle with respect to the frame components causes relative motion therebetween to thereby induce an electrical current in the coil which may be used or stored in the vehicle.
US09689373B2 Apparatus for converting wind into circular mechanical motion
Pocket and cup sails formed from flexible materials, especially such sails formed with excess material, have spar like supports attached at their deepest point to maintain the depth of the said sails when the wind fills them so that the sails expand to maximize resistance to the wind coming into the openings of the sails and so that the sails deflate when the wind is coming from the back of the sails to minimize resistance to the wind, the said sails being attached to rotor arms on rotary devices to provide torque, the torque being used to rotate decorative structures including the sails themselves, generate electricity, bring airplane tires up to speed before landing, and/or measure wind speed, and sails optionally having cuffs on the inside to help the sails inflate and/or maintain inflation by minimizing spillage of air.
US09689372B2 Vertical-axis wind turbine with protective screen
A vertical-axis wind turbine apparatus is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus provides a substantially vertically-oriented main shaft. A blade assembly is coaxially aligned with and rotatably engaged about the main shaft. The blade assembly provides an at least one blade radially projecting therefrom. A housing is rotatably engaged with the main shaft and configured for selectively encompassing the blade assembly. A first screen is integral with the housing and configured for shielding a return portion of the blade assembly. A second screen is rotatably engaged with the housing and configured for selectively moving between a retracted position, wherein the second screen is positioned substantially adjacent to the first screen such that a catch portion of the blade assembly is exposed, and a deployed position, wherein the second screen is rotated away from the first screen for at least partially shielding the catch portion from the wind.
US09689369B2 Endless belt energy converter
The present invention relates to a way to convert energy from a fluid flow, using a fluid-flow transducer, having a frame anchorable against the flow, an elongated conveyor supported by the frame, and a plurality of vanes distributed along the conveyor, adapted to engage the fluid flow and to drive the conveyor in response to urging of the fluid flow, in combination with a power take-off coupled to be driven by the conveyor and adapted to drive a load.
US09689358B2 Air flow measuring device
A second sensor includes a lead wire and is exposed to intake air flowing through a passage outside a housing. A conduction body is conductively-joined to the wire. A lead hole opens on an exposed surface, and the wire or the conduction body is pulled out of the passage through the hole. A predetermined terminal is conductively-joined to the wire or the conduction body which is pulled out through the hole. A mold part is provided by injection-molding from resin fluid to seal a conductively-joined part between the wire or the conduction body and the predetermined terminal. The hole is filled up with a filler material to limit leakage of intake air from the passage. A high resilient part has higher resilience than the filler material and is located between the filler material and the mold part to receive injection pressure at time of the injection-molding of the mold part.
US09689340B2 Controller integrated fuel pump module
A controller integrated fuel pump module may include a receiving part formed on an outer surface of a flange assembled in a fuel tank, a PCB assembly configured by mounting elements of a controller to a PCB, wherein the PCB assembly is molded by a molding part while being received in the receiving part, and a convexo-concave portion having a shape in which recesses and bosses, the convexo-concave portion being repeatedly formed on an inner surface of the receiving part, such that a bonding force between the receiving part and the molding part is increased by the convexo-concave portion.
US09689325B2 Evaporative fuel processing system
A purge pump is installed in a purge conduit, which forms a purge passage that communicates between an inside of a canister and an air intake passage. When a pressure of the air intake passage is equal to or smaller than a predetermined pressure, a large quantity of evaporative fuel, which is larger than a predetermined purge quantity, is introduced into the air intake passage. At this time, a pump electric power supply device supplies a relatively small amount of the electric power to the purge pump to run the purge pump. When the pressure of the air intake passage is larger than the predetermined pressure, the purge pump is driven to pump the evaporative fuel into the air intake passage. At that time, the pump electric power supply device supplies a relatively large amount of the electric power to the purge pump.
US09689317B2 System and method for operating a gas turbine
A system and method for operating a gas turbine include a controller that determines, for at least one combustion instability, a frequency; a quantification of the frequency or a quantification of the frequency through time; and, optionally, a phase and/or an amplitude. The logic also causes the controller to compare the frequency, the quantification of the frequency or the quantification of the frequency through time, the phase, and/or the amplitude of the at least one combustion instability to an associated predetermined limit. When the frequency is actionable relative to its predetermined limit and one of the quantification of the frequency or the quantification of the frequency through time is actionable relative to its respective predetermined limit, at least one parameter of the gas turbine is adjusted. The quantification of the frequency is one of the standard deviation, the coefficient of variation, the index of dispersion, and the variance.